13
Mark
It was three-thirty when the messenger finally showed up with the key to the building. I wanted to get the photographer there to take some test pictures for the virtual tour online along with my stage decorator to assess what we needed for a ready-to-show state. I made the necessary connections and headed out the office.
I hailed a cab and headed to SoHo to meet my team. I diverted Regina's calls most of the day with the excuse of trying to organize everything for the e-mail blasts. As much as I wanted to ask her to tell me the truth, I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I didn't want to leave her and I didn't want her to leave me.
If I marry her, will she maintain her secret lifestyle?
I sat back in the cab and replayed my lunch with Amanda.
“Why am I here Mark?” Amanda greeted me with hostility.
“I'm fine, thank you.” Her readiness to assault me showed in her stare standing in front of me.
“I think you know me by now. I'm not one to sit and listen to the bullshit. Tell me why am I here. I think you provided me with a pretty clear picture.”
She wasn't wrong, but I wasn't going to let go of her part. “Amanda, have a seat. I'm not here to oust you. I'm not here to hold it against you. I want to know the truth. I thought since she's been using you as a cover you can tell me what's going on.” I played dumb for the moment.
She pulled out her chair and took a seat. Her eyes searched mine for some kind of tell of my motives. My poker face stayed in form.
“Amanda, my initial call to you this morning was to ask for your opinion on a ring for Regina.” I knew that would tug on her violin strings.
Her entire demeanor changed before my eyes. She sighed then shuttered her eyes a bit, put her hand on her chest, and took a deep breath. “Mark, as someone who respects you and looks up to you I can honestly say she's not the woman you want to marry, at least not now. Give her a few more years. I think she needs to work out whatever she is going through.”
“Can you tell me what she's going through?”
“I need a drink.”
I waved the waitress over to take her order. I had to stay calm and not show any sign of devastation. I continued to appease her needs.
“I'll take a Bloody Mary, please,” she blurted out to the waitress and dismissed her. “I'm sorry, Mark, I came here already agitated by an earlier compromising position I was placed in. I shouldn't take it out on you, but I also don't like that you have this cloud hanging over my head ready to drop golf ball
â
sized hail on me.”
I did have my finger on the atomic bomb button, but if I opened my mouth to Regina my head would be served on a platter too. She was smart enough to know that much. “You know our secret will only bring us more problems than what we really want.”
“Do you really know what you want?”
“Yes, I work harder every day to have everything I want. I'm sure you do too, now.” I made it clear that I helped her in achieving some of her past accomplishments.
“You want the truth, then be ready to meet your true fiancée. You don't please her in the bedroom, she's been sleeping with who knows for how long, and only with you because she can walk all over you. I told you back then, she wasn't the one.”
“And let me guess, you are?” It was typical of her to rub salt into my wound.
“Mark, I know we've always danced around what happened that night, but I know you liked it. Even after we all met you wanted it again. I see how jittery you are when I'm around, it's a sign of deception. And let's not talk about how many times you stole glances at my ass when Regina was around.”
Now I was very uncomfortable and fighting to keep it bottled. “And if I was to tell you you're right, what then?”
“I would allow you to do everything you ever wanted to do with me.” I slightly rubbed his leg below the table.
I had to laugh to release some of my uneasiness. “So I was right, you've been after me from the start. Who's to say you're not making all this up?”
“Mark, you can take it however you want, truth or slander. I don't think I have to convince you by her most recent actions. Now do I?” She gulped half her drink down.
“You better slow down; aren't you expecting a verdict?”
“Yes, but one of these won't do anything. By the time the verdict comes in, trust me, the slight buzz will be long gone. Thanks for caring, though.”
“And I do care, but I don't think we can move forward with our friendship knowing your intentions. I love Regina and I'm sure, even after learning all of this, that she's the only one for me.” I had to make sure she wouldn't get any bright ideas about coming between us for her benefit only.
“Okay, okay, I get it, you love her. Yada, yada, yada. I got the message. But do you think marrying her will change her? Mark, she's not worth the sacrifice. I'm sure she will never come clean or stop doing her dirt.”
“Sacrifice? What sacrifice?”
“You know she can't give you all you want, that's all I'm saying.” She grabbed my glass of water and took a sip.
“She'll be everything I need. Amanda, I understand that she's your friend, but just have the understanding we will never be. I don't want you.” It was harsh, but her shit had to stop.
This eerie smile came across her face as if there was something I didn't know. “We'll see what you'll want.”
“Sir, we're here.” An Asian accent brought me back to reality.
I peeled off a twenty dollar bill and handed it to the cab driver.
“Need change?”
“No, thanks, keep the change,” I said stepping out the cab. I saw the photographer at the door. “Hey, Steve, sorry for the last minute rush.”
He extended his hand for a quick shake. “No problem, Mark, it's always a better payday when we work together. Peter just went to get some coffee at the deli over there.” He pointed toward the green awning.
“Of course, well hopefully this will work out.” I saw Peter approaching. “Come on, Peter, we have a lot of work to do with a very little window.”
“I know, more like a pinhole in the dirt. Let's do it.”
14
Vanessa
After signing the contract with Mark, Charles didn't let me breathe without an update and countdown via e-mail or text. As much as he said he didn't want me to cause any drama, Charles knew my type: caramel or cream, young and old. My phone alerted me to a new text message.
Did you get the date for Web blast? I want it up on our site once there's a confirmed date
.
Oh my God, Charles, can I fucking breathe! It's after five.
Since ten o'clock this morning he'd been on my ass for answers. He reminded me of our father more and more every day. I touched the screen of my phone and swiped to my phone log.
“Hey, Mark, I know it's still early, but do you have a definite date on the Web launch? There's a lot at stake here and my brother doesn't have full confidence in you.”
“Hello, Vanessa, it's only been seven hours and everything is still in the beginning stages. You can't honestly expect answers this soon. You'll have to trust me.”
“Oh, I'm not worried. But I do need something to tame my brother, sorry. I understand we are only a few hours into our contract, but I still have to answer to someone.” My voice cracked a little. I quickly cleared my throat and apologized.
“This may not be enough, but we'll be staging the spaces and photography will be edited and proofed by the end of the day. I predict the launch will be favorable in two days.”
“Two days?” I was in shock that he accomplished that much since my brother made the messenger wait until three o'clock even if he was there since noon. My brother was a dick like that at times. He thought the challenge was a game.
“You sound disappointed.”
“No, I figured you would be on top of it. Although, you did surprise me with the launch prediction. I didn't know you still went to the building today. I didn't expect you there until tomorrow morning.”
“Why wait until tomorrow if you can get a jumpstart today?” He chuckled lightly.
“Mark, didâ”
His laugher went in and out. “Vanessa, do you mind holding for a minute? My other line is sounding.”
“Sure, go ahead.” I chewed on my cuticles while waiting for his return. He was intriguing to me. A lone Realtor quietly conquering New York's elite locations year after year and building his personal property ownership in vast amounts in a short time. I also found out that he was trying to close a deal in Ireland for one of his clients. It just so happened that his client was a friend.
“Sorry, Vanessa, what were you asking?”
“I was just wondering if... You know what, it's late and I'm sure you've had enough shop talk. So, I guess we'll talk in the morning. Thanks for the update.”
“Umm, actually if you want you can come down to my office to see the test shots and a few swatches I need to approve.”
“Where are you again?”
“Madison and Fifty-seventh, seventh floor. I'll be here for another hour at least.”
“Sure, I'll be there in twenty.” I ended the call and rushed into the bathroom to freshen up. I made a mad dash to my closet with the dress I pictured in my mind. It was black, not too tight to the body, and short enough for a second look. In my eyes every man gets excited when new temptation steps into their view. By his earlier flirtation I knew his office desk was about to be acquainted with my ass cheeks. I hurried out the apartment glancing at my phone's digital clock.
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I despised lateness, but here I was arriving ten minutes past my expected arrival. There was a security guard in the lobby, but he didn't bother to inquire about my presence, just pushed the call button for the elevator. I anxiously waited. It took less than thirty seconds to get to the seventh floor. When the elevator doors opened, it was nothing I expected. It was modest, simple, and wasn't the only office occupying space on the floor. M
ARK
S
ANDS
was etched on to the double glass doors to a dimly lit entrance. There was no reception of any kind; it was furnished with a love seat and two armchairs facing each other. There was a small circular table off to the side with newspapers and a couple of magazines on display. I saw two other glass doors on opposite ends of the hall.
I walked toward the office where the light was bright. I knocked lightly and called out to him, “Mark?”
“Hey,” he said and instantly looked to his watch. “I expected you here ten minutes ago. I know how you are aboutâ”
“Okay you can go there, I deserve it. Just don't tell anyone or that bonus trip to Paris won't happen.” I gave him a smirk stepping across the threshold. “So, show me what you have.”
“I see you've already predicted my victory. That makes me feel good.”
His eyes burned into me, igniting my desire. “Happy to hear I make you feel good.” I stared at his lips wondering if they were as soft and moist as they looked.
“Why don't you have a seat here?” He pulled out the chair behind his desk.
I plopped my purse on one of the armchairs facing his desk. I walked around to his desk and took a seat in front of his computer screen. When he leaned down his scent made my flame light.
“Okay, so if you look here this will be . . . And this color will . . . Simple, lots of straight lines . . .”
His deep voice trailed off as I imagined him whispering in my ear and manhandling my breasts. He kept talking and I kept my eye on the prize: him. “It all looks good. Hey, Mark, is there anyone else here?”
I think he had an idea of what I had in store. Suddenly, he stood straight and moved back. I spun the chair around. “Is everything okay? Mark, let's be honest here . . .” I began to open my legs and it caused my dress to ease up a little. I reached for his thigh and squeezed it a bit. Damn, he was strong! By his manhood rising I knew he wouldn't deny it if I laid it on a platter.
As I was about to go in for the kill a woman's voice called out, “Mark, honey?”
Mark immediately rushed to the door to greet her with a kiss. “Regina, what a wonderful surprise. Great.”
I couldn't see his face, but I was sure whoever she was saw my disappointment. “Hello. Well, Mark, I guess we'll continue this another time.”
“Oh, Vanessa, please meet the love of my life, Regina. Regina, this is Vanessa Shore. She's my client on Greene Street.”
“Hello, Regina, nice to meet you.” I extended my hand with a fake smile as I rose from the chair.
“Yes, you too.” Looking to Mark she continued, “I thought we could celebrate. I got us reservations at Setai in the financial district. Should I cancel? I mean I don't want you to stop because of me if you need to work.”
“No, not all . . . Um, we were just wrapping it up. Vanessa, you're more than welcome to join us. After all if it weren't for you we wouldn't have anything to celebrate.” He nervously laughed.
“Please, Mark, I'm sure we put the right man on the job. Besides”âI glanced at Regina then focused back to Markâ“I'll be by your side for the next thirty days, there's plenty of time to celebrate. I'm sure there will be plenty of late nights.”
“Regina, what time is our reservation?” Mark asked quickly to diffuse the claws Regina was about to unleash by her facial expression. That was my cue to prance my no-good ass out of there; besides I didn't say anything that wasn't true. I just hoped that my forward actions wouldn't scare Mark's square, fine ass.