The games we play

6

Dexter was standing in the lobby for the second time this week. He had other things to do, his assistant had let him know this with a lot of annoyance but this is where he has to be. He needed to get his car back but he needed to be close to her, for a little while, for as long as he could. She was pretty hard on him even though he knew she was attracted to him. He wondered how many men could get close to her. She wasn't just a woman she was a beautiful creature, one of a kind , pure and cunning. She moved gracefully and had a certain air about her, she reminded him of a butterfly, that comes close enough so that you can admire it's beauty but is almost impossible to touch. Never flying away but always staying out of danger. There aren't many men worthy of her, can't be many she'd accept. He had to try either way, he felt drawn to her, he couldn't let the feeling go.

The lobby was tastefully decorated large vases with orchids filled the room in all corners, making the large black and shiny marble floors seem less cold. He was looking at a very large painting of two horses jumping mid-air one white and one black they were jumping towards one another, a beautiful forest in the background. He couldn't help but smile, the horses strong and muscular, manes flying in the air, legs kicking, it held so much beauty. Finally the security guard hangs up the phone and looks at him quizzically, "Sir? Miss Summers has authorized entry, she asks that you wait for her at the elevator as she's with a client." Dexter raises an eyebrow, "Not even being offered to wait in a conference room?" He looked uncomfortable, "Sir? I, I could call again?" Without listening he moves toward the elevator, suddenly angered at her dismal of him once again. He intends to walk right into her office, client or not, but as the doors open Michael is there to receive him. "Good morning Mr. Moore, Ms Summers is with a client she asks that you wait or come back another day." He looks nervous like Dexter might snap and attack him. "Fine, I'll wait... in a conference room at least?" Michael clears his throat, "I'm not sure if there's one free, it seems to be a very busy day, but we can check" He offers , with a nod of agreement on his part they start off down the hallway. Two large rooms occupied and every office they pass has people working and talking into phones. They're halfway down the hallway when he hears heels clicking and a familiar laughter, he can't turn around fast enough. Her hair is flowing in big curls over her shoulders, lips glossy and eyes filled with laughter. She's wearing a navy blue pencil skirt with a tight white collared top, some buttons undone to show just a slight pop of cleavage. The sleeves rolled up to her elbows and silver bangels clinking on her wrists. She's wearing silver stilettos but it doesn't look like she's walking, it seems to him she's floating, like a butterfly. His fingertips itch to touch her, feel her hair, stroke her cheek, dominate her. He starts to make his way towards her but Michael steps in front of him, "Mr.Moore please, she'll call when she's ready for you, the client requested privacy, it's a sensitive situation." He can't help but frown, he's not used to being put on the back burner,asked to wait, told to wait. Every woman he has ever 'been' with has always made him a top priority. Infact he demanded it in the contracts that they had. The contracts were mainly set in place to protect his privacy and make sure they wouldn't leek information to the press or worse the cops, but he had slipped in a few rules for his benefit. One rule being that they should always be available to him, no matter the day, place or hour. Needless to say the way she was treating him enraged him slightly, but he wasn't going to take her dismissal of him this easily. She wasn't in her office, surely she wasn't going to discuss any sensitive information about her client or their case out here in the hall. Flashing Michael a smile he says, "They won't be discussing anything out here now will they?" and with a side step he passes Michael and walks swiftly towards her. She notices him but the expression on her face is not joy or excitement but nervousness and fear. He can't see who she's talking to the person is standing in the little hallway where the elevators are he has to turn the corner but she walks toward him holding her hand to stop him."Dexter, for godsakes what is the meaning of this? Wait with Michael, I just want to see my client out." She glances sideways toward the little hall and gestures to whoever is standing there to leave. What or who is she trying to hide from him? Without giving it much thought he steps around her into the little hallway, his face drops. "Mario? " confusion takes over him. Why was Mario here? He was her client. Suddenly his blood runs cold, Mario knew a lot about his business. He was the head of the landscaping team that did landscaping and upkeep for all his properties. He had disposed of quite a few things, evidence even, after heavy parties and functions. He knew for a fact that he had taken care of bodies, no questions asked. More than that they were friends, they had a good relationship and he had been to dinner and barbecue nights at his house with his family, six children, Dexter knew them could talk about them for an hour, that's how much he knew them. He had no idea what was going on but it felt like betrayal, it hung in the air heavy for anyone to see. Mario looked guilty and his eyes wouldn't leave the floor. Confirming his suspicioun "Dexter, hey man." Still not making eye contact. It's Carly that speaks next, breaks the silence as he doesn't know what to say, can't find the words other than what the f**k. Stepping between them as if she wants to shield Mario, " Why are you here, Dexter? To intimidate my client? Have you been keeping tabs on him?" She pauses and looks at him arms crossed over her middle, slightly pushing her breasts together then she almost whispers, "It's against the law." Dexter head is spinning he is trying to piece this together but nothing makes sense. He had to save whatever this was. "Miss Summers, I assure you I'm not here to do anything of the sort, I have a different agenda. Would you care to inform me what you are talking about?" She rolls her eyes at him. "Sure you don't." She squints her eyes and with a voice filled with venom says, "This is why Hugo suddenly wanted me to meet you, you thought you'd get the upper hand that you could influence the case somehow, but how wrong you are!" She pauses, appearing to be lost in thought, "There is just one thing that I don't understand, how did you know that I'd take his case? And how did you know I'd take the case today?" She let's her arms fall to her sides and points a finger at him,"You must have someone working for you in the office, why? what do you have to gain at having someone giving you this kind of information in legal aid?" He was desperately trying to piece together all the little pieces of information she was throwing at him. The only thing that made sense was that Mario was suing him , she was his lawyer and she thought he had come here to intimidate him. He had had enough. "STOP, I have no idea what you're going on about!" His anger made clear in the loudness of his voice. Trying to ignore her he looked to Mario, "What's going on Mario?" He stays silent eyes never leaving the floor. Carly takes a step back toward Mario as if she wants to shield him, "Don't say a word Mr. Sanchez, this was his plan all along." Mario scuffs, "Miss Carly I don't want no trouble, maybe I'll just drop it." Carly spins around, "You'll do no such thing! That's exactly what he wants! Don't you see? I'll win this thing. Him being here now will win us the case." Dexter feels his rage rising, this was no normal betrayal, this felt personal. A friend, a person he trusted and cared for...he thought he knew Mario, he'd spent so much time with him. He had to stay calm how ever hard a task that is for him, he needed to get to the bottom of this. "Miss Summers, although it doesn't happen often it seems that I am infact in the dark right now. I do not know the reason for Mr. Sanchez being here or hiring you as his lawyer. And for what it's worth, this is the first time I've heard that Mr. Sanchez needs a lawyer at all." Carly scoffs, "You know you must take me for some fool..." He had to cut her off, he realised there was no reasoning with her. So he had to try and appeal to Mario. "Mario, I don't understand? Whatever the problem you know I'd be there to help you out! I thought we were solid?" This time Mario looks up at him, hurt in his eyes, "Then why'd you fire me and my team?" Dexter had to laugh, that simply wasn't true. He wouldn't fire him, he knew there wouldn't be a more trustworthy man to let on to his property than Mario. His laughter fell on angry faces as he realises that Mario is infact under the impression that he is fired. As if to assure him he says sternly, "I did no such thing! Your team was at the house this morning when I left." Carly clicks her tongue, "Are you serious right now? Why are you acting like you didn't, We've got your signature on the termination contract." All he can do is stare at them. He knew for a fact that he did not fire anybody. Michael speaks in a hushed tone "Might I suggest we move this party to your office Carly, people are staring and uhm listening." Before she could say a damn word he turns and is on the way to her office over his shoulder he says, "Great idea I want to take a look at this supposed "Termination contract!" Carly ran behind him protesting but there was no stopping him. He unbuttoned his suit and slipped out of his jacket hanging it on the closest chair and taking a seat across from Carly's chair staring straight ahead. She bent down to his ear making her hair fall lightly on his shoulder, her face painfully close to his, their cheeks almost brushing together and said very softly, "Dex, are you sure you want to do this? If this ends up in court, your attendance here will not count in your favor, and I'm afraid I will use it against you." She turned her face toward him and took a step back whispering still she says, "Take a minute to think about it." All he can think about is how she smells and how she looks and the sound of her voice. Looking at her beautiful blue orbs he has to shake himself to concentrate. Then he growls, "Please sit Mario, we're not leaving here until this misunderstanding is cleared up!

Mario reluctantly sits beside him leaving Michael to sit on the sofa, note pad in hand scribbling. Carly takes her seat and opens a very thin file that lay on her desk. "I just had my very first meeting with Mr. Sanchez a few minutes ago so I'm not as prepared as I'd like to be, but Mr. Sanchez's contract with you was terminated roughly three months ago, unlawfully." She pulls out the paper, he was let go from all 6 properties with no severance package and no termination period. He and his team were jobless from one day to the next and as you know his landscaping company was not allowed to work other properties, a clause that was added to their working conditios by you, so you see Mr. Moore, in one afternoon with no warning you've managed to put 32 people out of work, some of them are forced to live on the streets at the end of the month. Mr. Sanchez came to me seeking legal advice after many attempts of speaking to you Mr. Moore, but failing."

Dexter blinked, he had the termination contract in his hand it was signed, his signature but he did not knowly do this. He saw Mario and his team as an asset. He felt like punching something. His hand starting to shake. He crumpled the paper in his fist and let it fall to the floor, the veins still popping in his clenched fist he turns in his chair to face Mario, "Who gave you this?" His voice comes out a growl but it's not meant for Mario, Mario sits up straight, clearly affected by his tone, "Rebecca, she said you had no time to deal with me and that you've decided to let me go after my team refused to take care of... " He trailed off, obviously not wanting to share too much with Carly, "Anyway she said you were furious and on the same day we were sent that!" He points to the paper and Dexter could swear he saw tears in Mario's eyes, "It's just... I told you the last time was the last time, we're Catholic man, I have nightmares, I won't breathe a word but I can't do it again, my men don't want to. We talked about it, I thought you understood." Dexter rubs the back of his neck, there hadn't been any bodies that had to be taken care of lately, why would Rebecca be giving those instructions, she was just his secretary. Seems like the theme of the day was definitely betrayal. Holding his hand in the air to signal that he needed a moment he takes out his phone and dails the head of his security team, "Yes, this is Moore, I need you to keep an eye on Rebecca, make sure she stays there until I arrive, do a full check on everything she's done since she's started." A wide eyed Mario was sitting nervously in his chair, he was no stranger to Dexter's ways, especially when being betrayed, he'd have to clean enough bloody surfaces, to know. Trying to keep his anger at bay he turns to Mario, "First off, I know what we agreed to and I would never ask you to do that again. I can assure you that I did not ask her to fire you. I'm not sure how my signature got on that paper but I'm going to get to the bottom of this. Secondly, why didn't you come to me? I'm more than your employer, you have my personal number all of this could have been avoided, you've been suffering for three months without breathing a word to me?" Mario looks at Carly as if asking permission to speak and she just shrugs. "I did, I called you 10 times a day! You always hung up on me or had Rebecca answer with some excuse. I wouldn't be here but they are my people, I have to fight for them. Atleast get them the last three months wages back." Dexter feels a rage that he hasn't felt in a long time. So he was here to sue him. Tight lipped he turns back to Carly, "Miss Summers, we won't be needing your services, I'll call my personal lawyer and have him write up an agreement with Mr. Sanchez, ofcourse the missing wages and some extra compensation will be paid as well as the reinforcement of Mr. Sanchez's services, from right now." Her face flashes with anger, "Like hell they will, we've already signed an agreement Mr. Sanchez and I. I'll start now and get the agreement to you by tomorrow and you can have it sent to your lawyers to check before both parties sign. He gave her a tight smile, this wasn't how he did things. This was his problem, his betrayal to sort through but he knew she could make his life hell with what she's heard in this conversation alone. He's going to have to give in. Sitting back in the chair he crosses one leg over the other and says with irritation "Fine, Miss Summers, let's talk numbers then. How much do want Mario?" Mario's face lights up "That's it? You're taking us back? paying our lost wages?" A pang of guilt runs through him, his friend had been fighting for his existence and he had no idea. He wished that money could fix the anguish he had felt, but the fact of the matter was that Mario had lost a certain amount of trust in him now. He had no idea what number Carly would have him negotiate for if this would turn into an actual lawsuit, but judging by her already fierce involvement he's sure she would have convinced Mario to go high. "Alright, I'm going to through out an idea and you tell me if that's OK for you?" Mario nods and is on the edge if his seat. So Dexter continues, "I'm thinking three times what you should have gotten, to be clear that would be 9 months worth of salary for each worker, plus one month for the inconvenience? And you start back up on the first available date? Tomorrow if possible?" Mario's eyes widen, "I just wanted them to keep their jobs, get what they deserve, I, I .." it's clear that he feels bad for taking so much money but Dexter knew if this had gone public he would have to agree to much,much more and judging by Carly's facial expression she knew it, too. "Mr. Sanchez, please don't feel bad, it's a good offer but if I'm being honest you could have gotten double that if this went to court, triple even if Mr. Moore was going to attest." Dexter can't help but give her a slow smile, he knew she was right, that every judge with a p***s would let her have whatever she wanted. c*****g his head to the side, "Is that so, Miss Summers?" Holding his stare she c***s her head to the side imitating him and says, "We could always let this go to court and we'll see?" Her voice sweet and innocent but challenging him. If this was any other person he'd take her on, let her show him what's she's made of but Mario is one of the last good, really good people in this city so he only half takes her up on her offer, "Mario? what will it be?" Mario squirms in his seat,"No, nono, I don't want court," he says waving both hands in the air as he tries to convince her, "I think it's a very generous offer, Miss Carly!" Still holding his stare she smiles and says, "If you're sure, Mario. I'll drawn up the papers." No one moved for a few moments, the awkward silence made them all uncomfortable, until finally Michael got up and ushered Mario out the door. Mario thanked Carly near a hundred times for even looking at his case before he left. Dexter sat still in his chair and never moved even an inch. He sat with his foot resting on his knee, hands folded on his lap waiting for her. He was all for fun and games but she had taken it too far. There is no way all of this was a coincidence. He was on to her little game and he was going to catch her to proof it. No one double crossed him and got away with it, no matter how beautiful you are.