Her Tiger-Print Heels

10 The Fourth Man

Johnny had watched Rachana and Arthur, anger boiling up.

He hated Arthur the money-man with Rachana, even though he had never meet him face to face, nor had he ever spoken to him. But Johnny's mind was consumed and blinded by anger. As toxic as the jealousy, the feelings of inadequacy to Arthur's position, the hurt from Rachana's rejection and her evil intentions, and even his deepest wish to be with Rachana. He wanted to be the one buying her drinks and flirting. He wanted to be studying her up close, the details of her face and smell her perfume. He had detected hints of vanilla, cinnamon and clove. He did not want to be next to Claybaker and Nelson, guys who smelled like beer and hot wings.

He was so mad he had to leave. What twisted his mind was when Rachana turned toward him. She was teasing him and flaunting her charm as she handed herself to the budget boy, the numbers nerd.

"Guys, I'm out of here," Johnny abruptly told Claybaker and Nelson. "It's been nice with you, but I've got an early start tomorrow."

"Me, too," Claybaker said and stood. "I have meetings all morning long and late in the afternoon."

Nelson huffed. "I might as well leave too then. No sense drinking alone."

His night ended sooner than he wanted. He was a partier more than anyone. He was out later and up earlier. Sometimes, he never slept on those party nights. Overall, he was a college guy who graduated from school but never left the frat house. His political campaign slogan might as well been "Chug, Chug, Chug."

Nevertheless, the three threw back the last drops of their beers and tossed down their tips on the table. They cleared out quickly. Ahead of them, Johnny flung open the bar's doors and headed to his car.

"What's he mad at?" Nelson said.

"More like who. I think it's because of that woman at the bar. I saw him look at her a lot. She's messed with his head."

"You know, it wasn't me who spoke to Chairman Dean."

"I know. A guy was already in the bar watching Johnny."

"What guy?"

"Paul Raton. You know, senior counsel to Dean. He was there the whole time. I saw him at the other side of the bar. After all of you had cleared out, he came and talked to me. Nothing about Rachana. Just talking about nothing, chatting."

"I didn't know Raton was here. You need to tell Johnny. I don't want him mad at me, accusing me of stuff. But, hey," Nelson said, leaning closer to Claybaker, "what exactly did he talk to you about?"

"He talked about his plans to get you off his committee and kicked out of the State Capitol."

"Yea, right. Nelson. I will talk to you tomorrow in the State Capitol."

Nelson was alone in the parking lot. He considered going to another bar. It was just too early to turn in. Then his phone rang, delaying him from leaving. Standing there, he saw Rachana exit the bar with Arthur opening the door for her. She was smiling and flirting with him still. They walked to his car and climbed in.

She was going home with this guy. The night wasn't done for them, as Nelson read the situation.

He ended his call and actually went home. An early night for him.