by D. Camille
“You like to handle things? Well you didn't handle this Jordan. I told you not to lie to me to my face again and I meant it!” She glared at him and then headed for the door. When she got there she stopped and turned back.
“You said that you'd never told anyone that you loved them before. You should consider your streak still intact because it doesn't count if you don't mean it!” She opened the door and walked out.
Sean was standing in the hall when she exited and made her way to the elevators. At the look on her face he became concerned.
“Sage?” he called to her back.
“Not now Sean!” She kept walking.
Sean entered Jordan's office and closed the door. Jordan was facing the windows with a tense look on his face.
“What the-.” He started.
“Not now Sean!” Jordan growled.
Sean nodded and left the office.
Later in the gallery Sage was in her office when she heard a knock on her door. She opened it to find Sean.
“What? Jordan wants to break my lease?” she said angrily. “I will sue his ass so fast his head will spin.”
Sean held up his hands.
“Jordan hasn't said anything. I just came to see if you were alright,” he shrugged.
She went to sit behind her desk and Sean took a seat at one of the chairs.
“You're Jordan's friend, Sean. You shouldn't be here,” she said before putting her face in her hands. “Because right now, I really don't like him.”
“I'd like to think that I'm your friend as well,” he said. “I didn't come to talk about Jordan. I just want to make sure you're okay. It's rare that yelling is heard on the executive floor of Black Diamond Holdings and secretaries are chasing down irate women.”
Sage groaned. “Urgggh, I'm sorry,” She removed her hands. “That was really unprofessional.”
Sean shrugged. “Love makes you do crazy things, huh?”
“Please do not say that word to me. It's something that eludes me.”
Sean looked around. “The gallery looks great.”
“Thanks.”
“Is there anything I can do, Sage?” he asked kindly.
She looked at him. “Can you start this day over? Back before my heart was broken,” she said sadly.
Back in Jordan's office he'd called for his secretary. She entered and walked over to his desk where he was turned looking out the window.
“Yes Mr. Black?”
He didn't turn around. “Why didn't I know Sage was coming to my office?” he asked.
“Um...she signed in at security as coming to see Mr. Jackson,” she explained.
“Let’s not let that happen again.”
She fidgeted. “Yes Mr. Black.”
“Tell Sean I'll see him now.”
“Um...Mr. Jackson's not currently on the floor,” she explained.
“Where is he?”
“From updates, he's with Miss Parker down in her gallery,” she supplied.
“Thank you. That will be all.”
“I'm sorry Mr. Black. I didn't--” she started.
“It's fine Kelly. Thank you,” he said dismissing her.
Jordan never turned around as she left the office. From the moment Sage had walked into his office earlier Jordan knew that he had messed up; badly. When he'd looked into her angry flashing eyes all he'd wanted to do was take her in his arms and kiss her. But self-preservation had taken over instead. He continued to stare out the window wondering how long this familiar, painful ache in his heart was going to last; because the last time it never stopped.
Back in Sage's office, Sean waited while Sage studied the pattern on the wall ahead of her.
“I understand from security that you were coming to see me? Did you need something?” he asked breaking into her thoughts.
She looked at him. “Yes, I picked one of the apartments and I wanted to get your input on negotiating the lease.”
“Great. Which one?”
She told him which apartment she wanted and they discussed some specifics. He told her he'd get everything in order and secure a move in date for her.
“Congratulations,” he said.
She sighed. “Yeah, the best day of my life.”
Sean's phone buzzed and he pulled it out.
“Excuse me,” he looked down at the screen.
Jordan's message read. “Can you get your ass up here?”
Sean looked up at Sage. “Well it seems that I am needed elsewhere so I will take care of all we discussed and get you all set.” He smiled.
“Thank you Sean. I don't know if Jordan will still want you doing this and if that’s the case, I understand.”
“Sage, Jordan doesn't control everything I do. I just let him think he does.” He stood and headed to the door. “Take care. I'll be in touch.”
“Okay.Thanks,” she said turning her attention back to the wall.
Sean walked to the elevators hoping that Jordan would realize the mistake he'd made before it was really too late. He entered the elevator and rode slowly to the top floor. Once there he headed straight to Jordan's office.
“You summoned,” he said once inside with the door closed behind him.
Jordan turned from the window. “Is she alright?' Jordan asked.
Sean folded his arms and stared at Jordan.
“What did you do to her?” Sean demanded.
“It's not what I did to her. It's what she did to me!” Jordan said standing from his chair and walking around his desk.
Confused Sean asked. “What'd she do to you Jordan?”
Jordan dropped his head. “She made me fall in love with her,” He paused. “And she doesn't love me back.”
Sean was stunned to say the least. He knew Jordan was in love with Sage but he never thought he'd see the day that he'd admit it.
“I told her I loved her,” he confessed.
Sean had to take a seat. Now he understood everything.
“So what did you do to her? Ice her?”
“Yeah, it was all I could do.”
“And that little scene up here was her calling you on it?”
Jordan nodded his head and took a seat on the sofa in his office.
“What are you going to do?” Sean asked looking at him.
“Sean, I can't... I won't love another woman who doesn't love me back.”
Sean leaned forward. “She's not her, Jordan.”
“It's a totally different situation.”
“Tell it to my heart Sean because it sure as hell feels the same.”
“Do you remember what you went through to just be with this woman? You're going to just let her go? Walk away?” Sean questioned.
“What's my other option?” Jordan demanded.
“Wait until she falls in love with you? Make her fall in love with you? Just love her anyway? Hell, don't you have the Black Magic?”
Jordan shook his head. “What if she doesn't fall in love with me?” he said in a low voice.
“What if she does?” Sean countered. “Isn't she worth waiting for it to happen?”
Jordan dropped his head into his hands. “How mad is she?” Jordan asked.
“Let's just say you probably can replace Ray on the top of the list of people who want to kick your ass.”
“I have to talk to her,” he said standing.
“Jordan, this may not be the best time man. Seriously.”
Jordan headed for the door.
“Jordan!”
He kept walking.
Sean rubbed his forehead, “Damn. We might need security this time.”
Chapter 11
Jordan entered Sage's gallery and headed towards her office. He knocked on the door and waited.
Thinking Sean had come back, Sage went to the door. “Wow. That was fast-” she stopped when she saw it was Jordan.
“Why are you here?” she demanded.
“Can we talk?” he asked.
Sage laughed. “Can we talk? Can we talk?” she l
aughed some more.
When she composed herself she looked up at him. “Listen to me Jordan and listen good because I'm not going to repeat it.” She crossed her arms.
“I don't want to see you. I don't want to talk to you. I don't want anything to do with you.” She placed her hands on her hips.
“Now see, that's how you break up with someone. Good bye Jordan.”
“Sage, I know you're angry and you have every right to be. Can we just talk?”
“No. There's nothing to say.”
“I don't agree. I think there are things to say,” he disagreed.
“Like what?” she asked wondering.
Jordan looked down at her. He saw the woman who'd conquered his heart, his life, his whole world. He knew for sure he was not letting her go.
“Like... I'm sorry. I messed up. Very badly,” he said quietly.
“You got that right.”
“What do I need to do to make it right?” he asked.
She looked up into his eyes. “Treat the next woman better. Goodbye Jordan,” she said firmly.
He watched her for a moment then nodded before he turned and walked out.
Jordan headed back to his office. Sage may think she'd had the last word but she was sorely mistaken. Getting her back was now his number one mission. When he got back to his office he picked up the phone and pressed a number on speed dial.
“Yeah,” they answered.
“I need to talk,” Jordan said into the phone.
“So talk.”
“I fucked up with your sister but I'm going to make right. I need you to give me time.”
“What the hell Jay? Really?” Ray yelled.
Jordan sighed. He knew this had to be the first call he had to make but he didn't like it.
“Listen, I love her Ray. I'm going to do everything in my power to make it right. I'm not going to let her walk away.”
“See Jay, this is why I didn't want you with my sister. I'm not going to let you hurt her.”
“Don't interfere Ray!” Jordan warned.
“Then don't fuck up Jordan!” Then the line went dead.
Two days later Jordan had his plan in place. Mission: Get Sage Back was ready to be put into effect. He was a man that made things happen. Not only was he going to get Sage back, he was going to make her realize that she did love him too. He wasn't settling for anything less.
He made his way down to Sage's gallery and found her in the exhibit area.
“Hi Sage,” he said smiling.
“Why are you here Jordan?” she asked. She looked him over. He looked amazing in a dark suit, white shirt and tie.
“We can't be civil Sage?” he inquired softly. “Surely we have enough history to be at least that.”
“How can I help you Jordan?” she asked folding her arms.
He looked her up and down slowly. She was wearing jeans, platform heels and blouse that buttoned down the front with a few of the buttons open at the top showing a peek of golden brown breasts. He could answer her question in a number of ways, he thought.
“I've been invited to the Art Museum's annual Gala next month. There will be lots of people who are interested in art and photography so I thought that maybe you'd like to join me to start promoting your gallery?” he explained.
Sage walked over to the counter. “Can you just give me the invitation?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No. They're nontransferable and I'm required to be in attendance as a Board Member.”
“Can you get me my own invitation?” she asked.
He shrugged. “Look Sage, I'm just trying to give you a way into the art community here. I mean you're paying to lease this space so I'm only protecting my investment. I saw the invitation and thought it might benefit you. If you don't want to go, just say so and I'll be gone.”
Sage knew this was a great opportunity for her. It really was nice of Jordan to make the offer. She just didn't know how long she could be in is presence and not remember how it felt being with him. She'd thought Jordan was coming to try to get her back, but clearly he wasn't and she didn't want him to think she was trying to get him back either.
“It's not a date,” she clarified strongly.
“I know. You've made your feelings perfectly clear, Sage.”
“Then I'll go. Thank you Jordan.”
“No worries I was going anyway. My date has her own invitation since she's a Board Member as well,” he said smiling. “I'll have my secretary send you the information.”
Sage had stopped hearing anything after he said the word date. Jordan was dating? It had been like two days? She felt her heart stop for a moment. She looked up and saw his retreating back. Jordan had a date. Damn.
The next day Sage was sitting at her desk finalizing the gallery opening plans when her cell phone rang. It was her friend from college.
“Hotep Lily! It's so great to hear from you,” Sage exclaimed happily. She needed all the happiness she could handle in her life right now. She'd thought that possibly if Jordan really loved her, he'd have attempted to at least talk to again. She didn't see Jordan as a man who just gave up easily; unless he really didn't care.
“Hotep Sage. How's it going?” her friend Lily answered.
Lily and Sage had bonded in college as two of the few women who were African American and shared the Khemetic beliefs. Lily was a short dark chocolate beauty with curves galore. She also wore her hair natural in a big curly afro that complemented a face that could easily grace the most popular magazines. But Lily was an artist, a painter to be exact.
“It's going....” Sage trailed off.
Lily heard the sadness in Sage's voice. “Well you'll be able to tell me all about it when I get to LA.”
Sage yelled. “The Gods! You're coming to LA?” she asked.
Lily laughed. “Yes I am and I can't wait to see you.”
“What are you coming for, besides to see me?” Sage said unable to keep the smile off of her face.
“Well...actually I'm moving there. I've locked up an apartment. I'm hoping to find some inspiration on the West Coast.”
Sage gasped. “I can't believe this. I can't wait to see you!”
“I know you haven't been there that long yourself Sage, but I wondering if when I got there you might be able to help me find a gig. I really don't want to be an actual starving artist?” she joked.
Sage had an idea. “Lily, I'm opening my gallery next month and I could really use some help. You could come and work with me!” she offered.
“The Gods, Sage. Congratulations! I'd love to work with you!” Lily said ecstatic.
“When are you coming?” Sage inquired.
“Next week.”
“That's perfect. I'm moving into my new place next week and I could use some cheap labor,” Sage teased.
Sean had been able to secure everything for her new place and she was scheduled to move in next week. It was the one bright spot in her life right now.
“Girl you're going to put me to work as soon as I get there?”
Sage laughed. “Yep, I sure am.”
The women chatted a while longer and then made plans to meet up as soon as Lily arrived in town.
On moving day, Sage was surprised when Sean showed up at her new apartment. Sean dressed in jeans and a T shirt. She'd never seen him outside of his business suits and had to admit he was a handsome man. He was as tall as Jordan and he had a brown sugar skin tone. Like Jordan he wore his low cut with natural waves. Sean sported a nice goatee that framed his full lips. While Jordan was athletically built, Sean had a slimmer, more of a model type physique. His dark brown eyes were always friendly and his smile was something that always made people comfortable. He was not Jordan in her mind, but still a very handsome man nonetheless.
“Sean what are you doing here?”
“I came to give you some muscle,” he said flexing his arm.
“Really?” Sage asked surprised.
“Uh...no, I just came to supervise and
make sure everything gets done the way you want it,” he clarified with a wink.
Sage laughed. “Well thanks for just being here. Ray is on his way.”
“And then all the fun can begin,” he teased sarcastically. “How are you Sage?”
Sage shrugged. “I'm happy. Things are going well,” she said with slight melancholy.
Sean wanted to tell her how much Jordan missed her and how hard it was for him to stay away from her. He really prayed that Sage would take Jordan back after the Gala because Jordan was driving him crazy. He wanted to be constantly updated on every aspect of what Sage was doing every minute of the day.
“Well let's get started,” Sage instructed.
Sage had arranged to have her things that she'd had in storage delivered to the new apartment and the movers would be arriving soon. She also had done some shopping during the last week for different items around the house that she was now opening and finding space for them.
Sage left Sean in the kitchen unpacking dishes when the doorbell rang. She opened the door to Lily and the two ladies squealed and hugged each other.
“You made it!” Sage said holding on tightly to her friend.
Lily laughed hugging her back. “Right on time.”
“You look great!” Sage said looking her friend over.
“So do you except for that sadness in your eyes,” Lily commented.
At that moment Sean came out of the kitchen.
“Sage, I put all the dishes-” He stopped as he took in Lily. His eyes widened and his eyebrow rose before he quickly composed himself.
Sean and Lily continued to stare at each other. Sage looked from one to the other then back again. Well...well...she thought.
“Thanks Sean. Sean this is my friend Lily. Lily this is Sean,” she introduced them.
Sean smiled and walked smoothly across the room then extended his hand to Lily.
“Lily, it's a pleasure to meet you,” he said just as smoothly as he had crossed the room.
Lily placed her hand in his. “Yes. It is definitely a pleasure,” she responded smiling at him.
While the two still had their hands connected, the doorbell rang again.