Close to time to go home Vicky needed a ladies room break and put her phone into the obligatory status for bathroom breaks. When she’d gotten close to the bathroom she heard muffled angry voices from around the corner “How could you do this to me again Josh? Why are you always messing around with women that I work with?”. Vicky looked around the corner and saw Joshua Jones and Sandra Catchings huddled up together in what seemed to be a heated argument. He was aggressively holding one of Sandy’s arms. Mr. Jones’ back was to Vicky so he didn’t see her but Sandy saw her. What in the world did she walk in on? Vicky quickly turned back around and went into the bathroom as if she didn’t see or hear anything. Vicky wondered if this could be the reason that Sandy was so cool towards her.
About an hour later after she’d returned to her desk Vicki had gotten a call into her head-set from Sandy with a request to come into her office. Vicky had hoped she wouldn’t get this call but knew that she would. Vicky hesitantly entered Sandy’s office. She didn’t need any more reasons for Sandy to make life hard for her. “Hi Sandy, you wanted to see me?”
Sandy was at her desk reviewing paperwork. She never looked up when she responded to Vicky “Yes, I did. I wanted to tell you that I was able to find coverage for the time off we discussed last week. I’ve put you on the calendar”. As relieved as Vicky was she didn’t want to feel dirty. She didn’t want to get the time off because Sandy was afraid Vicky would tell someone about what she’d seen “You don’t have to do this Sandy. I wouldn’t tell anyone what I saw between you and Mr. Jones.” That made Sandra’s head immediately snap up “And just what exactly do you think you saw Ms. Martin?”. Vicky looked her squarely in the eyes “look let’s just get this out in the open I don’t like pretending the elephant is not in the room. I saw you and Mr. Jones arguing over I’m guessing him cheating on you. I didn’t want to overhear what I heard but I did. I won’t tell anyone because it really doesn’t concern me. I also don’t like feeling like I’ve somehow wronged you when I haven’t.” Sandy glared at Vicky “So, you can sit here and honestly tell me to my face that you are not sleeping with him?”. Vicky’s mouth almost hit the floor “Are you crazy? Oh my god…NO! No offense Sandra but Joshua seems like a player. I have a daughter and I’m not interested in introducing all that drama into our lives. You are a woman who really seems to have it all together. I mean you have a good job and you’re a beautiful woman. It would seem like you could have your pick of guys. I don’t know why you would put up with all of that drama either. Is that why you were crying when you came into the office this morning?”. Just like that it appeared Sandy just wanted to release everything that had been building up inside of her. Her eyes filled with unshed tears. “Joshua makes me so crazy that I’m doing things that I wouldn’t normally do. I’m no good with women and apparently men either. I owe you an apology Vicky. I know he’s attracted to you and seems like every other woman who works here. It’s driving me insane. We’ve been seeing each other for a while. When we first started dating I knew he was still seeing other women but after all this time I’ve fallen in love with him. I’ve never been an insecure woman but with Joshua I just feel so insecure.”. Sandy slammed her hands down on her desk “I hate this feeling”. Sandy’s office phone rang. She saw that it was Mr. Franklin Roth from the caller i.d. “Why in the hell….hold on a moment I’ve got to take this call” Vicky tried to give Sandy privacy as she took the call. Vicky looked around Sandy’s office. She noticed pictures of kids on her desk and on her walls. She didn’t think Sandy had any kids. She wondered who they were. All Sandy kept saying was “ok, ok, that sounds good and finally Vicky and I have already worked that out”. Vicky was drawn back into the conversation when she heard her name. After Sandy hung up the phone she looked at Vicky dumbfounded. “I didn’t know you knew Franklin Roth” Vicky shrugged “I don’t know him personally. We’ve actually never met. I spoke to him on the phone once. I think he knows my boyfriend.” It felt a little weird saying that word “boyfriend”. Maybe it felt weird because Vicky wasn’t so sure the term actually fit. They were seeing each other but since it was so new she wasn’t exactly sure what they were. Sandy’s tone changed again to the all so familiar iciness she was known for “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend. I thought you were single? Anyway, he wanted to make sure that you had the day off to take your daughter for shots. So, whoever this ‘boyfriend’ of yours is he pulled some major strings on your behalf”. “Sandy, I didn’t ask him to do that I’m sorry. We were talking and trying to figure out what I was going to do about the shots. Jay works in the sales department I never would have suspected he could even do such a thing. Now that I know I’ll be much more careful with what I say around him. I don’t want to take advantage of anyone either him or you”. Sandy truly believed Vicky and decided to let the matter drop. She actually liked Vicky. She was a breath of fresh air. “I think we’ve cleared up a lot of misunderstandings today. Thanks for coming in to see me and being honest. You don’t get that a lot around here” Vicky smiled “Anytime you need someone to talk to Sandy please don’t hesitate. I can be a good listener”. Vicky left the office and realized it was time to pack it up and go home.
Chapter 12
“Ok Jason, fill me in on the details that I haven’t been able to glean from the file I’ve had pulled on Ms. Martin. I know she’s worked here for about a year. She seems to be a dedicated employee. There is nothing in her file that would raise any red flags thus far. Oh, wait a minute; I do see one big red flag. A sexual harassment lawsuit! Are you sleeping with this woman?” Jason coughed nervously “Franklin, I’m not going to respond to that unless the legal department calls asking for that information. Anyway, remember our last conversation? The one where I told you I was feeling unsatisfied? I think Vicky might be the answer to some of the unsettledness I was feeling. I know it’s sudden. We’ve only been seeing each other for a few weeks but….I think she could be the one”. “Jason are you out of your mind? How could you possibly know that? Other than the mind-blowing sex she obviously gave to you to make you lose your damned mind, you two have NOTHING in common. What do you really know about her? She’s a mother. Are you ready for an instant family? From all appearances she’s never been married, never attended college, and is a customer service representative!” Jason was really annoyed “There is more to a person than just what you can quantify on paper Franklin and when did you become so judgmental?” Franklin never minced word and that’s what Jason loved most about him but today it was annoying “Look, let’s get serious here. You can’t believe it will be easy for her to fit into your world or for your friends to get used to you dating a black woman. Be honest, other than President Obama how many black friends do you have or even know? Scratch that even he’s bi-racial. Not to mention your father would have a heart attack. He’s already planned your merger I mean marriage to Bridget.” Franklin had to laugh a little about the last bit of information regarding his nuptials to Bridget. “Frank, what does color have to do with anything? You know I don’t care about that and those who do can go straight to hell. I know that Vicky would have an adjustment period but she is smart and kind. She makes me feel like I’m suspended in air when we are together. I get excited just thinking about her. I want to explore whatever connection it is that we’ve found. I am going to see where it goes. If my friends and associates won't support me then maybe they won’t be in my life” Franklin rubbed the back of his neck “Jason you know I don’t care about color either but I just want you to be ready because there are those who do. I’ll support you no matter what I just want you to understand what you are in for. You have social obligations, business meetings and dinners with other wives. Just ask yourself if you think Vicky can be a partner in all of it. Would she even want to? You obviously had some doubts about something because you didn’t even give the girl your real name. Jason, all I’m asking is that you take some time and think about this before you make any big decisions. Don’t rush into anything.” Jason knew he needed to slo
w things down with Vicky. Franklin did have some valid points that left a lot for Jason to think about. Mostly, would Vicky want to be a part of his life and obligations? “Speaking of slowing things down, if you haven’t heard already I’m sure you will soon. I broke it off with Bridget. ”
Chapter 13
Vicky and Jason had been dating for the last several weeks. They had sort of gotten into a routine. They would talk every morning, text each other all day and Jason would call her every night around 10pm. However, tonight by 10:15pm he hadn’t called. So, she decided to call him and got his voice-mail. Vicky left a message. She was disappointed that she wouldn’t get to talk to him but looked forward to talking to him in the morning.
The next day Vicky was getting ready to sign on for work and still had not connected with Jason. By bedtime, Vicky started to get worried. She hoped he was alright. She hadn’t really met any of Jason’s friends or family so she wasn’t really sure who to call to make sure Jason was ok. Well, she could call Mr. Roth. That might be a little awkward but she needed to know that Jason was alright. So, the next day on Vicky’s lunch hour she decided to go up to Mr. Franklin Roth’s office. When she arrived she asked Franklin’s administrative assistant if she could speak with Mr. Roth. The Admin looked Vicky up and down. Her face looked as if she’d swallowed something distasteful. Then, after assessing that Vicky was no-one important she told her that she would have to make an appointment. Vicky felt like maybe she’d made a mistake by coming to Mr. Roth’s office. As she was about to walk away Franklin happened to come out of his office. She needed to know Jason was ok. She was nervous but she just took a deep breath and approached him. “Mr. Roth? I’m Vicky Martin, a friend of JK’s”. Franklin turned to see the woman that had blown up the Rutherford household, “may I speak with you for just a moment”? She was very beautiful. He could see why Jason would be attracted to her. “Sure, I only have a moment since I’m in between meetings”. Vicky quickly walked into Mr. Roth’s office “I’m sorry to bother you but I know you and Jay are friends. I hadn’t heard from him in a couple of days and that is so unlike him. I was just wondering if you had talked to him and if he was ok”? Franklin took a deep breath before answering “Actually, I just spoke to Jay this morning. He seems to be fine. But, can I ask you a question?” Franklin proceeded on before getting her response “Honestly, Vicky have you known him long enough to say what he would or wouldn’t do? Look, Jas..err um Jay has been a friend of mine since we were kids. I’ve met a lot of gold diggers since I’ve known Jason who wanted to land a rich husband. Or, they were looking for someone to ‘save’ them from their terrible life choices. I hope your motives for dating him are pure because if they are not” Franklin paused for emphasis “I will make your life a living hell” Vicky was taken aback by his forwardness and tone. She wasn’t expecting that response. Franklin made her so nervous “I can assure you that my motives are pure Mr. Franklin. I’m sorry to have bothered you this afternoon…I just wanted to make sure he was ok. Apparently, he’s fine. I won’t take up anymore of your time”. Franklin was a pretty good judge of character and after seeing her response he felt like a first class jerk. He wasn’t trying to hurt her feelings but she needed to know that he loved Jason like a brother and if her motives weren’t pure life for her would be hell.
Jason had had an overseas crisis at one of the offices in Australia. He’d been working non-stop with the Australian government and his Australian CkR International counterparts to get everything resolved. He hadn’t had any sleep in the last 36 hours. He hadn’t had a chance to call Vicky. He needed this time anyway to think. Franklin had made some valid points. Jason’s parents, or he should say his father, was incensed that he broke it off with Bridget. The Reeds were livid that as Mr. Reed put it “Jason would treat his daughter so shabbily”. His mother really didn’t give an opinion one way or the other. She just wanted him to be happy. Jason didn’t want to put Vicky in any position to feel pressure. So, for now he kept their romance just between them. Once everything was out in the open there would be a tremendous amount of pressure from the press, family, friends, acquaintances, and more. He was sure at first it would be overwhelming for her but he felt like she had what it takes to deal with everything that came with being involved with a Rutherford. But, would she want to? Jason was tired and he had an unbelievable headache. He needed to get everything together in his mind and hash everything out with Vicky. He didn’t know how she would react to him telling her the truth about who he really was and his position with the company but he couldn’t keep it a secret much longer especially since the All Employees meeting was this Friday.
Right now, all he wanted to do was curl up with Vicky and Angel and go to sleep.
Chapter 14
It was Friday and Jason had just gotten back into town. He was sitting at his desk at the corporate headquarters in Minneapolis for the All Employee’s meeting. He had been trying to call Vicky for two days. Jason hadn’t been able to reach her. He kept getting her voice-mail. He still hadn’t had a chance to talk to her and tell her about his real identity. If he didn’t explain everything to her before the all employees meeting, he didn’t know how she would react. She may never forgive him. Franklin knocked on the door. Jason must not have heard him standing there as he knocked on the door a little louder. “Jason..why is it every time you have a meeting lately your mind seems to be a million miles away”? Jason gave a half smile “Probably because it is. I’ve been trying to reach Vicky for a couple of days and keep getting her voice-mail. I know she might be a little angry that I was out of touch when I went to Australia and didn’t call. It just seems a bit much that she wouldn’t accept my calls.” Franklin was looking a little guilty. Jason narrowed his eyes at Franklin “You wouldn’t know anything about that would you?” “She came to see me on Wednesday to see if you were ok. I guess you hadn’t kept up with your ‘nightly’ calls and she was worried. I told her you were fine.” “Is that’s all you told her? Why do you look like there is more to the story?” “Maybe I insinuated that she didn’t know you well enough to know what you would or wouldn’t do and that if she was a gold digger and hurt you there would be hell to pay”. Jason was pissed “you said WHAT?” “Look Jason, I’m sorry. I felt bad afterwards and I tried to call her to apologize. I left a couple of messages on her home voice-mail as well. She wouldn’t pick up and she didn’t call me back either”. “I’ve got to go down to Customer Service and talk to her before the meeting”. “You don’t have time to go down there. The meeting starts in 10 minutes“. “Damn it!” Jason stopped in his tracks and turn around. He went back to his desk and picked up his notes and presentation. He then headed for the All Employee’s meeting room. “Franklin, I didn’t get to tell her that I’m the CEO and you called her a gold digger. She has a lot of pride Frank. This could end up badly for me”.
Janice was sitting next to Vicky for the meeting. She hated these things. They were so long and boring. Plus, she wasn’t in the best of moods lately. She was angry with herself for getting her hopes up thinking that Jason was taking their budding romance seriously. He obviously hadn’t and Franklin Roth made her feel like he was too good for her. That’s what hurt her the most because deep down she’d thought maybe he was right. She didn’t really have much to offer him. The best thing she had in this world was Angel. Jason had been calling her the last couple of days but she needed time to lick her wounds. She wasn’t quite sure what they were doing. Everything between them seemed to have happened at warped speed. Franklin Roth had been calling her at home as well. As long as he called her at home she knew it was personal and would not answer it. Somewhere in the distance she heard Franklin speaking. Then he introduced the President and CEO of CkR International, Jason Kincaid Rutherford and everyone started clapping. Vicky clapped out of common courtesy until she looked up and saw JK walk up to the podium. Her mouth dropped open “Oh, my GOD..That’s JK”. Jason spotted Vicky immediately in the crowd. Her expression when she recognized him made
his heart sink. This was going to be a long presentation.
As soon as the presentation was over Vicky made a mad dash to get out of the hall. She wasn’t sure she could keep it together long enough not to lose it in front of everyone. He was just playing games with her. JK wasn’t Jay Kincaid. He was actually Jason Kincaid Rutherford, President and CEO of CkR International. How could she have not known that? I guess it would explain his connection to Franklin Roth and why Franklin not only thought she wasn’t good enough for him but that she was a gold digger. There is no way somebody like him could be really interested in somebody like her. How could anybody be so cruel? They must have gotten a pretty good laugh at her expense behind all of this. Vicky made it back to her floor and found an empty bathroom stall where she just let the tears fall.
Jason saw her leave. He tried to get to her as fast as he could but the executive team and others wanted face time with him and blocked his departure. Jason gave Franklin a look for help so he could get away and explain everything to Vicky. He could only imagine all the crazy thoughts that were going through her head. Franklin did his best to block for Jason. By the time Jason made it out of the hall he’d lost her somewhere in the crowd.
Vicky made it back to her desk. There was no way she could concentrate. She could barely make out the words on her screen. If she could just get through the next couple of hours she could get out of here and go home. A few moments later, Sandy came over to Vicky’s desk looking very concerned and nervous. “Vicky, Mr. Rutherford would like to speak to you. Since it is so close to the end of your shift why don’t you just shut it down and I’ll see you on Monday”. Vicky turned around and there stood Jason Kincaid Rutherford at the end of her aisle…in Customer Service. He’d pulled rank. Vicky slowly gathered her things together and shut down her system. What could she say? She couldn’t tell the President and CEO to go to hell and keep her job could she?
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