“I’m a consultant,” I replied.
“Oh, well then we definitely should talk because I know a lot of people.”
“You don’t even know what field I consult in?Plus, it’s not good to mix business with pleasure.”
“I know all types of people.What field?”
“Media and Marketing,” I replied.
He reached into his chest pocket and pulled out a black card.It was a business card, but it was vertical and had a light gloss over the front and a felt-like texture on the back.I immediately put it in my purse.
“Can I have your card?”
I pulled out my card and slowly gave it to him.He took it with a smile on his face.
Wow, he really did look good, like a young Tom Cruise or George Clooney.
“Now, was that so hard?”He laughed.
“Yes, you could be crazy, deranged, a stalker, killer or anything.I just let you know where I work and how to contact me.”
He looked at me intently and said, “I’d never hurt you.”
I stared back at him.Why was he so intense now?He was laughing a second ago, but now he was so stern.He looked at my card and said, “Samantha Wilde, Founder of S & W Consulting in Marketing.An entrepreneur, I see.I knew there was something about you that I was drawn to.You have this duality going on inside and you are looking for balance.”
Really?
“How do you figure that?”I asked.
“You display your strength with power suits, pinned up coiled hair, heels to use your height as more of an advantage when you are already tall.You also have a seriousness about you that is always displayed on your face, except the times that you’ve literally run into me.The first time you had been crying and this time you seemed upset.Always guarded, except for those moments.”
“How would you know that, if this is only the second time you’ve seen me?”
“Oh, I’ve seen you plenty of times especially when you enter my building.”
“W-what?”I stammered.
“Look at my card.”He gestured towards my bag.
I opened my purse to retrieve his card.His name is Joshua Kelly and the CEO/Founder of Kelly International.What the hell?This couldn’t be.I stared at his card and then looked up.“You aren’t the founder of Kelly International?That guy is a recluse and older than dirt.”
He chuckled, “A recluse, yes, but I don’t consider 40 to be older than dirt.”
“You own the Kelly Building?”I exclaimed.
The Kelly Building is a 40 story high rise for small businesses, branches, facilities, etc.My doctor’s office is in there, I have several clients in there and even thought about having my offices in there, but I couldn’t afford it at the time.My business is doing much better in its fifth year, but room for expansion is always welcome.However, having a space in the Kelly building was just out of the question.Prestige comes with being in that building.Anyone can’t just rent space there, you need to show a steady stream of income, be a part of a larger network, or have enough capital and references.
“Yes, it’s mine,” he said proudly.
“Wow, that’s nice for you.I have to go now.Have a good evening,” I said and started to scamper away.I turned to see if he followed me, but he just watched me and took a picture of my business card.A second later, I heard my cell vibrate.I pulled it out and saw I had a text from a random number that read, ‘this is Joshua, have a lovely evening road runner.’
What have I done?
BOMSHELL: The anonymous meeting
SAMANTHA:
I was one block away from the Herpes Anonymous meeting that I was now ten minutes late for.So much for punctuality, now people will see me coming through the door.Great.I was very nervous about this because whoever saw me would know that I had herpes.I couldn’t go in there and act like I was there supporting a friend or that I was representing an anonymous friend.However, Elliot helped me understand that everyone in there had herpes too, or so it would be assumed, so it wasn’t just me.That only helped a little.I guess I was a little conceited when it came to my reputation.I have fired people who I felt tarnished my name or company.I have stopped being friends with people for the same reasons.It meant something to me.The truth is, people are going to think whatever they are going to think and there is really nothing that can be done about that.I know that, but I’m an avid believer in not wanting to give people a bat to hit me over the head with.