The Proposition (A Geek, An Angel)

by J. A. JACKSON

  “Yes.” Alice’s eyes grew wide.

  Janeshia stiffened. “Okay I guess, why?”

  “I don’t know if you were aware of it,” Alice said with a blank expression. “But your father…..”

  “Yes I know some people believe my father and Sheba were lovers. And I know my mother was her best friend,” Janeshia’s eyes narrowed.

  “No….No…I’m not trying to say anything bad. Everyone in our family knows that Sheba had a mind like a child. My grandmother said so.”

  Curiously Janeshia raised a brow. “Oh really, what else does your grandmother know about Sheba?”

  Alice’s expression glowed with her interest. “My grandmother said that when Sheba was born the two chambers in her heart were not fully developed. No one thought Sheba would ever live as long as she did,” Alice smiled gently so as not to give offense. “Did you know she had that clairvoyant super power gift thing like that comic book character, Jean Grey? My grandmother said Sheba was born before her time. This world couldn’t understand her. My grandmother always says that the best thing that ever happened to her was having you.”

  “Do you know if Sheba died during childbirth? No one in my family would ever tell me.”

  “Oh no, even though she had that bad heart and all. It was like she willed herself to live. My grandmother said Sheba said she needed Aurore to forgive her. She didn’t die until after your mother, Aurore came to her bedside and forgave her, and agreed to take you as her own. Sheba told your mother that that was the only reason she had been born to make sure that her best friend had the daughter she had always wanted. Once I knew that, I was determined to seek your forgiveness.”

  Janeshia fortified herself with a deep breath. “How does your grandmother know so much about Sheba?”

  “That’s the reason I’ve wanted to talk to you and apologize for all the years I bullied you. We’re cousins. Sheba was my grandmother’s baby sister.”

  Her words caused an instant reaction. Her heart beat raced. Her eyes swelled up with tears.

  Alice reached over and touched her hand. “Don’t cry. By the way I brought you a present,” she reached and placed a box in front of Janeshia.

  Janeshia cleared her throat forcibly. “A gift for me, why?”

  “Well, it’s really to make up for all those years.” a little something to show you how I finally grew up and realized that all of that negative Karma energy I lavished on you as a kid was really just hurting myself,” she hesitated.

  Janeshia blinked back at her.

  “Open it please.”

  Janeshia slowly took the top of off the box.

  A stunned gasped escaped her lips.

  “Alice why? How did you get it? I saw you tear up the original.”

  “I was lucky my grandmother had a copy. She let me make a copy of hers, once I told her how much; I regretted tearing up your copy. I know it’s not much but I hope it shows you how sorry I am and how much your friendship means to me.”

  The old photo made Janeshia’s voice catch in her throat. It was a photo of her two mothers hugging each other and holding a small blanket wrapped bundle. It must have been taken when her mother Aurore had agreed to take her, just before Sheba died.

  Her voice shook. “Thank you Alice.”

  Alice’s giving her back the photo healed her wounds and her heart softened. “Well, I want to tell you something Alice, a woman… I mean an old friend of my family told me recently that I shouldn’t give up on an old friend. Thank you for my photo, Alice, my old friend, my cousin.”

  Alice’s eyes glassed over with pure happiness.

  Janeshia put the photo in her purse. “Wow, I forgot you were a wealth of information growing up. I should ask you about any people I need to find.”

  “See, now you can see being friends with me has its advantages,” Alice said. “I know all of the old families that settled here. If I don’t know them, my grandmother does. Ask me about anyone I can tell you their family history, secrets and where they buried their relatives and their enemies.”

  Janehisa lifted a brow. She always knew Alice’s family was well connected. Maybe having her as a friend and a cousin was better than keeping her as an enemy.

  Alice lifted her glass of wine and regarded Janeshia, “You know I mean it, whatever you need just ask.”

  Janeshia’s thoughts turned to that time long ago. “Okay I’ll take you up on your offer. Remember when you left me in the basement. Who was that boy that carried me out? He was my hero,” she murmured out in a slow breathe. “Boy was I ever in love with him. I know I was only four years old. But he was the nicest boy I ever meet.”

  Alice shook her head in disbelief. “Don’t you know who that boy is? He’s Walker Perrault. I thought you always knew he was the boy that carried you out of the basement?”

  Chapter 38

  Pssssst…..We’ve got problems at work!

  Janeshia got up the next morning with determination and headed into work.

  She got off the elevator and headed to her office.

  A whispered voice sliced the air. “Pssssst, Janeshia we need to talk before you go into the office,” Tamara Bell, her assistant, whispered and motioned for her to join her behind a large palm fern pant.

  Janeshia strolled over. “What is it?”

  Nervously Tamara looked around. “I’ve been hiding here trying to catch you. We’ve got problems. Big problems.”

  “Tamara why didn’t you just call my cell?”

  “Because, I had no choice. There is a strange man sitting at my desk. I think he was placed there to keep me from alerting you. Besides, I was too frightened to retrieve my purse. They just called an emergency board meeting,” she whispered.

  “What?”

  “Janeshia, all of the board members are there.”

  “Oh my goodness that can’t be, Tom Craig never comes to a board meeting,” Janeshia said. “Tell me, who else showed?”

  “Well let me see,” Tamara shrugged. “I’ve seen Ulysses Portillo, Bertie Mills, Dave Redland, and that sleazy smarmy weasel looking Nate Trent.”

  “Nate Trent?”

  “Yeah that guy. Oh yeah, those back stabbing dizzy blond twins Janet and Linnet Mann are here. And Kate Martin and David Creek made it too. But that was only when I was at my desk. Since I’ve been hiding out here I don’t know who else showed.”

  Janeshia looked puzzled. “That’s strange; I wonder what’s going on?”

  Tamara nervously sighed. “I think they are trying to stack the deck against you Janeshia,” she paused. “Oh I forgot Adam St. Charles is in there too. He is acting like he is running the show.”

  “Interesting,” Janeshia sighed. “What about Walker Perrault? Has he arrived yet?”

  Tamara sighed. “No, and he is the only one not here.”

  “Maybe I should give him a call.”

  “I thought of that too Janeshia, per Walker’s secretary he’s out of town. She can’t reach him.”

  “Janeshia? There you are.” Adam St. Charles’ voice called out.

  She turned around. A cloud of uncertainty strained her thoughts. What was Adam St. Charles up to? She wondered.

  “You weren’t trying to leave were you?” He asked.

  “No Adam, I just arrived.”

  “Perhaps I should escort you to the conference room,” he suggested.

  “Janeshia doesn’t need you to escort her anywhere Adam St. Charles. She’s a woman of integrity, class and high moral standards. Things you can’t even understand, comprehend or probably can’t even spell or look up in the dictionary, you slimy sleaze ball jerk!”

  “Tamara its okay,” Janeshia said moving to place herself between the two of them.

  “Look Adam, It won’t be necessary for you to escort me. I was just on my way there. Tell everyone I will see them in a few minutes.”

  Adam sneered. “Very well, don’t keep us waiting too long.”

  Janeshia watched him walk away. She thought about the past week.
How strange everything had seemed. And then she remembered her visit to Miss Mary Mackeey and the encouragement her grandmother Lena Mae Allen had given her. “The future belongs to you. Use your instincts. You must. If you do not, you will lose something you love very much.”

  With renewed confidence Janeshia straightened her shoulders.

  A few minutes later, Janeshia knocked softly at the conference room door. She didn’t wait for an answer and strolled right in. She quickly scanned the room. Adam St. Charles was not in sight.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, I believe you requested the honor of my presence,” she announced as she marched over and took the head seat.

  Weasel faced Nate Trent was the first to say something. “Janeshia you should have waited until……”

  With an acid tone in her voice Janeshia said, “Oh I’m so sorry Nate, you wanted to put me in my place and tell me where you wanted me to sit? Am I right?”

  Janet and Linnet, the back stabbing Mann twins smirked loudly.

  Kate Martin giggled openly. She had a petite rail thin frame. Her hair was shinning black bobbed-cut short, with precision cut bangs that made the eyes in her head look sensually alluring.

  The conference room was filled with chaos.

  The voice that roared and sounded like an African King as it sliced the air took control. “Let Janeshia sit wherever she wants to Nate,” Ulysses Portillo bellowed. “For God’s sakes this isn’t a trial of law. And Nate Trent you’d better act like you’ve got some manners.”

  Caught like a mouse in a trap. Nate loudly cleared his throat and lowered his gazed.

  Startled by the directness of the man’s voice, Janeshia took a quick glance at Ulysses Portillo. The deep creased jowls on his face reminded her of a country hound dogs. His slanted dark eyes stared back at her. He had the face of a man that was used to being obeyed. He had always been a mysterious man to her. She’d had never known him to show any kindness to anyone. Now she looked on amazed at something she had never noticed before. His eyes were truth seekers.

  “Janeshia, I’m sorry but we – all have summoned you here today because we have a matter of grave concern that requires immediate attention,” he hesitated. “Since we are not fully staffed today with our fierce leader right now, no permanent decisions can be made. We must say that this is a fact finding mission,” he assured her. “And because we have reason to believe someone may try and leak this story to the Silicon Valley News, we feel its best that you are removed as director until this matter, all inquiries and a full investigation is done.”

  A chilled insensitive voice added. “Yes Janeshia,” Nate Trent said, determined to have the last word. “We believe you have abused your position as Director of the Silicon Valley Diamond Foundation and we will make a full investigation into the matter immediately.”

  The room erupted in soft chatter.

  Janeshia eyes looked back at Nate with an unreadable sigh. “And what matter at hand would that be Nate? You’ve been talking very loud but you haven’t said a thing about exactly what this investigation is about.”

  Nate let his eyes roam over her face and body as his stubby fingers played with an ink pen. “You know what you did Janeshia. You had hot passionate sex with an employee,” he smiled viciously. “With a man who was obviously not your type, or class level.”

  Janeshia sat motionless.

  “What would you know about Janeshia type, Nate?” Adam St. Charles’ voice sliced the air.

  All heads turned in the direction of Adam St. Charles’ voice. He walked out of a hidden door and crossed the room with a murderous look in his eye.

  Nate Trent’s eyes bulged wide. “Nothing….Nothing at all,” Nate said disarmingly. “Here, Adam, I saved you a seat by me.”

  Adam sat down and leaned in close. “So Nate,” he whispered. “You thought I wasn’t listening. You backstabbing little….”

  “Shhhhh Adam, someone might hear you. I was just trying to put Janeshia on the spot like you wanted,” Nate said testily.

  Adam rolled his eyes and whispered with a jealous glint. “You were trying nothing of the sort. You and I both know you’ve always wanted her.”

  “Don’t try any of your bullying on me Adam. Nate’s brow lifted as if signaling an alert.

  All eyes watched the two men whispering.

  Ulysses Portillo cleared his throat and took charge of the situation. “Adam St. Charles, where did you come from?”

  Janeshia waived her hand. “Ah that door leads to a very small hidden copy room. We hardly use it.”

  Kate Martin shook her head. “Wow a secret room. This just gets better and better.”

  “Well that brings us to my next question Adam, where you eavesdropping Adam? Ulysses Portillo asked frankly. “As I recall we did ask you to leave the building.”

  Adam shook his head. “I wasn’t eavesdropping. I’m sorry. I must have misunderstood. As I recall, you said the meeting was adjourned. No one said I had to leave the building.”

  “Hmmmmmm,” Ulysses Portillo gruff out. “Well this is an investigation and our bylaws require that this board of directors conduct our investigation honoring the privacy and confidentiality of all parties involved.”

  Adam flashed a brilliant grin. “But you have the lecherous harlot vixen of a director present right here,’ he pointed. “Why not conduct your investigation now?”

  Janeshia was mortified at the names Adam called her.

  Kate Martin regarded Adam with an expression of disdain.

  “I can’t believe he just said that!” She blurted. “Ulysses do something, this meeting is getting out of hand.”

  “We agree,” echoed the Mann twins.

  “There will be no name calling Adam!” Ulysses Portillo shook his head impatiently.

  David Creek, silent throughout the whole matter, finally spoke up. “Ulysses, I believe we should hold this matter over until Claire Marie Perrault can join us. She is the majority shareholder.”

  Adam’s angry gaze went around the table. “What kind of investigation is this? You need to get on with this matter now!”

  Nate Trent mused. “Adam’s request sounds reasonable to me,” he said. “Don’t you all remember why we’ve called this meeting?”

  David Creek’s large head shook lightly. “But Marie Claire isn’t here,” he protested loudly.

  And I’m sure Adam St. Charles would like things concluded as quickly as possible,” he frowned. “Besides, if Adam had done something like what she did, his being a man and all, we wouldn’t even have had this meeting. We would have suspended him without a glance,” his attention drifted back toward Janeshia. We don’t owe that harlot any operations of protocol.”

  “Nate, you act like a stupid bastard sometimes,” Kate said.

  “Nate, I warned you about your manners,” Ulysses Portillo’s robust voice growled through the air. “And for your information that little scene you just played out with Adam might have been lost on everyone else in this room, but remember Nate I have a deaf relative,” he paused to let his meaning sink in. “Maybe there are others here we need to investigate also.”

  Janeshia listened intently.

  Ulysses’ eyes gazed around the room. His words flowed like a deep river. “And for the record Adam, I must disagree with you. This investigation is being treated with the upmost fairness for all concerned. If you would let us continue our investigation in a fair and just manner, we will soon gather the truth!”

  The room erupted in soft chatter.

  “Now hold on just a moment here,” Adam interrupted. “If you don’t ask this slut a few questions I will.”

  “Ulysses, I’m sure the Mann twins will agree, we woman won’t tolerate Adams behavior much longer,” Kate bellowed.

  Janeshia shivered. For a few seconds she seemed to feel a darkness engulfing her. Her whole mind ached with what was happening right in front of her eyes. She wished she could just run from the run and hide. Slowly, deep within, she heard a voice. Her grandmother’s wor
ds echoed in her mind. “The future belongs to you. Use your instincts. You must. If you do not you will lose something you love very much.”

  A smile crept to Janeshia’s face. “Adam St. Charles. I am not a slut. But then a natural born predator like yourself, wouldn’t know what a real lady looked like if she walked up and slapped you in the face.”

  Kate Martin gave a soft snort. “You tell him Janeshia!”

  Janeshia’s eyes sparkled wickedly as she studied Adam. Something flashed in her mind. “Adam, since its story-time and you’ve had the floor making up your stories. How about I tell one of my own? I heard that there was a story about how you got that cut under your eye,” she surrounded up a professional smile. “The story goes that some woman gave it to you. After she told you to stop but you didn’t know what the word stop meant. The story says she slapped you hard and her ring left you with that ugly small scar just below your left eye.”

  “You bitch!” Adam hissed.

  Kate Martin blurted. “Whew! Sounds like there is more to this story than just what Adam has been telling.”

  “Silence,” Ulysses Portillo demanded. This meeting is totally out of control.”

  “I’ll agree to that,” Kate said. “Take control of this mess Ulysses.”

  Ulysses Portillo’s eyes narrowed. It was obvious he was annoyed. “Okay, right now Janeshia it isn’t necessary that you stay and answer any of our questions. We will be in touch with you privately.”

  Furiously Adam St. Charles clenched his fist and hit the table.

  “Are you planning to use that thing to solve your problems Adam?” Ulysses glared at Adam’s clenched fist and then back to his face.

  Adam took his meaning and unclenched his fist.

  Ulysses folded his hands and continued. “Janeshia this decision is unanimous I….We the majority do hold you in high esteem; and we know that the best and safest thing to do at this time, is to ask you to kindly remove yourself from the premises until we conclude with our investigation.”

  Janeshia rose to leave. She drew in a deep breath as she slowly walked to the door.