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CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO: SILENT STORMS.
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2024-12-24 16:58:57
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BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE: THE UNEXPECTED GUEST.
"One more step forward, and I'll call the police on you," Fred said, his voice shaking with hardly disguised dread. The woman laughed in response, her tone brimming with contempt. Make a police call about me? A woman who simply stopped by to greet you? She edged closer to them, her stride uncompromising as she teased. "What are you doing here, Linda?" Jerry spoke up, his tone solid but tinged with discomfort. Fear gripped him, and his gaze pierced her. He was aware that she wasn't there voluntarily. Now in front of them was Linda, the woman who had attacked Fred in his office. Additionally, she was the woman Fred had deceived by having an affair with her sister, a betrayal that had left scars that had not yet been healed.Fred's voice rose in rage and anxiety as he checked the time on his phone. Linda! You're in my place at this hour. Why? This is 10 p.m.With suspicious alertness, his penetrating eyes followed her every step. "Come in, Laura," Jerry said firmly as he drew her to t
Last Updated : 2024-12-25BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR: A RECIPE FOR MURDER.
Laura's voice was barely above a whisper as she stammered, "This can't be happening." She staggered back, separating herself from Helen and the dead rats scattered on the floor, her breath quickening as a wave of cold disbelief passed over her. "Laura… the rats," Helen said shakily, her eyes focused on the gory scene, "they ate the pie, and now they're dead." Laura's trembling hands gripped the counter for support as the realization of their discovery set in. Laura's eyes darted to the window, her mind racing. "So that's why Linda was watching from outside," Laura muttered, her voice tingling with dread.As the knowledge set in, her chest constricted. No one deserved to be poisoned in cold blood, and Fred's reputation for playing with women did not excuse this. Laura's mind was racing, picturing what would happen if Linda had her evil plans. She gazed at the dead rats, whose bodies served as a terrifying reminder of the pie's deadly strength. Her knees felt like they might give out
Last Updated : 2024-12-26BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE: THE POISONED PIE.
As everyone huddled in the dark kitchen, the sound of heavy footfalls broke the stillness of the house. They heard a slight squeak of the door and noticed a figure coming out of the darkness. It was Fred. They all cried out, "Fred!" in a voice that was a combination of shock and incredulity. Perplexed by their response, Fred hesitated. "Yes, it's me. Moreover, why are you all staring at me like I'm a vampire?” With a slight smirk, he made a joke. He folded his arms across his chest and walked confidently into the room.However, Fred was unable to identify the edge in their eyes, which suggested that there was something hidden beneath the surface. Something he couldn't yet describe charged the dense atmosphere. Fred didn't know what was going to happen to him. He didn't realize the somber reality concealed within the space, the hushed secrets, the rushed looks, and the unspoken agreement that bound the others together. The kitchen was a trap, not just a space. And Fred had simply wa
Last Updated : 2024-12-27BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX: THE PAST BITES BACK.
Fred's eyes were wide with panic, and his heart was racing as he gazed at Jerry. He got up from his chair slowly, his hands shaking. "Jerry... What is Linda requesting from me? He removed the phone from Jerry's hands and whispered in a raspy voice. He glanced back at the bright screen, as though attempting to interpret a mysterious message that made him shiver. The uncomfortable silence was broken by Laura's careful but steady voice. Jerry, what is it? What did you observe? Her curiosity overcame her reluctance as she leaned in and took small but purposeful steps. The uneasiness that pervaded the room was reflected in the urgency of her tone.The three of them gathered around Fred, craning to see the source of his terror. “How… was… the… pie… Fred,” Helen and Laura read aloud, their voices trembling as their eyes widened in shock. The words seemed innocent, but the sinister undertones in their context chilled them to the bone. They exchanged uneasy glances before staring at Fred, t
Last Updated : 2024-12-28BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN: THE HAUNTING CONNECTION.
The sheriff's forehead creased as he observed Fred's response to the picture. As he put the photo down, Fred's face had gone pale and his hands were shaking as if it had burned him. Having witnessed his fair share of odd behavior, the sheriff was uneasy. Why would someone react that way to a simple photograph? The sheriff's voice was harsher this time as he repeated, "Fred?" "What's the matter? Are you familiar with my daughter?”.Fred moved uneasily, his shoulders rigid, his eyes focused on everything but the sheriff's piercing gaze. The tension between them seemed to crackle as the atmosphere grew quieter. The sheriff felt a jolt of intuition. There was a problem.His tone demanded answers as he leaned over slightly and said, "Fred." "You're behaving oddly. You should speak up if you know anything”.Fred dragged a hand through his tangled hair and took a shaky breath. His mouth twitched, but initially he made no sound. His internal conflict was apparent as he seemed to be strugglin
Last Updated : 2024-12-29BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT: A TANGLED JUSTICE.
As the strain increased, the sheriff's poise began to falter. In a silent attempt to maintain control of the scenario that was erupting before him, his normally steady palms were clenched into fists. He inhaled deeply and tried to speak in a calm manner as he walked up to the furious young lady. “Linda... it is me, your dad," he murmured gently, trying to break through the flaming barrier of her rage with a firm yet calming tone."Oh, Dad! I see that you were also pulled into his pitiful mess by the scared cat”. With a tone full of disdain, she spit out, "He should have just eaten it and perished."The sheriff’s brows narrowed, his thoughts rushing to piece together her scream. What had led her to this level of rage?He started by purposefully using her real name to ground her, "Meredith, darling." "How did you know it was consumed by the rats?" He tried to entice her out without frightening her anymore, so his words were purposeful, and his eyes were keen. “Indeed!”, “How did you k
Last Updated : 2024-12-30BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE: CRACKS IN THE QUIET.
The sheriff's car felt like a pressure cooker on the verge of blowing up. Fred and Jerry gazed at the microphone as if it were a live grenade. Tension permeated the air, and the weight of their unsaid anxieties increased with every second that went by. Jerry suddenly pushed the door open and jumped out. Furious, he snatched up the microphone, threw it on the gravel, and trampled relentlessly on it. The damage did little to calm the insanity roiling in his mind, but each strike sent bits flying.After sitting motionless for a while, Fred whispered to himself, "She... she heard about Jack." They spoke in a raspy voice, as though speaking out loud brought their nightmare to life. With caution, he exited the car, focusing his attention on Jerry. Jerry's chest heaved as if he had just run a mile as he stood over the broken remains. He stared into the malfunctioning instrument, but his mind was elsewhere. Linda had heard how much? What would she do next? The questions ran incessantly, eac
Last Updated : 2024-12-31BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER SIXTY: SILENT CONFESSIONS.
Fred and Jerry looked at each other uneasily, the words that had been spoken hanging in the air. In an unsaid effort to cover up any tension that had crept into the room, both men quickly cleared their throats. As he scrambled for a way out, Fred muttered, "Yeah, um… Jerry," breaking the stillness. "You know, I forgot to call the doctor even though I said I would." With a vague motion of his hand, he hoped the topic shift would stick. Helen, however, didn't believe it. With her hands clasped together and her keen eyes darting between them, she leaned forward . Her piercing eyes glowed with suspicion, and they both writhed even more in silence.Helen had come to inquire simply if Fred and Jerry were ready to eat. However, their low voices and disjointed sentences stopped her cold as she got closer to the living room. She hovered behind the door, listening intently to every muttered detail, intrigued. That's how she learned about it. Fred and Jerry felt their spines tingle as Helen's
Last Updated : 2025-01-01
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BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOUR: A HAPPY EVER AFTER.
A puny cry gave its echo through the corridor of the hospital, sharp against the heavy silence, as a sudden sprinkle of light in the darkness. Short, yet long enough to create a ripple of emotion in the waiting room.Fred raised his head, his eyes wide in disbelief. "What... was that...?".Helen gave a gasp and within a moment her hand flew to her mouth, and her eyes were filled with tears. "Oh my God, that’s the baby! That’s Laura’s baby!" Jerry sprang up from his seat, almost toppling his chair. "She did it!”. “She really did it!".And for a moment in Presbyterian Hospital, time came to a screeching halt. The coldness of the white corridors was stifled with raw, unfettered emotion. Fred, Jerry, and Helen stood utterly still, their hearts thumping, while the set of double doors at the end of the hallway held their attention.With that, the doors flung wide open, and the doctor emerged, his face blissfully lit up with joy and pride. Tension snapped in an instant."Congratulations!" h
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THREE: THE UNEXPECTED LABOR.
The sky was deep gray when Fred, Jerry, and Helen reached the hospital. The car with headlights sped through darkening spaces, spilling brassy rays onto the glimmering glass entrance of the hospital. As he screeched his tires, Jerry drove the car to an abrupt stop. "Here!”. “We are here!" shouted Jerry as he jumped from the car, running to the rear door. Fred held Laura in his arms, a mask of horror and concern.“Hold on, Laura. Just a little more”. "We are at the hospital," said Fred, hopeful, his voice straining, almost breaking under the burden of panic. Laura wrung her face as she shed tears. "It hurts… Fred… it hurts so badly… I can't...". A voice trampled by agony held in her throbbing, swollen tummy.Moments to spare, Helen dashed toward the hospital entrance and shoved open the glass doors. The sound of her voice arched in desperation through the reception area as she yelled, “We need help here! She’s in labour!”.Responding instantly, two nurses sprinted down from behind the
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO: A NEW BEGINNING.
A soft golden sunlight fell across the driveway, bathing it beautifully as Fred's car gently rolled to a stop in front of the house. The trip from Laura's family house was quiet, really quiet, as though it spoke volumes in silence. Fragments of thoughts inhabited Fred and Laura, offering their thinking as they were trying to build a new life and future together. Fred turned his face toward Laura and noticed that her expression was calm and almost radiant. With one hand resting on her bulging belly, she was a silent but very potent reminder of the new starts ahead of them."Home sweet home," Fred said tenderly, with an affectionate smile as he turned toward her. Laura gazed in return, lips curling in a gentle smile of her own; though there was a sparkle in her eyes, one of wonder, hope, and just a hint of nervousness. "It feels... different now. More real." Fred gave her hand a squeeze before going on to add, "We will make it our home together."Out of the car they stepped, with warm a
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-ONE: THE MORNING AFTER I DO.
The soft morning sun filtered gently through the curtains; it fell into the bedroom with a mellow light. It warmed the tumbled sheets and stillness of the room, bathing everything in gold, in a hush. Fred stirred first to awaken slowly from the very deep slumber that had followed yesterday's clutch of emotions and celebration. When his eyes fluttered open to adjust to the sweet light, the first thing that came into sight was Laura.She looked serene, her features were calm and composed, yet some signs of fatigue hung heavily on her features. The previous day's joyful nerves, tears, and chuckles left nothing for her to hide under the restful appearance of sleep. Somehow, Fred could tell that the day had not been easy for Laura, physically and perhaps even more emotionally. He gazed at her for an unusually long moment, physically taking in her look, he had now possessed her as a wife, a woman who carried his child.He reached out gently and brushed Laura’s cheek. The gesture was silent,
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY: WE MADE IT HOME.
Jerry smoothly navigated the car into Fred's driveway; the tires barely made a sound crunching on the gravel under the soft evening light. At the gate, the security guard immediately recognized the newlyweds. With his face glowing with happiness, he quickly jogged towards the vehicle; his accession was respectful and yet openly thrilling."Congratulations, Mr. Fred, Miss Laura," he greeted them sincerely and graciously opened the car door with a courtly bow from the others. "It is an honor to welcome you home as husband and wife."Fred was the first to alight from the car; his movements were slow and deliberate. He turned towards Laura and extended his hand as she reached out and placed two fingers gingerly into his. As she stepped out of the car, indirectly from the porch light, that soft glow bathed her face, capturing those quiet, lovely smiles. Behind them, Helen and Jerry walked out of the car and gazed at each other, sharing a silent happiness reflected in their eyes.With a voi
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-NINE: A WEDDING OF SECOND CHANCES.
Gasps rippled through the crowd, like waves crashing upon a still shore. Slowly, every head turned towards that sudden sound coming from the road. A hushed silence draped over the ceremony. Laura's breath stuck in her throat as the doors of the first vehicle flung open.Thomas stepped out first, calm and composed, and next to him was Maggie, her face unreadable. It was the second car that stole the moment. The doors opened, and three figures stepped out that Laura hadn't seen for what felt like forever: Sarah, Linda, Rose and Mary. Time seemed to halt. Every eye widened in disbelief. As if that weren't enough, Mr. Tim followed behind them, walking steadily. Then came the sheriff, his presence commanding even in silence.Laura felt her knees weaken. Her fingers clutched at Fred's arm for support. Her voice trembled as it slipped from her lips in a whisper only he could hear."Fred... who invited them? Linda and Mary... what are they doing here?". Fred's eyes were narrowed and confusio
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-EIGHT: INTERRUPTED VOWS.
The early sun caused a golden glare over the town, still sleeping against the softly glowing rays indicating the heaviness of that day. In her own little cozy bedroom, Laura stood at the window while a gentle breeze curled the curtains. She held her phone to her ear, while the presence of flutters in her chest showed excitement.And then his soft, warm voice fluttered in on the line. "Good morning, my love. I hope you slept well.""Yes," Laura replied, twirling a strand of hair between her fingers shyly, "though not without dreaming about today." A gentle chuckle came through the phone. "Guess what," continued Fred. "The event planner is on her way with everything you need: shoes, dress, and a few little extra touches." For a moment, her heart skipped a beat, dissolving into gales of giggles while she shook her head and pressed her fingers to her lips. "Fred, I cannot wait to see you"! She declared with all the joy she could muster."Same goes, beautiful; I want our day to be that p
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN: THE CALM BEFORE THE VOW.
Thomas picked up the call after a few rings, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "Fred? What's up? Been a minute." Fred did not answer immediately. His eyes strayed towards Laura, who sat at the edge of their bed, fingers knotted together tightly, nervously. The evening light softened through the curtains, catching the shiny anxiousness in her eyes. On the call, Fred could hear possible laughter, a comical chuckle of Maggie's blended with Jack's lighthearted voice. It painted a picture of peace, a home filled with warmth and healing. The sound stirred something in him. Was it guilt? Regret? He couldn't name it, but it was heavy inside his chest. Fred tried to focus, coughing in an attempt to clear his voice. He reckoned: "I know it's all so sudden." "But Laura and I are getting married... in a few hours”. “Monday morning. Rockaway Beach." There was a pause at the other end. Not static, not silence, just a long moment that tied emotions in the quiet. "What?" Finally came from
BEHIND OFFICE DOORS CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX: ARMS THAT WAITED YEARS.
Time unraveled, his breath slightly impeded, and his chest suddenly tightened with the apparent new stiffness of the atmosphere. For a split second, his legs were rigid and would not allow him to advance. The reverse of time seemed to be in action. Unending photographs flashed through his mind: dusty photo albums, grainy pictures taken in hospitals, the gentle voice of his parents telling bedtime tales, and the image of a woman who had become a treasured legend enshrined in the folds of memory. No, surely, not. It could not have been her. But the contrary was undeniably true. Years had conspired to inscribe their stories on her skin; once dark hair turned lustrously silver, but her eyes had remained constant. Kind and wise, Fred had never forgotten them. Even if time had sculpted her features, everything those eyes stood for was untouched. An agonizing heartbeat followed, and he took a step in her direction. There was another woman beside her, probably her daughter. The family rese
