by R. E. Laurel
WHAT
A
NEW YEAR’S EVE
R. E. LAUREL
Copyright © 2016 Ruth Wolfe
All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Any names or characters, any resemblances to actual events or locations is entirely coincidental.
Cover Design: Courtesy of Createspace.com
Cover Photo: © Edfoto Dreamstime.com
ISBN-10: 1539107310
ISBN-13: 978-1539107316
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
What a New Year's Eve
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
DEDICATION
To those who support me. Thank you.
CHAPTER 1
“Good afternoon, Maren. And how are you this fine cold day?”
“So far so good, Jim, but it is only two in the afternoon. I’m just beginning my workday. Are you keeping yourself warm? And why are you outside? It’s miserable.” She wondered, genuinely concerned for the older man.
Maren paused long enough to greet the elderly hot dog vendor standing next to his metal cart. His brown eyes sparkled with merriment beneath gray bushy eyebrows as he gazed at her with adoration. He wore a thick layer of clothing covered with a down blue coat reaching to his knees. His hood lay against his back but on his head, he wore a red knit ski cap with black earmuffs over his ears. His creased weathered face showed cheeks lightly covered of a gray beard and a nose rosy red from the bitter cold wind of late November.
The week before Thanksgiving, the Friday before Black Friday.
She guessed him to be in his late sixties. Every day she walked past him on her usual path as he sold his wares and every day he greeted her with his happy salutations and warm, friendly smile. Her eyes glued to his face, relaxing as he smiled that gapped tooth grin of his.
“Of course. I have old Mary here to help,” he added with booming laughter as he pointed a gloved hand to the portable heater. “And it’s a lovely pre-winter day. Does a body good to be outside.” He declared as he rose his arms out to his sides as if beckoning the cold air to him. He looked back at her as she spoke.
“You listen to me. If you ever take a chill from standing outside I’m giving you direct orders to come to my office at Neal’s Emporium to get warm. Do you understand?”
She stared at him, trying her best to maintain the serious expression she could show. She knew that he always took her scolding’s lightly but the winters in Buffalo were brutal and she constantly thought about those who had to work outside in such inclement times.
“Thank you, Maren,” he replied. Not many ladies of this high caliber ever took the time to chat with him as she always did.
Her lips relaxed, curving with a grin while she tugged her midi-length black leather coat tighter around her body. Her purple mitten covered hand went to the gold scarf flapping about her shoulder to tuck into the neck of her coat as the blast of air burst onto them. Her body showed an uncontrollable shiver.
“You need to get a heavier coat on instead of that leather contraption you have on. Those ain’t fit for the north winds especially coming from the lake,” he reminded her.
“I know. I haven’t gotten my winter coats out yet. All right Jim and I’ll have a cup of your finest coffee,” she ordered. After tugging her thick mittens from her hands to tuck into the pockets of her coat, she managed to open her large tote sized purse. She gave it a few helpless shakes before she reached deep inside and shifted items around until she found the wallet.
“Are you sure you have it?”
With a bright smile, she removed the wallet in her hand and waved it at him. “I swear I need to downsize this purse one day,” she laughed removing money.
“Ah Maren, let me tell you that you have the top of the line taste. The best in all of the state of New York,” he complimented. Pulling the tips of his black wool mittens back to expose his fingers he poured coffee into his largest Styrofoam cup then added, with familiarity, flavored French Vanilla, and six sugar packets.
She handed him a twenty, “Keep the change, Jim. Happy Thanksgiving.”
He opened his mouth to protest but she already turned to hurry away. “It’s getting colder Jim. I have to get to work and don’t forget my offer of a warm office.” She called over her shoulder.
“Thank you, Maren and Happy Holidays!” He shouted, grinning as she turned to look at him to walk a few steps backward. Showing him a huge smile she turned to rush to work.
She hurried up the concrete sidewalk to Neal’s Emporium, the department store she spent the last eight years working to move up the chain of command. The brown colored Renaissance-era building practically covered the lot. The beautiful building stood the test of time maintaining its grandeur manor house of huge rectangular limestone blocks reaching eight stories tall. The Torus molding curved around the tops of the many windows encircling the building. Hand carved cornice accented the building adding to the marksmanship of the stonemasons of the time.
Rushing at the tall heavy wide double glass front doors she pushed them open, anxious to get out of the wind now furiously exploding in colder gusts as it blew from Lake Erie. The building still boasted of original doors and glass in the windows. She scraped her booted feet on the carpet just inside of the doors but still carefully walked on the marble floors so she wouldn’t slip. Glancing up, she marveled at the inside of cream painted walls but still decorated in the original beautiful dark wood trim crown molding and baseboards.
Her gaze scanned the elegant tall rooms to the displays already decorated for the past two months with holiday ribbons of red and green holly. Huge thick garland of red, black and silver with tiny white lights strung in scallops from ceilings. Christmas trees magically sprouted overnight from the blue carpeted floor and walls could barely be seen from the large wreaths helping to declare the Christmas season is upon us.
The fingers of her left hand were already freed from her mitten to work with the buttons on her coat as she sipped at the cup of coffee she held in her other hand. As she hastened to the elevator towards her office on the fifth floor she failed to see a man standing a few feet away staring at her. She also failed to see him move to catch a glimpse of her as the stepped onto the elevator and the doors noiselessly close. It stopped on the third floor. She stepped from the elevator, rushing past the many glass showcases of a wide assortment of jewelry, glittering their brilliance in the lights.
She pivoted her hips as she made her way through the maze of clothes racks in the lingerie and lady’s fashion department, looking for and giving her best friend Belinda Green a quick smile.
“You’re late!” Belinda called after her.
“Couldn’t help it! Had to make sure things were fine at the center! Come to my office,” Maren called out before disappearing through the clothes to return to the elevator to go onto the fifth floor where her office is located.
After setting the cup of coffee on her desk, Maren removed her co
at to place on a hanger then perched her slender hips on the edge of her mahogany desk. She had the toe of her one foot on the heel of her other to kick off her boots when Belinda entered.
“Those are the ugliest things I have ever seen you wear.” She complained, eyeing the knee-high tan suede boots with a rubber lug sole lined with what looked like to her, sheep wool, with distaste.
“They’re Australia Shearling Boots. They are warm and practical for this kind of weather.”
“They are butt ugly boots,” Belinda interrupted the quick lesson in fashion. “Did you know that is the skin of sheep turned inside out?”
“What?”
“Really, they just remove the hide and turn it inside out...”
“I think I’ve heard enough on that subject.” Maren eyed the boots with a new distaste vowing to not wear them again. She eyed Belinda, loving how she believed in the welfare of animals but hating how she always told her the stories.
“I guess I’m buying me some new faux wool, faux leather boots, thank you very much.” Maren ended with a grin as she kicked them off before slipping into her black pumps.
“Those are much better,” Belinda complimented. “So, you’re closing this evening?”
“Yes. One of the girls needed off so I told her I would work it. It isn’t like I have anything else to do.” She took a drink of her coffee, making a dreamy expression. “This is good stuff. Jim knows how to do it.”
“Hasn’t Walt called you?” Belinda plopped onto the blue floral couch. Her hand went to her hair, testing a short curl around her index.
“Yes, but I’m not interested.”
“But he’s such a charmer!”
“He wasn’t to me. Oh, he may have put on the extra polite attitude, but I wasn’t into it. Honestly, I don’t have time to date.” She took another drink of her coffee.
“Let’s try, you are too afraid to date.”
“I’ve gone out with Walt four times,” she quickly defended.
“Oh wow. Let’s not get too close,” Belinda scoffed.
Maren rolled her eyes at the obvious sarcasm. “These men who are asking me out knew me when I was overweight.”
“I don’t believe that Walt did,” Belinda interrupted.
“Okay, all except for Walt. Back then, these charming men wouldn’t give me the time of day and suddenly, now that I’ve lost the excess I’m the latest find. Go and figure that one out. And besides, I don’t want to date anyone at the moment.”
“Well, at least you’re getting asked and as to figuring it out, I guess I would say, standards are different?”
“Try inflated egos. I realize that I have changed a lot and for the better. They want a woman who looks good. I have never changed who I am on the inside, but I have on the outside. These men whom I have known in college, state that they like my sense of humor and everything else but I’m still the same woman! Sorry, they all had their chances. I’m more into my career than getting involved with any kind of relations.”
Maren moved to take her seat in the leather chair behind her desk. Without another word, she went to the files on the computer pertaining the quarterly sales for the past year and liked what she saw. Especially her department. Sales were thirty percent more. Quite a profit.
“Men must be getting pretty lucky around here. Either they or their wives are buying lingerie like it’s going out of style,” she muttered.
“You say that like it’s a disgrace.”
“If it’s someone cheating on a spouse, then yes, it is a disgrace. I can’t get over how easy you speak about it,” Maren voiced her opinion under Belinda’s blue gaze.
“I can’t get over that you are still a virgin.”
“Here we go, again.”
“I mean who in this day and age is still a virgin in their twenties? You are twenty-seven and have never been with a man.”
“I am very picky about who I decide to give this to,” Maren argued, gesturing to the area in mention.
“Oh, now that’s a bunch of bullshit.”
“I’ve been kissed and a bit more and let’s leave it at that, all right? It’s my business what I do whatever and with whomever. And besides, shouldn’t you be working instead of loitering?” Maren suggested as she locked her computer. Standing, she roughly grabbed the folders containing the plan-o-grams to show the layout of new arrival of clothing. Fighting the smirk, she commented to her dear friend. “Yes, and do you know what? I’m proud of it.”
Maren shoved a copy of the plans into Belinda’s hands, ignoring her laughter as they went to their Women’s Fashion and Lingerie Department. The store bustled with customers, some from the lunch crowd of nearby offices. Hopefully, the rush for the afternoon would soon ebb but it wasn’t happening. It seemed that the Christmas shopping is in full swing.
Maren and Belinda were opening boxes of new lingerie fashions and pricing them. Suddenly Maren’s eyes widened, going to Belinda’s stunned expression when a very well-endowed woman interrupted them, asking about a very skimpy red floral halter babydoll lace seminude outfit. With Maren’s years of experience in women’s shapes, she knew by looking at someone when certain styles just wouldn’t work with the body type and this one was not an exception.
Cautiously, she approached the bottle blonde that she guessed to be in her twenties. “Good afternoon. I apologize regarding your question. I don’t believe I heard you.”
“Yes. I don’t know what to do. It’s our four-week anniversary and I want it to be extra special.”
“Ou. Four whole weeks. That is special.” Her eyes shifted to Belinda who fought a smile while pricing a box of nylons.
As Maren returned her attention to the customer, she caught a glimpse of a tall man standing with the CEO, Stan as both paused to look her way. Her eyes met and connected with the slightly taller man’s pale blue gaze, he paused obviously noticing being caught in her gaze and then quickly turned to say something to Stan as they coolly turned their backs to her.
Maren’s gaze remained on him feeling the slightest flutter of interest when she noticed how broad his shoulders are. Her eyes widened at the realization that a man just caught her attention. Nah must be the holiday, that and maybe just maybe Belinda’s constant reminder of her being alone was beginning to gnaw at her gut. Beginning to eat away at her defenses that one shouldn’t be alone in life.
“Yeah, right.” She mentally shook away that notion as the blond's voice interrupted her train of thought.
“It is. Randy is taking me out on an extra special evening where hopefully, he won’t see anyone he knows to blab to his wife.”
Maren bit at the bottom of her lip to stop the knowing grin that threatened to spread as her customer’s declaration of being the mistress of a married man. She turned back to her customer. She would be a mistress, she thought with disgust. But who is she to judge.
“All right. Let’s see. I’m going to be very truthful with you. What you have in your hands is all wrong for you.”
“But I like it,” she whined, holding the tiny triangle patch shaped red bra in front of her.
“But it won’t help. Let me be forward, if I may?”
“Well, okay.”
“Just one look at you and well, anyone can see what you got beneath your blouse. You need to enhance your features, not blatantly show them off. Don’t you want Randy to be enamored, ready and willing as he wonders what you have instead of barely concealing what you have? That way he’ll have to strip you down to see...” Maren words floated into the air. She could not believe what she just said.
Glancing around she noticed the same strange man now standing closer as his chest bounced as he grinned, obviously, he overheard her and thought it a bit funny. He nodded his head at her as he walked away. He has the prettiest blue eyes, she thought.
“Well, I suppose so.”
Maren turned her attention back to the customer. “Of course, you do. You need something with style, class, mystery,” Maren devilishly whispered, taking
the hanger from her loosened grip to hang the skimpy outfit back on the rack as she gave her customer a quick look. Obviously, has a breast enhancement since they appeared standing out. She slightly grimaced then, “Forty-two double D?”
“Oh my but you are good.”
With a wry grin, Maren began sorting through the racks then came across the perfect outfit. She held it up, showing the red embroidered net corset outfit with red sequins sewn across the breasts and around the waist. Bone inserts were added for embellishing the waist. A tiny, barely embroidered string thong accompanied the outfit. Maren winced at the loud squeal, similar to that of fingernails on a chalkboard, of approval ejecting from her as she went crazy over it and bought three different colors.
CHAPTER 2
Maren ignored the chuckle from Belinda as she hung sweaters on a rack. “Oh sure. Keep them guessing is what I always say,” Maren commented to the customer, giving Belinda a quick glance as she shrugged.
Belinda approached, whispering so that only Maren could hear before following the customer to the cashier’s check out. “Try Virgin Maren.”
“You don’t know how much I wish I never told you about that,” Maren complained.
“And I can’t believe that you have never been with a man. You just have to be the oldest virgin in the world,” Belinda teased with a wink.
Maren shot a mocked look of anger as Belinda strolled away, her arms carrying a load of shirts to be hung up. While Maren was ringing up the sales, she overheard a very brief conversation as two employees brushed past.
“Did you hear the news yet?”
“No, what?”
“Well, it seems that we are going to go under a different name or something.”
“Really?” Maren’s eyes widened at the news.
“Yep. I think we were sold to someone or another company.”
Maren’s head jerked up watching with interest as they walked towards the lounge. Her brows furrowed at their words. She wished that she had a moment to go after them to learn more. She surely had a memo in her e-mail. As the customer left, Maren went to Belinda.
