Wrong Vengeance

by The Blakk Dahlia

  Out of all the single women with tight dresses surrounding the bar, he wanted to sit and engage with her. That thought made her ponder his motives. Jay took away her confidence, leaving her with the notion that she couldn’t do any better than a loitering bachelor.

  While Charles studied the happy hour menu, she took the opportunity to get an in-depth look. The dark electric blue three-piece suit complimented his milk chocolate skin. Her eyes danced around the new age box cut with a perfect fade down to his neckline, and then salivated at the neatly lined beard. His body sculpted in a way showing that he was semi-fit, but father time was starting to sneak in. However, he’d still be eye-candy without a shirt on.

  “Long day?” She asked as he lifted his head looking for the bartender.

  “Yup. Tired of dealing with executives. They always have high demands with short deadlines. All the while not understanding the work and the time it takes to get shit done.” Charles laughed. “But hey that’s the game we play right?”

  “Absolutely.” Brandy nodded.

  She only asked to make conversation and to hide the fact that she was checking him out. Didn’t anticipate him giving a story of his day.

  “Yea I’ll take a double shot of Hennessey.” Charles said to the bartender.

  “Henny huh?” She giggled. “Somebody had a rough one.”

  “Man...” He sighed. “Henny will take the edge off. You ready for another drink?”

  “Not yet. Still working on this one.” Brandy replied flashing a sweet smile.

  The bartender placed Charles’ drink on a small napkin. He took a sip while glancing at headline news on TV.

  “Nothing but world problems and politics.” He murmured, crumpling his full lips. “Can’t let that destroy my buzz. Guess I’ll focus on you. If that’s okay.”

  “I have to tune the news out as well. It’ll frustrate you if you let it.” She said turning her body towards him. “So what kind of work has you drinking Henny on a Wednesday?”

  “I work in ad sales. Manage a team of ten and since the holidays are coming up in a couple of months, my bosses are pushing for more money.” Charles sat up straight in his chair. “Now I have to figure out a way to over-work my overworking team. It all falls on me if goals aren’t met.”

  “Ooooh the pressure.” Brandy teased.

  “Yea...Too much pressure.” He scoffed, thinking about his day.

  “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” She encouraged. “You seem like a smart man. Just have to step away from the problem for a minute.”

  “You’re right. Thank you.” He wiped his hand on a stray napkin. “What do you do?”

  “I work at a home security company in their account services department.” She answered watching his fingertips dance with the napkin. “I manage a team as well but it’s not too strenuous. Only when the people under me are too lazy to work out issues and I have to step in and do their job on top of doing mine.”

  “You’re out here bossing people around too eh. I can see that.” He flirted.

  “I look like the bossy type?” She asked taken aback.

  “Yea. But in a good way.” He replied before licking Hennessey drops from his lips. “Welp, enough about work.”

  “Yes, I agree. So outside of solving ad sales problems...” She paused waiting for him to fill in the blank.

  “Ah! I play basketball at the gym, watch basketball, and coach my son’s basketball team.”

  “So, do you like basketball?” She asked laughing.

  Charles grinned, taking another swig of his drink. Brandy watched his lips in amazement before realizing she was officially lusting.

  “I used to play in high school and a little bit in college.” She said snapping out of it.

  “Really!?!? I knew I wanted to sit next to you for a reason. What made you stop?”

  “Just lost interest. Once I entered college I wanted more of a social life than hooping.”

  “Do you still play for fun?”

  “Very rarely. Are you trying to challenge me to a game or two?”

  “That actually sounds like a good idea. At least I’ll have a chance to see you again.” Charles replied turning his body towards her.

  Brandy leered, concentrating on her drink to keep a cool distance.

  “Is that beautiful smile you’re giving me a yes?” He asked, reading her body language.

  She nodded sipping through the straw.

  “Good.” He replied gulping down the rest of his brown liquor on the rocks.

  Brandy snuck a peek and watched his Adams apple maneuver up and down as he swallowed. That turned her on. She imagined kissing on his neck and stroking the back of his low-cut hair. As her thoughts were getting deeper, the sound of his glass clinking on the bar shook away the sudden imagination.

  “You ready for another one?” Charles asked pointing to her almost empty glass.

  “Sure. Thanks.”

  “No problem.” He replied waving his hand to get the bartender’s attention.

  A young, stacked, model-wannabe sashayed over towards Charles in a tank top and leggings. Brandy could tell the poor girl was trying to entice him. Looking like the type who only worked during happy hour shifts to meet an executive to save her from mixing drinks.

  The territorial side of Brandy was somewhat jealous of the girl’s mannerisms and sneered at the fake lashes batting in his direction. She hoped Charles didn’t flirt back. The thought of Jay swarmed in like a crowd of bees. He often dallied with bartenders, waitresses, random girls, even while Brandy was sitting next to him. The signs of disrespect he showed towards their relationship was unbearable. Those episodes led to arguments, which led to Jay begging for forgiveness. Mainly because he needed someone to pay the tab he ran up.

  “Hey, I’ll have another one and she’ll have another vodka and sprite.” He said.

  “How did you know what I was drinking?” She asked, coming back to the present.

  Charles sat back in his chair with a serious but laid-back demeanor. “I just know these things.”

  Too intrigued to respond, Brandy sat in amazement. How he figured out what she was drinking remained a mystery.

  “Do you want another double?” The bartender asked, interrupting the moment.

  “Yes! He’s had a long day.” Brandy chimed in.

  It was a way to show the eager drink slinger that Charles wasn’t going to swing in her direction that evening. No matter how many times the tatas would shake in his face. Her quick response-reaction was a habit from her days of defending her position in Jay’s life.

  “Ok handsome I’ll get that right away.” The bartender said, challenging Brandy.

  Charles didn’t notice the bartender. Nor did he want to. His goal was getting to know the witty yet encouraging woman sitting next to him.

  “Miss Brandy. Are you single? I’m hoping so because if I’m going to beat you in basketball, I don’t need your man coming after me.” He joked pulling off his suit jacket.

  “Yes, I’m single. Are you?” She said smirking and waving her hand in a circular motion. “You know I don’t want any problems playing a contact sport with someone’s man.”

  Charles nodded. The head nod signaled a smile in her that was so unexpected. She wasn’t sure why because she didn’t want anything more than drinks and a conversation.

  She wasn’t fully convinced that he was single. Charles was good looking, held down a great job, charismatic, and smart.

  Why would a man like this be alone? She thought.

  “Been that way for a while.” He sighed. “Between work and my son, I haven’t had a chance to date much. My boys are always reminding me that I need to make time for that. So, I guess I’ll take their advice.”

  “You have wise friends. Nothing wrong with making time for a social life. I’m just starting to rejoin the world myself.”

  “Wise? Ha! I don’t know about all of that. But they give pretty good advice every now and then.” He replied retrieving a food me
nu. “What had you hiding from the world?”

  Brandy shrugged in response. She was not ready to disclose that information. Plus, it was weird to hear of a man not making time to date. Even the busiest men get a little action on the side. She had a feeling there was a woman at home; waiting for Charles to call or come over.

  Overthinking everything about the man in the blue suit, Brandy decided to go into the abrasive mode. Hoping it would scare him away so disappointment wouldn’t surprise her later.

  “Charles, are you REALLY single?” Brandy asked in a grim tone. “Or are you one of those guys with a lot of unserious situations?”

  He didn’t know how to answer that question. Despite Brandy’s doubts, he was indeed 100% single. A rare breed of man fell into her lap. After that question, Charles realized he was dealing with a guarded woman. After taking a moment to gather his thoughts along with settling from the blow of the tone and question, he replied.

  “I don’t’ have a list of women I juggle around. My son is my world right now. And I want to be a good example for him. Don’t get me wrong now I have done some things in my past that I’m not too proud of, but I learned...The hard way.” Charles took a few seconds to laugh at himself as if he was reminiscing. “I’ve learned that it’s easier to find one good woman. Put all my effort into her instead of splitting my time and MONEY on multiple women.”

  Brandy was pleased with his answer, but the guard didn’t come down just because he said the right things. Luckily for Charles, his response made her want to know more about him. Smiling at his answer to show that satisfaction with his response, she moved on from the subject.

  “I think this could be my new after work spot. It has a nice vibe and I don’t have to worry about a lot of creeps coming on to me.”

  “That’s always a good thing. Creeps make it hard for guys like me to get to know an intriguing woman like you.” Charles replied, dialing up the flirt to soften her mood. “Are you hungry? I heard the wings here are really good.”

  “No, I’m fine. I ate before I left work.” She lied.

  “Are you sure? You know you’re gonna want some wings after you see mine.” He laughed. “That’s what women do.”

  “Ha! Yes, I’m sure. And thanks for asking.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Thanks.” Charles said to the bartender returning with their drinks. “Can I get the uh 10-piece? Hot. With extra sauce.”

  “Anything else?” The bartender asked, leaning over, hoping he’d get a better view of her cleavage.

  “Nope that’s it thanks.” Charles replied quickly. Not even noticing the roundly shaped, manufactured D-cups in his face.

  The bartender walked away disappointed. Brandy couldn’t hold in her laughter at the pathetic antics.

  “What’s that for?”

  “You couldn’t tell?”

  “Tell what?” He asked with a confused expression.

  “The bartender. She was trying to flirt with you. Enticing you with her goodies.”

  “It’s just titties.” He shrugged.

  The blank sexy stare on his face while responding made her burst out into more laughter.

  “Breasts are nice. I look, and then I’m good.” Charles said looking into her eyes. “I prefer to enjoy a pretty face.”

  Brandy blushed at receiving his undivided attention; instead of splitting time with the anxious bartender. Although it was a first unofficial meeting over drinks, she felt good about being open to a conversation with him.

  Charles was the total opposite from Jay. First, he had a steady job and didn’t strike her as the type to depend on a woman. However, his living situation was unknown. Brandy toggled between getting deeper into him and backing away.

  “When are we going to plan this basketball game?” He asked breaking her deep thought. “I need to test these skills of yours on the court.”

  “Well...when are you usually free?”

  “Tomorrow is my son’s last game, so my weekends are going to be freed up. How about this Sunday?” He suggested.

  “Sunday is perfect!” She replied starting on her second drink.

  Charles pulled out his cell phone, which was safely secured in a thick cover. “Guess I’ll need your number, right?”

  “Yea that would help.” She replied taking the phone.

  The bartender brought over the wings. She thought to give another try at flirting, although it was clear that he was getting to know someone else by taking a number. Brandy paid close attention to his reaction to the relentless bartender just to make sure he was genuine.

  “That was quick.” He smiled. “Thank you.”

  “Do you need anything else?” The bartender said leaning on the bar at an angle to show a side view of the nicely shaped, shot-infused butt.

  “Nope. I’m good.”

  Brandy laughed to herself at the display of desperation. He noticed the comedic moment and joined in. The bartender’s expression changed from flirtatious to embarrassment as they guffawed at her expense. She walked away, pretending to wash a few glasses.

  “Did you notice the ass?” Brandy asked.

  “I did.” He honestly replied. “I see ass all the time.”

  “Well ok then.”

  “I have to be honest. I do. Ass is nice to look at but I need something more. I’m done with my days of dating a girl just because she has nice ASS-sets. Usually girls like that are just looking for a come up. No business about themselves, waiting on a man to take care of them. I love taking care of my woman, but she needs to bring something to the table as well.”

  “Good answer.” She replied in a “Family Feud” voice.

  Charles expected a better reaction, but quickly remembered she had a high guard. “My attention is already occupied.”

  “By those wings?”

  “No...well yea that too but I meant you.” He winked before starting to eat.

  Brandy watched him devour a few wings, wishing she had taken him up on the food offer. Feeling her hungry eyes, Charles slid the plate over.

  “Go ahead. I knew I should have ordered you some anyway. Why do women do that?”

  “I dunno. A woman thing I guess.” She replied taking a wing and placing it on an extra plate in front of her. “They didn’t look good until I saw them on your plate.”

  “The wings being on my plate made them more enticing?” He squinted.

  “Probably.” Brandy said in between chewing, covering her mouth.

  “Should I call my ‘girlfriend’ over here to put in another order?” He joked pointing to his plate.

  “Yea do that. I need another laugh.”

  An hour later, the two blossomed their conversation over a sharing a second order of wings. His casual demeanor fascinated her. Confident but not arrogant and didn’t overcompensate for his shortcomings. Charles led with an honest open book approach while she charmed with limited chapters.

  Trying her hardest to block Jay reflections for the remainder of the night, Brandy often made comparisons. Thinking about how the ex couldn’t carry on a meaningful conversation, instead he gave exaggerated tales. Alternatively, how Charles was forthcoming about his mistakes and displayed his growth as a man. Just as they were getting comfortable, a phone alarm went off.

  “I need to go pick up my son from basketball practice. Hate I have to leave you.”

  “No, your son comes first. You have my number.” Brandy said trying to hide the fact that she wasn’t ready for their moment to end. “Just hit me up when you’re free.”

  Charles motioned for the bartender to settle his tab.

  “I will definitely do that.” He replied reaching for his wallet. “Did you want anything else?”

  “No, I’m fine. I’m need to head home myself.”

  He didn’t look at the receipt; just placed a card inside the check holder. She remembered when Jay promised to treat her to dinner but as soon as the bill came, he didn’t have enough to cover it. Brandy forgot how it felt not having to pay.<
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  Signing the receipt, he stood to give her a proper goodbye. “Miss Brandy...It was nice meeting you. I enjoyed the company. Made me forget about my hard day.”

  “Anytime. And thanks for everything. I appreciate it.” Brandy said standing up to put on her jacket.

  She admired the way he fastened the buttons on his suit. His hands moving down the lower chest and stomach gave lustful thoughts.

  “You ok to drive?” He asked looking into her eyes.

  Eyes that were delectable, genuine, and giving the impression that it wasn’t going to be the last time she’d look into those dark, adorable circles.

  “Oh yea. A few drinks won’t take me down this early in the day.” She giggled.

  “Good. I’ll talk to you soon Miss Brandy.” Charles said moving in close for a hug.

  Her forehead touched the top of his shoulder blade as the combination of cologne and the faint smell of Hennessey filled her presence. He didn’t hold on too long, because it would only tempt him to stay causing his son to be picked up late.

  Charles looked at the bar ensuring he didn’t leave anything, then turned back to Brandy for one last look.

  “Have a good night.” He said smirking at her.

  “Thanks, you too.” She smiled.

  Brandy watched him walk out the bar and on to the street. Getting an enriched sense that her dating life was upgraded.

  That night, a text from an unsaved number gave a goodnight message. She wasn’t sure of who it was, but a feeling inside knew it was Charles. A confirmation came 20 mins later when the number messaged again with just his name.

  The emotions of being happy about meeting a man scared her. Brandy deleted the message along with the number. The guard took over as the fear of being sucked back into a man who could hurt her, ceased the possibility of seeing the sexy blue suit wearing man again.

  Days later, Brandy started to feel bad about not responding to the text. There was no need to think about getting hurt because they only met one time. However, if Charles really wanted her, he’d call.

  The weekend arrived, and Brandy hadn’t heard anything else from him.

  Maybe this was a one-time thing the universe threw in to show that there are decent men out there. She resolved.