Harper's Fate

by F. C. Clark

  ‘Tonight, Mr S, I have made pasta carbonara, side salad and nut ciabatta. In the fridge you will find strawberry mousse.’

  ‘As ever, it sounds amazing, but I think you know my appreciation for your culinary delights.’ He has that smile on his lips.

  ‘I try my best,’ I answer, just about holding on to my sanity.

  ‘You seem to succeed, Kate.’ He stifles a laugh.

  ‘I have to go.’ Why do I allow him to intimidate me? ‘Luke, I hope I didn’t offend you today with Jerry’s birthday. I forget that we’re your staff.’ As usual, I can’t leave when an issue needs to be addressed.

  ‘I just don’t have a lot of spare time – that’s not to say I don’t want to.’ He begins to devour yet another meal. ‘Kate, I previously told you I only do what I want.’ He raises his head, holding my eyes. No more needs to be said; I know where I stand.

  ‘Goodbye, Luke.’

  ‘Until next time, Kate.’

  Thursday comes and goes. Luke has a business dinner so there is no meal to be cooked. I leave the palace and arrive at Pete’s earlier than usual, to make up for my drunken escapade on Monday.

  On Friday, I decide to leave a little earlier to meet Stella.

  ‘Afternoon, Kate, penny for them.’ Stella disrupts my train of thought; however, what races through my mind cannot be repeated.

  ‘Sorry Stella… I was miles away.’ I lean towards her and plant a kiss on her cheek. I’m not sure how unexpected my gesture was. I feel we’ve reached a point in our friendship that if I stop working for Luke, I’m sure Stella would stay in my life.

  ‘How are you?’

  ‘Not bad.’ I take a deep breath and rush in. ‘You’re aware my boss is anonymous no more?’

  ‘Yes, and to be honest I thought it was a little odd.’ She shrugs.

  ‘Has Luke told you that we’ve met before? That’s why there was a secrecy act?’

  Stella looks shocked; clearly her boss hasn’t told her everything. ‘No, he didn’t.’

  ‘About five weeks ago I dropped off some shirts from Jones Tailors to him at work. Max got me soaking wet and I borrowed a shirt from him.’

  ‘Interesting. I heard about this incident from Max and a small amount of office gossip. I was not there that day.’ She drinks her latte, registering the information I’m feeding her.

  ‘That’s why we don’t recognise each other.’ I’ve wondered why Stella didn’t look familiar from that day.

  ‘Agreed. I assume Luke didn’t realise it was you until your name was checked by the security team.’

  ‘Apparently so.’ I fold my arms and cynically raise my brows.

  ‘It all makes sense.’

  ‘I dropped the loan shirt off at the security desk.’ Not even finishing my sentence, she reaches for my hand.

  ‘That’s precisely what Max told me. A few weeks ago Luke was like a bear with a sore head; apparently a meeting with a young lady didn’t go to plan.’

  Oh my God. Did he really want to see me? He confuses my senses and emotions to the point I can’t speak or think. Or is she referring to someone else? Young lady – is that me?

  ‘I have to admit on Monday when I found out it was him I thought about leaving. He said I wouldn’t have taken the job if I had known it was him.’ I look out of the window and take a deep breath. This week has sent me to a place of unnerving reality.

  ‘Kate, I have to agree. I may not know you that well, but… maybe you and Luke have similar traits.’

  ‘Really! I don’t see that.’ I’m nothing like him.

  ‘I assume you stand strong when you make a decision? Luke does the same.’

  ‘Maybe… I’ve debated whether to leave.’

  Stella reaches across and touches my hand.

  ‘No, Kate, please. I think Max and I will have to lock you in the kitchen if you try to leave. Believe me, I do not want to cope with a grumpy Luke Sutton – he can be a royal pain in the derrière.’

  ‘I’m still here, but I warn you I’m in a very fragile state of mind.’

  ‘Well, that makes two of you.’ Does she know more than she is letting on?

  She decides to change the subject and lighten the mood, which is probably a good idea.

  ‘Are you out tonight?’

  ‘Yes, a girly night clubbing with my plus one, who is my luscious gay neighbour – funnily enough, I was out with him on Friday. I saw Luke at the same restaurant.’

  ‘Fate, my darling – that would be fate…’

  I return to the palace, although I don’t have to cook tonight as Luke apparently has another business dinner this evening. Surprisingly, the office doors are open. His distinctive voice echoes through the hallway and filters through my body.

  I walk pass the office doors.

  ‘Kate.’ Not so fast. I retrace my steps and enter the lair.

  ‘Hi, I’ve just got back from meeting Stella.’

  ‘Yes, I know.’

  ‘Oh.’ I forget we all work for the man who controls our schedules.

  ‘Is everything OK?’

  ‘Hmm – yes.’ He doesn’t seem his usual ‘knock me off my feet and watch me melt to the floor’ self.

  ‘I saw your note. You don’t need a meal this evening, but can I do anything else?’ Clarification is needed – quickly. ‘Food – a snack?’ I raise my brows, rescuing myself from another verbal faux pas.

  He smiles. Now I need to control myself.

  ‘What are your plans this evening?’

  I walk towards his desk, a little confused.

  ‘Oh – a mad girly night with my gay neighbour.’

  He tilts his head, dissecting my descriptive terminology. ‘Sounds interesting.’

  ‘It will be, with Kiki and Barney. There’s no choice – they’re full-on party-pleasers.’

  He reaches into his drawer. ‘Would you like these tickets to a nightclub? They allow access to a VIP area, champagne on tap, and—’ He stops mid-sentence and hands them to me.

  ‘Thank you. I’m sure the girls and Barney would love them – that’s really kind of you.’

  He looks lost. This benevolent behaviour is more my territory than his.

  ‘You may as well leave; there’s nothing left for you to do.’ He stands with his hands in his trouser pockets, looking strangely timid. Wow – our roles have temporarily reversed.

  ‘Thank you – I’ll say goodbye, until Monday.’

  ‘We’ll see.’

  I begin to leave.

  ‘Kate.’

  I stop and turn.

  ‘Stay out of trouble.’

  ‘I usually do, Luke!’

  8

  Slowly, one by one the partygoers arrive, ready for an evening of debauchery, especially with nympho Kiki and untamed Barney as the driving force. Maintaining decorum within the pack is always a challenge!

  ‘The black dress?’ I ask Harry for reassurance.

  ‘Yeah, definitely.’ She tries to speak with a mouth full of bread.

  ‘There’s one major problem; you can see the line of my knickers.’

  ‘Commando, baby.’ Barney shouts from the bathroom. No doubt he’s using my eyeliner…

  ‘That’s easy for you to say; you’re always commando.’ I know this is true, having had the pleasure of a full frontal on several occasions.

  ‘Easy access – it’s all about timing. Sometimes I don’t have a lot to spare. Do you get what I mean?’ He saunters into my bedroom, my eyeliner in his hand.

  ‘Unfortunately, I do.’

  ‘To be honest, Kate, that dress is so tight and to your knee, no one can see up it.’ Kiki does have a point.

  ‘What do you think, Harry?’ I ask, needing an answer from the only sane person in my bedroom.

  ‘Leave them off. Kiki’s right – it’s
so bloody tight, it’s not a dress, it’s a tube. Very smart, but nonetheless a tube.’

  ‘OK – I’ll leave my knickers in my bag, if there’s an emergency you have to get them on me. Promise?’

  ‘I promise.’ Harry glares at me, losing the will to live.

  A knock at the door stops any further talk of nakedness.

  ‘Barney, be a love, go and answer it.’ Harry asks.

  ‘Bring some bread up with you,’ Kiki requests whilst changing her underwear. She’s happy to walk around in the buff.

  ‘Right. I’m warning you, I’m not having a night as your little gofer… OK, girls?’ Barney says, mainly in jest.

  Within a few minutes Barney returns with some bread. ‘Kate, there’s a bloke in the hall; he said his name is Max. Looks like a real bruiser.’

  I reach the bottom of the staircase and, yes, it is Max, diverting his eyes from my incredibly short black robe.

  ‘Max! Is everything OK?’

  ‘Luke sent me here to drive you and your guests for the evening, anywhere you want to go, and I’ll make sure you get home too.’ He looks on edge.

  ‘Are you joking?’ I can’t help but laugh. ‘Thanks, but I can make my own arrangements. How bloody ridiculous.’

  Max clears his throat.

  ‘I think he wants you to arrive safely.’

  ‘Safely, my arse! He’s dominating and wants to control the world, and my evening out. What if I say no?’ I fold my arms.

  ‘I would be happier if you said yes.’

  Kiki arrives at the bottom of the stairs, only her underwear hiding her dignity. However, as her underwear looks like dental floss and scraps of fabric, clearly the hiding challenge is not working very well. Poor Max has reached the point of overload: he doesn’t know where to look and he feels awkward, thanks to his boss, who I’ve renamed Mr Control Freak Sutton.

  ‘Hi, I’m Kiki.’ She reaches up to his cheek and plants a kiss.

  ‘Evening.’ Max folds his arms, protecting himself from her.

  ‘What’s going on?’ Kiki says.

  ‘This is Max, my boss’s driver. He’s been sent here to take us anywhere we want to go.’ My crossness is gaining momentum.

  ‘Fab, thanks, Max.’ Kiki answers, not sensing my disbelief, I look at her and shake my head.

  ‘Urgh – no. This is a bit odd.’ Come on… at least support my cause and join me.

  ‘No, babe – I think it’s kind of your boss to send you a carriage. Very Cinderella – maybe you should look for Prince Charming after all.’ She winks at me and saunters off to get more food from the kitchen.

  I need distance from this self-righteous man.

  Harry and Barney arrive on the scene. I’m sure they heard most of the discussion from my room.

  ‘Max, this is my sister, Harry, and my friend Barney. Guys, this is Max, Luke’s driver.’

  With no warning, Harry plants a double kiss on Max. How very French of her; this must be down to her lover. Barney leans in for a kiss. I give Max some credit; within a heartbeat, Max shoots out his hand for a shake. There will be no kissing from Max this evening. I can’t help but chuckle.

  ‘Apparently Luke has asked Max to drive us anywhere we want to go.’ I remain at a loss.

  ‘How thoughtful,’ Harry responds. What is wrong with her? For the love of God, will everyone listen to me?

  ‘Oh, and he gave me some tickets for a club. Do you think he wants to pop over and tell me what to wear?’ I search for the tickets in my bag. ‘I’ve never heard of it, maybe we should go somewhere else.’ I’m not up with the club scene in London.

  ‘Let me look.’ Barney takes the tickets from my hands. ‘Fuck, it’s VIP passes for SGI… Kate, these tables are really expensive – I’m starting to like your new boss.’ Barney loses himself in the moment. ‘Hey, Kiki, Prince Charming has given Kate VIP tickets to SGI.’ Barney knows full well that Kiki is the only one who can match his knowledge and enthusiasm.

  ‘Wow, I love it there. So we have tickets and a pumpkin? Way to go, Cinders.’ I could do without Kiki’s humour. I just hope Max is immune to all the noise and references involving his boss – our boss.

  ‘Ha ha ha, very bloody funny – well, Max, it looks like my supportive friends and family are on board for this evening. I, on the other hand, am not that thrilled, but appear to be outnumbered! Let me get you a drink and something to eat while you wait for us to get ready.’ I walk towards the kitchen.

  ‘I’m fine.’ He remains in the hallway, not a hint of any movement.

  ‘I won’t take no for an answer. If you want me to take you up on your offer then at least let me get you a drink; besides, there’s a lot of food here.’

  ‘I think you and Luke are more alike than you realise.’ He begins to walk towards the kitchen.

  ‘Really? Am I stern, dominating and controlling?’ I can’t help but smile; never a truer word spoken in jest. Max understands all of Luke’s qualities – good, bad and indifferent.

  Forty-five minutes later we leave the house, glammed up and ready to party. I opt for my dress (or tube) with no knickers, poker-straight hair and black feline eyes. Harry is in a black lace bandeau dress, very smart and very Harry. Kiki wears leather shorts and a sheer black vest top, and Barney, as usual, looks as if he’s stepped out of Italian Vogue. Out on the kerb I look for the black Bentley, but instead, at the side of the road, is yet another black car, this time a Range Rover Sport with blacked-out windows.

  ‘I’ll sit in the front?’ Kiki looks to me.

  ‘No – I’ll sit next to Max.’ I raise my brows in response.

  ‘Are you trying to spoil my fun?’ She smiles at me.

  ‘I think you’ll find I’m trying to protect a colleague from a very spirited friend and potentially a traumatic journey; now get your arse in the back.’ I wear a look of frustration, a look that I wear a lot when dealing with my highly sexed friend.

  ‘Fine, don’t rain on my parade tonight.’ No one can rain on Kiki’s parade; she craves a monsoon full of men.

  I slip into the front seat.

  Max offers a small smile, a glimpse into his heart.

  ‘Unfortunately, you have two things that Kiki needs: a pulse and a body part that she likes.’

  Once we arrive, Max ensures I have his mobile number, demanding that I call him when we’re ready to leave. Jeez, this is all a bit bloody odd!

  Effortlessly, Kiki strolls to the front of the queue, flashing our tickets and speaks to the heavies on the door. It’s like the parting of the waves – instant access. We enter the foyer of the club, where Kiki hands our tickets to a woman seated at a desk. In return we are given gold wristbands. I can only assume this is to gain entrance to the VIP area, not having done this before. We are then greeted by another girl, stunningly dressed in a black catsuit. She walks us through the club and up a flight of stairs that appear to be sectioned off with railings and a security guard, who also moves upon our arrival. Wow, the area is huge, with its own bar, luxury sofas, cocktail tables and stools – very swish. Catwoman disappears but returns with a magnum of champagne and glasses.

  ‘This is fab.’ Harry is impressed. Yet my cynical side feels this is a little too good to be true.

  ‘I guess.’ I am a bit awe-struck.

  ‘Admit it, your boss has done good.’ Harry links my arm. I know she wants me to let my guard down.

  ‘Maybe.’

  ‘Here’s to a shit-hot night and a toast to our very own Prince Charming. Kate, I’m sure you can find a way to thank him.’ Kiki raises her glass, honouring Mr Control Freak Sutton.

  ‘Yes, I’ll make him a cake on Monday!’ I retort, raising my glass. My mind struggles to buy into this being a kind gesture.

  We all laugh. The party is just beginning.

  I hear Chris Brown singing and know what will follow. Barney gr
abs my arm, dragging me to the dance floor, one of my favourite places in the world.

  After numerous turns around the dance floor, we both head back to the VIP area, flashing our wristbands to gain entrance. My head continues to spin. I’m not sure if it’s the dancing or the alcohol. I notice Harry and Kiki talking to someone. I can’t see who it is. Barney and I reach the table, and at the same time the mystery man turns to reveal himself.

  ‘Luke!’ Shocked is an understatement. ‘What are you doing here?’ His easy on the eye appearance bowls me over; he’s gone for the casual look, in a black shirt and black jeans, looking slick and far too fuckable.

  ‘Good evening, Kate; I’m pleased that you’re happy to see me,’ he responds, whilst his eyes scan up and down my body, before resting on my face.

  ‘No, it’s not that. You were the last person I expected to see here – besides, I thought you had a business meeting tonight?’ I feel my clipped response is justified.

  ‘I did. I thought as I’m already here I would see if you’re OK.’ He wears a familiar smirk – the one he produces when he has something hidden up his sleeve.

  ‘Already here?’ Do I look that stupid? Am I missing the point?

  ‘Yes, Kate, my meeting was here.’ He swigs his drink.

  ‘Oh.’ A meeting here. He watches me.

  ‘SGI – Kate…’ He waits for the penny to drop.

  ‘SGI – of course, Sutton Global Industries. Acronym – was I a bit slow for you, Luke?’ I smile sarcastically; at last it makes sense. Pity I didn’t realise it a few hours ago. I would have never used the bloody tickets. My boss is incredibly self-assured. ‘Another feather to your bow? You don’t look the type to own a club – actually, you don’t look the sort of person to go clubbing. Any other businesses that you want to share with me?’ Even though I don’t have a clue what he actually does for a living.

  ‘Kate, there’s a lot you don’t know about me.’

  ‘No shit, Sherlock,’ I mutter.

  ‘I had tickets. You were going out; it seemed pointless not giving them to you.’ That’s it. Does he feel that he’s vindicated himself? ‘As for this club, it’s merely in my possession for a short time.’