Bearly Escaped Read online

  "Okay, okay, you got me. It is kind of true! Also, umm, how do I say this without sounding corny? I'm searching for a mate. You know, well, you don't, how it is with us shifters. I have the money, a name that pulls levers, priceless things that I'm thankful for, including our friendship. What I don't have is a mate. A mate to love. A mate to confide. A mate to carry my bear-line, the Northern Ridgeline, forward," Spencer said. It seemed like a weight had lifted off him.

  "Of course, you do. Listen, you are a wonderful and any, I say that with all my heart, any girl would be happy to have you if you were just a guy. But you are not. They'll freak out when they get to know the true you. You'll scare them away. You want that?" Brendan asked.

  Spencer sighed as he readjusted his tie and let his fingers smooth out the tie. That was true. He'd have to come clean with whoever it was and there was no denying that it could take a turn for the worse. His heart could be mended but what was scary was the truth coming out. The world was not yet open for shifters like him. His ilk had to hide in the closet so to speak.

  "Not to speak of what happens if she tried to blackmail. You ever think of that?" Brendan continued.

  Rage was building up inside Spencer.

  "Do you take me for an idiot? That I haven't planned for all possible outcomes before I hopped on the jet? Come on, you ought to know me better. I think I'm going to head back."

  "Hey man! Just looking out for you! I know you didn't become the youngest self-made billionaire just like that. Take care, I'll be all ears when you come back!" Brendan sighed.

  Spencer slipped his phone into the coat pocket and turned around to see a quad-monitor display, off to his right. The glare was blinding, he squinted but his eyes adjusted quickly. After all, they were not human, not strictly at least.

  The CCTV footage of the crowd outside played on them. He walked over to the guards manning the monitors and peered at the crowd letting out an amused chuckle.

  "Looks like they know you are here, Sir. I've been doing this job for over fifteen years and there has never been anything like his. Looks like everybody is here, even the chubby ones," the guard pointed out a girl in a green dress, looking a bit uncomfortable.

  Spencer squinted.

  "Can you zoom in, please?"

  The guard raised his eyebrows and began to roll his eyes but Spencer paid no heed. He hunched forward to look more closely at the woman, hands underneath his chin. Her face turned clearer and he had a good look at her. A smile bloomed on his face.

  It was like the gentle stirrings of spring at the end of winter; the soft warmth of the rising sun at dawn; like the gentle patter of a cold shower at the end of the day. You get the idea.

  C H A P T E R 3

  Standing in line with people who looked and acted so differently from normal was sort of interesting from a social perspective for Anna. She had an eye for social dynamics and even keener eye for fakery. Looking at grownup men and women fawning over every bit of small talk, and the exaggerated gestures and fake voices got boring quickly.

  She thought back to her time in college, where everything seemed so fake, the drama, the romances. She wondered then and she wondered now. Would I find true love? Amidst all these fake acts? Or bounce from one deadbeat to another once every couple of years followed by lots of grief till another one fakes love? Rinse and repeat?

  It didn't help that she was going to fake a performance for someone. She looked upward at the clear blue sky tinged with a couple of stray dark clouds. A heavy downpour was not out of character for the May sky. Add quiver loads of shocking-white lightning. Add ear-piercing stereoscopic thunder to taste. BOOM—a perfect recipe for a ruined audition. She clasped her hands, looked to the sky, and prayed to the rain gods to do her bidding. Please.

  She turned to look at Anna still busy with fiddling her phone, probably updating her social media accounts with the day's activities and flirting with her numerous followers. It had been only about fifteen minutes and she already wore a despondent look on her face.

  Ari, used to the slog, waited patiently. Hours standing at the till had made her unperturbable. Yes, she was a bit on the plumper side but she was as healthy if not more, than the average Instagram addict.

  She turned her head on hearing a commotion ahead. A couple of security guards with a pad were on their way walking with a quick stride and inspecting the line.

  "What are they looking for? Those guys looked pissed off", Anna looked up, finally and quipped.

  They stopped near them and took a close look at Ari. The taller guard stood to her side and managed a crooked smile, almost like he didn't believe what he was seeing.

  "Is she the one, Sir? "the short guard asked reticently on his two-way-radio, for all to hear as he looked towards the CCTV camera above and pointed his finger at Ari.

  Did they catch me already? We haven't even signed up yet? What's happening?

  Ari looked at Anna, mouthing, "What the hell?". She looked down starting to be self-conscious. People were craning to look at her now and she was not comfortable being the center of attention.

  "Yes, could you please bring her to me!" a smooth baritone voice commanded through the radio, a split-second later.

  "Ma'am, please come with us," implored the short guy.

  "And why should she come with you? She's here with me! This is a free country." Anna rebuked him with a look that said I-will-take-this-up-with-your-manager-next.

  "Y-y-yeah! Why should I? Tell whosoever that was to come, and see me here." Ari suddenly gained her confidence and voice back.

  "Look, girl. I'm just doing my job. You want me to tell Spencer Murtaugh that you want him to come here and talk to you, with all these ... wonderful people and cause a riot here? Why don't you do that yourself?" the guard pressed a button on the radio and offered it to Ari.

  "Come on, you're just playing with us. Why would Spencer ask for her?" Anna asked in a mocking tone oblivious to the implication.

  Ari turned to look at her in disbelief. Wow.

  Almost immediately, Anna feeling the heat of the glares from the crowd, smiled sheepishly, continued in a foolhardy attempt to save the day, "I mean, are you sure it was her and not me or anyone else?"

  "Ma'am, please, we don't have time for this. Do you want to come or not?

  Ari looked at Anna hesitatingly. As horrible as she was, Ari didn't know anyone here and Anna was the only one who knew a thing or two about auditions. There was no way she was going in there alone, into the lair. Who knew what the man had in mind?

  "She will come but only with me. I want to know what's happening," Anna said.

  "That won't be acceptable. Mr. Spencer is a very meticulous person; he asked for her not you. He doesn't care for hangers-on," the guard replied as he crossed his hands. Ari chuckled as Anna tried to make sense of what the guard just said.

  Something inside Ari stirred, she smiled at the short guard and said, "She can come". Short and sweet. The taller guard started to say something but the short one stopped him and nodded his head at Ari. He knew better than to argue with someone who Mr. Spencer had directly asked for. Not worth it. And the matter was settled.

  Anna stunned to see the response of the guards, forgot to get in some profanities before Ari pulled her away, "Let's go," Ari turned to walk confidently ahead of the guards.

  By then the details of why the girls were summoned had spread like wildfire amongst the crowd standing in line and they stared disdainfully at both of them as she strode past them. Some looked envious and others looked plain disgusted. You know about the fox and sour grapes.

  The duo reached the entrance in no time and were shooed-in by the guards. A mustachioed well-built man with dark sunglasses waited for them. He glanced down to speak guards who accompanied earlier, shook hands, and bid them goodbye.

  The man was impeccably dressed in a fitting black suit. Short cropped hair. No way, he was just an ordinary lackey. There was an air of elegance to his way of walking and talking. An elegance that wa
s wholly uncommon to this part of the country. But perhaps that's what it was with Billionaires. Even their underlings might be a level above others.

  If Ari were to hug him then and there, the top of her head might be level with his shoulders and yet feel so tiny, shielded by the same broad shoulders.

  "Ladies, I'm your guide for the evening, responsible for taking care of you and showing you to the audition. You need anything, you call me," he interrupted her thoughts with a crisp delivery.

  His deep voice set something off in Ari. She couldn't keep her eyes off him and got lost in her thoughts. A mustache. Wouldn't that come in the way when we kiss? Stop it girl? Jeez, you just met him and you are thinking of hugging him and kissing him?

  Anna piped up," Ok, so you are like our chaperone? I'm feeling rich already". She was swooning.

  "And you call me Richard," he trailed off as a wan smile petered out from his face and he looked at Ari. His eyes seemed to glow. A smile greeted Ari, a genuine smile that shone in his eyes.

  Turning around, he walked them through its many corridors. The girls kept staring at the different posters on the wall, some even of Spencer himself.

  Anna giggled as he strode forward and his well-rounded ass showed through his fitted trousers. Ari was impressed by what she saw.

  "When do we meet Mr. Spencer?" Anna squeaked although it was not her place to ask.

  "In time. You just got a fast-pass that's all. But I'll let you know," he looked at Ari and continued," he doesn't pick people for a direct audition. Maybe he sees something in you. Better not fuck up!"

  Ari nodded. An air of uncertainty loomed over them. She couldn't wait to talk to Anna in private. The tension in the air was palpable as she looked over to see Anna glancing at her, her legs chittering inaudibly but visibly.

  "Both of you can wait here! You have everything that you might need in there except..." he paused for a moment and then laughed," talent!"

  The tension broke and almost as if on cue, Ari broke into a laughing fit. Richard too joined in seeing her laugh. Ari grabbed his arm as she clutched her stomach from laughing so hard and almost fell. Anna stared at them with a confused look.

  "I'm sorry. That was too funny," Ari said as he readjusted her dress and her ruffled hair, her eyes rimmed with happy tears.

  "Looks like you need a fresh coat of makeup. Help yourself. I'll be back in a moment to check on you both," Spencer left trailing off as he walked away slowly.

  The girls were quiet as they closed the doors. For a full ten seconds. For him to be out of earshot.

  Anna spoke first, "Wow, this is so surreal. You, I mean we get to meet Spencer." She was giggling, bobbing her head and jumping with joy.

  Once the excitement wore off, Anna sat on a velvet accent chair and started taking out her makeup kit. Ari sat by her side, staring at the blank wall in front of her, her hands steepled in thought.

  Why did Spencer single out her among the throng of wannabe singers, most of whom look like they just stepped out of a Hollywood movie set?

  A knock at the door.

  "I could be of more help waiting here with you, apparently a rat has been causing problems in this wing. Don't want any of you ladies to be scared!" Richard barged in with a broom in his hand without waiting for approval. He walked across them and began to search, paying them no heed.

  The girls stared at each other.

  "Don't mind me, girls. Do whatever you want to get ready," he said as he went searching for the rat.

  Ari had a is-this-guy-serious look on her face as she stared at Anna.

  "Hey, I think we can manage with a wayward rat. It won't take long," Anna said as she tilted her head towards the door.

  Richard stared at both of them for a while, sighed and walked slowly to the door.

  The door closed and the girls were alone finally.

  Ari asked, "I've had a bad feeling about this from the start. What do we do?"

  "You, be you. I'll handle this. Sing. And then leave. I'll have enough time to get a date while you do that. Meet me later at the lot," said Anna. She had a plan all right.

  Ari wanted to say something but realized immediately that Anna would shush her. Anna never cared for the details; it was all about grand plans.

  She began to rationalize Anna's crazy lack-of-a-plan plan.

  I can sing! Let see where it goes!

  She thought of Richard and his butt for some reason she couldn't understand. Maybe she could ask him for a date, that would be a good ending for the crazy day so far.

  Spencer! Should I trust him?

  "But what if the rumors about rich debonair playboys like Spencer are true? That he probably fetched me, for toying with me, making fun?" rasping along, a state of panic gripped her.

  "What if he wants a one-night stand? Most rich men have a power fetish. They think that they can buy anyone for wads of cash. Worst case, if we are kidnapped and added to his harem?" she continued. Ari loved comics and she liked to imagine tropes happening to her. That was her way of escaping a dreary life.

  With an incredulous face, Anna listened and at the end burst into full-throated laughter.

  "We are not in a book, my dear. Fuhgeddaboudit. Don't you have me with you? They say he has a heart of gold. I want the gold. Don't you even dare think of snagging him, all right?" Anna snickered.

  "But he chose me, and I let you come for my peace of mind. Maybe that was a mistake," Ari replied

  "Of course not. I mean, come on, Ari. Look at yourself. I'm sure Mr. Spencer thinks highly of you, Princess Ari. I'm sure it was something else. He wants me," said Anna with a flourish of her hand showing herself off.

  "What do you mean? Say it. Say it out loud," Ari said. Her shrill voice gradually rising to a crescendo. The large room made it sound even louder.

  "He felt pity for you. Sticking out of the crowd like a sore thumb. He probably wants to save you the embarrassment."

  "That's not true, not true at all," Ari started sobbing uncontrollably.

  "It's okay. That's how the world is," Anna moved to wrap her arms around her, but Ari pushed her away.

  The more Ari thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. After all, she was a lowly supermarket cashier in a Podunk town. She was angry, initially at Anna for pointing out the obvious but then at Spencer. She didn't even know the guy but she wanted to strangle him.

  Who was he to show her pity? What does he think of himself? Is pity all that I deserve?

  She felt broken. A broken thing worthy of pity only. To be used by people like Spencer to feel better about themselves and like Anna to get ahead leaving it behind.

  The streak marks of her tears ended at her cheeks. Her full lips trembled. Her head was bent down, she wanted to get away. Away from it all.

  C H A P T E R 4

  Spencer sat alone in the dingy guards' room. It wasn't much. An old mahogany desk with black-rimmed aging monitors. Pasty white boxes flashing green. The wheezy hum of the aging air conditioning was comforting. The chair's foam had gone flat from years and years of the same old large butts and It felt like sitting on bare plastic. But Spencer didn't notice any of that.

  All his senses were attuned to the two girls on the screen as they talked to the guards across to the entrance. His eyes darted to the one on the right.

  No way! I have to be sure!

  He rolled an olive-green paperweight in his fingers and tapped his feet, lost in thought. A split second later, he messaged his makeup guy for a disguise; something on short notice, probably a mustache or a beard.

  Knock! Knock!

  One of Spencer's assistants stood outside and he called him in.

  "Their names?" Spencer asked.

  "Yes, the fat one is Arianna and the pretty one is Anna," he replied.

  "You got them mixed up," growled Spencer, bristling at the insinuation that his potential mate was not the pretty one.

  He shooed the man away lest his bear came out on a rampage. Taking a deep breath, he sighed. "Arianna."
He felt entranced by the name itself and how it seemed effortlessly roll off his tongue.

  The makeup guy stood outside with his kit.

  When Spencer stepped out about five minutes later and passed by the guards without them recognizing him, he knew the disguise would work. He heaved a sigh of relief and rushed to the stadium entrance.

  His heart pounded as he waited to see her properly in person. Hear her talk. Hear her call his name. Smell her.

  With a quick nod at the girls, he talked to security there to let them in. But the guards were suspicious. After all this man had never been seen before and claimed to be Spencer's assistant.

  It took a while to convince them but his ears were attuned to the girls. His bear sense felt the strong gaze of someone. Maybe it was Ari. He couldn't tell.

  Even as he was talking to security, he turned around and glanced at Ari. His eyes roved all over, and ravished the sight of her. His keen bear nose latched onto the slender notes in her sweat wafting over. And he was sure then.

  She's the one! She's our mate!

  The bear growled his confirmation. His nostril flared as he took in more of her.

  Imagine being a kid, coming home from football practice, all sweaty, muscles tired and complaining and an empty stomach to boot. A shower. You step out the shower and this heavenly smell wafts over. It's mom and she's made your favorite dish with all the love in the world. Chili or hot dogs or a club sandwich. Whatever. Imagine the delight that fills you, the longing amplified by the hunger. Multiply that a hundredfold and you would still not be close to what Spencer felt.

  He heard her voice then. Soft like a silken scarf. Sensuous like the late-night love RJ.

  Take her, make love!

  The bear was getting anxious. He took a deep breath and concentrated. The bear went quiet.

  Following the customary greetings, he walked them over to the rooms.

  All he wanted to do was to see her from the eyes of a normal person. After all it's easy to put on a show for someone but the mask gets pulled down only when nobody is watching.