“No, Mom. That’s not what I meant. Please come up.”
She snapped her purse closed, leaving the keys in their place. “Are you sure? ’cause I don’t want to disturb him,”
“Trust me, it would take more than the two of us to wake him.”
Her mother came in and walked straight to the living room. “I like what you did with that wall.”
Venus had painted one side an eggplant purple just a few days ago. Her mother inspected the job, looking to the corner of the ceiling and then to the floorboard. Venus lingered behind, while noticing the gray edges of her mother’s hair, way past touch-up. Which was unusual since her mother had a standing appointment with Ruby every two weeks for a wash and set; and on the sixth week, whether it fell on Jesus’ birthday or her own, she was in that chair for a touch-up. Maybe her mother was finally seeing the light and had plans to go natural. Venus started to mention it, then thought better of it.
“What’s the landlord going to say about you putting these wild colors on the property?”
Venus set the plates on the table and came and stood by Pauletta’s side. “It’s just paint, Mom. They can always paint right over it. I can’t stay here with white walls, it’ll drive me crazy. On this side, I’m going to do a deep mustard yellow for contrast.”
“That’ll be interesting.”
Venus wasn’t sure if it was her mother’s usual sarcasm and had no time to care. She was famished. She turned to the plate of food. She pulled the foil back, inhaling the aroma of steaming gravy and beef. She grabbed a fork and didn’t wait to sit down at the small glass table with seating for only two. It was a simple cafe set she’d bought at IKEA to fill space. Temporary like the rest of the apartment
“Ummmm, delicious.” Venus ate like it was her first real meal in twenty-four hours. Which was true. She hadn’t eaten a bite since yesterday sitting next to Jake Parson at the restaurant. Even then she played with her food, chewing sporadically to look like she was having fun, fitting in. “Umm. This is sooo good.” Her mother seemed to be in another world, ignoring the praise, still staring at the purple wall.
“I’ve got to go. You know your dad won’t eat if I’m not there to fix his plate.” She turned and headed for the door.
“I’ll walk you out.” Venus said through a full mouth of beef and gravy. She wiped with the purple napkin that was sitting on the place setting to match the purple wall.
“Thanks, sweetie.” She turned and hugged Venus nice and long and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Why don’t you and Airic do something special this weekend? Life is too short to be sitting around. Don’t waste it.”
Venus almost choked on a small piece of beef. Okay, who is this sweet woman and what has she done with my mother? “Mom, is there something wrong?”
Pauletta turned and hugged Venus again, this time tighter. “Nothing’s wrong. Just try to enjoy your weekend. You deserve everything good this world has to offer. I love you.”
Again, she found herself feeling off balance, the center of things that she knew and comprehended falling from underneath her. First Airic, now her mother, acting out of character.
She went back to the table, no longer feeling the surge of hunger. She tucked the edges of foil back over her plate and set it on the counter. Maybe it was her, maybe she was the one lost in space while everyone else was growing and evolving. Venus was stuck in her usual expectations. Needing her mother’s sarcasm and Airic’s lightheartedness. Things change, people change. But then where would that leave Venus?
EMPTY FOLDERS
THE worst part of a Monday morning was knowing she had five solid days to go. She slid underneath Airic’s long arm and snuggled close. His eyes did a butterfly dance, then opened completely.
“What time is it?”
“Five-thirty.” Venus didn’t need a clock to know that. It was precisely the time the sun started peeping through the large window directly over her bed. “I’ll make coffee.” She started to get up. He stopped her.
“I feel bad.”
“Don’t. You were tired, you needed to rest and that’s what you did. Don’t feel guilty about it.” He’d spent the entire two days sleeping, eyes closed, lids sealed. Although he had opened them temporarily on Saturday night in an energetic mood to make love that just as quickly sizzled out like a match in the rain.
“I think everything is working again.” He lifted the sheet slightly to give her a sneak peek.
“But your flight leaves—”
Airic kissed her in midsentence. “I’ll catch the next one.” He pressed himself on top of her, his long body stretching across hers. She wrapped her arms around him, giving him the encouragement he needed to follow through, even though that was the last thing she wanted. Her mind was somewhere else. Driving Airic to the airport, not knowing when she’d see him again. Having to face Jake Parson. The silent battle among Legend, William, and herself. None of it she wanted to deal with.
Venus needed to be touched, to know that there was more to life than the discourse in her head. Airic moved with ease between her thighs, making her heart beat faster, sending waves of O2 to her center. She shivered against his warm chest where his heart beat solid and strong. He was her life, a cord of rope that kept her from falling over the edge. He kept her sane. How could she even think about anyone else? Here was the only place she wanted to be. She moved with the rhythm, grinding her pelvis against him, needing the friction and the heat. She dug her fingers into the flesh of his narrow hips and directed him to drive the thoughts away one stroke at a time. She lifted her hips as far as she could with the weight of him, begging for more. She needed for him to go deeper, to love her harder.
Her mind swam to an uneven balance, leaning to a quiet space. White light, white noise. Airic’s heavy breath in her ear, the rush of his heartbeat. She was sinking, falling for sure to reach the other side. She arched her back giving him endless access, letting him know she was his to do with as he willed. He let out a moan of appreciation. Then she felt his body go rigid.
“Oh God, oh baby.” Hoarse whispers crept from his throat and into her ear. She urgently took her last chance to reach the other side, moving her hips into position, cupping her own breast, closing in on the outer circle of her nipples, kneading until they were ripe to the touch. For Venus it was as simple as breathing. Capturing as much fuel for the moment until her breath was caught. When she stopped, the plane would shift, rolling her down the hill, into the light place. She held on waiting for the collapse of pleasure into each other’s arms … then the precious solid five minutes where they would cuddle in each other’s arms, then pop up like dual bagels in the toaster.
Time to go.
“VENUS, have you seen a file that I had lying out … right here?” Airic was walking around in a frenzy, the collar of his coat twisted inside, his tie angled to the side. His bony fingers dug through the magazine stack on the coffee table.
“Right here.” Venus held it up. “I was going to take a look at it for you.”
He took it out of her hand before she could finish, packing it away. “Did you?”
“No, I never got a chance.” Bewilderment set in. Her eyes followed his movement. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I don’t want to be late. I can’t miss this flight.” He threw his bag over his shoulder and leaned over to kiss her.
“You seem a little agitated. If you don’t want me looking at your stuff, just say so.”
Airic grabbed the smooth point of her chin so she couldn’t pull away again, kissing her lightly on the lips. “That’s not it. I just can’t be late.” Another kiss between the eyes. “Ready?”
“Sure.” Venus pulled the door closed and followed him out of the apartment to the elevator. While they waited, she turned toward him and began fixing his collar and tie. “I hope you’re taking care of yourself better than this when I’m not around.”
“Nothing can replace having you around.”
The elevator doors opened. The
mirrored walls made the elevator feel crowded with only the two of them. “Do you mean that, or are you just making kissy talk?”
He pulled her close. “I mean it.” He pulled away just as quickly when the doors opened, making Venus skip to keep up with him to the car. He took the keys and reminded her that she drove too slow. She moved to the passenger side grudgingly, thinking about his hard pedal-to-the-metal driving.
Thank goodness the traffic was steady enough to keep him below eighty miles an hour. Venus chewed on her inner cheek the entire way to the airport as he stop-and-goed.
“Kiss-kiss,” he said, standing at the curb of the gate. She puckered up and threw her arms around his shoulders. Airic began to pull away before she could finish the thought. “I’ll call you.”
“Okay.” She waved with one hand. “See you.”
He mouthed the words I love you.
THE first face she saw was Legend’s. His deep strong smile faded when he saw her coming through the glass doors. He ended the conversation he was having and closed his cell phone.
“Good morning, Sergeant,” he said, saluting her.
Good morning, asshole. She made a half grin. She looked at her watch. “Where’s the rest of the crew?”
“Jake is on his way. I was just talking to him before you walked in.”
“Well, time is his money.” She pulled out empty folders and fanned them before putting them back. If Jake Parson said one word about his little phone tag, she would kill him. Venus opened her briefcase on the oversized glass table. She restacked, reshuffled, and redid everything in arm’s reach. Legend sat across from her, watching silently. His smugness was a sure sign that she was the topic of conversation between him and Jake, whether it was only moments ago when she entered the room or right after his test flight a couple of nights ago. Surely, she was the cause of Legend’s cheery mood. Venus swallowed hard, not comfortable with the smug grin on his face. She had intended on blasting him first thing, for not telling her of their existing relationship with Jake. First-degree sabotage. Now she felt powerless.
“What did you guys do after I left Friday? Get anything done?” She measured her breaths, working them in slowly, in-out.
“Not really. Just more brainstorming.” He leaned back, letting his dark long locks hang independently of his shoulders. “So how was your weekend?” Legend asked.
“Good, thank you. How was yours?”
“Couldn’t have been better.”
“And why was that?” Venus kept her face in an empty file.
“Hung out with some friends I hadn’t seen for a while. Kicked it at the Lakers game. Then went to an after party. You?” Again, the know-it-all smile.
“Nice and quiet.” She slid a yellow notepad across the table. “Do you think you can recall any of the conversation you guys had on Friday? It would be helpful.” She rose and pulled on the heavy glass door. “I’m going for coffee, want any?”
“No, I’m cool, but thanks for—”
Venus was already out the door and headed toward the stairs. She had to step out of the room before she jumped over the table and swung Legend around by his woolly locks.
“Is there some place I can get some coffee around here?” Venus asked the new receptionist, a stick man dressed in all black. He had a phone wrapped around his head like a helicopter pilot.
“Yes, ahah, airight. No problem.” He pushed a button on his hip.
“Now what were you saying?”
“Coffee.”
His bones almost looked like they hurt under his black knit turtleneck as he pointed across the way. “First open space to your right, make a right, make another right and there’s a full-fledged Starbucks attached to the end.” He turned away from her, pressing his hip. “This is me, is that you?” He laughed into the tiny mouthpiece.
Venus followed the shiny palette of colored tiles, similar to the yellow brick road, only it was pastel pink, green, and orange. She just wanted a simple cup of coffee. She stepped in line behind a smorgasbord of spray-colored hair, pierced ears, and people who had no business claiming to be fashionistas.
She felt a bump as the herd moved closer to the happy Starbucks cashier. She felt it again, turning around abruptly.
“Good morning.” Jake Parson stood over her, his goatee crisply outlined on his face. His lips equally arched in perfection.
“You mind backing up a little?” Venus put her small hand in the center of his chest and held steady while her knees tried to give way. Solid. Thick and hard—his chest, that is.
“It’s kind of tight in here. Sorry.” He lifted his hands to show he was doing no harm, then laced them behind his back. Still, he scooted closer. She was being molested in a public place. She should hold up her hand and scream for security. Instead she stayed put, determined not to be moved. Not to budge. Her boots were rooted, solid in one spot
He tapped her on the shoulder, pointing ahead. “Your turn.”
There was no one in front of her, a space as large as three people served. She stepped up. “A double Grande Espresso.”
“Going for the gusto, huh.” Jake Parson stood on her right side, fishing into his wallet. “These are together; get me a tall, whatever’s on tap.” He handed the cashier a twenty.
“A pastry or cookie, Mr. Parson?”
“Not today. Too much work getting it off.” He patted himself, making a point to smooth his hand over his silk sweater, leaving the imprint of his tightly muscled chest and stomach.
They moved together to the left as the unwritten rules dictated, waiting patiently for their special blends. Jake kept a good two-inch distance. Venus reached for a couple of napkins to pat her nose and forehead. He grabbed both coffees and started walking. She followed.
“You have mine.” She skipped closer, carefully reaching across his chest.
“Right, I just thought we were headed to the same place.” She unhinged the coffee from his manicured nails. “I can carry my own, thanks.”
“I like your hair this morning. Did you twist it or something?”
He caught Venus off guard. He had no idea what dangerous waters he was treading with this subject. Hair had been her driving force for the better part of her life. At one time, she defined herself by her ever glossy relaxed strands, making sure they received all the loving care her salary could muster. Now, this man was standing in front of her, eyeing her natural finger-length style, looking at her like she’d done something special just by waking up this morning and spraying Kiehl’s Moisturizing Spritz, working it through with a few quick tugs and swirls. He was messing in dangerous territory. Mighty dangerous territory.
“Thank you,” she said dryly, recovering, not believing she’d just fallen for it. She started walking again with a mission.
“Ah, Miss Johnston.”
She stopped, pivoted around on her riding boot heel.
“We’re this way.” He was ahead once again.
WILLIAM and Legend were inside the conference room, both standing at the wall-sized windows looking down on the sample-cutting floor.
“Hate to interrupt,” Venus said, sliding into her seat.
“Hey, man.” William reached over Venus’s head, shaking Jake’s hand. They stood over her, two well-dressed pillars. Either direction she turned, she’d be staring into someone’s crotch. She sipped her coffee. “Can we get started?” She slipped on her black-rimmed glasses, trying hard to stare straight ahead.
Finally, everyone took a seat around the table. All hail the queen, she was thinking. She would not be squashed today. If they tried, they’d be eating her size sixes.
She looked over the notes Legend had scrawled illegibly. Something about a test market, maybe; she turned the pad upside down, then back again. Not today. Not today, she chanted in her mind. She would not let Legend make her look foolish. She was beginning to wonder if it was all worth it, working with the dynamic duo. Sure, they’d done the best ads Nike had seen in five years. Sure, they’d turned Jack Daniel’s reputat
ion around from being a brown bag beverage to the urban beverage of choice. Did that mean she had to endure this insolence? She’d produced her share of miracles, too; Legend and William weren’t the only ones. She’d made the Avon lady more than a ding-dong housewife. She’d made the company understand that women—black, white, Spanish, or Asian—wanted to feel strong. Believe in themselves. Who better to represent that than Venus and Serena Williams? A $15 million ad campaign with nearly $70 million in newly generated sales. Damn right she had made a miracle happen.
“I think the first thing we’re going to have to do here, guys, is make a commitment to work together”—she looked over at Legend then to Jake—“as a full-fledged team. And by that I’m just saying that every team has a captain, which in this case happens to be me … if you don’t think I’m qualified to be in that position, I will surely step aside and make room for whomever you feel is worthy.” The silence that followed was hollow and uneasy. Venus didn’t blink, tried real hard not to fall out in laughter. God, she loved power.
“Absolutely. I have every confidence in you, Ms. Johnston.” Jake looked over to the other two men. “I’m sure we’re in full agreement.”
“No doubt.” Legend placed both dark hands on the table, strumming lightly.
“I have the utmost respect for you, Venus.” William smiled, twisting one of the many rings on his fingers.
“Okay … then let’s get started.”
That was easier than she thought. Too easy. They could be appeasing her to throw her off guard, or they could mean what they say. She deserved their respect. Just as Jake had reasoned, whatever chips were sitting on Legend’s and William’s shoulders were not put there by her and they knew it.
For two solid hours they threw ideas on the wall. It was a bull-run session; they all agreed a new brand for the young women’s side was necessary, but the men’s line could stay under JPWear. Jake liked the name Feline and had been carrying it around for some time, something about an ex-girlfriend who took no prisoners. The young men’s line needed to come out strong and represent JPWear with a sophisticated style for the high-end stores and keep the general line going into the low end. They needed a superpower to represent the new brand. Slick, sharp, and hot. “Lila Kelly.” Venus tossed it out like they were playing Pictionary.
Would I Lie to You? Page 5