Diamond Playgirls

by Daaimah S. Poole; Miasha; King Deja; T. Styles

  “You were so quiet in the restaurant, are you feeling okay?” Christopher asked once they got in the car.

  “Actually I am feeling a tad off.”

  “I hope it wasn’t the food.”

  “No, the food was incredible. I’m just a little light-headed. I’ll feel better once I lie down.”

  “Would you like me to come and take care of you?”

  “Normally I would say yes. But I wouldn’t be good company. Plus, I have nothing but boxes stacked everywhere from all the packing I’ve been doing.” The driver pulled up in front of Chloe’s apartment and got out to open the door for her. “I’m sorry I wasn’t better company but I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  Chloe leaned over and gave Christopher a kiss before getting out. When the car drove away she basically flew upstairs desperate to speak with her father. After locking the front door she grabbed her cordless, dialing her parents’ number.

  “Hello,” Mrs. Johnson answered.

  “Mother, I need to speak to Dad.”

  “Chloe, hello to you, too. It’s very rude not to acknowledge me when you call our home.”

  “I apologize, Mother. How are you doing?”

  “I was doing just fine until my only child called here and acted as if I was a stranger.”

  Chloe rolled her eyes, not in the mood for one of her mother’s minilectures but still trying to be respectful. “Mother, I didn’t mean to be rude. I have an emergency and I need to speak with Father.”

  “Your father went out of the country for business and won’t be back until late next week. You can call back then.”

  “Did he leave a contact number I can reach him at?”

  “I forget what hotel he’s staying at. Call back next week. I’m sure whatever is going on with you can wait until then. Now I must be going, Francine and Gail are coming over so we can discuss next month’s social events. I’ll talk to you later. Love you.”

  “The woman never seems to care about anything besides her overindulgent life,” Chloe said, putting her head down when she hung up with her mother.

  Chloe took a hot shower before burying herself deep in her comforter. She tossed and turned all night, wondering how she could make a bad situation right. She prayed that if she begged her father not to buy the record company he would comply. It wasn’t as if he needed the money, but Chloe also understood at this stage in her father’s life it wasn’t about the money but the thrill of the hunt. But even if her father agreed, her biggest worry was how Christopher would react to the news that she was his daughter.

  Chloe sat at her desk tossing paper clips in the plastic container unable to focus on her work; it had been like that ever since Christopher dropped the bomb on her. Since their dinner last week she had been avoiding his calls and when she did speak to him she would keep the calls as brief as possible, blaming her lack of time on work and unpacking her boxes now that she’d moved into her new place.

  Today seemed especially hard because since they began dating this had been the longest time she’d gone without seeing Christopher. Chloe’s energy was almost depleted, so luckily for her Kari was so preoccupied with getting pampered for the event she was attending tonight that she’d stopped in briefly to make some phone calls and hadn’t been seen in the office since. Chloe looked somberly at the clock as her day came ticking to an end. Since she was unable to work, and Kari was nowhere in sight, Chloe grabbed her purse and left at exactly six. When Chloe opened the glass doors leading outside she was pleasantly surprised to see Christopher parked out front in his Range Rover.

  “I was prepared to sit out here and wait for at least an hour, but you got off of work right on time,” Christopher said after getting out of the car and walking up to Chloe.

  “I know. Right? What are you doing here?”

  “For one, I missed you. It seems like I haven’t seen you in forever. I thought I’d surprise you and give you a ride.”

  “Surprised I am, but in a good way.”

  Seeing Christopher made Chloe realize just how much she missed him. The two hugged and Chloe took in the alluring scent of his cologne before they got in the truck.

  “How was work?”

  “Rather dead today. My boss has an event she’s attending tonight, so she only came to the office for a brief moment.”

  “That’s interesting because that’s one of the reasons I picked you up.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I have an event to attend tonight and I wanted you to accompany me.”

  “I would love to but I need to go home and get a change of clothes.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I have it all covered. The only stop we’re making is to my place.”

  “I was wondering where we were going because this bridge isn’t familiar at all,” Chloe said, looking out the window.

  “Yeah, this is the George Washington Bridge, we’re headed to Jersey.”

  “But your place is in the city.”

  “Yes, I use that apartment primarily for business purposes, but where I’m taking you is my home.”

  When Christopher got off the bridge he took the Palisades Interstate Parkway. The highway was an endless stretch of wooded bliss. Fifteen minutes into the drive Christopher veered off right on the Alpine/Closter exit. After a series of turns he made a final left on Buckingham Drive, pulling up to a circular driveway with electronic gates. The brick manor center hall Colonial sat on beautifully landscaped private one-acre property.

  “This is stunning,” Chloe commented when the mahogany double doors opened up to a marble foyer with two iron rod and wood spiral stairwells.

  “Let me give you a minitour,” Christopher said as Chloe followed his lead. There were custom finishes and marble throughout the six-bedroom, five-bath mansion with high, domed ceilings. The lower level boasted a gym, recreational room, sauna, second fully equipped kitchen, barroom, and a gummite pool, waterfall, and spa out back. There were spectacular panoramic views of the Ramapo Hills to the west and a nature preserve to the north and east. Chloe did think Christopher’s home was lovely, and the average girl would’ve felt as if she had died and gone to heaven, but this space was equivalent to one of her family’s many vacation homes.

  “You have truly done well for yourself. You should be proud.”

  “I’m an example that hard work and determination do pay off. Follow me upstairs,” he said, taking Chloe’s hand.

  When they entered the bedroom, the first thing Chloe noticed was a pretty Asian girl dressed casually in a red terry cloth sweatsuit.

  “What is she doing here?” Chloe said, totally confused.

  “This is Audrina, she’s a hair and makeup artist. She’ll be making you even more beautiful tonight, if that’s even possible.”

  Chloe felt herself blushing.

  “Hi, Chloe, Christopher told me all about you and I’m excited about making you picture perfect. First, I want you to pick out which dress you would like to wear tonight.”

  Chloe let out a gasp, feeling overwhelmed by Christopher’s kindness.

  “They are all so beautiful,” Chloe said, ogling the assortment of dresses. She couldn’t decide among the champagne-colored embodied chiffon frock by Roberto Cavalli, the black vintage Herve Leger gown, a sparkly silver Michael Kors kimono dress, a Badgley Mischka platinum silk lamé gown, or the Gucci poppy-red organza voile ruffle-band minidress. “Christopher, I can’t believe you did all this for me. What have I done to deserve to be treated this way?”

  “Because you’re you, and when I’m in your presence I feel alive. You don’t need to do any more than that.”

  A single tear streamed down Chloe’s face.

  “Baby, I didn’t mean to make you cry,” Christopher said, wiping away the tear.

  “I know, it’s just that no one has ever done anything this special for me before. I’m speechless.”

  “If you let me I’ll do special things for you all the time.”

  “Okay, lovebirds, it’s time for
me to work my magic on Chloe, so excuse us, Christopher,” Audrina said, leading Christopher out the door. “So, have you decided which dress you’re going to wear?”

  “Yes I have.”

  “Then let’s get to work.”

  When the stretch limo pulled up to Cipriani on 55 Wall Street, Chloe could feel her stomach bubbling. She had been to formal events twenty million times, but going as the date of a man she was falling in love with was exhilarating and scary.

  “You are truly a vision,” Christopher said as he helped Chloe out of the limo.

  “I take it you like the selection I made?”

  “Like is such a baby word. You have me so aroused right now that I’m tempted to skip this event and have the driver take us on a long detour of the city while we make love.”

  “I’m game.”

  Christopher smiled. “I bet you are and that’s one of the reasons I find you so incredibly sexy. But the only problem is that this event is being held in my honor, and to miss it would be extremely rude.”

  “This event is being held in your honor? Thanks for telling me at the very last minute and also congratulations. What is the honor for?”

  “Thank you, and I’ve been named the music industry’s businessman of the year.”

  “Impressive.”

  “No, impressive is you in that dress.”

  Impressive was an understatement. Chloe chose a strapless white Emanuel Ungaro stunner that had embroidered stones highlighting her tiny waist. The flowing gown was accentuated with twenty-four-carat Lorraine Schwartz pink-diamond earrings and bracelet that Christopher got on loaner for the night. With Chloe’s shoulder-length hair swept up with a few loose curls decorating her face, it brought even more attention to her bare shoulders. The finishing touch was the Jimmy Choo open-toe silk satin cross-over-strapped sandal that featured a Swarovski jeweled buckle. With Christopher draped in a tailor-made gray pin-striped Armani suit, the couple was timeless.

  “Well, then let’s go show me off,” Chloe laughed as the pair walked hand in hand inside.

  When they entered Cipriani, Chloe was blown away by the sixteen-thousand-square-foot venue. “This place is incredible,” Chloe said out loud, soaking up the shindig. The place sparkled with luminaries like Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Eva Longoria, Queen Latifah, Derek Jeter, Christina Aguilera, Ludacris, 50 Cent, Gabrielle Union—the list of heavyweights went on and on. It seemed that all of black Hollywood including entertainment giants graced the place.

  “Thank you, I appreciate the love,” Christopher said as celebrity after celebrity continued coming up and congratulating him on the honor. With all the grand balls Chloe had attended in her life, never had she experienced anything of this magnitude. Everywhere she turned, there were A-list stars laughing and drinking champagne, casually enjoying themselves, but Chloe fit right in. At first glance you would’ve easily mistaken her for a big-screen starlet. As Christopher continued to mingle, Chloe noticed the last person she wanted to see coming her way.

  “Chloe, I had no idea you would be here tonight,” Kari said, staring Chloe down. “Who are you here with?”

  Before Chloe could dismiss her annoying boss, Christopher introduced himself.

  “Hi, I’m Christopher McNeil. And you are?”

  “Kari, I’m Chloe’s boss at Posh magazine. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Kari said, extending her hand toward Christopher’s.

  “It’s a pleasure. You’re very lucky to have such a competent woman working with you. She’s something else.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “Excuse me,” Christopher said, turning his attention to an associate eager to speak with him.

  “I had no idea this was the event you had me fetch your clothes for.”

  “And I had no idea my assistant would be here with the guest of honor. You’ve got yourself quite a catch there. What is he, some flavor of the month?”

  Chloe could detect the sarcasm in Kari’s voice. “No, he’s actually my boyfriend.”

  “Really? I thought spoiled rich girls like you only had boy toys, not boyfriends.”

  “You thought wrong. But this isn’t the time or place to have this discussion. I’m here to support Christopher, not to have a war of words with you. So if you would be so kind as to excuse yourself, I would greatly appreciate it.”

  “Cute. But there are so many more interesting people to chat with, so I’ll let you be. But, Chloe, don’t get caught up playing Cinderella tonight. I expect you to be at work on time tomorrow morning.”

  As Kari was walking away, Christopher caught Chloe rolling her eyes. “What was that about?”

  “What?”

  “I saw you giving her the look of death. I know she’s your boss but she couldn’t be that bad.”

  “Put it this way, if the devil ran with a crew she would be the leader of the pack.”

  “Ouch. That’s pretty bad.”

  “And then some. But I don’t want to think about Kari, I want to slow-dance with you. How about it?”

  “Follow me.”

  Christopher and Chloe gazed deeply into each other’s eyes as their bodies swayed to John Legend’s live performance. The smoothness of his voice combined with the melodic sounds from the piano had Chloe feeling as if she were floating in the clouds. With the closeness of their bodies as Christopher’s strong arms wrapped around her waist, Chloe knew that she had finally found the man she’d been dreaming of all her life. “I can’t wait for us to go home so I can make love to you.”

  “You were reading my mind, because I was thinking the same thing.”

  “Mr. McNeil, I’m sorry to interrupt you but they are ready to present you with your award,” one of the event planners informed him.

  “Thanks. Let’s go have a seat at our table,” Christopher said, taking Chloe’s hand.

  The music came to a halt and everyone began taking their seats. Russell Simmons gave a praising speech before introducing the man of the hour. The entire room stood up and applauded as Christopher made his way to the podium. Chloe had flashbacks of the numerous occasions that her father had been honored and the countless adulations he received. Now here was Christopher, filling those shoes.

  “That’s my baby,” Chloe cheered under her breath.

  “Everybody please take your seats. I want to first thank you for coming out tonight to support me. I know that all of you could’ve been anywhere you wanted, but you chose to share this evening with me…and for that I’m eternally grateful.”

  The entire room seemed to listen intently as Christopher painted a colorful picture of his rise to success. The more he spoke, the more you couldn’t help but to admire his fortitude of turning the negative in his life to a positive.

  He finally closed out his speech by saying, “There is one final person I would like to thank. This remarkable individual has come into my life and in a short span has made me feel as if she’s been with me forever. Chloe Johnson, you are an amazing woman and I’m so grateful we’re able to share this special moment in my life together.” Christopher held his plaque in Chloe’s direction and all eyes turned to get a glimpse of the woman he acknowledged, but through all the stares one pair of eyes met Chloe’s with disdain.

  Please let me get that promotion so I can be done with you, Chloe thought to herself as she stared right back at Kari with the same contempt.

  “You sure know how to make a woman feel extraordinary. Never did I see that coming,” Chloe admitted as she laid her head on Christopher’s shoulder on their limo ride home from the event.

  “It wasn’t my intention to put you on the spot, but I wanted to speak from my heart and I meant every word.”

  “I know you did and that’s what makes it so wonderful.”

  Christopher lifted Chloe’s chin and gently kissed her soft lips as their tongues began to meet. Christopher slid his hand up the side of Chloe’s butter-soft skin as he caressed her inner thigh. Her seductive sighs of pleasure had Christopher’s third leg in an
upright position and he knew he couldn’t make it home without feeling her warmth. With one touch of a switch Christopher had the hide-trimmed division blind raised so they were in complete seclusion. Before long Chloe was out of her dress, sprawled across the wide leather seats as they made love.

  When Chloe awoke the next morning snuggled under Christopher’s arm, she was about to close her eyes and go back to a blissful sleep until she noticed the time on the clock. It was eight thirty and she had to be at work by nine. “Oh, shit,” Chloe belted out as she scurried from under Christopher’s embrace.

  The sudden abrupt movement awoke Christopher from his sleep. “Chloe, where are you going? Come back to bed.”

  “I can’t. I’m going to be late for work. I have to go home and change. Kari is going to let me have it.”

  “Forget Kari. Call in sick. It’s Valentine’s Day. I want you to stay in bed with me all day.”

  “It’s Valentine’s Day. Oh, baby, I totally forgot. I would love to snuggle up under you for the rest of the day, but I’m up for this promotion and I have to be on my best behavior.”

  “You have to be the only woman I’ve ever met who doesn’t have Valentine’s Day cemented in their mind. So you’d rather rush off and not be late to some bullshit job than stay and be with a man who’s trying to build a future with you?”

  “Is that really even a question? Because there isn’t a comparison. Of course I would rather be with you, but my job isn’t bullshit, either. I’ve been working my butt off trying to solidify myself as a contender at Posh and I want to win.”

  “Is winning at Posh worth you losing with me?”

  “Christopher, I can’t believe that after the amazing time we had last night you would run this bullshit on me. What? I can’t be with you if I want to have a career? Is that what you’re saying?”

  “Why would you want to? Do you know how many women are tired of working some job every day, putting in long hours, not able to have a life outside of their work? If they were able to find a man who loves them and wanted to take care of them so they wouldn’t have to work another day in their life, they’d jump at it. But you seem to be willing to let it slip through your fingers.”