Jack and Jill III
Chapter 2
Rick was angry. Okay, that wasn't really correct, he was furious. He had even considered bringing a weapon with him so he could at least shoot her, if not out and out kill her. He was that angry.
He had considered himself lucky. Few publishing houses still existed since literally anyone could put a book they had written up so people could read it after paying a fee. They would download it onto their device of choice – there were a lot of those as well – and read at their pleasure.
This company did that, yes, but they also did something that was almost unheard of these days. They actually printed books that people could buy and hold in their hands. Literally open the cover, turn the pages, and maybe, just maybe, risk a paper cut, heaven forbid.
They advertised themselves as doing things old school. Granted most of what was sold was downloaded the normal way, but a portion of what they sold – albeit very small portion – were real paper books.
Because of this old school approach they also did something that just wasn't done any longer. They had the authors show up at various book stores and other venues for the public to meet and actually talk with and get a real autograph.
Today Rick was pissed off beyond words for two reasons and Gina was about to either be fired, have her ears removed, or her ass removed. Right now it all depended on what she had to say for herself.
He really did like the idea of the company itself. To actually feel and read from a real book had an appeal. He presently was a known author and dropping Black Pawn after his contract was up was an option that was available to him. If Gina was going to be a bitch he'd be gone the first chance he got.
"Good afternoon, Mister Castle." The receptionist recognized him instantly. She also watched him start to walk past her without so much as a hello. "Mister Castle?" He needed to stop. Rose thought she was a good judge of character and he looked angry. Lord knows she had seen that look on Gina's face ever since she'd started there. "Mister Castle!" She began to scramble out of her chair and chase him down.
Rick knew where Gina's office was so he went straight there. The receptionist wasn't going to stop him. He was beyond angry and Gina was going to get dumped on.
He opened the door and saw her sitting behind her desk. She also seemed to be concentrating on something, not that he cared. "GINA!" He was ready. Gina simply held up a finger and then started talking.
Rick figured out that she was on her communication system and talking to someone. "NOW, GINA! THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE!" He would walk out and Gina could find out that their contract was not being renewed the hard way.
"I'll get back to you. …What is your problem, Rick? That was an important call!" Meaning important to her.
"Like I give a shit! You scheduled me for a signing." That was one problem.
"Yes, they had an opening so I took it. Your contract says you will attend these so you need to show up." Gina didn't see what the issue was.
"Except I'm going on a cruise starting tomorrow that will last 11 nights," he reminded her tersely. "You knew about it. I sent notification to you, signature required. So you're just going to have to cancel."
"With that low life, yes, I know. You're just going to have to cancel your trip. This is more important and is part of your contract." She didn't see what he saw in that girl. She wasn't even a woman, let alone good for him.
"Watch your mouth, Gina. This trip was planned and ignoring it is your problem, not mine." He put his foot down. "Starting tomorrow I'm going to be gone for 12 days and that is not up for discussion. It's not changing."
"You'll be in violation of your contract, Rick. Black Pawn will sue you." Gina had no intention of backing down. Besides she was doing him a favor. Maybe this would force him to break up with that little nobody.
"I've read my contract, Ms. Cowell. It clearly states that I need to be available and since I will not even be here I'm not in violation. You were informed that I wasn't going to be available so I have a paper trail showing that you know.
"While we're on the subject I also noticed that you went ahead with the playboy image that you dreamed up. And that I. Turned. Down. That was also in writing so you know that I shot that idea down. So put an end to it," Rick ordered coldly.
"Too late," she replied smugly. "Everything about that decision has already gone out. Changing it or canceling it will cost money." She meant Black Pawn's money, not his.
"So you're acknowledging that you're ignoring all the decisions I've made on the publicity exposure you've made. Do I understand that correctly?" Rick asked.
"All of this will help with your sales, Rick. You know real paper books aren't popular. We need to do everything we can to help sell your books. These decisions are in your best interests." Not just as an author but as a person.
"So that's a yes." Rick then showed her his recording device. It was tiny and in plain sight. "My lawyer will contact your lawyer about you scheduling an event when you knew I wasn't going to be here. He's also going to explain to your lawyer why I will not be renewing our contract when this one ends." He didn't even see a look of surprise on her face. "In case that went over your head, you're fired." Rick spun around and walked toward her door.
"You're making a mistake! This will be the last book you ever publish." Rick didn't stop even though she wasn't done yet. He needed to understand that continuing to see that bitch girl was going to be the biggest mistake he'd ever made.
She got up from behind her desk and was actually running after him. It was demeaning and she was going to make sure he paid for his actions. He must be fast since he was already out of the office and when she reached the door she saw him stepping into a transit pod. "RICK!" Then his pod doors closed and he was gone. "DAMN IT!" Now she was going to make him pay twice. She charged back to her office so she could pack her bag and take a pod to where he lived. She had to stop him!
Losing Rick might not ruin Black Pawn completely but the company was going to take a huge hit. She might even lose her job since Rick was her boy. Well, man, really. She even had dreams of making him her husband, but that was in the future. Especially after all the other women worked out that he would cheat on them after marrying them. All because of her.
"Hold all my calls. I may not be back until tomorrow," Gina told Rose.
"You have a meeting with Victor at 7:00 pm, ma'am." Gina had made the appointment herself. It was with the owner of Black Pawn. She had wanted to go over all of their authors and how to handle all of them. Meaning she wanted to talk with him about Rick. It was the only time he was available so she had agreed to the really late meeting.
That stopped Gina in her tracks. A quick look at her watch showed her she had three hours. She quickly decided it was more than enough time. "I'll be back. If he calls simply tell him I had an emergency and that I'll be back in time for our meeting." Gina left without waiting for Rose to acknowledge the order.
+o+ +x+ +o+ +x+ +o+ [X] +o+ +x+ +o+ +x+ +o+
Rick was home and just needed to grab his suitcases. The ship didn't leave until tomorrow morning, but the schedules of the various shuttles he needed to take to reach it meant he needed to start tonight. It was going to leave at 6:00 am and his scheduling had told him he would be taking the next to last shuttle. So if he missed this one he had one more chance.
This trip was his idea and he was paying for all of it. He really wanted to spend the next several days with Kate. He was truly learning to care her. She wasn't uneducated even if she presently didn't have a job. There may be people who thought she wasn't good for him but he thought she was.
Stepping into his apartment, he found his mother in the kitchen. She was going to watch over his place while he was gone. "Into the alcohol already, Mother?" Rick didn't mind. Mostly his mother loved wine and not the hard stuff. However, she had an addiction to the expensive wines, and other things, that only he could afford.
"It's late in the day, Richard, and I don't see you drinking it." Martha knew he bought it only for her. He liked harder alcohol, not that he drank all that much, either.
"That and the place is all yours. I just need to grab my bags and I'm gone." Rick headed for his bedroom and didn't notice that Martha had followed him until she said something.
"She's a pretty young lady, Richard. Are you sure she's comfortable with this?" Martha meant the cruise. All of their other dates she had the choice to go home and be alone. Now she was going to be stuck with him for days. Even sleeping in the same bed. She had seen the ship, what was on it, and even the room he had secured for them. There were better suites but it was a big one. Still it only had the one bed, even if the sectional could be pulled out into a double bed if necessary.
"Yes, Mother, Kate's fine. She should even already be there and investigating the ship." He knew he would be if it was him. It was a big ship and held 6,000 passengers plus however many crew members.
Martha was still going to worry. It was her motherly prerogative. "Just be gentle, Richard. Don't push her into anything." Martha knew her son or thought she did. She didn't know for a fact if they were sexually active or not. Though spending the next several days in the same bed might lead them to it.
"Are you taking protection?" Martha wasn't bashful when it came to her son.
"MOTHER!" Was she really talking about what he thought she was?
"She's only 19, son, and doesn't need to be pregnant this early in life. I didn't raise you to be that kind of man." Martha may not have been rich, either, much like Kate and her family, but that didn't stop her from teaching her son how to treat women properly.
"Yes, Mother. I have a stem that is good for another nine months and I'm taking other protection as a backup. You can stop worrying." Rick was a little shocked but not angry.
"I'm your mother, it's my job to worry. Forgive me if I worry until I can't any more. I think it's in my job description." Martha wasn't upset either and was actually smiling.
"Well that won't be stopping for a long time." Rick picked up both of his suitcases and was ready to leave. "My ride should be here by now." He took his bags to the front door and dropped them.
"Don't worry, Mother, this is going to be the trip of a lifetime. We have shore excursions at each and every stop. Places neither of us are likely to ever see again. At least not in person." Rick wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight.
"I'll be here when you get back, Richard, and your apartment's perfectly safe. Your wine supply, not so much," Martha joked to lighten the mood.
"The kitchen's full of food if you decide to try cooking. There's emergency money hidden in the freezer that you'll have to thaw if you need it. That includes money for a shopping trip that I know you'll take." Rick knew his mother well. "Maybe you can check in on Kate's dad once. He might be just as worried as you are."
"I'll do that. Just take care of yourself and Katherine and remember to have fun." Martha hugged him again for good measure and watched him leave. Once he was gone she headed for the freezer to search for that money. After finding it and putting one frozen block of ice in the sink to thaw she went back to the wine.
Eleven nights in her son's expensive apartment. He might be on vacation but now so was she.
+o+ +x+ +o+ +x+ +o+ [X] +o+ +x+ +o+ +x+ +o+
"Henry!" Rick shook his lawyer's hand with enthusiasm.
"Rick, what brings you here? You said it was an emergency. I thought we had already talked about tomorrow's trip." Rick had made sure that if something happened his mother was well taken care of and that also meant handling the money with care.
"Here, listen to this." He handed over the chip that held his conversation with Gina.
Henry listened and didn't say a word until it ended. "Wow." He was no fool, he understood the implications. "What do you want to do?" Rick was in charge; all he could do was advise him of what was and what wasn't possible.
Rick began to explain what he wanted. "This book is Black Pawn's last book. Gina's fired. I need you to put something together that makes it permanent. Give me something to sign before I leave and send it to Black Pawn. You can flesh it out after I'm gone. We can start a search for their replacement after I'm back."
"Black Pawn is the only company I know of that still does real books. I can start another search for someone like them but don't hold your breath. It might mean less money for you," Henry warned.
"I'm aware of that. However, so far I still have most of my money. Unless my mother decides to spend it all while I'm gone." Rick chuckled a little since he hadn't left her all that much.
"Let me get to work and I'll have something for you shortly, then you can go catch your ship and spend some time with your girl." Henry wasn't Gina. He liked Kate.
+o+ +x+ +o+ +x+ +o+ [X] +o+ +x+ +o+ +x+ +o+
Rick was satisfied with what Henry had so he went ahead and signed it. Right now he was waiting in line for his first train. Like Kate, he was taking trains to each stop before taking a shuttle up to orbit and then walking across and getting aboard the ship.
He was really looking forward to this trip. Eleven straight days with Kate was going to tell both of them if they had a future together. He had done his very best not to push her into anything. He'd even restrained himself when sitting side by side and kissing had turned into something more like necking. With roaming hands going various places.
He had left her with a hard as stone erection that had him rushing home to take care of himself. Kate had asked him to stop and he had. She'd been sorry and apologetic. But he told her not to be sorry. That she was worth waiting for and they would do only what she was ready for.
Kate had even kissed him soundly at the door on his way out. They'd had only had a few dates since then and she had agreed to this trip right after that heavy petting session. That and she hadn't backed out so he was hoping that she was presently onboard.
+o+ +x+ +o+ +x+ +o+ [X] +o+ +x+ +o+ +x+ +o+
Rick went through what Kate already had and was soon standing outside a door that said Sky Loft Suite 18, deck 17. It was an ordinary-looking door which had him wondering. Yes, he'd seen the pictures and while it wasn't overly amazing, it was easily three times the size of a normal stateroom.
The room looked empty though that didn't stop him from looking around the room they would be spending time in together. Then finally he went upstairs. Up there he saw a suitcase and a small carry-on bag. "Kate's here!" He was tempted to do a victory dance. She'd said yes and was actually here! Though if she wasn't here she could be anywhere and finding her by accident was likely doomed to failure. So he spent some time unpacking and saw that she had taken over a section of the closet and one of the drawers with her clothes. Rick took up the rest of the closet and filled a drawer of his own.
While his chances were slim that he would find her, he still wanted to look over the ship for himself. Before the mandatory evacuation drill.
+o+ +x+ +o+ +x+ +o+ [X] +o+ +x+ +o+ +x+ +o+
Martha was watching the oven, or more precisely, she was watching the timer. Her son may not think she knew how to cook but she was going to show him. The fact that he wasn't there to see it wasn't important.
She ignored the knocking on the front door. She needed just a few more minutes. Focused on her task she ignored the knocking on the front door. Just three more minutes. Then the knocking turned into pounding.
Martha grumbled but went to the front door and opened it. "Gina? What do you want?" Richard wasn't home and she didn't have anything to do with this woman.
"Where's Rick?" Gina went around her and into the apartment.
"Richard isn't here." Martha closed the door, walked past Gina, and back to her oven. She arrived just as the timer went off. So she turned off the timer and then turned off the oven.
Then she grabbed a pair of hot pads, opened the oven, and pulled out her pan. It actually looked perfect to her. Now she needed somewhere to set it.
"Where is he?" Gina demanded as she came marching out of his bedroom that was now Martha's bedroom.
Martha set the pan on the sink. She opened a drawer for another hot pad, placed it on the counter top, and moved her pan onto that. It looked perfect. While it cooled she would start work on a green salad and maybe warm up something in a pan.
"MARTHA!" She was ignoring her and that was really pissing her off.
"What?" Martha's mind was on her meal that was almost ready.
"Rick! Where is he?" Gina really needed to know. She needed to stop Rick from doing something stupid.
"Richard is on vacation with his girlfriend. Katherine's such a lovely young lady. And so very nice. I have high hopes for those two." Rick had invited her over to his place and she'd shown up by accident a couple of times. It had allowed Martha some time with her.
"DAMN IT!" She might be too late. "Where's he going?" Maybe she could still stop him. "MARTHA! WHERE!?" The older woman wasn't paying any attention to her; she was worth far more than that girl Rick was interested in.
"SPACE! He's in space." Martha continued to ignore her and worked on completing her dinner. It was going to be perfect. She was going to have a story to tell him when he got back.
"Space." Gina's entire body sagged in defeat. She was too late. She was going to have to wait until he got back. She had no idea that Rick's lawyer was busy ending Rick's relationship with Black Pawn and her at that very moment.
Then Gina got a determined look on her face. The book he'd recently finished as part of the contract was already in their hands. He simply had to complete the one signing engagement. Their next contract was already underway inside Black Pawn for them to present to Rick. All he had to do was sign it. He'd leave Black Pawn, and more importantly her, over her dead body!