Page 27 of Garnish with a Candy Cane
“He wanted to get married as soon as we graduated but I made him wait until Christmas Eve. It was a beautiful ceremony with so many tall white candles and big red poinsettias filling the church. Just like I wanted. So I think if a man says he loves you and does everything he can to prove it to you, then you should believe him.”
I’d heard that story before but never appreciated the context until now. With Duke in my life, her words feel like a blessing to our unusual relationship since despite all of my apprehension and reluctance, I really do believe him.
Lost in my daydreams about Duke, I’m drawn back to the reality of cleaning when I swear I hear footsteps click on the tile by the elevators. I pause in my wiping and lower my spray bottle, listening and trying to calm my speeding heart. One of the worst aspects of this job – hearing things that aren’t there when you’re all alone. Everything sounds ominous echoing through rows of unlit offices and mazes of empty cubicles. When a door slams closer than I expect, I jump. Now I know someone else really is on the floor.
Forcing myself not to freak out, I tiptoe down the corridor. No one can access this level without a fob, but I’ve watched too many seemingly silly scary movies. Now they feel a lot more frightful when I’m imagining who or what waits for me in the darkness.
A man quickly strides into the hallway from the printer room, his hands full with two white copy paper boxes. I recognize his gait as well as the back of his head with the red birthmark peeking through his blond buzz cut.
Tristian.
I duck back into the conference room and count to ten. Waiting for him to turn the corner and leave. Our last discussion ended badly, and I don’t want a repeat. Even though I’ve only admitted the truth to Duke, I’m a little scared of my ex. He seemed so nice when we first met with him working late enough I was already here to start my shift. But his true colors shined through after a few dates and him moving away is for the best. Besides, otherwise, I would never have met Duke.
Warmth simmers through my body from thinking about him again. He’s crazy too although I’ve accepted that it’s the good kind of crazy. Which sounds strange because it totally is. I’ve decided the truth is just as simple. He loves me. I love him. And I’m eager to finish so I can go home to him.
With no other sound except for my soft laugh to myself from my own absurdity, I stop hiding and head back to the last area that needs housekeeping. Only two offices left to dust and then once I vacuum I’ll be done. Luckily Mr. Hauser’s a minimalist and doesn’t have any clutter, making the process a lot faster since I don’t have to pick up any picture frames or plants from his credenza or window sill.
“I was hoping to see you tonight.”
Goosebumps lift on my arms from Tristian’s voice behind me. A sinister note plays through his tone that I don’t think I’m imagining. I force a smile and spin around. No need to be scared. I’m working. He’s leaving. It’s fine.
Except it’s not fine. He fills the doorway, leaning casually on the frame. Yet his smirk and the anger glinting in his eyes makes the ache in my chest expand to my stomach. I smile and feign the same nonchalance. “Hey! So are you getting all packed up?”
I’ve insulted him and the grin slowly slides off his face leaving a taut expression. “Are you really that eager for me to go?”
“No, of course not. I was just…”
I can’t say what I really think. That I was just hoping he would leave, and I’d never have to see him again. Now I’m trapped and he’s mad. I suck in a deep breath and try to relax myself as well as him. “I hope you have a safe trip and really like your new job. I want you to be happy.”
“I’d be happy if you’d come with me.”
Another sentiment I can’t reveal is that I’d be miserable with him. “I know but I can’t leave and you can’t miss out on such a great opportunity.”
He shakes his head and the irritation he was trying to mask comes through. “It’s a great opportunity for you too. I just have to make you understand.”
A shudder engulfs me from the reminder of his way of making me understand. Strange things pop into your head when you’re afraid. All I can think is that Duke sounds the same way, trying to sway me but he’s different in his approach and how he makes me feel. He doesn’t control me with fear. He doesn’t hurt me to get his way. He doesn’t raise his voice or his hand to force me to change my mind.
Duke’s who I want. He gives me the future I want – full of love and family – not intimidation and pain.
Adrenaline floods through my pulsing muscles. I refuse to let Tristian abuse me again. I’ve worked hard to keep myself afloat and my grandmother safe. He can’t take away what I’ve fought so hard to earn or ruin the life I’m starting with Duke. “I’m sorry but I really need to get back to work.”
“You need to do what I tell you to do.”
He lunges toward me, and I have no way to escape from this clutches trapped behind the desk. I try to shove him away, and he catches my wrist squeezing so hard the muscle pops against the bone. “Stop it! Let me go!”
Hauling me closer, I slam into his body and feel his arousal from manhandling me pressed against my stomach. Aware now of his true intentions, I’m ready to fight to the death before I let him take what I saved for so long and only ever want to give to Duke.
I use the element of surprise and the only weapon I’ve got and jerk my hand up, spraying him right in the face with cleaner. The unexpected action earns me what I hoped – a burn to his eyes and a few seconds to gain on him as I run like hell.
“You bitch!”
Tristian rails in front of me, but I don’t stop to check on his injury or his location. I just race past him as he swipes at his skin with my only goal to reach the stairwell and get back to the lobby where Cedric waits for me. My hands slam the cool metal bar to shove open the door but all my effort is wasted when I’m jerked backward.
The neckline of my tee shirt slices my throat from Tristian’s fist clawing the material on my back. He tosses me to the floor, and all the air evaporates in my lungs from him slamming me against the porcelain. We both heave as he stares down at me, almost as if trying to decide what to do to me next. I don’t wait for him to make up his mind and roll to the side. Luckily I’m smaller and quicker than him and push up to my elbow before he can grab me again. My fingers clutch at the fire alarm pull before my forehead slams into the wall and pain shoots through my skull. I must be hallucinating because I swear I hear the ping of a bell. End of round one? Fine by me. I’ll fight until I’m dead before I let him win. With my last burst of strength, I grab for the fire extinguisher and smash the cylinder back into his groin.
I’m nowhere near as strong as him yet the force is enough to knock him down. Dizziness threatens to topple me but I struggle through the vertigo and scramble to my knees lifting the canister over my head. I swear to goodness I’ll hit him again if he doesn’t leave me alone.
When I show up to try and convince her to let me find a replacement for this job too, I’m expecting a fight. But not a war like the one battling out in front of me when the elevator doors slide open. Not some motherfucker sprawled on his ass clutching his jewels with my duchess – my tiny motherfucking badass duchess – ready to knock out his teeth with a damn fire extinguisher. Her little body sways as she holds the thick cylinder above her sweet head with quivering arms. Relief softens her gorgeous face when she glances over and her gaze meets mine.
