“You see something you like?” She winks and bats her eyes. She smiles at Austin as she enters the building.
Austin chuckles, but is not interested in pursuing the invitation. He walks out to the front row of the parking lot and finds his car. As he pulls his car keys from his pocket, a prescription pill bottle falls to the ground. In it are the pills which control Austin’s daily, violent mood swings. He chuckles as he picks up the pill bottle. He reads the label one last time before he arrogantly tosses it back on the ground. He gets in his car and begins the hour long commute to the mail delivery company where he works. When he arrives, he slings a gym bag over his shoulder and heads for the back door of the building. All employees must enter through the employee door in back, using individual employee codes.
Once inside, he goes to the bathroom to put on his uniform. He grabs his assigned clipboard off the wall and walks over to his work station. Beneath his work station is the locker where he routinely stores his gym bag. Austin puts the bag safely inside. He skims through the clipboard to check his delivery route for the day. He reaches for his work belt and detaches an electronic scanner, which he uses to scan a stack of boxes.
Austin’s coworker Jason enters the room and walks over to Austin. “Hey man, what’s going on?” Jason greets him with a friendly swat on the back.
Austin turns around and smiles. Jason’s awkward, good-humored nature can always lighten a room.
“So what happened this weekend?” Jason’s wild weekends usually provide entertainment on slow Monday mornings. Jason’s grin lets Austin know his weekend was entertaining.
“Man let me tell you: wow.” Jason whistles. “I mean; I was with the hottest girl. I mean titties, ass...mmm, perfect.”
“You lying son of a bitch.”
“No, seriously, this babe was oozing sex appeal.” Jason caresses his own chest, mimicking a large bosom.
“My point exactly. Any woman with that much sex appeal isn’t doing anything with you.” They both laugh.
“Okay, maybe she just walked past me.” Jason turns and walks back to his work station.
“Yeah, that’s what I thought.” Austin laughs as he continues scanning boxes.
The warehouse manager walks into the back storage room. Outraged by the sound of laughter, he shouts at Jason and Austin to start their delivery routes. He is a stout, homely man who makes up for his stature with overbearing negativity. He is frequently profane, and he is not fond of Jason and Austin’s overall work performance. He rolls his eyes and exits the room.
Jason waves his middle finger tauntingly at the door. “Asshole.” Austin breaks into a fit of laughter.
“Okay, I’m out of here.” Austin heads for the dolly machine, where the packages he must deliver for the day are stacked to be loaded on the truck. He pushes a shipment through the rear door. He walks the shipment towards his delivery truck in the parking lot. To the average eye, Austin appears to be nothing short of ordinary. Most people would see Austin as a law-abiding citizen, but something else lurks behind the mask.
Chapter Seven:
Her Life Will Never
Be the Same
A vibrant young woman named Kasey drives into the garage of Campbell & Associates, one of the most influential law firms in Seattle. Kasey keeps her body in superior condition. Her hair and nails are always in compliance with her wardrobe. She traditionally favors pink lipstick and nail polish but experiments frequently with her makeup. To Kasey, image is everything.
She gives herself a quick touchup in the rearview mirror. As she applies mascara, her hand slips and creates a small black streak across her nose. This infuriates her. Anything that might negatively alter her appearance is potentially devastating. Her confidence and mood are dependent on how she is perceived. She removes the mascara from her nose. She picks up her coffee and takes a sip while still looking in the mirror. Multitasking leads her to inadvertently spill coffee on her tailored suit and shirt. She takes a deep breath as her frustration soars.
“Okay, I’m not going to break. Everything’s fine. I’m going to walk into work and everything will be alright.”
Kasey takes a deep breath before getting out of her car. She walks towards the door which opens to a stairwell. This stairwell leads to a side entrance of the law firm. She usually chooses this entrance, because it is the quickest route to her desk. Kasey is almost finished with her undergraduate degree. Her dream of being a successful prosecutor has led her to work with this prominent law firm.
Inside the firm, Jennifer stands at the receptionist’s desk. She sifts through a short stack of papers. Highly educated and health conscious, Jennifer exudes confidence and professionalism. This, along with her focus and ambition, is how she has become a partner at the firm despite only being twenty-nine.
Kasey enters the office and walks towards her work area, where Jennifer stands. Jennifer immediately senses Kasey’s increasing frustration.
Jennifer smiles at Kasey. “Good morning.”
Kasey mutters hello.
“Is everything okay?” Jennifer thinks she already knows the answer.
“Umm yeah. Why do you ask?” Kasey walks past Jennifer.
“Umm, maybe because I’m your best friend and I know when you’re bullshitting.” She follows Kasey to her desk.
“It’s just one of those days. You know, just when everything goes wrong. Like one thing after another.” Kasey puts her purse and tote bag on the ground, then flops onto her chair. Her body gradually sinks into the chair.
Jennifer sympathizes with Kasey’s frustration. She began as Kasey’s mentor a year ago, but the two became fast friends. They have been close ever since.
“I know those days always come, but they always go. Remember that. You know something great always happens if you can make it through the bad days.” Jennifer bends down and hugs Kasey.
Kasey smiles, feeling calmed. Encouragement and love were scarce in Kasey’s childhood. Kasey grew up in a cold orphanage that did not provide adequate guidance and affection. She chooses to suppress the vague memories of physical and sexual abuse caused by her parents. Kasey has always yearned for love and support from a mother figure, and Jennifer fills this long-standing void.
“You always know what to say. Thank you. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“I know. I’m just going to start billing you for all my services.” Jennifer chuckles. Kasey’s laugh follows closely behind.
“Anyway, here you go.” Jennifer hands Kasey a list of her daily duties.
“Ah…my favorite part of the day. My master’s orders.” Kasey laughs dispassionately as she takes the agenda.
“Well, you know it’s Mr. Campbell’s way or the highway. And those right over there.” Jennifer points to a pile of papers on Kasey’s desk. “Those all need to be filed before the eleven o’clock meeting.” Jennifer uses hand motions to stress the importance of the work Kasey needs to get done. Kasey makes a whipping sound, and an accompanying whipping motion with her hand.
“Okay. I’ll get right on it.” Kasey turns to face her computer.
Jennifer begins to walk down the hallway back to her office. At the same moment, Austin walks towards the reception desk with a package in his hand. Focused on her assignments, Kasey is completely unaware of Austin’s approach.
As he approaches the reception desk, he looks up to see Kasey. Her beauty immediately catches his attention. He is even a bit rattled, as he pauses to admire Kasey from afar. Despite his troubled past, Austin exudes an audacious confidence that masks his many flaws. Wherever he goes, he always manages to leave a lasting impression. He continues to stare at Kasey, like a lion staring at its prey. He waits for the right moment to pounce.
Kasey is interrupted by the uneasy sense of being stared at. She looks up to find a delivery man standing at her desk.
“Can I help you?” Kasey asks with a raised eyebrow. She is annoyed, but she remains professional.
“You most certainly can.” Au
stin continues to stare. Kasey senses his attraction.
“Okay, so tell me what I can help you with so I can do it and send you on your way.”
Despite her lack of interest, Austin is unmoved. He is determined to dodge any possible rejection. Just like his father did, on the night when he reeled in his mother at the movie theater. Austin continues to flirt.
“I have a package here for Mr. Campbell. I need his signature.” Austin places the package on Kasey’s desk. He pulls out his electronic signature pad.
“Okay, well you can leave the package here, and I’ll sign for it.” Kasey reaches for the signature pad. Austin places it in her hand. Kasey signs the pad quickly, so Austin can be on his way.
“Feel free to write down your number as well.” Austin leans on Kasey’s desk.
Kasey’s eyebrow raises. “Really?” She stands up. Her body language becomes more welcoming. Austin’s excitement is at an all-time high as Kasey leans in closer. The tension rises as she whispers in his ear.
“Feel free to leave at any time.” Kasey grins slyly.
Austin feels slightly embarrassed as Kasey smirks and sits back down. He laughs disdainfully.
“Okay…okay, shutdown. That’s okay. I get it. Well, I’ll leave my number. I’m Austin, by the way.” Austin takes a business card from his pocket. He places it on Kasey’s desk, right in front of her.
Kasey glances at the card without interest. She turns her attention back to her computer. Austin spots a small vase of carnations on Kasey’s desk. The carnations are dry and wilted from a lack of attention. He also notices a pile of business cards for the law firm. He slips one into his pocket without Kasey noticing.
“It wouldn’t hurt to use that card some time.” Austin smiles at Kasey.
Kasey keeps her attention on her keyboard. “Goodbye.”
Austin turns and walks away. He looks back in hopes of exchanging a final glance, but to no avail. Austin exits out of the building. He walks back to his delivery truck to continue his route. Kasey does not know it at the time, but as of this moment her life will never be the same.
Chapter Eight:
Plant A Seed
K asey shuts down her computer, thankful for the end of her work day. She turns off the light on her desk. She grabs her purse, cell phone, and tote bag. She scans her desk one last time to make sure she has not left anything. Just as she is about to leave, the phone rings. Still technically on the clock for a few minutes, she answers reluctantly.
“Campbell and Associates. How may I help you?”
“You didn’t call.”
“Excuse me?” Kasey does not recognize the voice.
“I gave you my card today...Austin. I was hoping to hear your beautiful voice again.”
Kasey remembers him, and her patience vanishes immediately. She scoffs, rolling her eyes in disgust. “Look, I told you I’m not interested.”
Austin senses her frustration, and another possible rejection. He turns on the sweet talk.
“Is that anyway to talk to a secret admirer? You know what I just thought of? You haven’t told me your name. You know how rude it is to have a conversation without giving your name? And you are definitely too beautiful to be so rude. Can I put a name to that beautiful face?” Austin’s calm, seductive tone keeps Kasey on the phone. All she wants to do is end the conversation, but her mood is slowly shifting.
“It’s Kasey.”
“Kasey---hmmm. Kasey. That’s so pretty. It matches you perfectly.” Kasey stumbles out a thank you and falls silent.
“Now that I know your first name, maybe we could have a nice quiet dinner. Hopefully at that dinner I can make you comfortable enough that you can give me your last name.” Austin’s suave charisma is an inherited trait from his ghastly father.
“You just don’t quit, do you?” Kasey giggles. Her concern and worry melt away. She starts to soften.
“I didn’t hear an answer.”
“I’ll think about it. That’s the best I can do. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.”
Austin interjects quickly. “Kasey, don’t forget to think about our date. I’ll see you soon.”
“Goodbye.” Kasey hangs up the phone.
In an odd and unexpected way, Kasey’s day is brightened. She walks away from the reception desk with an extra spring in her step. Austin has left a lasting, subconscious impression on Kasey. This is a skill he has mastered over the years. As a master of his craft, he waters his dreams. He patiently waits for it to grow, but the garden of love can only begin after you plant a seed.
Chapter Nine:
A Blossom of Love
W hile sitting on the edge of his bed, Austin places his phone back on its cradle on his night stand. He just got done charming Kasey over the phone. He lies back, with his hands crossed behind his head. His confidence is at an all-time high, and he is sure he will see Kasey again. In order to guarantee this outcome, he knows he needs to be more aggressive.
Austin turns to glance at an old family photo on the nightstand. The family in this photo glimmers with happiness. They appear to be the perfect, happy American family, but to Austin, this photo represents a lot of pain. Even though the photo represents pain, he keeps it as motivation to perform a personal quest. He stands and makes his way to the bathroom. On his way, he passes a wall that is covered with newspaper articles. The articles include an announcement of his father’s arrest, an announcement of his father’s death sentence, and a eulogy from his mother’s funeral. Over time, this wall has become a shrine. This shrine is a reminder of the day that changed him forever. Austin lacks the wherewithal to understand that a constant reminder of that tragic day is only damaging him mentally and emotionally. With every passing day, his condition worsens.
As he walks into the bathroom, Austin feels dizzy. His body has started to go through the beginning stages of withdrawal. Austin has not taken any form of medication in days. He drinks a cupful of tap water. Then, he takes his routine shower before going to bed for the night.
The next morning at work, Kasey makes coffee in the break room. She had an unusually restless night. Needing a ‘pick me up’, she chugs the coffee quickly despite its nearly scalding temperature. She walks over to the copy machine and starts to copy a large stack of papers.
Felecia, a new intern at the firm, enters the room where Kasey is making copies. She looks around nervously. It is her first day on the job, and she was told that Kasey Laine is going to show her the ropes. Her mission right now is to find Kasey Laine.
When Kasey hears someone enter the room, she turns around to see Felecia. She utters a casual greeting before turning around to resume copying. Felecia walks over to her and extends her hand. “Hi, I’m Felecia.”
Kasey accepts her handshake. “I’m Kasey.”
“Oh, great. Jennifer told me you were going to train me today. It’s my first day.”
“Oh. Well, okay. I’m just copying some files for Mr. Campbell. We can get started after I finish. You can have some coffee or a pastry while you wait for me.” Kasey points to the refreshment area.
“Oh thanks.” Felecia grabs a cup of coffee and drinks it awkwardly. Her nerves are rattled. She wants to make a good first impression on her first day.
Kasey turns around and continues working. “So where are you from?”
“I was born in Mount Vernon, but I moved here to Seattle a little while back. I’m studying law at Seattle University.”
“That’s impressive; law school.” Kasey finishes her copying. “We can head to my desk now.” With Felecia close behind, Kasey leads the way from the break room to the reception area.
“I’m in my first semester right now. It’s a lot of work, but I like it. Where are you from?”
“Well, I’m a Seattle native. A pretty monotonous life,” Kasey laughs. She places the stack of papers onto her desk. Then, she pulls up another chair so they both can sit. Kasey turns on her computer and logs in. “The system is fairly simple. Now, learning where everyth
ing is, that’s the trick.” She smiles, trying to reassure her nervous trainee. Feeling relieved, Felecia chuckles.
Kasey gestures toward her computer. “This right here is our mainframe. We use this for everything. Meetings, budgets…” Kasey is interrupted by a delivery man’s arrival at her desk. He is holding carnations.
“I have a delivery for a Ms. Kasey.”
“That’s me, I’m Kasey.” Kasey does not generally receive deliveries at work.
“Here you go ma’am.” The delivery man hands Kasey the carnations and card. Then, he extends a clipboard. “Just sign on the last line ma’am.” Kasey signs reluctantly.
“Have a nice day.”
“You do the same.” Admiring the carnations, Kasey blushes like a young girl receiving her first Valentine.
“Are those from your boyfriend?” Felecia smirks.
“I don’t have a boyfriend.” Kasey is embarrassed.
“Well, someone has a secret admirer.”
Jennifer notices the delivery man from down the hall. She walks over to Kasey’s desk.
“Whose flowers are those?”
“They’re mine,” Kasey teases and boasts simultaneously.
Jennifer laughs crudely. “You don’t have a man, so someone must be hoeing around and I don’t know about it.” Kasey gasps.
Felecia tries to laugh away her discomfort. “She has a secret admirer.”
“Oh, really.” Jennifer enjoys this type of banter, but Kasey has had enough. With a point of her finger, she warns Jennifer to stop.
“Okay, Okay. All fun and games.” Jennifer directs her attention to Felecia. “I have to steal you away for a minute. I need you to fill out some paperwork. Then you’ll come right back.” Jennifer leads Felecia from Kasey’s desk to the human resources department.
Kasey still has the carnations in her hand. She looks down and reads the card to herself.
I saw your carnations dying the other day and thought these might bring your desk back to life.
Kasey Laine Page 4
