Angela leaned back and tried in vain to rub the massive knot that had formed in the back of
her neck. Her latest ad campaign was making her feel so tense. Or rather the client was- a
very picky and demanding client. His product was wonderful and practically guaranteed to sell.
It was a romantic meal designed for couples. It involved your choice of appetizer, main entree,
and a dessert. They had everything ready to go- the set, the lines, all except the couple or as
he wanted *The Perfect Couple* Every actor he had seen hadn't been good enough according
to him. They didn't look right or feel right. He told Angela when he saw "them" he would know
instantly. He was coming in about ten minutes and she already had twenty-five resumes for
him to look through. She just hoped that he would like one of them so they could get on with
the campaign. She got up and looked out her window. She loved it here. She may feel frustrated and tired at
the end of the day but she wouldn't change what she did for a living for anything. She glanced
at her watch and saw that she had just enough time to grab a cup of coffee. She left her office
and went into the break room and poured herself a cup. She took a long leisurely sip and
contemplated how she wanted the meeting to go. Of course making the client happy was #1
in her book. As she told her staff if the client wasn't happy they could always go to a rival
agency. She finished her coffee and threw the cup out and left the break room.
She was headed back to her office when she heard someone asking for her.
"Hi, Is Angela here?"
*Tony? What is he doing here?* she wondered.
"Yeah, she should be around here somewhere." Angela recognized the voice of Jack's assistant
Molly.
"Honey, is this going to take long? I'd really like to get home."
Angela felt her stomach clench. Kathleen. What was she doing here? More importantly why did
Tony have to bring her here? This was her sanctuary. This was the one place she knew she
could go to get away from her- from them. Here she didn't have to worry about walking in on
Tony talking on the phone with her, or walking in on the two of them kissing. or seeing her on
the mornings she would give Tony a ride to school when his jeep was in the shop. She couldn't
deal with this. But, she also knew she couldn't just hide out. Why should she? This was her
agency. With renewed determination she strode out to the reception area.
"Angela! There you are."
"Hi Tony. Kathleen." she said with forced politeness.
"Hi Angela." Kathleen smiled knowing she was causing Angela discomfort just by being there.
Tony had no doubt about Angela was uneasy. He knew Angela better than anyone in the
world. He could tell by the was she was clasping her hands together that she was upset. He
knew why too. Ever since he had started dating Kathleen he had felt more tension from
Angela than he had ever before. He knew she didn't like Kathleen all that much- although she
was always hospitable to her. But, he knew her true feelings and being aware of them had told
Kathleen that he was just going to stop in for a moment and then they could head back to
Connecticut. But, she had all but insisted that she go too. And now here he was caught
between his boss/best friend and his gir- Kathleen.
"So what brings the two of you by?"
"Well, we just got finished eating and I bought you something to eat. And don't tell me you're
not hungry or that you don't have time." he said sternly handing her a bag.
"Thank you. But, I..."
"No buts! You've been working to hard on this campaign. You need to keep your strength up."
"Yes sir." she saluted him.
"Sir? I kinda like that." he grinned. She grinned back at him and for a moment it felt like they
were the only two people in the room.
Kathleen noticed this and suddenly felt very uncomfortable. This was exactly the reason why
she had wanted to come with Tony. His relationship with Angela made her feel very uneasy.
She was his boss and that should be the end of it. But, it always seemed to be more than that.
He was always worried and concerned about her- like he was her boyfriend. She had to figure
out some way to put a stop to it.
"Tony? Honey?" she said sweetly stressing the word honey. "I'm beat. Can we go now?"
"What?" he said obviously still distracted.
"Can we go home now?"
"Oh sure." he said reluctantly shifting his gaze from Angela onto her.
"Thanks. I'm really beat and I'm sure Angela has a ton of work to do."
"Yeah, I do. In fact Mr Webster should be arriving any minute."
"Well make sure you don't get home to late." Tony scolded her shifting his gaze back to her.
"Tony, I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself." she said sternly.
"I know. But, I worry about you." he said softly. "After all you are my best friend."
Angela's expression softened. "Thanks Tony. You're always looking out for me aren't you?"
"Yep, and I always will." he smiled completely unaware of Kathleen's feelings.
*Oh well isn't this sweet?!* she inwardly seethed. *For crying out loud she's your boss Tony!
I'm your girlfriend!*
Angela cleared her throat. "So I'll uh see you at home then."
"You got it! And make sure you eat that." he said pointing to the bag.
"I will and thanks again."
"Not a problem Boss." he grinned at her.
"Bye! Drive carefully!"
"Bye Angela!"
"Good-bye Kathleen."
They started walking out and were greeted by Angela's client.
"Well hello. I don't believe we've met."
"Mr Webster." Angela said cordially walking over to him. "This is my housekeeper Tony and his
girl..." She cleared her throat. "His girlfriend Kathleen."
"It is a pleasure to meet you both." he smiled looking at both of them very intently.
"You too Mr Webster." Tony said. "Now if you'll excuse us we need to get going."
"Of course. Please don't let me keep you."
Tony and Kathleen left with Mr Webster staring after them.
"So Mr Webster I have some more actors for you to see. I really think..."
"Forget them." he said waving his hand. "I want them." he said pointing.
"Who? There's no one there." she asked obviously confused.
"Your housekeeper and his girlfriend."
Angela was flabbergasted. Out of all the actors they had seen he wanted Tony and Kathleen?!
"Mr Webster I think you should know. Tony and Kathleen aren't actors." she said in a
desperate attempt to change his mind. The last thing she wanted or needed was to spend any
more time with Kathleen.
"Angela, do you remember what I told you? That when I saw the couple the perfect couple
for my campaign I would know it?"
"Well yes I do. But as I said..."
He cut her off. "I don't care about any of that. All I care about is getting Tony and Kathleen to
star in my commercial. And hopefully in many more to come." he turned to her his eyes lit up
and a big smile on his face. "Whatever you have to do to convince them I suggest you do."
He turned back to look out the way Tony and Kathleen had left. "Yes Ms Bower Tony and
Kathleen are the perfect couple."