Post by Danielle Basch on Jun 28, 2017 19:11:56 GMT -5
Who can it be knocking at my door?
Go 'way, don't come 'round here no more.
Go 'way, don't come 'round here no more.
--"Who Can It Be Now" - Men At Work
BaschTech Corporate Headquarters
Oceanside, CA
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
It’s 5:00 pm as Donovan Basch stands outside Danni’s office, looking especially dapper in his all-black, custom tailored suit, his long brown hair slicked back, resting against the collar of his jacket. As Danni emerges, shutting the door behind her, the young CEO forms a broad smile that would send chills down anyone’s spine.
Anyone but Danni, that is. To her, she sees not the smile of a man about to make his next corporate conquest, but a man proud of what his... for lack of a better term, apprentice has accomplished in such a short time frame. However, her own sense of humility keeps her from letting his non-verbal praise go to her head.
Danni: What’s that smile for?
Donovan: Because I can’t help but be proud of how you nailed that presentation earlier today. You led that meeting like you’d been doing this for years!
Danni: Well, having seen the way you’ve done it for the last month or so...
Donovan: And another thing... I never expected you to pick things up as quickly as you did.
Danni: Well then I guess maybe you should learn not to underestimate me; you know, the same lesson I have to drill into the heads of all my opponents?
Donovan: I suppose I deserve that. Nevertheless, you’re a born leader, Danni. Pretty soon, running this place will become as natural as breathing to you.
Danni: Hmph... if you say so. For now, I just want to get home and relax.
Donovan: Danni...
Danni: Yeah?
Donovan: I REALLY wish I could talk you into buying a bigger bed. That queen-sized deal you have in the bedroom is just too...
He draws his arms close to his body, an uncomfortable grimace on his face as he pantomimes squeezing into a tight space.
Donovan: Especially when the dogs decide they want to jump onto the bed with us.
Danni: Just another couple months, and then my lease is up. No sense buying new furniture when all I’m going to do is just leave it behind.
Danni giggles as the couple make their way down the hallway to the elevator. They pause as Donovan pushes the button marked "down."
Donovan: Fair point. Well, I guess I can stick it out for that much longer. Besides, it’ll make for a funny story to tell the grandkids...
Danni: Grandkids? What grandkids? We’re not even married!
Donovan starts to laugh as he and Danni step into the elevator, his laughter echoing as the doors slide closed.
2 hours later
Danni’s Condo
Marina del Rey, CA
The door to Danni’s condo swings open as she and Donovan step into the living room. No sooner do they shut the front door than they are greeted by Sable and Angus, their Doberman Pinschers. Angus jumps up onto Donovan, his paws resting on Donovan’s stomach as the massive grappler reaches down to rub the back of the canine’s head. Danni looks on, giggling as Sable dances around beside her, her little stump of a tail wagging like crazy.
Danni: Aww, did you miss Daddy, Angus?
With a low, but happy-sounding bark, Angus jumps down, then both of the dogs begin inching toward the kitchen. Donovan chuckles.
Donovan: I see how it is with you two... as soon as we get home, you know it’s dinner time, huh? Alright, you pair of chow hounds!
He heads toward the kitchen, but Danni has beaten him there, putting down two bowls of dog food... both wet and dry... which the dogs immediately begin to devour. With his arms crossed, Donovan looks at them, an amused smile on his face.
Donovan: That ought to keep them busy for a while....
With his arms outstretched, Donovan scoops Danni into his arms, causing her to squeal as she drapes her arm across the back of his neck. Her heels fly off of her feet, landing with a clattering noise on the living room floor. Gazing into his eyes, she smiles, knowing exactly what is on his mind without him even saying a word.
Or does she?
Danni: Hmmm... something tells me food is the last thing on your mind....
Donovan: Actually, I was thinking about a certain someone’s birthday coming up next month...
Wait, what?
Danni: Well, now that you mention it...
Donovan: What do you say about having a little get together on the yacht... a few of our friends from WCG... my father, your mother.... You know, something intimate, but still plenty of conversation to be had.
Danni: Hmm... sounds like fun.
Donovan: Now, for the cake... Buttercream, whipped cream, cream cheese...
Danni: Cream cheese is for bagels and crackers, not cake!
Donovan laughs, nodding his head.
Donovan: Duly noted. No cream cheese. So... buttercream?
Danni: Perfect! Can we get it with....
Danni & Donovan: Devil’s Food with a dark chocolate ganache?
They both start to laugh, with Danni letting her head fall against his chest.
Did he read my mind? Or see that cake I saved on Pinterest?
Donovan: Now, about catering... how about Chipotle?
Danni: Oooh! I like the way you think!
Donovan: Excellent! Now, back to that other thing you were thinking about....
The pair exchange a seductive chuckle as they make their way to the stairs leading toward the bedroom. They don’t even make it as far as the first step before they’re interrupted by a knock at the door. With confused looks on their faces, they look at each other, then toward the door as Donovan sets Danni back onto her feet. As she takes a step toward the door, Donovan puts a hand up to stop her.
Donovan: Hold it... maybe they’ll knock again.
They wait, listening for a second knock that never comes. But the spark of curiosity has never left Danni’s eyes as she walks toward the door, opening it ever so slowly...
I swear... if it’s that kid that keeps pranking me by sending me anchovy pizza...
The thought brings a bit of a sneer to Danni’s lips as she gets the door just wide enough to peer into the hallway....
The eerily empty hallway.
What the fuck?
She’s about to give up and close the door when she looks down and spots a small box, sealed with brown packing tape, her name written on the top.
Well, that’s not creepy in the slightest....
She bends down to pick up the package and brings it inside, shutting the door. She holds the box up to her ear; it’s light, as if there was next to nothing inside. Still, the slightest movement produces a sound that indicates a small object sliding around inside.
Danni: Well, it’s not ticking, so at least we know it’s not a bomb...
Donovan: I don’t know about this, Danni... a suspicious package just showing up out of nowhere?
Danni: It’s probably from one of my neighbors. Where’s my utility knife?
Donovan walks into the kitchen, pulling a small folding knife out of one of the drawers. He brings it back to Danni, who opens it up and slices through the packing tape, smiling curiously.
I wonder what’s in the box....
She pulls back the flaps and peeks inside, but the smile quickly fades into a look of horror as she screams and drops the box, immediately running into Donovan’s arms.
Donovan: What is it? What was in the box?
She doesn’t say a word; she just buries her face into his chest, every inch of her body shaking. He pulls away, walking over to inspect the contents of the box himself. Anger dominates his expression as he reaches inside, pulling out the Hyundai emblem that had once graced the hood of Danni’s totaled car, along with a single eagle feather. The inside of one of the flaps of the box bears a crude drawing of a bird, drawn in black sharpie.
Donovan: Son of a bitch! Whoever trashed your car must’ve followed us home.
Growling, Donovan throws the box down to the ground, then heads toward the stairs. Once he reaches the bottom step, he pauses, turning to Danni.
Donovan: How fast can you pack every article of clothing you’ve got?
Her eyes dart between him and the discarded box on the floor as Angus and Sable nudge at her hands, as if trying to comfort their human.
Danni: I can just grab a few days’ worth for now... I’ll send my mother to come get the rest.
Donovan: Good. Get packing; we’re going back to my place.
With a grateful look on her face, Danni strokes the heads of her dogs before casting one final glance at the drawing on the box.
A bird... I wonder if...
No, it couldn’t be....
She hurries up the stairs after Donovan, the dogs following closely behind her.
*FIN*