(This story is posted on the Literotica website. Do not repost anywhere else without the author's consent. For fans of my stories, they know what kinds of things to expect. This story deals with similar themes as the stories by wannabeboytoy, seducedHylas, and Dark Betrayal, namely cheating, betrayal, and heartbreak. If stuff like that isn't your cup of tea, then you probably shouldn't bother reading it. This story features a character and continues a storyline from another one of my works, but saying which one would give away the surprise. If you really want to know who it is before reading the story, check the author's note at the end. Finally, I do not condone any of these actions in real life. This is just a story. Enjoy.)
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Scott Baker was a good man.
He always tried to do the right thing at all times. He had been born and raised in the city of Parkersboro, and even though the city was well-known for its widespread and deep-seeded corruption, it was his home. He was part of a volunteer board in the city seeking to start change from within, not by seeking outside help but by doing things right and encouraging others to work the right way. Like support local-owned businesses and not be a slave to the big corporations.
That all sounded very good and idealistic, but in practice it wasn't so easy. Scott owned a family-run bookstore that his father had started. They specialized in carrying both the newest releases and antiques and older classics. It was well-known in certain book collecting circles, but that didn't mean they were exactly reeling it in cash-wise. Times had been tough, though business had been steady enough to keep him afloat, but just barely. He didn't know how long this could last. He had been forced to let some of his employees go, but his few remaining workers were all hard-working and supportive of his choices. His few employees were passionate for the work and passionate about being locally owned.
But being owned locally had its drawbacks. Business had been slow, and they simply couldn't afford to take many days off. So that's why he found himself working on a quiet, sleepy Christmas Eve. Snow was drifting lazily to the ground, dulling all the noise outside. It was just him and Christine, one of his employees. She had been a star for him, easily his favorite. She had gone to the local college and had picked up a job here to pay the bills. She had been working there for about three years and she had been a model employee. Christine worked hard and went out of her way whenever she could. Whenever Scott needed help sorting the books and doing inventory, she volunteered. Scott felt bad for making her have to work on Christmas Eve and sacrifice time with her friends and family, but she gave no indication that she was mad or annoyed or anything. She was happy to help.
Scott just didn't know what to do. He felt like he was backed into a corner, and he wished he could figure out the way to get out of it. He had to increase business, but he didn't want to compromise his ideals. He wasn't stupid enough to pretend that things like the internet and computers were making books and bookstores obsolete, but he wasn't about to throw in the towel when there was a healthy segment of the population out there still used to the old ways. He wished there was a magic wand he could wave that would solve all off the store's issues. But there wasn't, which is why he and his employees had to step in and put in the hard work.
It was at moments like this that he felt bad for his wife, Kate. He knew it probably wasn't easy to be married to a guy like him, a guy who was so passionate about so many issues. But Kate might just be the perfect wife for him. She felt the same way he did about the city's issues and was equally as passionate. Whenever he spoke out about the city's problems, she was eagerly by his side. But in day-to-day life, she fought for the city in a different way, caring for the wounded as a nurse at the hospital. Scott wasn't sure how passionate she was about social change before meeting him, but after spending years in the hospital caring for gang members who had been shot, or having to care for people in organized crime, or witnessing the corruption that pervades even as deep as the city's hospitals... that was enough to turn even the most blasé citizen into a crusader for social change. So, Kate was on Scott's side, making her the perfect partner for him.
It didn't hurt that she was darn cute. She definitely possessed what was known as 'girl next-door' good looks. She was a natural blonde with a fit body and a bright effervescent smile. What Scott liked best wasn't these cosmetic features, but it was her brain. She could stimulate him on an intellectual level unlike any other woman he had been with, so there was nothing he could talk about with her that was over her head. They had fallen head-over-heels for each other immediately.
Both of them worked heavy hours to get by. Scott often wondered whether his wife resented being the bread-winner of the two, making him again feel down about his store's lack of success. But on the slow days like today, when he began to feel down, as if by magic, she would call to check in with him and brighten his day. She would always be there with a kind word to encourage him in what he was doing and telling him to stay positive. She was a great wife. So, being in a near empty store, he wouldn't get too down. Kate wouldn't let him.
"Baker's Books" was nestled in downtown, an older looking two-story brick building surrounded by buildings far more modern. Scott was well-aware this was prime real estate. Many real-estate developers and entrepreneurs had walked through those doors, waving lots of money at Scott to buy the property. Then, no doubt, tear it down and replace it with something more sleek and modern. But Scott refused. He held out. He took a certain pride in being this lone hold-out, this little mom-and-pop establishment surrounded by the fast-moving, impersonal modern heart of Parkersboro. Scott liked the idea of his little business being this beacon of hope in the den of corruption that was his hometown.
Business was slow. Like, almost zero foot-traffic the entire day. As Scott began to count-out the money in the register, he looked up at Christine. She kept herself busy, sorting through the new arrivals, getting them ready to be shelved. Scott smiled as he watched her work. She never sighed. She never got bored. She never got annoyed. She just kept at it.
Christine was just a very nice, sweet young woman. Her parents had emigrated from Japan and worked hard to give her a good life, and in doing so they instilled a strong ethic in her. She was a literature major in school, so a job here was one of the things she was qualified to do and utilize her skill-set. Even though she was pretty quiet and could easily almost be forgotten about at times, she was a very warm presence. She was just so nice and so sweet. And plus, it was clear she admired Scott and the way he resisted giving into big business, the way he was devoted to supporting this town and the little guy. Christine was loyal to Scott, and always had his back when he had to make tough choices.
She was also a pretty young woman, and that showed through even as she tended to dress quite homely. She got the best of her parents' genetics, her Japanese heritage showing though proudly. She had striking, hazel eyes, hidden behind her cute, thin glasses. Her black hair was pulled back in a ponytail, which would bob when she worked. She had plump lips and creamy olive skin. And even though she was quite shy, her smile could brighten a room. She typically tended towards sweaters and jeans, dressing less practically then some her age might. She had a fit body, but she dressed down, not wanting to get attention for that reason.
Scott watched her work and suddenly felt bad. She was loyal to him to a fault. She was missing out on time with her friends, missing out on Christmas parties and times with her friends and family just to work at his little store. He admired her loyalty, but he felt bad for taking advantage of her kindness and good nature. Scott checked his watch. It was 7 PM, one hour till close. The streets were quiet. Christmas was already starting for some. Scott came to a decision.
"Christine?" Scott called out, breaking the stillness. She jumped slightly and looked up.
"Yes?" she said, looking up at him from across the room, her slight accent echoing through the stacks of books.
"I tell you, I don't think anyone else is coming in." he began.
"Oh, you never know. Last minute shopping maybe?" Christine offered, always thinking positive.
"No one else is coming in." Scott affirmed and she nodded, reluctantly agreeing. "Go home, Christine. It's Christmas. I shouldn't keep you here."
