by Lucy Robin
I moved to NorCal, where my mom lived with her boyfriend. It took me a year to struggle out of my depression. I didn’t go back to the real estate business. Instead, I started grad school at San Jose State. While working on my MBA, I met Carlos, my ex-husband. We started a small business delivering homemade meals because cooking was Carlos’ passion. Despite our hard work, the business never took off. Carlos went back to New York to work at his family’s restaurant, and we started a long-distance relationship, and eventually, it failed.
Despite my morning self-affirmation ritual, I can’t help but regard myself as a loser. And I blame myself for my failed marriage and Carlos’s failed business. Perhaps I could’ve tried harder. But I confessed I didn’t really have a passion for food business. But as much as I hated myself, I hated Keith more. The bastard seduced me and ruined my life.
Chapter 4
Keith
Holy fuck. I can’t believe what just happened. One minute I thought I found the most beautiful woman on earth, and the next minute she turned out to be the person I hated the most. Elena Conte. The first woman I kissed and fucked. I thought I would never see her again, and yet here she is, and she works for me.
I’m driving down Cypress Dr., heading toward my house, although I’m supposed to wait for Tiffany. But I’m definitely not in the mood for a movie. I inhale deeply as I walk, hoping to loosen up the tight lump in my chest.
Elena and women like her were the reason for Dad being a dick and Mom being depressed. I know she lost her job because of me, but I have no regrets. But she keeps showing up in my dreams, and every time I fuck a woman, I remember how good she felt.
She looks a bit different from twelve years ago. Curvier, like Tiffany said, and sexier. I never cared for women with glasses, but the ruby-frame looked glamorous on her.
I was drawn to her the moment I spotted her silhouette outside the Tudor house, speaking to her friend. The moment she turned to look at me, I felt a zing through my body. I thought she looked like someone I knew but couldn’t be sure. So it was her, Elena—I’ve never bothered to find out her last name, but I’ve never forgotten her first name either. Neither have I forgotten that extraordinary night.
It was the first time I attended Dad’s business parties, and I couldn’t avoid it because he hosted it in our house. I had graduated from college and was staying home, and Mom wanted me to be there, to get used to the social life that awaited me. I had no plans to work for Dad, but I obeyed Mom, just to make her happy.
I was bored in the beginning. I just sat there and watched Mom and Dad talking to Dad’s partners and associates. The presence of Tiffany helped a bit, but not much. She was two years older than I, and we knew each other for many years, ever since her dad and my dad became friends and business partners, but she always treated me like I was a geek, even though I was, sort of.
The party was Tiffany’s first, too. She had started her internship at Dad’s company just a few months ago, and she seemed to be enthusiastic about it. She obviously treated the party seriously. She was wearing a floor-length white dress that exposed her shoulders but covered the rest of her body. I made fun of her, asking where her groom was because she looked like a bride. She ignored my joke, saying it wasn’t funny. And then she chatted with me perfunctorily for a minute before moving on to socialize with Dad’s employees.
I was thinking of returning to my bedroom upstairs when a tall and slender woman in a stunning pink dress came in, drawing all the eyes in the room. It was a silk dress with an asymmetric hem, and the neckline was half draped, and half strapped, showing her creamy shoulder and a bit of her cleavage. The draped satin at the waist and the hip accentuated her curves and her flawless, long legs.
My eyes followed her immediately, waiting for her to come close so I could get a better view of her face, even though I could tell she was beautiful from a distance. She had curly, strawberry blond hair and hazel brown eyes. Her lips were full and enticing, like those of Angelina Jolie, and I couldn’t help imagining how good they felt. What attracted me the most, though, was her smile. It was confident and genuine, unlike most of the fake smiles I’d seen that evening.
When I found out she was Dad’s top producer of the year, my admiration for her soared. I wanted to speak to her, but I couldn’t gather the courage at all. I just sat there like an idiot and kept watching her. Every time a man spoke to her, I became restless, but I couldn’t just get up to talk to her. When Dad handed her the award trophy and kissed her, I was so jealous I wanted to punch him in the face. At the same time, I got an uneasy feeling that Dad had already put his paws on her, and maybe that was how she climbed to the top.
My suspicion grew when I saw Dad glance around him and then disappear into the hallway later during the night, and soon after, I saw her follow his way. I got up from my seat and looked for them. I headed toward the library by instinct because it was Dad’s preferred resting spot. My instinct was right. Before even entering the room, I heard moans. I opened the door carefully, not wanting to startle anyone before I was certain of what was happening. From the crack of the door, I saw Dad on top of someone—a woman because of her slender legs, and because of her pink high-heels.
I was so mad I wanted to rush inside and kill my dad, but I didn’t because I couldn’t face the truth—the beautiful, elegant, successful woman that had just stolen my heart was a harlot who slept with her boss.
I ran up to my room and threw everything I could find onto the floor to vent my rage.
It wasn’t the first time I saw my dad with other women—I caught him one time back in junior high. Mom knew about his affairs, too, but she couldn’t do anything other than shedding tears. She was dependent on him financially, but I wasn’t. Gambling was my desperate attempt to cut ties with my dad and become independent early. I was able to pay my college tuition with my earnings, and I had some savings. I could move out of my dad’s house and live on my own, but Mom wouldn’t move out with me, which was why I was still there, putting up with my dad’s sordid behavior.
After making a mess in my room, I was still in a bad mood. I went out to the balcony, and contemplate jumping from the second floor. I didn’t because the chance of me dying was too low, and I didn’t want to end up a cripple. I was about to return to my room when I caught a glimpse of the pink dress, right below my balcony. The woman my dad had just fucked was standing alone against the pergola post in the garden, drinking from her wine glass. My heart raced, and my mouth felt dry. Excitement, malice, and lust raged through me as I thought about what I would like to do to her. I want to punish her for fucking my dad and breaking my heart, and I want to fuck her. I pulled out my desk drawer where I stored a pack of condom that I had gotten from the University Health Center a year ago but never had the chance to use. And then, without hesitation, I raced downstairs.
At first, I wanted to call her a bitch, to insult her, and to tell her to stay away from my dad. But my anger evaporated when I stood close to her. I forgave her just like that. She was so beautiful. Even now, so many years later, I could still see her profile in moonlight. Even though I kept reminding myself what she had done earlier, she felt nothing other than a goddess to me. How was it possible? How could she look as if she had done nothing wrong? When she turned to look at me, I thought I would do anything just to kiss her.
Our conversation went smoothly. We talked about school and work. She looked amused when I told her about my gambling success, but she wasn’t impressed. I was a bit disappointed because many girls regarded me as a genius. Perhaps she didn’t care for gambling or geeks. I wanted to do anything I could to impress her. I wanted to prove to her that I was better than my dad. I could give her what she wanted. I could make her come without even touching her pussy. I had read about it online, and I knew it was possible.
Orgasmic kiss? I wouldn’t’ve dreamed about making such a proposal, but I did it out of desperation. She looked embarrassed at first, but I knew it was a pretense. Come on. She’d just fucked my da
d. Did she come? Maybe she wasn’t interested in it for the night? I didn’t know when I would see her again, and I didn’t want to wait. I was too jealous to wait. I wanted her to be mine. So I pressed on.
What happened next was pure ecstasy. I got more than just a taste of her. I took my opportunity seriously. It was my first kiss ever. I was trembling at first, but I reminded myself not to fuck it up. It was far more important than anything I had done in my life. I was only boasting, and I had no idea how I would do it, so it was really a miracle that it worked. Well, maybe it wasn’t a miracle, because her lips were delicious. They were full and soft, and I couldn’t stop sucking them. Soon she started to tremble. After that, I got carried away.
Shit. I was such a fucking idiot. Looking back, I hate what I did that night. I hate the fact that I used my first kiss to avenge my dad and to hurt someone I had a crush on. I hate it that she lost her job, although I still haven’t forgiven her for what she did. But I derived satisfaction later on, knowing Dad had to fire his top producer. As far as I know, with Elena gone, his sales were never the same again. I felt a bit guilty, too, because the incident worsened the relationship between my parents, and caused my mom more suffering. Mom got cancer soon after that, and I can’t help but think I’m responsible for it. For that, I hate Elena more.
Chapter 5
Elena
My stomach churns when I see the sign of Prestige, even though I’ve been chanting “I can do it” on my way to work. I didn’t get much sleep last night. All I could think about was Keith and what I was going to do. I’ve come to the conclusion that I have to quit and work for another company because I can’t imagine facing the jerk that would remind me of my shameful history. Still, I’m not sure because I barely started this new chapter in my life, and I’m doing well. This morning I had to summon all the courage I had to push myself out of the house. I contemplated feigning sick and skipping work, but my sense of duty got the better of me.
I’m fifteen minutes early. The director’s preserved parking is unoccupied, so I guess Keith isn’t here yet. I walk into the office with a bit of ease. Diana, my boss and the office manager, is already there, bent over her computer and sipping her coffee. She’s in her mid-fifties, but she doesn’t look her age at all because of her exuberant energy. Diana was one of the two senior officers who interviewed me for the job. Mark, the CEO of the company, was reluctant to hire me because of the twelve-year hiatus in my career, but Diana was impressed by my previous experience and wanted to give me a try. For that, I’m grateful. For the past year, I’ve proved to her she made the right choice recruiting me, but now I feel like I’ve already failed her. I don’t know how I’m going to tell her that I want to quit.
“Good morning, Elena.” She looks up from her computer screen and smiles at me. “How did the open house go? Anything exciting?”
Oh, you have no idea. “Well, it was… uh, fantastic,” I say, repressing the urge of telling her about Audrey’s naughty child, which would inevitably bring up Keith. I don’t want to discuss him with anyone yet.
“So, are you ready for the meeting?” Diana asked me.
Meeting means seeing Keith. No. Not at all. “I guess.”
“What do you mean, you guess?” She looks worried. “You’re going to give a short presentation on generating leads.”
Shit. My mind was so occupied by the Keith fiasco that I forgot about it. How could I? I think quickly about what to do. I have some ideas about what to say already; all I need is to type up some notes. I still have time. That’s why it’s good to arrive at work early. “Yeah, I only need a moment to refresh my ideas,” I say to Diana and turn on my computer.
Fifteen minutes later, I find myself in the conference room among other associates. I choose a seat where I don’t have to face Keith, and I stare straight ahead. Even so, I could see how good he looks from the corner of my eye. He is wearing a light blue suit that matches the color of his eyes, over a button-down white checkered shirt. The meeting hasn’t started, and he’s speaking with Diana. His low murmuring voice is so irresistible that I can’t help eavesdropping. Diana’s asking whether he intends to come to his office in Prestige every day, and he says yes because it’s closer to where he lives. His other office is in Altadena. Damn. I’ll be seeing him a lot, then. Wait. I’m going to quit, right?
After Mark, the previous owner of Prestige, introduces Keith, he clears his throat and begins to speak. As I glance at him, like everyone else in the room, my heartbeat immediately accelerates. I hate to admit, but the man is gorgeous. He’s so confident, too, as if he owned Prestige all his life, and as if he weren’t meeting us the first time. He looks way more mature than his twenty-nine years. His eyes twinkle as he speaks, and I recall instantly every intimate detail between us, and my insides quiver. I shift in my seat and look away.
“As the owner and director of Kelly Group, I’m proud of acquiring Prestige Properties and gaining an impressive group of associates. Prestige has an excellent reputation in the Los Angeles area, and its sales figure last year is way beyond the expectation for a company of its size. I know it’s because of your hard work. I appreciate every one of you and look forward to working with you.
“I founded Kelly Group five years ago, single-handedly, and today I have more than thirty agents. Kelly Group consists of a real estate brokerage firm and its affiliated mortgage, insurance, and property management business. Together, we can achieve our goals and serve the community better in today’s competitive real estate market.
“My long term goal is to continue to expand our service and become the largest real estate group of the San Gabriel Valley, while my short term goal is to break our last year’s record. Last year, Prestige made $100 million in sales, and this year I’ll set our goal to double that. I would like everyone to set their own goals as well, including the long-term and the short-term. During the next meeting, I would like you to share your goals with us.”
Blah. Blah. Blah. I listen with a smile plastered on my face, like everyone else in the room, although what I really want to do is to roll my eyes. What the hell do you know about hard work? You’re just a lucky bastard born with a silver spoon in your mouth. I suppose he skips some vital part of his success story, such as branching out from his daddy’s company or borrowing money from his mom. Just why is he calling himself Keith Kelly instead of Keith Brook? I have no idea.
I stare at the wall most of the time, but once in a while, I can’t help glancing at him.
What happens next is a self-introduction from each employee. Everyone takes the chance to brag a little about their achievements while maintaining modesty.
“I’m Elena Conte. I joined Prestige last year.” I keep mine short when it’s my turn, glancing at him with a fake smile.
“Nice to meet you, Elena,” he says. “Which companies did you work for prior to this?”
What? How dare he ask me this question? I glare at him, doing my best not to look resentful.
He looks almost innocent, but I detect a trace of a smirk around the corner of his mouth.
“I worked for Brook’s Real Estate for five years,” I say calmly. “But it was a long time ago.”
He waited for me to say more, but I refused to offer more information.
“Very well.” He moves on.
Diana talks about last week’s business activities, such as the sales we made, pending contracts, upcoming listings, and closings, etc. And then, she turns the spotlight on me. “Next, Elena Conte is going to share with us some innovative ways of generating leads.”
I’m normally good at giving presentations, especially one that doesn’t require any PowerPoint or overhead projector. I remain in my seat and talk as I do at a club meeting. But today, I can hear my frantic heart pounding in my ears. Keith’s blue eyes bore into me like two intense laser beams, even though I’m not looking at him.
I take a deep breath before I speak, looking over the room as if I’m calm and confident. “First of all, I wouldn’t
call my ways innovative because I simply adopt other people’s techniques and tweak them to work for me. For example, instead of handing out business cards and flyers door-to-door or making cold calls, I attend yard sales and socialize with people. I give real estate seminars at community centers. I also participate in community meetings and gatherings, sometimes even my grandma’s mahjong club, to simply meet people. They might not be potential clients at the time, but who knows? They might contact me months later, and they might recommend me to their family and friends. “
While some agents nod their approval, others disagree with me. “Isn’t it time-consuming?”
“Yes,” I say. “But that’s part of the work. You earn clients’ trust by socializing with them or providing them services before soliciting business.”
In the middle of the discussion, I hear the voice I dread. “What’s wrong with setting up a website to advertise yourself, or promoting by email?”
I look at my new boss calmly, repressing my annoyance. “Nothing’s wrong with it. I think technology can be a great component in generating leads, but I also think it’s been overrated. Frankly, I prefer the old fashion face-to-face way. Speaking to potential buyers directly is more effective than sending someone an email. I have a feeling promotion emails often land in spam boxes.”
A few people chuckle, but no one expresses agreement. Keith continues with a tight smile. “I know agents are independent contractors, and as the director of the company, my job is to provide the office space and training only. It’s not my place to set too many expectations. However, I think some requirements and guidelines are helpful to agents’ success. I want everyone to set up a personal webpage using our company’s domain, a blog page at a website of your choices such as Wix or WordPress, and a Facebook page. Try it for three months, and if it doesn’t help you generate leads, then you can decide whether you want to continue with it or not.”