Up From Sorrow - Ch. 11

The next morning Kristin and Jan rode to Van’s car dealership. It was 10:30am and the sun was already shining brightly in the sky. It was going to be another hot autumn day. When Van met them on the showroom floor, a fair-skinned gentleman with unusually thick sandy hair accompanied him.

“Hello, Cousin J, Kristin. This is Gerard Condor. He’s my business partner here and he’s going to make sure that you get what you need,” Van said, introducing them. Yes, she left it loose today, he mused, wanting to shout for joy because Kristin’s hair was free of its usual bun. A part of him wanted to believe that she’d worn her hair loose just for him. She had.

“Hello, ladies.” Gerard smiled, showing beautiful white teeth. They looked almost too white. “Step this way please.” He walked with a confident stride, often looking down at his gray, obviously expensive business suit. It was clear that Gerard was impressed with himself.

As they started to follow him, Van pulled Kristin aside. “You look wonderful this morning. Feeling any better?” Despite his smile, he looked concerned.

“I’m much better today, thank you. It’s amazing what a good cry will do for you,” she replied, smiling, thinking that Van didn’t look so bad himself in the rust-colored suit he wore today.

“And a good kiss,” Van added, laughing when he saw her blush. He didn’t know when was the last time he’d seen a woman truly blush. Kristin is so real. And so beautiful, he mused, noticing how the morning rays shined through the tall showroom panes and bounced off of her long black locks.

Maybe there ‘is’ hope for us, Kristin mused, seeing and enjoying how ardent Van looked at her as they both remembered yesterday’s kiss. Fantastic.

* * *

Across the showroom Gerard watched as Van laughed with Kristin. He hadn’t seen his partner laugh like that in a long time. As a matter of fact, for the last couple of months Van has seemed happier. Now Gerard knew why. Kristin was beautiful. Magnificent eye candy to be exact.

How does he keep finding so many good-looking women? Gerard wondered, feeling more than a little jealous of his friend.

Laura had been beautiful, so was Claudia who was running behind Van as fast as she could go, and now Kristin. Besides being breathtaking, Kristin had the three 'fulls' that Gerard liked most in a woman. Full breasts, lips and hips. I wouldn’t mind dating her myself, he mused, wondering if she was officially taken yet. Although Van seemed happier lately, he hadn’t mentioned having a girlfriend the way he usually does when he’s dating someone new. Maybe things aren’t what they seem, Gerard mused as he opened a blue car door for Jana.

After much deliberation, Jana finally selected a late model silver Lincoln Continental with a burgundy interior and dual powered seats. She was beaming with joy as she drove it off the lot some time later. Kristin followed along behind her until they reached the exit that led to her job. Blowing her horn twice, she waved and went off to work, hoping to get there before lunchtime.

* * *

At the computer center, Kristin went right to work. She felt so much better today and it showed by the abundance of smiles she freely distributed to her colleagues. Even Claudia got one which was further evidence that having the morning off had done Kristin a world of good.

After Brenda returned from lunch, she came into Kristin’s office and informed her of two new client referrals. “You are really on a roll, lady.” She smiled approvingly. “You’re our most requested instructor yet.”

“I wanted to ask you about that,” Kristin inquired. “I’m still not entirely sure how it all works.” She went to the window and adjusted the blinds. Sunlight poured into the room like a prisoner set free. It illuminated the whole area, paving the way for another productive workday.

Brenda sat down in one of the burgundy swivel chairs opposite Kristin’s desk. “Well, it’s actually a compliment when this happens. It means that you’ve effectively trained someone who values you and that what they’ve learned is reason enough to refer you to others. It shows that you’ve making a difference in the lives of others, which means more business for us and bonus money for you,” she explained.

“I understand that part, Brenda, but lately some of the clients who work for the same company have called me wanting to know why their colleagues were denied access to me. They wanted to know why some people get appointments with me and others don't. I told them that it must be some kind of mistake, because I’m not turning anyone away.” She walked over and sat down beside her supervisor.

“I didn’t think you were.” Brenda frowned, not liking that news at all. “Don’t worry, Kristin, I’ll find out what’s going on and correct the problem.” She shook her head thoughtfully. Somebody’s thieving around here and I’m going to find out who, Brenda mused with determination etched all over her face.

“I know you will, Brenda,” Kristin said, giving her a big hug. “Thanks in advance.”

“You’re welcome in advance. By the way, your hair looks lovely like that,” Brenda said, smiling warmly at her. She liked Kristin. Now I just need to find out who could possibly be stealing from this precious child.

* * *

Back in Claudia’s office a phone rang. “Hello, Ms. Dafoe here,” she purred into the receiver. Her shapely legs were crossed at the knees, drawing her hot pink skirt up, exposing a generous amount of thigh.

“Hello, sexy, its Gerard. Has Van made it in yet?”

“No, he was in earlier, but he left around 10am,” she answered, before taking a sip out of her red ‘You’re Special’ coffee mug. It had been a gift from her mother. She’d gotten it on her last visit back home.

“I know that. He was here a little while ago with some beauty named Kristin Gray,” Gerard offered, throwing his line out, hoping to fish up a bit of information. He was glad he’d thought to close his office door. He wouldn’t want anyone hearing what he was about to do next.

“With Kristin!?” Claudia asked incredulously, sitting straight up in her chair. She almost choked on her coffee.

“Yes, with Kristin. He brought her mother-in-law a new car today.” Gerard calmly twirled his expensive silver pen around on his mahogany desk as he waited for his words to sink it and cause the expected explosion from the person on the other end of the phone.

“He did what?! What is going on here?” Claudia demanded. I thought she was feeling ill this morning. At least that’s what Brenda said.

Gerard smiled at her reaction. “I was calling to ask you that same question myself. Is she Van’s new woman? I thought you were getting closer to him, Claudia,” he continued, getting to the heart of the matter.

“I thought I was, too. That little sneak! I knew she was too good to be true. Her husband’s only been dead about nine months and she’s already going after my man!” She smoothed the sides of her blonde hair back in place.

“Wait a minute, Claudia. Van’s not your man yet, remember? But if we work together, we can both get what we want,” Gerard reasoned, trying to convince her to cooperate with him.

“Oh, I see. You like her, too, huh? You guys must really like the virginal type these days! Whatever...” Claudia sassed. “Anyway, I’ll be glad to help you get her, but you got to do your part to help me get what I want in exchange.” Namely, Van, she added to herself, referring to her boss by his given name, which was something she usually only did in her mind or on the rare occasion that it ‘slipped’ out when they were working alone in his office. Unfortunately for Claudia, but fortunately for him, Van always used wisdom while they worked and kept his office door open the whole time.

“That’s alright with me. Happy hunting, Claudia.” Gerard laughed, glad to have the determined woman on his side. It’s time for me to start thinking about my own future, Gerard mused selfishly, completely ignoring the little voice inside reminding him that he was supposed to be Van’s friend.

“You, too, Gerard,” Claudia said and hung up. So Ms. Prissy Widow is trying to move into my territory, huh? I’ll just have to stop her train right fast, she mused. Inside Claudia was glad she’d stolen some of Kristin’s clients. It hadn’t bothered her one bit to double cross her colleague and she’d gladly do it again if the opportunity ever arises.

How dare she come here and not only try to outshine me, but try to steal the man I want too! I’ll fix that happy widow, she thought maliciously, walking out of her office to another one three doors down.

© 2007 by Suprina Frazier

Comments

Anonymous said…
Hey Suprina

Thanks for making this story available... i'm enjoying... especially as it reminds so MUCH of Ruth - one of my favourite books of the bible!
Due to the different time zones i only get to read the posts the next day as i'm snoozing while u posting... pls pls make more available today if you can!

Thanks a bunch and God Bless!

Kim Chetty
Suprina said…
Kim: You're very perceptive. This story is my modern day tribute to the book of Ruth.

I think they call this genre of writing 'fanfiction (fanfic)' because it builds off of a story that already exists, a story that the author is a fan of. And I am definitely a fan of the book of Ruth.

I'm about to post a few more chapters now, so hopefully your time zone will allow you to be one of the first to read it. Enjoy!

Suprina

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