HIM

The next week passes in a blur.

My days are filled with preparing for the launch.

My nights are filled with Jade.

And I sleep.

The deep, deep sleep of the exhausted and the content.

Sometimes I wake in the middle of the night, and she has turned towards me, her face peaceful in sleep, the silver glaze of the moonlight through the windows framing her body, covered in the soft silk of her nightie. She is rarely covered by the bedsheet, kicking them off mere minutes after she’s fallen asleep, her body constantly running hot. She looks just like a sleeping angel. A guardian angel. Mine.

Our routine doesn’t change; my mornings start right, with her happily jabbering away in the car as I ride with her to work, one ear on her chatter, one eye on my email.

Most nights are spent enjoying food and making love. But some nights I’m stuck at the office and she’ll come to visit, bringing dinner for everyone, asking insightful questions and giving her own opinion without fear, sometimes to the sounds of agreement, sometimes to laughter. But she gives it fiercely nonetheless.

And I just sit back and watch.

I hope my life is like this forever.

***

I know you’re busy but please call me ASAP

Jade’s text message catches me by surprise during an early morning meeting. I’ve just left her side barely an hour ago, what could she need?

I’m in a meeting, sweet. What’s so important? I text back, trying to stay focused on what’s being discussed.

It’s barely a minute before the phone vibrates again on the table. It’s a picture message this time. I open it and my blood runs cold.

The text contains two pictures. One of the same white envelope that I’ve received three times now.

This time, it’s addressed to Jade.

Inside, an embossed card.

This time there’s a time.

“One week” in black ink and underneath, the words, “I do so hope you can make it, Jade.”

Signed J.

The same J.

I push myself away from the table and speed dial her number even before I’ve reached the reception area.

“Kaine?” she answers right away, an edge to her voice that gets my hackles up.

“It’s me, Jade. Are you okay?” her well-being the most important thing to me these days.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Just... is, is this what I think it is?” she asks, referring to the other envelopes she knows I’ve received.

I don’t want to worry her. But I can’t lie to her. “I think so. Where did you find it?”

“It was sitting in the return book bin. It looked so fancy, Harriet thought it was from you, so she put it on my desk.”

“So, someone had to have put it there. It wasn’t delivered by post,” I reason.

“No. They were here,” she says, her voice shaking.

“Do you know who might have put it there?”

“No. And we don’t have security cameras here. It was pretty busy last night, being our genealogy group night. So, lots of people were walking around.”

Whoever it was knows about me and Jade and was near her. I want to kill him. I’m almost afraid I will.

“Is there anything else?” I ask.

“No, just what I showed you. What does it mean?”

“I don’t know, honey. I don’t know,” I admit. And it kills me not to be able to ease her fears.

“What’s going on?”

“I wish I knew, sweetheart. But I’m going to find out. Don’t worry.”

“Okay.”

“Hey. I mean it, don’t worry,” I try to comfort her.

“I just... I just want your launch to go well.”

“It will. What are your plans for lunch?”

There’s a relaxed sigh on the line and I can see her smiling at my obvious attempt to cheer her up with the talk of food.

“We’re all going out for lunch, to celebrate our new smoke alarms.”

“Oh, they’re all installed? I hadn’t heard an update yet.”

“Yep, all done yesterday, so we can actually close up for about an hour today and grab a quick drink next door to celebrate not turning into roast humans.”

“That sounds great. Have a drink for me.

“I will.”

“I have to get back to my meeting.”

“Okay. Kaine? I love you.”

And for a split second, everything is okay.

***

“It’s not Jacob.” Xavier breaks the news to me.

“Shit. I don’t know if that’s a relief or if it’s disappointing, because then we’re back at square one.”

“I don’t know about that. Jacob? We might’ve been able to deal with him.”

“How do you know it wasn’t him?”

“Because he’s in Atlantic City losing his monthly allowance on cheap hookers.”

“Shit. The one time I thought I could rely on the asshole being Jacob and he doesn’t come through.”

“Yeah. No kidding.”

“What now?”

“I’ve got eyes on the library. And Jade,” Xavier tells me.

“Shit. I better tell her.”

“Why?”

“Don’t ask. Just. Fuck, find out, who it is. We have seven days till launch. I’m going to be on edge the whole time.”

“Yes, boss.”

***

“And to all of the spouses and boyfriends and girlfriends who have not left you, for working late the last 18 months, this is to you!” Thomas, head of my special projects department declares, raising his champagne glass to the sounds of “hear, hear!” from the crowd.

“And now, I’d like to pass you onto our most esteemed employer and brains of this whole outfit, Mr. Kaine Ashley.” He does a dramatic bow and gestures to me.

I can’t help but laugh. On the eve of our launch, we’ve gathered the entire staff into the lobby after hours to celebrate our achievement. Because it is ours, my employees are the heart of this place. I might have a mission, but they share it through and through.

“Um,” I start, trying not to fidget with my collar or pull my hoodie up. “Firstly, thank you, Tommy. For your eloquence as usual.”

There’s a smattering of laughter and Tommy winks and grins at me.

“This was, is, a labour of love. Not just for me, but for you all. I know this. Borne of a dream for a future free of fires that kill thousands of people a year. It’s not for a few, for the rich, for the privileged. This is for everyone. Let’s make homes safer for everyone. You guys did this. With your heart, your hard work, your dedication to ASH Industries, to the project and to the community. This is your legacy! To you! Zero House Fire Deaths by 2020!”

Everyone raises their glasses and there’s the sound of clinking as we toast each other.

I look around and I’m proud of every smiling face I see.

And of myself.

“Now let’s get wasted!” Xavier yells to the delight of everyone.

I put down my glass as I watch everyone disperse and mingle. A flurry of waiters appears with trays of drinks and finger food. The sound of happy chatter washes over me as I sit back and watch.

Xavier pulls up a chair and sinks into it next to me.

“Good night,” he says, nodding as he looks out at the happy employees. “You did good.”

“You mean the party?”

“No, I mean the... not...” he gestures to my hoodie. “I think it’s the first time I’ve seen you not wearing it in a crowd.”

“They’re my people,” I shrug.

“They were your people a month ago.”

“What are you trying to say?” I play dumb, seeing if he’ll dare to call me on it.

“Just that there is one more person, who is your person, who wasn’t around a month ago. That might have made the difference.”

“Maybe.”

“Lucky S.O.B.” He nudges me with his elbow and takes a long sip from his drink.

“Aw, don’t be jealous, maybe we can find you a special person type person.”

“You know that can’t happen... not until...” he says, voice dropping, smile slipping off his face.

“I know that’s what you think, but you’re wrong. I thought the same as well. That I had to wait, until I’d redeemed myself, or exacted vengeance, in your case. But you’re wrong. Life goes on.”

He gets up and looks at me, the sadness flickering through his eyes for just a second. “I’m glad you believe that. Like I said, you’re a lucky S.O.B.”

***

It’s past midnight before the party winds up.

Almost done. I message Jade, letting her know I’ll be home soon.

“One for the road?” Jemima comes up to me, handing me another champagne glass.

“Huh. I probably shouldn’t, need to stay sharp for tomorrow.”

“That’s tomorrow’s problem, boss. You deserve this. Go on.”

I take the glass, mostly to be polite, and take a sip. It’s my fifth or sixth glass for the night, I can’t remember. More than I usually drink, though, that’s for sure.

“Are you happy with how it turned out?”

“Yes, you did a good job with organising it, thank you, Jemima.”

“My pleasure,” she smiles and moves her chair closer to me. “We work well together.”

I just nod and take another sip from my glass. I’m tired. The last few days have taken their toll and I can’t wait to get home to Jade. My safety, my sanctuary.

“It’s almost like we’re on the same wavelength, don’t you think?” Jemima continues.

“Well, I think you have done pretty well at knowing how to do things the way I like.”

“Yeah, but I’m willing to do so much more. And I promise you’ll love it.” She reaches over and puts her hand on my thigh.

“Um, Jemima.” I move away, but she just follows, pressing her body up against mine.

“Kaine,” she says my name in a purr and runs her finger down my chest. I catch it and gently push it away. “Don’t fight this. Just give in,” she urges me.

“Jemima.” I stand up, fast, swaying a little from the champagne going to my head. “I’ve told you before. This isn’t going to happen.”

“That was over a year ago. Surely things have changed, you’ve changed. Aren’t I an asset to you?” She looks up at me, her eyes looking as glazed over as mine feel. She’s had way too much to drink.

“Yes, you’re a very good... assistant. And valued by ASH Industries.”

“And you?”

“Yes, I value you as an employee, too. But nothing else,” I try to emphasize the last few words, hoping she’ll hear them.

But she shakes her head, “No, I don’t believe it. I’ve seen you watching me, from your desk, always looking at me at my desk.”

I shake my head, feeling so guilty if I’ve done anything to lead her on.

“No. I don’t believe you! I know you feel something,” she grabs the front of my shirt, her face desperate.

“I don’t, Jemima. I never have and I never will,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm but firm. It’s better to be truthful than give her any more false hope.

Her face slides into a cold mask. “Is this...  is this about Jade? Things have changed since she came along, haven’t they? We were okay before her!”

I shake my head. “No, it’s not about Jade.”

“It is! She’s just a gold-digger! I’m telling you. You know me, you know my family, I don’t need your money, Kaine. Just think what we could do together. Forget Jade!”

“Forget Jade?” I say, just as Jemima crushes her lips against mine.

Her breath smells of champagne and I wonder how much she’s going to regret this in the morning.

I put my hands on her shoulders to push her away.

“Kaine?” A female voice speaks up, just as our lips separate.

We both turn towards it.

It’s Jade.