Chapter 28

Breaking the cardinal rule

On day four Roger caught her in the kitchen early in the morning. "Good morning beautiful." He flashed a million-dollar smile. She was glad that she was already in her work clothes instead of padding out in her pajamas as was her custom.

"Hi Roger." She smiled politely. "Sheila usually leaves something for the early risers, are you hungry?"

"Sounds fantastic." He said as he walked up to her as she was getting the bowls down. He grabbed two mugs. "How 'bout some coffee? My treat!" He laughed at his own joke.

"Sure." She gave a half-hearted smile and put the kettle on while he dispensed the instant coffee grounds into the cups.

When Emma placed the bowls on the table, she made sure to place them across from each other. She waited for him to sit before taking the seat opposite.

"Did you like being a secretary?" Roger sounded patronizing.

"Yes. My boss was very important and it was challenging keeping track of his schedule." Bullshit but he'll probably buy it.

He did. "It can be tough tracking all those appointments." He watched her fill their mugs with the water she'd boiled. "In my experience having a personal assistant to take care of those things frees you up for higher thinking."

Jackass, she thought, taking a sip of the coffee. It was too hot, she blew on it. "What kind of higher thinking did you do?"

There was something odd about the way his eyes lingered on her lips. "I ran a website. I needed to come up with fresh content for my viewers to keep them interested."

Uh huh, you're such a big shot, Roger. "That sounds difficult."

"Maybe for some," He shrugged "but not for me."

Emma took another sip of her coffee, wondering why Roger was watching her so intently. The drink was still too hot. It would be odd if she left before finishing it though. She tried to think of a way to discretely dump it. "Where did you meet Gordie?"

"Found him half-starved on the road a year ago. If not for me, he'd be dead." Roger bragged.

A year ago? Emma tried to remember what Gordie had told her. "It's unusual to see people help strangers these days, what made you do it?"

"It's just the kind of man I am." Roger chuffed. "I've always felt that those of us with means should help the less fortunate."

Means? What means? Her coffee had finally cooled enough that she could drink it. She took a swig. It tasted terrible, worse than usual even. She asked him more questions about his life before, and he prattled on happily as she drank her coffee.

Something was off. Roger kept looking at her coffee mug. She stopped drinking it, it tasted terrible anyways and it wasn't helping her feel more awake. Her eyes started to droop, she wondered if she'd gotten out of bed too early.

"…. told the limo company if they ever sent anything less than a Rolls I'd never use them again."

She blinked. Roger was looking at her expectantly. His words had been going in one ear and out the other.

"Wow." She said. "I wouldn't have ever thought of that." When it doubt, play to the ego.

"Like I said, higher thinking." His head tilted to the side. "Is something wrong with your drink?"

"It's terrible." She admitted. "I'm thinking maybe this batch is bad." This was her opening. "I'm going to go down to the stores to get another batch for breakfast." She rose to get up and the world tilted just a bit. Probably stood up too fast, she thought.

"I'll come with you." He said with a smile as he watched her put away her bowl.

As she washed her bowl Emma felt an odd sense of detachment. She wondered if she was coming down with something. She wasn't usually tired first thing in the morning.

"Let me help." Roger reached around her to wash the coffee mugs. His body pressed uncomfortably into her back.

She watched the coffee drain into the sink. Shit. She thought. The cardinal rule of clubbing, don't ever turn your back on your drink. Did that asshole just roofie me?

"You look tired. Are you sure you don't want to lie down?" He asked.

"I just need fresh air." She pushed past him. Daryl, I need to get to Daryl. She thought as she headed out onto the parade square. Dawn was casting long shadows across the grounds making everything seem surreal. Which way was the gatehouse?

"You okay?" Roger asked. "You seem woozy. You really should lie down."

Emma shook her head. Why am I in the square anyway?

"Where's your room? It's off the kitchen right?" Roger grabbed her arm and started leading her back to the kitchen.

She heard a familiar whinny. The horses. "I forgot to feed the horses." She shook him off. "It's my job to let them out in the morning."

Roger waved at Sheila who was coming across the square, he tightened his grip on her arm. "Do you do it by yourself?"

"Yes. Sal doesn't check on the barn until noon." She was blathering.

"Then let's go! The horses need their breakfast after all." As he led her away, Roger called out to Sheila "Thanks for the breakfast! It was delicious!"

Roger had to open the door to the stable as Emma kept fumbling with the latch. He had his arm around her waist now. "You should take your coat off." He said. "Horses can be sweaty work after all!" He said as he pulled off her jacket, his hands brushing against her breasts.

Emma stood in the aisle, trying to remember which horse got what feed. Her head was just too foggy.

"You don't look so good." Roger said, leaning down to nuzzle her neck. "Come on, let's lie you down." He grabbed one of the horse coolers and headed into one of the empty stalls.

"Good idea." Emma said. She crossed over to Churchill's door and opened it. The gelding got fed first anyway.

"Not that one." Roger sighed. "Over here." When he reached over to grab her arm Churchill's head snaked out of his stall.

"OW!" Churchill's mouth came away with a piece of Roger's shirt. "Fucking horse!"

Emma slid down the wall inside her mount's stall and sat at Churchill's hooves. She was vaguely aware that she shouldn't be doing that, but couldn't quite figure out why.