by Elle Harte
There was the sound of a song being played deafeningly loud and I realized it was Jason’s phone. I tried to ignore it but it wouldn’t shut up. I was just going to turn it to silent, when I saw the name on his display.
NICK.
There was no last name. I almost picked it up when Jason barged in.
He was holding my clothes and they were no longer wet.
“Why’s Nick calling you?”
He looked perplexed and I didn’t know if it was an act but he picked up his phone and looked at it.
“Blayne, that was a different Nick. Trust me. Why would I be talking to your fiancé?”
I didn’t trust him but I didn’t have to. “You’re right, I’m being paranoid…”
I heard the front door open. I’d been in this house enough times to know that the sound of footsteps belonged to more than one person. If it was company or a girlfriend they wouldn’t walk about so quietly. The only reason a person had for not announcing their presence in a person’s home was if they were planning an ambush.
Jason was pretending there was nothing going on and being overly calm. I smiled and did the same. “I’ll go to your room and change,” I said. “Maybe you can drive me to a hotel.”
“Sounds great.”
I went to his room and closed it from inside. There was a reason I chose this room for my escape—Jason always hated living in closed spaces so his bedroom was basically three walls and a veranda. No one used it as an exit because the front door was more accessible but there was a backdoor that led to the outside.
The footsteps were inside the house now and I could hear voices.
Nick’s was one of them. You live with someone that long you can pick their voice in a million voices. My heart was pounding and I couldn’t get away from him fast enough.
I grabbed my handbag because there was no time to carry any more weight. I crammed the dress into it because there was no time to change my clothes either.
And then I ran.
Chase
It was a terrible day for a lengthy meeting. My brain was only working because the caffeine. Otherwise, I would have been yawning in the middle of Chesterfields long diatribe about investigation in Biometal X, the new Nano product developed by this relatively new company that was starting to make a huge name in the market. The way I see it they were going to be top dog in about ten to eighteen years on their own. But with our intervention, that time would greatly reduce to a few months or a year. “I don’t see what the big problem is,” I said to the room. “We’ve invested in innovative design before.”
Talking to a bunch of suits was never my favorite thing but it was part of the job and couldn’t be avoided. So, I did it. but there were people in this room who took sick pleasure in talking to the board, people like Gary DeKiray, the head of a hedge fund management firm, and owner of various smaller companies, and I could never understand it. I even had to prepare in advance, whereas DeKiray was born for this thing. The other people in the room were Frank Banks of Banks Inc. and Verna Belfast, CEO of Modern Tech. Other heads in the room consisted of more important people but the truth was that If these three went along with any idea, the whole room would respond accordingly. That wasn’t a secret. The others were lesser known company owners and receivers of parents’ fortunes, and we needed their money and their contacts. Everyone played a role in this machine to make it work. I played the role of the fresh new idea man who also had a shit load of money and market shares to back up his claims.
“The problem,” DeKiray said, fixing his tie for the fourth time. “Is the whole ethics issue regarding Biometal X. You realize that a substance that can store uranium, and other radioactive material is going to be used for unethical purposes.”
“It’s not the only thing Biometal X does,” I reminded him. “Why can’t we concentrate on the fact that introducing Biometal X into the tech industry will not only create more jobs, it will revolutionize the entire tech world! Phones will be faster, computers will become more efficient and don’t even get me started on the robotics industry!” I paused, and wondered if I had been able to get my point across. “This is the future people. I want you to be excited about this.”
“I think Chase is on to something here,” Verna said, and everyone was looking at her now. She saw all the attention and instead of backing away, she pushed a folder to DeKiray. “I’ve seen their projections. They look promising.”
“They have to be promising,” DeKiray said. “Those scientists need your funding.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Verna was clearly having trouble viewing DeKiray’s disinterest as bearable. “I didn’t see you complain when you came to me with some hotshot scientist who created the new Cialis! What was the name of the drug… Asertisel, wasn’t it? Or were you merely interested in that due to your personal needs?”
Everyone knew what that jab implied and there were snickers all around. I tried to maintain a straight face but it wasn’t easy.
“I’m in,” Frank said, and everyone turned their attention to him.
“Frank, you don’t even use computers,” DeKiray complained.
“I’m a business man, Gary. I don’t need to use a product to know that it’s effective.” I wondered if that was another jab at the Asertisel investment or just Frank’s way of letting everyone know that just because he was old didn’t mean he was dead. I had always looked at Frank as my mentor, but at that moment, I became his biggest fan.
DeKiray looked defeated. “Well, if you’re all in I guess that I’m in,” he said. “But if the ethics issue on this thing blows up in our faces, and we lose all our investment like I predicted we would, then I’m coming for my pound of flesh.”
DeKiray was always throwing these threats around, no one ever took him seriously. He was a self-made man and being someone who didn’t come from a rich family, I understood his general dislike of people. I didn’t like it, but I could empathize. He had seen a lot and suffered through a lot of betrayal to get where he was and no one helped him when he needed it. Now, he had developed a bad attitude about almost everyone. But Frank Banks was a lot older than DeKiray and he liked me enough to back me up on most of my projects. If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t be here. But I knew what had bothered DeKiray the most. Gary DeKiray was a misogynistic creep and if I could do without his money, I would. What bothered him more than anything was the fact that there were women like Verna on our board of directors who refused to take his shit. I was certain he was more pissed off at Verna than at me. His ex-wife left him for another man, and ever since Gary has had a kind of passive aggressive vendetta for all women. It was ridiculous to watch him still living in the past instead of moving on like a normal person. But despite Gary’s faults, he had never actually caused any real trouble so as far as I was concerned, Gary was a necessity.
Everyone started discussing various aspects of the contract, and I felt my phone vibrate inside my pocket. I took it was Carl. I excused myself and went out of the conference room to take the call. “This is not a good time, Carl…”
“I found her.”
The words landed on me like I’d been granted a wish by the world’s most unlikely genie. “And?”
Carl hesitated. That wasn’t good! He should have answered that right away. When he spoke up, he was talking in a low voice like he was hiding from someone. “Sir, she’s being chased by her fiancé. It doesn’t seem like she wants to go back.”
“Can you handle it?”
“She doesn’t know me,” he said. “It’s better if I remain in the shadows for now. I think you should go. She might need a friendly face.”
Carl was right. If she was in danger from that man, I had to help her. I walked back in and everyone was still busy with the terms of the contract. They were going to hate me but I had no choice. “Looks like you guys have it under control,” I said. “I have to be somewhere so just email me the details.”
“You’re leaving?” DeKiray said. “Nobody leaves a boar
d of directors meeting, you’re making us look like chumps!”
I was quiet but Frank was quick to respond on my behalf. “We’re all grownups here. We can handle it without Chase’s presence.”
DeKiray was still not giving up and stood. “I guess I have some place to be as well.”
“Sit down, Gary.” Frank’s voice was light but we all heard the threat.
“One of these days,” Gary said. “Wonder boy here is going to drag you down with him and his overconfidence, and we’re all going to have to pay. Mark my words.”
He picked up his glass and finished his whiskey and stormed out of the room. I turned to Frank to try to explain, but he held up a hand. “Don’t worry about him,” he said. “Gary isn’t right in the head, I’m telling you. I’ve known him since he was assigned to me as an intern. I know him better than anyone. Don’t take what he says to heart. Go now, we still have some business to discuss before we can leave. We can meet up for drinks later. I’ll fill you in.”
If the matter wasn’t pressing, I wouldn’t have left. But with my reputation it was hard to make anyone believe me. I had been guilty of some irresponsible behavior in the past, but I’m not like them. I don’t always sit on my desk, or always do things right, I’m unpredictable. I think to them it was a threat. I couldn’t change myself in such a major way, but I could make them understand that despite my shortcomings, I knew what I was doing. That I had the brains and the talent to make things work in my favor. But despite all those years of doing business with them, I still feel like an outsider sometimes. Of course, there was Frank, who would always have my back. In return, I made it a point not to make him regret that trust he had in me.
“Thank you, Frank.” I was about to leave the room but Verna stood. “Do you have a minute, Chase?”
My brain could only think about her. Knowing Blayne could be in trouble, but I could tell Verna was anxious about something so I stepped outside and she followed. “Do you want to go grab a smoke?” she asked.
“I’m kind of in a hurry, Verna. What did you want to talk about?”
She looked at me with a blank expression. “What is so important that you can’t talk to me for two seconds?”
“I’m here, Verna. So, talk.”
“I hardly see you anymore.” I hoped this wasn’t about her being too involved in our little fling.
“Verna, I have more pressing matters than to make you feel better about cheating on your husband.”
“You’re such a dick!” she said. “I supported you in there and you’re going to talk to me like I’m some clingy one-night stand?”
“What about more pressing matters do you not understand?” I said calmly and watched her face shift from flirty to irate. I didn’t wait for her to give me another distraction and started walking toward the elevator bank.
“You better make sure you don’t fuck up,” I heard her saying as I pressed the button. “Frank’s good graces will only take you so far. DeKiray and I and the others, we’re the ones who matter. If this Biometal X thing goes sideways, if I so much as get the hint that you’re fucking up, Cooper, I’m coming for you.”
“DeKiray doesn’t even like you.”
“That won’t stop me,” she said. “If I can get your project approved, I can just as easily get it cancelled.”
“I don’t like threats, Verna.”
“This is not a threat. This is a warning.”
I shouldn’t have pissed her off. But I was in a hurry and she was being annoying. The elevator came and I walked in, shutting her out.
Blayne
I stopped by the side of the road and took off my heels one by one, and threw them aside so I could run. The pavement was still a little muddy and wet from all that rain, and even now it looked like it might start pouring any second. I was still trying to catch my breath when I heard footsteps again, and without even looking back, I started sprinting. My feet hurt and my lungs were having trouble keeping up with my pace but I kept going. If they were behind me, stopping would be dangerous. They couldn’t keep chasing me forever, could they? I couldn’t keep running forever either.
A sharp pain under the sole of my right foot, made me scream. I stopped and instinctively started nursing my foot. It was bleeding. I couldn’t keep running anymore. There was something stuck that was hurting me.
I saw two men approach and I recognized their faces. They were one of Nick’s bodyguards. I placed my foot gingerly on the ground, without putting any weight on it. I used my other leg to support my body.
“You have to come with us,” James said. The other guy walked up to me and I saw the weapon holster under his jacket.
“Are you going to force me?” I couldn’t believe what they were implying.
“Not if you come quietly,” James quipped.
I stood there waiting for them to do something because there was no way I was going back. They wouldn’t try to force me, that was kidnapping.
The sound of an approaching vehicle tore through the air, and the heavy screech of an Audi landed on the pavement right next to us. For a moment, the driver stayed in the car but then the engine died.
A man stepped out of the car, wearing a black motorcycle jacket and Aviators. His walk alone was enough to make me swoon. Despite the danger I felt from Nick’s guards, the sight of that face was a relief. And then, he took off his shades and those eyes… looked even lighter in the sun. He was looking at me with the same intensity he had before. He turned to the men and smiled. “Is there a problem, gentlemen?”
That voice again. I thought I might never hear it again.
James was quick to respond. “This doesn’t concern you.”
Chase blatantly walked up to me and crouched next to my leg. He gently placed a hand under my foot and I placed a hand on his shoulder for support, so I wouldn’t fall. He ran a hand under my foot and it tickled, but thankfully he stopped when he found a large piece of glass stuck to my skin. He gently removed it but it still stung, and then he slowly got up and held my hands to give me support. “Your foot is still bleeding,” he said. “Don’t put it on the ground, you might infect it with something.”
I was nodding away like an idiot, and I didn’t even know what was happening until Chase placed a hand on my back and I felt it everywhere in my bones, chilling me even though the weather was just pleasant and not cold. His face was so close to mine it was uncomfortable. For some reason, I wanted to just close my eyes, but instead I kept staring at him until he placed a hand underneath my legs and lifted me up. “Can’t risk getting that infection now, can we?” he said. “You’re too precious for me to be sick and lose a foot.” He looked smugly at the men when I put my arms around him to support myself. He said nothing but it was an open invitation. “Well, as you can see gentlemen, this does in fact concern me.”
I know I should have said something but words were stuck in my head. I could barely breathe, let alone think of a retort. Chase carried me to the Audi and placed me in the passenger seat, gently and helped make sure I was safely in before he took that time to stare at me some more and I should tell you I couldn’t stop. He reached into the glove compartment for a Band-Aid and pulled it open, lifted my foot and stuck it gently where the glass had wounded me.
That act of kindness and generosity, the fear of having to go back, and I started to cry. He smiled at me and wiped my tears away with his fingers. “Stop crying,” he said. “I promise I won’t hurt you. You’re safe with me.”
I wish I could have told him then how much his words had brought a sudden change to my life. That those words would remain etched inside the deepest corners of my heart, always reminding me that kindness exists, that people find love after heartbreak. That there was life after Nick and my parents and everything else that I’d been stuck with so far. His words would give me the kind of strength that I could always use to bring me hope.
“Okay?” he said, and I realized he wasn’t going to leave until he was certain. So, I gave him a nod of my head and s
hook vigorously until he smiled and stood. I didn’t even try to see if those men Nick sent were still there. It didn’t matter anymore. I knew they couldn’t hurt me. I wasn’t afraid of them anymore.
Chase got into the driver’s side and placed his hand on mine. “I’m taking you to a hotel, is that okay?” he asked. “You can change into something more appropriate and we can get you some clothes and shoes. Then we can talk about a more permanent solution, sounds fair?”
I agreed to it without an argument. “Okay.”
He sounded relieved. “Good. But first, let’s get you a phone.”
“You don’t need to do all that, Chase!”
“Blayne, this money is nothing to me! Stop being so difficult. You need a phone, for fuck sake, for an emergency!”
“Fine, stop yelling.”
“You’re so annoying.”
“You’re the one who just picked me up in front of a bunch of Nick’s men,” I laughed. “Oh God, I can’t believe you just did that!”
He looked strangely at me. “Nick?”
“My fiancé.”
“Right.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I mean… you’re saying I just fended off your fiancés men?”
“Yeah, so?”
“So, isn’t he going to murder me?”
“Well, you should have thought of that before you went all Tarzan mode on me.”
He grinned. “I was kidding! I don’t care if your fiancé is a magical yakuza leader. I’d still kick his ass.”
I made up a ridiculous Tarzan accent. “Me…Tarzan save Jane!”
“You really are annoying. I don’t know why I put up with you!”
“Because you like me!”
“Yes, and I don’t know why.”
“Me neither.”
We both smiled at each other as the car drove on.
Chase
We were walking inside a clothing store, next to a rack of dresses that had caught her attention at last. Damn, this woman had to be hard to shop for. I’d been waiting to ask her that ever since I saw her. After all, she had on a male’s sweatshirt and shorts. What was I supposed to think? Had she found someone she was more comfortable with?
