Amber hugged her father tightly. “Okay, Dad. You will handle it ... I guess... .”
“Yes, I will handle everything. You just continue to do what you do, darling. Oh, yeah, I have been meaning to ask you how Stephen and you are doing.”
“Oh, that. It’s ... going ...” Amber quickly took a seat in front of her computer.
“Is there trouble in the love nest?” Ray seated himself.
“Why? Has he said anything to you? Don’t you two play golf every week?” Amber snapped.
“Honey, I didn’t mean to hit a nerve. And, no, he hasn’t said anything to me, nor have I seen him for the past two weeks. I’m sure he’s just busy. You know he’s been working hard since you two have been dating. Maybe you guys should take a vacation together... . I’m sure that’s all you guys need.” Ray stood, not wanting to meddle in his daughter’s love life.
“Yeah ... maybe that’s what we need... .” Amber looked at her phone.
“Okay, well, just let me know when you plan on going... .” Ray smiled and walked out of his daughter’s office.
Amber picked up her phone and dialed Stephen’s number but quickly hung up, not wanting to upset him if he was in the middle of something. She decided on sending him a text.
Hey, baby. Are u still mad? I miss u. Can u call me when you have some time to spare?
She hoped that everything had blown over by now and he would accept that he’d acted like a fool. She looked at her phone to see if he’d replied yet, but he hadn’t. Amber sighed. She heard a knock at her door.
“Can I come in for a second?” Trevor entered her office, staring at her with puppy dog eyes.
“Listen, Trev—”
“Amber, I just wanted to tell you that you can’t get pregnant by me. I was in an accident when I was younger. I just wanted to say that so you don’t feel no way about me.” Trevor quickly turned around and walked out before she could muster up any words.
Amber sat there in thought. Well, if that’s so, then it’s all good and I don’t have to worry about a thing. Now, it would be bad if I wanted his ...
Amber’s phone rang loudly, and she jumped. She looked at the caller ID; it was Stephen.
“I’m sorry, Stephen,” Amber said immediately.
“I acted like a jerk. I should be the one apologizing... .” Stephen’s voice was almost at a whisper.
“I think I know what we need... . A vacation. How does that sound?”
“Ummm ... maybe you’re right. I have been working like a dog, but we can’t go for long. What about we go to the Keys for a long weekend?” Stephen asked, hoping she wouldn’t want to go anyplace else.
“Sweetie, we always go to the Keys.” Amber’s voice became childlike. “Can we go somewhere else, pretty please?”
“I hate it when you beg ... ,” Stephen said, annoyed.
“Okay, I guess we can go to the Keys, like we usually do. No need for you to get upset. I’m beginning to think that you really don’t want to be seen with me. You always take me to the Keys,” Amber whined.
“Please don’t say that... . I just love it there. Don’t we always have a good time there?” Stephen flipped the direction of the conversation.
“Well ... yes, we do. We sure do ... Will you make the arrangements?” Amber smiled while memories filled her mind.
“Can you make them?”
“Well ... can I have your credit card number, then?” She heard laughter in the background.
“You can you use yours, and I will give you the cash later. I have another call coming in. I have to go. Love you. Talk to you later.” Stephen quickly hung up the phone, not wanting to be bothered with any money questions.
“Well, I guess I will talk to you later, too,” Amber said, staring at the phone, irritated by Stephen’s quick dismissal. She was even more annoyed that she had to use her own money. She knew he wouldn’t pay her back. I guess I just gotta suck it up and make it work. He’s the right one for me, Amber thought.
Amber quickly typed on her keyboard to locate their favorite resort out in the Keys, Casa Marina. She simply adored the style of simplicity at the hotel. Everything was at your fingertips, but of course, it came with a pretty hefty price tag. She snatched her wallet from her purse, pulled out her credit card, and booked the room for the weekend. She waited a long time for the confirmation. After ten minutes it finally came through to her in-box.
At first, she thought something was wrong with her credit card. She had been going back and forth with representatives from three different companies concerning charges on her card that she didn’t make. She made a mental note to ask Stephen about her pending check from her second investment.
Amber yanked her cell phone off the desk and dialed. “Hello. Do you have any info for me?”
“Can you meet me in thirty minutes?”
“Same place?” Amber quickly asked while gathering her purse.
“Yes,” said a deep voice.
Amber walked into the restaurant with only a minute to spare. She remembered her father telling her that once he’d been late to a meeting and the ex-agent left. He returned all her father’s money the next day. It cost her father twice as much to get the vital information the ex-agent had.
She took a seat. An envelope was placed on the table. Amber nervously took the envelope and opened it. She peeked inside and saw pictures of Stephen, but his lips were locked to someone else’s. Tears filled her eyes. When she looked up, the ex-agent had left the table. She looked around to see if she could see him. Amber had questions, lots of questions. She searched for the waitress and ordered a shot of whiskey. Amber pulled out the pictures. One by one she glanced at them and denied the true fact that Stephen was a liar. She looked back in the envelope. Amber pulled out a small white sheet of paper that had been folded in half. She unfolded the note.
There are more pictures if you want them.
There are some other issues that I need a few more days to uncover. I will contact you.
Amber knocked back the drink placed before her by the waitress and ordered another. She pulled out her wallet and yanked a fifty-dollar bill out. She wanted to study and analyze each picture but knew she couldn’t do that. Instead, she stuffed the pictures and the note back in the envelope and then placed the envelope in her purse. The waitress returned with her drink, and again she knocked it back. Amber rose and left the money on the table and looked at the waitress. “Keep the change.”
Amber’s eyes started to tear, and when she reached her car, she let it all out. She sat there crying and wishing that she had never made that phone call. Amber looked in the mirror and could see her eyes were bloodshot. She reached for tissues in her purse and wiped the tears still flooding her sight. Amber glanced at the envelope in her purse and didn’t want her reality to sink in. She started her car, then drove out of the parking lot and headed home.
Chapter 8
Amber felt hurt and betrayed. She wanted the life she’d dreamed of having with Stephen, even if that meant settling for his dissatisfying sex and his sleeping around. Amber didn’t want to come to grips with her new reality. She couldn’t imagine that all this time she has been with him he would be this sneaky and hurtful. Her king-sized bed was covered with tissues when she finally woke up the next morning. The sounds of her message alerts and missed calls continued to chime as she rose out of bed and headed to the bathroom.
She hit the light switch and felt an unsettling feeling in her stomach. Amber turned the faucet on in the sink and cupped water to her lips. When the cold water trickled down her throat, it moistened her dry mouth. She tried sipping another mouthful, but this time the water made an escape to the sink. She rushed to the toilet to empty the contents of her stomach. She was literally sick to her stomach and didn’t want to move, fearing she would fall over from pure heartache.
Trevor looked at his watch. Damn! Where the fuck is this bitch? She’s always here by ten. Shit, it’s damn near twelve, and she ain’t showed yet. I guess I will h
ave to stretch it out, he thought, reaching for his phone.
It may take longer than we thought.
Ray walked into the garage and headed for Amber’s office. He was surprised that she was not there. Usually, if she took the day off or was sick, she would call him. He looked at his phone, just in case he might have missed her call, but she hadn’t called. He stared out into the garage and motioned for Trevor to come into the office. Ray took a seat behind Amber’s desk.
Trevor walked in and seated himself, facing Ray. “What’s up, boss?”
“I know your probation is up at the end of the week.” Ray shifted in his seat. “Well, when you first got here, we agreed that your stay was to fulfill your probation, but...”
“Boss, are you trying to offer me a permanent job?” Trevor blurted out.
“Slow your row, young man... . There are a few things we need to clear up first.” Ray put his hand up.
“Okay, so what’s the deal? You know I don’t like to beat around the bush, so just say whatever you got to say.” Trevor eyed Ray.
Ray cleared his throat. “First, what time did you get in this morning?”
“Actually, I got here a little early ... ,” Trevor said, hoping he wasn’t busted.
“I see. So, tell me, is there a reason why you have been borrowing the company’s tools?” Ray folded his hands in front of him.
Trevor was shocked by his accusation but didn’t let it show. He was a quick thinker when it came to throwing game. “Yeah, I did. I got this part for my car that I wanted to install after work, but I left my ratchet set at my boy’s house, so I borrowed the one that’s here.” Trevor folded his hands onto his chest. “Now, is this conversation going where I think it’s going?”
“Listen, Trevor”—Ray cleared his throat and spoke calmly—“I asked you the question, and you provided the correct answer. Now, as you know, you are very skilled, and I am not sure what you want. Would you like to continue working here? Are you going to leave once this whole probation hold is lifted?”
“I see ... I mean, it would only make sense... .Well, can I at least stay here for another week or so ... ? I mean, my paperwork should be finalized by then and—”
“Then it’s settled. We will revisit this conversation again once you’re cleared.” Ray motioned for him to go back to work. He followed Trevor out of Amber’s office.
Amber’s stomach wasn’t turning upside down anymore. When she finally stood to her feet, she looked into her bedroom. She saw the empty Jack Daniel’s bottle on the floor, staring back at her from across the room. “So, you’re the fucking culprit!” She cursed herself. “Let’s try this again... .” She turned the water on from the sink faucet. Amber splashed the cold water on her face. “That feels better,” Amber said out loud, relieved of her foggy cloud. She heard the missed-call alerts from her phone. Amber ignored it but knew she couldn’t hold off much longer. She shut the faucet off.
Amber slowly walked into her room and picked up the empty bottle and set it on her nightstand. She started to snatch up the crumpled tissues on her bed and throw them into the small trash can beside her nightstand. “Oh, my fucking God ... shut the fuck up!” Amber screamed as she searched the room for her phone. She spotted her purse and stomped over to silence the noise. Her heart sank. She pulled out the envelope that had crushed her dreams of a “happily ever after” life.
She fell to her knees and emptied the envelope’s contents onto the floor. Amber counted the pictures. Ten, eleven, and twelve ... How could you? Am I not good enough for you? Is it my weight? Questions ran through Amber’s mind. She wanted answers but didn’t want to deal with the truth.
“Amber Couture, what the fuck is wrong with you? Are you going to let some pictures destroy your dreams of having a man that’s financially secure, stunningly handsome, and, above all else, liked by your father? You better get a hold of yourself and remember who the hell you are... .” She stood in front of her full-length mirror and smoothed out her hair. “Amber Couture, independent, intelligent, sexy as hell.” She tossed her hair back off her shoulders. “Accomplished and, most of all, worth more than any whore he may have on the side!” she barked out loud to herself. Amber picked up the scattered photos and placed them in her safe in her closet. “You done fucked with the wrong bitch.”
Six months later ...
Trevor drove a 2011 Mercedes-Benz S600 to the back for detailing. His phone vibrated. “What’s up, baby?” he asked as he looked around.
“I thought you said this was gonna be over soon. What? You fucking forgot about the camera? What? You think I wasn’t watching you?” a woman’s voice squealed through the phone.
“Relax, baby. I got this. You don’t—”
“Fuck that shit. It’s ’cause of me that this shit is even going down. So don’t you fucking play me. You getting your cake, ice cream, and fucking candy all at the same damn time!”
“Are you finished now? Look, we will be set for life. Just let me fucking work! Damn!” Trevor yelled into his phone.
“We fucking better be. I swear!” The call disconnected.
Good God all fucking mighty, this bitch is gonna drive my ass fucking nuts. I better come up with better plans that don’t include her fucking ass. Shit! Trevor tapped his phone against his head.
“Hey, Trevor, right?” Robert’s voice caught Trevor off guard.
“Yeah, yeah ... ummm ... ,” Trevor answered on edge.
“Don’t worry, man. I know what women can do to a brotha... .” Robert laughed to lighten the awkwardness.
Trevor handed him the keys to the car and laughed as he walked away. Damn. Now I definitely gotta get that bitch to stop calling me. She gonna fuck up my entire setup.
Robert’s eyes opened wider, as if a light bulb had flipped on. He remembered Trevor’s face. Many years ago, while in New York, Robert visited a used car lot as a favor for his father. That was his first opportunity to see what one of his father’s businesses was about. There was a potential investment to be made if the venture seemed lucrative. He remembered walking onto the car lot and immediately halting at the sight of a two-hundred-pound-looking Rottweiler chained to the fence. He looked around and heard some loud shouts and laughter coming from behind the mobile office. Shortly after the dog stopped barking, he was approached by some young men, mostly gang affiliated. He nervously told them why he was there as a small crowd surrounded him. In the middle of his explanation, out of nowhere a young man slammed his fist against his jaw. Bam! Robert fell to the ground but wasn’t knocked out. He struggled to get up and run. The young man hurled profanities at him and laughed at him. That young man was Trevor. At that moment he decided he didn’t want any part of this business his father had.
Robert began to steam with anger. He had to watch his back with Trevor. He couldn’t believe he was even working at this dealership. How in the world did Mr. Couture miss the background check on this one? he thought. I may just have to let my sister deal with this dealership. I wouldn’t want Amber to find out about the incident or get caught up in some mess. He shook his head at the thought.
Chapter 9
Amber picked up her phone and dialed Stephen’s number. “Hey, you. How are you?” She held back on the angry attitude and decided to go after what she wanted.
“Sorry, baby. I’ve been working nonstop. I didn’t get to call you back about the dates to go to the Keys. Did you finalize everything?” Stephen asked with a sincere tone.
“I know, baby. You work hard.... We’re leaving Thursday night, so you have about two days to wrap up whatever you got going on. Do you want to drive, or shall I just hire a limo?” Amber spoke in a fake enthusiastic tone to mask her true feelings.
“Well, you seem excited... . Last time we spoke, you weren’t excited at all. I’m happy to see that you came around.... Ummm, why don’t you just get the limo, ’cause I may want to get a little frisky on the way out there.” Stephen laughed lightly, hoping she would get the hint.
“Oh,
yes ... only if you’re good ... This will be an unforgettable weekend, I promise.... I gotta go. Talk to you soon.” Amber ended the call.
Damn, she never did that before, he thought. Am I slipping? I’m always the first to give her the dial tone. He stared at his phone and dialed a number. “My man, what’s—”
“Don’t fucking my man me. Your check fucking bounced. I want my total investment amount back. All of it, six hundred thousand dollars, in a cashier’s check. FedEx it to me in four days or else,” an angry voice shouted. Then the line went dead.
Stephen quickly rose from his seat and headed through his front door. Fuck, this is the last thing I need, he cursed to himself.
Amber arrived at the office at ten on the nose. She said her hellos to the sales department as she walked to her office.
She bumped into Robert on her way.
“Good morning. I have been trying to call you. Is everything all right?” he said.
“Everything is just fine. Thank you. I was dealing with some personal affairs. What can I do for you?” she asked, entering her office.
“Oh, okay. Well, I hope everything is good now. Ummm, there are a few things I would like to go over with you before ...” Robert hesitated.
“What? Is there a problem? Don’t tell me one of the cars is messed up? Oh, God ...” Amber took her seat to prepare for the worst.
“No, no, nothing like that. I wouldn’t let that happen under my watch,” Robert assured her.
Full Figured 4: Carl Weber Presents Page 15