A month later
Mark pulled up to the office as he was running late, which seem to be a normal event as of late. He grabbed his bag along with his jacket and headed into the office. He stood in the elevator and was ready to bust through the door as soon as they open. He tapped his foot as he waited for the elevator to stop. The doors open, and Mark flew out through the door and ran into Kassie, her papers flying all over the place. Kassie bent down her navy blue dress, flaring out and covering her white heels that matched her small shaw. Mark stared at her, taking in every detail that he could.
"Excuse me," She said as she gathered her papers, and Mark sucked up his breath.
"It's my fault" Mark got down on the ground and helped her out as he spoke to her. He handed her the papers, his fingers brushing against her arm and hands. He stopped as the electricity flew threw him. Kassie stared at him almost like she was waiting for something, but quickly snapped out of it as she fixed the papers in her arms.
"Thank you," she said softly as she bit her lip as she turned and hit the button for the elevator. She didn't even look at Mark just kept her head forward to the elevator. Her hair waved side to side, her perfume catching Mark. He couldn't move as he stared at her until she got into the elevator. Kassie got into the elevator, and the door closed as she finally took a breath. She saw that Mark was still standing there watching her as she looked up the directions the elevator was going.
Mark snapped back into reality as he picked up his bag and started to make his way to his desk. He opened his office door and turned on his computer and walked over to Glen's office. "Good Morning," Mark said as he got his attention from his computer as Glen looked at him.
"Morning," He said and took a deep breath. "Are you ready for next week?"
"Yeah, I still have a few things I want to make sure is all button up before I present." He paused and took a seat in front of Glen's desk "I am sure this weekend I will get it completed since I am finally going to be home."
"Yeah, it is hard running two lives." Glen said, and Mark gave him a cross look, and Glen just put his hands up, "I wasn't talking about that." He paused, "But while you are on that K subject, she is making quiet and impression on the higher-ups. Mr. Smith has been taking her to every meeting he has been having."
"Oh, wow, that is impressive, but you and I both know she is smart." Mark paused, "I just ran into her getting out of the elevator." Mark told him as he straightens himself in his chair, "She said a few words to me."
"Well, that is a start," Glen said, and Mark rubbed his face.
"Can you please help get her back?"
"Mark, you can do the presentation. You don't need her to do the presentation."
"I am not talking about that even tho you and I both know with her on the project it would be a win before we even walk in." He took a deep breath. "Can't you get Crystal to help out here? I am missing her."
"The only thing Crystal is telling me if that K is waiting for you."
Mark rolled his eyes "She is waiting for me yet barely speaks to me." He paused, "How about I stop by tomorrow and run through the presentation at your house, and then I can ask Crystal."
"Good luck getting information from Crystal." Glen just shrugged, "Worry about that after you nail this presentation. Come over and run through it. It might do you good."
"Sounds like a plan," Mark said as he sighed and got up from his chair and went back into his office and began to start to work.
Kassie sat at her second desk as she put the papers back in order that Mark made her drop. Her mind went right to his touch. She knew that he was not out from under her skin. She placed her papers in order as she still did not feel comfortable in her new space. She finally got the paperwork in order and held it close to her body as she walked over to Mr. Smith's office and knocked on the door. "Mr. Smith," She said softly.
"Come on in Angel," He said with a smile, and Kassie smiled as sweetly as she could.
"Here is the report that you asked for," She said as she handed it to him, and he quickly glanced at it.
"Do you know all the facts in here?"
"Yes Sir," She said and pointed for her to take a seat, and she did.
"Good, I need you to go with me to this meeting. It seems like the office superstar will be presenting it, and I need you to be there to rebut anything that he might say out of line."
"Um, you mean Mark will be running that meeting?"
"Yes," He said and straighten out, "Is there a problem with that?"
"No- No Sir" She studded and clasped her hands on her lap.
"Here is the thing, Kassie. I will let you in on a secret. If it was you presenting the project, I would trust the research, but I don't believe Mark turned over every stone." Kassie nodded her head, "I want you to show off and prove that his report is wrong."
"Yes, Sir" She paused, "I am sorry, but can I ask a question?"
"Sure"
"You know that Mark and I have... a past. Do you think that I am the best person for it?"
"You could not be a better person for it." Mr. Smith said, "Make this your number one on your list. I want you to blow out his candle."
"Yes, Sir," She said as she didn't have the same belief that Mr. Smith. "Blowing out someone else's candle doesn't make yours shine any brighter." she thought about the saying she as seen a million times. It was not something that she was used too but knew she would do her research the best she could to counterpoint Mark's presentation.
"Get out of here, it's Friday," He said as he slapped the desk and smiled at her.
"Yes, Sir," She said as she left the office and grabbed her phone from her desk, and headed to the elevator to head back to her other desk. Mr. Smith leaned back in his desk and began to watch Kassie leaving the floor.
Kassie walked over to Jessica's when she got back onto the floor. Hey Jess?"
"Yeah," she spun around and pulled out her earbuds. "You still planning on going out with us Saturday?"
"Yes, that is not a problem. I need your help."
"Okay, what do you need?"
"Do you happen to have the research on Mark's presentation?"
"Yeah, I can get it for you. What is going on?"
"Nothing, I was just asked to take a second look on it." She said and licked her lip, pushing them together.
"Sure," Jessica said a bit curious about why she would be taking a second look. "So, what are you looking for?"
"Nothing special. I was just told to learn the material."
"Okay. I emailed you the file."
"Thanks," She said as she turned around to head to her desk.
"Kass?" Jessica called and walked back to her, "I think I know what you are doing. Can you go genital on him? He did a lot of work on his own. He wouldn't take help from us."
Kassie nodded her head, "Don't tell anyone."
"I won't," Jessica said as she spun around on her chair and went back to her computer.
Mark stood in relaxing clothes of t-shirt and jeans in Crystal and Glen's living room as he finished up his presentation. His mind was all over the place. The last presentation that he was watching was Kassie, and she had everything down. He felt like he was uncomfortable, not really wanting to be presenting. "Okay, then I would take questions," Mark said as he looked at the two of them.
"You look uncomfortable." Crystal just called it out.
"Crys," Glen said and looked over at her and then at Mark, who patted the back of his hands.
"I am sorry," She paused "You should be loose up there like you own the room."
"Yeah," Mark agreed, "Glen, do you think..." He stop talking and Glen knew that he wanted Kassie to take the presentation.
"Don't even ask." He paused " I can't even ask."
"What?" Crystal was not following the thought line
"Mark wants me to ask if Kassie can do the presentation." He paused and looked at Crystal, and she nodded in agreement.
"I just think that having her give the presentation would be an automatic win."
"I can't ask." Glen repeated, "I need you to get ready for this along with she might be in the room, and then what?"
"I am not sure." Mark paused and looked at Crystal "I am not over her. I need your help." He figured it was now or never to ask Crystal what her feeling on Kassie was.
"What? Why do you need me?"
"You know why," Mark said, and both guys looked at her.
"The last time I talked to her was weeks ago, and she was in the same spot as you still hurting. She is waiting for you." She paused, not wanting to share what she felt could happen.
"So, what am I suppose to do? She doesn't talk to me and just ignores me as much as possible." He paused, "Crystal, I screwed up. I know I did. I use my abilities for the wrong and not for good."
"Yeah," She paused and looked at him and then at Glen. "Mark, she is human just like you, and I are. If you were hurt to the point that you could not trust anyone, what would you want?"
Kassie pulled her hair up to high ponytail and then started to wrap it into a bun letting a few pieces lost. She danced around to the music as she continued to get dressed. She wore a yellow knitted spaghetti strap top that was high waist under the breast, and the shirt separated from there, showing her stomach. She pulled on her skinny jeans she bounced to the mirror and finished up her makeup. She continued to dance around her condo as she picked out her shoes and got herself together. She stood in the mirror beside the door to leave and was feeling like herself. The outfit was not flashy at all, but she knew she was just going out to be with the girls. Kassie walked out of the condo and headed to her car. She was driving tonight, so she knew that she was not going to get messed up. She pulled up the place, and the girls were waiting for her.
The girls started to scream and catcall her as she started to make her way across the parking lot. She laughed as the waved at them. The girls all hugged one another, and they went into the bar. They stood in line, and of course, the music was
one, and the girls were already dancing in a line.
"We are so happy that you decided to come out," Jennifer and Amanda kept saying over and over as they hugged her several times.
"It is just nice to have a girls night," Jessica said as she dances up against Kassie, who smiled and laughed at them.
The girls walked over to the bar, and of course, Jennifer and Amanda were already eyeing up the candy that was sitting at the bar. The two chatted to two guys already getting to know what was going to happen tonight.
"What can I get you two?" The bartender asked
"Can I get a double jack and coke. Jess?" Kassie ordered
"Sprite with a lime," Jessica said, and Kassie looked at her as the bartender left to go get the girls to drink.
"What is that about?" Kassie asked, and Jessica just leaned back, and Kassie put the pieces together that she was now pregnant. "Oh my god!" She said a bit excited, and Jessica placed her fingers on her lips.
"Here you got Ma'ma," The bartender said, and Kassie paid for the two drinks. She took both drinks and handed it to Jessica and cheers her.
"Thank you," Jessica said as the two of them went to find a standing table. The music was good; the girls were dancing with each other and laughing the night away. Kassie did not laugh this hard in a long time, and the girls were making her laugh even harder.
"You want another one?" Kassie asked Jessica as she shook her empty glass.
"Yeah, last one," She said, and Kassie grabbed her purse and went to the bar and leaned against it as she waited for the bartender.
"Hello, beautiful," a man said as she noticed a hand that wrapped around her.
"Excuse me?" She turned around and was face to face with a man she had no idea who he was.
"Let me get you that drink."
"No thanks," She said with a smiled and moved away from him.
"Aw, you're playing hard to get, right?"
"I am not to get, but thanks," She said as she could feel the heat was rising in her to just snap on this guy. The bartender came over, and Kassie ordered the two drinks.
"Come on; it is just a drink."
"No, thank you," she paused and turned towards him again "You want nothing to do with me, I promise." She turned around the bartender placed the two drinks down, and Kassie paid for them.
"How do you know what I want?" He called to her, and Kassie leaned her head back as she was getting tired of responding to him. She grabbed the two drinks and turned around once more to face the man.
"Dude, good luck tonight. It just won't be with me," She said as she leaned in and spoke softly to him. Kassie turned her head and looked like her eyes meet the eye to eye with Mark. Her heart began to race. She could not believe that he was sitting this close to her, and she did not notice him. Kassie walked away and went back to the girls.
"Mark is here," She whispered to Jessica.
"Huh? Where?" Jessica said as she stopped dancing for a moment, and Kassie pointed her out. The girls chatted with each other. Mark looked over at Kassie as he sighed. He could not stop thinking about her. He needed to get her to talk to him. She looked beautiful, even when she was telling that guy off.
"How long has he been there?" Kassie asked Jessica since magically she became sober.
"I have no idea," Jessica said as the two of them watch Mark. Mark was frustrated by the presentation in which he thought he was doing good was not shaping up well, and he still didn't have Kassie back. He finished his beer and threw some cash on the bar, and headed out.
Mark pulled his workout bag over his shoulder as he walked into the gym. He took a big breath before he opened the door. He knew that Roger was going to ask about Kassie, and she was not here with him. The loneliness kicked in a bit as he pushed it aside. He pulled open the door and started to sign in.
"Hey, Mark! Only you today?" Roger asked as he crossed his arms.
"Um, yeah," Mark said and thanked the man behind the counter as he finished the sign-in process and followed Roger.
"Where is Kassie?" Roger asked, and Mark put his bag down
"I am not really sure. She and I have been apart for little over a month."
"Oh, dang. I am sorry," Roger said a bit confused. "Let's get warmed up. He pointed to the treadmill. "I just saw her a few weeks ago at the beach. She was going out for a run."
"Oh yeah," He paused and smiled a bit "I see her every day at work. She is transferring to another department."
"Oh, wow. You said she was like the star of the department." Roger said as he turned up the treadmill for Mark. He crossed his arms. "That is crazy. So, what happened?"
"I lied, and she caught me." He paused, "I lied three times that she caught me," He admitted and corrected himself, and Roger just closed his eyes and shook his head.
"Damn, Mark. You know she is loyal as they come. I can not imagine you two not being together."
"Oh, I know, and it is killing me. Crystal is telling me that I need to reach out and just dump my feeling out to her." He paused, "I am not great at that, and I want to sit down with her and chat, but she is ignoring me as much as she can."
"Apologizing doesn't mean that you're wrong and the other person is right. It just means that your value your relationship more than your ego." Roger said to Mark, which Mark took the bit of information and swallowed it as he tried to digest it. Roger started the session as he knew that Mark was going to have a few appearances coming up and needed to make sure that he was getting himself back into shape. Mark started to work on a few free weights as he stood in front of the mirror and started his supersets of weights. Roger and Mark continued to chat about life, relationships, and work.
Kassie walked into the gym as she wore her hair back into a ponytail. She wore a matching dark purple belly shirt along with gym shorts. She took a deep breath and head up to the desk.
"Hello, How can I help you?" The employee asked
"I was looking to see what the price was for personal work out with Roger," Kassie asked.
"We have to ask Roger. I am not sure if he is taking new clients. Let me check with him."
"Sure" She paused and waited the employee and Kassie just looked around the gym a bit.
"Ma' ma," the employee said and waved her to follow her. Kassie stopped and watched as Roger came walking over, and she noticed that Mark was working out. She took a deep breath.
"Thank you," She said, and Roger walked over.
"Kassie," Roger said and hugged her, "I didn't think that you were going to come in."
"Oh, no, I am not here with..." She trailed off as she noticed he was now watching the two of them in the mirror "I wanted to know how much you were charging to set up sessions."
"Kassie, you do realize that Mark has his contract with two people."
"I didn't know that, but I am not with him anymore," She said as she shifted side to side and crossed her arm. She was a bit uncomfortable "I can come back later."
"You're fine. What time are you looking for sessions?"
"Well, when do you have openings."
"Most of them are during working hours."
"Okay," She said and nodded her head.
"It's $75 a session," Roger said, and Kassie nodded her head. "If you are interested, let me know."
"Thank you," She said
"Why didn't you tell me that you and Mark broke up a while back?"
"It was so new." She pauses, "Its still a bit fresh. I wish we were not a part, but shit happens." She laughed a bit, "I better get going."
"Okay, well. I hope to see you again around here." He smiled and patted her shoulder.
"Thank you again," She said as she crossed her arms and looked over at Mark as Roger started to walk back over to Mark. Kassie took a few more seconds to look at Mark. He looked at her as Roger finally reached Mark.
"Did you get all four sets done?" He asked as Mark put down the weight.
"Yeah," He said, and he looked at Roger and could see that Kassie was leaving while "What was that about?"
"She wants to get set up for training."
"Excuse me," He said and ran after Kassie. Kassie was outside, starting to walk down the sidewalk. Roger followed Mark and stood at the door of the gym and watched the two of them.
"Kassie!" Mark called and continued to jog towards her "Kassie! Wait up!"
Kassie closed her eyes and stopped. Mark caught up to her, and she turned around, Mark put his hands on his knee as he tried to take a deep breath. "What?" she spatted at him not really wanting to talk.
"Kassie, can we sit down and talk?"
"I have a lot of things to do for work." She said with a sigh and started to look around and noticed that Roger was at the door.
"Kass, please. I promise 30 minutes max. I will buy you lunch."
"I am really busy, honestly," She said as she crossed her arms.
Mark stood up, and he deeply sighed, "Kass, I been trying to talk to you for a month now, please." He reached out and ran his hands against her arm, and the electricity ran through them.
Kassie was not sure what to do anymore. She wanted to talk to him, but she couldn't deal with hearing him lie to her again. But her heart was screaming for her to just give him lunch and let him speak. "Fine, but I am not committing to anything."
"Thank you. Don't go anywhere. Let me grab my bag, and we will leave," He said and turned around and went back into the gym.
Kassie looked up to the bright blue sky and just asked, "Why?" She said out loud as she sighed and crossed her arms again.
"Sorry, Roger, I got to go," Mark said as he passed him heading into the gym. He grabbed his bag and pasted Roger once more.
"Good luck," He said as Mark walking right out the gym.
"Okay, you ready?" Mark asked as he walked up to Kassie.
"Sure," She said as she had her arms crossed in front of her. Mark went to put his arm around her, but stopped himself and walked over to his truck and opened the passenger door. Kassie looked up at Mark and then grabbed onto the door and got into the truck just like she has a million times before. He closed
the door and looked at Kassie as he walked around the front of the truck and got in. The drive was quiet as the only thing that was making noise was the radio as Kassie placed her hands on her lap as she looked out the car window. Mark looked over at her a few times as they drove. He finally pulled up to the small place that Mark and Kassie went several times.
Kassie jumped down from the truck, and Mark held the door as she looked at him, and the two of them walked in. Mark held the door open, and Kassie walked in first, and then Mark walked in. The host knew exactly what table he wanted. The two sat down in the back away from everyone. The waitress came over with a smile.
"Hi Guys, how are you doing?"
"Fine," Kassie said as she looked up at her, and Mark did not respond.
"What can I get you to drink?"
"Water with lemon, please," Kassie said.
"Make that two," Mark said, and Kassie looked over at him.
"Sounds good. I will be right back" Kassie waited till she turned around and closed the menu.
"What are you thinking? You want a burger or salad?" Mark asked, and Kassie tilted her head her ponytail dropping to the one side.
"A salad" She paused and took in a slow deep breath.
The waitress came back with the waters and placed them in front of them "Have you decided?"
"Yes, can we each have a Cobb salad with steak on top. Medium rare, please," Mark ordered for the two of them. Kassie just smiled at her and handed her the menu.
"Sure," She said as she took the menus from them, and she disappeared.
"How is your new position?" Mark asked as he reached over the table and settled his hand to hold his glass.
"It's different," She said as she leaned her hand on her chin. "It's not exactly what I thought it would be."
"Well, surprises could be good."
"Yeah, well, it is like some people moral compass is off," She said as she rolled her eyes, and Mark chuckled a bit.
"What does he have you working on?" Mark asked, and Kassie was unsure of how to even say it to Mark.
"Research," She said as she looked up at him as she moved her hands to her lap, placing her napkin.
"Interesting"
"How has work been for you?"
"I have a big presentation coming up for the company. On the wrestling front, this is the first weekend I have been home in a while." He paused, " Kassie, I miss having you around" He paused and looked up at him.
"That is great that your wrestling... what did Eric call it?" Kassie tried to think and got the word out, "Meet and Greet are going really well." He paused, and Mark nodded his head in agreed, "We were just trouble in the making," Kassie said as a bit of a snicker as she played with her straw in her glass.
"We were," Mark said, "It was Eric's idea to call it that. He believes people will want to get to know me out the side of the ring." Mark smiled and impressed that she knew what Eric did, which mean she did see the broadcast the other week. "Do you remember that time at the cousin's wedding when we were dancing in the corner..." Mark started to go down a memory path, and Kassie started to laugh at him as he brought up time after time that the two of them just had fun together.
"Here is your salad, guys. Anything else I can get you?" the waitress asked.
"I think we are good," Mark responded and looked at Kassie.
"Enjoy," She said as she bounced off on her way.
"It is so good to hear you laugh," Mark as he watched Kassie cut apart the salad.
"Why were you out last night?" Kassie asked
"I was heading back from Glen's and just stopped for a beer. I had no idea you were going to be there with the girls."
"Really?" She asked and looked up at him give him a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah, well, if you didn't know, I am not great friends with the girls." He paused and took a bite of his salad " I sort of pissed them off."
"You did?" She chucked a bit and stabbed more of the salad, waiting to hear what he was going to say.
"Yeah," He finished chewing and swallowed what was in his mouth, "Kassie, I am sorry." He said and reached out to hold her hand across from the table. She looked at his hand as she put another fork full into her mouth "I am really sorry."
"You didn't answer my question," She said as she placed her fork down, and Mark turned over his hand at the table and went back to eating his salad.
"Why," She asked as she picked up her glass and took a sip out of it.
"There is no excuse for what I did. I figured that you would not like me for me, and I just did it." He paused, and there was silence at the table. Kassie was still upset at him as the two of them finished their lunch together.
"Let's do this again," Mark said as the two stood at the cash register. Kassie played with her hair.
"Maybe," She said as she looked at him and smile. She still had feelings for him, and it was so hard for her to cut him off when he made her feel like she was in the right place.
"Come on trouble," he said, and she laughed as she bounced out the cafe like she has done a million times before. Mark grabbed the door and followed her as she stood at his truck and waited. The cars waere going by, and she could hear the base coming out of the one car, and she started to dance right next to his truck. Mark started to laugh at her, and she put her one foot on the rail and started to twerk. "Oh, no. Now you just showing off for the teenyboppers," he said to her as he grabbed the handle of the truck. "Get in," He said and laughed, and so did Kassie.
"What you never saw such a flexible girl before." She asked as she climbed into the truck.
"That is a loaded question," He said and laughed even more as he closed the door. Mark tried to drive slowly back to her car. He knew that she could leave him, and they would be back to the opposite sides, and he was not ready to give up the small piece that he still had with her. He pulled up to her car and parked in front of it. He got out and opened the door of the truck, and Kassie grabbed onto the door and got out of the truck. "Thank you," He said, and Kassie looked at him.
"For what? I should say thank you. Thank you for lunch."
"Your welcome." he paused, and Kassie stood next to Mark. Her body close to his, and he reached down and rubbed her cheek. She closed her eyes like she has done a million times. "Let's do lunch again."
"Maybe," She said softly like a breath coming out of her staggered and butterflies in her stomach. "I-I better get going."
"Um, yeah," Mark said softly as he slowly moved his hand to have it hanging from his side. Kassie looked up at Mark and then just closed her eyes and moved out from in front of him and headed to her car. She stood at the driver's side and looked at Mark, who closed the passenger truck door. Kassie pushed her lips together and pulled open the driver's side door and got in. She started the car and watched Mark just stand there and watched her as she pulled out of the space.
Kassie finished up reading the last report. She was ready for anything that was going to be given at Mark's presentation. She went to the bathroom and washed her hands. She stood in front of the mirror to make sure that she looked good to go to the presentation. She wore a black pencil skirt with a white blouse. Her hair was down in curls as she played with them to fix them. She sighed and ran her hands down her blouse one more time. She walked out of the bathroom, and Mr. Smith was standing at her desk.
"Angel, Are you ready?" He asked, and she smiled, "I am so excited to see how this plays out."
"Yes, Sir," Kassie said with a smile as she grabbed her black notebook along with a pen, her bracelet falling on top of her hand. Mr. Smith placed his hand on her lower back as the two of them stood in the elevator.
Glen walked around the back of the large conference room. He looked over at Mark, who was going over the last few changes that he made on the presentation before anyone else came into the room. "You got this, Mark, just take charge of this room," Glen said as the two men looked at each other.
The room started to fill up with employees from a different department. Mark looked around and did not see Mr. Smith yet. The door opened up, and Kassie walked in her head, tilted down as she listed to Mr. Smith chatted to her behind her. Mr. Smith started to shake hands with different department heads and introduction to Kassie. He placed his hand on Kassie's lower back and referred to her as "his brightest star." Mark made his way around the room and got Kassie's attention as she stood next to Mr. Smith. She reached up with her right arm and pushed her hair away from her face and smiled at him. Mark tilted his head and noticed the bracelet. His heart started to race a bit. She was wearing his bracelet, and he knew it. She clasps her hands, which he held around her belly button area and smiled. She leaned in and whispered to Mr. Smith.
"Hello, Mark!" He said and shook his hand hard. "I am excited to hear your presentation.
"Thank you, Sir." He said
"You remember Kassie, correct?" He said with a smile and placed an arm around her back. She put on a smile and held her hand right at the belly button.
"Yes, Sir. How are you?"
"Good-good, yourself?" She said with a bright smile, and Mr. Smith ran his hand against her lower back. Mark could feel his blood boiling.
"She is my bright shining star." Mr. Smith talked about Kassie, and she blushed, "She is such a fast learner."
"Yes, Sir, she is. Shall we get this presentation on the road, after all, I don't want to take up to much of your time." Mark said, and Mr. Smith nodded, and Mark walked to the front of the room and got everyone's attention to sit down. Mr. Smith held a chair for Kassie to sit down near the front of the table. Mr. Smith was sitting right next to her.
Mark started in with his presentation as he did turn page by turn page. Kassie was a bit impressed that he did all the research on his own. Mark started to do his wrap up and was given the point that he wanted everyone to remember. Suppose this presentation went though it was going to need a lot of department help along with changes. Kassie pressed the tip of the pen into her lip as she made notes and then pressed it back into her lip. Mark was looking at her, and each time their eye met, she could tell that it would put a hiccup in his plan.
"So, with that, can I take questions?" Mark asked, and Mr. Smith tapped on the desk, wanting Kassie to start showing him up.
"Back on slide 14, you quoted statistics from 2006. Is there another gathering of data?" Kassie asked, trying to see if Mark would take the bait.
"Um," He went back to that slide "I am not aware of another gathering of data except this point."
"There was another data gathered a year ago, and that data shows that these figures are wrong," Kassie said as she tilted, her head looked at him. "With that data being wrong, or collected incorrectly, how does that affect your bottom line?"
"I would have to do some recalculations, but it should equal out the same." He said, and his eyes looked back at Glen, who was in the back of the room, rubbing his head. The other employees in the room started to chat among themselves. Mr. Smith smiled and looked at Mark and tipped him a bit.
"If you do the recalculations correctly, it would show that this plan that you are currently laying out will not work for this company. We would need to expand with over 1,000 more employees and new departments in which would need to be created, trained, and in place for over a year to see any new money come in." Kassie said, and the table was now more than restless. Mr. Smith could not contain his enjoyment that Kassie was basically handing the presentation back to Mark.
Glen took a deep breath and knew that the presentation was over, and Mark was not going to recover from this. He hung his head, and Mark knew that there was Nothing else that he could say about this presentation to save it.
Mark walked to the side of the table that Kassie and Mr. Smith was sitting at. Mark looked at Kassie right in the eyes. Kassie's heart started to race as their eyes locked, and it was like the whole room didn't matter to her anymore. "I miss you, even when you are in the next room. There is no other person that looks at me the way you do. When we kiss, the room goes hazy and makes me be a better man. You allow me to be myself, and you always stood by my side even in the time that made it awkward for you. You make me feel like I can get through anything, as long as I have you." He stopped and started to tap on the table, which grabbed everyone's attention. " I apologize for all the wrong I have done... All the pain that I have caused. I am scared of walking out of this room and letting you slip between my fingers again. When you love someone, you have to be brave. Brave enough to tell them you love them or be brave enough to watch them love someone else. Kassie, I am not ready to watch you love someone else." He said, his voice cracking as tears welled up in his eyes. Kassie's tears were lose streaming down her cheeks. She wiped a few away with her right hand, her bracelet sparkling in the little light.
Mark leaned over the table, "Please forgive me." Glen broke the silence and started to clap from the back of the room, and everyone in the room started to clap for Mark and Kassie as she sat there just a bit longer as she tried to swallow the lump in her throat. She looked at Mr. Smith, who was not clapping at all. Kassie got up, and Mark took a few steps to reach her and wrapped his arms around her.
Mark rubbed her tear stained cheek with his hand and held her chin as she responded to him "Yes," She whispered, and he kissed her deeply not caring who was around. The room went into even more cheering.