Life Love And A Career Ch 01 02

Life, Love, and a Career

By KAD and Cao

A/N

In collaboration with and at the request of the original author, we have started this rewrite. As was the original, this is a collaborative story. We reviewed and have considered the previous comments for which we, as well as the original author, are grateful as we would like to create a fresher story. We both hope you enjoy it as constructive comments are welcome. KAD, Cao

Learning & Loving - Chapter 1

Looking back on my life and my career I wasn't fully aware of the sacrifices made by others and those of my own accord, making me who I am and taking me to where I am today. Sitting at my desk for the last time on the 51

st

floor of the US Steel Building I admit that I am blessed and fortunate. Not only with the amazing view out my office window, but with those I assisted, interacted with and grew to love as friends and business partners. More importantly, there are those who grew with me and assisted me as we built what we have today.

I have a clear view of the skyline and highlights of the city. It is a gorgeous view and is the last day that I have this view. The choice was wisely made to sell B&K Professional Services to our two children.

I sit here as a successful entrepreneur and business woman because of the mentors and partners I had in my career. I am well aware that they led me to where I am to today not only because I listened to them but more importantly I mirrored so many of them as I took on challenge after challenge. I was always career focused but I must admit I had fun along the way. At times too much fun, but we never had ill intentions or harming anyone as we moved forward.

I lived, laughed and still love. Allow me to stress that and repeat something. I have lived, laughed and still love, one, and only one. I have been blessed with success which is attributed to the guiding light and solid whispers in my ears when needed by my amazing partner Kate, and the trusted staff who dedicated their careers to me.

Kate and the team never doubted me along the way following, guiding and assisting me as they lit the challenging paths taken. Kate has always been my guiding light not only in business but in our relationship. Kate is the one, and only, true love in my life.

Later in my story, I will share with you the love we had for a wonderful man. We cherished him like no other non-family member. He changed the course of our lives and gave us inspiration when needed. Gone from us too soon but the memories will last for at least two lifetimes and hopefully beyond.

More about that later but for now, allow me to share with you my journey of life, love, happiness, sadness, and success.

Undergraduate - Junior Year

Kate and I are both extremely excited about our upcoming third year at our liberal arts school in southwestern Pennsylvania.

My popularity is nowhere near that of Kate's, my roommate. I can hold my own at a party or in a social setting but she is the center of attention at most gatherings. Our fellow students flock to her wanting to be around her. I am lucky to attend events because she brings me along, or so it seems. The boys certainly drool and fight over the chance of being near her.

In my eyes, she is amazingly attractive, not only physically but mentally and emotionally. I listen to her speak, I watch her move and am captivated by her.

I don't find myself very attractive, I see myself as average. I have an average build, I am just 5'4" tall, a very average body but am slightly skinny weighing 110 pounds, with very pale skin; I am a redhead. I definitely have an average ass but a good B cup. My mother shared with me that I was always above average in intelligence and aptitude, I wouldn't need amazing looks.

I wouldn't say I was a daring person but I was never really risk averse. I will clarify and say I am usually cautious when making choices rather than being assertive. I would suggest that Kate on the other hand is a work hard, play hard, 'playgirl' in every sense of the word. She loves laughs and parties or at least I think she loves as much as she can.

Kate is extremely beautiful; naturally beautiful. She is smart as a whip and really has no need to study, which makes me jealous. I love her spirit and the freedom of how she lives, I am not so free willed at times. Yet we are two peas in a pod meeting our freshman year. We ended up in the same dorm, pledged the same sorority, and had a few core classes together. We connected on many levels.

***

A few weeks into the semester, I had a study session planned and then dinner with my mother. She came down to school after her shift at the hospital picking me up around 9:00. We hung out at a local restaurant, chatted a bit as she caught me up on how Chelle, my sister, was doing and the other goings on.

Mom dropped me off around 11:30 and then headed home. I was slightly confused when I entered our room to find Kate passed out on my bed and some dude passed out on hers. This was a first, strange but okay I just dealt with it. I was too tired to do anything, so I stripped down to my panties and found my favorite crop top t-shirt and climbed into bed with my similarity dressed semi-naked roommate. Because of pure exhaustion, I was asleep in minutes. I woke up the next morning alone in my bed wondering if I should even mention this.

I do however recall an amazing dream. One that was magical, exciting and simply the best I had ever experienced. It was tender and gentle, filled with passionate touches and kisses like I never imagined let alone experienced. As I was now fully awake, I quickly realized how amazing it felt and how much I wanted that again.

I looked over to the clock and saw it was close to 9:00, and then looked over to Kate's bed only to find it empty. The 'hunk of the night' was gone. I had a meeting at Career Services at 11:00 so I gathered my shower caddy and wandered down to take my shower. I found Kate and a few other girls finishing up. Kate smiled, winked and mouthed "Thanks" as she left. I showered and made my way back to our room.

As I walked back into our room and closed the door. Kate stood and approached me, stopping less than a foot from me. Swiftly but ever so gently her hands moved to my face, her palms cupping my cheeks she closed her eyes and her lips met mine, kissing me softly. Just as gentle and as loving as my dream. Then in a flash it was over.

She stepped back, winked at me and asked "Can we chat later? I don't want to be late for class".

As quickly as she approached me she was out the door. As I was still grasping to understand what just happened, I gently fell to my bed. My fingers now touched my lips, and realized there was a scattering of butterflies released in my stomach and a new and growing warmth between my legs.

Reality woke me from my daze. I dressed, gathered my notes and I made my way to the meeting at Career Services. I sat through the meeting with my Career Advisor and listened as Rhonda explained that three companies that were interested in my background and career path as Business Management and Human Resource majors. All we're offering me an interview for an internship if I am interested.

In front of me sat a rather attractive woman with green eyes and light makeup which highlighted her beauty even more. I asked Rhonda "Which would you choose? You are the career advisor; help me."

I then looked deep in her eyes, and slid my hands across the small circular conference table placing them on top of hers and asked, "Please."

Her skin was warm to the touch and her hands soft. She didn't react; she looked at me and smiled, "Of course I will Beth, of course I will."

As she stood, she gently squeezed my hands. "I suggest you meet with all three. To see what their differences and similarities are. From there you and I can meet and have another discussion."

She informed me that she would arrange for all three recruiters to visit our tiny liberal arts college campus in Washington, PA. I stood, smiled and thanked her and as I prepared to leave, she opened her arms.

I was perplexed, this was a first. I am not certain why I made the choice but at that moment, I was so drawn to her. I stepped into her hug and pulled her tight, close to my body, holding her for an extra second when I felt her pull away. I smiled to myself as she stepped back; she was blushing bright red in her cheeks.

"Umm Rhonda?" She gently pressed her for finger to my lips, winked slightly and smiled.

"I will be in touch dear." I left her office confused slightly but knowing I could trust her.

For the remainder of the day and through early evening, even while attempting to study, I remained in a daze, classes were classes. The one meal I think I enjoyed was a blur. After my study session at the library, I returned back to my room. I was slightly sad as Kate was nowhere to be found. I wanted to talk with her, but I missed her.

What was I feeling for her? I was and am attracted to men but what does this make me? Am I possibly bisexual? I had sex with a boy, throughout my senior year of high school, I mean it wasn't amazing but it was enjoyable.

Wait!!

What about all of the men she dated? Was Kate bisexual? Why the recent need to feel and touch a woman? Why the attraction to an older woman in Rhonda? Was there even an attraction? All she did was hug me.

All of these questions and more were just so overwhelming. Somewhere in the solace of a mix music cassette tape playing in the background, I fell asleep.

I woke after hearing the sound of our dorm room door closing and saw Kate walking in alone. I closed my eyes again, faking my sleep, secretly hoping she wouldn't want to talk tonight. I was afraid, confused but curious. After a few moments, I felt my bed shift and I felt her hands touching my partially exposed shoulder. In the darkness I smiled. The sheet barely covering me lifted, I felt the mattress move again as Kate lay down behind me, wrapping me in her arms. I felt her breath on my neck and her breasts touching my back, her legs touching mine. I exhaled and allowed sleep to retake me.

I felt my bed move and then suddenly I was cold. The body heat of my roommate was gone. I rolled over, opened my eyes only to see Kate lay down on her bed pulling a sheet over her body. Suddenly I felt empty, rejected, scared and even more confused. I tossed and turned but eventually fell asleep.

I woke the next morning only to find Kate's bed empty. I went to shower finding Kate was not there. Sadness overcame me, as I now wanted and needed to have a conversation with her. What mistake had I made? I chose to move forward, it was difficult. I felt sad and frustrated, but needed to focus on my day and classes.

When I stopped for lunch I realized that something was off with Kate's schedule. She didn't have a morning class today, where had she gone so early this morning. Suddenly I was sad again. Was I thinking too much? As is typical, I stayed in the library studying until it closed at 10:00 pm.

Entering our room, I thought I heard Kate sobbing. I whispered in her asking if she was alright. She responded with an affirmation; I didn't believe her. Not wanting to bother her, I quickly changed and climbed into my bed.

I wasn't certain if it was another dream, and then quickly realized it wasn't. In the early morning hours, I felt Kate crawl into bed with me. Her chest against my back again which brought me an added comfort. I felt her hand come and rest on top of my bare stomach just below my crop top covered breasts. Decisively, I pressed my bum backwards coming into closer contact with her warmth. All was well in my world; I was comforted and quickly fell back asleep.

***

I was in the midst of a wonderful dream when it turned tragic and scary. I felt the bed shift again as I opened my eyes. I saw Kate crawl into her bed pulling her sheet over her and turning to look the other way. I felt cold, lonely and I was upset.

Why was she leaving me in the middle of the night again? I needed to stop overthinking this and get some sleep.

Two nights later, I came in again from the library to see Kate sitting on her bed reading. She had a cute expression on her face. She must have been laughing; I could see the remnants of a wide smile still.

We exchanged pleasantries while I changed into a crop top for bed. I needed to ask her but thought I'd rather not yet. I curled up on my bed bidding Kate a good night.

As if it were clockwork, I felt my bed shift again and then felt the warmth of Kate snuggling up behind me, spooning with me. This time she wrapped me in her arms and kissed my neck, just below my ear.

The temptation to roll over and look into her eyes was too great but I chose not to. Instead I repeated my actions of the last few nights by pressing my bum back into her body feeling her warmth, almost grinding against her falling sound asleep.

Again, I awoke to feel the mattress shift again; Kate left my bed. I watched her walk across the room crawling into her bed covering her lower body with a sheet.

The feeling of rejection, sadness, and yes frustration lit a fire in my soul. I stood and decided enough was enough. I was enjoying our time together; I was tired of her doing this. It was a decisive choice but in that moment, a scared, barely twenty-one years old, slightly risk averse girl made a choice.

I lifted my sheet, stood tall, removed my crop top T-shirt and while wearing only panties, walked over to her bed. I pulled the sheet from her lower body with a quickness that startled her.

She gasped and rolled over, her eyes wide open. I heard her breathing, it was ragged, shallow, and almost unsteady and she was sobbing. I sat down next to her and lowered my lips to hers, kissing her softly.

Breaking the kiss, I laid down in her bed. I cupped her face with my hands, gently my thumbs stroking her cheeks, wiping the tears away. I paused my movements, then looked deep into her eyes and said, "Don't ever leave my bed again! Do not leave me afraid, cold and lonely again". I paused, then with more intensity and with sternness in my voice I said, "Understand?" She nodded.

With another soft kiss, I pulled her close to my bare chest, she curled against me, her head on my upper chest, our breathing calming, her sobbing silenced, quietly, we both drifted off to sleep.

My alarm sounded alerting me to the need to rise for my morning class, I woke refreshed and stressed, confused but confident. There was a strange feeling of comfort yet an added unknown stress which I would need to figure out later. Our bodies were close but not touching; I rolled over and kissed her forehead and lips. Then rolling out of bed, putting on a T-shirt, grabbed my shower caddy and left the room. I returned only to see Kate still sleeping. I dressed, grabbed my bag, paused at the door, retreated back to her bed, I knelt down and kissed her lips telling her I would return later.

As I walked across the quad, I felt a gentle warmth return to my body and good feeling between my legs.

Midway through the day, I retreated to the solace of the library where I was able to study and focus before going back to the dorm room to see Kate. Leaving the library, I went to the student center to check my mailbox. I had several internal campus fliers and two letters that were from "on-campus" addresses; one Career Services and the other return address was my dorm room. Other mail was junk, information from my sorority, clubs and the athletic department, mail that could wait.

I opened the letter from Career Services letter. It was notification of three interviews this coming Thursday.

I then opened the letter with a return address of my dorm room. My heart immediately skipped a beat when I opened a handwritten letter from Kate, it was very simple.

Beth,

I will never leave you alone, cold, or afraid again. You bring me comfort, happiness, and joy. My heart, mind and soul have a new and long lasting purpose; it longs for you and only you.

Love

Your Kate!

My heart ached. Kate wrote me a love letter. She fucking handwrote me a love letter!

My brain was screaming. I read the letter a second time, I started getting excited, I read it a third time, and tears stared welling up in my eyes. I read it once more and burst into the widest grin ever and then suddenly the tears flowed.

I soon realized my heart was beating faster and faster. I grabbed my stuff, shoving it into my backpack and started back to my dorm. My heart was pounding in my chest; I could feel every beat as if it was trying to escape. My walk became a jog, and then became a run. Suddenly, I was crying uncontrollably.

My heart was breaking, seeking her touch, wanting to feel her warmth, needing her lips on mine. I was an emotional mess. Up the outside three steps, I threw the building door aside. In a very unladylike manner, I took the steps two at a time up to our second floor dorm room. Stopping at our door I hurriedly tried the knob; locked. Struggling to find my key, suddenly the door opened. My eyes gazed upon the beauty of my roommate. Like me, she had been crying, her raven black hair a tangled mess. Her brown eyes, red from her tears, her makeup, smudged.

I stepped into the room, closed the door, grabbed her in my arms, pulled her tight and kissed her softly at first but then deeply. Our bodies melted together as we purred. We explored each other's mouths. Breaking the kiss, I stepped back and gently placed my hands on her face. I looked deep in her eyes, her fingers moved a lock of my auburn hair from my eyes, and I kissed her softly once more then whispered, "I will never let you go. You are mine."

"Beth, you are all I will ever want."

For the remainder of the day we laid together, caressing one another, kissing each other, learning our pleasures. Our likes and our desires as we made love for the first time. That afternoon, we became one.

After some time, we showered then dressed and went to dinner. Over dinner we didn't hold hands but we looked at each other in a different light, I know I did. We chatted endlessly about everything. We learned more about each other than we had the previous two plus years living together. We each made a choice, I know I did. My choice from that night on was to sleep together as one.

Two days later, Thursday morning, I woke in a panic of stress and sweat but Kate was there to comfort me, holding me tight until I had to get up. I never realized the depth of this new found love until I came back from my shower, only to find her ironing my blouse and offering to help with my hair and makeup so that it was just right. Thirty minutes before my first interview, Kate kissed my forehead, not wanting to smudge my lipstick, and sent me on my way.

Walking out the door, Kate said "My love, I will try to be here when you return. You are brave, you are strong and you make the right choices. You always do."

I arrived at the Career Services building ahead of schedule. Rhonda met me and escorted me into her office. As her door closed, she grasped my hands, turned to look me over and gave a nod of approval, "Professional and confident, that is the new you." She paused then repeated, "This is the new you. They are all interested in you and don't think you need to decide today. Confident, professional and in charge."

She gave my hands a squeeze and told me to come see her when I was finished. We walked out of her office to a small conference room for my first interview.

I will say that when the first interview ended, I was certain that I wouldn't be interested, a large national headhunter company but it was scary. The overweight man interviewing me had a harsh tone. He was very high on himself, overly boasting.