I'm Doin' Me

by Anna Black

  Once her day came to an end, she headed to her office and ran into Tressa. She wondered why she was hanging around the station when she didn’t work there.

  “Tiffany, nice to see you,” she said with a smile fake as the solar nails Tiffany had on her fingertips.

  “Hello, Tressa how are you?” Tiffany returned dryly and tried to keep going.

  “I’m great, never been better. Just planning my wedding and living in bliss.”

  Tiffany laughed.

  “Did I say something to amuse you?” Tressa asked smartly.

  “I just thought I heard you say you were planning your wedding, the wedding I heard from the groom is off.”

  “Well, you may have heard that it was off, but it’s not. Kory just needs a moment and I’m giving him that. But I can assure you, Miss Richardson, Kory and I will be married.”

  “Okay,” Tiffany said and started walking away. She wasn’t in any mood to deal with Tressa.

  “Think what you want to think, Tiffany. I got this under control and trust, sweetie pie, Kory and I will be married.”

  “If you say so.” Tiffany went on to her office and gathered her things to leave.

  When she got into her car and was headed toward Colby’s, she couldn’t resist calling Kory.

  “Hello,” he said.

  “Hey, Kory, this is Tiff.” She swallowed hard. “Do you have a moment?”

  “Sure, what’s up?”

  “I just have a quick question.”

  “Okay,” he said.

  “Are you and Tressa back together again?”

  “No, why do you ask?”

  “Because she is still planning your wedding.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “I ran into her a few moments ago and she said she was still wedding planning and that you and she were still going to tie the knot.”

  “Well, that’s not true. I haven’t spoken to Tressa at all.”

  “Well, apparently she thinks you guys are still on, and she hasn’t even told her folks that the wedding is off.”

  “How do you know all this?”

  “Because a couple weeks ago Mr. Green came into my office talking about you taking over the burden of his troublesome daughter. The man has no clue you called the wedding off.” Kory was silent. “Hello?” she said.

  “I’m here,” he said. “I just don’t know what to say. I mean, I thought it would be best if the news came from Tressa, but I guess I’ll have to tell Mr. Green myself.”

  “Well, that’s the only way he’ll know, because Tressa is not going to be the one to tell him. That’s for sure.”

  “I guess not. So how are you, Tiff? How is the show stuff going?”

  “It’s going. Man, and I have been super busy. The studio, the production, the entire thing is like ten times bigger than it was at KCLN, so it’s been early mornings and very late nights for me.”

  “So how has the superstar been able to deal with it?”

  “Superstar?” she asked confused.

  “Mr. Movie Star, Colby?”

  “He’s not happy, but he understands. He knows the industry, so he is being supportive.”

  “Really? Maybe he does care about you for real.”

  “Kory, please don’t. Don’t start that shit again.”

  “What shit?”

  “That bullshit about him being paid to sleep with me.”

  “Oh, so you’re sleeping with him now?”

  “You know what I meant, Kory.” She couldn’t believe she’d said the words “sleep with” and not “go out with.”

  “Yeah, I gotta go,” he said and hung up in her face.

  Tiffany was shocked. Why was he trippin’? He knew Colby was her man, and eventually they’d sleep together. She started to call him back, but Colby called her.

  “Hey, you, I’m on my way,” she said when she answered.

  “Hey, that’s why I’m calling you. I need a rain check. I had this thing with my agent to come up and I’m about to head out and meet him.”

  “Colby, really? It’s been days since I saw you last.”

  “I know, I know, but duty calls. You know how it goes, babe. There’s going to be some directors and screenwriters at this gig and I gotta go. You know, to rub some elbows.”

  “I know, but I’m not happy,” she whined.

  “Tomorrow, I promise,” he said “Tomorrow.”

  She agreed. When they hung up, she got off the road and turned around and headed home. She could have stayed at work if she knew he’d cancel.

  “Oh well,” she said and drove toward her place.

  She stopped at a drive thru and got a salad. When she got home, she felt lonely. She thought of Colby, but not as much as she thought of Kory. She wanted to call him just to talk, but what would she say? What would be her reason to call him, she wondered as she dumped the half-eaten soggy salad into the trash.

  She went to shower, but looked at her tub and decided to take a hot bath. She poured herself a glass of red and grabbed her iPod and put it on the dock in her bathroom. She went to Fantasia again, but then decided to listen to Chrisette Michele instead.

  She slid into the tub and kept looking at her phone. She wanted to call Kory so badly, but she fought the urge. She drank her wine slowly and when the water began to cool, she grabbed her sponge and body wash and lathered up. She got out, dried her skin, and did her lotion routine and put on a short, comfortable cotton nightgown.

  She slid her feet into her slippers, went into the kitchen, poured another drink, and opened the sliding door to her deck off the kitchen. She normally sat on her little patio off her bedroom, but tonight she wanted a different atmosphere. She wondered how she could be so crazy about Colby and still yearn for Kory.

  She ran back inside, grabbed her phone and said, “No, no, Tiffany, don’t.” It was a struggle, but she didn’t make that call.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Rehearsals came quickly and the set was done. Five weeks had gone by and they were all a blur. Tiffany could count on one hand how often she saw Colby. They were always missing each other, and now that he had a role on a new television series, he was working just as much as she was. They’d have time for a quick dinner or a quickie at her place or his, but there was no staying all night and no time spent together. Colby was a huge romantic, he stayed up on sending flowers and little gifts, but she missed him and couldn’t care less about the flowers, cards, candy, and jewelry.

  As the show progressed, her love life was relegated to text messages, e-mails, and voice messages. She wondered if she and Colby should just have called it quits, because the hour or two visits weren’t cutting it for her.

  Now, it was taping time. The show was on schedule and everyone was elated. The sex scenes and nudity were a challenge at first, but they had a crew of greats working with them, so things were going well. Mr. Green joined a couple tapings and he was always happy with what he saw when the director said, “Clear.”

  Tiffany could tell he was really fond of her and she could see his mood shift whenever Tressa stepped into the room. She kept watching the other girl, wondering when she was going to tell her father that the wedding was off. The date was drawing near, and since Kory hadn’t stepped up and told Mr. Green that he called it off, Mr. Green was still walking around thinking he would be giving his daughter away in a few weeks.

  “Daddy, do you have a second?” Tressa interrupted.

  “In a minute,” he said and continued his conversation with Tiffany. “That cooking scene was brilliant. I mean it was hilarious, reminded me of an episode of I Love Lucy.”

  “And that was exactly what we were going for, Mr. Green. You know these girls can’t cook, but women will do anything to impress a man.” Tiffany nudged him and they both laughed. Mr. Green continued to laugh and joke with her, and Tiffany could see the irritation written all over his daughter’s face. “Well, I’ll let you get to your daughter. I’ll see you on set tomorrow, right?” Tiffany leaned i
n to give him a quick hug and he gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

  Yes, I wouldn’t miss it,” he said.

  Enraged, Tressa watched Tiffany walk away.

  “Yes, Isabella,” her father said. She noticed his tone was different from the one he’d used with Tiffany.

  “Well, I just came by to see if you had a moment to chat about some wedding things.”

  “Me? I thought you and your mother had that under control.” He began to walk and she took a couple of quick steps to catch up with him.

  “Ummm, we do, Dad, but there are some masculine touches I want to add for Kory, and I wanted your opinion.” She followed him out to a cart.

  “Well, why don’t you ask Kory? It’s his wedding, not mine.” They climbed into the cart and the driver took off.

  “I would, Daddy, but I wanted to surprise him, you know?”

  Mr. Green paused before he spoke. “Okay then, what? What do you want my input on?”

  She hadn’t expected him to give in, so she made up something. “Well, the groom’s cake. Kory likes golfing and fishing, so I was thinking a cake shaped into clubs or a cake that looks like a big fish.” Her dad laughed. “What, Daddy?” she asked, confused.

  “I say clubs. I wouldn’t want to eat a cake that looks like a fish. And you know you don’t need my input on this, Isabella, so why are you really here?” he asked.

  She stuck to her story. “Daddy, come on. I value your opinion and I appreciate your style, so I do want to get your input.”

  Not convinced he said, “Okay, what else do you want to ask me?”

  “About gifts for the groomsmen. I thought I’d give them all cologne, but you know everything ain’t for everybody, so what do you suggest?”

  “Watches. A nice watch works for a man.”

  Tressa smiled. “Daddy, that is a great idea.” The cart pulled up to the main building and they got out.

  “You’ve never asked my opinion on anything; you and your mother have always done these things. So again I ask, what do you really want, Isa? I’m a busy man and I have things to do.” They reached the door to the building and he opened it for her.

  Still acting innocent, she said, “Daddy, why are you so suspicious?”

  “Because I know you. Now come on with it. Spit it out. Did you convince your mother to go over budget? Did you spend way more than I said on your dress? I know it’s something, Isa,” he said a little impatient. He knew Tressa like the back of his hand and she was pushing him closer to his grave. He’d been through more than a father should with her and he couldn’t wait to marry her off. Give her her trust and then she’d be Kory’s problem and he and his wife could have some peace.

  His marriage was perfect and he and his wife got along great, but Tressa was what drove a wedge between them. He spoiled her too much and his wife complained; she spoiled her too much and he complained. At the end of the day, Tressa was always the reason they had issues in their marriage.

  “Well, Daddy, to be honest, I came here to talk to you about my place at TiMax.” Her words came out in a rush. “Daddy, I think it’s time you showed me the ropes. I mean, you don’t have a son or any other children that Mom and I know of, and you are not going to live forever.”

  He hit the up button for the elevator and the doors opened. They stepped in and he said, “Oh, so now you are putting me in the ground?”

  “No, Daddy, it’s not like that. I just want some power and control at this company, and I think it’s unfair that you won’t give me a chance.”

  “Isabella, Isabella, Isabella. You don’t have a head for business. This is my baby. Me and Mike started this company from nothing, and even if I died tomorrow, you will never have control of this company. You have not shown me any ounce of responsibility. You have a condo on the beach, yet you’re home, in your old room. Unless you’re partying and don’t want me and your mother to see you wasted. Just get married, have a couple children, and show us—me and your mother—that you care about the important things. Then and only then will I change my mind.”

  Tressa’s anger was kindled and she didn’t hide it. The elevator doors opened and they got out. “So that’s it? You are treating me like I don’t have your blood running through my veins. You are going to act as if I haven’t changed, Daddy, huh?” she yelled.

  “Lower your voice!” he demanded. He hurried into his office and she was right on his heels.

  “No, I will not. I want you to look at me, Daddy and, admit that I’ve changed.”

  “Isa, it’s been five minutes since you’ve been the new you and that isn’t long enough for me to just trust you working here. I keep telling you to focus on getting married.”

  “It sounds like you are just trying to pawn me off.”

  He paused before he spoke. “That’s not true, but I think marriage will be the best thing for you. Tressa, you are just not cut out for business. Everything you’ve sought out to do you had to come to me to save it, pay it off because you didn’t make good on it, or you’ve just plain ol’ lost the endorsement because of your recklessness. Get married okay? At least accomplish that,” he said and poured himself a drink. He took a swallow and waited for his daughter to make another plea for respect and responsibility, neither of which she deserved.

  “Fuck you, Daddy,” she belted.

  Shocked, he said, “Isa, are you insane?”

  “No, Daddy, I’m not! You kiss Tiffany Richardson’s ass every single day like she is your daughter and not me, and I don’t give a shit anymore!” she blasted.

  Mr. Green grabbed his chest and started to gasp for air and he then dropped the glass. He went down.

  “Daddy? Oh my God, Daddy,” she said and rushed over to him.

  “Call 911,” he struggled to say.

  Tressa panicked and yelled for help. Her dad’s receptionist came running in. “Call 911 now!” she yelled when she saw her. “It’s okay, Daddy, it’s okay!” she cried and held him. “Please, Daddy, I’m so sorry. Please don’t die on me. Please,” she begged.

  Paramedics were there within minutes. This was what she dreaded. Her daddy had a heart attack and she hoped to God that he survived it.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Tressa rode to the hospital in the ambulance with her dad. She called her mom on the way. They found out her daddy had suffered a massive heart attack and he was going to be out of commission for a while.

  When her dad was finally able to come home, he knew he had to take it easy for a while and that meant no work. Tressa was now in control, because her mother didn’t handle any business matters and after fifty years of being in the United States, she still didn’t speak good English. She just stayed by her husband’s side and did everything Tressa translated for her to do, including giving her dad a pill that the doctor didn’t actually prescribe.

  It was a downer, nothing life-threatening, but if it was Tressa thought it would be even better, because after she got over the shock of him having a heart attack, her evil mind figured she’d have control of everything if he was gone. She kissed her father good-bye that morning about twenty minutes after she gave him the sedative. He was too out of it, even if she hadn’t given him the sleeping pill, to even dispute her saying she was going into the studio to work in his place. She was dressed to kill and she was going into the office to make heads spin.

  She checked her mirror and reapplied her lipstick as all the executives came into the main conference room. She took a deep, cleansing breath and took her father’s position at the head of the table. “Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. As you all know, my father has recently become ill. I will be standing in his place until his return.” Everyone began to whisper. “No need for sidebars, it’s true. The first thing on the agenda this morning is Boy Crazy.” All eyes turned to her. “The show will be shut down until further notice,” she said.

  One of her father’s associates laughed and she turned to him. “You’re laughing because?” she asked him.

  “Because you
are a joke,” he said. Everyone nodded in agreement. “Your father would have never given you any power to do a damn thing. Everyone in this room knows he doesn’t want you anywhere near this company, on the board or even as a janitor. Unless you have an affidavit signed by Mr. Green saying otherwise, this meeting is adjourned. Meaning you can go home and take off your fancy little ‘I’m in charge’ suit,” he said, doing air quotes. “And we will be getting back to work.” He got up and everyone in the room followed suit.

  Tressa was furious at the fact that they didn’t take her seriously. She knew she had to come back with an affidavit, forged of course, and keep her dear daddy away from the office forever. She didn’t know if that meant giving him something to take him out or keeping him sedated. All she knew was she wanted what was hers and, as greedy as she was, taking him out seemed to be an idea that popped into her mind a little too often.

  Her next stop was Kory’s house.

  “Hey, I heard about your dad. How are you and your mom?” he asked.

  She mustered up a few tears. “Not good. Can I come in?”

  He hesitated, but he stepped aside. “Sure.”

  She stepped inside and sobbed for a moment or two, told him the details what happened, and ended with telling him her dad would be fine if he took it easy.

  “Wow that is horrible. I must go and see him.”

  “Yes, but please, Kory, I didn’t tell him about us. His heart can’t take the truth. I told him you were in Chicago when he was in the hospital. Just please promise me you won’t tell him about us. Please?” she begged.

  “Are you serious right now? It’s been weeks,” he said looking at her like she was the coke head she was.

  “I know, Kory, and I wanted to tell them, I did. But I was so afraid, and had hopes we’d work it out. I didn’t want to tell my parents we were done and then we worked it out.”

  “Tressa, you’ve gotta be kidding me. I mean, you went back to using drugs and you thought I’d take you back from that?”