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Authors: N.J. Walters

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BOOK: Fabric of Fate
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Audrey gave a sigh of relief when the door shut with a
thunk
. She closed her eyes and inhaled the rich leather smell of the seats, simply drinking in the silence.

“Where are we headed, Ms. Brennan?”

She opened her eyes and offered him a smile. “To the office first, Malcolm. I’ll need you to wait and take me home after.”

“Very good.” He pulled into traffic and she let herself drift as he drove. She really was tired. She’d stop into the office long enough to pick up her purse and arrange to take a few days off. Heck, maybe she’d even take a whole week. But first, she’d find out what had happened with her presentation.

Her chest tightened and she forced herself to take several slow, deep breaths. Her stomach was none too settled and her hands had a slight tremble. She clutched the paperwork tighter.

The traffic wasn’t too bad, not for New York, so it didn’t take them too long to get to the office. Malcolm pulled up in front of the tall building. “Don’t bother coming around to get the door. I won’t be long.”

She shoved open the door and used it to help pull herself up and out of the vehicle. Her muscles were like jelly, begging for rest. “Almost there,” she muttered.

She made her way across the sidewalk, into the building and back to the bank of elevators as quickly as she could, which actually wasn’t that fast at all. It was as though she was moving in slow motion.

The elevator dinged and the doors slid open. She stepped inside and hit the button to go to the tenth floor. The ride up was mercifully quick and the doors to Claymore and Butler were before her.

The receptionist’s mouth fell open when Audrey pulled open the door and stepped inside. “Ms. Brennan. We weren’t expecting you.”

Audrey waved her away. “I know. I need to pick up a few things from my office.” She walked briskly down the hall, aware of all the eyes watching her as she passed. She could do this. Show no weakness.

Gwen wasn’t at her post, but Audrey’s office door was open and Gwen was sitting behind
her
desk in
her
chair. “Making yourself at home, I see. Don’t get too comfortable there.” Audrey hadn’t meant to snap, but seeing the younger woman sitting at her desk had hit her hard.

Gwen jumped out of Audrey’s chair and smoothed down the back of her skirt. As always, Gwen’s sleek black hair was impeccably styled, her makeup perfect, and the deep purple blouse she wore brought out the color of her blue eyes. Beside her, Audrey felt as appealing as a wet dishrag.

“Audrey, what are you doing here? I thought you were still in the hospital.”

She refrained from making any further snide remarks and marched around her desk and yanked open the bottom drawer. “I was released this morning, but I couldn’t go straight home. No keys.” She dragged her purse out and plunked it on the desk.

“I’m sorry. I should have thought of that, but it was so crazy here yesterday. You have no idea.” The younger woman straightened her shoulders and offered a smile that was anything but friendly.

Audrey had every idea as to what had gone on after she’d been taken out of here on a stretcher. “I trust you gave the presentation.”

“Of course.” Gwen sidled behind her and around to the front of the desk. “I was searching for the preliminary notes for the Baxter Corp job. Mr. Claymore was asking for them.”

Audrey strode to a tall file cabinet and yanked open the top drawer, pulling out a file. “They’re right here.”

Before she could hand them to Gwen, a male voice boomed across the room. “What are you doing here, Brennan?” That was Mr. Claymore. He called everyone by their last names like they were in the military and he was the general.

She shut the cabinet door and handed Gwen the file. “That will be all for now.” Gwen nodded and hurried out of the room, closing the door softly behind her.

“I’m here because I didn’t have my purse or my keys, sir. I couldn’t get into my apartment without them.”

“Someone should have thought of that.” He shrugged and she knew it was forgotten. If it didn’t directly impact the company, Michael Claymore III didn’t care. But he was right. Someone should have thought of it. “What did the doctor say?”

“Nothing serious. I just need a few days rest.” She knew it was best to downplay her illness. And no way in hell would she mention the dreaded words
panic attack
.

“Good. Good. You know those young pups are always nipping at your heels.” He gave a sly smile and she was tempted to slap it off his face. She was very well aware of the competitive style of management that was encouraged here. No one really made friends and everyone was a potential enemy. Suddenly, Audrey was tired of all of it—him, her job and this entire company. All she wanted was to go home to bed.

“I’ll be gone a week, maybe two. I’ll get back to you on that.”

He frowned and resembled an unhappy bulldog with his jowls. “That long. Are you sure that’s necessary?”

It was necessary. It surprised her how abruptly her goals had changed. When she’d left the hospital she’d planned to get back to work as fast as possible. Now she didn’t care if she ever saw the place again. “Yes. Doctor’s orders.” She grabbed her purse and strode past her boss. “I’ll be in touch.”

She didn’t wait for a reply. The man seemed to be stunned. Of course, this was the first time in ten years she’d put herself ahead of the company. And how sad was that? Gwen watched her pass. There was no concern in her eyes, only ambition. They’d worked side by side for two years and yet Gwen hadn’t even thought to call and ask if there was anything she’d needed. None of them had.

She kept her gaze forward as she made the long trek back to the elevator. She was grateful it was empty and she didn’t have to share it with anyone. The trip seemed much longer this time but finally she was back in the lobby.

Malcolm was still waiting in the car and jumped out when he saw her coming. He had the door open by the time she got there. He didn’t speak but hustled her into the car and hurried back to the driver’s seat. The car eased into traffic. “Where to next?”

The papers next to her crinkled. Her prescriptions. She’d all but forgotten about them. “I need to stop at the pharmacy.”

God, she was tired. Tears welled in her eyes but she willed them back. As if sensing how close she was to the edge, Malcolm took her prescriptions in to be filled and waited until they was ready. Then he drove her home. It was taking all her energy to keep herself together.

Utter relief hit her like a sledgehammer when her building came into view. She was almost home. Malcolm parked and came around to open her door. She didn’t discourage him from doing so. She was as weak as a newborn kitten at the moment and needed all the help she could get.

Audrey gathered her purse, papers and the bag with her medication. Malcolm put his arm around her shoulders, helping her out of the car. “Thank you.” His small kindness almost broke her. She gave him a watery smile.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay, Ms. Brennan?”

“I’ll be fine, Malcolm. Thank you.” Of course she would be. She didn’t have any other choice.

“I’ll walk you up.”

“There’s no need.” But his offer touched her. He really was a nice man.

“Yes, ma’am, there is.” He let her lean on him all the way into the building.

She dug out her keys and unlocked the inner door. He opened it and led her to the elevator. They were both silent as they went up six floors. Her apartment was the last one on the left. She unlocked her front door and smiled at him. “I appreciate your help.”

He nodded. “If you need anything else, you call.”

“I will.” He looked as though he might say something else but didn’t. She watched him walk back down the hall before closing the door to her apartment.

She locked the door before setting her purse and package on the table just inside the apartment. Silence enveloped her and the first tear rolled down her cheek.

Chapter Two

 

Audrey lolled in a tub of hot water enjoying the frothy bubbles. How long had it been since she’d indulged in a bath instead of a quick shower? Too long. The heat was relaxing her body and making her sleepy. It was a nice feeling.

Her mind replayed everything she could remember from the past thirty hours or so. It was only yesterday morning she’d been gung-ho about her job and her presentation. No, that wasn’t quite true. Her job had become a habit, her enthusiasm for each project simply a manifestation of what was expected of her. Nothing more.

When had she last enjoyed what she did for a living? For that matter, when had she last enjoyed anything? She lived in one of the greatest cities in the world and she never went to a show or to a play or a concert. Too busy working.

She also had no friends. She had business acquaintances and coworkers, but not friends. No one. Not one person had called while she was in hospital, not even her assistant or her boss. There were no get-well messages on her phone. In short, no one cared.

There was something very wrong with her life.

The water was cooling and her skin was beginning to prune, so Audrey pulled the plug and carefully climbed out of the tub. She was still weak and the last thing she wanted to do was slip and fall and maybe break a limb. That would really top off the week.

The Egyptian cotton towel was soft against her skin as she dried off. She put the lid of the toilet down and sat while she slathered lotion over her arms, legs and body. When she was done she stood and surveyed herself in the mirror.

She really was too thin. She knew she’d lost weight recently but she hadn’t realized just how much. Like most people, she hadn’t given her body a second thought until it gave out on her.

The steam from the bath had made her naturally curly hair even curlier. She grabbed one corkscrew and pulled it out before letting it spring back into shape. She’d hated her hair as a child but had come to accept it as an adult. If only it was blonde or red or even black, but it was plain brown instead. She usually kept it pulled back in a hammered silver clip when she was at work, but decided to leave it down. There was no one around to impress, no one around critiquing her appearance. Alone in her home she had only to please herself.

Clothing was the next order of business. She didn’t want to get dressed, so she pulled on her cashmere robe instead. It was an indulgence and had been a Christmas present to herself last year—the only one she’d received. It was a rich, chocolate brown and made her feel warm and cozy.

Audrey freely admitted she loved fine clothes, even if she didn’t own a lot. She indulged in classic pieces that were timeless. And she purchased most of them in consignment shops and online auctions. She’d grown up poor and old habits were hard to change even though she could well afford to buy new.

But really, who needed to pay several thousand dollars for a purse when you could buy last year’s model for a third of the cost? Audrey loved searching for just the right piece and finding it at a bargain price.

She shuffled out of the bathroom, through the bedroom and out to the kitchen. Food was next on her agenda. She hadn’t eaten since breakfast and her stomach was queasy. Her head was pounding too, but it was more of a dull throb now and not the roar it was earlier. The bath had helped.

“Probably lack of caffeine.” She rubbed her temple and stared woefully at the coffee pot, but reached for the kettle instead. “Tea is better.”

By the time the water was boiled, she’d assembled a dinner of crackers, cheese, a sliced apple and a handful of grapes. She poured water over a teabag she’d dropped into a china mug and loaded everything onto a tray. She’d eat in bed and watch television.

She padded down the hall and back into her bedroom. Her sanctuary. It was done in warm beiges and browns and was soothing to her soul. She loved this room and had spent a lot of time selecting just the right colors and fabrics. She’d trained as a graphic designer and had spent her childhood scouring thrift shops for interesting fabric. The plan had been for her to eventually design her own fabric and wallpaper, maybe even furniture.

Audrey carefully placed the tray onto the bed, sat down beside it and ran her hand over the quilt. She’d found it at an estate sale more than a dozen years ago and had fallen in love with it immediately. The design was intricate—a starburst in the center with the rest of the design radiating from it in tones of yellow, orange and brown. She couldn’t begin to imagine the number of hours that had gone into making it.

“Where did all your dreams go?” She slapped a piece of sharp cheddar on top of a cracker and popped it in her mouth, chewing thoughtfully.

She knew full well where her dreams had gone. Life had happened. Her mother had gotten ill and there were bills to be paid so she’d found an entry-level job at Claymore and Butler. Hard work and dedication had moved her up through the ranks until she’d reached the position she had today. When her mother had finally died and the bills were paid off she’d been so entrenched at her job it hadn’t even occurred to her she was free to pursue her passion.

Audrey reached for a piece of apple, enjoying the tart, fresh flavor as it exploded in her mouth. When was the last time she’d really tasted her food? Usually she ate takeout at her desk while guzzling coffee. That was no way to live.

She followed up with a grape. It was crisp and sweet. Exquisite.

Her mind wandered freely and she allowed it, not trying to rein it in as she usually did. Every time thoughts of Claymore and Butler entered, she let them go. It wasn’t easy and she was forced to admit she’d allowed her entire identity to become tied up in her job.

Where was the young girl with dreams and how had she become a tired thirty-three-year-old woman? Audrey slid off the bed and made her way to her walk-in closet. Originally, the apartment had contained two bedrooms, but she’d converted the tiny second room into a walk-in closet for her clothing and storage.

She went to the very end of the room and opened the folding door. The box was in here somewhere. She stared and caught sight of it up on the very top shelf near the back. She went up on her toes to reach it but could only touch the edge of the box.

BOOK: Fabric of Fate
10.29Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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