Advancing ((Advance Industries #2))

by K A Duggsy

  “Can I read what you have so far?”

  I pass her the paper and she scrunches her nose. “Why are you writing it?”

  “I prefer writing to my Comm. Typing isn’t the same as letting the words flow through a pen.”

  She raises her brows at me, shocked but impressed? She flicks her eyes to my half written speech again, reading intently. I study her face as she does. “Why don’t you change this part?”

  I look down at what she’s pointing at. “What do you suggest?” A smile plays over my lips. This is nice. She’s come around a lot faster than I expected but I knew once she saw who I really am she’d want this. She’s helping with my speech, not shying away from being next to me. I could get used to this.

  “It should say – ‘This city needs to be based on honesty and trust’, kind of like us, don’t you agree?” She smiles again and my pulse picks up.

  I write it down and hand it back to her. “Any other suggestions?”

  “How about saying something like, ‘The people of this city will never have to live in fear, poverty or distress’?”

  “Maybe you should write it for me. You’re very good at this. Much better than I.”

  “No, I couldn’t. I’d love to help you, though if you want me too?”

  “Faith, you will be up there with me tomorrow. You’ll be by my side, showing the city we’re a team, we’re together and together we will make this city shine.”

  “I will. I won’t let you down, Fraser. I didn’t realise how much I missed all this…” She motions with her hand around the room. “…With Kye, I had to sleep in the dirt, in the cold. I couldn’t wash every day, I had to relieve myself in…” Her voice breaks and tears well in her eyes. I move closer so our shoulders are touching and take her hands in mine, squeezing them gently. I don’t want to hear his name; he took her away when I was so close to making her mine. He turned her against me but now she sees. “That’s barbaric. No woman should be treated that way. I’m so sorry, Faith.”

  She squeezes my hand back. “I wish I hadn’t left. I know you were just doing what you thought was right. I know you’re not malicious. I blamed you because it was easy but Johnson was the one at fault. I see now that he used you too. Kye promised me so much, he said his team would get my sisters and I wanted them so badly I believed him and made the wrong choice.”

  She drops her head and I feel a strange pang in my chest. At this moment, I know I never want to see her upset again. I will do anything to make her smile the way she did when she first entered this room. I’ll make it so she never wants to leave. I pull her against me and wrap my arm over her shoulder.

  “Sei al sicuro con me. La mica belle Faith.” I whisper into her hair. You’re safe with me. My beautiful Faith.

  Kye

  We’ve overtaken a few of the shacks that got caught in the explosion.

  The windows are gone; the doors are iffy but we’re inside.

  Charlotte and her followers headed to the Zones so I’m guessing that’s where they plan on sleeping.

  I can’t switch off.

  I’m desperate for Faith to make contact.

  I’m sharing this shack with Jonah and Arlen, we don’t really fit but we’re making it work.

  The others have spread out in other abandoned shacks and are probably snoring too.

  It’s been a long arse night, we transported the guards that could walk to containment cells at the conference centre, Charlotte spared some of her men to watch them overnight. She’s been sucking up and trying to get on my good side.

  Fuck knows why but I’m not biting. I’m aching, tired and stressed.

  I rummage through the cupboards in the tiny kitchen and find a pack of fags and lighter.

  Bingo!

  I step outside and light one, inhaling deeply.

  God, I needed this

  I puff away feeling the tension ebb and then my Comm dings.

  Election and press conference moved up to tomorrow.

  I’m still okay, being treated well.

  Love you,

  F xx’

  I finish the fag, flick it into the street and stride back inside. I wake Arlen who is less than impressed. He’s had an hour but that’ll have to do. I need him to find those files. I wake Jonah too because I’m a bastard like that and he grunts his displeasure too. I tell him what Faith sent and he’s alert in seconds.

  “We need to tell Charlotte.”

  “The fuck we do,” I reply.

  “Think about it, Kye. She won’t be happy, she’ll plan something to stop him and that will be our diversion to get to Faith.”

  “In theory yeah. She’ll be suspicious as fuck though if I all of a sudden present her with information like this. She’ll know we’re working an angle and will do nothing just to spite us even though she’ll be spiting herself too.”

  “So we don’t tell her but let someone else do it.”

  “Who?”

  “Jesus Kye you’re so fucking dense tonight. We talk about this in the open and one of her loyal followers will go running back to tell her.”

  “She’s too clever to fall for that. She knows I wouldn’t risk talking about it where we can be heard for that reason. It needs to be something more cunning.”

  “Let’s brainstorm then.”

  And we do, just the two of us. Arlen grunts our way at some of our suggestions but he’s engrossed in his Comm, his fingers flying over the touch screen holograph. It looks like a bunch of mumbo jumbo to me but he knows what he’s doing. We drink and smoke and run through all possibilities until my head is fuzzy and thoughts of Faith alone with Fraser are no more.

  Faith

  My insides feel like they’ve curdled. The day is here and after receiving a flurry of messages from Kye last night, I have a lot to do. My stomach never settled after the performance I put on last night for Fraser. It was what I needed to do but I still felt awful making Kye out to be neglectful. Fraser, of course, lapped it up and letting him comfort my fakery left me with a foul taste in my mouth.

  I don’t want to get out of bed and pretend for a second longer but I have no choice. I have to let him believe I’m on his side.

  The door opens and Franny is once again here to get me ready, to make sure I’m presentable and appealing for Fraser. I don’t know why he thinks I need someone to get me dressed but whatever floats his boat. I can’t wrap my head around why she would do this when she wants him for herself but I haven’t the energy to question her again. I need to prepare and I need her to believe my change of mind too, she’ll likely run off and tell him I’m lying otherwise.

  I throw the covers back and watch her rifle through the wardrobe, she was sent to shop for me apparently and though the clothes aren’t what I’d choose, I have a role to play.

  She approaches me carrying an assortment of blouses, jackets, skirts and dresses. Looks like Fraser wants me to show off a little leg today as trousers are nowhere in sight. She skims past some before settling on three different outfits and laying them out before me. I run my fingers over the material, compared to last night’s extravagant dress these clothes I can get on board with, they’re the kind of clothes I used to wear when I thought I was a reporter. My eyes settle on a black pencil skirt and a grey vest top with a sheer blouse on top.

  “Grey is fine and so is blue,” Franny tells me. “Fraser would like you to match and he is wearing a charcoal grey suit and electric blue shirt.”

  “I think this will be fine. If we’re too matchy-matchy it won’t look right.”

  “I really think…”

  “Franny he’ll love whatever I wear. I think I’m capable of picking out my own clothes. You can go now.”

  “I have to help you with your hair and makeup.”

  “Oh for God sake. Is this not torture for you?” I throw my hands up in exasperation. “You know what? I don’t want to be your project but you can be mine.” I throw the remaining clothes at her. “Go and put them on, then I’ll do your hair and
make-up.”

  She opens her mouth to protest but I stare her down, using the same look Kye taught me to make others quiver in their boots and she turns to go to the shower room.

  I can’t do it. I can’t lie to her even if I need her on my side. She’s so petite and vulnerable looking. I can’t cope knowing she’s doing what he wants even though inside it must be killing her. If he says anything I’ll just blag that his PA needs to dress to impress as well if she’s representing him – us.

  I change quickly and pick out a pair of strappy black high heels. How do people walk in these? I take a few steps around the carpeted room but I’m going to break my ankle or my neck. I look in the floor length mirror, damn it, they do look good, my legs have never looked longer, if only the heel were shorter. If Charlotte can fight in a pair of these then I can definitely shuffle around in them. I wonder what Kye would think if he saw me in this get up. I think he’d be speechless and I haven’t even brushed my hair yet. I look at my Comm for the time and realise I need to get a move on, I still need to talk to Fraser and persuade him to change a few things. I definitely need my mask for this, so head to the shower room to find some makeup. Franny is sat on the floor when I enter looking close to tears, the clothes still bunched up in her arms.

  I go to walk towards her but the heels on this flooring are a big no-no. I slip them off and crouch before her, “What’s wrong?”

  “This isn’t me. I can’t wear these things, I’ll look ridiculous.” This poor woman has zero confidence, how did she manage to find work with a company like Advance Industries?

  “You can and you are. You’ll look amazing and he’ll realise what he’s missing out on.”

  “But it’s fake, it’s not me.”

  “Men are mostly about the visual, once you’ve hooked them with that then you let your personality and intelligence shine through.” Most men, men like Fraser. Kye fell for me while I was looking my worst. I had no confidence, I definitely wasn’t intelligent. What did he see in me? What does he still see in me? I shake my head, this isn’t the time or place, we need to move. As much as I want to be gentle with her I haven’t the patience or the time.

  We survey ourselves side by side in the mirror. Franny fidgeting and wringing her hands, me still trying to figure out how to walk in these shoes. We look good. I kept her make-up to a minimum, all natural shades and I curled the ends of her brunette hair. She’s wearing the blue blouse and I secretly wish I’d picked it; it really makes her blue eyes pop. She, in turn, did my make-up and I requested smoky eyes like Charlotte sported the day I met her. Franny was actually a lot of fun when she loosened up, we giggled our way through playing dress up and if the circumstances were different I think we could have been firm friends.

  She guides me downstairs and ushers me into a room before practically running off, claiming she has some pressing business to deal with. I walk into what I’m guessing is an office and see Fraser pacing, his fingers interlocked behind his back.

  He turns and openly appraises me. I blush being scrutinised so closely. His eyes take in my legs before moving up and over the rest of my body. His mouth is pressed in a firm displeased line and I wonder what Fraser I’ll be met with today. He clearly likes what he sees but his tension is clear to see also.

  “You took your time,” he states, his tone clipped.

  “I wanted to make sure I looked right for today – for you.”

  “How considerate.”

  “Fraser, have I done something? Is something wrong? Shall I change?”

  “No, you look fine. Mighty fine.” His lip quirks.

  I take a step closer. “You like it?” I bat my lashes.

  “I said I did, didn’t I?”

  Okay, nice Fraser isn’t ready to come out and play, but he’s the guy I need right now. I walk closer and take his hand. I stare into his chocolate eyes. “What’s wrong, Fraser?”

  He squeezes my hand and sighs loudly. “There’s been a problem. We might have to cancel.”

  No, we can’t cancel. Shit. “Talk to me. Can I help?” My heart is pounding so fast I hope he can’t hear it.

  “The press coverage was supposed to be filmed and broadcast from the conference centre. I’ve received word that your friends have taken it over and have imprisoned my guards there.”

  Okay, this I can work with. “I’m so sorry Fraser. Can’t we move the venue?”

  “To where Faith? Out in the street?” He says sarcastically.

  “Yes, that would be perfect. If you want the city to believe that you see yourself as no better than them, then taking this to the people, speaking directly to them in the streets fits the criterion. They will love that you’re not hiding behind the scenes, that you’ve made the effort to go to them.”

  “I can’t be out in the open, there are people ready to take this from me.”

  “Fraser, if you show that you’re scared, the people of the city will be too. They need you as a leader to lead by example. Show them terrorists can’t break this city. Stand with them and they’ll love you.”

  He gazes down at me and I force myself to hold his attention. I don’t know if he’s trying to read me but I smile at him, then press my palm over his heart. “Speak from here and you can’t go wrong. Your speech is amazing. You can do this and I’ll be right by your side.”

  He smiles at me, a genuine smile and I almost forget that I hate him. “I have a surprise for you.”

  “I have one for you too,” I tell him.

  “Mine first,” he says. He taps on his Comm and a few seconds later the door opens and I fall to my knees and sob my heart out.

  Kye

  I’m all set, everything is subject to change but as far as I can tell this is going ahead as long as Faith can convince him to come out in the open. I have my proof. The seed has been planted in Charlotte’s camp and we’ve managed to kit ourselves out in ordinary clothes. We need to fit in, mingle with the residents and stay away from each other. If we’re bunched up, we’ll be easier to pinpoint. I’m wearing casual clothes, the run of the mill jeans and a t-shirt but also sunglasses and a cap. I’ve done all I can and now it’s just a waiting game. I haven’t heard from Faith today and I daren’t Comm her at this point, not when I know he’ll keep her close today. The streets are full of shoppers who act like nothing went down last night. They don’t have the luxury of hiding away when jobs need to be done and shopping needs to be bought. Their lives continue on and I walk amongst them, just ambling through the streets, trying to blend in, pretending to be interested in the pop-up stalls. I get lost in one selling baby clothes. I just stand there looking at how tiny they are. I pick up a pink dress, no idea why but the idea settles in my head that I’d love a girl. A daughter, the miniature of her mother. I’m just about to buy it when a booming voice rings out. I look into the street and see a holograph lit up, people have stopped walking and stand before it reading the huge words displayed:

  ANNOUNCEMENT

  In light of recent events, a press conference has been called for you, the people of the city.

  This will take place at 01.00

  at the gates to entrance Zone 5

  Please spread this message.

  Important details will be divulged from your President himself

  Thank you

  She did it. I don’t want to think about how or what she had to do to convince him. I check my Comm – two hours to go.

  The streets are definitely alive now, people whispering about what the announcement could possibly be, some guessing that it’s about last night’s events. People running in all directions to inform their friends and family about the message that remains hovering in the street. I activate my Comm and message all the team.

  The stall holder watches me as if I’m about to run off without paying and I look down at the tiny dress I’m still holding. I swipe my new Comm over hers and she checks the payment.

  “Pink? Really, Kye?”

  I spin around at the voice that resembles nails
on a chalkboard and Charlotte is smirking at me.

  “I presumed you’d like a boy. An heir. Someone that could follow in your footsteps when they’re old enough.”

  “You presumed wrong.”

  “You really are smitten with miss plain Jane aren’t you?”

  I fist the dress in my hands. I know she’s trying to rile me but she’s so damn good at it, it’s hard to shrug off.

  “Goodbye, Charlotte.”

  “Don’t be like that. I’m just making conversation.” She takes the dress out of my hand and stares at it with an unreadable expression. “Are you really ready for this responsibility? You’re happy to be with one woman from now on? You want to give up the thrill of the fight for screaming babies and boring household chores?”

  “You know fuck all about me Charlotte, why you pretend to I don’t know.”

  “I know you’re just like me. You live for the adrenaline rush, you love being in charge and having your team look up to you like adoring fans. You like coming and going as you please, being answerable to no one but yourself. You even enjoy our discussions.” She walks around me and breathes in my ear, “You don’t really know what you want Kye. You like the idea of being a dad and being in love but it won’t compare. It will drive you crazy, day in, day out with nothing to do than changing shitty backsides. Sex will become a thing of the past. She just won’t have time for you. Her body will sag and droop, she’ll be plump and missionary style once in a blue moon will be all you get.”

  I wrap my hand in her hair and hold her close moving my lips to her ear “Quite the expert aren’t you? Is that what happened to you? You get knocked up, thought it was your happy ever after and you were left alone? Is that why you’re so bitter? So full of anger?”

  “Don’t make this about me darling. I’m just trying to help you but yes I am an expert and my advice is run. Run as far away from this as you can because you still have a soul right now. Wouldn’t want you to end up like me would we?”

  I let her go in shock. “You had a child?”