by nikki blaire
“He’s the hometown hero.” Ayda beamed. “I knew everyone would love it. And what about sales, website traffic?” Renee handed her another packet of information.
“All right here. To sum it up, website traffic for each team is up at least 15 percent, just today, and sales of merchandise have increased.”
“Perfect!” Ayda finally let herself celebrate. She had been so worked up over the ad campaign, but now, she could relax a little knowing it had done well. “Now, we can have that celebratory drink. On me tonight.” But Renee shook her head, wearing a sly grin, as she backed out of Ayda’s office.
“Can’t. I’ve got plans.”
“Are you kidding me? Last night, you were all ready, but now you’re turning me down? What kind of assistant are you?” But, Ayda knew exactly what that smirk meant. Renee had a hot date.
“The kind that’s reminding you that you have lunch with your mother in an hour and a dinner meeting tonight, so you shouldn’t be worried about what I’m eating or who I’m eating with.” She stood in the doorway with her hand on her hip.
“Ugh, don’t remind me about lunch, and you know I always eat after these meetings. That fru-fru food does nothing for me. It’s all air.” She rolled her eyes, and then pulled out her phone to check her calendar. Her mother’s name showed on the screen in bold letters, Claudette Forde.
Ayda’s gut clenched and a headache started to swirl at just seeing it.
“Well, enjoy your air,” Renee snapped back.
“While you enjoy some man? This hardly seems fair.”
“He’s not some man. He’s a fine man, who happens to have made it past my one-month rule. I’ve gotta get home and shav,”
“Stop right there. I get it.” Ayda put one hand up, halting the intimate details. She checked her calendar again, and then looked outside at the bright shining sun. It was Friday and both her and Renee had worked tirelessly on the campaign launch. They deserved the time off.
“Let’s make a deal. If you promise to give me a rain check for these drinks, you can head home now, if you want. I’m going to check some emails, head to lunch, and then dinner. There’s nothing else for you to do since you’ve already gone through these reports. I’ll just look over them myself tonight.”
Renee flashed her a big grin, and then turned on her heels to leave. Ayda smiled at the sound of her humming while she packed up for the day. Renee reminded her so much of how she wanted to be, living her best life, happy, and actually dating versus just sleeping around.
“Last check in. You sure you don’t need me to stay?” She popped her head back into Ayda’s doorway.
“Don’t ask me again or I’ll find something for you to do.” She shooed Renee away and then turned to the files of information on her desk. She stuffed them in a folder and then put them in her bag to read during the cab ride to lunch with her mother.
She arrived at the swanky hotel restaurant where she and her mother usually met. She chuckled to herself as she sat down, thinking of the times when these lunches were the highlight of her week. Now, they always seemed like an opportunity for her mother to pry and prod at her life choices.
Have you considered heading up marketing and advertising at the firm? If Aaron wasn’t right for you, then what are you looking for? Are you only pressing your hair for special occasions now?
The questions drove her crazy, partially because every single one made her feel a ping of disappointment at letting her mother down. Claudette Forde had once been her biggest fan, but now, she seemed to be her biggest critic. She could only sum up her mother’s disapproval as a consequence of Ayda deciding to take control of her life and live it to her own satisfaction. Ultimately, she didn’t regret her choices, but the sting of losing their bond was hard to deal with.
“Can I get a glass of Pinot Grigio?’ She asked the waitress. Her mother had yet to arrive and she was sure she would hear an earful, but she needed a glass...or two.
“Sure. I’ll be right back ma’am.” The waitress returned with a cool glass and placed it on the table. Ayda was two glorious sips in when she heard her mother’s voice over the dull din of the restaurant.
“Wine, so early in the afternoon?” The regal woman seemed to float into the room. Claudette and Ayda looked very similar, with the same jet black, thick hair, beaming smile, and dark brown eyes. But, where her mother was prim, proper, and well mannered, Ayda was sharp-tongued and sarcastic.
“Having a rough time at work?” Claudette preciously lowered herself into the open chair.
“Nope. I’m actually celebrating.” She raised her glass then took another long, deep sip.
“Your project at work was successful, I presume.”
“It wasn’t just a project, mother. It was a national ad campaign for the city’s two major sports teams.”
Claudette’s eyes shined with genuine excitement, which warmed Ayda all over. Deep down, she was still a little girl who wanted her mother’s approval.
“Good, great! That means all of that is over and you can help me with the Spring Affair.”
“Excuse me?” She raised an eyebrow. That definitely wasn’t the praise Ayda was hoping for.
The Spring Affair was an annual charity event that featured the Black who’s who of the Washington, D.C. area. Claudette Forde was a staple on the city’s social scene and chaired the event every year. Her charm and flair made her the perfect socialite and compliment to her father’s hard-edged business persona. Once upon a time, Ayda had loved to help her mother. Fundraisers and events had allowed her imagination to run wild, which eventually developed into her love for all things marketing and public relations. But, things had changed. She had changed.
“Don’t go chewing my head off. I didn’t mean it that way.” Claudette flashed her award-winning smile. “I’m merely saying that now that you’ve got free time you can assist your mother, especially after avoiding me for all of this time.”
“I wasn’t avoid,”
“Don’t fix your mouth to lie, Ayda. Now, can you help? Us ladies over 60 don’t do so well with all of that social media foolishness. We’re going to need you to promote this to a new generation of donors. There’s so much new money in this town.”
Immediately, Ayda began to tally all of the reasons why she should say no – the pretentious people, the fake smiling, and most importantly, her old friends. She was most definitely steering clear of that crowd and had been doing a great job of it for the last couple of years. Ayda cut her eyes at her mother, but then snapped them back in place. She was an adult, but she would never be old enough to be disrespectful.
“Mother, I don’t know,” and as if her mother had read her mind, she sliced right through Ayda’s excuse before she could even get it out.
“Ayda, dear, I know that you’ve been hesitant to run into some of your old friends, especially Aaron, but—”
“I’m not afraid of running into Aaron.” Claudette had said the “A-word” and Ayda’s wheels started spinning. “I’ve got a lot on my plate. I’m up for a promotion,”
“Against one of those McNeal girls, right? Well, isn’t that an interesting vendetta. First, you take their man and then you take their job,”
“That is not what happened. Don’t tell me you believe that crap?” Ayda’s voice was a low hiss. Hearing the actual rumor fly out of her mother’s mouth infuriated her because it almost brought validity to the statement.
“Well, it’s not as if my daughter has shared anything more than a mumbling word about her out-of-the-blue break up with the city’s most eligible bachelor. So, whether I believe it or not, it’s all that I’ve been told.”
The waitress arrived to take their order, and Claudette jumped right back into her pageant queen smile as she scanned the menu. Ayda glared then ordered her lunch and another glass of wine.
“You’re my mother. The least you could do is act as if you know me, as if you raised me. You, of all people, know that I’m not a home wrecker.”
“I
used to know, Ayda. Now, not so much. I haven’t been able to wrap my head around your choices for a while now. You and Aaron haven’t been together for almost four years and for the life of me, I still can’t figure out the reasoning behind that choice.”
Because he was hitting me!
She wanted to scream, but she couldn’t do that, and even if she could, she would never expose what she had worked so hard to conceal. So, she stuffed her emotions away before speaking.
“My reasoning wasn’t for you to know. That simple, and I’m not worried about running into Aaron or anyone else.” She was lying to her mother and to herself.
“Good, so then you’ll help. This is lovely! I’ll tell the ladies to add you to the list serv.” Claudette clapped and then motioned to the waitress. “Bring me a glass of wine as well, please.”
Ayda was stuck. If she backed out now, then her mother would know that she was definitely avoiding Aaron. She had to go through with it, even if she did it kicking and screaming.
“This will be so wonderful,” Claudette continued. “The two of us planning, just like we used to. Your father’s been working so much lately that I never see him anymore. So, it’s just me in that big house. It’ll be nice to have you around and helping again.”
Ayda swallowed her snide remark about her father always working. Claudette didn’t tolerate any of her children saying anything less than favorable about their father. Ayda also knew that she would never be grown enough to ask her mother about her marriage to Marcus Forde, Sr. So, she simply asked what was keeping him so busy. That question was within their mother-daughter boundaries.
“How’s dad doing? What’s he working on now?” She was happy to turn the conversation away from herself.
“He’s fine, but he’s been working very hard lately. He’s acquired this new client that’s taking up a lot of his time. I just hope it doesn’t keep him from our usual anniversary getaway.” Her mother sounded slightly discouraged and took an uncharacteristically long gulp of wine.
“He’s intent on handling this client personally.”
“Mother, c’mon. Dad’s serious about three things, his job, his family name, and you. You two are so loyal to each other that it’s downright reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde. He wouldn’t miss your fortieth anniversary.”
“You’re right.” She swirled the tinted liquid in her glass, while she looked off at nothing in particular. “You’re right.”
Something in her mother’s eyes made Ayda want to delve deeper. It wasn’t quite sadness, maybe disappointment. Either way, it was foreign to Ayda and looked out of place on her mother’s face.
“So, about this Spring Affair. Do I have to go to meetings or something like that?” She intentionally changed the subject, wanting to do anything to take her mother’s attention away from what was bothering her.
“Oh yes.” Her cheer returned. “We’ve got so many ideas for you, Ayda. It’s going to be simply wonderful.”
“Yea, I bet.”
The waitress returned with the bottle to refill their glasses. “Thank you,” Ayda smiled at the woman as she poured. “And leave the bottle.”
****
Tremaine was sure that the building manager for the new property was saying something important, but his focus was on running into Ayda this morning. She had looked well put together, as usual, in a cream colored dress that complimented her milk chocolate skin. Her hand had been so soft, but her handshake had been firm, just like the executive he assumed her to be. He had been thinking of a way to inconspicuously ask the building manager more about her, but the opportunity had yet to present itself.
“Alright, well, that covers it. I think you’ll be able to grasp everything. You’re definitely a quick study and it doesn’t hurt that you know Ms. Forde.”
Hearing Ayda’s last name perked his ears up. Here was his chance.
“Uh, why is that?”
The building manager laughed, as if he didn’t believe Tremaine’s question, but stopped once he noticed that he was serious.
“She’s Marcus Forde, Sr.’s daughter.” It still wasn’t ringing a bell for Tremaine. “You know, of Forde Financials. It’s one of the top finance consulting firms in the Beltway and one of the top twenty in the country.”
Still, nothing came to mind, which made Tremaine start to feel stupid. He worked in asset management, so he felt that he should know this guy, especially if he was Black. The building manager, a short, stubby white man, who reminded him of Mr. Bass, leaned forward and lowered his voice.
“He won the BET Award a couple years ago for humanitarianism. Denzel Washington presented it to him.”
Tremaine’s face balled into an expression that was a cross between offended and amused, but he couldn’t be too mad because the reference did jog his memory.
“You’re right. Born and raised in D.C. and built those affordable housing units in Northwest and by the riverfront.” Tremaine laughed it off. “I know who you’re talking about. Thanks, man. I appreciate it.” The guy clearly let out a deep exhale once Tremaine laughed. “So, she’s big shit. That’s what you’re telling me and our being associated would make the staff like me.”
“Like? Are you kidding me? Respect, admire, envy. Ms. Forde isn’t easy to get to know, if I may be frank. I mean, she’s nice, very respectful. She doesn’t talk down to the staff like a lot of our other high-profile residents, but,” He lowered his head for emphasis. “She’s still a Forde. Driven, feisty, she’s all of that, but you know that right, since you know her.”
“Right.” Tremaine nodded. He knew exactly what to do with all of her feisty and driven attitude. He wanted her and the attraction between them was unmistakable. He just had to figure out how to get over the nervousness and insecurity that plagued his interactions with her. After finishing up with his orientation, Tremaine spent the day scouring over the building’s financial records. He pulled together a makeshift office in one of the extra rooms and was holed away in there until night fell. Although this wasn’t his dream job, Tremaine did love working with numbers. He just wished he could foray it into something more than just making sure these buildings kept enough bodies in apartments to turn over a profit.
Julissa had picked up Sasha from school, but he still didn’t want to get her too late. So, he grabbed his messenger bag and headed towards the lobby. As he made his way towards the gilded doors at the entrance, he felt a slight vibration in his front pocket. He checked his watch and knew that it could only be his sister at this time of night. He pulled out his phone then swiped the screen to pull up the text, but frowned at what he read. His sister was asking to keep Sasha tonight for a sleepover. Part of him was relieved to have the night off, but the rest of him was already having separation anxiety. He and Sasha rarely spent a night apart. He quickly typed back a response.
#BringBackMyGirl
He chuckled to himself when he saw that Julissa was already typing a response shortly after he had hit send.
You’re making a mockery of an actual travesty. You’re sick. She’s sleepy and so am I. The decision is made.
Tremaine rolled his eyes. There was no use in arguing. He touched the screen to call his sister to at least hear his princess’ voice tonight.
“Hi Daddy.” Sasha picked up. “Auntie Ju said it was for me.” Her excitement about receiving a phone call made his chest ache.
“Auntie Ju is gonna bring you home in the morning. Is that okay?
“It’s okay. I gots…have my other teddy at Auntie Ju’s house, so I’m okay. Are you okay, Daddy? You don’t gots…have nobody to read you a story to sleep.” Tremaine halted. His daughter was worried about him, at four years old. Julissa was right about her needing some time to just be a carefree girl instead of carrying the weight of being his everything all of the time.
“I’m just fine, ladybug. Go have fun and make sure you say your prayers before bed.”
“I will, Daddy. I love you much much much.” She blew kisses that he couldn’t see. “
Good night, Daddy.”
“I love you too. Night, ladybug.” He heard her call for her aunt to hang up the phone in the background before the call ended.
I’m raising a pretty awesome kid.
He laughed to himself then started towards the lobby’s entrance again. He had just placed a hand on the handle of the ornate door, when it opened and in walked Ayda Forde with an armful of bags. He stopped for a moment to take her in, but each passing glance quickened his heartbeat. She was out of his league, but maybe that was exactly what he needed to get out of this rut he had fallen into. So, he took a deep breath and mustered up every ounce of charm lying dormant in his body to step to her more boldly than he had this morning.
“Ms. Forde, you need some help?” He held the door open as she trudged in. She was so preoccupied that she almost brushed by him without saying a word, but looked up just in time to see him standing there.
“Tremaine...I mean, Mr. Henley. I’m sorry, I wasn’t really looking,” She started to ramble as they stood in the doorway.
“It’s fine and please, call me Tremaine. I insist.” He took the bags from her, then led the way into the lobby.
“Thank you.” She smiled, but he noticed it didn’t quite reach her eyes, not like the full-blown smile she had given him on the day they met or earlier this morning. In fact, everything about her, in this moment, was contrary to the way he had seen her before. She seemed exhausted and her pristine appearance seemed a bit ruffled. She had been the star of his fantasies for so long, but in this moment, he realized that he was face to face with a real person who had bad days. From the look on her face, today had been one of those bad days.
“I can take it from here. Thanks.” She reached out to take the bags from him, but he quickly moved them out of her reach. The least that he could do was keep these bags from adding onto whatever was already burdening her.
“Au contraire.” He utilized his most disarming smile. “I’m more than happy to carry these for you.”