Twisted Vows of Seduction

by N’Tyse

  After feeling like the Dallas Cowboys in a major comeback game, she stood up to grab the paperwork off the printer.

  As she strolled past him, he grabbed her by the wrist.

  “My wife cannot find out about this!” His posture changed, his skin felt clammy, and his voice was shaky from nerves, or sheer desperation.

  Nadine roughly jerked her arm away from him and shot him a blistering look. “Don’t worry. I’m not in the business of spilling people’s secrets,” she said in a hushed tone. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to wrap this up so that I may prepare for my next appointment.”

  16

  “I try not to pry or meddle in folks’ personal or business affairs,” Nadine said, taking another bite of the Healthy Choice grilled chicken and linguine frozen entree. “But I had to throw him under that bus with me. His arrogant ass deserved it,” she chortled. She had been on the call with her Aunt Mickey for the entire lunch hour. She had only called to check up on her, but the call turned into her filling her in on her crazy weekend, leading up to today.

  “I can’t help but wonder who that negro in cahoots with?” Aunt Mickey said.

  “Not sure and I couldn’t care less about who he’s doing and screwing. It’s just seeing him brought back a lot of bad memories.” She took a deep breath as if in deeper thought. “And then to see him twice in one week. I don’t know, it’s just so weird.” She got quiet. “I could be overanalyzing this. You know how I am sometimes.”

  “I would bet that he’s cheating on his wife again,” her Aunt Mickey speculated further. She had landed at that assumption right away.

  “He’s such a slime bag. He makes my skin crawl every time I see him,” Nadine said. “And it makes me wonder what Denise ever saw in him.” After Nadine realized what she had just said, she closed her eyes in contempt.

  “Hell, I can answer you that. Money, honey!” Aunt Mickey blurted, followed by a hearty laugh. “But whatever the old sneaky rat has up his sleeve, know that it won’t be long before it hits the fan. Because what’s done in the dark, always comes to the light,” she mused. “And I’ll put that on a Don King haircut.”

  They both laughed and then Nadine grew so quiet she could hear her Aunt Mickey’s television in the background. She was watching her favorite game show, Family Feud. While discussing Greg’s business transaction was totally against her company’s practices, Nadine felt as though she had to tell her aunt about this one.

  “I’ve decided I’m never getting married,” she blurted. “I’m not putting myself through that.”

  “Get off my phone with that nonsense!”

  “No, I’m serious, Aunt Mickey. It seems that every man I meet turns out to be either unavailable, gayer than a snapping turtle, afraid of commitment, or just a plain old dirty dog. And that’s dog with a capital D!”

  “You just haven’t met the right one that’s all. Not all men are like that so don’t go putting them in the same box. I think you should try that harmony dating service. You never know, your husband might be a mouse click away.”

  “Heck no! I’m definitely not that desperate.”

  “Suit yourself. I met my new beau online,” her aunt teased.

  “What. Are you serious?”

  “Ha, ha, ha. No. But I sure did think about it.”

  “Humph. Well, I’m glad you came to your senses because the last thing I need you calling to tell me is that your online beau turned out to be a psychopath.”

  “You worry too damn much. You’re young. Live your life and stop worrying so much!”

  “That’s easier said than done.”

  “So you’re going to let one man keep you from finding happiness, Nadine. We’ve all been hurt before. It’s how you deal with it and where you go from there.”

  “I didn’t expect for my life to turn out like this.” She paused for thought as her emotions began to surge.

  “What is it about your life that is so bad? You have the job of your dreams, your health is good, and you’ve been blessed with one of God’s most precious gifts. You have so much to be thankful for, baby.”

  “And I am thankful.”

  “Well, what is it that’s really bothering you?”

  Nadine stopped altogether. She told herself she wouldn’t do this time and time again. That she would just move on with her life and accept things for what they were. She laughed to keep from crying.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Even in pain, I still love him. I think that’s what bothers me the most.”

  They both got quiet.

  “Did you go see that lady I told you about?”

  Nadine had hoped her aunt wouldn’t bring up the woman she’d been begging her to go see.

  “Nadine, are you there?”

  “I’m here, Aunt Mickey.”

  “Did you go see the woman?”

  “I really don’t think a psychic is what I need right now.”

  “She’s not a psychic. She’s a prophet,” Aunt Mickey said. “This woman told me things that nobody knew, but me and God. She revealed something to me that…”

  “Oh wow, look at the time,” Nadine said, cutting her aunt short. “I better get going. I have a two o’clock conference call that I absolutely cannot be late for.”

  “Well, all right, honey. Thanks for calling and give my grand-nephew a huge kiss for me!”

  “I will. I love you.”

  “I love you too, baby.”

  Nadine disconnected the call, finished off her black tea, and retreated back to her office. She considered calling the woman her Aunt Mickey had told her about but couldn’t help wondering what this woman could possibly tell her about her own life that she didn’t already know. Her aunt had insisted she call for clarity, telling her the woman was spiritually gifted. But Nadine never believed in psychics and fortunetellers. To her belief, they weren’t real and were only out to deceive people by taking advantage of their vulnerabilities. It was merely entertaining to think of someone trying to read someone’s mind or predict their future. Impossible, she thought. It was as comical as the daily horoscopes she received on Facebook that hardly ever applied to her own life.

  The complexities of life in general was enough to sink anyone into a state of mental tyranny, but add a spiraling twisted affair, a baby, and an unforeseen heartbreak to the mix and you had Nadine’s life in a nutshell. It was the not so cookie-cutter version.

  Nadine would admit at the drop of a dime that she was still very much in love with her child’s father, but he didn’t reciprocate her feelings. She knew this woman was only going to remind her that she was creating more pain for herself by entertaining these toxic feelings that she subconsciously disguised as hope. While a part of her wanted to stop chasing Jeff, quit cold turkey and move on with her life, her forlorn heart pleaded for more time, patience, and faith. Something she was losing more of by the minute.

  After her conference call, Nadine carefully scrolled through the numbers in her cell phone. When she found the woman’s number her aunt had given her, she dialed it. What harm could it do? she thought. Figuring she could use some uplifting news after her hellacious weekend, even if it was all a lie.

  “This is Zeola,” the woman answered in a singsong-like voice that made her Jamaican English extremely pleasant to hear.

  “Hi, Ms. Zeola,” Nadine began, oblivious of the woman’s last name. “My name is Nadine and I was given your number by my aunt, Mickey Collins.”

  Zeola didn’t respond right away which started Nadine to worrying. “Mickey? Hmmm…the name…doesn’t…really…ring…a…bell.”

  Nadine could tell Zeola was cycling through her memory.

  “Wait! I do believe I remember her. Yessss!” She started laughing. “We met at a gospel convention I attended a few months ago in Atlanta,” she stated. “I remember her quite well now actually. She’s the one that sat on the front row. Ha, ha, ha. She wore a big fancy purple hat that day.”

  Nadine laughed softly. “Yes. Th
at would be Aunt Mickey.” All of Georgia should have known and recognized her aunt from a mile away. She had a very eclectic style for fashion and it was all designed and created by Mickey Clothiers, a home-based clothing and accessory boutique that she’d started shortly after her late husband had died. But even before, Aunt Mickey was acknowledged by many as the best seamstress in Atlanta. She was even called if anyone needed extra help.

  “Nice woman, your aunt is,” Zeola said.

  “Thank you,” Nadine grinned. “I called because I was hoping I could meet with you this evening.”

  “For a session?”

  Nadine hesitated. She had to remind herself to have an open mind about all of this. Even as wild and extreme as it might have seemed, she believed she would enjoy this.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Now I must warn you that I don’t share my gift with everybody,” Zeola said. “Many believe it’s a hoax and therefore do not take my readings seriously.”

  Nadine was dead silent. Maybe the woman was trying to read her right now, she thought.

  “But…I’m sensing some confusion with you. You’re searching for clarity of your life.” Zeola paused. “Is this true, Nadine?”

  Nadine blinked her eyes a couple of times and looked around her spacious office. She was obviously all alone, but she felt like the woman was sitting right there in the room with her. A twinge of doubt washed over her, but she couldn’t resist the urge to hear what this woman had to say. “Yes,” she replied, hoping Zeola didn’t detect her skepticism.

  “You’re already very interesting, but I look forward to meeting you in person,” Zeola said, just before rattling off her address.

  Consumed with jitters, Nadine looked down at the woman’s address, then tucked the piece of paper in her purse. She looked forward to the meeting even more now. She thought about the first question she would ask Zeola. Wondered if it made any sense at all to keep entertaining that tiny seed of hope that she and Jeff could rekindle the love they once shared.

  Her eyes reverted to the computer screen, although her mind was elsewhere. The more she tried to suppress what was really bothering her, the more she made herself out to be delusional. She grabbed a Kleenex off her credenza and blotted the corners of her eyes. He deserves to be happy, she thought. But why wasn’t she the woman he was marrying? What was so special about this Ménage? Nadine’s soul ached for his love and her body longed for his touch. She blotted her eyes again, careful to not ruin her makeup. She still had another client to see. Just as she tossed her tissue in the wastebasket, Belinda walked through the door carrying a huge bouquet of lavender roses, a gift bag, and a smile as wide as a Cheshire cat.

  “Looks like somebody’s been holding out on me,” Belinda said, a serious swing in her gait as she carried the large clear vase and bag over to Nadine’s desk.

  Nadine shot her a perplexed look. “Is this for me?” she asked as Belinda positioned the bag and bouquet directly in front of her.

  “Has your name all over it.” Belinda smiled. As she stood there in anticipation, she began chanting, “Open, open, open!”

  Nadine stood up and took a seat on the edge of the front of her desk. She pulled out a single rose and sniffed it. “Does it say who they’re from?”

  Belinda shrugged her shoulders. “I didn’t check, but I’m sure he has his name right…in there,” she said anxiously, pointing to the red envelope affixed on top.

  Nadine’s forehead crinkled as she pulled the envelope off the clip and tore it open.

  “Soooo…who do I give these brownie points to?” Belinda inquired.

  Nadine began reading the card silently at first. She then read it again for Belinda to hear:

  “It’s very rare that I find a woman that makes my heart stop with just one glance. Since the moment I laid eyes on you, I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind. I have to see you again. If you are available, and I sure as hell pray that you are, please do me the honor and join me for dinner.”

  Belinda smiled and pumped her fists in excitement. “She has a winner!”

  “Ha, ha, ha!”

  Below the note were the meeting details but no name. “I’m not sure who it’s from,” Nadine said. “There’s no name.”

  “Hmm. Must be somebody very special to not leave his name. Unless…” She raised an arched brow and tilted her head. “You have an admirer.”

  Nadine blushed mischievously. “I strongly doubt that,” she said, waving off the thought of it. She peeked inside the bag and pulled out a bottle of red wine.

  “You never know,” Belinda said in her pleasantly light voice. She leaned in to inhale the roses once again. “I’m jealous!” She laughed. Nadine laughed along with her. “There seems to be a shortage of good men and judging by this guy’s chivalry, I’d go out on a limb and say he might be a keeper.” She stretched her neck out some in an effort to get a glimpse of the name on the bottle. “Definitely worth putting on the books. And if he looks as good as that tastes, you’ve struck gold, baby!”

  Nadine fingered the rose as she sifted through her thoughts. Outside of her clients, she couldn’t think of one person her gifts could have come from. Not one. She couldn’t help but crack a smile as her eyes shot back up at Belinda. “Do you think Mr. McCormick sent it?”

  Belinda’s eyes practically popped out of their sockets. “Seventy-three-year-old Mr. McCormick?” she asked, frowning as if having to repeat it sounded more worse than the thought.

  “Well, he’s always felt the need to express to me that he has a thing for beautiful brown women. He’s the first person that came to mind.”

  Belinda looked as if she had a bad case of bubble guts.

  “Maybe it’s time I broadened my horizons,” Nadine said.

  Belinda looked on unbelievingly at Nadine. “Can somebody say Geritol and Viagra! Ha, ha, ha…”

  “Ha, ha, ha! You are so crazy!”

  Belinda struggled to catch her breath. “Would you seriously date a white man that old?” she asked.

  Nadine stood up and rounded her desk to sit back in the chair. “A white man, yes. An old man, I highly doubt it.”

  “Afraid he’ll croak on you?”

  Nadine gave her a frivolous grin. “I’m more afraid his little blue pill will stop working.” They both burst into an inconspicuous fit of hilarity, but little did Belinda know, Nadine was serious as a heart attack. “Just kidding girl,” she lied dismissingly, realizing how big of an undercover freak it made her sound. The last thing she needed was to be exposing herself.

  Belinda’s laughter continued as she fanned the tears from her eyes. “You are a trip!” she exclaimed.

  Nadine returned a warm smile. While Belinda was only with the firm part-time until Tonya returned from leave, Nadine really enjoyed having her around. She had only been with the company for a couple of months, but the two of them got along like old girlfriends.

  “Well, I better get back up front before the phones start going crazy again,” Belinda said, regaining her composure.

  “All right. I think I’m going to wrap it up in about another hour or so. I have an appointment outside of the office.”

  “Oh, all right. I’ll hold all your calls.”

  “Thank you.” Nadine smiled, as Belinda turned to leave. She could hear the clacking of her Miu Miu plum suede peep-toe pumps, receding down the corridor. Staring at the bottle, Nadine could almost taste the wine on her tongue. She reflected back on what had taken place the last time she’d had one too many glasses. She permitted her spinning untamed thoughts to escort her down memory lane once again. She missed the smell of Jeff’s cologne, the warm sensual caress of his hands, the glide of his tongue, and the ride of his dick. She was going through withdrawal and with a sex drive as high as hers, her celibacy vow now seemed more like a self-deprecating joke. She had gone a full three weeks to date without engaging in any sexual act whatsoever. Not even the fine art of masturbation. It sure as hell wasn’t easy, but she recalled what she
had heard someone say: “It’s hard as hell going cold turkey. You have to wean yourself off good dick.” But the weaning part was still a challenge for Nadine because she didn’t know how to detach her feelings from sex. In the beginning she could, but it didn’t seem to work the same way anymore.

  Nadine flirted with temptation but didn’t want to renege on her promise. Although in the back of her horny mind, she couldn’t help but think that all it would take is one call to turn things around and put her out of her sexual frustration.

  She looked over at her cell phone. Her fingers impatiently tapped at the desk while her pussy remained eagerly on standby. For one night of passion she felt she could look over their petty arguments and disagreements, and maybe even the idea of him being engaged to someone else. That’s if it were even true since she had yet to hear it from the horse’s mouth. She needed one last time for old time’s sake. One last time…for closure.

  She picked up the phone and placed the call. She looked back over at the roses and the wine. Am I really ready to move on? she asked herself.

  The phone rang several times before he finally answered.

  “Jeff speaking.”

  Nadine took in a short breath. “Good afternoon. I was calling… to…ask you to help me with something,” she began. Just one quick and simple plea for closure and her pussy could be back in the Kentucky Derby. She searched for the right words, feeling somewhat ashamed for betraying her personal commitment.

  “After sitting here thinking, I’ve come to realize that I need some type of clo—”

  Jeff cut her smack off. “What’s up, Nadine, because you caught me at a really bad time?” In only a matter of seconds, he killed the little bit of sexual energy she still had left. The contemplation of going back down that road with Jeff had been short-lived as she quickly got a grip on her common sense. She cleared her throat. “I apologize for disturbing you. I wanted to see if you could pick up Canvas from the daycare. I have a late appointment and I don’t believe I’ll make it in time.”