Thursday, October 14, 2004

Matthews & Co Agency

Los Angeles, California

11:36AM

Standing with her hands on her hips, Kimberly Hart took in the view of downtown Los Angeles. Skyscrapers surrounded her as she leaned closer and closer from her window. The people appeared to be minuscule specks from the high-rise building she was currently standing in. Her warm breath fogged up the window as she rested her forehead to get a better view. The sun slightly blinding her as it reflected from the adjacent building. She flinched back as the sun shined brightly into her eyes.

Stepping back, she let the rays fall gradually from her face. She turned around and found herself standing in a large office.

A generous size espresso desk sat in the middle of the room, heaps of paper work rested scattered across. She took a seat on the high back office chair that stood behind the desk. She dragged her fingers across the sleek desk, slowly touching the assortment of pens sitting in their holder. A faint smile appeared across her face when she came across the next item on her desk, Newton's Cradle, It was a sweet gift from Billy a few months ago.

Her eyes fell to the name plate that was placed on her desk. She pulled it close to her to better appraise it. The solid piece of wood felt heavier and sturdier in her hands than she anticipated. She read the name that was engraved into the silver plate, rubbing it gently with her thumb. The corner of her lip turned upwards slightly when she read that it was her name.

A breath that was buried deep delicately escaped her lips as she placed the name plate back on her desk. sadness evident in her eyes, "Well, Hart, you got the job you wanted. Congratulations, Executive."

A piercing ring broke her thoughts. She quickly composed herself and cleared her throat before picking up the office phone, "Kimberly Hart."

The voice in the other end came like the adults in Peanuts, A low rumbling trombone.

She stared at her desk with a hollow face. Wondering why after getting her dream job, she was still so...

Ugh, what's the word? Sad. Empty. Unenthusiastic.

Well, actually, she kind of had an idea why, but she refused to give what's his face the satisfaction he probably wanted. In no way, shape, or form, will she let Tomm- let just call him Johnny- no, wait, I think we can all agree that she is way too mature for names like that; After all, she's an executive now... Let's stick with what's his face- get to her again.

The last recollection she had of him was when she heard him calling after her in the lobby. She bumped into her mother as she was making her way out of the reception. With tears stinging her eyes, and just about the ugliest crying face she had ever made, she was able to pull her mother into the parking lot and by some miracle convince her to take her to the airport. On the way to the airport, she told her mother the truth. Every last single detail... Yes, even about those amazing nights they spent together. That was just the type of conversations they had. Their bond was so close. They often felt more like best friends than mother and daughter.

Her hair was all over the place, makeup smeared, and dress wrinkled.. In short, she looked like a disheveled mess, but Kimberly boarded the first red eye to New York. She arrived early Monday morning, took a shower, and marched right down to the office and accepted the job offer.

It's been 4 months since she ran out on him, and she was now slightly at peace. She put herself out there.. Again, and she had her heart torn out and trampled on right in front of her. She never once in a million years anticipated him to react the way he did. If anything, she figured Tommy would be polite and gentle when he turned her down, but the way he reacted was so out of character. It didn't matter what he said, she knew him inside and out. There was no way that, that man that spoke to her after the reception was the way the real Tommy Oliver behaved. She refused to believe it, but that still didn't excuse the fact that he DID speak to her in an appalling way.

Anyway, he was out of her life. She refused to look back or think about him or the way he kissed her, or... Touched her, or... Made love to her like no other man has every been able t- okay, enough of that.

"Okay, great. I expect those numbers to continue to rise," she said to the other voice on the other end of the phone.

Her eyes gazed up as she heard a light knock on her door. A tall man walked in quietly before closing the door behind him.

"Hi," she mouthed to the gentleman. She brought her finger up motioning that she would be done with her call in a few moments.

"No, thank you. Okay, we'll speak soon. Goodbye." She finished as she placed the phone down.

She smiled brightly at the man walking towards her. She squealed in excitement as she nearly jumped out of her desk and made her way around to greet him. He caught her as she basically flew into him. One arm circling her waist and the other clutched something behind his back. Her arms quickly went around the neck of Chris Meyers.

Ahh, Mr. Dreamy. Chris and Kimberly began speaking again when she moved to Los Angeles back in mid June. He finally got the courage to ask her out on a second date back in July and Kimberly was instantly smitten by the accountant. She never meant to get into a relationship with him, but it just sort of happened. Chris was eager to get into a relationship with Kimberly, but she was a little more resistant. Who would blame her with the horrid 'break up' she just went through. It all just fell into place naturally and she was actually happy. Things weren't as perfect as Chris would like, but it was getting there. There was still a huge wall that Kimberly had up that he was trying to chip away at.

"Wow, didn't realize you would be this excited to see me," a chuckle escaping him as he placed her back down.

"I'm always excited to see you," she answered. A bright smile plastered on her face.

"Well, then, I hope these excite you just as much," he brought his arm around as he revealed a vase full of white peonies. A smile on his face as he waited patiently for a reaction from Kimberly.

Kimberly simply stared at the beautiful gesture. No emotion emitted from her eyes. She thought back to the last time she was gifted white peonies. It was 4 months ago when Tommy made the romantic swipe from the wedding.

"Is something wrong?" His smile slowly faded. He grew worried with her lack of enthusiasm.

"Oh, no, no, no, nothing's wrong... It's...," she didn't want him to think he did anything wrong. It was such a sweet thing to do, but she didn't want to exactly tell him the reason why she was so uncertain when she saw them.

"I can always take them back. The florist said these were their best sellers next to the roses, but if you don't like them-"

"-they're great! I love them, thank you," she took the vase of flowers in her hands and placed a kiss to his lips.

"So," she began with a faint blush on her cheeks, "what brings you to this side of town?" She glided over to her desk and placed them right on top. Gently bringing her nose to get a scent of the sweet aroma.

"Well, my meeting was cancelled for this afternoon, and I was wondering if you wanted to grab some lunch," quickly bringing his hand to his chest, "my treat, of course."

"That's so sweet," a warmth ignited in her. She looked around at the paper work that sat on her desk and knew she had to get it done soon, but a lunch break wouldn't hurt. Kimberly had been working day and night for the last 3 and a half months.

"You know what..." She said as she turned around swiftly, leaning back on the front of her desk. She rested both hands on the face of the espresso wood behind her. "Sure. Yeah, let's do it."

"Perfect! And because I'm such an awesome boyfriend," he teased, "I'll let you pick. Anywhere you want."

"You know, I have been dying to try that little Italian place down the street. Lea has been raving about it for the last few weeks."

"Italian it is," casually approaching her, he took a single petal of the peony between his fingers. He rubbed the velvet like face gently, careful to not accidentally rip it off from its home.

"I'm really excited for this weekend," a husky voice escaped him. He dropped his hand and took hers in his. Bringing to his lips and placed a kiss to it.

For some reason, when he did that, it didn't do much to her. She liked him a lot, but there was just something missing. When they went on their first date at the hotel four months ago, she had the exact same feeling. She couldn't explain it, and to be honest, she still couldn't. Although that night did end with some heavy action... It just wasn't with Chris. He had been trying his very best to make her happy, and she was forever grateful.

That's why when Chris invited her to a romantic getaway this weekend, she accepted. Kimberly had come to the realization that she had to open up to him. She kept him at a distance because she was afraid of getting hurt.

She liked him a lot, but physical attraction isn't everything. There has to be more than that. They had been taking things extremely slow and although they had gotten close to it a few times, Chris hoped that this weekend would lead to some sweet intimate relations with Kimberly.

Napa Valley... Wine country. What

Could be more beautiful than a long walk across a vineyard? Making wine, TASTING wine, tours, horseback riding, there were so many activities that he wanted to do but so little time. He opted for the hour and a half plane ride rather than the six or so hour drive for Kimberly's sake. All the arrangements were taken care of, and all he could wish for now is a perfect day.

"Me too," she answered with a smile that never ended up reaching her eyes. "Our first weekend away together."

"I promise that you won't regret it," he put his hand behind her back trying to guide her to the door of her office.

Upon exiting, Kimberly turned to her assistant, Lea, who was busy on a phone call.

"Lea, please hold my calls. I'm going out to lunch."

Her assistant stood up from her chair, still clutching the phone to her as she covered the mouth piece, "Ms. Hart, you have a phone call."

She nodded to her assistant, "write down their information and tell them that I'll call them back in an hour."

"Um, Ms. Hart, I really think you should take this," her voice in a slight quiver.

"Who is it, Lea?" She asked as she halted. The clock was ticking and Kimberly was starving. Who ever was on the other end better have a good reason.

"I-I don't know, Ms. Hart, they didn't say, but they said it was urgent. I don't think this is a business call."

"O-Okay, um, just transfer the call to my office. I'll take it there." She grew worried. She wasn't expecting any personal calls.

Lea nodded and did what she was told. "She'll be right with you," She said into the phone. She pressed a few buttons and transferred the call.

"I'll be five minutes. Um, just wait for me right here. I'll be right out." Kimberly's motioned to Chris to take a seat in the waiting area.

She scurried off to her office to answer the ringing phone. "I'm coming, I'm coming, hold your horses," she said slightly irritated. Bringing the phone to her ear slowly, she spoke up, "Kimberly Hart."

A tremble that Kimberly didn't know she could create began working its way through the petite brunette. The phone fell from Kimberly's hands the moment she heard the person on the other line speak, a loud thud echoed throughout the room. She brought her hand over her mouth in complete disbelief. A single tear tore through her. Her quivering knees gave out as she landed on the chair behind her.

The home of Kimberly Hart

1625 palm drive

Apt 934

Los Angeles, California

1:44PM

"Kim, I want to go with you. There is no way I'm going to let you go by yourself. I can't leave you alone. You need support right now."

"Chris, I-I know that you want to be supportive and I appreciate that so much, but you...," she trailed off as she continued to pack clothes into her suitcase, "You don't know him. And I honestly just want to be surrounded by my friends and loved ones right now."

When Kimberly picked up the phone, she worried that she was going to hear some bad news. Unfortunately, bad news was just what she received. She heard the trembling voice of Janice Oliver. She informed Kimberly that her husbands conditioning was worsening and that they had made the decision to move him to hospice care. Her mind raced a mile a minute as she thought about how much Janice was hurting. Her mind also shortly moved over to Tommy Oliver. He was probably utterly heartbroken to hear this news. Kimberly immediately informed Janice that she would be there later that day to visit them in Angel Grove. The day's weren't guaranteed for Frank and she couldn't risk not being able to see him at least one last time.

Without hesitating she grabbed her purse and bolted out of her office, ordering her poor assistant to cancel her meetings for the rest of the week. Her mind was on getting to Angel Grove that she completely forgot about Chris sitting in the waiting room. When he stepped out looking for Kimberly, he was told that she had run out a few minutes before. He frantically sprinted to her apartment building in hope of finding her.

"Am I not a loved one?"

"That's not what I meant and I think you know that," a tinge of bitterness and hurt in her voice, " I just.. I don't want to deal with all the whispers that will come if I bring you along. Besides you have work to do and I can't ask you to take time off for me."

She continued to pack all her basic belonging in her small suitcase. She laid the clothes and items she was taking on her bed in her bedroom. The two bedroom apartment was a nice little perk that she got from accepting the new position. It was slowly coming together and starting to feel like home.

"I'm sorry.. That came out wrong. I just want to be there for you too. I'll stay in the hotel room out of the way the whole time. And I won't be taking any time off, I had requested tomorrow off a few weeks ago so we could go on our trip."

"Chris," she started. She appreciated his offer, but bringing him along didn't seam like such a good idea. "I just don't think it's such a good idea."

"Why not?" He demanded

"Honestly?" She asked him. Hoping he would just drop the subject.

He nodded his head. He wanted to know. He needed to know.

She sighed lightly, throwing the last bits of clothes into her luggage and zipped it up, "because Tommy's going to be there, Okay. That's the truth. I'm not ready to see him and I'm sure as hell not ready for him to see us together."

He bowed his head in defeat. Kimberly had told him all about the weekend rendezvous she had with Tommy. He was a little hurt about it, but completely understood he had no right to be.

"Okay, I understand. I really don't want to make you uncomfortable," he reached her arms out and pulled her towards him for an embrace. Smelling the fruity scent of her hair. His heart ached to tell her what he was truly feeling. A shaky breath later, he spoke, "I love you."

Her eyes snapped open at his confession. She slowly pushed off of him. Guilt written all over her eyes when she discovered she couldn't return those words to him.

"I don't expect you to say it back to me, Kim, but I just wanted you to know how I felt."

She didn't say anything. She couldn't say anything. All Kimberly was able to do is be grateful that for once in her adult life, the man she was dating wasn't running away from his feelings.

She did the only think she could think of and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She brought him to her and kissed him with as much passion she could contrive.

Although at this moment she didn't know where her heart stood, she was hopeful that one day she could open up to him.

Author note: Okay, this is a short one that I needed to get out. I looked at the outline that I have for this story and the next scenes don't really flow with these particular scenes. This chapter was obviously very Kimberly centric, but I promise to bring Tommy along soon. How do you guys feel about Kimberly "moving" on? Please be sure to leave your feedback. It is very much appreciated. I love reading how much you all enjoy the story