by Katie Dowe
“Because I was married for better or worse and I had no intention of leaving my children to be brought up by a stepmother or a string of women coming and going in your father’s life,” she told him smoothly.
“You turned a blind eye to his dalliances.”
She let out a peal of delighted laughter. “Darling, how quaint!” she sputtered as she put her glass on the table next to her. “I did.”
“And Eleanor and I never heard you fighting.”
“We did our fighting in the privacy of our bedroom. Children should never be burdened with our problems. They should be able to live their childhood in peace.”
“You bore it alone.”
“I have friends who saw me through the worse and now I am free from all that.”
“Did you ever love him?”
Emma tilted her head to one side and considered. She had asked herself that question for a long time and had not been able to come up with the answer. “I suppose I did in a way. He gave me my two children and that is something that I will never regret.”
*****
“You cooked!” Andrea sniffed the air as she dumped her large pocketbook onto a chair in the kitchen. “And it smells good. What is it?”
“Meatloaf.” Ebboni turned her cheek for the usual kiss from her friend. The girl smelled like sunshine and some body wash she had used to shower. Andrea Lakes was tall and angular with thick black hair and an attractive face. She was very passionate to her work and would stay over time just to tend to the sick. “And Mama’s special sauce. I went grocery shopping.”
“So I see.” Andrea opened the pantry and peered into it noticing the stocked shelves. “I am starving.” She grabbed a tin of sausage and peeled the top away, digging into the can to take one up and popping it into her mouth. “I brought pastry.” She went over to her pocketbook and brought out a box of donuts.
“I bought a tub of mint chocolate chip. We can indulge.”
“Great! I had a heck of a night in the ER. Accidents and multiple bodies. It was gruesome. I did not get off until this morning and the minute I went inside I went straight to bed.” She climbed onto one of the stools and watched as her friend sliced up vegetables deftly.
“I got picked up in the parking lot of the supermarket,” Ebboni said with a smile. “He was married and took off his ring to do so.”
“Bastard!” Andrea said feelingly as she continued eating the sausages. “I wonder why they get married if they are just going to cheat.”
“I am sorry I brought it up, honey.”
“No, it’s okay.” She waved her hand carelessly. “I am getting over my cheating ex so you don’t have to tip toe around the subject.”
“In the meantime I am thinking about a second job.” Ebboni slid the meatloaf out of the oven and rested it on the counter to make it cool.
“I thought you were not going to do that.”
“I have no other options.” She sighed and reached for plates to share the meal. “I went to the grocery store today and almost asked Ellen if they were hiring.”
“Honey, you love your weekends,” Andrea protested.
“Having my weekends to myself is not going to pay the mountain of debts that are piling up every day.” She cut into the succulent meatloaf and put the slices on the plates. “Could you grab the fruit punch from the fridge?”
“I told you I could loan you some money.” Andrea grabbed two glasses as well and came back with them.
“No,” she said firmly as she handed Andrea her plate. “I will figure out a way.”
“You are just being stubborn. I have money left over from the money that no good ex-husband of mine gave me.”
“And it’s yours to keep. Thanks, honey, for thinking of me, but I will figure it out.”
Chapter 2
“Thanks for the wine.” Donald Carey stopped by the desk with a smile on his attractive craggy face. His smile widened at the surprised look on her beautiful face. “When an apology is accompanied by a bottle of my favorite red wine, I know it can only be you.”
“I hope it was not too much inconvenience,” Ebboni said with her ready smile.
“A little bit but the wine made a world of difference. I am heading out for a couple of days so I will see you when I get back.”
“Have a pleasant trip.”
“I will, my dear.”
Ebboni waved at him as he turned back to look at her and then continued her work. It was summer and the pools needed to be maintained properly. There was going to be a barbecue later in the week as well and she had to make sure that everything was in place. Amberville Estates and Apartments were the crème de la crème in apartment buildings and those who were in charge always made sure the reputation was kept up to standards.
“Amberville Apartments, how may I be of service? Ebboni speaking.”
“Ebboni, great!” the voice of her supervisor sounded in her ear harried as usual. “We have Theodore and Emma Amberville visiting with us tomorrow for the rest of the week and I need everything to be set up for them. The penthouse apartments are empty?”
Ebboni did a quick check on her computer before responding. “Yes, they are.”
“Great!” she said in relief. “Send maintenance up to see if everything is in working condition please and get housekeeping to do a quick tidy up. They should get there for the afternoon. They are interested in acquiring the apartments a few blocks up so they want to tour the place.”
“I will see to it.” Her professional tone hid the fact that she was a little anxious. The last time she had seen Theodore Amberville had been at a function where they had honored the supervisors and managers of the company all over the country. He had visited the apartment building where she worked but she had not dealt directly with him.
“I know you will,” she said in relief. “We want to make a very good impression.”
Ebboni hung up from her and sat there for a moment before galvanizing into action. She had work to do!
*****
Eleanor breezed into her brother’s office the way she normally appeared everywhere: hurried and impatient. Eleanor Amberville was the direct opposite of her brother in coloring and mannerisms. She had taken after their dad with his jet black hair and dark blue eyes. She was a very attractive woman with a sleek sophisticated look and oozed confidence which a lot of money and beauty afforded her. She was a socialite who was on tons of charitable organizations and was currently engaged to Jeffry Milton of Milton Pharmaceuticals. Their wedding was set for the first week of December and was going to be the social event of the season. “Isn’t Marjorie getting a little old to still be manning the secretarial desk?” she asked as she slipped off her chic pink and white jacket and sat on one of the sofas that decorated the huge luxurious office Theodore had inherited from his father.
“She is only sixty and is the best damned secretary in town,” he told her mildly with an amused glint in his eyes. “I have a feeling that you only say that because she does not treat you like a queen complete with a crown.”
“She has to understand that I am an Amberville and I deserve respect,” she said airily.
“I am her boss and she is not afraid to tell me what she thinks,” her brother said wryly. “She is certainly not going to mind you. She was the same with Dad and as much as he threatened to fire her several times, he could not do without her and neither can I.”
Eleanor shrugged elegantly, the matter forgotten.
“I have a feeling that you did not come just to inquire about Marjorie. What’s on your mind?” Theodore asked leaning forward on his desk.
She twisted her slender fingers for a moment before looking up at him. “I am getting married in three months,” she said with a breathless laugh. “I laid in bed last night and started panicking.”
“Why?”
“I started asking myself if I loved him, really loved him.” She pressed her lips together. “Our dad was a philandering cheat and had no respect for Mother. What if I am marryin
g a man just like him?”
“Have you heard anything to make you think that?” he asked her softly.
“Hints here and there.” She moved her shoulders restlessly. “Whenever we go out together I feel as if there are women in our circles looking at me knowingly as if to say: Look, we have been with him before so you are not in any way special.”
“Or it could just be your imagination.” Theodore wondered silently if he should check out his future brother-in-law. He belonged to the same club as Jeffry and his father but they did not exactly run in the same circles. Theodore had his own friends and Jeffry had his.
“Or I could just be channeling my anxiety and insecurities of marriage onto our relationship.”
“Have you asked him about it?”
“What do you think he is going to say, Teddy?” she asked him wryly. She was the only one who called him that and had done so when they were children. “I have asked Mother over and over again why she put up with what Dad put her through and she told me that she had been determined to stick with it. I don’t want to do that, Teddy, and I am scared of making the wrong choice.”
“Are you in love with him?”
Eleanor stared at him for a moment and then nodded.
“Talk to him and get it out in the open. There is no shame in calling it off if you are not sure.”
*****
There was a flurry of activities and muted excitement at the apartment complex the next morning! Ebboni had come in a little bit earlier than her usual seven a.m. to do a walk-through of her own. Fresh flowers had been put in all the rooms and the kitchen was well stocked even though she knew they were probably going to be ordering out. She had asked that several takeout brochures be stocked on the glossy center table and she was pleased that there were several varieties. She wandered into the master bedroom and admired the bold slash of bright greens and muted champagne colors of the walls. She passed her hand over the Egyptian cotton of the sheets and closed her eyes at the texture. Nothing but the best for the rich, the thought came to her mind suddenly. But she pushed it aside almost immediately. She had been brought up not to envy people who had more money. Her mother had often said that the more money you had the more problems there tended to be. She took one last look around the suite of rooms and made her way out. Everything was ready for them!
*****
He saw her the minute he came into the reception area. He had first seen her at his sister’s coming out party which had been held at one of the apartment buildings in the large convention rooms. She had been wearing a simple black dress that had stood out against her flawless complexion. He had no idea why he had been zeroed in on her because there had been other beautiful and sophisticated women there but there had been something about her that had caught his attention. He had watched her throughout the evening but had never worked up the courage to go and say anything to her, besides she was an employee and he had a rule not to get involved with someone who was employed to him even if indirectly. He had seen her several times after that and had found himself thinking about her. She was talking to one of the residents, an elderly white haired woman whom he recognized as one of the women who was on a charity with his mother. They both looked up at the same time and he noticed how the professional veneer slipped onto her exquisite face as she came forward.
“Mr. Amberville.” Her smile was cool and aloof as she held out a slim hand. “We did not expect you for another half hour.” She turned her smile to his mother and pulled her hand out of his to extend to her. “Mrs. Amberville, my name is Ebboni Lancaster. I trust that your travel was pleasant enough?”
“Thank you, my dear.” Eleanor looked her over swiftly admiring the neat attire she had on and the discreet makeup. She was quite a beautiful young woman, she thought fleetingly. “It was well enough but I am afraid I am feeling a little wilted.”
“I will escort you up-”
“That’s quite okay, my dear. I know the way. Thank you.”
Ebboni nodded and turned back to the silent man who stood behind his mother. “There are several takeout brochures on the table as soon as you go inside or if you want me to order something for you?”
She was too polite and he was sure she was not that way with the residents. “We will manage and please call me Theodore.” His smile tried to put her at ease but it did not work.
“If you will excuse me?”
She did not wait for an answer as she turned and walked over to a waiting resident. He stopped and looked at her, the easy smile, the familiar way she spoke to the man and felt a dart of resentment. “Mother, go on up I would like to look around for a little bit.”
“Okay, darling. I am going to take a nap before I order dinner.”
He made a sudden decision and walked over to her desk. She looked up at him and her dark eyes had his heart slamming inside his chest! “Do you need something?” she asked him politely.
He wanted to tell her that he needed her!
“Do you have someone who can take over?”
She looked at him startled. “I suppose-”
“Good,” he interrupted her briskly. “I need a guided tour.”
He moved away from her desk and walked over to the potted palm to wait for her so sure that she would just up and do his bidding, she thought furiously. But she was nothing if not professional and he was the boss of all the bosses in the company so she had no choice. “Pamela, thanks for taking over,” she told the girl as soon as she hurried around the desk.
“Are you kidding me?” she whispered. “Mr. Amberville is standing right there. I hope I don’t do anything to get me fired.”
“Just do your job,” she said a little tersely as she walked over to where he was standing. “Shall we?”
He followed her around the different apartments and the several conference rooms that were used to hold meetings and various entertainments.
“I have no doubt you have heard we are trying to acquire the apartment building a few blocks away,” he said as they came to a stop inside the huge conference room.
“I have.” She glanced at her watch discreetly and saw that it was almost time for her to leave but she would never say that to him.
“Would you mind sitting a few minutes?”
Ebboni stifled the no that was coming and nodded. “Of course.”
“I know you get off at three, but I promise not to take up a lot of your time.” He smiled at her, his blue-grey eyes twinkling.
“No problem.”
“I have a feeling that you just said that out of politeness,” he said with a grin.
She found herself smiling for the first time since he came in. “Maybe.” She took a seat opposite him.
“The area is a thriving one and people are looking for places to live.” He looked around the elegant room for a moment. “What we have in mind is a place where the single man or woman can live, somewhere close to the business areas that will not cost an arm or a leg. This place was built with the rich and entitled in mind and therefore cost a mint.” He smiled fleetingly. “Amberville Estates and Apartments are legendary for that. We cater to the very rich but I want to move away from that a little bit and think about the working class people. What do you think?” he asked, looking at her.
She looked at him startled and at first had no idea what to say. “I think it’s a good idea.”
“Be honest.”
She moved her shoulders a little bit and then responded. “I think it is an excellent idea,” she began slowly. “Amberville has a very solid and excellent reputation and leaning towards the working class is a step in the right direction.”
He nodded. “The board thinks I have gone crazy,” he said wryly. “They are a set of old fashioned men who live in the past. It took my mother taking a seat on the board for them to agree to have another woman there as well. It kills them every time.”
“I see.” She looked at him quizzically and found herself relaxing in his presence. “What about you?”
“
I am a lover of the female species and a great respecter of changes. Women have a way of putting a different spin on things.” He smiled slightly. “My mother is a force to be reckoned with and I admire her a great deal.” He looked at her for a moment and Ebboni almost squirmed at the intense look in his eyes before he glanced at his watch and then back at her. “I am afraid I have taken up too much of your time already. I will see you in the morning.”
She got to her feet and so did he. “Is there anything you and your mother need before I leave?”
He inclined his head. “We will manage. Goodnight, Ebboni.”
She nodded and walked out of the room unaware that he stood there watching her walk away!
*****
“What are you doing out here all by yourself, darling?” Emma wrapped the silk robe around her body as the breeze picked up and stirred against her skin. It was almost midnight and the sky was lit up with dozens of stars along with the luminous moon. Theodore was half lying on the chaise lounge on the balcony enjoying a glass of wine. They had ordered in and had enjoyed the well cooked meal after which his mother had gone for a stroll. He had stayed back going over some documents that he needed for the meeting with the people who owned the derelict building. But he was unable to sleep and he knew it was due to her.
“It’s a lovely night.” He indicated to the sky as she took a seat opposite to him.
“It is indeed.” She stared at him for a moment. “You need to find someone to be with. Someone who will appreciate what you have to offer.”
“You mean the Amberville’s money?” he asked with raised brows.
“No, darling. I mean the fact that you are all heart. You are sweet and handsome and very giving,” she said softly.
“You are my mother so you have to say those things.”
“I mean it.” She sighed and leaned back against the cushions. “If your father was half the man you were I would have loved him to pieces.”
“Eleanor is having doubts,” he said suddenly.
“Your sister is afraid and I cannot say I blame her.”
“Do you think that Jeffry is cheating on her?”
