Lonely King

I walked stubbornly and got out of the taxi as I walked to the lobby of Redwood. It was Monday, and the thoughts of Friday sank in. To make myself any better I had worn that dress Jada had picked out. For some reason, I felt more uncomfortable. She was right, it would be turning heads, but unnecessary heads I was my problem.

I walked inside the building, tugging my feet towards the elevator. Hoping today was going to be fine. 'Soraya,' I heard my name. I turn my head in its direction. It was Scarlet beckoning me. I walked to her.

"Morning darling," she said leaning on her desk counter. With her hand holding her head up. I release my tiredness a bit too much for her to hear.

"Morning Scarlet," trying to sound more cheerful. She looked at me concerned.

"Didn't sleep well last night?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "You can say that," I answered.

"Aha… a strong coffee should do you well."

"Yeah, sure thing," I uttered. She eyed me wildly, as I put my bag on the counter, and brace myself across from her. She hummed.

"Why do I feel like someone is left disappointed? Yet, the sparks you have been passing have its effects on many," she stated, eyeing my dress.

"What?! Is it too much?" I asked scanning myself. "I told Jada."

"Friend of yours?" She asked.

"Yes," I said helplessly.

"Nothing is wrong with the dress. It's the person who's wearing it," I looked at her in shock. "No offense dear, you can't wear a dress like that. Yet, come in here walking like you're carrying a dead horse with you." I mumbled in my throat. She was right. I had no interest in going to work, better yet facing him. That is, if he even showed up, which I doubt.

"Problem at your office?" She said like she was reading my mind.

"Maybe…" I suggested, she stood straight, listening. "I hate all greed and all ego... some of us need to acknowledge that they are taking things too far."

"Maybe," she suggested my words back to me. "Yet, for all of us, that is what we know. But it depends on the type of greed and ego you speak of. There's greed that screeches like a howling wind that bites and claws to just take what's not theirs. Then there's the ego which lives in a bubble. But then… there's greed that sounds just like a piano playing harmony pushes us to gain what we love, and an ego, that establishes we should stand up for who we are, our uniqueness." I just looked at her in awe.

She immediately waved a hand at me. "Don't listen to an old wine lady's thoughts. I'm just rambling."

"Actually, I kinda understand what you were saying," I paused. "Now, I'm wondering if I had pushed a bit too far." I did appreciate her thought, made me realize based on your situation it can be a double edge sword. I smiled at her, I didn't quite understand it, but I felt like I could speak to her, like would with my grandma. She raised her eyebrow at me, but then her smile crept in.

"Well greed is forever permanent, but someone's ego it's an iceberg… now that can melt." She said.

"I need some hot iron," I said. With that, she burst out laughing.

"And a hot coffee," she suggested and I slapped my forehead.

"Mr. Hayes, you seemed to know him long enough," I started. "Does he... always hide behind the curtains, while others take the heat?" Her eyes immediately widened, and I began to wonder if I had taken it a bit too far. Yet, she began smiling slowly.

"Now… which one do you speak of dear?" She asked suggestively. Her question surprised me. Was she working here that long? That would mean she knew both father and son. Meaning she was the right person to ask about anything.

"Since, you asked me. Every place has minions," she continued when I didn't respond same time. "Everywhere has heat. Like any forge master, he or she might require to help control that heat… if you ask me."

"Aha! Forge master. I'm yet to see that… to see him in control. Yet all I see is a bitter queen, a stacked-up housekeeper whoever he is. Keeps on signing those rubbish a document that I keep receiving. While others must work and endure while dealing with all their rubbish. While a… King, a lonely one… sits on his throne," matching her tone. She hesitated for a moment.

"Lonely king, you say," she said looking at me curiously. I blinked my eyes at her and whispered.

"Hmm... I just thought..." I hesitated at first, but I wanted to know. "What husband doesn't wear his ring, doesn't wants his wife in his office and vanishes after one year from his own company, and then returns?" I dolled my eyes around the room. "If I have this right… Didn't they get married around the same time too?"

She looked at me nonchalantly, but I knew she knew otherwise she won't be trying to behave as if she knew nothing. Her pleasantry seemed to vanish and I guess she was deciding whether she should be defensive or attack me. She eyes me intently. Guess by her approach, it was seeming more as if she was wondering if she could trust me.

"Taking chances like that... can result in making great mistakes. Soraya," she finally spoke. I knew I had asked too many questions, but they had been piling up.

"I'm feeling empowered, especially in how I'm dressed today," I said. She tilted her head and stood face-to-face with me.

"I'll give one free, this time," she smiled. "I'll answer one question." I looked at her carefully. Which question was more desirable to ask? It was clear that Jules was unhappy, maybe because of his infidelities and the fact he wasn't wearing his ring. There's that obvious option of him keeping her out of his office for financial reasons. But the question as to why he vanished, that itself had variables.

"What happened a year ago?"

"Ha," she laughed. "Clever… but I said one question." I clenched my jaw.

"Why did he leave Redwood?"

"He didn't leave Redwood," I squinted my eyes at her, she knew I need more information and she gleamed at the thought as she turned sideways.

"I like you, Soraya," she said. "He was working at another company at the time. That's all I'll say on the matter." I sighed.

"Your very protective of him," I turned my back to her, still leaning on the counter. "Regardless, I still have to deal with that over-ego boss of yours."

"Ego?" She said, as she came and leaned to my side, eyeing me. "And you think you can melt that iceberg?"

"Flowers doesn't have the heart. She allows him to walk all over her," I said.

"Poor petals. She does have a soft heart for him." She hummed in response.

"I don't. He needs to deal with that wife of his and stick to his appointments," I gnashed between my teeth.

"Oh I see," she rolled her eyes, "You saw sticky Jules." I turned to her and couldn't help but chuckle.

"What?!"

"Oh, nothing. The last time I saw her. I told her I would throw a stick at her to leave, and now you're here calling her sticky."

"You didn't?" She gasped at me, I shook my head acknowledging while holding my grin. Her face seemed to glow.

"No one likes her... but it seems like you can manage both... the lonely king and the bitter queen." We both giggled when she said this. "Why not head on up? I'm sure, he needs help forging, despite his ego." I grabbed my bag.

"Maybe," I jeered. "When do I earn another answer?" This time her eyes sparkled. She bites her index finger.

"Let's place a bet," she said. I sighed, knowing this bet was going to be hard. "You said you planned on melting that ego of his."

"That depends," I shrugged my shoulder at her. She tapped her chin with her fingers.

"The Christmas party is within two months approximately. And all my years, I have tried getting him to attend. Flowers has exhausted all her options, but then again she's just a petal. Do you think you can?" My mouth fell, as looking at her.

"Forget I asked," I turned to walk to the lift. She laughed, waving her fingers at me and smiling as I walked to the elevator.

I stood alone in the lift and looked up at the numbers. I could feel the dryness on my lips after spreading them across while talking to Scarlet. I scurried into my bag for my lip balm. To my disappointment, I couldn't find them. Expect for the red lipstick I had. I looked at myself through the metal wall in the elevator.

I had caught up my hair in one. Jada had told me otherwise. I pulled the two pins that were holding it up and rustled my hair out. My hair fell above my cleavage in well-defined waves. I was guessing that pinning them up contributed to that.

I then began applying the lipstick to my lips. I was just about done as I pressed my lips together to adjust them neatly. Then the door flew open. I was sure I had pressed the eightieth floor. It wasn't supposed to open to anyone unless you had an access card to that level.

To my amazed, he just stood there looking at me, with the key card hovering on the elevator keypads on the fortieth floor. He was a bit undressed down in a suit with just a t-shirt, that match his two-piece blue suit in a checker pattern. He seemed to be relaxed until he saw me. Embarrassed I was caught red-handed I placed the red lipstick in my purse, as he stepped in.

"Um... Good morning Mr. Hayes," I greeted him awkwardly. I didn't turn to see him, but I could see him as he nod his head from the corner of my eyes as he pressed the eightieth-floor number again. Great, he wasn't speaking to me now. Should I even care?

I could feel the tension between us. I bound my lips together, as I hugged the bag at my shoulder. I felt tired as I pressed against the steel wall. I fiddled with my thumbs. Why did the elevator suddenly feel like it was going slower than normal? I just wanted to escape. I heard the doors finally open and I moved swiftly.

I didn't consider where he was walking when a small of air was forced out of my lungs. I had almost stumbled as I gripped, but I could feel a hold that held me upright. It took me a few seconds before I was fully aware of what had happened. I had walked right into him.

I had wiggled into his arms for support, holding unto his jacket but he had held me tightly to him. I looked up into his eyes. He just stared at me, as his warm hazel eyes searched me. I quickly gain my footing and stepped back. Yet his hand slider to hold me gently at my shoulders.

"Are your all right?" He asked concerned. I nodded. I stood there standing in his bubble, feeling vulnerable as he looked at me concerned. Then suddenly his eyes went dark and he simply released me. He then just passed around me. I just stood there feeling him walking down the corridor. Then nervously I bit my lower lips, not knowing what to say. I sighed helplessly. Yeah, Christmas party, right? That man was upset with me, for calling him out.