Taming Precious Sinclair

by Sasha Combs

“No, I’ll take care of it.”

  He lifted the luggage, hating what this all meant.

  ****************************

  When the limo pulled in front of her parents house, Hamilton felt a gut wrenching pain. His heart thrummed, threatening to shatter into a million pieces. Without asking him too; his driver came around, opening the passenger side door. His driver didn’t give them the minute or two that he wanted to share with Precious before going inside. To make matters worse, from the second the plane landed; Hamilton’s cell phone had been constantly ringing. He tired of the interruptions, so he switched the ringer off; placing the phone on vibration mode. Precious had seen this, but they each pretended that the interruptions had not occurred.

  Even now, the phone vibrated in his pocket. He ignored his phone; placing his attention on his current concerns. Precious looked over her shoulder at him. He wasn’t sure, but he thought he’d seen a hint of hesitation. She said...

  “You really don’t have to go inside. If you don’t want to. Besides, my dad can be a bit much to handle.”

  Hamilton reached for his doorknob, saying.

  “I’ll see you to the door.”

  Before she could say another word, his door opened, and Hamilton was out, then he closed it behind him. When she stepped out on her side, he was standing on the curb, watching his driver lending her a hand. Precious straightened out her dress, then she said...

  “Okay... Let’s get this over with.”

  Summarily, this was the end of the road for him. He was returning her to her parents house and his responsibilities had ended. What did that mean? He thought to himself. They still had not ironed out the specifics. He didn’t clearly know where he stood with her. Nothing had been resolved. He knew that she loved him, yet he couldn’t comprehend her crazy obsessions nor did he understand her dislike of commitments. Man... He wanted to shake some sense into her. As they neared the house; Hamilton wanted to pull her away, taking her back to the limo. The thought had been seeded in his brain. He even imagined himself doing this. But alas... The front door to her parents house swung open. Out came her mother Camille, followed by her father, then their family attorney. The Sinclair entourage; he thought to himself. A heavy sigh rushed from his lungs because Hamilton had just lost his last opportunity to seal his fate with Precious before leaving her with her parents.

  “Precious, sweetheart. Welcome home.” Her mother said in a singsong voice.

  Mr. Sinclair, bounded down the steps meeting them halfway, with his hand extended to shake Hamilton’s hand.

  “When you said that you would take care of this... You really meant business.” Colten Sinclair said.

  By the smiles on their faces; her parents appeared pleased. His PR team had drummed up a miracle. Their countless hours of diligent work had paid off in a big way.

  Colten reached his arm around his daughters shoulder. He hugged her tight. He spoke but with Hamilton standing near her; he overheard Colten’s whispered words.

  “Don’t worry pumpkin. Your job is still secure. Take a few days off. There will be plenty of time to roll up your sleeves, jumping back into the snake pit with your colleagues.”

  Colten pulled back, wrapping his arms around her waist. He was leading her in the direction of the house, and when she realized this; Precious slowed her pace, until their feet came to a stop. She glanced at her father then over her shoulder at Hamilton. She said...

  “Dad... I need a quick word with Hamilton. I’ll meet you and mom inside.”

  Her parents looked at the producer. She still had not told her parents that she wasn’t returning to the show. They backed away, turned then headed for the house; leaving them alone to talk in private.

  Precious led off by asking...

  “Will you come in for a while? I’m sure my parents would like to properly thank you.”

  He frowned, because this wasn’t the homecoming he had in mind. As they flew from LA, to Detroit Metro. Hamilton had asked her again, to stay with him for a night. There were still so many things he wanted to discuss with her. But Precious refused his offers. After talking to her parents, she was eager to get her professional wheels on the pavement and rolling. In spite of her fathers suggestion; Precious had already made up her mind. If the coast was clear; and it appeared to be so. She would return to work tomorrow. She hated the feel of being idle and after nearly a month; hibernating in the California Mountains. Well, she needed a fresh infusion of blood. An awaking of bells and whistles; the sound of Wall Street and money. She needed to nourish the financial part of her brain that thrilled at the sight of balance sheets.

  She stepped closer to him; enjoying the smell of him and his aftershave. But she also noticed his displeased expression. She soothed him by saying...

  “Don’t be angry Hamilton. I know that you still want to talk...and we will. Just not now. I need to get my life back on track. Then, we can see where we stand as a couple.”

  “I know where I stand Precious. I’ve already told you.”

  “Yes, you have. And I appreciate that but I still haven’t figured us out. You live in LA. I live in Grosse Pointe. That’s a lot of distance Hamilton. I’m willing to try a long distance relationship but apparently you aren’t.”

  “I want more than a relationship Precious.”

  He stared at her, pointing out his meaning; and in his gaze, she clearly understood. Precious peered over her shoulder; in the direction of her parents home. Knowing her father, he wouldn’t give her much time to say her goodbyes. She said...

  “I still need to tell my parents that I’ve quit the show.”

  He nodded, then said.

  “You should also break the news to your friends. Don’t leave this to Artie. He isn’t delicate when it comes to matters like this. I think this news will sound better coming from you.”

  She nodded and she hated that their goodbye was ending this way. He inhaled, knowing that he couldn’t force her to do something she wasn’t ready to do.

  Hamilton pulled her into his arms; resting his chin on the top of her head. He didn’t care who saw them. Then in his pocket, he felt gyrating moves, vibrating from his mobile phone. The callers were persistent and he couldn’t keep ignoring them. He said...

  “I’ll call you in a few days. After you’ve had time to get settled on your job.”

  She lay her head on his chest; wetting the fabric with her tears. She did love him but telling him again would only spark another disagreement. But she risked telling him anyway. She wanted him to know this before he drove away.

  “Hamilton... I wish I could make you understand my choices because, me wanting to stay here has nothing to do with my feelings for you. I love you but, staying is something I have to do. My family is here, and so is my job and my life. I wish I could make you understand that.”

  Her tears had soaked through to his skin. He wondered if she even knew how difficult she was making this for herself. She hurt just as much as he did. Hamilton pressed his lips on the crown of her head, then he said...

  “Well... You’d better leave before I change my mind. I’m only letting you go because of your promise.”

  She recalled what she’d said to him. Precious had told Hamilton that she would be the first to travel across country. She didn’t give him a day or a month; but she said that her visit would be their first. He could only hope that she would come soon. But soon wouldn’t be nearly fast enough for him.

  He released his hold, stepping back, widening the distance between them. As he did this, he shot her with one of his deadly sexy smiles. He was allowing her to go, because proving herself to her father was important to her. Even more than she knew. But that was a topic for another time, because he was certain that Precious would never admit this.

  He turned his back to her, because seeing her was causing his heart to ache. When he opened the door, climbing inside of the limo. Even then, he refused to look or wave goodbye.

  He told the driver.

  “You ca
n go now.” Hamilton looked at the screen on his mobile phone. Earlier, the caller ID had said Audrey’s name but now his screen said that Sammy was calling. He frowned, wondering why his stepdaughter and Audrey were blowing up his phone with back to back calls. He lay the phone to his side, trying to get his mind in a good place.

  The limo pulled away from the curb, pointing its wheels in the opposite direction. That was it for him and now the ball was in her court. Precious would have to make the next move; proving that she loved him and she wanted to be with him. He couldn’t make her see reason. She would have to wade through the muck until she finally found crystal clear waters. He had faith in her and Hamilton was willing to wait. She was worth the wait but it wouldn’t be a comfort. Being separated from her wouldn’t ease his pain.

  **********************

  Chapter 11

  Oh, what a web she weaved

  Precious stood surveying her closet. One hand held a goblet, while the other perched on her hip. The past few weeks had been a hair jostling roller coaster ride; and she still hadn’t found sure footing.

  When Precious returned to work, her secretary informed her about a startling set of events. Before her unexpected hiatus; Precious had been creating a list of potential investors. Her ambition had been to create a new hedge fund for the company. Her fishing expedition had been promising, and more than a few good connection had been made. However, during her absence and as each week passed; explaining her unavailability had been tricky because her secretary didn’t know where Precious was. No one knew that Precious had been in California. Moreover, her disappearance created another problem, but the results weren’t what one would expect. When the investors called, asking to speak to Precious, then learning that she wasn’t available; these callers weren’t annoyed. Instead, they interpreted her silence as something else. They began to believe, that this new fund held more promise than she’d let on. Not hearing from Precious had created a frenzied bubble. On the day of her return, when she gathered her wits; Precious got busy returning her calls. To her surprise; the investors practically held checks in hand. Each person recited amounts as well as routing and account numbers. She had to slow some wheels; telling the investors that she needed to see a few of them face to face. On the second day, she found herself flying across the Atlantic. One of the financier’s lived in London; his home was her first stop. From there she traveled to Algiers, then to Cairo. She made a stop in Monte Carlo before continuing on to Hong Kong. Precious had emptied her closet to prepare for her travels. And now that she was finally at home; she was readying herself to leave again.

  She heaved a breath, then sipped from her goblet. Precious didn’t know where all the time had gone. During her travels she’d left several messages with Hamilton’s assistant, but not one of her calls had been returned. At first, she didn’t understand his silence; given his insistence to marry her. His cold shoulder wouldn’t woo her and freezing her out wasn’t the answer either. She supposed her mental wandering explained her dawdling. She’d been standing in front of her closet, while her mind lingered on other things. Mainly, Hamilton and his strange silence. She just didn’t get it. Or maybe he never loved her at all. She had to consider this as a viable possibility because without warning he’d cut all communications. Even Audrey had behaved strangely. When Precious spoke to the perky woman, she could feel a chill in her voice. His assistant was hiding something; deliberately holding out on her. Each day when she thought about this, Precious had to force her eyes to remain dry. She did the only thing she knew to do. She focused on her work and her clients. Even though the traveling wiped her out; she didn’t give in to the exhaustion. She pushed herself, day in and day out. She sipped from her wine again, turning her back to the closet.

  She looked around the bedroom that she’d decorated herself. She had accomplished so many things on her own. Even the new hedge fund had been a glorious triumph. When Precious strolled into the weekly managers meeting, she had a secret under her belt. While she’d been away from the office, the partners knew little about her deal. They thought Precious was working on the fund that had been assigned to her. When it was her turn to give her report; it was then that she laid out her presentation and they learned about her history making event.

  Precious had successfully partnered one of the firms largest group of investors; creating a hedge fund with enormous potential. She’d pulled off an incomprehensible feat. During a short closed door meeting, the firms partners determined that she needed to be headquartered in their New York offices. It made perfect sense. Precious needed to be where the financial pulse thrummed and beat. So, that’s where she was headed; but she found no joy in this. Even after her father hugged her in front of her colleagues and his business partners; she only felt a sense of pride because he’d never done that at the office. He always behaved with decorum and outward shows of affection were never demonstrated at the workplace. In spite of that, she’d earned her fathers respect and his admiration. He held her so tight; but while he showered her with his love. Precious could only think of one person. Her thoughts were of Hamilton. She wanted to share this victory with him. But even now, it all was so meaningless to her and she couldn’t care less what others thought about her.

  She sighed heavily, hating the move that she was being forced to make. Since returning home, every thought had been about Hamilton and his offers. She’d asked herself a million times, why had she refused him? Why had she turned him down, when he’d asked her to go to LA with him?

  “Stupid, stupid, stupid.” She said out loud. She’d been saying that a lot lately because this mess was of her own making. She’d pushed Hamilton away. He’d asked for so little from her. He’d only wanted them to define their relationship but she’d been too afraid to consider that. She wasn’t ready to relinquish her destiny to him. She wasn’t prepared to give any part of herself to him. Precious had refused to stay with Hamilton because she knew what would happen. She would have given him everything. All that he wanted from her. For that reason, she ran in the opposite direction. Back to her home, back to her life, and back to her job.

  When her doorbell rang, the chime pulled Precious from her misery. She padded down the hall in her bare feet. When she opened the door, she was greet by Regina’s gleaming smile. Her friend was dressed in a shimmering off the shoulder mini dress. She closed her eyes, shaking her head while she did this.

  Regina walked pass her, leaving Precious in the vestibule to close the door.

  “You forgot didn’t you?” Her friend scolded her. Regina plopped on the sofa, crossing her recently waxed legs. Precious joined her in the living room.

  She held up her wine goblet, saying...

  “Join me?”

  Regina shook her curls, frowning she said...

  “I’m driving tonight. But... That doesn’t explain why you aren’t dressed. You promised to go with me tonight Precious.”

  The Reality TV show was kicking off its second season with a huge party, on a yacht; floating between Detroit and Windsor. The party was the hottest ticket in town and Regina had begged Precious to attend.

  Precious sat on the sofa, looking pitiful. She placed her glass on the coffee table nearest her. She said in a drab voice.

  “I’m sorry Regina. I just haven’t been able to get myself in the mood for a party.”

  “You don’t get yourself in a mood for a party. Your mood changes while you’re at the party. You have to go if you expect to feel better.”

  Precious didn’t see the logic in this, but she wouldn’t argue with her friend. She slumped back on the couch and Regina knew the reason for her downturned expression. Precious had told her about Hamilton and their time spent alone at his home in California. It had taken pleading, then begging to persuade Regina to forgive her. Precious had left town without leaving any messages; and Regina was her best friend. Precious hadn’t even called her; telling Regina that she was all right. But, in the end, her friend did forgive her. Now, she would be asking fo
r forgiveness again. Precious couldn’t go to the party because she feared that Hamilton would be there.

  Regina eyed her knowingly, while saying.

  “Precious... This is crazy. If you still love the guy, it’s all right to tell him.”

  “I did tell him. That isn’t the problem.”

  “I’m talking about now. If you come with me to the party, you can tell him again. It isn’t too late Precious.”

  “Yes, it is. I pushed him away and he punished me by not returning any of my calls. He’s sending me a clear message Regina. It’s over. We’re over.”

  “Did he say that? Did he tell you to your face?”

  “My God.... I’m not a glutton for punishment.”

  “Precious... If he asked you to marry him; feelings like that don’t just go away.”

  “Sure they do. Ask Stone. He returned to Fiji and he wanted me to marry him.”

  “That’s different Precious...and you know it. You weren’t in love with Stone and he finally accepted that. But Hamilton is different. He is in love with you and you’re in love with him. You just need to remind him.” Regina moved forward to the edge of her seat. She leaned into her words when she said...

  “Precious... Come to the party. Artie hired a band. Also, the cast members on the Vegas Reality Show... They’re all going to be there. Especially that hot guy...Trent. Did I tell you we met over the summer?”

  Precious furrowed her brows because she wasn’t sure. Regina continued.

  “I want you to meet him Precious. Isn’t that reason enough to come with me? I want you to come because I want to introduce you to Trent. He’s my new guy and I want you to meet him.”

  “Nice try...but I’m not biting. That party is on a yacht and I’m not getting on a boat, if Hamilton Gantry is there. Once it leaves dock, then I’ll be trapped and with my luck, I’ll probably bump right into him. No... I can’t do that. I won’t do that.”

  In the background, the grandfather clock chimed ten times. Precious looked to her friend, she said...