by Rosemary Rey
“I’ll work with her.” Kent offered. I appreciated his support, but felt a twinge of possessiveness and doubt about his intentions in working with her.
“I’ve already told her I’ll be her point person since I’ve been working with her on this transaction. With Kent’s help, I think we can satisfy her wish to work in the company and still control her oversight of Pentagram.” Zipper claimed. I appreciated him for his support and logic.
“In the meanwhile, you should research how to get her to legally return or have her sell her shares back to us. We are better off without her in our business. She has a lot of animosity towards us, and I wouldn’t trust her to have the business’s best interest at heart.” Brady directed at Zipper. Zipper nodded.
I shook my head. “I’m out. There’s nothing left for me to do. I’ll be taking off for a while. Zipper knows where to find me, if there’s an emergency.”
“After all of this, you’re leaving?” Lark asked. ‘Little piece of shit kid questioning me’. I smirked.
“I need some time away. I also have some obligations overseas with my practice. I’ll be back in a few weeks. Like Perla said, some of us actually do work.”
“Fuck you, Matty.”
“Get in line, Birdie.” I retorted. I heard a grumbled ‘asshole’ as I walked out the door.
“I’ll be back.” I heard Zipper say to the boys before the door closed behind me.
I wished I could wake up from this nightmare. It was a crazy turn of events. I never expected Perla to confront me with our sex tape, texting it to my good friends. They saw her in our private, sensual act. How she acquired it will be a mission of mine to figure out.
“Everything is set with the security?” I asked Zipper.
“Yep. They’ve been on her since this morning. She took a long walk then didn’t leave her apartment until this evening and she took a cab here. They should be on her tail now until her next destination. They will keep you updated on her every move, however you choose to obtain the information.” Zipper informed. I nodded.
“We’ll need to add an extra investigation. She blindsided us with the video. It was from the night she met you all at Carve. She told me she hadn’t even been there. From the way she lives her life, I believed her.” I croaked. My throat was dry, and I was emotionally exhausted. “With time, I’m sure we could’ve found some way to stop her from keeping the shares or making her another offer which could have satisfied her, but she’s clever . . . I feel like not only did she stabbed me in the heart, but she cut my dick off, man. She’s worse than Sonia.” I shook my head and bit my lip. “But I still fucking love her man.” I admitted.
“Marty will be briefed on this information, and he’ll make sure he finds out how she got the video from Carve’s manager’s office. See if she’s working with anyone to screw with the biz. I’ll make sure everyone in there scrubs the video she sent them. For now, we’ll make her happy with her demands. I’ll make sure she gets everything she needs, so she doesn’t do anything rash with the video.
“It isn’t about the video, Zip. I don’t think she’ll be safe because she’s made this threat. She doesn’t know who she’s messing with. Any one of those characters in there could get impatient and do something to her. You know who I mean.” I stated gruffly. Zipper nodded and rubbed fingers in his hair.
“If it were outsiders looking into this mess, I’d say she is one smart cookie, man. She was prepared yesterday, and today, she came fully armored. How she hadn’t gone farther in this world, I’ll never know.” Zipper confessed. I remained still and solemn.
My phone beeped a text. I pulled my phone from my side and took a look. It was a text from Kenneth Dobner, who must be the private security detail I placed on Perla.
Feather has landed at Calliope Club at Lansdowne. Entered alone. Sat with a group of men. The club is filled with men. Appears to be ‘gay night’.
If it weren’t for the ‘gay night’ reference, I would’ve taken off to see her at Calliope. I realized she would be out with Carson and Turner, and I expected they would take care of her. The twenty-four hour security service contracted to watch over her would ensure she’s safe, and was tasked with alerting me and Martin “Marty” Hess of her interactions, which would then be scrutinized. Marty, a long time private investigator, has done all the dossiers on the ‘marks’ for our business dealings. He would get to the bottom of all of this sooner rather than later.
“I got confirmation she’s at a club right now. I figure she’s with Turner and her best friend, Carson.” I informed Zipper. He nodded.
“Don’t go over there.”
“I won’t. I’m done for now. Like I said, I’m taking off tomorrow for a while. I need to be away. Hopefully we can get an update of what’s happening with her and who she’s working with.”
“What about your practice here?”
“I’ve got a lot of vacation time I should take. I also have some follow up work in Spain and the new team in France. I’m going to throw myself into work while being three ‘k’ away from her.” I extended my hand to Zipper. He received my hand and pulled me in for a bear hug. He’s shorter than me, so it’s kind of comical to have him hug me, and try to pick me up.
“I’ll let you know when I’m ready to return. Keep me posted with anything Marty finds out. Take care of her for me.” Zip nodded. I knew he would be supportive during this time. I hated pitting him against the rest of the boys, but Zipper and I were always there for each other, and the others know it. Kent’s a good guy and I believed him when he said he would take care of Perla at the corporate office. I was jealous he got to spend time with her. I hoped he wouldn’t break guy code and make a pass at her.
I went home to pack some things. Sleep would elude me because I was sifting through everything revealed in the last couple of days. I texted Stella and told her I was taking off for a while, and to let our parents know. They were due to return next weekend for the summer and were going to stay in my home in the North Shore. Stella would open the place up for them.
I confirmed the morning flight with my pilot. The flight plans were already scheduled and wheels up at seven in the morning. When I hung up with him, I realized I never told Perla I also owned a plane. I didn’t reveal a lot of things in my efforts to suppress the truth about my affiliation with Pentagon. I’d even created a story about the plane should we have planned a vacation which required its use. I would’ve told her I borrowed it from a friend. The epiphany of being a liar and a user flooded my mind, and in the moment I understood Perla’s anger and mistrust of me.
A call to Catalina, my live-in maid in Spain alerted her to my arrival in the late afternoon. A text to Glynnis let her know she had two weeks off after she punched in on Monday to ensure the apartment was cleaned and closed up while I was gone. Everything was in order.
A cold beer in hand and the remote in the other, I sat in front of the television thinking of Perla. ‘Fuck’. I needed to get her out of my mind. My body betrayed me. Dozens of images of us together ran through my mind. I could visualize events which had transpired in my apartment: her cooking, cleaning, reading on the couch, and us making out in all areas of the apartment. Our last time together was so deeply sensual and tender I knew she was mine. What happened between then and the prenup meeting was a mystery.
I shook my head, scrambling the thoughts of her. I drained my beer. If I weren’t traveling in the morning, another beer would be in order, but I’d already had enough tonight. My interest in watching television waned and I shut off the screen, getting up from the couch to make my way to my bedroom.
Another image of Perla and I in my bedroom flashed before me. A smile crept up the side of my lip thinking of the time when I entered my room and found Perla bare breasted and in little black panties. She was sifting through my t-shirt drawer. She loved wearing my white cotton t-shirts, claiming they were the softest things she ever wore. Before I declared my presence, I found her sniffing my shirt. She’d often sniffed arti
cles of clothing because it was an act which connected her to her deceased mother. It was a sweet memory I loved learning about her. I imagined her washing our unborn children’s clothing and sniffing the cloth to foster a memory previously made.
I sighed and rubbed the pain in my chest, remembering how she startled when she turned to find me watching her. Her arms pulled to cover her breasts, and the fabric covered up her round belly. I often rested my head on her stomach imagining her pregnant with our child. I desperately wanted children with her. I knew my biological clock was ticking; not in a medical sense, but in a chronological sense. It was time for me to start my family. I had chosen a woman who would provide me the family I desperately wanted.
She looked like a pin up model, beautiful and innocent. I groaned loudly, and cursed the heavens for my loss and pain. We didn’t make love after I found her looking beautiful in the nude. I held her in my arms and we rocked from side to side in tune to the beat of our hearts. When I started to roam down her back to her ass, she pushed me away, claiming to want to finish my dinner.
Perla and I settled into a routine, which was better than my first marriage. She never wanted me to spend on take out or restaurants. She was content staying at home and cooking or baking. My ex-wife, Sonia, had never cooked or cleaned for me. The best decision I’d ever made was to hire Glynnis to cook and clean for us full time.
Glynnis hadn’t changed the sheets since Perla left. I wouldn’t let her. Perla’s smell was still on the pillow. For the first time in a week, I pulled Perla’s pillows off the bed and threw it across the room. The smell of her on the sheets was faint, and I hated the reminders of the woman who broke me. I tossed and turn, unable to find comfort in my own bed.
‘It’s not about the money. She never wanted my money.’ I chanted to myself. She only wanted me. She was the ‘wife’ I’d always wanted. I chided myself for marrying someone I wasn’t in love with. I should’ve waited for Perla to enter my life. Once I met her, I should’ve never taken anything from her, but her love and affection. Perla deserved to know the truth about me. I’m a rich man with one too many houses, cars, and an airplane. And none of it meant anything without her.
PERLA
I felt all jittery, like I had one too many energy drinks, but I hadn’t a drop to drink. I was in shock from the interaction with the Pentagon men. Mostly, and there was no lady like way to say it, I was ‘fucked up’ from the encounter. Going to a club was not my idea of coming down from the high I went through only half an hour ago. Carson had me placed on the VIP list with security, bypassing the long line of men in various stages of dress, undress, and dressed in a different gender. I got the looks and sneers when I crossed the velvet rope, and I cast my eyes down to avoid any direct contact.
The club was packed with sweaty men grinding against each other in pairs and in groups. Looking around, I saw very few women. The ones I did see were in small packs. Heavy bass pumped in the air. Despite the chaotic atmosphere, I felt serene as I made my way to find Carson and Turner. I was told they would be in a VIP section in the balcony. Scoping the entire club for a way to get to the balconies, I decided to go to the bar and ask a bar keep.
When a really handsome barkeep stepped up to help me, I asked him how to get to the balconies. He pointed to a set of doors to my right. I thanked him, ignoring how he leered at my cleavage. And I instantly knew he was on the left wing of the gay spectrum, if at all on the spectrum.
I found the stairs to the balcony and made my way up to see my friends. I needed their comfort and support. I still wasn’t comfortable with the idea of telling any of my friends and family about the sex video or why I planned on keeping the shares. In the passageway to the balcony, I saw men in various stages of intimacy. It wasn’t easy to avoid the lip smacking and the feverish body wrestling between men.
Thankfully, there were signs with the last names of the parties inhabiting the sections. I found Sayer on the sign, Carson’s last name, and I opened the door. I found Carson, Turner, and a few other men inside the room. Carson introduced me to Vincent and his partner Kyle, and there was Magnus. I said my ‘hellos’ and air kisses to each of them. They poured me a shot. Despite the loud music, Carson came over to me and pulled me to a corner.
“What happened?” He asked with concern.
“I told them I’m keeping the shares and I expect an executive position controlling Pentagram.”
“And they were okay with that?” He asked incredulously. Without revealing too much, I shook my head ‘no’.
“Of course not. Matt was livid I was even there to meet with his friends. I have to admit I put the bitch on Front Street. We got into an argument before I came here, so I’m a little shook up.” Tears threatened to break through. Carson pulled me close and hugged me in his strong arms. I took a deep breath inhaling his manly scent. It definitely wasn’t Matt’s addictive smell, and I missed him so much more.
“Have a drink, sweetie. It’s time to put it aside and dance.”
I followed him to the table where he poured me a shot, knocking it back and feeling the burn. The burn replaced the ache in my chest, heating and tingling my body as it coursed through my system. I felt lighter and able to avoid thinking of Matt.
I danced with every man in the booth. Magnus, an interior designer, asked if I wanted to go dance on the floor below. After I nodded, he walked me out the booth, bypassing all the hot bodies grinding against each other, and we went to the dance floor. As we made our way into the herd of studs dancing on the wooden flooring, I was pulled and pawed by every man who took notice of me. Magnus was very overprotective and kept me close. He was a great dancer, but he had a wandering eye and checked out each hot guy who gave him a look. If the guy was close enough, Magnus pulled him into a threesome. I was sandwiched in between two hot men; gay men, but hardened men. My temperature rose up to volcanic heights. I pulled myself out of the middle. I told Magnus I was going back upstairs to the other guys. He nodded, and told me he was staying on to dance with the hot guy behind me.
If I hadn’t already agreed to stay at Carson and Turner’s, I would’ve left and caught a cab back to my place. I summoned up a second wind, knowing Carson and Turner would be even more energized than ever. Thankfully, clubs closed at two in the morning. Last call would be within an hour. Hopefully, we wouldn’t have to close down the club. Carson and I were to travel in the morning to rehearse with the high school students in Lawrence. A performance was scheduled in five weeks, and there was a lot to work on.
Carson sat on an arm chair while Turner sat on the couch with Vincent and Kyle. He opened his arms, signaling for me to sit on his lap. Like a little lost girl, I sat on Carson’s lap, buried my head in the crook of his neck, and sobbed quietly until all the pain and frustration of throwing my love away seeped from my eyes.
NINE
On Monday, I gave my two-weeks-notice to Duration Fitness. I felt a lot of guilt for abandoning a job which gave me a chance to start my life over. However, I knew in my heart my talents and goals were being wasted in my role as Director of Sales. The job didn’t challenge me, and I didn’t believe there would be any upward mobility within the company. I thanked them for the year of employment and hoped I left it open enough for me to come back in case the Pentagon position didn’t work out.
I intended to make it work, but the Pentagon men were shrewd businessmen, and I was sure they intended to oust me from the Board. All I wanted was to gather enough executive experience to move forward to another company, leaving Pentagon and Matt behind me for good.
I broke the news to Chelsea on Sunday evening, after Carson dropped me off from our practice session. She was sad for me to leave, but understood it was a much better opportunity. Mostly, she was surprised I had decided to go into business with the men who conspired to destroy my marriage and used me to steal a business which could’ve been mine. When I told her about my encounter with the group at the restaurant, I omitted the threats to release my own sex tape and a full cove
rage expose, if they didn’t cooperate and include me into the fold. She thought I was ballsy for the way I handled the situation. I fought with myself about telling her just how tough I really was. I was iron on the outside, but deep inside my core, I was a puddle of goo. I was afraid I would fail in my plans. Most important to my success was the other shareholder’s full cooperation.
‘Cooperate’, they did. I was sent boxes full of reports, minutes, and documents in regards to Pentagram’s construction. I spent the week reviewing and taking notes based on the documents I had in my possession. I reviewed Pentagon’s organizational plan to see where I could fit in an upper level executive role. There were so many duplicate roles in upper level management, and when I saw the salary structure, I gasped. I couldn’t fathom earning six figures up to a million dollars base salary for executives.
I scheduled a meeting with Zipper and Kent to further discuss where I would fit in the structure and created a rough organizational structure, job description, and salary requirements for my new role. I was very conservative in my assessment of my worth, but I felt it was commensurate with my experience and needs for cost-of-living expenses in Boston.
I delved deep into the reports for the Pentagram project; the hotel, conference, and residential building were presently under construction. As it stood, two-thirds of the acreage was cleared of the structures and was due to excavate and lay foundation within the next month before winter sets in. Based on my experience in the construction industry, I approved of the timeline in which the construction was headed. The projected dates for completing various stages of construction were reasonable barring a few setbacks, natural disasters and acts of God. Pentagram was poised to be completed by May of the following year. Pentagon ensured to lock down as many construction companies and subcontractors as they could to guarantee their plans were met on time. The thought of seeing this project from beginning to end excited me. I thought working for Pentagon for a year was palatable because the sooner I could move on from the warlocks, I would find my happiness.