“Thank you, Monica. I knew that you would direct me in the right direction. I was looking online earlier today and noticed one of her favorite comedians would be in town at the comedy club on the day of her birthday. I was thinking about getting us tickets for the show.”
“David, Maddie would absolutely love that. Maybe after the show you could take her to her favorite restaurant, Ravens, out on Broadway and have an intimate romantic dinner for two. Maddie used to celebrate there with her mom. I am sure she will appreciate the gesture.”
“Maddie confided in me that she hasn’t celebrated her birthday since her mom died. I want her to realize that she can be happy again and celebrate her life and to see that each birthday is a blessing.”
“Great minds think alike, David. I didn’t want to push Maddie, but I agree. She needs to celebrate her birthday and remember that life is a celebration unto itself.”
“I was also thinking about booking us a suite for the weekend at the Peninsula Hotel. They have this amazing enclosed rooftop bar that rotates. It also has the best cocktails,” I added.
“Aww!” Monica exclaimed. “That sounds so romantic. Maddie is such a sweetheart and I am so happy that she found a man like you to be in her life. But I must warn you to never hurt my best friend. She has had enough hurt to last her a lifetime. I know she has told you that she never knew who her father was. The man who got her mom pregnant didn’t even stick around to see his child born.”
“She told me, and that’s a scumbag to leave a woman in that condition and not take care for what he was man enough to bring into the world. I wish I would have known Madelyn’s mom. She did a wonderful job of raising her into the beautiful and wonderful woman that she is today. And by the way, I would never intentionally hurt Maddie. She means too much to me for that. I love her with all that’s within me,” I stated simply.
“Wow,” she sighed into the phone. “I believe you, David. Maybe one day someone will feel the same way for me,” she added with a wistful tone.
“Monica, I don’t want to get into your personal business, so stop me if I’m delving in where I don’t belong and I will understand.”
“Go ahead and speak your mind, David. Since you are in Maddie’s life, I consider you my friend now too.”
“I appreciate that and I feel the same.” I paused for a moment and gathered my thoughts. “My friend Jarvis is a good man. I am not saying that just because we are friends. He has good character and is a man of principles. He is also a great father who loves his children very much. He is not the type of man to shirk his responsibilities. Give the man a chance, if you are interested. That is my piece of advice to you.”
Monica remained quiet for a moment before she began to speak. “Thank you David for your advice. He gave me his phone number the night all of us met at the restaurant. I have failed to call him… I guess because of his baggage. But you have given me food for thought. If by some chance he is still interested, please pass my number on to him.”
“I assure you that he is most definitely interested. I will be sure to give him your number. And Monica, thanks so much for all of your help.”
“No problem, David,” she said before we ended the call.
I didn’t waste any time getting on line to purchase the two tickets for the comedy club. I booked them for the early show, so that we could have a romantic dinner for two at Ravens afterwards. I already had made arrangements for her main gift to be delivered to her the morning of her birthday. My intercom buzzed cutting into my thoughts.
“Mr. McRay someone is here to see you,” said Jennifer my secretary.
I wondered who it could possibly be. My next appointment wasn’t until much later. “Send them in Jennifer.”
“Yes sir, and sir, it’s time for my lunch, but I will wait around if you want me to.”
“No, go ahead and enjoy your lunch.”
“Thank you, sir. Would you like me to bring you back anything?”
“No thank you, but thanks for asking,” I said as my door opened and in walked in a blast from my past, Rachael Simmons.
She strolled into the room looking just like I remembered her, self-assured and still very stunning. Her long, auburn hair wasn’t as long anymore. It now brushed her shoulders in layered locks. Her willowy petite body strolled closer towards my desk where I remained seated with purpose.
“Hello, David.”
“Hello, Rachael,” I replied. “How can I help you?” I asked in a professional voice, wondering what this unwanted visit was owed to.
“Do you really want to know how you can help me?” she purred trying to sound seductive.
I sat up straighter in my chair and narrowed my eyes, as I took in her attire of a trench coat and the highest pair of stilettos I had ever seen. She struck a sexy pose and pouted her scarlet red lips. At another time in my life, when I was a different type of man, I would have been tempted to play her game. But I was no longer that man and didn’t have time for her games. I was blessed to have a beautiful, sweet angel of a woman in my life and I wasn’t going to mess that up. Madelyn was a woman that I loved and respected. I would not do anything to jeopardize her trust in me, I mused to myself before answering Rachael's question.
“Since you showed up in my office without an appointment or so much as a phone call, I assume that your unwarranted visit must be of great importance.”
“The truth is I missed you, David. I was disappointed and hurt when you dropped me like a hot potato. I thought when things didn’t work out in your favor with Alyssa we would have a chance of becoming a couple. I miss how you used to touch my body and how your lips tasted every crevice my body had to offer.” Her eyes filled with an unfulfilled desire as she watched me for a reaction.
My face remained static, unaffected by her trip down memory lane. “Rachael,” I said standing to my feet with the desk still between us. “That was in the past and, frankly, I thought you would have moved on my now. I never made you any promises. I have moved on and, if by some chance you haven’t moved on, I strongly suggest that you do. There will be no more happenings between you and me, now or in the future,” I stated bluntly.
Her eyes widened in shock. She recovered quickly and pouted her lips prettily before she began to make her case. “David, can you honestly tell me that you don’t miss all of this?” She released the belt on her trench coat. Her coat fell open revealing her nakedness beneath. She shrugged the coat off carelessly and let it fall to the floor.
It was my time to be shocked. My eyes widened momentarily as I realized she was truly standing naked as the day she was born in front of me in my office. Her full breasts stood plump and firm in plain sight for me to see. Her erect long nipples pointed straight at me as if accusing me of refusal to touch them. Her neatly trimmed bush was the same color as the hair on her head, which proved it was her natural color. I was a mere man for Christ-sakes. My eyes took in what was offered, before common sense kicked in and propelled me to act at once.
I quickly marched around the desk to pick up her coat to drape over her bare shoulders and cover her naked body. I would be lying if I said her body wasn’t beautiful. It truly was. God knew what he was doing when he designed the woman’s body, I thought to myself. But it was only one woman’s body that had the desired effect on me. The woman standing before me had no effect on me, none whatsoever. My heart and body belonged to one woman and her name was Ava Madelyn Stowe.
“Put your coat back on this instant. This is a place of business and you have disrespected me and yourself, as well,” I said attempting to help her get her arms in the blasted coat.
“David, are you in there?” The door suddenly opened a crack. “Your secretary wasn’t at her desk so I…” Madelyn’s voice trailed off as she walked fully into the office. She had a bag in her hand with her cookie shop’s logo on it. The freshly baked cookie smell filled the room as she stood as still as a statue with a dismayed look glued to her pretty features.
Memories flooded into
my being as I remembered a similar situation of years past. Alyssa had walked into this very office and caught me between the thighs of this very woman. I was guilty as charged back then and deserved the karma I received. But I'd be damned if I got charged this time. I was an innocent man this time around. I would not let Rachael mess up the best thing that ever happened to me.
My hands quickly dropped from Rachael’s shoulders. “Madelyn, I know this looks bad as hell right now, baby, but you have to trust me,” I pleaded with my eyes for her not to jump to any conclusions on my part. “Rachael Simmons has come here without an invitation from me. I was just insisting that she leave.”
“Oh! Was she leaving while your hands were all over her naked body?” Madelyn questioned with a hurt look that darted between Rachael and me.
Rachael looked amused as she slid her arms back into her coat before belting it tightly at the waist. “I assume this is the little bitch that has your attention for the moment,” she said snidely sending Madelyn a look of disdain.
“Wait one damn minute! Who are you calling a bitch? You don’t know me, bitch,” Madelyn replied angrily. She put the bag down on the floor and marched over to confront Rachael. I caught her around her waist and held her firmly in place.
She was a feisty thing, but I kept that thought to myself as I held on to a squirming Madelyn. Rachael wasn’t worth my sweetie breaking a nail over or messing up one strand of hair on her pretty head.
“Rachael, I think its best that you leave and never contact me or darken my office again. I won’t stand for you disrespecting the woman that I love and one day hope to marry. Like I told you just before Madelyn arrived, what we had is in the past. This beautiful woman right here is my present and my future. I won’t let you or anyone else mess up what she and I are building,” I stated this in a matter of fact tone that didn’t brook any argument.
Rachael face drained of all color, leaving her pale with a listless look to her face. Madelyn instantly stopped struggling in my arms after my confession. All fight left her body as she melded into my arms. She faced a distraught looking Rachael before speaking. “You heard my man bitch. Leave before I kick your thirsty, disrespectful ass out of here.”
I bit back a triumphant smile as my sweetie handled her business. Her man. I really liked the sound of that and felt proud to hear the words slip from her lips.
Rachael quickly walked passed us on unsteady legs and left without saying another word. There wasn’t anything left for me to say. My little tigress had staked her claim in no uncertain terms. My eyes sparkled at the gem of a woman that was in my life. She was as priceless as they came and my heart sung a new song because she was all mine, like I was all hers.
Chapter 15
Madelyn
“Are you really going to pay this much for this dress for me?” I asked Monica. "This dress costs too much, I can’t let you spend this much money on me.”
“You have no choice in the matter. Your birthday is tomorrow and this is my birthday gift to you. Accept it and say thank you,” she teased.
“Thank you,” I said turning away from the mirror in the department store we were shopping in. If my friend wanted to splurge on me, I would let her, at least this time. I gave her a quick hug before returning back to the full length mirror. The dress was absolutely beautiful and it fit my curves like it was made just for me.
The three quarter sleeve leopard print dress was made of a clingy type of material. The round neckline complimented my full bosom and the mid-calf length revealed plenty of leg. I turned to admire how the back neckline dipped low and deep down to my waistline, leaving no room for me to wear a bra. The dress silhouetted my backside perfectly.
“This dress fits you to a tee, Maddie. Just wait until David sees you in this dress. He won’t be able to contain himself,” Monica said. I giggled at the thought of David not being able to contain himself. Then my body shuddered inwardly at the thought of him bending me to his will. “Girl, hurry up and go change back into your clothes so we can eat. I am hungry enough to eat a cow,” she added.
My stomach took that moment to grumble, which made me realize that I had skipped lunch earlier in the day. “I will only be a minute,” I said entering the dressing room to change back into my clothes.
Monica paid for my dress with her new gold card she had received earlier that month. We left the store with my purchase in hand.
We were seated in a booth at Dolan’s, a noisy little restaurant. The mushroom Swiss cheeseburger and huge steak fries with the skin on was delicious. Monica and I basically inhaled our food since we were both starving.
I had rode to the mall with Monica. She had picked me up from work, since my car was still in the shop. David was always vague when I asked him about what was wrong with my car and how much would it cost to fix it. Monica and I had started the evening with her treating me, along with herself, to a manicure and pedicure before going shopping.
She was really making me feel special on the day before my birthday. Birthdays and holidays always made me miss my mother. But spending time with my friend helped me not to feel sorry for myself. I was taking a healthy sip from my cola, when something behind me seemed to get Monica’s attention.
“What are you looking at?” I asked her about to turn in my seat to see for myself.
Monica didn’t have time to answer me when I heard the familiar voice come up behind me. “Hello Maddie, I thought that was you. I wasn’t sure until I saw Monica sitting here with you. Hello Monica,” Chad added.
“Hello Chad,” Monica said not sounding to enthusiastic to see him.
I took a good look at Chad. He didn’t look too well. Plus, he had lost some weight. He wasn’t the Chad I remembered. His once muscular frame was on the thin side. “You have lost a lot of weight,” I said, surprised that he was standing before me.
“Yeah, I have. Can I talk to you for a minute? I will make it short and won’t hold up much of your time.”
For some reason, I felt sympathy for Chad. I looked across at Monica as she studied Chad with a perplexed look on her face. I kicked her under the table to gain her attention. “Oh!” she said in understanding. "I need to go to the ladies' room. You guys can talk and I will be back in a few,” she said standing and walking off in the direction of the restrooms.
Chad immediately took Monica’s vacant seat across from me in the booth. “You look so breathtakingly beautiful, Maddie. You are even more beautiful than I remembered.”
“Thank you, Chad,” I said not really knowing what else to say to him. He had a tired, drawn expression stamped on his once handsome face. He looked like he had battled a storm and came out of it on the other side tossed around and beaten up.
“What do you want to talk to me about, Chad?”
“What I have to say to you isn’t easy for me Maddie, but I owe it to you after leaving you the way I did.” He took a deep breath and let it go with a whooshing sound. “I had a drug problem when I was dating you. I hid it well for a long time, but my parent’s found out about it near the end. I got into some trouble with some guys owing them money. I got knocked up by those guys and got a couple of broken ribs among other things. Someone found me in a back alley and I winded up in the hospital.”
I sat there in disbelief and listened to Chad’s story. How did I not know he had a drug problem, I silently questioned myself. How did his family not even know?
“I had to come clean with my family, after the incident. A lot of money was involved,” he continued. “My family forced me into rehab. I was too shame and afraid to tell you what was going on. I made my family promise not to let you know what was going on. They kept their word.”
“Why couldn’t you trust me to let me know what was going on with you? I thought we weren’t just a couple. I thought we were also friends.”
“I just couldn’t tell you. It took everything in me just to come clean about it now. Forgive me, Maddie.”
“I am no longer angry at you, Chad. I admit that
I hated you when you left me during the most painful time in my life. Now, I understand and I am so sorry that you got caught up with drugs the way you did. How are you doing now?” I asked, concerned.
“Every day I wake up, it’s a struggle to stay clean. Some days are worse than others, but I maintain. I go regularly to my meetings and I have a great support system in place. I am thankful for that,” he said. “I had to learn new habits and avoid situations that trigger my cravings. Basically, I had to learn and am still learning a new way of life. I have to take one day at a time.”
I reached across the table to give his hand a reassuring squeeze. I am glad that you finally received the help you need. I will pray for your strength to continue your fight and for your strength. I know with endurance you will win this battle, because I believe in you,” I said believing in his full recovery.
“Thank you Maddie. I really did love you.”
“I loved you too,” I said meaning it. The love that I had for Chad was the love I had for a friend. I realized that as we sat across from each other. David had taught me the true meaning of real love between a man and a woman. I never felt that with Chad.
Monica chose that moment to return. Chad and I both stood. I embraced him warmly and wished him well. I knew he would have a long road in front of him, but I knew that he would triumphant in the end.
Chapter 16
Madelyn
“Happy birthday to me, Mama,” I sang out in my empty bedroom upon awakening. “I turn the big 3-0 today and I still miss you Mama with every breath that I breathe. I am finally going to be alright though. David is seeing to that. I wish you could have met him, Mama. You would love him as much as I do. I know you are looking down on us with a smile on your face. I am so happy, Mama,” I continued in the one-sided conversation in my bedroom.
Second Chance 3: Ask Me Again 3: David's Story Page 6