by Iris Deorre
‘Yeah, that’s a little strange. Are you sure you’re not sleep walking again?’
‘I haven’t done that in years. It’s possible. But why would I do that?’
‘I have no idea how the mind works. You’re under a lot of stress.’
‘True, but its good stress.’
‘But nervous too. You have to deliver on your promise.’
‘And I will.’
‘That can be extremely stressful.’
‘You’re right, but my shoes had also been rearranged.’
‘Your mind could be trying to tell you to let go once in a while.’ He laughed.
‘Honey, this is serious, it’s freaking me out. I accused the cleaners this morning.’
‘Listen. Why don’t you just see your doctor just to be safe? I’m sure it’s just stress.’
‘I think you’re right. I’ll make the appointment. I hope I’m not sleep walking again. I’ll have to go on that medication again.’
‘Don’t stress about it. You’ve got enough to worry about.’
She nodded, he was right. They enjoyed the rest of the evening meal and finished with dessert. Faith called for a driver later that evening. They were both in no state to drive home.
He walked her to the door of her beautiful home.
‘Can I come inside?’ he asked while she unlocked the door.
‘Not tonight honey, I’m exhausted.’
‘Not even for a coffee?’
‘We both know what that means.’ She laughed. ‘I promise I’ll make it up to you on Friday.’
‘You promise.’
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. ‘I promise. I’ll cook; we’ll have a good time. And I will deliver your wildest fantasy.’
‘Okay. I’m holding you to it.’
‘Please do.’ She kissed him. ‘I love you.’
‘I love you too.’
He waited until she was safely inside before he left her. Faith put down her things and headed upstairs for the bathroom to take a shower. She wanted to be in bed as soon as possible. She switched on the bedroom light, and stopped. Six pairs of her red panties were scatted across the floor.
‘What the?’ She looked behind her. ‘What??’ She gathered them up quickly and walked into the closet. The bras and panties that had been scattered that morning weren’t there. She felt dizzy. She was either crazy, or the cleaners had completely disobeyed her. She took slow steps towards the chest of draws and opened the top drawer.
‘Oh god!’ She dropped the panties and panicked. ‘What’s going on?’ The bras had been put back into the top draw. She opened the next draw, and there were more bras, and then she opened the last draw, the panties had been arranged nicely in the draw. Was she seeing things or was this really happening?
‘Shit.’ She tried to calm down. She took the time to pick up her knickers and put them back in the draw.
She walked back into the room and picked up her mobile.
‘This better be darn important,’ said Mel. ‘I was just about to nod off.’ She laughed.
‘Mel.’
‘What’s the matter, luv?’ asked her long time best friend.
‘I don’t know what’s happening, but something very strange is going on in my house.’
‘Tell me, what’s wrong.’
She told her about that morning, and what had happened that night.
‘Jacob thinks I might be sleep walking again, but this last incident didn’t happen in my sleep.’
There was silence between them.
‘It must be the cleaners; they might have something against you.’ Mel concluded.
‘You think?’
‘It’s possible. You’re not the easiest gal to please.’
Faith laughed. Mel was right there. ‘That may be true, but I’m not nasty either. I’m just to the point.’
‘Sweetie, sometimes people don’t like points. Some people need to be eased into it. Sometimes you need tact.’
Faith giggled. ‘You’re right. I have to learn tact.’
‘That’s right my friend.’ She ran her hand through her red locks. ‘You know I love you no matter what. And because I can tell you where to go.’
She laughed. ‘That’s true.’
‘But some people fear you, so it might be spite. I’m not saying change who you are. Perhaps sit down and speak with them. If nothing changes or they still deny it, it might be time to hire new cleaners.’
‘Thank you ging.’ She’d called her ginger since high school days because of her shocking red hair.
‘I love you. Don’t stress.’
‘Now that I’ve spoken to you, I feel so much better.’
They spoke for a while longer, and then she hung up, had her shower and went to bed.
The next morning, nothing had changed. She checked her draws, and all was okay. Her toothbrush hadn’t moved, and all was well. She’d also spoken to the cleaners again, and they were adamant that they hadn’t done anything. She accepted it, but if it happened again, she would have no choice, but to find new cleaners.
Chapter Two
‘Come in.’ Faith kept her eyes on the screen.
‘Coffee?’ Noah came in holding a Starbucks coffee.
‘Where’s Charlie? That’s her job, not yours.’ She looked up at him and smiled.
‘I told her I’d get it.’
‘I’d rather you concentrate on the important stuff, than get me coffee.’
‘Well, there’s nothing more important than my boss.’
‘What have I told you about sucking up, Noah?’ She turned back to the screen.
He pulled out a seat and sat down. ‘You hate suck ups.’
‘You’ve come to ask me something and thought that if you buttered me up with a coffee, I’d mellow.’
‘No, I just wanted to do something nice for you.’
She sat back and studied the handsome man with the salt and pepper hair. He wasn’t someone she’d date even though he’d asked a number of times. It wasn’t because he wasn’t great, because he was; it was just that he wasn’t man enough for her. Faith was certain she’d eat him, like a black widow spider.
‘Thank you Noah. Is there anything else?’
‘I thought we could discuss the projects process ahead of the meeting on Monday.’
‘You need me to baby you?’ She didn’t blink.
‘No.’ He raised his hand to his chin, she noticed the silver medical alert bracelet around his wrist. In all the years she’d worked with him, she’d never noticed it.
‘Did you always wear that bracelet?’ she asked.
‘Yes.’
‘Strange I never noticed it.’
‘You don’t notice a lot of things, I don’t blame you. You’re a very busy woman.’
‘Thank God for Lilly.’ She laughed. ‘Okay, you have twenty minutes. Let’s see what you’ve got.’
He beamed. ‘I’ll just nip for my laptop if that’s all right.’
‘Sure.’ She went back to work.
He was back a few minutes later and she gave him her time. She remembered Mel’s words. She would try to pay more attention to the people around her. They were the bricks and mortar of her company.
It turned out to be a good session and she learnt a few things from him and he did from her.
‘This has been good. For once sucking up helped.’ She laughed. ‘But next time, just come straight to me without the bells and whistles.’
‘Absolutely.’
‘You’ll do great on Monday.’ She smiled and watched him leave the office.
She was on the phone ten minutes later on a conference call. An hour later she was heading for the conference room for a meeting. Two hours later she was back in her office, on the phone for the next hour.
Finally she took time to read emails, catch up on some things she’d been putting on hold. And as usual she lost track of time. Jacob walked into the office at a quarter to eight.
‘Shit!’ She fell back
into the chair. ‘It’s Friday isn’t it?’
‘It is.’
‘I’m so so sorry. We can leave right now! I’m keeping my promise.’
‘Don’t worry about it. You’re a busy woman.’
‘No, I’m making you dinner, even if you get it at midnight.’ She gathered her belongings. ‘I’ve had all the groceries ordered and a great bottle of wine. All that’s needed is the cooking.’
He watched her and melted. Just looking at her pulled at his heart strings. He was a visual man, like many, but with her it was just too much. He thought that after a year, he’d be over it, but each time he saw her, it was like seeing her for the first time again.
He pulled her into him. ‘You know I’ll let you get off lightly.’ He kissed her.
‘Why’s that?’
‘Because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.’
‘If it weren’t for my looks, would you even be with me?’ she asked.
‘Why would you think that?’
‘Sometimes it feels that way. I’m more than looks you know.’
‘Boy do I know that. You’re hot, successful. You’re the whole package.’ He kept her in his arms. ‘Please don’t punish me for stating the obvious. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of admiring you.’
‘I’ll remind you of that statement when I hit my fifties and you’re chasing a younger beautiful woman.’
‘I doubt anyone will come close. So you have nothing to worry about.’
She lifted to her toes and kissed him. ‘If you say so. Shall we go?’
‘Ready when you are.’
They left the office. There was barely anyone in. She was usually the first in and the last to leave, with a few exceptions. It was her home away from home, her company, her baby. She found it difficult to just walk away from it at the end of the day.
They took her E-Class Cabriolet Mercedes. She insisted she drove, which he allowed, just that once. Faith found it hard to let go of the reigns, but she was softening to him bit by bit. They arrived at her home forty minutes later.
‘I’ll head straight for the kitchen and get started. Make yourself comfortable. Put on some music, I’ll get the wine.’ She stepped out of her black Prada’s and headed for the kitchen.
He headed for the luxurious living-room. A place he knew so well and loved. He found the remote and played some music. She opened the fridge and took out everything she needed for the meal. She was already in the cooking mode. With everything laid out neatly she would sort out the stakes first. She swirled around for the knives only to discover none in the knife block.
‘No, no, no!’ She was frantic. She pulled at the draws, screaming and shouting.
‘Honey, what’s the matter?’
‘The knives! My knives are gone!’ She scrunched her hair in her hands. ‘They’re gone!’
‘Slow down. There should be a simple explanation for that.’
‘What possible explanation would that be!’ she yelled.
He pulled open a few draws, then walked to the centre island and pulled the draws one at a time until he got to the last one.
‘Are these the knives you’re looking for?’
She walked over to him and spotted all her knives in the draw.
‘What is going on?’ she cried.
‘Calm down honey, the cleaners must have put them there for some reason.’
‘Why would they do that?’
‘Sweetie, you’re exhausted. You’re over analysing things.
‘I’m not! This isn’t normal!’
‘I tell you what.’ He took her into his arms.
‘Why don’t we open that bottle of wine, go into the living-room and relax.’
‘What about dinner?’
‘We’ll order in.’
‘But I promised you dinner.’
‘There will always be another time for that. I just want you to relax. Go on into the living-room. I’ll sort this out and bring the wine.’
She was hesitant, but he encouraged her to go. Finally she let go and went to the lounge. A few minutes later he joined her with the bottle of wine and two glasses.
‘Do your really think the cleaners are behind this?’ she asked him after she’d downed a good amount of the wine.
‘I don’t know. Are you sure you didn’t put them there yourself?’
‘Now why would I do that?’
‘I’m just saying.’
She leaned back into the couch. ‘Do you think I’m loosing my mind?’
‘No, I just think you’re overworked and it’s making you feel like you’re loosing your mind.’
‘What if my cleaners are messing with my head to get at me?’
‘Why would they do that?’
‘Mel said that I’m not very tactful when I speak to people, and they could be getting me back.’
‘I don’t think they’d resort to that. But if they did, I suggest you fire them and get new cleaners.’
‘I think I will.’ She lifted her head.
‘With no proof?’
‘I’ll just say I’m terminating their contract. I’ll give them a months notice.’
‘I see.’
‘What?’
‘Just make sure it’s what you want.’
‘It is, that way I can see whether or not I’m loosing my mind or my cleaners were just playing a very dirty trick on me.’
They let it go. They ordered Chinese and soon the evening felt a lot more relaxed.
‘Thanks,’ she said finally.
‘For what?’
‘For loving me for me.’
He smiled. ‘Well if it wasn’t for that nice bum of yours, I wouldn’t be so sure.’ He teased.
‘You!’ she laughed.
He leaned forward and tried to kiss her.
‘Naha. You’ve got to catch me if you want me.’ She pulled away from him and ran upstairs.
He was not far behind. He grasped her foot just as she was about to jump onto the bed.
‘Come here.’
She fell onto the bed laughing. He was wrapped up in her beauty. He could do this all night if she’d let him. He stopped a moment and gazed at her.
‘What?’
‘You’re stunning.’
She smiled. He lowered and kissed her. She pulled him closer and soon they were rolling around the bed like it was a stack of hay. He found her wet place quickly. She teased him, by pulling away at times, but he also got what he wanted and more. She was just as energetic as she was at work. She took control at times, but he always won in the end.
‘I love you,’ he blurted as he was about to come.
She grasped his beautiful bum and pushed him further into her. She screamed and yelled, as did he. They were like a pair of horny teenagers high on something, until it died down.
‘Fuck!’ He fell into the bed.
‘Yes! Fuck!’ She laughed. ‘That was good. That was so good!’
‘You want to go again?’
‘If you can handle it.’ She laughed.
‘Give me a few minutes to catch my breath. Just looking at you makes me hard!’
****
The group of men waited for the man of the hour. He walked into the fancy bar an hour later. They cheered as he walked in, his hands raised up and nodding his head like he was the man. He looked around the place and winked. His dark locks fell to the side of his face, and he took a moment to push them back with his hand. Logan Davenport! The man who had an ego the size of a mountain.
‘Who’s the man?’ He shouted.
‘Aaaaaaah!’ They banged against the tables.
He loved it, he loved the attention and he loved the money.
‘You are looking at a billionaire in the making. Here’s to fucking stocks!’ He picked up one of his mates beers and gulped it down. The men cheered as he downed the booze.
‘Ahhhh!’ He slammed beer mug on the table. ‘All I need now is a nice piece of ass!’ He sat down with the guys.
‘How
about that one?’ His best mate Daryl pointed at a brunette.
‘Nah, she’s a seven. I want a ten.’ His eyes floated around the room and he spotted a blond at the bar. ‘Now that’s a ten.’ He smiled. ‘Wish me luck boys, and get your cameras ready.’ He stood up and made his way towards the woman sitting at the bar alone. ‘Hi,’ he said. ‘Could I get you a refill?’
She looked the hunk up and down, and then turned back to the bar.
‘How about, you and I go back to my hotel room?’
She didn’t turn or answer him.
‘It will be good for you.’
Again she didn’t answer him.
‘I’ll make you a deal.’ He leaned against the bar so he could see her beautiful face. ‘I’ll pay you a thousand pounds to go back to my hotel room and let one of my mate’s film us.’
She turned around, stood up and slapped him across the face. ‘Asshole!’ She walked away from him.’
‘Ooooooh!’ There was a roar from his friends.
‘Two thousand!’ He shouted.
There was laughter from the table. He really wasn’t good at his game that night. He ordered around for them all and walked back to the table.
‘Losing your touch there, Logan.’ Teased Roy.
‘Nah, she’s just a stuck up bitch. Give it time, I’ll find the right one.’
Faith walked into the fancy bar and looked around. Mel hadn’t arrived yet. She checked her watch and swore under her breath. It wasn’t like Mel to be late. She headed for the bar and ordered a glass of red.
‘Now look at that!’ Logan bit back his lip. ‘That is more than a ten.’ He could feel himself go hard.
‘So go and get her.’ A friend dared him.
He ran a hand through his hair and then walked up to the gorgeous woman at the bar.
‘Hi,’ he leaned against the bar.
‘Not interested, buzz off!’ She didn’t even turn to look at him.
‘You didn’t even give me a chance.’
‘Again. Not interested!’
The barman brought her drink.
‘I’ll get that,’ said Logan.
‘Oh no you won’t!’ She placed a ten pound note on the bar before he could pay.
‘Wow, you’re one sassy bitch!’
‘You’ve got that right, now buzz off!’
She still hadn’t looked at him, and it annoyed him that she wouldn’t give him the time of day.
‘I’ll pay you five thousand pounds to sleep with me tonight.’