Honey

by Tammy Lewis

  my chair to face him. His face consumed with both anger and

  confusion, he asked, “Dom’ are you crazy, didn’t the last trap

  teach you anything? As much as I hate Quinn, he’s right. You

  shouldn’t be doing this anymore.”

  Chapter 24

  The silent car ride home with Marcus was unbearable,

  knowing how he so fiercely disapproved with tonight’s plan of

  action. Even siding with Quinn, who he had made pretty clear that he hated.

  Miles away, taking into consideration both of their reactions.

  Yet feeling hell bent on retaining my focus, not wanting to be

  controlled by anyone or anything, other than my own

  intuition. I decided to hell with them both, drawing a line in

  the sand. I had been doing this long before I had known

  either of them, they both knew the score. If they didn’t want

  any part of this, then that was fine. But they couldn’t expect

  me to stop, just because right now they believed that it was

  time.

  Arriving home, I got to work instantly, transforming myself

  ready for this evening. Trying my best to fit the profile of an

  artsy college student, more focused on creativity than

  appearance. Seated in front of the mirror, teasing out my

  messy curls, I watched Marcus appear in my mirror’s

  reflection. Seating himself down on the bed behind me,

  peering at me over his glass, he asked “so Dom’, are you going

  to sit there quietly or fill me in on tonight’s trap?”

  Smiling heavily, knowing that Marcus had returned to my

  corner, exasperated I got up and lunged at him, overjoyed to

  know that once again he had my back.

  Later, pulling up outside the community centre, I heard

  Marcus chuckle. Glaring at him confused in the mirror, I

  asked “what’s so funny?”

  Shaking his head, Marcus replied, “you Dom’, in an art class.

  You can’t even draw yourself a bath.”

  Grabbing hold of his face and kissing his cheek, leaving him

  wrapped in his own amusement. I vacated the car, making my

  way into the community centre.

  Arriving at room 101, still life with professor Oliver Hayes, I made my way in. Overwhelmed by the number of students

  already present. Working fast, Oliver made his way over to

  me, introducing himself immediately, all while welcoming me

  into his class. Then with a quick fire of creative questions,

  with what I could only assume to be, him trying to discover

  my level of creativity. I chose my answers carefully, wanting

  to speak the creative lingo. While I prayed that my lack of

  knowledge hadn’t shone through. Giving him the impression

  of some type of beginner, a complete novice or a total fraud.

  Pointing to a free work station, Oliver directed me over,

  stating “after class, there’s a great, cosy little bar about 200

  yards away. You would be more than welcome to join us all

  after class.”

  Turning on the charm, biting my lip hard, it was then that

  Honey versus the creepy art professor began.

  Noticing Oliver take to the front of the room, certain that at

  any second, he would arrange some sort of display for us to

  begin to draw. When suddenly to my shock, horror and

  amazement, disrobing himself. He told the entire room, “we

  are going to try something a little different this evening.

  Tonight, you are all going to draw moi.”

  Flamboyantly seating himself naked, down on to a chair.

  Certain that all that I wanted to do right now, was to run as

  fast as I could, out of here and maybe vomit a little. Talking

  myself down in my own head, pulling myself together, I began

  trying to regain my focus. Imagining the conversations that

  Marcus and I would share, concerning this very moment.

  Knowing that the level of teasing would have been

  unbearable. Trying my best to put pencil to paper, it was then

  that I discovered that Marcus was right. I was useless, not

  that I wanted to draw a naked, middle-aged man anyway, but

  I at least had to try and fake it, the best that I could.

  Sweeping the pencil across the paper, trying to make some sort of shape, feeling the tiny hairs on the back of my neck

  stand high, watching Oliver glance over at me. While all that

  kept running through my head were the words, ‘you, dirty

  little pervert!’

  Grimacing hard, suddenly frozen to spot, noticing him wink

  over in my direction. It was at that precise moment that I

  knew, if I was to have held my focus, tonight’s trap was going

  to be an absolute breeze.

  After the longest hour and half known to man, barely

  surviving one of the most uncomfortable situations that I had

  ever experienced. Surrounded by some of the class members,

  I found myself seated at a bar table, inches away from Oliver.

  Sure, that I had his full attention, focusing all of his questions

  on me. Feeling slightly overwhelmed already, it was then that

  I felt his hand reach my thigh. Wanting to scream out, remove

  his hand and headbutt him so badly. Instead I kept my cool,

  glancing over to the bar, it was then that my heart sank.

  Realising that Quinn was seated up at the bar, yards away,

  looking over in my direction, nursing his drink, with heavy,

  solemn eyes. When suddenly leaning in, feeling his warm

  breath on my ear, Oliver whispered, “do you want to come

  over to my studio? I’ve got some amazing pieces that I would

  love to show you.”

  Noticing the fire in Quinn’s eyes burn brighter, the closer that

  Oliver got to me. Swallowing hard, I stood, excusing myself, I

  made my way over to Quinn at the bar. Leaning against the

  bar, closely beside him, not making any eye contact, I sighed

  and asked “Quinn, why are you here?”

  Hearing him place his drink on to the bar, he replied, “I

  wanted to make sure that you were safe, after what happened

  last time. Though this time, I don’t know how much longer that I can stay.”

  Confused, breaking my gaze, looking up into his eyes, I asked

  “why, why can’t you stay?”

  Hearing him laugh nervously, taking another sip, he replied,

  “because if he places his hand on to your leg one more time, I

  am going to drag him outside and I am going to kill him.”

  Surprised at his response, I suggested, “you know that this is

  all fake, and I am only here to do a job, right?”

  Taking my hand in his, knocking back the entirety of his

  drink, he replied, “I don’t care Domini, it’s not right. Please, I

  beg you, end this now.”

  Noticing a seriously dire tone consume his voice, and sheer

  desperation in his eyes, I asked “and what if I don’t, what are

  you going to do?”

  Gesturing for the barman to fill his drink, Quinn suggested

  “can you honestly, hand on heart, sit yards away from me,

  while another man has his hands all over you? Domini, are

  you comfortable with all of this, because if you are, then go

  right ahead? Don’t let me stop you.”

  Hating how unreasonable that he was being right now,

  knowing fully well that he
knew how these scenarios played

  out. Yet feeling as though secretly, that I had been given some

  sort of an ultimatum, forcing my hand to put a stop to all of

  this. Almost making me choose, between my side line and

  him. Hesitating I glanced over to the table, noticing Oliver

  watching us closely. Turning back to face Quinn, he stood,

  knocking back his drink. Tossing money onto the bar to cover

  his bill, he called out “I know, how about I make this easy for

  you. Goodnight Honey.”

  Without a second thought, doing the first thing that came into my mind, grasping Quinn’s arm, closing my eyes tightly, my

  voice filled with instant regret, I whispered “don’t go.”

  Opening my eyes to see him standing before me, his eyes

  filled with hope, he asked “and why’s that Domini?”

  Wanting to scream, feeling the strength of this hold that he

  somehow had over me.

  Reaching up to the base of his neck, trying to gain some

  balance on my tiptoes, all while pulling him into my embrace.

  Pressing my lips gently on to his, I quivered at the electricity

  pulsating throughout my veins. Hooked on to this intense

  feeling, that I had only ever felt with him. Releasing him, only

  to gaze up into his eyes and reply “because if you’re going,

  then I am coming with you.”

  Watching his smile return, taking me into his arms, he

  exhaled with relief and gasped “thank goodness, because a

  part of me thought that I would be leaving without you

  tonight.”

  Burying his head into my shoulder, he suggested “let’s get you

  home and out of those ridiculous clothes, pronto!”

  Taking Quinn’s hand, I let him lead the way, calling Marcus to

  discuss the change of plan. Wanting so badly to speak to

  Megan and talk her through all that had happened tonight.

  Arranging a meeting over at the pre-booked hotel room,

  Quinn and I headed over.

  Arriving up at the room, Marcus and Megan were already

  inside, with Megan seemingly upset that the trap hadn’t gone

  to plan. Leaving the guys at the back of the room, seated

  beside Megan, I began taking her back through this evening.

  Ensuring her that if I had been willing, at this moment in

  time, we would have been over at his studio.

  Standing before me, instantly noticing her aggression heighten to a whole new level, she called out “I knew it, the

  studio. Why didn’t I think of that, that’s where he’s been

  sneaking off to?”

  Trying my best to calm her, asking her to sit with me once

  more. Watching her settle a little, just enough to hear me out.

  I began to explain to her, that I had once been in her shoes.

  Taking her hand across the table, I begged her “forget him, I

  promise you, it hurts like hell right now, but someday

  someone will come along and show you the way. Teach you

  how you are meant to loved and treated. You have the world

  in the palm of your hand, don’t settle, go and explore. Please

  don’t allow some perverted, middle aged man, dictate your

  destiny. You are young, you are free, go and live your best

  life.”

  Watching her eyes fill with tears of happiness, she lunged at

  me across the table. Grasping me hard, she hugged me

  tightly, thanking me for showing her the light. While feeling

  the most accomplished that I had ever felt after one of these

  cases, happily we parted ways.

  Taking Quinn’s hand, we let Marcus lead the way out to the

  car. Amused at the thought of what tonight had been, Marcus

  asked “so Dom’, what did he have you draw?”

  Cringing from head to toe, I felt my whole face grimace with

  disgust. Turning to face me, Marcus stopped dead in his

  tracks, his eyes widened as he yelled “no way, he didn’t. The

  dirty little rat.”

  Laughing hysterically, Marcus’s laughter became louder,

  noticing Quinn’s anger return in the corner of my eye.

  Reaching the cars, Quinn pulled me into him, kissing me

  gently. It was then that I noticed Marcus roll his eyes and turn

  away, as Quinn asked “so Domini, your place or mine?”

  Chapter 25

  Arriving at work the following morning, accompanied by

  Ashlee, we began to prep the conference room, ready for our

  board meeting. With the whole new advertising campaign,

  resting completely on my shoulders. Trying not to let the

  pressure get to me, calming my nerves, my mind began to

  wander back to last night with Quinn. Snapping me out of my

  daze instantly, I heard Ms Hilary call out “Ms stone, are we

  ready?”

  Turning to face Ms Hilary and a fleet of directors and

  associates, giving her a nod of confidence, I replied, “yes Ms

  Hilary. We are ready.”

  Taking to the front, I began talking everyone through the new

  advertising campaign. Detailing the new direction that the

  company was planning to go, taking into consideration the

  changing times.

  Almost an hour later, concluding the entire presentation. To

  my relief, I was overjoyed to see that everyone that was sat

  before me, seemed to be quite impressed with all of our hard

  work. Noticing the pride and admiration within Ms Hilary’s

  eyes, it was then that I knew that everything that we had been

  working so hard towards, was to be a complete success.

  Watching Ms Hilary and the executives stand before us,

  applauding the demonstration that we had provided. We

  stood proud, awaiting the congratulations that I thought were

  to come.

  Instead I was left dumbfounded, when Ms Hilary suggested

  that in order for the campaign to receive a greater effect. In

  line with the new online presence that our company was going to have. Ashlee, Marcus and I were to fly to Seattle

  immediately, to a social media conference, in order to

  highlight our brand.

  Stumbling with my words, I suggested, “but Ms Hilary, the

  conference is this weekend.”

  Watching her entire face harden before me, placing her hand

  on to her hip, in front of the entire company, she asked, “yes

  Ms Stone it is, is it going to be a problem?”

  Regretting each and every word before they had even left my

  mouth, I replied, “no, Ms Hilary.”

  Lowering my head in sheer devastation, wondering how on

  earth was I going to tell Quinn that I couldn’t make Saturday

  evening. The night that he was to present the plans for the

  new community centre, to the kids and their families.

  “And Ms Stone, I think that it may be a great idea for you to

  take Jarred with you. It would be great for one of our most

  impressive faces to be showcased,” Ms Hilary stated.

  All while I could feel myself slowly die inside, knowing that

  not only did I have to explain to Quinn that I couldn’t attend

  his event. I also had to tell him that I was to be spending the

  entire weekend with Jarred.

  Moments later, in an empty conference room, Ashlee

  whispered, “I think this entire weekend is ridiculous. It’s

  sabotage, Ms Hilary is sending you away, k
nowing that you

  have history with Jarred, to get in between you and Quinn.”

  Knowing that Ashlee had hit the nail right on the head,

  agreeing with every single word, I sighed heavily and replied,

  “yep, but what am I supposed to do about it?”

  Feeling Ashlee’s arms surround me, cradling my head in her

  arms, she replied, “nothing sweetie, but it stinks!”

  Hearing Ashlee’s laptop ping, turning to look, she stated, “Ms Hilary has sent over the travel documentation, we leave at

  9:30 am, tomorrow morning.”

  Closing my eyes and slumping down on to the chair behind

  me, placing my head into my hands, I cried out “Ashlee, what

  am I going to do?”

  Heading over to Quinn’s after work, with a bag full of

  groceries, to surprise him with a freshly prepared, home

  cooked meal. Hoping that somehow my small gesture, would

  take the emphasis off the news, that I was to be spending the

  weekend away. On what could have potentially been, one of

  the most important weekends for his charity. Reaching his

  apartment door, apprehensively I knocked, trying to piece

  together all the things that I had planned to say, while on the

  drive over.

  Losing my focus instantly, as soon as he opened the door,

  pulling me into him, tossing the groceries on to the chair, he

  lifted me up and carried me towards his bedroom. Knowing

  that I couldn’t go a step further, with so much weighing in on

  my mind. Asking Quinn to put me down, I pleaded “Quinn,

  can we talk?”

  Placing me gently on to my feet, standing back and looking at

  me with confusion in his eyes. Marching into the kitchen,

  Quinn called out “am I going to need a drink for this?”

  Nodding my head, lifting my hands to gesture over to him, I

  whispered “maybe a little.”

  Handing me a tumbler of liquor, leaning against the kitchen

  counter, watching the desperation consume his entire face.

  Taking a sip from his glass, not able to bear this silence a

  second longer, impatiently Quinn begged, “please Domini,

  whatever it is, please, just spit it out.”

  Taking a deep breath, not wanting to hold this in a second longer, detailing the whole weekend, I told Quinn everything.

  Swallowing hard, Quinn placed his empty glass on to the

  counter, stepping forward, embracing me close. Feeling his