Free Too Hot to Quit by E Erika Page B

said.
    After a little hesitation
and sensing some desperation on Sheryl’s part, Senator J.L. still refused to
show up at the event. His action seemed to have annoyed Danny Birch, and he
quickly pointed it out to the senator: “But in the past, you had spared even fifteen
minutes to grace such an occasion, is there anything you are hiding from me
about this issue?” Danny pressed his long-time friend for some revelations.   
    Senator J.L. smiled
briefly and said, “To be honest with you, Danny, my plate is full right now
with various assignments, and I have got to settle all these issues as the
elections get closer, you know,” he tried to hide the real reason behind his
refusal to go to Sheryl Lekhov’s fundraising efforts for his own campaign.
    In private, Senator
J.L. had chided himself for being too paranoid about Sheryl Lekhov. It amused
him that he chose to act like a “shy boy” and not as a brave legislator that he
was. But he also realized that human beings should approach delicate matters with
reasonable doubts so as not to find themselves embroiled in a dangerous
situation. He believed he needed more time to familiarize himself with Sheryl.
And who knew, she might even end up being one of his best friends in life.
    The Monday following
the fundraising event, Danny Birch called to inform Senator J.L. that Sheryl
had successfully raised a sum of $1million for his re-election campaign.
    “That’s a huge amount
of money, Danny!” Senator J.L. gushed with a bit of regret. “Let me call her
right away and thank her for her great effort,” Senator J.L. said.
    Senator J.L.’s fingers
shook feverishly because of a troubling guilt as he tried to call Sheryl from
his cell phone. His heart pounded feebly hearing her sweet, slow voice on the
other side of the line. Senator J.L. felt his heart melt instantly as he listened
to her soothing way of talking.
    “I am grateful for what
you are doing for our campaign, Ms. Lekhov,” Senator J.L. said.
    “It is all my pleasure,
Senator,” she answered gracefully.
    “You know, we have
never reached such a milestone in our fundraising effort at one occasion
before; this is really an outstanding “first” for us, courtesy of your tireless
efforts, Ms. Chekhov,” Senator J.L. seemed happy about the development.
    “And if there is any
other way I can help this campaign to succeed, please do not hesitate to inform
me, Senator,” Sheryl said before her short conversation with Senator J.L. had ended.
    “No, problem, I will,
Ms. Lekhov,” he replied, politely.
    “Please call me Sheryl,”
she corrected him.
    “OK, Sheryl, I’ll be in
touch if there are other things we want you to do for us,” he promised. He knew
down within him that this lady was fast entering into him in a more dynamic way
than he could deny. She left in him an impression of a soft-spoken but
goal-getting lady who knew the right thing to do and always willing to accomplish
it.
    But something was now
clear to Senator J.L., he understood he could no longer do anything to keep
Sheryl Lekhov at bay from him.. He told himself to brace up for this reality;
though he still harbored his reservations when dealing with her. But none of
those mattered at this crucial time. Even for someone showing rare interest and
action in supporting one’s political career.

 
    Chapter 3
     
    Senator
J.L. sat pensively in his Capitol office as he mapped out his latest strategy
for winning his re-election. He circled two important dates on the small
triangular calendar atop his huge oak table.
      August
15 — Inaugural meeting with his campaign staff
    August
22 —Official
launch of his campaign in his constituency headquarters
in      downtown Los Angeles
    He
grabbed his cup of hot morning coffee to take a quick sip when his office phone
started ringing.
    “Senator,
would you like to take a call from one Ms. Sheryl Lekhov now?” one of his
assistants inquired.
    No
more hesitation: “Put her on the line