A young woman stood in front of an office door and reached for the doorknob. The chill of it sent a shiver up her spine. Out of all the doors, she loathed this one the most. It smelled of cheap paint that was so thick it always made the door stick. She took in a deep breath before planting her feet and giving a push.
The door rattled on the hinges, mocking her effort. "Boss? I'm here."
"Ah! Damia, so happy to see you my dear. And in a pretty dress, no less." It was the plainest sundress she owned. A grating voice raked across the room from the man making his way around the desk. He sported an over-worn suit that was about two sizes too small for him. "Let me have a look at you."
A single gold tooth flashed from behind a half-cocked smile. His callused hands slid across her shoulders like sandpaper. They moved down to her hands mapping the marks on her arms, making her flinch.
"Tch, tch, tch... You've been scratching again, haven't you?" He lifted her arms up in front of him exposing them to the room. "I thought we were done with this."
Her arms tensed, "I'm sorry Boss. I can't help it". She dropped her head turning it away from him.
His fingers slid across her cheeks and hooked into her chin, pulling her head back up. "Don't shy away girl. Let me see those beautiful greens."
She swallowed hard. "Is there something you needed me for, Boss?"
" Yes, come. Please, have a seat." Boss slid his hand to Damia's lower back. He led her to a chair in front of his desk setting her down into it. "Tell me, everything going well with work?" He said as he leaned against the desk.
"Yes. Everything is going as usual."
He leaned in from his perch, "So, nothing I should know about?"
"No Boss. Is there a problem?"
Boss nodded before standing up. He took his time maneuvering around the desk and opening one of the side drawers. He removed a thick envelope and dropped it on the desk in front of her. He placed his knuckles down, leaning on them, making the wood creak under the pressure. "If there are no problems, would you mind explaining what this is?"
Damia slid back into her seat, becoming aware of the springs digging into her legs and back. "What is that?"
"Go ahead, look inside."
She hesitated before shifting her glance from Boss to the envelope. Her fingers curled inward, nails digging into her palm before reaching out. The envelope was plain but heavy, no markings, no writing.
"That's it, keep going."
From the envelope she pulled out a small stack of papers folded nice and neatly. Unfolding them with the same care they had been presented in, she read the first line; I can't wait to see you again... Her jaw tensed, traveling down into her fingertips.
"So you do know what these are." He extended an open hand towards her. "Then please, enlighten me."
She froze, staring at the pages. How? How did he get these?
"I can feel your thoughts, my dear. We'll get to that shortly. Right now, I'm still waiting on my answer."
She glanced up at him then back down to the letters. She shuffled through them before responding, "They look like letters. I don't understand what this has to do with me."
Boss straightened his posture. She felt his eyes narrowing on her. A stifling pressure formed around her neck. She pressed hard into the chair. "I thought you might say something like that." Confirming his position. "Lucky for you, I have something that should help refresh your memory." He pressed the intercom button on his desk phone. "Pete, you and Kent please join us."
"On our way."
Boss made his way back around the desk, planting himself at her side. He paused for a second before asking, "Are you sure there is nothing I need to know?"
"I don't know what's going on. What these letters are... There's not even a name on them." Damia continued fidgeting with them.
He placed a weighted hand on her shoulder. "I've always admired your conviction. Since you seem to be having problems remembering things as of late, let me remind you of mine."
He moved towards the door, opening it effortlessly. Damia could hear what sounded like frantic shuffling coming from down the hall. The steps were out of sync but getting louder. Hammers against her pulse. Boss stood holding the door open. His glare remained steadfast on her.
The shuffling noises turned to muffled struggle as the first man entered the room. His back was turned to the room as he entered. A second man followed immediately after with a third, struggling between them, being carried by the arms and legs. They moved to an empty corner of the room, dropping the person to the floor. A pained moan was exhaled through a cloth bag over the man's head.
"Thank you gentlemen." Through the commotion, Boss never once broke eye contact with her. "Though, could you get this man a chair. I'd prefer not to have a conversation with someone on the ground."
Pete did as asked without a word and opened a folding chair found nestled in the corner. Kent lifted the man off the ground and dropped him again into it. Both now stood next to him with a hand on either shoulder. All three winded from the exchange.
Boss swung the door shut. The glass reverberated from the force. She was beginning to understand the door more than the situation. Her eyes lingered on it for a moment before realizing Boss had moved next to the man.
He took a moment to look over Pete and Kent. They had abrasions on their heads and faces, clothes disheveled, and physically tired. "One person, half your size, really gave you two this much trouble?"
"No Boss, no trouble at all. Just trying to stay in shape with some light cardio."
Boss gave an approving nod. He then pulled the hood from the man's face and immediately moved toward the desk. Startled by the touch, the man flinched hard enough for Pete and Kent to have to correct his position in the chair. Boss leaned against the desk between Damia and the man.
Louis? What is he doing here?
Louis was disoriented. His left eye swollen. Hands, behind is back, and mouth taped. And now sunlight beamed through the window, over Boss' shoulder, directly into his eyes.
Damia continued eyeing Louis. Taking stock of his condition. It wasn't until after the shock settled that she realized Boss had been watching her since he arrived at the desk. Louis began to mumble something incoherent.
"If I remove the tape from your mouth, are you going to yell?"
Louis was still disoriented and unable to see who was in the room. The light was so bright he had to close his eyes and look away. He took a moment to straighten himself in the chair before shaking his head.
"Let's not forget that debt. Kent, if you would."
Kent broke the tape on his cheek and tore it away. The tape removed hair and was left hanging on the other side. Louis winced himself to keep from yelping.
Boss reached a hand out towards Damia. He snapped his fingers and held his hand open. She hesitated looking down at the letters. Without looking directly at him, she handed them over. Boss only now turned his ire towards Louis.
"It really is a shame we should meet like this." Boss straightened the letters and tapped them on the desk. "Despite what's happened, I do prefer my business to be handled in a more... open and professional manner. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Louis was still looking away, trying to protect his eyes. He nodded in agreement.
"I need to hear you say it."
"Boss, please, is all of this necessary? Who is this guy?" Damia turned in her seat trying to redirect his attention.
Boss didn't move. Merely shot a side-eyed glance in her direction. It was silent but piercing. She embedded herself deeper into the chair.
Louis perked up in his seat. "Damia?"
"We'll get to that. I'm still waiting on my answer."
"Yes... I understand."
"Thank you. Now, if I free your hands, are you going to make trouble for me?"
"What's this about? Who are you people? Why is Damia here?"
Boss looked at his henchmen. Pete pulled Louis' arms up forcing his body forward. Kent also grabbed him by his hair forcing him to look into the light. Louis let out a small pained cry. They held him in that position.
Boss cleared his throat. "You'll learn that I don't care to keep repeating myself. I suggest you do your best to help keep this conversation moving forward. Are... you... going to cause trouble for me?"
"No! No..." Louis blurted out. The sunlight burned into his face.
"Good. That's twice you owe me now. Gentlemen, oblige him."
Pete pulled a knife from a holster on his side. He slid it between Louis' wrists, sawing at the tape. The friction taking skin and hair with it. This caused Louis to wince harder. Kent released his grip on the man's head.
Louis rubbed at his wrists. They were red and swollen. He look down and away from the light, squinting as hard as he could. "Can I ask what this is about?"
"Yes, we can get to that now." Boss leaned up from the desk. With letters in hand, he approached Louis standing over him blocking the light. "Louis, is it? People around here call me Boss. Feel free to do so as well." He set the letters on Louis' lap.
Louis used the relief to take a moment and allow his good eye to adjust. He looked up and met Boss' eyes. The strain was too much and his eye fell, landing on the letters resting on his lap.
Louis shook his head and scrunched his good eye. He then noticed the two sets of legs standing at his sides. He again tried looking up at the two who dragged him in here. Kent immediately grabbed him by the back of the head again. He forced Louis' face down, aimed at the letter.
"Try to stay focused Louis. I promise this will be much easier for you." Boss pivoted just enough to continue blocking the light but reveal Damia sitting across the room. "It appears that you and our sweet Damia here were making plans. Plans without my consent. Since she chose to lie to me, how about you enlighten me. What exactly did you two think you were doing?"
ns216.73.216.175da2
and then Add to home screen.