Hidden in Plain Site: We Find the Unexpected in New Developments

By D.L. Smoot

Dalton Corei finds out the hard way that Bozier Whitmire, is not just an ordinary advertising agency, and indeed, he’d signed on for much more than he’d bargained for. Introversion caused him many times to be overlooked and disadvantaged, however, there were those who stood up for him, who saw his hidden potential, those things others refused to see. Unfortunately, they would be the very ones that he would be put in a place to betray. It pays to read the fine print, regardless, the good man had made an obligation, and either was a sacrifice, between love or allegiance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664121157

D.L. Smoot

D. L. Smoot grew up the youngest of thirteen, in a small town called Scooba, MS, within a community called The Camp, with awesome neighbors though very few, but seclusion can create a vivid imagination, and is how she developed a love for short stories, even making dreams seem vivid and entertaining. Community, family, and siblings is to whom this book is dedicated, particularly an older sister who passed away before this book was complete. D. L. Smoot is the single, hardworking mother of a beautiful and intelligent young lady. She is a veteran, and author also of “The Resillant”.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Peering straight ahead with palms sweating and beads of perspiration beginning to accumulate on his forehead, he proceeded methodically forward. Some began to stare him up and down and others sneer as he moved with quick steps, avoiding any eye contact. The crumpled page of a newsletter struck the back of his head and he dared not look back to see who had thrown it, instead he sped up the pace, swallowing hard as he adjusted the rectangular framed glasses on his petite face.

This was Dalton Corei’s morning routine as he made his way amid the buzz of the crowded lobby of Bozier Whitmire, his workplace for the past eight years. Finally, reaching his office, he quickly shut the door behind him while still clutching onto his briefcase and breathing a sigh of relief as he held on to the doorknob a little longer before turning to put his things away. He had reached his inner sanctuary, as he loosened his tie and started his morning brew before settling into his oversized office chair and began sifting through the unread emails from the day before, yet no sooner than he had gotten comfortable, did his chair whirl around so forcefully that it nearly landed him onto the floor, as he found himself in a headlock.

Somewhat of an introvert and socially awkward, he had only a few friends within his years at the agency, one of which happened to be barging into his office around about now. This was Ryan Kensington with whom he found himself in a tussle that ended with them laughing hysterically as he asked Dalton how he had spent his weekend, yet knowing the answer was always the same. He’d settled in for the weekend watching movies, and ordering pizza, and Chinese food. Though only 27 years old he’d not yet married, neither did he live near family, and cooking was not his favorite thing, which is why Ryan was constantly threatening to fix him up with his cousin Zelda, though Dalton was beginning to believe that she was only a fictitious character, neither was he eager to meet her.

Definitely a contrast of one another, others thought it odd as well that Ryan would befriend such a social introvert as Dalton. He himself even wondered himself why such a popular prankster about the office, into partying, women, and working out, would befriend someone as himself. Maybe it was because of the one thing that they did have in common, they were both brilliant men, though Ryan didn’t get his job with the agency because of his smarts, he actually got his position there because his uncle was the boss, Managing Director, Uriah Ackerman, but regardless, he kept his job because of his smarts. Few knew, other than Dalton, that Ryan was related to Mr. Ackerman since this was his mom’s brother and the two didn’t bear the same last names.

Bozier Whitmire was a fairly successful Advertising Agency in the affluent upper area of Clancy City, New Jersey, where much respect was gained among the top execs, unless of course you were Dalton Corei.

Ryan was constantly getting onto him about being, as he bluntly stated. Such a pushover, letting others run over him and take the recognition for his ideas. Mr. Ackerman was actually thinking of firing Dalton at one point, but it was Ryan who pulled Mr. Ackerman aside to let him know where those other execs were getting their bright ideas.

After checking into it, instead of firing him, Mr. Ackerman ended up promoting Dalton to Creative Director and placing him in his own office, a position to be envied, yet still others esteemed him as a weak individual.

Dalton sighed as he finally finished sifting through his emails, along with the last sip of coffee, as he realized that the dreaded time of the year was quickly approaching, that annual company outing. He often avoided crowds but felt obligated to attend since Mr. Ackerman relied on him for many tasks and trusted him to be there. Thankfully, with it being such a casual atmosphere, there were no seating arrangements needed, however, it would go as follows, Ryan on one side of the table with all the hotties, and he on the other side with those who were a little less sociable, much like himself, which was fine with Dalton as he was comfortable hiding in Ryan’s shadow, since he never cared for the attention anyway, regardless he was not looking forward to this outing.

There was a definite appreciation for the calming breeze on this beautiful spring afternoon. Mellow music filled the air adding to the ambiance of the evening. There could not have been a more perfect day for the company outing as the crowds gathered under the pavilions, and no sooner than a popular tune was played did one of those hotties whisk Ryan off to dance, as the others turned to look at Dalton. He flashed a hopeful smile as the ladies paused to stare, then turned to finish their refreshments and conversation. Too shy to ask for a dance out of fear of being rejected, he shifted his attention to something he found more entertaining, the latest news and entertainment on his phone, while intermittently texting his family back home in Mississippi, pretending to be the life of the party. After a few drinks and beers, he grasped onto the table’s edge to steady himself as he raised to walk towards the restrooms. Heading along the path while feeling the mellow ambiance and just a little tipsy, he approached an attractive couple, and just as he was about to walk pass the young lady reached out to grab him. She pulled him towards her ample bosom, giving him a long and lingering hug as he closed his eyes, taking in the familiar fragrance of her hair.

How are you, Dalton? she expressed with a certain drawl and a look in her eyes that nearly made him tremble.

However, before he could give an answer, she turned back to her companion, who by now was tugging at her elbow and staring intensely at him. She giggled at whatever her companion leaned forward to tell her in her ear, obviously about him, as she then planted a soft kiss on Dalton’s cheek before they went about their way. Still in the moment with eyes half closed, as if reminiscing, he stood staring in the direction of the couple, and could have sworn he’d caught a glimpse of her looking back over her shoulder as if there was something more she wanted to say. He watched until they were about to round the corner, then nearly running into someone as he turned ahead. He adjusted his glasses to see that it was Ryan.

Is everything okay? Ryan asked concernedly while casting a fierce glare in the direction of the couple who had just rounded the corner up ahead.

I’m fine Ryan, he paused as if still marinating in the embrace.

Real fine, he added, flashing a toothy grin and an ok sign at him before making his way down the sidewalk towards the restrooms.

Um hmm, Ryan shook his head and mumbled underneath his breath, while watching him stroll blissfully along the sidewalk.

This gorgeous creature was Dalton’s ex, Bethany Hilliard, one of the few people at the agency other than Ryan who had paid him any attention, and the idea that she would stop to give him a hug really made his day. He had fallen in love with her and could have sworn that she was in love with him too. She worked at the company for about 8 years as well and paid no regard to what others had to say about him. The office staff wondered the same about this odd relationship, as they did about his and Ryan’s. Why would such an attractive woman be interested in such a pushover as Dalton Corei? Fact is, she admired his brilliance and saw great potential in him, not to mention that she found him to be very attractive, past his lack of confidence and what they called birth control glasses he wore at the time. She accepted those things about him that others viewed as quirky, and it made him feel proud to have such a brilliant and beautiful woman at his side. Always careful and protective of her, he stood up for her, as well as for himself a little more when she was around, though however ironic, the last time that he stood up for himself was actually