“Now let’s get wasted!” Xavier yells to the delight of everyone.
I put down my glass as I watch everyone disperse and mingle. A flurry of waiters appears with trays of drinks and finger food. The sound of happy chatter washes over me as I sit back and watch.
Xavier pulls up a chair and sinks into it next to me.
“Good night,” he says, nodding as he looks out at the happy employees. “You did good.”
“You mean the party?”
“No, I mean the… not…” he gestures to my hoodie. “I think it’s the first time I’ve seen you not wearing it in a crowd.”
“They’re my people,” I shrug.
“They were your people a month ago.”
“What are you trying to say?” I play dumb, seeing if he’ll dare to call me on it.
“Just that there is one more person, who is your person, who wasn’t around a month ago. That might have made the difference.”
“Maybe.”
“Lucky S. O. B.” He nudges me with his elbow and takes a long sip from his drink.
“Aw, don’t be jealous, maybe we can find you a special person type person.”
“You know that can’t happen… not until…” he says, voice dropping, smile slipping off his face.
“I know that’s what you think, but you’re wrong. I thought the same as well. That I had to wait, until I’d redeemed myself, or exacted vengeance, in your case. But you’re wrong. Life goes on.”
He gets up and looks at me, the sadness flickering through his eyes for just a second. “I’m glad you believe that. Like I said, you’re a lucky S. O. B.”
***
It’s past midnight before the party winds up.
Almost done. I message Jade, letting her know I’ll be home soon.
“One for the road?” Jemima comes up to me, handing me another champagne glass.
“Huh. I probably shouldn’t, need to stay sharp for tomorrow.”
“That’s tomorrow’s problem, boss. You deserve this. Go on.”
I take the glass, mostly to be polite, and take a sip. It’s my fifth or sixth glass for the night, I can’t remember. More than I usually drink, though, that’s for sure.
“Are you happy with how it turned out?”
“Yes, you did a good job with organising it, thank you, Jemima.”
“My pleasure,” she smiles and moves her chair closer to me. “We work well together.”
I just nod and take another sip from my glass. I’m tired. The last few days have taken their toll and I can’t wait to get home to Jade. My safety, my sanctuary.
“It’s almost like we’re on the same wavelength, don’t you think?” Jemima continues.
“Well, I think you have done pretty well at knowing how to do things the way I like.”
“Yeah, but I’m willing to do so much more. And I promise you’ll love it.” She reaches over and puts her hand on my thigh.
“Um, Jemima.” I move away, but she just follows, pressing her body up against mine.
“Kaine,” she says my name in a purr and runs her finger down my chest. I catch it and gently push it away. “Don’t fight this. Just give in,” she urges me.
“Jemima.” I stand up, fast, swaying a little from the champagne going to my head. “I’ve told you before. This isn’t going to happen.”
“That was over a year ago. Surely things have changed, you’ve changed. Aren’t I an asset to you?” She looks up at me, her eyes looking as glazed over as mine feel. She’s had way too much to drink.
“Yes, you’re a very good… assistant. And valued by ASH Industries.”
“And you?”
“Yes, I value you as an employee, too. But nothing else,” I try to emphasize the last few words, hoping she’ll hear them.
But she shakes her head, “No, I don’t believe it. I’ve seen you watching me, from your desk, always looking at me at my desk.”
I shake my head, feeling so guilty if I’ve done anything to lead her on.
“No. I don’t believe you! I know you feel something,” she grabs the front of my shirt, her face desperate.
“I don’t, Jemima. I never have and I never will,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm but firm. It’s better to be truthful than give her any more false hope.
Her face slides into a cold mask. “Is this… is this about Jade? Things have changed since she came along, haven’t they? We were okay before her!”
I shake my head. “No, it’s not about Jade.”
“It is! She’s just a gold-digger! I’m telling you. You know me, you know my family, I don’t need your money, Kaine. Just think what we could do together. Forget Jade!”
“Forget Jade?” I say, just as Jemima crushes her lips against mine.
Her breath smells of champagne and I wonder how much she’s going to regret this in the morning.
I put my hands on her shoulders to push her away.
“Kaine?” A female voice speaks up, just as our lips separate.
We both turn towards it.
It’s Jade.
HER
I can’t believe what I’m seeing.
“Kaine?” I say again. As if willing myself to wake up from the nightmare.
He yanks his hands off her and she almost staggers forward and he catches her.
In his arms. Again.
“Jade,” he says while steadying Jemima and turning to me.
But I don’t want to talk to him.
“Go to hell, Kaine.” I say, spitting with anger, storming towards the entrance.
“Jade! It’s not what you think!” Kaine calls out, running after me.
“Did you just kiss her?” I demand.
“Ye-… No! She kissed me.”
“But did you kiss her back?”
“Of course not. You saw me.”
“I heard you say ‘forget Jade’ and then her lips were on yours!”
“No. I was just repeating what she said.”
“So you agreed with her.”
“No! Argh! Just stop. Nothing happened, she came on to me. She’s done it before. But she knows there’s nothing between us. She knows there’s you. She was just hoping to convince me otherwise. She’s just had too much to drink.”
“And I’m supposed to be okay with this. That this is the woman working right beside you all day every day.”
“No… look, I’ll take care of it.”
“I’m going home.” I am suddenly exhausted.
“I’ll come with you.”
“No, not your home. My home.”