CASCADING

TOP GUN Chapter 1

"Imagine how these sales will impact the stock market and the benefits you'll get in return if you take this offer. It will be your biggest deal breaker yet; you'll be set for life!" Scott Fields, who is one of the executive directors coaxed June as she rocked back in her perfectly leather upholstered office chair. A smile curled her lips when she thought about that vacation she had been planning for the last five years. 'It would be a waste to pass this opportunity.' She began spooning over all the possibilities.

"Ok, let's do this!" She stood up and firmly shook Scott's hand.

"How about we celebrate over dinner? We can head to your favourite restaurant ... hmmm? I know how much you love sea food." He eyed June with more than interest in food and with a smile to deliver the final blow he decided; "It will be my treat so how about I pick you up at seven?" He drooled.

Scott was a national from the U.S with a Masters in Business; the company hired him to boost sales and marketing because of his experience and success in the U.S and he was generously paid. Scott had no qualms about being the heart throb of the office, with his chestnut brown hair, hazel eyes, dashing smile, chisel chin and natural athletic physics, it would be so easy to have any woman, but he had his eyes set on June now for the past three years. The two secretly dated from time to time, but the instability was driving him crazy; he wanted June, all of June.

"Ok, seven is good, but I have to be home by ten. I have to look over the proposals from the sales team and meet with the heads of departments first thing in the morning."

" Whoa! Lighten up its good to focus on work, but what about us?" he circled the desk and gripped June's shoulders pulling her directly to face him. She stiffened and took a step back but Scott's grip was firm enough to pull her back, "Can't I have one night? We haven't done this in a while, spend the night with me I'll make sure you won't regret it," Scott teased as he leaned in for a kiss but was interrupted by June's assistant Laura. June thought her timing impeccable. She stiffened a smile at Scott and stepped away from him.

"There is a call for you on line two and a Mr. Morris is here to see you." Laura stood in the door way clutching a stack of papers. Scott released his hold and allowed June to move. She stepped passed him almost knocking him over but he caught his balance on the chair.

"Thank you Laura. Are these the documents from the sales department?"

"Yes, also..."

"Great, I'll have them ready by morning." June took the documents, then turning pages in hand as she walked back to her desk, seemingly unaware that Scott was still standing there. She continued to peruse the documents without looking up. Scott cleared his throat and pretended to cough slightly.

"Oh yes, Mr. Fields, Mr. Stevenson was looking for you earlier I think it might be urgent." Laura held the door opened. Scott clenched his fist and gritted his teeth while marching through the door.

"See you at seven," he turned and raised an eye brow at June.

"Yep... seven it is," June said oddly.

"And not a minute more ...."

"Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Fields," Laura quickly informed him.

Giving Laura a stern and questioning look, he wondered why his charm doesn't work on her, 'She's as cute as a kitten; legs long like a model, hmmm... She could be fun... Oh whatever! She looks like no fun at all.' He turned away from Laura and disappeared down the corridor with long sharp strides.

"Oh thank goodness!" June sighed placing the documents in a folder. Laura stepped in the office and closed the door behind her. It's not that she didn't think Scott wasn't attractive or anything, just that he had this way about him that 'erked' her. He thought too highly of himself, really there wasn't a need for a woman in his life, well...except for his "comforts" . She only entertained him sometimes when she found herself feeling lonely. But, oh what a price to pay. June was beginning to find him as such a bother.

"I don't know how you can stomach the guy!" Laura exclaimed, "He's like this neanderthal feeding off of basic instincts. Like seriously ugghh!"  Laura was seven years younger than June who was turning thirty in three weeks. The two had a relationship much like older and younger sibling rather than boss and assistant.

June chuckled at her assistant 's comments, "What do you know about basic instincts?"
"Trust me, us younger ones know about basic instincts, but I am not getting into that, I prefer to wait on God to line me up with the one perfect for me.

"There you go again with your talk about God and what he has planned for you, blah blah." June searched inwardly whether she believe in God or not. Despite being raised by her grandparents and having to attend Sunday school no matter what, she still struggled with what is truth.

"Don't mock him June, God is real and he wants to have a relationship with everyone including you." Laura was fresh out of college, a young Christian with an associate degree in business and a love to share what she believes is 'the truth'. "You never know when you will need him." Laura gave June a knowing look.

"Ok, ok," June put up her hands in surrender, "who is on the call again? "

Laura gave her a side look and announced in an old English accent, "Mrs Benn the editors of 'Better You' magazine, also Mr. Morris from Gerald's Construction had been waiting at the front desk for nearly ten minutes now." Laura turned and face the office door staring at it intently as though she could see through it.

"What is it?" June stood behind her desk and looked passed Laura, she too stared at the door. "What's wrong? Is there something wrong with the door?" By this time she was standing next to Laura.

"I think I've seen him before," Laura clutched her chin with her fingers.

"Who? "

"Mr. Morris. But I can't put my finger on where I've seen him." She focused, but nothing came.

"Oh, ok, " June looked at Laura suspiciously, "Maybe you dated him or met him at a party," June played.

"Oh no no no! "  Laura retorted, "You would not see me at such a gathering Ms. Jones"

"So what's wrong with a party?"

"Oh nothing is wrong with a party, but who goes these days and how they 'party', "  Behind closed doors Laura tried to mimic 'twerking' with very little to no success. "Now that's what's wrong. Plus it's not a party where I know him from. Don't worry I'm sure to find out. " And on that note she exited the office leaving her laughing boss behind.

*    *    *

"Mr. Morris, this way please."

Laura led Mr. Morris down an aisle at least ten metres long with two cell offices on each side before reaching June Jones office. People seemed busy making calls and bustling through paper work on their desk. Everyone including Scott's voice could be heard when they passed his office.

"Yes Mr. Stevenson, it will be ready first thing Monday morning."

Scott's sharp jaws tightened when he grinned his teeth. Ending the call he threw a folded document cross the room. He was about to catch a usual fit, but was distracted when he noticed Steffen Morris' tall one hundred and eighty five centimetre structure walking by with Laura in the lead, with an obvious height difference standing only one hundred and sixty five centimetres.
Scott suddenly felt a hint of jealousy, when he noticed the other secretaries sneaking a peak at Steffen when he walked by.

Steffen had a way of being the centre of attention unintentionally even as a child. Being a gentle giant in itself, was a qualification to being noticed by his teachers and peers at school. He always had a good report for problem solving and critical thinking; never involving himself with negative behaviour. One could say he was a 'Psalm one man' in every context. Steffen now at the age of thirty two, has moved from being a ruddy boy to a brooding young man, and just like King David, he was 'good to look upon' .
The eyes of every office's secretary followed him to June's office, including Scott's.

"Ms. Jones, Mr. Morris is here to see you." Laura waited for June's response hands folded behind her.

"Send him in,"