by M. Sembera
I placed my hand on his leg, saying, “You can talk to me, ya’ know.”
Hert’s eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling as he shared, “I don’t understand how someone who has had every advantage could just not care.”
Scooting closer, I asked, “Not care about what?”
“Anything,” he answered. Visibly angry he continued, saying, “Going around doing whatever, staying drunk, sleeping with anything that walks. I’ve had to work hard for everything that I have.”
Lying down next to him, I propped myself up on my elbow.
Placing my hand against his cheek, I guided his face toward mine.
“Why are you looking for him then?” I asked.
Slightly less frustrated, he stated, “He…It has to be done.”
Quickly sitting back up, I snapped, “Okay Hert, what’s going on?”
He snapped back, “It’s not that simple.”
Taking a soft tone, I rested my hand on his chest assuring, “It is that simple. Either he’s in danger trouble or messing up his life trouble. Whichever one it is, you’re not responsible.” Leaning over him, I added, “You’re not.”
Resting my forehead against his, I placed my hands on the sides of his face.
I couldn’t think of what to do to make him feel better. I kissed his lips and then slid away. Lying next to him, I stretched my arm out across his chest. How do you make things better for someone who refuses to relinquish even the tiniest bit of control? Any attempt at advice would only momentarily distract him. With no good solution and the knowledge that until he accomplished his task things would continue the same, I tried a different route.
“Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?” I asked.
Shaking his head, Hert replied, “I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
Sliding closer, I offered, “We don’t have to talk about it.”
“I don’t feel like talking at all, Renni,” he stated.
Allowing my lips to brush his neck, I shared, “Neither do I.”
Turning on his side, facing me, Hert pressed his lips to mine.
For a moment, I was thrilled. Envisioning the next step made it hard to be patient. Wanting our embrace to last as long as possible, I waited for Hert to proceed.
Hert slid back saying, “I’m sorry about….”
“That’s okay,” I whispered, moving closer.
Placing his hand against my cheek he started to inform, “There’s just so much…” before I stopped him, moving as close as possible saying, “It’s okay.”
Refusing to let this end, before it began, I pressed my hands against his chest. Grabbing two big handfuls of his shirt, I pulled him against me and secured my leg around his. Staring into his eyes I smiled, then with a heavy sigh I let go of him when I heard the phone ring.
Hert quickly answered the phone. My frustration turned to curiosity, trying to read the confused expression on his face. Sitting up, I raised my hands as if to ask what was going on. Hert shook his head and scowled.
He said, “That will be fine. I will take care of it, thank you,” and hung up the phone.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
Lying back down, Hert rubbed his forehead saying, “I have to leave in the morning but I should be back tomorrow night.”
Giving him a disappointed nod, I briefly considered ripping the phone out of the wall and throwing it down the stairs.
Instead, I took the high road, asking, “Did something happen?”
“Yea, well, not really. Apparently I’m not the only one concerned about Roberts’ actions,” he answered. Explaining further, “I just have to reassure some people that The Office is still intact and his behavior doesn’t reflect how we operate.”
Taking a long moment to reflect, I realized Hert wasn’t just looking for Emerson because he was worried about him. He was looking for him because Emerson was messing things up for The Office. If I had learned anything from all this, it was that a major detail of the truth was always left out. I recalled Mr. Roberts telling me he did not lie to Erin. If she asked he would tell her.
“Hert I have to ask, who really decided Emerson should leave to learn how to run the company,” I questioned.
Scowling, he replied, “What do you mean?”
I explained, “Okay, I know you were supposed to take over. Both Mr. Roberts and Emerson told me. Em said when I left HIM, you were pretty much coming by to see me to tell me goodbye. Then when I told you I was pregnant you went to Mr. Roberts and ask to stay. I know Mr. Roberts didn’t force him to go in your place and Em said he volunteered so we could be together but considering everything that’s happened, something about it doesn’t seem right. Especially since I know Mr. Roberts left everything to you and he doesn’t seem like the kind of man that would forget to change his will.”
Hert sat up and stated, “Part of that is true.”
Scooting closer to him, I folded my arms across my chest.
Raising my eyebrows at him, I waited for Hert to fill in the other parts.
“Well?” I pressed.
He shared, “I was going to take over. I did come see you to tell you I was leaving.”
Thinking that couldn’t possibly be the end of his explanation, I pressed, “And, then what happened?”
Hert appeared uncomfortable sharing the rest of the story. I continued to stare at him until he started talking again.
“Alright Renni, seeing you again after so long made me…not want to leave. I sat there on the couch with you regretting every single time I should have just grabbed you and kissed you and didn’t. Then Roberts showed up and I started thinking of all the times I should have punched him in the face for every time his arm was around you or he was holding your hand. As soon as I got home, I called Mr. Roberts and told him I just needed to stay long enough to make sure you were okay. That way I could have some time to figure out a way to keep my word to Mr. Roberts and stay with you. The next night, when I came and you told me you were pregnant, well it couldn’t have been more perfect. Then…look, don’t be mad but I did some persuading. I started by telling Roberts that for your safety I should stay at the house just in case HE did find out. Then I might have mentioned how disappointed Mr. Roberts was that it was me and not Roberts that was taking over the company.”
Stopping him, I asked, “Was he?”
Hert continued saying, “No. In fact when I first suggested it to him he flat out said no. So I had to work on Roberts some more. He disagreed that you wanted me. Even after I told him how you looked at me that first night. He told me you planned on staying there with him and raising your baby. I refused to believe that. I told him to suggest I be the father and see what you said. He said he would and even make it sound like a good idea and he bet you would still disagree. Before that happened, I needed to talk to Mr. Roberts again. But I talked to Mrs. Roberts first. I may have led her to believe Roberts felt left out or something to that effect and that he should go visit them. When I talked to Mr. Roberts, I told him I would run things from down here and he could show Roberts how to run the company from up there. Making it sound like it was for Roberts benefit, I explained he could be the figure head of the company but I would still do all the work and as long as he didn’t screw up really bad, it would work out. It was a good way for you and me to be alone too. I also may have told Mr. Roberts that you were wanting me to stay and I was sure if I left you would go back with HIM. I’m not sure why but that worked.”
“So why did Emerson make it sound like it was all his idea? And you did too,” I questioned.
Hert shrugged a little, saying, “He’s a lot like his mother. They both have a way of coloring things to suit them. And why wouldn’t I go along with it. The idea was for it to be his plan.”
The absurdity of the whole situation dawned on me.
Shaking my head at him, I said, “You sure made things way more complicated than they had to be.” Hert looked confused as I continued saying, “I get that you wouldn’
t just quit your job like most people would, because you’re obsessed with The Office or whatever, but if you wanted to be alone with me, why didn’t you just ask me to come stay at your apartment with you? Or say ‘Hey I know this is sudden but I have to go to Spain and I want you to come with me. All your conniving was so unnecessary. Hell, to be perfectly honest Hert, if you would have grabbed me and kissed me when I walked into the dining room that night you could have had me then.” I took a breath then asked, “And speaking of kissing, all what times you should have just grabbed me and kissed me? When was that?”
Looking cautious, Hert questioned, “You’re not mad I did all that to get you?”
Laughing, I replied, “I don’t think it was the most respectable thing you’ve ever done but there was no getting me, you already had me.”
I smiled as I slid closer to him.
Tilting my head to the side, I asked, “So when did you want to kiss me?”
With a smirk, Hert confessed, “Every day since I was fourteen,” before he kissed me.
Chapter 17
Smiling when I fell asleep and again when Hert woke me to tell me goodbye, I thought this is how it should always be. Even though, I should have been upset over his confession last night, I wasn’t. What did I really expect? Hert was never easy going or patient. He was determined and stubborn. If he thought ‘persuading’ was the only way to control the situation, then that’s what he was going to do. Honestly with all the other unknown information that had been revealed, this was more like a pleasant surprise.
Wanting to finish Hert’s home office today, I called Jackson after Sophia and I had breakfast. He agreed to come over and help again. I was looking forward to his visit not only because it would make the day go by faster, but I thought it would be good to talk about the mystery buyer of the old building. Sophia and I were sitting on the floor playing while I waited for Jackson to arrive. When there was a knock at the front door, assuming it was Jackson, I laughed a little not being able to remember the last time he didn’t just walk in.
Surprised when I opened the door, I blurted “Oh, Amila. Hey, I thought you were Jacks.”
With a nervous smile she said, “I’m sorry I didn’t call first.”
Opening the door wide, I assured, “That’s okay. I was just waiting on Jackson. He’s helping me redo one of the rooms upstairs. Is everything okay?”
She walked in, saying, “Well I’m not sure. Romero left early this morning.”
“Did he go with Hert?” I asked. She nodded and I continued saying, “Oh, they just went to go take care of something. Hert said he’d be back tonight so I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”
Amila’s face grew serious as she stated, “That’s not it. This man came up to me at the grocery store and he knew my name and everything. He gave me an envelope and said for me to give it to you. He seemed nice and all but he said to make sure you were alone when I gave it to you.”
I sat there confused for a minute. Watching her take an envelope out of her purse, I held out my hand.
I took the envelope from her, asking, “What did he look like?”
“I don’t know. Normal I guess. I…” she was interrupted when Jackson walked through the door.
Folding the envelope in half, I slid it in my back pocket. Jackson picked Sophia up smiling at her.
Glancing at Amila, I said, “You know Jacks, right?”
She replied, “Kinda, I better get going. Call me."
“You don’t have to go. You can stay and hang out here with us,” I offered.
Appearing unsure, Amila asked, “Are you sure?”
Nodding, I smiled, saying, “We’re just working on the office, besides it would be nice to have a girl’s opinion. Jacks makes fun of everything I do.”
He defended, “Hey do you want efficient or pretty.”
Smiling wide, I declared, “Pretty!”
Jackson rolled his eyes as he handed Sophia back to me.
It was altogether a great day. We finished the office, and did it while laughing the whole time. Amila was so helpful and when Jackson poked fun at her, she poked right back. The look on Jacks face was hilarious. It was one of the most normal days I had in a long time. As it got later, Amila went home to wait for Telli. Jackson and I sat on the couch downstairs.
Smiling at him, I said, “Thanks so much for coming back and helping today. I hope Hert likes it.”
Smiling back, he said, “He’s gonna like it.” He paused for a moment and informed, “I was thinking a lot about the old building last night and I checked every record I could, the only Manastro I found was Mr. Roberts.”
As soon as he finished I remembered the envelope in my back pocket. I shared what Amila told me about it and pulled it out.
“Open it!” he urged.
I opened the envelope and looked at the piece of paper inside.
Literally on the edge of his seat Jackson said, “Well?”
Glancing at him, I shared, “It doesn’t make any sense. It says ‘APH every Thursday’. What is that?”
Getting up I walked to the kitchen, and threw the envelope and paper away.
Walking back to the living room, I admitted to myself, I was disappointed. Jackson looked disappointed too. It probably wasn’t right but it was exciting trying to figure things out with Jacks.
“Well that was a letdown,” I pouted.
Nodding in agreement, Jackson offered, “I did find something else out. The utilities are under the same name as the title, but it’s not Salvador. I checked all his assets and holdings and nothing has changed.”
“What was he doing there then?” I wondered out loud.
Shaking his head, he suggested, “Maybe he’s just as curious as we are. It’s getting pretty late Ren; I have work early in the morning.”
Looking at the clock, I agreed, “It is late, thanks again. I guess I’ll see ya’ when I see ya’.”
With a wide smile, Jackson winked at me as he left.
Pleased with how the day went, I walked upstairs. After checking on Sophia, I showered and put on my pajamas. I walked back to Hert’s new office. Smiling at his desk I ran my finger across it before sitting in the chair behind it. Glancing around the room, I felt good about doing this for Hert. It may have started out as a way to occupy myself and completely remove every trace of Emerson from the house, now that it was done, it felt more like a gift to my husband.
Hert’s voice startled me, “Renni.”
“Hey!” I cheered, asking, “What do ya think?”
Standing up, I motioned for Hert to sit down in his new chair.
Hert sat down as I informed, “Amila and Jackson helped me finish it.”
“I like it a lot,” he said pulling me onto his lap.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I asked, “Your meeting go okay?”
Nodding he held me tight, resting his head on my chest.
I kissed the top of his head, questioning, “You sure everything’s alright?”
He answered, “I really like this.”
Smiling, I rested my cheek against the top of his head. Whether it was the home office he liked, holding me or holding me in his new home office, I liked it too. We sat in his office chair for quite some time before leaving the room so Hert could take a shower.
Lying on our bed, waiting for him to finish his shower, I dwelled on his ‘I really like this’ comment.
Questioning my memories and trying to remember how often things were done for Hert, he stepped out of the bathroom, asking, “Have you thought about where you want to go when I get back?”
Smiling, I shrugged, saying, “It doesn’t matter to me where we go.”
Hert slid into bed, pulled me close and said, “Think of a place and I’ll take you there.”
Nodding, I asked, “So what’s the plan for tomorrow?”
“I don’t know Renni, you may have been right. Maybe I should leave it alone,” he confessed. I gave him a shocked look as he sat up, continuing to
say, “I don’t want him to ruin his life but I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place with this. I basically gave my word today that Roberts does not and will not have any affiliation with The Office. I hate to think I’m shutting him out but really what choice do I have?”
Sitting up, I reached out holding his hand, reassuring, “I don’t want anything to happen to him either. This may come off as kinda harsh but really why would he have anything to do with The Office. That’s always been your thing. He was coaxed into it.”
“So, I should feel guilty then?” he questioned.
Shaking my head at him, I disagreed, “No. That’s not what I’m saying. I do know that you feel responsible for what’s happening though.”
He asked, “Aren’t I?”
“People make their own decisions Hert,” I replied.
He nodded as we both laid back down. My husband had a real discussion with me, making me feel like a real wife. He shared his own personal conflict and even a small amount of work information. For the first time, I felt as if I wasn’t just playing the part. Snuggling close to him, I appreciated the new development in our relationship.
Chapter 18
First thing in the morning Hert went straight to his home office. Practically forcing him to come down for breakfast, I never would have believed it would make him that happy. I didn’t bother him to come down for lunch. While Sophia took her nap, I made Hert a sandwich and brought it to him. Walking into the room, I stood there smiling until he hung up the phone.
“I had my calls forwarded,” he said with a huge grin.
Setting his plate down on the corner of his desk, I shared, “I see that.”
Looking slightly embarrassed, Hert replied, “I’m sorry. I guess I’m just excited. I’ll come out.”
Shaking my head, I laughed, saying, “That’s okay. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.”
Smiling wide, he said, “The best part is, I can work and see you at the same time.”
Thinking how sweet he was, I offered, “I could be your secretary,” leaning against his desk.
Rolling his chair closer, Hert replied, “I’ve never had a secretary before.” I gave him a strange look as he explained, “We don’t have secretaries, Renni.”
