Confess To Be Mine

by Suzie Nelson

  “Of course it’s the whole building.” Blake looked at her amused by her obvious question and then carried on walking toward the entrance. Hank held open the double glass doors which opened onto a flight of steps up to the main lobby where there were more stairs and an elevator. “Just to the left will be the main office area where we will have registration and an admin team working away. I think María might be here.” Blake ducked his head into one of the rooms and then waved at Shelby for her to follow.

  “María, let me introduce you to Shelby Perez.” Shelby walked in and saw a middle-aged lady with short brown hair sitting at a computer. “Shelby is going to be helping the creative department with designing the T-shirts and hopefully establishing a fashion course for the kids to take part in.” Automatically, Shelby reached over and shook María’s hand as Blake continued to make the introduction. “María is our office manager. She’s going to be taking care of all the admin side of things for me and Jordan as we obviously won’t be here on a daily basis. She has been our lifeline getting things set up here and making sure that we have all the legal permits and licenses that we need.”

  Blake leaned over and gave María a hug which she happily reciprocated. “Oh, señor Ramsey, it is so good to see you.” María nodded in Shelby’s direction to acknowledge the introduction but she was clearly delighted to see Blake. “Can you believe that it is only a few days until we launch? I don’t think I have ever been this excited!”

  Shelby was touched to see how easily the pair got on and Blake seemed genuinely interested in María’s wellbeing. “How’s the family, María? I hope they are coming to the opening?”

  “Oh, yes. My boys are looking forward to the music center, I know they have been spreading the word at school. I’m sure we will see many children here from the surrounding area.” María clung on to Blake like he was one of her sons and she was clearly very proud of him.

  “Good, we want the place to be buzzing! Now, I’m going to take Shelby around the center as she has never been here before. I will come and say goodbye to you before we leave.” Blake hugged María again and then they turned to head back out into the main lobby.

  “Sí, I will be here. There are a few contractors walking around but no one will bother you.”

  Shelby awkwardly waved goodbye to María who vaguely reminded her of her own bubbly mother that would happily welcome anyone into her family.

  “Besides the offices, the main floor is mainly two large halls that will be used for dance classes and functions. We hope that through hiring out the halls we will be able to recoup some of the costs of running the center so that it won’t have to be completely donation based. Ideally, we want the center to be self-efficient. Not because we are reluctant to finance it but we hope that this, as well as the T-shirt project, will teach the children the basics of entrepreneurship and hopefully discourage them from joining the street gangs.” Blake pushed open two swinging doors and they entered into a large empty hall which had one wall completely lined with mirrors. A ballet bar ran down the length of the mirror but the rest of the room was completely bare and a bland shade of cream. They walked back out and up the first flight of stairs to a corridor filled with room after room.

  “This is the music floor. On the left, we have two fully equipped and functioning studios where I hope to help produce some music and on the right, we have a number of music rooms for lessons and practicing.” Blake pushed some of the doors open so that Shelby could see each room. The rooms were already equipped with instruments, chairs and impressive sound systems but again, all the walls were painted with a boring shade of cream.

  As they continued to walk up to the next level, Shelby couldn’t help but admire the passion that was in Blake’s eyes and voice. This was probably the first time that she had really seen him come alive and show some excitement about a topic. They had discussed numerous political affairs, business practices, and other things during their friendship but never before had she seen him show so much vigor physically or mentally.

  “This is going to be your realm – the arts and design floor.” He spread his arms out to indicate that the whole third floor was just for art and fashion projects. “We have two large classrooms on the right and the left is divided up into four smaller rooms. As you can see we have put in some large sinks and tables as well as plenty of art equipment.”

  Shelby let her eyes feast on all the sewing mannequins and machines that sat on the tables as well as the easels and painting equipment that was still stacked up in unpacked boxes. “This really is going to be something, Blake. It’s very impressive.” She smiled at him as she was still taking in all of the space.

  “I’m glad you like it. I tried to imagine you working here with some of the students when we set out the designs for the floor.” Blake had let slip a little too much information than he had intended and immediately regretted it when Shelby picked up on his meaning,

  “You did?” She was a little thrown to hear that he had thought about her when making plans as she had only just come onboard with the project.

  “Errr...yeah, of course, I did. I tried to think about how a designer would want it laid out and what they would need. So yeah, I thought about how you would want things, you know – as a designer.” Blake tried to cling to his dignity as he explained why he had been thinking about her but again, messed things quite clumsily.

  “Sure, that makes sense.” Shelby believed his explanation and although she hoped he had thought of her in a different way, she understood his meaning. “Well, you did a good job, it’s just how I would want it. I can’t believe how much equipment is here already, the kids are going to be able to learn so much.”

  Blake came close and stood beside her at one of the tables. “That’s what we are hoping. I really want this place to make a difference here to the children that need it. Some of the things that María has shared with me about the gang violence is heartbreaking, I just couldn’t imagine growing up in a place where I feared for my life each day.” Blake’s shoulders softened as he leaned against the table. “I have been blessed with so much and it wasn’t until I became an adult that I realized most people don’t have an iota of the things I have. I and Jordan just wanted to do something that wasn’t about profit or us, something that could really help people.”

  Shelby turned toward him and she could feel her heart heaving within her chest. It was these rare glimpses of Blake’s pure soul that made her want him so much. “Oh, it will, Blake. What you guys have built here is going to change so many lives and provide them with skills that they can use throughout their whole lives.”

  “I truly hope so. I don’t want it to be just another charity project that some rich white guy did for a tax break, we’ve really poured ourselves into this and want it to be a success.” Blake looked down at Shelby with longing. Everything he had said was from the heart and he was glad that she was finally starting to relax around him. He hoped that her hard exterior was melting and that they could return to the friends they had been.

  Shelby felt his eyes on her, searching her face for some insight and admiring her body in desire. It was the first moment of physical tension that she could acknowledge where she believed he might actually be attracted to her. She bit her plump red lip and considered moving her hand over his and just as she was about to graze his fingertips a loud crash came from outside the room.

  Both Shelby and Blake were startled by the noise but it was Blake that ended the moment and rushed out into the hall. “What the hell is going on out here?”

  María quickly appeared next to a handyman that was picking up a ladder. “Sorry, sorry. I was just showing him where to put in the air conditioner and his ladder collapsed. All is ok, no one is hurt.” María waved her arms around as she spoke dramatically but the handyman was clearly unharmed and simply carried on with his task.

  Shelby popped her head out of the room in which she had been with Blake and saw that nothing major had happened. “Is i
t all good?”

  “Everything is fine. It was just a ladder.” Blake motioned for her to join them and Shelby stepped out and took her place next to Blake and María.

  “It is so sad that señor Jordan Ramsey was not able to come. Will he be here tomorrow, señor Ramsey?” María grabbed Blake’s arm again and looked up at him eagerly for any words.

  “I don’t think so, María. I told you, his passport was stolen so he is stuck in London with Danica. When they get their new passports they will be flying straight here,” Blake spoke to her like she was a forgetful elderly woman but Shelby had seen her mother use exactly the same tactic with her own brothers. María was establishing herself as the head woman in the center and therefore she had to be harmless but attentive to the man’s needs.

  Shelby smirked to herself as Blake led María back down the staircase. Poor old Blake had no idea what he was letting himself in for but Shelby could see that once María had her hooks in the place, she was not going to let go. “Blake, what are the other two floors for?” Shelby tried to ask her question as they made their way back onto the second floor.

  María looked at Shelby as though she had intruded on a sacred moment between her and Blake but Shelby took no notice of the older woman’s stare.

  “It’s just empty office space at the moment. We want to see how things develop with the center and then we can decide what to do with the extra rooms later.” He tapped María’s hand as it rested on his arm and they continued to follow the stairs down onto the first floor.

  “Oh, that’s so great that you have more space to use. That’s great planning, not rushing into any quick decisions,” Shelby was just speaking her mind as she thought about how the empty space could be used.

  “Yes, señor Ramsey is very clever. He has had so many wonderful ideas for the center. I’m sure you will know exactly what to do with those floors when the time comes.” María smiled at Blake as though she was congratulating him for winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

  Shelby wanted to laugh as she saw the obvious way that María was trying to flatter Blake but she knew it was best to keep her mouth closed.

  “Thank you, María, but it was Jordan’s idea to keep the floors empty. We will figure something out in time.” Blake looked up at Shelby and he felt slightly embarrassed as María was still fixed by his side. “Well, Miss Perez, we should make a move.” Blake removed his arm from María’s grip as she lifted her arms in objection.

  “Oh, no, no. You have only arrived. Surely you are not leaving so soon?” María’s face showed her obvious pain at being rejected but she still looked like the harmless older mother-hen that she wanted to portray.

  “I am afraid so, María. We still have lots to plan and do before the opening. I will be back tomorrow though.” He hugged her and gave her a single kiss on the cheek which made María’s face brighten all over. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Adios.” María waved them out and as soon as they made it back out into the open road Shelby burst into laughter.

  “Oh, Blake, you are so clever. You have so many wonderful ideas, you single-handedly built the center with your own hands, brick by brick.” Shelby started to tease him about how María sweet-talked him and his cheeks became flushed.

  “Okay, she is a bit much but she’s been very helpful,” Blake laughed off the jokes as Shelby expectantly took his hand.

  “I wasn’t sure whether she wanted to be your mother or lover.” Shelby hadn’t even realized that she had taken Blake’s hand and they stood next to the black SUVs enjoying the closeness.

  “Hey, don’t even joke about that. María is a lovely woman but she is certainly not my type. It would like dating my aunt.” Blake kept his eyes on Shelby as she leaned in toward his chest.

  “Well, I think we have done enough work in the center today. Would you like to see the real Mexico – the Mexico that I know?” Shelby completely forgot her grudge against Blake and how she had wanted to stay cold with him. Her mind had completely shifted back into how much she enjoyed being in his company and how she wanted to show him where she truly came from. Her dark chocolate eyes sparkled as she pressed her chest up against his body and felt the tingles of desire within her.

  Blake could also feel his own desire rising and as he answered her they both knew that he was talking about them. “Yes, I want to see it. I want to see everything.”

  Chapter 6

  “Great, follow me, señor Ramsey.” Playfully, Shelby took Blake’s hand and started to walk down the road away from the youth center and their black SUVs.

  “Hey, don’t we need the car?” Blake looked back at the vehicles and wondered if it was really safe to just recklessly wander around the back streets of Mexico City.

  “No, we will be fine. My grandmother lives only a few streets away from here. I know the way.” Shelby tugged at his hand and led them away while Blake was still looking back at the car hoping that Hank might suddenly appear and demand that they get into the SUV. Part of him loved to see Shelby take control especially when she had finally let down her guard, so Blake didn’t want to do anything that would cause her to retreat back into her shell even if it meant risking his own safety.

  They turned a corner and found themselves at a back street market that was full of life and vitality. Everything was being sold there from fresh fruit and vegetables, cooked meat, to clothes and cell phones just openly in the little street stalls that lined both sides. People were heckling with each other over prices but no one seemed annoyed and children ran around in colorful T-shirts and shorts. Older women gathered in groups by different stalls and stood chattering away while also shouting out commands to the gaggle of children that pounded through the market.

  “You must try some antojitos!” Shelby’s eyes lit up as she pulled Blake toward a street vendor that was selling an array of different meats wrapped in tortillas and pastry. Everything smelled amazing and looked delicious. “Some days I find myself dreaming about the food here and wish I could come to a market, just like this and have some antojitos. As a kid, I would come here with my cousins and give over what little money we had to have some little delights.”

  “Antojitos? What does that mean?” Blake watched as Shelby’s eyes widened over the variety of food in front of her and he could see how excited she was at the prospect of eating some.

  “Little cravings. It’s just having a little something to eat, some meat or something sweet that you can get here at the market. It’s not a meal just a little something to satisfy your hunger,” Shelby answered him while she continued to decide on what she was going to eat.

  “A little craving. I like that.” Blake smiled at the street vendor while Shelby started to talk to her in Spanish. Since starting the youth center project, Blake had regretted not learning Spanish as it would have been invaluable to him now and as he listened to Shelby and the vendor talk, he thought again about how he regretted not learning it at school.

  “So you can pick two or three of whatever you would like and she will give us one price for it all.” Shelby was in her element, surrounded by her people and able to feel completely at ease.

  “I have no idea what to get, it all looks so good. What do you recommend?” Blake looked down at the trays full of little pastry parcels and rolled up tortillas covered in fresh cilantro and spices.

  “How about I pick two things and you will get the same? Then you can tell me what you think.” Shelby smiled at him and immediately started pointing to different items which the vendor wrapped up. She handed over a few coins and then they made their way back through the market with their precious antojitos in hands. “Okay, you take a bite first.”

  Without a question, Blake lifted a meat filled parcel up to his mouth and sunk his teeth into it. His taste buds were immediately tantalized with the spicy moist pork that fell apart easily, and the slight crisp of the pastry.

  “Oh my God, this is amazing.” He tried to cover his mouth as he spoke although he was eage
r to let Shelby know that the food was incredible.

  “I knew you would like it.” Shelby beamed with joy as she took a bite of her food and then they walked over to a little stall selling jewelry. “Oh, I should get something for my grandmother as a gift.” Shelby looked through the brightly colored necklaces and earrings wondering what her grandmother would like.

  Blake finished his food and then stepped forward. “I would like to pay for this if you don’t mind.” He wasn’t sure how Shelby would react to his request but he wanted to do something to show her how grateful he was for her help with the project. “Pick whatever you like and I will get it.”

  Shelby hesitated for a second wondering if she should say no but she thought it sweet that Blake would want to get something for her grandmother. “Thank you, Blake, it’s very kind of you.” She turned and pointed to a large cross that had flecks of pearl encrusted on the center knowing that her grandmother, as a strict Catholic, would appreciate this piece the most. “I think she will like this.”