by Jaye McCloud
After getting dressed in a pair of jeans and a pink t-shirt, I visit with Snow and Candi while Antonio volunteers to prepare something for us to eat. It is a day of leisure and relaxation with the highlight being Antonio giving me a tour of his house. As we stroll hand in hand, from room to room, I can’t help thinking that this house—although beautiful—doesn’t seem to really fit Antonio’s personality. He’s not the sleek flashy type and this house, with all its glass and chic décor, is nothing but sleek and flashy.
Later that night, the puppies and I are enjoying ourselves on Antonio’s colossal bed when he saunters into the room. As usual, he has not one modest bone in his six-and-a-half feet frame. I ignore the pups happy frolicking and feast my eyes on his hard glistening body. I love the way his muscles flex with every movement. The way his thick black hair curls on his shoulders. The sexy twist of his lips when he looks at me in that special way…the way he’s looking at me now. I want to jump his bones, and I think he knows it.
Chapter 21
“Antonio, I’ve explained to you why I need my car. Kathy and I don’t always have the same errands to run. You know I have to be able to come and go whenever and wherever Mrs. Bentini needs me.”
“I know Baby, I guess I’m just not ready for this to end yet.”
“Tony, nothing is ending. We’re going to work and then I’ll be returning to your place. Besides, my babies are there and you know how I feel about my babies.” He stabs me with a glare, practically rolling his eyes at me. “Why are you giving me that look? You know how I feel about you too.”
“Do I really?”
“Yes, you do Antonio.” I say emphatically. Damnit, he knows how much I care for him. “Now, back to our transportation situation. I need my car and that’s that.”
“Okay okay, I know when to give in graciously. I’ll drive you back to your apartment for your car. But no matter what, you’ll park your car at the office and we’ll drive home from there.”
“Thanks for being reasonable, I know how much it hurts.”
“Look who has jokes.”
“I just have one more favor to ask, Tony.” Glancing quickly over at his profile, I’m relieved we’re having this conversation in the car and he has to keep his attention on the road. “No PDFs at work or at the mansion. I want discretion. No more office visits during the middle of the day, no more presents. I want to be treated like a regular employee when I’m on the clock.”
“Just so you know, you were never a regular employee, Ti. Look, I know you’re worried that people will treat you differently once they find out that we’re dating—”
“It’s more than that Antonio. I’m worried that your mother will hate me and fire me once she finds out…as she has every right to do. She made herself perfectly clear, and I broke the rules anyway. Being fired is bad enough, but having your mother and your family despise me… I like your family Antonio and that’s something I never want to happen.”
“Tiressa, that’s not going to happen—”
“You don’t know that Tony!” I damn near shout in frustration, and then try to continue in a much calmer voice. “I don’t want to be that person who causes a rift in a loving, close-knit family. I would loathe myself if that happened…and eventually so would you.”
“You’re wrong Ti—”
“No, Tony. You’re wrong and I refuse to be the dreaded girlfriend that everyone barely tolerates.”
“It’s not going to come to that Tiressa. My family likes you. The kids are crazy about you, my parents like you, my sisters and sisters-in-law like you—”
“Yes, they do like me well enough…as an employee. Someone who’s in their lives because she’s paid to be there.”
“Did I mention that my brothers also like you? A couple of them say they like your chocolate sexiness and would sex you up in a New York minute.” Antonio claims, throwing me a smile and a wink.
“I’m not sure if I should be insulted by that or not. What are you doing discussing me with your brothers?”
“You’re my lady and that’s what brothers sometimes do. We talk about what’s going on in our personal lives. But don’t worry, I don’t discuss our relationship in detail—other than to talk about how much I care for you. And you shouldn’t be insulted. Don’t you know that Italian men love black women?” He claims sending me a sexy smile.
We pull into my apartment’s tiny parking lot and I get ready to get out of the SUV. “I don’t know how true that is, and I don’t particularly care about Italian guys wanting to bang me …except my Italian guy of course.” He likes hearing that and rewards me with a steamy kiss. My man loves to liplock, and I love the way he puts those skillful delicious lips to use. As I turn to close the car door, Antonio concedes. “No public displays of affection –while at the office or mansion. And as far as Mom goes, we’ll deal with her together.” Walking around to the driver side of the SUV, I lean in and give him a quick kiss on the side of his neck. My guy also has a thing for necking.
~~~~
The next couple of weeks are sketchy for me because I can see that people know about Antonio and me—at least at the office. Some of the looks are speculative, some are disbelieving, some are neutral and some are just mean and nasty. I do my best not to be seen alone, in any part of the building, with Antonio. But even when there are several people around, I feel uneasy and uncomfortable; because I can imagine what some of them are thinking. So, I stay holed up in my office as much as possible.
As much as I’m disconcerted about the situation, Antonio doesn’t appear to be having the same difficulties. No one is giving him looks or sly smiles. He’s an authoritative executive; everyone has their face fixed in his presence, and no matter what they may be thinking, they wouldn’t dare let it show—especially if those thoughts were mean or nasty.
Unfortunately, I don’t have that kind of insular protection, I’m just going to have to deal with it. I guess I should be thankful that no one has come right out and said anything derogatory to me…yet. And Antonio is quickly losing patience with not being able to express his feeling for me openly. But each time he suggest we speak with his mother, I chicken out and make up some lame excuse, putting it off just a little bit longer. I’m on borrowed time and I know it.
***
“Hello Ms. Hawkins, how are you?” Smiling in greeting, I reply as I walk closer. “Hi there, fine thanks. And how are you today, Mr. Honeycutt.”
“Oh, I have no complaints. If you’re here for Ms. Bentini, she’s out in the garden. I believe she’s expecting you.”
It’s not what he says, it’s how he says it –all cryptic; like he knows something that I do not.
“Thanks Mr. Honeycutt, I’ll just go right on out there then.” I reply with slight hesitation. Leaving the large patio area, I follow the brick path to Mrs. Bentini’s personal haven –her beautiful flower garden with the water fountain, filled with all types of exotic fish.
Mrs. Bentini doesn’t smile a greeting as I approach the gazebo. That in and of itself is very telling…something is wrong.
“Have a seat Tiressa.” I immediately comply, sitting down on the chair across from her. Looking at Mrs. Bentini’s face, my heart thumps at her set expression. Capturing my gaze, she comes straight to the point. “Do you have something that you need to tell me?” This is the Mrs. Bentini that I first interviewed with…cold and unapproachable.
“Regarding you and my son, Antonio.”
Oh Gawd!
I don’t think my heart can thump any harder. I try to find the words to explain myself, but only come up with, “I’m… I’m sorry Mrs. Bentini.” I apologize in a quiet shaky voice, dropping my gaze to the table between us.
“How long Tiressa?”
I’m not sure how to respond. “How long?” I repeat stupidly.
“How long has it been going on? How long did you think you could keep it from me?” She snaps at me. Oh how I wish I had the courage to come here with Antonio and talk to his parents when he kept
insisting these past couple of weeks. Now I’m sitting here by myself with an irate Mrs. Bentini. “We were going to tell you… But I was afraid that you would be angry with me and—”
“You should have been afraid, because that’s exactly what I am! You betrayed me Tiressa!” She yells at me.
“I did and I’m sorry…truly I am. I never meant for it to happen—” I cry, barely recognizing the furious woman screaming in my face.
“Like hell you didn’t! You saw that my son was attracted to you and you couldn’t wait to get your hooks into him.”
“That’s not true, Mrs. Bentini, I fought my attraction to Antonio, really I did. We tried to avoid each other—”
“Apparently you didn’t try hard enough!”
“Mrs. Bentini, you’re not being fair. I’m not in this by myself. Antonio wants this relationship just as much as I do.”
“Oh I’m sure you do…you would just love that wouldn’t you; a so-called relationship with my son.” She sneers.
“He says he wants me, that he wants to be with me. He wants us to have a future together.”
Mrs. Bentini’s laughter is condescending. “Tiressa has your mother failed to teach you that a man will say anything to get what he wants from a woman.”
“That’s not how it is, Mrs. Bentini, Antonio cares for me and I really care for him. We lov—.”
“You stupid girl! Are you really so naïve? Do you think you are the only woman that Antonio has chased after, caught, and then paid off once he has finished with her?!”
I stare at her in shock. She knows about the money!
“How much did he pay you? I’ll double whatever the amount is.”
I’m so humiliated. “I don’t want your money, Mrs. Bentini, and I’m sorry that you think so little of me.” I stand up and start walking away.
“Wait!” Although, I stop, I don’t turn around to face her.
“You have willfully violated the ethics clause that you agreed to when you signed your contract with me. Therefore, effective immediately, you are no longer employed or associated with myself or Bentini and Sons. Turn in all keys and access cards to Katherine -immediately.” She is relentless in her reprisal. I continue walking away with her angry words echoing in my ears. “Just know that Antonio will get tired of you as he always does with his women. I don’t care that he’s screwing you, someone of your low moral character is not welcomed onto this property.”
I can barely see as I quickly make my way to the patio area and around to the side of the mansion to my car.
“Ti, Ti, wait up.” Shit! Robert Bentini’s son Dominic, is sprinting towards me.
“Hey Ti, I wanted to show you my report card; I got a B in math.” He calls out as he approaches. I hurry to clean my face up but I can’t disguise my puffy eyes, he knows I’ve been crying the moment he sees me. “Ti what’s the matter? Why are you crying?” He exclaims with the sweet concern of a nine year old.
“I’m not crying exactly. I fell and hurt myself. I’m sorry Dom, I think it’s absolutely wonderful that you are doing well in your math class and I would love to see your report card, but I have a very important errand to run for your grandmother and she will have my hide if I delay.” I unlock my car door and move to the inside. “So give me a hug and I’ll see your report card as soon as I come back. Is that okay with you?” Thank goodness for well-mannered kids. He gives me a quick hug and then steps back and waves me off as I drive away.
My worst fears have come true…Mrs. Bentini hates me and I’ve just lost my job. I drive around aimlessly for several minutes before I pull into a mini-shopping plaza and call my sister Mya. My hands are shaking so badly that it takes three attempts before I’m finally able to dial the number correctly. “Mya, can I come stay with you for a couple of days?”
“You sound awful Ti. Have you been crying? Are you okay?”
“There’s a situation that’s come up and I just need a little time to get my thoughts together. Can I please come stay with you and James for a few days?”
“Yes, of course, you know you can. Where are you? Do you need me to come pick you up?”
“Thanks, Mya, but that’s really not necessary.”
Once I get to my apartment, I call Kathy. “Kathy—”
“Tiressa, what’s the matter, you sound strange?”
“Kathy, Mrs. Bentini knows about me and Antonio.”
“Oh no…”
“Yeah, and she isn’t taking it well at all. She fired me.”
“Oh my gawd, she didn’t! She actually fired you?!”
“Yeah, she actually did, and she wasn’t kind about it either. Look Kathy, I have to turn in my keys and security cards to you. I’ll leave them here in my apartment, Antonio can pick them up.
“What can I do Tiressa? Maybe I can talk to her for you.”
“No, Kathy stay out of it. She’s so angry she may fire you too.”
“What about Antonio? What does he have to say?”
“I haven’t talked to him. I can’t talk to him right now. I’m going away for a few days.”
“Going where! No, don’t do that! I’m sure Antonio can fix it! Tiressa—”
“Kathy listen, please! Will you clean out my office for me? I’ll get my stuff from you when I come back.”
“I think you should wait until you’ve talked to Antonio.”
“No. After the things she said to me, there’s no way I’ll ever be able to work for her again. She banned me from B&S and the mansion. She basically said that I’m never to step foot on any Bentini property.”
“That’s awful. I’m sorry she was such a bitch to you.”
“Kathy?”
“Yes, Tiressa.”
“Will you give Antonio a message for me?”
“Tiressa, you should wait until—”
“Kathy please! Will you?”
“Okay, what’s the message?”
“Please tell him that I just need a few days to myself, that I need a time to think. Will you tell him that for me?”
“Yes, Tiressa, I’ll tell him.” Kathy stops me just before I get off the call. “Hey, Tiressa…I’m here for you anytime you need me.”
“Thanks Kathy, I appreciate that.”
***
“Antonio you seem preoccupied.” Antonio raises his eyes at the sound of his father’s irritated voice.
“Sorry Pop, I guess I am a little preoccupied.” Antonio admits, getting out of his chair to pace across the carpet in his father’s office.
“You know that I don’t make a habit of interfering. But it’s apparent that something is weighing heavily on your mind.” When Antonio only pause in his pacing, his father continues. “If you need to talk, I’m here.”
“Thanks, but that’s not necessary.” Antonio rejects his father’s offer, but then suddenly changes his mind. “Well, Pop it’s like this…” He leans against the conference table in his father’s rather large impressive corner office. “You remember what happened with the young lady years ago; back when I was in college?”
Mr. Bentini slowly nods his head. “Yes Antonio, I have always regretted my part in that entire debacle and wish that I had done things differently.”
Antonio continues. “Well, this situation is kind of similar…”
“How so, Antonio?”
“You’re already aware that Tiressa and I are dating.”
Smiling, Mr. Bentini nods his head. “Yes.”
“Actually, we’re more than dating; I’m in love with her. I want to marry her.”
“And how does Tiressa feel?”
“The same…she loves me. But Mom will most likely not approve. Tiressa insists that she will not be the cause of a family rift. She respects Mom and she respects family. She won’t commit to me because she doesn’t want to risk losing Mother’s respect.”
“Yes, I suppose Tiressa wouldn’t want that to happen. She’s a good girl, indeed an admirable young woman.”
“Yes, Pop, I think so too.” Antonio sm
iles at his father before becoming stoic once again. “That’s why I won’t allow Mom’s intolerant views to stand in the way of our relationship. I plan for us to talk to Mom together before she finds out from someone else.”
“That’s a good idea. I’d advise you to hurry that along; even I have heard some whispering about you and Tiressa.” Mr. Bentini says looking steadily at his son.
“Yeah, that’s exactly what I plan to do soon, with or without Tiressa.”
“Why do you say with or without? What’s going on?”
“Needless-to-say, Tiressa is anxious about speaking to Mom. She’s been putting it off, but I finally got her to promise to go through with it. We’re planning to speak with Mom this weekend.”
“Good, very good indeed. So, what’s the problem Antonio?”
“I don’t know…I have the feeling that something is wrong.”
“Why, wrong how?”
“Tiressa hasn’t come into the office today and I’ve been calling her cell. She’s not answering, and that’s just not like her.” Antonio says allowing his worry to show for the first time.
“Have you checked with Katherine or your mother or maybe even Mrs. Honeycutt…sometimes Tiressa tutors the boys or plays with Gigi?” Mr. Bentini suggests.
“Thanks Pop, I hadn’t thought of that. You know, I told Tiressa that the family likes her and would support our relationship.” When Mr. Bentini raises his eyebrows, Antonio continues. “What do you think? Do you think that the family likes her…not as an employee, but likes her for herself? Can they look beyond skin color and accept Ti for who she is as a person?”
“I can’t speak for the entire family, Antonio. But as I said earlier, Tiressa is a good girl with a good spirit. The family surely recognizes that. And if they don’t, then I’ll be right by your side as we help them see what we see in her.”
