“Did you tell him? She’s Mine,” lifting his shirt to display his heart tattoo on his left pectoral, with Rachael’s name written in script.
I feel a powerful heat rush into my face, my jugular vein pulsating out of my neck. Clenching my fist, I rush towards David grasping his throat tightly I pushed him against the glass door that was behind him. Lifting him several inches off of the ground.
“Get the fuck out of my house,” I demanded while staring in his eyes with piecing hatred. I tossed him to the floor, witnessing him scurry away like a frightened child. Turning back to see a frightened and confused Rachael.
“You were saying?”
“Listen, Kev. I love you. I want to be with you. David just won’t stop. It’s best for both of us if you just let me go.”
Holding her face upwards, seeing my reflection in those wounded blue eyes.
“I am not going to let him take you away from me. I promise.”
Hugging her with compassion I gave her a kiss on the top of her, I could still smell the tropical flower shampoo she used in the shower. Pulling her into my chest firmly, comforting her.
“Hey, pretty boy,” I hear that weasel David call me.
Turning around I see him holding a black 9mm at my chest. Not to rattle, I keep my calm composure.
“And what are you going to do with that?” Holding my hands up, not trying to cause a jerk reaction from David.
“She is coming with me. SHE’S MINE!”
Not saying anything in return I wait for Rachael to make her move. She stood there baffled, she wanted to stay but didn’t want David to shoot me. She hesitantly starts walking towards David with her head down, her body jerking from sobbing.
In my peripheral vision I see someone run around the corner of the house holding a gun.
“Everybody freeze!”
It was a police officer, one of the neighbors must have called the cops from all the ruckus. The officer slowly approaches David who threw his gun on the floor now holding his hands up. Pushing David’s knees in with his foot, quickly cuffing him, laying him face down. Watching Rachael and I like hawks he signals on his radio,
“Officer in need of back-up, Sand Dollar Shores, three perps.”
I signaled Rachael to get down on the floor slowly and lay face down and wait for the officer to cuff us. As his back up arrives, they file us out to the front of the house. Sitting us on the steaming black asphalt several feet away from each other. Two officers approach the house while fitting latex gloves over their hands.
Just wonderful, they’re going to find all sorts of shit. This is all I need now, get busted with heroin, try explaining that to the wife.
Not even two minutes later I see the cop come out of my house holding Pete’s signature delivery kit.
The cop comes by and swoops up Rachael, dragging her behind his patrol car, they have a brief conversation. I was unable to over hear their conversation. Helping Rachael back down onto the asphalt, he then grabs David and leads him behind his patrol car to talk as well. After interrogating David he come to retrieve me.
“The two of them are saying this is yours,” pointing towards the roll of drugs sitting on trunk of the car.
“Come on, do I look like a heroin addict?” Shoving my foot in my mouth as you couldn’t see what was inside of it.
“Listen Mr. Barrick, I know what’s going on here...”
“And what is that?” Cutting him off.
“Don’t treat me like an idiot. I am the only thing standing between home and jail. I see this sort of shit all day. I know you think she loves you and you love her.”
Feeling furious at the cops blunt assumptions of the situation, I started to walk away.
“I don’t need to hear this shit.”
The officer grabs my arm sharply, “You will stand here until your told to leave. Hear me out. They are users, they will suck you dry until you have nothing left, no money, no family, and now your alone. They will just be on to the next mark. I have seen it a dozen times.”
“Can I go now?” I said sarcastically not wanting to hear anymore of his bullshit.
“Go home Mr. Barrick. If you know what is good for you, you will hop in that car and go home and never look back. Go back over there and sit.”
As I was walking back to my assigned spot, I witness another officer picking up David. I overhear him say, “Your under arrest for the possession of an unregistered firearm, and controlled substances.”
My insides raged with joy, it was a lot easier to get rid of him then I thought it was going to be. The other officer comes over to remove the cuffs from Rachael and I, not saying anything, he just looked at me with a suggestive face mouthing the words ‘Go Home.‘ The officers sped down the street leaving us alone.
“Well, that was fun,” laughing to myself, hugging Rachael. “I told you I wouldn’t let him take you away from me.”
“Yeah, until he gets outs.”
Looking down the road I see a white semi coming towards us.
“Ah, here it is. I got you something.”
“Oh you did? I wonder what that could be?”
As the driver approaches us I wave him down signaling him were our house is. Hopping out of the semi,
“Mr. Barrick?”
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Alright just sign here and here,” pointing with his pen to the delivery ticket attached to his clipboard.
The motors start buzzing as the rear door slowly starts to lower down to the street. Still wrapped underneath a white cloth cover, the driver hops inside to reveal the diamond silver metallic CLS550 Coupe. Starting the car up you can hear the twin turbo purring as he gradually backs it out of the truck.
“Oh my god! You got me a car!” Rachael jumps into my arms, wrapping her legs around my torso, giving me a massive kiss.
“And here you go,” the driver hands me the sets of keys.
The nineteen inch twin spoke alloy wheels gave the car a classy yet sporty look.
“Come on, let’s check it out,” opening the driver door for Rachael she hops in like a teenager getting her first car.
The red/black semi-aniline leather wrapped the seats with some accents on the door panels. Black Piano Lacquer wood trimmed out the center console and dashboard. Containing an inordinate amount of buttons it was like a cockpit to an airplane. The eight inch touch screen display hovered gracefully over the center of the dashboard.
“I love it, Kev!” Rachael grabbed the center of my shirt abruptly pulling me down into the car. Her luscious lips never tasted so good. “Can we go for a drive?”
“Yeah, sure. Where do you want to go?”
“I could go for some sushi.”
“I know the perfect place, let’s go.”
Walking into Sushi-Gon I looked down into the Koi pond, seeing a black Koi, speckled with gold dots, it must have been their new addition. Waiting to be seated, I notice George running around the half-empty restaurant. Great, first he sees my wife, now he’s going to see me with my girlfriend, how convenient. Starting to get nervous, not wanting my double life to be discovered.
“You want to go somewhere else?”
Rachael didn’t seem satisfied with my question, “Not really. I have always wanted to try their sushi boat.”
The hostess leads us towards our designated table, and what do you know, George comes by to greet us.
“Hi, my name is George...”
“Yeah yeah George I know. We are going to have the Gon-Gon. A glass of Cheval, and Macallan on the rocks.”
“Okay, pretty routine I see. Who is this beautiful young lady with you today?” Giving me a smirk.
“None of your fucking business. Get our drinks.”
George laughs to himself while walking away.
“What was that about Kevin?”
“My wife and I come here a lot. He thinks he is being slick, butting into my business. Don’t worry about it.”
“Yeah about that.... I wanted to talk to yo
u about something.”
“Sure thing. Ask me anything.”
“I don’t want to be a home wrecker or anything but why can’t we just be together. You run around back and forth from your family, to me, and then back again.”
Looking at her curiously, “So what would you suggest?”
George came by dropping of our drinks breaking the momentum of our conversations.
“Never mind, I shouldn’t of brought it up.”
“No, just tell me.”
“You know that car is sexy, I can’t believe you bought that for me. No one has ever bought me such an extravagant gift.” Rachael was clearly trying to change the subject on me.
“I am glad you like it, now what did you want to ask me?”
“Fine if your going to pull it out of me, pun intended,” flashing me a flirty smile, “why don’t you just divorce your wife and we can be together all the time.”
Flabbergasted by her suggestion, I really didn’t know what to say or how to respond. Feeling a flutter of anger, how could she really ask me to do that. The feeling quickly faded as I kept looking at her innocently sitting in the booth across from me. She was just a girl, she had me wrapped around her finger, she was my girl.
“I don’t now what it is about you, but you put me in a trance.”
Chapter Nineteen
Spending that night with Rachael was liberating, there wasn’t anything to worry about, I felt appreciated and needed. We talked for hours, about our wants, our needs, and our desires. I had to get back to the office, not having my phone for the past two days has been driving me insane.
Walking towards the entrance, still in the disheveled clothes from a couple of days ago. I needed to go to my office to change into the spare suit I always kept in the coat closet. As soon as I walk through the front door, Ann’s eyes light up and she darts right for me.
“Where the hell have you been?”
“Excuse me?”
“Sorry sir, but I have been trying to reach you over the last couple days and you haven’t answered. Mr. Carlson is coming in today, he is tired of waiting for you and I quote ‘get your shit together,’” she read from a post-it note in her hand.
“Is that so? What time is he coming in?”
“About an hour,” She gave me an elevator look, “Do you need me to get you a suit?”
“I have a spare in my office, thank you.”
I darted back to my office, and grabbed my spare suit out of my closet. Ermenegildo Zegna design black Trofeo wool and mohair two button suit, with two front pockets and a notched lapel. A white french collar undershirt, and a black cashmere-silk tie sporting an Eldredge knot. Throwing a few bids across my desk, alluding to the fact I am working tiresome over them. Waiting anxiously for Mr. Carlson to arrive, I stared out of my windows, reflecting.
“Mr. Carlson is making his towards your office,” I hear Ann say over the speaker on the telephone.
The door slowly opens as Mr. Carlson walks into my office.
“Mr. Carlson, how are you?” I greeted him while walking briskly over to him with my hand out, offering to shake his hand. “You know you didn’t have to come all the way down here to talk to me.”
“Matter of fact Mr. Barrick, I did. If you would return a phone call it would make our lives a lot easier. I feel like I am trying to reach POTUS,” remarking in a condescending tone.
“I apologize, it has been very hectic around here. Can I offer you a drink?”
“I am not staying long. We have been getting widespread complaints about your services throughout all of our communities. Especially Sand Dollar Shores.”
My face dropped, how could I overlook that detail. I moved my girlfriend right into my own backyard.
“Listen Kevin, I am going to cut right to the chase. Get your act together. I am close friends of the president of Sand Dollar Shores, he informed me about your little charade.”
“And would exactly would that be?”
“Don’t treat me like a stupid man. It is none of my business what you do with your free time. It is my business when it starts to affect our relationship.”
“Mr. Carlson I can assure you I have no idea what your talking about. We have been working night and day trying to remedy this situation,” trying to paddle through the slick sludge surrounding me.
“Kevin, you didn’t have the cops at your ‘vacation home’? Your friend didn’t get arrested for possession of a gun and drugs? Don’t stand here and lie to me. One word of advice,” he went towards the door of my office making his exit. “Go home, you have a lovely family. I am graciously giving you until the beginning of the year to fix this, or it’s over. Have a nice day,” walking out of my office slamming the door behind him.
Collapsing down into my chair, twirling a pen between my fingers. How could I have made such a stupid move, this girl is destroying my life. I don’t know why I cannot stay away from her, every time I see her I turn to putty.
“Mr. Barrick, your wife is in the lobby,” Ann announcing over the speaker.
“What?”
“Your wife is here.”
“Tell her I am in a meeting.”
“I did sir. She said she would wait.”
Great, more good news. Megan never came to the office unless it was an emergency or she was really frustrated with me.
“Fine, bring her back.”
As she entered my office, I greeted her with a hug and a kiss.
“What are you doing here?”
“I have been calling you, why are you ignoring me?”
“I’m not. I left my phone in the car.” Not wanting her to run home to go look through my phone.
“I don’t understand you, we had a great night and then you just up and leave, not even coming home that night. What is going on?”
“I already told....”
“The truth damn it,” she screamed interrupting me.
“Megan, nothing is going on. I have been here working,” lying to her once again. I cannot keep doing this.
Rolling her eyes in disbelief, “Bullshit Kevin. Stop lying to me. Look even your suit looks freshly pressed.”
Walking over to the coat closet, “Look, I keep a spare here. Here is the old one.” Hugging her closely to me, “I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. I love you. I just have to work. Okay?” Lifting her head off of my should, “I love you. Do you want to stay with me today?”
Pulling a stack of paper out of her purse, “Explain this then.”
She handed me the stack of papers, it was my phone bill.
“And what exactly am I looking for?”
“Look at this number, it has called you 67 times the past few days, texted you at odd hours of the night. It’s registered to a D, Rachael. Who is that? Huh Kevin? Who the fuck is that?” Violently smacking the papers out of my hands.
“It’s a client, she is overseas. We have been trying to get a deal done.”
Her eyes shimmering from the tears starting to consume her eyes, “I have to go get Amber, I can’t deal with you anymore.”
She headed towards the doors, slowly reaching for the door handle, pulling the door open without saying anything else.
“Are we okay?” I genuinely asked.
“Not entirely Kevin. Something is up with you, I just can’t figure out what.”
“Megan..” I called for her as she slammed the door shut in my face.
“Ann, don’t let Megan leave,” I dictated over the speaker. Running down the hall after her I witness Ann standing in front of Megan trying to stall her departure.
“Thanks Ann. Megan, can we go talk in my office please?” I begged, grabbing her arm trying to pull her back.
“Kevin, if you don’t let go of me, I am going to make a huge fucking scene.” She ripped her arm out of my grip. “Goodbye,” darting out the door.
Chapter Twenty
We are hosting the annual Christmas party inside the conference room this year. It was this party, were all the employees c
ould bring their wives/girlfriends, children, parents, or who ever else they wanted to spend the holidays with. We wanted to meet the women behind the men, the parents who sculpted their child. I was always interested in making sure people had a healthy and happy family, it was important to me.
The decorators did a tremendous job arranging the otherwise dull room. Fresh garlands wrapping around the border of the glass table in the center of the room, streamers swaying lightly from the ceiling. Several mistletoes hanging in the doorways.
Who doesn’t love a little encouragement?
An enormous Douglas Fir caddy corner in the far right. Illuminated by hundreds of twinkling lights, a model train circulating it, blasting smoke out of it's smoke stack as it sounds it's horn.. Black and white ornaments scattered throughout the branches, topped of with a figure of St. Mary. I didn’t care for the figure so much as I wasn’t religious, but it was given to me from my great grandparents so I honored their tradition. Secret Santa gifts from around the office stacked precisely underneath the tree. Familiar christmas tunes softly filled the air from the overhead stereo system.
Checking my watch, the caterers should be here any second. I pulled out my phone and called Megan. We haven’t been talking much over the last couple of weeks, but I was hoping to change that. I followed that by calling up Benjamin.
“Hey Ben, you guys on your way?”
“Yeah Dad. We will be there in a couple of minutes.”
“Your mom with you?”
“No, she got a delivery this morning, it seems to be keeping her busy.”
“Uhh, okay. See you soon.”
A delivery?
Maybe she got a last minute gift for one of the kids and is busy wrapping it. I hear carts rolling down the hallway, metal banging, and people talking to each other. The caterers arrived with our Christmas feast. I couldn’t wait to see what Ann ordered us this year.
As each cloche passes by me, I lifted it up and investigate what is beneath it. The first three contained hors d’oeuvres. Assorted fresh fruit diced and slivered, Italian bruschetta with garlic crostini, finished off with an imported and domestic cheese display shaped like a christmas tree. The next contained an antipasto with roasted peppers, salami, capicola, olives, and cheese. Joined with a Mediterranean chopped salad.
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