What Can You Not Buy With Money?

“What’s wrong?” Burgess demanded as we sat in the back of his limousine. “You’ve just been staring down at your hands as though you’ve just murdered someone. What did you do?”

“Nothing,” I glumly muttered, staring blankly out the window as the driver maneuvered the vehicle down the secluded road. Burgess’ home was located deep in a rural area, an expensive wonderland fifteen miles from his corporate office. His house was the only one as far as the eye could see, and we sped down his road with ease. We escaped the roaming fields and we began to drive upwards upon the Californian cliffs, trees surrounding us.

“Right. Like I haven’t heard that answer a million times.” There was frustration in his voice, and I watched him in the corner of my eye as his face contorted into a scowl.

“So what if it is something?” I carefully added, “People say nothing because they don’t want people to know.”

“Fair enough,” Burgess muttered and let it drop.

I returned to watching the scenery when a sudden feeling of physical contact caused me to jump. I turned to see Burgess grasping my hand, his eyes still trained on his window. “Ben?”

“Yes?” I could feel his grip gently tighten, his skin soft and warm.

I wanted to ask him if everything Terra told me was true, but my mouth couldn’t form the words. All I could do was hide behind my job. “What did Adelmo say on the phone?”

“He told me that Bohr was getting suspicious of his betrayal after he simply ‘threw away’ his video game. Adelmo Bohr felt that he had to get away from Germany for a while, so he’s come here to help us finish the project as soon as possible. We need to set up advertising and prepare it for a full scale production by next week. It turns out Jonathan is going to take our game and have it in stores by the end of January.” Burgess replied, while the car turned down a sharp corner. We were entering a suburban neighborhood, McMansions strewn about.

“Is he going to be okay?” I felt worry for the young man, for I didn’t believe that blood would save Adelmo from the wrath of his brother. If Jonathan found out what Adelmo had done, it would have been a tragedy of brother against brother. Cain and Abel.

>

The young Bohr was standing at the front doors of Burgess Incorporated, his only supplies a worn down backpack. From afar, he looked like a typical college student—not a child of villainous wealth.

He waved, a shy smile on his lips as Burgess and I opened the car doors and stood onto the pavement, too quick for the chauffer.

“Hello, Mary, it’s good to see you well,” Adelmo’s attention was on me, and I uncomfortably smiled back. I was nervous around him, a shadow was hovering over us as we exchanged in greetings. Burgess noticed, his eyebrow rose, but he went to unlock the front doors.

We all went to the elevator, our silence a peaceful and powerful blanket that surrounded us. Only the hum of the elevator entered my ears, and a few powerful pangs caused me to grimace.

“I’ve been telling staff to get this repaired for months,” Burgess muttered in annoyance. “Mary, call a repairman. I’m sick of the incompetence of the maintenance employees. I want this fixed as soon as possible.”

“Yes, Ben,” I took out my Smartphone to quickly place a reminder.

We finally reached the top floor, and Burgess transformed into the role of businessman. “Adelmo, is there anything you need to add to your game?”

“No, like I said, the voice actors were all that were needed.”

“They were taken care of last weekend. So then the hard part’s over.” Burgess unlocked his office door and we entered. I turned on the lights, illuminating the black room.

“You need to hurry,” Adelmo earnestly pleaded. “My brother knows, I am sure of it. I have no idea what he would do, but it won’t be something easy to overcome.”

“I’ll have a few of my bodyguards tail you. Do you have a place to stay?”

“I might,” Adelmo was uncertain. “I met this girl… but if it doesn’t work out, I have enough money for hotels.”

Burgess smirked. “What’s her name?”

“Marcie.” Adelmo had a wide silly grin and he hugged himself as he added, “I met her on the plane here. She plays the guitar in an indie band. She said she was supposed to go to this party at a mansion her cousin invited her to. She gave me the address and number, telling me to meet up with her if I had the time. She's from Spain--but her cousin's part Latina."

“Really,” Burgess looked interested, and I felt discomfort. “Where is this party?”

Adelmo took out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket, and read it slowly. I recognized the address as Burgess’.

“Small world. It's my party. How are you going to get there?” Burgess asked as he sat behind his desk, going through his drawers.

“I’ll hitch a ride.”

“What about the limo?” I threw Burgess a hopeful smile. “He’ll be safest there.”

Burgess nodded. “Fine, I’ll text my driver that you’ll be going down.”

“Thank you,” Adelmo nodded to both of us. “You both are very kind. But what about you?”’

“I’ll call for another driver to come by. But Mary and I will stay for a while to finish some loose ends. You should hurry,” Burgess took out his phone and punched in a small message. “It’s almost midnight, and I’m sure you want to meet her before the countdown.”

“Yes sir,” Adelmo winked at us as he walked out of the office.

After a few blinks and pauses, I turned to Burgess. “You seem… nice today.”

“Someone put me in a good mood,” Burgess leaned back looking at me, strangely, with pleasance.

My face melted into a kind relaxation, my heart over the point of flattery. I tried to divert everything back to work. “So… what do we need to do?”

“Nothing really. Everyone else involved in the project are enjoying New Year’s.” Burgess checked his watch. “Midnight’s in thirty five minutes.”

“A whole new year,” I murmured as I looked out the window, the view of the many city lights a beauty to gaze upon.

“Just like every other,” Burgess cynically added but then he changed his mind. “No, this one’s different.” He stood up and took my hand. “I’m glad that you’re in my life, and you’re by my side this coming year.” He was close, his mouth about to caress my lips.

At first I was about to give in to his charm, but then Terra’s words rang in my ears. What if he doesn’t really care about you as a person but just wants to conquer you because you’re a challenge?

I pulled back my head instinctively as I imagined Burgess with other women. Selfish and horrible as it sounds, I couldn’t help it. I was repulsed at the idea, and shame corrupted my body for not trusting him.

“What’s wrong?” Burgess had a frustrated tone, his hand over my jaw gently, his fingers running down my cheek. I swallowed as the intense blue steam of his eyes glowed in curiosity.

“I…” I felt my tongue swell in embarrassment. “I just don’t feel right about this.”

“Why not?” His gaze was flashing with displeasure.

“I heard some things…” I began. “I don’t want to be just any girl to you.”

Burgess’ eyes squinted as he registered what I was saying. “You think I’d waste my time just to play with you?”

I looked away. “Yeah.”

“Don’t be an idiot.” He turned my head to face him. “I like you. How many times do I have to say it before you believe me?”

I sadly pulled away. After a few breaths, I finally asked, “What about the assistant before me? The one that killed herself. Why did she do it?”

“She was delusional. I should never have hired her. The only thing was…” It was Burgess’ turn to look away. “She managed to change my mind. But she wasn’t someone I ever took seriously. She never did any work, never shut up, never did what she was told… she was a real train wreck. One day I just got sick of it. So I fired her. She refused to leave so I called a few guards to have her escorted off the premises. And she chose to break the window open with a chair and jumped out.”

I felt disgusted at how he dismissed the story as though it was just another part of his routine. A typical crazy girl happened upon him daily, it seemed.

“But you led her on?” I quietly asked as I glared at him.

“Yes. I admit, I took the bait she hung over me. But there’s no way I took advantage of her. She wanted me to get in her pants and I obliged. It’s in the past. Is that why you’re angry with me?” Burgess asked as he sat on his desk.

“A little.” I paused. “How can I feel secure around you? You could just dump me at any time.”

“Please,” Burgess sneered. “I’m not that heartless.”

“How many women have you slept with?” I shyly demanded, but bravely stood and placed my hands in my pockets.

Burgess was silent, his face slack with a fuming resentment that masked his own discomfort.

“That many?” I was honestly surprised but I let out a slow breath. “All right, when was the last time you slept with someone?”

Burgess threw me a glance. “You want the truth?”

“Yes.”

“The night before we went to France for Christmas.” There was almost pride in how he spoke, a masculine prowess that couldn’t help but smugly echo.

“Right.” I nodded but my eyes were downcast. “And I’ve never had sex.” My cheeks burned as I said it, but it was the truth. I remember what Walker said of Burgess; how he was a slut. It wasn’t funny rethinking it, but instead it rung very true. “I think I should leave,” I turned.

“No,” Burgess followed me as I walked out of his office, my heart hammering with stress.

Even though I had those feelings for him before anything, and he had every right to do what he wanted, I felt angry. Hurt. Disappointed. But I was just being emotional. I calmed myself as I walked briskly toward the elevator.

“Mary,” Burgess called after me in a tone that soaked in exasperation. “Wait.”

It was stupid of me to think that Burgess was too good to be true and just for me. Of course he was a man whore, the paparazzi pointed it out. When I used to read all the articles involving him he was always with a new girl every week. He was like the incarnation of Bruce Wayne. But still, I felt like he was lying to me. So I quickly pressed the elevator button and entered, pressing the lobby floor and waiting for the doors to close quickly.

Burgess’ arm swung to block the elevator from closing, and he entered as well. Once the elevator’s doors slid shut, we descended down the tower of a building.

“You’re overreacting,” Burgess’ voice was deep as he was careful with how he worded his sentences.

“Sure,” I dismissed him and waited for us to descend. There was a sudden lurch and the elevator groaned, but after a few seconds of nothing but hugging the walls, we began to descend. I couldn’t help but sarcastically add, “There’s nothing wrong with leading me on then it turns out that you turn for another girl in an instant.”

“That was before I decided to be serious with you,” Burgess snapped. “You should appreciate what I do for you.”

“I don’t know if I can believe anything you say. For all I know, you’re just really good at putting on the charms. You probably don’t even like me.”

“With the way you’re acting right now, I don't,” Burgess growled, warning me to back off. "You're starting to piss me off."

But I didn’t listen. “You know, you think you can just get what you want. And it’s pissing me off.”

“You’re just jealous,” Burgess smirked as he turned his body so he was pressed against me, his height showed his dominance over me. I shrunk back in the corner but he was up close and personal, his body against mine as his hand went over my cheek. He was leaning over me and using the wall to hold himself up as he gave me that smug grin. “You want me all to yourself.”

I could feel my face change into an enraged snarl. “Get away from me, Burgess.”

“So we’re back to a last name basis now?” Burgess pulled away an inch but still kept his hand on me. “Hall, you have no idea what I’m willing to do for you.”

My eyes flashed over his face, confusion was like a drug rushing through my body as I was getting high off of the musk that he smelled of and his husky words.

“You…” I whispered accusatory, but my passion dimmed as he hypnotized me with his eyes that looked so deep I felt naked, as though we were spirits seeing each other. “…I can’t even stay mad at you, you’re that good at what you do,” I scoffed.

He had that proud grin, triumph in his voice. “Just because I can weaken the flames doesn’t mean I don’t need them to stay warm.”

I blinked, but had no time to protest as he pressed his mouth over mine; already his mouth was slightly open as he assaulted me with kisses.

I pushed back but he insisted, and instead of being angry I felt better at the sudden shower of affection. My hands were on his chest, my eyes fluttering closed as I felt his warm breath on my face.

A sudden creak and the sound of violently bent metal opened my eyes. Burgess hesitated from pulling away, though his eyes were half open and full of attention.

A thud panged through the metal and suddenly the elevator lurched, causing me to lose my balance and fall. I was almost floating, realizing the small box we were standing in was beginning a free fall.

But when the elevator finally caught, Burgess and I hit the ground with such force that the wind was knocked out of me. I choked, struggling to breathe. Burgess was under me, for he had thrown himself to soften my fall.

“Are you okay?” Worry plagued his face. He ran his hand over my cheek as he knelt over me.

I struggled to nod. “Are we… stuck?” I forced myself to sit up, feeling sore from the impact.

“I think so.” Burgess leaned over to the emergency button which he pressed. There wasn’t any alarm, nor anything to indicate that an alarm was raised. Burgess frowned, and he quickly pulled for the emergency phone below the many buttons. But when he pulled it to his ear, his frown deepened. “Dead.”

I pulled out my Smartphone, struggling to find a signal, forcing myself to my feet. “I can’t get any bars.”

Burgess took his phone out as well, the same outcome apparent as he swore. He announced the obvious. “We’re stuck.”