Layers(74)

“What do you mean he’s not available? Isn’t he there with his team? Has anyone tried to save this yet, besides me?” Complete fury veils his already annoyed face, and he starts walking to the next room. Halting for a brief moment he nods, signaling me, gesturing toward the room.




This is new and welcomed. Not long ago he would have just walked away, indifferent to whether I was there or not. Deep in my own thoughts, I’m distracted by the snap of a camera. Where did that come from? Iris beams at me behind a Polaroid, waving a photo through the air waiting for it to dry.

“Here, look how beautiful you are,” she says, showing me a glimpse of the photo. “The expression in your eyes when you look at him.” She hands me the photograph, appearing pleased with her observation. When I look at it closely, I have to agree with her. My eyes are tender and gleaming, my face relaxed, and there is a still, small smile over my lips. My overall appearance is of pure adoration. Wow, it does reflect my emotions precisely. I guess it’s true what they say about a picture being worth a thousand words.

“I love him.” I put into words my interpretation of the picture.

“I can see that. He loves you too, you know. I couldn’t be happier that he found you. I am so glad for you two.” Iris beams at me. “Make sure to hold on to him even when it gets rough. Don’t give up on him even when you feel you should.” I turn to ask her to elaborate further but it seems as though her thoughts are elsewhere and I refrain from disturbing her.

As I look in the direction Daniel left, I think about how deep my feelings are for him. Absurd as it is, I even miss him when he’s in the next room.

“Go, calm him down,” Iris coaxes in her quiet, pleasing tone, a small smile on her lips. I glance at the leftovers from dinner.

“Go Hayley, I’ll clean up here, just go,” she says.

I hesitantly open the door to what I guess is Iris’ studio: a narrow room, with bare walls and wide windows. Several coal sketches are standing on the floor, leaning against the walls. In the middle of the room are two large easels, one with a blank canvas and the other with an unfinished sketch of a cluster of grapes.

Daniel sits in the corner across from me on the granite floor, his back against the wall, his legs bent and parted. He rubs a finger on the floor beside him, looking preoccupied. While still on the phone, he tilts his head to look up and, seeing me, he raises his eyebrows questioningly.

I look at him tentatively, seeking his approval to intrude. As he gestures for me to come closer, I do, my eyes fixed on his. I take a few steps toward him, displeased with the jaded look in his eyes. Reaching him, I bend to sit astride his open legs. I curl my back to rest my head on his chest, and he responds by embracing me, and rubs his mouth against my hair. Inhaling his Daniel smell I think there is no other place I’d rather be.

“What can I say,” he mutters wearily. His chest slightly reverberates as he talks. He sighs and adds, “Prepare everyone for white nights and hard work. I will personally be chaperoning the project all the way through.”

I can hear the faint sound of a growl inside his ribcage as his words flow to his mouth. He plants gentle kisses on my head as he resumes listening to the person on the other end. Shifting my head sideways, resting my cheek on his chest, I look around the room. There’s one old looking piece of a set of eyes a few steps from where we sit. They look young and though it’s a colorless coal sketch I still recognize the eyes looming back at me. Daniel’s beautiful eyes, from early childhood. They seem so sad, as though on the verge of crying. My heart constricts at the sight and thought of him being in such sorrow. Was it when his father left? I examine the image as closely as I can.

“Then send me a thorough schedule of your recovery plan,” Daniel says and sighs. “We cannot screw this up, Chris, you know well what’s at stake. I also want an elaborated Gantt with daily progress till windup.” Ending the conversation he places his phone on the floor.

“Hales.” I tear my stare from the painting and tip my head back to look at him. I smile tenderly, my lips ajar, awaiting our encounter which doesn’t take long to come. I am glad at the notion of his body’s relaxation with the union   of our mouths.

“What is it?” I ask when our lips part.

“This deal that’s on the line, it’s a deal that could take the company to the next level. It is all down to the release of our new software version and so far it is way behind schedule, and there are still major constraints to be resolved.”

“And you don’t believe people are putting all their effort into it?”

“Hales, it’s not that I don’t think so, I know so. Remember, I’m not just running the company. I’ve actually developed the software. I know exactly what it takes.” With no insights to add I just press a kiss on his lips and look at him.

“I’ll have to step in and follow it till it’s done properly,” he sighs again, in fatigue.

What does that imply?

“Meaning, even longer hours at the office and much less free time,” he grimaces, shrugging. “Less time for this.” He envelops me closely.

“We’ll work it out.” I try to soothe him. He smiles back, still lacking the ability to appear pleased.

“Although,” I say hesitantly.

He observes me, waiting for me to elaborate.