The Darker Exterior

Chapter 4

"And you haven't called him back yet?" Annie asked, her jaw dropping. I propped my phone up on the vanity and yawned, letting my arms stretch above my head.

"I met him last night, Annie, what was I supposed to do, call him and crawl over to him like a lost puppy?"

"From the way you described him to me, yes, you should," she said matter of factly, "I don't know if you're into older guys, but I sure as Hell am. Go get Daddy Atticus!"

"Once I'm back in New York I'll think about shooting him a text. But that's it. He helped me get through the party last night, but I doubt there will be anything more to it," I say, a small pit of guilt forming in my stomach. I was still unsure of what I was feeling surrounding Atticus, as he had made the night much more enjoyable than I thought, but he was still a stranger. A forty-five-year-old stranger. 

"Girl, you haven't gotten action in months. At least let this guy have a chance," she said, her phone cracking and shaking as she took it around her room with her.

"Yeah, maybe. But as I said, I'm waiting until I get back to New York, which isn't for two more days," I retort, slipping a hoodie over my arms. 

"Alright, I'll stop badgering you about it," she responds, "but I gotta go. Nathan wants to go shopping today," she responds. I look down at the phone with a smirk.

"Oh does he?"

"Shut up Aurelia."

"Okay, okay," I retort with a laugh. 

With a small goodbye, I hang up and set my phone down on the vanity, looking over at my dress, which I had neglected to fold, and instead hung on a hanger, setting it in the corner of the room. I had no idea it would gain much attention. I should wear blue more often. 

I had been working as much as I had been relaxing the past few days, scheduling things for Ford's return, as well as taking calls for him while he relaxed, which was my least favorite. 

Out of curiosity, after a while, I opened the document I had containing Ford's overview of meeting for the past two years. It was nineteen pages long at this point, but I knew what I was looking for. I searched the name Atticus Gainer and started at 0 sitting in the results. I wonder how they knew each other. Although, I hadn't kept as good tabs on his meetings in the beginning. Or maybe they knew each other from before. It would make sense. 

A loud knock sounded on my door.

"Come in," I call out.

Ford opens the door hesitantly and looks over to me, "Check and see if there are any available flights tonight or tomorrow. I wish to leave."

My stomach dropped, "why do you wish to leave? Don't you still have meetings scheduled for tomorrow? And a group seminar tomorrow?" I ask, clicking over on a new tab.

"Your job isn't to ask questions, it is to do as I say, so please, do your job and get us out of here in the next two days. This isn't a vacation, Ms. Vidal, this is real life. Don't get caught in a daydream," he said sternly, shutting the door so harshly I was surprised it didn't make a louder slamming noise.

I stared at the door for another moment, unsure of what caused such an outburst, but regretfully began checking available flight times. I really didn't want to have to call the airport today, but I guess,

It was my job.

********

I managed to get a flight out the next morning, which still didn't seem to meet Mr. Madison's standards, but was sufficient all the same.