Step Darkly Read online

  Rosie and I laughed all afternoon. We filled up on junk food and had some wine to celebrate as we dressed and did our hair and makeup to old songs from our high school days.

  “We’re almost there. Wow. Look at the place. There’s so much traffic.” Rosie looks out her window as our driver takes the last turn before the hotel.

  “I’ll drop you off at the front Ms. Connor. You have my number when you want to be picked up and I’ll meet you in the same place.” Niko speaks over his shoulder as he pulls into the drop off area. “You ladies have a wonderful time.”

  Saying our thanks, we hop out of the car and make our way into the building quickly and the first face I recognize is Faye’s.

  “Oh, Emilia. You look stunning. You as well, Rosalyn.” We smile and giggle together at her compliments and she continues. “Everything is ready for you at your seat. The awards are ready to go and I’ve included the names and their write-ups. When you are called up, you just say thank you and start reading from top to bottom and take a break for each one to get up and accept their award and take pictures. Someone else is handling all of that. That’s it. I will see you later in the evening. You’ll do great.” She reaches over and squeezes my arm and someone catches her attention over my shoulder. Saying a quick goodbye, she’s off and Rosie and I make our way up the grand staircase and into the banquet room.

  The dinner area is as lavish as I remember. My father brought me to a company gala one year a long time ago and I couldn’t stop staring at all of the beautiful men and women all dressed up. Looking down at my dress, I realize now I’m one of the beautiful people. I just wish my dad was here to see this.

  A hum of conversation drifts around the room as glasses clink together and laughter flows from all sides and the music plays at a low level. It will get louder as the night goes on. I do a quick scan for Joshua but I can’t see him anywhere, then my stomach sinks as I do a second scan for Sean and Brent.

  Sean is over in the corner talking with a group of guys and he hasn’t seemed to notice me. It doesn’t look like Brent is here yet. Rosie won’t let either of them get near me and I take a deep breath to calm my nerves.

  “Oh, look. Here’s my table. Oh good, I like these people.” Rosie laughs as she looks at the name cards around her and I snort back.

  “You like everyone. Let’s go find mine.” I take Rosie’s hand and we walk around three more tables before I see Joshua’s name on a card.

  “Here’s mine. There’s the information I need for the awards later. Oh—no…” I trail off in embarrassment. “I forgot to tell Faye to take off his name.” I meet Rosie’s confused stare then she follows my eyes back to the card for the seat beside mine with Kyle’s name on it. It looks like I’ll be sitting beside an empty seat tonight.

  As if reading my mind, we both glance beside Joshua and I feel my stomach lurch into my throat as Tawny’s name is written on the card as his date.

  “Just a minute. Stay right there.” Rosie spins on her heels and leaves me standing on my own, staring between the two names I don’t want to see at this dinner table.

  In a few seconds she’s back by my side. Grabbing Kyle’s name off the place setting and replacing it with a card with her own name on it, she smiles at me. “See. All better. I’m your date. I didn’t like the people at my table anyway.” She looks like she wants to laugh at her own joke but she waits for me and we slowly start to smile together.

  “Thanks, Rosie. I appreciate this. Thank you for always being here for me.” Taking her hand, I lean in for more privacy. “I mean it. Things have been really hard lately. I know I don’t talk about it a lot, but it means everything that we are still as close as we were.” I feel my face flush as I speak and I know my eyes are a little watery. The look on Rosie’s face tells me she sees it too.

  “Hey. It’s all good. We will always be besties. I know why you left. I know.” She gives my hand a reassuring wiggle as she smiles and I smile back, blinking a tear away. “Here, take a seat and get settled before you ruin your makeup. I’m going to say hi to a couple of people and get us a drink, okay?”

  I nod and drop my clutch on the table as I pull out my seat. I’m half-tempted to wedge Rosie between Joshua and I during the dinner but it would be awkward for her so I sit in my designated chair.

  Reaching across the table, I lift the water pitcher and pour myself a glass then take a sip to settle my nerves as I hear rustling to my right.

  Looking up, I see Tawny glaring at me. She’s not quick enough to hide her disdain for me but she attempts to gloss over it. “Oh, hello, Miss...?” She let’s her question linger as though she doesn’t know who I am and I clench my teeth together so hard as I smile, I worry I’ll crack a molar.

  “It’s Emilia Connor. Hello, Miss Davenfield.” I answer as I look around for Joshua. I don’t really want to see him right now, but I’d rather he be attached to this woman than deal with her on my own.

  “Ah, yes. Joshua will be here shortly. He’s just checking our coats and getting me a drink. He’s such a gentleman.” I smile into my water as she settles herself into the chair and I’m happy it isn’t the one right beside me. “Oh, I do hope this dinner doesn’t go on too long. I’m looking forward to having Joshua all to myself later tonight.”

  I feel nauseous at her insinuation and I swivel my head to try to locate Rosie in the crowd. I could really use that drink right now.

  “You have big shoes to fill, you know.” Tawny’s statement confuses me.

  “How so?”

  “Everyone loved Adam. He was a great businessman and a fantastic speaker. I don’t envy you getting up in front of your father’s whole company and attempting to carry on his legacy. Now Joshua, that’s someone who was a born leader. It just comes naturally to him.” If she could turn her words into a physical manifestation, I swear she just slapped me across the face.

  One last glance tells me Rosie will still be awhile and I stand on wobbly legs and excuse myself from Tawny as I look around for the nearest exit. Just off to the side, I see balcony doors opened a crack and I walk straight for them.

  The night air is cool and it’s just what I need to calm my anxious stomach as I take a few deep breaths, then focus my attention on my surroundings. Numerous small balconies around the building overlook the gardens and they are lit up beautifully by thousands of little lights. Each balcony has its own entrance and I’m thankful I am not sharing this one with anyone right now.

  The raucous din from inside fades as I notice faint stars trying to break through above the city lights. I could see them better from my dad’s cabin, I think to myself. The moon sits quietly against the tenebrous sky and I wish, for a moment, I could fade away into the background and disappear.

  But I can’t.

  I need to fill my father’s shoes and get through this night and I take a final breath before fortifying myself. As I turn to rejoin the party, I feel my blood drain out of me.

  Two repugnant eyes stare at me as Brent stands silently at the door, blocking my exit.

  “I missed you around the office this week. Well, after our little thing on Monday.” His words disgust me and I can smell him from here. He started celebrating way too early in the day.

  “I need to get back to my table.” I motion to the door the same as I did in the file room and he doesn’t move to let me leave.

  “That dress looks amazing on you.” His eyes have dropped and he’s talking with my body now. I suddenly feel naked in my own clothes and I feel dirty. “I told you I’d be seeing you around.”

  “B-Brent. Let me go.” I try to get through the little space he left open but his arm shoots out against the door frame.

  “I’ve been looking forward to tonight since I first saw you back here. Tonight I get to watch you at that podium announce my name as a winner of one of the sales awards.” As he speaks I feel my arms go numb.

  How could I have not considered this possibility? I’ve been so busy that the thought never crossed my mind. An
d how does Brent know he’s getting an award. As far as I understood, the winners only find out when their names are called and the only ones with access to the information are HR who approves the numbers from finance, and Joshua.

  His wretched fingers moving up my arm catches my attention as he continues. “I can not wait to hear you praise me in front of everyone as you give me my award. Everyone out there sees Emilia but we both know who you really are. Don’t we, Feelya?” He leans in, whispering in my ear as his hands continue to touch my skin and I feel myself begin to shake. “I wonder if you’ll stutter that sweet stutter I gave you.”

  Without giving him the satisfaction of hearing me stumble on my words, I grab his arms and push him hard to the side, wrestling my way into the hall. Before I get far enough away from the door, I hear his muffled promise loud and clear.

  “I’ll collect the rest of my award later tonight.”

  47

  Joshua

  I never realized just how much Adam took on for these dinners, but celebrating our company successes is important to everyone at Connor Realty. The meetings, preparations and signing off on everything has taken its toll on me this week and my own patience is wearing incredibly thin.

  The half an hour car ride to the awards dinner is the first time I’ve had to myself all week. I messaged Tawny earlier then promptly turned off my phone. Since she is coming from a different direction, I made the excuse that I had some last minute things to clear up at the office and suggested we meet in front of the hotel.

  In truth, I would have loved to see Emilia in the dress she chose before we got to the dinner but she had requested to spend some time with her friend. We’ve both been walking on eggshells around each other this week and I wanted her to feel relaxed when she got up to present the awards her father used to hand out, so I allowed her the time.

  Stopping at the valet, a young boy jumps to the side of the door and holds out his hand for the keys and I look up to see Tawny waiting on the steps in a deep red ball gown.

  “Ms. Davenfield. You look beautiful. Thank you for meeting me here.” As I catch her attention, she wastes no time in positioning herself at my side and hooking her arm through mine.

  “Thank you, Joshua. Please call me Tawny. It is a party after all.” While I know she is happy to be here, her smile feels a little too sculpted on her face.

  “Of course. Shall we?” I gesture my free hand to the entrance and we walk into the hotel to smiles and familiar faces everywhere.

  Each time someone new walks up to say hello, I feel Tawny tighten her grip around my arm. I’ve made it clear this is a business arrangement, but appearances are everything to her.

  “Mr. Darkly. You look dashing.” I know Faye’s voice before I turn to see her.

  “Faye. You look lovely this evening. You remember Ms. Davenfield? Tawny, this is Faye.”

  The two women share a smile and exchange pleasantries. I know only one of them is being sincere.

  “I have a couple of last minute items.” Faye looks like I feel; frazzled.

  “Tawny. This shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. How about you go in, take a look around and find our seats. I’ll check our coats and get you a drink. White wine?” I ask and she nods, then reluctantly releases her death grip on my arm.

  “How can I help?” I ask as Faye looks over my shoulder and waits for a few seconds.

  “Honestly, I just wanted to update you but you look like you needed a break already.” I laugh at her response. There is no assistant better than her.

  “Emilia is here already and her speaking notes are at her seat. Do you have your talking points on you?” I nod at her question. “Good. The photographer is setting up and I just came from the kitchen. Everything is on time. Try to relax. You’ve been working a lot this week. I’ll check your coats for you.” She reaches out and takes them from my hands. “I’m going to do one more sweep around then I’ll take my seat. My phone is on if you need anything.” She smiles and doesn’t wait for me to answer before she waves in the direction of the front entrance and walks away.

  I’m lucky to have someone as experienced as her with me. She’s worked with Adam for as long as I can remember her being there and she knows these things like the back of her hand. Losing Adam was a huge blow to this company but there are many great people here that have been keeping everything going.

  It’s time to put the stress of the week behind me and throw on the happy face everyone needs to see. The walk up the staircase takes a lot longer than it should as fellow staff stop me on each step to say hello. As I enter the ballroom, I glance in the direction where I know our table is and I only see Tawny seated at it as she looks through her phone so I make my way to the bar with the least amount of people and order our drinks.

  Tawny plasters her go-to smile back on her face as I approach and I notice a filled water glass at Emilia’s seat.

  “Has anyone from our table come by yet?” I ask, nonchalantly, as I hand her the glass of wine.

  “Yes. That one who fills in for your secretary just left.” She takes a sip, then tastes it in her mouth for a moment before deciding it is acceptable and placing it on the table as I pull my chair out to take a seat. “I’m telling you, Joshua. You work too hard. You need better staff around you.”

  It’s clear by her tone, she is threatened by my professional relationships and I choose to defend the staff I need to keep me afloat.

  “I’m lucky to have Faye on my team.” I take a gulp of my drink. If more people don’t sit down at this table soon, I’m going to need another one.

  “Oh, she’s okay. I’m talking about that Linda girl.” My mind searches for a moment before I realize who she’s speaking about.

  “You mean Emilia. Tawny, I told you, that’s Adam’s daughter.” I respond and she smirks.

  “And she knows it too.” I shoot her a curious expression and she continues. “That one is riding on her daddy’s coat-tails. I bet she takes everything for granted. You look absolutely tired this week. Has she done anything to help you or her own father’s company?”

  “Emilia has been learning how everything works. It’s unfair to expect her to hit the ground running. She just lost her—” I feel a rustle behind me as my words cut off and Emilia catches my attention.

  I open my mouth to say hello but nothing comes out as the sight of her sinks in. She looks more than beautiful in her tasteful black dress. It’s so simple, it’s ravishing and I don’t have the words to tell her how stunning she looks. Then I notice something is off. Dropping her purse on the table, she grabs the envelope Faye left for her and tears it open with shaky hands, then shuffles through the pages. It looks as though she’s found what she was looking for as I watch her lips move as she quickly reads part of her speech.

  Pausing in place, her breathing is heavy and she spins and glares at me, then waves the pieces of paper in my face.

  “I won’t do this.” Is all she says to me and I don’t understand her hostility.

  “What do you mean?” I try to remain calm but I feel my impatience begin to heat up.

  “I won’t get up there and read this. I’m not doing the awards.” As she declares, last minute, that she’s bowing out, I stand slowly as I hear Tawny giggle to my right and I hate that she thinks she’s right.

  “Let’s talk about this in private for a moment. Tawny, please excuse us.” At my words, Tawny slips into an innocent bystander.

  “Of course, Joshua.” I hear her almost sing her answer but I’ve already grabbed Emilia’s upper arm and I’m moving us toward the kitchen.

  As we walk, I feel her try to compose herself and wriggle her arm away, but she’s not going anywhere. My fury rises with each step toward the staff area doors as my grip on her arm tightens.

  Of all times, how can she pull this now? I’ve worked my ass off for this dinner and all she has to do is stand up there and read from a piece of paper.

  Pushing through the doors, a few people in catering uniforms gl
ance up then go back to their work and I scan the area, finding a small room just off to the side. The sounds in the kitchen are loud and it’s just what I need to muffle our voices.

  Dragging her into the small room, I close the door behind her and start in. “Emilia, you knew for a couple of weeks you were speaking tonight. This is unacceptable. All you have to do is get up there when you are called and say what is on that paper. You will be reading the awards out.” My voice rises as I speak. I don’t have time for this. I need to be out there with a smile on my face and, instead, I’m stuck in here with Emilia as she throws a fit.

  “I will not read out the awards. I won’t, Joshua.” Her demand grates into my eardrums.

  I’ve had it with all of this back and forth. I’ve given her an easy ride since she’s been back. She wants to file, I let her file. She wants to sit at her desk, I let her sit at her desk. She wants to get ready with her friend, I allow that, too. As much as I hate to admit it, Tawny might be right. I’ve given Emilia lots of leeway and she still wants more.

  “Enough.” My words sound cold and detached, even to me. “Emilia, when they call your name, you will march yourself up to that podium and read out those names.” She opens her mouth to speak but I’m not done. “Your inheritance is riding on this.”

  “What?” The weight of my words sink into her and now I have her attention. It’s clear we aren’t understanding each other and she still thinks she has some choices here.

  “You heard me. You’ll do what is required of you and you’ll do it with a fucking smile or so help me, I will hold a meeting with our lawyers and I’ll take everything away from you.” She gasps as I speak and I wish I hadn’t said the words.

  In my anger, I went to far. The thought of taking everything, the business, the home and even her father’s cabin from her never crossed my mind but the threat just crossed my lips and I won’t pull it back now.