Heroin Love

by Hunter, I. M.

  Medallions of Chicken Carciofe, braised boneless short ribs of beef, cheese filled ravioli topped off with a tomato sauce, and a citrus-dill beuree fillet of salmon filled out the entrees. A chocolate fountain followed by various fruits, marshmallows and nuts and the smell of peppermint popcorn hinted at my nose as the last cloche passed me by.

  The next cart was the important one. I hear the bottles rattling as he made his way down the hallway. The liquor cart contained a full menu, vodka, gin, whiskey, scotch, wine, and beer. I was only looking for two specific things, which were blatantly marked. Wrapped around the neck of my Macallan was a tag simply reading ‘Mr. Barrick’ and around the neck of the Cheval Blanc the label read ‘Mrs. Barrick.’ I smiled in appreciation.

  That’s my girl.

  As the caterers continued setting up the buffet, I see Benjamin come through the door with his girlfriend Autumn -- she looked stunning in a strapless a-line light gold dress. The sequins covering her torso shimmered in the light. The netted silk draping down to her feet swaying gracefully with every step she took.

  “Hey Ben, where is everyone else?”

  “Wow, nice set up Pops. They are waiting in the lobby for Mom.”

  “Oh good. She is coming then.”

  “I don’t know about that. They just said if she is not coming, they are not coming in.”

  “And how are you today Autumn?”

  “I am doing swell Mr. Barrick, thank you.”

  “What was the package she got this morning? You make it sound all cryptic.” I prodded Ben for a little more information.

  “I don’t know. A man came by and dropped it off, said it contained legal documents and had mom sign a piece of paper.”

  Legal papers?

  Megan had no business that required legal papers. This whole situation grew more and more peculiar to me.

  Ann darted into the conference room seeking my approval.

  “How is everything sir? Is the food okay? Did they bring your alcohol? I specifically asked....”

  Placing my hand on to Ann’s shoulder, “Relax Ann. Everything is fine. You did a great job. Is the Santa still coming for the kids?”

  “Should be here within the hour, with bells on.” Ann started to laugh, cracking herself up.

  Looking around the room verifying everything is ready to go. “Do you have my envelopes?” I directed at Ann.

  “Yes sir, right here.” She handed me a red satchel with everyone’s christmas bonuses inside.

  “Okay, get everyone in here.”

  As all of my employees filed into the room, I shook their hands, handing them an envelope containing a check, and thanked them for the year of dedication. As the last one piled into the room, I turned around watching all the families and friends enjoying each other’s company, smiling, laughing, and eating. The children all running around hopped up on chocolate and peppermint. Ben and Autumn dancing slowly to the music. I pull Ann aside to talk to her in the corner so no one could see. Reaching into my vest pocket, I pulled out a black envelope.

  “Here this is for you. I don’t want to hear anything about it. You deserve this, putting up with my shit all year. I just want to show you how much I appreciate it,” giving her a big grateful hug.

  “Thank you, Mr. Barrick.”

  I checked my phone to see if Megan has called me and discovered a new text message from Rachael.

  Rachael: Hope your having a good party. Wish I could be there, Mwah!

  Loading attachment....

  Staring impatiently at my phone waiting for it to load, anticipating a naughty themed picture. When it finally loaded my chest started to tighten, my head becoming light. I dropped my glass onto the floor, shattering it. Starting to loose my balance, I feel Ann rush up beside me.

  “Here, sit down,” rolling a chair behind me, “Is everything okay?”

  Sitting with my elbows on my knees, head tucked between my hands, I sat speechless. Echoing in head I hear Ben talking to me, inaudible to me. Grabbing a nearby I drink, I feel a splash of ice cold water hit my face brining me back to a state of coherence.

  “You alright Dad?” Ben asked with concern.

  “I’m fine, just got a bit woozy, maybe too much to drink,” joking to distract from the situation. “I think I hear Santa.”

  Bells ringing in the distance, I gather everyone to the center of the room.

  “So who here has been an angel of a son or a princess of a daughter?” Directing my attention to the children, impatiently waiting Santa’s arrival.

  “HO, HO, HO,” Santa’s chant echoed throughout the room.

  Santa’s entrance was grand, ringing his bells incessantly, making a pleasant soft tone. His vibrant red jacket laced in white fur. A freshly groomed snow white beard, resting nicely in front of his joyous belly. The children hollered with delight as he made his way to the christmas tree to divvy out the presents.

  Not wanting Santa to steal my thunder, I gracefully went over the tree to retrieve Ben’s present. All of the gifts for my children were wrapped in a matte black wrapping paper with a white metallic bow. His gift was a small elongated necklace box. Grabbing Autumn’s gift as well, I walked off to a corner, not wanting to draw attention to myself, I wave for Ben to come over. Santa started to hand out the gifts to the children.

  “Here you go. Merry Christmas.”

  “How did you fit socks in this little box?” Being sarcastic like always.

  “It’s not socks smart ass. Just open it.”

  Tearing the paper with haste, I see his eyes light up in astonishment. He stared at it, mouth open in disbelief. Inside the box contained a key fob for a new Porsche 911 Black Edition, just the one Ben wanted.

  “Do you like it?”

  “What are you stupid? Of course I like it.”

  Giving me a big bear hug. I feel his grip loosen as he pushes himself off of me.

  “You can’t bribe me. Take it back.”

  “It’s not a bribe. You wanted the Porsche, now you got it. I can’t do something nice for my son?”

  “Dad, I’m not stupid. Just take the fucking car back.”

  “Hey, do what you need to do. I just wanted to get you the god damn thing. A simple ‘thank you’ is fine. It’s parked in the back lot if you want to go look at it.”

  I couldn’t believe him, his reaction was completely the opposite of what I expected. Typical spoiled rich kid if you ask me. Everything handed to him on a silver platter, just spitting in your face. Looking at Autumn, she didn’t even open her gift, she was looking at Ben for approval to open it.

  “Come on, just open it. If you don’t like it, I’ll take it back.”

  Ben giving her a nod of approval, she tore into the package with excitement. Autumn’s family didn’t have much and never got anything for Christmas from them.

  “Oh...my....god....it’s beautiful!” She jumped with joy right into my arms.

  “I guess you like it?”

  “Let me see,” Ben snatching it out of her hands. Dangling the platinum nine and a half carat graduated tennis diamond necklace in front of him. Closely inspecting it as if I had a bad taste in jewelry. “Take it back. We don’t want your bribes.”

  “Ben, keep the gifts for crying out loud. Go tell your mother, I don’t give a shit. Merry Christmas,” patting him on the shoulder as I stepped away not wanting to make a scene.

  Sitting down at the far end of the table, watching the joy of christmas happen right in front of me. The children running around with their new toys from Santa. My employees receiving the rudimentary presents of corporate America, ties, shirts, your favorite alcohol, or the never desired home made fruit cakes.

  “Mr. Barrick,” Santa announced unexpected as he grabbed the last gift.

  No one should of bought me a gift, I specifically sent out a memo saying not to. I didn’t need anything, didn’t want anything, at least nothing anything my employees could afford. Walking towards Santa, I see him holding an enlarged manilla envelope with ‘M
r. Barrick-- Merry Christmas’ written in thick black sharpie.

  “I told you guys not to get me anything,” smiling as I accepted my gift.

  Everyone was looking at each other confused, trying to figure out who bought me something. I stood by Santa slowly opening the top seal of the envelope. Looking down inside to see what it was, I couldn’t really tell for sure what was on the several pieces of paper hidden inside. Slowly pulling out one of the sheets, I could see what rested inside. My eyes filled with a rage of fury.

  “Who the fuck did this?” Screaming across the sea of spectators looking at me. I looked at Santa, “Who gave you this?” Nobody was answering me, they all just appeared to be confused. “Everyone out, everyone get out right now!” My breathing became heavy, sweat droplets started to cover the top of my head. “Get over here Ann!”

  As everyone gathered their things in a hurry and darted out of the room.

  “Who put this over here? Who?”

  “Uhh, I don’t know sir,” stuttering nonstop, “I have never seen it before.”

  Ben coming over to see what it was, “What is it Dad?”

  “Nothing Ben, just take Autumn and leave. Ann come with me, I need to talk to you.”

  Walking quickly over to my office to talk with Ann privately, I swing the door open and was unpleasantly surprised. Megan was standing cold in front of the windows looking at the captivating scene of the city lights.

  “Here Ann, take these. Don’t look at them, don’t go home. We need to talk, I will call you in a minute.”

  Walking up behind Megan, placing my hands romantically on her waist, “Hey honey, how come you weren’t at the party?”

  She quickly smacked my hands off of her, “What the fuck is this Kevin?” Tossing a stack of paper at me, dropping to the floor from my unresponsive reaction.

  I kneeled down to pick the paper up, noticing the headline ‘Notice of Contract Termination.’

  “I will tell you what it is. They are terminating your Buena Vista contract. And do you know why?”

  “Well we have been...”

  “No no no, I will tell you why. And I quote ‘Lack of communication, unwillingness to fulfill necessary duties, breach of morality clause, and poor representation of the Buena Vista mission.’ So Kevin, what have you really been up to? You obviously haven’t been working?”

  Trying to cut into her rant, “Megan listen to me...”

  “No, Kevin! You have been parading around the last few weeks ‘working’ being so tired, and now this shit. ‘Breach of morality clause’ what the fuck does that mean? What did Mr. Perfect do that was so wrong?”

  “Megan, can I talk please?” Talking softly to try and calm Megan down, my posture slumped in disappointment. “This is the first I am hearing of this. Last time we talked, we left on a good note.”

  “Bullshit Kevin. Stop lying, lie after lie. Tell me what the fuck your up to!”

  “Baby, I swear. I don’t know what this is about. I don’t know why it came to our house. I am going to find out I promise,” wiping the tears away from her face.

  “You don’t think I will find out? Whatever your doing, I will find out eventually. I hope you have an extra suit in your closet, don’t bother coming home tonight.” Megan stormed out of the office still furious with me.

  Rushing over to my computer, I quickly pull up my email to get to the bottom of this.

  ______________________________________________________________________________

  From: Kevin Barrick

  Subject: Buena Vista Development

  Date: December 20 2015

  To: Mr. Carlson

  Mr. Carlson,

  Just received ‘Notice of Contract Termination’ for the Buena Vista Development. It must have been a mistake, we have addressed every issue one hundred percent to your detailed specifications. Please elaborate the decision to terminate the contract.

  Kevin Barrick

  CEO, Onyx Environmental

  Not expecting an email at this time of night, I called Ann back into my office over the speaker. She darted into my office still grasping the manilla folder in her hands.

  “Give me that. Did you look inside?”

  “No sir.”

  “Who put this under the tree? You were in charge of the gifts.” I interrogated her assuming she would see who put it there, or gave it to her.

  “I don’t know sir. It was on my desk this morning, I just put it there. I assumed someone bought you something. Why what is it?” Appearing to be scared for her life, genuinely curious as to what it was.

  “I really don’t want to say. It’s personal. Do me a favor check the security tapes and find out who put it there.”

  Still being noticeably nervous Ann nodded her head vigorously, rushing back out of the office. A swooping tone emitted out of the computer notified me of a new email.

  ______________________________________________________________________________

  From: Mr. Carlson

  Subject: Re: Buena Vista Development

  Date: December 20 2015

  To: Kevin Barrick

  Mr. Barrick,

  I thought that would get your attention. You are correct, everything was done to my specifications. I am glad we could resolve those matters quickly. Consider the package a formal warning. As it stands we are continuing our agreement on a month to month basis, you are hanging on by a shoestring.

  As a friend Kevin, get your shit together. Just go home, run home and apologize, be the dog with his tail tucked between his legs. Have a good Christmas my friend.

  Mr. Carlson

  CEO, Buena Vista Development

  Slouching down in my chair with a sigh of partial relief. One problem resolved, one more to go. Opening the manilla envelope, pulling everything out. A sticky note contained a simple letter ‘Leave $500,000 at Toni’s tomorrow, or Megan gets them.’ I couldn’t believe this was happening to me, who would even do this? How could they have these? I sat bewildered at my desk chair with pictures of Rachael and I having sex in our house.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Running into a house darkness, the pictures firmly clenched in my fist. I was determined to get to the bottom of this. I immediately knew something was wrong, hearing the ocean waves cracking on the shore inside my house. My mood drastically shifting from anger to concern as I went further into the house. Rushing towards the bedroom, passing by the sliding glass door that was shattered into a million pieces across the living room floor. I heard Rachael balling in the bedroom, laying on the bed in the fetal position, I quickly comfort her from behind.

  “Rachael, what happened? What’s wrong?”

  Sniffling, her body shaking in fear, she didn’t respond. Rolling her over to look her, blood dripping down her face from her nose, her lip split, and her left eye practically closed from the swelling. Pulling her closely to me, rubbing her back trying to comfort her. The warmth of her tears running on to my face killed me, causing my eyes to water.

  “Baby, what happen? Who did this to you?”

  “David,” she whispered at an almost inaudible tone.

  “What? He’s in jail, how could he?”

  “Kevin he was here,” her voice soft and scratchy, filled with fear, “he said ‘make sure your boy toy pays up.’” Slightly backing away from to look in my eyes. Her eyes bloodshot red, consumed by terror, “‘If he doesn’t, I will be back, and you won’t like what happens.’”

  “It will all be okay. I promise,” holding her tightly, loving her.

  Forcing her to lay down on the bed, we spent the next few hours spooning. Rachael continued crying, until she finally fell asleep in a pool of tears. I was contemplating my next move.

  Should I pay him? Should I ignore him? But what happens if he does come back to hurt Rachael, even worse this time? He might kill her, is that a bad thing? A good thing? It would simplify my life immensely, or would it? Megan finding out would be a bad thing, I think. I mean everyone always says ‘cheaper to keep
her.’ She is the love of my life, or at least she use to be. I could just take a couple of steps backward to gain a more fulfilling life. Maybe subconsciously I didn’t want to pay him. My secret would finally be out and I wouldn’t have to live this double life anymore, forcing my hand to what I feel I truly want. I couldn’t let Megan find out like that though, pictures on her door step, that would break her fragile little heart. Why can’t someone just make the decision for me. Where is the big sign that says ‘do this, not that,’ if Jesus was going to show me a sign, now would be a great time.

  Thoughts continuing to rattle my brain as I drift away into a disturbed slumber.

  Placing my hands on her lower back, pulling her into me, I begin to nibble on her neck. Mixing in light sensual kissing and licking, she begins to passionately moan into my ear. I feel her grinding her pussy onto my thighs enjoying every moment. Slowly lifting her shirt over her head, trying not to break the continuous stimulation, I continued to kiss her. Dragging my tongue from her delicious lips, down her neck, across her chest, landing on her stimulated nipple. Biting with my honed canine teeth, as if I was going to pierce her.

  The abrupt sounds of glass shattering in the other room ceased all activity. Instructing Rachael to stay put, I went to go investigate the darkness filled abode. As I walked through the living room, barely being able to see five feet in front of me, I felt a sharp pain run through my foot. The shattered glass of our door was scattered throughout the room. Feeling the warm, sticky sensation of blood on the bottom of my foot. I continued to slowly investigate the house leaving behind a trail of blood footprints.

  “Kevin!” Rachael screamed out from the bedroom.

  Rushing back to her while limping, trying to keep my balance. I turned the lights on, Rachael standing in the middle of the room, still half dressed, with her hands up. The familiar look of terror was in her eyes, while her body trembled. Behind her was David, pointing a gun directly at Rachael’s head. His eyes glassy, hands shaking, clothes dirty and torn.

  “I told you to pay up,” he fights back the tears, “ I didn’t want to do this. You made me do this.”