HOUSE OF BROKEN SOULS Part 15
Warnings: This Chapter: None. Overall: Slash, sexually explicit content, graphic violence
The fiction includes a mental illness storyline. I am not qualified in mental health, everything I know about it is googled. It's fantasy folks, please don't shoot me though helpful criticism is always welcomed.
*Not real. The folks aren't mine. No damage intended.
The Farra Building
Jensen sipped at his coffee and logged into his computer, staring absently at the rain lashing into his window. He had a meeting with Chad set up for that afternoon. Detective Collins had phoned to give him the details. He had been friendly and enthusiastic about seeing Jensen again and for some reason they had veered onto the subject of Fairisle sweaters and ketchup. The ex-detective grinned at the memory, Misha seemed a little quirky but he liked him.
For now Jensen needed a distraction and work was as good as anything else.
Then again, maybe it wasn’t.
“Crap! You’ve got to be kidding me.” He blinked and looked at the list again...Carpentry, Wood Turning, Interiors for the Amateur, Evangelism with Ease…
“Mother” he growled to nobody in particular as he stabbed at the buttons on his phone.
“Darling” her voice was honey sweet.
“Mother, what the hell is this list of assignments?”
“Well, sweetie, your Papa and I are just fine, thank you for asking. The assignments would be whatever needed doing.” She gave an exaggerated sigh “At the level you’ve chosen to work everyone just takes what they’re given and gets on with it. That’s what you wanted isn’t it?”
“Ma, this selection is deliberate. Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on here.”
She sighed again and he could picture her turning her elegant hands and examining the shiny nail polish on beautifully manicured nails.
“This work is beneath you Jensen. You should be sitting on the Board with Papa and I, or at least hold an executive position with Mackenzie.”
“Mama, no, we’ve already discussed this.”
“You can’t tell me you’re really happy doing this Jensen. Everyone understood when you went into the Force. That was your passion. Don’t you think you may have given it up too easily? We know it’s your life and Papa and I won’t stop you living it the way you want, but darling,” her voice cracked and he recognized real emotion, “darling, you do need to start living it again.”
“Chad!” he exclaimed “Chad put you up to this.”
“Darling, I haven’t talked to Chad in months. Why would you think that? How is he?”
“He’s Chad, he’s a dick, the usual Mama. Mama, quit time-wasting and tell me what you’re up to.”
“Farra”
“As in Farra Publishing?”
“Uh-huh. Sweetie you know their HQ is just around the corner from you. Beth Farra is looking for a Marketing Executive and we thought you would fit the bill perfectly.”
“Mama, I have no marketing qualifications, why would anyone think that? Are you trying to take the competition down? I thought you and Beth were friends.”
“Tch. You were brought up in the business, you know it backwards. Farra have a different niche and we have no intention of harming Beth’s company” her voice softened. “At least go and see her Jen, she cares about you and it was her idea. Turn her down gently darling, it’s been lonely for her without Derek.”
“OK. OK. I’ll go see her. Hell ma, there are better ways of reminding me to visit my Godmother. Just be clear though, I won’t be taking the job. Now please can we get this list adjusted.”
“We have a few historical romances” she teased.
“Anything is better than what I have here.”
Donna Ackles giggled “Darling, you never even opened the files did you?”
Jensen could hear peals of laughter in the background. Mackenzie!
“Mum! Put that rat of a sister on the phone. Now!”
She was snorting and gulping for air as he opened the empty files “Evangelism with Ease, you are such a sucker bro.”
“Mac! You bitch!”
“You don’t call. You don’t answer your phone, you don’t even text. If it weren’t for Chad I wouldn’t even know that you’re alive.”
“Mum said she hadn’t talked to Chad.”
“She hasn’t, I have, because unlike you, Chad picks up his messages, is excited to hear my news and couldn’t wait to congratulate me on my engagement.”
“Oh” Jensen stuttered, eyes searching the apartment floor, to see if he could locate a convenient hole to swallow him “Mac, I’m sorry, the last few days have been a bit strange. That’s brilliant news. When? How soon?”
“Next Fall. Jen, it’s so exciting, we’re going to have the wedding at home and it’s going to be beautiful. Look, we’ve got a meeting now but there’s an invite for the engagement party in the post. You will come won’t you?” doubt had crept into her voice.
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything Mac, you should know that.”
“Good because the invite is a ‘plus one’ and Chad doesn’t count because he’s got his own.”
They said their goodbyes, Jensen promised to keep in touch and then he hung up with a groan. ‘Plus one’. He would never hear the last of it from his younger sister if he turned up alone. For now he had other things to think about though. He picked up his street-map and considered the best route to the Farra Building. He would call in on Aunt Beth before he met with Chad.
***
Jared paced the room. Social skills were not his strength. There is no manual to advise on the etiquette of being neighbors and staying friends with a guy you lust after and whose face you picture as you jerk off in the shower. It was awkward and uncomfortable but Jensen was a really nice guy, a lonely guy who seemed to need support right now.
If Jared didn’t look too closely at his own needs, it was because he never did, he had never learned to.
He made his decision with the flick of a coin and bounded up the stairs, two at a time.
He grinned down at Jensen, all white teeth and dimples. “I’m going to be at the Precinct later, I remember Misha said you were going today, so er, if you need a ride, I’m um, going that way. You can y’know catch a lift, save waiting for a cab. I’m not due any fixed time so just say when.”
Jensen wondered if this is how an injured squirrel felt when Jared had it in his sights. “Oh, that’s kind Jay but I’m actually on my way out, I said I’d call in on an old friend. Maybe I’ll see you there.”
“Yeah, uh, maybe catch a ride back.” Jared’s smile faded, his dimples disappearing and Jensen felt like he had just kicked a puppy.
“That’d be good.”
“Yeah, well, I’ll let you get on then, work to do.” Jared gave a wave and bounded back down the stairs.
***
Even in the rain, the view of the Farra Building was breathtaking. It was five stories of unique design, made to fit an awkward urban space. The lines were clean but not too sharp, the light reflected without harsh mirroring The entrance was imposing but not grandiose and taking the entire view, the suggestion of the whole representing a book stood with covers slightly open, was staggeringly obvious.
Jensen had never visited the building but as he climbed the shallow steps, the line at the base of the book’s spine, he remembered how proud his godfather had been of it. He remembered the years his Uncle Derek had promised that Farra would build something unique to celebrate their family and the books that made their fortune. He recalled the excitement his godfather conveyed when he told Jensen that the design would be chosen from a selection by young hopeful architects, the winner benefitting from a bursary to UT. The bursary had continued ever since, a student being chosen, in a different subject, every year. It was one of Farra’s ways of supporting the student community that was their largest market.
Uncle Derek had spent 4 years living and breathing this building as it was planned, constructed and furbished. There had barely been another subject on his lips but no one had begrudged him it. He was happier than anyone had ever seen him. As it turned out, the Farra Building had been his lasting memorial. He died of a sudden stroke soon after his business relocated there. Family and friends were grateful that he had seen the conclusion of his dream.
There was chatter in the bright, comfortable lobby as he made for the reception desk. Two receptionists with flawless hair and make-up were on duty in matching navy suits. Jensen bit back a grin, Aunt Beth was a stickler for appearances. The lady with the ‘Hi, I’m Danneel’ badge was busy signing-in a party of foreign businessmen, calmly issuing name tags and local information, so Jensen approached ‘Hi, I’m Candy’ with a friendly smirk. ‘Hi I’m Candy’ assessed him for a split second with bored eyes, taking in frayed jeans, casual top and a battered document bag. She promptly answered the phone, waving her hand to indicate that he should wait in reception until she was ready.
Jensen took time to study the interior, taking in the natural lighting, comfortable seats and the artwork on the walls. There was Latin script artfully carved into the stone walls and he followed it around the room, spelling out the Farra family motto. It flowed beautifully at eye level, which is why Jensen frowned in surprise when the last of it was mostly hidden behind a display case. He peered behind the shelving to make out the last letters and was taken aback when he noted that the plaque commemorating the opening of the building was also obstructed from view. He squinted at the lettering and wondered how the tribute to Derek Farra had come to be obscured.
He was just making out the wording when Candy called out “Er, you, with the documents. Someone from the mail room will be through shortly.” For a moment her rudeness was lost on Jensen as he read the bottom of the plaque.
“BUILDING DESIGNED BY JT PADALECKI”
There could surely only be one architect named JT Padalecki, but he remembered Jared specifically saying that he didn’t do new building or concept design. He was sure he hadn't seen a model or picture of it in Jared's office. He shook himself out of his thoughts as he registered the words that the receptionist had spoken to him. “Excuse me. No!” Jensen approached the reception desk. “I was hoping to see Beth Farra or make a lunch date for another day if she’s not available”
“Anything you have the mailroom will take to her. Ms Farra is very busy.” Candy spoke sniffily at him.
Jensen blinked and gave a tight predatory smile. “Ring her PA and tell her that Jensen Ackles is here to see Mrs Farra”
“You will have to write for an appointment.” Candy said dismissively.
Jensen glanced at ‘Hi I’m Danneel who was just finishing with the last of the businessmen. She seemed to sense something wasn’t right and took time to look him up and down. Jensen was dressed casually but he liked and could afford style and he shopped in the sort of establishments that require prior appointment. She took in his shoes, assessed the battered Gucci leather bag and at about the moment her eyes reached the Rolex on his wrist she was propelling her wheeled chair over to Candy’s workstation and shoving her to one side.
“Temp!” she said, glaring at Candy. “I’m sorry Sir, I didn’t catch the name. How can we help?”
“Ackles. Jensen Ackles” He gave her a bright smile and proffered his right hand.
“Ackles, as in….” and now she was looking daggers at Candy who was staring petulantly back.
“as in Ackles Corp, but it’s OK, it’s a personal visit. If Aunt Beth isn’t free it’s no big deal, maybe you can tell her I called by, get her to pick a day to do lunch.”
“I’ll enquire for you Mr Ackles.”
“Mr. Ackles is my father. Call me Jensen.”
“OK. Jensen.” She smiled a wide genuine smile, lighting up her pretty brown eyes. “Candy will get you some coffee while you’re waiting.”
Candy didn’t seem pleased but took his order and went to get it anyway.
Danneel let out a breath as Candy left the lobby “Sorry. She won’t be returning after lunch. We’ll see to that.”
“I guessed.”
There was a short silence then Jensen spoke again “What’s with the display case covering the plaque? Surely it can be moved somewhere better.”
“It can” answered Danneel “but it’s Mrs Farra’s specific instructions that it remain there. It’s not something that anyone mentions any more. Family or not, I wouldn’t recommend asking her about it.”
Beth left her PA to rearrange appointments so she could accompany her favorite Godson to lunch. Jensen took her to a small bistro recommended by Danneel. They chatted about family, Mackenzie’s upcoming engagement and book launches. Beth didn’t bring up Tom’s name and was gracious when Jensen refused her offer of a senior marketing post.
The only time Beth stopped smiling was when Jensen commented on the Farra Building and how proud of it she must be. Her mouth closed to a thin line and her eyes clouded slightly. “I hate it. Let’s not talk about that.”
If Jensen wondered what ‘that’ was, he was too polite to question it.
They hugged outside the bistro and Jensen promised to stop by again. They hailed cabs and went their separate ways.
Continued in Part 16 here: anniespinkhouse.livejournal.com/5401.html