The Happy Lights in your Window

Chapter 27

Chess

Both the men, well built and tall, watch each other warily, huddled in the tiny crampedgarage office. One is in the boss's chair and the other opposite across the battered desk.After a lengthy discussion, Chess has some reluctant admiration for the young new boss. Heis nothing like the lazy womanizing rich brat which he envisioned. Eli Gray is respectful andsurprisingly humble, treating everyone at the garage well, reassuring them of the safety oftheir jobs and even announcing a pay hike. "May I call you Chess?", the young man is peeringat him. "Yes Boss, of course" is Chess's automatic reply. " Please call me Eli", the youngboss is still looking at him curiously. "The previous owner said you had some good plans toexpand the garage and its services but due to lack of funds, it's been shelved. Give me aproposal of whatever plans you have for the garage's makeover. You can be totally incharge." Chess is ecstatic. Some good news after many long stagnant years. "Also", Eli Graycontinues, "Please make sure we get a contract with Drake's Bakes for evening snacks forthe staff here". 

Chess is surprised "Drake's Bakes is some distance from here. There is a café close by. We can do a contract with them". Eli is still watching him intently "Only Drake's Brakes. We can pay extra if required. Please speak to Dor there and finalize it". Chess is irritated at how intimately Eli uses the word Dor. "You mean Mrs. Drake?". Eli has a tender look on his face "Dor to me, Mrs. Drake to you". Chess struggles to keep himself under control. No wonder, the rich brat has a reputation. The young boss has already set eyes on his titan.

KasHe watches as Chess carefully opens the door of the bakery. They have come to discuss thecontract for evening snacks for the expanding garage staff. Chess has not only been givenorders that he needs to do this task himself but Kas has also accompanied him. Kas has ignoreda perplexed Chess as to why the busy CEO wants to come personally for this small routinetask. As Dor smiles in welcome at the opening door, her face changes when she sees Chess.The polite smile is replaced by a grim face as she watches Chess approach. A startled Kasrealizes that she is still angry with Chess. She is most probably still angry over the wrongbook incident with Kaya. Seven years gone by, Kas himself does not hold Chess accountableblaming only himself for everything that went wrong but here is Dor holding the anger onhis behalf. She starts to say something angrily but abruptly stops when she sees Kas. Chesslooks glum and uneasy and hesitates in the middle of the room unable to go up to Dor. Kaswalks past him, suddenly filled with purpose, "Dor", he calls out firmly. "Come here",pointing to the table by the window. Dor still scowling turns to Kas, now outraged "Excuse me?Did you just call me Dor?" He sighs and tells them both "Dor, are you still angry with Chessover what happened seven years ago?""All three are now seated at the table just as they used to, seven years ago. Dor and Chessare watching him absolutely bewildered. Kas looks at them "I met Kas, yes that right, Kaiserin the hospital. His Ma was in a coma and I had a close friend who was very ill. We bothspent hours in the corridors and the café. During those few weeks, we became very closeand he told me his entire history. Everything. We used to talk for hours. He spoke about his Ma,his little sister and you Dor. All the time. You three were the most important people. I'venever had family as such besides Grandma. I never had any trustworthy friends either.Somehow in those few days, Kas became my dearest friend. Kas is abruptly interrupted byDor stands up pulling her chair back, her face distraught "I need to see him now." Kas gentlyputs his hands on her shoulders, "You better sit down for this one Dor". She sits down butlooks very agitated. Kas covers her hands which are on the table with his own "Kas is deadDor and I am the will which he left you".