Free book: UP
Author: Glenn Gillis

Derik Young is a real estate agent. One afternoon as he was on his way to his open house visit, he made one awkward mistake that would change his life forever. He found himself at the wrong house. Strangers were expecting him. Something was very wrong. He noticed that there were two large stairs, one leading UP, the other leading down. A loud voice was choosing people to either descend or go up. Suddenly a louder voice asked Derik to go UP.

Excerpt:

The late afternoon sun shone down brightly on the cherry red Ford Mustang in front of the Barrington Real Estate building. It was July 16th, almost the middle of summer, and one of the hottest days in July. Derek Young looked admiringly at his latest acquisition as he walked towards the red car. The 2016 Ford Mustang came with all the most modern conveniences; tinted windows, all around, electric windows on the two doors, electrically adjustable mirrors, an A.M./F.M. radio equipped with a CD player, four on the floor stick shift. The dash had a wood laminated counsel with all the gauges well in view. There was a wood laminated storage area on the transmission mound between the two front seats with two-cup holders. The highlights were the black leather-bound bucket seats in the front. The uniform seat in the back was also bound in black leather, as was the steering wheel. He had specifically asked for black leather when he had made his purchase. He smiled to himself as he neared the car. Life was good. Seeing his reflection in the side window, he nodded to himself as he reached for the door handle. At 43, standing six foot two and weighing 174 pounds, he was still in pretty good shape. The many hours he spent at the gym and on the golf course, paid off in three ways. It kept his body in shape, brought him into contact with prospective customers, and allowed him to hobnob with important business people who from time to time would slip him lucrative investment tips that paid off handsomely. On top of his salary of being a Grade-A real estate agent, his investments had made him a very wealthy man. When he thought back on it, he marveled at how fast the years had gone by.
 

Sixteen years ago, fresh out of college, he had stood in the Barrington front office, CV in hand, waiting to meet with James Barrington, the owner. James Barrington had been in the real estate business for 40 years and had done very well for himself. Barrington had liked what he had seen in Derek right off the bat. He had hired Derek on the spot. Derek had reminded him of himself, James Barrington when he had been Derek's age. Derek possessed the same drive and ambition to succeed that had allowed him, James Barrington, to be successful in the real estate business. Derek Young didn't disappoint. Year after year, his sales increased. It didn't matter how difficult the sale proved to be, each time Derek managed to sell the piece of real estate with a profit to the company and a hefty bonus for himself. He was confident, had a good business sense, and had a trusting way with his clients. It wasn't long before Derek became a junior partner in the firm. Three years ago, at the age of 75, James Barrington had finally retired. Plaguing health problems had probably given him the final push to do so. Old Mr. Barrington had sold the business to Derek. Derek had kept on the old team. Sandra Livingston, the secretary/receptionist, had been with the company for 6 years.

At 27, she was not only pretty but intelligent and efficient as well. The two other male real estate agents, David Green, and Oliver Casey were both in the 50s. When the time of the company's sale had come around, they had both passed on the opportunity, content to stay on in the position that they were in.