Unforgettable (Arabesque)

by Byrd, Adrianne

He left his office and went out to Diana’s desk to see if anything was written on her day calendar. When he sat behind her desk, he was disappointed to find no notation on the day’s date about being out. However, there was something sticking out from beneath the calendar.

  Marcel pulled out a sheet of paper and turned it over to see that it was a letter addressed to him.

  “Letter of resignation?” He looked up to see if anyone was in the vicinity and then quickly folded the paper and stuffed it into his jacket.

  “Mr. Taylor?”

  His heart leaped as his eyes jumped up to a frowning Diana.

  “What are you doing at my desk?”

  He blinked, momentarily stumped as to why he was out there himself.

  Her brows lifted. “Are you looking for something?”

  “Y-yes.” He stood. “I came to take a look at your calendar to see if you’d marked a doctor’s appointment or something.” He forced an awkward smile. “I didn’t remember you telling me that you’d be off today.”

  She nodded as if satisfied with his answer. “No, I didn’t. Do you mind if we go into your office? I want to talk to you about that.”

  Marcel’s heart squeezed. Was she about to resign now? “Sure.” He smiled again and then led the way to his office. He held the door open as she entered and pretended the sweet smell of vanilla that clung to her skin had no effect on him.

  “So,” he said, closing the door. “What can I do for you?” Please, don’t quit.

  Diana clasped her hands in front of her. “I need to take some time off.”

  The air in Marcel’s chest rushed from his lungs as his shoulders slumped in relief. “Time off?” Thank God.

  “I know this is on short notice but…the truth is my grandmother is sick. And I want to spend some time with her.”

  Whatever he had expected her to say, it wasn’t this. “I’m sorry to hear that.” He quickly remembered the feisty little old lady from Club Secrets and he was surprised that she was actually sick. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “No. I just need to take this time off.”

  He nodded. “Of course. Take as long as you need.”

  “I can call that temporary service we always use for a replacement.”

  “Don’t worry about that. I’ll get someone in human resources to take care of it.” He paused, and then asked the question he really wanted to know. “Do you know how much time you’ll need?”

  She dropped her gaze. “I’m not really sure. A few weeks, maybe a month.”

  Again he nodded. “Why don’t we say six weeks for now and then you can call and let me know if you need more?”

  “I doubt I can afford that much time off,” she said disappointedly.

  “You have plenty of vacation time, plus you’ve never used any of your sick time either. So I’m sure that you have more than enough to cover it.”

  Her smile seemed more relaxed as she looked up at him. “You’re probably right.”

  When their gazes locked, the room filled with silence while the temperature climbed a few degrees.

  “You are coming back, right?” he asked.

  “I plan to. Yes.”

  “Good.” He smiled, but doubt lingered in his mind. He did after all have her letter of resignation burning a hole in his pocket.

  “Well, I guess I better get going,” she said, stepping backward. “Thanks so much for understanding on such short notice.”

  “Not a problem.”

  She turned away, but he stopped her when her hand landed on the doorknob.

  “We’re going to miss you around here.”

  The loud silence returned before Diana glanced over her shoulder at him. “I’ll miss you guys, too.” She opened the door and waltzed out.

  When it closed behind her, she drew in a deep breath and released it in a long sigh. Even still her heart continued to race. Once again, she’d imagined Marcel meant more than what was said. She was also sure that she’d misread his dark searching gaze when she stood before him.

  “You and your wishful thinking.”

  “There you are, Diana.” Chelsea rushed over to her. “I was wondering where you were today.”

  “Oh, hey, Chelsea.” Diana moved over to her desk to take a few things home. “What can I do for you?”

  “Actually.” Chelsea lowered her voice as she followed her. “It’s more like what I can do for you.”

  Diana frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, surely you heard about the masquerade ball that Mr. Taylor and Mr. Bassett are going to next week?”

  “Oh, you mean the one Mr. Taylor doesn’t want to go to?”

  Chelsea giggled. “That’s probably it. Well, this is the ball all the girls are dying to attend.”

  “The girls in the office?”

  “Yep.”

  Diana shrugged. “Why?”

  Chelsea emitted another giggle and then leaned in closer. “Because this is the place where Marcel Taylor is going to search for his future wife.”

  Chapter 19

  Diana stared at the dummy invitation to William Bassett’s masquerade ball while Chelsea explained the crazy idea she and Paula had cooked up. The whole thing sounded ridiculous. No way Marcel would take such a serious decision lightly—let alone allow his best friend to arbitrarily select his future wife.

  “So are you going to attend?” Chelsea asked. “It should be a lot of fun.”

  Diana shook her head. “I doubt it.” She handed back the invitation. “I’m not particularly interested in becoming Mrs. Marcel Taylor.”

  “Then you’re an exception.” Chelsea snickered. “What’s not to want? He’s gorgeous, rich, wonderful and rich. I’d die if he selected me.”

  Diana just laughed. “What’s stopping him from selecting you now?”

  “Oh, don’t spoil it for us with logic. This is supposed to be fun.” Chelsea pushed the invitation back into her hands and then winked. “Think it over. We all owe it to ourselves to have a little fun in life.”

  Propped against a mound of pillows, Louisa delighted herself with the sheer entertainment Tim provided. Decked out in fuschia boas and the best wig Star Jones provided, he belted out a special rendition of the disco hit “I Will Survive.”

  “Fabulous!” She clapped exuberantly. “You should be in show business.”

  “You really think so?” Tim plopped down on the end of her bed. “There was a time when I used to wow the crowds at this cool club in South Miami Beach.” He leaned forward. “That’s how I really met Caleb, you know.”

  “Ah.” She rolled her eyes back and instantly recalled the thrill of dancing before a crowd. “There’s nothing like performing in front of an audience, is there?”

  “I bet you were great.”

  Louisa nodded. “Yes, I was.”

  The sound of the apartment’s front door closing drew their attention.

  “Diana, is that you?”

  “Yeah, it’s me,” Diana answered and followed the sound of her grandmother’s voice to her bedroom. The minute she pushed open the door and saw Tim in his getup, her eyes widened and laughter burst from her lungs.

  Tim timidly reached up and removed the wig.

  “Sorry. I’m sorry,” she said, shaking her head. “I just wasn’t expecting—”

  He held up his hand. “No need to apologize. I’m sure it was a shock.”

  “Oh, Diana. You should have seen him,” Louisa said, pushing herself up. “He’s great.” She glanced at Tim. “Go on. Show her.”

  Embarrassed, Tim waved her off.

  Diana sensed that she’d inadvertently hurt Tim’s feelings and crossed over to sit on the bed, as well. “Yeah, what is it? I’d like to see it.”

  “It’s nothing,” Tim insisted.

  “It’s wonderful,” Louisa encouraged.

  Diana brightened. “Then let me see it.”

  Tim hesitated a moment longer and then quickly grabbed the wig and repositioned it on his head.

  Dia
na’s mood lightened when Tim jumped up and wrapped the boa around his neck. But nothing could prepare her for when he pressed the play button on his portable stereo. A few minutes later when he ended his performance, she applauded and bounded off the bed to embrace him.

  “That was great. I didn’t know you were a performer.”

  “Well, it’s about the only thing I keep in the closet nowadays.” He laughed.

  “I think that you need to find a stage,” Louisa said.

  “Nah,” he said. “It’s just something that I like to do in the mirror when I should be vacuuming.”

  “Liar,” Louisa and Diana said in unison and then laughed at themselves.

  “Looks like I should give you the same speech I gave Diana about taking risks,” Louisa said, waving a pointed finger. “You’re never going to get anywhere by keeping your dreams to yourself.”

  “Really?” Tim looked over at Diana. “And what exactly is your dream?”

  As she felt both sets of eyes centered on her, Diana’s throat squeezed shut. “Nothing. I don’t have one.”

  Tim frowned. “Cut it out. We all have dreams or some deep, dark secret that we’re afraid to admit even to ourselves.”

  Diana shrugged as she delivered the lie without thinking. “Not me.”

  “Someone is in denial,” Louisa singsonged.

  Diana’s mouth opened prepared to protest again, but the invitation in her purse crossed her mind.

  “Jed, I think we’ve struck oil,” Louisa gushed.

  Sucking in her bottom lip, Diana felt her belly swarm with butterflies. “A dark secret that we’re afraid to admit to ourselves?”

  “Yes?” Tim and Louisa looked at her with hopeful eyes.

  Louisa stood from the bed and both she and Tim crowded around Diana.

  Then as if realizing what she was about to do, she shook her head and waved the notion off. “Oh, never mind.”

  “No, no,” they said. “Go on.”

  Diana hesitated.

  “Remember what I said about regret,” Louisa said. “A life full of regret is no life at all.”

  Diana sat back on the bed and contemplated what she wanted to say. “There’s this guy,” she began.

  Like an avalanche, Tim and Louisa dropped onto the bed next to her, their attention rapt on what she was about to say next.

  It was hard to choose her words mainly because it was the first time she had spoken them out loud. “It’s not that I actually stand a chance with him or anything. In fact, as a woman, I don’t think he even notices me. Except for that time we kissed.”

  “What?” Tim and Louisa chimed.

  “What do you mean as a woman, dear?” Louisa added. “How else is he supposed to know you?”

  “And when did this kiss take place?” Tim wanted to know.

  How much more should she tell them? she wondered. What if they laughed at her? Once again the invitation floated to the forefront of her mind.

  “Because he only sees me as his dutiful secretary,” Diana said, but it came out as a low whisper. When she looked around, she noticed both had leaned in close to catch her words. Then she saw the slow dawning in their eyes.

  Squealing, they grabbed her into a bear hug.

  Being pulled in two different directions, Diana fleetingly thought that they were going to snap her in half.

  “Guys, do you mind? You’re hurting me.”

  “I knew it. I knew it,” Louisa said, pulling away and then wiping her tears of joy.

  “Marcel Taylor.” Tim sobbed. “The Marcel Taylor. I knew it when I picked you up that day.” He kissed her cheek.

  Diana frowned as she leaned back. “Ugh. Your wig is tickling me.”

  “Sorry.” He snatched it off of his head and grabbed her again.

  “Hold up.” Diana pulled away. “It’s not like I’ve won him over or anything.”

  “Yet!” Tim and Louisa said and then looked at each other.

  “Great minds think alike,” Louisa said.

  “I don’t know about that,” Diana said. “A part of me thinks I should get my head examined.” She stood from the bed. “Mr. Taylor isn’t the kind of man to settle down with just one woman. I should know. I’ve sent plenty of flowers and gifts to his legions of women over the past two years. I’m not looking to settle for a man that’s considered community property.”

  “Surely he’s not that bad,” Louisa said, but then blinked when Tim and Diana gave her an oh, yes, he is look.

  “Okay, then. Who said anything about settling? How come you just can’t date him, change him and then marry him?”

  Diana rolled her eyes. “Nana, that’s irrational. No one should go into a relationship with the mind-set of trying to change someone.”

  “Why not? Women have been doing it since the days of Adam.”

  “People have to want to change. It’s not something that you force on them.”

  “Oh, pooh. We’re talking about men. They don’t know what they want. Nor do they know what’s good for them. The art is in changing a man without him knowing you’re changing him.”

  “Amen,” Tim atoned.

  Diana waved off their reasoning. “Marcel has probably been subjected to every trick in the book by now and by women more skilled than I. Besides, I don’t want a man that I have to trick into liking or falling in love with me.”

  Louisa looked to Tim. “Do you hear what I hear?”

  “I hear a symphony,” Tim sang.

  Diana stood and rolled her eyes. “I’m not going to talk to you guys if you’re not going to be serious about this.”

  “Okay. We’re sorry,” Tim said.

  “Yeah, we’re sorry.” Louisa stared up at her. “So you hate my idea. What are you going to do?”

  Diana blinked. “Do? I’m not going to do anything. I like the guy. That’s it.”

  Tim and Louisa glanced at each other.

  “Though he might be looking for a wife,” Diana added.

  Her grandmother and best friend exploded with new questions.

  “I thought you said that he wasn’t looking to settle down?” Louisa asked.

  “How come he can’t marry you?”

  “It’s just a rumor,” Diana said, shrugging.

  “Any chance there’s some truth to it?” Louisa asked.

  “I doubt it.” Diana hugged herself as she thought it over. “Then again…”

  Louisa stood with a wide smile and looped her arm around Diana’s waist. “Then that settles it. You have to at least try to win his heart. Who knows? Maybe he really is ready to settle down. All playboys retire after a while and some go on to make terrific husbands. Not all, but some. And I have to tell you, I got a good vibe off of him a few weeks ago. He definitely has potential.”

  Diana rolled her eyes again. “We’re talking like I actually have a chance with this man. Let me tell you, I don’t. He dates women with booties like J. Lo and Beyoncé. Women who were born perfect.” Her thoughts centered on Ophelia.

  “What are you talking about? You’re very pretty.” Louisa squeezed her. “Any man would be lucky to have you.”

  “Yeah.” Tim also draped an arm around her. “Now tell us about this kiss.”

  “Oh, that.”

  “Yeah, that,” Tim and Louisa said.

  Diana took a deep breath and explained what had happened the night she stayed at Marcel’s. When she was done, she swore she could have heard a pin drop in Texas.

  “Well, someone say something.”

  Louisa cleared her throat. “So, you mean if this Nora person didn’t show up—”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “You didn’t have to,” Tim said. “Wow. You have more skills than you’re letting on.”

  The invitation returned to her memory once again and she spoke without censoring her words. “There’s this masquerade ball coming up next week. I was told that he might be looking for…a possible wife at the event.”

  “That settles it,” Tim said. “You have to
go.”

  “Me and all the single women at the office. They’re all going to crash the party, as well. But it’s ridiculous. If Marcel wanted to date one of us, there’s nothing stopping him. He has a rule about dating women he works with…though I do see him with Nora a lot.”

  “Then don’t let him know it’s you,” Louisa said simply.

  “Of course he’s going to know it’s me. I work with the man six days a week.”

  Tim removed the boa from around his neck. “You just need a good disguise.”

  “A new hairstyle,” Louisa suggested. “Maybe a good wig.”

  “Color contact lenses,” Tim added.

  “Oh, a tight, revealing outfit.”

  “Oh, please. The minute he’s in front of me, he’s going to recognize me,” Diana reasoned.

  Louisa snapped her fingers. “Then you’ll also need an elaborate mask. It is a masquerade party, after all.”

  “What do you suggest I do when I open my mouth? I still sound like me.”

  That threw them for a loop for a moment, but then Tim snapped his fingers. “French. Wasn’t French your minor in college?”

  Diana shrugged. “Yeah.”

  “Then you’ll speak French the entire evening. That’ll add a mysterious aura about you. Every time you speak I want you to be very breathy with it. Be very dramatic, that ought to alter your voice a little.”

  “And we need to teach you a new way to walk,” Louisa said. “I can teach you how to work those hips. The magic is in the hips.” She and Tim high-fived each other.

  Diana’s heart fluttered with excitement as she too began to picture what they had in mind. But could it work? “I don’t know, guys.”

  “All right. Enough of this,” Louisa said. “You need to make a decision. Do you want him or not?”

  Diana returned to the edge of the bed. “But even if I did—”

  “I didn’t ask you that. Do you want him or not? No hedging or offering excuses.”

  Diana gulped.

  “Yes or no?” her grandmother pressed.

  It was the moment of truth, Diana realized. Not because she was confessing to her grandmother and her best friend, but because she was admitting it to herself, as well.

  Tim and Louisa waited.

  Diana drew a deep breath just as she felt her eyes glaze over. “I want him with all my heart.”