The Astonishing Dax Edmund

Chapter 4

He touched his head. He needed to unwind.

"Hello."

"Miss Shannon O'Malley, this is Edmund. I hear that you give guitar lessons."

"Yes, you've come to the right person. I'm your girl. What time are you available to take lessons?"

"5 o'clock." He spoke. "I have a roster for everyday."

"Aye, 5 o'clock. I don't think that'd be necessary."

"You give guitar lessons and you don't understand the concepts of time management?"

Shannon squawked. "Of course I do. See you there."

Dax frowned impatiently. "Thank you for your time, miss O'Malley."

"You're welcome."

Dax lowered the phone and sighed. "That was difficult." He couldn't wait to start learning.

"Get me a guitar." He said and the errand boy nodded leaving.

He sighed. He couldn't get anything done just anticipating Allora's return. There had to be a way to solve this amicably.

Shannon O'Malley arrived. "Shannon, I'm here to teach the master a lesson." She said.

The guard eyed her. "What do you have in your case?"

"A whole bag uh poison porcupine quills if that's what ya think. I was called here. I will not stand for this." Shannon spoke.

Dax arrived and she grinned.

"Thank the heavens."

"I asked him to."

She gasped. "I've never been so insulted in my entire life. How could you accuse me of_"

"It's procedure. Check it."

Shannon blinked at Dax, he was hotter than hell. She composed herself while the guard checked her custom made guitar. She went red with embarrassment at the half-eaten energy bar.

Dax grimaced. "Definitely no weapon."

"Excuse me." She said standing akimbo.

He walked back in. "I'm sorry for the delay but I don't want any surprises."

"But I came as early as I possibly could."

"Something tells me that you were okay with the security check."

"That is not fine by me. You did not tell me about a security check." Her curly sandy hair bounced.

"Oops." He shrugged.

She cursed taking out her guitar.

"Do you need a minute_"

"I'm fine, Mr Edmond."

"I'm sorry, did you just call me Edmond?"

She rolled her eyes. "Forgive me."

He gulped taking out his guitar. "How much do they pay you for each session."

"Can we not discuss about money at the moment and just get it over with?"

"You sound tired."

"Mr Edmund, if you would just please let me concentrate."

"Okay, just trying to make sure." He said.

Shannon growled sitting on a stool.

"First we'll start with simple chord progressions and strumming pattern."

He watched as she strummed agitated that he was taking on a passive stance.

"No, you got it all wrong. Strum a C."

He rolled his eyes and strummed.

"That's an F. Try again Mr Edmund."

"Your teaching style is weak."

"Not with that attitude. I've helped the lot who are willing to learn."

"Well, I want some freedom of choice and autonomy."

"No, you need to listen to me, are we clear? You're not the boss here, I am and you need to show some respect, do you understand?"

Dax winced. He didn't know whether to agree or disagree with her. "I digress."

Shannon smiled. "Alright, we're going to start with the chord progressions if you're willing to work with me. Unless you're going to give up like the rest of them."

"I accept your challenge."

She strummed and Dax played a C repeatedly.

"Neat." She said.

Dax was not expecting the positive feedback. "Sure."

Shannon looked pointedly at him. "It's gonna take a miracle to put this one down that's for sure."

"You're just gonna have to be patient with me."

They shook hands and she pulled back.

"Excuse me. I have to go."

Dax smiled proud of himself for his accomplishments. He had never felt relaxed in a long time, he would play more often.

...

Dax hired the temporary workers and they were slowly meeting up with the demands. He made sure that they were cross trained to meet up. He took a stroll, the workers composed themselves while he supervised.

He went to work with the customers team. "How is it looking?"

"Some of the agents are complaining about the customers failing to put up with the appointments. It's also a fault on our part sir." He sweated hoping he wouldn't displease Dax.

He glanced at the screen. "Bezos, what do you suggest?"

"But she's not part of the_"

"We can create a search engine to help users find the ideal home they're looking for."

"Bookings are full, there's barely enough to go around."

"How long will it take to perfect that engine?"

"Months, years even, with the right amount of resources."

"Good, get on with it."

He said taking a seat in his office. He watched the pendulum swing. He felt like something was missing, there was a void.

He was prepared for the appointment with Mr Vitaliy.

After the day's work, he was able to get the partnership deal done. He checked in on the divorce papers.

He heard a knock, it was 5: 00pm, he expected Shannon but the lady at the door was Allora. "Did I ask for you?"

"Dax, please take me back. It was an honest mistake."

Sometimes he forgot he was rich.

Shannon arrived adjusting the bandanna in her hair. "Good evening."

"Why are you late?" Dax asked her.

Allora looked taken aback. "Who is she?"

"Who are you, you're intruding, this session is meant for the both of us." Shannon spoke holding her case.

"Now's not the time, Allora." He spoke. "Come inside." He pulled Shannon into the room.

"Goodness me, what do you think she wants?" She pointed a thumb and she noticed that he was raging.

"I'm sorry I didn't make it on time, I have other responsibilities, ya know."

"Don't let it happen again."

"Who is she?"

"That's not part of the deal."

"I'm in suspense, Lord help me but the sooner I know the better because I don't want to be a part of this mess."

Dax pursed his lips. He took a drink to cool his high-strung nerves.

"I wouldn't advice you to have a drink before going into a lesson that demands high concentration."

"Don't worry about it." Dax said maintaining professional grounds but he regretted that she had to see him like this.

That Allora clearly meant something to him.

"Can we just take 5. You must be exhausted after that trip." He said.

"Oh, I think it would be best if we started immediately. Did you practice?"

"Yes." He said in a compromised state now. He couldn't give in to the pressure, not now.

"I'm sorry things took a dark turn."

"That's my wife, Allora. My ex-wife if that makes you feel any better.".

"Better, I feel worse. I can't ignore her forever."

"Neither can I." He couldn't ignore her forever. He had a feeling that she was going to give him a difficult time.

Shannon took his hand. "I think you should move on."

Dax yanked his hand. "You make a good point but don't touch me like that."

"You were thinking too hard." She said. "Should I come back tomorrow?"

"No, I accepted your challenge, remember? And you came all this way so why waste it?"

She didn't like his attitude but it was better than seeing him sulk.