Noticing where my attention has wandered, Janine smiles, reaching for Sentinel. "Now that I can properly see it, I have to agree," her voice is soft, almost reverent, as if she's caught in a trance, "It really is a beautiful piece of art.
The detail put into every feather… Why, one would almost swear they were crafted piece by piece.” Tiny shivers run downmy spine as her nude, French tipped nails create a soft chiming sound with each stroke. Slowly, running her finger over each delicate feather, from wing curve down to the very tip.
How dare she touch that which doesn’t belong to her…My inner voice snarls, a feeling of protectiveness taking over all rational thought.
Before I even know what I'm doing, I snatch the statue out of her hands. Fingers curling protectively around it, keeping it out of view and away from her. "Is there something I can help you with?" I glance at the clock on the wall, redirecting her attention to it, "Because there's only a few hours left before the day is over and I still have all these documents to finish typing up."
“Oh, umm… I was just thinking maybe I should take the statue to my desk, where every client will see it when they come in for their appointments.” Finally she slides off my desktop, giving me a little bit of much needed space. “Honestly it’s a shame to keep it back here, unappreciated, where the only one looking at it will be just you. But... if it's at my desk? Everyone in the office will see it, not just the clients that come to see Mr Blackwood.''
Metal warms under my hands as my fingers curl even tighter around Sentinel. The mere thought of giving it away sending another ache through my chest.
I want to scream out 'no, you can’t have it. It’s mine.' but I don't.
Thankfully my tongue stays still as the thought of 'what the fuck is wrong with me?' soon follows after, because seriously? Since when do I become possessive over inanimate metal things? I’m not some dragon hoarding treasure, especially when it doesn’t belong to me. Nor some creepy little naked dude coveting a magical artifact.
One finger after another, I force myself to let go of Sentinel, the burning ache of loss taking over, but I push through it. To force my hands to place it back on the desktop.
Afterall, it’s not mine. Ms Cavanaugh gave it to Josh, to bring him good fortune or some bullshit mumbo jumbo. But Josh is your fiancé... doesn’t that make it yours too?
The lack of a ring should prove otherwise but still, the thought does make the pain ease up a little bit. Enough to allow me to take a few deep breaths and re-center my thoughts.
“I’m afraid I can’t allow that. Mr Blackwood gave strict orders to keep it here. Though I’ll be sure to forward the suggestion when I see him.”
Somehow my voice remains neutral, never betraying the struggle going on inside as I suppress the urge to gouge out her eyes for even daring to look at Sentinel.
Instead, I let out a long sigh, the pressure of this minor squabble leaving me feeling drained as I focus on my work, silently dismissing Janine.
Thankfully she takes the hint, huffing out a deep breath, before pushing away from my desk. With a sharp turn on her three inch heels, she finally leaves my space, every step sharply puncturing the silence like a gunshot sounding out. A declaration that while I may have won this little dispute, the war isn’t over.
Chapter Five
Kaitlyn
“Honey, I’m home,” I mutter, kicking the front door close behind me.
After what has to be the longest work day ever, I’m finally home. My feet are killing me, my favorite shoes feeling two sizes too small, despite having worn them a million other times without any issues.
Groaning, I drop my purse on the floor, only giving it a slight side eye as it thunks against the floor.Probably need to dump out all the change again...
Stomach rumbling, I kick off the offending shoes on my way into the kitchen. Over to the fridge, where the siren's call of day old take-out is calling my name. The anticipation of spicy chicken curry and rice bringing unwanted memories of when I got it. Of how Josh and I had spent the night together... and how it ended suddenly, at my front door.
I should have noticed something was different.
Potholder in hand, I grab the hot plate from the microwave, making my way over to the other side of the small kitchen island.Glass of wine poured, I sit on one of the two barstools hiding beneath the island top's overhang, already anticipating the first bite.
He's a Piratebegins to blare from the counter by the fridge, the instrumental cords bringing with it happier memories of spending late nights binge watching the movie series together. Of making fun of Jack Sparrow's antics while throwing popcorn at the TV screen whenever the villain showed up. Of secretly wishing I could find my own Will Turner. To run away to some far off land, where we would chase grand adventures, one after the other.
But this isn't a movie.
And love doesn't work that way.
To answer or not...Definitely not a question I'd normally ask myself but, here we are. So tired of his bullshit attitude. Tired of being completely ignored, only to be sent home via text message! Who even does that? I'm so done with this 'on call relationship status' that we've somehow fallen into.
This is not what I'd signed up for and it's honestly time I tell him that.
Sighing, I set my fork down, walking over to my phone as it dances around like some sort of robotic bug toy I once saw on a commercial. My courage to talk to him wavering with every step I took.
Maybe I can just tell him I went to bed early when I see him at the event tomorrow?