Trigger | A THIRTY FOUR

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to -valeriee and StrawberryyyyMilkk. Thank you so much for your votes and comments!

We were set to head off to the Inkwood Ice Rink. Shaun simply wanted to inform his mother that he was stepping out first, so I thought it'd be polite to at least give my regards in spite of the unfavourable timing.

For a woman in mourning, she was well kept together. Dress wise and make up specifically. The sorrow was evident in her mouse brown eyes but she gave me a kind smile. She then scolded Shaun for not being more of a gentleman by taking me out sooner and commented that he resembled his dad in quote "Trying to get the lady in bed before getting her a drink."

The few in company chuckled and I held back my own while Shaun's cheeks turned a harsh red.

"And that's what I get for having manners." He mumbled.

"I like her." It was said plainly out of courtesy.

It was hard from me to hold any sort of good impression when filled with disgust at how she had cheated on a nice man like Mr. Goy-Smith. To make matters worse, with the thorn in my side. Though, I could come to overlook it in time if it was just a mistake.

"Yeah, most of my friends tend to say that." Shaun sighed. "I think they all just stick around me for her."

"... We're just friends?"

Panic flared but it was all too late for me to take it back.

"No! I didn't mean in that way, Stevie. I mean— "

"No, it's okay. That was my mistake. Sorry."

"Oh... good."

"Sorry."

"It's alright."

An awkward silence descended as we tentatively inspected our shoes. I cursed under my breath. How had I gone and misunderstood a little thing like that? I knew why. The mention of that Rosita person had me over thinking things. I didn't have the facts yet, there was no point freaking out.

"I like you Stevie."

I lifted my head and the smile I found facing me made the flutters in my chest chaotic.

"I never did get around to saying it, did I?" Nervous chuckles left his lips, tugging my heartstrings further.

Then we were simply staring at one another. It hit instantly that it was a scene that occurred in a couple of the rom coms I secretly rented. Uncle Louie didn't care for the genre and neither did those two so I couldn't borrow any but I was curious. I arduously studied it, watching them on a binge in case it could come in handy.

It looked to be the right call as we were quite literally in the scenario where the leading characters began moving closer for a kiss. I was sure I was blushing now and felt so exposed, that Shaun could read my mind but reality came crashing in to remind me I wasn't starring in a movie.

Shaun broke eye contact. "Let's go."

I was glad his phone subsequently rang so he missed me sink in disappointment. It rang out three more times on our drive to the rink, each time with Shaun hitting ignore. The caller didn't seem to get the message and persisted.

"Are you sure you don't wanna answer that?" I questioned.

Shaun shook his head. "It's just my teammates. Exams are coming up and coach told us if we didn't get better scores than last term he would be cutting people off. Now they want me to help them study."

"Oh, is it alright to just be going out with me instead? It seems like they really need you."

"Yeah and whenever I do, they never listen and just muck about until it's the last day." He said. "I already told them I was busy too but they think I'm lying."

"Why would they think that?"

"I was sort of vague about what I would be doing."

"Why?" Because you really are just a replacement. You're not relevant enough to share with his friends, hissed that voice of insecurity in me.

"Because if I let them know I'm going out with a girl, they'll hunt me down." I was expecting a punch line of a joke but he remained serious. "It's true. Outside of rugby, they brag about hook ups and make competitions out of it."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, but that's not what this is with you. So I'd rather keep it at a low profile with just my closest friends knowing. Those guys will probably start hitting on you if they heard. They aren't as bad as Hess but still."

I involuntary flinched at hearing his name before a shiver went down my spine.

"By the way, he hasn't been bothering you or anything has he?"

Bothering. I played with the word in my mind. Did having the tool constantly invade my personal space, give me unwanted stares, almost traumatise me into thinking I lost my virginity for the fun of it constitute as bothering?

No, it probably was more fitting for a lawsuit and definitely not something to share with Shaun unless I wanted him to freak out. Although, I was tempted to confess Hess had asked me out purely so I could hopefully get a jealous reaction to sustain my own over Rosita who I didn't even know a thing about.

"No, he hasn't." I answered.

Shaun smiled with relief. "Okay, good. If he does, just tell me."

I rose a brow. "Are you gonna beat him up?" As much as I'd delight in the knight in shining armour gesture, I didn't like fights.

"Nah, I'm against violence. As ironic as it sounds since I shove people into mud and dirt on a daily basis but it's true." He affirmed.

"Okay." I nodded. "Then what would you do?"

"If it comes down to it, I'll talk it out with him." By the grimace that surfaced, it was clear he detested just the thought of it. "Hess has different reasons for doing what he does than normal people so it can be annoying but sometimes make it a lot easier. In my experience, at least." He'd muttered the last part but I just managed to catch it.

I opened my mouth and then closed it. My curiosity on this grudge thing was really amplifying. I badly wanted to know how a sweet guy like Shaun got wrapped up with that snake but I had to choose my timing wisely. Even if he liked me, he wouldn't just open up so easily.

For now I focused on the image of gliding on ice soon hand in hand which had me grinning. The grin remained as we reached the rink and traded stories on our first experiences, when we heard the phone ring again. Only this time, it wasn't Shaun's.

I expected— no, I was certain it had to be Garren. He was the only one who should've been aware I reactivated the Ace phone. However, an unknown number flashed on the screen.

"Hello?"

"Oh good. Your line does go through. Shame I can't say the same for that thick skull."

The grin was wiped off my face at the unmistakable voice of the last person I wanted to hear. Especially now of all times.

"My office. Now." His tone particularly stern and truthfully, it startled me.

"But I'm in the middle of— "

"Don't make me repeat myself, Crystal."

The call cut there, giving me no room to protest. I glared down at my phone until Shaun's voice seized my attention. "Are you alright?"

I thought about it. I really thought about it. Weighing the option to ignore the call and the stupid debt I owed and enjoy my time with someone I wanted to be but Beswick's tone had me apprehensive. How he had this line puzzled me at first. Then I recalled I'd handed both to Ms. Dion prior and he wouldn’t even need a please to have her supplying it.

I wasn't sure to what scale his power and abuse of it went, so I wasn't confident enough to play the risk game. Not just yet.

I claimed to Shaun that a family matter came up and of course, he assured me it was alright to cut our date short. As if it wasn't an inconvenience to drive all the way out to end up doing no skating and to resolve on checking in with his rugby buddies who were still bombarding him with calls.

Shaun was kind enough to offer to drop me off which I declined. Then I started to the large magazine building on the upper east side of town for a prick who couldn't even get my name right.

**

His secretary threw me a mazed stare that seemed to ask 'What are you doing here?' And yes, what a fine question that would be. Why did a girl like me have to be dragged out of my happy little bubble to be forced to this snobby place?

I settled on just frowning. "Mr. Beswick called me." I said in all disdain.

The secretary proceeded to hit a button on her desk set phone. There was quickly a response from the speaker. "What is it, Jessica?"

"There's a young lady stating you called her— "

"Yeah, yeah. Let her through."

The secretary motioned to the door as if I could make a wrong turn in the glorified loft space and I stomped in to the room. Beswick sat in that usual pompous manner in his chair. It was the befuddled stare he had on that was out of place.

"You." He uttered and I didn't think it was possible for one noun to piss me off so much.

"Yes, me." I spat back. "Now what is it?"

"Why are you here?"

I looked at him for five solid seconds with nothing but a blink passing in the midst. I turned my head over my shoulder in the very thin possibility the man was addressing someone behind me. No. Nothing but the plain walls. "Is that some kind of joke because I am not in the mood."

"Joke?"

"Just cut it out and get to the point, Beswick. Why have I been called here?"

His brows pinched. "Somebody called you here?"

This guy was pushing buttons I didn't even know I had. I clenched my jaw, pacing up to him and pinned my hands on the desk. "You called my phone, quite rudely saying I had a thick skull too and then said to come to your office right now. What, were you too busy plotting how to inconvenience other people that you forgot what you said just twenty minutes ago?"

Suddenly, the supposed confusion cleared from his features. "Oh, that. No, I wasn't intending to contact you."

"Excuse me?"

He brought out his phone, briefly scrolling and nodding in confirmation at something onscreen. "Yes, I was trying to call this stupid intern named Crystal who botched the swimsuit column yesterday— positively atrocious. What was I even expecting from some hippie who couldn't even tell the difference between fuchsia and magenta?" He shook his head in distraught. "Anyway, she's been avoiding the notices I had my secretary send her so I was trying calling her directly and it seems I dialled you instead since I have you saved as 'Criminal'." He chuckled and shrugged. "Whoops."

He leant back leisurely on his chair and I stood, arms crossed in waiting. Waiting for what? I wasn't sure but maybe a freak act of nature to call down a bolt of thunder to strike the ass from where he sat as each second that went with him wearing that pretentious grin added to the scorching fire that was my blood boiling.

"Whoops?" I parroted the word in a strain from the disbelief frothing my throat. "You have me come all the way out here when I was busy and you just say whoops?"

"People make mistakes, for your information. I've acknowledged that, end of story. Besides, if you actually had something to be doing then you wouldn't be standing here in front of me now would you?"

I'd almost thought the sudden ringing noise that erupted was my bubbling rage taking an audible form but it was simply the desk phone. Beswick casually proceeded to answer it like he was done with what was happening here.

"Ah, Cavendish. I was just on my way to call you." He spoke in a formal level but a lace of boastfulness was still apparent as he listened for the voice on the other end to respond. "Yes, I'm doing just fine, thank you. So on the deal you mentioned at the benefit— "

It only took one finger stroke to have him stop the chatter and sharp cobalt eyes switched on me. Well, more of a push on the termination button on the desk set than a stroke but now the interruption was gone.

"Excuse me, but I was still in the middle of a call." He said tautly in tone.

"My name is Stevie, not criminal. And acknowledged in what way? You haven't even said a simple sorry for it."

He suppressed a laugh and lowered the phone. "I don't know what thug code you live under but I give apologies to people I believe are entitled to it. And let me clarify so you're not mistaken again, I'm saying I'm not giving you an apology. Now leave."

If he honestly thought I was going to listen and take that, it was no wonder he couldn't even differentiate the voices of a stranger to his own employees. I lifted my finger and snatched the phone. "Apologise."

He rose a brow but there was nothing calm in the little reaction. He stood to his feet, as if trying to use every inch he had over my inferior frame to intimidate me. Frankly it did but that wasn't the type of thing compelling me to yield. It did just the opposite.

"Drop that phone and get out of my office, or I will have security toss you out. And don't think they won't be rough on a kid. I'll ensure they dump you in the filthiest bin site I find."

"The closest alley way in this street is ten blocks away."

"If you've forgotten, I have a car."

I wasn't so sure if he was kidding with the threat by the monotone. He didn't give me a second to reconsider and hit the intercom button, never breaking the heavy eye contact with me. The buzz was instant. "Jessica, call in security— "

That same interrupting ring emitted from the device in my hands. Both Beswick and I momently stared at it like we didn't understand what the noise was about. Then slowly, those cobalt eyes steadied back on me.

"Sir?" called his secretary. “Sir, what were you saying about security?"

He was unresponsive, stiff to the bone with an intense stare on me as if scanning my mind which might've been right as he seemed to know exactly what I was thinking of doing when he began shaking his head.

I hit accept and placed the phone by my ear. "Mr. Beswick's office. How may I assist you?"

The look that fell on his face was pure motivation to urge me on, along with the overly buttered posh tone I was feigning. "Oh, I'm sorry sir but Mr. Beswick stepped out. He has the runs, you see and just made a quick dash to the loo."

That kick started Beswick's stiffened nerves and he went all into the offense to grab the phone. I just barely sidestepped in time to evade when his arms came stretching out.

I hightailed across the space and I kept the snobby accent going on the line while dodging the agitated man's advances. "Indeed, he's been up and at it all day that there's a trail of toilet paper from the door to the facilities, I'm afraid." My voice was jogging in tempo when the tips of his fingers brushed me.

Miraculously, my stamina was outmatching his but perhaps it was the adrenaline rush that had me going running circles around the desk. Right at another lap, I was forced to stop in my lead when the office door came flying open. I was never good with incoming objects and this being no different.

Thick, hard wood collided with my face and my head kicked back, balance demolished. I was at the mercy of gravity from there when the stinging resided for me to feel the carpet beneath me. I was sure I heard a shriek during the fall and came to see the secretary stood at the door frame, hands clasped over mouth.

Shakily, I lifted myself to be sat up. Okay, ouch. I griped, a little too in a stupor but not enough when an austere voice rose.

"And what do you think you're doing walking in without knocking?"

I derived it was Beswick hollering at the poor secretary who in return was a blubbering mess of apologies. She was not the one I wanted to hear that from.

"I'm fine, it was my fault anyway..." I trailed off when something thick dribbled onto my lips.

For there to be a leak in a state of the art skyscraper like this was more than unlikely. I dragged my fingers along my mouth when more dribbled down. I drew it back to see deep red staining my hand.

**

How my dreamy ice skating day with Shaun had turned into me in the loquacious head staff toiletries to clean up a nosebleed was beyond me.

"Serves you right."

For some reason, Beswick hung in far distance from where I was crouched by the sinks, but close enough for me to hear the unneeded chastening. So this wasn't one of my finest moments, along with many, many others... but I seriously didn't know why he was stood there reminding me like it hadn't happened just ten minutes ago.

"Don't you have anything better to do?" I snapped. "Like, making snobby calls to your investor associates."

His eyes narrowed. "How do you know he's an investor?"

I watched the last strings of blood swirl down the drain. "His name is Cavendish and you met him at a benefit— I had a hunch."

"I'd say you excel in perception but there's clearly a loose screw in that head of yours for even pulling a dumb stunt like that." He snarled in all rage that tickled to my spine. I slightly didn't want to see what face he had because it would definitely be crossed.

It had disappeared back when I was bleeding with no signs of stopping. Not out of worry for my ruptured blood vessels but for soiling the carpet. At least the secretary aided me with a handkerchief.

Against better judgement, I turned to face the scowling man leant at the furthest stalls. The expression was even more vicious than I imagined. "You get all hysterical over a little nothing like an apology and that constitutes to interfere with my business. Are you aware that what I do for a living is—?"

"It wasn't Cavendish."

"... What?"

"It was a salesman for yard furniture. I just kept it going to see how you'd react. Have to admit, was not expecting the boss of Stellar Magazine to try to tackle me over diarrhea." I giggled as that chewed up look conjured by embarrassment flared on his scowl, along with his nostrils.

It simmered soon after and he exhaled a large sigh, running a hand through his hair. "You really want me to call on security, don't you?"

"I can see myself out." I started to the exit and only made it three inches passed his prominent figure before halting. Til now, I still don't know what compelled me to turn back to say. "I saw Mrs. Goy-Smith today."

The speed in which his eyes almost appeared to liven in anxiety and shoulders tensed, I was largely persuaded there were true feelings at work somewhere shielded deep beneath the despicable bastard.

"She seems to be doing okay. Well, I mean she's grieving right now but that's from a close friend passing, not from you."

"Taylor Hobbs— yeah, I heard about it too." He nodded with a frown. "I knew him as well. I would want nothing more than to attend the funeral to pay my respects but I'd think it'd cause rumours or suspicions if she were a no show to that." He laughed but there was no humour or light in it.

It was like meeting an alien to hear this man speak grimly and look gutted.

"Then just go." I blurted. "Like you said, she can't skip this one out so just use this as an opportunity to have her face you."

Beswick stared and it wasn't scrutinising or condescending for once. It went on for longer than I appreciated and I was glad when he finally opened his mouth. "That would be selfish though."

"And that's why it's perfect for you."

There was another silence. This one fleeting much quicker as his lips spread into a smile. He shook his head, muttering something under his breath and rested those eyes on me. "You've got thirty seconds to leave this place, Stevie." My name sounded so bizarre from his mouth, even more so when he walked ahead to pry open the exit door for me.

Or so I thought, before he briskly brushed by me and let the door slam in my face.

Yeah, I really hated that guy.