by A. Gorman
“I think she said no, Victor,” I shout as I push him out of the way, pulling Emily into me. She is visibly shaken and I can feel her body trembling.
“Hey, man. What’s your problem?”
“You’re my problem. I think my girlfriend said no and no definitely means no,” I say as I clinch my fist at my side as he smirks at me.
Emily knows I’m seeing red and I’m about to beat the shit out of this punk. “Patrick, he isn’t worth it.”
“Are you going to file sexual harassment against him?”
“No, it’s all a misunderstanding…”
“Emily?”
“It’s not worth it. Victor, as you can see now, I do have a boyfriend.”
“Yeah, I see that. Whatever, man.” He turns from us and walks out of the room, punching the cinderblock wall. Idiot.
“Gorgeous, you really should file a complaint.”
“I might be guilty in leading him on.”
“I doubt that.”
“I don’t know. I’ve never come out and told anyone about our relationship.”
“I think we just did.”
“True.”
“And I think that a lot of people take your compassion and caring as more than that. So please watch yourself with him. I don’t trust him.”
“I will.”
“Good, let me help you get this finished and get out of here. I have a hot date with my girlfriend tonight.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, and it’s a surprise.”
She sticks her tongue out and I go after her, pulling her into a kiss, leaving her breathless. I hope she watches herself around that jackass. There is something about him that is off and I don’t like it one bit.
Helping Emily reminds me of my days at the grocery store and she’s impressed with my stocking abilities. I try to joke with her, hoping the tension caused from Victor will disappear. We’re finished stocking the shelves an hour after I arrive, and I’m able to whisk my gorgeous girlfriend away from the center and to her apartment to get prepared for our date.
I grabbed one of my suits and the bag of clothes I haven’t had to use for a while from my closet in my office and brought it with me so I wouldn’t have to go to my house to change before dinner. I get dressed after leaving Emily in the bathroom to finish her routine.
Even though she looks like she needs fucked, I don’t tease her because I don’t want her to think I’m horny twenty-four hours a day, but honestly, she makes me that way. Just thinking about her makes my cock throb…I need to get my mind off her and on dinner.
We are going to a little bistro on the Westside of the city. I made reservations before I left work because I know it’s popular and fills up quickly. The menu is of their choosing, and you have to eat what they fix because they use seasonal, local foods. They might have filet one night and salmon the next, which I like because it’s offers variety and you never know what you’re going to eat. Although I cheated and talked to the owner since he is one of my golfing buddies. Tonight’s dinner is filet and I know it’s excellent.
“Gorgeous, are you almost ready? Our reservations are in forty-five minutes, and I don’t know what traffic is going to be like.”
“Yes, can you zip me, please?” she asks as she walks out in a black fitted, knee length dress that shows off every curve of her body and I don’t know if I want her to go out in this. I don’t want others to look at her body. She’s mine. For me only.
“Um, are you wearing a jacket over this?”
“No, it’s 80 degrees out.”
“Oh.”
“Why? Does it not look good?”
“No, you look amazing. It’s other people I’m worried about.”
“Mr. Matheson, are you jealous?”
“Not at all.”
“Yeah… What was that when you caught me? Oh, that’s right. You don’t lie very well, babe.”
“I might not be able to control myself with you wearing this.”
“Like my choice of clothing will change that. You said something similar when I had a T-shirt and boy shorts on.”
“What can I say? I find you enchanting and stunning and I want you all to myself.”
“You have me all to yourself. Now take me to dinner or I’ll have to go alone.”
“Never.”
“Good, let’s go,” she says as she kisses me on the nose and walks to the front door, waiting on me to catch up.
She can be so feisty, keeping me on my toes and I love it… I…I’m falling in love with her.
I don’t know how long it’s going to take to get used to the fact that I have a father…who happens to be a Hollywood actor. Since the month he’s been in my life, I’ve learned so much about him, about my family that I had no idea about, and I’ve learned about how life will probably be like once the public finds me. So far we’ve been under the media’s radar and that suits me just fine.
“Emily, I want you to know that your mom and you are my number one concern. When the media gets wind of this, I’ll have my publicist release a statement and sugarcoat it. I don’t want your mom to look bad.”
“That’s works for me. I don’t want either of you to look bad. We are here together now. Things can’t be changed.”
“I agree, but I don’t want you to think I’m making up for the past either.”
“How can you make up for something you didn’t know about. Just live for the now.” I smile at him.
“That I can do,” he says before he goes silent. “I can’t wait for you to meet your grandmother and aunts.”
“That would be amazing. What are they all like?”
“Well, your grandmother looks similar to you, dark hair and brown eyes, and tall. We’re not American, you know that right?”
“No…” I’m not?
He laughs. “No, we are Lebanese. I was born in Beirut, but we moved to Canada when I was a small boy. That’s where I grew up and started acting. I started traveling, trying to get small parts and that’s when I met your mother…”
His eyes light up as he talks about meeting my mom. He continues to tell me about my family and I’m in awe about how much I don’t know about myself.
We briefly talked about Nate, and I’m glad because I’ve been thinking about him like crazy lately. Maybe because it’s getting close to our birthday? I’ve written him over thirty notes so far. The latest one this morning, telling him about my relationship with Patrick and about our mind-blowing dinner at a bistro.
The filet was to die for, it nearly melted in my mouth because it was so tender and cooked to perfection. The appetizer was cheeses and crostini and Patrick was feeding me with his fingers—it was seductive foreplay that lasted all five courses of our meal, and we didn’t even attempt to make it to his house. We went to my apartment and made love until the early hours of the morning.
The letter I wrote Nate didn’t include that part, but I did tell him about getting to know Kenneth and how I was glad that at least he got to meet him. I just wish that Nate would have known that he was our dad.
I’ve stayed in my office most of the day because I’m afraid that I will run into Victor. I don’t know what to say to him because I am afraid of him. If Patrick hadn’t showed up, I don’t know what would have happened—I don’t even want to think about it.
Work will be slowing down a bit since I’m at a standstill since I still haven’t heard about the grant yet. Patrick said not to give up hope; they are probably waiting on second quarter numbers to come out before they make a decision since the market has been so crazy.
I look out my window, thinking of ways I could raise money instead of using my own for the center and my phone chimes with a new text. Patrick is probably texting me. I pick up the phone from my desk and look at the screen to see it’s actually from Kenneth.
KENNETH: Em, would you and Patrick like to come to Montana for a few days and then to LA for a film premiere?
ME: Are we ready to go public?
KENNETH
: It’s better we act first, then them hunt you down I believe.
ME: True. What does Mom think?
KENNETH: She’ll back you in whatever you decide.
ME: Let me talk to Patrick, okay?
KENNETH: Of course. Chat later.
ME: Okay.
This isn’t a texting conversation because I have to talk out each part of this. I hope Patrick is available so I text him to ask.
ME: Hey, babe. Free to talk? I need your opinion.
I hit send and a few minutes later, my phone is ringing.
“Hey, you.”
“I was just thinking about you.”
“Oh?”
“Last night was pretty hot. I really liked that position. We might have to try that again, tonight.”
“Mmm. We’ll see.”
“So what’s going on?”
“Kenneth wants to go public with our relationship?”
“How public?”
“He’s invited us to his ranch in Montana and then to LA for a film premiere.”
“Shit. Are you’re prepared for that?”
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.” I bit my lip thinking. “I just don’t want it to change us.”
“Emily, nothing will change the way I feel about you.”
“I feel that same way about you.”
“Good, so stop worrying.”
“I think I just want to get it over with so I don’t have to keep it a secret from the people I work with anymore. I don’t know how many times I’ve almost let it slip.”
“Then let’s go and have a good time.”
“Can you get off work?”
“Yes, I haven’t used many vacation days since I’ve been here.”
“It shouldn’t be a problem for me either.”
“Sounds like we’re going to Montana and LA, gorgeous.”
“I guess so. I can’t wait to see you in a fancy tux.”
“I can’t wait to see you in expensive lingerie.”
“You’re an animal.”
“Only for you, gorgeous.”
“I lo—need to go. I’ll see you when you pick me up in a few hours.”
“Okay, have a good rest of your day.”
“You too, bye.”
“Bye.”
I quickly hang up, I almost told him I loved him, and while I still have my phone in my hand, I send a text to Kenneth.
ME: Yes, we would love to join you in Montana and LA.
KENNETH: I’m overjoyed. I’ll get the itinerary to you tonight.
ME: Thank you!
I put the phone down and open my email up, composing an email to my boss requesting time off. I hope she doesn’t have a problem with me taking seven days off, because it’s not like I take off a lot anyways. Then send a text to Addison to see if she wants to meet for lunch. I love that she goes to school so close to my work.
The past forty-eight hours have been a blur of packing and traveling, but once we arrived here at Kenneth’s ranch in Montana, it’s all worth it the stress. Unlike the privacy we experienced in his country house, Kenneth’s cattle ranch is a lot different. The ranch is located in western Montana’s Sula Basin and houses a full-time culinary team, maids, farm hands, and more job titles than I know about.
As I look out the window of the room Patrick and I are sharing, everyone seems busy, rushing around like they’re setting up for a party, but I’m not sure as it could be their normal routine. I return to unpacking the clothes I brought for the next six days here and leave the clothes I brought for LA in my bag. I don’t even know if those clothes are good enough for that scene. I’m so nervous about that. Patrick told me I’d fit right in, but I don’t know. He looks sexy in anything he wears.
I sit down on the oversize king bed and think about what it’s going to be like at the premiere. Patrick told me he has been to a few lower budget premieres and they weren’t as bad as he thought they would be, but they weren’t A list actors like Kenneth. I need to smile and look as natural as possible on the red carpet and pray that I don’t trip.
“Ems,” my mom’s voice comes through the door as she knocks and opens it slightly.
“Come in, Mom,” I say with a smile.
“I didn’t know if you were busy or not.” She looks like she has something on her mind.
“No, just getting everything organized. Patrick is off with Kenneth doing some male bonding or whatever guys do when they get together.” She laughs quietly as she sits down next to me on the bed. “What’s going on outside, looks like they are getting organized for a party.”
“I’m glad that you’ve not been one to follow celebrity gossip.”
“Um, why?”
“It would have ruined me telling you this.”
“What?”
“Kenneth asked me to marry him. I didn’t hesitate in telling him yes.” My hands cover my mouth in excitement, stopping the holler that wants to come out.
“Seriously? You’re getting married? When?” I bounce up and down on the bed like a child.
“Tomorrow.” I freeze.
“Mom. I have nothing to wear. Do you even have anything to wear? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” I start to hyperventilate. Nothing is in place. “What are we going to do, what are the plans?”
“Well, calm down. Everything is taken care of because it just happened and we planned the wedding. I picked out dresses for you to look at and I hope you like at least one of them. The seamstress will be here in a bit to make sure it fits, and she will be bringing you several dresses to try on for the premiere.”
“How are you so calm about all of this?”
“I’ve been talking to Mike a lot and that has helped me tremendously. And Ken and I…are whole when we are together. All these years of missing something, someone. As soon as we reconnected, we knew, and he wasn’t letting go this time.”
“I’m so happy for you, Mom.” I hug her, letting the tears of joy run down my face.
“I was worried that you would think we were rushing.”
“No, never. I see the way he looks at you. I know he loves you.”
“The same look I see in Patrick when he looks at you…”
“I don’t know about that… I mean, isn’t it too soon?”
“There’s no time on love, darling. Your heart knows when you meet someone if you’re going to love forever. Your mind might not realize it at that time, but your heart does. I guess what I’m saying is if you feel that way, he probably feels the same way about you.”
“Ugh. Why is love so difficult.”
“It’s only as difficult as you make it, Emily. Stop over analyzing it.”
“That’s easy for you to say, you’re getting married to a man who has professed his love to you.”
“But I had to wait almost twenty-five years for him to. There were so many years I wish I would have said ‘I love you,’ or had told him my feelings. Just don’t make the mistake I made. Go with it and be happy.” I should listen to her, because she’s seems so happy now, like she’s found where she exactly needs to be.
“I love you, Mom.”
“I love you too.” She hugs me tight. “Ready to pick your dress? Ferna should be here shortly.”
“Yes!” I say excitedly. We leave the room, holding hands like we did when I was a small child, and it brings me comfort. I take a cleansing breath and realize everything seems to be falling into place perfectly.
Fate…an unwanted fate…is slowly bringing everything together.
When we walk into the den, I see it’s now a dress studio with a changing curtain, and several dresses lying about. The scene before me is rather overwhelming. I hope she didn’t pick out anything with pink. Mom walks over to the dresses and picks them up one by one, inspecting them. She holds up a baby blue dress, turns around, and hands it to me to try on.
“Please try this one on.”
“In here?”
“Yes, no one will disturb us.”
“Okay.” I step beh
ind the curtain and strip my clothes off, thankful I wore granny undies and a cotton bra. I put the satin material on my body and I instantly don’t like the dress. The color doesn’t look good on my skin, and I step out from behind the curtain.
“No, don’t even zip it up,” Mom says before I could even ask to get the dress zipped. She looks through more dresses and holds up an indigo blue dress and I fall in love with it. “Let’s try this one.”
I take the dress and put it on, the material feels fantastic on my skin, and I zip it up, it’s almost a perfect fit.
“That’s it. You look stunning. Ferna? I think it needs taken in a little bit.”
“Yes, ma’am. I agree.”
“Will it be a problem?”
“No, ma’am. I can have it finished in less than an hour.” She walks over to me. “Miss, can you hold your arms up so I can mark it, please?”
“Yes, of course.” I stand in the middle of the den with my arms up in the air while the little dark haired woman, marks on the dress.
“Thank you, miss. You may take it off now.” She smiles big. “Ma’am, are you ready to try on your dress?”
“Yes,” Mom says with a smile.
Ferna pulls the dress out of the bag and brings it over to my mom. Mom quickly walks behind another curtain to put the dress on, and I take the dress I had on off carefully and put my clothes back on. As I hang the dress back up, Mom comes around the curtain, and I stop in my tracks.
“Oh, Mom. You look stunning,” I say as tears well in my eyes.
“Thank you, darling. Ferna said it was me, and I have to agree.”
“Most definitely,” I say as she turns in the ivory lace column gown. She looks amazing and even though it has long sleeves, they are lace and she’ll be cool in outside. The front and back both have V’s but she doesn’t look like she’s trying to act younger than her age. I’m in awe of my mother’s beauty at her age.
“It is you,” I say as I wipe the tears from my eyes.
“I’m glad you approve.” She walks to me and hugs me. “I think we are ready for tomorrow.”
“Patrick! What’s he going to wear? He didn’t bring a tux!”
“No worries, dear. I made sure that he was taken care of too.”
“Oh, you have everything planned out.”