Business: Phoenix #1 (19 page)

Casey

Monday comes too soon and we are giving Grace and James a
tour of the office building.

I have introduced them to the majority of staff, there’s
just Stephen and the management teams. So we stood waiting for the elevator.

For a moment I regret wearing my new nude Louboutins for
work without breaking them in, my feet are so sore.  I blame Matt for
influencing the decision this morning – when I tried them on with my navy dress
he said my legs looked so sexy and that he wanted to take me there and then,
but because we were meeting Grace and James he couldn’t.

I guessed that if he thought I looked sexy before we got
to work then I would spend the remainder of the day teasing him. It would make
sex so much steamier tonight, not that sex isn’t steamy with Matt – just I
intend to get him all worked up and waiting.

Plus the huge heel brings me to the perfect height so I
can quickly steal a kiss when we get a few seconds alone. Not that this has
happened as much as I wanted it to.

I’ve caught him looking at my legs a few times today,
especially when I have crossed them, he makes me feel so wanted and sexy when I
know he can’t take his eyes off me.

When the elevator gets to our level we all spill in and
spend the ride making small talk. I walk ahead and take them to Stephen’s
office and he is sitting at his desk waiting – Hannah obviously prompted him.

“Hi Stephen, this is James and Grace Jackson.” I say with
a genuine smile, they all start to introduce themselves and shake hands whilst
exchanging pleasantries.

I let James and Grace sit in the two chairs in Stephen’s
office whilst I stand beside Matt. I just needed a few moments with these shoes
off to let my poor feet breathe.

“I’ll be back in a few moments’ guys, I have a call I need
to make.” I smile at the four of them, Matt’s eyes looking straight into mine
questioningly which I return with a nod and make my way to Hannah’s office
which is empty.

I sit down in her chair and flick one shoe off followed by
the other. Heavenly.

As I assumed, Matt follows soon after. “What’s up Case?”
Concern in his voice.

“My feet are so sore and it’s entirely your fault, you
told me to wear these stupid shoes!” I whine playfully and he raises his eye
brow at me.

“I did not tell you to wear anything darling; I told you
that they looked sexy with the dress.” He explains sternly walking so he is
behind me and I groan and tilt my head to the side as he starts to massage my
shoulders.

“I thought I would look nice for you today.” I explain.

“You always look nice Casey. You’re beautiful. The most
beautiful woman I have ever seen.” His words turn me to jelly, I’m glad I’m not
standing and especially not on those skyscraper heels because I would be on the
floor in a big pool. “Especially when I am on top of you.”

“I wish you were on top of me now…” I moan as his hands
start to massage my shoulders more forcefully.

“Oh I don’t, I wish I had you bent over this desk…” I
clench my thighs together to stop the ache in the middle of my legs.

Our dirty talking session comes to a halt when Hannah
walks through the door. “Hey guys!” She grins before noticing Matt’s hands are
on my shoulders “Please stop being dirty in my office. I haven’t even christened
it yet.”

I laugh. “We weren’t being dirty, I came to rest my feet.”

“New shoes?” She asks.

“Louboutins.” I confirm and her eyes widen.

“Let me see!” She squeals with delight.

I slide the shoes back on my feet and stand to show her. 
I do a little twirl and kick my leg back slightly before glancing at Matt. His
eyes burning with lust whilst he watches me.

“Very impressive!” Hannah says clapping her hands
together.

“Very impressive!” Matt confirms with a nod and I’m sure
that Hannah also knows that he isn’t just talking about the shoes.

“Very painful!” I laugh trying to make light of the
situation, if we’d continued the way we were I don’t think Matt and I would
have been able to make it out of Hannah’s office before ripping each other’s
clothes off.

~~~~~

We head back to Stephen’s office to catch up on what we
have missed. Grace and James seem really impressed with him and I am glad, I
really value Stephen as a colleague and a friend. He really loves his job and
puts in every hour he can to get the job done. He comes in at around 7.30am and
sometimes he is still working when I leave late on an evening.

“I am very impressed with the team. Everybody seems so
hard working.” James says to me.

“Oh they are all hard working, especially Stephen here.” I
nod in his direction and he smiles at me.

“Thanks Casey, I appreciate that.” He says.

“Of course. You are a brilliant employee and it is about
time you get the recognition you deserve.” I give him a sincere smile.

“Well, let’s get our heads together and decide on a way to
reward Stephen for all of his hard work.” Matt speaks.

“Oh no, really you don’t have to, it’s my job.” Stephen
doesn’t like too much attention and I gather that he is the type of man who
would prefer to sit in the corner and out of the way rather than in the center
of attention.

“We won’t do anything major that everybody will see or
know about Steve – just a token from us all to say thank you.” I reassure him. 
I start thinking what we could do for him, a pay rise? Extra holidays? I will
need to discuss it with the other three first. They may have better ideas.

“Well, Grace and I have to go – we have an appointment in
the next hour so we must get back to the hotel and get changed.” James
announces before turning to Stephen. “Again, it’s nice to have finally met you
Stephen. Keep up the good work.” He reaches and shakes his hand, before Grace
stands and also takes Stephen’s hand.

James turns to Matt and me and nods at us before making
his way out the door, I wave and say goodbye to Stephen and follow suit.

We say goodbye, James and Matt arrange to meet to go for a
few beers together this evening – they haven’t seen each other for a while so I
think it’s important that they get to spend time together to catch up. Grace
says she is going to get an early night – she is still tired from all the
travelling and has been finding it difficult to sleep on an evening.

And
I plan on getting Hannah over to my place for a proper catch up.

~~~~~

Matt has left earlier than usual today; he said that he
had plans with Scott, his friend I still haven’t met. They’re going to try out
a new gym and Matt was really looking forward to it, since he is a work out
fanatic and all.

I’m sitting at my desk scrolling through all the new
emails the stalker has sent me today – the usual, stating how much he wants
me,  how he is coming after me, telling me to stop ignoring him etc.

I also have an email off William asking me to contact him
to arrange a time and place for our date. He has been trying to contact me for
a while now, but I just don’t have the heart to tell him I thought he was a
stalker so I was playing him. I feel awful for that but it’s something I needed
to do.

My ringtone starts to play and I see Noel’s number on the
caller ID – a call I have been waiting a while for.

“Hello Noel. How are you?” I ask politely, really I want
to cut out all the small talk and get down to business.

“Good. Can you talk now or would you prefer to meet
somewhere?” His voice low.

“I can speak now – I’m alone.” I tell him.

“Okay good. I have found details on the person you asked
me to. He is called Jason Gribbon.” He pauses. “Are you sure you want to hear
the rest?”

Jason… I don’t know anybody called Jason… “Go on.” Is all
I say, my mind running through people who I know.

“He also goes by the name of Jace Gibbons and Jay Grubbs. He
doesn’t live in Newcastle; he lives about an hour away, a town called Peterlee.
He has a mental illness on his medical records – Schizophrenia. He has been in
jail previously for murdering his parents, but the idiots let him out a little
less than two years ago - should have been sectioned if you ask me.” He sighs
loudly before continuing. “He doesn’t have a job listed but has income from
somewhere and I can’t see any trail to why he would know you, why he would want
to contact you. But I do know he is a very dangerous man. Whatever you do, do
not approach him and let the police deal with him, I would strongly suggest you
block his number from calling and to get a new email address set up.”

I can’t believe what I am hearing. It takes me a few
moments before I realize he is waiting for me to speak, I open my mouth but
nothing comes out. So I just agree by saying “Mmm.”

“Casey, if he could murder his own parent’s God only knows
what he could do to somebody he seems to have an obsession with.” His voice is
concerned.

I force myself to speak. “I know. Can you send me all the
information you have on him please? It’s just I am struggling to take it all in
at the moment and think it may be easier for me to process the information if I
have it in front of me.” My voice is quiet as if I am worried that I am being
watched – I probably am being watched.

“Of course. I will scan and email it to you. I have a
contact, a detective in the police, who I will forward this report to as well.
What is your email address?” He asks.

I confirm my email with him and we end the call.

I stare into space trying to figure out why this man has
targeted me. How this man knows me.

It doesn’t take too long for Noel’s email to reach me. I
scroll the medical records, news abstracts and prison release notes. There is
an address which is a regular occurrence on each document – I assume that is
where he lives. The address is in Peterlee and that’s where Noel said he was
from.

That night when Matt leaves to meet James, I decide
against having Hannah over. Instead I sit and peruse all the information Noel
sent me earlier.

And I still can’t put the pieces together.

I read the news abstract and I learn that Jason Gribbon
woke in the middle of the night and went into his parents’ bedroom and brutally
murdered them. He stabbed his dad in his heart first and stabbed his mum four
times before slitting her throat.

I shudder and close my eyes for a few moments. When I
reopen them tears fall instantly. But I force myself to continue reading the
document.

Gribbon then went on to sexually abuse his mother before
making something to eat, showering then phoning the police in tears. The judge
who dealt with the case branded the man a maniac who should spend life imprisoned.

However, on his prison release note they had branded him a
‘changed man’ who was on his best behavior at all times and they didn’t think a
nice gentleman like him should be behind bars with animals.

Now he has targeted me.

I spend all night thinking about it, trying work out the
connections between us.

At 11.45pm I decide to climb into bed.

Matt arrives in soon after.

He tries to make love to me, but my mind is elsewhere so I
pretend I am asleep and he climbs into bed beside me and it doesn’t take long
until he is dreaming.

My mind is actively going over all the information I have
just been given and I don’t sleep a wink all night.

Casey

I have never been a fan of coffee, but I’m drinking it.

I need something to keep me awake.

Matt is speaking to James and Grace in his office, I
excused myself and came back to mine. I couldn’t concentrate on anything.

I am sure that poor Matt thinks I have a problem with him.
I have barely spoken to him all morning. But I know if I do speak to him I will
end up telling him what I know and he will go crazy and try and track Gribbon
down.

So
I keep everything to myself.

I
bottle it up.

~~~~~

Matt

I have mulled over last night’s slightly fuzzy events in
my head so many times. I can’t figure what is wrong with Case.

I remember coming in and going straight to bed to see her
– I had missed and wanted her.

I went to bed naked.  I got close to her, kissing her
shoulder.  My cock was straining against her ass.  She was stone still,
pretended to be asleep.  I don’t think she had even been asleep...

She hasn’t spoken to me today, she’s distracted and I
don’t know why she is acting this way.

I
just want to fix it.

 
Casey

Email after email after email.

When will this stop?

When will he leave me alone?

Why won’t he just let me live my life?

I
put my head to the desk, I have the world’s worst headache and tablets aren’t
budging it.

~~~~~

Hannah

I am just finishing up a call with Sasha when Matt walks
in to my office. His face looks distracted.

“Hi Matt. How are you?” I smile before glancing back at my
monitor – Andrew has just emailed me a confirmation of a weekend to Liverpool
he has just booked for us. I feel my smile widen.

“I need to ask you a favor,” Is all he says. His tone of
voice is low, and I turn my face to look at him again. His face is still
distracted, almost pained.

“You, Matthew Jackson are coming to me for help?” I tease
with a raised eyebrow.

“Seriously.” He snaps.

“Okay, shoot.”

“Something is wrong with Casey I went out with James,
which she was okay with yesterday afternoon, but I had tried to text her whilst
I was out and she didn’t reply, which is uncharacteristic of her with this
stalker out there. When I got home she was awake but she pretended she was
asleep.” It doesn’t seem right, a grown man like him, who could make a grown
man cry just by saying a couple of words. Worrying about my best friend because
she is acting ‘off’ with him.

“Okay, so where do I come into this?” I ask. I know what
he is aiming for but I want to hear it directly from the horse’s mouth.

“Can you talk to her?  Make sure she’s ok?”

“Yeah, what do you want me to say?” I quickly type an
email to Andrew – thanking him for the surprise and turn my attention back to
Matt.

“Well, can you find out what’s wrong?  I can’t fix it
until I know what it is.” He shrugs his shoulders.

“Have you thought that she may be a little hormonal? Woman
do get like that you know…” I try not to sound patronizing but I can’t help it.

“You think Casey is just being hormonal?”

“It can happen, Matt. Why don’t you try being extra nice
to her and see where that gets you.” I smile; I should have my own agony aunt
column.

He shakes his head. “This is different, Hannah, I just
know it.  I’m worried about her.”

“Well, I’ll go to her office shortly and I’ll ask her.”

“Thanks Hannah, I owe you one.” He smiles before standing
and making his way to the door.

“Yes you do. Oh and Matthew. Buy her a box of chocolates
and be prepared to watch The Notebook if she is hormonal.” I wink. “It works a
treat – I promise.”

He groans. “Oh no, not The Notebook.”

“You leave The Notebook alone! It is amazing; you just
need to start appreciating good films.” I smile and he leaves my office shaking
his head.

~~~~~

Casey

Hannah enters my office without a knock on the door. I’m
glad I don’t hold important business meetings in here, she would be forever
interrupting. Still, I suppose I can’t hold it against her, the girl is like my
sister.

“Hey beauty.” She smiles and sits down on the chair
opposite me, crossing her legs. “What’s new?”

I roll my eyes; I am definitely not a beauty today. “Ah
nothing much Han, you?”

“Well Andrew has booked for a weekend away for us both so
I am looking forward to that.” Her smiles widen and I can see a sparkle in her
eye, she is truly happy and I am glad. “Now, are you going to tell me what’s
wrong Case?”

“Nothing is wrong, why would anything be wrong?” I argue
and she raises an eyebrow.

“You look like shit and sound annoyed. I don’t know why
you try to lie to me, Case; I can read you like a book.” She shrugs her
shoulders and I let out the huge breath that I didn’t realize I was holding.

“Do not tell anyone what I am about to tell you.” I watch
her intently for a few moments and she sticks her pinky in the air. I smile at
her before looking down at my keyboard, sighing and looking back up. “I hired a
private investigator.”

“What? What for?” I hold my hand to stop her from
speaking.

“He traced where the calls and emails were coming from and
he got information on the person behind it all.” I explain and watch her eyes
widen, her lips forming a small O. “He’s called Jason and I haven’t got a clue
who he is, but the investigator told me he is a very dangerous man.”

“Dangerous in what sense?” Hannah’s voice is almost a
whisper and I know she is as scared as me.

“Dangerous in the sense that he is a schizophrenic and he
brutally murdered his mum and dad, sexually abused his mum and then relaxed a
little.” My voice breaks a few times, but I am proud I have managed to say it
out loud.

“Oh my God!” Hannah cries.

“I haven’t been able to sleep from thinking about it. The
investigator suggested I block the emails and number, which I have tried but
they keep coming. It’s like he has enabled my blocks.” I shrug my shoulders, I
don’t even know if that can be done or how it is done but that’s the only
explanation I can give.

“So what do we do?” She asks.

“Nothing – the investigator told me to stay well away.
He’s sending his findings on to a detective friend at the police.  I’m changing
my number and email address. I plan on lying low the next few weeks, hopefully
he will get bored.” Hopefully.

Hannah nods in agreement. “Good idea. Why don’t you go
away somewhere?”

“I can’t-.” I bite my lip; Matt appears at the doorway
smiling with a big bunch of flowers.  I look at Hannah in a way she knows that
we won’t be discussing this anymore today before looking at Matt. “Hi Matt.” I
smile.

Matt walks over to me and bends to kiss me on the cheek
before handing me the flowers – a mixture of pinks and whites – roses, my
favorite.

“Hey Case.” He whispers.

Hannah clears her throat and pushes herself up from the
black leather chair. “I’ll have to run guys; I have a meeting with the admin
staff shortly, catch you both later.” She smiles before rushing out of the
door.

I place the flowers on my desk and look up to Matt. “Are
Grace and James still about?”

He nods “They’re downstairs speaking to finance, Stephen
is with them.”

“Casey, I don’t know what was going on with you last
night, but you have to reply to my texts.  Even if you just say, I’m ok.  I
have to know your safe,” he says with all seriousness.

“I’m sorry, I’ll try not to do it again,” is all I can
manage.

“There’s no ‘try’ to it Casey.  You won’t, because if you
do.... I might have to punish you,” he says playfully in my ear then kisses my
neck.

“Oh Mr. Jackson, whatever would you do with me?” I play
back in return.

“I’ll find something,” he says with a grin, “but
seriously, if you don’t, I’ll come find you.  Nothing will stop me from keeping
you safe.”

I smile, stand and wrap my arms around him. “I love you.”
Is all I say and he kisses me, I can feel his smile against my lips.

~~~~~

The next day I can feel myself getting more and more
frustrated. I changed my private mobile number. But the texts come one by one
and I have turned my phone on silent so they stop interrupting me.

I’m watching you.

I like your skirt today.

I want your legs wrapped round me.

Why is your hair up today? You look sexier when it’s
down.

Do you want to play a little game? Look at your emails.
I have sent a few pictures; you have to guess what happens to the people.

Quickly, Casey, time isn’t on your side.

I open my email browser and sure enough an email is there
waiting for me. Waiting to terrorize me.

The sane side of me wants to delete without opening it.
But curiosity gets the better of me and I open it.

There is a picture of Hannah running. Underneath there is
a caption.

‘Will Hannah be the person who I get first??’

I shudder when another email pops up. I open it.

This time there is a picture of Matt in the suit he was
wearing yesterday. Then another in him and James in the pub last night.

‘
No, I think I should get him and his family out of the
picture first. Watch out Casey, your pretty man is going to get it. Soon.’

Another email comes shortly, a picture of Julie, thin,
battered and bruised, her face black and blue.

What can I do to stop this maniac before he hurts anyone
else?

~~~~~

I glance at the bottom corner of my screen and realize
that the time is 9.41am. I’m late for the managers meeting. I close my emails
down, grab my files and head towards the elevator.

I approach the conference room door and can hear numerous
voices; I knock lightly before entering all but one chair is taken beside Matt,
which I assume that he kept it for me. I nod, smooth my skirt before sitting.

I note that the majority of my managers are present –
finance, HR, administration, reception, IT, payroll, legal team, and two
publicists, Grace,  James and Hannah is present to take the minutes. Everybody is
watching Stephen intently as he stands at the front of the room updating
everybody on our figures and setting targets.

 Its James’s turn to speak next he stands confidently and holds
himself well with such power; he introduces himself to everybody again. Telling
them how hard they have worked and how he is planning a new scheme called
‘Giving Something Back’ which means every month, when we have an employee who
excels targets set, they will be rewarded.

The idea sounds really good and I know this is what Matt,
James and Grace have been discussing. Matt speaks and explains that there will
be a number of rewards – from spa days, golfing days and overnight stays in
luxury hotels. Everybody nods in agreement that it is a good idea.

The HR manager speaks up next – informing us of all new
staff within the company and changes at a few businesses. It is discussed that
Matt and I should tour around the smaller businesses just to see how things are
progressing.

I haven’t had chance to tour any of the businesses in the
past few years so it should be a good opportunity to properly meet my
employees.

I don’t really hear much else which is said, my mind keeps
flicking back to the email I received earlier, what if Jason really does intend
to hurt Matt and Hannah? What is he planning on doing with Julie? She looked in
a bad way. I start to fumble with my hands in my lap. What is he going to do to
the people I love?

Somebody clears their throat and when I look up and
realize everybody’s eyes are on me.

“Casey?” I hear Stephen’s voice.

“Sorry, I was thinking about-“I ponder what to say for a
few moments. “A new charity.” I smile.

I can feel Matt's concerned eyes on me, but I don't turn
to look at him, instead I place a hand on his knee and squeeze it gently. I
feel him relax slightly.

The rest of the meeting goes by quickly and I am glad to
get back into my office.

I open the first of five emails Jason has sent this
morning.

An image of Matt on his morning run.

The next email is the same.

The next few say –

Time to tell your boyfriend goodbye.

I will send you a picture of him when I am finished.

You will be mine.

These emails are enough for me to erupt - the straw that
broke the camel’s back. I throw my bottle of water across the room as it opens
and Michelle enters. She dodges the bottle and looks at me questioningly.

"You okay Case?" She asks.

"Yeah I'm fine. I'm glad that you walked in, perfect
timing and all that. Please sit Michelle." I nod towards the leather chair
opposite me. She sits straight away, crosses her legs and puts her palms in her
lap.

"What's up?" Is all she says, eyes looking
guilty.

"We're going on a little mission this
afternoon."

I explain about the stalking messages I have been
receiving and she tells me that she already knows - Hannah had told her when
she had been receiving them herself when I was in America visiting Matt.

I tell her about the private investigator I hired and all
the information he found, the picture of Julie I had been sent.

Michelle looks at me like I am crazy but she nods.

"We're going to track him down tonight," I watch
as she raises her eyebrows at me.

"We're going after a crazy psychopath?" She asks
stunned.

"Yeah, we are." Is all I say.  I know it is
probably a stupid idea, but it is the last resort.

"And what are we going to do when we find him?"

"I don't know.  I just want to see if he really has
Julie.  The police won’t act without proof.  I just need to see if we can find
anything.  If we find anything, we’ll go straight to the police" I tried
to think through this.  I can’t put Michelle in a careless situation and risk
her life...

"What if he captures us?" She sounds frightened.

"He won’t, but I thought about it. Our phones have
GPS and we will go in my car - it is tracked so if we aren't at work tomorrow
the security team will come to find us." I explain, that's my back up
plan. I know if nobody hears from me within twelve hours they will send out a
search party especially Matt, if he doesn’t hear from me by tonight he will
find me.

"Ok." is all she offers. "What time?"

"Well. I'm going to tell Matt I am staying at
Hannah's so I will pick you up at around 4pm?" Matt is another obstacle I
am going to have to avoid. I don't know how I'm going to do that.

"That's fine." She offers a small smile. Her
eyes are someplace else.

"Wear sensible shoes." I tell her. If we need to
run, our heels aren't the best option.