The Perfect Sin

by The Blakk Dahlia

  “Hey Terry, can you hold my calls, please. I have a meeting right now. Uh-huh, ...thank you,” he said in a corporate tone.

  He threw the phone back on the receiver and examined me with the brightest eyes. It partially erased my mood and I braced myself to receive an extravagant birthday gift.

  “What do you want?” I asked, standing in front of his desk, fighting the excitement.

  “Sit down, birthday girl,” he smiled, avoiding my mood.

  “Darren, I don’t have time for this.” I shook my head.

  He chuckled at me, then went into a tall closet in the corner. I checked the time on my phone as he pulled out a big box, and placed it on the chair next to me.

  “Open it,” he encouraged, pointing to my gift.

  “Can we do this later at my place?” I whispered, gently touching the box.

  Those dark eyes turned into a begging puppy dog. My heartstrings tugged every time he blinked.

  “Open it, Jenn. Please,” Darren begged.

  I snatched open the box wrapped in shiny silver paper. Under the top was a mountain of tissue paper covering a stapled document. I held up the papers and quickly realized they were. The document was the same stack of papers I looked through at his home. Only that time, Cheryl’s signature occupied the empty spaces above her printed name.

  “What is this?” I shook the papers at him.

  “You know what they are, baby!” he smiled with deep dimples.

  Darren HAD to be kidding me. Signed divorce papers on my birthday!?!? After what went down the other night at his house, he expected me to be happy about that. I wondered what in the entire hell was on his mind.

  “Surprise Baby.” He laughed.

  “So, what, you allow her to pop up on us, embarrass me, and NOW it’s all good?” I threw the papers on his desk. “This doesn’t make sense Darren. A couple of days ago she was at your home declaring that she wouldn’t sign them. You forged her signature or something?”

  “No, on Sunday we met with our lawyers. A few threats had to go out from my end. But at the end of the meeting, Cheryl signed them,” his smile faded, “I’m sorry. I thought you would be happy.”

  “Darren, I don’t know what to do with this!” I gaped into his beautiful dark eyes.

  “Baby, this is it! This is our key to being together. The RIGHT way.”

  “You’re a free man,” I sneered, highly unmoved by the tasteless present. “Well good for you. I’m done here.”

  “Jenn, No!” He hurried from around the desk. “The divorce is happening, baby. We’re going to be together now. NOTHING is in our way!”

  His words were LOUD. So loud, I knew the gawking executive assistants could hear. Something inside me concluded that our secret was officially out. All because of Darren’s big ass mouth. I was livid! There was no going back, so if he wanted to put it all out there, then we were about to entertain the masses.

  “Great! Cheryl can pop up, ruin our special evening together, and I’m supposed to forget about that because she FINALLY signed the papers!?!? Yea, whatever Darren!” I yelled.

  “Dammit Jenn, what do you want from me?” Darren slammed his fist on the desk, “I chose you! I left my home with my daughter for you!”

  “No! You did that for you!” I shot back, pointing my finger in his face. “You weren’t happy, remember?!? Even if we hadn’t gotten together you would have eventually left...remember your words?”

  He then realized things were getting heated within the thin walls of the office. Taking a deep breath to regain composure, Darren reminded me of what drew me into him. The stuffed shirt but cool sexy man returned and I secretly swooned. I tried to fight giving in to the force that banded us together for him to understand that our issues with the wife were far from over.

  “J-Jenn C’mon I’m trying here. I’m trying to prove to you that I love you, and I’ll do whatever it takes to be with you.”

  I started to cry, becoming aware that I was more afraid than mad. Afraid that one day I’d be Cheryl and pay for my sins that filled me with happiness beyond measure.

  “Don’t cry, Jenn. It’s going to work out. I’m not leaving you,” Darren bellowed, reading my mind. “Let me take you out to dinner tonight.”

  “I already have plans. My friends are coming flying in from Boston this afternoon and they’re staying with me,” I replied, wiping my tears.

  He consoled me by covering my body with his arms. “I can treat you all to dinner. Then you can go out and do your girl’s thing.”

  “How should I introduce you? Oh, hi girls this is Darren. He’s married but the divorce is almost final,” I laughed sarcastically.

  “You don’t have to go into all of that. I AM yours. I don’t want to be married to Cheryl. That’s why I showed you the divorce papers.” He wiped the remaining tears, then kissed my forehead.

  “How is this going to work?”

  “Look,” Darren pointed to a picture on his desk.

  It was a photo of me and him on the yacht in Puerto Rico. I couldn’t hide the smile once I looked at it in the wood grain frame.

  “Why is this here?”

  “Because I love you. Anyone who comes into this office will know that. It’s me and you, baby. I know it’s going to take some time to rebuild things, but it’s happening. You make me feel great about myself. You make me feel needed. Baby, I don’t let this job stress me out like it used to because of you. You give me a reason to get up every day and live. I’m living now baby, not just going through the motions. Jenn, you are the one for me.”

  I can’t lie, his words shook throughout my body, filling it with love, peace, and sensuality. I was tempted to ravish him on top of the desk.

  Instead, I looked down at the floor. “So much has happened.”

  “I’m sorry, I should have taken care of things with Cheryl before our relationship progressed. That was my mistake. I completely operated off emotions and not common sense. And this birthday gift was a bad idea,” he held up his hands, surrendering to me, “Stupid on my part.”

  “Yea, it was,” I chimed in.

  “My intention wasn’t to upset you.” He walked behind the desk and opened the top drawer, “And...I have a real present for you.”

  Mr. Teddy Bear Eyes pulled out a box and placed it on top of the divorce papers. A lightning bolt hit my nerves once I opened the box. Mr. Teddy Bear Eyes fixed my transportation issues with a set of car keys.

  “I was going to take you with me to pick it out so you’d get the color you like. But I think red will serve you just fine.” Darren grinned, folding his arms, “I can’t be driving around in a Porsche and my lady doesn’t have one to match.”

  “A red Porsche?!?” I laughed in disbelief. “Are you kidding me, babe??”

  “Nope. Happy Birthday, baby! Look at the keyring,” he urged with a big smile, deep dimples, and big dark eyes waiting for me to see the next surprise.

  My fingers maneuvered to a heart-shaped keyring with an inscription:

  I’m all yours, Jenn. Love, Darren.

  “I’m GOING to continuously show you that I’m serious about us,” he returned to the other side of the desk where I was, standing in awe.

  “Thank you, baby. I love it!” I threw my arms around him. “Wait, where is the car?”

  “It’s at your apartment waiting for you. I’ll give you a ride home.”

  “I have to get back to work,” I placed the keys back into the box, “I’m leaving early today since my friends are coming.”

  “Just message me when you’re about to leave. I’ll meet you in the parking garage.” Darren rubbed my backside, stroking his lips on my neck. “Get back to work before I make love to you in this office.”

  I walked out to his assistant, Terry, and her colleagues gossiping.

  “So that’s why they’ve been going to lunch together this entire time?” A woman loudly whispered to her.

  “Girl, this is some mess!” Terry replied, cutting her eyes my way.

>   While avoiding eye contact, I scurried back to my floor to get to work. Word traveled fast because the remainder of the morning consisted of whispers walking by my cubicle and funny stares from random people in the office, even Miss Alice. The good thing was that I no longer had to worry about her pestering me with lunch invites and long-winded stories. The scowling looks she once gave Angel for lusting over a married man were then directed at me. I didn’t mind, she was annoying as hell anyway.

  I decided right then to start looking for another job, although I loved being around Darren, we would need space during the day for our relationship to grow. And I was about to be known as the office homewrecker.

  “So, am I taking you to dinner tonight?” Darren asked as I approached him in the parking garage.

  “I guess I’ll let you do that,” I flirted. “Since you got me a nice car.”

  “I can’t wait for you to see it, baby,” he grabbed me then pecked my lips.

  The security guards passing by made faces as we embraced. A bad feeling hit my stomach while they disappeared around the corner.

  “Don’t worry about them, Jenn.” Darren pulled my face towards his. “It’s me and you.”

  “I know that but, you don’t understand how the woman bears the brunt of an affair. People rarely blame the man,” I explained. “I’ll be the whore, the homewrecker, the woman who ruined a marriage. They won’t consider the fact that you were unhappy.”

  “Let them think whatever they want. This is just a job. This place isn’t our life.”

  “You’re right,” I sighed. “Be prepared.”

  “I am,” he softly yanked me closer, “And whoever calls you any of those names will have to deal with me.”

  Darren suddenly made me feel secure about us flaunting our love around the office. He WAS mine. There was no more hiding how we felt about each other. He went through the steps to get us out of “affair” status. The nosy workers would have to get used to it until it was my time to move on to something better. I couldn’t allow people whom I didn’t enjoy being around anyway, dictate my life.

  Back at my apartment, he revealed my birthday gift waiting in the parking lot. I still don’t know who he pulled off that surprise. My man wanted me to regain everything I lost before. I thought it would be best to keep my gift hidden from my girls until they officially meet Darren. Sam would have ruined it with bitter questions and comments.

  ~~~~~~~

  “I’m so glad you guys are here!” I helped my girls get settled in the apartment. “It felt like forever since the last time.”

  “Yes, it has! I’ve missed you.” Samantha said, sipping her green juice. “I’m ready to celebrate the last year in your twenties.”

  I gave her spinach and God knows whatever concoction a strange look. “Are you on a health kick or something?”

  “I’m trying to lose weight. I’m gonna be slim and trim for tonight.”

  “Girl...” Kassandra emerged from the bathroom, “Sipping 32 ounces of that will not shed away those Summer pounds!”

  Sam rolled her eyes, dangling her juice in the air. “Anyway, so what is this dinner about? Does Darren want to profess his love for you? There better not be a proposal involved.”

  “I can guarantee that won’t be happening. He just wants to do something special for me and my girls before we go out tonight.”

  I wasn’t ready for marriage; I was in the process of getting my own shit together. And Darren had some shit to get together as well. A LOT of shit!

  “Well, I’m excited to meet him. I need to know more about this man that has kept you from our three-way calls,” Kassandra added.

  “I know! I miss those. Jenn, don’t push us away because of this man,” Sam warned.

  “I won’t! I love you two, you’re like sisters to me,” I reassured.

  Later that evening, Darren arranged for a car to pick us up and meet him at the finest dining experience Atlanta had to offer. The place was upscale, chic, and very expensive.

  As we walked up, Mr. Teddy Bear Eyes waited near the entrance, sexy and casual. We immediately embraced and his new cologne sent me to another realm.

  “Hey, you!” he kissed me then held me tighter. “Happy Birthday.”

  “Hey, babe,” I look back pointing at my girls staring a hole in the amazing man loving on me. “These are my friends, Samantha and Kassandra.”

  “Hi ladies, nice to meet you,” Darren hugged them. “I think y’all will like this place. I’ve been here a few times and they never disappoint.”

  “Been here with the wife perhaps?” Samantha mumbled.

  I shot her a dirty look, hoping he didn’t hear.

  Kassandra nudged her arm. “Don’t start Sam.”

  “I’m just saying,” she replied following us to the table.

  I worried that my birthday dinner would be filled with passive-aggressive comments about Darren’s marriage. I tried to keep it light to prevent things from going south.

  “So, ladies, which city do you like better, Atlanta or Boston?” he asked, pouring champagne.

  “Atlanta is fun!” Kassandra answered, amused by the bubbles dancing in her glass. “But Boston’s my new home. It’s a different vibe. We’ve tried to get our girl to come up and join us, but apparently, she has something special right here.”

  Darren blushed and grabbed my hand. I leaned onto his shoulder, recognizing that at least one of my friends was open to being supportive. Samantha didn’t speak, she drank her champagne and admired the room. As long as she didn’t make him uncomfortable, I was fine with her on mute. Hearing her opinions at my birthday dinner was not something I was in the mood for. But I know she’d be spilling them later.

  My official boyfriend made a big impression on Kassandra. Just as he made on me. As the night went on, I grew annoyed with Samantha’s antics. Coughing loudly every time Darren started a sentence, eye rolls, and mumbles to Kassandra when he showed me any type of affection. I had enough.

  “Sam, come to the bathroom with me.” I requested, excusing myself from the table.

  I snatched at her arm as we walked towards the back of the restaurant.

  “What the hell is your problem?” I whispered.

  Sam pulled away and walked faster. “You can’t expect me to sit there and be happy about this.”

  “I don’t need you to be. But you don’t have to be rude. If it was going to be this hard for you to act civilized then you should have stayed back at the apartment. Or better yet, back in Boston.”

  We reached the bathroom decorated in a modern vanity. I waited until a woman finished washing her hands to continue.

  “Look, Sam...”

  “No, YOU look!” She interrupted sitting on the bathroom counter. “I don’t care about Darren. I didn’t come here to meet Darren. You’re forcing him on us and we came here for YOU! This was to be OUR weekend.”

  “Correction! This is MY weekend. And I wanted to have dinner with him on my birthday. Why is that so hard for you to understand?”

  “Then I could have stayed in Boston.” Tears formed in her eyes as she turned her head to look away from me. “Don’t you get it, Jenn?”

  “Get what?” I asked, unmoved by the waterworks.

  “You don’t call us anymore. Only visited us once this year, and now we have to take a backseat to some married guy you’ve been chasing for months?!?!”

  “When you’re in a relationship, I respect your space without making you feel guilty for having a life. Why are you being selfish?”

  “I’m being selfish!?”

  “You’ve ALWAYS been that way! Everything has to be about you. When my parents died, I had to come out of grieving to help you deal with a breakup. You wanted me to move with you to Boston because you were scared of being alone. Is that why you helped Kassandra get a job up there? Sam, you’re selfish as hell and I’m no longer being a pawn to your little game of I need my friends around me 24/7.” I explained.

  Sam’s face turned sour and pitiful.


  “That’s unfair Jenn.”

  “No, what’s unfair is you acting like an ass tonight.”

  She hopped off the counter and leaned against it. “Okay, I’ll be nice to your little boyfriend.”

  “Don’t patronize me, Sam.”

  “What else do you want?”

  Before I could answer, Kassandra came through the door. “Hey, is everything okay with you two?”

  “I’m going back to Darren. Maybe you can talk some sense into your friend, Kass.” I flung open the door and hurried back to my man, waiting patiently for us to return.

  As soon as I sat down, he sensed there was a rift between me and my girl.

  “What’s wrong?” He stroked my hand.

  I shook my head, trying to keep my composure. Samantha got me so heated that I contemplated on canceling the entire night.

  “Why is it that I always have to hear crap about simply loving you?” I grumbled.

  “That’s life, baby. It’s fine if she doesn’t approve of me, that’s on her. I’m not leaving you because of that.” Darren leaned over and kissed away the agitation. “I love you so much, Jenn.”

  “I love you too, Darren. I don’t care what it takes to be with you,” I smiled, gaining a boost of confidence.

  He leaned into my ear and whispered, “I like the sound of that.”

  While we gazed into each other’s eyes, Sam and Kassandra came back to the table. However, Sam didn’t sit down.

  She gathered her purse and jacket, standing over her chair. “I’m going to head back.”

  Kassandra leaned over to whisper, “Sam doesn’t feel well. She’s going to head back to the apartment.”

  “Okay,” I replied, nonchalant. Being next to my lover helped me to mentally check out of Sam’s bullshit.

  “Hope you feel better Sam,” I bellowed across the table.

  She flashed a fake smile, then headed towards the door.

  “Is she going to be okay?” Darren asked, watching her leave.

  “Yea. She’s just...feeling left out. That’s all.” Kassandra sighed.