A Life Like This (Life #1)

by Cs Jacobs

  “Well, aren’t you a little forward?” I wink at him as I back away from the desk. “Thank you for the information, David. Please tell Charlie I wish him well.” I turn my back to him quickly and smile.

  The ride up the elevator is quick. The twenty-sixth floor is a little more crowded this morning as I make my way back to my office. I wave at Rosie along the way. As I open my door, the smell of the flowers is beautiful. Blake’s handsome smile is once again on the forefront of my mind, as are his perfect lips. I reach into my purse to shoot him a quick text message.

  The flowers smell even better today. Thinking of you.

  Ang

  I don’t even reach my desk before my phone dings.

  They don’t smell nearly as good as you. I miss you already.

  Blake

  He always knows just what to say. I miss him already too. But I won’t tell him that, or he may storm into my office and try to whisk me away, and I wouldn’t try to stop him.

  An hour later, the office is in full swing. Greg and Allen are fine-tuning our presentation as I do some research on an up and coming project. While working on my computer, Rosie calls me and informs me the security firm has to push our meeting back to six due to a scheduling error. That’s later than I would have liked to have been in the office, but it gives us more time to get everything right. At noon, Bill orders the whole floor subs from the local deli. My team takes it to Allen’s office as we go over who is going to say what. I decide to let them speak throughout most of it, seeing as they did the majority of the work and deserve to receive the credit for it. They reluctantly agree, even though they hate talking the most. Usually, I speak first and then they tie up the ends. Now the tables will be turned. It will be good for them, though. After we eat, we all go back to our own offices and work on various projects. At about four, Joey texts me a picture of him at a shoot for some designer jeans. He is wearing jeans and nothing else. He is a beautiful man. I text him back a picture of myself, very proud of my outfit today. His texts back to me reads:

  You sexy little bitch, who were you trying to impress today I wonder?

  Only Joey would know I dressed like this on purpose.

  What, I can’t look good for myself?

  He’s going to call bullshit real quick on that one.

  BULLSHIT! Nice try though. Love you, gotta go.

  Bye, JoJo.

  At about five thirty, Rosie goes into the conference room to setup our presentation. Before I go in to join her and the rest of my team, I text Blake that my meeting got pushed to six and that I will call him as soon as I am out. I turn my phone on silent and stick it in my desk drawer. I pull out a mirror and freshen up my makeup. Once I am happy with my face, I head into the conference room with my team. It takes us about fifteen minutes to set up and have folders in front of every seat. I don’t know much about the people coming, only that they are men and there will be five of them. That part of the job doesn’t really matter to me. I focus on the job not the people. Greg and Allen care more about the people. It’s how we balance one another out.

  Rosie heads back to her desk when her phone starts to ring. She hurries back after taking the call to inform us that the security firm is here and being sent up. I get butterflies in my stomach every time we are about to meet a potential client. I get so nervous and excited my stomach ties itself in knots. Bill walks into the office right as we hear the elevator ding its arrival. We all stand and walk to the door ready to greet the men. I plaster on my work smile and stand behind the guys. I hear low rumbles as the men walk back toward our conference room. Rosie opens the door for them. She is blocking my view of the men. Once she excuses herself, I can clearly see all five men, and that’s when I see him.

  The smile on his face makes my skin crawl. I’m frozen to the ground and cannot move. I hear names being exchanged and greetings being said, but I don’t comprehend it. All I can do is stare at the man who ruined my fucking life. He is staring at me knowingly. He’s gotten what he wanted, the element of surprise. I had no idea he would stoop to this level and force me to see him by coming to my work. It takes all the effort my body can manage not to scream at the top of my lungs. My heart is racing so fast and so loud I’m sure everyone in the room can hear it. I’m in such a trance that I don’t notice Bill introducing me to the men in front of me. He looks from me to where I am looking at, or who I am looking at, Edward.

  “Angelica, are you all right?” His voice is both authoritative and concerned. No matter how hard I try to respond to him, I can’t. I just stand there, stock-still staring. I see Edward walk in front of the other men and stand in front of me. I feel my body start to shake uncontrollably and no matter how hard I try to stop, my body won’t allow it. Bill stands right in front of me, blocking my view of Edward. “Angelica, talk to me.” I finally break my trance and stare into Bill’s concerned eyes. I feel a barrier break as my eyes fill with tears. I don’t blink because I don’t want them to fall. I just stare at Bill.

  “I have to go. I can’t be here.” I turn quickly to leave as Edward steps in front of me and puts his hands on my arms in an attempt to stop me. “DON’T YOU EVER FUCKING TOUCH ME!”I shake my arms out of his hold and before I know better, I slap him so hard across the face that my hand stings. “How dare you show up to my work, you sick piece of shit.”

  He’s holding his cheek with one hand and staring at me shocked. I have to admit, I’m shocked too. I don’t know what came over me. I rush out of the office, not stopping even when I hear Bill call my name. I sprint to my office to grab my purse then run to the bank of elevators. I smack the button over and over and the elevator doesn’t come. I run to the stairs and sprint down them, not caring that I am in a dress, not caring that I am in heels. I can’t get out of the building fast enough. When I reach the floor level, I burst out of the stair entry like a bat out of hell.

  My breathing is ragged, and I am panting uncontrollably. Only now do I notice I have tears running down my face. I look up to find David staring at me. He starts to head in my direction when his phone rings and he turns to answer it. I know it’s Bill, so while his back is turned, I sprint out of the building. I run straight out and hail a cab. I need to get home fast. Luckily, I find one quickly and am home not fifteen minutes later. I overpay the cab driver then sprint inside. As soon as I close the door behind me, Roger is barking like a maniac. I hush him then head up to my room for some Xanax. I need it. I think I’m having a heart attack. I take three, more than I should, but this calls for it. I take them with water, and then strip out of my clothes. I stand in my closet naked, breathing heavily.

  I try to calm my breathing, but nothing works. I decide a shot might help. I run to my kitchen, get the Patron out of my freezer and quickly pour myself a shot. Two shots later, I can finally breathe calmly. I finally find my bearings and run back to my room. I know someone will show up at my door checking on me at any second. I quickly change into a fitted Burberry dress and my sky high Louis Vuitton’s. I’m going to Club Next. No one would think to find me there. It’s my only chance. I don’t want to talk to anyone right now. I just need to get away. I grab a clutch out of my closet and quickly fill it with the necessities, and then run out of the front door. I quickly head down my street, but I hear a car squeal to a stop close behind me, so I quickly duck next to the stairs I am standing next to. I hear feet hit the ground running. My breathing starts to pick up again. I must not let them hear me, whoever they are. Then I hear banging on my door.

  “ANGELICA!” It’s Blake. “ANGELICA, OPEN THE DOOR.” I can hear Roger barking from here. Damn it, what am I doing? I just don’t want to face anyone. I can’t face anyone. I just want to be alone. I want to forget that sick fuck ever made eye contact with me, and pretend he didn’t fucking touch me. I feel like I’m going to puke. The yelling brings me back.

  “ANGELICA, DAMN IT, OPEN THE DOOR.” Blake sounds so worried. God, why don’t I just run into the safety of his arms?

  “Blake, screaming
at her like that won’t help. Call Joey.” It’s Bill this time. Shit. Fuck! Why? Why did Edward have to show up at my work? How the fuck did Blake even know what happened?

  “Joey, you need to get to Angelica’s now. It’s an emergency.” I hear him talking on his phone. I can only imagine how panicked Joey is at getting such a strange phone call. I sink to the floor and wrap my arms around my legs. “Edward showed up at her Goddamn work! She freaked out and ran out of the building. Bill and I are at her house and she’s not answering. I need you to come let us in so we can check if she is home. Hurry up!” God, he sounds so worried.

  “Relax, Blake, you screaming like this isn’t going to make her come to the door.” Bill sounds so calm, but I know he’s confused about what just happened. God, why did I do that? I couldn’t have just pretended I didn’t know him. I had to react. The shots and the pills are starting to creep up on me. I feel my thoughts start to soften. My body starts to loosen. My heart stops racing. Once I am calm again, I peek over the stairs to try to sneak a look at what is happening. Blake and Bill are standing by my door looking down the street. I duck down again before they spot me. I cower deeper into the corner of the staircase and the house so I am nothing but a shadow. Just as I curl up again, I see Joey running toward me, only he doesn’t see me. He is running to my house. My heart slowly speeds up again, fearing he will spot me. Only now with all the drugs and liquor, I really don’t care if they find me.

  “She hasn’t opened the door yet?” he shouts as he runs. “Are you two sure she even came home?”

  “Where else would she go, Joey?” Blake asks him. I hear Roger bark even louder as the three men enter my home and slam the door behind them. As soon as the door closes, I am on my feet running toward the street. I wave down a taxi and hop in. I tell him to take me to Club Next. As the cab pulls away, I look back and I barely have time to see Blake run out of my house before the cab turns off my street.

  The cabbie drops me off on the corner across from the club. I can tell it’s still too early to go in, so I decide I’ll find somewhere to sit and eat until the line starts to form. I turn to head into the other direction when I lose my balance and nearly fall flat on my ass. Luckily, solid arms catch me before I fall.

  “Angelica?” I look up into the eyes of Jon Harper. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine, sorry. I’m a klutz. I didn’t realize how early I was. I’m going to go find somewhere to chill until its time.” I smile at him, and I realize I’m still in his arms and I’m not trying to pull out of them. My body is too loose. I don’t think I could get out of his arms if I tried.

  “Don’t be stupid, come in. Are you hungry? I can have food ordered for you.”

  “Actually, I am. I haven’t eaten since noon.”

  “Perfect, come in I’ll order us some really good fish from a restaurant nearby.”

  “Sounds perfect.” He holds out his hand for me to take as he leads the way into his club.

  “You look amazing by the way, Angelica. Stunning.”

  “Thank you.” The club is quiet, although there is a lot of hustle and bustle with people setting up for the evening. I sway a little as I walk.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” he asks me.

  “I may have had a few shots before coming here. It’s been a rough day.”

  “Hmm, pre-drinking I see. Come on. Let’s get some food in you then. Wouldn’t want you to pass out on me. Tonight is going to be a lot of fun.” The way he whispers the last part of that in my ear gives me the chills. I follow him through the club, getting stares along the way. He takes me to his office in the back, one I have very vivid memories of, just not ones involving him. I make myself comfortable on his couch as he heads to his desk to order our food.

  Fifteen minutes later, food is delivered to his office door by one of the VIP hosts. I can tell by the getup she is wearing. She eyes me angrily. I wonder if she is fucking Jon. I sure as hell am not! I start to giggle uncontrollably when she stares at me. She shakes her head and walks back to where she came from.

  “What was so funny?”

  “Her, do you fuck her? Is that why she was giving me the stink eye?” I ask him bluntly. He laughs at me.

  “No, Angelica, I don’t fuck her. I don’t fuck anyone I employ.” He stares at me, and I know he wants to say more, but he doesn’t.

  I eat some of my food, but not all of it. The pills haven’t knocked me on my ass like I thought they would. Instead, I feel like I’m in a perpetual fog. I’m here, but not here. I feel so out of it. Maybe more liquor would help.

  “Don’t you have to get out there?”

  “Yeah, you ready to head out? I have to talk to a few people, but I won’t be long. Wait for me at the VIP bar. Come on, I’ll walk you there.” He grabs my hand again and helps me out of my seat. He pulls me flush to his chest and just stares at me. I smile at him then pull away.

  “I’m going to leave my clutch on your desk. Is that cool?” I ask.

  “It will be safe.” I walk to his desk and place my clutch on top, and then head back to him. He shakes his head before grabbing my hand again. “I can’t promise that purse won’t end up on the floor after we get back here tonight.” He puts his fingers under my chin and lifts my face to his. “You are so Goddamn hot. I want to rip that dress off you and fuck you while you’re still wearing those killer heels.” I have to hold back my laugh. I know Blake doesn’t like Jon, but they are more similar than he thinks. I shake my head.

  “Let’s get out there. I’ll be waiting for you at the bar. Lead the way.” We walk hand in hand out of his office. The club has more people than it did the first time I came through, but it’s all employees and staff setting up for the I.P. Vodka launch. The I.P. logo is being projected all over the walls. All the waitresses and hosts are wearing shirts with the logo on them. You can’t come in here and not know what the theme is. We reach the VIP section and Jon walks behind the bar and talks to the bartender. They both turn and look at me and the bartender nods as if understanding what Jon is telling him. They both walk over to me.

  “Angelica, this is Finn. He is our best bartender. Anything you want, you just ask him, okay? You’re on me tonight.” He winks at me, clearly hinting at the double meaning of his words. Jesus, does this work on other women?

  “Hi, Finn, can I have a patron shot, then a vodka cran?”

  “Coming right up.” Finn busies himself in prepping my drinks as Jon walks back out to me.

  “I’ll be back as soon as I can, enjoy yourself.” With that, he walks away.

  “Lime in your vodka cran?”

  “God yes! Thank you for asking. It’s the only way I drink it.” I smile at him. He’s a cute boy, but he is just that, a boy.

  “Thought so.” He slides me my shot and I toss it back quickly. He laughs and then hands me another. I tilt my head and stare at him. What’s his deal? He trying to get me drunk for the boss? Lucky for him, I’m not going to try and hold back tonight. I toss the second shot back just as he hands me my mixed drink. The music starts to pick up and people start to trickle in. Soon, I’m surrounded by people. My drink never empties. Finn has my refill before I even realize I’m low. He throws a shot in here and there. By this point, I know I should stop, but I can’t. The more I drink, the less I feel. The music starts to pick up and I can’t help my body from swaying to the beat.

  Eventually, a guy asks me to dance and I accept because I need to move my body. I chug the rest of my drink then let him lead me to the VIP dance floor on wobbly feet. A remix of the song “Fancy” is playing loudly. My hips are swaying before we reach the dance floor. He’s an okay dancer, and I make up for where he slacks. I sway my hips into his pelvis and can feel his dick on my ass, making me smile. It’s nice to have the power to do that to a man. He grabs my hips and pulls me closer to him. I can hardly stand on my own two feet so I let him, happy to have the help. He turns me around and puts his hands on my ass. I try to push him off, but my attempts are weak. I feel as
if I have no muscles on my body. I see him tilt his head and come at me for a kiss, and before I can pull away, Jon is pulling the stranger away from me.

  “Fuck off,” Jon growls at him. The guy turns to say something, but when he sees Jon, he raises his hands in surrender and walks away. “Looks to me like someone has had a bit too much to drink.” He grabs my arms to steady me as I’ve started swaying. “Let’s go back to my office.” I know this is a horrible idea. Even in the state I am, I know I will regret this one, but I just can’t help it. I wobbly follow him to his office. I think I’m doing fine, but I’m obviously more gone than I thought. Jon stands beside me and holds me at the waist. We walk side by side to his office.

  Once the door closes behind us, he is on me. He lifts me up off the ground like I weigh nothing. I wrap my legs around his waist and grab his shoulders. He forces his tongue into my mouth. The kiss is sloppy and I know I’m not making it better, but I can barely feel my lips. I feel his erection growing beneath me and I can’t help but shiver. I know I am going to fuck Jon. I wish I weren’t, but I can’t even articulate the words to stop him. He carries me to the couch and sits me down gently as he shrugs out of his dress jacket and places it on the desk. That’s the last clear picture I remember before his office door is kicked in.

  The commotion that follows happens all too quickly. Blake bursts into the room and takes one look at me then tackles his brother to the ground. Jon barely has time to brace himself for Blake’s fist. I hear a loud thump, and then Jon is down on the ground fighting his brother. Joey sprints into the room next and looks horrible. Even with blurry vision, I can tell he looks like shit. He rushes to my side.