Eye Candy by Frederick Germaine Page B

dozen red roses right in my face as if they were smiling at me. In an angry haste, I grabbed the bottom of the vase and flung it as hard as I could to the wall in front of me across the room. The vase shattered into many pieces while the water was soaked up by the thick carpet on the floor. Scattered all over the floor were the twelve red roses.
    “Oh my God, Mr. Malone, are you alright?” shouted Jane barging into my office without knocking. “What happened in here?”
    “The roses slipped out of my hand when I tried to move them,” I said quickly standing up and remained behind my desk.
    “But how did they slip out of your hand when the debris is near your door and you’re behind the desk?”
    “Jane, we just need to call housekeeping right away and have them clean up this mess.”
    “Okay, Mr. Malone,” she said hesitantly and looking at me in a strange manner. “But I’m going to personally pick up these roses because they are too pretty to be on the floor.”
    For the next few seconds, Jane carefully picked up each rose and placed them delicately into her arms. I stood there looking foolish thinking how did I let my emotions get the best of me.
    “Mr. Malone, I’m going to find another vase, fill it with water, and bring these lovely roses back to you,” she said after gathering all the roses off the floor. “Besides, we wouldn’t want your wife coming by and not seeing the roses she sent you.”
    “I guess you’re right, Jane.”
    “I’ll be right back, shortly.”
    “Jane, do me a favor.”
    “Yes, Mr. Malone.”
    “When you find the vase for the roses, just place them on your desk.”
    “But why?” she asked with a puzzled look on her face.
    “Well, my desk is cluttered enough and I wouldn’t want another accident ruining my new designs I’m working on.”
    “Whatever you wish, Mr. Malone.”
    “Jane, one more thing before you go.”
    “Yes.”
    “Call Sebastian Carter right away and transfer him to my main extension.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Jane exited my office and I sat back down still disgusted. Housekeeping arrived expeditiously cleaning up the mess I had made in a jiffy. Then right on cue, Jane patched Sebastian over to my main line.
    “Hello, Sebastian.”
    “Morning, Aaron. I just received a call from your secretary stating you needed to speak with me. Did you need help with the new designs?”
    “No, I think I have the designs covered but we need to talk.”
    “About what?” he asked as if my comment peaked his interest like never before.
    “Man talk,” I quickly said.
    “Okay, Aaron. How about we meet in the firm’s athletic club downstairs during the lunch hour? We can work out and talk at the same time.”
    “Yeah, that’s a good idea. I always keep a fresh change of workout gear in my locker downstairs.”
    “So is one o’clock good with you?”
    “That’s perfect, Sebastian. I’ll see you then.”
    When one o’clock arrived I told Jane where I would be for the next hour or so and made my way downstairs. The firm’s athletic club was only a few floors down. Mr. Bradshaw found it to be a convenient way for his workers to stay in shape without any excuses. All employees enjoyed free membership and could work out before their shift, during lunch, or after hours.
    In the men’s dressing room, I changed my attire and headed out to the aerobic area of the club. Within this area, there were rows upon rows of treadmills with mini monitors attached. People were walking or running to various speeds like robots. I quickly found Sebastian on one making small talk with a female on one side of his treadmill. Then I approached him.
    “I thought I’d find you in here working out on the treadmills,” I said walking up to him on the opposite side of the woman.
    “Glad to see you made it, Aaron,” he replied turning away from the woman. “Just step up on the treadmill next to mine. I’m five minutes into my thirty-five minute walk and sprint.”
    The woman next to him