Not my city of birth.
But my city of re-birth.
There was a black folio waiting on my desk that day, and two pens, both with my name inscribed on them. A small metallic desk clock, with three thin hands ticking away time, sat on the right side of the desk, next to a sleek black phone that had a flashing red button.
I’d pressed the flashing message button and Kaine’s voice spoke to me through the small speaker.
“Welcome to ASH Industries. Let’s get started.”
And that was it.
Short. Succinct. To the point. Just like Kaine. Well, not the short part. I can’t help chuckling at the thought of seeing how he’d hold up against Ram in a no-holds barred fight.
“What’s so funny?” A voice speaks up behind me, identical to the voice that had greeted me through the phone speaker all those years ago.
“Nothing much. Just thinking of you getting an ass kicking.” I spin around in my chair to face my boss. He responds with just the tiniest twitch of his left eyebrow.
“Other than fanciful daydreams, what else have you got for me?”
I slide the envelope on my desk towards him.
“Signed and delivered.”
“Not sealed?”
“If you want me to lick something, I’m going to need a raise.”
“That would have you getting paid more than me,” he growls, picking up the envelope.
“That is completely your prerogative. And still a bargain.”
He ignores me, and pulls the documents out of the envelope, flicking through them one by one, meticulous in everything to do with his business.
“What’s up for you today?” he asks, as if he doesn’t know.
“Ha. Ha.” I respond, glaring at him.
“I’m just saying, it doesn’t seem as if you remember, considering that,” he tilts his chin at me, indicating my blackened eye and split lip.
“Don’t worry. I remember.”
“Xavier.” He says my name like I’m 8 years old.
I can’t believe I’m 30 and getting scolded. Not that I don’t deserve it. Today’s an important day. Not just for the company, but for Kaine, personally. I feel bad about appearing as if I hadn’t taken that into consideration before letting Ram pummel me.
“Sorry. Things got a little out of hand at training last night. I’ll take care of it.”
“See that you do.” He turns to leave, then stops. “You want me to send Jade over to see if she can do anything to help?”
“You mean, do I want your wife to come in and put make-up on me? Gee, let me think about it, and get back to you.”
I give him what I hope is my most withering look. The effect is minimal; there’s a miniscule twitch at the corner of his lips as he steps out of my office. I wait until he’s finished saying good morning to Patricia and leaves to make his morning rounds around the office before I call her.
“Patti!”
My assistant strolls through the door, shutting it behind her.
“How’d you know I wanted the door shut?” I ask.
Her look is similar to the one I gave Kaine before.
“I need help. With this,” I say, pointing to my face. She holds up a small pink bag she’s been hiding behind her back.
“I’m on it,” she says, pulling a chair up next to me, laying out on my desk an assortment of torture devices and rainbow-colored palettes.
“No one’s to hear about this, got it? Ever.” I warn her.
“Trust me. Now shush!” She grins at me as she descends on my face with something that looks like a spongy orange egg. “This isn’t going to hurt a bit.”
I wish I could believe her.
***
Fuck you, Kaine, I’m thinking to myself 8 hours later as my limo hurtles down 5th Ave. I’m looking forward to tonight the same way I look forward to the part in my annual physical when the doctor lubes up his finger, and something tells me by the end of the night, I’m going to feel just as violated. It’s the annual fundraiser for the ASH Foundation, and the aim tonight is to raise the money to build and run two new youth shelters that Kaine has planned.
Not that he needs the signed checks of New York’s elite. He could spring for it out of his own piggy bank. But everybody with a fat bank account and a pretty face wants to be seen at these events, and we’re happy to give them an opportunity to give. They give us a blank check and we give them more champagne than they know what to do with and the positive publicity. I pat my tuxedo pocket for the list Patti tucked into it before I left the office. A piece of paper with the names of the ten potential donors I’m meant to work on tonight.
The traffic slows and I know we’re almost there. Jade was right about choosing the Plaza as the venue for tonight’s fundraiser. Why? Because the donors feel comfortable here, it’s like home. It’s almost like they forget they’re in public, dropping their fake smiles and not caring to hide their roaming hands from their spouses. Both husbands and wives, that is. I have had my share of wandering diamond covered fingers slide between my legs.
I take a deep breath and step out of the car, buttoning my suit coat as I look around.
“Xavier Kent,” I tell the hostess handing her my invitation and she leads me inside.
“Mrs. Ashley asked me to tell you to please find her once you arrived,” she tells me. Her eyes lock on mine a little too long. I take the moment to give her my own once over. Jet black hair, not natural. Tall, slim… too slim. I inwardly shrug and give her a nod to acknowledge her message.