His Obsession

by Maxine Storm

"Terrible things..." I muttered unconsciously.

  "You remember the women who died at the clubs, Janet," Alex implored. "You remember how Britney was killed at the club, too."

  I felt the old wound again at the mention of Britney's death.

  I wanted to forget that it ever happened.

  The idea that Armand could have been behind it tore me up inside. That he could have killed other women as well was too hard to accept.

  The way I felt for him, I knew he couldn't do something like that.

  But they kept insisting it.

  And if he didn't do it, then who did?

  Why were they linking him to all of these deaths?

  "You can save future tragedies from happening, Janet," Alex stressed. "That's why we need you. You're the only one that has been able to get so close to Armand without him suspecting anything."

  Armand...suspecting me?

  I didn't want him to suspect me.

  I wanted him to...

  Want me.

  That's all.

  "Right," I said absently mindedly back to Alex. I forgot what she was talking about.

  "After you do this part of the assignment, we'll take care of the rest," Alex said. "You won't have to worry about anything: Armand, any media backlash, anything. We'll take care of it."

  Maximilian nodded.

  "Your future will be secure, Janet," he said.

  "Don't just think of this assignment or even just Global Eye," Alex said. "Think of the good you'll do. That in a way you'll show how powerful the media can be, how it can be used for good, when the other gatekeepers of society are standing idly by. That you'll show the powerful like Armand Silver are not untouchable, and that they can be brought to justice, even if it's not through the official means."

  My hands clasped each other anxiously under the table.

  Every word she said that made out Armand as some kind of terrible criminal...they just couldn't be true. And yet I found myself fearful that maybe I had been tricked by Armand. That his masculine power had taken me in and tricked me, confused me. That my desire for him was just one sided, that he was playing me the whole time, waiting for me to reveal what I was up to, so he could then exploit me.

  No, I had to get those thoughts of my head. I had to get Alex and Maximilian out of my head and rid their manipulation from my mind.

  But somehow their doubts had crept into my thoughts and I was waiting for this terrible meeting to be over.

  "I understand," I said. "You can count on me. I'll take care of the job."

  "Good," Maximilian said. "Three days."

  And with that, he stood up and walked out of the room.

  Alex stood up and walked up to me.

  "Thanks for coming, Janet," she said. "You have no idea how crucial this was."

  "It's OK," I said.

  Now Alex was playing the nice girl, but in the meeting, she was pressuring me and being the critic.

  "I have to get going," she said. "Call me later if you need anything."

  After Alex left, Philip walked up as I stood up from my chair.

  "Sorry for being such a jerk," Philip said. "The pressure was getting to me."

  I merely nodded.

  Philip apologizing for anything was so new that I wasn't sure I was hearing him right.

  "Why don't we get a drink?" he said.

  He must have seen the shock on my face at his offer as he continued.

  "There's a bar close by. They have a special deal around this time. My treat."

  To be honest, I didn't really want to spend time with Philip. Not after how rude he was in the meeting. And not really after this corny apology.

  But I definitely needed a drink after this stressful day.

  "OK," I said. "Just one," I mentioned, giving myself a social out in case things got weird. And with Philip, somewhere in the back of my mind, I was counting on that happening.

  Chapter 31

  We reached the bar and Philip and led me to a booth at the pack.

  The music was so loud, it was hard to hear myself think.

  People walking by were all dressed in nice suits, dresses, as they had all come after work from media companies like Global Eye or some banks nearby.

  I really wished it was unpretentious place where I could relax but I guess that was hoping too much.

  The booth was in the corner and we sat down for a moment before a waitress came to ask for our drinks.

  I couldn't hear her so well because of the music so Philip just pointed at something in the menu and raised two fingers to suggest one order for each of us.

  "Thanks for coming," Philip said.

  I shrugged my shoulders.

  "You're looking really nice," he said.

  I raised my eyebrow.

  He must have thought I hadn't heard him properly so he leaned in closer and told me again.

  "You're looking REALLY nice," he said.

  His breath smelt like alcohol.

  Wow, had he been drinking already? Before we even got to the bar? That might have explained his erratic behavior in the meeting.

  He truly was a gentleman - yeah, right.

  I sat back in my seat to get away from his face.

  "Thanks," I said sarcastically.

  I didn't need his compliments. I didn't him right here either. I just wanted my drink to arrive, finish it, and then get away.

  I couldn't even enjoy my drink. I raised it to my lips but just felt coldness on my lips. Nothing else.

  "Well, Philip, this was fun but I should get going," I said. I texted Armand with the address for the bar I was at told him to come pick me up right now.

  Philip gave me a disappointed look.

  "Wait," he said. "Not yet."

  I should have bailed at that moment. But sometimes I'm just too nice and people try to take advantage of it. Especially guys.

  "What do you mean?" I said.

  Philip stood up quickly and made his way around to my side of the booth and had me sandwiched on the seat between him and the wall.

  Not good.

  My nose wrinkled as I smelled the alcohol on him.

  "Don't leave yet, Janet," he said close to my ear, his sweaty face radiating gross heat towards me.

  My stomach turned and I took out my phone, texting Armand again.

  "Don't play with your phone, honey," he said, slobbering over me.

  I wanted to tell him to get away from me but the words just wouldn't come, like my voice was paralyzed.

  "Let me help with you this assignment," Philip slurred. "I know you're struggling with it. I know you're going to disappoint Maximilian. You're going to let the big boss down. I'll help you with it if you help me, Janet."

  "No," I said, barely able to talk. "Go away."

  "Just help me out a little, with, you know, and I'll take care of everything," Philip said.

  I was disgusted and disturbed at his sleaziness.

  I tried to push through him to get out of the booth but he held me back down.

  The music was so loud in the bar that there was no way people were going to hear all this.

  I just wanted Armand to come here.

  "Don't worry about all the Global Eye work, Janet," Philip said, trying to put his arm over my shoulders. "I'll take care of you, and you'll take care of my needs, that's all I want."

  "Get away from me you creep," I said, pushing his hand away from my shoulder.

  "Don't talk to me - your boss - like that!" he said, raising his voice.

  "I'll tell Maximilian," I said, looking him square in the eye.

  Philip laughed a gross hacking laugh.

  "Tell him, he won't care," he said. "Maximilian only cares about himself. This assignment is just for him. The Armand thing is a ruse. You're just a pawn, Janet. I'll help you, beautiful."

  "Whatever," I said. "I'm going now."

  "No you're not," Philip said, placing his hand over mine.

  I tried to wriggle loose but his grip was too strong.

/>   "You're not going anywhere," he said.

  My heart froze.

  Philip's hand made his way along my arm towards me.

  Paralysis.

  I wanted to scream, to kick him away, but nothing was working, the signals were cut.

  Powerless.

  I needed Armand.

  To protect me.

  To be here for me and save me from this.

  And yet Philip's voice broke out again, darkening my mind, echoing my despair:

  "You're not going anywhere, at all."

  Chapter 32

  "You think you're so smart, Janet, don't you?" Philip sneered.

  "I don't know what you're talking about, Philip," I said. "You're drunk."

  "I'm drunk, but I do know what I'm talking about," he said.

  I shifted in my seat, looking to see if anyone noticed what was going on, but everybody was absorbed in their own drinks and conversation.

  "You think you could show me up in front of the boss - in front of the Alex?" continued Philip. "You're nobody in this company, Janet. I can have you kicked out like that." Philip snapped his fingers.

  He was really starting to freak me out. What the hell did I do to set him off like that?

  "You're going to give me some relief, Janet, or you're going down," he said, coldly.

  "You're sick, Philip," I shot back.

  "I had my eye on you when we first were paired together. I wanted you since then. Fresh meat. And now you're acting like you're some super woman with your assignment on Armand."

  I felt my stomach turn. What a disgusting creep. How was I going to get out of here?

  "You're sick," I said again.

  "The thing is, Janet, I know I'm sick. At least when I'm drunk. So are we going to have to do this the easy way, or the hard way?"

  Philip tried to grab my wrist but I drew it back. He suddenly leaned over the table and grabbed my wrist with both of his hands and pinned me down.

  "Let's get out of here, Janet. Help me out and I'll make this all go away."

  I jerked to loosen myself from his grasp but it was no use, he was holding my wrists together like a vice.

  I opened my mouth to scream but he covered it with his hand, pinning my other arm behind my back.

  "We're getting out of here," he whispered in my ear.

  It looked like a musician was taking the stage so everyone was gathering around him, leaving Philip and I alone near the back exit.

  "And now, a special guest from Paris, it's Stephane LeBlanc!," said the MC.

  The crowd burst into applause, just as I screamed for help. It was lost in the crowd's noise.

  Philip dragged me to the back exit, the rest of the bar totally oblivious to what was happening to me.

  Philip kicked open the back door and wrestled me outside into back alley.

  "Good," he said, panting. "Good, we're all alone now."

  "Philip, please, don't do this."

  He smiled a crooked smile of madness.

  "It's too late to go back," he said, quietly.

  "I'll leave the company," I said. "I'll get out of the business completely. I'll tell Maximilian and Alex that I can't do the job and you deserve it. That you deserve the recognition for being the best."

  Philip stared at me, as if he were looking right through and through the bar, into the streets, into somewhere far away.

  "No," Philip said. "I have a better idea."

  He spun me around and held my arms behind my back.

  "I thought of something much better," he said.

  "Imagine this for a story," Philip began. "Budding Global Eye journalist, Janet Rose, was found dead Friday evening, in the alley behind Liberty Bar. She was stabbed to death and left to die as party goers were unable to hear her cries for help over the bar's music. The main suspect in the murder is Armand Silver, whom Janet was investigating for her work. She is remembered fondly by her coworkers at Global Eye, especially her team on the story: CEO Maximilian, editor Alex, and director Philip."

  I couldn't speak. I was frozen with fear.

  I heard Philip put on a glove and felt the leathery fingers hold the back of my neck.

  "It's a shame it had to happen this way, Janet," Philip said.

  I held my breath as I felt something cold and sharp glide softly on the other side of my neck.

  I didn't want it to be like this.

  No, please.

  Help me, Armand.

  Help.

  --

  Suddenly I felt the rough brick wall pressing against my face and Philip's weight against my body.

  Was I dying, was this how it ended?

  But then there was a sharp crack of bone on bone mashing together like hammers.

  Again, another smash.

  "Get the fuck away from her!" boomed another voice.

  I turned my head - it was Armand!

  Philip's body slumped on the ground, his forehead was bleeding and his cheek was bruised.

  "You piece of shit," barked Armand, "I'll fucking kill you right here."

  Philip groaned, holding his head.

  "Ohhh, I'm sorry," Philip moaned.

  "I don't give a fuck," Armand shouted.

  Philip rolled on the ground.

  I pushed my back against the wall to watch Armand.

  "Get up," he commanded Philip.

  Philip just rolled around.

  "Get up, fucker!"

  Philip turned away from Armand.

  Armand took heavy steps towards Philip and pulled him upright by his shirt collar, then slammed him against the wall.

  "I should end you right here," he said, staring at Philip.

  "I'll smash your skull into pieces against these bricks."

  Philip groaned, his eyes randomly opening and closing.

  "I'm sorry," he slurred. "I'm sorry."

  "None of that matters to me," Armand said. "It's too late for that bullshit."

  Armand pulled his other arm back and punched the wind out of Philip.

  Philip shuddered against the wall.

  "Armand!" I shouted. "It's enough!"

  Armand looked at me. I could see the rage in his eyes knowing I had been in grave danger.

  He turned back to Philip whose body was heaving with heavy breaths.

  "I'm sorry, man," Philip said. "I'm sorry."

  Armand slapped Philip across the face, hard. The sound echoed through the alley like the crack of a drum.

  "You're done," Armand said. He raised his hand back to punch Philip again.

  "No, Armand!" I cried out. "Stop! Please stop!"

  "Why?!" Armand shot back, not taking his eyes off Philip.

  "You'll kill him," I said.

  "He'll be lucky if I just kill him," Armand grunted. "I plan on much worse."

  "No," I said. "Please don't. It's not worth it. You'll be in jail."

  "I don't care about jail if it means I destroyed this idiot."

  "I can't help you if you're in jail, Armand. We'll be apart, for who knows how long. We'll be apart, Armand."

  "Apart...," Armand said to himself. "Apart from you."

  "Yes, I don't want that to happen, Armand. Please, just let him go. Please, for me."

  Armand turned to me, then back to Philip, and let go of Philip's shirt. Philip slumped against the wall and sank down to the ground, unable to hold his head up.

  "You deserve worse," Armand said, looking down at Philip.

  Philip just groaned in pain.

  "Thank you, Armand," I said. I felt like I was trying to talk down a wild predator from tearing apart its prey limb from limb. Armand risking a murder charge wasn't something I wanted. I knew he and I could battle our way out of it in court, but how much wasted time would it be to contend with the onslaught of slimy Global Eye lawyers looking to defame me at every turn.

  "Are you OK?" Armand called out to me. It appeared like the man was taking back over from the animal.

  "Yes, Armand," I replied. "Just a bit shaken up."

 
; Truthfully I was a heartbeat away from a heart attack, but I didn't want to startle him even more.

  Armand picked up Philip by his collar again and stood him up so they were face to face, although Armand towered over him.

  "This never happened," Armand commanded.

  Philip just nodded his head in a daze.

  " I will find you if you ever try something like this again," Armand commanded. "It will be over for you."

  Philip's head bobbed again. It wasn't clear if he could hear Armand, or if he was just lulling back into consciousness sporadically.

  "You made a terrible mistake even thinking of trying to harm my woman," Armand said.

  My woman.

  The words comforted me and took my mind off the pain.

  Philip nodded.

  "I'm sorry, man," he said.

  "Your apologies mean nothing to me," Armand said. "If it weren't for Janet, you wouldn't be standing here right now."

  "I know," Philip said.

  "Apologize to Janet," Armand commanded.

  "I'm sorry, Janet," Philip said, his head rolling in my direction.

  I said nothing. There was nothing to say to Philip.

  "You're lucky to be alive, after what you tried," Armand said.

  Philip nodded.

  "I understand," Philip replied.

  I wanted Armand to stop. He shouldn't threaten Philip like that. He could end up in worse trouble.

  But then I realized...

  He's Armand Silver.

  He doesn't give a fuck about any of that.

  I was his woman and I was in danger.

  It was the alpha-killer side of him that was barely kept under the surface, waiting to explode if someone tried to hurt him or the one in his life.

  The one he...

  Loved?

  It wasn't time to think about that, I snapped back at myself. We should get out of here.

  "Armand," I called out. "I'm OK. Let's go."

  Armand looked at me and then back at Philip.

  He let Philip go and Philip slowly sank back down to the cold concrete. Philip caressed his head and sat back silently.

  Armand stepped towards me and held my hand.

  "Are you OK?" he asked.

  "Yes, Armand," I said. "Let's go, please."

  Armand nodded his head and led me out of the alley toward the main street.

  Thoughts were still rushing through my head.

  What was Philip going to do? Was he going to come after me, or Armand? What was Maximilian going to do? What was going to happen to me?