by Lisa Jackson
“No, no,” Alexa interrupted. “I’m fine. I just thought you might be Darius. I haven’t heard from him in days.”
“Maybe he’s busy,” Teressa offered.
“Maybe so,” Alexa resolved. “I sent him this custom-made invitation. It was really cute with real lace and satin.”
“Where did you get that?”
“Bernie in the design department makes them on the side.”
“I didn’t know Bernie designed cards. I’m going to have to get with her to come up with some ideas for my invitations.”
Alexa was too busy thinking about Darius to think about invitations. “I mailed it on Monday. I hope he gets it before this weekend. You know we’re supposed to meet in K.C.”
“He will. It doesn’t take mail longer than two days to get from Denver to Ohio. I should know because that’s where I send my Visa payment and they always cash that puppy two days later.”
“So, what kind of errand do you have to run?” Alexa asked, changing the subject. She didn’t want to think about Darius all day. She knew his trip was going to set him back but he had promised he would make it to Kansas City. She just hoped that everything was okay.
“I have to run by the bakery and taste some samples for the cake and I knew I better ask you to come or else I’d hear it all week.”
“You’re right!” Alexa teased. “I’ll meet you in the parking garage.”
She was about to hang up the phone when she decided to make another call to Darius’s office. The telephone rang twice before the receptionist answered.
“I’m sorry. Mr. Riverside is out in the field. Can I leave a message for him?” the nasally voiced woman asked.
“No, no message,” Alexa replied. She had called several times and knew the woman probably suspected that she was the repeat caller. She sighed as she returned the telephone’s receiver to its base. She would just have to wait to see him in Kansas City.
Alexa had really outdone herself, Darius thought as he parked his rental car in front of the Sunrise Bed & Breakfast. Located on a five-acre stretch of land, the inn was an intricately designed Victorian structure with a full wraparound porch complete with swing. Though the flowers had not made their grand appearance, he could tell that in full bloom they were probably a magnificent sight judging by the detailed landscaping. He took his garment bag off the seat and headed up the stone walk and rang the doorbell.
An older woman dressed gaily in a colorful muumuu with a matching scarf knotted on the side of her head and holding a miniature Maltese met them at the door. She introduced herself as Ms. Audrey Elmore, the owner of the establishment.
“Good morning, Mr. Riverside. I’m glad you could make it,” she greeted in a thick island accent. She stepped aside to allow Darius to enter.
The décor on the inside of the house was an eclectic mix of B. Smith meets the Caribbean. Immediately to the left of the entrance was a picturesque sitting room dressed up beautifully in bright colors of teal, orange, fuchsia and gold. Three white sofas draped with colorful throws were strategically placed in a U-shape before a decorative marble fireplace where a fired roared to life. A wide iron-framed coffee table held an assortment of hard-bound picture books and a beautiful arrangement of exotic flowers. Above the mantel was a huge ornate framed mirror. There were oil paintings depicting island life hanging on the walls along with a beautiful baby grand piano. The room was definitely inviting.
She caught Darius’s awed expression. “The sitting room is open to all guests at all times. Feel free to come down whenever you like. We have coffee and fresh rolls on the buffet every morning.” She led him upstairs to their room at the end of the hall.
“You’ll have lots of privacy back here,” she announced with a knowing twinkle in her eye.
Darius wished he could share in her joke but felt the privacy would come in handy when he handled his business. Ms. Elmore entered before him and opened the curtains to give him a full view of the room. The vivid colors used in decorating immediately caught his attention. The colors gave him the feeling of being somewhere other than Kansas City. The king-size bed was draped in a bright green, yellow and orange comforter with a delicate eyelet trim. Several colorful throw pillows of different shapes were stacked neatly against the headboard. The room also contained an armoire with television, an antique rolltop desk and a small sofa. There was a small dinette set placed in an intimate alcove with a large floor-to-ceiling bay window overlooking the garden below. Alexa had really outdone herself when she selected this locale, he thought to himself.
He sighed. He hated for such a beautiful place to go to waste, but this trip would not be ending on a positive note.
“Breakfast is at 7:30 in the morning,” Ms. Elmore announced as she breezed past. “You can have it sent up to you if you wish. Jut let me know the night before.”
“Thank you,” he replied. He placed his bag on the floor near the door.
“Enjoy,” the older woman sang as she exited the room. Walking over to the window, he stared out, without really seeing. Not wanting to sit around and wait for what was to come, Darius grabbed the keys to his car and decided to take in Kansas City. He needed to get his mind off of Alexa.
An hour after Alexa’s arrival, Darius returned. The knowing smile on Ms. Elmore’s face told him that she had checked in and was upstairs awaiting his arrival. Darius’s heart raced as he headed up the stairs towards the end of their beginning. He took a deep breath as he produced the room key from his jacket pocket and unlocked the door.
With the exception of the evening glow from the sun peeking through the sheer curtains in the alcove, the room was pretty dark. Darius tossed his keys on the dresser and started toward the bathroom when he noticed Alexa’s silhouette lying on the bed.
Alexa had tried to stay awake, but fell sleep shortly after making herself comfortable. Darius looked down at her. She really looked like an angel sleeping there with her hair fanned around her head. He almost didn’t want to disturb her, but he had to do what he had to do. He reached out and gently shook her shoulder. Her bare skin was so soft. Slowly turning down the covers, he sucked in his breath when he realized she was nude underneath. Knowing this aroused him and he considered abandoning the breakup for one last intimate encounter, but his principles won out.
“Alex.” He called out her name in a firm tone.
She stirred awake, yawning and stretching before opening her eyes.
“Darry?”
“Yes, it’s me,” he thickly replied.
She sat up, allowing the sheets to fall from her body, exposing her full bare bosom. “Hi, baby!” she cooed and rose up on her knees to give him a hug.
Alexa’s soft body coupled with her feminine scent almost weakened him. He kissed her on the cheek. “Hey,” he stiffly replied. Alexa immediately sensed something was wrong and she sat back down on the bed. “I’m sorry for falling asleep. I was exhausted from my flight.”
“It’s okay,” he assured her while trying not to be stirred by her mere presence.
She stepped off of the bed with her arms outstretched. “Welcome to Kansas City,” she purred as she stepped to him, slipping her arms around his waist. She perched up on her tiptoes and planted a soft, passion-filled kiss on his mouth. Darius, although succumbing to her physically, turned his head away.
“What’s wrong?” she asked with concern in her voice. Her question unnerved him. Something had been wrong all along and she didn’t ask him then.
“Maybe I should be asking you that question,” he shot back.
“Why?”
Darius looked into Alexa’s eyes. There were no signs of remorse. It was as if she either did not know or did not care. He shuddered at the last thought.
“I heard some disturbing news last week,” he began, pacing the floor. “What I heard involved us and I want to, need to clear things up for good today.”
The tone of his voice signaled to Alexa that what he was discussing was serious and she reached for her rob
e.
Darius glanced up into her eyes for they told all. He wanted a straight answer and he wanted one today. “I heard that your job is transferring you to New York. Now when I heard this, I was thinking, I know after all we’ve been through, Alexa wouldn’t accept a job without even consulting her husband. I would just like to know if this is true. Tell me that it’s not.”
Darius’s gentle plea made her shoulders slump with guilt. Judging by her response, he knew that Reggie’s words were true. He needed to know for himself.
He also wanted to hear her claim it verbally. “So, is it a lie?”
Alexa’s mouth moved, but no words came out.
“Alexa?” He called out her name sternly.
“It’s true,” she finally whispered, lowering her head in defeat.
“Damn,” he cursed under his breath, turning away from her. A barrage of emotions attacked him like bees to honey. Tears clouded his eyes, but he was not going to give her the satisfaction. Not this time.
Alexa ran to him immediately and touched her hands to his chest. “But baby, let me explain.”
“Explain what, Alex? I don’t know what kind of game you’re trying to play, but this time you won’t win!” he shouted angrily, flinging her hands away from him. He stomped across the room only to turn around and rush back. “I am so damn sick of coming in second place to your job. You act like Marks-St. Claire is your entire world!”
“Darius, no, don’t do this,” she pleaded, tears pooling in her eyes.
“What was this all about?” he asked, surveying the room with a sweep of his arm. “Was this an attempt to appease me? Am I worth anything to you?” Each of his words cut her like a knife. “What were you planning on doing? Seduce me silly like you did last time then get up in the middle of the night and disappear? Well, guess what? I am foiling your plans. I will walk out of here with my dignity intact, which is much more than I can say for you!” Darius picked up his bags and headed for the door.
In a flash, Alexa seized his arm. “No, Darius, please let me explain.”
Darius moved her to the side. “No, I’m tired of explanations. I’m tired of giving myself to you and not getting the same in return.” He opened the door. For a moment he paused when he realized what was about to transpire. This was the last thing he wanted to do, but he had no choice. The scenario that took place nine years ago, could not repeat itself. Immediately, those loathsome feelings of hurt, anger and nausea swirled in his chest. He hated the feelings and had believed that they were behind him once and for all. He turned around to face Alexa with a solemn expression on his face.
“When I asked you to marry me, I thought it was because you had changed and that we deserved a second chance. Since you can’t be the type of woman that I love and need in my life then I say we end this right here, right now. I’ll file the papers for divorce first thing when I get back to Ohio.” With that said, he opened the door and closed it quietly behind him.
Chapter 21
Alexa placed her Coach carry-on and purse on the conveyor belt to be scanned by airport security. She stepped through the frame of the metal detector and sighed, grateful that the small silver buckle on the belt in her jeans did not set the alarms off. The airport had a way of making people feel like criminals with those wands and she wasn’t in the mood to be searched.
She picked up her purse and bag as they rolled through the dangling plastic slats on the conveyor belt and turned to meet the others at the gate. With her eyes hidden behind the dark sunglasses, she hoped she gave off the impression that she wished to be left alone. She made no sign that she was aware of anyone except herself in her little world. The ache in her heart consumed her, making her think on little else and she knew it would be a long time before the pain went away.
Once she gathered up the strength to stop crying Alexa had tried to look at the situation from Darius’s perspective. It was then that she realized she should have handled matters differently. Darius was right, she should have told him about the promotion right away as they were trying to bring their lives together, not tear them apart. Now, he was out of her life and to her fear, for good.
His harsh words came to mind sending her back to the scene at the bed-and-breakfast. Upon Darius’s departure, Ms. Elmore came rushing to the door moments later to offer consolation. “Are you okay, sweetie?” she asked. Alex couldn’t even respond because she was broken. Although the older woman tried to convince her to stay the whole weekend, Alexa declined. She didn’t think her mind would be clear and ended up checking out that evening.
After paying for the room, Ms. Elmore saw her to the door. Although Alexa had just met her, she could sense a loving and compassionate nature from the older woman, which was what she needed.
“Don’t fret none, honey,” Ms. Elmore offered with a hug. “Although it may not look like it, God is in control.” She pointed to the sky.
“Thank you, Ms. Elmore,” Alexa murmured. When she pulled back, she placed the tickets to the show that she would be missing again into the older woman’s palm.
Before she realized it, Alexa was approaching gate twelve where her flight was headed to Chicago and onward to New York. Had the situation with Darius not occurred and everything was in order, Alexa would be exhilarated at the thought of fulfilling her destiny with Radiance, but today she was not feeling the whole project. One minute she was on top of the world. She had a dream career and was married to the one true love of her life and the next minute, the whole life she had dreamed about was now an illusion.
“Good morning, Alexa,” Tia said, interrupting her thoughts.
The airport was quiet at 5:30 in the morning. Alexa preferred the early flights and was accustomed to the early morning commuters shuffling along in their own worlds, trying to balance a cup of coffee while reading the Journal.
Alexa glanced up to see Tia Perez sitting there. “Hi, Tia.”
“Are you in disguise?” Tia asked, pointing to the dark glasses. The sun wasn’t even out yet.
“I’m fine. Just tired,” Alexa replied. She took a moment to slip the scarf from her sleek hair. However, the glasses remained, as she wanted to hide her tear-swollen eyes.
“I know the feeling. Morning flights just aren’t my thing, but I made an exception today. I’m excited about the magazine!”
“Yep, it’s finally here,”
Alexa replied, with a hint of cynicism. Tia gave her a questioning glance, which Alexa ignored. Instead, she retrieved a book from her bag. It was a romance by a hot new writer, Kim Louise. Alexa liked Louise’s style because she could identify with her resilient female protagonists. Her books typically centered on professional women with hurtful pasts where they triumphed. Her latest novel featured a character named Sabin Strong who was entwined in a delicate romantic situation. Alexa had started reading the novel the night before and was eager to pick up where she left off. She wasn’t in the mood for conversation and hoped that the others would sense this and leave her alone.
One by one the remainder of their group arrived and before Alexa knew it, they were being called to board the plane.
“So, son, how is your love life?”
Darius paused. His mother’s question was unexpected. It was just one week ago that he had shared his news of his situation with Alexa. The excitement that she displayed despite the fact that her son had eloped was surprising. She was thrilled that her son had reunited with his first love and looked forward to meeting her new daughter-in-law. Darius had planned on the two of them making a visit to Detroit for that purpose. Now he was embarrassed to tell her that the meeting would not take place after all.
“A mess,” he quietly replied.
“Why?” she gasped. “What happened since we last talked?”
The two were seated at the kitchen table eating homemade apple pie and drinking coffee.
Darius gulped and began recounting the events leading up to the trip to Kansas City. “I thought this time we got things right. I thought us getting marr
ied would mean Alexa would not take our love for granted again, but I guess I was wrong.”
His mother showed remarkable calm as she sat up in her seat positioning herself to lecture. “I know you are a grown man, but you can’t go around treating marriage like a light switch, son.”
“I love her and I wanted to prove it by going all the way. I just couldn’t have her going back to Denver without some kind of connection to me.”
She shook her head. “Son, it sounds like you married Alexa for selfish reasons.
“How can you say that?” he quickly replied. “She was being selfish by putting that job before us.”
“I know it sounds far-fetched, but trust me. I am a woman. I know these things. When a man asks a woman to marry him, it is serious. A proposal is something that all women long to hear and it’s not to be taken lightly. Maybe she wasn’t ready to get married and did it out of fear of losing you, who knows? I think you should have allowed things to progress naturally.”
“Mom, we already knew each other for nine years. I was just picking up where we left off.”
“Where you left off you were children,” she pointed out. “Now you are adults who have built lives separate from each other complete with jobs and other relationships. You must take that into consideration.”
Darius paused. He hadn’t thought of that. Sean was a presence in Alexa’s life after they were together. He remembered Alexa telling him how humiliating it was for her when Sean stood her up at the altar. That level of rejection could have long-term damaging effects on anyone.
“I guess I didn’t consider that.”
“Do you still love her?”
“Of course,” he blurted out. “But I can’t leave myself open like that again. I may be a man, but my feelings run deep, too.”
“Give her time. If her love for you is as strong as you say, then she’ll come back to you. Remember, real love doesn’t stray too far or too long before it comes back home.”
Darius studied the wise expression on his mother’s face. “Well, Mama, I’m not sitting around waiting for that to be the case. In June, I will be moving back to Detroit to start up that systems consultant business that Bryant and I have been talking about for years.”