Business: Phoenix #1 (9 page)

Casey

Matt and I have spent the last thirty minutes catching up.
I inform him of my trip to visit my parents with Hannah and the blossoming romance
between her and my brother.

He looks down at his office phone which has now started
ringing again; he ignored the last two calls and sighs, lifts the receiver to his
ear and looks straight at me.

I watch as he speaks with authority into the receiver, he
looks so powerful sitting at his desk, in business mode. The man who could make
grown men cry, a mighty, dominant, commanding and surpassing human. The same
man who treated me like royalty the whole time we were in London.

I wonder if Matt has always been like this, confident and
mighty. I try to imagine how he would have been in school. I would put my
money’s worth on him being the player. The guy that all the girls wanted. The
guy that got all the girls he wanted. The guy who played every sport possible.

The guy like Darren.

No no no. Matthew Jackson is nothing like Darren. Or is
he? Do I even know the real Matt?

“Tell her I will need to reschedule.” He barks. “No, I’m
too busy at the moment… I know, tell her something has come up. No, not at
all.” He lets out a huge sigh to show his frustration.

I bite the inside of my cheek as I wonder who he could be
talking about, who is ‘she’?

“Just tell her I will call her soon.” He says before
slamming the receiver down.

He
sits in silence for a few moments and I don’t want to probe but I can’t help
but wonder about the woman downstairs in reception, Natalie referred to me as a
‘fan girl’ and told me to go and join the queue – with the blonde beauty. I
wonder if Matt knows who she is and why she was here – if she is still here. I wonder
about Jess and the baby.

I
look at the man in front of me and start to panic that I may be rushing in to
things.

~~~~~

Hannah

“I don’t know who it is; I just want them to stop!” I
shout at the officer at the other end of the line.

“I’m afraid we can’t do anything just yet as the emails
aren’t addressed directly to you. If Miss Phoenix feels she wants to contact us
if she feels threatened then she can. Until then we simply cannot act on this.”
Her voice is callous.

I don’t say anything else to her; I just end the call
before throwing my phone across the office.

I have been working in Casey’s office today. I didn’t want
anybody to see or hear any of the conversations I’ve had about this crazy
stalker situation. Her office is on the top floor and has solid walls so it is
ideal for the privacy I need.

Since the first email I have received over twenty emails, all
progressively getting worse.

I struggled to sleep last night, worrying. So today I am
tired and cranky but I am grateful that she is away from all of this hate which
is vented towards her.

I try to call Andrew to ask for advice on what to do next.
There’s no answer, he must be busy at work but I know he will get back to me as
soon as he can. I glance at my watch it’s 4pm – what time will it be in
California?

I try to call her – but there is no answer.

Next I try Matthew – his number will be in my favorite
contacts before long, again there is no answer. What is the point of people
having mobile phones if they aren’t going to answer them? I want to scream.

I call Michelle and ask her to come up to Casey’s office and
she is here within five minutes.

“Hi Hannah, what’s up?” She asks.

“We’ve got some different work to do, I want to try and
catch a stalker.”

Michelle’s eyes widen and she looks at me as if I’ve gone
crazy. “What are you talking about?”

I take a deep breath and explain about the emails, how they
are progressively getting worse and are now turning into death threats and
Michelle’s eyes widen with horror.

“Shouldn’t we leave this to the police? I mean, the person
seems quite...dangerous.”

“I’ve tried that route; the police won’t do anything as
the emails aren’t addressed to me. They need Casey to contact them for them to
investigate.” I answer. “I’ve tried contacting her and Matthew but they aren’t
answering their phones.”

“She’s with Matthew? As in Matthew Jackson?” Her eyes
eager to know, oh shit it was meant to be a secret, my big mouth.

“Yes- but do not repeat that to anyone Michelle. If Casey
finds out she will be really upset and that could lead to possible job losses.”
I threaten. I sound like a bitch but I need to, Case would kill me if she and
Matt become the office gossip.

She nods her head. She understands.

“Good.” I say. “Now we need to see if the IT department can
find an IP address. Can you ask Luke to come up here right away?”

“No problem.” She answers quietly. “Hannah, when–if we do
catch this ‘stalker’ what are we going to do?”

“Stop them. I don’t know how but we will.”

Michelle gulps and turns to walk out. My phone starts to
ring. Matthew’s name on the caller ID

“Thanks for calling back. Is Casey around?” I realize I am
barking down the phone.

“No, she’s at my place. She was asleep when I left her.”
His voice is tense. I wonder if I annoyed him when I shouted down the phone to
him.

“Good. I need to speak to you about her.” My voice is
softer than last time but I am still firm. He remains quiet and waits for me to
speak. “I have been monitoring her emails whilst she has been away and she has
been getting a number of emails daily full of hate. They have progressively gotten
worse. I’m trying to sort it at this end. I just wanted to inform you.”

“Who are they from?” He demands.

“We don’t know. The email address is made up of random
letters. I’m going to get our IT department to trace the IP address. Please do
not tell her. I don’t want to ruin her time away.” I request.

He exhales loudly. “I won’t. Please keep me updated. If
you need any help-“I try to speak but he continues to talk. “If you need any
help, call me right away and stay safe. Do not do anything stupid.” His tone is
authoritative as he gives me my orders.

“I won’t.”

And at that, he ends the call.

Another email pops up.

I know where she is and I’m going after her.

I hit reply.

Over my dead fucking body.

It doesn’t take long for them to reply

That can be arranged.

Casey

Morning comes round far too quickly for me. We spent the
night making up for lost time.

Every inch of me aches, but every ache makes me feel more
beautiful and loved than I did before.

As always, Matt tended to my every want and need. His
attention entirely focused on me, working muscles I didn’t even know I had.

I stretch my arms above my head and yawn before sitting up
in the enormous bed. I swear, it is the most comfortable bed I have ever slept
in. Which is nice, but at the same time I am quite disappointed I spent a
fortune on my bed and mattress at home, and it doesn’t compare to this.

Matt strolls in carrying a plate of poached eggs, toast
and bacon in one hand and a glass of orange juice in the other.

“Good morning, sweetheart. I was just coming to wake you.”
He sets the tray down on my lap and the juice on the bedside table before
sitting next to me.

“This is lovely, Matt, thank you.” I give him a sleepy
smile.

“You’re welcome, beautiful. Hey, James thinks you are
flying in today to come discuss business plans. We are lucky he was busy in
meetings yesterday because he would kill me if he knew I am sleeping with a
business partner.” He laughs and wiggles his eye brows at me before continuing.
“I told him I had a dental appointment this morning so I was going to be late
in the office. I told him you should be in around lunch time or so.”

I nod and listen carefully whilst tucking into breakfast.

“When we’re in the meeting with him and his wife Grace we
mustn’t give anything about us away, so we have to act normal.” He explains.

“I didn’t pack any business attire though, I can’t turn up
in shorts and a vest can I.”

“Don’t worry about that, I realized you didn’t pack a lot
of clothing so I sent Kate shopping this morning for you. I told her to get
underwear and plenty of clothes, oh and toiletries too.” He flashes me an
arrogant smile. “James thinks she is meeting you from the hotel to bring you to
the office building.”

“Is there anything you haven’t thought about, Jackson?” I
ask, knowing what the answer will be.

“No – I’ve pretty much covered everything.” His smile
widens as he watches me eat.

“I’ve
got to be at the office soon so I’m going to have a quick shower and go. As
much as I would love you to join me, I know I wouldn’t get to work at all
today, never mind on time so I’ll leave you in peace.” He places a soft kiss on
my cheek before walking into the en-suite bathroom.

~~~~~

Kate arrives soon after Matt leaves for work. Her red hair
tied up in a neat bun on the top of her head.

I choose a navy blue dress and black heels to wear.

I had showered; blow dried and straightened my hair before
she came. So all that was left to do was apply a little makeup and I would be ready
to go.

We chat about this and that. Kate tells me she has worked
for the Jackson brothers for over seven years and has loved every minute of it.
She met her husband Dale there as he is an IT manager.

The two of us get on really well and the entire journey to
the office we laugh and joke.

The receptionist from yesterday, Natalie is sitting at her
desk and looks down as soon as she sees me enter. Kate laughs and we walk
straight to the elevator.

"Matthew told me to take you straight to the
conference room; he said would be through as soon as he can."  She smiles
as we step out on the seventh floor. "I'll walk with you."

We walk past Matt's office and I see the door is open. I
glance in and see he is sitting at his desk, I give him a quick smile which he
returns with a wink and we continue to the fourth door. The other two doors are
closed.

Kate knocks and enters,

James - who looks like Matt but a little bit older, I'm
assuming around Thirty-five stands to greet me.

"Hi Casey, nice to finally meet you, I’m James
Jackson." He takes my hand and shakes it.

"Nice to meet you too, James." I smile. He pulls
a chair for me and I sit as Kate leaves the room, shutting the door behind her.

He goes round to the other side of the table and sits
opposite me.

"My brother and wife should be along soon." He
smiles sincerely. "Have you brought any members of your team with
you?"

Oh shit. What do I say? Who travels across the ocean for a
business meeting without at least bringing a PA. I play with my hands in my
lap. "I didn't know how long I would be here so figured I would come alone."

He nods in agreement. "I understand."

There’s a knock at the door and a woman enters, which I
presume is Grace, James’s wife. She is tall with dark shoulder length hair and
brown eyes. She makes her way to me and gives me a hug.

 "Lovely to meet you Casey, I'm Grace Jackson."
She flashes me the whitest teeth I have ever seen in my entire life.

"You too." I watch her make her way to sit
beside James before straightening my dress and sitting back in my chair.

James greets his wife with a kiss on her cheek and looks
to his watch. "I do apologize on behalf of my brother; he may be caught up
on a call."

"I just passed his office. Melissa was there. He told
me he wouldn't be long." Grace tells her husband.

"That's what he always says." James tells Grace
before looking at me "He shouldn't be long, just girlfriend
troubles."

Melissa?
Who is Melissa and why are they referring
to her as his girlfriend?

I bite my lip and try my best to listen when James starts reporting
the company’s recent figures to me but instead I can't keep my mind from
wandering. Why didn't Matt tell me he had a meeting? What is going on? Who is
Melissa?

The meeting seems to last forever when really only an hour
has passed. Matt still hasn't made an appearance.

When James or Grace speaks I nod to make them think I am
listening to them. When really I can't hear anything other than the voice in my
head screaming questions I don't know the answers to.

Where is Matt? What is he doing? Who is the woman? James referred
to her as his girlfriend, is she his girlfriend? What about Jess? Is the baby
actually his?

We finish up in the conference room and Grace takes me for
a tour of the building and to meet members of our team.

This time when I pass Matt's door it is closed.

When Grace and I get to the elevator James heads to Matt's
office and without knocking he enters.

Casey

I have met the HR, accounts, management and publicist’s
teams.

And I still haven't seen Matt and I don't know if he is
still with Melissa.

We head back up to Grace’s office which is on the same
floor as Matt’s and James’s and as we pass Matt’s open door I glance in and
notice there is a beautiful blonde woman standing talking to him with a wide
smile on her face. After a few more steps I realize it was the other ‘fan girl’
who was waiting for him in reception. The woman sizing me up, I wasn’t able to
spot Matt as she was standing in the way.

Grace offers me a chair and closes her door and we sit and
chat for a short while before her phone beeps a message which she reads and
looks back to me. "They’re ready for us now." She flashes me one of
her almighty bright smiles and we make our way to the board room.

Matt is sitting next to James with a guilty look on his
face, regret in his eyes.

Grace and I sit opposite the brothers.

"So, what do you think, Casey?" James asks.

"Everybody seems nice and honest. That's always been
an important factor to me." I answer, glaring at Matt before smiling back
at James. Seems like my inner bitch wants to come out to play and I am in no position
to stop her.

"I agree Casey; I also look for employees with high
standards set for themselves." James answers, oblivious to the digs I am
sending his brother’s way.

"Yes and time keeping is important. Sticking to
arrangements." I look back at Matt.

I notice Matt's jaw tense and his eyes narrow at me.
"Obviously though, we understand things come up so we are not too strict
on our employees." His voice is hoarse.

He's playing me at my own game. Time to step it up a
notch. "Oh yeah, we have that rule at Phoenix Corps. That's if there is a
valid reason, of course."

Matt studies my face and attempts to make eye contact but
I look at James and smile.

“So, will you be joining us at the charity evening,
Casey?” I turn to face Grace who is smiling at me.

“Sorry?” I don’t have a clue what she is going on about.

“Oh yes, that is a great idea Grace.” James grins at his
wife before looking at me. “We are invited to an annual charity fundraiser.
Jackson Industries are one of the biggest contributors. There’s a different
charity per fundraiser. It makes sense as you are our new business partner that
you come along.” He explains.

“Oh that sounds wonderful.” I smile at him, I can see Matt
staring at me from the corner of my eye but I don’t give him the satisfaction
of knowing he has my attention, that he has me bothered.

“So shall I get one of the girls to arrange a car to come
and collect you from the hotel?” Grace asks.

Before I even open my mouth Matt responds. “It’s okay, I
will escort her.”

“But I thought you were going-“James speaks but Matt cuts
him off.

“No.” Is all Matt says, his face impassive.

Kate
taps on the door before entering and informs me a car is waiting outside to
take me back to the 'hotel'. I say my goodbyes to everyone as Grace and I hug.

~~~~~

The driver drops me off at Matt's place.

I make my way inside and sit on the couch with my arms
crossed watching the door and I wait.

Matt arrives home soon after. He slams the door and turns
to look at me his face impassive.

"What the fuck was with the sly digs?” He shouts, his
face aggravated.

"What's with missing the fucking meeting Matt?"
I'm angry and my voice is a giveaway. I remain seated, my arms still crossed
and I stare at him, trying to burn a hole through the bastard. I wish I had
laser eyes right now.

"I had a business meeting come up." He stands
staring back at me. I was angry but now I am fucking furious.

"Don't fucking lie to me. I know you were with a
woman!"

"Is this what this is all about?" He asks taking
a few steps towards the couch where I am sitting.

"James said she is your girlfriend, is that true? Who
is she? Is that why you want us to act professional in front of everyone?"
I look down at my hands before looking back up at him. “I don’t want to be ‘the
other woman’ if that’s the case.”

"No, she isn't my girlfriend. The reason we have to
be professional around people is because James will be disappointed that I'm
with a business partner." He explains, sitting next to me.

"You aren't with me Matt. You just use me for
sex!" My voice croaks.

"You think I'm using you?" He asks his brow
furrows.

"Either that or your embarrassed to be seen with
me." I shrug and look at him. "I want you to tell me what you want
from me, I can't just be some slut you come home to have sex with. That's not
who I am."

"If I wanted a slut just for sex all I need to do is
pick up the phone." He says it like he is stating a fact. He probably is.
He shoves a hand through his hair before exhaling. "I don't understand why
you think I would be embarrassed to be seen with you, Case. You are the most
beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on."

"Then why don't you just tell James?" I argue.

"I will. Tomorrow." His reply catches me by
surprise and my mouth drops open, he laughs.

"You're going to tell him that you are sleeping with
me?" I ask in disbelief.

"No." His voice composed. "I'm going to
tell him you're my girlfriend."

I still have so many unanswered questions I need to ask
him. But I am too caught up in the moment. I surrender myself to his lips and
his tongue, letting him take me in his dominant way.