Chapter 1
“Janine, I need those inventory lists on my desk today... No, now!... Then tell Tom that if he doesn’t get his butt in gear, he’s fired!” Frustrated thirty-year-old Valerie slammed her desk phone back to its home. Dressed in a black A-line skirt that just fell below her knees, black sleek high heels, and a teal button down dress shirt, she began pacing her office.
Just as she was tying her chocolate brown hair back into a bun, she caught sight of her secretary approaching. “What is it Meredith?” Valerie griped as her blue eyes flashed with annoyance.
“I have Mr. Thobart on line one,” Meredith replied evenly, “He says its urgent.”
Valerie groaned. “Fine.”
Meredith didn’t wait around and went to do other work as Valerie sat at her desk.
Valerie took a deep breath before picking up the phone and pressing the button for line one. “Mr. Thobart, so nice to hear from you,” she lied with a smile.
“Where is all the paperwork that is supposed to be on my desk, Ms. Jenkins?” came a voice that sounded like gravel.
“It’s on its way Mr. Thobart,” Valerie answered. “I will hand deliver it to you myself sir.”
“Why is this the case every Friday Ms. Jenkins? Every Friday!”
“I’m sorry sir,” Valerie apologized. “We are having a problem with the computer records not matching the paper records. Then we have the added problem of the constant program updating for the computers. We can’t seem to adjust.”
“That is the excuse you use every week Jenkins! I’m losing my patience!”
“I use it every week because it’s the truth every week!” Valerie couldn’t hang up the phone quick enough before calling the man a jerk. Groaning, she laid her head on folded arms on her desk.
“Sounds like you could use a pick me up.”
Valerie perked up and gave a big smile. Leaning in the doorway was her boyfriend of almost three years,, Thomas. He was the athletic, sports illustrated kind of guy dressed in a blue and white striped polo shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Clipped to his jeans pocket was a visitors pass with his name on it.
“What are you doing here?” she asked as she got up and went to him.
After a quick hug and kiss, he said with a boyish grin, “I thought we could go to lunch.”
With a pout on her face, Valerie grumbled, “I can’t. I’ve got so much work to do and I’m fairly certain I’ve lost my job.”
Thomas laughed, “How so?”
“I called my boss a jerk.”
“Oh! That’s a real cause for concern.”
Valerie laughed as she drew away from him. “I can’t go,” she sighed. “Mr. Thobart needs this week’s paperwork and then there’s that big gala we’re hosting next week. So much work, so little time.”
Thomas groaned, “Do we have to go to that?”
“Of course we do!” Valerie insisted. “I’m the spokesperson for the company. I’ve got speeches to give and pictures to take. You know very well I can’t show up without a date!”
After a moment, Thomas sighed, “Fine, but you owe me one.”
Valerie gave a sly smile. “All right. What do you have in mind?”
“A very special date night.”
Valerie knew where this was going and she shook her head. “We’ve talked about this Thomas. You know very well that I won’t do that!”
“Why not? Just because your parents would disapprove and find it dishonoring?” Thomas scoffed. “I thought you didn’t agree with their religion.”
“I don’t agree with it,” Valerie fought. “It’s called being respectful of myself. I’m not ready for that next step and I’ve told you that! Besides, I still have to see them. Unlike you.”
“That was a cheap shot!” Thomas groused as he started to get angry.
“Well, I’m not the one who has some sort of prior engagement when I go see them,” Valerie huffed. Noticing the time, she groaned. “I don’t have time for this. I’ve got meetings. It was nice to see you.” She didn’t give him a chance to respond as she grabbed a thick three ring binder off her desk and stormed out of her office.
***
Valerie dreaded the elevator ride to the thirteenth floor. With an armload of papers and folders, she disembarked and made her way to Mr. Thobart’s office. As she approached, the shrill looking secretary gave her a disapproving look. “Can you let Mr. Thobart that Ms. Jenkins is here with this week’s paperwork?” Valerie sighed.
The secretary stared at her for a moment before she buzzed her boss.
“What is it?” Mr. Thobart barked.
“Ms. Jenkins is here with paperwork sir.”
“Let her in,” he said with irritation.
Valerie didn’t wait for the secretary to wave her in. That woman sets my teeth on edge. Valerie thought. She did her best to walk in like a proud and independent woman, but it was near impossible. Mr. Thobart was a man that reigned Fantasmal Cosmetics headquarters with an iron fist. He struck fear into everyone.
“About time you show yourself Jenkins!” Mr. Thobart gnarled.
Valerie cringed as she took a look at him. His salt and peppered hair was buzzed, he wore a tan suit that almost matched his skin, and his brown eyes harbored anger. “I’m sorry sir,” Valerie answered. “Here is everything. I took the liberty of organizing it all.”
When she had placed the pile on his desk, he just grunted. He sat back in his chair, crossed his legs, folded his hands in his lap, and asked, “How is the gala coming along?”
“Near completion sir,” Valerie sighed. “Everything is falling into place.”
“Have you prepared for those protesters?”
“I have sir. I hired a security firm to run protection detail on all guests invited. The police are setting up checkpoints and such in place. The security firm is collaborating with those of the hall to check the place before the event and during. No one is ruining this event. Not while I’m on it ”
“Good, good,” Mr. Thobart said. “There have been threats made and I don’t doubt the credibility of them.”
“What sort of threats sir?”
“Possible bombing and acid throws.”
“I knew about the acid throwing, but bombs sir?”
“Yes. I’m afraid the two activist groups we are dealing with have found out how to create homemade bombs.”
Valerie sighed, “Which are probably as deadly as any other.”
“Indeed. Watch yourself. You’re the best P.R. we’ve had.”
Praise from the boss was rare and Valerie took it with pride. “Thank you sir,” she said with a smile. “Is there anything else you need sir?”
“Get out of here before I fire you for your comment about me being a jerk,” Mr. Thobart growled.
Valerie didn’t second guess the dismissal. After making a beeline to the elevator and back to her office, she dismissed Meredith.
Once she had gathered her things, she closed down her office as she left. On her way out, she said goodbye to several coworkers and was shortly driving home. She didn’t stray from her usual routine as she went on her thirty-minute commute. There were several restaurants on the way, but she decided to wait till she got home. After crossing the railroad tracks that seemed to separate the city from the suburbs, Valerie pulled into the driveway of a two story blue house. Once parked in the garage and the door closed, she entered her house through the door that connected the two buildings.
As she entered the kitchen, she almost dropped the things in her arms. The kitchen was filled with a wonderful smell that smelled like Italian cooking. Thomas was at the table setting plate ware down. “Thomas! What is all this?” she asked.
Thomas said nothing as he walked over to her. He took the things she carried, placed them on the counter, and took her by the hand. He led her to the table and seated her before seating himself. Before them there was fettuccine alfredo bowtie pasta, handmade garlic breadsticks, and meatballs. All the dishes were arranged around candlesticks and a bouquet of flowers.
“What’s going on Thomas?”
“I figured you’d forget,” he replied. “but it’s our three-year anniversary.”
“It can’t be!” Valerie gasped in disbelief. “Last I checked, there were two more weeks left!”
“Time flies’ babe,” Thomas replied. “Especially in your line of work.”
“I’m so sorry, I completely forgot,” Valerie apologized. She was beside herself unable to believe it.
“Well, this fancy meal here is my anniversary gift to you,” Thomas pushed. “Did you forget about that too?”
Valerie felt deep anger and sadness well up within her. He wanted what he always wanted and she was getting tired of his persistence. “I was planning on getting your gift tomorrow, thinking I still had time,” she sighed as she tried to stay calm.
“I can think of something I would like better than what you had in mind,” Thomas said with a sly grin.
“Fat chance fella,” Valerie said as calmly as possible.
“Why not?” Thomas gripped loudly. “Why wait to have sex till marriage if you don’t even believe in any of that?”
“I don’t believe in marriage?” Valerie scoffed. “You’re the one who doesn’t believe in it. I dream about the day I get married. Just like every female. I can’t believe you. If that’s all you want out of our relationship, then get out and I never want to see you again!” She got up, marched out of the kitchen, and went to her upstairs bedroom. She locked the door and crawled into bed. Without even changing, Valerie cried herself to sleep.
