Savage: The Finale

SAGE

I smiled at my phone and then looked out the window seeing a familiar face beaming at me.

I shoved my phone into my purse and beamed out the car's window as Kingsley approached.

Before he could reach the door, I jumped from my seat and rushed out of the car.

"Oh, my god, how much have you grown since I last saw you?" I gushed, bringing him into a bear hug.

"It hasn't been that long, Sage," Kingsley laughed.

"It feels like an eternity," I sighed, taking his bag and thrusting it into the backseat.

"Shall we?" I gestured toward the car, "we have to meet Rosa."

Kingsley looked around the airport parking lot, and an obscene amount of cars trickled in and out of the pick-up lane.

His eyes were wide at this whole new world.

"Let's do this," Kingsley said, jumping into the car.

Kingsley's face glowed with delight at the sights along the way. The skyscrapers and old buildings caused him to point and gasp while he admired the architecture.

"Pretty different from home, huh?" I asked, smiling.

"You could say that," he chuckled as we pulled into a parking garage.

Rosa had softened toward me almost startlingly since I quit working for her.

She no longer saw me as an innocent little bird, naïve to the ways of the real world. Instead, she saw me as a force to be reckoned with, as an equal.

Rosa acknowledged I had an eye for talent and that artistic talent ran in my family. So she'd taken a keen interest in helping me support Kingsley.

Rosa was no longer my superior; she was a colleague and, dare I say it, friend.

It was she who insisted Kingsley come to visit. She decided to treat us to a sumptuous lunch at the most elite bistro in town.

Kingsley's eyes nearly popped out of his head when we entered the building.

From the crystal chandeliers to the posh wallpaper and gold cutlery, Kingsley had never seen anything like this.

He fidgeted in his seat, looking curiously at the different forks, cups, and plates arranged on the tabletop.

"So, Kingsley," Rosa chirped as she sipped from her wineglass. "What do you think of America so far?"

"It's amazing, but different," he shrugged with a grin.

"Hmm," she mused, "one could say the same thing about your sculptures."

Kingsley couldn't hide his embarrassment; he blinked, blushed, and grumbled words of gratitude, "you're too kind, Rosa."

His words made me smile to myself; never would I have imagined anyone calling Rosa kind before.

Rosa's facade was cracking, the ice was melting away from her heart, and I could see she wanted to help him.

"Nonsense, I'm not humoring you; I'm merely stating a fact." She picked at her salad absentmindedly, her eyes bored into Kingsley.

"I want to showcase you in an upcoming issue of Abstract." Rosa set her fork beside her plate and crossed her arms.

Kingsley choked on his sandwich and reached for his glass of water. He gulped it down, wiping his mouth with his napkin before he spoke.

"I-I-I don't know what to say," he croaked.

"Say you'll do it," Rosa grinned.

"Do it!" I grabbed his arm, and he smirked.

"Ok, let's do this," he laughed, taking his glass in hand and cheering us.

Rosa raised her glass, and we clinked cups before finishing our lunch with polite conversation.

***

After lunch, I took Kingsley on a tour of the city. We visited art galleries and shops from all over the city.

Kingsley marveled at street artists spray painting canvases in unique and exciting ways.

Buskers rattled coin jars at strangers while belting out delightful ballads and lyrics.

"It's like another planet," Kingsley laughed, dropping a few dollar bills into the musician's jar.

"Thanks, brother," the man gushed as he continued his song.

Finally, we found an afternoon exhibit at an art studio on the south side for a local photographer. Kingsley's eyes were wide as he stared at the wall.

"These are fantastic," he marveled as he eyed the black and white photos.

Abandoned structures and dilapidated buildings were a central theme, and I nodded in agreement.

"They're hauntingly beautiful," I whispered as I pointed to the rundown house. "Oh, I love this one."

"Good eye," Kingsley murmured. "Look at the lighting; it's marvelous."

"You know, this could be you one day," I gestured grandly, "you could have a studio like this; your sculptures could be on display with people admiring them."

Kingsley shrugged. "I still find that hard to believe."

"Even after lunch with Rosa?" I scrunched my eyebrows.

"I guess it's just so new; I'm not used to sharing my art, let alone people liking it." He looked at his watch.

"I understand what you mean," I patted his back, "but your talent is meant to be seen by the world.

"Should we head home? I'd like to nap before dinner if that's alright?" Kingsley yawned.

"Of course," I smiled, and we drove to the penthouse.

I unlocked the front door and pushed it open. That's when I noticed an envelope on the floor.

I picked it up and turned to Kingsley. "The guest room is at the end of the hall; there's a bathroom across the hall if you want to shower."

"Thanks, Sage." Kingsley lugged his bags down the hall, and I returned my attention to the blank envelope.

I flipped it over, noticing it was sealed; maybe it was meant for Roman.

Of course, it should have his name on it if it was.

"Why was it under the door?" I wondered out loud as I slid my finger under the flap and tore the envelope open.

A sheet of paper was folded neatly inside.

I slid the sheet out and unfolded it, "I'm watching you, kleines Kätzchen."

My heart stopped beating momentarily as I read the words over and over.

Was it a joke?

I glared at the typed words; why would someone type me a note like this? It wasn't meant for Roman; it used his pet name for me.

Who could have done this, and why?

I have no enemies, not anymore. They're all in prison, so who would have the motive to threaten me?

I gulped and shoved the note back into the envelope.

I didn't know what to think about it; I had too much going on to put much more thought into it.

One thing was certain: someone was out to scare me, but I refuse to live in fear.