Story a Day Sept 2018 - Luxurious Bedroom

The Zealous Young Agent

Micheal grumbled to himself all the way out to the vehicle, lugging the sample packs.  "I am a good agent.  I should be out catching criminals, not dragging boxes of fabric and carpet around.  When I get back to the office, I'm going to talk to the boss."

~~~oOo~~~

Later that afternoon, I went into the office to report on contact with Lara, our 'client'.  Sir invited me to sit and called in Michael.  Michael opened the door, with an ever-so-slightly-smug smile on his face, which dimmed considerably when he saw me.  He shut the door, turned back to face us, but made no move to come closer.

Sir broke the awkward silence, "It seems we might have gotten off to a bit of a rocky start on this project."  He turned to me, "Ms. Simmons, I know you have your own way of doing things, but Agent Miller here is capable as well.  And things might have changed a little since you left the club, so accord him the respect that he is due."

I looked at Michael.  He was smiling.

"And Miller," Sir continued as Michael's smile faded to black, "Simmons was one of the top agents in her days here and still holds a record or two in company training events.  You know this because I've been informed you've been trying to break those records."  My turn to smirk, which prompted Michael's eye roll.

~~~oOo~~~

Our job did go more smoothly after our being called on the carpet, and as furniture deliveries began at Lara's house, I let Michael be in charge of my delivery crew for the placements.

While he was busy with the furniture set up, I did the schmoozing with Lara during the day.  We met up to review and plan ahead three days a week, usually Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

A week or so in, I began to notice that Michael started to join us on the terrace for teas and lunches.  I thought I had hidden my surprise, but when Lara mentioned it before the next meeting, it became apparent that I had not.  And she earned some grudging respect points from me for noticing in the first place.

"I hope you don't mind that I invited Michael to join us, Jennie," Lara began nervously, "but he's so easy to talk to, and he's one of the few men who hasn't tried to seduce me.  He makes me laugh, I mean, real laughter  ... not polite laughter or girlie giggles.  But I will stop inviting him if it causes problems at your office."

I raised my glass, "No, no, no worries.  And you're right about his being one finely wrapped bit of man candy."  I was about to continue speaking, but I noticed Lara's eyes had gotten big.

Leaning forward, I asked Lara if she was feeling ok.  "Oh, yes," Lara said, "but I was just thinking, I wouldn't want to mess up anything, um, else that might be between the two of you."  Her cheeks colored.

I couldn't help it.  Laughter burst out of me along with my mouthful of champagne.  "Me?  And Michael," I practically squealed, "God, no-o-o.  We're far too different.  We work well together, and sometimes even that is a mystery.  But involved...personally?  Girl, put the National Guard on alert, because you know that one would end badly."

Lara looked relieved and even managed a genuine laugh.  At that moment, Michael came out on the terrace.  He smiled at our laughter and asked, "What 's so funny?"  Lara and I looked at each other and began to snicker again.  I took a replacement swig of champagne and said, "Oh, nothing, Michael, just girl talk."  Yeah, he didn't believe it either.  But Michael didn't press the matter.

We all enjoyed a delicious lunch and took a look afterward at the progress on the second floor.  I carefully observed Michael and Lara during the tour.  She was open and making occasional physical contact, a hand on his arm, and the like.  Michael, for his part, was socially correct in not encouraging anything more; but he did not discourage her ... at all.

~~~oOo~~~

As I was preparing to leave, it was apparent that Michael had more work to do there, so I asked him, "Oh, Michael, can I see you out front for a moment at the car?  There's something ... for another client I need to show you."  I waved to Lara, and she finger-waved back, "See you Friday, Jennie."

As we walked to the car, I could feel Michael looking at me.  I was trying to think of what to say, as this was a moment in which I really needed to dispassionately advise him without seeming condescending, which apparently is not one of my strengths.

While I was debating with myself, Michael prompted me with a "Well?"

I took a deep breath and dove in. "Well ... Michael ... I'm assuming you noticed the contacts Lara made with you on our little tour.  You see, we were talking about you on the terrace before you joined us.  Lara said you were nice, respectful and funny."  I turned away and looked back at him, "Personally I don't see it, but the customer is always right, eh?"

"She thought for a moment that we, that you and I, might be, oh, more than brilliant designer and assistant, which caused me to spew my champagne, and I said something about the National  Guard being called in to keep the peace."  Michael smirked; he smiled; ok, he laughed until I thought he would need oxygen.

I put my hand on his sleeve and turned serious, "What I'm trying to say is that work and intimate personal relationships rarely work.  Trust me on that one.  I think Lara, um, you know, like-likes you.  And you don't seem exactly *ahem* adverse to her attention.  Just be careful and be real with her.  Lara's work world does not have a lot of 'real people' in it.  And for anything you might hold holy, NOT until after the job is done."

Michael put an arm around my shoulder, and said, "Thanks, big Sister."