Coming to Conclusions

Chapter 1

Fran looked at herself in the mirror. Her mascara was running down he face. Her lips were pursed into a tight frown. Mr. Sheffield had yet again led her on and yet again disappointed her. Acted like nothing had happened. Well she couldn't take it anymore. She was Mr. Sheffield's toy. And not the good kind. He played with feelings. He pulled the strings of her hearts until they were all out of tune and awry.

Earlier that day in the Sheffield mansion

Fran was curled up on the couch watching T.V. She was fairly disappointed. Her boyfriend had turned out to be a dirty, filthy, lying, scummy cheater. And to think, she really was actually contemplating spending the rest of her life with him. Now, however, she realized that this was not her thinking clearly. This was Fran trying to fill the void in her life, which was caused by Mr. Sheffield, with the love of a man. She knew that, however no matter how hard she wanted that void to be filled by someone else, it was impossible. That specific spot in her heart had a label. And that label said Maxwell Sheffield.

She was about to get up off of the couch whenever she saw a dark shadow out of the corner of her eye. She quickly resumed watching T.V., acting as though she had seen nothing. She glanced out of the corner of her eye to see the shadow inching towards her. She looked over. It was none other than Maxwell himself.

"Mr. Sheffield, how long have you been there?"

"Oh, not long," he said, blushing. Busted. "Miss Fine, I can't stand to see you like this. You are a beautiful woman who does not need to be moping around the house all day." Fran grinned.

"You think I'm beautiful?" Max chuckled.

"I'll tell you what. "How about you go and freshen up and in about an hour I'll take you out to your favorite restaurant? Hmm? Sound good?" He walked over to her and in the process tripped over Brighton's baseball glove. He landed next to Fran on the couch who was now chuckling heartily. Max soon joined in the laugh. When they stopped laughing they looked at one another, both seeming to want to say something but not knowing what to say.

Before either knew what was happening, they were both developed by nothing but sheer passion. Soon the space between them vanished and there was nothing left but their hearts to give. Fran threw her arms around his shoulders. Oh how she loved the way he ran his fingers through her hair. There lips parted, allowing entrance. The kiss was unlike anything Fran had ever experienced. It seemed to last forever.

When their lungs could take no more, they reluctantly parted. Fran stared into his eyes. They seemed to be glazed over.

"Mr. Sheffield, I… I'm…"

"I'm sorry Miss Fine. That was incredibly inappropriate. Excuse me." With that he took off into his office, leaving Fran not really knowing what to think.

An hour later, Fran came down the stairs in a gorgeous black sequin dress that was low cut in the front but didn't show too much. It came down at an appropriate, yet sexy length. To top it off she had a pair of black high heels with a bit of a heel.

"Mr. Sheffield" She walked into the kitchen and found a note addressed to her.

Miss Fine,

I am incredibly sorry for the way I acted earlier. It was inappropriate and should never happen again. In order to save the period of awkwardness, I feel it would be best if we canceled this evening and played it out as if it had never happened.

Mr. Sheffield

Fran finished reading the letter and a tear fell down her cheek. She ran into his office to find him staring intently at a stack of paperwork.

"How could you?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"How can you want to pretend like nothing happened?"

"I feel it would be in the best interest of everyone."

"You know what your problem is? You are afraid of commitment. Your stringing me along and only want me when it's convenient for you. One day you act like you want to have a relationship with me and the next you go back to as if it never happened. How could you do this over and over to me?" By now she was balling.

"How dare you insult me like this? I am the boss you are the nanny. If you have been confused or misguided by anything I sincerely apologize. But from this day forward that is how it is going to be."

Tears were falling from Fran's cheeks. She stormed out of Maxwell' office, leaving him to come to the realization of what he had just done.