Trial of Marriage 2

Part 9 - Startling Surprise

I hope to have more to post before the weekend is over. - Gsquad.

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Before her stood a man dressed in expensive business attire. The way he gazed at Angelic made her edgy. When the mace fell from her grip, it had rolled right in front of his feet. Surely enough confirmation he had startled her. All Angelic could do was gawk at him as she stood motionless.

“I’m so sorry; you must have thought the place was being broken into when you saw the door cracked. My arms were full when I arrived, and I only nudge the door with my elbow trying to close it. Of course, it was a fail, but I was on my way back when I heard you. It wasn’t my intention to surprise you, but from your reaction that’s exactly what happened.” Angelic stood there and remained quiet.

“Where are my manners?” He took a step toward her extending out his hand. “Please excuse my rudeness and let me introduce myself; I’m Chad Worthington.”

She nodded, slowly coming out of her astonished state. Reaching out she grasped his hand and shook it in a brief up and down motion before breaking their physical contact. “I’m Angelic…Angelic Moretti and yes, you did take me by surprise. It would have been nice if you answered when I called out.”

“I didn’t want to frighten you…”

She cut him off. She didn’t have time for lame excuses. “But you did.”

She was blunt; her openness was a trait he liked in a woman. “You’re quite correct. I am truly sorry, Angelic.” He couldn’t help but notice the questionable way she eyed him.

A nearby sound of a vehicle made them turn their heads. It was a black SUV that came into the lot and drove in the direction of a nearby parking space. Bryn was behind the wheel, and there were four people in the passenger seats. One by one, each of them got out walking to the back of the vehicle to retrieve boxes that were filled with, what looked like, files. Everyone’s arms were full as they walked over.

En route, Bryn, smiled at them both. “Hello and good morning.” No one immediately answered; she could sense there was tension between Chad and Angelic. “Okay, please don’t everyone speak at once,” she stated with a bit of sarcasm.

“Hello Bryn,” said Chad relaxed and calm. “Before you arrived I was apologizing to Angelic. I seem to have alarmed her with my presence. She wasn’t expecting anyone to be here when she arrived.”

Bryn looked over at Angelic for her side of the story. There was a slight smile plastered on Angelic’s lips. She felt her best friend’s wife was either upset or bothered by something but was trying hard not to show it.

“He’s right Bryn, it’s nothing.”

Angelic’s focus turned to Chad. “Thank you for your apology. I’m fine, and we can put this behind us.”

“Thank you for the do-over.”

She nodded reassuringly. “You’re welcome.”

Bryn gave them one last look to make sure that everything was okay. “One misunderstanding resolved, excellent. Okay, ladies and gents, let’s get inside and have our first staff meeting.”

As everyone started moving toward the door, Angelic touched Bryn’s arm. “Can I speak to you for a moment?”

“Umm, sure; hey, guys give us a moment. Go ahead and take a look around. We’ll only be a few minutes.” The group marched into the building leaving Bryn and Angelic alone outside.

“I have to sit this box down,” she expressed freeing her arms of the weighted carton. Bryn was ready to talk when she straightened back up. “Tell me what you have on your mind.”

“That guy, Chad, I can’t put my finger on it but his being here feels uncomfortable.”

“This is your first time meeting. What makes you feel this way?”

“I don’t know, Bryn, it’s just something I feel in my gut. I mean for starters you have to admit it’s pretty uncanny how much he resembles Trey.”

Bryn thought about it for a moment, and as she did so, Angelic continued on with her explanation. “He may not be a perfect look-a-like, but he’s pretty darn close. The only difference between the two would be he hasn’t got an ounce of Spanish blood in him, and his eyes are green instead of brown.”

“Well…”

“Bryn, they are the same build, height, curly hair and even the same damn dimples. Now tell me if that isn’t uncanny or what?” Angelic watched as Bryn’s brow furrowed which led to a rise in her upper lip and a down-turning of the corners of her mouth.

She placed her hands on Angelic’s shoulders. “Do me a favor and take a breath, please.”

“But…”

“No buts; breathe in and breathe out; that’s an order!” Angelic sighed. Bryn was right; she was unsettled. She took a couple deep breaths and tried to make common sense out of this troubling revelation.

“First let me say I’ve known Chad way before I was in a coma. He’s been on my payroll for a year now as a freelance architectural designer. Angelic, he’s very talented. That being said, during that time he was a bit scruffy and he had long hair, but when you work out of your home it’s to be expected.”

“Well the person you’re describing is not the person I see,” argued Angelic.

“That’s true; however, in his defense I must add that when I told him about my new office opening and how I wanted him to be a part of the team, I gave him a non-negotiable condition.”

“And that was what?”

“I explained I would give him a one-time business allowance, but he had to do a complete overhaul on his wardrobe and physical appearance. He’ll be doing a lot of high profile meetings with important clients. Not only does he have to do the job, but I want him to look the part, as well. Now, as far as the dimples, he had them already. No change there.”

“I hear you, but…”

“Ang, yes, I’m agreeing with you, he does look a bit like Trey. It’s unsettling, but also unintentional. So do you think we can get past this? I mean you’re not feeling a certain way about him, emotionally or physically are you?”

“Oh hell no!”

“Good, I was hoping that wasn’t the case.”

“It’s not,” she stressed. “You’re right, I over-reacted, but I feel better since we talked.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to say something just because I want to hear it.”

“I’m completely sure. Thank you for sharing that bit of information with me.”

“You’re welcome. If it’s in my ability to help you or anyone on my team, I hope you know that I will always be honest with you.”

“I know; that’s why I wanted to talk with you. Anyway, I’ve keep you long enough. Let’s get in there and get started.”

“Last chance; are you really sure?”

“I am.” Angelic gave Bryn a reassuring smile.

“Okay then, let’s go.” She bent down retrieving the heavy box, and they went inside to join the others.