by E L DuBois
The red-haired witch was a phony, except in her one strange obsession. The witch was obsessed with someone name Mr. Knight. He was a sailor deployed overseas. Beauty was responsible for making sure his time was put into the schedule, but she had never met the man. He was all the red-haired witch talked about. It was the way the witch talked about him that creeped Beauty out. A glimmer in the woman’s eyes and the way she spoke of the man, as if he was a God, was very familiar to Beauty.
Beauty set the conversations aside and avoided the strange woman whenever possible, but every time she saw Mr. Knight’s name on something, she would think to herself, “Hmmm, Mr. Knight, what is so freaking fantastic about you that this crazy woman is obsessed?”
Beauty knew she was in a predominately female line of work and men were scarce, but the witch’s fascination was more than just infatuation. It was like Mr. Knight was the only reason the witch had to live. Every time he would respond to one of her emails, the witch would be giddy with joy, running around the office and telling anyone who would listen, “I heard from Mr. Knight, yada yada yada.” This was usually when Beauty tuned her out. People were polite about it, but finally one day, Beauty asked Nala and Tiana.
“What’s her deal? Isn’t she married?”
Tiana laughed her glorious laugh. Nala just raised an eyebrow and stayed reservedly quiet.
“Girl, she’s crazy about that man. Rumor has it they’re a thing, but I don’t think they are. I think she wishes they were and likes to lead people to believe they have a relationship. But it always seemed one-sided to me. Besides, have you seen her? Mr. Knight is much younger than her and she has a husband. A boat load of kids and problems. But, you didn’t hear that from me.”
Beauty giggled, then thought about what Tiana had said.
“How much younger?”
“I don’t know, probably closer to your age.”
Beauty nodded and that was the extent of her conversation with the girls about the mysterious Mr. Knight.
For the next year, Beauty would see his name and hear the witch’s stories about him. Every time, Beauty and Tiana would share a look and a grin after the red-haired witch left to flit around the office and blather on about the incredible Mr. Knight. Beauty felt like she knew him even though they had never met. It was a strange feeling to Beauty, like hearing stories of a distant relative you had never seen a picture of and would never meet.
During this year the Beast withdrew from Beauty. The King had gotten the Beast a very good job and they should have been financially stable... but they were not. The Beast’s drug habit affected their ability to make ends meet. As far as Beauty knew, he was not back into the hard stuff again, but he was obsessed with and only concerned about smoking pot. It was his obsession of choice now. Not Beauty or the Princess. It was like he checked out. There was no violence or rape. There was just... nothing.
At some point, the Beast went off his medication and started self-medicating with the pot. She figured he stayed perpetually stoned to feel nothing. If he could not feel his depraved impulses, then he wanted to feel nothing at all. The only time he showed a hint of the real Beast was when he was running low on pot, but thankfully, he always found a way to be “medicated.”
The Beast made a set of friends at work who was into smoking pot and getting stoned as well, so if he was out, one of them always had something. This led to the Beast spending very little time at home. He worked a three to eleven shift, but he would leave around ten a.m. and not come home until after two or three in the morning. Beauty was glad for it at first. This meant she did not have to pretend as often. She only saw the Beast asleep or on the weekends.
Beauty hated the weekends because the Beast was always in a foul mood and could not wait to get back to work. She knew it was his friends he wanted to get back to. He did a horrible job of hiding his misery. Every weekend it was the same thing. He would sleep until late in the day, wake up, get high, then complain about being bored at home. Eventually, he would eat up all the food in the house before getting high again. Complain some more and go to sleep.
The Beast had become the most miserable son of a bitch Beauty had ever known. It was a new kind of emotional abuse and stress on Beauty. She had been reduced to nothing in a unique way. She might as well have been a ghost or inanimate object as far as the Beast was concerned.
When he had returned, a less violent man, he had been obsessed with Beauty. She had grown used to the attention and thought in a twisted way that he loved her. Now, his attention had been removed and she was ignored. Another mind-fuck from the king of them. She did not know if it was deliberate, to hurt her, or just his own personal misery with life. After six years, Beauty still did not understand the Beast. She didn’t believe she ever would. How can anyone understand the insanity of a madman’s mind? It would be years later before the Beast would tell Beauty exactly how he felt.
His exact words to Beauty were arrogant and completely Beast worthy.
“I never loved you, Beauty. I thought you were annoying and got on my fucking nerves. I could not stand you, to the point where any time you got in the car and started to run your mouth, I wanted to shoot myself. You were just some Bitch I knocked up and felt stuck with. I resented you for being pregnant and felt like you stole my twenties from me. I wish I had taken the out you offered and never looked back.”
The Beast loved very few things. Beautiful, curvy women, drugs, and fast cars. It did not have to be in that order. Since he was making more money and even though they could not afford it with his drug habit, the Beast got a sports car and suddenly, he wasn’t so miserable. The addition of his new “Baby” meant Beauty was now completely replaced, and the Beast had an excuse to be gone on the weekends. He got into illegal street racing. This fact both delighted and terrified Beauty. The Beast had no license, but no one could tell him anything. He never learned anything from his mistakes, but Beauty could not make him do anything or learn anything. She was delighted because he seemed less miserable which made her life less miserable. Beauty was terrified because it was dangerous, and she was afraid the Beast would hurt someone.
He had changed by removing the violence, but he was still an addict with obsessive tendencies. Beauty did not know if this was because he was bipolar and manic-depressive or just so damaged he knew no other way.
Once the car was in the picture, Beauty rarely saw the Beast. His life revolved around drugs and his beloved car. She went from one kind of loveless marriage to another and both were far from what she had imagined for herself. Beauty and the Princess were just an afterthought to the Beast. If he even thought of them at all anymore.
Chapter 29
And just like, her heart began to beat...
IT WAS A warm, late summer morning. Beauty was standing outside her office talking with the girls when she looked up and stilled. Everything around her stilled. Time moved at a snail’s pace like someone had pushed a slow-motion button on her life. A tall, very well-built and handsome, dark-haired man approached. He was wearing a navy-blue polo shirt and khaki pants. The shirt was stretched against his muscled chest and biceps.
Her gaze swept over him from feet to head. She could see a tattoo peeking out beneath the sleeve of one arm. The man was adjusting his shirt and looking downward so Beauty could not tell anything about his face. As he walked straight in her direction, his head lifted, and their eyes met. Beauty’s breath caught in her throat. He was dashingly handsome, with a strong jaw, straight nose and the most beautiful eyes; a kaleidoscope of dark blues, light blues, and gray. Beauty had never seen eyes like his. She must have looked dumbstruck but quickly recovered, as a slow lazy smile spread across his beautiful mouth. It was a perfect mouth with the bottom lip just a tiny bit fuller and the top lip curved with a little divot above the bow. The man had an easiness about him that made Beauty feel instantly safe in his presence. She had never felt anything like what she was feeling. It was like an instant connection. She felt like she had known this stranger her w
hole life and knew that he would never hurt her. After an awkward silence, the stranger gave a little wave and nod toward Beauty, that stunning smile on his face.
“Hi, I’m Mr. Knight. Nice to meet you.”
Beauty’s first thought was, “Oh my Gods. I finally get the witch’s strange obsession.”
Mr. Knight looked at her expectedly. Was she gawking? Had she been silent too long? Oh, right, he introduced himself. Beauty extended her hand.
“I’m Beauty, nice to meet you too.”
When he wrapped his large hand around Beauty’s small one, tingles spread up her arm, down her body, and straight into her toes. His voice was pleasant and soothing.
“You must be new. Before I was deployed, I worked at another office, but it has since shut down. They’re transferring me to a smaller office, but I will be here until it’s ready.”
All Beauty could do was smile and nod at Mr. Knight. She was completely mesmerized by him and felt a bit foolish for acting like a giddy school girl.
Beauty, Mr. Knight, and the girls, all headed inside the office. He held the door open for them like the true southern gentleman he was. Beauty glanced over her shoulder once and felt her cheeks flush as he gave her a shy smile. She smiled back and quickly headed to her office.
Mr. Knight had to meet with the boss Maleficent, so Beauty started her day. She was barely into her daily routine when the boss called her out into the hallway and instructed her to help Mr. Knight get set up on one of the available computers, and to make sure he gets anything he needs. Beauty was right on that task with pep in her step.
As she escorted Mr. Knight to a training room with extra computers, they made basic small talk. She asked about his service and thanked him for it. He was humble and kind, with such a sweet easy-going personality. He was the exact opposite of the Beast.
As Beauty got Mr. Knight settled in, she felt a pang at having to leave his presence, and a little embarrassed that she might have seemed like a simpering fool.
As she left the room, she turned to look back at his handsome visage one last time and found him smiling up at her from his seat. His muscled frame looked too large for the desk chair, but it was his eyes that made her pause. He was smiling that mega-watt smile, and tiny crinkles had formed around the corners of those magnificent blue eyes. They were the kindest eyes Beauty had ever seen. Something strange had happened in her heart. A flutter, like it had skipped a beat, and she felt a lump lodge in her throat. She managed a small smile before she had to duck her head and slip out with a wave.
That day, Beauty must have walked by that conference room ten times just to sneak a peek at Mr. Knight. For the first time in a long time, maybe for the first time ever, Beauty felt like she was walking on clouds... and that day, she was happy. All because of Mr. Knight’s smile.
That was how the next week of Beauty’s life went. Mr. Knight was in the office every day and she was a little lighter and happier because of his presence. They rarely spoke. It was just a few shared smiles and waves here and there. Beauty wanted to gag and vomit whenever she heard the red witch’s boisterous laughter or loud mouth coming down the hallway. The witch seemed to be on her own manic version of cloud nine with Mr. Knight around. Her dislike and distrust of that witch grew in droves in those few short days.
Unfortunately, Beauty’s happiness would be short-lived. Mr. Knight was sent hours away for training, for the next two and half to three months. Beauty felt a sense of loss over a man she barely knew. A kind of ache to be near him again... but she shook it off. She was married to a vile Beast and surely Mr. Knight did not feel the same connection Beauty did. She was probably just a lonely, abused woman in need of affection, and he was an attractive man. At least, that’s what Beauty told herself every time she thought of Mr. Knight or sent him an extra smiley face through work correspondence.
Summer had ended, the Beast was the same, Mr. Knight was far away, and life went back to normal for Beauty. However, as fall was underway, and the autumn leaves had started to turn, Beauty was offered a job opportunity and promotion. She would be promoted and paid more but must move to a new office. All of this was fine with Beauty, because that meant a shorter drive and more time with the Princess, although she would miss her book boyfriends. She had become very fond of listening to her audiobooks on the hour to and from work each day. She listened at work as well. People would always comment about how Beauty constantly had earphones on.
Beauty had always loved books, but the Beast had ruined her eyesight with head trauma. So, she began listening to audiobooks rather than read. She very quickly found herself immersed in the lives of the wonderful heroes and heroines of the books. Somewhere along the way, the books became Beauty’s escape from reality. If she was listening to a book, she could block out all the bad thoughts and get lost in a character’s wonderful life.
It was nearing the holidays and Beauty’s last day with the unit had arrived. It fell on the staff meeting day, so they threw Beauty a going-away party. She was going to miss all her friends, but was looking forward to the new challenges ahead, and the better pay. She had just taken her seat at the table and went to take a bite from her sparsely filled plate, when she felt a familiar presence sit down beside her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw that it was Mr. Knight. He was back, and still looked as good as he had that week she got to spend around him.
Beauty suddenly lost her appetite, too embarrassed to eat, which was not something that had ever happened before. Mr. Knight leaned close to her and she breathed in his clean scent. Damn, he smells good, her foggy brain barely registered. His voice was low, barely above a whisper. He was obviously using a polite and respectable level for the professional meeting.
“You are going to like the smaller office. I really like it.”
Beauty nodded and barely managed a glance and polite smile in his direction. Her brain had just gone into meltdown mode.
Then it sunk in. “Oh crap! Holy Shit!”
Mr. Knight would be in the new office.
Had she not realized that, or was that fact one of her considerations when she accepted the job? Beauty did not know the answer. Maybe she was too scared to admit that she wanted to be closer to him. Either way, as she sat there next to Mr. Knight, occasionally stealing a glance his way and being rewarded with one of his heart stopping smiles, Beauty’s felt something new grow inside her heart. With Mr. Knights proximity, Beauty was feeling a mix of excitement, fear, and that strange feeling she could not put her finger on.
One thought repeated in her head. “This is going to be a big problem.”
Chapter 30
Down, down, down the Rabbit Hole.
Princesses, passion, and more issues than Vogue…
OH YES, IT was indeed going to be a BIG problem!
That was Beauty’s first thoughts as she stepped into her new office for the first time. She was greeted with kindness by two uniquely beautiful women, one older, guarded woman, and Mr. Knight.
Jasmine had that petite, curvy build most women coveted. Her dark hair fell in waves midway down her back, with layers that sat perfectly on her small shoulders. She had big, dark eyes with lush lashes and a flawless olive completion. Beauty sensed a nonsense toughness underlying the infectious smile on the woman’s face. She liked her immediately and could tell they would be fast friends. Jasmine was beautiful, strong, genuine, and funny. All qualities Beauty admired.
Aurora had stunning golden streaks mixed into her light brown hair. She was friendly with a polite smile and a down-to-earth personality that put Beauty at ease. She too seemed sincere and real. Beauty felt she could find friendship with both women. Hopefully like what she had shared with Nala and Tiana.
With a measuring look and efficient tone, the guarded woman introduced herself.
“I’m Mama Odie. I have been here the longest, and your office is right next to mine.”
Mama Odie did not extend her hand but did give Beauty a slightly terrifying smile. This one is going to b
e watching me like a hawk and reporting everything to the boss. Mama Odie gestured for Beauty to follow her. She offered the woman a polite nod and with a quick wave to the others, headed down a hallway to her new office.
The building was older, with yellowed linoleum floors, drab walls, and wood paneling. Beauty did not care because she had her own office. When Mama Odie gestured toward Beauty’s office door and she stepped into her own office, Beauty offered a quick “thank you” and a polite wave.
Her office was quaint, with a sliver of a window and only the bare necessities. Beauty smiled at her new L-shaped wooden desk and standard office chair. The walls had no personality yet, but Beauty loved it.
“I can work with this,” she thought and set her belongings on the shorter side of the desk. She had two computer screens, two old chairs that were still in fair condition, fronting her desk for client interviews, and a phone. Everything she needed to get the job done. Except maybe, simple office supplies. She would have to find the supply closet soon.
Beauty had just taken a seat when a slight knock came at the door. There was a long, thin window on the door that she could see through, and Beauty could see a tall figure on the other side. Her heart began to do that fluttering thing.
“Come in.”
The door opened slowly, and Mr. Knight’s handsome frame filled the doorway. That heart stopping smile on his gorgeous face.
Beauty’s brain did a stutter step. SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, Get it together, idiot. She pasted a smile on her face.
“Hi.” That was all she could mutter.
His mega-watt smile only faltered enough to greet her back and then returned full force. They were looking at each other like a pair of grinning idiots. Her, more so than him, she was sure. Beauty cleared her throat.
