Summary: When Alexandra’s friend Gina splits up with her husband, Caleb decides to help out.
Author’s note: This was written for meeraaverywalker’s November Challenge, November 28: Fire.
As they were about to head out to a bar, Alexandra looked to Caleb. “I hope you don’t mind, but I told Gina she could meet up with us tonight. She’s going through a rough time.”
Caleb frowned. “Ethan’s not coming too, is he?” He really didn’t feel like dealing with Gina’s husband. That arrogant asshole thought he was so much better than everyone else. He looked at Caleb with such contempt. Alexandra didn’t think much of him either, but she and Gina had been friends since high school, so she had to try to tolerate him.
“No, they actually just split up. She could really use a friend, and probably a drink.”
“To celebrate kicking that prick to the curb?”
“No! Look, I know he’s a jerk, but it’s still hard on her.” She wrapped her arm around his waist. “We’ll have plenty of alone time later.”
When they got to the bar, Gina was already there. She downed the last of her drink, and gave Alexandra a hug. “Thanks for inviting me. I really needed to get out.” She looked to her empty glass. “And I need another drink, too.”
“I’ll go get them. What are you drinking?” Caleb asked her.
“Red Devil,” Gina replied.
“I guess you’re getting hammered tonight.” He made his way over to the bar and ordered Gina’s Red Devil, a lemon drop for Alexandra, and mezcal for himself.
As the drinks arrived, he felt someone grab his ass. He turned around to see Alexandra behind him, grinning. “I thought you could use some help carrying those.”
“Yeah, wouldn’t want to spill them. That would be a waste of alcohol.” He picked up his mezcal and took a sip, and they headed back over to Gina, who proceeded to fill them in on what had been going on.
“That son of a bitch has been cheating on me! I found a pair of panties in his jacket pocket, and they sure as hell weren’t mine. I confronted him about it, and he admitted that he’s been having an affair with Charlotte.” Gina looked to Caleb. “His secretary,” she explained.
“Charlotte the Harlot,” Caleb smirked. “She live on 22 Acacia Avenue?”
“Huh?” Gina looked confused.
“I guess you don’t listen to Iron Maiden.” He should have known that she wouldn’t be into metal.
“Go on,” Alexandra said to Gina.
“I packed my bags, then opened our safe and got out the prenup he made me sign. I tore it up right in front of him. But he laughed in my face and told me he had another copy in his office. I’m screwed. I had to move back in with my mom, and I need to find a job. After I got laid off, he convinced me I didn’t need to work. Between his family’s money and his salary at the law firm, it wasn’t necessary. I shouldn’t have listened to him.”
“Sounds like he was trying to control you.” Alexandra gave her a sympathetic look. “But don’t blame yourself. He’s the one who betrayed your trust.”
“Yeah, and he’s not suffering at all. I’m not getting a cent from him. I could really use the money. I don’t want to stay with my mom forever. But I’ll need money for rent and a security deposit. And I need to buy furniture. And who knows how long it will take me to find a job.”
Caleb drank the last of his mezcal, then set his glass down. “I think you two need a girls’ night out. I’ll see you later.”
“No, Caleb, don’t go!” Alexandra pleaded.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back. I just think you two need some time to yourselves. Don’t leave without me, though. I’ll see you soon.” He moved closer to her and gave her a kiss goodbye, then made his way out of the bar.
Once he was outside, he took out his phone and searched for Ethan’s law firm. Montgomery & Montgomery. Of course Ethan’s rich father had made him a partner. He grimaced as he saw that they specialized in corporate law. Who knows how many corrupt corporations they had defended. Maybe they had even been hired by Prescott Industries. He glanced at the firm’s address and realized that it wasn’t very far away.
A little while later, he reached the firm’s office. He moved to the side, out of sight of anyone who might be passing by, and surveyed the building. He stood before a first-floor window and held out his hands, then aimed a blast of fire straight at it. Once it had shattered, he climbed through it.
He reached for his phone and turned on its flashlight. As he wandered through the building, he shone the light on each door he came across, until he found the one labeled “Ethan Montgomery, J.D., LL.M.” He opened it and stepped inside.
Now where would Ethan keep the prenup? Caleb looked around the office and spotted a filing cabinet. Maybe in there? Then again, Charlotte the Harlot probably took things in and out of it all the time. Maybe Ethan wouldn’t put something so personal in there. He walked over to the desk and began rifling through the drawers. He grinned as he spotted the prenup. No way was that asshole getting off scot-free. He crumpled up the paper, tossed it into the wastebasket, and summoned forth another burst of flames.
As the fire illuminated the room, he noticed Ethan’s diplomas hanging on the wall. He thought back to the night that he and Alexandra had gone out to dinner with Gina and Ethan. The restaurant wasn’t even that fancy, but Ethan had worn a suit and tie, and had sneered at Caleb’s clothes. “You’re wearing that?” Alexandra had jumped to his defense. “I think he looks hot.” Ethan had bragged about his job and his degrees. He had majored in business at Hartfeld and had two law degrees from Northbridge University’s law school. Then he asked Caleb, “Where did you go to college?” When Caleb admitted that he hadn’t, Ethan had looked at him like he was lower than dirt. Now that smug son of a bitch was going to pay. Caleb took the diplomas off the wall and threw them on the floor, smashing the glass frames into smithereens. He blasted them with fire, then turned to Ethan’s desk, setting it alight as well. As he exited the room, he sent a final surge of flames inside.
Caleb ran down the corridor, then hopped out the window. He’d better get his ass out of here. Sticking to the shadows, he snuck away from the building. He grinned wickedly as he made his way back to the bar. That had been fun.
Once he returned, he ordered another round of drinks for everyone. “I have a feeling things will be looking up for you,” he told Gina. He put his arm around Alexandra. “See, I wasn’t gone that long.”
After last call, they said goodbye to Gina, then headed back to Alexandra’s apartment. Once they were inside, Caleb kissed her deeply. “Time for some more fun.” He guided her towards the bed.
The next morning, they were lounging in bed, in no hurry to get up. Alexandra reached for the remote and turned on the television. The news was on. As they snuggled together, one of the news reports caught their attention.
“A fire broke out at the law office of Montgomery & Montgomery last night. The building suffered severe structural damage. The fire is believed to have started in the office of junior partner Ethan Montgomery. No cause has yet been determined.”
Alexandra eyed Caleb suspiciously. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
Caleb feigned innocence. “Who, me? I was with you last night, remember? I only stepped out for a few minutes.”
Alexandra nodded knowingly. “Oh, that’s right. You weren’t gone long at all.”