Chapter Two #2
She grinned and shoved him back. “Enough.”
He staggered. “That was what I thought.”
She laughed. “See you at work?”
“Yup. You know where to find me. In the dark confines of IT.”
“Yeah. Well, you do good work.”
“Thank you. Good night.”
He waited until she was inside then waved, and she headed back to the elevator.
Once she was in her apartment, she felt better. She drew the blinds and got ready for bed in the bathroom. No more naked roaming.
In her pyjamas that had seen better days and much better washing machines, she logged into the system and started working on that video. The permissions she had asked for had come through. It came in handy working for the company that owned the most energetic show with the most surprising results.
Her video was about the physical effort it took to get through the day.
Any day. And that women who raised kids and lived normal lives had to engage in effort worthy of someone going to the gym.
The gym just gave you practice for when you had to exert yourself.
It wasn’t about fashion or being seen; it was about personal strength and confidence.
She went through the footage available at the company and got all of the files lined up for the morning. Editing was precise, but she had to sync all the movements together and make precise cuts. That is what was going to take her days. She was looking forward to it.
When her crappy phone chirped, she realized it was eleven. There was nothing else for it, she went to bed.
She was elbow deep in matching a beat to a hand slamming on a climbing rock when someone tapped her shoulder. Eudora jolted and looked at the receptionist.
The receptionist was smiling, and it was a glowing smile.
Eudora assessed the situation. “You just met my new lawyer.”
“He’s dreamy. How do you not just throw him to the ground and jump him?”
“Because he’s my lawyer.”
“He’s in the lobby. He needs to talk to you.”
She locked her terminal and got up. “Okay, cool.” She put her headphones on the desk and followed Molly down to the lobby.
Sern was sitting and watching one of their ads with an introspective look. He pointed at it as she came in. “Some of your work?”
“Um, yes. How can you tell?”
He got to his feet. “There is a certain energy about you. It comes out in everything you do.”
She laughed and said, “You wanted to speak with me?”
“Yes. Is there somewhere we can talk?”
“Sure. Molly, is the conference room available?”
“Not on the main floor, but the one on two is. Here’s the key. You can have it for two hours.” Molly winked.
“Oh, good lord.” She took the key and guided Sern back to the elevator. She looked at him when they were in the elevator and asked, “Is it hard to walk with panties dropping everywhere?”
He grinned. “This is why I need you by my side. It will be a deterrent.”
The doors opened, and she walked him the twenty feet to the conference room. She scanned in, turned off the recorders, and gestured for him to sit.
“So, what brings you to this corner of the world?”
He lifted a hand with a box in it. “This will make communication easier.”
She took the box and opened it. A slick black screen looked at her and sprang to life with the touch of her fingertip. “Oh, you are an eager little fella, ain’t cha?”
Sern put an elbow on the table and stared at her in fascination. “I am. How kind of you to notice.”
She blushed. “Sorry. I anthropomorphize a lot. So, this is for the duration of the legal stuff?”
“Ah. And beyond if you like. It is encrypted for your protection.”
She muttered, “Better than ribbed.”
His hand covered his mouth. “Right.”
She opened the phone and turned it over. A sticky note with the phone number was there.
“My number is in it, as is Den’s. He’s really impressed with you. He’s never impressed with anyone.”
“Uh, yeah. I noticed.”
He chuckled. “He’s also into contact. Apparently, you are fitter than your work clothing indicates.”
“I would have to be. This outfit makes me look like an office marshmallow.”
He nodded. “There are some similarities. I have also called the boutique and requested dignified but fitted.”
“Wow. I haven’t worn anything fitted in years. It was considered tacky.”
“I would like you to look like you. That includes every curve.”
She looked at his wistful self. “How many of these events did I sign up for?”
He smiled. “Six, but after that, as many as you want to accompany me for.” He propped his chin on his fist. “Oh, I have put an app for a car service on the phone. Tap the icon, and a car will be on the way and arrive in minutes. If you have errands, it will be easier than catching a bus.”
She examined the phone and smiled at the car service app. “Thank you. That is very thoughtful.”
“You are welcome. Now, as for what I have found out...” He took a slow breath. “Nelson filed nothing. Not the prenup, nor the wedding, which means the divorce wasn’t necessary.”
“Well, hell. Glad I didn’t keep anything.”
“Indeed. The state bar has begun an investigation.”
“Nelson’s going to get it? Nice. He was always creepy. I was shocked when he introduced me to Likon. Nelson had always been stalkery.”
Sern sat up. “That makes a lot of sense. Den told me an investigator is watching you.”
“Yeah. I could feel it a little, but he was sure. How was he sure?”
“He doesn’t like being stared at.” Sern nodded. “Long story, and I am sure he will tell you eventually. He said he always wanted a sister.”
Eudora opened her mouth in surprise. “What?”
He grinned. “Finally shook you up.”
“Yeah, that would do it.” A realization hit her. “Oh, no. Likon’s sister and nephew, Tyler. They are going to wonder where I went.”
Sern smiled, put his phone on the table, and said, “Tell me everything you did in Likon’s life and household.” A recording app was on.
“Oh. Okay. Well, I made dinner, cleaned up afterward, did the shopping, and then there were the endless rounds of parties and events. His family is very social.” She continued talking about her daily life with Likon, his family, and his extended family.
When she finished, he smiled. “This is going to be fun. You have no objection to Likon?”
“Well, he was a good friend, and he acted as a husband in public until I found him with his cock in Nessa. That was it. He embarrassed me and showed a lack of respect. I have spent my life fighting for every scrap of dignity. This was supposed to be the one place I could rest and not have to fight. Then, came home, and there they were, and no, he didn’t trip and fall into her lady bits.
She was on him, and his hands were on her hips, and he had remembered to unzip and get his pants a sufficient amount down. ”
Sern blinked. “I do believe that proves intent to end your arrangement. Infidelity was mentioned in that ridiculous agreement. A restraining order is in the works against Nelson and his agents, but intuition tells me that Likon is the source of the investigation.”
“Why? He obviously wanted to get rid of me, or he wouldn’t have brought Nessa home.”
Sern winced. “He was in rut. He would have fucked a watermelon at that point.”
“Great. Good for him.”
Sern sighed. “You are done with him?”
“Yup. I don’t care about what was going on with him. He was deliberately obtuse. Didn’t want a romantic relationship, and I had to listen to endless conversations about what he wanted in a woman. Never got close to describing me, so I knew where I stood.”
“Then he was a blind idiot. I have seen thousands of women since I escaped the Stronghold, and no one has glowed to my senses like you do.”
“Um, I am not sure what to do with that.”
He grinned. “First, we get you free of this matter, which was not a legal marriage, by the way, and then we see what is left between us. And I still get my six events.”
“Why are you so enthused about that?”
“Because at five of them, I get to dance with you, and the thought of wrapping my hands around that tight waist of yours makes me feel all warm.” His smile was slow.
She blinked. “Wow. I suddenly know what you do when you aren’t sleeping.”
He laughed, and the sound reached inside her and stroked her soul.
Eudora looked at him. “I know you know what you are doing with that voice.”
He shrugged. “Maybe. You will find out after date six.”
She snorted. “Well, I thank you for the phone.”
“You are welcome. I will keep you apprised of the case as we get more information.” He patted her hand and got to his feet. “Thank you for meeting with me.”
“Uh, thank you for the phone? How long do I have it?”
“Until they advertise a new model and you just have to have it.” Sern smiled. “Then it will be your choice and your funds, unless we are still together, in which case, it will be a Wednesday present.”
“A what?”
“What kind of presents did Likon give you?”
“None.”
Sern frowned. “No birthdays or holidays? Your anniversary?”
“No. All the jewellery that was there was under his insurance policy, as under his ownership.”
“I see. So you really just left with what you arrived with.”
“And a more cynical attitude. Aside from that, all of my clothing is three years old, and I need to get my account loosened up. I don’t care if they rifle through it daily; I need to be able to buy clothes for work.
I have been rotating the same clothing for three years.
” She bit her lip. “Can I get something written that the phone is mine? Or the dresses or anything?”
He touched her cheek. “Of course. Can I make him pay for doing this to you?”
She paused. “Will it cost extra?”
He grinned. “This I will do pro bono.”
She smiled and extended her hand. He looked at it for a while and then closed his warm digits around hers. “You noticed the six people watching us?”
“Yup.”
He laughed and released her hand. “I will be in touch.”
She nodded and watched him move out of the room, clutching the phone box to her chest with a smile.
She had a phone again. Now she could do her job properly.