by Emily Bourne
Darius gazes at the ceiling, thoughts twitching his eyes.
“You know I can do it. And, actually... it might be better for your health if you stay away from Ultimate ME all together.” Ethan squeezes Darius’ hand. “Let me take over, officially.”
“We have to wait for the board meeting.”
Ethan leans over Darius and waits for him to lock eyes. “Bring it forward.”
Ethan watches the apprehension and confusion dull Darius’ eyes. He looms over his mentor until his eyes settle and he squeezes his hand back.
“You’ll name me successor?” Ethan whispers.
Darius removes his hand from Ethan’s and tilts to face the window. “This near death experience leads me wanting to be closer to my daughter. I can’t Ethan... I will only feel comfort from an Abadi leading Ultimate ME.”
Ethan rises from Darius’ side, and smooths his blazer as he walks the length of the bed. His jaw strains as he attempts to keep his fury inside. “I will never be good enough for you.”
“Don’t be like that.”
Ethan spins on his wing-tips and meets Darius’ eyes. “I’m the one keeping the company afloat, but you’d prefer to name a woman who’s abandoned us.”
Darius frowns and lowers his gaze.
You want Jazz, I’ll get Jazz. I’ll find her and keep her silent, behind me.
He texts Ignacio. Do your job. I need her NOW.
Donation
“Jazz, man, we running outta stuff to cook in this kitchen,” Hector says at the open fridge. “This ain’t good.”
Jazz moves over to him and her mouth runs dry. “I can find some money,” Jazz whispers.
“How you gonna do that?”
“Don’t worry. I can take care of it.”
Hector crosses his arms. “I heard something about you.”
Jazz purses her lips and pats Hector’s arm. “I can fix it.”
“Jazz,” Eddy says, pushing open the kitchen door. “Can I speak with you?”
“Sure,” she says, moving away from Hector. “How’s Adrian?”
“He’ll come around.”
“He’s angry?” Jazz flexes her fingers. “I didn’t mean to hurt him. I just didn’t want to be me for a while.”
“I get it. He just has a tough time with the top end of town.”
“He can’t lump us all in together.”
“Like you shouldn’t judge everyone here the same way?”
She sighs and nods. “Ok, you got me there. You don’t know until you’re in it.” She fixes her ponytail and asks, “Any word on Myra and Taz? Do you think they could have just gone out for the morning? Maybe to see family?”
“I haven’t seen them or heard anything,” Eddy says. “I’m sorry.”
“The Arab girl?” Hector asks, washing his hands.
Jazz turns to him. “Yeah. You know something?”
“I saw her run out of here while I was prepping breakfast,” Hector says.
“Run out?” Jazz repeats.
“I thought it was a little weird,” Hector says with a shrug. “But we get that a lot. I know not to ask questions.”
Jazz rushes to Hector. “She’s running from an abusive partner. She needs protecting!”
“Jazz,” Eddy says, pulling her from Hector.
Hector lifts his arms in defence. “Oi! You can’t get mad at me for giving people their privacy. I been here a long time, Missy.”
“Missy?” Jazz snaps, wriggling from Eddy’s grip. “Eddy, let me go!”
“Come outside with me and get some air,” Eddy says, letting her go.
“Fine,” she says, storming out of the kitchen and into the back alley. She groans with frustration, throwing her arms out wide and high.
“Take some deep breaths,” Eddy says, following her out. When Jazz kicks some bags of rubbish by the dumpster, he sighs and says, “That won’t do any good.”
“Nothing I do is any good!” she yells. “So why even bother?”
“Is this about Myra or Adrian?” Eddy asks, perching on an upturned milk crate.
Jazz grumbles, ripping her hair from the ponytail. “I just wanted to help.”
“You are helping.”
“Everyone sees the spoilt heiress now.”
“I see the woman who works damn hard to continue her father’s legacy. The woman who came here blind and now gets her hands dirty without complaint. Be proud you got a doctor to see Myra before she left.”
“I should just leave and mail a cheque.”
“You think your money is more valuable than your time?”
“Adrian needs money. The men in my life just want to use me, so why should he be any different?” She leans against a dumpster, not worried about the sticky brown cluster beside her. “My father wants me in senior management because of my surname. Ethan wants to marry me, to use my last name to become CEO.”
“You and Adrian need to talk,” Eddy says, standing. “I can’t speak for him, but I’ve never known him to use anyone.”
Jazz smirks at herself, pulling her hair behind her ears. “Maybe I bring it out in men.”
“Jazz, I’m sorry they have treated you this way in the past, but please try to stay open-minded.” He holds his hand out. “Will you come back inside with me?”
Jazz eyes his hand and slides her hands into the pockets of her second-hand jeans. “I’ll go in.”
Eddy drops his hand and smiles. “Good.”
They walk back into the kitchen and move into the dining room.
Jazz halts. “Oh,” she says as she locks eyes on Adrian who is at the entrance from the hall. “Hi.”
Adrian finds her eyes but diverts them to Eddy. “Case workers are here?”
“What?” Eddy says in a panic.
“What’s going on?” Jazz asks Eddy.
Eddy walks past her and hurries towards Adrian. “Why are they here?”
Adrian shrugs and Jazz notices the glassiness to his eyes. “That phone call.”
Eddy groans. “He’s got no chance now.”
Eddy rushes down the hall and Adrian moves to follow, until Jazz calls out, “Please wait.”
Adrian stops mid-step. His back flexes as he considers turning back to face Jazz.
“Please,” she whispers.
He turns and leans against the doorframe. “What?”
She winces as the hurt pangs in her heart. “You found out who I really am.” Her voice warbles as she steps towards him, her eyes stinging with the threat of tears. “I come from a wealthy family. I can help financially.”
Adrian’s expression gives nothing away.
She grits her teeth and rubs her lips together. “I can give a donation.”
“Thanks,” he says, pulling himself off the doorframe. “That’d be helpful.” He turns and leaves down the hall.
She closes her eyes tight, but a tear escapes, tumbling down her cheek. “I’m sorry.”
Pure contempt would have been better than no reaction at all. He was cold. She never meant to come across as deceptive. She never imagined she could hurt someone so much. Someone she was genuinely growing strong feelings for.
Comfortable
“Gene, you are a minor,” the female caseworker says. In his overwhelmed state, Gene didn’t take in her or the man’s names. “You need to go back into your parents’ care or you will become a ward of the state.”
“A ward of the state?” Gene asks, his lip upturning. “What does that mean?”
“The city would be your legal guardian,” the man says, flipping through paperwork on his lap. “You’d be assigned to a group home.”
“Your parents filed a report with the police department about your disappearance,” the woman says. “They want you back home, as do we.”
“Gene,” the tall blonde guy he’d seen with Adrian says, running into the common room. He skids to a stop beside Gene. “Are you ok?”
“And you are?” the male caseworker asks.
“Eddy Barnes,” Eddy says, sit
ting by Gene. “I’m the counsellor here, and we’re capable of getting Gene home. We don’t need your help.”
“Well, that’s not really up to you, Mr Barnes,” the woman says, flashing Eddy her ID. “My associate Mr Duban and I work for the government and outrank you.”
Eddy smirks. “This the government will act on, but not helping us keep the shelter running.”
“Whatever you are looking for monetary wise from the government,” Mr Duban says, “it’s not our department. Now, Gene, is it safe for you at home?”
Gene sucks in a breath, eyes darting between the caseworkers and Eddy. He was feeling more and more like a burden on all involved. “I guess?”
“Don’t pressure him,” Eddy says. He gestures to Gene. “Look at his face.”
The woman, Miss Eden it said on her ID, leans in. “Did a parent do this to you?”
Gene touches his face, wincing at the biting tenderness. “Not all of it. Some were from guys at school.”
“Did you antagonise these people?” Mr Duban asks.
Gene chokes, feeling punched in the gut. “By being gay?”
“It relates to your sexuality?” Miss Eden asks.
“The guys at school thought I made a mockery of them.” Gene touches under his eye. “And my dad wanted me to say I was lying about being gay.”
“So, your parents will feel more comfortable if you conceal your homosexuality while living under their roof?” Miss Eden adds.
Gene swallows uncomfortably. “I guess.”
“Do you think you can do that?” Mr Duban asks. “So we can keep you at home until you are of legal age?”
“Hang on,” Eddy interjects.
“No, I can,” Gene interrupts Eddy.
“You shouldn’t have to lie about who you are,” Eddy says.
“Adrian made a good point that I should try to make it work.”
Eddy’s eyes widen. “Adrian said that?”
Gene shrugs. “He was trying to help.”
The caseworkers stand, and Miss Eden says, “We need to add to our report and we’ll be back. Sit tight, Gene.”
Eddy stands, folding his arms. “You and I need to talk this out before you go anywhere with them. Wait for me, yeah? I need to find Adrian.”
Gene nods. “Ok, I’ll wait.”
Date
ADRIAN slings his hands in the pockets of his trousers as he walks toward the common room.
“You!” Eddy yells, pointing to Adrian as he marches up the hall. “My office, now.”
“Ed, I don’t––”
Eddy grabs Adrian’s arm and spins him around. “Not negotiable.” He pushes him through the doorway of his office and shuts the door behind them. “Did you tell Gene to play it straight with his parents?”
Adrian huffs and leans against the wall. “I was just saying he should do what he can to stay out of foster care.”
“What’s gotten into you?” Eddy asks, arms crossing against his chest. “This is usually what you would fight against, not set up.”
Adrian’s face falls into his hands as he slides down the wall.
Eddy moves to Adrian and crouches in front of him. “You need a better way to manage your stress. You can’t continue this way.”
“It’s hard,” he whispers through cupped hands.
“I know, man. I know.”
“Jazz has thrown me. I was really starting to trust her. But she’s from the most despicable class in Maiden City.”
“Is it really fair to judge Jazz by her status? Isn’t that what you fear most? Think about if she judges you by your past or by your parents’ actions?”
Adrian grits his teeth and nods. He wipes his hands over his face and then stands, shaking out his limbs. “I should give her the benefit of the doubt. Hear her out.”
Eddy stands, smiling. “That’d be a good start.”
Adrian feels the colour returning to his skin. “She still here?”
“I believe so. Kitchen with Hector?”
Adrian runs his hands through his hair and blows out a heavy breath. He drops his hands, nods, and moves toward the door. “Ok.”
“I’ll check on Gene,” Eddy says, following him out.
“Tell him I’ll see him after Jazz.” Adrian rubs his guilt-ridden stomach. “I need to apologise.”
Eddy pats Adrian’s shoulder and turns down the hall.
Adrian straightens his back and moves toward the dining room. He finds Hector wiping down some tables and asks if he’s seen Jazz.
“Out back,” Hector says, gesturing towards the kitchen.
Adrian moves into the kitchen and his stomach drops when there’s no one in sight. He turns to the back door and drags his feet forward. When he reaches for the door, it pushes open.
“Oh.” He jumps back as Jazz walks through the doorway. His heart pounds as she brushes the hair off her face. “How are you?”
She folds her arms. “Ok.”
“Look, I jumped to conclusions about you,” he blurts. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that. It wasn’t fair.”
Jazz looks to her shoes. “No, it wasn’t.”
Adrian frowns, hating her low mood. “You have a right to privacy, just like everyone else who stays here. I got a little paranoid, and that’s on me.”
She looks up. “What is your problem with money?”
“It’s not exactly the money. It’s what it does to people.” He takes a step back to allow her into the kitchen. “Is there any way I can help you with what you’re running from?”
Jazz sighs against the doorframe, slipping her hands behind her back. “I’m sorry I didn’t open up. I was enjoying being invisible.”
“Invisible?”
“I’ve never been somewhere where no one knows who I am.”
“So, who are you?” Adrian says, propping himself against a steel bench. “Gene says you run a big fitness company.”
“My father does.” Her eyes shift to the right. “He’s stepping down and needs to name a successor.”
“And it’ll be you?”
“There’s a board of directors who have the final say. They don’t want me.”
Adrian folds his arms. “Do you want to run the company?”
Jazz nods, but her expression is less than confident. “I’ve been working towards it my entire life.” Her fingers flex by her sides. “I just thought I’d have more time.”
Adrian nods. “You are young to be up for the job. Is that why the board what’s someone else?”
“Hopefully.” She chews her lip. “Or it’s because I’m female.”
“That shouldn’t matter,” Adrian says, shifting his weight, uncomfortable with how likely a factor it could be. “You’ve worked for your father as soon as you were old enough?”
She nods, preoccupied with her own thoughts.
“And it’s your birthright.”
“That’s my thought.” Her eyes are pure worry when they meet his.
“You don’t look like you want it.”
She stands up straight and flicks her hair off her shoulders. “No, I do.”
“Ok. So, you came here because you needed time to figure out your decision with your father’s company?”
Jazz turns towards the door. “I didn’t exactly choose to come here, remember. I was blackout drunk.”
Adrian unravels his arms and whispers, “Wanna talk about it?”
Jazz moves further into the kitchen and stops a few steps away from Adrian. “I was running from the man taking away the company.”
Adrian’s chest tightens as his heart pounds harder. “He was with you?”
“He proposed to me.”
Adrian’s heart drops. “Oh.”
“To use me.”
“What?”
“My father wants me in senior management because of my surname. Ethan sees me as his highest competition to get my father’s approval. He wants to shut me up.”
Knots run up Adrian’s back as he takes a step toward Jazz. “Did he get
you drunk?”
“Only by speaking with his stupid voice.” When the dread doesn’t leave Adrian’s face, Jazz grows solemn. “No, I asked for the drinks. It was all me. He asked me to slow down.”
“But he was threatening you?”
“He wants to control me.” Jazz shakes her head, rolling her eyes. “But he can’t.”
Adrian nods, seriousness weighting his expression. “No, he can’t.”
Jazz steps in close and runs a hand down his arm. “I’m ok. Thank you for bringing me inside when I was beyond myself.”
“I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions about you. You’ve been working so hard here and you’re fitting in. I should have known better.”
Jazz steps back and smiles. “You were in shock. It was totally acceptable. I came in here loaded with judgements. We’re human.”
“It’s my whole job,” Adrian says, trying to lighten the tension. “I should have been better.”
“Well, now you know who I am and why I know about business,” Jazz says, fixing her hair behind her ear. “I would really like to help you save this place. If you’ll let me.”
Adrian’s mouth runs dry as he watches her fingers play at the soft waves of her hair. He gulps and nods. “Yes, I’d like that. Maybe we could talk over dinner?”
“You want to talk money in front of everyone?”
He shakes his head, smiling. “They don’t need me around every night. We can have dinner just us. Meet me in my office?”
Her eyebrows lift and her eyes brighten. “Lovely. It’s a date.” She lowers her gaze and laughs. “I mean, it’s a deal.”
Adrian laughs, seeing the colour change in her cheeks. “See you then. I need to go check on a kid.”
Heart
ADRIAN rushes into the common room and Eddy puts his hand up, and says, “It’s ok, we got them to back off.”
“The social workers?” Adrian asks, puffing.
“We told them Gene needed time to work out what he wanted to say to his parents.” Eddy looks at Adrian sideways. “You ok? You look flushed.”
