Koll Brothers Homes had just been hit with a class action lawsuit that accused them of denying qualified Black and Latino applicants into their exclusive golf communities. Natalie remembered hearing a rumor that they actually had unspoken quotas and trained the new homes specialists strategies to identify, by sight, if certain minority applicants had good credit or not. Natalie was concerned with how much impact she would have since local civil rights and Latino organizations had gotten wind of the incident and were now preparing to launch a boycott. Plans were underway to petition the court to grant a moratorium to prevent the builder from continuing to build in Houston. This would cost the builders millions and they eagerly granted Natalie’s firm carte blanche when asked what their budget was for the campaign.
The opposition was well organized and forced Natalie to doubt her ability, for the first time in her professional career. They had powerful allies interested in garnering a few minority votes so close to election time. Natalie needed a clear mind. She wanted badly to be with Marc again, but knew that it would be a distraction and she couldn’t afford mistakes. Her take from this campaign was well over $250,000 if she could manage to create a spin and help to manipulate public opinion.
She had abandoned the idea of returning annoying calls from her mother, and the occasional hang up on her voice mail. She had a pet peeve for people who waited for the entire message to play before hanging up. She decided not to let it unnerve her until she noticed that she was getting at least one call a day from the same blocked number. She made a mental note to call the service provider and have the number blocked from calling her.
Her other issues weren’t taking a backseat. She received a couple of emails from Heath, but they were rudimentary “welcome back to work” e-mails or the customary “let’s do lunch” emails that professionals in the industry regularly exchanged. Since her interlude with Marc, she had given little attention to the tension growing between she and Heath. He had invited her on a trip to South Carolina, which she flatly declined, citing an over-the-top workload. Since then, his calls became less frequent and Natalie was relieved that she was not forced to engage in an awkward Iam-not-into-you speech. She decided to quietly wait for the calls to stop all together. He was, after all, just a man.
She meticulously entered deadlines and appointment reminders into her hannipulatevice as she listened intently to the multitude of messages left for her. Marc had called and played a song by John Legend on her voice mail that they made love to before she left. She closed her eyes and lingered in the moment wishing that her life was a simple as the song’s title of Ordinary People suggested. She entered a date into her device that would remind her to send him flowers for his upcoming birthday.
The next four messages were from clients wanting to dispute the hours billed to their campaigns. Natalie had tactfully sent emails explaining that billing was handled by the accounting department and that she personally had little to do with its details. Nevertheless, she became the target of their collective anger as they received five and six figure billing statements for their campaigns. The last two hang ups prompted Natalie to have her secretary contact the cell provider to see about getting a record of incoming calls that were blocked. She wondered who would invest so much time in annoying her and quickly ruled out the embittered wives of her ex-lovers. She smirked at the thought of the men mentioning her name and being thrown out on their asses.
Heath’s voice jolted her to reality as she listened to him telling her voice mail how beautiful Charleston was and how she would have loved the kindness of the people there. He hardly seemed bothered that none of his calls were being returned. Sensing that it was a good segway into a pleasant conversation, Natalie decided to call and possibly set up a lunch date. Her desire to explore his body was weaning, now that she had been involved with the very satisfying Marc. She picked up the phone to call him hoping that she would not have to leave a rudimentary voice mail. She hoped that he would be more responsive than she was. After the second ring, Heath answered sounding winded.
“Hey Natalie… I was starting to wonder if you forgot my number.” So much for him dismissing her failure to return calls. “Yeah, I’m real sorry about that. Work has had me swamped, and I had to travel for a family event, and well…I just haven’t had a lot of time to myself.”
“Okay, I guess I can forgive you, but only if you meet me for lunch.” Natalie wanted to offer opposition, but opted to go along with the plan. Maybe she could break the news to him that she was not trying to see him as seriously as he wanted. Lunch would soften the blow. He was too much of a professional to make a scene in public.
“Okay, lunch it is. I would hate to keep a man from eating.”
“What I want to eat isn’t on the menu.” Heath thought slyly to himself. He decided to offer Natalie a more tactful response.
“I just gotta finish up my workout and then I’ll meet you at Ruth’s Chris in about an hour and a half.” Natalie loved the food at the steak house and quickly agreed. Minutes later, she ended the phone call. She quickly worked through her paperwork and decided to head home to change clothes before her mid afternoon lunch date.
When she arrived home, she found a dozen red roses resting against her front door. As she searched for a card, she picked up the large vase. She noticed a small card with handwriting that she did not recognize. She was baffled by its singular message: “to whom much is given, much is required”. Natalie racked her brain for the reason someone would send such a beautiful bouquet with such an ambiguous message. She fluctuated between Heath and Marc and decided not to mention the gesture to either, for fear of arousing unneeded attention to herself. As she unlocked the door to her home, Natalie released an exasperated sigh.
“Just what I need, more drama in my life.”
After changing into a white pant suit and spraying Chanel No. 5 on her pulse points, she rushed out of the door. She shot a dismissive look at the blinking indicator light on her answering machine. Her mother was becoming more persistent with age. She made a mental note to check her messages when she returned rom her lunch rendezvous.
The parking attendant opened the door to Natalie’s car as she noticed Heath standing outside talking to the manager. She thought it a bit peculiar, but remembered that he complained about constantly getting hit up for free legal advice. She walked assuredly over to him after checking her make up one last time. He smiled as he witnessed her approach.
“You look delicious.” Heath said as he embraced her and inhaled her light floral scent. Natalie, now blushing, could not help but to feel the bulge through Heath’s linen slacks. She was certain he had a stylist, since his entire wardrobe appeared well orchestrated and responsibly tailored. She dismissed it as his brand of attorney narcissism and greeted him with a peck on the cheek.
“I hope you’re hungry. God knows I’m famished.” Heath said as he led her into the restaurant by the small of her back. In that small gesture Natalie remembered how different it was to date a man who was not black.
While walking through the dimly lit steakhouse behind Heath she felt regal and important. She longed to feel that way when she walked alone. The hostess seated them at a large table that was able to accommodate a party of ten. Natalie was confused.
“Are you expecting some other people?”
“No, it’s just you and I. I know you don’t like large crowds, so I called ahead and reserved this table. I hope you don’t mind.” “Mind. Why the hell would I mind that you just dropped at least a grand for me? Congratulations. You ARE getting some ass tonight.” Natalie thought to herself as she offered Heath a meek smile. She decided to forego the formalities and address their situation head on.
“Heath, you have been nothing but nice to me, and I know I haven’t been…well….receptive.” Natalie waited as she noticed Heath’s lower jaw tighten.
“It’s not a big deal. I know you have been busy with your own obligations. I am not a needy guy, trust me. I am glad that you managed to stea
l away a few moments for me.” Heath delivered his words with effortless ease as he kissed her hand.
Natalie was certain he had rehearsed.
“Yeah, I know because you are a gentleman you are saying that, but really, I think we should talk about the way things are going…or not going for that matter.” The latter part of Natalie’s comment seized Heath’s attention as his entire face now tightened.
He parted his lips, but hesitated as he spoke to Natalie.
“Look, I know you have reservations because of the blackwhite thing. It’s no big deal. I can deal with it if you can.”
Natalie was flabbergasted as she mentally investigated why Heath automatically assumed that her lack of attraction to him would be simplified with the race issue. Either he was too conceited to believe that there was a chance that she might not be attracted to him, or he just assumed that she was too shallow to see beyond color. Either way she was pissed and struggled to mask his disgust.
“Race has nothing to do with it, Heath. It’s like I said, I have been busy…and frankly, I don’t see why you are so interested in dealing with me. Lets be real here, you are a well known attorney. Hell, you have professional ball players as clients and friends. You have coochy thrown at you from every angle, model coochy at that. Am I your latest conquest or something?”
Heath shook his head in disappointment.
“What can I say? You’re absolutely right. All of it’s true. Women do proposition me a lot. But it’s the nature of the beast. If I wanted a different body in my bed every night, it could happen. No questions asked. But after that’s over, then what? Some mindless groupie trying to set me up so that I can take care of her for the rest of her life? No thanks.”
Natalie was ashamed of how quickly she typecast him, but refused to let him view a crack in her armor.
“Well, fine. But the truth of the matter is that we have hardly anything in common. Hell, yu don’t even know my favorite color.”
Heath smiled and replied.
“Black. Black is your favorite color. You used to want to be a dancer on the show Solid Gold when you were growing up. You hate squash, but you love string beans. When you want to feel powerful, you work out listening to Jay-Z. You would go to church more if you could convince yourself that everyone there wasn’t such a hypocrite. What else do you want to know?”
Natalie was impressed by how much he had actually listened to during their conversation at the bistro. She rewarded him with a smile.
Heath grabbed both of her hands and leaned in to speak.
Natalie in turn mimicked the gesture.
“There is nothing that you or anyone could tell me about you that would make me want you an ounce less.”
Natalie grimaced wishing that statement were indeed true. She was slowly developing a small semblance of respect for Heath that she only reserved for men like her father or brother. She had to press for the final test of his supposed allegiance to her. She was certain that this would undoubtedly draw a line in the sand and force him to reveal his true intentions.
“Okay, well here is something you probably didn’t know. During my little ‘break’ from Smith-Line, I was in a psychiatric hospital because lets just say…I’m not always quite well. I am constantly struggling to convince myself that I am pretty and smart, despite what my mother thinks of me. Oh, and here’s the kicker … I have tried, on more than one occasion, to off myself. Now, it was a pleasure knowing you. Honestly, I tried to spare you of this, but you kinda forced my hand with your persistence. Thanks for the invite, but I can’t say that I am very hungry now.”
Natalie attempted to snatch her hands away so that she could exit, but Heath’s face remained stoic and his grip tightened. She wasn’t sure how to process his actions. Her counselor failed to prep her for how to deal with people after she revealed her psychosis to them.
Heath sat staring at her, solid and unwavering, still holding her hands tightly.
Natalie’s eyes stretched with anticipation of his response to her revelations. His response was a number.
“16.” Heath said.
Natalie was bewildered.
“Okay, so what Heath, you are trying to play some kinda of sick psycho-analytical mind game to test if I am really crazy? Are you serious? What a joke! Please let my hands go so that I can leave.”
“You were hospitalized for 16 days at the psychiatric treatment center. You were diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and your physician suspected late presenting bi-polar disorder and emerging signs of schizophrenia as a result of what that bastard did to you when you were a little girl.”
Tears welled in Natalie’s eyes. She wasn’t sure if she should have been embarrassed or angry.
“How did you find out?”
“I am a lawyer, Natalie. I can find anything out. SmithLine does extensive background checks on people working for them to avoid potential conflicts of interest.”
Natalie felt her anger began to emerge as tears flowed mechanically down her face.
“So all of this time, you knew this and you’ve been acting like you don’t know anything about me. I can’t believe you.” Natalie snatched her hands away and pushed her chair back to leave.
Heath stood to stop her.
“What difference does it make? I am attracted to you for who you are, not what your medical records say. After what you’ve been through, it’s amazing that you are as successful as you are…”
“So that explains it. That’s why you’ve been so patient and accommodating when I don’t make our lunch dates or return your phone calls. You were afraid that if you said something, it would send me back to the nuthouse. Well guess what counselor? I don’t want or need your pity. Leave me alone and loose my number.”
Heath’s face reddened.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I wanted us to get to kow each other better. I was trying to be patient.”
“Well Heath, you already know all there is to know about me. So let’s skip the dating part and just act like we didn’t ever meet. I do that sometimes, but you know that because it’s in my medical records. How bout’ we just call it dementia and end this now?”
Natalie turned and walked briskly out of the restaurant. She paused to allow a waiter carrying a large tray of food to a nearby table. She shot Heath a nasty look over her shoulders and continued to the valet station.
As soon as she was in a safe distance from the restaurant, she cried for reasons she herself couldn’t identify. Her clock reminded her that it was four in the afternoon and time for her to take her meds. She opened the bottle and popped two large pills in her mouth. Looking at the bottle, she noted it’s directives from the pharmacist: Failure to complete medication in its entirety may impair judgment, balance, and cognition. “The fucking story of my life.” Natalie said aloud and to the people that encompassed her mind space with her.
Chapter 46 Ilene
Ilene twirled around in her designer gown admiring herself in the full-length mirror at the Ritz in her rented suite. The floor length, strapless gown accentuated her delicate curves and made her feel unstoppable. Satisfied that no one would look better than her at her event, she retreated to the suite to allow more guests to arrive, and more importantly, to ensure that she could make a choreographed entrance before hundreds of on-lookers. Charles gave her a menacing look as she excused herself in the middle of a conversation with the executive director of an educational nonprofit that he regularly supported. He knew instinctively that she would make herself scarce until she was sure that her presence would be applauded and recognized.
Ilene eyed the bottle of champagne that she had room service send up and decided to indulge in a glass before heading back down to the ballroom. After finishing her first flute of champagne, she decided to have strawberries sent up as she munched on the caviar that she originally ordered with the champagne. She sprang to her feet as she heard a knock on the door and quickly opened it for what she thought would be room service.
She
was alarmed to find Regina Cummings standing on the other side of her suite door. The very Regina who attacked her at Lord and Taylor. Paul’s wife. Ilene did not hesitate to greet her with the disdain she felt for her since their altercation at Lord and Taylor.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Regina, standing at least three inches taller than Ilene threw her head back and released a chuckle.
“Aw, come on Ilene. We’re practically friends. I mean, you fucked my husband. We at least have a common bond.”
Regina’s cynicism was laced with a seriousness that made Ilene uncomfortable as she positioned herself to close the door immediately if the need arose.
“Look, I don’t know what you are trying to prove, but I suggest you get out of here now before I call security.”
Again, Regina laughed as she smoothed out the wrinkle forming on her black backless gown.
“You’ve got to be kidding. I don’t want a fight. I came here to give you a gift for your birthday, a peace offering, sort of.”
Ilene eyed her suspiciously as she noted the gift box that she held in her hand.
“And why in the hell would you want to give me a gift? Do I look stupid to you?”
“Truly, you don’t really want me to answer that question.” Ilene’s irritation surged as she attempted to slam the door in Regina’s face. Regina had quickly maneuvered her foot in the door and forced her way into the room. Ilene quickly sprinted for the phone to dial security as noticed the shiny black object that Regina retrieved from the box and aimed at her.
“Hang up the damned phone or it will be over before they even realize what happened.”
Ilene followed he instructions as tears instantly began to stream down her perfectly made face. Ilene began to plead.
“What do you want from me? You got your stupid husband. I don’t even deal with him anymore. Can’t you just leave me alone?”
Regina locked the door as she listened to Ilene’s plea and calmly sat in one of the guest chairs in the lavish suite.
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