Shaded in Silver

3.)

I had received the call early Sunday morning.  My editor,  a rather angry woman who always seemed to have a complaint about everything and a negative comment about everyone,  had called to ask the date I planned to have my newest book ready for her. I proceeded to explain in the kindest possible way that I had only began typing it the previous day and in all honesty didn't have the slightest idea when exactly it would be completed.  After a rather strongly worded response,  she punctuated our conversation and in doing so brought rise to the start of my day. 
  I sighed,  setting my phone on the desk on which I had slept,  something I found myself doing rather frequently in recent weeks.  I stood and paced around the room,  knowing I would be unable to sleep again.  Running my hand through my hair,  I left my office and decided to start on breakfast. 
   Upon entering the kitchen,  I was surprised to see Ms. Denora standing near one of the counters,  her back facing me.  She wore a thin,  jade green nightgown,  the hem of which barely brushed her knees.  I smiled in spite of my exhaustion and walked over to her,  placing a hand on her shoulder.
  "Good morning,  Ms. Denora." I moved to stand beside her as I spoke. 
  "Good morning... " Her response was mumbled, her tired voice matching the look on her face. 
  "Did you sleep well? "
  "Not really. I was comfortable,  I guess it's just from being in a new place. "
   "Understandable. I hope that over time you will be able to sleep better." As I spoke,  I placed kettle on the stove to boil.  If there was one thing I loved about this country,  it was the tea.  I leaned against the counter,  eyes half closed as I waited on the water. 
  "What about you? "
  "Hmm...? " My sleep deprived brain failed to process her question,  leaving me confused. 
  "How did you sleep,  sir?" The question was repeated and I turned my gaze to Kali,  who was looking at me with a kind smile. 
  "Oh,  I slept well enough. " What I said was,  of course,  untrue but she had no need to know that. 
  She stepped closer to me and even through half closed eyes I could clearly see she didn't believe me.  Before she could mention it however,  I changed the subject. 
  "I'll be leaving in about an hour,  going into town for a few errands.  You can explore the house if you wish,  all I ask is that you not go in my office. "
   "Understood." She gave a smile,  and I was about to finish explaining the day's events when the kettle let out a high whistle that cut through the otherwise quiet room like a knife.  Losing my train of thought,  I poured the water into a cup with loose tea leaves and left it to rest on the counter. 
  "Well I'll come back for this in a few minutes,  but for now I'm off to my room to get ready. " I walked to my mostly unused bedroom,  sighing as I realized just how long it had been since I actually slept in my bed.  Pushing those thoughts aside,  I opened my closet and looked through it before deciding on dark blue jeans and a storm grey button up shirt. 
  Looking in the mirror for the first time in a while,  I realized just how much I had let my appearance go. My hair,  once dyed black,  was now beginning to fade and show subtle hints of its original chestnut brown color. I ran a brush through it and the change brought a smile to my face.  I walked to the bathroom and brushed my teeth before washing my face and making my way back to the kitchen where I picked up my cup of tea and took a drink.  It was lukewarm and not half as strong as I would've liked,  but I was out of time.  I finished it quickly and washed the cup before grabbing my keys and stepping outside,  shaking my head at the thought of all I had to accomplish. 

  I arrived home close to nine in the evening and carried with me several grocery bags and folders full of paperwork from the meeting I blamed for my belated return.  As I found places for each of the bagged items,  I took notice of a recently washed plate in the dish drain. 
  "At least she ate. " I spoke to no one in particular as I gathered the empty grocery bags and placed them in a drawer then grabbed an apple out of the fruit bowl.  I made my way to my office and upon approach I was confused by the office door,  which had been left ajar.  I was near certain I had closed it,  but in my morning exhaustion and hasty departure I must have only assumed it to be closed. 
  My reasoning was broken however when I entered and realized my laptop,  which I always closed up on leaving,  was open.  My exhaustion was replaced by anger ad I stepped behind my desk and saw the document for an older novel left open on the screen.  I closed my laptop then left the office,  quickly ascending the stairs and knocking rather hard on Ms. Denora's door. 
  Her voice was soft as she spoke,  telling me I could come in.  I pushed the door open and walked over to her.  I could tell my anger showed in my eyes and I could see the fear in hers. 
  "Did you go in my office while I was away? " I stood in front of her and she took a small step back.  I stepped closer.
  "I'm sorry sir... " Her voice was soft,  holding the same fear as her eyes.  "Your phone rang and.. I - well - I thought it would be rude not to answer. "
  I cut her off before she could say more.  "I told you not to go into my office.  Phone call or not,  you broke my one rule. Also,  I fail to see how a phone call warranted you looking through my files on my laptop. " My words were edged with anger,  sharp as a blade and cold as steel. 
   "The woman on the phone wanted me to tell her something.  I'm really sorry sir I thought I was helping. " Tears welled in her eyes then fell,  leaving trails on her reddening cheeks.  I gave an exasperated sigh,  though my anger didn't fade. 
   "And what did you find? " I started directly into her eyes,  knowing the intimidating position I held and using it to my full advantage.  Before she could speak,  I took another step towards her,  now having her backed into a corner. 
  "Just some stories...  Some of them seemed interesting so when the call ended I read them.  Then I saw your car pulling up and I panicked so I ran upstairs. " She was almost breaking down at this point,  though in all honesty I wasn't bothered.  While I loved her bright smiles and innocent eyes,  a part of me,  a part with nothing but devious intentions,  loved this too.  The long suppressed dark,  sadistic part of my mind was in love with the fear and weakness she was showing,  and I wanted more. 
  I smirked,  my hand hitting the wall beside her head and causing her to yelp. "You know,  Ms. Denora," My voice held no more anger but rather a sadistic,  twisted tone the effects of which were made evident by the fearful expression growing on her face.  "I think,  since you seem to enjoy looking through my business,  I'll show you another of my secrets..."