Release Me

Part 21

Satisfying relief pulsed through my aching muscles as I stretched lazily, allowing my gaze to drift towards the window. The rare silence enveloping my office acted as a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. Outside, silhouetted figures moved like shadow puppets against the fading twilight, hauling materials across the driveway. A landscaping truck, originally scheduled to arrive a fortnight later, squeezed into an empty slot. Days had contorted into a chaotic whirlwind, an insatiable storm where pleas for order simply evaporated. Yet, amidst this tumult, a semblance of synchronicity had sparked a glimmer of hope, soothing the edges of my frayed nerves.

Seeking a brief escape from the mountain of paperwork and the ceaseless parade of people orbiting through my office, I ran my hands along my arms, soothing the phantom ache, then veered towards the bar. Thoughts of a glass of velvety Merlot danced enticingly in my mind, a pleasant diversion and a fitting segue to discuss the cellar's stock.

Tanner's words reverberated down the hallway, a stern note of protest. "Miss, you can't just barge in here..."

Samantha's voice bounced off the walls of the hallway, her words sharp and biting. "Point me towards Atlas now or brace yourself for the hell I'll unleash on this place."

I walked down the hallway and crossed my arms at the sight before me. Tanner held her against the wall as she kicked and punched with all her might. Part of me wanted to see what would happen next, since most of my staff didn't know the name she was screeching, but we were already at odds and she'd obviously hit her limit, even if she refused to return my calls.

"Let her down, Tanner." Both heads jerked toward me. Tanner gave a slight scowl but released her with a nod. The second her feet hit the ground, Samantha glared up at him. Before I could say a word, she sucker punched him in stomach.

"Careful, little girl," he growled and leaned forward, placing his hand against the wall, caging her with his body. "In the right mood, that's considered foreplay."

I stifled a chuckle at Samantha's shocked face and schooled my expression as he walked away. Still full of fury, she pivoted and stalked toward me.

"So, this is where the fuck you've been hiding. Swanky. Is your new lover good in bed cause he's certainly got enough cash to pay your hourly rate?"

"I wouldn't know," I responded, her constant insinuations needling at my patience. Without missing a beat, I continued my path towards the sanctuary of the bar.

"You're telling me he dresses you designer suits and Louboutins, but you're not sleeping with him?"

Ignoring her questions, I continued to the bar. Behind me, the quick thump of her boots resonated in the foyer and down the stairs.

"Do you have the wine inventory for Saturday?" I asked the bar manager as I slid onto the barstool at the end of the bar. Without a word, he handed me a clipboard. I flipped through the pages, barely seeing the list, my focus was on Samantha as she seethed a few steps behind me. "Looks good. Could you pour me two glasses of your favorite red, preferably in a Cabernet Sauvignon?"

With a nod, he stepped to the other end of the bar and uncorked a bottle. Normally I'd go through the ritual of tasting it prior to a full pour, but I needed to prove I trusted him, so I simply shook my head when he offered it. He placed the filled glasses before me and disappeared into the small bar supply closet, leaving the bottle.

I slid one glass across the glossy countertop, positioning it in front of the stool next to me, before picking up the remaining glass. The first sip unfurled a symphony of warmth that cascaded over my lips, flavors bursting on my tongue in a tantalizing explosion. I inhaled the wine's heady aroma, savoring each fragrant note like a connoisseur.