“I’ve got a terminal case of ethics,” she said.
“How very terrible for you,” Beckett whispered. – pink_bagels (Longitude)
The 15th Street Spectra was a very modern building, built out of steel and bullet-proof glass. The entire façade was glass allowing the ordinary people to see what they were missing. Red couches littered the floor along with mannequins and clothing racks. Dressing rooms were few and small. There were rooms in the back for special purposes.
James was waving back when Cal started to hobble into the store. “Move that lazy ass. This might take a while, since, as you so eloquently put it, I look like shit.”
James smirked, “Well, you do,” and walked after Cal.
They were immediately accosted by store personnel.
“Mr. Hardwick, how can we assist you?”
“Would you like a sparkling water?”
“Are you okay?”
“Who’s your friend?”
“Maybe some scotch?”
“I always thought he swung both ways.”
Cal held up a hand feebly. “I need your best clothes and your make-up artist.”
The richly dressed store manager smiled. “Anything else, Mr. Hardwick? Anything to drink?” He looked James up and down trying to decide what he was to Cal. “Anything for your… friend?”
“He’s not my—”
“I’d like a sparkling water, thank you,” James cut in.
“And for you, Mr. Hardwick?”
“Scotch.”
“Very well, sir. Our tailor and make-up artist will see you right away.” The manager hurried away.
The tailor soon rushed up followed by a few assistants. He let Cal see a few fabrics and a few suits they had on hand. As he was leaving, for they already had Cal’s measurements on file, Cal stopped him.
“Please take my… uh, associate’s measurements so we can get him out of those horrific clothes.”
“What?!” James cried outraged. “These clothes are beautiful!”
“Mr. Tacitus doesn’t realize that satin and polyester went out with the seventies,” Cal said taking a drink from his newly acquired scotch from the recently returned manager.
“I rather like a bit of polyester,” James muttered pouting.
Cal rolled his eyes and motioned for James to take the seat next to him. James waited until the tailor had taken his measurements and sat down next to Cal.
“You’re being surprisingly civil today,” James remarked, sipping his water.
“Well, I’m hardly in a position to fight. You could easily overpower me and leave me lying in some back alley for the dogs to nibble on.”
“So the only reason you’re being nice to me is because you think I would kill you?”
“You almost did once, if I remember correctly, and I do.” Cal lifted his head to let the make-up artist apply her trade.
“Only after you ruined my life.”
“Only after you tried to make out with me.”
“Only after you led me on.”
“I did not.”
“Did so.”
“Did not.”
They silently decided to agree to disagree and sat quietly sipping their respective drinks. The other staff occasionally peeked out from the back pointing and whispering to each other.
“Is it always like this around you?” James asked nodding at the staff.
Cal shrugged. “Yeah, pretty much. I just ignore them.”
“Did you need anything else, Mr. Hardwick?” the make-up artist asked putting away her make-up.
“No, thank you, Emily.”
The girl nodded and started to walk away, keeping her eyes to the ground.
“Oh, um, Emily?” Cal blushed slightly, which James only vaguely caught it was gone so fast.
The girl turned around with a sigh, light glinting off her brown hair; her hazel eyes a bright green-yellow color. “Yes, Mr. Hardwick?”
“Haven’t I told you to call me Cal?” Cal said with a genuine smile.
“Yes, Mr. Hardwick, you have.” She turned her head to look out the wall of windows and brushed her hair back from her face. James caught sight of a green flash at her wrist.
Cal glanced at the floor before looking at her wrist. “I see you’re wearing your emerald bracelet I gave you.”
“Everyday. Is there anything else, Mr. Hardwick?”
“Cal.”
“Is there anything else, Cal?” the woman said exasperated.
“No, I forgot what else. If I need anything I’ll call.”
“Sure you will,” Emily muttered and walked off. James turned to Cal.
“Former Cal Girl? She obviously still has a thing for you.” James paused. “She looks vaguely familiar.”
“Most of them do. How do I look?”
Nearly all of the wounds could barely be seen. The only think that stuck out were the stitches above his eye. The bruises were covered and the makeup wasn’t noticeable. Emily was obviously very good at what she was paid to do.
The manager walked up. “Your clothes are done, Mr. Hardwick.” He looked down at Cal’s oversized sweatpants. “Would you like to wear them out or would you like me to pack them up?”
“We’ll wear them out. Can you get me a cane as well?”
The manager nodded and walked away.
The two men stood up. “That was quick,” James noted.
“Only the best for Cal Hardwick,” Cal responded and walked to the back. He was handed a dark black suit with silver pinstripes.
James was handed a light gray suit with lighter gray almost white designs on it. Unless he held it in the sun, he could hardly tell it had designs on it. “You weren’t kidding. Only the best for Cal Hardwick and his friends.”
“Acquaintances.”
“Fine, acquaintances. But still. Awesome.” James walked into a changing room and Cal turned to a personnel.
“When we leave, shred the leftover clothes.”
“Yes, Mr. Hardwick. Anything you say, Mr. Hardwick.”
Cal nodded, smiled and walked into a changing room himself.
A few minutes later, both men exited the changing rooms. Cal’s suit had come with a red shirt which he had left the top two buttons undone. James’s suit came with a light purple shirt and he had only the top collar button undone.
James looked at Cal admiringly. “You look…”
Cal held up a hand. “Don’t say delicious. I don’t want to hear it.”
James blushed. “I wasn’t going to say delicious.”
“Yes, you were,” Cal said putting on black gloves.
“How do you know?”
“I know you, James.”
“Not as well as I had hoped,” James muttered.
Cal frowned and grabbed his new snake head cane from the manager. “We’ve been through this. Don’t bring it up again.” He paused and sighed. “Let’s go see that judge.”
As Arthur dropped the two off, he thought to himself, I hope they don’t kill each other. I might need them.
He drove off toward Cal’s ivy-covered country mansion. He knew, basically, the way there since he had been there little over half a year before. The road was twisty-turny, but well paved for Cal’s exotic imports.
Arthur soon arrived at the wrought-iron gates. Well, that took a lot less time than hiking the way. He rolled down the window and pushed the callbox button. It crackled with static slightly before a voice came through.
“Cal isn’t home right now, but—”
“I’m not here to see Cal. I’m here to see Sabrina.”
“May I ask who this is?”
“Arthur Galba. I’m an old friend.”
The box went silent for a moment before it came back on. “You may proceed, Mr. Galba.” Mr. Galba, that sounds weird. Like I’m my father or something.
The gates opened. Arthur drove in and parked in front of the house. He walked up to the door, but before he could knock, the door opened and a butler let him inside.
The butler led Arthur through the house to the study. Arthur noticed there was significantly less light in the house than last time. All the drapes had been pulled and some windows had been blacked out. Which is a shame Arthur thought. Some of those windows were beautiful. He had seen them from the dining room doors a few months ago.
The butler knocked twice on the study doors once they reached it. There was some rustling from behind the door before a figure appeared in the glass.
“Who is it?” Sabrina asked.
“Arthur Galba, ma’am,” the butler replied.
“Come in, Arthur.” Sabrina said quickly and pulled him into the study where the grand fight had taken place the long months ago. All the windows had thick, heavy drapes over them. Instead of electric lights, Sabrina had candles lit. Almost every available surface had large candles on it, even the grand piano. Wax dripped everywhere.
Arthur felt the need to clean up the wax and put the candles on plates.
Sabrina flopped down on one of the leather couches. She was wearing a long silver floating over-dress over skin tight red cotton shirt and pants. The latest Cal Girl had her long dirty blonde hair up in a pony tail. She patted the couch next to her.
“So, what’s up, Arthur? I haven’t talked to you in ages!”
“What’s with all the candles?” Arthur asked sitting down.
“The lights hurt my eyes, so I have to use candles. It’s annoying, but what can you do? I think it’s some kind of disease or something.”
“Where’s Cal? I thought you were joined at the hip.”
Sabrina waved her hand noncommittally. “Oh, somewhere in the Caribbean, I think. I’m not really sure. He had a meeting.”
“Why didn’t he take you with him?”
“It was a business meeting. I didn’t want to stay in the hotel room alone all day.”
“With the hotels he can afford I don’t see why not.”
“What’s this? An interrogation?”
“No, I was just wondering. You seemed so content together. I just want you to be happy.”
Teeth glittered in the light as Sabrina smiled. “I’m ecstatic. I’ve never been so cheery.”
“That’s good… I’m glad.”
There was an awkward silence while Arthur tried to think of something to say. In the time that she had been Cal’s girlfriend, the best friends seemed to have drifted apart. Not to mention that she had pretended she was dead to be with the billionaire. It looked as if it had put a damper on their relationship.
“So Arthur,” Sabrina said slowly, “Do you have a girlfriend? What about that one girl you told me about? Portia?”
“Isabella Rossi? We drifted apart. She found another guy. He’s rich and powerful.”
Another awkward silence filled the room. Arthur played with his fingers as Sabrina stared at him. She scooted closer to him, her tongue darting out to lick her lips.
“Sabrina, I know what you did to Cal,” Arthur blurted out suddenly.
Sabrina jumped, startled, before looking at him vacantly. “What? What are you talking about?”
“Cal came to see me after he escaped. And before you ask, no, I don’t know where he is right now.” Arthur paused to let his words sink in. “How could you do that?”
Sabrina narrowed her eyes. She folded her arms. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sabrina,” Arthur said exasperated. “I patched up his wounds myself. I know what happened. Don’t try and deny it.”
Sabrina stood up. “I want you out of my den.”
Arthur stood up too. “This isn’t your nest. It’s Cal’s house.”
“Is Cal here? No, he doesn’t belong here anymore. This is my lair. Now get out.”
“Fine, but I’ll be back.” Arthur was led out of the house roughly and drove back to town, his mind completely on Sabrina’s changed demeanor.
Author's note: Sorry about the random dropping of the story back in February. However, as you can tell, new background, new banner, new layout (sorta), so it's a fresh start. Here is the next part. As always, PLEASE leave me some constructive criticism.... or at least comment or push a button or something.
