“Well, mother to daughter, I have to warn you, Melanie. This time you may not land on your feet. You might fall flat on your ass. When you play with fire, you will get burned. And speaking of fire, Cynthia, I hope you burn in hell. Wellington doesn’t owe you a damn thing,” said Susan.
“Well, here we are, San Francisco International Airport,” Cynthia said.
“I’ll just check in curbside,” Susan said.” Melanie, remember what I said. Now, open the trunk so I can get my bags.” Susan didn’t wait for Melanie to respond.
Melanie’s eyes welled with tears.” Don’t worry about me, Mama. I’ll be fine.” Melanie waved good-bye but Susan never turned around.
Cynthia let down her window.” Bye, Susan. Have a safe flight. Call me when you get home, darling, to let me know you arrived safely.” Susan kept walking.
“Godmommy? Why do you think she hates me so much?”
“Susan loves you, darling. She’s just conservative. She’ll come around. Give her some time.”
“It’s almost six o’clock, so I hope you don’t mind if I drop you off and head back to the house,” Melanie said.
“That’s fine, darling. I’m tired from all the weekend activities and need to get my rest,” said Cynthia.
“Wellington thinks I’m leaving tomorrow,” said Melanie.” Should I tell him about my new job?”
“No. It’s best if I tell him,” Cynthia replied.
“Do you think I should tell him I’m pregnant?”
“Pregnant! Already! Melanie, you were supposed to wait until after the wedding. Oh, my dear. What will my friends think?”
“Well you were the one who said do it,” cried Melanie.
“I didn’t mean have sex. I meant get him to notice you. Oh, my! Look, you’re going to have to tell Wellington tonight because he’s going to have to marry you before the news gets out that you’re expecting. I’ll be the laughingstock of the world. I can’t believe this is happening,” Cynthia said disapprovingly.
“Drive carefully darling. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Cynthia slammed the car door so hard, Melanie jumped.
Melanie felt abandoned and desperate. She listened to the radio and pondered her dilemma. Booga Bear was advertising his new soulmate rings. A light went off in Melanie’s head and she detoured to the jewelry store.
She frantically banged on the door.” I need to buy a ring!”
“Sorry, miss, we’re closed. You’ll have to come back tomorrow.”
Melanie pulled out cash and waved it at the salesman. He opened the door. “You’ll have to make it quick. What do you want?” He was cold and callous.
“I need a wedding band for a man. Let me see the one with the diamonds.”
“That ring costs twelve thousand dollars, miss.”
“I didn’t ask how much it cost. I asked to see the ring.” Melanie closely examined the ring. It appeared flawless.” I’ll take it.”
She handed him her American Express card. He completed the transaction and handed it back. He started to wrap the ring.” Oh, that won’t be necessary,” Melanie said. She snatched the ring box, put it in her purse, and hopped in the Jag.
“Hey, you made it back fast,” said Wellington.” What did you do? Fly your mother to the airport?”
“I did not.” Melanie laughed.” I drove her to the airport. Thank you very much.”
“I was just about to eat dinner. Why don’t you join me?” asked Wellington.
“I’d be delighted to,” said Melanie. She kept her purse next to her on the seat.
“So, are you excited about returning to D.C. tomorrow?” asked Wellington.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that. I don’t think I’m leaving tomorrow,” said Melanie. She tried to feel her way through this awkward predicament.
“Why?” Wellington placed his fork on his plate and waited for a response.
“Wellington. You and I have been friends for a long time. Over the past two weeks, I’ve fallen in love with you.” Melanie paused.
Wellington stood and rubbed his bald head.” Look, Melanie. I’m very fond of you. I care for you—as a friend. But Diamond is my woman and I’m in love with her, not you.”
“Wellington. Please, sit down.” Melanie picked up her purse and removed the box. She kneeled at Wellington’s feet and opened it.” Wellington Jones. Will you marry me?” Melanie’s eyes swelled with tears.
Wellington pushed his chair back.” This is way too serious for me. Melanie, I will not accept a ring from you. No pussy can come between me and Diamond. She’s my soulmate. Melanie. Read my lips. I love Jada, not you.”
Melanie felt the lacerations of Wellington’s words. She stood and threw the ring on the table. It bounced off and hit the floor, but she couldn’t tell where it had landed. She didn’t bother to look for it. She had more important concerns.” Well, maybe no pussy can come between you two, but how about a baby! Wellington Jones. I’m pregnant with your child!” Melanie yelled.
Wellington grabbed his head and paced back and forth.” Tell me you’re kidding. This is not happening. Aren’t you using some form of contraceptive?”
“No. I’m not.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You didn’t ask. Look, all I’m asking is that you think about the proposal. You don’t have to decide right away.” Melanie walked over to Wellington and tried to hold his hand. He pulled away.
The doorbell rang.” Are you expecting someone?” asked Wellington.
“No.”
Wellington opened the door.” Hi, baby.” Jada kissed him on the lips and walked in.” Hi, Melanie. I see you’re still here.” Jada’s eyes shifted from Wellington to Melanie and back to Wellington. Her voice trembled.” What’s going on?”
Melanie turned toward the stairs.” Don’t you dare take your ass up those stairs until I know what the hell is going on!” Jada screamed with authority.
“Let’s go in the family room,” suggested Wellington.
Melanie sat in the reclining chair near the fireplace. Wellington sat on the couch. Jada braced herself on the edge of the sofa next to him.
“I have some not-so-good news,” said Wellington.” But it’s not something we can’t work out.”
Jada looked at Wellington. Melanie smiled mischievously.” What are you saying?” Jada’s voice was faint.
Wellington rubbed his goatee.” Melanie is pregnant.”
“Well, obviously it’s not yours. Hell, this shit just happened last night!”
Melanie remained silent. Wellington took a deep breath. His hands covered his face. He reached for Jada’s hand. She moved it.” I have to be totally honest with you, ba. Last night wasn’t the first time.”
Jada’s eyes rolled to the back of her head. Before she realized what she’d done, her backhand landed on the side of Wellington’s face. She jumped up from the couch and headed for Melanie. Melanie scrambled but she couldn’t get up fast enough. Neither could Wellington. Jada reached back to 2000 B.c. Melanie saw it coming but couldn’t escape. Melanie saw stars as she slid across the Billie Holiday rug like she was sliding into home plate—head first. Well, at least Melanie found the ring. Jada didn’t wait for any further explanations. She walked out and slammed the door.
Candice had warned her not to go over to Wellington’s house. But again, Jada hadn’t listened. Now, she was flaming mad. She needed a drink. Jada got in her car. Her tires screeched, smoked, and left black tracks in Wellington’s driveway.
She pulled into the first dive she saw on the peninsula. Before she could make it to the bar, Jada heard, “Hi, may I buy you a drink? You look like you need one,” said the stranger at the table nearest the door.
“Sure. Why not.” Jada sat across from him like he had been waiting on her.
“Let me guess, your husband is having an affair.”
Jada sighed.” I’m not married.”
“Well, you could have fooled me with that rock on your finger.”
“It’s m
y engagement ring.”
“Well, I don’t know what ails you, but you sure look too pretty to have men problems.” He chuckled like an old man. It contradicted his youthful exterior. Jada assumed he was about twenty-four.
“I’m not sure it’s the man I’m having the problem with.”
He leaned back in his chair. His blue-black complexion was stunningly gorgeous.” Well, I’m a great listener if you want a shoulder to cry on.” His lips easily separated when he spoke. His teeth were white as snow.” Go right ahead.”
Jada rambled on with bits and pieces of her story. She liked the fact that he wasn’t judging her. He simply listened. She tiptoed around the ménage à trois. It wasn’t her fault, and it wasn’t his business.
Three drinks and two hours later, Jada confessed, “Well, I’ve cried on your shoulder enough. I think I’ll just leave now.”
“Don’t leave without my phone number.” He handed Jada a business card and smiled.” If you ever need another shoulder to cry on, I still have a dry one left.” He wiped the tears from Jada’s eyes and kissed her on the forehead.” Don’t worry about the bill. It’s on me.”
“Thanks.” Jada stood and smoothed out her dress. Her hand had started to swell. It felt numb. On her way out, she noticed Wellington’s friend Walter was sitting in the sports section watching a game.
Jada didn’t want to go home and she definitely wasn’t going to call Candice. She drove around aimlessly. She tried to unweave the web of deception. But the sticky threads were too tightly woven. Her emotions vacillated. Anger. Disgust. Hurt. Betrayal. Denial. She grew tired of haphazardly driving up and down Interstate 580. If she never popped the cork on another bottle of champagne, it wouldn’t bother her.
Jada stopped at a Safeway and went inside.
She walked past the dairy section. Paused. Walked backward and noticed eggs were on sale. Buy one dozen and get the second free. A light went off in her head. She purchased a bottle of zinfandel and the eggs. She drove to Wellington’s house. Twenty-four eggs later Wellington could have named his place the House of Egg Fu Yung. Jada threw eggs on the door, the lawn, the Jaguar, and Melanie’s car. She wished he had a dog so she could crack one over its head.
Jada went home. She ignored the little voice inside her.” What in the fuck have you done? That was really dumb. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.” It sounded like Candice’s voice. Jada thought she had outgrown her temper tantrums. Maybe this time she should seek professional help. Wellington was going to be pissed when he woke up in the morning and saw dried eggs splattered everywhere. Maybe she would lie and say it wasn’t her.
As soon as Jada got home, her phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Girl, where in the world have you been? I told you to call me when you woke up,” Candice said.
“I know, but I decided to visit Wellington instead. I wished I would have picked up the phone and called you,” Jada cried.
“What happened this time?” asked Candice.
Jada told Candice everything.
“Jada, I warned you this would happen. Now do you believe me?”
“I don’t know what to believe anymore,” Jada responded.” I’m going to bed. Maybe it’ll be better in the morning. At least I can go to work early and get a head start.” Jada sighed.” I need to prepare for my photo shoot of Justice Price. I’ll speak with you tomorrow.” Jada really didn’t feel like hearing I told you so again.
“Good night, egg woman,” Candice laughed.” Get some rest. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
Chapter 12
Melanie was ecstatic. Jada’s ongoing outrage had become a thorn in Wellington’s side. Cynthia had almost convinced Wellington to honor his obligation to the family’s name by making Melanie a decent and respectable woman. Susan was wrong. Melanie had landed on her feet, once more.
“Well, how do I look for my first day at work?” asked Melanie. Her hair was pulled back into a bun like a flight attendant. Melanie’s neutral-colored lips were lined in a light shade of brown to match her nail color. Her fashionably conservative suit was tailored to a tee. The skirt hem stopped six inches above her knees.
“You look great,” said Wellington.” I still can’t believe my mother got you a job working at Sensations Communications. Jada’s going to have another outburst when she sees you.”
“Wish me well.” Melanie blew Wellington a kiss. She didn’t want to smear her lipstick.
“They are going to love you,” Wellington responded.
“I’ll call and let you know how it’s going,” Melanie said. She drove Wellington’sjaguar. She loved it so much she’d stopped driving her own car.
Melanie thought about Jada. The permanent scar on her forehead wouldn’t let her forget. She vowed to get even if it was the last thing she’d do.
The Bay area’s rush-hour traffic was more than she’d bargained for. She crept bumper-to-bumper almost the entire trip. She refused to cease driving the Jag so she’d either find an alternate route or time. Mr. Murphy had mailed her electronic keycard-parking pass in advance. The buildings in downtown D.C. were midgets in comparison to San Francisco’s skyscrapers.
Melanie strolled into the office as if she owned it.” Good morning.”
“Good morning. You must be Ms. Thompson.”
“Yes. Melanie Marie Thompson. I can see by your nameplate, you are Karen Livingston.”
“Let me show you to your office. It’s the best office we have; second only to Mr. Murphy’s. It has a breathtaking panoramic view of the city, and because it’s a corner office, it has more square footage. Mr. Murphy said someone by the name of Cynthia insisted you have it. In case you haven’t heard, you’ve already been bumped up to senior vice president in charge of international marketing. That means you’ll supervise all employees in the national and international divisions,” explained Karen.” Let me introduce you to the best photographer we have on staff in our national marketing division.”
“Had,” said Melanie, with a sarcastic look plastered on her face.
“Please, be kind. She had to move out of the office that’s now yours,” Karen whispered. Then she turned and smiled.” Jada, this is Melanie Marie Thompson, our newest staff member in charge of international operations,” said Karen. Karen stared back and forth from Jada to Melanie.” Melanie, this is Jada Diamond Tanner. Sensations finest. You won’t find a better—”
“This is starting to turn into a nightmare from hell. How in the world did she get this job?” Jada questioned.
“I’m not so sure you’ve met me before,” Melanie said. Then she turned to Karen.” Ms. Livingston, when Mr. Jones calls, put him through to my office.” Karen stood in Jada’s office. Karen hunched her shoulders.
“I’ll explain it to you later,” said Jada.” Send Wellington’s calls directly to my office.”
“I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.” Jada’s face turned burnt red. Karen returned to her desk. Melanie went to her office.
“Good morning, Ms. Thompson. I’m really impressed with your résumé,” Terrance said. “You didn’t need Mrs. Jones to get this job. I would have hired you on the spot based on your credentials.”
“I’m not the impressive one, Mr. Murphy, you are,” Melanie said.” If I can achieve half of what you’ve done by the time I’m your age, I’d retire at forty-nine.”
“Now, how do you know my age?” Terrance asked with a deep and hearty laugh. He was a short man—about five feet six inches—with broad shoulders. Clean-shaven. His navy blue suit was impeccable.
“Well, you don’t look it. You look younger. But let’s say, I’ve done my research and I’m very impressed with the empire you’ve built,” Melanie said.
“Well, I hope you came ready to work,” said Terrance, “because I didn’t build this empire just sitting around looking good.”
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear that was a compliment.”
“It was, Ms. Thompson. I’ll let you get situated. Karen will give you a tour
of the photo lab, the gallery, and the indoor areas where we shoot. I hope you like Spain because you’ll be traveling abroad, real soon.”
“I’m starting to like this place already,” said Melanie as she clicked open her briefcase. Melanie turned up the volume on her interoffice intercom. It was one of the perks she liked most about being the boss.
“Hi, Wellington, I’m so glad you called. I was thinking about you,” Melanie said.
“I just wanted to wish you well on your first day. That’s all.”
“Thank you!”
“How’s Jada?” Wellington asked.”
I have to take a tour of the facility right now, but promise me you’ll call me later. Kiss. Kiss.” Melanie disconnected Wellington’s call and heaved a huge sigh.
“It’s time for your tour, Ms. Thompson. Are you ready?” Karen asked.
“I sure am,” Melanie said. She locked her office door.
“Oh, that’s not necessary around here,” explained Karen.
“Oh, but it is for me, darling,” Melanie responded.” Shall we?”
“You’re the boss,” replied Karen.
“So, Ms. Livingston, I couldn’t help but notice the photo of the handsome young man on your desk,” said Melanie.” Is that your son?”
“Yes,” Karen said, beaming.” That’s the one and only Damien Jamal Livingston Jr.”
“He’s handsome. How old is he?”
“Fifteen. And in two more years he’ll be out of school and hopefully out of the house,” said Karen with a smile.
“Where’s he going to college?”
“Oh, we haven’t thought that far ahead,” replied Karen.
“Haven’t thought that far? When are you planning on getting started, darling?”
“I can’t afford to send Damien to college,” said Karen defensively, then pointed out more calmly, “This is the main photo lab.”
“Who said you have to pay for it?” Melanie asked. “There are scholarships and grants galore. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
“Well, Damien wants to join the military when he graduates,” said Karen. Karen opened and closed the door to the developing room.
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