Hidden Sanity

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Even though he wanted to meet her frequently like that, he can’t. Right now, his mind was bombarded with the appointments, projects and duties as the president of their company. He felt the pressure each day that he almost got used to it. It was already included in his routine.

He checked his schedule through his phone and he said, “Damn, very f*****g compressed the whole week.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. He had been prepared enough for busy schedules like these. Nothing to be surprised about. He wanted to help Alice with the case but he has stuff to finish for the whole week. Though Alice is his priority, he has to do his obligations first. A very smart choice but can also be a painful one, because within the week, she’d been in touch with another man, with Joe.

He had to admit, he sometimes felt scared that she might fall for him but he was confident that he would and he can win Alice with just a snap.

For the whole week, there had been no communication between him and Alice. That was the most boring week ever, according to Jack. They see each other in the office but they don’t talk that much, just maybe one liners but nothing more than that. Jack was always cold to anyone when he’s busy. It’s like he avoided every person in the office in order to focus.

Because of the distance he created between him and Alice that week, Alice had become closer to Joe. Joe was the one helping her with the case, wasn’t he always? They talked to the police to ask about their findings in the hotel room where Christine’s body was found. They said it was found on the ground, buried through wooden pavement and covered through linoleum. It was not televised just for them to put out such news with a very slow progress of investigating. It was out in the papers though. The body was already rotten when found out and they had nothing to blame but the team assigned to the task. It had been an awful mistake of the police and so they just chose to close the case without leaving a word to the public. After hearing the story, Joe asked if they had a cigarette because he wanted to smoke. They said they can’t offer him a cigarette so Joe asked for two 10 dollars in replacement to his whole 20 dollar bill. The policeman coughed and took his wallet from his pocket and searched for money. He gave it to Joe. Joe said thanks, left money as a reward to the questioning they’ve done, then went out of the station right away. Alice asked him why and he just said, “The policemen have something to do with this.”

She replied, “How can you say so?”

“The police have a well shaved beard, impossible for a man who has a case to study in a minimal amount of time. Perhaps he’s been too easy on this. The man was in his 50’s but no sign of wrinkles, therefore I observed that he had botox in his face. Fresh wound from injection. He coughed—one effect of botox, flu-like symptoms. Drooping eyelids, another sign. I asked for a cigarette, he can’t offer me one. But his co-officer was smoking outside the office, meaning, it’s okay to smoke but he didn’t give me any. He might be a smoker too, but that’s before, not now that he had his botox. He had too many injected parts in his face, I see that, and for that, he can’t properly move his lips for sipping or even holding a cigarette in between. I knew he wouldn’t give me one and that will lead me to asking for money, not because I have no two 10 dollars in my pocket but because I want to see the inside of his wallet. I saw he got plenty. Where could he get that amount of money only as an officer? How did he manage to botox his face in the middle of a crucial case? I suspect someone is sponsoring that man…”

“How—”

“Proof?”

“He took my money. A policeman doesn’t accept money from a stranger just like that.”

“Wow... Didn't see that one coming.”

“Very predictable.”

Joe left a very good impression on Alice because of that. Joe was a very intelligent man. He’ll be good in investigating and working on cases, that’s why Alice thought he’s a good catch. Jack would probably have a hard time having also a smart man like Joe as an opponent.

Joe and Alice had been together for a week. It’s almost acceptable as dating. These days, Joe has Alice’s attention. They are even calling each other often.

On Sunday evening, Alice was back in her town for rest. Her parents asked her to look for her sister since they will be out again, but this time, only for the night. They have a reunion party to attend and his father got drunk in the celebration. No one will drive the car so they decided to stay there for the night and leave in the morning instead. It was all okay for Alice.

Her aunt came to visit in their house, Mary, her sister, wanted to come with their aunt and requested to watch a film with her downtown. Alice didn’t want to spoil her sister so she allowed her to come with her aunt. It’s her aunt anyway. She’s completely in favor of that. They left their house at 6:15.

The next time that Alice checked the clock, it was 10:30. And her younger sister’s still not home. She called her auntie’s phone but she couldn't contact her. Her phone is out of coverage. Suddenly, she got nervous. Joe was telling her an interesting story on the phone when she cut him off as she walked to the window to gaze out on the dark sheet in front of their house.

“Hey, Joe.”

“Yeah?”

“Mary’s not home yet.”

“You said she’s watching the last full show with her aunt?”

“I know. Auntie is not answering her phone either. Out of coverage area.” Alice fought the fear that was beginning to build in her belly. Alice padded barefoot into the dark hallway. “Joe, what if something… something terrible happened?”

“I think I’m right.” ,he said in a teasing voice that she might have found, in any other circumstances, teasing in a different way. “You are paranoid.”

“Please don’t say that. You have no idea what kind of danger I’m in and my family!”

“You’re right,” he said, instantly regretful. “I don’t understand. I can’t possibly.”

She walked up the dark hallway toward the kitchen that was lit by a lamp over the stove. She didn’t speak. Perhaps, she already forgot to.

“Alice?” Joe said. “You alright?”

She pressed her hand to her heart, which was suddenly racing a mile every minute. “s**t. Yes… Yeah… Uh… I’m fine.”

“You sure you’re OK?” Joe’s deep voice was warm with concern.

“I’m fine.” she said, suddenly feeling strangely distracted. Detached. She wondered if he knew how sexy he sounded on the phone. “I gotta go.”

“I’m sure she’s fine, Alice.”

“I know. Talk to you next time.”

“Alright.”

Alice hung up the phone and walked into the kitchen, flipping on the lights. She walked back down the hall and she checked the door to be sure the lights were switched on outside. She pulled back the drapes on the sidelights of the door and gazed out. Just her Range Rover. She felt so afraid for it just wasn’t safe these days. That sounded so strange. Was Joe right? Was she paranoid?

She paced the hardwood floor in her bare feet, her gaze straying to the driveway below. She thought she saw someone walk by, close to the house. Had he stopped to look up at the house? Could he see her?

Idiot. Of course, he could see her, she was standing in the middle of a fully lit room and he was standing in the dark. She ran to the wall switch and flipped off the lights. She stood there for a minute in the darkness, not moving. She could feel her heart in her throat, yet at the same time, she could feel it pounding in her chest. She walked slowly to the sliding glass doors that led onto the second-story balcony. She reached out with one hand to be sure the doors were locked. They were. Her gaze shifted to the driveway below. He was gone. If there was a he…

Oh God, but what if he had walked around to the front of the house? She raced down the hallway and jerked back the curtains on the door. With relief, she saw no car but her own in the driveway. Mary wasn’t home yet. Alice dropped the curtain and leaned against the door, unsure what to do.

Alice stood for a moment in the dark hall, her heart pounding in her ears. She didn’t know what to do, and she hated the feeling. It was almost worse than the fear. She checked her watch. It was 10:40. Mary was with her aunt and so she knew that Mary was OK. She’d be home any minute. She walked back down the hall to the kitchen, grabbed the phone and dialed another number.

Jack picked up. She didn’t even give him a chance to speak.

“Jorge,” she said, tears running down her cheeks, “I don’t know where Mary is. She’s still not coming home. Can you come over?”

Thankfully, he didn’t launch into a speech about overprotective sisters. He didn’t even mention Kinley or Alice’s ridiculous fear that the killer was killing again. “I’ll be right there.”

Jack was really someone she can rely on in times like this.

Alice waited at the front door, peering out the sidelight. The minute she saw Jack’s white Bentley pull into the driveway, she unlocked the door. He met her on the steps with his arms open to her. Nothing seemed more natural than to walk into them.

“Don’t worry.” Jack whispered, resting his chin on the top of her head as he closed her in his embrace. “She’s fine. I know she is, Alice.”

“But she’s never been late before.” She pressed her cheek to his gray T-shirt. She could feel his heart beating steadily.

“Let’s go inside.” He ushered her in the door and up the hallway. “We’ll grab a cup of tea then I’ll try your aunt’s number again through my phone.”

“I don’t want a f*****g tea!” She said desperately. “I want my sister back!”

He halted in the center of the hall and pulled her into his arms again. She was on the verge of hysterical tears. She was so frantic she couldn’t think.

“It’s alright,” Jack whispered, holding her close, talking in a calm, low tone. “Just take a deep breath.”

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, clinging to him. Suddenly she realized how much she missed Jack. How much she missed his touch. God, it felt good in his arms again. “I know I’m being ridiculous. Acting nuts. It’s just that—”

He smoothed her hair with his hand, holding her against his chest in the dark hallway. “You went through a lot of terror and you’ve been warned many times. You’re not crazy, Alice. You’re just under a lot of pressure. This is natural for you to worry about her right now.”

He was saying all the right things. The things she needed him to say.

“Thank you,” she breathed, still holding him tight.

Headlights flashed through the sidelights of the front door, partially illuminating the hallway. Alice let go of Jack and whipped around to run for the door.

“Alice, don’t,” he called after her. “You’ll scare the hell out of her.”

She grabbed the doorknob, but caught herself before she yanked it open. She was panting hard, her heart pounding in her ears. She made herself take a long, cleansing breath. He was right, of course. She took another breath before she allowed herself to open the door in what appeared to be a calm manner.

“I am so sorry, dear,” her aunt gushed. “She wants an ice cream so I bought her one before we go home.” She talked so fast that Alice had to pay attention to catch it all. “I forgot my phone in my car and the battery was drained out.”

Mary waved her tiny, ringed hands to her sister. Alice was so relieved to see her sister that she couldn’t be angry with her aunt. She realizes that sometimes things go wrong and when they did, that didn’t mean a serial killer had kidnapped her sister. She forced a smile. “It’s OK, auntie.”

Alice brushed her hand on her sister’s back as she darted under her sister’s arm to slip into the house. She just had to touch her, if only for a moment, to be sure she was real. “Mom and I have been talking about buying her a phone, just for emergencies.”

“Well, thanks for being understanding.” Her aunt scooted down the driveway toward her car. “Night.”

“Good night.” She went into the house and locked the door behind her.

“Oh, here’s your boss again. Are you here for a meeting?” Mary was asking Jack in the kitchen.

“Nah,” Jack said. “Just stopped by and we just got to talking.”

“Do you…” She squinted her eyes then said, “Never mind.” She dropped her bag by the back door.  “Well, I’m going to bed. Good night.”

“Good night,” Jack and Alice said in chorus as they watched her take the staircase up to her second floor bedroom.

“I feel foolish,” Alice said when she was out of earshot.

“Don’t,” he murmured.

Jack stood in front of her, close enough so that she could smell the faint scent of his aftershave. There was something inherently familiar about it that made her feel warm all over.

She glanced up at him. She didn’t know what she did next, whether it was the way she lifted her lashes to look at him or something she did with her mouth. Next thing she knew, he was kissing her.

She hesitated. There had been no s*x between them in a long time. It was almost as if she had to wean off herself from him. After all, the s*x had always been good between them. But she had been determined the last few weeks not to let it happen again. She didn’t want a relationship with her boss. But she found herself kissing him back. Somehow, in the heat of the moment, she couldn’t stop herself. She parted her lips, took in his tongue. His hand slid up beneath her T-shirt and she moaned. With no fabric between them, she could feel her breast grow goosepimply.

They stood in the middle of the dimly lit kitchen, necking like college kids. He pushed her up against the counter, and she wrapped one leg around him, pressing her groin to his.

Alice was the first to pull away, breathless, her head spinning. She couldn’t think. Didn’t want to. What the hell am I doing, she thought. It had been too long since she’d gotten laid, and she was, after all, in her late twenties, just hitting her s****l peak, wasn’t she?

“You want to stay?” she whispered.

He kissed her again. More gently this time. “You know I do.”

They kissed as they moved down the hallway. Groping. Stroking. She brushed her hand over his jeans and felt him hard for her.

“You have to be gone before she gets up in the morning,” she warned between kisses.

“I swear”—his tongue teased her upper lip—“on a stack of Bibles.”

Just inside the bedroom door, he pulled off her T-shirt. She shoved the door shut with the heel of her hand. He pushed her backward toward the bed, and when her calves hit the side of the mattress, she bent at the knees and let him push her onto the bed. He straddled her, resting on one knee as he pulled his shirt over his head. He looked good. Lean. More muscular than when they had their last s*x.

“Been working out?” she mumbled, her eyes half closed.

“Trying.” He stretched out over her, his hand sliding down her bare thigh.

“Would you do me a favor?”

“What?”

“Thrust me.”

“I trust you.”

He chuckled a bit. “You know what I mean, Alice. And that’s not actually a favor, it’s an order, now do it.”

“Fine!” She grabbed him and flipped him over to make him lie on the bed. It gave Jack the pleasure that he wanted. He had never been a bottom until now. They both thrust and they moaned loudly. He could clearly feel that Alice became stronger and more aggressive than last time. She didn’t let go from kissing his body parts. Commanding her that move was a good choice for him. He proved it well.

The s*x was fast. Hot. She came twice with little foreplay. Was she that horny?

The minute she was done and he slid off her onto the bed beside her, she regretted letting him into her bedroom. She was giving him the wrong signals. The relationship had to move on to something beyond occasional s*x.

Alice closed her eyes and laid naked on the rumpled sheets. Despite the heat pump that hummed, blowing cool air, she was hot and sweaty.

He rolled onto his side with a finger traced an invisible line between her breasts. She wanted to push away his hand, but she didn’t. She felt so damned guilty for doing it again with him this way.

“I’m sorry for not talking to you for a week,” Jack said quietly, as he painted his thin lines on her breasts. She caught his hand and brought it to her mouth to kiss one finger.

“It’s okay. I’m used to it. You’re a CEO, Jorge. What do I expect?” she said.

When she opened her eyes, he was looking down at her. He was attached to her; she could see it in his green eyes. He smiled.

Then he sat up in bed and reached for his boxers on the floor. He pulled them on and stood up to slip into his jeans.

Alice spoke. “You can sleep here, you know.”

Jack looked at her and said, “Wouldn’t your parents see me in the morning?”

“That is if you'll let them.”

“This s**t is risky, Alice,” he scoffed.

“I know.”

Jack was impressed. Alice is a fighter, indeed. Alice stood up and put on a night dress, a see-through night dress and underwear under it. It was too sexy!

Alice sat on her bed and saw Jack who’s still standing and just staring at her. “What are you looking at?” she asked.

“God, are you that sexy at night? Seriously, you should wear something like that in the office,” he teased.

“Geez!” she laughed.

“Or I must put you back on night shifts so I would see you wearing that a lot of times!”

Jack became more attractive when he pulled out some wits. He got a good sense of humor. Unexpectedly, he lied down on Alice’s lap.

“Can I make your legs my pillow for the night?”

“What? So I have to sleep sitting? That’s unfair.” She nagged.

“Then find your way on how to sleep with this. I found my spot here and it’s very comfortable. I’ll take a nap now.” He closed his eyes.

Alice said “You’re an evil boss!”

Then she stared at his meek face while he closed his eyes and slept. It was very peaceful and he looked so innocent. She brushed his slightly wet hairs and said “Hey, Jorge.”

But he did not respond. Alice took a large pillow beside her, and inserted it between Jack’s head and her legs. His head was now inclined. She saw his face closer to hers. She held the edge of his face. “Why am I so tempted to kiss you?”

Until, Jack surprisingly spoke, “Do it.”

“I thought you were sleeping!”

“I said, do it.”

“How could I do it in our position right now?”

“I could be persuaded.” He opened his eyes.

“How could I persuade you then?” She raised her eyebrows.

“You just did it.” He rose up and sat beside her. “You know I love it when you lift that brow of yours!” He reached for her lips and locked his lips with her as they went down the bed again. Ready for another round.

Jack licked her neck and he was damned unstoppable of doing it. He likes Alice’s scent. Probably her bath soap or her cologne. He noticed her breasts became bigger. She was undeniably aroused.

Slowly, Jack aimed for her n*****s and she enjoyed that kind of play so she returned the favor by wearing off his pants and brushing his member under his boxers incessantly until it erects.

Seconds later, he was already moaning and cumming. He can’t forget how good he felt when she touched and played with his member. Jack wore off Alice’s undergarment. Later on, he got Alice’s arms and spread it above her head, his hands leaning on both of hers so she won’t be able to make a move. She was cuffed by his arms now.

Gradually, he put it inside and she grumbled in pain. It was harder this time and she felt that intensity coming from him. Jack found her moan sexy in his ears. Behind the pumping, Alice forgot how loud she screamed every time so he covered her mouth to keep it low. Her sister might hear.

When they had already travelled to every part of each of their bodies, they had suddenly gone tired.

They laid beside each other, under the same blanket, staring at the ceiling and still gasping.

Alice hugged him through his chest. “Wow,” she said.

“I think we should do this often.”

“What? No.”

“Not having s*x, but being together like this.”

“Why?”

“I want to protect you.”

“You already said that.”

“I’m sorry, I’m just afraid that the bad people might snatch you away from me.”

“What are you so scared about? You have me here now.”

“Do you know Jack Kinley?” He spoke in a serious voice.

“Yes.”

“He’s an extremely dangerous man.”

“And?”

“Any idea how to protect yourself from him?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Come on Alice. You need me.”

“I lived almost a decade of my life alone and independently, and now you’re telling me I need you? Jesus, Jorge, based on my experience, I’m pretty sure I can handle myself.”

“Not all the time, Alice. Who will save you in the middle of danger? You barely even know self defense, sweetie.”

“Sarcastically speaking, thanks for telling me that because we just had s*x. It’s seriously making me more comfortable! Thanks, really!”

“I’m sorry. I don’t want to lose you. That’s all.”

“You’re a good man. I appreciate that. You don’t need to elaborate it all for me.” She kissed his cheek and rose up from the bed. She wore her underwear and then sat at the edge of the bed.

“I had a very good time.” She crawled to the bed and laid back down. “You can go now. Before they catch you here.”

He sat and wore his clothes on. She just laid there with her eyes closed and listened to him dress.

When he was ready to go, he leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I’ll let myself out and lock the door. See you at the office tomorrow.”

She didn’t answer and then he was gone.

She opened her eyes and stared at the closed door of her room while listening to the sound of Jack’s car engine as it moved out. She can still smell Jack’s manly scent on her bed sheets. She sniffed it and giggled with a certain thought. Was she falling in love already?

In a while, she fell asleep, hugging the pillow Jack used. There was his hair wax’s smell. Alice loved it.

But abruptly, she was awakened because she felt like peeing. That's why she sat from her bed and she paused, frozen in fright.

She saw her door widely open. It was very dark in the hallway of their house and she can’t see anything. Her room was lit up only by the moonlight. As far as she can remember, Jack closed the door before he left the house. She wondered. She checked the clock in her room and it was 1:00 AM. Who would open her door at this time?

She slowly walked outside of her room to see if her parents came home early. Her parents might have just checked her out to see if she’s in her room. But she thought that her parents always close the door whenever they leave her room. Why is it widely opened?

She continued walking very carefully, almost tiptoe-ing to avoid making the floor squeak.  She went to her parents’ room and opened the door but they’re not around. They’re not home yet. She began feeling so nervous. There was the cold air spinning around her body as she cautiously walked to the kitchen to grab a knife for defense in case a robber got inside their house. She was terribly scared that she held her breath for so long.

After grabbing a knife with her, with a little bit faster footsteps, she went to her little sister’s room upstairs. She was extremely worried about her sister because she’s alone in the room. She hurriedly opened the door with fear to whatever she might see. What if her sister got snatched? What if the killer was going after her family members one by one? What if she was right to what she saw lately? What if he was just outside their house all this time and kept on waiting until she finally fell asleep? Her mind filled with suspicion.

As she opened the lights of her sister’s room, she caught her silently sleeping and breathing. She went around her room to check if there’s something distrustful anywhere there. She sighed loudly in relief.

Until, she heard that a spoon dropped from the kitchen. She quickly looked back, closed the door of her little sister’s room and ran down to catch the thief. All of a sudden, she felt that courage within her. Might be the sense of being a big sister and a protection to her younger sibling. Her sister can only depend on her this time, so she took the risk. While she’s running down the staircase, she heard footsteps, heavy ones, running around the house. It seemed like the person hastily ran outside to avoid being caught.

When she reached the kitchen, there was no one in there and she caught their house’s window left open and the curtains are swinging in the wind.

Fuck, he got in, she thought. Too late, he already escaped. She immediately closed the windows and locked them. She turned around and opened one light, the kitchen’s.

She was shaking. She didn’t know what to do. For some reason, she still wasn’t letting go of the knife in her hand. Not moving in her position, her eyes wandered around the house, looking for signs if ever he’s still there. She saw no evidence. She looked down and touched her chest. She had a very high pulse rate. It was beating twice a second.

Upon looking down, she saw a piece of tissue paper in the kitchen sink and there’s handwriting in there. She got it and read.

“Did you have fun with him lately? Must be an inviting s*x to seize the night. You are one of a naughty girl, Alice! I am up for more shows! Give me more! I am watching…”

She felt her skin hairs literally rising after reading the note. She was right! There was a man outside their house, sneaking. It’s not just her instinct. It was real!

She had her eyes wide open, shocked about the thought that the killer was watching her every move since lately. She instantly got concerned about Jack because the killer saw him too and he’s probably in danger from now on for having connections with her.

She called him, with her shuddering voice.

After a few rings, he answered.

“Yeah?”

“Jorge! Are you home now? Please answer me!” She panicked.

“I’m driving my way home but I’m already near the city. Why are you panicking? Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”

“Something… happened.”

“What?”

“Something…………. in our house.”

“What happened? Tell me.”

She gaped herself from him through silence. She observed the surroundings of their house and suddenly felt so scared that he might be watching her and listening to her somewhere that she can’t possibly see.

Jack said “Alice? Are you there?”

She murmured, “It’s not only me in this house. There is someone else…… hiding and eyeing on me and my family. He’s just waiting for the right time. He’s just waiting…”

“Huh? Tell me what happened, Alice. How did you know?”

“I know it. I feel it. I saw it. I believe it. He’s here, Jorge… Help me.”

Later she realized, maybe she really needed someone like Jack. She needed him.