The Hourglass (UNEDITED)

Part 2: Chapter 16

Ten months later

Beatrice walked to the file cabinet across the room and placed the latest campaign files away there. She walked over to the large desk of her boss and put away the last remains of his things to make sure his desk was clear and ready. When there was a knocked on the door, she gestured for the young woman to come in.

"Double shot of Americano Noir," said the lady.

"Just it place right here dear," Beatrice said, pointing to the desk. She walked out of the office to give the girl money wand thanked her. Beatrice took a deep breath; Jace was coming back work after being away for almost a whole year. A man named Thomas Fitzgerald has been substitute as acting CEO while Jace attended to his personal problems. Almost everyone sent their prayers and thoughtful words to Jace, telling him they all have him in mind and prayer concerning his wife. Beatrice jumped and gasped when she saw Jace walked in with his suitcase in his hand.

Jace Swinton, powerful man, attractive to almost all the women half Beatrice's age looked like somebody else. His usually lean muscular frame looked frail for a man like him from all the weight loss. His face was aged and he looked forlorn and tired as opposed to his usual poised and self-assured stature.

"Morning Mr. Swinton," Beatrice greeted him. Jace greeted back with a tired nod and walked over to his desk and put down his things on his desk. Beatrice stepped away to give him room to settle down. Beatrice wondered if Jace was eating anything; up close he lost more weight than she thought she estimated and his face so sunken, the bones coming out more clearly. Maybe she should have ordered breakfast for him instead of coffee; coffee was not good for an undernourished body.

When Jace settled in his seat, he looked at his coffee on the table, happy that he Beatrice came through for him. He couldn't stand the coffee at home, nor the one his mother would whip up. Americano Noir would do right by him. He picked up his coffee and drank.

"Can I order some breakfast Mr. Swinton?" Beatrice asked him, feeling like his mother and keeper at that moment, he looked so fragile. Jace looked up at Beatrice and shook his head, gave a half smile.

"No thank you. I'll just be working now, thank you Beatrice," he said. His voice was the only thing indicating that he still had control and Beatrice knew a dismissal when she heard one. She walked out of his office and sat in her desk. Things kept moving in the office; Enterprise Advertising was doing splendidly well, landing one account after another, delivering only the best marketing campaigns money can ever buy. Even in his absence, Jace managed to keep things afloat and running, amazingly finding a way to delegate the running of the company.

Beatrice also noticed Jace seemed to have changed, there was something different about him. His cockiness, although it never fully bothered Beatrice as it was a good trait to have in this industry, was going, becoming a blur. Arrogant man that he was; that, also was gone if not dormant. In their place was a solemnity that made the most serious person have plenty a sense of humor. Now Jace was preparing for whatever the day had in store for him. Beatrice answered the ringing phone on her desk.

"Hello...? Oh, I'm sorry, I'm afraid that Mr. Swinton is still away, I can direct you to the man in charge..."

When she was done, she placed the phone back in its cradle and looked up when Jace's door opened and he stuck out of the doorway.

"Cancel any appointments I have or transfer them to Fitz. All right?" Jace asked her.

"Of course Mr. Swinton," Beatrice smiled sadly, Jace unaware that she had already done that.

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There was a knock on the door and Jace stopped wiping the hourglass to rid it of any dust it collected. He grunted irritably, he just wanted to be alone.