Page 20 of Whispers in the Dark

“What?” She asked me in return.

“On your phone. Whose ringtone is that?” She stared at me in incredulity, and before she could answer, I shook my head. “It is actually none of my business.”

She looked just as shocked, but for a different reason. The ringing stopped, then started back up once more. Brynn finally flashed me an apologetic smile before she hurried to the door. Seconds later, she was gone.

I had a thought to stand by in case it was a man. Anger and jealousy continued to race through me, and a sour taste filled my mouth. While Brynn had every right to find someone who could give her the things I couldn’t, it didn’t make it any easier to swallow.

I returned to my desk and pulled my emails back up. Not long after, Brynn opened the door and poked her head back in. “I have to correct an email, so if there’s nothing else pressing that you need...”

“There isn’t. I’ll let you know if that changes.”

She smiled at me, then disappeared back to her desk leaving me alone to ponder the last few minutes. Brynn was driving me crazy, and it sure as hell wasn’t a long trip. I raked a hand through my hair, then focused on my work. I had plenty of it to handle before tonight’s business call.

14.Brynn

It took quite a while for my pulse rate to settle, and longer still for my focus to return. Adrian Benedict was so incredibly confusing. He ran cold, then hot, then cold again. I was never exactly sure where I fit in his life outside of the office, primarily because his actions and reactions were unpredictable.

The sexual attraction was off the charts. I knew he wanted me. But…did hewantme? Outside of what I could do for him in the boardroom and in the bedroom…did he want me?

Sometimes, I would say he did, but then I’d watch the emotions cross his face and be confused even more. Now and then, he’d glance in my direction and I would swear that he hated me. I couldn’t understand it.

He had told me numerous times that my work was impeccable, and he was pleased. I was working so hard to stay a step ahead of him and I felt that I had been successful. As far as business was concerned, we had fallen into a pattern, so it was easy to prepare and have everything at his fingertips before he even asked. I was also studying Japanese online and was getting ready to take my first exam. He had no idea. I wanted to surprise him by speaking to him one day soon. Maybe I’d start sneaking in a word or two.

The extra study time meant I had fewer hours to devote to reading Blair’s diaries. It had been a few weeks since I’d found out that she had been in love with the same man I now worked for. Maybe that was for the best. I was so busy right now that I had no opportunity to think about my sister being head over heels for him.

I was thankful for the distraction of learning a new language. As the weeks and months passed, we were approaching the anniversary of Blair’s death, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to handle it. I was seriously considering going to see my dad again. Maybe I could invite him to come visit me. There was no way I would be anywhere near my mother because she would turn the whole thing in her own direction. I wouldn’t be able to keep my mouth closed when she started in with how hard it was on her, and how difficult it had been to get through each day not knowing what really happened. That was how she operated…forever seeking the center of attention.

My fingers paused in the middle of typing a passage. Adrian knew nothing about my sister. I’d never mentioned Blair, much less revealed that she had been murdered. I suppose it might be wise to do so, especially if I was going to be gone, or acted not quite myself.

Finishing the last word on the last paragraph of the report he would need for tomorrow’s meeting, I quickly read it backward to catch any potential errors, then hit send on it when I found none. I was more tired than I realized, yawning as a wave of fatigue hit me. I was basically keeping what others referred to as “Benedict hours” which meant I was in the office almost as long as my boss. The man never seemed to leave BT and maybe he didn’t. He had a mini fridge, a private full bathroom with a large shower, and the sofa in his office was very comfortable. I knew that from personal experience. It might not be such a stretch for him to just stay here during the week.

As for myself, I was more than ready to go home, cuddle up with Lug Nut and some leftover Pho, and turn in early for once. Well, maybe not early, I thought looking down at my watch, but earlier than I usually did.

Adrian’s door was partially open, and I could hear him speaking with some of the members of the R&D team. They had been on the edge of a breakthrough on the current project and from the sounds of it, it wouldn’t be too much longer before a prototype could be submitted for review. The questions Adrian asked were thorough and detailed, making it very clear the man had a deep understanding of technology. He also had a clear vision for BT, and if this undertaking was successful, it would catapult Benedict Technologies to the next level. He was smart, driven, and very, very determined. No wonder my sister fell for him.

My sister. Blair. I need to mention something about her but now was not the best time. Soon. I would make sure it was soon. At this moment, however, I would keep things very superficial.

I packed up my things, turned off the lamp on my desk, and headed toward the cracked door. Adrian hung up his call and I heard a deep sigh, followed by the sounds of him pushing back from his desk. I knew he would turn to look out his large windows, hands in pockets while he was thinking of his next move. I had worked here only several months, but his work habits were predictable. They gave me some comfort about a man who in general kept me unnerved most of the time.

Rapping softly, I didn’t wait for permission before entering. At this time of day, well past when everyone else had left, formalities weren’t really needed. At least, in my mind they weren’t. His frown in the window’s reflection might mean otherwise. I ignored it.

“I’m headed out for the evening unless there are edits needed on tomorrow’s document,” I said. Shaking his head, he thanked me for my help and wished me a good evening.

His “I’ll see you in the morning” had an overtone of finality to it. Again, I ignored it. Inhaling for courage, I opened my mouth and just began speaking. I would try to keep things generic but give enough information to satisfy him.

“I have some important dates coming up,” I said slowly. “I may take some time off. For family matters.”

I saw the surprise on Adrian’s face, a surprise that was still present after he had turned to face me.

Lifting my fingers to the necklace I wore; I watched Adrian’s eyes drop to the ‘B’ on the chain. His gaze followed the pendant back and forth while I moved it. He said nothing, but his focus on the piece of jewelry was unmistakable.

“It wouldn’t be much time, but I think I will just need to focus elsewhere. I haven’t completely made up my mind, though. It depends on how I feel as the dates get closer. I’ll make sure I am caught up here and that you have everything you need before I am out. I would never leave you unprepared.”

I was rambling, but Adrian seemed more interested than annoyed. With a nod of his head, he gave me silent approval and a sense of relief filled me. Whether it was from him not caring about me taking time off, or him not asking for the reasons behind needing the time off, I wasn’t sure.

“Anyway, I’ll stop because I know your next call is just about to start. I’m mainly telling you because I may go back and see my dad. I went to be with him a couple of months ago, and it was a good visit. I may ask him to come here. I haven’t decided yet. For tonight, though, I’m going to curl up with Lug Nut and look for the wisdom of the universe in my soup.”

He opened his mouth to reply, but his phone rang, signaling his meeting was beginning. I waited for him to answer and become slightly distracted before saying anything else.

---