by Ancelli
“Good morning.” Jewel spoke without moving.
Startled, she jumped. “What are you doing in my office?” She rapidly proceeded to walk behind her desk.
Jewel followed her movements. “We need to talk.”
“About?” She placed her coffee and belongings on her desk.
Jewel looked up at her. “Before we discuss why I’m here, let me first ask you something that’s been on my mind.”
Connie stiffened up, and placed her hand on her leather chair, pushed it back and sat, watching Jewel. She rested her hands on her desk. “What is it?”
“Have you forgotten where you came from?” Jewel studied her reaction.
Connie’s cheeks developed a red hue. “No, I haven’t.”
“Connie.” Jewel uncrossed her legs, leaning forward. “I think you have, because if you hadn’t, you wouldn’t have treated José the way you did.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” She glared at her. “I didn’t do anything to José.”
Jewel smirked, entwining her fingers in her lap.
“José’s a big boy. I didn’t know you were his guardian.”
“He doesn’t need me or anyone to defend him. What you did was wrong, and since he was too nice to voice it, I am.”
“Look, what happened wasn’t my fault.” She powered on her computer. “I have a meeting. Can you leave?”
“I’m not leaving until I say my piece.” Jewel scowled at her.
“God, what did he see in you?” She held her gaze.
“You could’ve prevented José from getting fired, and you didn’t. You just stood there and let them think he lied.” Jewel knew better, José would have probably still been fired, but the fact that Connie didn’t stand up for him made her mad.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Connie typed on the keyboard.
“It was you.” Jewel pointed at her.
She stopped what she was doing. Jewel had finally gotten her attention.
“You lied on those documents, not him. Yes, he was wrong for letting you fill the application out, but he trusted you. You had those papers filled out by the time he arrived on his first day.”
Connie moved her chair away from her desk, peering at Jewel. “And you believe his word.”
“Yes, I do.” Jewel would always believe in José, until he gave her a reason not to.
“You want me to put my ass on the line for him?” Connie chuckled. “I don’t think so. I did him a favor. It’s not my fault it backfired. At least he had a job for ten months. That’s better than nothing.”
Jewel scrutinized her. What a heartless bitch. “Is this payback? Were you the anonymous person, or was it Aaron?”
“Payback for what?” She glared at Jewel. “José is nothing but a thug. I gave him an opportunity.”
She was tempted to jump across the desk and slap her, but resisted and took a deep breath. “Really? ’Cause as I recall you, were the one calling him, begging him to give you another chance.” Connie’s cheeks turned a darker shade again.
Connie smirked. “Tell me, Jewel, has he ever bought you roses or taken you to a fancy restaurant?” She smiled. “By the look on your face, the answer is no. I wasn’t even his girlfriend, but you have been living with him how long?” She tapped her fingers on the desks surface.
Jewel drew back in her seat. Her heart sank in her chest. José never had given her flowers or taken her to a fancy restaurant, and then she remembered everything else he’d done for her. José was himself when he was her. She didn’t need flowers or expensive things, all she needed was him.
“I don’t need those things, because I have the man. Not someone you wanted him to be. With you, he wasn’t himself.” Now it was Connie getting mad. She flinched, her small nostrils flaring.
“You think you have him?” Connie flung her briefcase on the floor. “Because you don’t. I guess he forgot to mention that after you guys got together, he was still coming over my place, and it wasn’t for sugar.”
Jewel fell silent. The woman would say anything trying to push Jewel’s buttons. It wasn’t going to work. Jewel wouldn’t let her know it bothered her. She curled her lips into a big smile. “I feel sorry for you.” She stood, and studied her sister’s friend. “We came from the same place. From nothing. Yes, my parents made it out and yours didn’t.”
“Get out!”
“But you made it out, and instead of helping others by uplifting them, you put them down. When was the last time you visited your parents?” Jewel bent and grabbed her purse off the floor. “They used their savings to put you through college and this is how you repay them.”
“You don’t know anything about me.” Connie spoke sternly, tears forming in her eyes.
“Guess you forgot I met your brother when he came to visit you? He had a little too much to drink, and I was his friend that night.” Jewel stepped closer to her desk, putting her palms on the wood. “How dare you be ashamed of your parents? They made you who you are. If it wasn’t for them, you wouldn’t be sitting in this big office, living in an expensive condo, and driving the latest-model cars.” Jewel raised her voice. “You judge people based on where they come from because you are ashamed of your background. You’re afraid your skeletons would come out the closet.”
“I am better than them.” She wiped at a tear. “I will never go back to there.”
“And you thought giving José a chance would—what?” Jewel peered down at her. “Take you back there? You need to accept the person you are and where you came from. Don’t you think your parents want to see you?” She stepped back. “I’m going to give you some advice. You only have one mother and father. Once they are gone, they can’t be replaced.”
“Get out!” Connie screamed so loud, the tendons protruded along her neck.
Jewel strode to the door. Before she stepped out, she twisted around. “José is going to do great things and you’ll regret what you did to him. Like yours, his dreams will come true, too.” She strolled out and gently closed the door behind her.
***
It was after hours. José was cleaning up the tables at Rio’s. The last couple of weeks had been hard on him. He was exhausted, and it had affected his college courses. In one class he had a D, and in the other, his grade had dropped from an A to a C. Attending school, working at the club when he could, trying to find a decent job, and closing the restaurant was burning him out. He was making half of what he used to make at the agency. There wasn’t even enough money to pay his half of the rent. Jewel was supportive, always giving him words of encouragement, making him look at life through her eyes. But it didn’t feel like enough. He’d even thought about going back home.
“What are you doing bussing tables, Martinez?” a tall black man about his dad’s age asked with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Excuse me?” José realized it was the executive chef. He looked different without his white hat and uniform on. He didn’t know the man had hair.
“I’ve been watching you for some time now.” The chef stepped closer. “I was told you stepped in for me when I took a few days off. Evan choose you over my sous-chef. That says a lot.”
José watched the big guy in front of him. He intimidated the rest of the cooks with his muscular build and the way he yelled all the time. He must have been over six feet five. José felt like a midget looking up at the guy. Chef was one of the best cooks in the state. He’d heard great things about him.
“I heard you’re a damn good cook.” The chef stared at him.
José was humbled. He hadn’t known the staff talked about him.
The man extended his hand. José wiped his palms on his apron, and shook the older fellow’s hand.
“I’m Tyron.”
“José.” He released his palm.
“Man, with your talent, you shouldn’t be cleaning up after people. People should be cleaning up after you.” Tyron looked around and lowered his voice. “I’m going to teach you the ropes of th
is industry, so you can take over when I leave.”
José watched Tyron, arching his eyebrow. Why was this man trying to help him? Was it a set-up? “Evan would never have that.”
“Evan doesn’t have to know.”
Now José was more suspicious. Why didn’t he want the owner to know he would be training him?
“Look, I’m leaving this joint soon.”
“Why are you leaving?”
“I’m opening my own place. It’s been a long time coming.” Tyron sighed. “Evan is a shitbag. However, this place can be the start to your career. I will help you.”
“Why me?” José picked up the dish bucket. “I mean, you practically just met me, and you’re offering to help me. Where I come from, there’s a price tag attached.”
Tyron smiled, showing his gold tooth. “You come highly recommended. I wish when I was a young cat like you, someone would’ve gave me a hand up. This is my way of giving back, paying forward. There is no price tag on this one.”
José was still suspicious.
“All those other guys and gals in that kitchen are all back-stabbers.” Tyron chuckled. “I swear.” He put up his right hand. “I just want to help you. Do you believe in God?”
“Yes, I do.”
“He saved me. I don’t look like a religious man, do I?”
“No.” José smirked.
“Well, I am. I was so lost at one point in my life, and it was his grace that got me through most of it.” Tyron paced from side to side. “When I saw you busting your ass in my kitchen, I had a vision. I’m here to help you.”
“Evan would never give me that position.” José knew no matter how good a chef he was, Evan wouldn’t give him a job like that. Evan was all about social status.
Tyron chuckled. “How much you want to bet? Everybody has skeletons in their closets, but some people just keep theirs hidden. I’ll teach you everything you need to know, from the basics to your contract.”
“Contract?” José spoke up, surprised.
“With Evan, you need to cover your ass. Minimum two years, starting at $20.00 an hour.”
“That much?”
“We have work to do. I’m planning on leaving in a couple months.” Tyron extended his hand again. “We start tomorrow, after work.”
José took his palm. “Tomorrow.”
Another quick shake and Tyron released his hand. “Have a good night. Son, I see good things in your future. Don’t give up. All you have to do is keep the faith; God will never forsake you.” He tossed his white jacket over his shoulder, and pulled the side door open. “Take control of your life.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Jewel sat on the wooden bench outside, sipping her morning coffee while watching Coco run around the back yard. Her laughter at the dog’s antics made José’s heart flutter. It had been a while since they’d both had a full day off together.
He tiptoed through the sliding doors and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. She jerked in surprise. He bent his head and nuzzled the side of her neck. “Finally, I get to spend some time with you.”
She leaned back into his embrace. “I miss this.” Jewel slid her palms up and down his arms.
José teased Jewel with his mouth, sucking on the sensitive skin where her neck met her shoulders. “Me too.” She moaned.
He moved from behind her and sat next to her. His thigh touched hers and José reached for her hand. He lifted it to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “Thank you for putting up with my crazy schedule.”
Jewel smiled. “José, I lo—” Her cell phone rang, and she released her grip, grabbing the device off the table.
He stared at her. What had she been about to say?
“Hello?”
José didn’t hide the fact he was listening to her conversation.
“Sorry, I can’t today.” She gazed over at him. “I’m spending the day with José.”
He remained silent, watching her lips turn down.
“I don’t want to talk about this with you.” Her voice was stern.
Who the hell was she speaking to?
“If you can’t respect my relationship…” Jewel pinched the bridge of her nose. “Bye.” She swiped the phone off with her index finger.
“Who was that?” He didn’t mean for his voice to sound harsh.
“Chris.”
“Chris? Why the fuck is he asking you out?”
Jewel rolled her eyes, and placed her coffee cup on the wooden table José had built for her. “He’s my friend.”
“A friend that wanted to marry you. I don’t like him!” José was paranoid. He didn’t think he was good enough for her, and Chris could offer her everything he couldn’t: stability. A future. José mentally scolded himself. She’s mine and I will do anything to hold on to her.
“Why?” Jewel arched her eyebrow.
“Because he wants you.” José couldn’t help himself. Every time he was near Jewel, he needed to touch her soft skin. His slid his fingers along her thigh.
“I don’t want him.” She placed her hand on his. “The only person I want is you.”
“Are you going to continue seeing him?”
“José, I don’t tell you who you can and can’t be friends with.” She removed her hand.
“I never said who you can’t be friends with. However, Chris has other plans when it comes to you.”
“I will never do anything to jeopardize our relationship. Don’t you trust me?” Jewel stared at him in annoyance.
“Of course I trust you. It’s him I have the issue with.” José squeezed her leg. “If you didn’t like someone I was friends with, I would try my best to avoid that person.”
“Like Connie.”
“Where did that come from?” José cocked his head and gazed at Jewel, as she sighed.
Jewel placed her feet on the ground. “I went to see her a few days ago.”
He sat back. What now? José should have known Jewel wouldn’t be able to let it go. He couldn’t be mad at her, because he would’ve done the same.
“She kind of insinuated that you two were still seeing each other.”
He arched his eyebrow in surprise. “You believed her?”
“No,” she blurted out.
“If you’re telling me now, you must have some doubt.” He stood.
“We’re talking about it now because I hardly see you.” Jewel looked up at him. “And I didn’t believe her.”
“Put your shoes on.”
“Why?”
“Jewel, put on your shoes.” He bent down, picking up her slippers and handing them to her. “I’m sick and tired of all this she-said-he-said shit. Put them on.”
***
Jewel was a bit nervous. Her hands were sweating as she rubbed them together. José hadn’t said a word since he’d driven them away from their home. He pulled up to a fancy apartment complex, and parked. Quickly, he strolled over to her side, and helped her out of the old car.
“José.” Jewel caught up with him as he walked up to the building. “Where are we?”
“We are about to get some shit straight.” He stopped and gazed at her. “What we have is amazing, and I won’t let anyone ruin that.”
He grabbed her hand when he saw a woman exit the building and they slipped through the glass doors. She could tell José was upset. The vein in his throat throbbed and his hands were sweaty. They took the elevator to the third floor.
“Babe, you don’t have to do this,” Jewel pleaded, hanging back.
José marched to a wooden door and started banging on it. Jewel guessed where they must be: Connie’s apartment.
“I know it’s not true.” Jewel stepped in front of him, trying to stop him from hitting the barrier.
He ignored her and continued banging above her head. “Connie, open the fucking door.”
The door swung open with force. Aaron stood there, half-naked and barefoot, wearing only his unbuttoned slacks. “What do you want?” He narrowed his eyes and stared at Jo
sé. “I thought we got rid of your ass.”
Jewel could see Connie rushing from the bedroom. Her face was flushed and her hair was a mess. “What the hell is going on?” She tied her red robe at the front and stepped in front of Aaron.
José glared at her. “Connie, I only have one question for you.”
She crossed her hands over her chest, and tapped her feet.
“When was the last time we fucked, or even had a conversation?” José’s tone was stern.
Connie tipped her head and gave Jewel a dirty look, then looked back at José. “I don’t know what she told you, but I never said anything like that.”
“Really, Connie?” Jewel pitched in.
“What I have with Jewel is real. She is the woman that I want to be with, and I won’t let you or anyone come between us. Let this be the first and last time you come to my girl with some bullshit.” José took Jewel’s hand in his, leaving Connie with a dumbfounded look on her face as they strode down the hallway, back to the elevators.
“We’ve been through a lot, Jewel.” He stopped, staring at her. “You’re the only woman I want,” José said as the doors opened. “Don’t ever doubt that.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Jewel rubbed her eyes and tried to ignore Coco’s barking. Someone was alternating between banging on the front door and ringing the doorbell. She glanced over at the clock on the nightstand. It was freaking seven in the morning. José had snuck in after two, however she could smell him when he entered the room. His aroma of onions and spices had made her want to gag. Jewel knew José’s body must be running on empty. He would leave the house really early in the morning and return late in the evening. But he was a go-getter, didn’t take no for an answer. José had grown since he’d first arrived in town, and his new mentor had become an inspiration in his life.
She sat up in the bed and waited for the dizziness to abate before moving again. The banging continued to get louder. Jewel glanced over her shoulder at José, making sure the noise hadn’t woken him. Who the hell was it? She propelled herself up off the bed. Closing the door behind her, she staggered straight to the front door. “Coco, it’s okay. Be quiet—daddy’s sleeping.” She bent and patted her dog’s head. “Who is it?”