Never Any Rain
The lights were off when she entered the penthouse apartment. She smiled to herself, thinking that she'd have a night of peace for a change. Taking off her heels to avoid waking him, she set her bag on the mahogany table that took up most of the foyer. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness as she looked around the pertentious bachelor pad.
Black and white marble tiles covered the floor, while all but one of the walls was covered floor to ceiling in mirrors. The non-reflective wall was taken up by a huge plasma tv that would fit in better at the local megaplex. A gold glass-top table with matching chairs sat gaudily in the dining area, setting the stage for ugly gold accents all around the massive room.
She moved quietly toward the winding staircase, complete with gold banister, only to be halted on the first one by his booming voice.
"Coming in late tonight, aren't we?"
She turned toward the hideous leather sectional in front of the tv, noticing for the first time, the imposing shadowy figure.
"I uh ... I was at that party you sent me to."
"Don't lie to me! For a while you were," the man said as he stood and turned to face her. "But apparently you left before the tv crews could get a good shot."
"Denny, I .."
"Damn it, Bethany. I paid good money to make sure those camera crews got you and only you, and you left. You fucking left! How am I supposed to keep your career going if you just leave like that."
He was closing the distance between them slowly, but menancingly. The dark features in his face and the throbbing vein in his neck gave away his anger. Izzie backed up a few more steps in a feeble attempt to increase the distance.
"I'm sorry! I just ... "
"Don't give me excuses, you little bitch. You take me for granted. I made you who you are. I expect to be respected!" He stepped onto the bottom step below her, as she backed up two more. "I will not work this hard to get you to do what you're told. You will not ruin this new campaign for me. You mess up, you're gone. Someone else will have to step out and take your place because you'll be out on your ass. Old! Washed up!"
She had reached the top of the stairs, but he had completely closed the gap. He had her backed against the wall, and she could smell the burbon, strong on his breath.
"Start being a good little girl, and do what you're told. I don't have time to deal with you and your disappearing acts."
"I'm sorry! I just ... "
"Just what? Decided to go against my orders? What's new there, you stupid bitch!"
His arm clenched around her upper arm, and she squeaked in pain.
"Stop it, Denny. You're hurting me!"
"You know what hurts me, Bethany? Not being obeyed. You're not going to disobey me again ... certainly not tonight," he drawled.
His fingers dug into her bicep, bringing tears to her brown eyes. He snatched her like a rag doll further down hallway, dragging her into his room. The slamming door echoed around the marble and mirrored apartment, followed by a silence more terrifying than the shouts.