My Life in the End

by Adriana Alexa

  - Is not that a bit much?

  - I think you're afraid that Gregory did not like him. sobrecompensam children. - I hesitated for a second - Everyone. - Correct me - Every overcompensate world when you want to be well-liked.

  - Less you. - I winked at me - I hear it's a bitch full time.

  - I do not make a point of being well conquest. - Laughs - is different.

  - So, you go up there? Talk to the man?

  - I will.

  - Discuss the relationship? - She laughed and poured the fruit salad on the table.

  - It's none of your business. - I took a clean spoon and handed him - but I will not deliver the invitation Ty and ready.

  - Ty I take to school. - He shoved his assorted fruit in the mouth.

  - Thanks.

  - And the work, how are you?

  - Partly it's like riding a bike. - I exhaled - but I'm a little rusty ... Some laws have changed, court positioning changed on some issues ... I think that after so many years, I could not get a job in an office ...

  - Do not say that.

  - ... So easy. - Concluded, staring at him. - But I could. - I added.

  - Oh, no doubt.

  - Give me a week or two and ask again. - warned.

  - Leave it to me. You go there now?

  - Pro office? No. I just need to get there later today.

  - To Baxter? Talk to the guy?

  - Oh ... I'm going. Now in the morning. Because?

  - Well ... since it's on its way. Since the boy is not involved and that is already something you would even ...

  He was trying to be indirect, but his facial expression made it clear that he had ulterior motives.

  - Zahner? - Recriminei.

  - The security of the place is a luxury. - Said surprised - We warrant and all, but we can not enter the place quietly.

  He pulled a small box from his bag he was carrying.

  - It is a small listening. Super technology, hardly detectable. You think you can accidentally stick it beneath his desk?

  The laugh that escaped my lips was with an equal amount of disbelief and annoyance.

  - You're just worried, are not you?

  - Do not do it. - He raised a window.

  - Point the finger at me and could end up losing it, Zahner ... - growled.

  - I just made an honest question and was genuinely worried about you two. But I have an investigation to do, Thoen. Do not forget why we came here. We need to find the rotten that company.

  - I thought the goal was to find the rotten old.

  - She made rotten by the company.

  - I said I was not going to get close to Gregory for his research.

  - And did not, did it? But since it is on its way ... it does not cost anything. - Put the box on the table and pushed it slid toward me. - Just put somewhere in easily accessible bag. Some external pocket ... when sitting, just push this side here - opened the box and showed me the tiny dot that was the unit - against the top of his desk and go! - Less than two seconds of work and will help us a lot.

  - Do not I feel comfortable doing it.

  - It's a shame you're here, you know? - His smile faded and I felt the seriousness in his voice - I'd rather be talking to Laura Thoen a few years ago. What was chased away out of home, work and country by an old criminal and murderer. I think that Laura would be much more comprehensive and better collaborate with me.

  - I know what you're doing.

  - I know you know. It's kind of logical thinking and flawless you would if you were in my place. You are acting on emotion, but it will not change the facts. Fact: the international police are after this woman for years. Fact: We always come close, but never got anything definite. Fact: you are the best victory we had in all research. Fact: she tried to kill you. Fact: tried to kill his son. Fact: only not tried again because of the audit and because we are stuck in it. Fact: so we do not have more to do this, we have to go and you're alone with Ty. Fact: no one will stop her from doing what it does best. Again. Tell me, a lawyer. I'm wrong?

  I bit my lip.

  Against facts there are no arguments, is not it?

  - You help us and I lock it for life. You and Ty are free and safe. All I'm asking are two seconds of your time. Only two. Confidentiality, Dom. Even after the investigation is over, no one will ever know it was you.

  - Just you and me.

  - Well, just you. - He laughed - Because I have a terrible memory and I forget the second you walk through that door. I give you my word.

  Was he right.

  Right too and I hated him for it.

  - Only two seconds, is not it?

  - Only two.

  ***********

  - You're fucking your secretariazinha this? Because if you are, I destroy it on the nail.

  I could not understand why one day I thought that Anya was a discreet person. Maybe she'd been a day, or pretended to be, to find that won me over.

  - Anya, I thought we should talk and settle this like adults so there were no hard feelings. But if you act with this level of childishness, I prefer not to talk.

  - As adults, Baxter? So you use me and when no longer want, me wide and ready? That simple?

  - We had a case, not a commitment for life. How did you think this would end?

  She came to me and put his hands on my face.

  - With you realizing that his wife without salt does not deserve you. I love you, Greg! Really! Not for his fortune. I can make you happy as it can not and you know! Do you know! If you are afraid ... I know how a divorce can be for a public man like you. I hope. We ... we think the best way. But give up what we have is the worst option, dear!

  - Anya, I think you confused things. I never said that what we had was emotional.

  - You're just scared! Are you afraid of what may happen to the company to file for divorce. That's it.

  - Really? - I raised his left hand and let her notice the absence of the alliance.

  His jaw dropped as she decided to be happy or sad.

  - But ... I do not understand ... Love! You filed for divorce! - She threw her arms around my neck and I held.

  - You need to listen to me.

  - I'm listening! You filed for divorce! - She was clapping.

  She was persistent, that merit had to be assigned. None of the other girlfriends I had taken more than a few minutes either the offense that did not have much self-love, and ready. Ended up. But Anya was resisting for forty minutes long and I did not know how many different ways I could explain to her it's over. Unless the rude way.

  And if anything had advanced ...

  - Anya. Listen to me. I did not want to get to that point, but you do not give me choice.

  She still had a smile as he watched me.

  - I do not love you. I never loved you. It was just a case, Anya, and you knew that from the beginning. We have always been clear about our intentions. We knew that one of us would all one day and that day has come. I do not want anything with you.

  - It was much more than a case, love! - She tried to put my face in my hands and I had to hold her wrists - We had a connection! It is not possible that you have not felt it.

  - Anya, you're talking like a crazy woman. And I know you're not. Do not try to manipulate me to try to pretend that we are not running out. Because that's what we are doing: we are ending our relationship. It was just sex, yes. Only for a while.

  - The best sex of your life. His egocentric thick.

  Squeezed his eyes on a face of pity ...

  Best sex of my life? No, honey, I'm sorry.

  - Anyway, Anya ... We ended. I have a lot of work to do. - I looked at the clock and I hated myself for not having said all that at the beginning of the conversation. Now, I was hopelessly late for many much more important things than the ego of Anya. - You can keep the jewelry and clothes ... But I will send someone to pick up the car. He is still in my name.

  - You will regret all his sharp words, Baxter. But you'll never have me back, that I p
romise you.

  - Great. Now, if you please ... - walked to the door and opened it.

  Anya was still behind me complaining about one thing or another, but I did not hear. My muscles locked freezing me in the door. Rose was standing in the anteroom, brought a glass of water on a tray and I saw her. I was sitting on the couch.

  Loose skirt finished in half of her thighs, showing the long legs crossed, her blouse fairly long sleeves on the bust, delineating the neckline. That beautiful face. That full of wit smile. The dark hair in a high ponytail. I was standing, standing at my door ... smiling. She had this effect on me, this effect ... numbing. She entered the room and nothing else mattered. Nothing else existed.

  Don got up and walked a few steps toward me.

  - Sun! - I walked to him and had to resist the urge to stick it in my arms - How long you been here? Why did not anyone tell me?

  - Ah ... About twenty minutes I think. They told me you were in an important meeting. - I felt his eyes walking behind me and my heart imploded.

  Oh shit ... oh no ...

  - Hello I do not think we met..

  Anya approached, supporting hand on my shoulder. I pushed her around the waist with courtesy, but she was determined. To get her out I would need to use force.

  - I'm Anya, Greg's girlfriend. And you are? - She offered a hand to Thoen and I stopped breathing.

  - If you are still busy - she turned to me with a half smile, completely ignoring both the existence of Anya as the hand she kept in the air - I can wait or come back later.

  - No! I'm done. We are done. - I looked at Anya with a definite tone - Why do not you come in?

  - You do not need. - She squeezed her lips and I knew she was jealous. It was what she did when she was dying of jealousy and wanted to commit a murder, but take a deep breath, be controlled and pretended she was not feeling anything.

  - Don, I told you about it. - I explained softly. I was fully aware of the two secretaries and four other officials who were close, but did not mind one bit. I and Laura had already experienced misunderstandings for a lifetime. - I had girlfriends. Anya is the only one I was now and I just everything. That's what we just did.

  - Gregory! - Anya was lifted - What is it? Who is this woman? - He turned to Dom - Who are you?

  - I do not like to raise the tone with me, honey. - Laura had that low, menacing voice that made by the spine prickle - Or you lower the voice voluntarily, or I'll come do it for you.

  - Are you threatening me? Gregory! This will leave any threatening me?

  - Anya! - I was losing patience - What are you still doing here? Dom, please enter just a minute?

  - No, I have to go. On here. - She caught something in the bag, I saw her fumbling a little and put the bag on the table. - It's an invitation.

  Anya stepped forward to the invitation.

  - Oh that super! - Exclaimed full of sarcasm - And where do you think is calling my man?

  Laura opened his eyes at her and laughed, pulling the invitation out of reach of the other.

  - Please, stop being ridiculous. I'm not your man. You'd better go now. Don, I'm asking you, please! - I was very very close to kneel and beg.

  - I should have called before, I'm sorry.

  - No! No need to call. - I spoke a little too fast and felt the obvious despair - appears when you want.

  - This is for you. - She handed me a paper, making sure that he would be out of reach of Anya. I picked up the paper and not open. Anya was on my side with curious eyes on my hands wanting to discover the contents of the invitation.

  - Did you talk to him?

  - Gregory ... - I really wanted Anya to shut up.

  - I spoke. - She paused and my heart came knocking in my throat - he accepted to meet you.

  - Gregory, what's happening? Who is this woman?

  - It's the mother of my son, Anya. The woman I love. The woman I'm trying to win back and you're making things difficult. Could you please be quiet or be inconvenient to go elsewhere?

  She had the jaw as if it were not biologically capable of processing all the words I had said. On Sunday, I saw his lips shaping that little smile that was more perfect than anything in the world and I wanted to kiss her. Did she leave?

  - It seems that you have not finished talking. - she said.

  - No, Don, we already ...

  - Greg. Okay ... I need ... - she pointed to the elevator and I understood.

  - We talk? After?

  She pointed to the paper in my hands just to make sure I had not forgotten. I shake slowly in the air, in confirmation.

  - I wrote my phone there. - I felt the smile forming even before my lips move.

  - I'll call you then. Today? Later?

  She was walking to the elevator and I was sure that half my team was on the floor laughing my slight anxiety attack.

  - You have my number, Holt. Call me when you want. - I said almost without turning around.

  I folded the paper and stuck it in his pocket as if afraid someone would steal it from me.

  I stood watching the elevator doors closed.

  My son ... She had talked to him and he had agreed to see me. She had smiled when I said I loved her. I was feeling an uncontrollable happiness. It had been years since I felt that way. Years.

  Only you, Dom. Only you can do this to me.

  I'd call her. I am going to call right now. I felt the paper in my pocket burning my flesh. I wonder what the paper said. What was the invitation. And I wanted to call her. Apologize for Anya, invite her to dinner, lunch, breakfast ... preferably all three. Preferably, every day. Preferably, while we live.

  All too soon, Greg. Calm down.

  I had a nagging voice in my ear trying to pull me from my torpor of ecstasy.

  - Anya. - I could not wipe the smile off my face - You need to go now, or I'll call security.

  I turned back to go back to my room. To read my invitation and make my connection.

  Somewhere deep in my mind, I was aware that he had several important meetings or whatever it was. But it was the effect Laura: nothing else mattered. Nothing else existed. I had lost forty minutes of my day with Anya. I would use the rest of my entire day with sun, if need be. And it would be a good day.

  - Rose, Laura. - Called already entraberta the door of my room.

  - Sir?

  - This girl who was here now. The brunette who just left. You know, do you, Rose?

  - Yes sir.

  - Well ... Laura ... And the rest of you who stopped working to watch the other people's lives. - I observed - The woman called Laura Thoen. If she comes here to talk to me, I want to be informed in the second it arrives, understood? No matter if I'm in a meeting with the President. She comes here, she does not expect to enter. I'll know immediately. If she calls, I answer the call instantly. Am I clear?

  - Yes sir. - Agreement voices spread.

  - Great.

  ***********

  Mr. Baxter slammed shut in his room again and Rose went back to work. But I stood there a few seconds.

  It made sense, did not? He was in love with a woman of the past and so had suffocated in a life without grace, was waiting for her.

  That should make me feel better. It was not my fault: he did not want me because of it.

  But all I could think about is what could happen from there. Of course, I could be the employee dedicated and follow my life. But I was interning for the fucking Gregory Baxter! The richest man, beautiful and wonderful universe. It was the dream. It was right there, on the tip of my fingers. I need only reach out and could feel it.

  The hardest part was to live with the reality sighing in my neck, remembering that he could be gay or simply not interested. But now I knew not. He had stuck his hand in my breasts and felt my heat. I could feel his desire when he kissed me. Gregory Baxter wanted me. Or wanted me in a moment. And if I was able to cause that effect it once, would be able to lead again.

  The only problem was it.

  "The woman I love"he
had said. But I worked there for two years and had never heard anyone even mention the girl. It could not be as definitive as well. He needed to get it out of your system and see that it was not perfect: only that. And I have my unimpeded path to the most unbelievable fairy tale.

  She put the bag on the table to get the invitation and left open. I do not know if, at some level, I had noticed what was or if I just wanted to try to find out some details about your life ... but I took her purse to return it when it's gone. I took her hands and let my eyes dance inside ... and was there. The answer to my problem.

  It was quite a coincidence that she brought equipment so for the seat of one of the largest and richest corporations in the world, was not it? And then into the room of its president and majority shareholder.

  Lots of coincidence.

  I was always a determined woman and was very close to getting the man of my dreams. The man of the dreams of any woman.

  I knew what needed to do to win it.

  And it would not be necessary to lie, cheat or deceive.

  Just what I needed to do was figure out what that woman wanted to do there, with that professional listening.

  ***********

  The signal for pedestrians turned green and back to red and I did not budge. People passed me and rushed backward or strolling quietly while admiring scenery and windows, but I did not move me. I was there. Standing on the sidewalk.

  It's the mother of my son, Anya.

  His words ran through my body, clinging to each centimeter of skin, dancing in my ears, clutching my stomach, warming my heart.

  The woman I love.

  In a way, he had already said it twice in two days. Even though the first time I have not left complete, he meant. And it mattered, no matter?

  It was Gregory effect. Destroying me inside. Making me forget logic and common sense, nullifying any plan, any decision. I was blind to all but him, consuming me whole. And he did not need nor endeavor. It was enough to show up with that silly grin of satisfaction, those two or three kind words.

  What are you doing, Don?

  I was leaving ...

  I did not even have gone there, but I could not resist. Deliver the invitation was just an excuse and I knew it very well. I wanted to see him. And I did not see him ... not enough. Few words barely changed in the hall with his girlfriend on the side. I wanted to slap the bitch, in a way that my rings to mark her face from cheek to forehead. Then I wanted to turn me to him, moder that silly smile and ask him to fuck me.