Calculations & Revenge Part 5 [OE]

The constant, dull throbbing in Prophet's head intensified and synchronized with the sharp taps of expensive black loafers as they echoed up the hall and paused outside her office door. She had been waiting for more than seven hours since her call to The Weaver that morning, and in that time she had grown colder, her fury building until inside and outside of her own mind, she had become the epitome of an ice princess.

The doors were forcefully pushed open and a tall, non-descript man in a black business suit with a black briefcase and expensive black loafers strode confidently into the office. He set the briefcase on Prophet's desk and dropped stiffly into the office chair on the opposite side.

"You summoned." He muttered dryly, with no humour.

"I never summon, Aidan. I request your presence." Though her words suggested a fondness for him, they were unemotional and clipped. "I'm hitting the Providence family."

"Hitting." He repeated with disgust.

"They torched Callarse West."

"The crack plant?" Neither his face nor his voice registered the slightest iota of surprise or anger. It only frustrated Prophet further. "Do you know it was them?"

"Not yet.  I should be hearing back in the next hour."

"Then you're being irrational." Aidan began to rise. 

"Sit!" Prophet ordered, smacking her palm down on the desk. "Listen to me closely, Aidan. No one, and I mean no one burns one of my plants to the ground and gets away with it.  Do you understand?"

"You listen to me, Prophet.  You hit that family and you're putting all of your family's businesses in direct jeopardy, not to mention yourself.  Do you hear yourself?"  For the first time a slight sadness flitted through his eyes.  "You've been this way ever since we met, ever since your parents died.  You can't bear to have anything taken away from you."

Prophet sighed.  "I dreamed about them again last night.  I had a panic attack."

"See a therapist, Prophet."

"Not an option."  She picked up the phone and gave Aidan a dismissive wave.

"Why do you call me in here if you're just going to do what you want anyway?"

Prophet paused.  "I've always listened to you, Aidan."

"No.  You use to listen to me."  He stormed out, leaving Prophet alone with her thoughts again.