by Daisy Allen
“Jemima.” I stand up, fast, swaying a little from the champagne going to my head. “I’ve told you before. This isn’t going to happen.”
“That was over a year ago. Surely things have changed, you’ve changed. Aren’t I an asset to you?” She looks up at me, her eyes looking as glazed over as mine feel. She’s had way too much to drink.
“Yes, you’re a very good... assistant. And valued by ASH Industries.”
“And you?”
“Yes, I value you as an employee, too. But nothing else,” I try to emphasize the last few words, hoping she’ll hear them.
But she shakes her head, “No, I don’t believe it. I’ve seen you watching me, from your desk, always looking at me at my desk.”
I shake my head, feeling so guilty if I’ve done anything to lead her on.
“No. I don’t believe you! I know you feel something,” she grabs the front of my shirt, her face desperate.
“I don’t, Jemima. I never have and I never will,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm but firm. It’s better to be truthful than give her any more false hope.
Her face slides into a cold mask. “Is this... is this about Jade? Things have changed since she came along, haven’t they? We were okay before her!”
I shake my head. “No, it’s not about Jade.”
“It is! She’s just a gold-digger! I’m telling you. You know me, you know my family, I don’t need your money, Kaine. Just think what we could do together. Forget Jade!”
“Forget Jade?” I say, just as Jemima crushes her lips against mine.
Her breath smells of champagne and I wonder how much she’s going to regret this in the morning.
I put my hands on her shoulders to push her away.
“Kaine?” A female voice speaks up, just as our lips separate.
We both turn towards it.
It’s Jade.
Chapter Forty
HER
I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
“Kaine?” I say again. As if willing myself to wake up from the nightmare.
He yanks his hands off her and she almost staggers forward and he catches her.
In his arms. Again.
“Jade,” he says while steadying Jemima and turning to me.
But I don’t want to talk to him.
“Go to hell, Kaine.” I say, spitting with anger, storming towards the entrance.
“Jade! It’s not what you think!” Kaine calls out, running after me.
“Did you just kiss her?” I demand.
“Ye-... No! She kissed me.”
“But did you kiss her back?”
“Of course not. You saw me.”
“I heard you say ‘forget Jade’ and then her lips were on yours!”
“No. I was just repeating what she said.”
“So you agreed with her.”
“No! Argh! Just stop. Nothing happened, she came on to me. She’s done it before. But she knows there’s nothing between us. She knows there’s you. She was just hoping to convince me otherwise. She’s just had too much to drink.”
“And I’m supposed to be okay with this. That this is the woman working right beside you all day every day.”
“No... look, I’ll take care of it.”
“I’m going home.” I am suddenly exhausted.
“I’ll come with you.”
“No, not your home. My home.”
“Jade. My home is your home.”
“Not tonight, it isn’t.” I tell him, almost too tired to stand.
“Don’t do this.”
“Look, we both need some sleep, the launch is tomorrow. We’ll talk after. Just... just let me go.”
“At least take the car.”
“It’s New York City, I can get a cab.”
I raise my hand and a car comes screeching to halt by the curb next to me. I look at him once last time, trying to forget what I’ve just seen. And remember a time when I hadn’t.
“Good night, Kaine.” I say, climbing into the cab. I don’t know if he stays and watches me drive away.
***
“God. You look like hell.” Harriet greets me, her mouth filter-less.
“Thanks, I feel like it,’ I admit, collapsing into my desk chair.
“Long hot night with the mystery man?”
“Ugh, no. I slept at my place last night.”
“Wow, trouble in paradise. What happened.”
“Nothing. If you call him making out with his secretary nothing,” I hiss. Talking about it is bringing it all back to the surface.
“Ah, the bitch in blue?”
“Shush, don’t tell him I called her that. But yeah, except now she’s the UBER bitch in blue with her grubby hands on my what’s mine.”
“Woah, I like this new fiery Jade. Maybe you got some sense knocked into you when those muggers attacked.”
I throw her a look of horror.
“Oops, too soon?” Harriet grins.
“Yes, too soon, you insensitive wench!”
“See? You are more fiery, once you’d have totally let me get away with it.”
“Today’s not that day, trust me. I don’t know how I’m going to get through today. But I will. His launch isn’t going to go to hell because of me,” I vow.
Harriet gives me a squeeze on the shoulder, and I remind myself, I have more family than I realize.
I pull myself to my feet, and try to force the thoughts out of my head.
Whatever’s happened, Kaine’s dream is so much bigger than us. And I will do whatever I can to make my contribution.
“Okay, first things first, let’s get these tables pushed back for the product displays, then we can move onto the rest,” I click into work mode and start to delegate.
“What time’s the launch?” Harriet asks.
“12:30 p.m. In exactly three hours.”
Chapter Forty-One
HIM
I don’t sleep overnight.
Of course, I don’t. She wasn’t here with me.
And now Jemima hasn’t come in to work yet either.
Today of all days.
I sit at my desk, running down the list of things that need to be done, reading the same line over and over again.
Dylan texted to let me know Jade got to work okay, so at least I have that off my mind.
The phone won’t stop ringing, pulling me from my focus, but everybody’s anxious about the launch, and my role is to be their beacon of calm. Even if it’s the last thing I feel.
There’s the ding of the elevator and Jemima steps off it. She walks straight into my office and hands me a white envelope, her face as pale as a ghost.
“The... the mail room just gave me this.” It’s like she hasn’t breathed since it’s been in her hand.
I take it from her, flipping it over in my hand. I stare at it for a moment, wishing it weren’t there. But before I deal with it, I have another issue at hand.
“Jem,” I start.
“Don’t. I’ll... I’ll start looking for another job, just, just let me be a part of today. I’ve worked just as hard as anyone on this project.”
“I know. Of course. Get ready, we have to leave in half an hour.”
“Thanks... Kaine. For understanding. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be. I... I really thought I could be good for you. I just hope we don’t regret it,” she says and gives me a sad smile before going to her desk.
Chapter Forty-Two
HER
The main hall of the library is starting to fill with guests. There are already about 30 or 40 ASH Industries employees here who worked on the new product, including Amy, a cute and savvy PR executive who I have been liaising with in order to get the launch organized.
The choice of the library for the launch turns out to be inspired. The inside of the library is so grandiose with its high ceiling and carved wooden stacks. It lends a gravitas to the event that I’m so proud of. It’s a melding of the old and new; using the new FireFree technology to keep
an old institution like the library safe is poetic symbolism. The décor Amy has added is simple but complements both the product and the library itself. The way she’s hung the banners and set up the product displays doesn’t take away from the library; instead, it just looks like an incredibly classy showroom.
The long trestle tables have now been laid out with light refreshments and drinks, and everyone’s buzzing with anticipation, whispering about what to expect. More guests are starting to file in, and Harriet and Harold watch from their closed office doors with fascination.
“You can come into the hall you know. You’ve been invited,” I tell them from the other side of the glass. They just shake their heads and wave their hands, telling me to stop obstructing their view.
I scoff and wander off to find Amy, to make sure there’s nothing else she needs.
I check my watch.
12:09 p.m. Kaine should be here soon.
Chapter Forty-Three
HIM
I toss up the idea of not opening the white envelope.
Isn’t it better just to leave well enough alone and get through the day?
After the launch we can deal with it, I tell myself. No. Open it. You never know what’s inside.
I look out and see Jemima get up, she gestures that she’s going to the bathroom and that she’ll be right back and we can leave to go to the launch. I nod and she hurries off.
I slide my finger under the envelope slip.
It’s another embossed invitation.
I flip it to one side.
There’s an address.
I know the address.
It’s the New York Genealogy Library.
I flip the invitation over.
Guess we’ll find out once and for all if your fancy contraption works. No fire related deaths by 2020? Too bad that won’t start from today, it says.
Oh my God.
Jade.
Chapter Forty-Four
HER
I don’t know when I realize it, if it’s before or after the scream.
But once I do, I can’t move.
And it is everywhere.
The smell. The sound. The smoke.
The fire.
The fire is everywhere.
From somewhere that feels not even of this world I hear another scream.
“FIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRE!!!!”
Someone bumps into me so hard I’m on the ground.
For a moment, I see nothing, just stars, and out of habit I grab my side protectively, where my stab wound was. Was, as it has already healed but apparently still leaves a psychological scar.
Then there are feet, so many feet, running in all directions, none of them stopping even for a second.
“JADE!!” I hear someone call my name and I struggle to stand up, shielding myself from the stampede with my arms. I finally get to my feet and up here at my height level the smoke has spread. My eyes burn and I squeeze them shut, trying to find my way by feel instead, subconsciously saving my sight for when I’ll really need it.
The assault on my senses slowly dissipates and I can now make out the faint crackle of flames, still far away, as the sound of the stomping footsteps starts to diminish.
I force my eyes open and the smoke is so thick I can barely see my hands. I drop back down to the ground and it’s clearer here. I look around, scanning the ten inches above the wooden floorboards, and there are almost no feet left, only the last few running to the left and down the hallway.
I crawl on my hands and knees in that direction ignoring the splinters tearing at my skin. I draw a breath, involuntarily engulfing black air. My lungs starting to sear from the inside.
I don’t have time to consider where the fire came from.
Just how I’m going to get out of it.
I find myself against the wall that turns into the office area, I use it to lead me to the hallway and exit. One, two, three steps feel like forever. The heat from the fire is starting to spread, it’s not too bad yet, but there’s smoke, So much smoke.
Thick, swirling, dense, searing smoke in my lungs. I cough and pull my collar over my face. Bargaining for just one good breath. One more lungful of air to fuel me, to get me to safety.
Come on, Jade. Just one step at a time. Just one more.
You’re not going to die here today.
Chapter Forty-Five
HIM
I hear fire engine sirens even before I get there. I’m sure behind me a police car is following us, but this car will not stop until I get to Jade. To the library, where over a hundred people have congregated to hear about ASH Industries’ new fire safety product.
“How long, Henry, how long?” I ask him, after the car has stalled in traffic for over five minutes.
“I think you better get out and walk, Mr. Ashley,” Henry advises, his voice serious.
I get out but I don’t walk. I run.
It’s five more blocks, but when I take a split second to look up, the air is filled with enough smoke to fill a city skyline. That’s the thing about New York City. It’s lauded as a vast metropolis, but the only thing vast about it is the amount of lives. Little things that happen here can cause a big ripple that echoes in the hearts of millions.
There’s a crowd outside gathering. I scan it for that face, the one face.
She’s not there.
“Kaine!” I hear my name called but it’s not the right voice. I spin around and Harriet separates herself, still panting, from the group.
“Where is she?” I ask.
“I don’t know, I was just leaving the office when the fire broke out and I was dragged out here by the group. I tried to find her but I couldn’t. I didn’t have time.”
“Okay, and you’re alright?” She nods. “Good. I’m... I’m going in.”
“You can’t, Kaine. Just let them...”
I don’t hear the rest of her sentence. I pull off my suit coat and run for the entrance.
“You can’t go in there, sir... just, just leave it for the firemen,” somebody blocks me.
“No! I’m going in,” I push past him.
“No. I’m sorry, you can’t.”
Another joins him, using their bodies to block me. I don’t want to waste any time trying to argue. I can already taste the bile in my throat, my body sick thinking that she might still be inside.
I run down the side alley faster than I’ve run in my life.
Where is the fire coming from? There’s no clue of it from the outside.
I get to the back entrance and fling open the door. A plume of smoke immediately envelopes me. I take two massive clean breaths and hurl myself into the building. From memory, there’s a long hallway before the turn into the main hall where Jade’s office and the launch was going to be held. I close my eyes and hold my breath and run the 20 yards I think is the length of the hallway, then I drop to my knees and turn around the corner into the hall.
My skin instantly feels like it’s melting.
I’ve felt it before. None of this is new to me.
“JADE!” I yell and wait for her reply but all I hear is the sound of flames burning into paper, into wood, eviscerating thousands of books in its path.
“JADE!” I call again, not caring that I only have seconds left of air.
I’m not leaving without her.
I’m leaving with her. Or not at all. What would be the point?
Chapter Forty-Six
HER
I don’t know what burns more, my eyes, my arms, my legs, or my lungs.
I don’t even know if I’m moving at this point. I think I am, but it all looks the same, feels the same.
Suddenly, I hear the sound of footsteps and someone yanking me to my feet.
“Miss! You’re okay, we’re just going to get you outside.”
“Please. Help,” I gasp.
“Is there anyone else in there?”
“I don’t know... I didn’t see anyone.” A cough wracks through my body and I’m dragged by my arms for a f
ew seconds and it’s suddenly bright.
“JADE!” I feel myself lifted onto something, probably an ambulance stretcher but I’m not sure. A mask covers my mouth and nose obstructing my views and I can barely see through my burning, teary eyes.
“Oh, Jade, thank God you’re alright.” There’s a pat on my shoulder and I struggle to turn my head. It’s Harriet. I try to smile, but not much is under my control at this point.
“Did Kaine save you?” I think I hear her ask through the fog, but my brain isn’t clear.
“Kaine? He’s here?” I say, my voice smothered by the oxygen mask.
“What? I can’t understand you, honey.”
I try to pull at the mask, but she won’t let me. I sit up batting her hands away. “I asked if Kaine is here?”
There’s a crinkling of her forehead and she turns pale. “It wasn’t him who pulled you out?”
“No, it was a fireman.”
“Oh my God, he went in there to save you, I’m sure of it.”
I wrench the mask off my face, swallowing down a cough so I can yell. “He won’t leave if he thinks I’m in there!”
“I know!”
“Go! Go tell someone!” I scream, the tearing in my throat a distant second to the fear rising in me, concern for Kaine.
I watch her run to the group of firemen standing by the entrance, and struggle to slide off the gurney. I stumble a little but find my feet after a few seconds. I reach Harriet, coming up behind her, as she argues, “He’s definitely in there.”
“No, ma’am, he tried but then when we said no, he just left.”
“No! He wouldn’t leave,” she insists, her voice desperate. “He thinks my friend, his girlfriend is in there. When he didn’t see her out here, he said he would go in, and you don’t know him, he’ll go in.”
“Miss,” one of them says, their eyes flicking over to me as I lean on Harriet.
I drag breath into my lungs. “Please. Listen to me. I will bet my life on it, if you don’t go in there and find him, I will,” I threaten, with every intention of following through.