Ghost - in the arms of Death

Chapter 9

The day has been long and confusing. I got more and more emails all through the day. People saying hello, inviting me to lunch, and all that stuff. Upcoming meetings, updates on several projects and my head is fuming.

I still don’t understand how the hell I ended up in a fancy office with a fancy new job. I didn’t ask for it and I am not entirely sure I want it. I don’t have any ambition to become anything other than I am.

Honestly, I struggle enough with life as it is. How am I supposed to juggle a new job at the same time? It sure as hell won’t help me move on. It’ll keep me busy, while I have to solve the mystery of my brother's death.

“Hey Bob,” I say not as enthusiastically as I usually greet him and my good, old friend immediately picks up on it.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

“Just a crazy day,” I shrug, “I’m sorry I didn’t bring you anything tonight.”

He smiles gently at me and pets his belly, “that’s fine, love. My wife made me a sandwich. Lots of green stuff on it, but she means well. I think.”

I chuckle at him, “you’ll survive.”

“I sure hope so,” he smiles as I make my way past the front desk to the elevators and up to the gym.

Today I don’t mind that it’s empty. I am in desperate need of some quiet time. I need to get my broken brain to work again. I need to shake the funky mood I am in.

I quickly change, but instead of running or throwing a few punches on the head bag, I sit down on the floor watching the twinkling city lights. I turn my gaze to the right and Linda's words jump back into my mind. “Upper Eastside my ass,” I mutter to myself.

It’s a generous offer, I guess, but come on, what would a girl like me do living on the Upper Eastside? I love my apartment. I love Brooklyn. And I need to stay close to what I have left of my brother.

“You don’t look very happy,” I turn my head to find Stranger standing right there next to me. I didn’t even hear him come in. His steely blue eyes filled with something that might resemble concern. “Is your stepdad alright?”

“Yeah,” I say, “he’s fine. Thank you.”

He watches me with serious eyes. I feel like he’s trying to look right through me and into my mind. I glance away and look back at the city.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him sitting down opposite of me, his back leaning against the window. His forearms rest on his knees as he demands my attention with his stare. I sigh and slightly shake my head at him.

“You still have no idea, do you?” he suddenly asks and with furrowed brows, I finally look at him. The corner of his lips turns up in amusement.

“Know what?” I ask.

“It doesn’t matter,” he chuckles, “not yet anyway.”

I just shrug and glance down at my feet. I need new shoes. These are dirty and used. I bought them a long time ago. Long before Leo died.

“If it’s not your stepfather, what is it that got you down today?”

“Do you really care?” I ask with a humorless laugh. He watches me as if he’s considering my question and then he finally nods.

“It’s just one of those days,” I shrug.

“But you got a new job,” he says. I look at him in surprise. How does he know that? Is he my new boss?

“Wait a minute,” I say, finally putting it together, “you did that?” He doesn’t answer, but I can tell by the look in his eyes that he had something to do with it.

“Why?” I ask completely at a loss. “And how?”

“Because I can,” he simply states, “as to why? You don’t feel like you deserve it?”

“Hell no!”

He laughs at my answer. I don’t think I have heard him laugh before. We never really talked enough to get to that, but it’s a pleasant sound. But there is a note to it –just a tiny, little broken sound- that tells me, he has his own devastating background.

“I did nothing to deserve it,” I continue.

“At least you’re honest,” he chuckles with a slight shake of his head, “it’s refreshing.”

“Is it?” I mutter, “I feel like it’s annoying. And I still don’t understand why… like do you know the feeling when your life is just rushing by and you struggle to keep up? That’s me. I am struggling to catch up.” I furrow my brows at him, “what’s with all the stupid extras in my new contract? New clothes? A car? That’s bullshit!”

“Wow, you are probably the first and only person to ever complain about that.”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t ask for any of it. If anyone is to blame, it’s you. By the way, I still have no idea who the hell you are!”

“I know,” he chuckles.

“So?”

“So!” he smirks at me.

I give up and decide that I don’t give a s**t who he is. I will just keep calling him Stranger. Keep it anonymous if anything. Why the heck not. Then again, he said we’ll be working together. I probably should know who he is at some point. Maybe I should try and find out. Make an effort.

“Is that supposed to be a challenge?” I quote him. It’s the same question he had asked me when he wanted to know who I am.

“How about you call me Alex?”

“Sounds like a plan,” I smile and let my gaze wander back to the nightly view outside the AMB building. “You know-,” I start without looking at him, “-I started to come here to be alone. I know this place is packed when most people get off work, but around this time it’s usually empty.”

“I am here.”

“And why is that?” I ask and this time I turn to look at him. His eyes are still on me. There’s something about the way he looks at me, that makes me want to run away as fast as I can. Not because he scares me. Because I’m afraid of what it might stir within me.

He’s too good-looking to waste any amount of time on a girl like me. I know guys like him want to date those skinny, tiny girls with designer clothes in the smallest size available. They always have long, shiny hair.

I hate shopping. I don’t pay any attention to what I wear as long as it’s comfortable. I like to work out, dripping sweat. It’s not pretty. It’s not sexy.

I don’t mind getting my hands dirty and my hair isn’t as shiny as it probably could be. I don’t even remember the last time I went to a hairdresser.

I shoved a pair of kitchen scissors into Leo’s hands and told him to cut off a few inches. The first time I asked him he refused, so I annoyed him until he finally gave in. Once a month he cut my hair and I cut his. Easy as that. But since then, I haven’t taken very good care of myself.

Under his stormy gaze, I am suddenly very aware of that. He’s just so perfect. Not my type. He’s too clean, but I can’t deny that he’s attractive as hell. I shouldn’t even think that since I think he is my boss now, but hell, I can’t shut off my mind, can I?

“Where are you from, Liah?” he asks, instead of answering my question. Somehow, I didn’t expect him to.

“Brooklyn. And please don’t tell me that I should move,” I sigh.

“Who told you that?” he asks with an amused smile on his lips.

“Linda House?!” I say hesitantly, “I think her Upper Eastside ass just doesn't know what it’s missing!”

“And what is that?” he laughs. I must be hilarious tonight. At least to him. I wonder if he knows I am not joking. Maybe his Upper Eastside ass has just as little humor as everyone else around here.

“Well, obviously I am in Brooklyn,” I say with an innocent smile.

“Sounds like a good reason to me.” Is he flirting with me? And am I liking it?

“It sure as hell is,” I smile and in a very nothing-like-me-manner, I brush my hair back behind my ear.

“But just so you know, the Upper Eastside has its perks too.”

“Yeah? Let me guess, you are here?!”

“I was going to say that it’s closer to work.”

“Oh, so you are trying to sell me the idea of moving here, even though I don’t belong here?”

“Are you talking about the district or the company?”

Before I can answer the unfamiliar sound of two women laughing as they enter the gym interrupts us. Both Alex and I look a bit confused at the late intruders. Two girls, looking exactly like supermodels stop laughing and stare back at us.

“Oh,” one of them says and I think she’s about to say more, but Alex is quick on his feet and pulls me up along with him. Not that I asked for his help, but apparently he is eager to get out of here.

The girls bat their eyelashes at him, which is probably the weirdest thing I have ever witnessed. They completely lost interest in the conversation they were having and turn into something that I can only describe as utter idiots with no self-respect.

Yeah, he’s good-looking, but come on, do they have to eye-f**k him like that? It’s super inappropriate and frankly, it makes me cringe. Not only because I have to witness this, but because I pity these girls more than I thought possible.

“Ehm,” Alex pushes me out of the gym in a haste, “you realize I still have my stuff in there, right?”

“We’ll pick it up later,” he simply states.

“Oh? Will we now?” I cross my arms in front of my chest, “what’s the rush? Do you know these girls?”

“No,” he says shaking his head, “but I know their kind.”

I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing, “must be horrible to be you when girls throw themselves at you like that. Every man’s worst nightmare,” I tease.

He glances at me with a frown, which turns into an amused look, “it can be.”

“Sure,” I roll my eyes at him, “so what now? I have to stand out here with you because you’re scared of two girls?”

“I was thinking more like taking you out for dinner,” he says, leaving me very little choice by the way he looks at me.

“Isn’t it a little late for that?”

“It’s never too late,” he smirks and offers me his hand.

I am in my sports bra and a shabby grey crop-top sweater. He’s in his gym gear too, though he probably can pull off anything and make it look fashionable.

“Alright. Fine. But it’s on you since you are making me leave my stuff here, which includes my money and the keys to my apartment. So, I seriously need to get them back later!”

“You will. I’ll make sure you have anything you need.”

I am not sure why his words send shivers down my spine. Again, not in fear, but with pleasure. I’m not sure this is headed in the right direction, but right now I can’t bring myself to be reasonable. Not after a brain-breaking day like this.