Karl Gordon Is Back

Chapter 7 : The Daredevil

His throat burned but he refused to stop, nor slow down.

It's been ages since he'd pushed his body physically beyond what he was capable of withstanding.

Rain poured relentlessly from the sky, soaking his clothes until they clung to his skin but he didn’t slow his pace. If anything, he pushed harder, feet pounding against the wet pavement as water splashed up his calves with every step.

His muscles cried for mercy almost immediately but he ignored it.

This use to be easier. A jog round a stadium was nothing to him before he met Melody, pushing his body to its limit was nothing but now, he hasn't even made it half way across the stadium and his body started to ache.

Karl kept at his pace, his mind roaming off to one name: Ruchi Emold.

Maxwell didn't offer anything beyond the contract she is to sign and a three weeks deadline. With a woman who turns down meetings like it was nothing.

Yet, his chances of becoming part of Gordon Holdings again relied heavily on her decision to sign the contract or not.

Rain streamed down his face, stinging his eyes, and he wiped it away with the back of his han.

How did you find someone who didn’t want to be found?

There was nothing about this woman online; no interviews, no photos, no identifying factors that linked her to her fathers billion dollar fortune.

Karl slowed his pace, lungs drawing in deep breaths as his mind searched for a solution. How do you lure out a woman who doesn't want to be seen or met with?

The rain intensified, soaking through his hair, running down his spine but he barely noticed.

Ruchie Emold, that name sounds awfully familiar now that he thought about it.

The realization hit him jog, enough to make his next step falter before he recovered. His heart picked up as a memory unlocked in his mind.

He has seen her before. In his past life but it had only been for a brief second on the news.

Then it came rushing in. Her father had stepped down from the company and handed it over to her. She was forced to do a press conference and reveal herself to the world.

Karl pulled to a stop, a laugh escaping his lips. He didn't expect his answer to come so easily.

He knew what she looked like but where was he to find her?

Allure had been preparing to pitch to her in the past but he didn't go through with it for some reason.

Karl exhaled, he wondered why he had stopped. The more he thought about the less answers formed in his mind.

At least the biggest obstacle was over with, all he had to do was compile a list of all the executive places she could possibly visit. There's only one Emold in the entire city, it shouldn't be that difficult to find her.

~~~~~

Karl stepped inside the house, water pooling around his feet as he closed the door behind him. He stood still, peeling off his jacket and hanging it outside before picking up a towel to dry himself.

The warmth inside hit him immediately as he dried his hair. It didn't realise how cold he was until he stepped into the living area. Maybe a cup of tea would do well to soothe him.

He had barely taken a step into the house when an irritatingly high pitched voice called after him..

“Are you serious right now?!” Rita snapped.

Karl exhaled slowly and walked into the house.

She stood in the hallway, arms crossed over her chest with her mouth twisted in irritation as she looked him over from head to toe.

Her gaze lingered on his damp clothes, her nose wrinkling in visible disgust.

“Did you just come back now?” she demanded.

Karl didn’t respond immediately. He bent down to remove his shoes, placing them neatly by the door despite the water dripping from him.

His body ached fiercely now that the adrenaline from his run had begun to fade. He needed a break and a cup of tea.

Desperately.

“I asked you a question,” Rita snapped.

He straightened and met her gaze, face calm. “I went out.”

She scoffed. “Clearly. And while you were out doing whatever useless thing you do all day, did it occur to you that I asked you to wash my clothes?”

Her words hit him without effect.

Karl moved past her, heading toward the living room, intent on grabbing a cup of tea and heading upstairs.

He had other things to get to, more important things and entertaining her tantrums wasn't part of his plan.

He needed to go through Allure's database, see if he could still find that private email address for Ruchie Emold.

Rita stepped directly into his path.

“Hey,” she snapped, reaching out and grabbing his arm. “I’m talking to you.”

He stopped, fist clenching. He needed to kick these people out and the line frame for that was dragging on longer than he would like.

Perhaps he could move it forward.

Slowly, he looked down at her hand gripping his sleeve. Then he looked back up at her face.

“Let go,” he said calmly.

She hesitated, clearly not expecting the response, then released him with a scoff.

“I have a meeting later this evening and I specifically told you I needed those clothes ready.”

Karl rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, feeling the tension coiled there, and let out a slow breath. “I should….wash your clothes?” He asked.

“I told you to wash them two weeks ago and now I have nothing to wear for my meeting tonight!”

Karl stared at her in silence and then her hands, "Your wrists don't work?”

Her brows creased, “What?”

Karl exhaled, he really didn't have time for this but somehow, here he was listening to this split brat and her obnoxious requests..

“I don't have time for this..” he made his way up the stairs but Rit yanked him back down by his sleeves.

“I’m not done talking to you piece of shit!” She snapped, “Who the hell does you think you are uh? You're getting really bold these days, and I blame Melody for giving you that free hand in this house!"

Karl glared at her, no matter how upset he was, he would never hit a woman but Rita was testing his patience. His hands were itching to shove her down the stairs and watch her fight for her life…

He shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath.

He opened his eyes, "Where are the clothes?” He asked calmly.

Rita stared at him blankly, what's with this creep? He keeps switching up like a lunatic.

She turned and disappeared briefly into her room before returning with a bundle of clothes clutched in her hands. Without warning, she tossed them at his chest.

The fabric slapped against him and slid down his shirt, pooling at his feet.

“Wash them,” she ordered. “And make sure they’re ironed properly. I don’t want them smelling like that cheap detergent you use.”

Karl looked down at the clothes.

Then he looked back at her.

“ Sure.” He said, “But I'm not sure it will be ready in time for your meeting tonight.” he replied.

“What the hell am I to wear then?!” She snapped.

Karl bends down slowly and pauses as he reaches for the clothes, his. fist clenched but he picked them all up.

“It's raining outside and drying the clothes in time would be impossible.” He said simply.

Rita groaned. “I needed them ready. Do you think I have time to wait around for you to do things at your convenience?”

“Fine. I'll do my best.” He assured her.

Rita watched him with a satisfied smirk as he made his way down the stairs. Instead of walking to the laundry room, Karl turned and walked toward the back door.

She frowned. “What are you doing?”

He didn’t answer.

He stepped outside, the cool air brushing against his damp skin as he crossed into the backyard. The rain had slowed to a drizzle now.

Karl walked to the center of the yard and dropped the clothes onto the ground.

Rita followed him out, confusion flickering across her face. “Why are my clothes out here? This isn't the laundry room!” What is wrong with you?”

Karl reached into his pocket and brought out a lighter. He flicked it open and tossed it into the pile of clothes without a second thought.

Rita’s eyes widened as the fire consumed the fabric in an instant. She screamed, horrified.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” she shrieked, rushing forward before stopping abruptly, fear flashing across her face as the fire flared higher. “Are you insane?!”

Karl watched calmly as the flames grew, heat pressing against his skin.

“You said you needed them washed,” he said evenly. “I said I would handle it.”

Her face twisted with fury and disbelief. “You burned my clothes!”

“Yes.”

“You useless, good-for-nothing…!”

She lunged toward him, hands raised to slap him but he caught her wrist mid motion, his grip tight and unyielding, fingers digging deep into her wrist without mercy.

Rita winced, fear evident in her eyes as she stared at him.

“Let this be the last time you'll try this..” he yanked her closer, earning a gasp of shock from her, “I am not your maid or your little friends you talk to with disrespect. The next time you insult me, I'll burn more than your clothes, understand?”

He released her hands and walked back into the house, leaving Rita shaken. He stopped by the door leading into the backyard and glanced over his shoulder.

“And I more thing, close my door when you're done admiring the flames, would you?”