The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 39

Kas

He continues doodling on the pad, his hand a little unsteady as he listens to Dor who sits opposite, her hands cupping her face. "He won't give me a divorce, Eli. I know him. I don't even know how to bring it up". The pencil point breaks where he stubs it on the paper. He remains silent, unable to speak. He looks up at her, the woman he has idolized all his life. She doesn't look like the warrior that he knows she is. Dor looks every inch her age, a young woman, smiling and frowning alternately, her eyes both bright one moment and cloudy the next. He watches her struggle, happy and sad at the same time. She is like a beautiful painting before him, a masterpiece of colors and he knows what the title below the frame is. A woman in love. His Dor, his wonderful sweet Dor is in love with another man. She is in love with Chess. He gives a deep sigh. Trust Dor to not even look at the rich eligible prospect sitting right before her. Her choice is a simple, working-class mechanic. "Are you sure about Chess"? She nods and they both sit in front quietly in front of each other lost in their thoughts. One who is slowly mending her heart and the other whose heart is slowly breaking. The silence is broken by Neil who comes in looking worried. "You have a visitor who doesn't have an appointment", Kas looks at him questioningly "Its' Zander. He wants to meet you".

Kas

He watches Zander's arrogant stride as he crosses the large executive room. He takes a seat without being asked in front of Kas, blending in with a casual elegance in Kas's almost opulent office. Kas acknowledges him with a curt nod and asks unsmilingly "Zander Bernard, what brings you here?". Though the room is pleasantly cool, Kas feels the sweat trickling down his neck. Zander leans forward, his beautifully manicured hands clasped together. They look at each other for a couple of minutes. Zander's stare unnerves Kas but he pulls himself together. "You seem captivated by my good looks, Zander", he smirks, "unfortunately, I am not into men." Zander frowns at the unnecessary jibe and tells him abruptly, "I know who you are". Kas sits there, stunned into silence. He sits there, fearful and shocked wondering what to say when Zander continues" You are the one who chatted me up in the club and spiked my drink". Kas takes a deep breath of sheer relief. Of course. How on earth would Zander recognize that Eli is the Kas that he used to beat whenever he was in the mood for it?!! 

 Neil immediately comes and stands by Kas's side. Though Kas as Eli is sturdy and can take on Zander, the young bullied Kas inside him is assured by Neil's presence. "Do I go to gay clubs"? Kas asks Neil politely, trying to gain courage with some sheer nonchalance. Neil shakes his head dramatically. It's Zander's turn to smirk. "I never mentioned it was a gay club". Kas curses himself inwardly for the slip up but continues smoothly "Well, it was a natural assumption given your sexual preferences". He drops the sentence with a shrug. "I don't have time for you, Mr. Bernard. Shall we get to the point? How can I help you"? Zander's frown deepens, "Why are you helping Alice with the divorce"? It's Kas's turn to lean forward, with his own equally well-kept hands clasped together on the table. "You mean your wife, Alice? Why would I be helping her? And helping her with what?" Zander gets up abruptly.

 The sudden gesture has Zander looming over the still sitting Kas. It makes him almost tremble with fear. The big powerful Zander Bernard who has loomed over the young skinny Kas so many times before beating him up. Neil's hand gently but firmly pressing on his shoulder brings him back to the present. He blinks almost unseeingly at his clasped hands for a moment before realizing how strong his own hands look now. He manages to pull himself together and stands up, a couple of inches taller than Zander. He knows he also looks stronger than Zander now. They both glare at each other. Zander grits out "I had a man following her. She has visited your office on three separate occasions. The last time she visited you, she came home and threatened me with private photos as evidence. This evidence", he makes an exaggerated quote unquote gesture with his fingers, " is timed coincidently with my blackout session with you at the club a couple of weeks before her threat. Perfect sequential set of events wouldn't you say"?