Isit in the sunny nook of our apartment, the morning sun warming my face with my feet up on the bench, and the leftovers from our pasta dinner balanced in my lap as I try to read a paper for my upcoming Board meeting, on the fatal flaws of our computer system. I have my hair bundled up in a messy bun and am wearing my favourite gray sweats. I am the first to admit that I am all sorts of unmotivated today.
The house phone rings, I am happy for the distraction. I jump up, nearly falling ass-up on our slippery tiles, in my new fluffy socks. I stifle a screamy giggle, skating the rest of the way to the phone on the wall of the kitchen, I figure it's safer.
“Ms Bellafonte, it is Ronald from Security at the front desk. You have a food delivery from Sloanes. I am told that Mr. Savage ordered it. Can I allow him up?” security asks.
“Of course, thank you Ronald,” I say before hanging up the phone, walking back to read another page as I wait for the doorbell to ring.
It is not even five minutes later, when the bell sounds.
"Coming!" I shout out as I make my way there a little more carefully than when I answer the house phone. I hope Caleb ordered me a salad and a juice, my appetite is ferocious today.
I grab a hold of the door and open it, quickly shuffling my foot forward to hold it open. I am stunned into silence when a courier stands at our front door holding a stunning array of the most beautiful blue hydrangeas I have seen in a long time. I can barely see the courier over the armful of flowers he is waiting on delivering. I replace my foot with my hand and then pull it back like it burns, letting our front door go after looking at him and his flowers, my concern starting to increase. It is getting to half way shut before I speak again.
"You are meant to be food. Who are you?" I demand through the closing door, as I return my hand to the door and push it closed faster on the still silent delivery guy.
"Caleb," I yell down to his room in a very pissed off tone. Surprisingly, he can hear my concern, even from his bedroom. I must have yelled louder than I thought.
Quickly the door down the opposite corridor opens and a bare chested Caleb comes running out, quickly followed by his boyfriend, Matthew, who is also in a semi undressed state, but alert, and armed, nonetheless.
They go running towards the front door as I return to the sanctuary of my kitchen, standing as I wait for them to return, staring unseen at my cooling bowl of leftovers and a half read report.
I can hear the boys speaking angrily behind me, but I focus on the view in front of me trying to stem my rising anxiety. Matthew pats my shoulder gently before grabbing the house phone. I stand and listen "Good-morning, this is Matthew Jameson of Maximus Security, one of my clients has just received a delivery from your shop. Can you please tell me if this was a phone order or a walk in?" I listen quietly as Matthew speaks with the lady at the florist, who by the part of the conversation I can hear is adamant that she will not breach client confidentiality before hanging up on their discussion that ends up going around in circles.
"Gin," Caleb calls softly from the door.
"Hmmm," I reply, distracted.
"Gin," Caleb repeats my name again, but the delivery throws me, annoys me. The impending quarterly board meeting needs my attention. Not this stupid breach in our security, nor these stupid games again.
"Gin!" Matthew demands, his deep voice, screaming domination, "Turn the fuck around!"
I finally do, and I look at them both confused as Caleb walks closer to me with the impressive bouquet.
"They are for you Ginny," he talks slowly and softly. I must look like I am going to freak the heck out. I am.
"For me? That's prosperous. I haven't been on a date for months, you know that. Nope, not for me. Come on I have a meeting tomorrow, I need to smash through these reports," I go to turn away and Caleb walks forward again.
"Gin, honey, we have a problem. Someone got past security to bring these flowers to you. Actually it’s a huge fucking deal and you know it. It is getting worse again. We need to work together, focus on the latest breach of security now at your home, not your office!" he responds sharper than expected.
He is right, things have started picking up recently in online chatter and a constant increase in security breaches in our office, both through our door and our computer system. It is why we called an urgent board meeting for this week. We have a cyber security expert coming to present. I am running over the costs and initial review now.
"Open the card," he places the flowers next to me on the bench and they pretty much obscure all the sun, leaving the light in our kitchen a strange assortment of ominous shadows, before sliding the card to me.
We all stare at it for a moment, wondering what it contains.
Matthew steps forward and snatches the card off of the bench. “No, I’ll do it Ginny, this falls under my jurisdiction. Sorry if it is invasive, but, let’s go…”
Both Caleb and Matthew step closer to me. I snarl at their proximity and the reason they are both standing here half naked but we all lean in, to read the card.
"Gin?" Caleb though, halts the unveiling as he leans closer to me, pulling me into his naked chest. He always can read my triggers, better than I can. "You are okay, Gin. Come on, we got you. Whoever sent them, wanted to get your attention. Open the card, Matthew. Let's see what we are working with. Maybe we are all over-reacting, wouldn't be the first time when it comes to you pretty girl. Goodness, imagine if these are from someone like, Hunter, who is aging very nicely! Honestly, it could just be us freaking out after seeing the St. Joseph's double crossing idiots. Nothing more, nothing less." He kisses the top of my head and then nudges Matthew’s side telling him to open the damn card.
"You ready?" Matthew questions softly, looking into my face for confirmation.
My face must be awash with all sorts of emotions as Matthew and Caleb’s words finally reach my racing brain and I take a moment to pull myself back together. Last night did throw me. It still does hurt, despite the time that has passed.I'm goodI remind myself but walking a little further away from the flowers, so pretty but now tainted by such questionable intentions. I close my eyes and breathe in deep their heady aroma before I turn to my waiting housemates and best friends.
"Do it Matthew, let’s see what we are dealing with," I smile at them hesitantly, trying to defuse the rising tension, before stepping next to Matthew as he opens the card. I pretty much snort a laugh out at them both as I read the
Thanks for coming last night. I like you near me. Hartley was ecstatic too.
