A/N: I just realized that my Author's Note from before skipped the last part. I made a video of some of my art on You Tube. My channel is EmmaRedwood. Thanks…here's the real chapter 6:
6: Monday
Casey worked for a large accounting company called PriceWaterhouse. So, on Monday morning she was at her desk before 8:00. She had gotten a job offer from them while she was a senior in college and she had been thrilled. PriceWaterhouse was a large and very-well respected company. What she hadn't been prepared for was the intensity of her work and the intensity of the people around. Why just last year her boss had been a nightmare. She'd come home from work crying; she'd been a wreck…
Luckily she'd gotten past all that and the boss that she had problems with had been promoted, taking that boss far away from Casey at her somewhat lower level position. Noon was approaching and Casey couldn't help but glance at her watch every five minutes. Then her phone rang. The caller I.D. said Carlyn Studios. She didn't know what Carlyn Studios was, but she picked up the phone.
"Hello?" She asked in a hushed voice.
"Hey Case," Derek's warm voice filled her ears.
"Derek?"
"When's your lunch break?"
"Noon, but why-"
"Cool, let's have lunch together."
"Derek, I only get an hour for lunch. I don't think we'll have ti-"
"Don't worry, I know a place nearby," Derek said impatiently.
"Are you sure?" Casey was worried. She didn't want to get in trouble with her new boss.
"Trust me. I'll be there at noon."
"Ok, fine," Casey agreed.
"Great, see you then. Bye."
"Bye."
Casey hung up the phone.
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At noon Casey walked out of the building her office was in. Derek was standing there in jeans, a dark green plaid shirt, and his beloved leather jacket. Casey smiled. He looked good. There was a slight stubble on his jaw and his long hair was tucked behind his ears.
Derek was staring up at the huge building Casey had just vacated.
"So, this is the infamous PriceWaterhouse," He said with his eyebrows raised.
Casey really didn't want to talk about her work.
"Let's just go," Casey said in a tight voice.
Derek led her down the street. They walked for a while in silence. They weren't touching each other, but they walked close. Finally Casey broke the silence.
"You better not be taking me to a gross restaurant with fried food, Derek Venturi!" Casey exclaimed.
Derek laughed, "C'mon, Case. I know you better than that."
Casey grinned; he did know her better than that. Then Derek stopped in front of an Indian restaurant.
"Acceptable?" Derek questioned, glancing back at her.
A rich aroma of Indian spices floated out the door. Casey nodded as her stomach growled.
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Casey lifted a forkful of spicy chicken curry to her mouth. Derek watched her as she slowly absorbed the taste.
"Good?" Derek asked as she chewed.
"Delicious," Casey murmured.
Derek grinned.
"Thanks for bringing me here, I never would have found it otherwise," Casey smiled at Derek.
The restaurant was dimly lit, but in a comfortable way. The air was warm, but the temperature seemed to rise a little more whenever Derek's knee brushed Casey's under the table.
"So…what's Carlyn Studios?" Casey asked while swishing the chicken on her plate around in the sauce.
"What?"
Casey rolled her eyes, "The place that you called me from; I have caller I.D., you know."
"Oh, I was just wondering how you- never mind. Well, it's a studio…" Derek looked a little caught off guard.
"Yeah, I know it's a studio, but why aren't you at work? Don't you sell cars?"
"Yeah, I do, but I've only been doing that part time. I've been taking some film classes over at the University of Toronto. I've been working on-"
"You're taking more film classes? I thought you gave that up! I mean after Abby found out you were taking them- she was so mad…anyways she was right. It's not like you can really make a decent living off of-"
"Is that all you care about? Money? Besides, I don't give a damn what that woman thinks about what I do with my life," Derek frowned.
"Derek, she's your mother!"
"Biologically, yes. In reality, no."
"And I don't just care about money!"
"Oh, really?" Derek crossed his arms.
"Yeah," Casey crossed her arms.
"What about the fact that you're dating Richie Rich, you work for an asshole company that totally sells you out-"
"Well, excuse me for actually liking to be successful and live comfortably…unlike some people!"
"You know what, Casey? I like my life. I love what I do…unlike some people!"
"I love my life too. I love my job, I love my home, and I love my boyfriend!"
Derek's anger flared, "Who are you? It's like you've totally changed since the last time I saw you!"
"Derek! This is who I am! I told you that that night was a mistake. I didn't mean anything I said to you then!"
"Bullshit."
Then Derek got up out of his seat and left. Casey sat alone completely speechless.
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A/N: Ooooo…that was intense. FYI: I have a blog on myspace…I'm going to put updates on my status for new chapters. You can look at my profile to see the link.
Emma
