Bridgetine Squad III Slipped Away

Carter | California I was busy looking at the plan I am currently reviewing when my mind started drifting off. The past few weeks have been busy for my firm as we have ten ongoing projects from luxury mansions to hotels and resorts to high rise buildings.  I managed my father's company when he retired five years ago. I made it bigger and now it's known all over US and even in Canada. GEDI or Gallo Engineering & Design Inc has been in business for more than 30 years.  At age 30, my work has been my life. Just like any normal male, I would date different women from time to time but I don't do serious relationships. The only constant casual I have is Charlene and she knows the real score between us. She doesn't expect what most women want and I am more than okay with that. Plus, she is really good in bed.  I have been burned before and I don't want to experience that again. I put her in a pedestal since we were 13. We were always together, went to the same school and even went to the prom together. But the thing is we were just friends. Best friends.  My parents are originally from New York but chose to live in California when they got married. They had enough of the cold they said. So I grew up here and that's how I met her.  When we graduated high school, I planned to go to NYU. She wanted to come with me and study at the same school so a month before the semester starts — we flew to New York and checked out the dorms. One for her and one for me. We can't be in the same quarters.  I studied engineering along with my cousin while she took Architecture.  My cousin and I shared the room and one time, she came to visit me and met him. That was the start of my series of heartaches. She liked him and every chance she gets, she would attempt to get his attention while I watch on the side. After all this time, I haven't told her how I felt. I was scared to cross the line. If she doesn't feel the same way about me, it would be awkward between us and I'm going to lose my best friend.. and the love of my life.  If you think women are the only ones who can feel it, then you thought wrong. Men feel it too. We're just a little discreet about it.  I shook my head. I don't want to think about it anymore. I have to put my mind back to work.  I picked up the phone. "Ara, can you call Patrick to my office. I have to discuss some revisions on his plan." "Okay, sir. I'll call him." Ara is older than me and very much in love with her husband. She's been working for me since I took over. When Dad retired, so did his secretary -- my mother. Mom was there for him from Day 1. She has a business degree and accountant by profession so she was all around in the company. My parents said it wasn't easy starting a business and there's a lot of hard work, sleepless nights and times when both of them are irritated with each other but they were the best of friends so they know how to deal with each other. When one is mad, the other goes silent until they are both ready to talk it over. I heard a knock on the door. "Come in." "Good morning Sir." A man about the same age as I am walked in the door and remained standing until I pointed the chair in front of me.  "Good morning. Have a seat Patrick." I said to him. "I've been looking at your design and the client wants to add more space in the bathroom. Moreover, she wants a bigger tub. Also, she wants a heated flooring in the bathroom too." I began to discuss the changes that the client requested. "No problem Sir, I am sure I can make the necessary revisions in no time. Please give me until tomorrow afternoon to complete the changes." I nodded. "No problem. If you need more time, let me know. She's not in a rush anyway. You may go now." "Thank you Sir." He stood up and head for the door.  My cellphone rang and Charlene's name registered. I picked it up. "Hey beautiful." I said to her as I turn my swivel chair and looked into the waves crashing on the shore.  My office is located near Huntington Beach. I like the coastal living ever since so when I dropped out from NYU and transferred to Stanford on my last year, I decided to move here after graduation. My parents stayed in Los Angeles.  "Hey hottie.." That's what she calls me. I stand 6'1 and go to the gym regularly. As for my face, I have blue eyes, blonde hair which I both got from my mom but I am naturally tanned. My father is part Filipino.  "What are you doing later?" "Work." I said to her. She knows I work a lot. "But it's Friday.." I totally forgot the day. It's the end of the week again.  I sighed. "I totally forgot. Where do you want to go?" We go out for dinner and drinks on Friday nights.  "SeaLegs." That's her favorite place and it's not far from here.  "Okay. I'll meet you there then. Same time?" I asked. "Yes. Uhm.. are you sleeping over tonight?" she knows the answer to that but she keeps asking anyway. "Charlene, you know I don't do sleepovers." I heard her sigh.  "I know.. but I'm going to keep asking until you say yes." Lately, she's getting persistent but not the annoying kind. Yet. She's really nice once you get to know her. "I'll see you later okay? I have to go back to work." I said to her and hanged up the phone when she said goodbye. I checked my calendar to make sure I have nothing on the weekend. I am going surfing tomorrow. All clear.  My desk phone rang and I picked it up. "Ara, what is it?" "Sir, there's a woman here who wants to see you but she doesn't have an appointment." Ara knows I don't see anyone if they are not on my list to be seen for the day. "Ara, you know my rule." I was about to put the phone down when the next thing she said made my heart skipped a beat. "She said you know her and proclaimed herself as your only best friend. She won't even tell me her name. She came all the way from Montreal. Should I let her in or send her away?" Ara will do what I tell her to do.  I tried to catch my breath and compose myself. "Let her in." I fixed my hair, my tie and my suit. I don't think ten years is enough to get me ready with this face off.  I saw the knob turned and she walked in. Tall and slender at 5'9, long legs, dimples on both cheeks and luscious lips. Her eyes the color of the ocean.  Her hair is a bit shorter now and curves on the right places. Even her breasts got a lot bigger than I remember it. She was wearing a casual short  A-line yellow dress paired with gladiator sandals. She rarely wears high heels even back then. She closed the door behind her. "Carter." Her voice was firm and confident. I cleared my throat and with a cold voice. "Chloe. What a surprise." The corner of her lip turned up. "Oh, you'll be surprised all right. Are you ready to meet your son?" Ano daw? ***