INSTALLMENT  22



Foxy’s Diner:


  Henry Falmont leans forward, resting his chin on his hand, listening to his
girlfriend, Katie, complain. He notices the table start to shake and steadies it with his
other hand.

  “Can you believe my sister said that to me?  I can’t believe she blamed
my relationship with you for losing my scholarship!”  Katie vents
bringing Henry out of his funk.

  “Is she right?  Has our spending time together made you not study?”
Henry asks.

  “That isn’t the point!  Who is she to tell me spending time with my
boyfriend is wrong!”

  “Your sister didn’t say dating me was wrong, she’s just saying you
spend more time with me then studying.  She’s right, I’m hard to resist.”
Henry confidently states.

  “At least I have a very confident boyfriend.” Katie remarks while both
laugh. “I’m sorry to be unloading this on you.  My sister and I haven’t
spoken to each another for a few days now.  We said hurtful things to
each another.”

  “What exactly did you say to her?  How is your brother handling all of
this?”

  “Funny, you should ask.  My brother is hearing about this from both us,
I feel bad for him.”  Katie replies then realizes that he’s waiting for the rest
of the answer. “I told her that I wished Dad never left since we were better
off before he did.  I guess that hurt her feelings.”

  “I don’t know your sister very well but if I heard something like that from
someone, I’d be offended.”  Henry notices Katie looking at her watch.
“Are you waiting for someone?”

  “Yes, I have to be at class in the next ten minutes.  I was supposed to
meet Nina for lunch.  However, she‘s running late so I was wondering…”
Katie starts to say but Henry covers her mouth.

  “No, I don’t think so.  We’ve been dating a few months and I can tell
when you want to ask me a favor.”

  “Come on, I don’t understand how my best friend and my boyfriend
dislike each other so!  You are correct about asking you to hang out with
Nina.  I’m not going to take no for an answer.  Speaking of which, here she
is now.”

  Katie motions for Nina Richardson to come over to their table.  She
realizes she also has to convince them both to eat together.

  “Nina, I’m sorry that I have to do this but I have to be in class in the next
ten minutes.  Be a dear and eat with Henry.”  Katie gets her things together
and races out the door toward class.

  Nina and Henry both stare at each other trying to figure out how to
talk to each other.

  “I guess we are stuck having lunch with each other.  If you want to bail
I’ll understand.”  Henry states.

  Nina sits down across from him, “We might as well have lunch together
or else we’ll never hear the end of it from Katie.  Besides, we need to get
along since you are dating my best friend.”

  “You’re right; we need to do that.  It’s going to be hard being around
each other.”

  “I think we can manage to be civil to each other as long as you’re dating
Katie.”  Nina replies back.

  “I was going to say it’ll be hard being around each other since we’re into
each other. Don’t deny it.”  Henry smiles as Nina looks at him in
semi-shock.



Falmont Enterprises



  “Why are you meeting with Chase Richardson today Father?  I assumed
you would have met with him before hiring him onto the company.  Plus,
why am I here?”  Elizabeth Falmont asks her father as she makes herself
comfortable.

  “I never got a chance to interview with him.  Andrea seems to think that
he would be perfect for our real estate division.  With all the troubles with
the market, I’m surprised that they’re hiring more people for that division.”
George muses to his daughter.

  “I guess Mr. Richardson comes with a lot of experience in the real estate
market.  According to his resume, he was manager at New Beginnings
Mortgage and Lending for a number of years.  Experience is definitely on
his side.  Again, why are you insisting I sit in?”

  “You’re my daughter.  Out of my four children, I have high hopes of
leaving you in charge one day.  Until that day comes, you need to learn
everything in order to succeed in running this company.  By the way,
interesting choice hiring Nico Rawlins, he’s certainly an interesting character.”

  “Somehow I doubt you share the same opinion as I do.”  Elizabeth replies
while George nods.

  “You know more about advertising then I do.  If you believe he’ll be an
asset to your division then so be it.” George replies while hearing the
buzzer on his intercom. “Yes, Louise?  Oh, great send him in.  That my dear
is Mr. Richardson, who is on time.”

  Both Elizabeth and George look over at the office door as it opens to
reveal Chase.  He walks into the office extending hand shakes and greetings
to both of them.

  “Mr Falmont, I just wanted to thank you for giving me this chance to
prove myself at your company.”  Chase states after shaking his hand.

  “I’m glad to have you abroad at Falmont Enterprises.  I admit I never ok
a hire until I personally meet someone but Ms. Mason was very excited
about you.  So tell me a little more about yourself, Mr. Richardson.”

  “I’ll give you the basics.  I have been in the mortgage business for several
years, been married for over twenty five years, and have three beautiful
children that I am proud of.  As my resume states, I was responsible for
New Beginnings having three consecutive years of increases in productivity
even in the last months of 2007.”  Chase replies while both George and
Elizabeth look over his resume.

  “Mr. Richardson I am impressed with your experience in real estate.  Your
resume speaks for itself when it comes to that.  Just wondering where you
see yourself in regards to a future with our company.”  Elizabeth asks.

  “I hope to have a long productive future at the company.  I’ve seen some
of the numbers in the real estate division and they’re dismal compared to
the national numbers.”

  “I thank you for stopping by Mr. Richardson.  Just wanted to meet you
and introduce myself to you.”  George states shaking Chase’s hand again.

  “It is a small world Mr. Falmont how both my wife and your wife were
college friends a long time ago.  I believe I read in your bio that you went
to UCLA as well, perhaps you knew my wife.”  Chase suggests while
George says goodbye to Elizabeth who makes her way out of the office
back to work.

  “Perhaps, my wife had many friends at school.  What’s your wife’s name?”
George asks as he makes his way back to his desk.

  “Lillian Maxwell before I met her.”  Chase replies.  George freezes at the
mention of the name.

  “Lillian Maxwell… I don’t know if that name rings a bell.  Perhaps they
were friends before I came into the picture.  Anyway, you’ll going to have
a load of things to do so I suggest you get started.  From what I have been
told, the real estate division has its work cut out for it.”  George says.  Chase
nods and makes his way out the door.

  George sits down at his office thinking about Lillian and pulls out a picture
of her from his desk.  He is still reeling from hearing her name.  He wonders
to himself if his wife was aware that Chase was now working there.


Oleary’s



  Melinda Mitchell wipes off a glass at the bar when she notices a very
striking guy walking toward her.  She couldn’t believe that she’s checking
him out but can’t help how attractive he looks.  As the man sits down at
the bar, she quickly approaches him before her co-worker is aware of his
presence.

  “What can I get for you?”  Melinda asks wanting to include the word stud
but restrains herself.

  “I’d love a Jack Daniels on the rocks.”  The man answers confidently
while Melinda fetches his drink.  As she is bending down to get the bottle,
he checks her out.

  “Anything else for you?”

  “Yes, I’d wonder if perhaps you’d have dinner with me.”  The gentleman
asks.  Melinda is taken aback by the request.

  “Let me think about that for a second.  You seem like a very attractive
guy but I don’t know you at all.  So the answer is no.”

  “Let me introduce myself, the name is Nico Rawlins and you are?”  Nico
extends his hand out for her to shake.  She smiles at the aggressive way
he’s flirting with her.  She figures he usually gets what he wants.  As she
stares at his piercing blue eyes like oceans ready to be swarm in, she tells
herself to stand strong.

  “Nice to meet you Nico, I’m semi-pleased to meet you.  I’ve seen guys
around here just like you and I’m not biting today.”  Melinda realizes his
attractive outer layer is all he’s offering.

  “I’m crushed at your rejection.  You can’t blame a guy for trying.  So
what’s a beautiful girl like you working in a place like this?”

  “I’m just working here until the man of my dreams comes in to sweep
me off my feet.”  Melinda replies while Nico can tell she’s being sarcastic.
“I’m working here because I have bills to pay, why else would I work here?”

  “I was just making conversation.  I was thinking you had some potential
as a model.”  Nico volunteers while she stares at him.

  “How many women have you told that too?  Granted, it’s flattering but
I’m not interested.  Now can I get you another drink?”  Melinda asks while
Nico shakes his head.  “Now I have to get back to work right now.  This
was certainly an interesting conversation.”

  Melinda returns to work while Nico finishes his drink.  He looks and
decides to head back to the studio to develop some photos he just took.
As he makes his way toward the entrance, he runs literally into Gillian
Richardson as she’s coming into O’leary’s.

  “I’m sorry I guess I wasn’t watching where I was going.”  Gillian explains
as she steady’s herself.

  “No harm done.  What brings a beautiful woman to a place like this?”
Nico asks while she stares at him.  “Perhaps you’d like to have a drink with
me?”

  “I’m waiting for my boss to come from work, she’s running late.  Perhaps,
you can keep me company, would that work for you?”  Gillian asks Nico,
who is glad to see she is receptive and nods.

  As Gillian and Nico make their way into the bar area, Melinda stares at
them shaking her head.



Foxy’s Diner



  “What are you talking about Henry?  Where do you get this idea that
we’re into each other?”  Nina defensively asks Henry who just smirks.

  “Come on, I can’t believe you are actually going to deny it.  I can see you
totally want me, don’t try to deny it.”

  “I’ll admit that you’re easy on the eyes but that’s it.  May I remind you
that you’re dating my best friend?”

  “Yes, I am aware that I’m dating your best friend.  You always point that
out to me.  Perhaps, you are telling yourself so you can deny having
feelings for me.  Whatever gets you through the day.”

  “I can’t believe Katie thinks you are a great guy.  The fact that you are
even having this conversation with me validates my opinion of you.” Nina
exclaims admitting deep inside that he is right to a small extent.

  “I’ve always believed that there is a thin line between love and hate.
You’re such a classic example of that.  Don’t worry this will be our little
secret.”  Henry states while looking at the menu.  “What are you in the
mood for?”

  “Forget it; I’ve lost my appetite.  I think I’ll take your earlier suggestion
and take off.  Nice talking with you.”  Nina slowly slides out from the booth.

  “The pleasure was all mine.  I’ll talk to you later.”  Henry says as he looks
back down at his menu smiling to himself.  He admits liking to toy with her
emotions especially since he knew of her crush on him.  However, he
notices Nina walking away and can’t get over how attractive she looks.

  At the same time, Nina walks outside and greeted by the warmth of April.
As she walks down the street, she realizes that as much as Henry annoys
her, she knows he’s right about her feelings.



Oleary’s



  “So tell me about yourself?  I don’t believe I’ve seen you around Oleary’s
before, are you new to the area?”  Gillian asks as she makes herself
comfortable across from Nico.

  “I’m actually from New York City, but was lured here to do some work.
I’m quite surprised at the atmosphere in this town.”  Nico eyes Melinda
when saying that.

  “I’m sure you will warm up to the town soon enough though I admit it
doesn’t compare to Chicago.  So what kind of work are you in?”

  “I’m an aspiring photographer that was enticed to Hope Falls to do
some work that will hopefully put me on the map as a first rate fashion photographer.
Granted, Hope Falls isn’t on the top of my list of places to go
but it’s a start.  So what line of work are you in?”

  “I am a real estate agent, but on the weekends, I work at Macy’s in the
cosmetics department.”  Gillian answers.  “What made you ask me to join
you?”

  “A change of subject, I can respect that.  I felt bad for running into you
but I also thought you were attractive.  Why do you ask?”

  “Just some soul-searching.”  Gillian replies.

  “You can’t be more then twenty one or twenty two years old.  What
could you be soul-searching about?”  Nico asks.

  “I’m at a crossroads right now in regards to where I want to go with my
life.  I know I’m only twenty three years old, but all of my college friends
seem to be in careers that they find fulfilling.  The only reason I got into
real estate was because of the potential for making money.  With the
recent hits to the housing market, I’m lucky to make my car payment
every month.”

  “Wow, you certainly are at a crossroads.  All you have to do is decide
what you want and go get it.  I do that everyday of my life and I have no
regrets.”  Nico stares at Gillian indicating he wants her.

  “Don’t take this the wrong way but I have a boyfriend.  Granted, things
are rough with him right now but I do love him.  I am flattered you invited
me talk to you.  I actually see my boss at the door.  It was nice talking to
you.”  Gillian states in a rush as she goes to meet her boss, Bianca.

  Nico sits back in his chair finding it hard to believe that he’s been shot
down by not one but two women in the span of a half hour.  He decides not to press
his luck and head for home before he strikes out a third time.  He waves at both
Gillian and Melinda before leaving.