Love Bites

All Roads

Each man sat in a tall, high-backed glass and chrome chair but only the one at the head of the table held an opulent, silver seat and back cushion. A visual representation of stature and power meant to unnerve and undermine those who sit before it. The men sat in silence, their faces grave; no one moved when the large frosted glass doors behind them swung open, they knew who it was and therefore they knew what he expected and he expected complete control.

The man came to a stop at the head of the table but he did not sit. His beetle black eyes swept over those congregated before him, boring into each and every one of them with such intensity that it became painful. His strong jaw worked to contain his anger but even as chiselled as it was it was unable to restrain such force.

"We have been made a mockery of!" he stormed, slamming both fists onto the table, making the water classes before each man jump, though to their credit no man moved, not even a flinch. "We decide the fate of those in our care. How the hell did this happen?" 

Still no man moved.

"Well?!" he demanded dangerously. "You!" he pointed to the man immediately to his right. "Answer me!"

"I...I don't know, sir," he stammered not holding eye contact, cursing himself for showing weakness. 

"Find out how or every single one of you will pay!" His voiced boomed, reverberating off every surface making it sound ten times louder. "Now get out!"

Everyone scrambled to their feet, leaving him alone in the room. This needed to be contained or it could be disastrous. He sat down, sighing heavily. The burden of this was on his shoulders, and his alone. 

                                                                                                 ***

Tick, tick, tick...he watched the journey of the second hand on the clock sitting on the wall above the receptionist's desk. An endless and fruitless journey of futility. Time was always running out yet also infinite, Schrödinger's theory.

After what seemed like an age the conference room door opened and he was beckoned inside by an attractive, yet serious looking woman. Her tight, grey, knee-length skirt and cream blouse showed off her assets perfectly.

The room itself was plush. Thick, velvety silver carpet ran wall to wall; as it occupied a corner plot, two of the walls were entirely glass affording its occupants a stunning view out over the city. A large, glass table dominated the space which was surrounded by high backed glass and chrome chairs. Upon it sat a manila file.

"Please, sit."

He took the proffered chair, it was as uncomfortable as it looked. He was dying to grab the folder and pour over its contents but he resisted the urge. Instead he squared his shoulders and gave Elder Masterson his eyes.

"What can I do for you, Marcus?" he asked politely, unsure he had time for this pointless meeting.

"I have some information for you," he said levelly, refusing to be intimidated. "About Cal Lucien."

Elder Masterson cocked his head to one side, suddenly interested. "Oh, really? And what might that be?"

                                                                                                ***

"A penny for them," Cal said coming up behind Tasha, who sat with her knees drawn up to her chest on the window seat in their room, head resting against the cool glass.

"I'm just thinking."

"About?" Cal prompted. Sitting opposite her and placing her feet on his legs.

"Everything. Nothing."

Cal stayed quiet. he wanted her to talk to him because she wanted to, not because he forced her too. He gently ran his thumb up and down the arch of her foot, tracing the small creases nestled in the skin.

"I want to tell my friends." 

The words came out in such a rush that Cal wasn't sure he'd heard them correctly but the sinking feeling in his gut told him he had. "Babe, I know you think that because they're your friends it will all be fine but believe me it doesn't ever go down that way."

She stared at him for a moment and he could sense the inner battle she was having. She turned back to the window and sighed heavily.

"Can you leave me alone for a bit?" she said without looking at him.

"Of course." As he closed the door behind him he heard her begin to cry and his heart constricted. She'd get over this. She had to.

                                                                                                   ***

He stood staring at the house for a long time. A lot had changed but it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Things had to change, that was life. If they didn't they would stagnate and go bad. However, this next change, maybe he had forced into being, but it wasn't necessary it was purely for his own pleasure and amusement. He would get it all back. He would be the one on top for once. It was time.

He vanished back into the shadows, a smile on his face. Pay back's a bitch.