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“I just can’t believe it!” Vera exclaimed.

“Believe what?” I asked without much interest.

Vera was the family housekeeper and had been for years. She was also normally solid as a rock and unflappable. She’d have to be in order to work for this family. But she looked nervous and upset over something.

“It’s Troy, Miss Pamela!” Vera cried out. “He’s decided to leave!”

“Leave?” I asked, startled. “What do you mean leave? Troy’s quitting?”

“Yes!” Vera sobbed. “I just can’t believe it! He seemed so happy here!”

Troy had been very happy here. Fresh out of school with a degree in landscaping, getting the job to be head gardener on the estate of one of Pennsylvania’s oldest and richest families had been a real coup.

At first, I had simply taken no notice of Troy. He was just another of the hired help as far as I’d been concerned.

Then one day I’d been out riding my horse, Midnight. Midnight had gotten spooked by something and had suddenly reared up, throwing me to the ground. Troy had been working nearby and had rushed over to assist me. His genuine care and concern for my well-being had caused me to notice him for the first time and it was then I saw what a handsome and kind young man he was.

When I went to Troy’s rooms to thank him again for his assistance later on, I could tell he found me attractive and desirable. So I let him know I was interested as well.

However, Troy had resisted my charms. He clearly had no desire to get involved with a married woman. Especially one he worked for.

But I wore him down soon enough and we began to have a passionate affair. At first, we had agree it was only sex and nothing more. However, as time went on, that began to change.

We ended up developing real feeling for each other and fell in love.

But I had chosen to end it and give him up. Just so I wouldn’t have to give up my social standing in Wyndham. I had picked money over love.

Now he was leaving. The only man I had ever truly loved with all my heart.

“He just told me he’s giving his notice as soon as Mr. Charles and Miss Elizabeth get back from their cruise,” Vera said. “And Miss Elizabeth was so pleased with his work! I just wonder why he’s leaving.”

“I’m sure he has his reasons, Vera,” I told her.

“Maybe you could talk to him,” Vera suggested. “You might be able to convince him to stay.”

“I don’t think so, Vera,” I replied. “I doubt he’d listen to anything I’d have to say.”

I went up to my room and closed the door behind me. I was craving a stiff drink but I resisted the temptation.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I allowed the tears to come.

And I cried over the man I still loved.

And hated myself for being such a shallow bitch.

Then the baby kicked and I felt something stir inside of me.

Was I starting to feel something for this baby after all?

“Damn it, Derek. I don’t like doing this,” Ed Smith said grimly over drinks.

I was meeting Ed, the CEO and founder of Smith Electronics in Chicago. Smith Electronics had always been a company Daddy had been interested in acquiring and adding to the CE fold.

Recently, the company had run into some serious financial trouble and Ed was forced to sell.

“No one ever does, Ed,” I replied. “But you ain’t got much choice. Your creditors are demanding their money.”

That little fact was becoming widely known. Another little fact, not becoming widely known, was that I had gotten Ed’s creditors to demand payment just so he would sell out.

Not that I felt bad about that.

You do whatever it takes in the business world to succeed.

“I know,” Ed sighed. “I just don’t like having to sell. My grandfather founded this company. I just wish I knew what I could have done to prevent this from happening.”

“Probably nothing,” I told him. “You know this economy. Businesses everywhere are suffering. It’s tough times for lots of people.”

Ed downed his whiskey and signaled the waitress for another one. “The selling part would be easier if I wasn’t having to sell to you and your father,” he said bluntly.

I knew Ed didn’t want to sell out to CE but we were the only ones who’d made any kind of decent offer to buy Smith Publishing. I had seen to that personally.

“If it wasn’t for me and my father, your company would close up and a lot of people would be out of work,” I told him, being equally blunt. “You should be glad we’re willing to buy at all. Especially with all the on-line magazines and electronic books these days.”

The waitress brought Ed his whiskey and he swiftly downed it.

“If I had any other choice,” Ed began but I interrupted him.

“You don’t and we both know it,” I said as I pushed the papers towards him. “Just sign on the dotted line and your troubles will be over.”

Less than enthused, Ed signed the papers.  “There,” he said shoving them back at me. Then he looked at me as I put the papers in my briefcase.

“Why do I get the feeling you might have had something to do with my creditors suddenly hounding me for payment?” Ed asked, a trace of suspicion in his voice.

“Why, Ed, I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said smoothly.

“Somehow I don’t believe that,” Ed told me.

“Believe what you want,” I replied. “Just remember, some of us are cut out for the business world and some of us aren’t. You, Ed, obviously weren’t. It was a pleasure doing business with you.”

With that, I rose up and left the restaurant to head back to the hotel and make my plans to head back to Wyndham.

It was the oddest thing.

I think I was actually missing Pam.

“You look beautiful, Katie,” Lester said, and I believed he genuinely meant it. He seemed more relaxed and – I don’t know – centered – than I’d ever known him to be.

“Thanks. You look pretty great, yourself.”

“I’m sorry I cheated on you, honey. I don’t know what was wrong with me. I loved you so much.”

I smiled. “We did have something wonderful going, didn’t we?”

Lester had been my first serious boyfriend, since high school anyway. And one of my first and few lovers.  He’d always teased me about my inexperience and my shyness about sex. Which I’d hated. It was one of the few things about our relationship that I hadn’t simply loved. Daddy may have hated Lester, but I had been completely in love with him. I still was.

“Yeah, babe, it was great. I don’t know what was wrong with me. She was just–”

“OK! I don’t need to hear the details! It happened. Maybe I reacted a little too strongly. We’re in love. I could have cut you a little slack. I’m sorry.”

“Wow. Yeah, we were. And you could have. I’m really sorry, Kate. I’m sorry any of it happened.”

“I forgive you,” I said.

“I’m glad. It makes everything easier.”

“Yeah, it really does,” I agreed. This was going to work out. Lester and I could start over.

“I wanted to tell you I’m moving out of the apartment. You don’t have to keep paying the rent, or anything. It’s cool.”

“Great! But… Where are you moving? I mean, of course you can move into my penthouse with me! That’s fantastic!”

“No, babe. I can’t do that.”

“Don’t be silly! You’re not freeloading. It’s hard to get work as an actor, but you’ll get your break! And then you’ll take care of me!”

“I did.”

“You did what?”

“I did get my break. I got a job in L.A.  Mandy got me a great gig on a USA series. They said I had the right look.”

Mandy? A job on a TV show? “Um, well, sure. You’re gorgeous. That’s fantastic. No, really! We’ll move to L.A. Sunshine, palm trees, lots of acting gigs. We can buy a house, maybe even get married. We talked about getting married.”

“Whoa, slow down, babe. We broke up. I mean, you broke up with me, remember?”

“Of course I remember, you moron! But I forgive you!”

“See, that’s just it. I’ve found someone new, and she doesn’t call me a moron.”

I started getting really pissed off. “That’s only because she hasn’t known you for very long! Were you screwing her when we were living together, too?”

“No. See, here you go. You are a royal bitch most of the time, you know that?”

“Funny, you never mentioned that when I was paying the bills! Is this new bimbo going to pay your bills, too?”

“She’s my agent.  She only makes money if I make money. I’m paying my own way.”

“Oh my God! You really believe–”

“I got a great gig, Kate. And a great new girlfriend. A whole great new life. I was going to be nice about telling you, but you reverted to form and made it ugly.”

“Reverted to form? Big words for you, Lester!”

Lester got up and threw some money on the table. People in the restaurant were starting to stare, and I didn’t care.

“We’re getting back together! I’m forgiving you!” I said, but Lester ignored me and walked out.

That was it. My last chance. I couldn’t have this baby now, not on my own. I had been so sure that Lester and I would get back together, and that he would believe me when I told him the baby was his. Why would he doubt me? He was the cheater, not me. We’d get married, and life would work out. What was wrong with him? Why didn’t he want me?

I stopped myself before I had a total meltdown in public, but when I got into the cab I fell apart.  I was devastated, and I didn’t’ know what to do. But I knew one thing. I could not have this baby on my own. It would ruin everything – my career, my relationship with my father, my chance to find another man.  Lester had made the decision clear. I had to end this pregnancy.

“Ms. Hart, your mother on line 3.”

I smiled. Why did Mother’s calls always come through on line 3? Coincidence? I think not.

“Yes, Mom? What’s up?” I greeted her.

“I was just checking to make sure you got home alright last night. You might have called.”

“I got home just fine, and I assumed if I was lying in a ditch somewhere you’d be well aware of it. You do have your ways.”

She laughed. “Well, yes, I suppose I do. What were you doing with Walter Worthington? I’ve warned you–”

“Mother! He offered me a ride back from New York. It was a chance meeting, and I’m grateful for it. I never would have gotten back this morning. The trains were a mess with this ice.”

“Nothing happens by chance, my darling. You know that.”

“No, actually, I don’t know that at all. Statistically coincidences should happen all of the time, given the sheer number of things that happen. If strange coincidences didn’t happen, that’s when it would be weird.”

“Of course, dear. You’re right. It was just a coincidence you and Walter met up in New York.”

“We didn’t meet up! We ran into each other!”

“Don’t you dare-”

“Mom, I’m not going there again. Mr. Worthington is 80 years old. Drop it. Did you have a point in calling? Or did you just want to brighten my day?”

“I had a point. To tell you to be careful. This could be a very bad day for you. Very bad.”

“What? Is a piano going to fall on me? What?”

“No, of course not. Not today, anyway.”

“Thanks for the reassurance, Mom.”

“There are dark forces swirling around you, Ellie. People who want to do you harm. You need to take care.”

“Mom, if you can’t be more specific I’m not really sure what the point is of warning me. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“You will. And–”

“Take care. I know, I know. Thanks, Mom. I’ll be sure to be careful.”

I hung up the phone, shaking my head. This had been the nature of my conversations with my mother since I was a small child. “Take care. Heed the signs.  Buy sugar.”

I looked up to see Mike Rielly standing in the doorway to my office, wiggling his finger at me to follow him. I hurried to catch up with him as he entered Mr. Bankenstine’s office. Bankenstine sat behind his huge desk, with Mr. Worthington sitting to his left. Mike stood between them and motioned to the chair across the desk from Bankenstine. I sat.

Mr. Worthington spoke first. “Ellie, I believe you’ve been the lead on the Remington merger, haven’t you?”

I nodded. “Yes, sir. Is there a problem?”

The look the three managing partners exchanged indicated there was a problem, indeed.

“The problem, young lady,” Bankenstine began, “is that your research was haphazard and incomplete, almost costing us the client!”

His voice rose with each word, and his face was getting red.

“Incomplete in what way, sir? I thoroughly researched both companies, and the principals of each. All the proper SEC filings were complete. The financials and prospectus were in order.”

“If you think your work on this case was thorough, we may have a bigger problem than I thought! Perhaps if you’d put as much energy into your work as you do into your social life–”

“Larry!  Let’s stick to the topic at hand.” I sent a quick look of gratitude in Mike Rielly’s direction.

“Ms. Hart’s lack of dedication to her work is the topic at  hand!” Bankenstine clearly had something on his mind, and it was something he wasn’t saying.

“I know that Ellie worked very hard on Remington, and was very dedicated. In fact, she worked on it all day Saturday, making sure the report was complete for your meeting.”

“Complete? You call this complete? You missed a crucial piece of information, dearie. One a cursory internet search would have revealed.”

Bankenstine threw a file across the desk at me, and I caught it before papers went everywhere. Opening the file I saw documents that shocked me. The company Remington was purchasing had shadow accounts off the books, and these accounts dramatically changed the firm’s financial picture. Knowing that, Remington would proceed very differently.

“Did you discover this before the final merger talks began?” I asked.

“Yes, Ellie. No harm was done,” Mr. Worthington said kindly.

“No thanks to you! An intern discovered this information and casually mentioned it to me prior to the meeting! An intern! He assumed I already knew. He assumed, as did everyone here, that you had done your job!”

I nodded. I was not a person to make excuses or shirk responsibility. I’d screwed up. “I apologize, sir. I believed I had researched all aspects of this merger thoroughly. Clearly I hadn’t been thorough enough. It won’t happen again.”

“It better not!” Bankenstine roared.

Mike Rielly shook his head. “Thank you, Ellie. We appreciate your taking responsibility for your mistake. You can go.”

Mr. Worthington looked at me with a gaze that seemed to me to show disappointment.

When I got back to my desk I reviewed my research. I did a quick search of the internet and didn’t find the information about the shadow accounts. I looked through the all the financial information available. The information seemingly didn’t exist anywhere but in the file in Bankenstine’s office.  Now how could that have happened?

Mike Rielly popped his head into my office. “Don’t take it so hard, Ellie. Everyone has an off day.”

“But I don’t understand where that information came from. I was very thorough in my research. I–”

“Let it go, Ellie. It’s over. Always keep moving forward, onto your next case. It’s the only way to make it to the top.”

With that sage piece of advice, he headed back to his office, leaving me to contemplate. Something was wrong with this picture. I glanced at the stack of files on my credenza, and over at the 40 emails in my inbox. Mike was right. I couldn’t look back if I wanted to get anything accomplished.  I picked up another case file and dove in.

Still, part of my mind kept turning the Remington information over and over again. Something just wasn’t right there. Had someone deliberately set me up? But why would anyone do that? My mother’s warning echoed in my mind. Maybe she had been right, and someone at the firm did mean me harm.

My mother was right?  I shuddered at the thought. There had to be another explanation.

I sat at the hotel bar and swirled my drink on the polished wood surface, enjoying the sound of ice clinking on glass. “Hey, beautiful,” I heard behind me. “Are you alone tonight?”

I checked him out in the mirror before turning around. He’d do.

“Not anymore,” I replied.

He stepped closer, putting his hand on my arm. “May I join you?”

“Please,” I said.

He sat and pulled his bar stool closer to mine so that our arms touched. “Would you like another drink? Or should we dispense of the small talk?”

I laughed. I’ve always hated small talk. Still, I hadn’t eaten dinner and he looked like he could afford to buy.

“The small talk isn’t necessary. I don’t even need to know your name. But I am hungry. Buy a girl dinner first?”

He put his arm around me and whispered in my ear. “Why don’t we order room service?”

I shivered as he surreptitiously reached over and fondled my breast. This was going to be quite a night, I could just tell.

“Ellie! How delightful to see you in New York!”

I spun around, nearly knocking Anonymous off his bar stool. “Mr. Worthington! Hello!”

I was sure I sounded uncomfortable and guilty, but Mr. Worthington didn’t seem to notice.

“Are you staying in the City or going home tonight?” he asked.

“Uh, going home. I mean, well, I was going home but I missed the last train. So I guess I’m staying. I guess.” I sounded like a blithering idiot.

“Missed your train? I’d be happy to give you a ride. I know you hate to be late to work, and it looks like there’s a storm coming in tonight. You might not be able to get back to Wyndham tomorrow.”

I nodded. Right. That did make sense. I glanced at Anonymous.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, my dear. I’ve interrupted a date. Please forgive my rudeness.” He held a hand out to Anonymous. “Walter Worthington. I’m pleased to meet any friend of Ellie’s.”

To his credit, Anonymous rose to the occasion. “John Smith,” he said smoothly. “Very pleased to meet you.”

John Smith. Was this guy unimaginative, or perhaps a Doctor Who fan? The Doctor always used that ridiculous alias.

“John, it’s been wonderful having a drink with you, but I think I’ll take Mr. Worthington up on his offer of a ride. You don’t mind?”

“John” shook his head. “Of course not. Call me this week and we’ll get together again soon.”

He pressed a business card into my hand and gave me a peck on the cheek. Turning to Mr. Worthington he extended his hand again. “It was very nice to meet you, sir. Any friend of Ellie’s is a friend of mine.”

With that “John” left the bar, and I took the opportunity of their short exchange to look quickly at my clothes. Not too slutty, thank goodness.

“Do you have any bags, dear?” Mr. Worthington asked.

“Um, no. No bags. I only came to New York for the day. To hear the Virgin Mary lecture at The Cloisters. But I missed my train.”

Mr. Worthington laughed. “The Virgin Mary was lecturing? I’d have loved to have heard that.”

“No, sir, of course not. It was a lecture about the Virgin Mary. I just love her, don’t you?”

His laughter increased. This wasn’t going well.

“I mean she’s fascinating. I mean… You know what I mean.”

I really do love the Virgin Mary. It’s all that Goddess upbringing, I guess.

“It must be your Goddess background that draws you to Mary,” Mr. Worthington said.

Well, that was disconcerting. Up until that moment, the only person who I knew could read my mind was my mother. Should I add Mr. Worthington to that list? And what did he know about my “Goddess background” anyway?

“Well, then,” he said, taking my coat from the hook beside the bar. “We’d better be on our way. We’ve a long drive ahead of us, and we don’t know if the weather will hold.”

He held my coat for me and I took a deep breath, a little thrilled and a little anxious about the pending trip. I hadn’t spent very much time alone with Mr. Worthington, and wasn’t sure how it would go.

But from the start Mr. Worthington was delightful. Inspired, perhaps, by the talk of the Virgin Mary, he shared stories of his visits to Jerusalem, and then moved on to describe touring Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.  I’ve visited Notre Dame twice, myself, and love its art and architecture. A discussion of the engineering marvel of flying buttresses took us the entire way into Wyndham.

As we pulled up in front of the Wyndham Towers, I buttoned my coat. I held out my hand to say goodbye, and Mr. Worthington grasped it gently.

“It’s been a lovely evening, my dear,” he said, and raised my hand to his lips.

It truly had. This hadn’t been the night I’d anticipated or the night I’d planned, but it had certainly been wonderful. Mr. Worthington’s driver escorted me to the elevator, and I turned for one last wave to Mr. Worthington, who waved back with a broad smile. As the elevator doors closed, I sighed and stuck both hands in my pockets.

I pulled out the business card I’d shoved in a pocket earlier, and, reading it, I began to laugh. In neat black letters on a plain white background, above an email address and phone number, was a name. “John Smith, Esquire.”

“Great job, Katey-did!” Daddy said. I stood back and looked at the wall I’d just painted. It looked streaky to me.

“I think it needs a second coat,” I said tentatively.

“Of course it does. That was always the plan. But you’ve done your duty. What say you and I go have a nice dinner at Windows? You always love that.”

My stomach lurched. “Sure! That sounds fantastic!”

As Daddy headed over to the supervisor with our brushes and paint trays, I took the opportunity to sneak a cracker from my bag and take a sip of ginger ale. How could I hide my nausea from Daddy? He’d already commented on how little I’d eaten on our lunch break. We’d been working together with a crew on a home for Habitat for Humanity, as part of our traditional service on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. For as long as I could remember Daddy and I had spent this “just us” time together, even when Mom had been alive.

I swallowed a sip of soda and fought back tears. Would this be our last father-daughter service day? There was so little left of our old relationship, it upset me to think of losing anything more.

“Ready?” Daddy asked as he brought me my coat.

“Ready,” I replied, and put on my brightest smile.

* * * * *

As we rode the elevator up to the rooftop restaurant, Daddy put his arm around me and pulled me to him. “What’s the matter, Kate? Are you still pining for Lester?”

I sighed and shook my head. “No, not really. I’m just tired. I haven’t worked that hard in a while.”

“OK, don’t tell your old man. I understand.” He dropped his arm and moved away a little.

“Daddy! I told you –”

“It’s OK! You’re not a little girl anymore. I can’t expect you to share your secrets with me like you used to.”

“Used to when? Daddy, we haven’t shared secrets for a long, long time,” I said. I regretted it immediately, seeing his expression fall.

The elevator opened and the Maitre’d swept forward. “Mr. Rielly! Lady Katherine! Lovely to see you!”

Daddy and I both turned on our public, happy expressions, putting up our masks. “How are you, this evening, Pierre?”

I suppressed a giggle. Every time Daddy greeted Pierre I was reminded of the Sesame Street character of the same name, who was also a maitre’d. They even looked alike, with short black hair and a pencil mustache. Of course, this Pierre wasn’t green!

When we were seated at our usual table with the fantastic view of the water – just to the left of the view of Daddy’s office building – I picked up my menu and pretended to read it. My stomach did another flip.

“So,” Daddy began. “Have you had any big auditions lately?”

Daddy tolerated my acting career. Or should I say “career” in quotation marks? He tolerated it and patronized me about it, as if it was a pretend career path.

“Yes, actually. I auditioned for a new play at the Public. Knickerbocker. It looks interesting.”

“Oh, they’re doing Timon of Athens at the end of February. Why don’t we go into the City and see it? No one ever does that play.”

I nodded, taking a sip of water. My mind raced as Daddy launched into a speech on the lesser-known works of William Shakespeare. The end of February. Would I be showing by the end of February? What was I going to do? Should I have an abortion? Could I?

I caught the end of Daddy’s speech. “…Lady MacBeth. Of course, she was no Medea, anyway. Euripides did trump Shakespeare on the bad-mommy front.” Daddy laughed and I lurched.

I barely got out “Excuse me,” as I rushed to the restroom. Medea? Really? I was thinking about having an abortion and Daddy brought up Medea, who murdered her children! As if I didn’t feel bad enough already. I didn’t want to have an abortion! I never imagined it was something I would do.

But this was different. Under the circumstance, I just wasn’t sure I could go through with this pregnancy!

Doug came home from the office and announced:

“I have an early Valentine’s Day present for you.”

“Already?” I asked. “But Valentine’s isn’t until next month.”

“True,” Doug admitted. “However, at the office today, I realized something. With CE having recently acquired the Neptune Cruise Company, I need to find out just how they operate the cruises. And, since we haven’t had a vacation in a long time, I figured we could take a nice cruise someplace warm and get the hell out of this freezing cold weather we’ve been having.”

“And while we’re on board, you’d also be working, wouldn’t you?” I asked pointedly. What’s the point of the two of us going on a cruise if Doug’s only going to be working?

“Not exactly,” Doug said. “I’d just be observing stuff that happens on board the ship. You know, like how good the staff is, what the most popular place on the ship is, stuff like that. All the little things we’d notice and comment on anyway.”

“So it’d be more like research, then,” I mused.

“Exactly,” Doug beamed. “I’d just be taking notes for a meeting I’d have with Neptune’s executives when we got back. We’d have plenty of time for fun and to be alone.

I stood there and thought it over. It would be nice to be someplace warm. Especially considering all the snow and cold we’ve been getting lately. A nice beach on some tropical island sounds like heaven right now. And we could use some alone time.

“It does sound good,” I admitted. Then I smiled. “What the hell? Let’s do it!”

Doug came over and put his arms around me. “This is going to be our best vacation yet,” he said as he leaned in close and kissed me.

“So when do we leave?” I asked.

“I was planning on next month,” Doug replied. “After Momma and Daddy get back from theirs.”

“Next month works for me,” I said. “I could use a nice break after my art show at the end of the month.” I had been working on it since New Year’s and had nearly all the pieces selected to be in it.

“We can celebrate your successful show,” Doug said with a smile. “I know you’ll be a big hit. In fact, why don’t we celebrate a little early?”

Doug kissed me again, this time more passionately, and pulled me onto the bed with him.

And I suddenly felt that I was in a tropical paradise already.

Worthington, Bankenstine and Rielly, Attorneys at Law. The most prestigious law firm in Wyndham, and the largest. I was one of 23 associates and there were 7 partners. There had been 29 attorneys in the firm when I joined; I made it 30. Mom said that was an omen, that 30 is a very important number, representing cosmic balance. She said I would balance the firm, and allow it to soar to its greatest heights.

The office building that the firm occupied was 30 stories tall – there’s that number again. Most of the lower floors were occupied by business tenants, and the lobby floor held a bank, coffee shop, and several artist studios. The studios were a write-off for WBR, which allowed the artists to rent extremely cheaply and display their work in the large, luxurious lobby.

You needed a keycard to get to the upper floors after 5:00 PM and on weekends. Floors 29 and 30 held the law offices. Mine was on the 30th, with a great view of the waterfront. That had been my first inkling that everything wasn’t quite kosher with my hiring.

Don’t get me wrong, I was the top of my class and editor of the Law Review. I’m damn good, and I knew I’d get an offer at a great firm. But I was hired after only 2 interviews, and one meeting with the Managing Partners. Plus I got such a spectacular office on the executive floor. I couldn’t get my mother to explain her relationship with Walter Worthington to me, but I had a strong feeling that it had a lot to do with the favoritism he showed me.

I knew I would have to work hard to make partner, but I also knew I had a leg-up on the competition, thanks to Mom, and that the other associates understood that, too. Which is why I was so determined to prove myself, over and above what was necessary. There could be no question that merit alone was responsible for my rapid ascension at the firm. And I intended to rise very rapidly.

Still, it was almost 7:00 PM on a Saturday, and I’d been in the office since 2:00. I figured I could knock off! And I was in the mood for some fun. As I walked down the hall toward the bathroom for a pit-stop before leaving, I heard a crash. It startled me; I hadn’t realized there was anyone else working. I saw one light on, in Mr. Rielly’s office. Our office lights are motion-activated, so I knew he must be in there. Or someone must.

I walked quietly toward the door and peeked in. Mike Rielly was picking up broken glass, his back to me. “Is everything OK, Mr. Rielly?” I said, and he jumped up. When he turned to face me his face had a look of panic and fear, which he quickly covered.

“Oh, Ellie. I thought I was the only one fool enough to work late on a Saturday.”

Fool. Not exactly how I wanted him to see me.

“No, sir. I had a few things to finish up on the Remington case.”

“Remington Industries. Jesus, does Bankenstine give you all the most boring cases on purpose?” he asked, finishing picking up the glass.

“Sometimes I wonder,” I admitted. “Can I help you with that?”

“No, no. I just dropped a glass, nothing serious. See? All done.”

I could see that the glass, full of liquid, had hit the wall and crashed to the floor, shattering all over one side of the room.   He hadn’t dropped it, he’d thrown it. None of my business.

“Well, OK. I’m heading out, then. Have a good weekend, sir.”

“How many times must I ask you to call me Mike?”

“At least one more, Mr. Rielly.,” I replied. “As always.”

He laughed. “Nicely done, Ellie. Nicely done.”

I smiled at him. “And you,” I said, nodding in acknowledgment.

“You playing Keira Knightly to my Orlando Bloom. Not bad. I wouldn’t mind having his hair.”

“Your hair’s just fine, Mr. Rielly.” I caught his look.

He sighed. “Fine. I guess you’re just the prim and proper type. Your parents obviously raised you well. God, it’s Saturday and you’re even dressed for the office!”

I looked down at my black slacks and gray and white sweater. It seemed casual to me, but whatever.

“Good evening, then,” I said, backing out of his office.

A few moments later I giggled as I looked at my reflection in the restroom mirror. “Prim and proper.” If he only knew!

“Will you be needing anything else, Mr. Chamberlain?” Jennifer asked me as she headed for the door.

“No, Jennifer, that will be all for now, thank you,” I replied and my secretary walked out of my office, closing the door behind her.

I’ve been going over the figures for the cruise business I just acquired for CE. Neptune Cruises, Inc. was a very profitable business. They offered highly popular cruises for gay men and were almost always sold out. When the owner of Neptune Cruises found himself in financial trouble due to a little problem he had with online gambling, I had swept in and made an offer to buy the company. Now, Neptune Cruises, Inc. was a part of the CE fold and I was sure it would prove to be a very profitable asset.

For my sake, it had to be. Daddy hadn’t been too thrilled about my idea to acquire Neptune but had, ultimately, given in. If I was wrong and Neptune proved to be a money loser I was certain Daddy would never let me forget it and might even demote me.

My office door opened and Derek walked in and saw the figures and info on Neptune on my desk. “Gay cruises?” he asked, raising his eyes as he spoke.

“Yes,” I replied irritably. “They’re very popular. And profitable. People pay thousands to go on these just so they can be themselves.”

Then, deciding to get to the point, I asked my twin “Did you need something, Derek?”

“I have to go on little business trip next week, brother dear, and, with Momma having talked Daddy into taking a cruise next week to get away from this cold weather, I was wondering if you and your boyfriend would keep an eye on Pamela for me. I’m worried about her being home by herself with her being pregnant and all,” Derek explained.

“Worried about Pam are you?” I commented. “Nice to see her pregnancy has finally turned you into a halfway decent husband.”

“I’ve always been a good husband to Pam,” Derek said in his defense. “Now will you and your littlle boyfriend keep an eye on her for me or not?”

“Yes, Derek,  Brad and I will be happy to keep an eye on Pam for you,” I told him, emphaiszing Brad’s name. Derek hardly ever refers to him by name. Instead he uses phrases like ”little boyfriend” and others. No doubt just to annoy me.

“Thanks, little brother,” Derek said. The little is due to the fact he was born first.

As Derek left my office, he suddenly turned. “You know, maybe you should have gotten Momma and Daddy to take one of those Neptune cruises. I’m sure they’d love to spend two weeks on a ship with a bunch of homos.”

With that, Derek walked out, closing the door behind him.

Leaving me to look at the doorway in disgust.

As usual, talking to Derek has ruined a perfectly good day.

Things were going well for me. Derek was happy about the pregnancy and was being the perfect husband.

Except, of course, for our recent “chat” where he bluntly asked if this baby was his.

Fortunately, he believed me when I told him it was. Not that I blame him for asking. Just as I’ve known he’s had affairs, he’s known I’ve had my own. Only he doesn’t know who with, thank God.  Now, he’s being a loving, attentive husband. Of course, I’m sure it’s nearly all for show for the benefit of his parents.

And, glory hallelujah, I’m done with those damn charity committees Miss Lizzie was always dragging me off to. Not that I’m against helping those less fortunate and other worthy causes. I would just rather attend a charity event than help plan it. Miss Lizzie has let me off the hook for all of them due to my morning sickness. Who knew being sick every morning could be so beneficial?

My only mistake lately was taking a walk today outside. The sunshine deceived me into thinking it was warmer than it actually was. But I was bundled up. I just needed to get out of the house for a little bit. And that’s when it happened.

“I wondered when I’d see you again,” he said angrily.

I turned around and saw Troy standing there. The man that I loved and still love.

“So when were you going to tell me?” Troy demanded when I didn’t speak.

“Tell you what?” I asked.

“That you were pregnant,” he replied. “I overheard the other servants talkingn about it. My God, Pam, why the hell didn’t you tell me?”

“Why would I?” I asked, my face and voice void of any emotion. “It’s none of your business.”

“None of my business?” Troy shouted. “How can you say that when we both know I’m probably the father of that baby?”

“I can say that because you’re not the father, that’s why,” I said.

“You really expect me to believe this baby is Derek’s?” Troy asked sarcastically. “You think I’m that stupid? I know you and Derek don’t have much of a sex life. The odds of him being the father are about one in a million and we both know it.”

“Actually, the odds are a lot better than that,” I said. I knew my words would hurt Troy but I also knew I had to say them. “My sex life with Derek has greatly improved these past two months. In fact, we’ve been going at it constantly. We can’t get enough of each other.”

Troy’s eyes showed the pain my words were causing him. “I don’t want to hear about the details of your sex life with that scum, Derek. I just want to know if I’m the father of this baby or not,” he said.

“You and I haven’t seen each other in almost two months,” I reminded him. “And, according to my doctor, I’m only just over one month along. So there is no way possible you could be the father of my baby. Derek is.”

I thought I saw a flicker of disappointment flash across Troy’s face quickly before his face hardened.

“Well, congratulations, then,” he said with more than a litle sarcasm. “Hope everything goes well for you and Derek.”

“It will,” I assured him. “Derek has turned into the perfect husband.”

“Isn’t that nice?” Troy said, clearly disgusted. He then started to walk away but suddenly turned to look bak at me. “Oh, and don’t come running to me when things fall apart for you and you need a man to make it all better. I won’t be here.”

I watched as Troy stormed off towards the stables. Alone, I allowed a few tears to escape from my eyes. Although the thing between Troy and me was supposed to be just sex, I had grown to care about him and had, eventually, fallen in love with him as he had with me. Now I could only wonder:

What did he mean when he said that he wouldn’t be here?