by Zi'ere
“You are a bad influence on my life but I love you so much!” Tears began to fall from her eyes. “I don’t know what I have done to deserve this great job with even better pay not to mention the coolest boss on the planet, and is also over generous to her employees. I don’t know how I could ever repay you for all that you have done.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa! First of all you need to check the retail sticker on those suckas baby!”
“Dually noted Ms. Ma’am! I know these jive turkey’s aren’t even on the market yet! Oh, they are going to hate me on the fifteenth floor for certain now! I can’t wait to see the look on their faces!”
“So how can you say anything about you having to pay me back? Have a good time tonight and meet somebody that deserves you. One of us has to get married, we’re the only two left.” I managed to offer a small chuckle that wasn’t convincing either one of us.
“Oh, Laini don’t do that! Now I feel bad. Why don’t you come with us? That would be perfect and funny as all get out for people to see you out of your element.”
“You know I have Quese, I don’t think he would appreciate it if I went speed dating.” I avoided her eyes and looked down at the polish on my nails.
“No harm, no foul. You won’t be cheating and if nothing else you might come across a good lunch buddy. Everybody needs a friend.” She came to my desk to gain ownership of her new high heels. She returned the dress to the box and stood casually with her possessions in her arms while looking at me intently.
“Are you kidding me? I have five best friends.”
“No ma’am. Don’t even try it! You know what I mean. I don’t mean to disrespect your relationship or overstep my bounds, but can I have a second to speak freely? Not as your employee but I want to speak as your friend.”
As much as I wanted to roll my eyes to check out the top of my skull, I wouldn’t do that to Yvette.
“The floor is yours and you have my undivided attention.”
“All I want to say is that I would like for you to take some of your eggs out of the Quese basket and place some in another basket just to be safe.”
I stood to my feet and began to collect my sketch pad, purse, and briefcase.
“I hear you sweetheart but Que holds the only basket that is out there for me now.”
Yvette gave me an unsteady look and a shoulder shrug as I walked past her to leave my office.
“I don’t think I’m going to come back in after lunch. Make sure you move my schedule around as need be and I will tell everyone else at lunch. When my schedule has been handled you can go ahead and leave for the day. Take some time for yourself, relax, and get ready for tonight without being in a rush. Have fun my dear and I will see you in the morning if the Lord says the same.”
“Oh, I almost forgot, this is the envelope that came for you. You have a good rest of the day and please at least think about what I said.” She slid the letter sized Fed-Ex envelope inside my bag.
I gave her a small nod at the same time her cell phone began to vibrate just before I turned to head in the direction of the elevators. I had no desire to hear her joyous conversation about the possibilities of the night. I was genuinely happy for her but I couldn’t understand why no one was happy for me. Even though I knew all the secrets in all the nook and crannies of the building, I never rained on anyone’s parade. Ever. All of the doubt I kept receiving in reference to Que was beginning to wear me thin. Just because I didn’t share every event of my relationship with everyone around me didn’t mean that something was amiss between Que and I. The truth was that Que and I were more solid than ever. He was my man and I was his woman, the knowledge of those facts comforted me every night just before I closed my eyes. Until he told me differently, things would always be that way.
12
Laini
She heard the elevator door close so she knew she was free to answer her cell phone. All of the other assistants had gone to lunch on time just as their bosses had. She had privacy to speak freely.
“Yes?”
Silence.
“I have told you too many times for me to count for you not to call my phone while I am working. You are making my life too hectic. I want to get out of this agreement I made with you more and more, every day as it is. You are making it that much easier for me to walk away from you and this insane plan of yours.”
Silence.
“Look, she just left to go to lunch and she will not be returning to the office today. Her phone and iPad have both been synced. I took care of that this morning. Just an FYI, she wasn’t in the best of moods when she left so I am guessing she is going to want to talk to Que earlier than normal and probably longer than normal tonight.”
Silence.
“Laini is really a good person, why are you doing something so hurtful to her? After all this time you have never even told me what Laini Jefferies has ever done to you to deserve all of this hurt. I can’t even call myself a Christian or her friend for what I am helping you do to her life.”
Silence.
“You had best end this soon or I will end it for you. If I lose my job that would only be a slap on the wrist in comparison to how I have set her up to be humiliated. You need to figure out another way to get the money you need. Look I got to go, I think I hear someone coming.”
Silence.
13
Laini
“Good afternoon Laini” Even though he had just seen me a few hours before Liam was still always happy to see me. In the last week he had begun to let his feelings overstep the bounds of professionalism. The thought that he was attempting to take some shine off of Que upset me. I wasn’t foolish enough to think that he had not taken a negative position on my relationship just like everyone else.
“Hey, do you know where these chicks are going for lunch?”
“It is my understanding that they have chosen Carrabba’s.”
“Ugh, I suppose Zoey picked the restaurant again.”
“You could always cancel and let me take you to your favorite spot.” Liam stood beside the rear door he held the door open staring me square in the eye. I began to feel that he was shamelessly flirting with me. In all the years we had worked together, he had never even winked at me let alone said something that could be considered personal.
“I don’t like you standing out in an open space like this. Go ahead and get comfortable in your seat and we will settle where we are going inside the car.”
“You worry too much.”
“I protect you well.” Once he was safely behind the wheel, doors locked he looked at me in the rearview mirror. I felt my heart go pitter-patter. As much as I tried to deny it, Liam definitely had sex appeal that was starting to appeal to me more and more.
“Carrabba’s or no?”
“Don’t try to hide me out. They would only hunt me down and crash my quiet party.” I sat back in the burgundy leather seat and got comfortable for the ride to the restaurant.
I went to reach for my cell phone in my purse when I realized I didn’t have it. I noticed I didn’t have my iPad either. Yvette had taken them both it to charge them earlier. There was no way I could be without my cell for an extended period of time.
“Liam can you call Yvette and let her know she has all of my communication devices and she is going to have to bring them to the restaurant as soon as possible.”
Without answering me, Liam made the correct commands to place a hands free call to my assistant. Within a matter of seconds a plan was in place to have my possessions within the hour. I had to admit, I was a little bothered that I couldn’t reach Que at the moment. I missed him like crazy. I really needed to hear his voice and be reassured of his love for me. Him being able to hold me in his arms would have been a nice treat as well. I could not focus on any of that for too long at the moment. I was on my way to lunch with the three people who knew me best. They would definitely pick up on my somber mood and I wasn’t in the mood to be grilled about my personal affairs.
Carrabba’s may have been a regular run of the mill restaurant to most but, me and my girls had our own private room that we dined in away from other customers. When Liam escorted me to the door my eyes landed on three of the most beautiful women I knew. Not only were they beautiful, they had bodies some people paid good money to obtain, they were dressed to fashion show perfection, and they all were independently wealthy. God had been good to us all in different ways. It gave me a good feeling to have them even though Que was on the other side of the globe. Lunch was uneventful and dreadfully quiet at first. We ended the meal talking about business obligations that had to be fulfilled for the remainder of the work week.
Both Emani and Amina would be leaving for an extended vacation with their families. We employed the finest employees in their field and our companies could basically run themselves in our absence. I was positive I wouldn’t have to step foot onto the work room floor of their business. I wouldn’t dare be the one to tell Emani that I never physically went to check on her empire while she was away. Zoey and I held good relationships with her and Amina’s executive assistants. All four of our number two ladies were cross trained. Emani didn’t know that fact either.
I half listened to Emani delight herself in the heavens of hearing her own voice. I was preoccupied with thoughts of my own personal affairs and only spoke when I was addressed directly. As soon as I spotted Yvette’s car pull into the parking lot, I used her as an excuse to cut my end of the meeting short.
“Before you go Laini, there is one more piece of business that has to be discussed that will solve all of the concerns Emani seems to have about her being away from the office while on vacation.” Zoey patted me softly on the arm, our signal for the other to pay close attention.
My eyes went from Zoey’s face to Emani’s, then to Amina’s. Something epic was about to go down. I sat back down.
“Even though Mrs. Emani Barton- Haywood has been on vacation a million times since her empire has been built, I recently found out why she thinks she has the right to school us- that would be me and you- like we’re amateurs. After the lovely meal we shared yesterday it was brought to my attention that she thinks the business as well as the personal affairs over at Purple Label would and could diminish the quality of production of models over at the Barton Modeling Agency.” The way Zoey talked as if Emani wasn’t seated across her let me know she was barely keeping her composure.
How I had missed the tension between them was now lost on me as I watched Emani shoot daggers at my baby sister?
“What exactly are you saying Zoey?” Amina had come up with the question before I knew it was my turn to speak.
“What I’m saying is that this uppity broad called my sister a list of names that included words such as stupid, selfish, and reckless. To finish off her list of adjectives for Laini, she ended with the words and I quote ‘my empire will not fall at the feet of Laini’s bullshit!’ She seems to have forgotten that her summer’s white virginal card was more jet black when she walked down the aisle. She thinks that just because you have made a few mistakes in love that it somehow makes you incapable to make the Barton Agency and Purple Label millions every year!” When Zoey had said the last word a lone tear fell from her eye.
I wanted to take Emani by the throat for simply making my Bug cry.
“Is that how you truly feel Emani?”
“What do you mean is that how she really feels? You know I would not lie to you about anything ever! And you know damn well she will tell you a lie in a heartbeat!” Zoey was about to burst a blood vessel.
My focus was on the one I already knew was always my biggest critic and competition. All these years I thought it had been harmless best friend shits and giggles, competition even to push each other to greatness.
“I will not lie to any of you. Yesterday I was more than upset with you. I have genuine distaste for your past and current personal decisions. We’re all educated women here. We all know it is only a matter of time before that type of behavior slides over into the professional lane.” The more she talked the sure of herself she became. She really had to have been hitting the sauce hard if she thought I was going to be okay with everything because she had the balls to say it to my face.
“Emani, no! Please tell me you didn’t! No…no, you couldn’t have said all of that.” Amina cupped her face into the palms of her hands.
Amina began to sob. Zoey drank the entire just filled glass of champagne in one gulp. Emani looked scared to death. I didn’t have the patience or restraint to deal with any of them. All I wanted and needed at the moment was for my man to wrap my body in his arms. I stood again. I kissed my sister on the forehead. I took the time to wipe off the traces of my lipstick.
“I love you Bug.” Is what I whispered into her ear.
I made my way around the table to Amina. I put one arm around her and squeezed her tight as I kissed her on the head. I guessed that she was too broken to give me any type of acknowledgment. From the way she reacted, she had no idea that her sister felt the way she did. Her reaction also told me that she didn’t agree and that she realized how real the situation had just become. Instead of addressing Emani, I stepped past her with the meanest cat walk I could strut in my stilettos.
In a matter of seconds I was once again seated in the backseat of my personal car feeling worse than I had an hour ago. I tried to reach Que several times by calls, texts, and even a face time call. All nineteen of them went unanswered. I understood that he was a busy man just as I was a busy woman, but I had never ignored his calls. No meeting, conference call, or media situation was too important to sit him on the back burner. I was beginning to feel that he was slipping through my fingers and I could not afford for that to happen. I noticed Liam studying me from the rearview mirror even though I pretended not to catch his stare of sympathy. I wished I could be a fly on the wall when all four of our drivers ended up in the same position to talk amongst themselves. Who knew how they really felt about the beautiful yet complex women that paid them handsome salaries.
14
Laini
“Are you ready to go home Laini?” He was stopped at a red light and his attention was on me.
“Yes, I am ready to turn in for the day.”
“Do you want to do something irregular today since you have free time?” Even though he had no idea about the words that had been said just a few minutes before, he knew that there was something major that had upset me.
“No, I think I have had all of the irregular entertainment I could use in one day.” I stared out of the tinted window as he made his way through the city and reached the exclusive outskirts where the rich and famous lived in the state.
As my sprawling home sitting upon several acres of land came into view I began to get nauseous. When I had the two story mansion built ten years ago, I looked into the future to have enough space for the big family I wanted to have one day. The ivory stucco that had just been power washed, made the house sparkle. There wasn’t any type of window treatment on any of the windows facing the street. I flipped the normal layout on the home and put the circular driveway on the back side of the house. At night there was a recess lighting show that could be seen by my equally wealthy neighbors. Even though the home was designed for comfort, it was also designed for a family of five. Not a woman who had no idea of when she would begin to have children, let alone get married.
This was just another day I had come home to an empty house. The silence had begun to be unbearable for me. I needed to do something to change my situation quick, fast, and in a hurry. I made a pact with myself that I would not spend another month alone in my house. Que would get one gentle nudge toward a more solid relationship. If he failed the test, I would not hesitate to drop him and go on about my business. While he was so content on leaving things the same, he had no idea he wasn’t the only option I had. I looked at the back of Liam’s head. I secretly wished I had the opportunity to see him from the front for a change. I felt heat between my thighs. I
was unsure where the sudden interest in Liam came from but there were only going to be so many days I could ignore the heat.
When Liam had secured me in the comfort of my home he set the alarm and left for the day. I was beyond irritated at that point because Liam had space to live in my home. Of all the days he chose to get to his personal life, I needed him in my personal space. My cell began to chime but it wasn’t playing the one and only ringtone I wanted to hear. I walked the house from front to back and top to bottom. My mind had all kinds of thoughts rolling around in my brain. The inside of the house held ivory and gold furnishings, the only other colors came from the potted plants scattered about. The winding staircase was my most favorite element in the house. I could picture my babies crawling and climbing the carpeted stairs one at a time at a snail’s pace. I would be right behind my child with my arms outreached to catch their fall should they stumble. The formal dining room would be a no kid zone for sure. But I could easily see a high chair positioned beside the kitchen table. I noticed the protruding marble countertops where high enough not to get in the way of a growing toddler moving about on the temperature controlled floors.
I went into the den to catch up on some missed episodes recorded on my DVR. Aside from my bedroom, the den was my most favorite room in the house. Six oversized ivory suede full recliners were lined in the room to mimic a movie theater. The projection flat screen I had costume made to fit the length of the wall was stretched to perfection with the surround sound speakers built into the ceiling and walls. I grabbed a throw blanket and settled into the middle of the second row. Phone in hand, I received many calls from George and my sister but I was only interested in that one special call. I had no idea that it would take hours for it to come thru. Until I had the chance to talk to Que, I wasn’t interested in any other conversations. Only a call from Yvette, Jamel, or Mrs. Gert would make me answer the phone.
