L.E.O.N.

Annoyed to the Bones

………….

Ezmaranda

“What do you desire of the outcome?” His dark voice seeps through my hearing senses.

I found myself in an office of some sort. Couldn’t tell who but speculating, there at the far end of the room, a figure of a male sat before me. Sitting in the desk and lazily stretching in his chair. Gestures all yelling I OWN THIS PLACE. 

“You.” I boldly announced. Well the body announced it because I couldn’t control my outburst as if it was a movie played on the screen in my body. I think it's my body couldn't really look down. Devastated from being trap, I was unable to control the vocals or any movements.

“You already have my attention.” His voice sent an icy chill to my bones.

“I want more than a spec of attention. Monogamous Mr….” His name was inaudible. “Only then I will give you what you claim of me.”

“Is that how it works now a days?”

“That is how I work.”

“What gives you the special kind treatment?”

“I wasn’t requesting.”

“Is that so?” He moved with ease snatching my waist. Smacking hard against his ready hard c**k underneath me. “You know what I would like?”

“A… greeting offf the lips?” The temperature of the room was cold like Mount Everest, my shaking words answered. I felt like I tried come off as sarcastic and fail miserably. Even though my words falter our body undeniably I was attracted to him. Whoever this body belong too did.

His combed through my strands of hair then closed the distance between us. His blurry face inched closer by every exhale I exhume. Was he going to kiss me? Nope. If he was he wouldn’t have passed my lips, he murmured into my ear. “You would love that wouldn’t you.”

His cool breath shot shivers through the war of my involuntary senses. The icy breeze marked my ear lobe traveling down my neck. All so sensitive. Too sensitive. And he knew.

“Say you want it and I’ll give it to you.” He breathes again, but this time his mouth was so close to mine. His words brushed my lips as if mesmerized.

I physically stayed silent. Mentally, I wanted to scream who the hell he was. And what purpose was I here for. Confine to this place with a body that looks like mine. She was slender from what I could steal a glimpse of. What does this even connect to me. I wanted release, but I didn’t know how to get out.   

“You play a dangerous game, Ezzie.”

Those words crack my mental break down. How did he know my name? Now, our lips touched as I return to the scene in front of me. He didn’t ignite nor did I had initiate movements to an obvious kiss. 

Instead, I motion against his and spoke. “Who said anything about dangerous.”

 He gave me what looks like a side grin even though the rest of his face was undepictable. Astonish, was he liking the quarrel between this Ezzie and him? Who had my name. A nickname. “I like the way it is now.”

I didn’t care anymore. I need to find a way back to earth. Back to reality. 

Moving my body to link the nerves to voluntarily move this chick away from his lap. I was totally feeling uncomfortable as I considered him a stranger still even though she seems to know the guy. 

Utter Total Failure. 

I tried again with my arms with no prevail. Another attempt, I foolishly tried to knock her head with mine and still luck spat at my misery. I twitch my fingers testing to see any movements. If I couldn't get the major parts lets try small ones. Nope. Fail. My toes? Stupid, but whatever to get out of here. Clearing my mind, I try to sense my toes. Thinking of how a spark of electric willed its energy to move me toes. I was in a dream after all might as well wish harder. Thinking, just maybe I can kick him or her. Jerking the energy for an increase of tension to all the bones, and I felt my toes tingle then moved. Yes, yes, yes, it was working. 

Glancing back the screen in front, it was pitch black. 

Oh s**t! What did I do now? Was there another scene to playout? Dont't tell me the moved to the bed. YUCK!  I might be single and a nun, but I wasn't separated enough. No offense to anyone who watch porn. 

Wait....

Why do I feel pressed again something soft like a bed. Holy mother of God......No. No. No. This wasn't happening. Eyes squinting forward, surprised it remained dark. Strange, oddly weird out.

Then a slender light arose in view, was that my my desk? My eyes fully opened. I was heavily sweating. In bed, my bedroom. I was still in my bedroom. Then it meant I was dreaming. A dream. It was a dream. Thank God! I thought I was stuck in whoever this lady was. What a horrible nightmare. To be constricted and have no control over the situation. Nor control to voice what I truly wanted to ask. Who the hell were you? Marry the girl already you like her, and she likes you. So, I can get the heck out of here.

I moved in bed to the edge. Taping the screen as it lit up, it was four thirty in the morning. I don’t usually in get the office till eight. But I guess I was too distraught to go back to bed. And end up not getting up again.

By five thirty, I was ready to resume to work. Still, it was too early to go in the office. Finding ways to kill time, I head to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator taking the gallon of juice and poured into one the cups on the rack. Gulping down in one go, I refill and replaced the juice back to cold containment. Sip my refilled cup, I scroll through social media. Collin text me. Opening to read his message.

               Collin: Hey, did you wanted to come to the convention? Or am I alone on this one too?

              Me: Partial alone, I’ll be trailing from behind the curtains.

              Collin: Didn’t know you were up this early? Having fiancé trouble?

               Me: No. More like a nightmare and the same applies to you. Did one of your female dessert kick you in the balls for you to be up this early?

              Collin: Quite a wild imagery, but no. I keep my woman sated. (Emoji Wink)

              Collin: Need a brother hug to chase away the monsters?

              Me: (Emoji vomit) I’m not a kid anymore. I can fight on my own nightmare.

              Collin: Catch you at the conference.

              Me: Skipping work? Must been a very bad female bite.

              Collin: (Emoji Smile)

I got my keys and sent a message to my personal driver. I felt like driving today plus having the pleasure of someone to drive you around is starting to make me forget how to drive. And didn’t want to make him come early. 

Locking the door, I head to the underground garage. Pressing one of my many keys, idling cars down here collecting dust. I picked the Black Mercedes, the car I treated myself for overtaking the reign as CEO. Out of the steel gates, I roam through the streets passing the busy traffic making plenty of detours to get to Callahan tower.

There, I slide by all the elevators, saluting to everyone as usual, and gathering brief information from Ava on the agenda. Hitting the heavy armor doors on my way to my office, in the corner, Irene sat on the sofa. Her eyes came up from her phone when she heard the doors widely open.

“Need something?” I toss my bag on surface of the desk crossing to sit.

“A little chat before you started on your busy schedule. Knowing I won’t see you later this afternoon.”

I wonder what important matter she had to discuss. It isn’t like her to come up here especially in the morning. Maybe around lunch time or afterwards. “Alright, what did you want to chat about?” Quizzical voice, but mannerly enough.

“A request for you to host a charity, one that can only be done by you.”

Much too fluffing the pillow to gain points for the yes answer. “For whom? And why?”

“A friend of mine, he wants ideas and I thought you could help the poor fella out due to your fame of experience.”

“I’ll think about. I’m not sure if I could fit another event when others are calling me out of my sleep.”

Quickly, she got up on her feet, “I’ll help in any way I can. Promise. Just tell me what to do and I’ll finish the task.”

“Why care so much about this certain friend?”

“Non-thing…special. Just gaining some favors here and there.”

“Ahh…Well, let's wait on it and see happens. Is that all you wanted to speak to me about?”

“Yes.”

“Well, then I should get back to work. I'll give you a response soon.”

A curd nod was all her response.

Didn’t want to dance around the question, I didn’t had time, the conference call was coming up. Notes needed to be seen before I presented the ideas for the Gala we were having at the end of the year. A joint Gala between all the heirs and heiress who runs their own company. An elite social class compare to other billionaire and millionaire because our business was considered old money. Offering a proposal to see who wins the pot to host. Winning was like winning a Golden Globe award if our occupation were in that field. Getting the stronghold business votes and first picking of the ripe.

Graciously, I held the title every year upon taking over the company. Upon the first year, the Gala located in the luxuries high end of city and historical buildings. I had throw every spare no expense event and sign on famous guests to entertain the night. Whatever to get the praise from the elite upper upper social class. 

This year, I had hope to entice them with masquerade party with a twist of games for the single, married, and people who wanted to remain unnoticed. Aside from their clothes, everyone had to wear something that a UV light can display when hit or as long as it glowed at night. The room was going to be dim, but will justify the light to the display the guest's status. Singles had to reveal the color red for hot and ready to mingle. White for the saint for those who are married because it was a blessing to find love and be surrounded by it every second of the precious time. Lastly, all the unknown will remain black as night as they want to be mysterious. Location? Unsure. For certain, it was going to be in the states because everyone complained about the wait in riding home. Yeah, couldn't please anyone without any defects. 

The phone rang twice before I could answer it.

“Hello.”

And to my disbelief this year the change the judge panel to woman called Christian Shallot. Never heard of name, but that wasn’t my concern as long as I won the award. I couldn’t care less what criminal background she came from.     

……..

Leonardo

              Finding yet another event Forbes’s global conference for the most mandate wealthy social class. And you would know if you were filthy rich because you'd receive an invite to these f*****g boring events. A day wasted mingling to flourish the green paper if any could be attained. The unlimited food, countless boring speakers, and small to enormous bodies all gather for the conference.

              If only the time could cooperate with the disconcerted feelings of being here. All the while I couldn’t help wondering if she was going to be here. Then to my surprise, Collin Wallis represented the company after my spill of our current rate of Winchester Empire’s glamourous assets. Concern tore within me as I came to realize a man replaced position. Must be a relative? Fuckboy? Close friend if none of the above applied. My wife’s life became more intriguing when the light was shown.

All theory was shut to shame, a redhead buckled to his arm after he finished his speech. His date. Leaving no doubt, the woman I wanted wasn’t going to attend after all. Relief draw the lines as hope bloom inside, my wife wasn't one sleeping around. Maybe I ought to make my presence known with a introduction so unshielded the man. Make him spill why his CEO wasn't dancing these halls. Then he nodded into a proud smile to the crowd from behind. Who was he flashed a boyish grin to? Tracing his gaze to search for the mystery smirk was sent to, I scanned the crowd. A man tipped his cup in a small toast in the agreement. Must have been a client of his or acquaintance.   

Jumbled, a grin as such would have sown to please a woman. But what did I know, my latest social events weren’t up to date. Clearly, learning a few tricks from a young and restless generation must have its own perks.

White. White dash as if the sun's ray fizzle to blind my peripheral. 

A white dress caught my eyes, recognizing every single slope of this woman’s body. Following the waist upward to her face and bingo have I won the jackpot. Leaning back in the chair far from the crowd was my dead wife. Not so dead after all or was she my wife anymore but lounging in the chair as she gave Collin a lazily half smile. Returning to the drink in her hand as she sips the expensive flavor in boredom. Raising her phone screen to her chest as she scrolled through the to find something. She mutters oh s**t as I gather from reading her plum lips from afar. Whipping her trench coat over her shoulders clearing a path from the tables.

I found myself treading towards the direction of the moving snow dress. Nearer, I could smell her magnificent alluring blossom scent. With her heels, it aids to my pace as I was the wedge from her and the exist. I wasn’t ready to let her out of sight. “Well, well, well what do we have here. Cinderella running away before saying her good byes?”

“Leonardo, move out of the way.”

I could tell by her tone of voice; she wasn’t happy to see me. “Couldn’t get a greeting or farewell?”

“Hi…bye.”

She squeezed through the frame of the door and me, quickening her steps once out of the doorframe. Right behind, following her out of the conference room into the foyer. I grabbed her arm and pull her back.

“I insist you stay and enjoy my company.”

Grimacing, she tried to yank her arm, “Let go, Leonardo, what is your problem?”

“Who are you trying to hide from?”

“You obviously, now release my arm.” She stopped fidgeting as she stared beyond my shoulder, and whispered, “Collin.”

 “Is there a problem here?” Collin asked as he look from Ezmaranda to the grip I had on her then tried level eyes with me. He was as tall as Liam, but yet still tall.

“Of course not, I had business matter to discuss with Miss Callahan here.”

Ezmaranda lock eyes with Collin and gave short shake of her head, guessing it was sign she was safe. He must be a friend or ex-lover to trust him as her security.

His stood enrapt her gaze for seconds, my ego was starting to take office. Moving his gaze to me, he stretch a hand, “I’m Collin Wallis and you must be Leonardo Winchester?”

Hesitant to let Ezmaranda go before she disappeared off to who knows where. Coming to a decision, I drop her arm and reached out. Surprised, she didn’t immediately leave once I couldn’t cage her here. “Yes, I am.” Shaking in a tight grasp, demonstrating a protective man intention, only a man could decipher the code, but he matched the same aggressive posture. “And what is your relationship with Miss Callahan?”

Giving a haughty laughter, “I’m COO of Callahan Incorporations as I stated earlier in my speech. You must have missed the chatter.”

“Actually, I didn’t. What is your interest in her?” Providing Ezmaranda a quick glance as she morphs from silence or cutting the tension.

“Leonardo!” Ezmaranda warned.

“I don’t understand your concern, Mr. Winchester. Miss Callahan has her heart set on Raymond Albright. Am I correct, Ezzie?”

“Yes.” Her smile tugs roughly through my chest as it tells the truth I’ve grown to known.

“I forgot to mention, Raymond is among the crowd before I step out. Also, you haven’t met my lovely date. Did you want to resume back to the convention?”

“No, actually I have to run some errands. As far as the concern, your date shouldn’t be alone surrounded by hungry diamond consumers. A potential change of heart could appear out of the blue. Thanks for today, I’ll see you at work.” She smiled playfully.

That smile erupted all the tension, I swallowed down hard so hard I felt my Adam’s apple hit my throat. She wasn’t my wife at this moment.

“I should get back if you insist so dearly. Are you sure you’ll be fine?”

“Yes, Mr. Winchester is a harmless puppy.”

Collin stood there for several more confirmation when finally Ezmaranda pats his shoulder for him to leap back to his date. Giving her courtesy smile, he hurries back to the noise.

 Turning her attention to me, “Whatever business it is, you can wait till our next meeting. Have a good day, Leonardo.”