“Hello, anyone there?,” Claire shouted knowing well enough it was fruitless.
She had made it to the entrance and discovered that her mind was playing no games, she was stuck in the restaurant. She felt like crying honestly and wondered what kind of man Tristan Jenkins was actually. She had been crushing all along without actually wanting to find out if he was that kind of person she would want to be dealing with. His attitude towards her now was proving otherwise and it had become clear what a jerk he was in reality. I mean, what kind of person would lock in his staff simply because he was angry or possibly he did not do it on purpose.
But Claire would not admit that it was a mistake on his part. It was his fault and needing someone to blame, she hung it on him. As if deducting from her yet to earn salary was not enough, he must have seen her lying down there and still went on ahead to lock her in. Claire could not wait to tell it to his face what a beast he was. Her phone rang just then and she looked at it’s screen. It was her father and this must have been the upteenth time he was dialing.
Unlike Claire who was angry at him, she hurriedly picked up. As soon as she did, his annoyed voice came from the other end of the phone.
“Why are you not taking our calls Claire and where are you?,” he demanded angrily.
Our? Claire remembered she had seen missed calls from other numbers as well. Perhaps those were the others. She thought about it briefly, telling him that she was out cold and alone in the restaurant but decided against it. Tomorrow, she would be alright and would want absolutely no confrontation from her father especially at her wicked boss. She began explaining the lie that they had a little competition of the sort away from the town and would be back soon enough. She was still talking to him when she heard the warning from her phone. Claire cursed her luck. She was not sure if she had come with a charger. In fact, she was not sure if she had seen it that morning. She began heading for the inner room, particularly the locker room when her phone went off bringing her to meet the pitch darkness in the place. Everywhere was quiet and Claire herself was feeling cold. She thought to herself that she would just struggle and get to her bag in the locker room to seek her charger.
Through the darkness, Claire wadded around until she had no idea when she bumped against something that caused her to scream out in pain. She could feel serious pain but would not go further. It was bad enough she was feeling that way knowing she might have just injured herself. She was just not sure what the restaurant was like exactly as she had never been in there blindfolded or at night. During the day, she must not have thought it necessary to get to know the place. Claire knew instantly that she was iced meat. Slowly, she went down on the floor and sat. The place she had banged earlier really hurt and all she wanted was to go home. Perhaps this was a sign from the almighty himself that she was not supposed to be working there but Claire had questions. If the most high did not want her working there, them why is it seemingly hard for him to show her another job or was he simply slighting her.
Claire eventually laid down, curled up like a ball as she shivered. Her bones made rapid dances that seemed like they were going through series of shocks. Badly, Claire wanted to pee but she held it instead as she was not certain she would be able to find the restroom admist the darkness. She laid there curled up and her arms over her curled up knees. For a couple of moments, Claire shivered and shook. She had her head in the clouds and cried her eyes out. Eventually, the young woman fell asleep.
For some reasons best known to him that morning, Brian had wanted to get to work early. He could not have himself being any sort of public figure as he wanted no attraction. A session with his therapist and he was ready to get prepared. He finished up looking as good as anyone could imagine their dream man. He had taken liberty to arrange his hair in a way it sparkled brightly. A couple of spray here and there and he was set. He had done this should in case he be taken unawares by members of the press before heading downstairs.
“Your coffee sir,” the maid said to him as he entered the dining area. They must have been told about his love for black coffee and how he disliked breakfast. Patiently he took the little tea cup and sipped from it as he came around and sat down. He wanted to drink this and get moving when Alfredo entered.
“You have to see this sir,” the older man said with so much stress and worry written all over his face
“What is that Alfredo?,”the man asked him letting down his tea cup.
Alfredo walked over to him and handed him his phone which he was holding. It was a post on the social media and it looks like some reporter or individual had taken a picture of him while he was addressing them. He could not believe this and people were already asking where that was and a lot of questions. This is why he felt bad working with people most often than not. They tend to play with ones intelligence. Angrily, Tristan rose up kicking back his chair. He slammed the phone on Alfredo’s chest as the old man caught it.
“All your fault, deal with this or I’ll deal with you all,” Tristan said and picked up his jacket.
He began walking out of the house and straight to his car. Before Alfredo could run to help him, he had gotten the door himself and entered slamming it in. Damn, he needed a cigarette at the moment and totally forgot that there was no cigarettes in the car case. He opened it and dug his hand in only to find chewing gums. He slammed the place shut and felt restless. He shifted uneasily on his seat and finally opened the lid and grabbed one gum. He was really angry as he unwrapped the gum and stuck it into his mouth. This was not what he wanted at the moment.
“Get me a pack of cigarette today Alfredo,” he said
“But sir, the doctor….,” the man began
“Am I paying you or is the doctor doing so?,” Tristan thundered.
The old man shifted uneasily on the driver’s seat. He could tell Tristan did not mean what he was doing and was only reacting to unnecessary stress. He knew the young man well enough to understand that was the case and waited a while before peering his face through the mirror. Tristan struggled out of his jacket and looked up to find the elderly man observing him. He felt rather uncomfortable with him and decided to speak up.
“What?,” Tristan asked
“I could get you drinks instead sir… I let you drink scotch yesterday remember?,” the man said.
That made sense to Tristan and he nodded his head. He could see how weary the man was and felt really guilty about how he had treated him. The man was old enough to stand as a father figure beside him but he was a jerk not to see that. He had grown accustomed to the man and could swear that he could not do anything without his genuine guidance. He looked out through the window and saw as they drove, all the trees and cars including people they passed. Perhaps he should tone down his attitude a little and stop with the occasional tantrum throwing. Well, even if Tristan Jenkins was going to consider that, he might not do so anymore with what he saw when he entered his restaurant that morning.
He had made it out on time and had just walked into his restaurant after Alfredo when he saw the body. No, that could not be happening. There was no way he would be in murder scandal. There was blood stains on the ground that had him enter and yell for Alfredo to close the door before anyone enters. Moving close, he found the body heaving and the rhythmic melody from her. It was his clumsy employee, Claire Willows and she had just broken one of his biggest rules. He rose up with his hands into his pockets as he kicked her to wakefulness. It was not the usual harsh kick but one done ever so gently but with impact. Claire groaned in her sleep and suddenly got up opening her eyes.
“In my office, now.” he said and walked away with his nose in the air like some dignitary of high importance.