Chapter 14
Crowds of people buzzed around me but they sounded like muffled noises at best. My feet walked the familiar route with no thought on my part. I didn't want to leave the Shadow Gallery but I also know I couldn't miss work without a call or reason. Even though I carried a small shoulder bag the weight seemed much heavier to the point I wanted to drag my feet. My eyes glanced at a small coffee shop I passed and a part of my mind screamed for hot caffeinated relief but I picked up the pace and continued walking. I was far from alone in the small elevator that was packed nearly to capacity inside the BNB. As the lift inched closer to my floor I could feel the sting of a headache threatening to appear. The small ding notified the doors would soon be opening. Three people pushed their way out and I stood there weighing two decisions and I had not come to an answer on my own but when the thick metal doors closed once more and the lift continued up I sighed. I guess my decision was made for me.
I pushed past a few people exiting the elevator and maneuvered through the small hallways that were lined with office doors until I came to a dark wooden door with a gold name plate that read Bryan Fields. Frosted glass windows kept others from seeing inside the office so I knocked lightly hoping I was not interrupting anything. The last thing I wanted was for him to be in a bad mood.
"Come in" A voice called from the opposite side.
I turned the handle and opened the door to see Bryan tapping away on his computer. He nodded his head motioning for me to sit down.
"Ms. Duna. What can I do for you?"
"Well I wanted to use up some of my vacation time" I stated getting straight to the point.
"Oh? For how long?"
"Not long. Just a month" I smiled.
Bryan seemed to consider this silently.
"This would not have anything to do with Mr. Deitrich?"
"Not that I know of. I just need some time off a lot has been thrown on my plate and now that things have calmed down I want to take a breather"
"Well good. Let me be frank Ms. Dunas. Although your relationship with Mr. Dietrich has been incredibly lucrative for the network this is still a place of business. You can not just run off on romantic rendezvous whenever you feel like"
I clutched my fists discretely underneath the desk as an entire speech beginning with "First of all..." played through my mind but I argued silently with myself to remain calm and clear headed. My lips stretched in a false smile as I nodded my head.
"I completely understand...you hypocritical son of a bitch"
To the best of my knowledge Bryan was in his office twice a week, if we were lucky, sometimes more if we held meetings but many times he would leave right after. It was people like myself and those under us that kept this network running he only took the credit while he played golf on private courses and hosted yacht parties, which no one from the station besides Gordon were ever invited to.
Not today Evey. Today you need to play nice with Mr. Fields just for a few minutes longer then you're home free. Bryan dismissed me by answering his phone before he pretended I was non existent. I gave a small sigh as I showed myself out. I notified Nicolette and a few others of my upcoming absence. Most just shrugged with jealous eyes but of course Nicolette flooded me with a thousand and one questions.
"Really? I didn't hear Gordon was going on vacation. Then again he rarely tells anyone until he's already gone. Where are you two going this time?"
"Let's just get to work okay" I said with a small smile.
"Did you and Gordon have a fight? You've been in a really bad mood lately" She said slightly irritated.
"It's been a long month. I'm just tired" I said somehow restraining my anger.
I walked towards my office and watched Nicolette take a step towards me from my peripheral but she must have thought better of it because she turned around and walked in the opposite direction. I did not plan on staying long and gave my duties to Nicolette to handle. I sat at my desk, checked a few emails, and watched a few unrelated videos before shutting off my computer once more.
Maybe it was just me but it seemed like the sun shined a little brighter on this already beautiful sunny day. There was a slight bounce in my step and I smiled happily. Who knew knowing I did not have to go to work would fill me with so much happiness. After grabbing some lunch at a local cafe I headed home. I hummed happily as I pulled a large duffle bag out of my closet and began packing. The sudden sound of my phone vibrating on my vanity startled me but I grabbed it to check and see who was trying to get a hold of me.
Gordon: Lunch?
Me: Just ate but I'll go with u anyway
Gordon: It's ok. Heard you're going on vacation?
Me: Yeah just a little holiday
Me: Want a lift?
Gordon: That'll be great. Thanx
I glanced at my half packed bag and my mouth twisted up in thought. I could come back later and pack. I probably wouldn't return to the Shadow Gallery until night fall anyway. Less people to remember a girl walking down the street with a large duffle bag. I told V I would be back after lunch and I had no way of getting in touch with him, maybe Gordon did. I would ask him at lunch. Gordon was escorted by his bodyguard to my car but Gordon told him his services would not be needed for a couple of hours. Gordon handed him some cash and told him to get something nice to eat. The bodyguard pocketed the cash and nodded before ascending the BNB staircase leading to the front door.
"Where to?" I questioned.
"Honestly it doesn't matter" Gordon sighed.
"What's up?" I asked suspiciously as I checked my mirrors before pulling out.
"Nothing" He said unconvincingly.
"Yeah ok. Now tell me the truth"
"It's really nothing. Just a bad case of the lonelies" Gordon said with a grim smile.
I bit my lip unsure on how to respond to that. Gordon confessed to me in the sanctuary of his own home that he was homosexual. To be honest I could not exactly say I was shocked. I just had this feeling once I got to know him. I can't give you an exact example on how I came to the conclusion aside from the fact that Gordon had become my best friend and best friends can just sense stuff.
"I have an idea" I smirked turning the car around.
Hours later Gordon and I sat down on a picnic table groaning in discomfort. After riding four of the carnival rides, and playing a few games where he won me a huge teddy bear and goldfish we stuffed ourselves with everything from candy apples, funnel cakes, turkey legs, popcorn and various deep fried concoctions. Gordon wore a pair of lens less glasses with flashing rainbow rims and a colorful T-shirt I bought from a vendor. We laughed and talked until we realized the sun was going down.
"I didn't realize it was so late" I said.
"Don't tell me someone has managed to snatch you away from me" Gordon said playfully trying to sound hurt.
"You'll always be my number one you know that, but I started seeing a friend you introduced me to not too long ago. He's pretty shy and likes to keep to himself"
Gordon's eyes stretched as wide as saucers once he realized what I was trying to cryptically tell him.
"No" He said in disbelief.
"Well kind of. He's just so complicated that it drives me crazy sometimes"
"You're quite the jigsaw yourself" Gordon smirked before taking a long sip of his slushy.
I narrowed my eyes at him before rolling them in annoyance knowing what he said was true.
"He's probably worried about me. I told him I would come by earlier and obviously never showed. Stupidly I misplaced his number. I don't even know how to get in touch with him"
Gordon's brows furrowed from my confession.
"I think I can help with that. Let's go to my home I know I have his info written down somewhere" He concluded.
"Great let's go" I bounced in excitement.
Ever the gentleman Gordon held open his front door for me once we arrived at his home. Placing a finger to his lips he quickly escorted me to his study. He locked the door and lifted a painting before pushing a button then replacing the painting.
"Ok you may speak freely" Gordon said walking over to his mini bar.
"Would you like a drink?" He offered.
"No thanks" I said with a wave of my hand.
Gordon poured a glass of scotch and downed half the glass in one sip before placing the scotch glass down and walking over to a bookshelf. He motioned with his hand for me to follow. He returned to the mini bar and firmly grabbed a hold of a bottle of wine. With a short twist of the wrist part of the wall disappeared leading into another larger room. Paraphernalia illustrating various points in history ranging from the Confederate flag to a Quran and erotic picture of two men enjoying the pleasures of one another scattered around the room. On a back wall was a full length portrait of God Save the Queen with Chancellor Sutler dressed like queen Elizabeth dripped in pearls, chandelier earrings and a fancy dress. I could not help as a hearty laugh escaped my lips from the image. A sudden memory of my parents leading a protest while I handed out flier size copies of the same portrait came to mind making me smile and laugh harder.
"Good Lord. I thought Sutler had that destroyed"
"He thinks he did. It cost me more than this house, but every time I look at it it always cheers me up" He said with a lopsided grin.
Gordon left my side as I continued to admire the room. When he returned he came back with a prehistoric looking cell phone.
"Here take this. It only has one number in it. Be careful. Do not call anyone else from this phone" Gordon warned.
I nodded.
"Can I call him now?" I smiled.
"If you want but you will have to step back into the study. No reception in here"
I nodded and hugged him tightly before sitting on the couch in the study. I dialed the number and a familiar voice came from the other end.
"Gordon? Is everything alright?" V questioned.
"Um. It's not Gordon it's me, Evey"
"Evey? Are you alright?" V asked in concern.
"Yes I'm fine. I wanted to call you because I know I was suppose to show up earlier and I didn't want you to worry but I didn't have a way to get in touch with you. Gordon was nice enough to let me use his spy phone" I chuckled.
My brows inched closer together once I thought I could hear the sound of a train and background noise from the city.
"V? Are you busy?"
"No. Not at the moment. I'm afraid I did become worried about you"
I smiled as a warm feeling came over me knowing he was worried about me.
"I'll be coming to the Shadow Gallery tonight. I need to talk to you"
"Very well. I will be waiting" V said in his elegant tone.
"Ok bye" I said.
"Goodbye Evey" V said before the call disconnected.
I handed the phone back to Gordon but he shook his head.
"Keep it"
"Thank you. I should get going. Love you" I said wrapping him in a tight hug which he returned.
"Love you too. Be careful" Gordon sighed.
"It's them that should be careful of me" I smirked before leaving.
"V?" I called as I walked further into the Shadow Gallery.
I looked around for any evidence of the silent moving man.
"Evey" V stated simply. I could tell by the nod of his mask that he was probably wondering why I was carrying a black duffle bag thrown over one shoulder.
I dropped the bag on the ground and walked over to him wrapping my arms around his neck. His arms wrapped around my waist almost as if on instinct.
"Is something wrong Evey?" V questioned clearly concerned.
"No" I answered although it was muffled as my face was pressed into his shoulder.
"I took some time off of work. I was hoping I could stay down her for about a month"
"Of course" V answered with a nod.
I lifted my head so I could focus on Guy Fawkes although I kept my arms firmly around his neck.
"I didn't just come down here on vacation V. I've been thinking a lot lately mostly about you but what else is new? Anyway I need to ask you something"
"Anything Evey" V assured.
"I want to help you with your vendetta. I want us to continue training together. Will you let me help you?"
I felt V's arms tighten around me as his shoulders stiffened.
"V...I coaxed placing a hand gently on his cheek...Please"
"You wish to join something you know nothing about" V said a little harshly.
"Please let's not fight" I pleaded placing a kiss to his chest.
Although my lips did not touch his actual flesh as soon as they made contact I felt most of the tension ease from his shoulders; although his arms were still tightly around me. Always the protector.
"I don't want to force you to tell me but even though I know close to nothing about you I know you V" I said seriously keeping my eyes on Fawkes knowing he was staring back into them.
"I know that there has to be something better than this. I know because I was once a part of it. I don't know the details on why you're doing this, and maybe one day you will trust me to tell me, but until that time I want nothing more than to fight by your side. This dream is not yours alone and we all deserve to see it come true. Whatever I can do to make that possible I will. No matter the cost"
"It will cost you your life Evey" V's voice darkened seriously.
"A price I am willing to pay"
"But I am not" V sighed releasing me.
"This is my decision" I whispered against his neck which was also covered.
"Evey" V pleaded.
"It's too late. You are stuck with me until the end"
Raising on the tip of my toes I softly pressed my lips against Fawkes' cold unfeeling ones that were forever frozen in an amused smirk.
"I love you"
A sharp intake of breath from V made me smile. I lowered my hands to press against V's chest as I rested my head against his chest as well feeling the comforting thump of his heartbeat under my ear. V's arms wrapped back around me as we stayed like this for what could have been forever for all I cared.
