She was waiting for an introduction and Richard decided to drag out her agony a bit more.
“That’s unfortunate Mother. I’m afraid I have to bid the beautiful Alissa my most humble apologies.”
The statement didn’t give Queen Lena what she wanted, so she skipped the coyness and asked. “And who exactly is this exotic specimen you are sitting with on a grand evening such as this?”
Alissa backed away and Richard felt proud of killing another money, status and social shark looking to marry well.
“Never patient are we Mother?”
Lena produced a smile that mothers gave to children when they were moments away from severe punishment. Richard yielded. “This is Kimberly Walsh. She is the new lawyer for Tabletop and I have invited her here as my personal guest. I will be sure to inform you of all my dates in the future since you now seem so interested.”
Daggers made of ice and fire were silently fired through Lena’s gaze and she snapped her head around at Kimberly’s now extended hand. Being a lady, Kimberly was taken aback when she received only a cursory nod from the matriarch of the Damask family, and quickly lowered her hand back to her lap. There was a time and place to chastise little old ladies. This was not it.
The old woman’s nose immediately went up into the air and she walked around the table stiffly before taking her place adjacent Kimberly at the table. What an interesting night this was turning out to be. In a matter of minutes, Kimberly was reminded that Old Money thought there were places for her people. Sitting at the head table was not one of them.
Sipping on the pre dinner alcohol made Kimberly senses heighten. The mention of her as a date by Richard did not go unnoticed. Yes, definitely and interesting night. Zucchini curls on a bed of arugula salad, dressed with a creamy sauce were served with pickled shrimp in white wine vinaigrette.
Selecting the salad fork, Richards’s mother began to eat her first course slowly, while darting her eyes from Richard to Kimberly and then back to Richard. They were chatting a bit too closely for her comfort and occasionally Kimberly leaned too close to her son for Lena’s liking. She would have to call her ex husband in the morning to address the matter of the boss and the help fraternizing.
Kimberly was enchanted by the presence of her boss and the friendly manner in which he dealt with her. The mother issue was not something to be concerned about and she ignored the old goat completely. There was something happening under the table and it was unnerving her. Though the table was spacious, Richard’s legs were long and every time he leaned forward for a forkful of salad, the one nearest to her rubbed against her thigh. Separated by layers of fabric, the warmth of the masculine leg stimulated Kimberly in ways she found unnerving. How was it that the simple leg of a not so simple man could make the breath in her chest feel insufficient?
Maybe she was misinterpreting the messages she was reading from Richard. He was a rich white man with luxuries she had only been recently introduced to, and she was a black woman with a tormented history. This would be an unlikely pairing, and Kimberly struggled to keep the thought out of her mind. Richard would have liked if Kimberly could sit closer. The smell of the food was delicious, but nowhere near as alluring as the fragrance he inhaled when she came close to listen to his whispers.
Watching the rise and fall of her breasts as she laughed at his dull jokes, Richard wondered if her breasts were just as soft as her palms. She was a woman- full of ambition and she probably had an active social life anyway. Money didn’t seem to be her only objective in life and he found himself imagining what it would be like to be with her- alone.
*****
Though the tension wire of attraction was pulled tighter than ever, both Kimberly and Richard managed to keep their interaction to an employee-employer level. The dancing after dinner proved to be a challenge as both the dismissed Alissa and Roland returned for a chance to get closer to their targets.
Longing glances across the dance floor were exchanged and stares diverted as Kimberly’s and Richard’s dance partners filled their ears with meaningless chatter. The applause at the end of the final waltz was rousing and all present agreed that it was a truly pleasant evening.
Alissa never had the chance to solicit a personal invitation from Richard Damask, because he abruptly left her side to escort Kimberly to her ride. Giving Roland the excuse that he wanted to discuss some brief company business with her, the two headed for the door.
It was not a request and Roland understood this as he backed away, bidding the stunning Kimberly Walsh a splendid good night. Maybe he would have another chance but it wouldn’t be today.
Crisp air greeted the now warm guests as they emerged from the cozy house, and it was a good cleanse for the lungs. Forgetting about the shawl, Kimberly hugged her shoulders as Richard joined her side. They both waited for the valets to bring the cars around, amid the other officials directing the now overflowing traffic. Richard was eager to speak with her about anything. He just wanted to be in her presence without interruption.
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
“Yes, I did. It was the most fun I’ve had in a long time. It’s evident I don’t get out much.” They laughed heartily at the joke and without thinking she touched his chest affectionately. Withdrawing her hand swiftly, Kimberly was aware that she may have crossed the line.
Grabbing it and placing it back on his chest, Richard said, “You don’t have to be so cautious around me. I won’t push anything.”
Kimberly’s girlish innocent smile spread across her face and then it was quickly replaced with something else. Richard was no expert in women and he needed help with this one.
“What’s wrong?”
“Your mother is coming.”
Richard was a grown man. Responsible for an empire and with billions of dollars under his belt, he still couldn’t get his mother to act like anything less than an ice queen. It only took a second of his time to glance around at the pending storm called Lena, and when he looked around to reassure Kimberly that all would be well, he barely caught the flash of her heeled sandals as she closed her limo door. She waved goodbye and mouthed, “See you tomorrow,” just before ordering her driver to take her home. Damn it!
Lena approached his side as he glared at the leaving Limo in annoyance. As usual, she had words of wisdom to leave with her son. “Richard, it would do you well to remember that all are created equal, but some more equal than others.”
The animal farm reference was dropped, Richard’s mother stepped into her chauffeur driven stretch. As the black driver closed the door and walked around to his side, Lena rolled up her window and disappeared down the driveway.
Chapter 5
It didn’t seem that she would get to bed anytime soon. It was well after two am and the sandman had neglected to make his usual visit. The silk scarf on her head seemed to be creating extra heat and with a snap of Kimberly’s wrist her head was free of the colorful cloth.
Her boss was not the type of man she dated and if his mother was any indication, Richard was only nice on the surface. There was too much hardship in her past to get caught up with a man who was obviously raised with prejudices deeper rooted than he may have cared to admit.
Was she against interracial relationships? No, but she wasn’t a prime candidate for such a union. In college, Phil had approached her and it didn’t turn out well. His family was well-to-do, but not overly wealthy. Uncertain if it was poor parenting or just a fetish, he turned their brief friendship into a spectacle among his pals. The size of her ass and the other things unique to her culture and her race, all made for the obsessive sexual obsession Phil had for her. They never had sex, much to his disappointment, and after he tried to force her, she had no choice but to display her other side. Sassy and uppity were the final words he used to describe her before she connected her fist with his jaw and that was the end of white Phil and black Kimberly as an item.
*****
The Hummers engine died after Richard killed it. Driving around aimlessly
for hours did nothing to clear his head. Overflowing with all manner of sexual thoughts, he needed to cool off. Richard found himself driving past a nightclub, observing the form of the women there. He had never taken time to inspect the physique of the black woman. It definitely caught his attention now.
Lena was never overly vocal in her views on race, but then again, she didn’t need to be. Lena hired only back maids and insisted on only ethnic drivers. The gardener was Hispanic and as Tabletop industries grew so did her aloof nature.
There was a time in Golden Gates Private School when an African gentleman sought to enroll his daughter into their curriculum. A manipulative Mrs. Damask used her weight on the school board to have the application rejected. The man’s net worth was times that of the Damask family, but that made no difference. The entire auditorium that year was refurbished compliments of Tabletop industries.
Kimberly’s palm felt right in his. It was the first time in ages that he had touched a woman and felt the electricity that had passed through their hand hold. Her lips were so full. Richard wondered what it would be like to taste them. As he caught his eyes in the rear view mirror, he cursed himself for being so rusty at the dating game that he couldn’t make a simple choice because color may stand in the way. Closing the door, he decided that this matter would not be solved tonight and stumbled through the door and stretching out on the sofa in one of his living rooms.
*****
Birds chirped noisily, announcing that morning had come. The rapping on the door interrupted the pounding headache now exacting revenge on Richard. Who the hell came over at six in the morning and where the hell was the butler?
Monte had been dismissed of his duties the evening before and the maids had retired to their quarters. It was too early even for staff, but the security should have caught whoever it was at the gates-unless that person had access.
Mother. She stood on his beautiful steps with her sun visor on and the shorts geriatric women wore to make them feel young again. She was outfitted in white from head to toe. The mystery of if her hair was platinum blonde or simply shiny gray always puzzled Richard. The visor was white, the tennis shoes were white- his mother was a white woman.
Statement clearly communicated with her clothing, Richard groaned as she rapped again loudly and clicked off the monitor that displayed his unwanted visitor. He looked longingly at the now black flat screen before him and wished that he could evaporate just like the image that had just faded away.
Only his pants remained on his body. All other clothing lay in a heap next to the plush sofa he had slept on. Rising to his feet, he wobbled. Champagne and lust made for a deadly combination and Lena was not here to administer medication. Rubbing his eyes and hoping to silence the drum in his head, Richard advanced toward the door. It was a decent walk and in a silent house, his mother pounding on the door appeared even louder.
Yanking it open and squinting from the glare of the much too brilliant sun, he whispered, “Good morning mom. Why are you at my house at this hour?”
Lena’s tell tale smile was interrupted by an equally revealing statement, “Can’t a mother visit her only child on a morning such as this? The early bird catches the first worm and you, my dear, are ready for the plucking.”
Maybe she heard his groan, maybe she didn’t. Either way, she trotted inside as though she had every right to be there. Her attack was not coy. As a matter of a fact, Lena wasn’t not a woman for subtlety. Even the blind could read her message.
“Richard,” she crooned while opening his refrigerator. “Don’t let loneliness cloud your judgment. The black girl you were fraternizing with last night is an employee not a potential partner. Smart and beautiful as she is, she is still the help. Don’t go throwing down your handkerchief for anything less than you deserve.”
Fog of sleep and fatigue clouded Richard’s brain and he couldn’t muster the energy to explain his feelings to his mother. Because Lena was accustomed to issuing orders, she continued, never waiting for his response.
“Alissa is a fine specimen of a lady. Her daddy has been very generous to the many committees I’ve sat on over the years and that family has the right political affiliations. I believe that you will have a grand time with her on your arm.”
Two minutes later, she was still on the campaign of the overly adorned girl from last night and Richard’s brain could no longer interpret the words coming from his overzealous mother. Pulling his entire six foot three frame from the leather bar stool he stood and went upstairs to his room where he locked the door.
*****
Kimberly didn’t like uncomfortable situations, but very few were aware of her nervousness when they did occur. Friday morning with Mr. Richard Damask would surely be accompanied by an elephant in the room.
Sleep came easily last night after she scrubbed the makeup from her face and lay down under her queen sized canopy. It was the images that came with slumber that made waking up a pleasant experience. A man was chasing her down a busy street where she dodged yellow cabs and pedestrians all of who were staring at her in shock. Naked, a frightened, running Kimberly searched frantically for a place to cover herself.
In pursuit of her, a running white man had removed his ominous bush hat and was panting. The perspiration ran down his red face and a grin escaped when he found her behind the veggies at the bodega. As he strode toward the partially concealed Kimberly, other men appeared. Similarly dressed in hunting attire, they stood behind him. Choreographed, the entire crew dropped their heads while Kimberly peeked from behind the oranges. Music of a loud variety began to crank, and the ten men in total, broke out into a song and dance while she looked on, confused and lost. The lyrics of the weird song were quickly forgotten after the bizarre dream came to an end, but for the entire day the words ‘jungle fever’ played over and over in her head.
The sun streamed through the windows of her little red sports car as she pulled into the parking lot adjacent Tabletop Industries but it didn’t offer any of its usual solace. Though warm, it wasn’t hot enough to burn away her concerns about Richard and the clawing feeling in her chest.
Kimberly meditated on the two most pressing challenges she expected to encounter if this thing with her boss progressed into anything further. To the forefront of her mind was her job. As a female, one of the first attacks to be wielded would be toward her character. Time after time she had heard the whispers of females sleeping their way to the top. This was a legacy she didn’t desire to have and had successfully avoided thus far. Nasty glances from the older women in the office who wished they were still pretty enough to be banged by the boss would lead to complaints and grudges. Not a pleasant experience.
The second and probably the most personal concern was the difference in their ethnicity. Black and white made gray and any gray area left room for confusion- at least in Kimberly’s thinking. Dating within her race had always seemed like the thing to do and after Phil, she was sure all white men would be the same. Friendly on the inside, but overly anxious to add a black notch to their bedpost.
What would Auntie say if she had to bring him over? The fact that he had billions may make a difference to others, but to her family it may not. Racial discrimination was a real factor in their lives and unless lived, no other people could relate to the black experience. Would he want to discuss their differences? Would he understand black tax? Stirring her coffee once inside, Kimberly decided that he would not. Her silver spoon was a recent gift. Richard however, was born with one.
Chances were, Kimberly was misinterpreting the situation anyway. All he did was be a polite gentleman and hold her hand. Racing down the steps behind her was just to say goodbye. Yes. She would put her unnecessary worries to a side and get on with what she was hired to do.
They met at 10am in her office and Richard looked as though he had narrowly survived a train wreck. His once glowing eyes appeared dull and lifeless, his hair disheveled. Being a lady first and an employee second, Kimberly didn’t mention his co
ndition, but delved right into the matter at hand.
“The case you asked me to investigate is still being picked apart. I want to be certain I get every fine detail before I give you an honest assessment. From what I’ve seen so far your company is not liable for the injuries the lady is presenting. It shouldn’t do much damage to the company.”
A burden rolled off Richards shoulders and he automatically seemed lighter. Still the elephant in the room sat, waiting to be acknowledged. It was Richard who invited it to the conversation and he began one bite at a time.
“Have you ever dated one of your bosses before?”
The question didn’t come out the way he intended and the sudden angle in her jaw line let him know he was treading dangerously close to an invisible boundary. Yes, he was the boss, but in this situation they were merely man and woman. Coughing and editing the statement instantly, he said, “I meant, would it make you uncomfortable if I asked you out?”
Beating around the bush was never a specialty of Kimberly’s before. She didn’t intend to adopt it now. “Mr. Damask, you are playing with fire and in the end, I will be the only person to get burned. Why exactly would you want to go out with 'the help'?”
The statement was bordering on low, but Kimberly wanted to get her point across. If he thought this conversation was difficult, what would happen when things got more complicated?
“You are not the help Kimberly,” he said. “You are a woman with her own free will.” Softening his tone he added, “It would make me happy if you said yes. Just lunch today and you can determine if I can pass your acceptance test.” Richard’s attempt at humor was well received and laughter lightened the mood.
“I will think about it Mr. Damask.”
“Please, call me Richard.”
“I can do that Richard but my name is still Ms. Walsh to you.”
The smile ended at her eyes and never made it to her mouth. The embers of mischief burned in her dark eyes and Richard felt it ignite his loins. Getting to know this woman may prove more stimulating that he thought.
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