Disclaimer: This story is completely fictional. Any names given in this story are completely imaginary. The events in the story never took place and any similarities to actual events are completely coincidental. If you are offended by homosexual relationships, please don't go any further. If you are under-aged, you should know better than to be here reading this from this website, but I know this won't stop you so just exercise good judgement in reading this text.
Comments: This is my first shot in writing a story. This was intended to be a love story so for those looking for a WHAM-BAM-THANK-YOU-MA'AM story Im sorry to dissapoint you. I am not knowledgable either on how companies like those sited here actually work so please fogive me for any irregularities. A lot of thought and effort went into this story, and I really hope that you could email me your comments and suggestions at kav168@yahoo.com. Negative criticisms aka. Flames will be ignored and deleted. Thank You Very Much.
*********************** ONLY TIME - Chapter 1/4 By: Kav ***********************
I was just parking my car when I decided to buy a cup of cappuccino before going up to the office. As I was walking down the block to the nearest Starbucks outlet I began to wonder how I got myself into this...I wish--no, I would even give this up just to have mom and dad back here with me.
They were coming from our Long Island estate to attend my graduation when their plane crash in the ocean. The school never informed me that my parent died on a plane crash on their way here, until after the whole graduation ceremonies. I felt so numb all I wanted to do was cry...it was my fault if weren't for my stupid graduation they wouldn't have flown to New York and they wouldn't have to die...no one was able to talk to me for hours...my graduation party for my friends and I were canceled and they all stayed in my dorm to comfort me. I couldn't remember anything after that, the next morning I woke up feeling a heavy object on my abs...when I was finally able to focus my gaze on the mysterious object, I found out it was my best friend, Nichole, her head lying over my stomach. She must have fallen a sleep while keeping me company for the night. Nichole must have felt that I have finally woken up because she turned towards me and sitting up.
"Good morning, sleeping beauty." was all she can say while yawning.
"What's good in the morning?...anyway I must have been drunk last night during the party cause I had this stupid dream."
"Well then what is it Mr. Psychic?"
"Well during the ceremonies I was looking for my parent `coz they were supposed to be the one to pin my Magna Cum Laude medal on me...well I couldn't find them...good thing you were there and since you were my best friend I asked you to do the honors...The rest of the ceremony was uneventful...well except for your awesome speech--"
"Thank you...I know I was great...but coming from you it must be something!"
"Hey! Do you want me to finish or not?"
"Yah, yah...go one...I promise I wouldn't say a thing."
"Well after that...Dean Richards approach me together with Dr. Samuels, and asked me to meet them in the Dean's conference room I told them that I'll be there in 10 minutes and that I'll meet up with you guys first...Well when I entered the room I found some of my teachers and Fr. McGraw in the room with Dean Richards...they asked me to take a seat...when Fr. McGraw stood up he said `Jason, I don't know how to break it to you but we were just informed that your parents died on a plane crash on their way here'...then everything went black and that's when I woke up..."
"Ah...J...I don't know how to say this..."
"What? You begin to sound like Fr. McGraw for crying out loud" I got up from my bed and walked toward the bathroom..."and if you don't mind please hurry up...I promised my parents that I will have lunch with them today...I hope you could join us."
"I...don't know how to day this, J...but you dream last night..."
"What!?!...I don't have all the time in the world!" feeling irritated.
"Well..." she stammered for a brief moment the taking a deep breath she said "Well, J it wasn't a dream at all--"
I shot her a confused look "What to do you mean `it wasn't a dream at all'"
"J, it did happen...I was even there with you in the conference room remeber? The reason why you blacked out was because you were making a big scene and you were wailing on the floor, that is when Dr. Smith, the university physician, decided to give you shots to cool you down. Then we brought you here" At that point I was begging to sob uncontrolably "Look J, we are here for you ok...last night, we never had our party coz we were all busy here looking after you..."
I forced a smile with tears still on my eyes, "thanks Nichole...now if you don't mind...I am hungry I sure would like to have some brunch before dealing with reality..."
"Okay...I'll go with you--"
"You don't have to...you didn't go out with you parents last night because of me now you can use my reservation at--"
"Now look here Jason!...I told you I am coming with you whether you like it or not!"
"Whoa! hold on a sec...I am sorry, I'm just not used to having people take care of me..."
"Its alright...I just hate it when you begin coving up your real fillings with this Mr.-I-can-handle-everything attitude of yours" I got up and walked towards the door "now wait for me here I will just go for a change"
"Yah, yah...I am sorry ok..."
The rest of the day was uneventful expect for the time when police officers knocked on my room saying that they have already found the body. And being the closest living relative I am supposed to identify them. Well one thing good about my dad is he is a boy scout...he has thing prepared that is why the funeral was a breeze everything was taken cared off. Well almost everything, with all my dad' collogues coming to pay respect I went three days without sleep, good thing Nichole was always there with me...
That was two years ago...I never imagined we were rich, my parents trained me to be independent and never spoiled me with anything. If I want something I should work for it. When all my parents' assets were transferred to me, I just realized how rich we were, the dorm which I was staying was actually donated by my father and that is why I usually get the best room in the building, and I thought I was just lucky. In New York my dad's companies own 5 skyscrapers in Manhattan and around 20 more around the U.S. plus two in London. After looking into his businesses I decided that I don't want to work with them, though I will remain as chairman of the Board I told the that I want to open my new company...I want a new advertising company which is to be run by young graduates with big potentials.
Last year Nichole and I opened our office on the entire 39th floor in one of my buildings. Within weeks we have around 20 advertising contacts most of which were my dad's business (it helps to be rich!). After few months of struggling in trying to get more contracts we landed with a big contract for Calvin Klein...this changed our company big time. We did their new underwear ads from the conceptualization to final execution and printing. Of course after the success of that project, Calvin Klein signed an exclusive contact with us for 3 years. We though the bus stops there... but we were wrong soon after the success of our CK ads other clothing companies stated to call and ask for our services...At that time Nichole and I decided to expand taking on the 38th floor of the building to house our seven new studios and post production facilities. We increased our work force to around 150 to meet our growing demand. In a span of six months we now have 200 more contact of which half are exclusive. We were practically in business of the next five years.
A little more about me...well I am Jason Patrick Fitzgerald III, I'm 25 years old and I earned my undergraduate degree at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. I'm about 6'2" and 185lb I have medium wavy blond hair with soft curls in the end and a set of deep green emerald eyes, I was built like an athlete not really bulky but enough to keep me from wearing tops to show of my great body, all thanks to my college career as an athlete, I was the team captain for the track team and a member of the swim team. And Nichole says that I have the cutest buns she's seen on men. Well I knew I was gay when I was 18 and only Nichole knew about it...I tried not to show it for fear that people might leave me or worse, harass me. I guess no one really suspected until I mustered enough courage to have a relationship with another man. Well it wasn't really a relationship...he just saw me as a best friend...but I saw that he could be the one...
Then out of nowhere--"FUCK! WHAT ON EARTH--", I snapped back to reality because of the hot liquid dripping down my new Armani suit that Nichole got me for my birthday. Mental Note: take her out to dinner or something...just be nice to her.
"Ooh...I'm sorry," said this guy looking at me very apologetically as he tried cleaning my suit with his tissue.
"DAMN IT! GET YOUR FREAKING HANDS OFF ME!" I yelled at him angrily as I took out my handkerchief to clean up myself.
"Look I am really sorry; I did mean to spill coffee on your suit, I was just in a hurry coz I am running late for my first shoot and I didn't see you."
"Well I am sorry...maybe next time I should wear neon signs to show you were I am." I replied with a hint of sarcasm then glared at him before walking away.
"Hey wait up"...he ran up and walked beside me "how `bout I treat you to coffee...my way of apologizing."
I thought 'Who the hell does this guy think he is?...well actually he could pass as a greek god--hey watch it! You certainly think you would fall for a guy who spilled coffee on your suit do you?'
"What how about my offer?"
I looked at him, he was giving me this stupid smile which really caught he off guard...'God he looks so cute...damn it! stop that!' I said to myself
"Cappuccino? Caffe Mocha? Or Latte?...what I gotta buy you coffee..."
"Don't you think I've had enough coffee today"...looking down on my ruined suit.
"I said I was sorry..." he poutted and looked at me with one of the greatest puppy- dog eyes I've ever seen.
"Look if you want to do me a favor...try standing there in the middle of the road till a bus hits you!" I was beginning to get irritated with this guy. "You know what!?!...just leave me alone will you!"
"Okay...Okay...I am sorry..." he stood there staring at me as I walked as fast as I can away from him. Then I felt guilty for treating him that way...I should have been more friendly...I'm often not like that...I usually take this so easily that is why Nichole hates me at times...I am such a baby...
"AAARRRGGGHHH!"...I shouted in sheer frustration, I just realized that I was walking the wrong direction...I said to myself `May be that's God's way of getting back at you for being so mean to that guy...' As I walk passed Starbucks I was kind of hoping that he would still be there waiting for me...so I was somehow disappointed when I didn't see him there...maybe he was really late for a shoot...but somehow I felt happy that I don't have to meet him again.
I went for a quick change in the office...good thing Nichole constantly reminds me to bring a change of wardrobe, `you can never say when bad things happen' guess this is one of them. After a quick change, I sat on my chair and went over the schedule for today...2 shoots for Calvin Klein, 1 shoot for Gucci and anther one of Abercrombie and Fitch and 5 TV commercials for post production...and a presentation for the latest collection of DKNY...I sighed "Boy this is one hell of a day....and it hasn't even started..."
"Penny for your thoughts..."
"God! Nichole...you scared me..."
"Hahaha...I always do...and that's why you love me..."
"Yah...yah..."
"So why did you change you clothes?"
"Well there is this stupid guy who spilled his coffee on my suit..."
"You mean the one I gave you?" I simply nodded. "Boy! I oughta give that freak a piece of my mind!"
"Nichole...I already did you don't have to worry."
"Well good thing I often remind you to bring an extra set of clothes, you wouldn't know when these things happen."
"Yeeeesss moooommyyyy." Then we both burst our laughing...
All of a sudden we were interrupted by the intercom...it was Linda, my secretary..."I am sorry to disturb you Mr. Fitzgerald but we have a problem downstairs...one of our Abercrombie and Fitch models hasn't arrive yet..."
"Tell them we will be there in a minute...and by the way Linda..."
"Yes, Mr. Fitzgerald?"
"I am J...please don't use Mr. Fitzgerald I might think you are looking for my dad."
"Yes sir...err J"
"That's a lot better...thank you Linda."
"Thank you...J"
Nichole and I went downstairs to studio C where they were setting up the A&F shoot...It the first time they did a shoot indoors after their huge success with those nude hunks out in the forest...we suggested that they get a new image without necessary shaking off the old one. When we reached the studio we looked for the account executive to see what seems to be the problem and why we can't start shooting.
Nichole started darting around. "Who the hell is the one in-change of this project?"
The photographer said, "Ah ma'am....Ms. Richards"...he was obiously scared to his wits "I think its Trisha."
"Trisha! Where are you?!?"
Then a young lady came out off the dressing room and walked to our direction, "Nichole I am here...I was just briefing our star model who just came in 15 minutes ago"
I interjected "Well what time does this have to start?"
"Around 8:00..."
"You mean we are running 45 minutes behind schedule?!?" I was mad...the only thing that I hate is people who are late..."where the hell is this star model of yours?!?" Now I am getting irritated...it was usually Nichole who blows her top off...but they know that once I blow I mean business and heads will roll because of this...I walked towards the dressing room and when I was about to grab the handle...I turned around a gave Trisha a fierce look and I said, "Now Trish, I know you have been with us for almost a year...I know that this is the first time this has happened...I trust that this model of yours is worth the wait if not..."
Just then I felt a hand tap my shoulder "Ah sir, excuse me...you see we are already running late and I was hopping that we could start already but it seems that you are blocking my way..."
I knew that voice sounded quite familiar but I couldn't say from where as I turned around I was taken aback by this gorgeous hunk standing behind me with only a towel wrapped around his waist. "YOOOUUU!?!" was the only word I could utter...I was shocked...here is the guy who spilled his coffee on me and nearly ruining my suit. I could just barely hear the "oh-ows" from the staff...they certainly knew something was terribly wrong.
He shot me that stupid smile again; honestly it almost melted my heart. "Would you please explain why the hell are you late?"
"I am really sorry sir but I was caught in traffic this morning and that I accidentally spilled coffee over a guy's suit...I tried apologizing and explaining that it was an accident but he wouldn't even listen to me. I even offered to buy him coffee but he said that I should better leave him alone...I am really sorry sir I didn't mean to cause so much trouble." He was beginning to pout and flashed those puppy-dog eyes again.
I asked to myself 'Is this guy just plain naive or blind?!?' He doesn't seem to have recognized me...just then I heard Nichole saying
"So this was the stupid guy who spilled coffee over the suit I gave you..." She was walking closer towards us when she said "you left out one thing..."
"What?"
"You forgot to tell me that he was one cute gorgeous hunk" then she winked at him.
He forced a small smile and looked back at me with a questioning gaze...it took him sometime before he realized who I was..."ow...I am so sorry sir, I never recognized you...I really am...hmmm guess I won't get this project all along..." his voice trailed of as he turned back towards the dressing room.
At that point I felt so guilty...I should do something..."hey wait! Who said you won't have this project?"
"Really?!?" He turned back and hugged me like a young kid who just received a gift from Santa Claus. "I can't believe it! Really you are still taking me on this project even after what I did...I mean coming late and all..."
"You forgot spilling coffee on my suit."
"Yah...I said I was sorry okay? So I still got the project?"
"Yah....besides how can you buy me coffee if you don't have a job..." I said with a smile.
"hahaha...you have a point there...so will I see you?"
"Maybe, now get your ass on the set before I loose more money because of you." With that he headed off to the set.
Then Nichole whispered to my ear..."That didn't sound like the Jason Patrick Fitzgerald III that I know." I looked at her and she was giving me thing questioning look...
I just smiled and said "Well you see I felt guilty...I mean he seems to be a good kid and there are too many people in the world how thinks of us as a bunch of rich snobs...I don't need another one."
"You have a good point...everything seems to be fine and he is actually doing great here...I guess we could go up now."
"Yah...you go ahead...I'll follow in a few minutes..." I looked at him...I said to myself "boy...this guy is cute...he looks good enough to eat..." I guess he caught me staring coz he shot me that foolish grin again...I must have blushed and quickly turned around so that he wouldn't see me...with that I turned around and went for the elevator...I have a big day ahead of me...
The rest of the morning went well...we were polishing the presentation for this afternoon. When Casey, the account executive for the project asked me who will be modeling for the shoot.
I just simply smiled..."Well Casey...I really don't know...anyway it's your call."
"Hmm...J...I have this new model in mind that's beginning to gain some popularity...they say he's hot..."
"Well who? I haven't seen good models lately...don't tell me he isn't working with us."
"Ah...I think his name is Christian...Christian James Reeves...I thinks he is on some of our latest projects already...we signed him in two weeks ago."
"You mean to tell me that this Christian Rivers--" I was beginning to get irritated again...haven't you notice I'm running on a short fuse...I need to find a MAN!
"It's Reeves..."
"Rivers...Reeves...it doesn't matter...you mean to tell me that this Christian guy is working for me for weeks now and yet I haven't meet him...or at least seen his credentials..." I almost forgot that Nichole was in the room until she said.
"Well J...do you remember two weeks ago when you were busy with your father's board meetings..."
"You don't have to remind me...but yah why?"
"Well...I was the one who approved it...one of our models can't make it because of some personal problems then I saw him outside some bar so I walked up to him and asked him if he wants to be a model..."
"Nichole that's not how we handle things...and certainly that's not how we take in models...you should have asked Michelle from the modeling agency."
"I know...but he looks pretty hot...and besides J...you have already met him...twice in fact--"
"What!?!...When!?!...Where!?!..."
"Well J if you must know..." Nichole was already snickering when she looked at me straight in the eye...she couldn't hold her laughter anymore "he was the one who spilled coffee on your suit and the very same one who walked in half naked in the photo shoot this morning." By the time she was done saying that I couldn't help but laugh...I said to myself, "yah...he's hot alright..." Then there was a soft knock on the door...
I cried out..."it's open!"...then Linda walked in, "I am sorry to disturb you J but the people from DKNY are already in the conference room..."
"Nichole, please go with Casey...I think I'll pass, tell them I am not feeling well..."
"But..." Nichole said.
But I cut her off saying..."you can do it...I am just not in the mood to meet up with these people I think I'll just stay here and rest...just drop by after the presentation...and besides it's already in the bag...don't worry." She hesitated for show but soon walked out of my office with Casey.
I was just sitting on my table when the thought of that guy came back to me...what was his name again?...yah Christian...how can I forget?...I smiled at myself thinking how stupid I must have looked...then I said to myself "I better get to know this guy better." So I hit the intercom button..."Linda?"
"Yes sir?!? Ahh J..."came the voice from the small box
"Linda, would you be so kind as to fetch me the files of Mr. Christian Reeves...he was the model for the shoot this morning."
"Yes sir...right away sir..."
"Thanks Linda...just bring it to my office..."
After a few minutes I heard a soft knock on my door... "Come in...its open."
Linda came in holding a brown folder..."here you go sir..."
"Ah Linda...this is the new guy right?"
"Yes sir and problem."
"No...I was just thinking...is Trish there?"
"No sir...I think they are not yet done with the proofs."
"I see...thank you Linda..." Then she turned around and stepped out of the room cautiously closing the door behind her.
I went over his files...6'1" not bad...175lbs pure muscle...yummy a body to die for...eyes: brown ...those brown eyes that look as if they twinkle when he's happy...age: 22...that's only a couple of years younger than me...and he is still trying to earn his degree in Business Administration at NYU...this kid is smart!...then why model?...Mental note: ask Nichole...she might know something. Living relatives ...NONE! O MY GOD poor kid...Then I decided to drop the paper and rummage for some picture...when I found some...my hunch was true...words didn't do him justice at all...though I was able to meet him...I wasn't able to give him a good look...I guess I was too pissed to pay attention to those details...those deep brown eyes could certainly cause hearts to melt in an instant...God he is so cute...and that stupid smile! I would pay for anything just to see it again...that wavy chestnut hair...seems so smooth to touch...
"And he is STRAIGHT!" I looked up and saw Nichole smiling at me...I guess I can't hide anything from this girl.
"There no harm in dreaming..."
"J...it's these dreams that hurt you the most...remember Nick? How you dreamed that he was the one...and how he ditched you..."
"Nichole...please...I don't want to talk about it...it still hurts...I do want anything to do with that guy ever..."
"Okay and I forgot to tell you...he is jobless...after the thing...I went out on a smear campaign...now no modeling agency will take him in even if he works for free."
I just smiled "thank you...you have been my business partner...you have been my family...and you have been my best friend...to bad you can't be my wife!!!"
Now she was laughing "haha...you can't be my husband either...guess it takes time...you know how strong our personalities are and how it scares the hell out of men...gay and straight."
"Couldn't have said it better...By the way how was the presentation...we got it didn't we?"
"Of course...and they want an exclusive 3 year contact starting spring."
"I told you so...I knew you can do it...that's great...now I am thinking of taking on another floor for the offices of the top management...what do you say if we take the 40th floor?"
"Well it's ok but wouldn't it raise our overhead cost? I mean we don't want to waste our money on things we really don't need..."
"Nah...It's going to be fine we have these exclusive contracts and besides we need to start hiring new people...we are expanding faster than we expected...I could see that by the end of the year we would have more projects than we can handle so if we don't start hiring now and train them...we are in for some big trouble..."
"Ok...its your call boss..."
"Nichole I want your honest opinion on the matter...and I am not your boss..."
"J...it's okay I guess you are right we need to expand...it's just that it's happening so fast we just finished college 2 years ago...so go ahead...just as long as I get a corner office as well."
"Thanks Nichole..."
"I'll be going ahead J...you must have forgotten that I have a date tonight with Tony."
"Tony? Oh...you mean Tony Smith...I'm sorry it must have slipped my mind..."
"It's okay...now I have to go...take care...bye." Then she turned around and walked out of my office...gently closing the door behind her.
Oh well, another day is over...I guess I better pack up and call it a day...When I was fixing my desk...I saw my graduation picture...it was a picture of Nichole pinning the medal on my toga...soon streams of tears were trickling down my cheeks...it was also the day my parents died...I leaned on the wall and slowly slid myself down on the floor...then everything went black.
TO BE CONTINUED...