Office Perks

by S. L. Siwik

  No, I can do this, I just have to be smart about it, and work on not being attached. So, staying in that bed and pretending that man and I have a future is a big mistake. I’m glad that my senses have come back, and I made the right choice by leaving. Mr. Townsend will thank me later on when he meets some woman on Park Avenue with a tiny dog in her purse who offers him her manicured hand. He’ll know then that I made the right decision.

  I will keep this profession. Cash for sex. Exchange of goods. I’ll be in his bed, but not in his heart. I can do this.

  Even if it kills me.

  ***

  I wake up in our apartment to the familiar, wonderful sound of giggling. I see Kendall sitting on the opposite couch, eating a bagel while sipping on something in a Styrofoam container, listening to Andrea intently.

  “So, then your mom says, ‘Excuse me, but I was first.’ So, your father turns around and takes one look at your mom-”

  “Hey,” I call out groggily, opening my eyes.

  “Well, look who decided to come back to the land of the living! Good morning, sleepy head,” Andrea greets.

  Kendall smiles brightly. “Hey Aunt Vikkie! How was your night?”

  “Great, sweetheart. Sorry for being out so long.”

  “It’s alright. Kendall knows that you had to go back into the office last night and work,” Andrea says, winking at me.

  “It’s no biggie, Auntie. Besides, your boss was really nice to drop off all this breakfast.”

  I sit up at break neck speed, my head spinning.

  As I clutch my forehead, I ask, “What are you talking about?”

  “Mr. Townsend had his limo driver come by ten minutes ago and drop off breakfast. Oh, and a bottle of aspirin for you.” Andrea holds something out for me along with a glass of water. I honestly don’t care what it is as long as it makes the throbbing pain in my head go away. I swallow the pills chasing it down with the glass of water.

  “You okay, Aunt Vikkie?” Kendall asks, concerned.

  I nod. “Yeah. Just…sometimes when you stare at a computer screen for a long time, it can cause headaches. That’s all.” I am hung over as all hell. “Is there any more breakfast?”

  “There’s enough to feed an army,” Andrea says, “I’ll say one thing about Mr. Townsend. When he does something, he goes all out.”

  I glance into the kitchen, and stare at the counter in surprise. “What is all of that?”

  “Like I said, ‘Enough to feed an army.’”

  “Ooh, let me show you everything!” Kendal giggles excitedly while grabbing my hand. I smile, letting her drag me into the kitchen, just glad to see her so happy. This must be so exciting to her, having food delivered to the house like this in such an extravagant manner.

  She points to the Styrofoam cups. “These are smoothies. Each one is labeled with what’s in it. Oh Em Gee, they are so good.” She points to a bag of bagels. “These are all kinds of bagels, and in the refrigerator is all kinds of toppings- cream cheese, lox, tomatoes, all different stuff. Then there’s these…” she points to Styrofoam trays. “They have eggs, bacon, hash browns, all kinds of stuff. Then this is a big fruit platter.”

  I glance back at Andrea. “You’re right. Enough for an army. Guess I’m not cooking for a while.”

  I take a fruit smoothie, my stomach unable to handle much more.

  As we sit on the couch and I slurp on the drink, Kendall asks, “Hey, Aunt Vikkie, are we having money problems?”

  “No, what would make you think that?” I ask. She bites her lower lip nervously. “It’s okay. You know you can talk to me about anything.”

  “Well, last night when I was coming home from the movies, Mr. Fitzpatrick came up to me, saying that you owed him three hundred in rent, and he wondered when you were going to pay him. Honestly, he scared the crap out of me, coming up to me in the hallway. I was about to spray him with my pepper spray.”

  I glance at Andrea with an alarmed look.

  She shakes her head. “News to me. She didn’t tell me about this when she came home last night.”

  “The next time he comes up to you, just say, ‘My aunt handles the bills not me. If you need to know something, ask her. And don’t worry, everything is fine concerning money. He’ll be paid next Friday.’” Despite my reassuring words, Kendall didn’t look convinced. “Hey, how about we go to the park?”

  Kendall nods as does Andrea. “Great. I’ll just go change and we can go.”

  As I head towards my bedroom, the doorbell rings. Turning around, I answer the door, expecting it to be Mr. Fritzy. He would get a piece of my mind for scaring Kendall.

  But, when I open the door, Mr. Fritzy’s beer belly isn’t what I see. Furious, accusing, emerald green eyes are.

  “Mr. Townsend,” I breathe out.

  “Why did you leave?” I shout, my hands balled up into fists. I have never lost my temper with a woman before, but this woman is about to drive me to the brink of insanity.

  Victoria shakes her head curtly. “Not here. Not now.”

  I refuse her answer. I am so beside myself that I don’t even stop to think about why she has said that. “Do you have any idea what it felt like waking up and finding you gone, no note, no explanation?” I ask. Her eyes widen, her mouth pressed into a tight line. “Are you going to answer me? What game is this you’re playing?”

  The door opens wider, and I realize that Kendall is standing beside Victoria.

  “Hi, Mr. Townsend,” she greets before sipping on a styrofoam cup. “Thanks for the food. That was really nice of you. But, don’t be too mad at Aunt Vikkie,” she says, “She got back from working with you last night really late.”

  I glance at Victoria in confusion, and she clarifies, “Kendall knows that I had to come into the office last night to help you with a client.”

  I nod. I can understand her not telling this girl the truth.

  “I am just a little upset. Victoria was working with me very late and fell asleep on the couch. I didn’t know she left. I was…concerned for her safety leaving so late,” I say. Understatement of the year.

  Kendall frowns. “Oh, okay. Well, she’s fine. Do you want to come in then and have breakfast?” Kendall asks, taking another sip of her drink.

  “No,” Victoria says quickly, “Mr. Townsend just wanted to make sure that we received the food. He can’t stay, though. He has a meeting with a client today.”

  She tries to close the door in my face as she pulls Kendall backwards. I throw my hand and foot out, stopping her from being able to close it. She glares at me.

  “Actually, the client unfortunately canceled. I have the entire day free now.” I smile at Victoria sweetly. She, in return, shoots daggers at me with her eyes.

  “Oh,” Kendall replies, “Then you’d like to stay for breakfast?” She’s nodding at me encouragingly.

  Victoria glances back with a look of dread, and I hear a soft, feminine laughter from behind the door filling the room.

  “I would love some breakfast. Thank you.”

  Kendall opens the door, and Victoria has no choice but to let me in. I know it’s wrong of me to push myself upon them, but the chance at getting answers as to why Victoria left, the chance to get to know Kendall who obviously means so much to Victoria, and the chance to finally step inside the place she calls home are opportunities that I cannot pass up.

  When I walk into the room, a beautiful woman stands on the other side, smiling brightly, wearing a tight-fitted pink tank top and revealing gym shorts. She sits down on the couch, crossing her legs and my eyes are diverted to her tone tanned legs. She brushes her hand back, tossing her long cascading caramel hair over her shoulder, while she sighs heavily, and I watch the rise and fall of her ample chest. Light brown eyes glance up at me with a look in her gaze that tells me she has seen too much in this lifetime. I realize then that it is all a ploy. Every move she has made is to divert my eyes to exactly where she wants them to go- to her assets.

  “Andrea,” she offers,
not holding out her hand to shake mine.

  I close the distance between us, extending my hand. “Mr. Townsend. A pleasure.” My words cause her brows to raise as she smiles widely. In that subtle move, she tells me volumes. One, she is always guarded, and two, she is not used to a man being a gentleman with her. Her ploy of making a man’s eyes trail where she wants them to has worked too well for her in the past. Men’s eyes never make it past her body, and that’s how she wants it. I am starting to see why she and Victoria are friends. They share some secrets, some pain. They understand the other’s behavior and accept it. She places her hand out for me to shake, and in my normal manner, turn her hand to kiss it.

  “You were right, Victoria. You win,” she says, glancing past me when my lips leave her skin.

  “Told ya,” Victoria replies.

  “I’m sorry, but I do not understand,” I say to Andrea, dropping her hand.

  She smiles at me impishly. She reminds me of a wolf, pretending to be a sheep. This woman is one to watch.

  “I asked Victoria a while back if you were sexier in person or on the cover of magazines. I thought you would look better on magazines since you have make-up artists, lighting, and all that jazz. Victoria, however, said you were much better in person….said you had a magnetic personality, and…How else did you describe him?”

  “I said he had more charm than was good for him,” Victoria replies, shooting me another icy glare.

  Hearing her compliment me out loud is making my insides do somersaults and my heart is hammering out of my chest. It’s irrelevant how angry she is at me right now. Compliments are still compliments. They’re even better when someone who is mad at you gives them.

  “She also said some other things about you…”Andrea trails off suggestively, “But, we can talk about that later.”

  I nod solemnly. “Yes, we will.”

  “So, what would you like to eat?” Kendall asks me.

  “What looks good?” I ask back.

  She takes my hand, and I’m in shock from the contact as she leads me into the kitchen. Why can’t Victoria be like Kendall: warm, accepting, without restraint?

  I am lead into a small, outdated kitchen where Kendall points to the food on the counter.

  “The smoothies are good, but you’re a man, so I think you want a big breakfast. My dad always had a big breakfast on the weekends.”

  “So did mine,” I reply.

  “Oh yeah? Where’s your dad? Mine’s in heaven.”

  I drop down to my knee, so that I am near her eyes. “Mine too.”

  Kendall chews on her lower lip. “Do you think your dad and mine are having breakfast together?”

  Schooling my face to remain emotionless, I reply, “Yes, I do.”

  Her face explodes into a smile as she whispers, “I do too.”

  I look at this teenage girl with child-like features and her mouth full of braces as she begins the awkward transition from girl to young woman. I can’t figure out what it is about her that makes me feel drawn to her. But, I am drawn to her…in a parental way. I have never been a father, and I’ve only known this girl for minutes. None of it makes any sense. But looking at her, I know that I would burn cities to the ground if it meant protecting her and her innocence.

  I glance up at Victoria who is standing in the doorway with a conflicted look in her eyes. Andrea comes and stands next to her, placing an arm around her shoulder. The two look at each other and have a silent conversation. All I know is that something is bothering Victoria, and Andrea is reassuring her with calming eyes and soft smiles. Finally, Victoria lets out a defeated sigh. I would give up anything to be able to read those women’s minds right now.

  “So, do you want an omelet?” Kendall asks, oblivious to what is going on with her aunt.

  “How about this? You pick what you think I’ll like, and I’ll eat it,” I suggest.

  Giggling, she picks up a Styrofoam container and transfers the food onto a chipped dish. She’s a ray of sunshine, as though she lives in a protective bubble that is impervious to negativity.

  She places the plate down on the table, a mouth full of metal smiling at me. “Enjoy.”

  I sit down at the small two-seater table in the corner of the kitchen. I grab it when it wobbles.

  “Sorry,” Victoria says, running into the living room. When she comes back, she slips a phone book beneath the table and steadies it. Glancing up at me from between my legs, she says, “Wouldn’t want that hot omelet to land in your lap.”

  I grab her arm. Leaning down, I whisper, “Careful, Victoria. Keep up the comments, and I’ll spank an apology out of you. Believe it.”

  Her eyes glare at me as her mouth pops open in a perfect O. As disgusted as she pretends to be, beneath the glare I see her eyes sparkling like drops of water on glass. Absolutely mesmerizing. She’s excited by my comment. But, I know she isn’t ready for a spanking yet. To do such things to a woman and give them extreme pleasure, they must completely trust you. Victoria isn’t there yet. So, I’ll put spanking high on the list of things that I want to do to her sexually.

  She stands up, retreating back to the doorway. I pick up the fork Kendall has given to me and dig in to my Spanish omelet.

  The girl is watching me the entire time. When I finish swallowing, I say, “I did right by letting you choose. I have a nickname for you now, if you’ll allow it.” Her face lights up again like a kid at Christmas. “From now on, Kendall, I’m calling you Sunshine. That’s what it feels like to be around you- bathed in rays of sunshine.” I place my fork down. “You have a beautiful heart. Never lose that.”

  “Sunshine? I love it!” she exclaims wildly, clapping. A moment later after she’s done celebrating, her head cocks to the side. “But, what’s your real name? I only hear Aunt Vikkie call you Mr. Townsend. It just seems so…formal.”

  “Only family and people very close to me know my real name. People who I do business with and the general public only know me as Mr. Townsend, and I want it that way,” I reply.

  “So, can I know your real name?” She asks, hope seeping out of her pores.

  “Well, we’re friends now, right?” I ask. Kendall nods instantaneously. “Then my name is Blaze.”

  “His name is Blaze? Wow,” I hear Andrea mutter to Victoria before giving her a meaningful look.

  “I know. I never stood a chance,” Victoria mutters back. She wipes her hand over her mouth, garbling her words, but I think she says, “Even his name makes you want to drop your panties.”

  Andrea laughs harder, while Victoria shakes her head trying not to smile. I’m instantly hard.

  My brother and nephew speak crassly as a way to offend people. They use it as a defense mechanism to keep people from using them for their name, status, money. But inside, they are good men who would give anything for the people they love. Kendall is a good kid, and that’s a direct result of Victoria’s good parenting. I don’t care that she didn’t give birth to the girl. She’s had her for five years. Even if her parents instilled the right morals and disciplines in her, lessons can be lost, ideas forgotten. The fact that Kendall is still a well-behaved young lady is because Victoria kept at it, not letting her throw temper tantrums or act out. I have no doubt in my mind after meeting Kendall that Victoria is a good parent. But, Victoria behaves like a lady on the outside, always acting the way she thinks society expects her to be. When she speaks like that, so crassly, I know that she has a filthy mind. I want to explore every single inch of that filth with her...thoroughly. She is the perfect woman- a lady out in public, a hussy behind closed doors. I need to have her again…soon.

  “So, why don’t you like your name?” Kendall asks, drawing me back to her.

  “Do you know what the name Blaze means?” I ask. She thinks for a moment before she starts gnawing at her lower lip. She’s nervous as though she’s supposed to know about my name, like she should have learned it in class, but can’t remember. I hate the insecurity in her eyes. Not for Sunshine. So, I quickl
y say, “The actual meaning of my name is one who stutters or has a lisp. I have never had a speech problem, and I never stutter. I say what I mean.”

  Kendall frowns. “I don’t think most people would think that when they heard the name Blaze. It’s kind of…exotic?”

  I nod. “Exactly, which leads to my second point. I am in the business world. People there want two things from you: that you look the part you’re supposed to be playing and that you can deliver on the promises you make. If anything gives them suspicion about those two things, they won’t play ball with you, and you lose out on a lot of money. Do you understand?” She nods. “So, if they hear a name like Blaze, instinctively they’ll think that I’m someone who acts recklessly or impulsively. That’s not the type of man who people want making million dollar deals for them. It’s not true, but that doesn’t matter. Their instincts are telling them not to trust me. In this case, my name can actually hurt me towards making a sale. So, I decided just to use my last name.”