Insufferable Proximity

by Z. Stefani

  “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I think that you’re going to want to take a look at your e-mail.”

  “What e-mail?” Julian asked as Heaven watched her secretary run over to her computer.

  “Come here,” she said pulling up her own e-mail, “this was sent to every employee at the firm.” she finished then stepped back from the computer, letting Heaven and Julian take a look at the screen.

  They stood there, both dumbfounded as a page full of at least a half dozen photos of them popped up. The first picture was them back in the beginning of her contract, she was wearing one of her ill-fitting suits and he had kissed her that day. The next picture was the one that had been photocopied and found in the cafeteria, but it was the pictures that followed that made her instantly sick to her stomach. It completely blew away their whole “look alike” excuse for the photocopy and showed everyone exactly what was going on between the two of them. As if to add insult to injury, it was marked at the bottom “not a look alike” Heaven wanted to scream out loud and throw her laptop out the window, Julian on the other hand was unable to control his anger and stormed out to the floor.

  “Who did this?” he yelled, ready to confront every employee on the floor, “we are going to have every computer in this office scanned and I will find out who did this!” he roared. Ayden walked out to put a calming hand on his son’s arm.

  “Take Sevigne home.” Ayden said and the mention of her name snapped Julian out of his rage. After staring at every individual employee for a moment he stormed back to her office. “All employees are to meet in the conference room immediately.” Ayden announced before heading there. He had no more then walked into the room when his eldest son stopped him.

  “I found this on the steps leading out to the parking lot when I was on my way in just now.” Ian handed him the thick envelop filled with the same pictures that had been sent through the e-mail.

  “You’re late.” Ayden spoke as he looked at his watch.

  “Sorry, I stopped to get coffee.” Ian said but Ayden saw no coffee cup in his hand.

  “Have a seat Ian, I need to make an announcement.” he said as all the employees sat around the conference table, all of them looking up towards their boss.

  “Yes sir.” he answered then sat down to the side of his father’s chair, although Ayden did not sit.

  “I am going to say this once and only once, the pictures are a fake. Ms. Deville’s head has been superimposed on another woman’s body, using high-tech photo editing software. There is documented proof and anyone who would like to ask questions can come straight to me.” Ayden bluffed them, knowing none of them would dare come to him, doing so would expose that they doubted his word. “My personal head of security is currently going through everyone’s computer and no one is allowed to return to their desks yet. So if there are any objections, feel free to speak your mind now.” he said, but no one objected. “Any questions?” he asked and everyone shook their heads no, Ayden nodded “Good then it’s settled, anyone who speaks of this from this moment forward will be immediately and severely reprimanded. You have been officially warned.” he finished then left the room and walked back to his office.

  ***

  “He’s lying.” Gloria said when she and three of the other secretaries were far enough away from the conference room to not be overheard.

  “I just cannot believe those two are actually having sex! I mean really, what does he see in that condescending witch?” Reese asked out of frustration.

  “Well I believe the boss, I don‘t think they were having sex, I believe the whole crazy ex-girlfriend story, those picture look fake.” Adele rolled her eyes.

  “You are in denial.” Gloria said as she rolled her eyes as well.

  “No, you’re just impressionable enough to believe everything you hear.” Adele shot back.

  “Oh I’m impressionable? That’s coming from the girl who sent Julian King gourmet coffee and her number because he smiled at her one morning.” Gloria said condescendingly.

  “He did smile at me, for over 30 seconds.” she retorted.

  “Damn Miss Desperation, you’re counting the seconds now?” Gloria scoffed.

  “Don’t hate.” Adele said pulling out her compact and checking her lipstick.

  “There’s nothing to hate on.” Gloria said flipping her long chestnut hair, a subliminal cut to Adele, who suffered from very thin and lifeless hair, as Gloria so loved to point out.

  “Tell her Juliette, tell her there’s nothing going on between the two of them.” Adele urged Juliette to take her side.

  “Don’t throw me in the middle of it.” Juliette said with a frown.

  “You’re being awfully quiet about such a juicy scandal.” Gloria said suspiciously, normally Juliette had a lot to say when it came to Julian, so why was she suddenly so silent? “I mean we are speaking of your prince charming, you have always been his most devoted admirer and his number one fan, why so quiet?”

  “I have to agree, I find it hard to believe you have nothing to say.” Adele quickly turned on Juliette

  “Me too.” Reese joined the bandwagon.

  “I just have more important things to do then stand around and gossip.” Juliette retorted.

  “Like what?” all three of them chuckled.

  “Like work.” she answered her own irritation rising at that point, it was obvious she wanted to get far away from her co-workers.

  “Wow, that’s a first, I didn’t think you worked anymore, as much as you stand around and gossip.” Gloria said snidely before Juliette gave her a death glare then turned around and walked away. “She’s up to something.”

  “I agree with you, something’s just not right with Juliette.” Adele nodded.

  ***

  Fritz had brought his eldest son, Riley Jr. with him to figure out where the anonymous e-mails had been sent from. Riley was a computer specialist, a software developer and a professional hacker who was able to break through anyone’s security to find out whatever he needed to know. It had taken no more than an hour for Riley to check each computer and determine that the pictures had not been sent from any of them. It had taken him even less time to make sure no traces of the pictures existed.

  When he was through he went to Ayden’s computer and sat there, engulfed in the screen, his fingers typing at the speed of light for thirty full minutes before he finally turned to look at his father.

  “It’s untraceable.” he said then stood up, “It’s a dummy account licensed to the name Kat N. Mouse, which is an obvious fake. The account was created at 7:00 am and was set up to send the emails automatically at 9:45. The account was then deactivated, less than five minutes after they were sent.”

  “Someone went to a lot of trouble to cover their tracks.” Fritz said with a look of irritation.

  “And that someone knows what they’re doing. Is there someone at the firm with superior computer skills?”

  “As far as I know, the only employee with that type of skill is the female involved, Ms. Deville.”

  ***

  Julian led Heaven out through the back way and straight to his car. She was silent and looked as if she would cry, but she was obviously trying to be strong. It was breaking Julian’s stone-covered heart to see her like this, he had never felt a compassion this strong for any living creature before in his life.

  When they pulled up to Julian’s house, Heaven saw a few of the staff members carrying suitcases and a couple of large baskets. He jumped out and opened the trunk as they stuffed the bags in, Alice, had opened the door and hugged Heaven, she had no idea what was going on but she knew by the stunned look on her face it was something bad. To her complete shock, Heaven actually returned the hug for a split second before pulling back

  “Whatever it is, you can work through it, you’re strong and so is Mr. King.” Alice said before shutting the car door.

  “Thank you.” Heaven whispered with sadness in her eyes.

  “I’ll see you as soon as you g
et back.” she finished then moved out of the way so the cook could set a couple large picnic baskets in the back seat. Julian finally jumped back in the car and restarted the engine then turned to her.

  “You ready?”

  “We are we going?” she finally asked.

  “Away from here.”

  “That sounds perfect.” she said and he leaned over and kissed her before buckling his seat belt and pulling off.

  ***

  Escape from the East

  Their trip started on a good note, Julian blasted the radio and they both nodded their heads to the catchy beat. They stopped and grabbed a bite to eat despite the large picnic baskets and before she knew it, she found herself walking to his personal plane.

  “I’ve never been on a private plane before.” she said feeling the excitement rush through her, she loved the air and had always wanted to skydive but never had the opportunity.

  “You’ll love it.” he said taking her hand and leading her inside. He watched her excitement grow as she looked out the small window, he was happy to see her finally smile after such a horrific day. He wished he could do something to make things better, he did not like seeing her sad and could not wait to get his hands on the person who was making her feel this way. He was not used to feeling such intense compassion for anyone, but he had no choice but to let his feelings flow, since he was unable to hold his emotion back any longer.

  After a long ride through the sky, they finally landed and Julian held her hand as he helped her off the jet. Heavens eyes grew wide at the sights around her, the deep-blue sky was illuminated by the silvery moon that looked as if it bounced on top the mirrored surface of the endless dark sea. Even in the dim light, she could see the vibrant colors of the overgrown tropical plants and trees that shielded the small landing from the road beyond.

  “Where are we?” she asked him as she stood entranced by the land’s dazzling display of earthly beauty.

  “Hawaii, this is my grandfather’s little hideaway, he left it to me in his will.” he took her hand and led her over to a small black go-cart as the pilot began piling their luggage in the back.

  “This place is unbelievable.” she took a deep breath, pulling in the sweet floral air.

  “You ain’t seen nothing yet.” he grinned as he drove down the designated trail that led straight to the house.

  “It is beautiful.” she said looking up at the off-white, two-story home, there were wrap-around porches on both floors and thick white columns in the front. The warm amber lights from the porch were beckoning them and they drove down the sienna-hued, stone walkway that led to the enormous glass, front doors.

  “Of all the grand scale homes my grandfather owned, he always used to tell me that this one was his favorite. He said he liked it best because it was cozy and private, the closest neighbors are a couple of miles down the beach.” he led her inside and she felt the comfort that his grandfather had been talking about. The whole house, from the outside to the inside, had a very welcoming and cozy atmosphere.

  “This place is perfect and relaxing.” she looked around at the earth-toned décor. The ivory-colored velvet furniture was topped with cinnamon toned faux-fur and chocolate-colored, leather throw pillows. The highly-polished, teak wood floors were graced with a large fluffy ivory rug in the middle. There was a grand fireplace off to the side, done in shades of sand and coral.

  “Good, because I want you to relax while we are here.” he instructed her, grabbing a bottle of wine from one of the picnic baskets. He poured them both a glass and then handed one to her, “Come with me.” he took her hand and led her to the back porch.

  “Wow,” she gasped in awe looking out at the magnificent view, the lush tropical setting looked like something straight out of a magazine, “I always thought the pictures they took of these type of vacation spots were embellished so tourists would come spend money. I had no idea they were really this beautiful.” she sighed again as he led her over to the thick, round, mahogany table, pulling out one of the matching chairs for her to sit in.

  “Still not as beautiful as you.” he said with a grin.

  “That was corny.” she tried to look bored but could not stop the smile from spreading across her face.

  “Alright, how about- the night cannot compare to your beauty.”

  “Even cornier,” she chuckled taking a sip of her wine, “especially coming from you.”

  “Why do I make it cornier?”

  “Romantic phrases coming from you are the equivalent of braiding your leg hair and attaching a bow, it’s just weird.”

  “Really? Then what would sound more natural coming from me?”

  “Strip down and get up on the table so we can fuck.” she said and they both started laughing.

  “That sounds like a good idea.”

  “Don’t even think about it, I’ve had enough of the whole public nudity thing.” she shook her head, “Just when I was getting over the shock of someone actually watching us and taking pictures, this happens and now everybody knows.”

  “My dad held a meeting and told everyone the photo was a fake.”

  “Even if he had proof there will still be substantial doubt.” she took a sip of her drink, “We work with a bunch of lawyers, they are going to question it.”

  “So what if they do?”

  “How can you even say that Julian? We work with these people and they think that we are having sex!”

  “So! We are having sex and I don’t care if they all know It.” he shrugged his shoulders.

  “That’s because they’ll just continue to think that you’re this big stud and they will start looking at me like the office whore.” she frowned looking into her glass, “Or worse they’ll compare me to Lila Strain.”

  “No one would ever think that you were a whore, even after having sex with me, and you’re nothing like Lila.”

  “Why because she’s so amazing in bed?” Heaven snapped at him aware that she sounded a little jealous.

  “No because Lila really is a whore, who just happens to be plotting her own husband’s death.” he said trying to distract her attention.

  “What? Are you serious?”

  “Yes.” he said pulling her chair closer to his, “Now, why don’t you strip down and get on the table so we can fuck.”

  “Why don’t you strip down and get on the table.”

  “I’m not getting on the table.” he grinned before standing up and stripping off his shirt. Heaven took a sip of her wine, using the glass to hide her mouth as she watched him undress, since she was to tipsy to hide her emotions and could not wipe the satisfied smirk off her face. She watched in awe as he revealed his large muscular chest and mile-wide shoulders, tossing his shirt to the side. She felt an automatic humming in the very center of her sex as he slid his pants and boxers down at the same time. He stood before her fully naked for a moment before sitting back down. “Your turn.”

  “Fine.” she took another sip of her drink then stood up and took a step back before unbuttoning her shirt. Julian in return moved his chair closer to her and Heaven took another step backwards before tossing her shirt on his head. He quickly moved it out of the way, afraid he would miss something, then scooted his chair closer to her as she took another step back before sliding out of her skirt. She then reached behind and unsnapped her bra, watching his lust heighten as she slowly slid it off. She stood there fully naked for a moment before he grabbed her and pulled her down to his lap. He held her tightly as he scooted his chair back to the table, then in one swift move, he lifted her up and sat her down on top of it.

  She sat with her back straight as he kissed her knee, spreading her legs a little, as he carried those kisses up her thigh. She felt her strength leaving her as his mouth neared her bare sex, his warm breath was stimulating her enough to make her lean back on her hands. She felt the muscles in her thighs twitch as his lips came closer. She arched her back and tensed her body up as she waited for it, her belly fluttering in anticipation.
Julian was relishing her reaction and smiled when she attempted to slide her sex closer to his face. After a long, agonizing moment he finally slid the tip of his tongue down the center of her sensitive flesh.

  ***

  Heaven opened her eyes and stretched lazily on the bed before sitting up. There had been no piercing-ring from her alarm clock attempting to shatter her eardrums. Instead she had woken up to the lovely sound of singing birds and the rich floral scent in the air filled her nostrils as it claimed her senses. She woke up feeling refreshed and ready for the new day, making it a mission to not dwell on past events she could not change. It seemed foolish to be worrying unnecessarily while she was surrounded by earth’s tranquil beauty, this was neither the time nor place to be wasted on sadness.