The Ugly Bear - Sex Stories

The Ugly Bear

... everything is secured and locked. "It's just down the street near de la Commune Street. My treat."

"Okay, Mat," Karl agrees, to Mat's surprise. He expected him to decline.

They have a pleasant evening, and they try — and fail, of course — to avoid shop talk. At the end, they each pay for their meal. Karl wants to pay; Mat argues that he invited him. Rosa decides to split the bill in two.

"You're walking back to your place?" Mat asks Karl as they step out of Rosa's.

"Yes," he says, "but I'm going that way." He indicates east of where they are. "I bought an apartment at the end of de la Commune Street, in that large complex."

"Oh, really?" Mat says. "Good for you."

"I've invited my brother for the Christmas holidays," Karl continues, to keep Mat's company a little longer, "so, I decided to buy a more suitable place to live. My dismal little room is barely big enough for me. He's coming with his wife and their 3-year-old daughter. Lee-Ann is pregnant, but I don't know when she's expecting. You know..." Karl pauses for a moment. "... I decided to set down roots here. It's a beautiful city; I love the people I work with, and I love the job."

"Well," Mat says, "I'm glad you decided to live here. I'm sure you'll love it. So, good night, Karl, and thank you for the company."

"Anytime, Mathieu," Karl responds, truly meaning what he says.

*

Friday, June 27, at the office, late afternoon.

Karl looks at his watch: 5:15 p.m. With a big ear-to-ear smile, ...

... he looks at Mat and Chloé and growls, "Damn, you two are so bloody good. We're finished. I can't believe it. Thanks, both of you, for working so hard almost every night and most Saturdays. Incredible work, guys."

Mat and Chloé stare at Karl, who rarely lets his emotions show like this. Actually, he never has before — at least not that they know of. While they start saving their work and closing things off, Karl, who's on the phone, tells them to stop.

"Hey, Jules!" Karl joyfully says, "all the plans are done — the spectacular renderings, the detailed description, material lists — the whole damn thing is done. Thanks to Mat and Chloé... Euh. What?" He listens to Jules for a few seconds. "Okay, we're waiting for you."

He pockets his cell and says, "The boss's coming. Can you stay a few more minutes?"

Both answer, "Of course."

After rapidly reviewing the whole thing, like only he can do, Jules congratulates the little team. The next step is to have their project reviewed by an independent architect and engineer. Karl's and Mat's work has always gone through that process without a single correction or criticism. This inspection process is not required by law or otherwise. Jules insists on that extra quality assurance process, just in case.

"Absolutely fantastic work," Jules proudly says. "Dinner is on me. Where shall we go?"

"I suggest Bill's place," Karl grunts. "It's called something like Café Vieux Montréal, I think. It's not far. The food is all home-made, ...