By USTMistress
It was a dismal day in late November when it all began. The drizzle that had started early that morning had grown into a full downpour. It was so dreary even Caroline was in a bad mood. Richard and Caroline had been working in silence(definately not a normal Caroline day) for several hours after lunch when it just got too much for her to handle.
"I am sick of this rain! It makes me wish I was wrapped up in a warm blanket with a good novel rather than working. How can you stand the silence for so long?" Caroline asked her partner.
"Well, I thought we were getting some work done for a change, but I guess I was wrong. Do you want me to leave, or what?" Richard answered.
"If you want, you can. I think I'm going to go out for a while anyway. Maybe I should go Christmas shopping. That always cheers me up." She moved towards the coat rack and began putting on her coat. "Go ahead and get out of here Richard. I'm sure Julia would just love to have you for the rest of the day. Or you can hang around here until I get back." Hoping she didn't sound jealous or anything, she picked up her umbrella and walked out the door, shutting it a bit harder than usual.
Richard decided to take her up on her offer, and collected his things and made for the door. It puzzled him why she had been so moody lately. Oh well, he had a more pressing question on his mind: what was he going to get Julia for Christmas? He knew she had a penchant for expensive things, and he had been saving for something special since before they were married. But what to spend the amount on, he wasn't sure.
He trudged his way across town, cursing God for the torrential rain that met him as he walked out of Caroline's Building. He decided that Cartier was the best place to find some expensive abuble that Julia would just love. He wished her tastes were a little less extravagant. She had already spent what was left of his regular savings, so he had kept the Chrsitams money in a separate account. Why couldn't she be more like Caroline, he thought on a whim. Whoa, where had that come from? Well, it's not like I'm in love with her or something, he thought sarcastically.
A distinguished looking salesman approached him as he entered the store, attempting to rid himself of his dripping wet coat. "Anything I can help you with today sir?" Richard practically jumped, as he was lost in thought when he approached. "Oh, just looking for something to give my wife for Christmas," he answered. "You've come to the right place then. We have many lovely things to turn a lady's head. Have you thought about diamonds?"
"Well, I hadn't thought about anything in particular, but I know she's partial to them. Big ones, to be sure." Richard jumped back as he saw the prices of the objects in the case the salesman had directed him to.
"A little more than expected, sir? Don't worry, we have a flexible payment plan." He flashed a winning grin at his potential customer, and potential commission.
"Just a bit, but I think I've got enough to cover something she'd like. What do you have around $2000?" He blanched at spending that much on one little present, but maybe he'd feel better about his feelings for his boss if he proved his affection towards his wife.
"Oh, we have many lovely rings, necklaces, and bracelets for that amount, even less than that, though all are lovely."
Richard took his time, finally choosing a large, four carat total weight diamond ring in a gold setting. He was praying that this would meet Julia's expectations. While the salesman went to the back to get the necessary forms, Richard wandered around the store, looking through the other cases. An interesting piece caught his eye in the last case.
A beautiful gold filigree diamond ring, only about a quarter carat, twinkled in its setting under the case's lights. God, he thought, wouldn't that be perfect for...no, no. Don't even think in that direction, he reprimanded himself.
The salesman chose that moment to reappear, forcing Richard to the present. He filled out the necessary forms, took the tiny gift bag that held Julia's gift, and walked back out into the rain.
While Richard shopped, Caroline was trying to finish her list of gifts. By the end of the afternoon, she had gotten a gift for everyone, except one, and had returned to her apartment. "Oh Salty, what am I going to get Richard? I want to get something personal, but not too personal. Julia might suspect that something was up. But what?" Her reverie was cut short as she heard the door opening.
"I'm back," said Richard, almost monotone as usual.
"Hey Richard," Caroline answered as she turned around, "whatcha have in the bag?"
"Just Julia's Christmas present," he answered, not looking at her.
Hmm, she thought, he seems a bit distracted. "Can I see?"
"If you have to," he said as he carelessly tossed the bag onto the kitchen counter," I knew you wouldn't be able to stand the suspense if I didn't let you."
She opened the bagand removed the little velvet box. Opening the box, she exclaimed," I'm paying you too much! How'd you afford this?" She glanced at him questioningly.
"It was hard, especially with the way Julia spends money, but I managed to save a little here anf there without her knowing." He looked away. Of course, when he had started saving, he was thinking of a gift for Caroline.
"Well, it's very, um, big," she acknowledged, knowing that the ring wuld be something that Julia would like.
"I had to do something big, and since I can't afford to move out of my apartment, the ring was the only thing I could think of."
"For your sake, I hope she likes it. Wow, I can't even think of anyone who could not at least appreciate its, ah, value." Caroline decided that she had to change the subject to something a bit more neutral. "Anyway, what ya say we get another hour's worth of work in here?"
"Slavedriver all of a sudden I see," said Richard as he sat down on his side of the partners desk.
"Well, we do have a deadline. Charlie will be here at five, and I want to have this week's strip done for him when he comes."
With that, they got to work. Richard was finishing the last panel when Charlie rolled in the door.
"Howdy people," he said, rolling to a stop just before flying into the desk. "Is it ready?"
Richard handed the strip to Caroline, and she put it in the usual manila envelope and handed it to Charlie. "All done, and just in time," said Caroline.
"Great! I was hoping all day that you guys would have it finished. They're showing a Looney Tunes marathon on the Cartoon Network, and I don't want to miss any of it." He again rolled across the apartment and out the door. "See ya later."
"Bye Charlie," said Caroline as she shut the door behind him.
"It's hard to miss something that's based on your life," Richard said, looking pointedly at the door as he stood up. "Anyway, do you mind if I go home now? I promised Julia I'd pick up some Chianti on the way home for dinner."
"No problem. I'll see you tomorrow," she said, opening the fridge, trying to find something to make for her own dinner.
Richard picked up his coat and walked to the door. "Alright then. Goodnight." And he left.