by Alia Thomas
Chapter 5
It didn’t seem that she would get to bed anytime soon. It was well after two am and the sandman had neglected to make his usual visit. The silk scarf on her head seemed to be creating extra heat and with a snap of Kimberly’s wrist her head was free of the colorful cloth.
Her boss was not the type of man she dated and if his mother was any indication, Richard was only nice on the surface. There was too much hardship in her past to get caught up with a man who was obviously raised with prejudices deeper rooted than he may have cared to admit.
Was she against interracial relationships? No, but she wasn’t a prime candidate for such a union. In college, Phil had approached her and it didn’t turn out well. His family was well-to-do, but not overly wealthy. Uncertain if it was poor parenting or just a fetish, he turned their brief friendship into a spectacle among his pals. The size of her ass and the other things unique to her culture and her race, all made for the obsessive sexual obsession Phil had for her. They never had sex, much to his disappointment, and after he tried to force her, she had no choice but to display her other side. Sassy and uppity were the final words he used to describe her before she connected her fist with his jaw and that was the end of white Phil and black Kimberly as an item.
*****
The Hummers engine died after Richard killed it. Driving around aimlessly for hours did nothing to clear his head. Overflowing with all manner of sexual thoughts, he needed to cool off. Richard found himself driving past a nightclub, observing the form of the women there. He had never taken time to inspect the physique of the black woman. It definitely caught his attention now.
Lena was never overly vocal in her views on race, but then again, she didn’t need to be. Lena hired only back maids and insisted on only ethnic drivers. The gardener was Hispanic and as Tabletop industries grew so did her aloof nature.
There was a time in Golden Gates Private School when an African gentleman sought to enroll his daughter into their curriculum. A manipulative Mrs. Damask used her weight on the school board to have the application rejected. The man’s net worth was times that of the Damask family, but that made no difference. The entire auditorium that year was refurbished compliments of Tabletop industries.
Kimberly’s palm felt right in his. It was the first time in ages that he had touched a woman and felt the electricity that had passed through their hand hold. Her lips were so full. Richard wondered what it would be like to taste them. As he caught his eyes in the rear view mirror, he cursed himself for being so rusty at the dating game that he couldn’t make a simple choice because color may stand in the way. Closing the door, he decided that this matter would not be solved tonight and stumbled through the door and stretching out on the sofa in one of his living rooms.
*****
Birds chirped noisily, announcing that morning had come. The rapping on the door interrupted the pounding headache now exacting revenge on Richard. Who the hell came over at six in the morning and where the hell was the butler?
Monte had been dismissed of his duties the evening before and the maids had retired to their quarters. It was too early even for staff, but the security should have caught whoever it was at the gates-unless that person had access.
Mother. She stood on his beautiful steps with her sun visor on and the shorts geriatric women wore to make them feel young again. She was outfitted in white from head to toe. The mystery of if her hair was platinum blonde or simply shiny gray always puzzled Richard. The visor was white, the tennis shoes were white- his mother was a white woman.
Statement clearly communicated with her clothing, Richard groaned as she rapped again loudly and clicked off the monitor that displayed his unwanted visitor. He looked longingly at the now black flat screen before him and wished that he could evaporate just like the image that had just faded away.
Only his pants remained on his body. All other clothing lay in a heap next to the plush sofa he had slept on. Rising to his feet, he wobbled. Champagne and lust made for a deadly combination and Lena was not here to administer medication. Rubbing his eyes and hoping to silence the drum in his head, Richard advanced toward the door. It was a decent walk and in a silent house, his mother pounding on the door appeared even louder.
Yanking it open and squinting from the glare of the much too brilliant sun, he whispered, “Good morning mom. Why are you at my house at this hour?”
Lena’s tell tale smile was interrupted by an equally revealing statement, “Can’t a mother visit her only child on a morning such as this? The early bird catches the first worm and you, my dear, are ready for the plucking.”
Maybe she heard his groan, maybe she didn’t. Either way, she trotted inside as though she had every right to be there. Her attack was not coy. As a matter of a fact, Lena wasn’t not a woman for subtlety. Even the blind could read her message.
“Richard,” she crooned while opening his refrigerator. “Don’t let loneliness cloud your judgment. The black girl you were fraternizing with last night is an employee not a potential partner. Smart and beautiful as she is, she is still the help. Don’t go throwing down your handkerchief for anything less than you deserve.”
Fog of sleep and fatigue clouded Richard’s brain and he couldn’t muster the energy to explain his feelings to his mother. Because Lena was accustomed to issuing orders, she continued, never waiting for his response.
“Alissa is a fine specimen of a lady. Her daddy has been very generous to the many committees I’ve sat on over the years and that family has the right political affiliations. I believe that you will have a grand time with her on your arm.”
Two minutes later, she was still on the campaign of the overly adorned girl from last night and Richard’s brain could no longer interpret the words coming from his overzealous mother. Pulling his entire six foot three frame from the leather bar stool he stood and went upstairs to his room where he locked the door.
*****
Kimberly didn’t like uncomfortable situations, but very few were aware of her nervousness when they did occur. Friday morning with Mr. Richard Damask would surely be accompanied by an elephant in the room.
Sleep came easily last night after she scrubbed the makeup from her face and lay down under her queen sized canopy. It was the images that came with slumber that made waking up a pleasant experience. A man was chasing her down a busy street where she dodged yellow cabs and pedestrians all of who were staring at her in shock. Naked, a frightened, running Kimberly searched frantically for a place to cover herself.
In pursuit of her, a running white man had removed his ominous bush hat and was panting. The perspiration ran down his red face and a grin escaped when he found her behind the veggies at the bodega. As he strode toward the partially concealed Kimberly, other men appeared. Similarly dressed in hunting attire, they stood behind him. Choreographed, the entire crew dropped their heads while Kimberly peeked from behind the oranges. Music of a loud variety began to crank, and the ten men in total, broke out into a song and dance while she looked on, confused and lost. The lyrics of the weird song were quickly forgotten after the bizarre dream came to an end, but for the entire day the words ‘jungle fever’ played over and over in her head.
The sun streamed through the windows of her little red sports car as she pulled into the parking lot adjacent Tabletop Industries but it didn’t offer any of its usual solace. Though warm, it wasn’t hot enough to burn away her concerns about Richard and the clawing feeling in her chest.
Kimberly meditated on the two most pressing challenges she expected to encounter if this thing with her boss progressed into anything further. To the forefront of her mind was her job. As a female, one of the first attacks to be wielded would be toward her character. Time after time she had heard the whispers of females sleeping their way to the top. This was a legacy she didn’t desire to have and had successfully avoided thus far. Nasty glances from the older women in the office who wished they were still pretty enough to be banged by the boss would lead to c
omplaints and grudges. Not a pleasant experience.
The second and probably the most personal concern was the difference in their ethnicity. Black and white made gray and any gray area left room for confusion- at least in Kimberly’s thinking. Dating within her race had always seemed like the thing to do and after Phil, she was sure all white men would be the same. Friendly on the inside, but overly anxious to add a black notch to their bedpost.
What would Auntie say if she had to bring him over? The fact that he had billions may make a difference to others, but to her family it may not. Racial discrimination was a real factor in their lives and unless lived, no other people could relate to the black experience. Would he want to discuss their differences? Would he understand black tax? Stirring her coffee once inside, Kimberly decided that he would not. Her silver spoon was a recent gift. Richard however, was born with one.
Chances were, Kimberly was misinterpreting the situation anyway. All he did was be a polite gentleman and hold her hand. Racing down the steps behind her was just to say goodbye. Yes. She would put her unnecessary worries to a side and get on with what she was hired to do.
They met at 10am in her office and Richard looked as though he had narrowly survived a train wreck. His once glowing eyes appeared dull and lifeless, his hair disheveled. Being a lady first and an employee second, Kimberly didn’t mention his condition, but delved right into the matter at hand.
“The case you asked me to investigate is still being picked apart. I want to be certain I get every fine detail before I give you an honest assessment. From what I’ve seen so far your company is not liable for the injuries the lady is presenting. It shouldn’t do much damage to the company.”
A burden rolled off Richards shoulders and he automatically seemed lighter. Still the elephant in the room sat, waiting to be acknowledged. It was Richard who invited it to the conversation and he began one bite at a time.
“Have you ever dated one of your bosses before?”
The question didn’t come out the way he intended and the sudden angle in her jaw line let him know he was treading dangerously close to an invisible boundary. Yes, he was the boss, but in this situation they were merely man and woman. Coughing and editing the statement instantly, he said, “I meant, would it make you uncomfortable if I asked you out?”
Beating around the bush was never a specialty of Kimberly’s before. She didn’t intend to adopt it now. “Mr. Damask, you are playing with fire and in the end, I will be the only person to get burned. Why exactly would you want to go out with 'the help'?”
The statement was bordering on low, but Kimberly wanted to get her point across. If he thought this conversation was difficult, what would happen when things got more complicated?
“You are not the help Kimberly,” he said. “You are a woman with her own free will.” Softening his tone he added, “It would make me happy if you said yes. Just lunch today and you can determine if I can pass your acceptance test.” Richard’s attempt at humor was well received and laughter lightened the mood.
“I will think about it Mr. Damask.”
“Please, call me Richard.”
“I can do that Richard but my name is still Ms. Walsh to you.”
The smile ended at her eyes and never made it to her mouth. The embers of mischief burned in her dark eyes and Richard felt it ignite his loins. Getting to know this woman may prove more stimulating that he thought.
“Here is the address to the restaurant I would like to take you to. If you want, I can have my chauffeur pick you up and take you there. Can we do two o’clock? I need to go home and catch a few winks. My head is killing me.”
“Like I said, I will consider it. And if I do decide to come I will drive my own car.”
The pain in Richard’s head subsided enough for him to muster a grin, matching her coy smile. Before he reached the door, he glanced back at the caramel beauty behind the desk and placed his hands on the knob. As the door swung open, she fired her parting statement. “I am sure there are some very pretty girls with new breasts more than willing to play bedside nurse.”
He lingered at the door before shaking his head at the lawyer he had hired. She must be a killer in court.
Chapter 6
It was with no less than a Herculean effort that Kimberly waited until the last possible moment to take lunch. Yes, he was her boss, but men, white and black alike, needed to feel the risk of not getting what they wanted.
There were words of caution ringing through her head as she started the engine of her little red sports car. Don’t be the easy black girl who slept with the man in charge. If this was indeed a touch of jungle fever, she would not be a willing participant in his fetish. Maybe the fantasy wasn’t one sided. Kimberly was secretly curious about how Richard would perform in bed. He was tall and had a slow saunter that made her believe his hips would be perfect for thrusting. Richard wore cologne that lingered when he left a room and Kimberly wanted to rub her face into his neck and stay there.
Restaurant Bella was a small but upscale Italian eatery. In the center of a busy downtown shopping district, it attracted professionals and businessmen seeking good food and more importantly, privacy. Small, intimate booths separated by etched glass gave it a vintage feel, but the contemporary seats and polished tables brought it into the modern century.
Of course, there was the average business man and then there was Richard Damask. Despite his humble demeanor, the dollars behind his name guaranteed almost royal treatment.
“Ms. Walsh?” The hostess at the door asked, and Kimberly took a moment to figure out how she knew her name.
Recovering after a split second, she responded, “Yes… Yes I am Ms. Walsh.”
“Come with me, Mr. Damask is waiting for you in the reserved lounge.”
Following behind the curt woman, Kimberly took in the ambiance of the place. Quaint and cozy. The right place to discuss company matters or to pursue love interests uninterrupted. Today was the day for the latter.
From the café front, one could be deceived into thinking that the few scattered booths made up the entire dining space but that was not true. A door behind the last booth disappeared into a tiny hallway. It smelled of cigars and whiskey, but it was not stale. Alone on the staircase, the two trotted up a few steps, encountering another door.
The Lounge, as it was called, was a small, softly lit room. The table had only two chairs. Next to a floor to ceiling window, those seated would enjoy a view of the skyline and the distant lake Cherish. Neutral colored drapes hung on either side ready to shut out the world if necessary, and Richard sat within inches of the switch that would control it all. A wine steward was the only other person in the room and they both turned to look at Kimberly and the hostess as they entered the room.
“Good day, Mr. Damask, Ms. Walsh has decided to join you for lunch after all.”
Alluding to Kimberly’s lateness drew daggers from her eyes, but before she could respond, the hostess disappeared to be borderline rude to other guests.
“Good afternoon Richard, I was caught up with work at the office and my boss is quite demanding. I couldn’t just leave on a whim. I’m certain you understand.” It was ten minutes to three.
The gleam in her eyes drew a deep rumbling laugh from Richard, who had unfolded from his chair to greet her. Looking incredibly more relaxed than earlier, he opened his arms for a hug, but then changed his mind and stuck out a friendly hand instead.
He laughed at her dry humor and this tickled Kimberly’s fancy- in more ways than one. Above all things, a man with a sense of humor was very enticing. One point for Richard. He was ready to chat. Hair falling slightly over his left eye, he nervously smoothed it back into place and simply gazed at her.
Transformed into a teenager, Kimberly resisted the blush rising on her caramel cheeks. Thanking God for her warm skin tone, she recovered and commented on his now relaxed aura.
“You look rested. I was concerned about you this morning, but I see you made a full
recovery.” He rumbled again and addressed her concerned.
“Thank you so much for worrying over me. Why would Madame Walsh care about her task master? It seems that you may secretly care for this evil person?”
Kimberly could no longer contain the giggle bubbling in her tummy and it erupted at a higher pitch than she predicted. Doubling over, she was reduced to a girl again. The last time she laughed this much escaped her memory, but she was happy for the moment.
Richard had stopped laughing a while ago and was now seriously focused on her lips. The tension grew and the sound of a clearing throat reminded Kimberly and Richard that they were not alone. Standing there was the wine steward in suspended animation waiting to pour Richard’s selection.
Waving his hand in a gesture of permission, Richard instructed the tall, balding man to fill the waiting flutes. The liquid was bubbly and floral, new to Kimberly’s palette. The electricity in the room was evident and with the wine steward gone, they were now free to explore each other- conversationally of course.
“I have taken the liberty of ordering the catch of the day if that’s alright with you. The food here is exquisite and the view is… well…” Sweeping his hand toward the window, he gestured to the grand buildings and sparking water. His focus, however, was on the view directly before him. What did she put on her skin that made it glow so softly? Was it as soft as it looked? Richard stroked the stem of his glass as his eyes roamed her body. Interrupted by her melodic voice, he straightened in his chair and pretended to listen. Tall and graceful, the building she was pointing to had caught her attention. It looked like Tabletop towers to her and she wanted to know if he agreed. Richard would have agreed to anything she said, but his better judgment knew her intelligence would be insulted by a casual response.
