Smooth as Silk - A freewrite fiction short story

source
This is the contest: https://steemit.com/freewrite/@freewritehouse/we-write-my-start-and-your-end
The start:

Lydia touched the soft pedals that belonged to roses perched by her grandma's front door.

"Smooth as silk." Her grandma always said. "But be careful of the thorns, they prick."

It was true she realized, about more things than just roses.

Take this afternoon for instance. She had gone into work just like any other day. Her coffee still warm in her hand as she sat down at her desk.

But as she looked up to her computer, there stuck to the screen was a post-it note that read-

"Lydia switch on your phone please. Shilling called - Morten."

Morten Bailey was the oldest person in the office, At 54 he was still the best artist who could give life to your concepts. Unfortunately, with the entry of the new wizkids with huge computers and gigantic split screens Morten was relegated to odd jobs. And that too because he was a shareholder in the firm and a question mark as far as the other partners like Barker and Shillings were concerned. Nobody wanted to upset him much but nobody wanted him near also, except a few colleagues like herself. Lydia smiled despite herself please, nobody writes it any more. She switched on her phone thinking about what the problem could be. With Shillings it had to be a problem.

"Better Foods is very upset. Your pitch for the new pasta product line was thrown into the bin. You know?" Shillings had started the barrage immediately on picking up the phone. "The pitch was not my idea; you asked me to be there for the presentation only." Lydia protested. "So you messed it up Lydia. Here we do your work for you and you throw it away. This is your Team Work. "
Lydia could not control her voice which rose to high pitch. "Mr. Shilling what do you mean. I was brought in only at the last minute."
"And all for nothing. Those spaghetti and pasta ads would have brought in a year of work. Come to my office around 4 and give the two account files you have over to Dart. OK"
Lydia was a mixture of rage, nervousness and shock, she took deep breaths as she fidgeted with the pendant her grandma had given her. The idea suddenly clicked into place.
Lydia stood up to peer whether Morten was there. He was. She went over to Morten's cubicle of an office and closed the door. " Morten I need your help. Shilling is putting me through the wringer for no fault of mine. Those bloody rocket scientists he has brought in don't seem to be doing good and he is dumping it all on me. Uh... you know my work is good."
Morten gave a small smile and a nod; and said "Sit down Lydia. How can I help?"
" I am going to Better Foods direct. I have and idea but I need some concept art work to build on."
"You willing to leave?"
Lydia sighed. "Shilling will keep on doing this. Better take a chance now."
Morten was silent for a few moments. " OK Lydia call Ms Strofer right now, tell her you are breaking away and have a new proposal for the pasta line. If you can get an appointment I am with you."
Lydia said a silent prayer and organized her thoughts and called; the response was better than she had expected- They were happy to look at her pitch- "Smooth as Silk"
It had sounded just right to Lydia.

For a fantastic ending go to: https://steemit.com/freewrite/@carolkean/smooth-as-silk-a-freewrite-we-write-fiction-short-story-by-sarez-and-carolkean