Incineration (Heart of Stone)

by Sidebottom, D H

  We were both breathing harshly, panting fast as the nausea rose again “Mason let me go” I screeched and wriggled off him as I rushed to the toilet, flinging my head down the bowl again as the sickness came. “Jesus!! Not today” I groaned as Mason was back to crouching beside me “Baby, do you think you ought to call in sick” he asked, his face full of worry. I shook my head rapidly “Mason, I can’t, it’s my first day” I groaned again as I heaved again, closing my eyes to the onslaught “I think it’s that Chinese we had. It must be” I sighed. “Do you want me to nip to the chemist?” he asked and I flinched “What the hell for?” I snapped. He recoiled a little “Just to see if they have anything for nausea” he smiled timidly. I closed my palm around his cheek “I’m sorry Baby, I didn’t mean to snap” I said but my chest tightened at what I thought he had meant, I pushed it away and pulled myself up whilst Mason gazed at me thoughtfully. I caught his eyes and quickly looked away “I better get ready” I said sharply and scurried into the bedroom.

  I was flapping about trying to find the hairdryer when I noticed him watching me from the bathroom door “Ava…” I cut him off “Where’s your damn hairdryer?” I snapped and he frowned at me but said nothing as he walked over to the dresser and took it from the top drawer, handing it to me but not letting go as I went to take it “Ava…” he started again, his eyebrows raised in a warning. I shook my head sternly and pulled at the dryer “I need to get ready, leave me be” I growled as I sat at the dresser and started drying my hair.

  His face darkened but he nodded and stalked over to the wardrobe, pulled out some clothes and quickly got himself dressed. He gave me one last probing look and then left the room.

  As soon as he disappeared I groaned and held my head in my hands and closed my eyes “Stupid, Stupid, Stupid” I scolded myself “For fucks sake Ava, you stupid girl” I sighed, rubbing at my temples with trembling fingers.

  I felt his arms circle my stomach as he crouched behind me “Baby, it’ll be okay” he sighed and kissed the nape of my neck. I shook my head “How could we have been so stupid Mason, we should have used condoms” I scolded us both but he smiled gently “Shush Ava, everything will be fine” I regarded him and frowned “Aren’t you worried Mason?” I asked in disbelief. He smiled again “No, not at all” he shrugged and I frowned harder “But Mason, we have only been together for a couple of months, I can’t be pregnant” he scowled and stood up stiffly “Why?” he seemed hurt by my words and I softened a little and stood up to face him “Mason we hardly know each other. I’m not saying I don’t want to have your baby but don’t you think it’s a little too soon?” I asked softly. He shrugged again “No!” he stated simply and my eyes widened at his openness. I cocked my head and scrutinised him eventually letting out a long breath “You really mean that don’t you?” I breathed and he nodded firmly but took my hands and kissed my knuckles “I love you Ava, and there is nothing I would love more than to bring us both together and make a baby” he smiled sheepishly, now embarrassed by his eagerness to have a family. I stood staring at him and he squirmed a little “anyway, you might not be pregnant, it could be just a stomach bug” he conceded but I could still see the hope in his eyes.

  I pulled into the car park of NSC Industries a little before 9 O’clock, I climbed from my car and shuddered as the hairs on my neck and arms rose sharply. I spun round, quickly scanning the area and squinted towards a black Ferrari that was sat idle at the side of the road. It was too far away to see properly but I could make out a figure sat behind the wheel, my instincts were telling me to run but my stupid stubbornness had me walking slowly closer to it.

  As I neared it, it sped off, shooting off at speed but it still left me feeling on edge, why was someone following me? I pulled out my phone and called Sam as I walked towards the large steps leading into the building.

  A large heavy man was stood beside the doors and he winked as he opened them for me. I mouthed a thank you and gave him a smile as I entered the large foyer and Sam answered “Hi, everything okay?” he asked and I could sense the small tremor of panic in his voice “Yeah I’m fine don’t worry, listen are you with Mason or alone?”

  I heard him hesitate and then a door close “I’m good now” he said quietly “Well I rang you cause I know what Mason’s like, he’ll be down here kidnapping me if I told him” Sam chuckled slightly “What’s up?” he asked light heartedly “Well it might be nothing but as I parked up and got out of my car, there was a person watching me from a black Ferrari” he was silent for a moment “Right okay, did he do anything else?” he asked cautiously “No, I mean I don’t even know if it was a he but as I approached he sped off” he inhaled sharply “For fucks sake Ava. Don’t go bloody near him again, he could be dangerous” he scolded and I slumped guiltily “I know but my legs wouldn’t listen to my brain” I cringed and I could virtually see the twitch of his lips “Right, well next time give your legs a fucking lecture and make sure they listen…I mean it Ava, be careful and vigilant but I’m glad you let me know. I can hook into NSC security cameras and see if I can find anything” I snorted “You can do that?” he chuckled again “Ava, I can do anything, you should know that by know” he bragged and I smiled and rolled my eyes “Okay, well I better go, I’m going to be late but Sam…please don’t tell Mason, he’ll flip and drag me home” I pleaded and I heard him sigh “You’re putting me in a really bad position Ava” he sighed again “Okay, but anything else and I won’t hesitate to tell him.”

  I thanked him and ended the call and made my way to the reception desk “Hi” I smiled at her but the woman perused me, sneered and raised her eyebrows questionably. I smiled again, this time with a slight curl on my lip at her rudeness “Ava Stone to meet Olivia Carter” I prompted and she punched a number into a phone on her desk “A Miss stone in reception for you Mrs Carter” she snapped and replaced the receiver “Take a seat please, she’ll be right down” she stated firmly and I nodded.

  I sat on a cold white leather sofa and glanced around, taking in the surroundings when a small dark haired heavily pregnant woman approached me “Miss Stone?” she questioned and I nodded and stood. She gave me a huge smile “Hi, Olivia Carter. Do you want to follow me?” she beamed and led me to an elevator.

  We slid in and she pressed the button for the 44th floor and chatted conversationally as we ascended.

  As we stepped out the opulence of the floor took my breath, it was hexagonal in shape with 5 corridors leading from it but it looked expensive, professional and very white.

  There was a large reception desk with a woman of around 40 sat smiling at us “Leah, this is Ava Stone, she’ll be covering my maternity leave” Olivia said and introduced us “Hi there, I’m Leah. I’m the main floor receptionist” she beaned and I instantly liked her.

  She was kind of hippyish and her long blonde curls flowed down her back “Hi” I smiled back and then Olivia led me down a corridor into another reception area

  “This is where you’ll be working” she smiled gently “That’s Grace Harrison’s office and the other desk is Tony Marshalls” I froze but she didn’t sense my unease “and this is your desk Ava. You’re main duties are taking care of Grace’s meetings, appointment and general assistant duties, you know, coffee, sandwich runs, that sort of thing” she winked but frowned “Are you okay Ava, you look a little peaky?” I nodded mutely and cringed when I saw Tony walking towards us with mugs of coffee, he stopped dead when he saw me and a slow lazy smile curved his lips “Uh Oh” Olivia said under her breath “Tony likes the look of you” she giggled and I bit my lips at her contagious good humour “Shush” I whispered.

  He walked over to us, a slow drawl that I think he thought was sexy and Olivia scoffed and turned around, trying to hide her giggles. “Ava” he grinned and this caused Olivia to spin back around, a deep frown on her face “You two know each other?” she asked hesitantly and I cringed again “Erm yes, we met in the supermarket a couple of weeks ago”

  I hoped he would take
the hint and leave the detail’s secret but Oh No! he went into full smarmy mode “Yes Olivia, I took Ava out for a meal last week after a wanker tried to thump her in the supermarket” Olivia’s’ eyes widened at me and I smiled sheepishly, turned my back on him and rolled my eyes at her. She winked, smirked and stifled another giggle “Well I better show Ava round Tony. I’ll bring her back soon” she pursed her lips as I glared at her and then she winked “Come on, I’ll introduce you to Grace, she’s your boss” she smiled and led me through to Grace’s office.

  The day flew and Olivia showed me all the ropes, regulations and filled me in on all the gossip.

  Apparently Olivia was married to the man who owned the company, Leah was in a relationship with the big heavy doorman and everybody called the woman on reception ‘Miss Wet Kipper’ due to her slapped by a fish expression but her real name was Samantha and if ever my boyfriend were to pick me up, then don’t let Samantha near him.

  Tony hit on Olivia and every other woman at NSC every day, much to the annoyance of Olivia’s husband who had nearly flattened him twice and was desperately finding a reason to sack him, so god knows how Mason would deal with him.

  Tony buttered me up all day but I just ignored him or gave him death glares and as it neared the end of the day I had to pull him up and tell him I was in a relationship and wasn’t interested, but he just shrugged and smiled in ignorance.

  As I was powering down my computer I received a text:

  MASON

  Hey Baby? How is going? Just wondering if you wanted to go out to celebrate your new job?

  Love u xxxx

  I grinned to myself and replied

  ME

  Going out sounds good, I’m too tired to cook. Finishing about 6

  Love u too xxxx

  I jumped when Tony placed an arm around my waist “How’s your first day gone Ava?” he smiled softly and I wondered if I’d got him wrong, he seemed genuinely concerned if I’d had a good day. “Yeah, really good” I smiled back and reached over my desk for my bag and coat and Tony grumbled something “Sorry, what?” I asked him while I slipped into my coat. He shrugged “Don’t bend over like that Ava, not when I’m behind you anyway” I grimaced and stared at him “Pardon?” I asked stiffly and he shrugged again but turned and walked off “See you tomorrow Ava” he shouted over his shoulder.

  “Oh he really likes you” Olivia chuckled from behind me. I turned to her, my mouth still open and gave her a shocked look, she laughed again “Oh you’ll get used to Tony, he’s always a bit forward” she winked.

  A tall man walked in and approached Olivia “You ready Angel?” he asked as he slipped his arm around her and stroked her large belly with the other, she smiled up at him “Ava, meet my husband, Nate Carter” she introduced us and he gave me a genuine smile and cocked his head “Ava Stone, pleased to meet you” he smiled and I frowned at his familiarity but smiled back “I’ve heard a lot about you” he said and I frowned deeper but he laughed “I know your boyfriend, Mason Fox” he divulged and I nodded “Ahhhh, I see” I smiled at him but he gave me a rueful smile “Quite a handful isn’t he” he winked and I nodded my acknowledgement “That’s an understatement” I laughed and he regarded me “But from what I’ve heard, you two are a match made in heaven” he winked jokingly and Olivia slapped his arm “Nate!” she scolded but I shrugged at her “Anyway, I’ll get off now” I said and turned to Olivia “Thank you for helping me settle in today” she smiled warmly “I think you are gonna be fine, you seem to have took it all in your stride today”.

  We said our goodbyes and I left, riding the ten minute elevator journey and walking out to the car park.

  As soon as I exited the building, I took a quick scan of my surroundings but didn’t notice anything and walked to my car. I was just placing my things in my boot when a hand landed on my shoulder, I jumped wildly and spun round to see a man stood with his hands up “Sorry Darling” he smiled but there was something in his eyes that caught my attention and I quickly perused the car park.

  He looked very familiar but I couldn’t place him and I racked my brain to think where.

  Luckily it was the start to summer and there was plenty of daylight and I saw Olivia and Nate stood talking to the big doorman.

  I looked back at the man “Can I help you?” my voice wavered a little but I managed to sound near normal. He glanced around in the direction of the group stood at the doors and frowned “Erm…I was just wondering if you knew where I could find a pub called the late lounge” I gave him a quizzical look “Erm yeah, it’s right across the road. I’m amazed you missed it” I narrowed my eyes on him and he took another glance towards Olivia and Nate, pursing his lips when he saw Nate watching us.

  “Everything okay Ava?” Nate shouted and took a step towards us. I stood staring at the man to see if he was going to back off before I signalled an okay, he stood still watching Nate approach, now flanked by ‘The big Fella’.

  He backed off and held his hands up again “Thanks for your help” he murmured and turned abruptly to Nate “Calm down mate, just asking for directions” he near growled and Nate narrowed his eyes on him and then glanced at me for acknowledgement. I nodded stiffly but Nate cocked his head “Ava?” he probed and I cleared my throat “Erm yes, he was just looking for the late lounge” I answered hoping Nate would understand my puzzlement which by the looks of his face, he did. He regarded the man “It’s just across the road, you can’t miss it” he said slowly.

  The man nodded rigidly and stalked off, I watched him retreat then let out a breath “Ava, is everything okay?” Olivia asked and I smiled warily “Erm yeah, I’ve just had a bit of weird stuff going on and he gave me the creeps” I laughed to hide my embarrassment and Olivia narrowed her eyes but touched my arm “I know all about weird shit” she laughed bitterly “believe me but if you wanna talk about it” she shrugged and I smiled at her “Thank you, it’s fine though, I’m just a little on edge” she smiled again and nodded “Go on, get yourself home and we’ll wait until you’ve gone. Just to make sure you are okay” she squeezed my arm and I gave her a relieved smile “Thanks”

  I stopped and turned to Nate “Erm, how well do you know Mason?” I asked and he gave me a wry smile “Don’t worry, I won’t tell him. I’ve heard how possessive he is of you” he winked and I grinned “Thank you”.

  I climbed in my car and pulled out of the car park, driving faster than was necessary until I reached Mason’s road and then slowed down. The last thing I needed was him to see me speeding , I pulled up and as I climbed from my car I noticed a black Ferrari slip by. WHAT THE HELL!! I hadn’t seen him all the way home and I had been constantly checking my rear view.

  Mason opened the front door and grinned at me but his smile dropped when he saw me frowning “What’s wrong Baby, aren’t you pleased to see me?” he laughed nervously and I shook my head to clear it and smiled happily at him “Hey” I said softly and reached up for a kiss but he pulled me into him and deepened the kiss, showing me just how much he had missed me.

  He pulled back and regarded me “You’re okay though?” he probed and I nodded “Sorry, still feeling a bit off” I lied and he simply nodded as I plonked myself onto a kitchen stool and sighed. “Busy day?” he asked and appeared behind me, rubbing at my shoulders “Oh Wow, that’s good” I breathed and he leant forward, kissing my neck and nibbling my ear. I grumbled and pulled away “Later” I grumbled.

  He narrowed his eyes on me “Ava, what’s wrong” but I glared at him “For god’s sake Mason, nothing’s wrong, I’m just tired” I sighed and closed my eyes, rubbing at my temples. I leant back and cupped his face “I’m sorry” I smiled guiltily and he frowned “Talk to me Ava. I can’t help if you won’t talk to me” I sighed deeply and shook my head “I’m just tired, that’s all” I looked away but he didn’t probe any more, just continued to rub my shoulders until he felt me relax. “You still wanna go out?” he asked and I nodded, determined to make the effort for him. He grinned and
kissed my forehead “Coffee?” he asked and I grinned. “I love you” I declared and he turned back to me, cocking his head but grinning “I love you too Baby” and I knew he did, but I still wasn’t sure how much to disclose to him about today’s events. “I’m just nipping to the loo” I told him and scurried off, hiding my phone in my pocket while his back was turned as he made the coffee.

  Shutting the bathroom door behind me I phoned Sam “Hey” he said when he answered “Hi Sam, I was just wondering if you managed to find anything out?” I asked quietly “I logged into NSC security surveillance recordings but it only shows the car park not the road so I wasn’t able to get a picture of him” he said and I sighed then another thought occurred “Sam…” he hesitated at my tone “What?” he asked slowly “Well, I was approached by a guy in the car park as I was leaving. He said he was just asking for directions but…” I bit my lip when I knew what was coming “Ava?...” he encouraged “Well, there was just something about him and when my boss walked over, he kind of…I dunno, he kind of seemed a bit weird, like he was mad we weren’t alone” I heard Sam inhale “Ava, you know I’ve got to tell Mason about this, there’s too many incidents even if they seem innocent” I sighed but understood “I know but let me tell him” I urged and he sighed again “You promise me Ava?” I nibbled nervously on my finger at the thought of telling Mason “Yes” I promise I closed my eyes and rubbed at my temples “Okay, but I mean it, if he doesn’t mention it to me by tomorrow night then I’m gonna presume you haven’t told him” he said sternly and I rolled my eyes “I promise” I repeated and ended the call.