by Lydia Rose
“I know, Diane.” Michelle gave her a thousand-watt smile. “I love you too, but I think it’s time for me to leave here.”
Diane stood up and moved around the desk. “I don’t want you to leave. Besides if you do, everyone will know it’s me they are talking about.”
“I’m sure the rumors are running through here too.”
“Would you ask Donna if she has heard anything?”
“I would rather wait until Donna brings it up. If I ask, I will tip her off.”
“You’re right, but please don’t think about leaving. I know I’m being selfish because I don’t want to give you up.”
Michelle smiled. “Yeah, I know. You’ll never find another admin as good as me.”
“Yes, that’s the reason I don’t want you to leave.” Diane kissed her lips softly. “Let’s get through this week so we can be together on the weekend.”
As Michelle left the office, Carolyn walked into the office. “Hello, Ms. Temple.”
“Hi, Michelle.” She peeked into Diane’s open office door. “Got a minute?”
“Sure. Come in.”
Carolyn walked in and closed Diane’s door. “Have you seen the news?”
“Yes, and I’ve been trying to think which one of the men out there is the culprit.”
“The rumors are already circulating here that it’s you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You have a beautiful new assistant and people are jealous of the position she has. Diane, you have to transfer her out of here.”
“If I do that, people will think it’s true.” Diane threw up her hands angrily. Why can’t people just mind their own business?
“I thought about that. We have to get you out of here for an extended period of time. This way, we can move Michelle to another department while you are away.”
“What am I dying or something?”
“I don’t know. I’m trying to protect your reputation and Michelle’s too. If people believe she is sleeping with the boss, her career is over.”
Diane sat back defeated. Carolyn was right in the fact that she was jeopardizing Michelle’s career. “Who is going to run this company while I’m gone?”
“You have plenty of VP’s that can do that,” Carolyn said quickly.
“Do I have to leave the state?”
“No. We can come up with an illness that is not life threatening, but will have you out of here for a month or so.” Carolyn let out a breath. “Then we can hire you a new assistant.”
“Schedule a meeting with the group for three o’clock.”
“You’re doing the right thing, Diane.” Carolyn left the office.
“Michelle, can you come in here, please?” Diane said through the intercom. Once Michelle took a seat, she laid out Carolyn’s plan.
“I think she’s right, Diane. It has to be done.” Her head lowered hiding the tears that were trying to escape.
“I would rather tell the world that we are in love, but I don’t want to destroy your career in the process.” Diane moved to the front of her desk. “I hope this doesn’t mean that you will stop seeing me?”
“No. I’ll come to you when I can, but we should lay low for a while.”
Both women hated the decision they were going to make, but they had no choice.
CHAPTER 21
Michelle was moved to the finance department where luckily she wasn’t working for Carolyn. Her direct boss was an account nerd named Steve Johnson who seemed happy with her work. One afternoon Carolyn summoned her to her office.
“You wanted to see me, Ms. Temple?” Michelle asked as she approached.
“Yes. Please have a seat, Michelle.”
Michelle sat down tentatively and waited for Carolyn to speak.
“I just wanted to apologize for making you feel uncomfortable when I asked you out. After what is happening with Diane,” she said watching Michelle’s reaction, but she just nodded, “I realize that I could have put you in a position that would be uncomfortable for both of us.”
“I appreciate you saying that Carolyn. I think you are very nice, but it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to date.” You are a hypocrite telling her this.
“You’re right and that’s why I wanted to apologize.”
“No apology needed.” Michelle stood up and left.
Two months of the women stealing time with each other was hard to bear, but Michelle was enjoying her new position. News was beginning to circulate around the building that Diane would be returning the following month. Everyone wondered if Michelle would return to her position or if she would remain with finance. Even Donna grilled her one evening.
“So are you going to go back to working for Diane?”
“I like my position and I think they are hiring someone new for her.”
“You don’t run off every weekend anymore. What happened to the woman you were seeing?” Donna asked staring at Michelle.
“We’re still seeing each other, but it’s become complicated.” Michelle wanted so much to tell her friend, but she kept quiet.
“I know you are seeing Diane,” she said easily. Michelle’s mouth dropped open. “Don’t look so shocked. Gordon’s parents live in Diane’s neighborhood. I saw your car in the driveway.”
Michelle plopped into a chair. “You haven’t told anyone, have you?”
“No. You know I don’t gossip. Why didn’t you tell me?” Donna asked with hurt feelings.
“We didn’t tell anyone. We wanted to see where our relationship went before we told anyone.”
“Who found out about the two of you and leaked that information to the world?”
“Her sister-in-law. Who, by the way, is Lee Stanton.”
“The Lee Stanton?”
“None other.”
“So are you two still seeing each other?”
“When we can. I spend Saturday there most weeks, but as you know, I come home.”
“We don’t want to take the chance of someone finding out.”
“Did she seduce you?”
Michelle laughed out loud. “Are you kidding me? No she didn’t. It just happened, Donna. I fell in love with her even before we kissed.” Michelle smiled remembering. “Diane never would have said a word even though she had feelings for me. I looked at her one day and knew I was in love with her. I was physically ill realizing that because I didn’t think she thought of me as anything other than her assistant.”
“Well, obviously you worked out the details,” Donna said giggling.
“Yeah, but I miss seeing her every day.”
“You really do love her?” Donna took Michelle’s hand in her own.
“I do, Donna. I never thought I would feel this way about anyone.”
“You certainly did catch a nice rich woman.” Donna teased her friend.
“I don’t care about her money, Donna. I love her.”
“Yeah, but the money doesn’t hurt.”
Michelle knew that Donna was teasing her, but it did make her think. What could she ever buy Diane that she couldn’t buy herself if she wanted? That thought scared her more than ruining her career when their relationship finally came out. “I think I’m going to turn in. Good night, Donna.”
“Night, sweetie.”
Michelle picked up her phone and called Diane. “Hi, baby,” Diane said when she answered the phone.
“Hi.”
“What’s wrong?” Diane asked hearing the sadness in Michelle’s voice.
“Donna knows about us. She won’t say anything.”
“So why are you sad?” Diane asked, not understanding the sadness in Michelle’s voice.
“You don’t think I’m dating you because of your money?” Michelle asked with closed eyes.
The answer she heard was a laugh. “Did Donna say that?”
“No, but it got me thinking. What could I ever give to you that you couldn’t get yourself?”
“Oh, honey. Your love is the best gift you could ever give me.”
&n
bsp; “Yeah, but what about next year and the year after that?”
“Honey, the money is inconsequential. Money is just a necessity in this world.”
“Look at the way you live. You live in a mansion. When you fly you rent a private plane. You are used to nice things. I could never treat you to anything worthwhile.”
“Stop, Michelle. I love you.” Diane wished she was there with Michelle to explain that material things didn’t matter to her. It was the love that Michelle gave to her that was important, and it was important to love her daughter as if she were her parent too.
“I love you too. I’m sorry for being such a baby.” Michelle couldn’t hold back her sniffle.
Diane chuckled. “Yeah, but you are my baby.”
“I’m sorry to bother you with my silly worries,” Michelle said still sad.
“Talking to you is never a bother, Michelle.”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Good night.”
“Good night, Michelle,” Diane said and grabbed the baby monitor. A short while later she was knocking on Michelle’s door.
“Ms. Baker,” Donna said shocked seeing her standing in the hallway.
“Hello, Donna.” Diane looked around the room. “Michelle is in her room?”
“Yes,” Donna said still shocked that Diane Baker was standing in her apartment.
“Would you please show me where that is?” Diane asked and followed Donna. She lightly knocked on the door.
“You can come in, Donna.” Her mouth dropped as Diane walked into the room. “Diane. What are you doing here?”
“I had to come. You sounded so sad on the phone.” Diane pulled Michelle into her arms and they sat on the edge of the bed.
“I’m sorry.” Michelle couldn’t hold back her tears and Diane pulled her closer.
“I’m sorry too. I know this has been hard on you and we aren’t able to see each other enough.” Her fingertips wiped the tears on her cheek before she kissed her softly. “I know you love me for me. That is the greatest gift in the world I could ever ask for. Please believe me.” Michelle nodded her head. “Michelle, you gave me my daughter too. Do you know what that means to me? I used to look at my daughter and just see her father. A man that my father wanted me to marry. I didn’t love him and I doubt he loved me either.” Diane looked at Michelle taking her hands. “I hate to go back to work because I don’t want to leave Anna behind. That is just another wonderful gift you have given me. Please trust me when I say the money means nothing without having people who love you in your life.” Diane too couldn’t hold back her tears.
“I believe you, Diane, I do, but…”
“No buts.” Diane held Michelle at arm’s length. “If it will make you feel better, I’ll give you a few million dollars. Will that make you feel better?” she asked with a giggle and a big grin.
Michelle half laughed and cried. “No.”
“Can I stay with you tonight?”
“What about Anna?” Michelle asked worried.
“Irene is there. I told her I wouldn’t be home until morning, but if you don’t want me to stay…” Diane stood up, but Michelle grabbed her hand.
“I want you to stay. Lock the door,” she said in a whisper. Their clothes came off quickly and they got under the covers. They didn’t begin to make love at first. Michelle laid in Diane’s arms and they began to reconnect from the days being apart. “I miss seeing you every day,” she said into the nearly darkened room.
“I miss you too. Especially when Anna and I are playing a game or hanging out at the pool. She keeps asking me when you are going to come over.” Diane’s hand trailed lightly over Michelle’s arm and back as they spoke. Michelle’s hand traced a circle on Diane’s stomach. “Will you spend the weekend?”
“Are you planning on having any other relatives stop by?” Michelle asked lifting her head so she could see Diane.
“We will lock the doors, close the lights and pretend we aren’t home.” Her hand now began to drift down Michelle’s body as her face came closer and closer until their lips touched. “Enough talking for now,” she said as they broke away breathless from kissing. “I need you more than I ever thought I would need a person, but I do, Michelle. I do.”
Diane’s words of love made all her fears disappear. Even if it was just for tonight because she needed this woman too. She was on top of Diane kissing and suckling her beautiful breasts. Taking her time, she enjoyed pulling her hard nipples into her mouth causing the woman under her to moan in pleasure. “I need you inside,” Diane begged softly and Michelle didn’t hesitate to give this woman anything she wanted in life. “I love you.”
“Oh god, Michelle, don’t stop. Don’t ever stop.”
“Never my love. Never.”
CHAPTER 22
The alarm on Michelle’s phone brought her out of a most luxurious dream. Their night together had reestablished their connection that had been missing as they tried to hide their relationship from the outside world. She knew that no amount of make-up was going to cover the sleep deprived eyes that were surely there.
Diane rolled over and watched as a naked Michelle got out of bed and went in search of clothes for the day. “I wish you could stay with me in bed all day,” she said softly.
Michelle turned toward the bed and smiled. “Me too, but you know I can’t.”
“I know,” Diane said with a grin. “That awful owner of the company would have your head.”
“Yeah. I hear she’s horrible to work for. I think I should find a new job.” They grinned at each other as Michelle walked back to the bed. Their lips came together in a sensuous kiss.
The two women walked out of the apartment together. “I’ll call you when I get home.”
“I’ll be waiting impatiently,” Diane said clasping her hand in Michelle’s.
“I think you need to go back to work.”
“The company is being run by qualified people. I think I’ll become a stay at home mom.”
Michelle laughed. She looked at Diane and laughed again. “I can just see that. You wouldn’t know what to do with yourself.”
“If you were there with me, I would know what to do,” she answered with a devious smile.
“You want me to be a kept woman?” Michelle said, laughing again at Diane’s suggestion.
“I would love that, but I would never ask you to give up your career.” Although, I wish you would. I would love for us to have a baby and know that you are waiting at home for me. Get that out of your head, you idiot. Do you want to scare her away? With one more kiss they each went to their own cars.
A kept woman? Diane is so bored with not working, she wants me to stay with her. The idea didn’t frighten her, but she wouldn’t know what to do with herself in that large home. Diane had a housekeeper, a nanny. What was Michelle going to be? The live-in lover? Michelle shook those thoughts out of her head and concentrated on getting to the office.
*
Diane walked into her house and found her daughter just coming down the stairs with Irene. “Mommy, mommy.” The little girl was so excited to see her mother. Things had changed so much in the last several months. Diane picked her up and kissed her cheeks as the girl giggled and kissed her back.
“What do you want to do today, Anna?” Diane asked as she carried her to the kitchen.
“Zoo.”
“You want to go to the zoo again? How about we do something else. I’ll look on the internet and see what will be fun.”
Anna jumped up and down in her chair cheering for her mother.
Later that day, Diane walked into her bedroom after putting Anna down for the night. She changed clothes and waited for Michelle to call her. Her heart jumped when the phone rang and Michelle’s beautiful face appeared on the screen. “Hi,” she said softly.
“Hi yourself,” Michelle answered with a smile in her voice. “I’m so glad that tomorrow is Friday.”
“Rough day today?” Diane asked, wondering if Michelle hated her new position.<
br />
“Yes, when you have a hard time keeping your eyes open.” She now giggled. “You know my job is to work on figures for your company.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I was selfish to come over last night.”
“No, Diane. I’m happy you did, but I paid for it today.” Michelle was having a hard time keeping her eyes open as they spoke on the phone.
“I hope the pleasure outweighed the pain you suffered today?” she asked with a laugh.
“It did, Diane. It did.” Michelle yawned into the phone.
“So I guess you don’t want to see me tonight?” Diane asked hearing the obvious yawn.
“I’m sorry, honey, but I’m going to sleep.”
“Okay. Get in bed and get some rest.”
“I am in bed.” Michelle pulled the covers up.
“What are you wearing?” she asked seductively.
“Please don’t get me started, honey.” She heard the giggle through the phone. “Good night.”
“Good night, baby. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
Michelle walked into the office the next day feeling refreshed. “At least your boyfriend let you get some sleep last night,” Carolyn’s assistant Rita said to her. Michelle’s jaw dropped blushing at Rita’s comment. “Since Diane is coming back Monday are you going to go back and work for her?”
“No. I’m going to stay here.”
“That’s crappy, Michelle. This position is a demotion from working for the CEO. You should go talk to Human Resources.”
“Rita, I like what I’m doing here. I’ve only been here a little over a year and I am certainly not going to make waves.”
“I wonder what was wrong with her. The rumors were she had a nervous breakdown or a brain tumor.”
Oh my god. Don’t these people have anything else to do, but gossip? Michelle couldn’t help but gawk at Rita.
“The new rumor is that she had plastic surgery. A face lift and breast augmentation.”
Breast augmentation. Diane has beautiful full breasts. “Diane is thirty-five years old. Why would she need a face lift?”
Rita shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m just telling you what people are saying.”
