Landslide

by Robin Mahle

  “Charlie!” Evan slapped him on the back. “Frank and I need to get checked in and then I believe there’s a meet and greet in the bar at six o’clock.”

  Claire turned her wrist to glance at her watch. “It’s only four now. I suppose I could get freshened up. Do you want to meet back down here, say, by 5:30?”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Evan said, leading Frank towards the reception desk.

  Meanwhile, Charlie had already begun his walk to the elevators. Claire quick-stepped to catch up with him.

  “Twelfth floor?” Charlie asked as they stepped in.

  “Yes, please.” Claire could sense that Charlie wasn’t his usual self, but didn’t know why. Had he been less accepting of her new position than she thought? They were equals now and she wondered if it had put him off. “Is everything okay, Charlie?”

  “Eh?” he grumbled. “Oh, yes. Everything’s fine. Just tired from the flight.”

  Seemed strange, considering it had been a relatively short flight. But then, Claire remembered that he was getting on in years. Maybe the flight had worn him out. “Okay. If you’re sure that’s all it is.”

  The doors opened on the sixth floor and Charlie stepped out. “See you at 5:30.”

  Claire continued on to the twelfth and momentarily wondered which floor Evan would be on. She assumed probably the penthouse suite, but there were a few of his equals at this conference and maybe he wanted to keep a lower profile. Who knew? But her thoughts had turned to him for too long when she realized the doors were closing on her floor without her having stepped off yet.

  She lifted her bag over the threshold of Room 1267. It was probably the most beautiful hotel room she’d ever seen. The living area was quite large with a couch, table, and even a small desk on which she could work. But through the double French doors was a most spectacular king-sized bed, adorned with an ivory duvet and oversized feather pillows. She threw herself onto the bed and sank into its luxurious padding.

  Most of her business trips to date had not required overnight stays and this was the first time she was invited to attend an industry conference. So Claire couldn’t recall a time when she’d actually been in a hotel room by herself. She’d begun to feel the weight being lifted from her shoulders. Gone were thoughts of Colin moping around the house, or Beth hiding out. She was glad to be away from Lucas too. She’d even tried to contact Sanchez last night, but got his voicemail. None of that mattered right now. In this moment, she only thought of herself, lying on a cloud.

  But that moment passed quickly as a knock sounded on her door. “Room service.” The voice came from the hallway outside.

  Claire stood up, smoothed her clothing, and walked towards the door. She pulled it open to find a cart, draped in white linen, with a single silver bucket and a bottle of champagne resting in its icy bed. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t order this.”

  “Compliments of Evan Winters, ma’am.”

  Claire stood there a moment longer while the waiter began looking concerned that she hadn’t yet let him in. “Oh, please, come in. I wasn’t expecting anything, but thank you.”

  She reached for her purse, which was resting on the desk. “Thank you,” she handed the man a ten.

  “Thank you, ma’am. Enjoy your evening.”

  Claire closed the door and walked over to the cart. Next to the champagne was a single yellow rose and a note. “I know you will make me proud, Claire. I hope you like champagne. I thought you might like to try the Cristal this time. –Evan.”

  The first time he’d had champagne and flowers delivered to her house; that she understood. It was a congratulatory thing. But this? This was the beginnings of a misunderstanding. One that could mean her job, if she wasn’t careful. Best thing to do was graciously accept the extravagant offer again and hope that there wouldn’t be others that followed. The man wasn’t even near her and, yet, she could feel him all around. Not a chance in hell that she was going to mention this to Charlie either. He was already wary of Winters’ intentions. Rightly so?

  ***

  Claire was ready to head down to the bar after deciding not to let the champagne go to waste; at least, not all of it. She was going to be spending the evening around accounts and financial analysts and thought it’d be a good idea to blur the edges a little.

  Her form-hugging black cocktail dress rode up slightly past her knees and she tugged on it out of modesty. This conference required purchasing some new clothes and the dress was one of her buys. Flattering and sophisticated, with a hint of the provocateur.

  ***

  The bar was already packed with conference-goers. Each seemed to be sporting a name tag and Claire wondered where she might get one. As she glanced around for the location, Frank strolled up to her and handed her one.

  “Here, these were just outside near the lobby.” Frank looked smart and professional in a long-sleeved black button-down shirt with pinstripes in shades of grey. The trousers were modern and tapered. The man clearly worked hard to emulate his boss. Frank was aged somewhere between Evan and Charlie, although his grey hair suggested he was much older. “Well, don’t you look stunning?” He took in Claire’s silhouette and raised a hand to get the attention of the bartender.

  Claire absentmindedly tugged again on her dress. “Oh, thank you, Frank. And you look very handsome. There sure are a lot of people here. I don’t think I was expecting to see quite so many.” It would take some time for her to adjust to her new role, which included socializing with upper-management. Claire only wished the champagne would kick in a little quicker, as her nerves were still on edge.

  Frank scanned the room. “I see Evan and Charlie.” He waved them over.

  Evan was dressed more casually than Claire had ever seen him before. No suit; only dark jeans and an untucked pin-striped oxford shirt. Now she was beginning to feel self-conscious and perhaps a little over-dressed. Charlie followed closely behind as they both approached; he put her at ease. He hadn’t changed at all and still wore his usual tan trousers and white-collared shirt. She admired his ability to remain unaffected, uninfluenced by those around him.

  “What a knock-out!” Evan took Claire’s arms, raising them to get a better look at her. He added a spin, topping off the already uncomfortable encounter.

  “Thank you, sir.” She glanced at Charlie’s disapproving stare.

  “So, are we here to mingle or what?” Frank asked.

  “Yes, that’s a very good idea. Claire, how about I introduce you to a few of these people?” Evan asked.

  “Of course.” She waited for Charlie to say something, maybe even help her out of the situation, but he only turned to the bartender and ordered a drink.

  ***

  Nearly an hour had passed and it seemed as though every participant in the conference was packed into the too-small hotel bar. So much so that some had spilled over into the lobby. Claire caught sight of Charlie as she was being paraded around, being one of the few women in attendance. Her growing light-headedness suggested she should either eat something or stop drinking; maybe both. She’d only been on her second drink. Must have been the champagne.

  “Are you all right, Claire?” The handsome man standing next to her was from a firm called Schuller Investments. That was what his name tag said, anyway. He stood about six-foot-two with dark blonde hair, short but well-coiffed. Jeremy Reilly was scrolled on the white badge in black felt pen letters.

  “Yes, I’m fine, although I think I could use a bite to eat.” She hadn’t realized her appearance may have suffered as well as her head.

  “They’ve set out an appetizer buffet. Can I get you something?” Jeremy seemed eager to help.

  “Yes, thank you. Some cheese and crackers would do fine.”

  While Claire waited for the man to come back with food, her head grew steadily worse. She looked around for Evan, but couldn’t see him anywhere. Then again, the place was brimming with buttoned-down shirts and Vaseline smiles and picking him out of this crowd would be tough. Her s
wimming head wasn’t helping matters either.

  A moment later, the gentleman returned with a small saucer of food: brie, crackers, and some vegetables. “I hope this will be okay.” He set the plate on the bar top table Claire was now leaning against. There were no chairs; only tall, round tables covered in long, white linens for people to place their drinks and food.

  Claire pressed her hand against her forehead. “I’m sorry, but I think I need to go lie down.” The food might have helped, had she eaten twenty minutes ago. Now, merely looking at it seemed to nauseate her.

  Jeremy’s look of concern was noticeable as he took her by the arms to gently prop her up. “Please, let me help you to your room. I’d feel terrible if someone found you passed out on the floor.” A chuckle escaped him. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be.” Claire tried to manage a smile, but was feeling very dizzy now. Too much wine and champagne on an empty stomach. Stupid. “I’d really appreciate a hand, thank you.”

  He grasped hold of her more firmly and guided her through the maze of happy conference-goers.

  As they waded through, Claire thought she’d caught sight of Evan. Was he just staring at her? She briefly thought to stop and double check, but her need to find her bed far outweighed the need to check on him. But even in her haze, she felt his eyes on her.

  Jeremy Reilly continued to lead Claire through the lobby and towards the elevators. Evan approached the two of them as if from nowhere. Claire saw him from the corner of her eye and was actually glad to see that he’d come after her. She was feeling worse by the minute. Jeremy seemed a nice guy, but she was cognizant enough for the moment to know it was a bad idea to let him take her to her room. If only she could stop seeing double, she might have made it on her own.

  “Claire? Claire, are you all right?” Evan asked as he swooped beneath her arm to take her weight. He turned to the man who was still hanging on. “I can take it from here. She’s one of mine and I’ll see to it she makes it back to her room safely.”

  Jeremy backed away quickly as Evan peered at him. Claire slowly turned her head to watch the exchange and saw a challenging look on Evan’s face. She blinked twice to try to clear her vision because that look was terrifying and she had never seen it in any man before.

  “No problem, man. I was just trying to help the lady.” He raised his hands as if someone was pointing a gun at him.

  “Come on, Claire. I’ve got you,” Evan said, helping her into the elevator.

  “I’m so embarrassed. Please know that I’m not usually like this.” Claire was hunched over towards his shoulder. “I had a glass of that wonderful champagne you sent to my room and I guess with the wine…well, please forgive my behavior.”

  “There’s nothing to forgive, Claire.” Evan pressed the button to the twelfth floor. “I won’t hold it against you.”

  His smile put her at ease. Although her stomach was turning and her head still spun, his remarks seemed genuine. She returned the smile.

  Evan continued to guide her down the long passageway, illuminated with elegant crystal wall sconces every few feet. She felt no worse, but no better either.

  “Where’s your key?”

  She pulled it from the small black evening bag still tossed over her shoulder. “Here.”

  Evan slid the key card into the slot, waited for the click, and pushed open the door. “Come on; let’s get you settled in.”

  A voice in the back of her mind whispered, “He’s only trying to help.” But she was alert enough to know that she could handle it from here. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine now. I appreciate your help.”

  “Please. There is no way I’m leaving you right now.” He helped her to the couch. “I’ll get you some water.”

  She watched him move around the room, filling a small glass with bottled water. His jeans shifted perfectly over his sleek build.

  “Here, drink this. It’ll help.” Evan handed her the water and sat down next to her, placing his arm along the top of the small sofa.

  She sipped the water, watching him closely.

  He began to slide off her shoes.

  “Please,” she whispered. “You don’t need to stay. I’ll be okay now.”

  He sat back up and looked her in the eyes. The familiar look she’d seen on the private plane that night. The look that made her blush.

  ***

  Claire’s eyes caught the blinding ray of sun that broke through a small opening in the blackout curtains of her room. She blinked to find focus, then turned to check the time as a wave of panic rushed through her pounding head. Eight o’clock. She had one hour to pull herself together before the conference got underway.

  Nausea was talking hold and Claire knew the best thing was to get it out and over with. She’d feel much better after that. If college taught her nothing else but knowing what to do in the event of a hellacious hangover, then that was enough.

  Where are my clothes? She sat up on the edge of the bed, suddenly aware of her nudity, ready to dart into the bathroom. Her mind grappled at this realization. Not only did she not recall getting into her bed last night, she couldn’t recall how she ended up with no clothes and, more importantly, who might have taken them off.

  Now, fear mixed with nausea and proved to be too much. She ran into the bathroom and threw herself on the mercy of the toilet.

  Claire lay down for a moment on the cool tiled floor. Her stomach felt better, that much was true, but her brain still pounded hard against her skull. I have to get ready.

  Her hand reached around for the shower faucet and she turned it on. A moment later, her fragile body rose from the pleasant coolness the floor had offered and stepped into the shower. It was beginning to help her think a little more clearly as she ran through the events of last night.

  Her final recollection was of some man helping her to the elevator. Jeremy? No, it was Evan. And his eyes. She remembered that too. But then another memory surfaced. He’d been in her room. She was completely blank from there. Couldn’t recall taking her dress off; it was all just blank, until she opened her eyes this morning.

  The water continued to run down her face as her mind worked hard to piece together the memories. She began to feel a familiar soreness in a place that had no business being sore. Her brow creased and her breaths quickened and Claire slowly slid her hand down to the place that ached. Oh God. “Oh God. No.” She shook her head and it pounded harder. “No, no, no. This isn’t possible.” Her body began to tremble and goose bumps arose over every inch of her skin. “Oh God. What did I do?” The saliva secreted in her mouth and the inevitable force took over. The revelation was too much for her already weak stomach to bear.

  ***

  Nine o’clock and, by some miracle, Claire had been able to pull herself together enough to at least be somewhat presentable. Her humiliation nearly led her to hop on the next flight home, but then what? She was now the only bread-winner in the family and couldn’t risk losing her job, although at this point, she wondered if she still had one.

  She’d slept with Evan Winters last night. Was sure of it now, even if the events or the act itself remained shrouded in an alcohol haze. The thought of it forced her eyes shut and subverted her fragile head as she stood in the lobby leading to the various rooms in search of Conference Room B. Claire had no choice but to confront him. Had they both been so drunk as to make such a decision? Evan wasn’t married, but of course, she was. Colin.

  The conference room filled quickly and she hadn’t yet spotted Evan, but she had seen Charlie. He was sitting at the third table from the front. But first, the coffee at the back was calling her name and so she poured a cup before getting to her seat.

  “Well, what happened to you last night, little missy?”

  Charlie’s tone seemed playful, but Claire was sure she detected something unfavorable. “Sorry?”

  “Didn’t I warn you about Winters? I saw you leave with him, Claire.”

  No two ways about it. He was accusing her. She was embarrassed
and grew defensive as a result. “I wasn’t feeling very well, too much to drink, I guess, and he helped me up to my room. I don’t know what you thought you saw, but that was the extent of it.” Claire wanted to cry, but choked it back and prayed he hadn’t seen the crack in her façade.

  Charlie opened up the notebook that had been placed on everyone’s chair and began flipping through it.

  She was glad that he chose not to pursue the conversation any further and began to wonder how the hell she would make it through until tomorrow night. What would she say to the noticeably absent Evan Winters? What would she say to her husband?

  ***

  By the end of the day, Claire realized she hadn’t focused on any part of the conference. Neither Frank nor Evan were at lunch and Charlie hardly said two words to her for the rest of presentation. They’d reviewed government regulations, new banking policies, and everything else related to financial management, but her mind was far too preoccupied. All she wanted now was to find Evan and try to sort through this. There was little choice but to confront the situation head on to see where he stood on the matter. As far as Colin was concerned, she knew she wouldn’t be able to tell him. Drunk or not, it was no excuse and he would never forgive her. She couldn’t lose him; not now, not ever.

  “I was wondering if you wanted to head out into town for dinner tonight,” Charlie asked. “It’s supposed to be clear and it’d be nice to see some of the sights.”

  Was he talking to her again? “Yeah, I guess. Thank you.”

  “Great. I’m sure Frank and Evan are with the other execs. They don’t normally attend the presentations. They’re only here to talk with other corporate types to get their take on the new regulations, the economy, and whatever else might spring to mind after a few scotches. It’s really just a PR visit for them. We’re the ones who have to do the real work.”

  “Thanks, Charlie.” She again looked to him as the mentor he always had been. He was trying to help and she could see that now.