Arabella

Chapter 13

    The ride over was uneventful and Jake had been a good sport about the radio. He even joined in singing ACDC’s Hell’s Bells when she turned the stereo up. Arabella turned down the radio parked in front of  the highrise that contained Robbers Beware! and turned to Jake. “You’re Joe Black and I’m Laura Black. Married two years, we just bought a house in Burrillville and are looking for a home security system. You work in construction, I work as your personal secretary. That’s how we met. Any questions?”

    “You certainly thought this through, Ara.”

    “Don’t call me Ara”.

“I thought your friends call you Ara?”

    “You’re not my friend. You’re my boss and right now, my client.” 

    “Well, I consider you a friend so Ara is what I’ll be calling you.” Jake climbed out of the passenger seat and closed the door. Arabella did the same and looked at him over the roof. “Also, Joe Black? The movie, Ara? Really?”

    Arabella looked at Jake, unsure of whether to comment on him catching any sort of movie reference or him calling her Ara. Instead, she turned and stalked toward the building, hoping to avoid him seeing the smile on her face. 

                                                                                                ***

    Robbers Beware! was in a no-frills, red brick building, with only a sign next to the steel door advertising the business. The door was the only thing that stood out from the building, with excessive shininess. It was easy to imagine some poor sod polishing the door with a man in a military uniform screaming that he had better be able to see his reflection by the time he was done. They walked up to the door and Arabella looked for a buzzer or some way in. Seeing nothing, she glanced at Jake who was also looking around. Jake gave a small shake of his head and raised his hand to knock. A buzzer sounded and Jake quickly pulled the door open. 

    Inside, the lobby belied the outside of the building. Arabella looked around at all the shiny chrome fixtures and potted plants that were perfectly trimmed. A black runner went up to a large reception desk that was chrome with a glass top. Behind it sat a young woman in a blue business suit, who was flipping through a bridal magazine. Jake approached the woman and leaned casually on the counter. “Hello, we have an appointment.” The woman whipped her head up at Jake and gave a sheepish smile.

    “Sorry sir. I wasn’t paying attention,” she batted long eyelashes at Jake and her smile made her blue eyes light up. To her credit, she didn’t lick her lips and her eyes never left his face. 

    Jake gave a beaming smile, showing perfectly straight teeth. “That’s alright. I understand how it is.”  He pulled Arabella close, wrapping an arm around her waist and gave her a sweet smile. “Right honey?” Arabella fought an eye roll and just nodded at the receptionist with a smile. She had every intention of getting him back for this. Her face must have given something away because Jake coughed lightly into his arm and let her go, taking a step out of arm's reach. 

    “Appointment for Black, please.” Arabella gave another smile, as with quick efficiency the receptionist checked them in and asked if they would like a drink. They both shook their heads and went to the seating area she pointed to. 

    Arabella took a seat on the leather loveseat and grabbed a newspaper off the table. She picked it up and pretended to flip through. She glanced around the reception area, but there was nothing out of the ordinary. Not that she thought that there was going to be a big sign with an arrow saying “Cover-ups and bad guys this way!” She put the newspaper down and glanced at the receptionist. She wasn’t looking at the magazine, but typing away furiously, her face a look of pure concentration. The receptionist glanced up and caught Arabella’s gaze. She gave a smirk and went back to whatever she was doing. Arabella leaned back into the seat and waited for security. She knew they had been made and the receptionist is the one who figured it out.