The Michigan director waved at her as he took his seat. A few others gave her a questioning glance before taking theirs. Once again, she was the only black female. The Atlanta office had several minorities, but they were all male.
A not-so-natural blond with a bob hairstyle sat next to her. Her tan was so dark Olivia couldn’t tell if come out a bottle. The woman was poised as she gave Olivia the once over before extending her hand.
“I’m Georgia, from the Richmond, Virginia office, and you are?”
“Olivia, from the Chicago office.” She smiled.
“Oh.” Georgia cocked her head and quickly pulled back her hand.
“Everyone, please take your seats,” a man at the front podium said. “My name is Dale Jenkins, and I’d like to welcome all of you to our regional meeting.”
Olivia was glad the meeting had finally started. She couldn’t discern the reason for Georgia looking at her as she did when she introduced herself. It was as if Georgia’s office held more prestige. Some offices were in better locations than others, but why the snooty attitude?
Georgia continued glaring at Olivia with her nose turned up as if she smelled a fart. Olivia ignored her and focused on the speaker. Out the corner of her eye, she could still see Georgia’s eyes on her. Olivia shifted, adjusting her seat and giving Georgia a good view her back.
Time passed, and Olivia began zoning in and out. She felt like she was Charlie Brown, listening to his teacher with the wonk, wonk, wonk, wonks. The presenter was monotone, and he dragged his words. She wondered if he bypassed the communication classes in college, or if anyone ever told him that he wasn’t good at it. Olivia didn’t like speaking in front of people either, but when she had to, she practiced to be calm and engaging.
Finally, they were allowed a break. She took off to the restroom before her bladder exploded. He’d talked nonstop for two hours. Olivia weaved her way through the crowded hallway. It was full of people who’d already excused themselves. Opening the door, she spotted Georgia, fixing her hair at the sink.
“I don’t recall any assistant female minority regional director’s at this conference in the past.” Georgia cut her eye at Olivia’s reflection in the mirror.
“Well, it’s time for a change.” And there still isn’t.
Olivia made her way in the stall and did her business. She hoped Georgia would be gone when she came out.
“How long have you been an assistant?” Georgia asked.
So much for hope. Olivia headed to the sink.
“Olivia,” a lady said coming out of another stall. “It’s Ann Gable, from Wisconsin.”
“Yes, of course. We had dinner together.” She welcomed the interruption to Georgia’s inquiry.
“Ann, I’m Georgia.” She held out her hand. “I remember you from last year.”
Ann frowned at her outstretched hand and went to the sink to wash hers. “I know who you are, and I recall you not saying two words to me then. Now if you excuse us, my friend Olivia and I have some catching up to do.”
Georgia gave Ann a sharp look and stormed out the restroom.
“I heard her talking to you while I was in the restroom. She’s a complete bitch. She had her nose all up in the air toward me last year as well. Her father is the chairman, and her brother is the chief regional director. I heard they had money way before her father became the chairman, so if you’re a woman and aren’t a millionaire she basically thinks you are unworthy of making any decisions,” Ann said.
“Wow. Well, at least it wasn’t just toward me. I welcome you, my fellow outcast,” she said, making light of the situation.
“I think our break’s over. We are doing lunch, right?”
They headed out the restroom.
“Sure.” After Ann’s rescue, she wouldn’t dare say no.
Olivia went back to her seat and cast Georgia a fake smile. She received an eye roll in response. Pulling out her planner, she pretended to take notes on what their next speaker covered. She ended up writing out a potential business proposal for her own temp agency. If she kept working her part-time job, she’d have more than enough saved up in a few months to start.
Catching Georgia’s eyes wondering on her notes, she turned the page and started writing out her budget for the month. Accounting would surely bore her.
Time flew past while she worked on other things. Before long, they were released for lunch. Ann was standing by the door, waiting on her.
“Where do you want to eat? We can take a cab or eat here.” Ann said.
Olivia saw Georgia speed walking out the hotel entrance. “The sports bar is fine.”
Ann nodded, and they headed to the bar. The waitress was quick, and they had their food in no time.
“So, how long before you make assistant regional director?” Ann asked between taking bites of her sandwich.
“Are you serious? I doubt if I will ever make it that high up.” She still had to clear the associate level.
“Olivia, I never paid attention to the reports before, but after our last dinner together, I started paying attention. You’re really good. You are the only one who is not an associate doing them.”
“Well, I’ve been with the company for almost ten years, and the wheels turn very slowly. Besides, they already have me doing the work for less pay, so why bother with another promotion?” She was being realistic.
“Have you ever thought about doing anything else?”
“Who hasn’t?” She wasn’t comfortable about sharing her dreams with Ann.
“True, but if you ever need any support, I am behind you one hundred percent.”
Was she for real? This is my second time laying eyes on this lady, and she is sitting here saying I have her support. Olivia shook it off as small talk.
The waiter removed their plates and replaced it with their checks. Olivia used it as a reason to excuse herself.
Pulling out some bills, she laid her money on the table. “I need to make a phone call before our break ends. I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Okay, I need to check up on my family as well. Thanks for eating with me. These conferences can be lonely.”
Olivia cast Ann a smile of understanding before walking out the restaurant in search of a quiet area with good cell reception. Finding a spot on a chair in the lobby, she called her sister.
“It’s about freaking time you called me. I was about to put a missing person report out on you,” Angela said.
“Whatever, it’s the first day. I was tired when I got in last night, and this is the first real break I’ve had.”
“Well, Miss Parker, I’m sure we can take care of that for you,” she said in her business voice. Someone from her job must have walked past her cubicle. Lowering her voice, Angela continued, “Don’t whatever me, chick. You may be older, but I’ll still beat you down. How are your boring meetings anyway?”
“What else? Boring. I have to sit next to some rich, snobby lady. She tried to make a smart remark about me being here, but another lady stepped in.” Olivia watched people from the conference standing around mingling.
“Mmph! You should’ve told her snobby ass a thing or two.”
“You know I can’t go around cussing these people out. Only you can get away with that. You cuss those crazy people you work with out on a daily basis, and they still bring you treats. If I did, security would show up with a box and toss my crap in it and me out.”
“Well, at least you would have spoken your mind. But on second thought, you and your kids cannot come live with me. Keep doing what you do.” She made smooching noises. “Go kiss that booty, girl.”
“You make me sick.” She laughed. “How are my babies doing?”
“When are you going to quit calling those grown boys babies? They’re fine. You’re probably going to have a hard time making them catch the bus home. Momma has been picking them up every day.”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “The lady who used to tell us it isn’t raining that hard or snowing that bad is
actually chauffeuring my boys around? My, my, things have really changed.”
“I think Momma was so aggravated from dealing with all those women daddy was messing around with that it spilled over to us. She’s all smiles these days.”
“Yeah, because he got old and realized she was the only one who would put up with him. Look, I will call you later, my break is almost over.” She noticed groups of people heading back to the conference room. Olivia followed suit.
Shortly after taking she sat down, Georgia walked in. Her nose was scrunched up and her lips tight.
Someone had sour lemons for lunch.
Olivia ignored her by pulling out her notepad, starting another list of things to do. Out the corner of her eye, she saw Richard moving to the front of the room. She couldn’t hold back her smile. Her pen dropped, and he had her undivided attention.
She watched as he commanded the rooms’ attention. He was a natural speaker. Unbuttoning his cuffs, he pushed up his sleeves, showing his forearms. His muscles flexed as he moved around the room. Olivia began daydreaming about his arms around her. His touch was strong yet gentle.
Georgia cleared her throat loudly.
Her cold stare brought Olivia back to reality.
Richard ended his portion of the meeting by announcing that he was the last speaker for the day. As people cleared the room, she lingered behind, hoping to catch him alone. Just as Richard made his way in her direction, Georgia darted past her to him. While they spoke, Georgia flipped her long hair over her shoulder and leaned in closer, laughing. It was a classic flirtation move. Olivia waited a moment longer. Georgia showed no signs of leaving him alone. She held onto Richards arm while he walked out. As they passed, Georgia rolled her eyes at Olivia.
Not like he’s mine. I’m not about to fight for anyone’s attention. She picked up her black leather satchel and dismissed herself.
Chapter Nineteen
Five hours had passed. Olivia called her kids, Devon, and her mother. She even got online, making some quick cash for two hours. She heard Richard knocking, but she refused to answer.
Olivia wasn’t upset about Georgia stealing him away until she had gone downstairs for dinner about an hour and a half after the meeting ended. Walking into the Italian restaurant, she was assaulted with the sight of Richard eating with Georgia. She’d lost her nerve. No way she’d let them see her eating alone. Olivia fled back to safety of her room and ordered in.
Open up. I know you are in there, he sent in a text.
Angrily, she punched the letters on her cell phone. What makes you so sure?
I never saw you leave.
She rolled her eyes. You’re a stalker now?
No, just open up, and let me explain.
She gave up being evil and opened the door. He held roses. Olivia smiled, taking them from him, inhaling the fresh scent. Richard was far from off the hook. The time he’d promised her was given to her new nemesis. Her smile faded as she set them on the counter and faced him.
“Where do I begin?” he asked.
“Georgia,” she replied flatly.
“Straight to the point, huh?” He rubbed his head. “Well…she and I used to date a few years back. She’s my ex-fiancé.”
Her jaw dropped. “Your fiancé? You actually dated someone that stuck up and rude?” She thought the same of him too at first, but Georgia was another matter.
“I knew her from college and ran back into her a few years back. It lasted three years. Things happened, and I haven’t seen or heard from her until this conference. The funny thing is I know she saw me checking in because I stood only two people in front of her. She just chose not to speak until today.”
“I wonder why,” she mumbled. She wasn’t stupid. Georgia had seen her checking him out and went to stake her claim.
“It was over a year ago. I no longer love her. It was just different speaking with her again.” His gray eyes searched hers.
Olivia looked away. “I guess I can understand.”
“I think you intimidated her. Georgia’s used to being the pretty girl in the room, and you’re her new competition.”
“So you think I’m competition?” she said, letting her guard down and looking up at him.
He nodded. “Do you look at yourself in the mirror? You put her to shame.”
Richard held out his arms to her. There was a yearning in his eyes. She couldn’t resist. This man had put a spell on her. He gave her a long, hard, sensual kiss along with a tender hug.
“As much as I would love to be with you tonight, I can’t. It’s already late, and I have to handle a few things for tomorrow.”
Her attitude returned in an instant. She pulled away from him, turning her back. Like a naïve young girl, she was ready and willing.
“Don’t be like this.” He came up behind her, kissing her neck.
“Just go before I get more upset. I’m not your woman. I have no right. I understand you have obligations.” She lowered her voice, hiding the quivering sound as she fought back tears.
“Dinner tomorrow?”
She shrugged her shoulders, refusing to make any plans just to be disappointed again. It was time for her look at them for what they truly were. He was a man she met on the internet and not her Mr. Right.
Richard tried giving her another hug. She denied his embrace and held the door open for him.
She flopped down on the couch and began flipping through the cable channels. He was gone, and she was sexually frustrated. Being in his presence awakened her womanhood. Richard was a drug and she an addict. Right now, she was suffering from withdrawal.
A steamy series on a cable channel caught her eye. She loved the show. The scenes not only turned her on, they gave her ideas—ideas she wanted to try. This episode had women using a sex machine. She’d never seen one. Leaning in closer, she watched as the fake penis spun around and vibrated. Olivia made a mental note to look up the price on one of those. Her body started tingling while the woman was on all fours as the machine rotated and gyrated inside her. She moaned and screamed, sounding like it was the best sex of her life. Moisture formed between Olivia’s legs.
Her cell phone rang.
“Hello,” she answered. Her eyes were trained on the TV, and she hadn’t looked at the number.
“This is James. How are you?”
Fumbling for the remote, she quickly turned down the volume. She prayed he didn’t hear the moaning. “I’m good, and you?”
“I’m great. Were you busy? You sound distracted.”
“No…not at all. I was watching a rerun on TV. You know, just passing time.” She leaned back on the couch and relaxed.
“Where are you?”
“Atlanta, sorry I didn’t tell you. It was kind of last minute. I’m at a conference for my job.”
“It’s okay.” She could sense his smile through the phone. “I missed hearing your voice. I was afraid I ran you off.”
“No, I was trying to sort out a few things. Is the offer still there for a dinner date?” She twirled her hair around her index finger.
“Of course, glad you came around. You’ll see soon enough that I’m a good guy. I hate to cut our conversation short, but I need to finish up something for a client. I just wanted to touch base with you. I’ll give you a call tomorrow if you like.”
“Fine with me. Talk to you soon.”
Going to dinner shouldn’t be a problem. She was a single woman, and it was obvious things weren’t going to work with her and Richard. This would be her first real date. The one with Richard didn’t count—it was a booty call.
She focused back on the TV. Her show had ended. Olivia yawned; sleep was overtaking her. She curled up in her bed and was soon fast asleep.
Olivia woke up with a start. Her hands and eyes searched the room for Richard. Where the hell did he go? The moisture between her legs dripped down, and she realized she’d had a wet dream. She couldn’t get Richard out of her mind. She lay there another ten minutes, willing herself to drif
t back off to no avail.
Sliding back on into her clothes, she headed down to the bar. Only a stiff drink would solve her problem. The area was nearly empty. She ordered a drink, downing half of it in one swallow. From her view, she could overlook the lower levels of the hotel and the guests in the elevators going up.
“Will you be needing another?” the bartender asked.
Holding up her drink, she said, “I’m good.”
Her heart rate increased. In the bar mirror, she caught a glimpse of Richard and Georgia. She turned around. Her eyes weren’t playing tricks on her. They were going up in the elevator. From her view, they seemed to be embracing.
So much for having to work. She can have him.
After changing her mind and having a second drink, Olivia paid her tab and left the bar. Back in her room, she fell into a fitful slumber.
Chapter Twenty
The next day, she avoided making eye contact with Richard and ignored his text messages. She was there for business, not pleasure. Georgia’s words still stung. When Olivia took her seat, Georgia was already at the table.
“You didn’t really think he’d be seen with the likes of you, did you?” she asked.
“Excuse me?”
Georgia gave her an ice cold stare. “I’ll say it slow for you to comprehend. Richard may screw you, but he’ll never be seen in public with the likes of you. You’re nothing but a white man’s fantasy.”
Olivia jumped across the table, knocking Georgia to the ground—at least that’s what she imagined herself doing. The meeting had started, and Olivia wanted to keep her job. The rest of the conference, she avoided both of them and didn’t breathe easy until she was back home safely.
“I can’t believe Travis!” she gritted through her teeth as she spoke to Devon a few days later. She held the phone to the side as she kicked off her shoes. It was back to her daily routine at home.
“He’s just doing it to get at you. There’s no chance of him winning custody of the boys, especially after he agreed to the terms of the divorce in the first place,” Devon said.
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