Power, Seduction & Scandal

by Angela Winters

  “Excuse me?”

  “She’s a legislative aide on the Hill and she wants to be a lobbyist. I told her she can go work for your husband.”

  “So you told her that, huh?” Sherise asked. “Too bad you’re going to have to break it to her that he’s not hiring.”

  “I promised her.”

  “I don’t care what you promised her,” Sherise said. “My husband and I don’t fuck with each other’s jobs, Maurice. Justin hires who he wants.”

  “And he’ll want to hire her,” Maurice said. “She’s young and pretty. That’s all a girl needs to be in order to make it in lobbying.”

  “In your world maybe.” Sherise stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the lobby. “But in the real world, where the rest of us live, you need actual talent.”

  “Which I’m sure she has.” Maurice was busy scrolling on his phone. “She’s my sister, after all.”

  “Poor girl.”

  “I’ll ignore that.” Maurice stepped out into the lobby. “I’m sure you can catch a cab out there.”

  “Are you serious?” Sherise asked. “You really expect me to do this? I’m not a headhunter, Maurice.”

  As soon as they reached the revolving door of the building, Maurice turned to her. “Sherise, I know you can convince any man of anything.”

  “Go fuck yourself,” she said.

  “Speaking of which,” he answered back, unfazed by her insult, “with that body and what I suspect are your skills, I’m sure you’ll figure out a way to get your husband to do whatever you want.”

  Without thinking, Sherise reached out and slapped him in the face. There were a few people in the lobby and everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at them.

  Maurice barely blinked and recovered quickly with a wide smile on his face. “You are a fiery one, aren’t you?”

  “I’ll turn a lot more than fiery if you ever talk to me like that again,” Sherise warned. “I’m not some intimidated twenty-two-year-old assistant who feels ashamed when you pat her butt.”

  “I know you’re not,” he responded. “That’s why I find you so sexy, Sherise. You’re a firecracker and a nutcracker in one. That’s as sexy as a woman gets.”

  He reached for the door and opened it. Before stepping out, he turned to her and added, “I look forward to getting slapped by you again.”

  Sherise’s hands were clenched in fists as he walked along the sidewalk and got into the driven car. She prayed for a giant anvil to drop from the building and smash the car like in the cartoons she watched as a child. She didn’t just want this man out of a job. She wanted him dead.

  But there was one thing that made Sherise calm down. She needed the truth and she had a feeling that Maurice was the only way she was going to get it. He was a born fuckup and there wasn’t any reason why he wouldn’t be the same with whatever arrangement he’d made with Jerry.

  Sherise had come so far in life that she had believed finally all she had to do was be great at her job to get things done. But Maurice changed that. He was forcing her to go back to her old ways. He was a pig and he was clearly attracted to her. The thought of it made her sick, but she would have to use that to her advantage to get what she needed from him.

  When Billie showed up at Asia54 on P Street, she walked in on a scene that didn’t sit at all well with her. She was downright pissed. The waitress led her to a table across from the bar where she saw little Duncan sitting between Michael and Darina, both parents doting on him and all three laughing.

  Like a cute little family.

  Michael had asked her to meet him there for dinner. He never mentioned anyone else. Besides, Billie knew she was only about ten minutes late, but it looked like they’d been there for a long time. Had Michael given her the wrong time so he could spend time with Darina and Duncan without her? Why didn’t he tell her?

  Stop it, she told herself. She was being paranoid. She couldn’t do that. Still, she couldn’t help but be bothered by what she saw.

  “Hi, everyone!” she said loudly, as it was clear not one of them noticed her walk up.

  When Michael looked up, he smiled, getting out of his seat to greet her. When he reached her, he leaned forward and kissed her on her lips.

  “Hey, baby,” he said.

  “What’s going on?” Billie asked. “I thought it was going to be just you and me.”

  “I know,” he explained, “but I invited the two of them. They’re leaving soon and I just wanted to spend some more time with him.”

  “You mean the two of them?” she asked.

  “Well, I guess, yeah. She goes where he goes.”

  “I wish you’d told me,” Billie said. “I brought some wedding prep stuff to go over.”

  “We have time for that,” he said. “He’s leaving soon, Billie. You understand.”

  She really didn’t have much choice but to understand, did she?

  “How long have you been here?” she asked, even though she hated herself for doing so.

  “Just a few minutes before you,” he answered. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she lied with a sweet smile.

  Billie turned to Darina and thought she caught a glimpse of a frown as the woman watched the two of them show affection.

  “Hi, Darina,” she said kindly.

  “Hey, girl.” Darina smiled widely. “You don’t mind us joining you, do you?”

  “Of course not.” Billie walked over to the table and placed the bag of wedding magazines in the chair next to her purse. “Hey, Duncan.”

  The young boy greeted her with a sweet smile and a wave. He was really, very cute and Billie knew she’d have no problem coming to like him if things turned out to be as Michael suspected.

  “You look nice,” Darina said. “Doesn’t she look . . . professional, Duncan?”

  Duncan nodded and Billie smiled appreciatively, although she suspected there was a hidden dig there. Darina didn’t respect the corporate life at all. Was this her game? To seem extra sweet with veiled insults?

  “Have you ordered yet?” Billie asked.

  “We did,” Darina said. “It’s my fault. I didn’t expect you to be here this early. You corporate ladies are usually so busy with your jobs that it’s hard for you to get anywhere on time and Duncan was hungry.”

  Billie looked at Michael, wondering if he noticed the not-so-thinly-veiled part of that insult, but he was focused on Duncan, not paying attention to either of them. This was going to be a long dinner.

  “I need a drink,” Billie said, before turning and heading to the bar.

  “What can I get you?” the pretty, black-haired woman behind the counter asked.

  “An apple martini,” Billie said, but just as the woman reached for a metal shaker, she changed her mind. “You know what? Make that a Jack Daniel’s on the rocks.”

  The bartender smiled and reached for the whiskey.

  Billie barely had time to catch her breath before Darina slid up to her at the bar.

  “We ordered a ton of sushi,” Darina said. “There should be enough for you unless you want to order something for yourself.”

  “I’ll be fine.” Billie pretended to focus on getting cash out of her wallet to avoid eye contact.

  “I noticed you had other plans for dinner tonight,” Darina said.

  Billie looked at her. “Excuse me?”

  “I sneaked a peek in your bag.” She feigned guilt. “I’m sorry. I’m usually not so nosy, but I noticed the bridal magazines.”

  The nerve of this woman. Looking through Billie’s things and then trying to play it off so Billie looked like the bad guy for getting mad at her.

  “No problem,” Billie said, noting the surprise her careless tone evoked from Darina.

  Did she actually think she was going to goad Billie into getting upset and making a fool of herself in front of Michael?

  “We have plenty of time for wedding planning,” Billie continued. “Duncan is what’s important right now.
”

  Truth be told, Billie thought, finding out the truth about paternity was what was most important now. If only that damn lab would speed things up.

  “Look, Billie.” Darina reached over and placed her hand over Billie’s as it lay on the bar’s counter.

  Billie looked down at her hand, the gesture feeling extremely contrived and fake to her. Billie looked back and could see that Michael was looking at them. Of course, that was the only reason for the gesture. This woman was good.

  “I know,” Darina continued, “that this situation isn’t easy for you. I can understand you feeling a little threatened.”

  Knowing that two can play that game, Billie reached over and placed her hand on top of Darina’s, her mouth forming the sweetest smile she could muster.

  “That’s so kind of you to be worried about me,” she said. “But you don’t need to be. I’m not at all threatened. Michael loves me completely and has gone out of his way to assure me that nothing will come between us and our wedding.”

  “Has he?” Darina asked. “That’s so good. Because, like I told you, I’m not here for Michael or his money. All I want is for Duncan to know his father.”

  “Now,” Billie added.

  “Now?”

  “All you want now is for Duncan to know his father,” Billie said. “After eight years. Darina, you have to understand how confusing this is for Michael. And me, for that matter.”

  “I think I’ve explained that.” Darina’s voice hinted at a slight irritation.

  Billie removed her right hand from atop Darina’s to take hold of her drink. “You said that you didn’t want to bother Michael as he was starting his business and you had concerns about the influence of Michael’s desire to join the capitalist world.”

  She took a sip as Darina studied her. She was calling bullshit on her and Darina had a choice to stick with her story or adjust. What was she going to do?

  “You’re right.” Darina smiled softly, as if she wasn’t interested in any resistance. “Those factors played a role, but a smaller role than I’d like to believe.”

  “What was the main reason?” Billie asked.

  “I think you know the answer to that,” Darina responded. “I was in a relationship at the time. I was happy with Marcus. He wanted to get married when we found out I was pregnant. He was a great father to Duncan while we were together. I wanted to keep things fluid. Simple is best for children.”

  “But simple doesn’t always equal right.”

  Darina’s pretense of kindness disappeared in an instant as she snapped, “I know that.”

  In a second, she caught herself and the façade returned. But it was too late. Billie had already seen the real Darina.

  “I’m sure we’ll be able to work it all out,” Darina said. “After all, if you two will be moving to Atlanta, we might even be able to become friends.”

  “You’re moving to Atlanta?” Billie asked. “I thought you . . .”

  “I forgot to mention it?” Darina asked. “Part of all of this is not just to get Duncan to know his father, but Michael’s whole family. We’ve already gotten an apartment there.”

  “It’s not a done deal that Michael and I are moving to Atlanta,” Billie said. “I’m sure he’s told you that.”

  Darina nodded and looked down at her hand, which had stayed on top on Billie’s left hand. She looked at the engagement ring on Billie’s finger for a couple of seconds before looking back at Billie.

  “Nothing is a done deal,” she said, “until it’s done.”

  She slowly turned and walked away, seeming satisfied that her message was received. Billie turned and watched her join Michael and Duncan, smiling and laughing like she hadn’t just insinuated that Billie and Michael’s wedding might never happen.

  Michael looked up and waved for Billie to join them. She loved him dearly, but he was being a fool, and now that she knew what this bitch’s game was, Billie was going to have to get Michael up to speed. Not tonight, of course. This wasn’t the time. Tonight she could play Darina’s game and smile, being sweet and friendly.

  Tomorrow would be another story.

  Erica had only been in her office for ten minutes when she felt the desire to do a little shopping. She’d seen a woman on the street on her way over here wearing a pair of Gucci glasses that she had to have. She took a picture of the woman without her noticing and was now looking for the pair online.

  She thought she’d just found them at the Gucci website for $325 and was about to zoom in when her office door swung open and an angry Justin came inside.

  “Where the hell have you been?” he asked.

  “I’m sorry I was late,” Erica said. “I just couldn’t get things together this morning.”

  That wasn’t exactly the truth. She’d spent last night in a fancy hotel room with Corey. After asking to meet him in the lobby bar for drinks, she surprised him with her hotel key card and they went upstairs. They made love for hours before ordering dinner and wine.

  Like the last time Corey demanded some truth about her situation, she tried to distract him with sex. It didn’t work last night. So she lied. She told him it was her Christmas bonus and stuffed his face with chocolate-covered strawberries.

  She had a headache when she got up in the morning and, in all honesty, didn’t want to get out of that warm, soft bed.

  “I’m here now,” Erica said. “I’ve got everything under control.”

  “That doesn’t do me any good!” Justin yelled. “I had to do all my prep for this morning’s meeting in the Hart Building!”

  “That can’t be right,” Erica said. “I prepped all of that on Friday.”

  “You prepped it wrong.” Justin came around her side of the desk and showed her his tablet. “Look at these notes. These are for the afternoon meeting in the Russell Building. You mixed them up.”

  “I did?” Erica asked even though it was clear from the notes on his screen that she had. “I’m sorry, I’ve had a lot—”

  “Shopping?” he asked, looking at the sunglasses on her computer screen. “You come in late and the first thing you think of to do is shop?”

  “I was just . . .” Erica quickly minimized the page.

  “What is the matter with you, Erica? You’re fucking up left and right just as this business is going nuts. I can’t rely on you anymore.”

  “Justin, it was one mistake.” She found his attitude annoying.

  “It wasn’t just one mistake,” he told her. “You fucked up my notes. Not to mention, the notes you gave me had a ton of errors in them. Add to that you were late this morning. Last Friday, you left early without telling me. I was looking for you.”

  “Okay, okay,” Erica said. “I get it. I messed up. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry,” he snapped. “Just fix it. Now. I have to get on a conference call, but I want the afternoon notes put together, without errors, in an hour.”

  “Okay, I’ll . . .” She looked at the time on her screen. “Oh wait, I can’t.”

  “What do you mean you can’t?”

  “Corey is gonna be here in a few minutes. He’s taking me to meet his friends at—”

  “Fuck Corey,” Justin yelled. “You think you can show up late and then turn around and leave?”

  “I wasn’t aware that I was this late. Time just got away from me.”

  “Well, get it back,” Justin ordered. “Corey is canceled. Get to work and tighten your shit up, Erica.”

  “I’m not your minion,” Erica stated as she shot up from her chair.

  “What?” Justin asked.

  “You can’t talk down to me like that,” she insisted. “You’re so fucking condescending, Justin!”

  “You know what I am?” Justin said. “I’m your boss and if you—”

  “I’m not some factory worker in Venezuela,” she argued. “I’m a professional and I deserve to be treated like one!”

  “Professionals show up for work on time,” Justin said. “They get the
ir work done and you’re not doing either, so I’m treating you exactly right from where I stand.”

  “On your damn high horse!” she yelled. “I’m sick of being treated like a house slave.”

  “A house slave?” Justin laughed out loud. “Are you fucking kidding me? I pay you a decent wage for—”

  “Decent?” This time Erica laughed. “You pay yourself a decent wage, Justin. You pay me crap.”

  “Erica, you’re acting like Cady. I don’t have time for this. Do your job!”

  “What job?” She reached into her drawer and grabbed her new Burberry purse. “I don’t have a job here. I quit.”

  “What?” Justin asked as she walked past him.

  “I quit, Justin.” She headed out of the door. “I don’t need this job or your bullshit!”

  “Erica, stop!”

  She could hear him following her, but she didn’t stop because he told her to. She stopped because the second she entered the lobby, she came face-to-face with Corey. The look on his face was stark confusion.

  “What is going on?” he asked. “I could hear you and Justin yelling all the way from here.”

  “This is all bullshit,” she said. “Bullshit, and I don’t need it.”

  “What are you—” Justin halted at the sight of Corey.

  “Let’s go,” Erica said to Corey, ignoring Justin behind her.

  Corey looked from her to Justin, not sure what to do.

  “Corey,” Justin said. “She can’t go to lunch with you and your friends. She has work to do.”

  “Don’t you get it?” Erica asked as she swung around to face Justin. “I just quit. I’m not working for you. Fix your own notes!”

  “Erica, you can’t do this!” Justin implored. “You can’t just bail on me because you don’t like being called out for a fuckup.”

  “Do you see how he talks to me?” Erica asked Corey. “I don’t need this job.”

  “Yes, you do,” Corey said. “Just calm down, Erica. Look, we can do lunch another day.”

  Erica looked at him, stunned and disappointed. “Of course you would take his side.”

  “I really feel like I’m taking your side,” Corey said. “You love this job. You said so yourself.”