"The Tower Of Babel..."

Chapter 27... Rescue.

I approached the bay where Nimrod's team was located. As expected he was breathing down on Babel's neck, standing behind him as Babel was busy taking a call. I steadily made my way through the production floor to accomplish my goal.

"Check your e-mail. You got mail from the Operations Dept." I tapped Nimrod's shoulder then stood beside Babel. He was focused on his call, not looking up at me, and checking vital info to provide the caller. I missed being this close to him, today the scent of Escada by Margaretha Ley surrounded him. I wanted so badly to envelope him in my arms.

"Eh? Why is Babel being transfered? Something about additional coaching? Says here he is needed at the office of Midas ASAP?" Nimrod read his e-mail aloud.

"He's being transfered to my care. The evaluations you submitted on a daily basis regarding his performance clearly shows he needs more training. That's why I'm taking him with me. A one on one supervision regarding his calls is required. You clearly are unable to bring out the best in him. Operations has approved of this move." I stated.

"Wait! He may be failing in sales, but his stats regarding customer satisfaction is more than impressive. He's the only agent in my team without a negative remark from any of his calls since day one. Clients call angry and cussing, but after talking to them Babel always succeeds to calm them down and pacify them. He is the only agent in the team keeping our stats above passing with regard to client satisfaction. Why would you take him away from us?" Nimrod asked infuriated.

"You should've thought about that before you submitted reports everyday complaining about his performance. Instead of focusing on his weaknesses you should've praised his ability to surpass any other agent in making the clients happy. Anyways, I'm terminating this discussion. He's needed at the office of Midas. If you have any complaints, you're more than welcome to bring it up with Midas." I finished.

"I should've known you'd find a way to swoop your gayfriend off his feet to be with you Tower. Playing dirty aren't we? You've just reached an all time low in tactics." Nimrod said, oozing with contempt.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. This is about the complaint you e-mailed regarding Babel's performance. I had nothing to do with this." I gently placed my hand on Babel's shoulder to get his attention. Seeing that he had just finished his previous call and did not have a call yet, I quickly punched in the necessary code on his phone set to input coaching status on his worksheet, unplugged his headset, and took him by the hand as I lead him out of the production floor.

He followed behind me, looking lost and staring at the gray and white carpet of the hallway we passed through. His hand was cold, like life was barely in him. I felt so sorry for hurting him, for leaving him. His eyes were empty, his lips pressed thinly to probably keep from saying something spiteful towards me.

We were a few steps away from Midas' office when I felt something warm trickle down my hand that was holding Babel's fingers. When I looked to check, I saw Babel staring at our entwined fingers while tears streamed down his cheek.

I stopped dead in my tracks, unable to move or say anything. Hurt was clearly etched in Babel's expression. His eyes were dim and swimming in tears, his lips pressed in a thin line and trying not to sob. He looked so lost. So vulnerable. It was clear to me the extent of the damage my absence made. And I have never been more sorry as I was now.

"What are you doing?" Babel asked in a shaking manner.

"What do you mean?" I replied.

"What the hell are you doing Tower!" His voice raised an octave, the hurt was now replaced by anger.

"I was going to bring you to Midas so he could..." I started to explain.

"I believed in you. I thought we were friends! I really fooled myself into thinking that your words held any meaning... much less your promises. I was dumb to put my trust in someone who would lie to everyone just to be able to pay for a repair on a stupid bike. I clearly see now why it was so easy for you to silence your conscience... it's because you don't have one." Babel spat each word without a single care to what I would feel.

I stood there, speechless. His eyes were dim, his expression full of hate and anger. I couldn't say anything to defend myself. I brought this upon myself.

The face that once beamed with so much admiration for me, now held nothing but contempt as I stared at it. The smile that made me feel as though I was the most important person on the face of the Earth, has been replaced by a cold expression that could turn any bright day into a gloomy forecast.

"There is no need for you to rescue me. It is clear that I am in more danger in your company, than with anybody else." Babel extracted his hand from my grip and I suddenly felt empty.

He turned his back to me and proceeded to walk towards Midas' office where he swiped his proximity card to enter.

I was left standing alone, sad and lonely, on an empty corridor where the only sound I could hear was that of my heart... breaking.