by Jaye McCloud
Great! Now instead of one Bentini, I have two Bentini’s I’m trying to get away from. Which is proving easier said than done. Until this moment, I would have never thought Jason could be so dense. Does he not know about Mrs. Bentini’s strict rule about fraternizing with employees?! “Jason, I can’t…I have another meeting to get to.” I lie, looking down at my watch. Then shifting to Antonio Bentini, I add. “I’m sure Mr. Bentini has a million more important things to do.”
“Not at all. You’re our mother’s new PA and that makes you special. We should definitely celebrate your hire.” His solemn expression seems to imply that he’s serious.
I know bullshit when I hear it…no matter whose mouth it’s coming out of. Jason may be sincere, but Antonio Bentini isn’t. At this moment, I’m not in the mood to be patronized. Looking between the brothers, I decline. “Thank you both. I really appreciate the offer. Perhaps another time.” Jason and I will have to have a talk about decorum, and my not wanting to lose my job for his lack of it.
Maybe Jason’s light bulb finally turns on because suddenly, with dawning awareness, he grins at me and then at his brother. “Okay, Ti.” He’s never called me by my nickname before. He must have picked it up from Carmen. “We’ll let you get back to work. But we demand a raincheck—to be cashed in at a later time, of course.” Jason can be so damn charming, with his sexy ass. Forgetting about Mr. Dark and Brooding for a moment, I flash Jason a warm heartfelt smile. “Sure thing, Jason.”
Just before I start slowly walking away, I focus on the other man. “It was nice meeting you Mr. Bentini.” I don’t bother putting out my hand because I don’t want the contact. I’m scared of the way he makes me feel. It’s bad enough that I can’t seem to stop thinking about him, even though I’m supposed to be starting something with Allen. I’m out of my depth and I know it. I’ve got to get back on solid ground. I’ve got to shake these silly impossible feelings. The more I’m around Antonio Bentini, the more I have trouble remembering how much I like Allen. And how much I like and need my new job.
“Nice meeting you too, Ms. Hawkins. I’m glad you’re here. I hope to be seeing a lot more of you.” His words are saying one thing, yet his eyes are saying something else. And I’m not quite sure what.
Antonio
After having lunch with Jason, I’m back in my office examining my damn feelings. Something I find myself doing more and more often since I became aware of an alluring young woman name Tiressa Hawkins. I’m a grown man, damnit, with nerves of steel most of the time. Approaching Tiressa today, I trembled like a teenager on his first date. Closing my eyes, I think about how it felt to finally be alone with her. To be so close to her. To touch her. It took all my willpower not to stand in the corridor staring at her. I’m trying to fight it…to slow it down. I can’t help falling into her beautiful ebony eyes each time she looks up at me. Tiressa Hawkins has a seductive innocence about her. I enjoy her strength, but I’m also captivated by her vulnerability.
***
Kathy and I are required to work some Saturdays at the mansion. I’m still trying to get used to how we are treated by the staff there. They address us as Ms. Walters and Ms. Hawkins, and we receive differential treatment. Which is weird because we’re servants just like they are. Some of the family members address us as just Kathy and Tiressa, and others are more formal—William, Robert, Nicholas, and Antonio Bentini. For the most part, Mrs. Bentini’s rule is in place, and no one becomes overly familiar—at least not in her presence.
It was during one of these visits out to Bentini Mansion, that I had a chance to observe the Bentini family in action. I have to say they are just as gregarious at home, as they are at the office—maybe even more so. Probably it’s because there are so many men.
The four oldest brothers are on the courts playing a highly competitive game of doubles tennis. While, Gabriella, Maria, Jason and Adam are sitting at the large designer patio table, with Mrs. Bentini, me, and Kathy, working on plans for Jason and Adam’s upcoming twenty-fifth birthday bash.
“Mama, I think it would be a good idea to have the party here at the mansion.” Gabriella, the Bentinis’ oldest daughter, is a tall beauty with sparkling blue eyes and the family’s black hair. She’s very smart and more than a little spoiled. The best thing about her is that she’s really down to earth. What I like most about her though, is that she has a real woman’s figure. No doubt about it, she’s sexy, but it’s equally apparent that she has to watch what she eats and hit the gym to keep her attractive curves—just like us ordinary women. Maybe I’m being petty to be glad about that...I just don’t think that anyone should have everything.
“No Gabby, you know papa doesn’t want it here at the house. What about at The Club? Boys, what do you think?”
“Adam, don’t you have a friend who owns a nightclub?” Ask Maria, Nicholas Bentini’s bride, of less than a year. She’s such a sweet, soft-spoken girl. I don’t know why I call her a girl, when she’s my age. It just seems like she’s so much younger–very sheltered. She tends to take people at face value, and I liked her the moment I met her. She’s very warm and friendly, kinda like Kathy.
Although Jason and Adam Bentini are twins and look exactly alike, they are very different in temperament and style. However, they both agree that they want to have their party at a nightclub. “No ma, your club is too formal and has no pizzazz. Maria’s right. I want it to be somewhere that’s hip and trendy. We should try to rent out a downtown club called Ybor West. Adam knows the DJ there and I’m sure we can talk the owner into letting us have it for one night.”
By the time we have a rough draft of the guest list and the design for the invitations sketched out, both Adam and Jason have lost interest in planning their own party and take off—saying they would look over everything later. Jason slides me a covert wink as he and Adam leave the table. I like Adam just as much as I like Jason. They’re both easy going and love socializing. Jason has been wonderfully discreet and hasn’t been over friendly towards me since we had our little talk. Well, at least not in public. Privately, he’s as friendly as he’s always been—and I really appreciate that.
The older brothers have finished their game and join us at the table. Gabriella immediately starts teasing the brothers who lost—Robert and William Bentini. Then lavish praise on the brothers who won, giving them kisses and telling them that she never doubted for a minute that they would be victorious. Seeing that she has accomplished her goal of irritating her older brothers, she giggles like a schoolgirl and flounces into the house; saying she has a life and more important things to do with it. Chuckling, Nicholas doesn’t waste time sitting down. He whispers something in Maria’s ear. She blushes, nods yes and takes the hand her husband holds out to her. Maria is so embarrassed that she doesn’t even say good-bye as she suddenly dashes away with a laughing Nicholas Bentini chasing closely after her.
“Ah, young love. Your father and I were once like that. We fell in love the moment we set eyes on each other. I saw him and knew I had to have him… that no other man was going to be the father of my children. From that moment on, we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. Oh, how that man would lift me into his arms—”
“Ma please, for crying out loud. I’m going to shower and change.” Clearly, Robert Bentini doesn’t like hearing his mom talk about the rapture she found in her husband’s arms.
Kathy has been with the family much longer than I have and I’m pretty sure that she has heard this kind of talk before. Of course, I haven’t and I’m a little uncomfortable myself. Still, it’s good to see that the Bentini’s are still in love with each other after almost forty years of marriage.
“Excuse me Mrs. Bentini, but Mrs. Llewellyn would like a quick word with you.” The sound of the butler’s voice comes over the intercom. There’s a panel with several small buttons built into the table that activates the intercom directly into the kitchen and several other strategic places in the mansion. Pressing a button on the intercom’s panel, Mrs. B
entini responds. “Thank you. Show her to the Pink Parlor and I’ll be right there.” Then turning her attention back to me and Kathy. “Girls, thank you for coming in today. Please email me the notes from today’s meeting and be sure to send Gabriella a copy as well. Also, let me know who we have in mind as the event planner for the boys party. I’ll see you both at the office instead of here. Have a good weekend, girls.” Before leaving, she remind her sons to let her know if they’re eating with the family tonight.
I’m always awkward and uncomfortable in the presence of William and Antonio Bentini; neither of them is showing any signs that they will be leaving the table before us. I don’t waste any time packing my things—and neither does Kathy.
“Ladies, how are the birthday party plans going?”
I don’t want to look up and I sure don’t want to answer William Bentini’s question. I don’t want anything to get in the way of my leaving quickly. But I can’t be rude, so I do look up and my eyes are immediately caught by Antonio Bentini. I can’t figure out why he’s always pinning me with such an intense look—it’s almost as if he’s examining me or waiting for something to happen.
By the time I switch my gaze to William Bentini, he and Kathy are talking. I don’t know what to do with Antonio Bentini, so I give him this kind of grimacing smile and continue packing my things. I notice that Kathy hasn’t stopped packing up either.
“So, Ms. Hawkins, Mom must really like you.” When I look at Antonio Bentini with confusion, he enlightens me. “I’ve watched her interact with you and I can see that she appreciates having your help.” I give a slight disbelieving chuckle. “Mrs. Bentini doesn’t have to appreciate me. She pays me for doing my job and I appreciate how generous she is with my pay. But I do enjoy working for her, there’s hardly ever a dull moment.” I say with genuine liking and respect.
“Yes, she pays you well, but you deserve it. You do a great job and Mom benefits from having you.” Now it’s his turn to chuckle. “Don’t look so doubtful. It’s true, she told me so herself.”
“Well, if that’s the case then I’m really glad, because I respect and admire Mrs. Bentini and I hope she’s pleased with me.”
“She’s pleased.” Sending me a small mysterious smile before continuing. “And so am I.”
I don’t know quite how to respond to those last four words, spoken in such a soft smooth tone, that seem to have some kind of hidden meaning. We stare at each other for a few seconds before I look off in a different direction; silently hoping that Kathy will hurry up. I’m beginning to learn that Antonio Bentini can be very persistent, when he wants to be.
“She also likes you personally.” When I swing my startled gaze back to him, he clarifies. “My mom. She likes you personally. She’s mentioned some of your sterling attributes.” I think he’s actually trying to tease me. Sterling attributes? I swear my brain has shut off and my tongue has stopped working. “Is there anything that you need, or anything I can help you with? I know Mom keeps you pretty busy and has you running all over the city.” He seems earnest but...
“No thank you, Mr. Bentini. Kathy is great and if she’s not available, then there’s always Ms. Carlito and other people who know a lot about how things are done.”
“Okay, I’m glad you have a lot of support. I would also like to be someone you can count on if you need anything.” He offers with what appears to be sincerity. Luckily, I don’t have to come up with a response because I see that Kathy is ready to go, so I stand up too. Both brothers immediately jump to their feet as well. Antonio Bentini pulls back my chair and William Bentini pulls back Kathy’s chair. How peculiar, considering that neither of them did that for their mother when she left the table. I look up into Antonio Bentini’s set expression, stammering out a hasty, “Thank you.”
As Kathy and I cross the lawn, I can’t resist a quick glance over my shoulder. To my utter surprise, both William and Antonio Bentini are still standing right where we left them, watching as we’re walking away.
“Are they watching us?” I hadn’t realized Kathy was paying attention. When I reply “Yes”, by unspoken agreement, we quickly hightail it the rest of the way to the service parking area. I refuse to read anything into it.
Just as we reach our cars, Angela Bentini hails me. “Hi Tiressa, I’m glad I caught you in time.” She exclaims as she approaches–a little out of breath from her dash across the lawn. “Hi Katherine, how are you?” Angela Bentini greets Kathy in a bit of a strained, yet cordial voice. Kathy has an odd expression on her face and she doesn’t quite meet Angela Bentini’s eyes. “Fine Mrs. Bentini, and you?”
“Just great.”
“That’s good.” Kathy turns her attention to me. “Tiressa, I have to get going, so I’ll see you later. Call me when you get time.”
“Sure, probably later tonight; and if not, then definitely sometime Sunday morning.” I respond as she gets into her car. Waving good-bye to each other, she drives away.
Giving Angela Bentini my full attention, I can’t help thinking, “How weird was that–her and Kathy’s stilted interaction.”
“Tiressa. I know that you work for Mrs. Bentini, and I don’t want to impose on your time–I know how busy Mrs. Bentini keeps you…and I don’t want you to feel pressured to do this, but I have a favor to ask…” She stops talking, kinda hesitating like she’s not sure of what to say next. So, I help her out. “Yes, Mrs. Bentini? How may I help you?” Asking my standard question when dealing with the Bentini family, whether here or at the office. “Yes, well…you know that Robert and I have three children.” She pauses again. I’ve been in and out of the mansion for months now; of course I know exactly how many kids they have. Why is she so nervous? I hope like hell she isn’t going to ask me to babysit. “Yes, they’re beautiful.” I smile encouragingly.
“They mean the world to me…to us…and they are so precious and so bright.” She pauses again. Damn. At this rate, we’ll still be standing here when the sun goes down. “I heard that you used to be a middle school teacher… I’m sure you understand the importance of standardized testing.” Another pause. “Yes, they are–unfortunately or fortunately depending on which side of the test scores you’re on.” It’s hard for me to be neutral about standardized testing, considering the lower socioeconomic status of a majority of the students at my former school. Exhaling a deep nervous breath, Angela Bentini finally continues. “Yes, well…our children are bright, really they are…it’s just that…Dom is having a little difficulty understanding some of the math concepts that his class is currently working on…”
When she hesitates again, I give her a nudge. “Yes, they can be a bit challenging for some students.” I hope she doesn’t think my honesty is an insult because I didn’t intend for it to be that. It’s been my experience that some parents have a hard time accepting it when their child struggles with learning—at whatever grade level, in whatever subject. Those parents sometimes see it as some kind of mark against them, or they look for someone else to blame.
“I was hoping that you would sit down with him…maybe look at some of his work and see if you can help him better understand how to do the math…” Wow. Why in the world would she come to me for that? Surely, they can do that kind of assessment at that fancy private school her kids attend. I really hesitate to get involved. What if she doesn’t accept my analysis and my job is jeopardized?
“Sure, I’ll be happy to help in any way that I can. Truth to tell, I miss teaching–I especially miss being with the students. Now that the hard part is over, Angela Bentini looks less stressed and very relieved. “Do you have time now?”
I really didn’t. However, I quickly decide to put off my plans and do this for her. “Sure.” I guess I’m in it now. I don’t know quite how to act with Robert Bentini’s wife. Of course, I’ve interacted with her before. This is different. She’s coming to me asking a personal favor. I’m staff and although she says that I don’t have to do it, I’d be a fool to say no. As we head back into the mansion, so
mething keeps nagging at me. “Do you mind if I ask you a question, Mrs. Benti—” She quickly cuts me off and offers, “Oh no, please Tiressa, call me Angela.” Giving a small shake of her head, she continues, “I know how Mama Bentini feels about employees becoming overly familiar, but I don’t agree. As a matter of fact, we’ve been working on getting her to loosen up and understand that some staff are more like friends, or even a part of the family—they’ve been with the Bentini’s so long.”
Glancing at the pretty blonde, I softly chuckle to myself, as I mumble under my breath. “That may take forever.” Then quickly go on to ask my question. “Why not get Dominic a tutor?” Which seems logical, and it’s not as if they can’t afford one.
“We’ve tried a couple of different tutors, but none of them seemed able to make a good connection with Dom and as a result, Dom would end up shutting down. Please don’t get the wrong idea…Dom is a sweet boy…it’s just that sometimes he can be a handful…” She trails off. And with good reason. Careful to keep my expression supportive, it’s easy to recall the numerous times I’ve heard those words from parents. Handful can mean several things and not all of them good. Naturally, most kids are a handful—that’s nothing new or surprising.
Tuning back in to what Angela Bentini is saying… “I think…we think, that because he knows you and likes you…that perhaps you would have better luck with him. Or at the very least, be able to give us your professional opinion on how we can help Dom overcome this obstacle.” Exhaling a deep breath, she stops walking and turns to me. “What do you think?” Without missing a beat, I assure her that I think it’s a good idea and I’ll be happy to help. As we continue walking–each in our own thoughts—I slant a peek at Angela Bentini.
She has been married to the eldest brother, Robert Bentini, for about nine or ten years. She gave up a career as a rising journalist to raise their three children. Dominic and Patrick, twin eight year olds, with classic Bentini looks; and beautiful precocious five-year-old Gigi, the apple of everyone’s eye. Angela is pretty, smart and madly in love with her husband and children. She willingly defers to Mrs. Bentini, without allowing Mrs. Bentini to run roughshod over her. That, in and of itself, is amazing because Mrs. Bentini can be a bit of a control freak.
