He saw a glimpse of her, just her ass, in a pair of sinfully tight jeans.
“Dear god woman what are you trying to do to me, I’m glad I’m shackled to my desk after this, I need to decompress.” Her heels made for a blunt, firm sound. She wandered into the doorway smiling shyly.
“Good Afternoon Sir.” She smiled warmly holding in her hands a book, she was doing her best to hide the title or cover from his eyes. She approached him and without stopping himself like usual he asked,
“Is there any color you don’t look beautiful in?” Kyle smiled and stood to pull out her chair.
“A man who realizes that formalities are exceedingly impressive.” She blushed realizing she was more forward than usual.
“Forgive me Kyle, I don’t mean to be so feisty, it must be this pure Colorado air, I haven’t slept this well in years it seems.”
“You never need to ask for forgiveness Jess, you’re… charming to say the least. I better leave that for now.” He laughed and Jess joined in unable to say anything knowing full well she’d be far too sassy and just opened the flood gate once more.
“How did you sleep this morning Sir?” Her elbow just off the table, she leaned on her right hand swooning, waiting for his reply.
“Not for long, but deeply. Thank you for asking, you’re so unlike anybody I’ve ever met before Jess.” Smiling with curiosity,
“What do you mean?” He took a deep breath and inhaled a peaceful state inside,
“With most people nurturing the world isn’t a focus, children, animals, things in this world that are small, vulnerable and helpless without aid, but you, your healing energy is something I haven’t stopped feeling since your plane landed. I find myself so serene in your presence, and the way you tend to my needs as well as my staff’s and best friends already, yes I do know everything that goes on here as I’m sure you imagine.” They both smiled and laughed.
“You’re a captivating woman Jess, with a soul that glows like your beautiful skin.” She smiled.
“Thank you Kyle, that means more to me than you’ll ever know.” Reaching for his hand she placed it over his, looking into his eyes.
“See I promised I’d stop flirting with you, but you make it so easy.” She smiled laughing,
“You’re one to talk” she couldn’t meet his eyes with hers when she blushed in such a way.
“Kyle?” Jess said;
“Could I ask you something and hopefully I won’t find myself completely embarrassed.” His eyebrows furrowed with curiosity, his pulse quickening for just a moment,
“Yes, of course, what is it?” Jess turned over the book she was hiding before and handing it to him;
“Could you sign it for me?” biting her lip he blushed;
“Wow I can’t believe I’m the one who’s too embarrassed to look into your eyes right now, I’d honestly love too, it’s an honor to have another fan working for me, you and James that is. Plus I find fans seem to want to go to exceedingly creative heights to please me, I find it more than satisfying to say the least.”
She handed him her pen smiling; Kyle penned a carnal inscription into the first edition of his very creation, smiling wickedly imagining her curious mind decoding it later all alone in her room.
“I never in my wildest dreams could’ve imagined that just last week I’d be working for one of my biggest inspirations as a writer.” He noticed how old this copy was, he looked inside for the special mark that only he identified on first edition copies.
“How long have you had this? I didn’t know any of my first editions existed anymore. What lengths did you go to, to get this?”
He was incredibly touched, he knew these were impossible to get there were only a crate left in the world the rest were destroyed in a warehouse fire, one he had set for the very reason of never wanting this particular issue released. It was the unabridged copy the one that shared far too much about his world, and she already had access to it.
“Well let’s just say, if I told you that, I’d have to kill you.” She smiled as his dark eyes penetrated hers, she felt that part of him pouring out, Jess could feel it trying to choke her, strangle the life from her, wanting her dead for making such idle threats. Kyle started laughing realizing that letting this energy silently out for too long would transform this brunch into a nightmare for her. Jess smiled, “I couldn’t resist, with writers being so ready to kill.” She winked and brunch arrived distracting them both from the tension ready to cut with a knife.
The kitchen staff arrived to dress the table with silverware, china and the usual glasses one would find in flute form for orange juice or mimosas. It gave them both just enough time to depart from penetrating gaze, before Jess knowing all too well that he was a bit riled up underneath the surface of calm, cool and collected. She lovingly caressed her book and opened the page, a strategically well written note in reverse was left with his signature. She smiled knowing she’d have time to decode it later as the staff instantly arrived with plates of galore, to peruse. For the next hour at least she found her eyes wandering to the window, watching the children play, laughing and screaming when their brother ran forth to capture them after hiding most undetected in the tall grass of mid-spring.
She relished viewing his world, his glorious creations right in front of her eyes, she knew they held such power within him. The true restraint of his darkness, at least in the public eye. They were his light, his paradise away from the visceral hunger that panged deep inside of him. In the very hellish pits of his insides, bubbling and hissing, and trying to remain calm to prevent explosion and sudden black that transmuted to red, the core of the energy inside that possessed him ever since he saw that woman naked, lying in the snow that cold winter day.
“Thank you Kyle, this is truly what I needed more than anything this morning, you’ve made one of your many fans more than elated. I look forward to reading the inscription tonight when I continue reading through this book for the thousandth time, but first I long to know so much more about you, and I can’t wait to meet your children.”
Jess said as she smiled, his sparkling blue eyes matching hers in this light, his smile curling slightly. He then watched her hands subconsciously reach for her womb, he’d recognized that same look of despair in his wife’s face many, many years ago.
I wonder if this is where she came into darkness and watched the light escape. Kyle’s mind bookmarked this for later.
“What would you like to know Jess, as I’ve mentioned before; I’m an open book.” Kyle placed the cloth napkin on his lap, and watched Jess’s hands match his in the same formal ritual before dining.
“Where did you come from? The origin stories I find are most fascinating and reveal the core of any beings primary focus in life whether they realize it or not, is all together another conversation.”
Jess started deliciously indulging in her meal, savoring every sweet bite of fresh fruit, her supple lips excruciating torture for Kyle’s cock, never could he imagine that she could eat so sensually, as if it was her final meal and yet the one she demanded was given to her each and every day as if she conquered empires to capture what she wanted in life. Never had he seen a woman eat with such passion, this just alluded to so many more of her talents that Kyle knew he had yet to see, well at least fully in person. It was just enough of a distraction to prevent him from flashing back to so many tormenting memories of a harsh, cruel and abusive childhood, an origin story no man should ever have to share, tell or desire too, if anything this world was his way of leaving all of that hell behind.
“As much as it would please me to invite you into such intimate details of my early life, I’ve found that often times the information shared is so heartbreaking to others and this morning it would darken this all too perfect meal shared; that I feel I’m already captivated by in your presence. For fear of ruining such a peaceful mood for the day for us both, do you min
d if we save that discussion for another time?”
Jess was moved by the way Kyle so openly shared himself with her, she was powerfully drawn in, she could feel that his mind was doing this, opening her up to a preconceived trap, but she just couldn’t defy curiosity anymore. She felt herself giving up inside, and wanting to relinquish all power and control to this incredible man, who has seen far too much for too long, and yet still somehow managed to retain the best parts of humanity inside of him in spite of it all.
Once more Jess found ways to incorporate subtle intimacy into what others would read as humanist and typical reactions. She visualized the subduing, soothing energy of the threefold twilight flame of love and adoration, knowing it would soothe whatever being that was attached to him all these years, to sleep and embrace her as his own. Reaching for his arm she adoringly embraced it with her hand, “Kyle it will be an honor to know that part of you someday, I value the time we have together until I’ve earned that place within your world. I understand all too well, and look forward to sharing with you my tale in exchange, of course being when the time is right.”
He reached for her hand and comforted her with it, placing it gently on top of hers:
“Thank you Jess, I knew you’d understand.” Kyle smiled matching her gaze of awe, in awe of his children, playing happily outside without a care in the world to show these two beings what it felt like to truly bathe in the light for a moment leaving behind all the darkness that brought them to this very moment in their star crossed exchange of darkness and ascension.
Chapter 7:
Haunting Nostalgia
Brunch turned into early afternoon, she didn’t realize how much time had gone by. She saw the sun starting to set over the rolling hills of wild grass and flowers kissed in colors of gold, white, blue and green. It was nearly four o’clock, the food was long since eaten, glasses empty but the only thing that could be heard in this room from the servants down the hall was voices exchanging endless ideas. Laughter that echoed from the usually silent chambers of the lord of Burnett Manor’s formal dining hall, covered in dust, without the usual events and enjoyment that his wife used to fill these halls with just a few years ago.
Precarious faces peered out from rooms in the fashion of both kitchen, cleaning and legal staff. Whispers were exchanged and eyes of wonder peering into the hallway that echoed the sounds of laughter from a powerful man who never made such noises before, not even when this house was filled with the sound of children and his wife. Even his dearest friend James who he’d known since childhood, an adoring fan of everything that Kyle conceived into notion; couldn’t remember the last time, if ever that he heard his boss amused by anything quite like this before. He thought back hard discussing with a maid or two wondering if he’d ever invited any other women that worked for him into such a formal setting;
“None so far that I’ve ever known of,” the words were the same from each and every member of the staff. Not a single one had ever shared such time and space with Kyle before, what was it about her that he found so inconceivably fascinating?
James already knew full well that she was unlike anybody he’d ever met before, knowing Kyle had a penchant for rare collections, he wondered if she would be his latest addition in the living breathing museum of unique creatures, resting just below this very floor. While the rest of those who dwelled here for work or for permanency found themselves completely oblivious in the routine life and daily errands that continued on from day to day with very little change. Each friend, colleague and staff member knew that he was more than strict with enforcing precisely what he wanted. They were used to his expectations for such rituals to be carried out in an effortless manner. His methods for gently scorning a person to cause them to transform any flaw into a shining representation of what he desired them to project to the outside world; as a true representation of what he’d always hoped to be was everything he lived for in the mundane aspects of his life, keeping his blades ever sharp and honed for the kill. Kyle knew in this moment that he was not alone on this dark path of hunger and panged carnality. The ink black existence of the abyss was calling. He needed to kill again, he wasn’t ready for his latest employee to be prey, not just yet.
The children burst into the formal dining room, laughter, screams and giggles filled the room, Jess instantly changed her intimate demeanor with their father into a more stately form of professionalism. By their eyes she was the one tending to their nurturing and ease in life, in such a crucial time, the last thing she needed to do was to cause a wedge to grow between her and the children. They’re the only ones truly keeping her stay here secure, so that she could further investigate the hollowed grounds of the freshly dug earth, to find what Kyle was hiding here. Buried beneath the crawl spaces, tombstones and layers of concrete that formed the house above this endless scene of horror and chaos, scattered to the winds in so many memories buried alive, still screaming, waiting for validation as to the endless purgatory waiting for them now infinitum, stuck between two worlds, and frightened never knowing if this pain would ever come to an end.
“Dad we can’t wait any longer, you promised we’d meet her at two o’ clock, it’s almost four now!” Adie a rambunctiously dressed girl of eight wandered over and introduced herself, colorfully dressed with glasses and a smile she waved in a most relaxed disposition;
“Hi, I’m Adie, what’s your name?” she asked most curiously as her older sister Tiffany a young woman of seventeen watched smiling and laughing, at Adie’s curiosity and confidence.
“My name’s Jessica, but I’ve always been keen towards Jess personally, I’ll answer to either though.” Smiling at Adie she continued,
“I love your outfit, so bold and colorful, it’s quite perfect for spring.” Adie smiled,
“Thank you” looking at her sister “See I told you I have style.”
She wandered out of the room, still looking for her brother who’d now wandered off down the hall making animal noises, “It was nice to meet you!” Adie yelled as she ran out of the room.
“Hello, as I’m sure you know by now, I’m Tiffany, the eldest daughter.” Tiffany said smiling, she was so demure yet free in spirit, and the devotion towards her family was obvious she could do nothing more than radiate her pride in being a part of such a world. It made Kyle glow, he was always grateful for her, her very entrance into this world was the first time he ever knew what the light was, his formal introduction to balance, easing the dark tension in his mind, she was always there to remind him that he was capable of self-control, even if it was excruciating at times to maintain.
“Your father tells me you have plans to travel before relocating in the fall for college, might I inquire as to where you plan to go? There are very few things in this world that I am more passionate about than traveling.”
Instantly her smile turned upwards, she ran towards the other side of the table, instantly a plate was brought in from staff and she started to discuss her plans of traveling all over the country with her dearest friend from childhood and documenting the entire experience together and turning it into a short film. She was the creative apple of her father’s eye, she really resonated well with him cerebrally matching his desires for filmography in ways that challenged even the notorious world renowned author to continue to reach for the stars. He wasn’t quite ready to retire and watch his daughter subdue him with talent, not just yet. He’d rather wait until after she graduated to accept that like Sophia, she too would surpass him in ingenuity leaving him a proud but also challenged father. The epitome of Francis Ford Coppola.
She watched from the corner of her psychic eye seeing Adie sneaking up behind her preparing to interrupt this conversation of adventures and travel with hopefully a frightening shock to her newest caregiver and governess.
“Not so fast” Jess stopped and turned dead in her tracks towards Adie,
“I’ve caught you!” she instantly ran
after her chasing her down the hallway, both Tiffany and Kyle laughed in unison never once for a moment expecting Jess to harness her inner child so effortlessly from such a cultured conversation.
The sounds of screams and laughter were heard as she tackled her to the floor in the living room laughing as Adie did her best to tickle Jess back.
“Oh god! You do not play fair, I’ll remember this you wicked girl!” They both continued to laugh and tickle one another until finally at long last a boy leaped over the couch screaming and roaring like a lion tackling Jess and Adie both. His name was Derek, a young boy of thirteen, his smile and blue eyes sparkled the very look of his father in his former youth. Jess finally at long last felt at home, in ways she never quite knew were possible until now, she realized that these beautiful children were now an added layer in complication.
“First you make me fall for you, then you let my heart glow after falling in love with your perfect children.” Jess sighed contently, in a pile of laughing children, Kyle wandering down the hallway hoping not to interrupt. He smiled watching her play with his children in ways he’d long since forgotten how too, awakening a part of his mind and soul that he’d never been connected too before. Smiling wide his eyes glowing, leaning against the wall arms crossed in satisfaction.
“So I see you’ve met my son.” Kyle’s voice smoothly flowed towards her ears, as she smiled matching his she watched Tiffany leaning into her father’s ear whispering, “Now I can leave for summer, knowing you’re well taken care of. She’s perfect Dad, truly I like her, a lot.”
His eyes opened wide he wrapped his arms around his daughter hugging her close;
A Scarlet Collection of Monsters and Madmen Page 22