Dani could see how emotional she was. “Bella. He’s adjusting that’s all. It was, a first, of everything for him. First deep love. First marriage. First baby if you would have gotten pregnant. He needed time,” she said. “Yeah. You’re right. I need to calm down. He went on a business trip. I have to get him from the airport in the morning. Oh Dani…I just love him so much. I want us to stay just like this. This is us at our best,” she gushed. “Don’t be afraid of him. You should rejoice that he has finally let his guard down and is loving you the way you remembered. Isn’t that what you want. Don’t be afraid now. Embrace it before your fears change you. Which will make him fearful all over again.
T
he plane touched down. Bella stood biting her nails. She was tense. She had a weakness for him she didn’t understand. And she struggled with the fact that he had traveled without her. This was the last trip without her. She missed him much more than she thought she would. Their bond had somehow grown more intense. He had made at least one trip before without her. And she was fine when he returned three days later. A kiss when he entered their home sufficed. But things were different between them now. She longed for him. Each day more difficult than the one before.
Bella stood at the gate and watched as the passenger’s walked off the plane. She didn’t see him immediately. She got a little anxious wondering if he had missed his flight. It seemed most of the people had exited. Where is he, she thought, as she stood there. Niles finally emerged. He looked around. Bella ran to him and hugged him tight. “Don’t you ever leave me alone again. You got that Mr. Langston,” she said, kissing him and looking intensely into his eyes.
She was emotional. She was relieved. The two days he was gone felt like ten. He could see she had missed him. “Yes,” he said. He agreed. He had missed her terribly. She kissed him again then hugged him tight. She closed her eyes. “You really missed me huh,” he said. “Yes. You have no idea.” Bella was ready to go. She wanted to get him home and comfortable. He put his arm around her shoulder and the two walked towards the exit. They made small talk as they caught each other up on what they did the last few days.
Niles was dressed impeccably. He looked different. He smelled different. Bella looked him up and down. She had an eye for fashion. His clothing was exquisite. He looked refined, which wasn’t his taste. “You went shopping? Why are you so dressed up? I thought you hated anything other than jeans and vintage tees,” Bella said. “Yeah. I grabbed a few new things before I came back,” he replied. “What did you do while I was gone?” he asked, kissing her on top of her head. “Waited on you to return. No more trips without me. Ok?” she repeated, her voice cracking. Niles looked at her. “Ok,” he replied then kissed her. Niles missed Bella.
The short trip away from her seemed like an eternity. A trip he had to take to speak to the employees at their newest location. George was supposed to address them and welcome them on board. But he abruptly backed out and sent Niles instead. And he was back home with more pressing issues to deal with. Noah would be ready to come home soon. They agreed on a few days. Then Niles pushed it to a few weeks. Niles wasn’t ready to leave. And Noah was having the time of his life with Cheyenne tending to his every request. But it would soon be running its course. So every moment with her would be cherished.
T
he sound of stilettos could be heard approaching the door of Langston Financial. It was eight thirty in the morning and the office was busy with employees starting their day; Making calls, checking accounts and scheduling appointments. Nicole walked through the door. She was armed with shocking information.
The woman in her bed that night was none other than an employee of her company. Information discovered, thanks to their weekly newsletter that she so happened to open that morning. An employee that was being welcomed as a new team player. Nicole chuckled at the article. She was a team player alright. Just not the kind that should be celebrated.
She looked fabulous in a dark plum dress and black pointed heel pumps. “Oh Hi Nicole,” Faye greeted. “Hi,” Nicole said, as she walked right past her.
Faye could tell something was going on. Nicole usually stopped to make small talk or inquire about the latest office gossip. But this day, she was serious. She hadn’t been to work in weeks and she had dropped down to part time, hardly clocking part time hours. Something her father allowed her to get away. Nicole was still his spoiled little girl. In his eyes, she could make her own decisions about what she wanted. It was his son’s that caught the brunt of his meddling.
Nicole walked down the hall and towards the conference room. George, Niles and Austin were presenting the office’s quarterly reports and projections to some of its top financial account managers. Nicole could see Austin. And to her surprise, the woman he had cheated with, sitting a few chairs down from him. Her eyes were locked on him like a woman in love. It was a subtle look that only a woman who knew better could see. Austin ignored her for the most part. And it was all caught in a quick glimpse.
“Father,” Nicole greeted George as she walked in. She quickly sneered Austin and the woman. “Nicole. We’re in a meeting,” George said, as he held his pointer in his hand ready to go over the charts. “This will only take a minute dad,” she replied. Niles’ eyes got big. He knew his sister. She was fired up about something. He shifted in his seat. He hoped she wouldn’t embarrass the family. His hopes were soon dashed.
Nicole stood next to her father. As if preparing to give a speech about the stocks market. Austin sank lower in his chair. His wife had been in a silent yet spirit crushing war with him. She had been moody and unpredictable since the night he made the biggest mistake of his married life. The night he took her for granted. The night he made a call to woman he knew felt indebted to him. A woman who was attracted to him and wanted him, married or not. And now his wife’s silent treatment would be no longer. Her liberation from the pain that held her prisoner. Done in the most dramatic way. The damage meant to rip at his core.
“I think that when someone does something so terribly disrespectful, that they should be called out for it. No matter what position there are in. No matter where they are. So, I am here to call out my lying, cheating, manipulating, disloyal, sorry ass husband Austin and his new mistress, Langston Financials newest saleswoman Kathryn Pearson.”
George looked at Austin. Then quickly back at his daughter. “Nicole please. This is not the time nor the place,” he said. “Yes, it is dad. It’s the perfect time and place. This bitch came to my house, when she thought I was out of town, and screwed my asinine, weak, moron of a husband. Who lately, has been led around by his penis. I guess, my karma for having fibroids. So, what does he do…He decides to get it from a woman he works with. Right under my nose, my father’s nose and my brothers. Kathryn…women like you make me sick. Educated and independent yet using your vagina to get ahead. What a waste of your money and a college education. Get your shit and leave my office. You’re fired. Actually, your more than fired. Good luck finding a job in this industry. After I’m done with my personal press release, my friends will make sure that every wife in New York is made aware of your employment tactics,” she smirked. “And Austin…If you ever disrespect me again, embarrassing you in public will be the least of your worries.”
A teary-eyed Kathryn was numb and speechless as she slowly got up and walked out the conference room. She didn’t bother to say goodbye or give anyone eye contact. Niles sat rubbing his goatee and furrowing his brow at Austin. He wondered how the two pulled off such a scandalous affair. He was usually perceptive of such things. He had his share of office romances himself. There were no signs that they even knew each other. She was a new hire. Brought in under recommendations from Austin. Niles hired her on the spot and now felt played.
Austin looked at George. He was still in shock. “Austin. Can I speak to you in private,” George said. Austin and George left the conference room. Nicole looked at Niles. Her eyes watered up. He shook his head and then got up from the table.
“I’m going to cancel this mornings meeting. I will send an email for a follow up meeting sometime soon. Thank you for coming,” Niles said. The managers stood up. The conference room was eerily quiet for a room of twenty people. No one said a word. But as they filed out, whispers could be heard outside the door as they walked away. Niles hugged Nicole. “I’m sorry he did that Nic. I didn’t know. I wouldn’t have allowed him to play you like that. But why here? Why didn’t you do it at home? Why like this, in front of everybody?” he asked. “Because, I wanted to come down hard on him. I was humiliated. I thought I’d return the favor.”
George closed his door. Austin looked guilty. He seemed destroyed. He was upset and George didn’t want to make the day any worse for him. But this was his daughter. He had something to say. George sat down. He intertwined his fingers in a tight fist as he stared at his son in laws. He wasn’t sure how to address him without totally destroying what was left of his manhood.
“Nicole is a good wife for you. She caters to you. Follows your lead. Has made a way for you to make money within her family business and is generous with you. What ever possessed you to cheat on her? And with someone who works at the firm she owns. Or anyone for that matter,” he asked. Austin shrugged his shoulders. He looked down. “I don’t know. I guess just doing something because I could,” he replied. “So what? You get her a job and now she feels indebted. You decide to indulge her. Indulge yourself. Listen…Love my daughter the right way or not at all. Leave, if you’re not happy,” he said. Austin corrected him. “That’s not it, sir. I am happy. I love Nic. It’s just…I fucked up. Sir…” he replied.
George understood Austin better than he thought. He was once Austin. A man with untapped potential. Cheating on his wife. Not accepting responsibilities. But unlike Austin, he got himself together quickly. But not before producing a child out of wedlock. One never spoke on but that he supported financially. The reason he could talk to him. Advise him. Steer him out of his own way.
“Then get yourself together before you lose her. Women like her are diamonds and they know it. She won’t tolerate much. You have to be the man she expects. And she will be there with open arms. But not for a cheater. A man who doesn’t know her worth. We will never have this talk again. I’m cautioning you now. I know my daughter. Don’t take her kindness for weakness. You see how she can change when her backs against the wall. Fix this.”
Nicole walked in and slowly shut the door behind her. Austin stood up. George stood up and walked around his desk and up to his daughter. He kissed her on the cheek. “What were you two talking about,” she said. Her demeanor calm, yet mysterious. It was obvious what they were talking about. Austin felt a storm brewing. “The fact that he needs to take responsibility and make this right,” George chimed in.
“I’m sorry Nic,” Austin said. Nicole looked at him. “Oh yeah. Wow. Sorry that I wasn’t out of town or sorry that I stopped you before you could cum,” she said. “George scratched his head. Nicole never talked like this in front of him and he was uncomfortable. “I’m going to let you two talk. I’ll step out,” he said.
“No. I just came in to say bye. I have a condo in Oyster Bay. I’ll be staying there,” she replied. “What? You’re leaving me Nic. You’re not going to give me a chance to talk to you. Don’t do this,” he pleaded. George looked at Nicole. “Nope. I’m not. I need time. I may need forever. I’ll call when I’m ready. I can’t look at you right now,” she said, as she turned and left. George looked down. He felt bad for Austin. He liked him. Austin had surprised him. He was working hard. Putting in late hours. Filling in for him when he requested. “Give her time son,” George said, as he left out.
N
iles awoke to the smell of turkey bacon and eggs. He could hear Bella on her cell phone laughing. He sat up. He was still tired. He and Bella made love all night, as they had done every night since he’d been there. Every time she moved a leg, he got hard and entered her again. Bella remarked that somethings in his food. Or perhaps a new multi vitamin had him insatiable. She couldn’t remember when they had made love so many times. Niles realized that there were definite sexual differences between he and his brother. Bella remarked on his kissing. How he smelled. His moans. His penis. Everything seemed different and she let it be known. She confided in him that he felt better. Like the first time they met. That sex seemed more erotic. More sensual. That she had more orgasms. And that she felt closer to him.
It was different because he was a different man. They had passion. They should have been together. And her compliments weren’t him trying harder, it was who he was. But he had to remember that he was there for one thing. He wondered if the extensive lovemaking had done its job. Was Bella pregnant. She still was not his. He reminisced on his most recent intimate moment with her. He was deep in his feelings. He sat there staring off as she cooked their food in the kitchen. He thought back to the day he showed up at her shop as Noah. How he walked in anxious to lay eyes on her. How he felt when he did and how he was taken with her immediately. Again, as if they had never parted.
He was now, not the same man. Each day with her was bringing a deeper connection. And making love to her had now sent him over the edge. He was swept away by her sensuality. The faces she made. The sounds he heard, as she released her warm fluids on him. He was addicted to her. He wasn’t sure how long Noah would stay away. They hadn’t set an exact date. They guessed it may take anywhere from one to three weeks. A one time shot. If it didn’t work, Noah would confess his inabilities.
Chapter eight
Walls Come Crashing
N
iles pulled up to the parking lot of his condominium. He called Noah and held the phone. “Hello,” he answered. “Hey. I’m outside,” he replied. “Ok. Give me a second.” Noah soon exited the doors and walked past the doorman and up to the car. He was dressed in Niles’ clothing. He chuckled at the sight. Noah was passing for him with no problem. Even Cheyenne didn’t say anything as the men were several weeks into the hiatus from their lives. Noah had even gone to Langston Financial, and worked on Niles’ projects and did so in half the time because of his extensive knowledge of the field. Their father was away on a business trip and so his day at work was uneventful. No one suspected a thing. Only their father would have detected the difference.
“Hey,” Noah said, as he sat in Niles brand new Black Suburban. “How is it going?” he asked. “Good. Pop still in Dallas. No one said shit. Really thought I was you. I have to go back tomorrow. Finish up some accounts. But I need to see Bella. It’s been two weeks,” he said, looking at Niles. “Um…Ok,” he said, his mood changing. “Why you say it like that. Come on Niles! Don’t get swept into that shit again. You’re on a mission. Nothing else. And I hope you not going down on her,” he said. Niles looked sharply at him. “Fuck no Niles. We talked about that,” he said pausing and reflecting on what to do. “Yeah well,” Niles replied. “Yeah well what… I can’t keep that shit going. Damn,” he said, rubbing his face. He had bad news. Niles was supposed to be there another week. But Noah was ready to cut it short. And he was well aware of his brothers feelings.
“I’m going home after work tomorrow. This is the last night. I can work it out from here.” Niles turned away from him refusing to look at him. Noah sensed the disappointment. He hoped Bella was pregnant because Niles was too emotional to go on. “I really do want to thank you. I know this was a lot to ask. I am indebted to you. Anything you need, just ask. I won’t say no. This was the best gift you ever gave. This will save my marriage. But its time.” Niles shook his head as he looked straight. Noah felt bad. He looked over at Niles a few times hoping his brother would look at him. He wanted to know he would be alright. He had pulled his brother into his life yet again. A Niles would go to the ends of the earth for him. Noah felt guilty. Although he loved him, he couldn’t say he would do the same. Noah could be selfish at times. But he expected Niles to pull himself together. He knew the risks. He leaped at the chance. And Noah put any jealousi
es aside as he had done before. This should have been simple. He got to enjoy her again and should be fine with parting ways with her as he had done before.
“Niles…I’m sorry for all this,” he said. Niles continued his silence. He was more disappointed than mad. This day was coming. “Why are you so quiet. Say something. You can’t even look at me,” he said. Niles shot him two seconds of direct eye contact, then looked away. “No problem Noah. I’m just tired. I’ve been travelling. Running around. I just need to go back and relax. See you tomorrow.”
N
icole sat in her office going over one of her premier accounts. She needed to be there. She usually worked from home. The people in the office weren’t use to her presence. But Nicole would now be among them. Her jealousy and anger at her husband meeting and bedding an employee had her wanting to be by his side. And the walls of her large home were caving in on her. But she had not forgiven him. Even if she felt better being there. Being closer to him. Austin’s absence was difficult. And she tired of crying herself to sleep. A part of her felt embarrassed at being there. Her antics in the conference room had the entire office buzzing with gossip. The affair between her husband and the sales woman she fired, was the topic of everyone’s conversation. Nicole could feel the stares when she first walked in. She held her head high. She was a wronged woman. This was her company. She would not be made to feel ashamed, even though that was exactly how she felt.
Nicole looked up and smiled as two employees walked by. They smiled back as they walked towards the front door. I know what their thinking. And I don’t care. Everybody needs to just mind their business, she thought, as she glanced over the spreadsheet. She wondered if Austin knew she was there. She hadn’t seen him yet. She wanted to. Even if for a second. She was very much attracted to him. She still loved him. And she missed him terribly. She had heard from one of their salesmen, that he was staying at the Hyatt. Nicole missed him. She felt partly to blame. She had cut him off sexually, with no real explanation and she wasn’t sure she could blame him for seeking companionship elsewhere.
The Twin Page 15
