The Astonishing Dax Edmund

Chapter 7

"What's happened?"

"There's a fire on the fourth elevation."

Dax gasped, a vision of a blazing fire flashed before his eyes, his knees almost buckled thinking about what he was going to see once he got there. But he had a firm grip on the seat.

Jennifer gasped. "Oh dear."

"We called the fire department and they're on their way."

He sat back trying to keep his breathing steady. "Is everyone else okay?"

"Yeah but, our inventory is gone." The manager said.

"Forget the inventory dammit."

He slammed his fists on the table, forcing them to answer the call to attention.

He was thinking about going to see the levity of the damage.

"The show must go on. We have guests waiting and we cannot cancel right now."

He shuddered just thinking about attending that event while there was an emergency below them. He was not prepared for the calamity but he had responsibilities. He felt a strong need to see the damage that he had caused. There was no easy answer.

He went to the commissioning event, by car just waiting for eager investors. The driver avoided the third elevation.

Dax glanced at the haze of black smoke against the grey sky. He lurched when he felt the car stop at the entrance of the third elevation.

He shook hands with the guests and other officials who had come to the ceremony. Dax pursed his lips.

"Ladies and gentlemen..." He gave a speech.

The cameras flashed when he shook hands with the mayor and he cut the ribbon letting the guests flood in to witness the houses.

Dax returned from the event unknotting his tie and he went home. He walked towards the beige couch exhausted. He tapped a remote and he watched the news banner.

The people criticized Dax for going ahead with the event amidst the chaos that just occurred. He swallowed hard.

He glanced at the email from Mr Johnson.

"I am sorry, Mr Edmund but our partnership cannot stand with what you've done."

"You can't be serious, we had a deal."

"I'm afraid this controversy is hurting your business. I thought you cared about the well-being of your customers."

"I do care."

"That's not good enough." Mr Johnson cut the call.

Dax knocked his head against the wall. He punched the floor screaming and crying. Hot tears coursed down his eyes. He was losing his partnership deals too after all he had done. He sobbed.

"Mr Edmund, you have to send an apology note to the public." Jennifer said awkwardly pursing her lips.

Dax frowned. "Get out of my office."

"But sir!"

"Get out!" Jennifer Bezos sobbed running out.

He snorted wiping his eyes.

Shannon O'Malley arrived, she didn't see his assistant or his bodyguard anywhere. She entered holding her bag. "Mr Edmund. Are you prepared for your lesson? Mr Edmund." She heard the news, she thought about going to see him.

Dax stayed in the inner room shutting his eyes.

"Mr Edmund." She got closer to the door. She gasped.

"Go away."

"That's not very nice."

"I'm not taking any lessons today."

"I'm not leaving, you have no reason to be angry at me. Or throw your weight on me because you're in a bad mood."

"Are you angry at me because of what I did?"

"I'm angry because you're throwing your anger at me. I certainly will not stand for this. Even though you had no reason to abandon your customers like that. We are having this lesson."

His eyes glistened.

"I'm so sorry." She said. "But you're acting like a child who can't have his toy."

Dax fumed clenching his hands. There was no way he was apologizing. He was like a dog chasing its tail, he could never quite reach it. His chest tightened.

"Can we start now?"

She crossed her legs. "Not until I get an apology."

He wrung his fingers. "Who do you think you are?"

"Who do you think you are?" She asked. "If you think I'm so indispensable, I could just leave you here alone." She said heading towards the doorway.

"Shannon?"

She paused. All ears.

"Close the door on your way out."

She pushed past the doors.

Dax watched her leave and he worked his jaw. He reached out and lowered his hand.

His chest felt dry and hollow. He tried to talk but the words wouldn't come out.

Dax shut the doors and he tossed a vase at the paintings. He was going to look like a weakling in front of everyone.

He met Allora who stood at the front of the office building.

She sniffed. "Dax."

"What do you want?"

"You don't have to listen to what the others say. You're what's most important."

"Really?" He felt a spark.

"Yes." She got closer to him. "You don't need to listen to anyone, it's best if you just let it go, the flame will die off soon. These are just plain gossip."

He swallowed hard. "You're right."

"Of course I am, I cherish you more than anyone else." She held his hands.

Dax's eyes lowered to her beautiful face.

Allora smiled sweetly. Her lips inviting as strawberries.

Dax thought about yesterday evening.

Shannon O'Malley thought about her thermos, the first thing she saw was Dax holding hands with Allora.

"Shannon."

"I forgot my thermos, don't worry about me." She said.

Allora smiled, she finally won him over this woman.

Dax frowned, he already made that mistake once before and Shannon pointed it out. Not everyone could do that except for Bryson but she spoke.

"You know one thing about gossip. It ends with me." He lowered her hands and she gasped.

Shannon stopped in shock, she didn't think it was what she thought it was. She frowned when he approached her.

Shoving his hands into his pockets. "I'm sorry about everything I said. Will you take me back?"

Shannon glanced at Allora watching with her jaw dropped.

"You know I will."

Dax felt like he just had a boost. They hugged and they went back inside.

"Who is this woman?" Allora asked.

Dax was suffering the consequences of his actions. He took out a bouquet.

Jennifer filed her nails. Shannon stood back arms folded.

"I know things were better left unsaid. What would I do without you, Bezos, you've clearly been of great help to me." He told

"Oh give me that." She grabbed the bouquet.

He rubbed his head. "Thank you."

He faced her.

"Can I get my thermos now?" She asked.

"Course." He pushed open the door.

Shannon felt sad for Dax, she didn't want Allora to sweet-talk her way into his heart again. It was clear that he was hurting from the way he looked at her. She softened.

"I'm not going anywhere today."

"I am and it would be fine if you would be my plus one. I have to apologize to everyone."

"I don't believe it." She said pacing around slowly.

"I lost sight of what I was supposed to do. I thought it was better if I didn't seem unfocused."

"You have priorities." She said.

He shook his head, here they were talking about his business. "Yes."

"I will be glad to. But I can't go dressed like this."

His eyes scraped her, Shannon was fit, her biceps showed, she wore jeans to outline her legs and boots. A white T-shirt and splints. "You look like you just came back from the gym."

She smiled. "I'll be glad to leave."

He nodded and whispered something to Jennifer who looked pointedly at him, poker faced. She beamed at Shannon who winced.

She protested. "I don't think this is necessary."

They switched clothes and she stood tall in a corporate dress fit for the occasion.

Shannon squirmed.

"You look fantastic." Jennifer said happy with her comfortable get up even though the workers were gazing at her like she was in the wrong building.

Bryson arrived. "Boss, your car's ready." He said and his eyes popped at Jennifer.

"Since when do you wear casual clothes to work?"

Jennifer waved it aside.

"It's not up to code."

"It is now."

Shannon locked elbows with Daxton. She didn't know what she was getting herself into. She only wanted to keep him company, she had not expected to get so much attention.

She ducked at the camera lights and Dax held her hand firmly, while he brushed past the bodyguards.

She noticed the harried look on his face. "It's okay, just apologize and be sincere."

He took a deep breath and tapped the microphone. "Ladies, gentlemen." He gazed at the sea of heads and angry faces protesting against him. Holding placards with his face on it and horns graffitied on his head.

Devil in disguise.