Fiendish: A Twisted Fairytale (7 page)

By five, my head hurt from all the stuff I
’d tried to take in. Gathering up my stuff, I popped my head into the drafting room. “See you tomorrow,” I called to Kerrin, but she barely glanced up to acknowledge me.

I hadn
’t left the building since I arrived that morning, so the fresh air was nice. I hated that it got dark so early this time of year, but luckily, the bus stop was just down the street. I couldn’t wait to get home because I was starving. My run made me late, so I didn’t have a chance to pack a proper lunch. A banana and crackers were all I had to eat. I started rummaging through my bag looking for my Breeze card as I walked down the steps.

“Do you need a ride?” I would know that voice anywhere, and hearing it made my heart beat faster.

After not seeing or talking to him for a week, his presence today was an unexpected surprise. If this was a dream, I didn’t want to be awakened. I couldn’t help but smile as I walked over towards him. He looked like a picture taken right out of a magazine as he stood in front of his fancy car wearing a royal blue pea coat and a pair of fitted jeans. I hadn’t really paid any attention to the color of his car before, but now I noticed the metallic red color of it as it sat parked under the street lamp.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“I figured you would be tired after your first day. I didn’t want you to have to take the public transit home.” Seth stepped aside and opened the car door. “Your chariot awaits, m’lady,” he stated with a small bow. 

My stomach was alive with flutters listening to him talk and from the fact that he remembered that I started working today. Not only did he remember but he showed up to take me home. I
’d talked so much during our last encounter that I didn’t think he retained all the mundane details I mentioned.

“Thank you, kind sir,” I replied, mimicking his tone.

I settled into the soft leather seat, trying not to watch Seth as he strolled around to the driver’s side. The engine purred to life, and we were off. I sat, suddenly nervous not knowing what to say.

“So what kind of car is this?” I asked, trying to think of something to talk about.

“Are you into cars?” he asked in response.

“Um, no not really.
I was just curious. It’s really nice.”

Seth glanced over at me with a smirk on his face. “Thank you, it should be for what I paid for it. But to answer your question, it
’s a Jaguar XKR.”

We drove in silence. He didn
’t have the radio on, and he didn’t attempt to make any kind of small talk.

“I
’ve never driven a five speed. Was it hard to learn?” I inquired, keeping with the car themed discussion.

“Not really.”

Seth didn’t bother to expand on his answer. I didn’t want to keep asking him pointless questions, so I turned and watched the city lights flash by as we drove.

Chapter 6

Calida didn’t ask any additional questions during the rest of the ride. When I pulled into her driveway, I could tell she was debating something.

“Thanks for the ride,” she said giving me a warm smile before turning to open the door.

I leaned over to take her hand. “Remember you aren’t allowed to do that.”

“Oh, right. Sorry,” she replied, sitting back in her seat to wait for me to come open her door.

“If you don’t have plans, I mean if you’re hungry…would you like to stay for dinner?”

“I wouldn
’t want to impose on you.”

“It
’s no problem, really. Think of it as a thank you for giving me a ride today. It was very thoughtful of you to remember.”

Calida wore a nervous, but hopeful, look on her face as she waited for my reply. Since I hadn
’t replaced Pet with a new one, I had no reason to rush home. Plus, I liked watching her.

“Well then, I graciously accept your invitation.”

She smiled, making her entire face light up when she did so. “Great!”

I walked behind her as she searched through her purse, presumably to locate her house keys. Standing close, I noticed the small tremor in her hand when she went to unlock the door. The moment she walked into the house, Calida flipped on the light and kicked off her shoes. Quickly, she bent down to pick them up, offering a small apology in the process.

“You can just have a seat here on the sofa,” she said, moving to pick up stray articles of clothing that were lying around. “The remote’s on the table. Let me just put away Macy’s stuff, and I’ll get dinner started.”

Calida disappeared down the short hallway, leaving me standing in her small living area. On the coffee table sat an open wallpaper sample book along with several scattered paint sample cards. This was a new experience for me, getting this up close and personal with one of my subjects.

Glancing around the place, it was surprisingly what I imagined it would be. The small space gave off a warm and comfortable feel, even with the ugly wallpaper that adorned the room. We’d stepped immediately into the living room when she opened the door, but the way she had the furniture arranged was meant to give the illusion of a foyer. The furniture, which was a
n
eclectic mi
x
of pieces, consisted of a small sofa and two chairs that I would have thought belonged more at a dining table than as living room seating. Across the room was a small dining area and an open archway leading into the kitchen.

Picking up the remote, I took a seat on the couch. Calida reentered the room with her hair released from its ponytail. This was the first time I
’d seen it down, other than when she stepped out onto the porch that morning prior to her run. I preferred seeing it this way, tumbling around her shoulders rather than pulled back. She was still in her work attire, minus the jacket, and the most interesting pair of bright orange fuzzy socks now adorned her feet.

“My feet get cold on the hardwoods,” she offered up as an explanation when she noticed me looking at her footwear. “I
’ll go start dinner now. Would you like something to drink?” she asked, walking past me towards the kitchen. “We have soda, water, V-8 juice…”

I got up and walked into her small galley kitchen. The welcoming sight of her shapely derrière greeted me since she was bent over retrieving a pot from the cabinet.

“Seth?” she called out. When she turned, Calida jumped a bit in momentary surprise to find me standing there. “Man, you’re like a cat,” she said with a nervous laugh. “Um, drinks…we also have wine coolers if you want something stronger, although those aren’t very strong, and are girly drinks, so forget I mentioned it.” Calida bit down on her lip to stop herself from rambling and turned to fill the pot with water.

“A soda will be fine.”

After setting the water to boil, she walked over to retrieve my drink from the refrigerator. “Hope you like spaghetti. Oh, I guess I should have asked that first,” she said, handing me the can. “Would you like a glass with ice?”

“Yes, please. And spaghetti is fine. I haven
’t had it in a while.”

Calida offered me another smile when she handed me the glass then started preparing the rest of dinner. Leaning against the doorway, I stood there watching her, and she cast intermittent glances in my direction. My presence made her nervous, I could tell.

“You don’t like watching TV?” she asked, and I assumed that was her polite way of asking me to leave the space.

“No, not really,” I replied.

“Oh. Well then how was your day? Work?” She turned to look at me. “Do you work? I don’t remember if you told me when we were out that time,” Calida commented casually then went back to stirring the meat.

“If I told you, I
’d have to kill you.”

She stopped her action and glanced up at me quickly. The expression on her face was one of shock and confusion, and I couldn
’t help but to laugh at her.

“I
’m joking. Let’s just say I am a bit of a renaissance man. I like to do what makes me happy.”

Relief washed over her, and she went back to finishing up the meal. “So, you don
’t work?”

“Are you worried you
’ll have to pay for our dates?”

“What?!
No. I was just curious, making small talk that’s all.”

“I didn
’t peg you for the gold digging type. I would hate to be wrong about that.”

“I
’m not,” she replied defensively.

Her movements were tense when she added the sauce to the meat before putting the noodles on to cook. She worked quickly, efficiently moving around the small space while trying not to look in my direction.

“Your house is…cute,” I commented, realizing she wasn’t going to initiate more conversation.

Calida turned to look at me. Her expression told me she was trying to figure out if my statement was an insult.

“Thank you,” she replied before turning to get two plates down from the cabinet. “It’s small and needs some work, but it’s mine,” she finished. Her tone still held a hint of defensiveness.

She handed me my plate, and I stepped to the side to allow her out of the kitchen. We settled at her dining table and ate in silence for a little while. She appeared to still be bothered by something.

“This is very good. Thank you for cooking dinner, especially after working all day.”

“I
’m glad you like it, and it’s no big deal. Spaghetti is quick and easy,” Calida replied.

“It
’s a kind gesture. I haven’t had anyone cook for me in a long time.”

Calida looked up and smiled, seemingly relaxing again. “Well, I
’m glad I could do that for you.”

“How was your first day?”

“It could have been worse I guess. I was nearly late, my boss doesn’t really approve of how I look, and I think his assistant believes I’m an air head.”

“What do your looks have to do with being his receptionist?”

“Oh, well, I have to attend certain events with him at times. For networking he said, and he thinks I look too plain. He told me I looked like a librarian today,” she added with a nervous laugh.

“Why?
Because you dressed in a professional manner?” I asked feeling irritated at the direction of this conversation. Calida just shrugged as she took a sip of her drink.

I
’d done some research on Patrick Thorn after finding out she would be working for him and learned he was known to be a bit of a womanizer. There had been a few sexual harassment lawsuits that never went anywhere, and I suspected he’d paid those women off. He also had a thing for betting on horse races and had been nearly bankrupt a few times because of it. Hearing her talk now, I wasn’t sure I approved of her working for him.
Why do you care?

I heard the sound of a key being put in the lock, and then her friend walked into the house.

“Hey Lee, whose car...” she stopped talking when she saw us. “Hello, Seth,” Macy said with a smile.

“Good evening, Macy,” I replied, standing to greet her. “Well, Calida, thank you again for dinner, but I should be going.”

“Don’t leave on my account,” Macy said, giving her friend a look I couldn’t quite make out.

“I assure you it
’s not,” I replied. “I don’t wish to overstay my welcome.”

“Oh, okay, I
’ll walk you out,” Calida said, looking disappointed but trying to hide it. “Thanks again for the ride. I wasn’t having the best day, but it did end on a much better note,” she said once we were outside.

“Glad I could have something to do with brightening your day. Thank you for dinner and a very enjoyable evening. I
’ll have to return the favor sometime.”

“I
’d like that.”

“Until next time.”

The same look of anticipation flashed across her face when I stepped closer. I leaned forward and pressed my lips to her soft cheek, giving her a little of the contact she was after.

“And to answer your earlier question, I have income but not a place I go from nine to five. When my parents died, I inherited control over the family businesses. I have no desire in running them, but I have controlling interest, so I am technically a businessman.”

“Oh, you didn
’t really have to tell me.”

“I know,” I replied with a wink, as I opened my car door. “Goodnight, Calida.”
 

***

I remained outside for a bit after Seth drove off. I tried to figure out what to make of our evening. He gave more vague hints about seeing me but still didn’t make any definite plans. I was confused. We’d only talked once in the last week, and that was because I called him to say thank you for the roses. Then he shows up at my office out of the blue.

“Girl, why didn
’t you send me a text to let me know he was over?” Macy asked when I walked back into the house.

“It
’s not a big deal,” I replied, gathering up the plates so I could start cleaning up.