Envy

by Summer Wynter

  It was near the end of the third wave that Connor walked in. She saw him immediately when he walked in the door and got behind three others who were still struggling to even open their eyes. She was excited to see him again and then wondered why.

  ‘He’s old enough to be your father!’ she said to herself. “He knew your parents before they were your parents!’ But still she felt the tell-tale butterflies in her stomach. She always felt that way when a crush was starting.

  “Good morning Rebecca,” he said when he reached the counter. Unlike his fellow co-workers, Connor did not look like he was on the end of a week-long bender. In fact, he looked quite good. His green eyes were clear, his black hair perfectly combed, and immaculately dressed in a brown suit with a green tie that matched his eyes. Whatever reason he had for coming in late, it was not because of alcohol.

  “Good morning Connor,” she replied. “What can I get for you today?”

  “A black coffee and an apple danish would be splendid. How was your evening?”

  “Good,” she replied while ringing up his order. “Just hung out with a few friends. That will be $2.89 please.”

  He counted out the exact change then dropped a couple bills in the tip jar. “Are you going to tell me that business idea now?” he asked with a mischievous look.

  She shook her head and grimaced. “I wish my father hadn’t said anything to you about that. He was right. It was silly.”

  “Your father isn’t always right you know.”

  “In his mind he is.” His expression softened when she spoke. He had touched a nerve and she was incapable of hiding that from him.

  “I apologize,” he said with a nod. He took the bag and cup she was holding out and said, “Thank you very much. I hope you have a good day.”

  “You too,” she replied with a nod. He quickly made his exit and she served the last two people in line.

  Connor sat in his office looking out over the city. The new company they had bought was doing well. He had already put together predictions for the next year. But his head was elsewhere.

  When he had been in the coffee shop earlier, he had seen men hit on Rebecca. Why wouldn’t they? She was beautiful. She was sweet. She was young. But when one man tried to take her hand, Connor nearly jumped the line to beat the man senseless. Rebecca smiled though and politely took a step backwards. If he came behind the counter, he would be kicked out. The man seemed to sense this from Carol who was now glaring at him over Rebecca’s shoulder. Outnumbered, the man retreated with his coffee.

  Connor had been surprised by his own reactions when next to Rebecca. In the middle of sex last night, he had started thinking about her and had gotten unbelievably aroused. He still said the right name and made sure his friend had a good time, but now he was starting to wonder about his feelings for Rebecca. Also, did she share those feelings? Or was the age gap just too wide? He could understand that if she turned him down, but he was going to have to try.

  There was something about her that he just couldn’t shake.

  ****

  Once again they were reaching the end of the day in the coffee shop and Rebecca was bored. The shop was quiet except for few people coming in and out getting coffee to keep them warm on the way home. Many of the women were coming down in elegant dresses and fur coats to have a coffee before going on out on the town. Rebecca made an effort not to glare as they chatted about their upcoming evenings.

  “Did he make the reservations for that new Italian place that opened last week?” said a raven haired beauty in an elegant red evening gown.

  “We have a table for four at 8,” said an equally gorgeous blond who was in a blue cocktail dress. “That gives us enough time to drink these, get a cab, and do a little window shopping nearby.”

  “We need to do that. I’m embarrassed walking out in this. It’s last season.”

  “Don’t worry, the boys won’t notice.”

  They collected their coffees and strolled out the door in their high heels. Rebecca would have given anything to be wearing last season’s evening gown to go out to a place like they were going. All week she had been waiting on the rich who worked for her father. They complained about ritzy restaurants, million dollar deals, and how much the newest fashions cost. She wished she had those kind of problems. As is, she worried about steam burns, making rent, and if she had enough to buy a new pair of jeans. Her father was rich, but she was trying to make it on her own.

  “Hello my dear,” said the familiar voice of her father as he walked in. Close behind him was Connor. They were both in tuxes.

  “Hello Daddy, hello again Connor,” she said with a smile, nodding at each of them.

  “How has your first week of work been?”

  “It’s been an educational experience,” she replied. “Would either of you like anything?”

  “Oh, no, we’re going to a benefit tonight. Connor is driving. You know how I don’t see well at night.”

  “Yes, I know. Thank you for driving, Connor,” she said turning her attention to him. There was something sweet in his smile, but it was his eyes that looked like he could ravage her in an instance. While she had seen that look before in people, with Connor it fueled her desire for him.

  “It’s not a problem,” he said with a smile.

  “Do you need any money, dear?” Said Mathis.

  “I’m fine, Dad. Have fun at your party tonight.”

  “Do you have any plans for tonight?” Connor asked Rebecca.

  “Why do you want to know?” said Mathis looking at him.

  “Just making conversation, Mathis,” said Connor soothingly. “I haven’t seen your daughter in a long time. I’m trying to get to know who she is now.”

  “Probably going to have a quiet night in tonight,” said Rebecca. “Nothing nearly as fancy as where you’re going.”

  “Quiet nights in can be nice though,” said Connor.

  “We should be going,” said Mathis taking Connor by the arm. “I hope you have a good evening, dear. Will I see you on Sunday for dinner?”

  “I’ll be there,” she said with a nod. “Have a good evening, Connor!”

  “You too!” Then Mathis pushed the both of them out the door. Rebecca wondered a little at her father’s behavior, but then the butterflies in her stomach told her a different story.

  When Connor and Mathis got out to the car, Mathis grabbed Connor by the arm hard.

  “I don’t like you flirting with my daughter, Connor,” said Mathis harshly.

  “I was just being friendly, Mathis,” said Connor trying to believe that he was just being friendly.

  “Make sure that’s all it is,” said Mathis. He walked around and got into the passenger seat. Connor took in a deep breath to calm himself and then got behind the wheel.

  Chapter 3

  Two months later…

  Rebecca was at her father’s house getting ready for the party that night. It was time for the annual Valentine’s benefit and he had asked her to appear as his “plus one.” She hadn’t been to a company event since she was a kid. Now she was sitting at her mother’s vanity in her mother’s bathroom fixing her makeup. She had vivid memories of watching her mother do this before events. Now here she was doing the same thing. There was a quiet knock on the door, luring her out of her pleasant daydream.

  “Come in,” she called out. The maid, Caroline, walked in and smiled at Rebecca. Caroline had been working for her family since Rebecca was a child. When her mother had died, Caroline became her surrogate mother.

  “I came to help you get ready,” said Caroline.

  Rebecca looked in the mirror and primped at the curls at the ends of her hair. She was going for a Veronica Lake look. She stood up in her slip and thigh highs while Caroline took the black evening gown off the hanger on the closet door. She held it open for Rebecca as she stepped into the dress so they wouldn’t mess up her hair. Once the straps were on her shoulders, Caroline zipped up the back. Then turned her to the full-length mirror o
n the closet door. She plucked at the dress a little and put on her black high heels.

  “What do you think?” she said looking to Caroline for reassurance.

  “You look beautiful, dear,” said Caroline gently touching her hair. “You look just like your mother.”

  Rebecca smiled. “Thank you,” she said giving Caroline a hug. “Is dad ready?”

  “He’s still fussing over his tux. Swears that the dry cleaner keeps shrinking it.”

  Rebecca chuckled with her conspiratorially. “Sooner or later that man has go to accept that it’s not the dry cleaner.”

  “Knowing him that’s going to be much MUCH later.”

  Again they laughed like the old friends they were, and then made their way downstairs to wait for Mathis. She settled down in the den next to the fireplace. An old movie was playing on the TV, but she was barely paying attention to it. She was staring into the fire.

  She and Connor had been circling each other for the past two months. Every time he came into the coffee shop, even if he was only there for a minute, they would flirt with each other. Everyone saw it. They tried to cool it if her father was with him. She knew that her father didn’t approve. But he was handsome. He was mature. And he was far kinder than any other man she had met.

  “Infatuated with him, aren’t you?” said Mathis as he walked in.

  “What?” she said wondering if he could read her thoughts.

  “Cary Grant,” he said nodding at the movie that was playing. “You were watching that so intently that you didn’t hear me come in.”

  She let out a sigh. “Sorry dad, just have a lot on my mind.”

  “What could you possibly have on your mind tonight?”

  “I’ve been looking into a few schools.”

  “Ah! Finally going into law like I suggested?”

  “No… I was looking into counseling actually. With my business degree I would know how to keep a practice running, and-”

  “Darling, when are you going to listen to me? There is no money in helping people.”

  “Being a lawyer is helping people.”

  “Helping people who can pay you to help them. Especially if you go into business law.”

  “Counselors get paid as well you know.”

  “But not nearly as much and-”

  “Dad! Enough. It’s going to be a long evening and I’m really not in the mood to continue having this conversation.” She looked at her wrist watch. “Besides, we need to get going or we’re going to be late.”

  Mathis took in a deep breath and nodded. “Alright, but we will continue this discussion at another time.”

  “Fine.”

  “Are you going to come back here tonight?”

  “I have work tomorrow. I’m going to take a cab back to my place after this evening is over.”

  “Then when will we continue this discussion?”

  “Sunday. I’ll be here for dinner.”

  Mathis nodded again. “Alright. Let’s get going.” He turned and walked to the door with Rebecca following close behind him. At the door, Caroline was there to help Rebecca into her mother’s fur coat that she was borrowing.

  “Have a lovely evening!” said Caroline as she opened the door.

  “I’ll be back late,” said Mathis. “And Rebecca won’t be back at all. She’s staying at her own apartment tonight after the event.”

  “Should I wait up?”

  “No, don’t worry about that. Just leave a couple lights on for me and I should be fine. Have a good evening.”

  They walked out the door and got into the limo that was taking them to the event.

  Connor walked into the party that was being held at a hotel downtown. The place was extravagantly decorated. Red and pink silk bunting was draped everywhere. Multiple bunches of balloons were tied to various tables. Everyone was dressed up in the most expensive outfit they had. Many were already sipping on drinks and schmoozing with the other guests. The Valentine’s Day dinner benefit was a yearly event that was attended by most of the company and many of the important business men and women in the city. Connor was already bored. He took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and dived into the crowd.

  “Connor!” shouted Jared, the head of sales at Mathis Industries. Jared was a tan California man who stood out in comparison to the other New Yorkers around them. Connor liked him though. He had a brain and he was good to talk to.

  “How is the evening going?” said Connor gulping his champagne.

  “Ah, bored already?” said Jared smirking.

  “You know how much I hate things like this.”

  “Ah yes, but we must pay homage to the man this evening. Otherwise we will find ourselves out of a job come tomorrow.”

  “I considered faking a serious illness.”

  “And?” said Jared with a raised eyebrow.

  “I realized that Mathis would want to come visit me.”

  “Such a tragedy having known the boss man so long that he would care about your well-being.”

  They both let out a hearty laugh.

  “Speaking of, is the boss man here yet?” said Connor scanning the crowd.

  Just at that moment, Mathis appeared at one of the doors to the ballroom with Rebecca on his arm. Just like she had the first time, when Connor laid eyes on her he felt as if time stood still, as if he had stopped breathing. She was gorgeous. Her black dress fit her body perfectly. She wore a silver necklace with a locket on it and a silver ring on her right hand. In comparison to the other women in the room, she was wearing very little to adorn her. But to him she was the most gorgeous woman in the room.

  “Just arrived,” said Jared looking in the same direction as Connor. “I have to admit, if she weren’t the boss’s daughter, I would make a pass at her so fast…”

  “Hey,” said Connor. “Show a little respect.”

  “Sorry buddy,” said Jared putting up his hands in surrender. “Just making an observation.”

  “Well try not to.”

  “Alright, sorry I said anything. What’s your deal?”

  Connor nearly growled. “My deal is that she should be treated with respect no matter who she is.”

  Jared nodded. “I concede. You are correct. Let me get you another drink to apologize.” Then he slipped away to find the bar.

  Connor took in a calming breath and looked across the room at Mathis and Rebecca. Mathis was greeting a few people and showing off Rebecca. She was smiling but there was something wrong. Her smile was tight and there was a look of discontent that fell across her face. He slowly strolled over to them trying to politely insert himself into the conversation.

  “Ah! Mr. and Mrs. Roberts!” said Mathis turning to a couple that Connor was standing close behind. “I’d like to introduce you to my daughter, Rebecca.”

  “You look lovely my dear!” said Mrs. Roberts.

  “You certainly have grown up!” said Mr. Roberts. “Are you in college now or have you finished?”

  “I finished my associate’s degree in business,” she said confidently. “At the moment I’m trying to decide my next step.”

  “Bill, help me here,” said Mathis gesturing to Mr. Roberts. “I keep trying to tell her that she should get into pre-law. With her associate’s degree she could finish up a bachelor’s and get into business law; be set for life!”

  “Dad, I thought I said I didn’t want to have this conversation anymore tonight,” said Rebecca tightly.

  “I thought that maybe talking to a few who are in the business would change your mind.”

  “Business law is a very lucrative profession,” said Mr. Roberts. “But what do you have in mind?”

  “I was-” she started to say before she was suddenly cut off by her father.

  “She has this fool notion about spending her life helping people who cannot possibly pay her enough in order to earn a living.”

  Connor saw the look on her face. She was upset and embarrassed.

  “Doing what specifically?” s
aid Mrs. Roberts firmly. “I have known many people who have spent their lives helping people. It is a very noble pursuit.”

  “But not a profitable one,” said Mathis with a haughty sniff.

  “I’m sorry, I’m really thirsty, which way is the bar?” said Rebecca obviously wanting to get away from this conversation.

  Connor decided to make his entrance. “Let me lead you,” he said holding out his hand to Rebecca. Rebecca looked relieved and Mathis looked irritated. Rebecca quickly took his hand and let go of her father’s arm. Connor tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and they made their way across the room to the bar that he had spotted earlier.

  “Thanks for rescuing me,” she said once they had reached the bar.

  “Well, like I said before, your father isn’t always right,” he said trying to catch the eye of the bartender.

  “And like I said, in his mind he is,” she replied. She let out a sigh. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be snapping at my savior.”

  “Don’t worry, no offense taken.”

  “What will you have tonight?” said the blond woman behind the bar as she put down two cocktail napkins.

  “I would like your finest scotch on the rocks,” said Connor.

  “I’ll have a martini,” said Rebecca. “Two olives.”

  “Do you mind if I see your ID?” asked the bartender.

  “Not at all,” Rebecca replied pulling out her driver’s license from her purse. The bartender glanced at the birthdate then handed it back to her. Then turned to make their drinks.

  “What is this idea that you have that your father is so against?” said Connor.

  Rebecca grimaced. “You’ll think it’s silly too.”

  “I promise I won’t laugh.”

  “No, not here. I don’t want all these rich friends of his over-hearing and then ganging up on me. If I tell you this, I will tell you in private.”

  “Fair enough.” He turned and looked at the party. “This is going to be a long night… isn’t it?”

  “Too long,” she replied taking a large sip out of her martini once their drinks arrived.

  Once everyone was seated for dinner, Mathis, Connor, Rebecca, and the other heads of the departments were all at one table. The conversation was all business as usual. Rebecca smiled and laughed at the right times. But otherwise, she was silent. A fact that didn’t go unnoticed by Connor.