Chapter 31 – New Direction

"You have several meetings today," Timo looked at her schedule. "All new potential investors, I see. Care to tell me what you're planning?"

"I need to break away from the Belloffs and their cronies," Charlotte said as she got all her items for the meetings organized.

"And here I thought his reach was too far for that."

"Not if you look in the right places."

"Does this mean you're not going directly after Dean?"

"His time will come. For now, we have a lot of work ahead of us," Charlotte sighed and looked at the picture of Eric on her phone again for the umpteenth time.

"I guess you can't help but worry about him, even if it's only been one night."

"One night of him being homeless and jobless."

"Does it even count as being jobless? He didn't actually resign; he just didn't show up for work. I suppose it's more like an extended vacation."

"Without the perks." Charlotte sighed and turned her phone off. "Is there really no one else who can help him right now?"

"We don't even know where he is."

Charlotte gave him a blank stare.

"What?" Timo asked.

"I know full well that you can find almost anyone if you tried."

"But you dislike when I use those skills of mine."

"Only when it's for something bad."

"Even if I found him, what do you want me to do with that information?"

Charlotte took a deep breath. "Find someone from his past who's willing to help him. I can compensate them if they want it, but as long as they help him, I don't care."

Timo rolled his eyes. "Don't you think he should be able to handle himself for a little while? He is a grownup, you know?"

"I know that, but please, Timo."

"Ugh, fine. I know someone he used to be in contact with. I'll see if they're willing to help him. And, of course, it shouldn't take long for me to find him." Timo bowed. "But this means I might not be beside you during your meetings later; I don't know how long it'll take."

"I doubt that. I expect you to be nearby."

Timo smirked. "You're overly confident in my abilities."

"No, I'm not; I know exactly how capable you are. Good luck, Timo; I expect to hear good news from you soon."

Eric adjusted his tie on the new suit he bought with the money Dean threw at him.

I don't know how Karen ended up being there, of all places, but I have to do my best. Although, maybe it would've been best to leave town. If I'm still here, there's a chance I might run into her.

His shoulders slouched.

I hope she's okay. I hope she finds a way to escape Dean's grasp.

He clenched his shaking fists. "Ha... I have to get going." He looked at the stamped letter sitting on the table with her car key and an apology note that he planned to mail using the postal box by the bus stop.

The letter in hand, he headed out.

"Hey there," Karen was waiting outside his motel room.

"Karen? What are you doing here?" How did she know where I was again? While she would know he'd go to that motel, she shouldn't have known which room.

"I ended up taking the day off, and I figured you could use a ride to the flower shop. I won't do it every day, but I figured it'd be nice not to take the bus on the first day. By the way, why are you in a suit?"

"Don't I have an interview first?"

"Uh... I asked him if he'd just give you the job, and he said you could start when you arrived."

"But..." Eric looked down at his suit.

Karen shrugged. "Maybe it'll work for you. The handsome flower man dressed to woo his customers. Let's go," she led him to her car.

"Oh, wait, can we stop at a post box first? I have to mail something out," he clutched the letter.

"Sure thing."

After a quick pit stop, Karen pulled up to a large, busy flower shop on the outskirts of downtown. Even from the outside, they could see the crowd of people inside.

"Geez, I know you said he needed help, but I never thought a flower shop would be this busy unless it was Valentine's Day or Mother's Day," Eric commented as he got out of Karen's car.

"My uncle is an expert florist, so people come here for the unique and vibrant bouquets you can't get elsewhere. You don't want to know how bad it gets when it's for a holiday. He was in a tight bind since one of his full timers quit on him out of the blue; he's glad for the help, even if you don't know much about flowers," Karen opened the door and swayed her hand. "Let me introduce you, and then you're on your own for a while."

"Okay, thanks again, Karen."

Karen waved to an older man talking to a customer about flowers. He quickly built what the man wanted and rushed over to her with his arms open. "My favourite niece," he gave her a hug.

"My favourite uncle," she chuckled and hugged him back. "Uncle, this is Eric, the friend I was telling you about."

"Sir," Eric bowed his head a bit.

"Call me Kal, please. I don't like being overly formal," his eyes trailed down Eric. "But I guess you do."

"I'm used to office jobs."

"Know anything about flowers?"

"Not much, no. I'm sorry, but I am a quick study." Especially after I had to memorize all those names and faces for Char... Don't think about Char right now; focus on the job.

"Quit apologizing, boy," he patted Eric on the back, making him lurch forward. "Everyone starts somewhere." Kal pulled out an apron for him. "Trust me, it comes in handy. When I'm done teaching you, you'll be able to identify the flowers in here at a glance and build your own beautiful bouquets."

"Yes, sir... I mean, Kal."

"Karen," Kal turned to her. "If this friend of yours is working here, does that mean I'll get to see you more often?"

"Hmm? I don't know, maybe if you make some of those cookies you used to make when I was little," Karen nudged him.

"Oh-ho, you used to love those. It's a deal. I can make cookies whenever you want me to."

"I've got something to do. I'll see you two later," Karen waved and headed off.

"Now it's time for the crash course."