Business: Phoenix #1 (7 page)

Three days later

I'm bad tempered, temperamental, glum and erratic. I have
spent the days sitting in my office staring into space, wondering if I made the
right decision to stay behind. 

I can't be bothered to speak to anyone and I know people
are avoiding me, but it's probably better off that way.

I look at my emails and delete all of them from the
mysterious sender without reading. They have got more frequent the past few
days - yesterday I got ten.

I pick up my phone to call Matt and then put it back on my
desk. A few seconds later I repeat…and again..and again.

"Arrrgh!"
I put my head on my desk and stay like that for a while. Why does it hurt so
much? I want to wake up from this painful nightmare. Because that is what it is,
a nightmare.

~~~~~

Hannah

I feel useless. I have tried everything I can think of to
cheer her up — the first night I stayed at her house, took champagne,
chocolates and an Indian takeaway. She sobbed, we hugged and then put our favourite
music on as loud as we could bear and danced — I’m sure that security thought
we had gone mad because they came to check on us which they never do.

She doesn’t think I notice these sorts of things but I
know she isn’t eating. I’ve been checking with Julie downstairs in the café and
Casey hasn’t been down for her usual fruit salads.

Casey is normally an easy going girl. Everybody praises
how friendly she is and what a big heart she has. However, anybody that comes
into contact with her lately gets their head bitten off.

I was thinking of phoning her brother Andrew, to ask him
and their parents to come and visit. However, I have another idea, a much
better idea.

I make sure my office door is shut properly before sitting
behind my desk. One thing I love about my office is my desk faces the window
wall where the door is so I can see when anybody approaches. Then I know
whether I should be busying myself.

I dial the number for Kate at Jackson Industries. I am
glad we became friendly when she was here visiting. She’s a cool girl, I’m sure
she will be willing to help.

“Kate speaking.”

“Hi Kate, its Hannah... from Phoenix Corps. How are you?”

“Oh hi, Hannah!” I hear the smile in her voice. “I’m great
thanks. How can I help you?”

“I’m trying to contact Matthew if possible. I don’t have
his number and Casey has been busy in meetings all morning so I don’t like to
bother her. Is there any chance you can give it to me?” I tell a little white
lie. It’s for a good cause though, so it’s all okay. I’m not a bad person.

“Of course.” She gives me the number and we exchange
pleasantries before ending the call.

I start to dial Matthews’s number and stop when I see
Casey walk past my door. I wait to see if it’s my office she is aiming for, but
she carries on. Ah, she must be going to see Stephen a few offices down. Wooow
lucky escape.

I quickly dial the number and it rings a while. I glance
at my watch 3pm – I wonder what time it is there. I hope I don’t wake him.

“Matthew Jackson.” He sounds out of breath.

“Hi, Matthew, it’s Hannah speaking. How are you?” Really I
wanted to say get back over here you asshole, but I remember this man is now my
boss.

“Hi, Hannah, how is she?” Well thanks for asking how I am
shit bag.

“Well, that’s what I’m calling you for. She’s like a
little lost dog that’s pining for her owner. Nobody dares to speak to her as
they’re scared she’s going to bite their head off.”

I hear him exhale. “I’ll call her now.”

“No! Don’t! Then she will know I’ve been in contact and
will be pissed that I’m interfering!” I protest.

“I won’t say anything to give you away Hannah. I promise.
Will you call me later to update me on her?” He asks.

“Of course I will. Take care.” I smile.

“You too.” He ends the call at that.

I sit back in my chair and hope things work out for my
dearest friend.

Casey

“So, everything is fine. I think sending Michelle to
investigate the downfalls of the business was a good idea,” Stephen stops when
he hears my phone’s ringtone.

I look down at my phone and see Matt’s name on the caller
ID.

“Sorry, I need to take this call Stephen. I’ll be back
later.”

“Hi, Matt, how are you?” I answer and make my way out the
door and back up to my office.

“Missing you like mad, other than that I’m okay. How are
you?” He asks with concern in his voice.

“I’m okay.” I lie.

“So, why don’t we look at booking a ticket for you to come
over here next week?” He asks. I miss his voice, I miss his touch.

“Maybe, I’ll have to see how things are running over here
first, but I’ll definitely be coming to see you soon. I miss you so much,
Jacks.” I balance the phone between my ear and shoulder as I push my door open
and see a male figure sitting on the chair facing my desk.

I squint trying to work out who it is at first. Not paying
much attention to what Matt is saying on the phone.

The man realizes I have entered and stands and turns; Darren.
He couldn’t have picked a worse fucking time.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I shout.

“Calm down, it’s about time me and you have a little
overdue chat, don’t you think?”

“Get the fuck out of here before I call security! You have
no business here!” Every part of my body is raging. I don’t think the mood I
was in previously is helping.

He laughs. “You don’t scare me Casey.”

He walks towards me and I move backward until I hit the
door. Oh fuck.

~~~~~

Hannah

I'm almost falling asleep with the conference call with
the managers and managing directors of our hotel chains. Borrrring, Casey
should be the one who is listening to them drone on but I figured she wasn't in
the mood, so being the good friend that I am I decided to take over. I know for
the future though.

I start to doodle on my desk pad to pass the time when my
mobile phone starts vibrating on the table, giving me such a fright. The caller
ID says Matthew Jackson; he must be phoning me to update me on his chat with
Casey.

I can't just stop the call I'm on without looking
unprofessional so I tap the side button on my phone to put it on silent and I
make a note to call back as soon as this call has finished, if it ever does.

I get back to my doodling when my phone flashes again.
It's Matthew calling back. I figure it must be something important

"Sorry ladies, I've got to go. Please forward me the
rest in an email." I end the call and pick up my mobile.

"Hi Matthew, how is she?" I ask. I was going to
thank him from saving me but I figured saying that to the boss would be even
more unprofessional than ending the previous call.

"Get up to Casey's fucking office now and get
security! Somebody is there, I don't know who but she was swearing and shouting
and-" His voice is panicked.

"I'm on my way. I'll call you back." I rush out
the door and end the call immediately. I call out to Stephen and he is close
behind me. I tell him to call security and he goes back to his office to make
the call.

I don't wait for the elevator and instead I run up the
flight of stairs.

Just as I get outside Casey's door, I hear loud voices,
hers and a man’s voice... I just can't place the voice…

Matt

My early morning gym work out is ruined.

I can’t concentrate on anything.

I just worry about Casey, I hope she is okay.

I pace the gym floor.

I feel so fucking helpless.

 I should be there protecting her from whoever it is that
has upset her.

Rob and James try to calm me down and try to figure out
what is wrong. I can't tell them because James doesn't know what is going on
between me and Case. Fuck, he would flip his lid if he knew I was fucking our
new business partner.

I felt so fucking bad when I spoke to Hannah earlier, when
she told me how Casey wasn't doing so well. All I could think about was her big
blue eyes with the same sadness the day we said our goodbyes.

The same sadness I heard in her voice when she was trying
to act brave on the phone before, whomever the fuck it was upset her.

I hope she's safe.

When I next see her - which is going to be soon because if
I don't I feel like I'm going to crack up. I'm never going to let her go.

I
won't make that mistake again.

~~~~~

Casey

Tears stream from my eyes as a mixture of emotions flush
through me. Terror, rage and heart ache.

"What the fuck do you want from me Darren?" I
cry.

"I want what is mine!" His arms fly up in the
air. "This money is all mine!"

Hannah barges through the door.

"Darren!" Shock in her voice, "What are you
doing here!" she puts her arms around me.

"Mind your own business you blonde slut!" He
spits at her.

We huddle together, backs against the door as he picks up
a paper weight from my desk and flings it at me, missing my head by an inch.

He picks up a stapler and throws that.

This time it does hit.

My hands fly up to my right eye and I squeeze it shut to
stop the pain.

Within moments two of my security team run through the
door - each of them would make two Darren's - and run straight at him pushing
him to the floor.

I turn to look at Hannah and I cry.

Uncontrollably,
I break into pieces.

~~~~~

Hannah

I leave Casey and the security team to speak to the police
officers.

I put my phone to my ear as I pace my office.

"Hannah. What happened?" Matthew answers almost
instantly.

"When I got to her office her ex boyfriend Darren was
there. He said he had come to take what is his - her money. He threw things at
us and a stapler hit her on the face. She's okay, just in shock. She is with
the police at the moment." I explain

"What a fucking ass." I hear fury in his voice.

"I'm going to stay with her tonight to make sure she’s
okay. I'll get her to call you. Don't worry Matt, she's strong." Stronger
than anybody I have ever known.

"I know. Thanks. Look after her."

"Always." I affirm.

Casey

I spend the rest of the week away from the office and
Hannah and I travel home for a long weekend.

It's been nice to spend some quality time with my family
and I think Andrew feels that way about spending time with Hannah.

I sit with my iPod speakers in as I work at the dining
table.

Hannah and Andrew are sat across the room talking.

They think I am busy working but really I am watching
them. I see the way they look at each other, the 'accidental' brushing against
each other. They would really make a good couple.

Chad Kroeger's voice fills my ears -

'Cause trying not to love you, only goes so far.

And trying not to need you is tearing me apart

Can't see the silver lining from down here on the floor

And I just keep trying but I don't know what for

'Cause trying not to love you,

Only makes me love you more

I wipe the tears away with the back of my hands and I see
Hannah watching me from across the room, concern in her eyes.

I smile at her to let her know I was having one of my
funny moments and that I'm okay - I've had a few of them recently.

I type a quick text to Matt -

Hope you're not missing me too much Jackson. x

I look over to Hannah and Andrew; he now has his arm
around her shoulders.

I search for plane tickets to California; there is a plane
due to leave Manchester in two days, without giving me a chance to over think I
book a business class ticket.

After eating a lovely home cooked dinner made by my
parents we all sit around the table.

"I'm really sorry but I've got to go home a night
earlier than expected," I explain, everybody’s attention turning to me.
"I've got a plane to catch in Manchester in two days."

"Thank God for that, I need a bloody break from
you!" Typically, Hannah makes a joke and everybody laughs out loud,
including me. It feels good, as though I haven’t laughed for a long time.

When I arrive home it's after 9.

I have a quick shower and climb into bed.

And like every other night this week, I ring Matt. He is
generally having some lunch when I am climbing into bed.

"Hi Case." I can hear his smile.

"Hey Jackson, I'm not interrupting anything am
I?"

"No, I was just thinking about how I missed your
voice."

"Ugh, cheese ball." I joke and he laughs.

We talk about anything and everything we can. I don't tell
him about the flight I have booked. I plan to keep that as a surprise.

I
can't wait to see his face, to feel his arms around me and to taste his lips.

~~~~~

With
help from Debbie and Hannah I am packed and ready to go.

Ready to travel across oceans to visit the man I miss so
much.

Hannah gives me strict instructions – I’m not allowed to
do anything work related whilst I am away. I’m not allowed to check emails,
take calls, nothing.

We pack my cases into Hannah’s Audi A5 and we set off for
Manchester.

The roads are relatively quiet so we make it there in just
over two hours.

We say our goodbyes and I make my way into the airport. I
check in. Drop my bags off and wait in the business class departure lounge.