Chapter 22

Larry knocked at the bedroom door around six thirty. "Rebecca, are you almost ready?"

"Yes, I'll be out in a few minutes. Be patient."

"It's six thirty."

"I know what time it is. I will be out in a few minutes."

"Did you eat what I left you?"

"Yes it was delicious. Thank you."

"I'll wait for you in the living room."

"You do that," Rebecca said.

Rebecca walked in a few minutes later wearing a stunning dress. Larry stared at her as she walked towards him. She stopped a few feet in front of him. "Say something."

"Words cannot describe how gorgeous you are but you're missing something."

"What could I be missing?"

Larry picked up a box from the end table. "Before you get ahead of yourself, I just borrowed this." He said then opened the box. It was a diamond necklace.

"It's beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you." Larry said then took it out of the box. He walked behind her and put it on her. "I have to return it in the morning."

"It's wonderful." She said as she touched the necklace.

Larry walked beside her "Shall we go?"

"Yes, we shall." Rebecca said and took his arm. "By the way, you look stunning is that tux."

"Thank you." Larry said as walked her across the room. They went to the elevator and waited. "I want you to enjoy yourself tonight."

"I'll try to, but honestly, the last party was kind of boring."

"I know, but it's supposed to be a celebration."

"I think it's more or less a gathering for rich adults to talk and get drunk."

"I guess you can think of it that way."

"I guess I will have to get use to these functions if I am going to be with you."

"Yes, I guess you should," Larry said. The elevator opened and they got on. "Good evening. Carl."

"Good evening, sir, ma'am." Carl said as he closed the doors. "You both look nice tonight."

"Thank you," Larry said. They rode the elevator quietly. It stopped and the doors opened. They got off and walked through the lobby. People stared at them as they walked to the doors. A limo was waiting for them. Larry walked over to it. Joe opened the door for them. "Thanks Joe."

"You look beautiful, Miss Chandler."

"Thank you, Joe." Rebecca said then got into the limousine. Larry got in after her. Joe closed the door.

"You are beautiful, Rebecca." Larry said then leaned over and kissed her.

"Thank you," Rebecca said.

"Do you want some champagne?"

"Sure."

Larry leaned forward and pulled out a bottle and glasses. He poured champagne into the glasses. He handed her one. "To us. May we have many good times together."

"To us." Rebecca tapped her glass to his then took a drink.

"So, since your memory came back, have you ever been to functions like this?"

"Yes. I have," she said. "I went to a governor's ball once. I was doing a story on him."

"Was it a good article?"

"Yes, it was about all the good things he had done for the community."

"I don't think this will compare to a governor's ball, but it might be fun."

"I will make the most out of it."

"So will I," Larry said. "Then in the morning we can leave for a relaxing weekend."

"That sounds like a plan to me," Rebecca said. "Are you going to tell me where we are going?"

"Nope, it's a surprise."

"Will it take long to get there?"

"Not very long. I guess," Larry said. "We are driving there if that helps."

"You can drive anywhere on the continent."

"That's true. I guess you will have to wait and see."

"All right." Rebecca said then finished her glass of champagne. Larry pulled the bottle out and filled both their glasses. "Are you trying to get me drunk before we get to the party?"

"I've noticed that we both have a better time after a few drinks in us."

"Oh, I see."

"Besides, we are celebrating you're memory coming back." He said then kissed her. "I love you. Rebecca."

"I love you, too," Rebecca said. "At least I can answer any personal questions that come up. Especially from your father."

"I'm sure he'll have a ton of them."

"I'm sure he will, but I'm not embarrassed or ashamed of where or how I grow up. I'm sure he will view it differently, though. I didn't come from money."

"That doesn't mean much to me."

"I know, but to people like your father, it does, but I'm tough. I can handle it."

"Good."

"If I cared what people said to me, I wouldn't have become such a good reporter."

"If anyone does bother you, tell me. We can make excuses to leave."

"I'll keep that in mind."

They arrived at the party a few minutes later. The limo stopped and the door opened. Larry got out and helped Rebecca out. She held his arm as they walked up to the door. They walked in and shook people's hands. Larry introduced her to ones she didn't know. They walked into the ball room where people gathered and talked. A waiter came up to them with a tray of champagne. Larry took two glasses and handed one to Rebecca. "If you'd rather have something stronger, the bar is over there." Larry motioned to the other end of the room.

"This is fine for now."

"All right," Larry said.

A man walked up to them. "Hey, Larry. Who is this beautiful woman?"

"Pete, this is Rebecca Chandler. Rebecca, this is Pete Davis. We grew up together."

"Nice to meet you." Pete said as he kissed her hand.

"Did your sister send you over here?"

"Yes, but I wanted to." Pete said. "You're not from around here, are you?"

"No," Rebecca said. "I'm from near St Louis."

"Are you here on business?"

"I guess you could say that," Rebecca said. "But it became more personal after I met Larry."

"You two look good together."

"Thanks, Pete," Larry said.

"My sister wants to know details. You know how nosy she is."

"Why don't you introduce me to your sister and I will tell her myself," Rebecca said.

"Yes. I can do that." Pete said. "Do you mind, Larry?"

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Larry asked Rebecca quietly.

"I'll be fine." She said then kissed him on the cheek. "I'll just tell them enough to keep them guessing."

"All right. I'm going to talk to Mr. Thomas."

Pete led Rebecca to the group of women. He introduced her to them and left them alone.

Larry walked up to Rebecca an hour later. "Good evening, ladies. Can I steal Rebecca for a while? I would like a dance."

"Of course, Lawrence." One of them said.

Larry led Rebecca away. "Sorry I took so long." He said after they got on the dance floor.

"It's fine. They aren't that bad, I guess."

"You looked uncomfortable."

"They just went on about how much money they had."

"Most of them were born into it. They haven't worked an honest day is their lives."

"Yes. I noticed that," Rebecca said. "They all seem to want you though."

"I know." Larry said as he held her close. "So, did you tell them all the details they wanted?"

"I answered some of their questions, but I didn't reveal everything."

"That's good." Larry said as they danced. "Mr. Thomas wanted me to look into another project for him."

"Really?"

"Yes, but I told him it had to wait a while. I needed some time before I started another project. He wants me to be the lead agent on it, so he said he would wait."

"That's good."

"I mentioned the cannery to him, but he said he wanted something different and he wants me heading it. He didn't say what it was though."

"And he willing to wait until my case is over?"

"Yes. He said he would wait as long as it takes."

"That's great," Rebecca said.

"So, I've been thinking of putting Joe in charge of the cannery project. I think that it would be better if I wasn't the lead on it. I would still be involved, but more in the back seat. Joe is newer to the company and he hasn't done such a big case like this," Larry said. "Because I want to include your father and brother."

"Really?"

"Yes. I have been thinking about something." Larry stopped as he looked at her. "I shouldn't be talking about work. I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize, babe."

Larry and Rebecca finished the dance and walked off the dance floor. Larry grabbed them a couple glasses of champagne off a passing tray. He handed one to Rebecca. "To bigger and better things in life."

Rebecca tapped his glass and drank about half of her glass. "So, what were you thinking about my family and the cannery?"

"I shouldn't be talking about work."

"Why not? Everybody else is."

"Well I want your brother in charge in the head office and I want your father in charge on the floor."

"Like my father did before?"

"Yes, but a step up. First we have to find a buyer or investors for it."

"It's been sitting there for several years without running. Do you think it will still work?"

"It should. Of course we would have to get it checked out."

"Of course," Rebecca said. "Do you really think you can do this?"

"Yes. I already contacted the buyers from my father's deal and they said they would sell it. All we have to do is to find another buyer or some investors."

"That's great, but what if the new buyers wants to bring in his own people?"

"That's where negotiations come in."

"Oh, ok."

"I'm going to have Joe start working on it on Monday."

"That's good."

"I will help him out when he needs it."

"Are you going to be able to be in the back seat on this? I mean, you seem to like being in the front."

"Well I can try. Besides, that's where you come in. Keeping me on track and distracting me."

"I'm good at that." Rebecca said then leaned in and kissed him.

Reginald walked up to them. "Good evening, Rebecca. Are you enjoying the party?"

Rebecca stepped back from Larry. "Yes, it's wonderful."

"Glad to hear that. Lawrence, Mr. Hollands would like to speak with you."

"All right."

"Don't worry, I'll keep Rebecca company."

"Thank you, Dad." Larry said then kissed Rebecca. "I'll be back soon." He said then walked off.

"So, this must be different from what you are used to."

"I've been to parties like this before."

"Well, you look beautiful. Lawrence seems to be treating you with a lot."

"He's been great."

"He's been off his game since you came into the picture. His mind hasn't been on his work like it should be. His work is very important to him."

"Yes, I know," Rebecca said. "He enjoys what he does and he seems to be good at it."

"Yes, but with him being distracted, he can't do everything he needs to."

"No offense, Mr. Newman, but Larry seems to be doing fine for himself and the company. The way I see it, he just made a ton of money. I call that doing fine."

"He turned down another project saying he needs time off. He never took time off before."

Rebecca stepped in front of Reginald. "So, because he wants time off, you're saying that he's not doing his job?"

"You lose money by taking time off. Time is money."

"Yes I know. I heard you didn't even take time off when your wife died or when your son needed you the most. I think you're just worried that he isn't making you more money."

"Lawrence turned out fine."

"No thanks to you. You didn't even fight to keep him."

"I was busy."

"You can never be too busy for family." Rebecca said then took a deep breath. "I apologize, Mr. Newman. It isn't my place to say anything." She stepped back. "Excuse me. I need some air." She said then hurried off.