What She Needs

by Danyiel Nicole

  Although he said he accepted my decision, he didn’t stop his quest to be my husband again. He was still using his words of endearment and showing me affection: far more than he did when we were married, which caused the most alarm to me. We finished the night at his corporate apartment, and of course he tried to have sex with me. I would have given in, but luckily, after three months, I finally got my period. David knows that he can ultimately alter any decision I make if he can cause me to have a good enough orgasm. The sad part is that I know it, too, which is why I have to be extra careful around him. I made it back to my place in time enough to take Heath’s phone call. We talked for at least an hour and I told him I was going to Italy, leaving out the part about who was going to accompany me.

  Early Sunday morning, David and I left out on a chartered jet to Italy to shop. We shopped at Gucci, Armani, Dolce and Gabbana, and some designers I’ve never heard of. I even had a pair of stilettos custom made. I had a blast, and for the first time I realized that I work too much not to explore the world and enjoy myself.

  We ate lunch at a local sub shop and dinner at a local restaurant; I don’t care what anyone says, authentic Italian food can only be experienced in Italy. We traveled the streets of blue water in Venice, ate some of the delicious treats from the street vendors, and did some sightseeing before heading back to the airport. David kept getting calls all day, some he took in front of me and others he walked off to take. My assumption is that the calls he took when he walked off were Lauren’s; I shouldn’t have let it get to me because we’re not together but my “time of the month” has me in a pretty foul mood. On the last phone call I heard him tell the person on the other line that he loved them, which won him the silent treatment until the last hour of our flight back home. I mean, it’s true that I have no desire to start our relationship over but he could at least be respectful and let that bitch know he’s with me and that he’ll talk to her on his time not our time.

  What ultimately upset me was when I finally started talking to him and I asked him who he was talking to when he said I love you, he lied and said he didn’t say that to anyone. I couldn’t believe he would just look me in my eyes and tell that bold-faced lie. That’s the exact bullshit the new Alicia McAllister refuses to deal with. At that point I didn’t want to look at him anymore. The jet couldn’t land fast enough.

  ***

  We arrived at The Vue about forty-five minutes later. We pull up under the awning and I jump out of the car before the driver puts it in park. Daniel, the doorman I’ve grown to adore, walks out to greet us.

  “Miss McAllister,” He says tipping his hat. He notices the annoyed expression on my face. “Is everything okay madam?”

  “Yes, everything is fine Daniel,” I respond with a half-smile. “Can you please get my bags from Mr. Barfield and bring them up to my place? I’ve had a long day,” I say this loud enough for David to get the hint that he’s really not invited to my house tonight.

  David walks over to me and before he can say anything to upset me further, I thank him for the trip and let him know that I have to get some sleep because I have four interviews that I need to conduct in the morning. He walks back to the car in defeat and I walk into the building and take the elevator to my place. Once Daniel arrives with my bags, I check my phone. I don’t have any missed calls but I have four new voice messages.

  That’s odd.

  The first message was from Heath letting me know that he was thinking about me and asking me to return his call. The second was also from Heath just checking on me since I told him I’d be out of town for the day. The third was from my best friend, Tamia, checking to see if I remarried David yet. Not a chance in hell, Mia. The last message was also from Heath telling me to call him as soon as I got the message. He sounds worried on the last message.

  I dial Tamia first. “Are you Mrs. Barfield or Miss McAllister? I haven’t heard from you in a couple of days. Are you on your second honeymoon?” She laughs.

  “No, no honeymoon, but I did get a shopping trip to Italy,” I say annoyed.

  “Italy, huh? That bastard sure does know how to fix a fuck up, doesn’t he?”

  “Yeah he does,” I laugh.

  “So what’s the verdict?”

  “Verdict?”

  “Alicia don’t be a smart ass. Are you and Barfield getting back together or what?”

  I sigh, “No, there is no way in the world I’d take him back.” I can hear her sigh in relief on the other end. I continue telling her about how he turned around in Ireland to be with Lauren and the baby then how he came here even though I told him not to come. Then I told her about our fight today when I asked him who he was telling that he loved. “I’m over him, Mia. I can’t wait for him to board that plane back to Florida so that I can move on with my life.”

  “Well I’m glad you figured that one out on your own.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Listen, I know it’s late there and I was just calling to check on you. Call me one day this week.”

  “Alright, will do.”

  “Love you and take care of yourself.

  “Love you, too. Tell Brittany and Marcus I said hello and I love them.” I’m careful not to mention Heath to Tamia; she might tell me that I’m moving on too fast. Hell, I think I’m moving on too fast, but the connection between us is so strong that I can’t help it. Even if Tamia did say something that would discourage me, it wouldn’t stop me from wanting to get to know Heath.

  I pick up the phone and dial Heath’s number and he answers on the first ring. “Alicia, is everything alright?”

  “Yes, why do you ask?” I ask hoping he hasn’t found out about David. I don’t know how much these people in England talk. Heath owns the building, so who know what he knows.

  “I haven’t heard from you all day, I was starting to get worried.”

  “Oh, I’m fine. I told you I made plans to go to Italy today.”

  “Ah yes, I must have forgotten.” He sounds relieved that I’m alright.

  Heath and I talk for another hour about our days. I tell him about my day in Italy skipping over any and everything that had to do with David. He tells me about the project his father’s company is working on in Switzerland, mentioning more than once that he wishes he was talking to me in person. We end our conversation when I tell him I need to get rest because I have to conduct interviews tomorrow. I promise I will call him as soon as I can, and he tells me if I don’t call soon enough he will call me.

  I take all of the nice things that David bought and find a place in my closet for them, then take a shower. The weekend was long but I have duties to attend to in the morning. I get into bed feeling alone, wishing that I had someone to hold me while I fall asleep.

  ***

  I wake up the next morning and take the metro to the Stansbury Building. I’m thankful that Mr. Stansbury picked a location close to public transportation, but I’m really not a fan of it, so I make a mental note to get a car as soon as possible.

  I walk into the Stansbury Building and greet the security officers and then take the elevator to the top floor where my office is located. My office is twice as big as the one back home equipped with an elliptical, a private quarter with a full bathroom and a bedroom in case I need some sleep after working long hours as CEO of the company’s newest division. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. Today I’m wearing a black pant suit with a matching jacket, soft pink blouse and black stilettos. I’m all business today because if I choose the wrong receptionist this could be a very long six months.

  Patricia, the VP of Human Resources has scheduled the interviews back to back and all before lunch so that I can make a final decision today. As I get my questions ready for the first candidate my cell phone rings and, of course, it’s David.

  “Yes David,” I answer letting my frustration be everything but discrete.

  “Hey, I know you’re still upset, but tonight is my last night here so can I please take you to dinner?” He’
s not begging, instead, I can hear that Barfield arrogance in his voice. I want to hang up on him.

  “Sure David.”

  “Cool, I’ll meet you at your building at five. We can have dinner somewhere in the City and then go back to your place to hang out.”

  “That’s fine, but you’re still not sleeping over.”

  He laughs. “Alicia McAllister, you are one stubborn woman. I’ll see you at five.”

  “Okay, five.” I hang up before he can say anything else. I have work to do.

  I’m able to get my questions and myself together and at nine o’clock sharp my first interviewee, Maggie Tomlinson, taps on my door.

  ***

  “Hi Patricia,” I say when she answers my call. It’s four in the afternoon; the day just flew by before my eyes.

  “Hi Miss McAllister; have you made your decision yet?”

  “Patricia, please call me Alicia, it’s fine really, and yes, I’ve chosen Carolina Reeves for the position.”

  “Excellent choice, I will phone her and let her know. Is there anything else I can get for you Alicia?”

  “No, that’ll be all. I’ll see you tomorrow, and thank you.” We hang up.

  Honestly, none of the candidates I interviewed come remotely close to Heidi. Maggie Tomlinson was too shy and timid. I need someone who isn’t afraid to speak to my clients. Bill Hodges was quite the flirt and he made me extremely uncomfortable; this company does not need a sexual harassment lawsuit. Annabelle Smith was too damn hyper, she reminded me of one of those college cheerleaders that I couldn’t stand with her blonde hair and fake boobs. I didn’t know they did the fake boob thing in England, too. Out of all of the candidates Carolina Reeves was “the best”. She is a short middle-aged woman with dyed short curly black hair, and gray eyes. She wore an awkward length skirt, a turtleneck and two-inch heels that drove me crazy. She explained to me that her husband was laid off from his job forcing her to use her degree to help support her family. She seemed sad when I explained to her that the job as my assistant is only temporary, but I promised her if she proved herself I would place her with one of the vice-presidents once her time is up.

  David calls me a little after five letting me know that he is in the lobby and the security guards won’t let him come up.

  Good.

  On my way down the only thing I could think was that I’m so glad this visit is almost over with. When he sees me get off the elevator he stands to greet me. He’s wearing jeans, a white shirt, and brown loafers looking sexy as hell. He walks up to me and gives me a hug like he didn’t piss me off last night. I hug him back, but I’m not going for the affection that he’s going for.

  We chose a restaurant called A Taste of Jamaica in London City for dinner; once we are seated and our orders are taken David immediately starts with his apology, which I don’t want to hear.

  “Alicia, look, about yesterday-” he starts.

  “Hey, nothing about yesterday concerns me. I’ve made it as clear as I can to you that our relationship will not be reconciled so there is no reason for you to explain anything to me. When you go back to Florida tomorrow we will be what we were when we got divorced back in March, “friends”, and if that isn’t good enough for you then I don’t know what to tell you,” I snap before I know it.

  “Did I ever tell you that your period makes you bitchy?” He laughs.

  I smirk at him implying that his joke wasn’t funny, but he’s not lying on me.

  When our waitress, Lindzi, comes back with our food and drinks she is giving David the flirty eyes. I have no doubt that she’s noticed that neither one of us is wearing wedding rings. She’s cordial, but not as kind to me, but I don’t care. If she wants to take her chances with the lying, cheating dog she can be my guest.

  I enjoy my dinner of oxtails, red beans and rice, and cabbage, but what I loved the most was the Jamaican wine they served with it. David asked me when I was coming back to Florida and I told him that I promised Tamia that I will be there for Thanksgiving and Christmas. He told me that rollercoaster his company has been working on at the theme park in London City is going to be opening in early August so he will be back around that time. Since we never really discussed work at home I had no idea his company was building a rollercoaster here, but I just nodded for the sake of not arguing.

  Tonight, against David’s wishes I picked up the check, and since Lindzi wouldn’t give up on my ex-husband I asked him for some of his business cards and gave it to her. I made her day, I’m sure. I can’t get mad at the woman; David is fine as hell and those jeans he’s wearing tonight aren’t doing him enough justice. She’s a pretty woman, too. She’s a little taller than me and dark-skinned with a nice curvy figure. Of course David didn’t like it, or at least he acted like he didn’t. He was probably overjoyed that I made the first move for him.

  After dinner we decided to catch a movie then go back to my place to wrap up David’s visit over some chocolate and wine.

  “Licia, even though this trip didn’t end the way I wanted it to, I really enjoyed myself,” he says as he sips on the Jamaican wine that was so good I just had to buy a bottle to bring home.

  I laugh. “This trip was nothing like you planned. Tell the truth, Davie; did you really think you were going to win me back that easy after everything you’ve done to me?”

  “No, I didn’t think it was going to be easy, but I hoped that you’d at least consider it after I reminded you how much we loved each other before.” He tilts his head to the side and gives me those puppy-dog eyes that I can’t refuse.

  Stay. Strong. Alicia McAllister.

  I sigh. “You don’t have to remind me, I haven’t forgotten, which is why I can’t understand why you did what you did. I thought what we had was perfect, well, aside from the fact that it was hard for me to get pregnant, but you were already messing around before we found that out. So . . . what was it Davie? What . . . what made you seek out another woman?”

  “It was nothing on your part.” He shrugs. “It was my own selfishness that ruined us. We married really young and I wanted to see if I still “had it”. Turns out that I did and I didn’t know how to control it.”

  This is the most honesty I’ve gotten from him in a very long time, and I appreciate it. “Is there any advice you can give me on what I can change about me for my next relationship? Anything I can, you know, change to make myself a better partner?”

  “You’re planning on dating someone else?” He’s feigning a disapproving look.

  I laugh. “Of course, I don’t want to be some old maid.”

  “The only thing I can suggest is that you live a little; other than that you’re the perfect woman and any man would be happy to have you.”

  “Thank you. That was a very nice thing to say,” I say giving him a nod and a half smile.

  “It’s the truth,” he says smiling back.

  ***

  I walk David to his car to exchange our final goodbyes. I’m glad we were able to air out our differences and that I was able to get him to understand that I have no interest in us getting back together. It’s like this huge boulder has been lifted from my shoulders again. We walk outside under the awning where his car is waiting and he turns to face me.

  “Take care of yourself Alicia McAllister.” Those words sound so good coming out of his mouth.

  “I will, I promise.”

  “If you need anything call me, okay? I’m here for you . . . as a friend.”

  “Thanks Davie.”

  He pulls me into his embrace and gives me a rather romantic hug then kisses me on both of my cheeks and then my forehead. I step back in shock, and rub his arm. “Take care of yourself David,” I say and I watch him get in the car. I wave good-bye as the car drives away. When I turn to go back into the building I see Benjamin at the receptionist desk talking to Georgette, the receptionist.

  I hope he didn’t take anything the wrong way.

  I say hello as I pass by them and step onto the elevator, and B
enjamin is giving me a curious stare.

  Why is this elevator taking so long to close?

  Georgette didn’t seem affected by me but Benjamin’s curious eye turned kind of evil as the seconds it took for the elevator door to close rolled by. He’s probably going to say something to Heath and change his mind about wanting to get to know me better.

  Dammit.

  I grab my phone to call Heath and as I’m searching for his number my phone starts to ring. Heath is calling me. I’m suddenly nervous, my heart is beating triple time, and my palms are sweating. What if Benjamin called Heath that fast? He has no right; he doesn’t even know what’s going on. I answer the phone before it goes to voicemail. “Hello?” I say doing my best to mask my current emotions.

  “Hey, I didn’t think I was going to be able to speak to you before I went to sleep. How was your day?”

  “It was good. I finally chose a temporary assistant.”

  “Well that’s good. I was calling to tell you that my work here is done and I will be flying back home tomorrow. I can’t wait to see you.”

  “Aw, that’s a very sweet thing to say.” Given the fact that you’re going to hate me as soon as you speak to your butler. “What time are you flying in?”

  “I should arrive in London City at about ten in the morning.”

  “I’ll be at work then.”

  “I may stop by depending on how my jet lag is treating me. If not I’ll just see you when you get home. I’ll have Benjamin fix us a nice supper.”

  I let out a nervous chuckle. “I’d like that.”

  If you don’t hate me by then.