Who is Jonathan Clark

Untitled Part 3

                                                                                  CHAPTER THREE

                                                                                     THE MEETING

Jonathan Clark was a deep thinking man only making decisions after long days and nights of analysing what he was about to do. Over the next three years Jonathan added to his pilot store in Bretton Falls by opening two new outlets based on the same warehouse shopping but focused more on what he had been trained to sell, clothes and sportswear for the great outdoors. These stores were much larger than the first averaging around 10.000 square feet per unit allowing him to exhibit items such as Tents and Barbecues. These were held on a Leasehold basis rather than direct ownership allowing him to hold onto cash for other ventures The dollars were now rolling in but just as his Father before him Jonathan kept his dealings and finances close to his chest, rarely discussing them with anyone, not even Constance who was more than happy to look after her now growing family, Sylvia now nine, Julian six and three- year- old Jason.

On the 2nd of May 1979 Jonathan kissed his wife and children goodbye and set off for a Retail Conference in Boston and a meeting that would change his life in way's he could never have imagined. While zig zagging his way through the hordes of boring people with name tags prominently displayed on pieces of string hanging around their necks he at last recognised a friendly face from the past. It was Conrad Taylor an ex-Counselor from Bretton Falls now making a name for himself in Boston Society. Standing suspiciously close to him was this stunning but very serious looking woman, Jonathan guessing around 25 to 30 years of age. 

"Hello Jonathan" said Conrad, it has been to long my old friend. I heard of your windfall from your Father's Will, that must have been a shock, but not totally unexpected he was a secretive old guy"

"More secretive than I ever imagined" answered Jonathan, "but very welcomed never the less, and what about you what are you doing at this up until now very boring Retail Conference?

"Well for the moment trying to see the name on this lovely ladies Tag" answered Conrad, "ah I see it is Angela" " Yes Jonathan " he continued, I have been appointed Shopping Czar for Boston and surrounding areas by no less than the Mayor himself in order to try and halt the closures of Stores every week in our City. So, where better to gather information than from the horses mouth. By the way I was joking about the name tag this is a very good friend of mine Angela Rawllings she is a City Accountant and Economist, and very sharp Jonathan so be careful or you may find yourself spending much more than you can afford"

"A pleasure to meet you Miss, or is it Mrs Rawllings, Jonathan Clark at your service, just another boring Store owner from Bretton Falls" he said holding out his hand.

"Can I leave you both I must circle the room" said Conrad interrupting, "I see someone very important, (no disrespect intended) that I must speak with" and with that he left them alone and wandered off.

"Well Miss or Mrs Rawllings" said Jonathan.

"Angela please" she replied, can't you read my name tag.

"Very well" answered Jonathan" I will start again, could it be true Angela that you wish to spend my money?

"I never knew you had any money, but you have just given the show away" she said with a twinkle in her eye like a cat who had just got the cream"I am not interested in making small talk with any more of these people" said Jonathan, " I've had enough for today.Why don't I get us some drinks and we can sit over by the window and discuss Economics, ha ha. Jonathan pushed his way to the bar with thoughts of what am I doing. I should not be sitting privately with a woman, let alone one who looks like that. There are people here who know me and know Constance, what if they mention to their wives and their wives mention to my wife how would I explain it. His instincts told him to leave but something about Angela Rawllings, something magnetic made him want to investigate further. "Here we are two Red Wines are you driving or staying overnight at a Hotel? he asked without thinking.

"My goodness Mr Clark I thought this was business, are you propositioning me? said Angela with a cheeky smirk on her face.

"No, not at all" answered Jonathan, "I just meant"

"I know" said Angela interrupting, "you should see the look on you face"

At that they both relaxed and drank their wine. "What kind of business are you in? she asked, "I know it is Retail but what line?

Jonathan smiled, "Clothing" he replied, "I own some stores in my home Town plus three more in Towns nearby, mainly in the theme of outdoor living, lets just say it pay's the Mortgage"

"And family? asked Angela, pointing to his wedding ring.

"A wife and three kids, nine six and three, a medium size home in a quiet cul-de-sac, sizable gardens, a lawnmower and two cars. Mr average American you might say. And what about you is there a Mr Rawllings waiting at home with the kids?

"Not likely" answered Angela, "I am only interested in money and the art of making it, and by that I mean lots of money on a Global scale and that is what I study in my spare time. Of course I still have to earn a living day to day hence the accountancy. My sex life is (foreplay) consisting of finding a suitable stock or Company to invest in, (sex) waiting for the profits or the markets to rise and the size of the return will determine the (orgasm), So there you have my love life Jonathan Clark, you can stop flashing your not unattractive blue eyes at me, it is not going to happen. And now I must get back to my office, here is my card if I can ever be of any assistance please call, and say goodbye to Conrad for me" and with that Angela Rawllings was gone.