Recalibrate

By David Manoa

She threw everything at me to undermine my character.
Dredging up my past. Turning my boss against me, and most
of all manipulating I girl I love.

My name is Braith Deveraux and this is my story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Manoa
• Release date: Nov 16, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005196691

David Manoa

I am a writer based in Auckland, New Zealand.I write mainly contemporary romance.My interests are Rugby League, Cars, Gaming and Bodybuilding.

Book preview

Recalibrate

~~~

David Manoa

Copyright 2020 David Manoa

SMASHWORDS Edition

v. 2.0

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The author asserts the moral right to be identified as

the author of this work.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including photocopying, recording, information storage and retrieval systems, or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the author, with the exception of a book reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

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Central Police Station

Auckland

New Zealand

"She’s charging me with attempted murder? Are you kidding me?" Braith cries.

In a police interview room, Braith Deveraux explores his surroundings. A green linoleum floor reeks of bleach. White cinder block walls etched with graffiti. A stainless-steel square table and two intimidating cops staring at him waiting for him to confess. They introduce themselves as Detectives Tevita Suarvea and Max Paratai.

To his left side is a two-way mirror, he stares at his bruised right eye. Bloodshot, he can barely wink. Pain like someone is squeezing his eyeball. His black hair is all matted with sweat, jaw aching.

In front of him two imposing figures, both over six foot with muscly builds and tribal tattoos on their left arms. They argue over new information that came to light.

Braith shifts his weight to lean his shoulder on the wall to release the tension on the right side of his body. He presses his toes through his shoes as the detective interviewing him tries to make him admit to his crime. Every word Braith says in defense, falls on deaf ears. Frustrated he stares up at the fluorescent light beaming into his eyes, hoping this is all an illusion.

SLAM!

Braith shudders then sneers at Detective Suarvea. His disheveled face and piecing stare fills Braith's body with fear, the sinew in his jaw pulses. A scar on the right eye; someone who obviously seen and heard it all. The polystyrene cup tips and the water streams across the table onto his pants. Braith watches it soak his crotch area.

Max Paratai leaves the room and Braith is left alone with the detective nicknamed Rooks, who gets in Braith's face, breathing down on him. Listen cocksucker, stop lying to me... I have you on video.

Braith shakes his head It's not what you think! Play the sound! She was fine! There is no way she can say she almost died. It’s bullshit! I can lead in with conversation to give context to my actions.

"Context? Detective Suarvea, cracks up laughing, I don't need sound to see what the fuck you were doing, wife beater. Look at the size of you. You dwarf her."

"She's not my wife."

"Whatever. It’s cockroaches like you I despise thinking there’s an excuse to your actions. But it’s innocent before proven guilty, right? You can save me a lot of paperwork and the taxpayer money. I ain't got time to turn up to court hearings while my whole city burns with scum worse than you."

The cop plays the video again, Braith tries remembering what was said word for word. Before he is able to open his mouth, he is interrupted by a knock at the door.

It opens. There are two women at the door. The one he loves followed by the one he… strangled?

***

Braith Deveraux

Six months before.

In my apartment, 46 floors high. I reflect as the last line of yellow light begins to diminish. Day turns to night. Messed up, turns to total disaster. Today, I found out my colleague Louis Waters knocked up my fiancé, Lauren. And Lauren had the nerve to say it was my baby.

News like this shatters my mind. Dulls my senses. Throws my world into disarray. At least, the first taste of whiskey is of some comfort. Comfort. I hold my glass up against the window as streaks of sunlight make the liquor look like liquid gold before looking like molasses minutes later. I replay the jaded memory of me confronting Louis and I pretty much beat an admission out of him. Unfortunately, I did it at work. In front of my boss, Geoff Caracas, and the whole board of directors.

After security kicked me out, I got the call minutes later from Geoff that I was fired from my job at Caracas Ltd. So here I am with my friend, Claire Deville, soaking in the moment of my realized unemployment. I went into detail about my future plans then gave her a big hug. God, it felt so good. I needed it.

I said, With you by my side, I’m ok. I held Claire for a while longer. A kind of hug which felt like a relief, I won't be alone in the next stage of my life. I let go and for a brief second, I sense the hesitation in Claire.

What's wrong? I ask.

The business idea you had. Will it take some time to set up?

A month, maybe two max. I'll need you to help me set up before it all starts officially.

How can you afford to pay me? she says, You need money to lease a building for an office and all those other expenses in starting a business.

You're in the office right now, baby.

She rolls her eyes. The line seemed bad ass for Denzel Washington in Training day.

I smile, I might be fired, but it doesn’t mean I walk out of Caracas Ltd empty-handed. I have my company superannuation, along with shares.

I can't accept being paid out of your superannuation. I'm better off just finding a job, till you get set up. I'll come and work for you then.

No way. I need you Claire, to handle all the administration while I get myself out there and pitch for business. You'll be my right-hand man.

Claire raised a brow.

I flinched, brain spasm, I mean woman.

Her shoulder drops an inch, to some relief, Ok, but please be organized this time around. I still think you haven't thought this through.

The whiskey tingles in the back of my throat when suddenly there is a knock at the door. I turn and the front door is pushed in. Louis. He has his hands at his hips. Beads of sweat drip across his big-ass forehead. His comb over spiking up like a rooster. He takes off his grey suit jacket.

What the hell are you doing here Louis? I asked.

Geoff said you’re fired. I'm sorry Braith.

I shrugged, Well, you got everything you wanted. You won! Happy now?

Louis looked down for a moment, I came to say I'm sorry for sleeping with Lauren.

I slammed my empty glass on the table. Well Louis, I'm sorry as well.

Louis frowned. What do you mean?

Well, you are going to be a father now. If I were you, you should be talking to Lauren about that role and I hope you have deep pockets ‘cause Lauren and the baby are gonna be high maintenance. That's for damn sure.

Lauren still thinks you're the daddy! She wants you to do a paternity test.

Listen, the baby ain't mine unless she's the virgin Mary. Which she ain't!

Louis has his hands by his hips, brows furrowed, How do you know for sure?

Because I had a vasectomy a week after I met Lauren. I have the receipt for the appointment, I'll email the PDF to you. I never wanted kids. Ever.

She never knew you snipped the tube?

No.

Louis breathes a sigh of relief. He pats his chest. He smiles. Phew. So, you’ve been shooting blanks since you met her. Thank God! The kid is really mine. Woo hoo! I always wanted to be a father, Braith. I love kids.

My eyes flick to Claire who tries to hold back a laugh. "Well