by Iris Bolling
“Smart move. Annie-Marie will be relieved to know she did not cause her daddy’s heart attack, but your mother is going to take it hard.”
“I realize that. But they all have to be told. Before I call a family meeting, I want answers to certain questions. Jerome is the person who can get those for me.”
“He is on his way to Chrystina’s apartment to pick up Myles. Jerome thinks there will be some retaliation from Phase International with Myles teaming up with your man. So he’s watching his back until things settle down.”
“You are referring to Jonathan? He is not my man,” Grace explained.
“Did you tell his eyes that? Cause from what I saw the other night, every inch of you belongs to that man.”
“You saw wrong, Daisy.” Grace sat up. “Jonathan is here to help Myles take the bank to the next level. His being here has nothing to do with me.”
“Girl, you are not that dumb. It has everything to do with you, Grace. Don’t you be no fool and act like you don’t know that man is in love with you. It is written all over his face. Not like Special Agent Roark. I mean he has lust for you, but you can generate lust from anywhere. Your parents taught all of you how to recognize real love. You better act like you know. Mr. Michael may have made the agreement with Myles, but his thoughts were on securing you and your future.”
“Daisy, how in the hell could you have gotten all of that from one hour of seeing the man?”
“I can read tea leaves better than most people can read a book. And so can you. I don’t know who you think you are trying to fool, but you are just as head over heels for that Mr. Michael as he is for you. Now I know I taught you how to go for what you want. Roark been right in here in your face for years. You teased all around him, but you never gave him a taste. You want me to tell you why?”
“No, Daisy, I don’t.”
“I’m going to tell you anyway. Because you know that Roark is the one man Mr. Michael will never be able to forgive you for if you slept with him. I don’t know why, but there it is.”
“What?”
“You heard what I said. You want me to tell you what I think?”
“Can I stop you from saying whatever you have to say?”
“No, you can’t. And I’m going to tell you why. The three of you were friends back in college. You can sleep with men, but you can’t sleep with friends. You know what I’m saying.”
“I know what you are saying, but I don’t want to hear it, Daisy. I have to go back to work.”
“All right don’t listen if you want to, but I didn’t raise you to be no fool. You better grab that man with the smooth chocolate skin, that deep voice and that accent. Whew, Lord, I’m telling you, once he whispers in that ear, no other man will be able to turn your head. I know what those midnight whispers can do to your body.” Daisy laughed.
Grace had to smile. She knew Daisy was right. Jonathan’s voice did it for her every time. Whether it was in person or over the phone, every time they spoke she had to change her panties, if she had any on. Of all the men she’d had, not one of them ever made her cum with just his voice. Maybe a tongue worked, but never a voice.
“I will try to catch them before they leave the house.”
“Who?”
“Jerome and Myles,” Grace sighed. “Get your mind out of the gutter, Daisy.”
“Oh, them. I don’t think Jerome would be there just yet,” Daisy replied.
“Good, that will give me a chance to talk to Myles before the board meeting this morning,” Grace stated, then called out, “Oh, and Daisy, please don’t mention this to anyone. I want answers before they are told.”
Grace disconnected the call. Closing her eyes, the image of Jonathan came to her mind. A gentle smile formed on her lips as it always did when she thought of him. She exhaled then slowly opened her eyes. How was she going to deal with Jonathan working so close? It was hard enough when he was on the other side of the ocean, but now he was within reach, on her turf. For the first time in her life she was somewhat insecure about a man. Did he have someone special in his life? Was he still attracted to her? Was this a detour in his career plans? Would he be staying around or leaving as soon as he completed whatever Myles wants him to do? Was he ready to plant roots in the United States with her? Hell…was she ready? The questions and the doubts left her confused on how to handle the new Vice-President of Dunning Bank & Trust.
Grace pushed the thoughts aside. There were battles brewing on too many fronts for her to be concerned about her love life.
“Family Integrity First & Foremost,” she said out loud as she picked up her cell phone and dialed Myles’ number.
###
Chrystina Price was in heaven. The man she had secretly loved since she was sixteen was now a permanent fixture in her personal life. Myles Dunning had been her boss for years, but a month ago, their relationship had taken a turn. She glanced at the bathroom door. Yes, Myles was in there taking a shower. She wanted to giggle, but smiled instead at the feeling of pure, unquestionable love.
She continued dressing as the song From My Heart to Yours by Laura Izibor played on the radio. Her body began to move to the rhythm of the music, because she felt just that good about the two of them. The events of the last few weeks had put them on solid footing. They were now a couple. A force, she thought, as she danced over to the nightstand to pick up her cell phone. She grabbed her purse and blazer then made her way to the kitchen. She set the items on the coffee table, then walked to the small kitchen to start the coffee and breakfast. The song changed on the radio to You’re All I need to Get By, by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
“Oh yes. You are working it this morning, DJ Maxwell.” She danced as she put bacon in the oven then set the timer. She was singing “you’re all I need to get by” as she felt Myles dancing behind her. He joined in the song as she turned to him.
God, he was a fine man. Dressed in navy slacks, his white shirt crisp, and that navy and red tie she loved, had him looking like the corporate executive he was. “We got the right foundation….” They continued to sing and dance, her body moving in unison with his as he reached for the completed cup of coffee from the Keurig, then put another under for her.
He took her into his arms for a deep, stirring kiss. “Now…that’s how you’re supposed to start the morning.”
“I second that.” She kissed him on the neck, then reached for her coffee. “I’m not going to ask if you are ready for the board meeting, because I made sure that you are. The question is are you ready for the board’s reaction to you placing Jonathan Michael in the Vice-President spot without bringing it to a vote?”
Myles had taken a seat at her breakfast bar. He took a drink of his coffee before answering. “This is one time the decision was mine to make. Not the board’s.”
“Whoa, Mr. CEO. That is not how you are going to respond when Elaine asks the question.”
“What makes you think it will be Elaine?”
“She’s the only one who is going to challenge you at every turn now that Mitch is gone.”
“Elaine?” Myles frowned at her. “She has proven she has my back.”
Chrystina loved the man, but she really needed him to have a clue when it comes to women.
“How did she prove that, Myles?” she asked as she grabbed the eggs out and began to make omelets.
“I know you don’t agree, but I believe Elaine saved lives during the shooting.”
She turned to face him with the spatula in her hand. “I don’t know whether she did or did not save lives. What I do know is that she is going to use you being beholden to her to get her hands on the BIT account and other things.”
“You don’t think she would be the best Account Exec on the BIT account?”
“Well, since she and Mitch had been scheming behind your back working on it for months, she should be the best one,” Chrystina said as she turned back to cooking. “I believe Elaine has ulterior motives for her actions, that’s all.” She placed the
omelet on a plate, reached down and pulled the bacon from the oven, adding it to the meal then put the plate in front of Myles. She noticed the look on his face.
“I promise to keep my opinion to myself.” She shrugged, then grabbed a slice of bacon from the plate.
“It’s not your opinion that concerns me.”
Chrystina glanced at him as she leaned against the bar drinking her coffee. “Then what’s the problem?”
“The way that skirt is hugging your hips is causing my mind to think of ways I can get under it rather than anything Elaine may or may not be up to.”
His words touched her heart in ways she could not explain. The two had begun working out every morning and the results were showing. She was still a healthy size twelve, but now her clothes fit differently…better. In fact, Chrystina had noticed a change in her walk. It was more confident, no more self-consciousness about her thighs rubbing together. Oh, they still did, it was no longer her number one concern. “You were under there an hour ago.”
“And?” He raised an eyebrow as he brought a forkful of food to his mouth. “I like those thick thighs around me.”
His cell phone sounded. Their eyes held. Neither turning away from the unspoken promise lingering between them.
There was a knock on the door as his cell phone sounded again. They both closed their eyes and exhaled.
“And so the day has begun,” Chrystina said as she walked towards the door and Myles reached for his cell phone.
CHAPTER 3
“What are you doing here?” Chrystina asked as she looked into the eyes of her mother, Beverly and her sister, Gina who was carrying her baby boy in her arms.
Gina walked through the door. “I’m gonna have to stay with you for a while.”
“Good morning, Mother,” Chrystina said then replied to her sister, “Like hell you are.”
Beverly patted her on the shoulder. “It’s been an interesting night.” The look of exasperation on her face said it all as she walked in. “Good morning, Myles.”
“Oh, yeah. Hey,” Gina said as she slouched down on the sofa.
“Excuse her. She is the only one in her world.” Chrystina smirked.
“Good morning, Beverly.” Myles held the phone away then kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll take this call in the bedroom.”
“Sorry,” Chrystina said as she watched him walk from the room.
“Do you always have to criticize me? Sometimes shit just gets out of control.”
“Your shit, not mine.” Chrystina walked into the kitchen.
“Chrystina, your sister needs your help.”
Chrystina put a hand towel over her shoulder as she began putting dishes into the dishwasher.
“Explain to me why every time her shit splatters it hits me.”
“Here we go again, Ms. Squeaky Clean and right in all things she does. Nothing ever goes wrong in your life.”
“Apparently it does. I have you as a sister.” She glared back at Gina.
“All right, girls, that’s enough.” Beverly placed her purse on the table next to Chrystina’s. “Money was approached by some boys on her way home from school yesterday. They tried to lure her into a house. She had to fight her way out.”
Chrystina stepped out of the kitchen concerned. “Where is she now?”
“I took her to school,” Beverly replied.
“Where is Crystallite?”
“She’s at school too,” Beverly answered as Gina lay on the sofa with her eyes closed.
Chrystina nodded. “Did you find the boys?”
Gina did not respond.
“Gina,” Chrystina called. “Did you call the police to tell them about the boys?”
“Why are you yelling? Can’t you see that I am tired?”
“First.” Chrystina walked over pulling her shoes off of her sofa. “Get your dirty shoes off of my sofa. Sit your ass up. What happened to the boys?”
“Mom, you better tell Chrys to chill. Shit, I have been through enough. I don’t need her jumping in my shit so early this morning.”
“Both of you are going to stop all this damn cursing.”
Chrystina exhaled. “I’m sorry, Mother. But will one of you tell me what happened and what does any of this have to do with me?”
“Terrell got locked up last night…okay. He already had a warrant out on him, that’s why I didn’t call the police. But he went after the boys anyway. He took Money with him and she pointed out the boys. He whipped one of their asses and the boy’s mother called the police. They locked up Terrell and now he is going to have to pull those five years he had over his head.”
Chrystina frowned, then looked at her mother.
“The boy Terrell beat belongs to some gang. They have threatened to go after Money and Crystallite. The girls aren’t safe at Gina’s house,” Beverly explained. “You know what it’s like over there. She can’t stay there with the girls.”
“Mother, I don’t have room for Gina and three children.”
“You have more room than I do. I don’t have but one bedroom, Chrystina.”
“I was thinking you can go stay with Myles and give me your apartment,” Gina offered.
“Give you my apartment? Have you lost your damn mind?”
“Mom said Myles has a nice house he don’t even stay in cause he’s here all the time. Why can’t y’all stay at his place and I can stay here.”
“My place is sixteen hundred dollars a month plus utilities. How are you going to pay for it?” Chrystina questioned.
“Why can’t you pay for it?” Gina stood. “If you’re staying with Myles he’s not going to ask you to pay rent.”
“So, I’m supposed to pay your rent?” Chrystina turned away with a smirk. “I am not your man, nor your mother. And what makes you think Myles would want me living with him? Y’all are making a lot of assumptions about our relationship and too many plans for my life and my money.”
“Of course you can come live with me.” Myles stood at the hallway entrance. “You are going to have to move when we get married. Now is just as good a time as any.”
“Who said I was going to marry you?” Chrystina asked, feeling like things were moving too fast and out of her control.
“Oh, you know you love that man.” Beverly took the dish towel off Chrystina’s shoulder then walked into the kitchen and proceeded to clean up the morning dishes.
“Look.” Myles walked over to Chrystina taking her hand in his. “Your place is nice, but it’s too small for me and children.”
“Children?” Chrystina raised an eyebrow at him. “I’m having children now too?”
Myles smiled. “Eventually, yes.” He shrugged. “Let your sister have the apartment.”
“Yeah, Chrystina.” Gina smiled.
Chrystina glared at Gina then turned back to Myles. “I am not paying for her to live here. How is she going to afford this apartment?”
“She can get a job,” Myles said.
“A job!” Gina scowled.
“A job,” Chrystina laughed.
“Yes. A job.” Myles smirked.
“I can’t get no job.” Gina frowned. “I will lose my benefits.”
“What benefits?” Myles asked.
“My monthly check, my food card, and health insurance,” Gina exclaimed. “How am I supposed to get my hair and nails done or feed my babies?”
Myles glanced down at Chrystina, who shook her head with a chuckle. He then turned to Beverly. “Is she for real?”
“I’ve worked all my life to take care of my children.” She shook her head. “I have no idea why she thinks that someone else is supposed to take care of her.”
“Your struggle convinced me I did not want to go through all the hassle of going to work every day and not make enough money to buy food, or decent clothes for yourself or your children. I watched you have to make decisions on which bills to pay because your paycheck did not spread far enough to cover all of them. Why should I go through working nine to five and still
struggle? My way, I get my check each month, pay my hundred dollars a month for my place, buy clothes, get my hair and nails done, then use the food card to feed my babies. No stress.”
“I don’t understand your thought process.” Myles exhaled.
“You wouldn’t understand because you come from a life of privilege where food, clothes and all the luxuries of life were afforded to you,” Gina expressed.
“You want to bite the hand you are trying to get something from? That is a dumb move. Yes, my family is well off. But your mother isn’t, neither is your sister. Yet, they manage to work and take care of themselves despite coming from the same conditions you grew up in. You want this apartment, fine. Chrystina’s things can be out of here by this weekend. The keys can be turned over to you, but she is not going to take care of you or your children. You want a better life you are going to work for it. Be in my office at 1 o’clock tomorrow. I own a bank. I am sure we can find a job for you.”
“Myles…” Chrystina huffed.
“There will be no special treatment. You will come to work every day, do what your supervisor requires and not ever use Chrystina as an excuse to not do your job. You will get paid a decent salary that will afford you the luxury of taking care of you and your children a lot better than what you do now. And yes, that does include benefits. You are not going to be able to afford this place, so Chrystina and I will pay the rent for one year. We will have a portion of your salary put in a savings account so that when that year is up, you will be in a position to purchase a small house for you and the children. Today you are going to the school and have….” He looked at Chrystina. “What are the children’s names?”
“Money and Crystallite.”
He stared at her as if he didn’t hear her. “Money….”
“I…I heard you.” He turned back to Gina. “Money, and Crystallite withdrawn and enroll them in this school district.” He walked to the breakfast bar to pick up his suit jacket. “Beverly, are you able to take the day to assist her? Chrystina and I have a board meeting this morning we can’t miss.”
