Ups and Downs

3

  The Frenchman stopped in front of the office and knocked. A low, grumble answered which the Frenchman took as a note to enter.

The door, unlike Mr. Callaghan's office was wooden making it hard to see into the room and making my heart about to burst as butterflies floated in my stomach. Taking a deep breath, I focused on the problem at hand as the door slowly opened to the face of a man that I had not seen in a while and who in fact was not my boss. 

"Come in, Ms. Red. I believe we have some catching up to do." The man said actually looking at me unlike Mr. Callaghan. His hands gestured to the two seats in front of the desk. Taking another deep breath, I took a step into the surprisingly warm room as the door shut behind me signaling that I was trapped.

"I see that its been a long time, are you still a interior designer?"

It at first occurred to me that I could lie and tell him yes but the thought about lying to a man who obviously was not a threat hurt. "No, I'm actually a secretary. Although I do miss that life." I had spoken most of the truth, I mean I didn't lie I just told him the partial truth, I was in a sense a secretary (legally) but in real life I wasn't. "Mr. Stone why am I here? It surely isn't just to catch up."

"You are correct that it's not just to catch up. I need you for a job." He said leaning against his chair, casually giving nothing away that he knew my real identity but the way he said it made me assume otherwise.

"And what job am I needed for?" I asked in an emotionless voice, I will not let him catch on.

"I need you to-"

A knock echoed across the room which made Mr. Stone ask emotionlessly, "what?"   

"Sir," A timid voice sounded from the other side of the door. "A Mr. Chandler is here."

My boss...is here? But why and how? Is he trying to prevent me from getting a job with Mr. Stone as my boss.  

"Let him in." He said this time with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

The door opened to reveal a tall man with short black hair, tan skin and dark blue eyes. His cold eyes that looked into Mr. Chandler's eyes became ablaze with a fire that I was surprised didn't burn Mr. Stone alive already. "Mr. Stone I am sorry to barge in like this but I'm afraid that I need to borrow Ms. Red."

Mr. Stone returned his gaze with a fire of his own but his fire was different it was more like lightning building up before it shot out before you knew that you were zapped. I was about to interrupt the quiet stare off before finally Mr. Stone answered. "Do as you wish." He said in a voice that on the outside seemed friendly but with me knowing the true intent, it sounded cold and dangerous.

"Go to the car, Ms. Red. I'll be their in a few seconds." He said without turning to look at me.

After a moment of trying to figure out what Mr. Chandler was up to, I gave up and stood up from the chair only to turn my back on both men before I opened the door, to walk into the hall-way. As soon as the door closed behind me, I was greeted with a cool rush of air as I was able to breathe much easier with the lack of intensity that was weighing down my lungs. Without looking back, I sighed than begin to walk obediently down the hall to the car. Knowing that even if I wanted to listen, I would be caught with the two men standing outside the door like sentinels.