As they were turning to leave, a shrill voice called out, "That wouldn't be the infamous Conor Brantley, would it? Does that bastard think he can show his face here after failing so publicly with that Celia's Herbals? And what is he doing in a suit like that! After his losses, he is likely stealing it!"
Conor turned to see a girl with too much makeup and dressed head to toe in pink from her glasses to her shoes. She was hanging on the arm of none other than Nyman Banks.
"Hello, Nyman. I see you have a new girlfriend." Conor said, his tone clearly ready to leave.
"Conor, I hope you are treating Jessica well. And yes, this is Natalia Silverton. So, tell us Conor, are you stealing that suit, or have your prospects finally turned?"
Peter tried to be helpful by interjecting, "Umm, well, Conor is working with me for a photo shot."
"HA, ok Conor. So, you are pretending to be a model now? HAHA borrowing a suit for a shoot! Well, whatever kind of look you were going for, you missed," snarked Nyman.
Carlos watched from the door, but a glance from Conor told him not to interfere.
"Nyman, you'll go far someday. Hopefully, you'll stay there. I have places to be."
"Watch it, Brantley. You are already on thin ice in the Cochan family. If they hear mention that you were here in their mall again, it might just crack! See where you land then!" sneered Nyman.
Conor shrugged it off and left with Peter.
"Sorry about that... didn't realize just how hostile it was around here for you," said Peter.
"It's fine. I am used to it. But I am going to have to try elsewhere for that haircut, I don't want to spend any more time in there until things turn for the better."
"Well, if we can't get your hair done in there... I know just the place, and the stylist is the best around!" Peter led him to a salon just down the street and introduced him to Anthony Galvin.
"Ah, Peter! Come in, come in! Are we working on you today?
"No Anthony, my friend here and business associate, Conor needs a cut that matches his new suit."
"Ah, yes..." Anthony pushed Conor into a chair and draped him in a cape. "Let's see... this shag just will not do with such a fine suit... no, no. Do not worry, Peter. Leave it to me, I will have you a model when we are done! That is what you want, right? We are not just going to impress the ladies tonight, are we? My shop does not stoop to such lows!"
Peter chuckled as he watched Anthony spin around Conor's chair, lifting hairs and feeling his beard length. "No Anthony, though with your abilities I am sure the ladies will be begging for master Conor's attention when you are finished. Instead, we plan to have a modeling shoot around town. We can be sure to include your shop in the cities tourism campaign!"
"Yes! My shop should be a stop for anyone who thinks they are someone! Good work, my friend. Well, if this... man, is to be on the covers of ads... my work must be at its best! Take a break, come pick him up in an hour. I should have him ready by then." With a wave, Anthony dismissed Peter, who could only chuckle as he left a bemused Conor to Anthony's scissors.
An hour later, Peter walked in to find the chair empty and Anthony grinning from ear to ear. "You brought me a challenge, my boy, and I do love a good challenge."
"Where is Conor?" he asked quizzically.
"O Conor, Dear, come show us that devilishly handsome self of yours."
Conor stepped out from behind a screen near the rear of the shop and Peter was taken aback. Conor was thrilled as he watched a riot of emotion play over Peter's face.
"So, what do you think?" Conor asked, giving a bit of a spin. His shaggy hair had been neatly trimmed with a waved part to the right. His dark hair glistened as a light breeze from a nearby fan teased it. His beard had also gone from a scraggly unkempt thing to a sharp-looking close cut.
"If your wife wasn't pleased with you before, she might have to pause any arguments just to take it all in! Or at least be willing to give you a shot, just on looks alone!" Peter chuckled.
Conor was pleased. The idea of improving himself and making Jessica happy was indeed a worthy goal. Now if he could just get the family businesses some solid advertising. "Well let's get some shots before we lose the daylight and I risk messing this suit up."
Several hours later, Conor arrived home after visiting a local grocer with the few copper dragon coins he had left and set the bags on the kitchen counter before changing out of his new suit, gently placing it in his closet. As he looked at it hanging there, he mused 'Heres to new beginnings, and first steps'
He stepped out into the kitchen and began making what he remembered being the first meal he had ever made that Jessica actually liked. He worked on seasoned potato wedges, with two fillet's of fresh fish, and some amazingly fresh asparagus, drizzled with a touch of lemon. He had even brought home his spices for the Spice of Life mix and dusted the food with some of that as well.
Just as it was coming out of their small oven, Jessica arrived home in a huff.
"I don't know why father hires these idiots who can't file a single damn piece of paperwork correctly! How do they expect to get paid on time and correctly if they can't turn in their purchase orders or receipts! Even the time cards are all messed up! I gave clear.... What is that smell?" Jessica's eyes went wide as she spotted Conor in the kitchen setting out two plates of steaming food. "You.... You made dinner?"
Her stunned expression was a balm to Conor's soul. He smiled, "I did. I hope you still like the white fish from that fishmonger over near the port."
"I... I can't believe you did this... did I forget something... but... is today supposed to be something special? Our anniversary is not for another three months, not that we ever do any..." she paused her rambling and just said, "Thank you."
Conor looked at his wife and beamed. Her cute, speechless self was priceless, and he would cherish that above all else. As he set the plates on their small dining table, Jessica looked up at him with a look he had not seen in nearly three years. Conor's heart skipped a beat as he saw what he could only hope was genuine admiration from his wife. Her face suddenly shifted and she shot out of her chair, almost making him spill the plates before he could get them settled on the table. Her hands were running through his hair, but...
"What did you do to your hair? And your beard! You cut it! Who did this?"
"Does it look good?" Conor asked hesitantly.
"It looks expensive. And you know we have rent due next week." And she was back.
"Don't worry about it. As long as you like it, it's not an issue."
"Conor, money is an ISSUE!"
"I took another job working on my off days from Grizlhut. Part of the job required the haircut, and the owner covered it," Conor made up on the spot. It wasn't exactly a lie as he was half owner.
"Hmm, is that so? Well, don't be spending money we don't have. But.... I do appreciate you making the effort and taking on extra work. Hopefully, it will pay off."
"I have some ideas..." Conor began before Jessica cut him off.
"No, I don't want to hear ideas. I want to see paychecks regularly. Not pie in the sky." She huffed but took her seat and stuffed some of the fish into her mouth. "MMM, ok but you did well on this. You can cook more often."
Conor just grinned. "Yes, dear."
Dinner was eaten in peaceful silence, and Conor was hopeful that perhaps, he had indeed taken the first steps to a new life.
DING DONG.
"Who is coming over this late?"
"O right, mother said she would stop by after work." She hopped up and opened the door.
Conor groaned inwardly but stood to greet his mother-in-law. "Cynthia, how are you this evening?"
"Oh, Conor, you are home... shouldn't you be at the GrizlHut or something? And what did you do to your hair?"
"Mom, be nice. Conor looks good like this. And today was his day off, so he made dinner."
"Did he now?"
Conor nodded, determined to put a good faith effort in today, "Yes, Mother, I did indeed. It was Jessica's favorite when we first got married."
"Hmm, you sound halfway intelligent today. Did you start a new medication?" Cynthia looked him over as if checking for new defects. Finding nothing of interest her attention returned to Jessica, clearly dismissing Conor as inconsequential.
"Mother! Behave," Jessica admonished.
"Well, we will see if he can actually cook," Cynthia strode over to the table and glanced at the remains on the plates, and speared a bit of fish. "Hmm, bland as I suspected. Well, at least he has a paying job now. Rolling dough sadly maybe all he is good for. It at least makes use of these skills he had when doing his handmade stuff." She dismissed the meal with a wave of her hand and stood haughtily appraising the apartment. "Conor, be a good lad and run along for a while. I have things to discuss with my Jessica."
Conor stared at her incredulously. He wanted to shout about how she couldn't kick him out of his own apartment but the harsh truth was, the Cochans had helped Jessica and he get the apartment. Jessica had also been the one to maintain their rent payments the past few years while he struggled to get himself together and try to make a business work.
He slumped at this realization and just said, "I will be around." He headed out the door and knocked on Yuri's door.