CASCADING

CROSSING PATHS Chapter2

June placed the documents she was reading in the top drawer of her desk, took a deep breath and composed herself as the successful business woman she was. June had graduated from Queens College at sixteen and went on to study Business at U.W.I gaining her a first degree and after that she moved to the U.S for ten years at her Aunt Shelia and completed her Masters at UCLA. It wasn't long after she returned to Barbados that she was hired as one of the Marketing Managers at McBrides Ltd. As time went by she was promoted to Sales and Marketing Director for her successful impact on the company. She was doing fine she thought. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Right this way Mr. Morris," Laura stretched a hand of indication towards the office door.

"Thank you Miss..." Steffen paused realising he didn't catch her name.

"Smith, Laura Smith," she recited as if in Sunday school.

"Umm, sorry if I sound rude, but, ummm... have we met before?" Laura's head shot up, eyes wide opened.

"No way! I was thinking the same here. From the moment I saw you I said you looked familiar," Laura rattled off.

"Ok, ok great! " Steffen smiled displaying his pearly white teeth and dimpled chin. "But where do we know each other from?"

"Now that's the thing, I can't place where from. Crazy right? " Laura blurted while laughing.

"No it's not, but it just can't be coincidental," Steffen rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"Well I guess not, "

"Ok, so how bout this? Is it school?"

"Hummm, not sure... How old are you? "

"Thirty two,"

"Nope, that's not it!"

"Oh ok why not?" He looked at her puzzled.

"Twenty four." She pointed to herself.

"Ohhhh..."

"Yeah unless you were my teacher or something,"

"Nah... I never taught a day in my life," Steffen chuckled, "unless you were apart of my men's group at church." He chuckled again.

"No... No no!" Laura laughed waving her hands.

June Sat at her desk listening to the two conversing. The sound of laughter intrigued her, so she decided to join the two of them.
The laughing suddenly stopped when Steffen and Laura noticed a third voice laughing. Startled at June's interaction both stood staring at her.

'What are you doing?' The expression on Laura's face seemed to ask.

'I have no idea,' June's facial expression replied. Laura gave her the questioning look.

"Oh, ah... This is Ms. Jones, the head of our department." Laura began the introductions. "Ms. Jones... this is Mr. Morris. He's here from Gerald's Construction." The two shook hands.

"Please to meet you," Steffen softened his hold to shake June's hand.

"Like wise," June replied startled at the soft hand shake. She is used to being in a 'man's world' and not once did she exchanged or received such a greeting, especially from a business man. She held her hand to her face, examining it as though it was a new addition to her anatomy.

Laura, trying to ignore the strange antics of her boss, cleared her throat slightly and with that June's trance unlocked.

"We were just trying to see ..."

"Where you knew each other? I heard, " June turned and pointed to her desk. "I was sitting there the whole time enduring it all." She flashed a fake smile and looked at Laura.