“Yes, I’m meeting him again today,” Ronnie once more informed his partner.
“That’s great,” Dirk replied. “How long before we see the benefits of our money invested,” he added, his tone leaving no question about his impatience.
“Well with the way everything is going, we should have the losers out of the projects in about three weeks,” he began. “After we get them moved over into the new slots, we can immediately get the demolition permit and take the buildings down,” Ronnie told him, still doing the time math in his head. “We should have it cleared, foundations poured and construction begun in about 2 months,” he finished.
Dirk, satisfied with the time estimation, told Ronnie to do what had to be done to insure everything continued to stay on track, and disconnected. Dirk was glad that was taken care of. He had other pressing matters going on at the moment, the most important of which, what exactly his wife was up too with her early morning breakfasts at the Morning Perk. Ronnie’s cell rang almost immediately after Dirk hung up and he glanced at the caller ID, sighing deeply before answering.
“Hello,” he spoke calmly.
“What’s this bullshit you’re trying to pull Ronnie,” Clayton boomed into the phone.
Ronnie was expecting this call. He knew once the man found out his incentive had been cut in half he’d be furious.
“I’m not pulling anything Clayton,” Ronnie returned calmly. “I’m simply compensating the man who has actually made things happen for this project, not just selling me a lot of empty promises and hot air,” he threw out.
“Montgomery is my fucking protégé, who the hell do you think taught him what he knows,” Clayton continued to rage. “You think I’m going to just quietly roll over and go away, while you two become bed buddies,” he went on as Ronnie smiled, amused at his anger.
“You don’t really have a choice now do you,” Ronnie returned his tone all business. “You gonna turn him in, tell the officials what is really going on behind closed doors on this project,” he continued to taunt. “Nah, Clayton, on this one you just lost out, that’s all,” Ronnie told him. “Maybe if we approach you again next time, you’ll actually do what you claim you could.”
Clayton was still huffing and sputtering but Ronnie was oblivious. He was yesterday’s news. Their new partner was Montgomery Southby and all the players in his organizational circles were going to make sure the Alderman attained bigger and richer heights as quickly as possible.
*****
Jasmine was still on cloud nine as she waited tables. Talking to Elijah earlier had made her day. She was fully enamored with the man. He was incredible and much to her delight he seemed to return the deep feelings she felt herself developing toward him. She saw movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to find Damian entering the restaurant. Normally irritated by his presence, Jasmine didn’t flinch. Even as he sat in her section and began perusing the menu, she didn’t think anything of it. He hadn’t been around for a couple of days and Jasmine was beginning to grow hopeful that he’d accepted their arrangement of just being friends. “Hi,” she greeted him walking up to the table.
“Hey Jazzy,” Damian returned sweetly.
“Know what you’re having,” she asked as he nodded and gave her his order. “OK, I’ll put this in and bring your juice right out,” Jasmine told him as Damian again smiled slightly and told her okay.
Hmm, that’s odd, she thought making his juice. She knew him well enough to know when there was something going on with him. Jasmine battled with herself the entire time she made the juice and even on the walk back to his table, if she would inquire about his mood.
Jasmine continued to ponder what she would do concerning Damian as she went to check on Eddie at the back table once again. He had yet another potential client sitting across from him, as she approached and filled their coffee cups.
“Hey Jasmine,” Eddie called out as she was about to leave them.
“Yeah Eddie, what’s up,” she inquired amiably turning back to the two men.
“This is Justin, my client,” he told her, introducing the man. Jasmine immediately knew what was up as Eddie gave her a sly look.
“Hi Justin,” Jasmine replied calmly.
The man returned the greeting giving her reference of interest from both his eyes and his tone. Jasmine sighed lightly as Eddie spoke again.
“How are things with you Jasmine,” he tossed out giving her the opening she needed.
“I’m good, just celebrated my third anniversary,” she replied still calm and friendly.
“Oh really,” Eddie replied as Justin frowned slightly.
“Yeah, she bought me a really nice jewelry set,” Jasmine replied as Eddie fought to keep from laughing.
“Man, I can’t believe you and Daphne have been together that long,” he replied, going with the flow and pulling a name out of the air.
Justin was visibly repulsed Jasmine could tell from the look on his face.
“Mmhmm, true love,” she chuckled, having accomplished her mission and left the men at the table once again talking over business. She continued to smile as she gathered Damian’s drink request. Eddie clued her to the game a long time ago when his clients first start meeting him in the diner. He told Jasmine that the men were so insistent upon meeting her he was unable to conduct business. So the two had devised a scheme that would ensure Eddie got his clients full attention and Jasmine got them to leave her alone. They had three usual stories; she was married, or she had six kids and five baby daddies, or she was gay. Jasmine got the impression that neither husband, nor kids, would have deterred Justin, hence the gay pretense. Still smiling she headed over to Damian’s table, glass in hand.
“Here you go,” she told him amiably, putting the glass on the table.
“Thanks Jazzy,” Damian returned.
“You OK Damian,” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
He sighed deeply before looking up at her again. The pain and sadness she saw in his eyes took her aback.
“Got some issues Jazzy, that’s all,” Damian replied. Truthfully it was killing him sitting here looking at her, talking to her, and knowing that LaNeesa had his neck in a noose. Jasmine would never accept him having a child with another woman, especially after all the rhetoric he spouted about being with only her. But it happened long before that night with us, he tried to reason in his mind. Still Damian couldn’t see Jasmine understanding; especially now that she was obviously already dating someone else.
“Well hopefully it will get better Damian,” Jasmine returned sympathetically.
He smiled shortly once again and told her thank you, watching her longingly as she walked away. Damian put his head in his hands. He couldn’t stand LaNeesa most times and now she was going to be tied to him for the rest of his life. You shoulda never ever stuck your dick up inside that bitch, he commiserated with himself. What you shoulda done was nut inside Jasmine the other night, idiot, his mind once again accused. If she’d gotten pregnant Damian knew she would have come back to him and even if LaNeesa came later with tales of her own pregnancy, Jasmine would have stayed with him. You are so stupid, missed that chance and you’ll never get it again, his mind continued to berate.
“Jazzy, do you think maybe we could get together later, and just talk,” he hurriedly clarified as she sat his food in front of him.
“Umm, what time,” she asked hesitantly.
She could tell something was weighing heavily on him, and even though they were done romantically, Jasmine still cared about Damian as a friend.
“After you get off is fine,” he replied, thankful she was even considering it.
“OK,” she replied amiably.
“Thank you so much,” he replied sincerely as she smiled and told him it was no problem.
Damian told her he would pick her up after her shift. Jasmine told him that would be fine and left him to enjoy his meal. As he sat and ate, Damian plotted. He would suggest going back to her place and t
hen he would pull out all the stops and seduce her again. Not pulling the fuck out this time, he thought darkly, his appetite returning as he contemplated his plan. Damian finished his meal and paid his check, reminding Jasmine he would be back in a few hours to pick her up. She smiled and told him okay, waving goodbye as he left. Today you and I are getting back together, fuck LaNeesa and whoever this muthafucka is you’re seeing, Damian brooded silently watching her from his car. Smiling once more of his plans he started the car and headed out. There were a few things he needed to do before returning and picking up the woman he loved.
*****
“Why not,” Elijah threw out managing to sound irritated. Quite the contrary he was thrilled when Delia called and told him they couldn’t spend time today.
“My husband has informed me he needs my attention today,” she returned irritably.
Elijah smiled, careful not to let it reach his voice.
“This is why I don’t kiss you,” he told her evenly.
“Darling, please don’t be cross with me,” Delia pleaded; terrified he would stop seeing her forever. “I promise you I’ll make it up to you,” she told him.
Elijah saw his opportunity and pounced. “I have a fantasy,” he began, laying the trap.
Intrigued Delia asked him to elaborate. She was giggling by the end of it.
“Really,” she asked still chuckling lightly.
“So will you do it,” Elijah pushed.
“When,” she returned and he smiled fully.
“Friday, late,” he told her.
“I can’t believe I’m saying yes to this,” Delia replied.
“I want to give you all this dick while he lies upstairs asleep,” Elijah told her. “It turns me on to know I’m having his beautiful wife, right under his nose,” he added as Delia again giggled.
“Mmmm, sounds sexy,” she replied.
Elijah knew from her tone she was turned on. “Give me the alarm code,” he told her, moving in for the kill.
Delia immediately supplied the info, giving explicit instructions on the operation and location of the keypads.
“I can’t wait to see you Friday,” Elijah whispered seductively. “Mmm, I’m already wet darling,” Delia informed him, bringing a deep frown to his face.
“Well you better stay that way,” he replied sounding jealous.
“I only let him when he begs,” Delia told him, hoping she was reassuring him of her devotion to only him.
“Hmph,” Elijah returned evenly as she again begged his understanding. “I guess,” he replied. “I may kiss you Friday,” he added, hearing the smile in her voice as she told him she certainly hoped so.
“I shouldn’t admit this to you Elijah,” Delia began. “But I think I’m falling in love with you.”
Elijah laughed silently before speaking once again. “I don’t want to think about that,” he told her. “I can’t have you, so,” he trailed off as she sighed deeply.
“Darling, I promise Friday will be so good,” Delia promised. Elijah sulkily told her all right as he readied himself to disconnect.
“Call me at least,” he told her, not really meaning it, but knowing she wanted to hear it.
“I promise darling,” Delia told him sweetly, adding that she heard his car in the garage. “Until Friday,” she told him softly and disconnected.
Elijah smiled fully looking at the alarm code he’d put into his phone. Friday was definitely going to be a great day.
*****
Delia wasn’t looking forward to whatever drama Montgomery was bringing her today. Truthfully she’d been actively reevaluating her entire life with the man since meeting Elijah. She wasn’t like her husband. Montgomery hated his black ancestry, Delia simply felt disenfranchised from hers. All her life she’d been viewed as white by the African American community, but not quite white enough for the Caucasian community. She’d always loved black men, not the passable mulattos like Montgomery, but real black men like Elijah and some of the others she’d dated and slept with in the past. They couldn’t take the pressure, she thought sadly of the couple of true relationships she’d had during college. The guys were nice enough, but they folded when the pressure began to come, both from other black women who were angry they were dating what they perceived was a white woman, and from the white men, who felt they were just another threat to the preservation of the race. Montgomery had simply been a means of escape when she met him. Delia wasn’t an idiot either. She knew the main reason the man married her was absolutely because she looked every bit the white part. I just want to be happy, Delia thought sadly, wiping the errant tear, just as Montgomery entered the house walking into the study where she stood still gazing out of the window.
“Hello Delia,” he greeted calmly.
Turning she regarded her husband. Whatever was going on must have been important for him to call her by her name. He seldom did that.
“Hello,” she returned amiably, becoming slightly anxious from the look he was giving her. “What’s going on Montgomery,” she asked getting directly to the point.
He sighed lightly but said nothing, rising and making himself a drink. The bell rang and startled her. Who is this, Delia thought as Montgomery calmly walked toward the front door. He returned moments later, Clayton directly behind him. “Would you like a drink,” Montgomery asked his mentor. Clayton declined, casting a quick glance at Delia, who returned a blank look having no more idea than he, why they were all here together. Montgomery returned to the lone leather highboy in the room and sat.
“What’s so urgent, Montgomery,” Clayton asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. The anxiety he felt unfortunately filtered through his voice.
Again he said nothing as he reached inside his suit jacket, retrieving the photos. Montgomery unceremoniously dropped them onto the coffee table in front of them. The color drained from Clayton’s face as he looked at the pictures. Delia remained silent, waiting on Montgomery’s wrath to be unleashed.
“How long have you two been fucking over me, while you fuck each other,” he asked acidly.
Clayton opened his mouth to speak, when Montgomery raised his hand and regarded his wife.
“You tell me,” he said simply, his eyes smoldering as they looked into hers.
“Almost 18 months,” she replied just as simply, not elaborating further.
“How fucked is that,” he murmured almost to himself.
“Listen Montgomery,” Clayton began before the man gave him a murderous look, silencing him.
“You and I will hash this shit out later,” he told him angrily. “And you and I are going to definitely have a meeting of the minds,” Montgomery continued looking at Delia. “Right now however, there are more important things to be handled,” he told them both going on to explain his statement. “This project is too important to let it be derailed because you two couldn’t keep your hands off each other,” he spat distastefully. “So here is how this shit is going to play out,” Montgomery began again as they both gave him their undivided attention. “Do you both understand,” he asked at the end.
Clayton grudgingly acknowledged he did. He was promptly dismissed by Montgomery with one last admonishment to make sure he came clean with Marissa and that she equally went along with the plan. Alone finally he returned his attention to his wife.
“Your leash just got shortened,” he told her coldly. “Your credit cards are cut off, you will not leave this house unless there is an appointed function I have authorized,” Montgomery went on as Delia endured. “There will be no divorce or separation,” he began anew. “I’m taking you to Dr. Endison tomorrow for testing and removal of that IUD,” he told her plainly. “You’ve put me off for years now about children, well that bullshit is over,” Montgomery finished rising and walking over to her. He slapped her hard, knocking her to the floor.
“As good as I’ve been to you, you nasty, trifling, cheating, bitch, I’m going to be your personal devil in hell from here on end,” he finished breath
ing hard as she continued to cower at his feet. Done for the moment, Montgomery strode from the room as Delia broke and began to sob deeply.
*****
“Come on in and make yourself comfortable,” Jasmine told Damian.
He smiled thanking her as he did what she instructed. She returned shortly afterward with their tea, sitting in the recliner adjacent to the couch where Damian sat.
“I don’t bite, Jazzy,” he told her as she chuckled and told him she was fine where she was.
He was slightly annoyed but took a deep breath to push it away and continued talking to her. Damian fed Jasmine the contrived story he’d come up with earlier in the day about his job and his fear of losing his position. He told her falsehoods about office politics and the discrimination he felt being there.
“Have you talked to anyone, an attorney or maybe the EEOC,” she asked trying to be genuinely helpful.
Damian sighed deeply for effect before telling her he hadn’t. “You know how that goes Jazzy,” he told her. “They would definitely find a way to get rid of me then.”
She grunted slightly and sighed deeply nodding in agreement.
The knock at the door interrupted his next statement as Damian frowned slightly. Jasmine rose and went to the door inquiring who was there. Smiling now she opened the door, finding Elijah on the other side.
“Hi,” she greeted him happily. “I didn’t know you were coming by,” she added.
Jasmine quickly invited him inside. Elijah’s smile left when he saw Damian sitting on the couch. The other man gave him a defiant look, pissing Elijah immediately off.
“I didn’t mean to intrude,” he said simply, looking in Jasmine’s eyes.
“It’s not an intrusion,” she told him honestly. “Damian is a friend, he just stopped by to talk,” Jasmine explained.
Elijah could see the man had more on his mind than talking and was glad he’d followed his mind and stopped in.
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