"Are you ready for this?" Glen asked Kassie as she stood in front of the board room.
Kassie played with her hands as she turned around and looked at her board once more. She wore loose curls with a mint green long sleeve top that had a belt that tied in the front with black slacks. She wore rounded shiny heels. She took a deep breath her green eyes bright but yet fear was in them. "Yeah, I prepared for this moment as much as I could. Its sad Mark could not be here."
"Yeah, he had to go to Philadelphia for the weekend" He paused and looked at her as he studied her face being a bit upset that Mark was not presenting this project with her. "Hey," He shook her a bit "You got this one. You will hit this out of the park. I will call Mark and share the good news."
"Yeah" She smiles brightly and something clicked for Glen. He stood in the back corner as the higher-ups started to fill the room. They went over to Glen and shook his hand and he introduced Kassie to them. Kassie made the room shine. She mingled with everyone with ease and grace. She was not afraid to introduce herself self and they could all see it.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen. I don't want to take up to much of your time. So, if you could please find your seats and I will get this started." She said with a smile and everyone in the room was smiling back at her. Glen stood in the back corner and he realized why Mark was so into her. Kassie is lovable, inspiring to everyone she interacts with, but is also blunt and not a sugar coating type of gal. Glen crossed his arms and smiled as the presentation continued.
The presentation ended and Kassie stood back and left the room with a bit of silence "Any questions that I can answer?"
The one-man raised his finger "Yes, Kassie," He paused "I think I have the only question that is left in the room."
"Yes sir," She said as she changed her stands to be more open to anything that could be said to her.
"With you in this company, I can not see us being steering in the wrong direction." He stated and looked over at Glen "She is a keeper."
"Agree," the one female of the group said and Glen smiled and nodded.
"Thank you," Kassie said "I can not be the only person to take credit for this. Mark Calaway helped every step of the way too."
"Aw yes, our superstar. Where is he this time Glen?" The same man asked
"He is in Philadelphia." He said and placed his hands down against his side.
"Philadelphia?"
"Yes, Comic-Con is this weekend."
"Really? I must remember to take the kiddos." He chuckled a bit "They would love that."
"Does anyone else have any questions I can answer?" Kassie asked and smiled and there were no questions. "Okay then. I am sure I speak with Glen on this. We are excited to hear your response." The group started to leave and the man that was filled with questions stood next to Glen and chatted softly that Kassie could not hear them. She started to clean up her laptop along with the odds and ends that were left behind.
"Glen, she is a fresh set of eyes. We need more like her" The man said to Glen and he nodded "Not to mention she is not bad to look at." He nudged Glen a little bit and Glen just chuckled a bit.
"Oh yes. She is an eye turner." Glen said and the two said their goodbyes. Glen pulled out his cell phone and see that Mark texted asking about the presentation. "Kassie, I am going to video chat Mark. Come over here." Glen said as he hit the button and it connected almost immediately "Hey Mark. How are you?"
"It's going here. You would not believe the crowds." He stood up and spun around a bit to show the waiting line and people screaming.
"Looks like a fun time. Well, Kassie and I are here" Glen cleared his throat and Kassie stood in front of Glen in the phone video conference. "We wanted to give you an update on the presentation."
"Hi Kassie" Mark smile and nodded "I am sure with Kassie taking the lead it went well."
"Well, thank you," She said and blushed and bowed her head a bit. Glen could see the attraction between the two of them so strong.
"Kassie knocked it out of the park. She had answers for everything and the higher-ups love her."
"That is great news. Did they answer are we moving on this?"
"No answer yet, but I can not see how they do not take this chance. There will be a lot of money to be made."
"Awesome. I am bummed that I missed the presentation."
"Mark, you have to see Kassie work. She had them eating out of her hand." He paused "Look I will chat with you a bit later."
"Not a problem. Kassie, great work! Thank you." Mark said and Kassie smiled and nodded her head.
Kassie was hitting the gym a bit harder then she was doing the last few times. She was ready to start going on the prowl. She was missing that touch that was so hard to explain. Mark came across her mind as she began to run thinking about several of their interactions and how he made her feel. She pushed her self even harder as she pushed the speed a bit more. She then began to get even more upset that he was not at the presentation. Then she started to think of the excused that Glen gave to that man 'Comic-Con.' "What could be so important that Mark would not be at a presentation like this?" Kassie lifted her self and placed her feet on the rail as she tried to catch her breath. She grabs her phone that still was playing music and turned off the machine. She cleaned up and turned off the gym lights. She walked out to the floor of her condo.
"Hi Mrs. Jones," She said as she started to walk back from taking the trash out.
"Kassie my darling," Mrs. Jones said softly.
"Yes, my grandson said the other night your boyfriend looks a lot like The Undertaker from that professional wrestling."
"Oh, you mean Mark. He is not my boyfriend we work together. I don't know who the Undertaker is."
"Kassie, you need to start to settle down. You need to think about your future."
"Yes, Mrs. Jones. I am still very young." Kassie tried to be nice about it as she stopped at Mrs. Jones' door.
"You take advice from an old lady like me and, honey, Your friend looks like that Undertaker person my grandson swears your friend is. If he is that person can you get me an autograph? My grandson is hard to please." She laughed a little.
"Yes, Mrs. Jones. You have a good night." Kassie said to her and smiled as she walked down the hallway to her door.
Kassie grabbed her self a glass of water and sat down with her phone as she started her investigation. She started to type into the phone and Jessica called "Hello?"
"Hey, girl. What are you doing?"
"Just got done with the gym." She paused "What's going on?"
"I am worried about you."
"Worried about me?" Kassie paused a bit "I am been okay."
"Oh yeah, I know that, but you have not been out on a date since Caleb. You need to find someone."
"Jess, please don't I just got an ear full from Mrs. Jones. She believes that Mark is this Undertaker who is a famous superstar..." Kassie's voice trailed off and she started to put the dots together in her head. The higher-ups in the meeting calling him a superstar... the neighbor believes that he is a famous person... he is in Philadelphia at Comic-Con.
"Kassie, are you listening to me?" Jessica said and Kassie came back to the conversation.
"I am sorry I missed what you said."
"Glen said that same name. Glen and Mark have been friends for about most of his life."
"Wow, that is a long friendship." Kassie said "Look don't worry about me. I am just being me and the right man will come in time" She laughed it off and had to get Jessica off the phone. She was on a mission now... who was Mark Calaway.
Kassie got out of her car in a casual off the shoulder tank top red and white blouse crop top shirt and distressed jean shorts with converse shoes. She wore her hair in a messy bun look with pieces of hair along the sides and natural makeup. She was unsure what to wear to this type of event but knowing she was only here for one reason. She knew she had to look good. She grabbed her purse and made sure she had everything before locking the door to her car. She followed the crowd of people. She knew that she was turning heads. Kassie goes out of her cell phone and began to text the girls in the group. She first sent them a selfie of herself in her cute outfit with a goofy face.
"I can not believe that you are doing this!" Amanda wrote.
"You should have left one of us to take you down there, what if he isn't even there?" Jessica said
"Okay, Mom. Girl you need to make you are labeled his girlfriend before you leave tonight." Jennifer said.
"I am not here for that label. I am here to get the truth. Don't you think we should of all knew about this second life of his? How much else is he hiding?" Kassie wrote back. She looked up and she was almost at the door. She pulled up her ticket and showed it and got a lanyard to place around her neck, wrist band on, and grabbed a goody bag. She looked around at the crowd of people that were from all over the place. Some of them were dressed up like Halloween to the ones that wore t-shirts and jeans. Kassie knew that she does not belong here.
"Yeah, that is true. What else is he hiding?" Ashley texted
"Well, I am inside... time to surprise him." Kassie wrote and put her phone away. She walked over to the escalators and rode it up as she could tell she was a fish out of water. She began to think of her fashion choice of today's event and thought maybe something more might have been better even tho it was just a belly button sticking out. She waited in line and listen to the woman at the door saying to show your wrist band to get in. Kassie raised her arm a little to show it and she just stood there. The crowd of people was like an ocean filled to the brim and she began to think there was no way she was going to be able to find Mark in the middle of this. She looked in the bag for a map of the convention and
then opened it up as she stood aside allowing everyone to pass her. She tried to study the map but overwhelmed with all the information on it. She looked up and there was Mark surrounded by bodyguards that look half the size of him. "Hey, Mark!" She screamed over the loud fans, but with no avail. Mark and the mob moved and Kassie took that cue and followed them.
Mark finally sat down behind a table and there it was a huge sign that said "Undertaker" above his head. There were photos around of him from when he was younger. Kassie took out her camera and took a quick shot and sent it to the girls. Kassie took her chance and walked up to the table ignoring the growing line that seems to be forming "Hey Mark. I did not expect to see you here." She called to him and he turned up to see Kassie smiling.
"Oh my god, Kassie!" He said with a surprising look on his face "I had no idea that you knew about this"
"I don't" She laughed a bit and put her hands up a bit "I put together a lot of the puzzle pieces and here I am"
"Oh well, um. I want to explain" Mark started
"Yeah, I figured that would be the first words out of your mouth." She said as she started to get an attitude and the fans were starting to get disturbed for having to wait.
"Kassie, it is not what you think. Honestly, I never lied to you yet have I?"
"Um," she placed her hands in her pockets and Mark's mind could not make up its mind on to drool over her or to be upset since she was upset.
"Look you drove all this way, and you have a ticket. Why not just enjoy whatever you can find here and we will chat in about 3 hours?"
"Wow, that is a long time to make a girl wait." She laughed a bit. "I could get into a lot of trouble on my own."
"Yeah, I am sure you could" Mark laughed back at her.
"Miss we are going to need you to get into the line or let the superstars alone. We have a tight schedule to keep." Security said to her and she tilted her head looking at Mark.
"She is with me" He claimed to security.
"Sorry, Mr. Taker," They said and he got up and walked around the table to her.
"Come on sit back here." He said and pulled a folder chair in the corner for her "It's hard to explain everything so fast, but I am not hiding anything from you."
"That is a lie" She laughed at him as he sat back down "You never told me anything about this."
"Well, it is not a first date type of discussion," He said a bit frazzled. With that, the well-oiled machine of a comic con happened and one fan after another came to the table laughed, cried, spoke, fainted, and exciting show to Mark. Kassie did not understand why these fans had such a fascination with Mark. Kassie looked down at her phone the girls were going crazy throwing all these facts at Kassie about Mark.
"Are you still there with him?" Jennifer asked
"Yes," Kassie responded "He wants to talk in 3 hours. Well, 2 hours since he says he was not hiding this, just not saying anything about it either."
"OMG are you his girlfriend yet or what?" Kassie could tell Jennifer was about to die if she did not respond.
"No, I am not his girlfriend." Kassie said "But I am going to make my point clear. He hides this from everyone."
"Totally, but in all honestly Glen is right tho from what I can tell he is a loyal guy," Jessica wrote.
"He is my typical type. I can not fall for this again. I can not be hurt again like 'Cheater'" Kassie wrote and looked over at Mark and smiled a bit to her self. She could really see herself with him. She then looked up and who she saw, but Glen walking right toward Mark.
"Hey," Glen said to Mark trying not to look around so that it was business and then he could move on.
"Hey," Mark said and looked at Glen "We have a problem."
"Problem?" Glen said a bit confused.
"Well, now there is a lot more of this story that I want to know about." Kassie stood up and walked over to the guys her hands on her hips, and Glen's mouth dropped a bit as he licked his lips to cover up his shock.
"Oh, that problem," Glen said and smiled at Kassie. "How are you, Kassie. I didn't know you were into these things."
"I am not" She laughed "as you can tell, but I just caught the two biggest fishes."
"I will take care of her. Crystal is here and that will keep busy." He spoke softly to Mark.
"Thank you because I believe I just blew my chance," Mark said as he shook his head.
"Kassie, come with me. I want you to meet someone." Glen called her and motion for her to come and she walked over to him. She looked over her shoulder at Mark. He looked over at her and their eyes meet. Even tho Kassie was a bit upset about not being told this... he still made her heartbeat so fast. "So, my wife's name is Crystal. She is bored too so maybe you two can hang out together?"
"Um, sure," He said and Glen walked over to another table and there was a beautiful blonde hair blue-eyed woman.
"Crystal this is Kassie. She works with Mark and me. Kassie this is my wife, Crystal. Maybe you two can stay together and enjoy the con?"
"Nice to meet you," Kassie said with a smile and Crystal smiled background
"Sure, I am bored," She said a chuckle in her voice.
"Be nice" Glen whispered into her ear as he kisses her goodbye.
Crystal began to show Kassie the way life was for her. She would go into a line and fans would come to her asking her all these questions she ignored them or gave very vague answers. "See the things is... these men are bigger than life to some of these fans. So, you don't want to rune the illusion for anyone." Crystal said and the two women continued to chat. "So you have no idea that Mark was the Undertaker?"
"Nope. I had to put the pieces together. Mark and I worked on a presentation together. Glen said he was in Philadelphia on business at the meeting. The one higher-ups said where are the superstars. Glen said he was at Comic-Con. Then I went home and the other night my neighbor saw Mark when he dropped me off after a bad date, not with him." She gave her a look "and told me that her grandson believes that he is this Undertaker. So, I put the puzzle together and came here thinking that I would just call him out on this hidden life."
"Oh," Crystal said and looked over at her "Well, I can tell you after today if there are any photos of you and Mark. You are going to be his girlfriend even if you two are not dating. Darlin, the way you look... you get enough attention. So, I know that is not the real reason why you are here."
Kassie laughed a bit "Yeah, I am not starving for attention. When I am around Mark just even talking to him my heart races, the world is blurry, My breath is hard to catch and I lose all the confidence that I have in my self."
"Yeah, you're in love," Crystal said with a laugh "I am not trying to downplay it, but I am calling it like it is."
"Yeah, but I been down that path before. I always get burned with love." She gave her a look
"Not with Mark. When he is all in... he is the one that normally hurts. He is the most loyal, dedicated, respectable, responsible person I know." She looked over at Kassie "The only reason why he is working with Glen right now is that his body can not take the ring much more and he is bored."
"Really?" Kassie said as she slowed down as she noticed she they were walking close to Mark's table. The line was just a few people and tons of people walking around. Kassie could not believe that Mark was board when he was out here getting all this attraction why not stay here.
"Darlin, it was great meeting you. I hope I see you again." Crystal said and hugged her as they stood in front of Mark's table.
"Hey Crystal, "Mark said that Kassie could hear, and then she moved in and whispered to Mark. Mark looked at Kassie and smiled as he motioned for her to come closer. "Thanks, Crystal. I owe you one." He said as she walked to the end of the table and the security moved a few of the fans back. "I am almost done. Come take a seat" Kassie took his hand and sat back down in the chair. Crystal nodded at her and headed back down to Glen's table.
Kassie took out her phone and texted with the girls about all the things she was finding out. Jessica and Ashley were both filling the feed with tons of facts and questions that Kassie should ask Mark. "Guys I am not even sure what to do beyond make him tell me this secret."
"Girl you better get that girlfriend tag" Jennifer kept pushing
"Got to go. The line is almost done."
Mark was sitting there with his agent as they started to count to make sure that everyone that bought a 'Graveyard pass' got everything that was supposed to have. "There is one package left."
"Well, do you think we need to make an announcement?" Mark asked because who knew if someone was just roaming around and did not want to wait.
"Sorry, but I was trying not to listen in, but I bought that package name" Kassie laughed a little bit. Mark looked at her a bit surprised that she would even buy a package she has no idea it was for.
"Why would you buy a $300 package?"
"Because I was not sure that I would even find you or see you without it," Kassie said innocently and Mark knew it. He was surprised that she thought about this in detail before she made her way down here. "So, what did I buy?" She asked pushing her lips together.
"Well, you get a picture and autographs to start," His agent said and then got together a bunch of other items and put them in a bag. "So, do you want me to take a photo with our camera, or do you have your own?"
"Both," Mark said quickly and Kassie looked at him and laughed a bit. "What?"
"Nothing, " She said and shook her head as she got out her phone and flipped it to camera mode and handed it to her agent.
"Okay stand next to each other" His agent moved the chairs and Mark wrapped his left arm around Kassie's waist and placed it on her hip. "Smile" Kassie looked up at Mark and then leaned up against him and smiled tilting her head and Mark gave his normal stone-cold look. "Please check it make sure that it looks okay." Kassie moved from Mark's arm and took her phone and looked at the photo.
"Yes, that looks good. Thank you" She said and put her phone in her purse quickly.
"Okay, one more," the agent said and Mark stays in the same pose and Kassie walked back over to him and he lifted his arm and he made sure to make her straddle his leg, and his arm laid on her hip. She placed her left hand on his chest and made sure to lean on him. Mark could smell her perfume and could not control himself. "Smile," the agent said and Kassie did and Mark smirked. "I think that is the best one yet."
Kassie laughed "How is that the best one when Mark didn't even smile?"
"Oh trust me. I always can get the good side" the agent said and Mark placed his hand on her back and Kassie did not push away. "So, just give it a few minutes and it will come out and then you can get it autograph."
"Sure," She said shrugging her shoulders and placed her hands on her hips. "So, you want to start with this question. Why not be honest?"
"About? This?" Mark said as he looked down at Kassie still in his arms. "This as you can tell is bigger than you and me. I don't need this to be in my everyday life."
"I get that, but this is part of you." Kassie looked at him and he knew that she was seeing right through him "You should have said something."
"Yeah, I guess I forget that in my office introduction that I should say ' Hi I am Mark. I am a research analyst, and I also moonlight as the Undertaker.'" Kassie started to laugh so hard. "It's not funny."
"It is because you are sitting here acting like this world no one would find" She bit her lip as she looked at him.
"You are the only one that put the pieces together so far."
"Ouch, that says something," Kassie said and looked up at him.
"Okay, Taker, here is the photo." He placed it down and Kassie tried to look over his shoulder
"Do you mind?" He asked Kassie and she rolled her eyes and walked away from him.
"So, is this a common thing you do?"
"Yeah, sort of. I am getting used to it. Glen doesn't come to many of these anymore since he is running the office a lot of time." Mark finished what he was writing down and ran his finger against the ink to make sure it dried. He then handed back to the agent. "Don't bend it, but put it in her bag."
"Yes Sir," He said and did exactly what he asked.
"So, can we go for some lunch before you hit the road?" Mark asked as he turned around to her and the agent walked over to him and handed him the bag. Mark took it and carried it.
"Hm," she said and ran her hand against the edge of the table as she bit her lip and stood in front of him. Mark rolled his eyes at her as he wants to pull her close to him right now and whisper into her ear to stop teasing. "Yes please," She giggled and smiled.
"Come with me, trouble. It's going to get a bit of madness until we get out of the building." He placed his hand around her waist as the security surrounded them and made their way through the crowd. The movement made Glen look over and see Mark's arm wrapped around Kassie's waist.
"So, your thoughts Crystal," Glen asked and she knew exactly what he wanted.
"She is into him. She has been burned pretty badly. If he doesn't play it right. He won't get her. She is the best thing for him." Crystal said as if she was bored. Glen looked over at her "What? You know I am right."
"Yeah, That is the thing... he is already playing his game," Glen said and turned back to the line as Crystal shook her head.
Mark and Kassie slowly made their way through the crowd and then down the escalators. Kassie shifted her self close to Mark, and he picked up the clue and wrapped his arm around her back. They finally reached the backstage doors, and just like that security disappeared. "Sorry about that. It is something that is needed."
"Why? You are bigger then they are."
"Some fans will do anything to get to you and it is just a safety thing," Mark said as he grabbed his black duffle bag. "So, how about we go to China town? I have a driver."
"A driver?" Kassie looks at him a bit dumbfounded.
"Yeah, come on. I promise I will get you back to your car."
"Sure" Kassie smiled at Mark and the reasons why she was angry were starting to disappear.
Mark and Kassie sat in a small restaurant in the corner alone. Mark reached out over the table and brushed against Kassie's hand that was sliding down her glass. "I didn't want to hide this from you. I am not one that opens up to people I don't' know."
"I can understand that, but I am not anyone..." Kassie trailed off and swallowed hard. She couldn't get her self to finish the sentence as she wanted too.
"Finish it," Mark said pushing her to stop overthinking what she was going to say and show a side of her that many men did not like.
She looked up at him her mouth was dry even tho she just had a drink "What else are you holding back?" She struggled to say.
"Nothing," Mark said his face like a stone, but his mind was saying something else "Look, you didn't come down here to just give me a scolding." He took a deep breath. He could not admit that he played this conversation about a different topic in his head many times.
"Well, yeah that is one of the reasons." She paused and laughed a little and Mark was waiting for her to say something. Something about this electricity that was between the two of them. He needed to know that she felt it too.
"What do you think about it?"
"Crazy, wild, out of this world. How long have you been doing this?"
"Over 30 years. I only work with Glen because I am bored and I wanted something to challenge me."
"So, this was while you were in the two other relationships?"
"Yes, and it did not make it easy at all." Mark looked around and then at Kassie.
"I can see that. Crystal seems nice."
"Oh yeah. She keeps Glen very grounded." He said and smiled "Another reason why I don't share this side of my life during my time to get to know someone is because a lot of people just want their 15 minutes of fame and I am not into that anymore." The waitress put their lunch in front of them "Thank you"
"What are you looking for?" Kassie was afraid to ask but blurted out before she could take it back
"I want a person to spend the rest of my life with... except all the good and bad." Mark paused "Isn't that want everyone wants?" Kassie looked at him and just smiled as she dug into the soup in front of her.
The two continued to eat lunch and laughed with each other. They both began to leave their guards down again and just enjoy what was happening between the two of them. They looked like a couple with each other teasing and joking enjoying the moments between them. The waitress came back with the check and Mark took it.
"Dutch?" Kassie asked as she reached for her purse.
"Not this time. Take it as my apology." Mark said with a smile "Come, I will get you back to your car." Kassie followed Mark as he paid for the food. Mark made sure that she was close to him every step of the way. He wrapped his arm around her waist once again. Kassie twisted her hair in her fingers as she noticed that almost everyone in the restaurant was noticing the two of them. Mark leaned down to her "It is a common thing. You will get used to it" He whispered to her and she turned her head to him and smiled her eyes shined back at him. He wanted so bad at that moment to just kiss her softly show her that she had no idea what she was in store for and how deep his feelings for her.
The car pulled up to Kassie's car and Mark got out of his driver sitting inside of the car and waited. Mark walked around to the other side of the car and Kassie got out. "Hey, I didn't get to say thank you for coming," Mark said as he stared at Kassie "Not many people would buy a $300 ticket that they had no idea what was going to happen."
"Yeah well. I had no idea what I was getting my self into." She started to laugh. 'I still don't know what I am doing' she thought to herself.
"No, you didn't." Mark paused "Give me your phone. I want my number in it so you can message me when you get home."
"Sure," She said and took out her phone and swiped away all the messages from the girls. She handed it over to Mark and he put his phone number on the phone and saved it. "What did you save it under? I might not be able to find it." She laughed as she looked at the title he gave himself 'Secret one'
"Oh no, I am sure you will find it." He laughed and Kassie hit dial.
"That is my number" Kassie laughed a bit. "Thank you for the wonderful afternoon" She smiled and looked at him.
"Oh before I forget. Here are your items, just like you paid for." Kassie laughed as she wrapped her hand around her waist covering her stomach that was showing.
"Thank you. I will make sure to enjoy them" She smiled and took the bag from Mark's hand.
"Have a safe ride home. Message me no matter what time you get in, and I will see you on Monday morning."
"I will do," She said with a smile. She slowly walked over to the driver's side of her car. She turned back around to see Mark standing right where she left him. She smiled "See you later," she said to him and he waved at her and she got into her car placing the bag on her passenger side.