My Way Out

Chapter 8- The picture

Monday started like any other Monday.

Monday mornings. These were the worst, but at least I could spend it with Lucas.

The morning was not any different from any other. The hum of computers filled the air, the smell of coffee drifted through the office and the cackling of keyboards filled the air like a strange kind of music.

This morning would have been my casual morning but Lucas… Lucas was different.

From the moment he walked in something was off.

I mean despite the fact that his suit was sharp as always, his hair immaculate, his shoes shining and perfume absolutely elegant, his eyes however were dark.

Just too dark.

They were heavy and distant, like he'd left part of himself somewhere, missing in a dark place and he couldn't get it back.

He didn't even greet anyone, not the front desk, not anyone on his way here.

“Good morning,Lucas.”

He doesn't even look at me, all he does is grunts.

Disgusted and astonished by his reaction, I followed him to his office.

"It looks like Prince Charming didn't wake up on the right side of bed today.”

“Shut up and tell me my schedule for today.” His voice was stern and low. Commanding and sharp. It pierced my soul.

“Ok… you have a meeting scheduled with your clients today.” My voice was low and you can tell the pain in my voice.

I went to make his coffee the way he liked it. No sugar but extra milk.

What a weirdo.

I kept on telling myself that maybe he didn’t sleep well or maybe it was just a Monday mood. I mean even CEOs are not immune to it right?

What gave it away was that he didn't touch his coffee.

No.

This isn't Lucas.

“Follow me.” He said on his way out a voice so low i almost didn't even hear it.

Imagine if I didn't hear it… in fact let me not imagine it.

We walked into the conference room which all of the sudden was tense like someone was in possession of a loaded.

I sat quietly in my usual seat at the far end of the polished mahogany table, close enough to take notes yet far enough to be invisible.

At this point I had been en quite a handful of meetings. Some were rough and some were smooth, but none was as tense as this.

Mr Mendez, the CEO of DeltaCorp Logistics, leaned vaxk in his chair with his fingers steepled beneath his chin.

Lucas slowly paced beside the window his back turned to everyone. Not something he usually does… in a meeting as important as this.

He had been looking forward to this meeting for weeks now.

Unfortunately…

“We'll be adjusting the transportation surcharge,” he said shoving his hand into his pocket.

Does he even care?

“Effective immediately, all logistics handled through our channels will incur a 150% increase in fees.”

I blinked.

Surely this is a joke?

I must have heard it wrong.

Mendez must have read my thoughts as he let out a loud laugh. “Excuse me?”

Lucas turned slowly with this fire in his eyes that indicated all seriousness.

Lord have mercy, he wasn't joking…

“I said the cost to transport goods using my channel will rise. By 150%. Non-negotiable.”

A beat of stunned silence fell over the room as I stopped writing.

Mendez chair screeched back nearly falling over. “That's absurd!” He protestes. “Last year we had an agreement, an understanding.”

“Things change,” he replied calmly in fact coldly. “You are welcome to walk away if this doesn't suit you.” His voice too calm for my liking, with his hand gesturing towards the door.

And just like that he did.

Mendez stood up with his lips tight with rage like he was about to explode and stormed out. “Consider this partnership over!”

Is at frozen with a look that read what did you just do?

He didn't even look at me, he simply picked up his phone from the table and adjusted his cuffs and walked out of the room like he didn't screw up a multi million deal.

Either he has found gold under this building or he's crazy.

The moment he left, I jumped uo and hurried after Mendez catching hjm just outside the elevators.

“Mr Mendez wait, please,” i said gently trying to catch my breath. “I know this seems irrational, believe me I am surprised just as you are but-.”

“Do you trust him?” He interrupted.

“What?”

“I mean how many people just suddenly cancel on a multi million deal like that?”

“Ummm, ummm.” I stuttered the words out because my brain faiked to conjure anything.

“Here is my card.”

He stretched out a hand with a small plastic card in it.

“Ever since I have started working with him, there has always been something fishy with him, listen love be careful.”

The elevator doors closed leaving me to my million thoughts of confusion.

As the day dragged on I tried to bury myself in endless tasks. I thought he would snap out of it and do his usual flirting routine with me but he didn't.

The day dragged in small bursts of tension and every now and then I'd hear his voice.

It was low, clipped not angry but sharper than usual.

I needed to approach lucas about his mood. I mean I get sometimes with the pressure that came you can be moody but come on. Blowing a deal as that big?

I knocked his door and entered. I normally don't knock. I usually just enter.

“I don't need a lecture on how to do my job.” His back was facing me with his hands behind his back.

“Apparently you do.”

“Please leave.”

“What's wrong with you today?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why-.”

“Because I f*****g said so,” he snapped.

This made me jump a little. He doesn't often swear. I gulp hard knowing my next words will probably bring out the same reaction but I still somehow force the words out.

“Lucas, that's… not like you. You don't just-”

His head snapped clockwise and for the first time in a long time I saw something in his eyes that made my stomach twist. If it was anger, I would know how to calm it down. If it was an annoyance, I would know how to deal with it, but this time it was something darker.

Too dark.

“Deborah,” he said with a voice so low and hard, “don't question me on this.”

My mouth suddenly went dry. “I'm just saying-”

“I SAID DON'T.”

Yep, that did it for me. Guys, I want my Lucas back please. This isn't him.

The words hit me like a slap. I instinctively took a few steps backwards before I could stop.

His expression softened almost instantly but the damage was done. The room felt smaller and the air had thinned.

“I-,” he justified but I cut him off.

“Don't worry about it.” I plaster a fake smile on my face turning for the door.

It's not like I have never been shouted at before, I have but this one felt different.

The rest of the afternoon passed in a beat as I buried myself in work, refusing to even take a quick glance at his office. Everytime I thought about the look in his eyes my chest tightened.

At 4:30, I could feel someone overshadow my desk and I instinctively knew who it was. “Here to shout at me? Everything is still not out of your system yet?”

“Let's call it a day,” he said with a much softer tone. I didn't even have to look up but I knew my Lucas was coming back.

“Lucas you don't have to-.’

“I shouldn't have shouted at you.”

I looked up and I saw some light in his eyes. It was stripped of the darkness it had earlier.

“Last week was too long for me, I am handling a lot.”

Not only could I see the guilt from his eyes but I could feel it radiate from him.

I nodded slowly, clasping his hand. “Everything is going to be alright, Lucas,” I reassured him.

He gave me a faint smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. “I hope so, dear. I hope so.”

Guys, today the tables are turning.

I am driving him home. He slumped slightly in the passenger seat with his hand resting on his lap, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. My curiosity kept trying to escape from the cage I had built because I wanted to know what was bothering him so much, but I knew now wasn't the time.

When we reached his building he turned to me. “Thanks driver, I'll call you if I need a ride to an airport,” he teased.

“Excuse me?” I glared at him with a hell no look.

“Goodbye, Deborah.” He leaned forward and pecked me on the cheek. Leaving a sensation of warmth still there even as he leaves my car.

I smile and grip the steering wheel even harder as I feel heat rise to my cheeks.

“Goodnight.”

When I reached my apartment the sky was a dusky violet. I kicked off my heals and was halfway to the kitchen when I decided to call Ellie. She answered on the third ring. “Debs! I was about to send a search party for you.”

I smiled faintly. “Just got home. You busy?”

“I am on my way.”

Fifteen minutes later, Ellie swept in with a bottle of wine and two cartons of takeout. “Alright,” she said kicking the door shut behind her. “Spill. How's life with Mr. Talk, dark handsome?”

I laughed, but it came out thinner than I had expected. “ He's complicated.”

“How?”

I hesitated, replaying everything that went on his office today. “Just different lately. Like he's carrying the burden of the world on his shoulders.”

“And Miss Cinderella would like to to ease him of the burdens, I guess?”

I rolled my eyes off her. “It's not like that.”

She poured wine into two glasses and handed me one. “Sounds, mysterious and also like the beginning of every romance novel ever, you would know because it's your favorite.”

“Thank you for reminding me, Ellie…”

I said with a tone of annoyance.

“Look what's on the floor, didn't you pay your rent?”

“I have even paid in advance.”

It was lying inside my front door like it had just slipped under while we were taking. Ellie opened the door and looked left and right with her head peeking out. “No one's here.”

My pulse spiked, we both must have not noticed it.

“It has your name written on it, does the handwriting seem familiar?”

“No, open it,” I said curiously crossing my arms whilst, tilting my head.

She tore it openand took out what seemed to be a picture.

A cold ripple of unease slid through me.

“What is it?”

“It's you and a very large handsome man I must say.”

I roll my eyes. “Stop messing around, let me see.”

I snatched it out of her hand.

“Ok slow down miss fietsy.”

My mouth opened in shock.

“How? What? Who?”

“I don't want to be the deliver of more news but here's a note.”

I took it of her and let out a loud sigh.

Don't trust him.

The air in the apartment seemed too thin, my heartbeat thundered in my ears, suddenly the room was starting to spin.

“Deborah!”

Ellie held caught me just in time before I fell.

“Ellie,” I whispered.

“Hmm,” she hummed.

Before I could continue everything turned black.