by Pamela Yaye
I wonder what would happen if the president of WJN-TV found out his hotshot new broadcaster used to be a call girl.
“I almost forgot. I have something for you.”
Angela blinked and shook free of her thoughts. “Sorry, I missed that. What did you say?”
At the intersection, Demetri opened the center console and took out a thin, black blindfold. “I’ll take it off as soon as we get to our mystery destination,” he said with a wide smile. “And no peeking, baby. I want it to be a surprise.”
Angela hated the thought of being blindfolded, but she didn’t argue. A power nap would do her some good, and when Demetri tied the soft piece of cloth at the back of her head, her eyes grew heavy, and her muscles relaxed. As she snuggled down into her seat and curled up against the window, Angela felt the car jolt forward and then roll to a stop.
Ten minutes later, Angela was clutching Demetri’s forearm and moving along the sleek tiled floor with short, measured steps. She heard an elevator ping, boisterous conversation around her, and the glare of bright overhead lights seeped in through the corner of her blindfold. Angela didn’t know why she’d agreed to let Demetri blindfold her, but when she heard soft, romantic music playing, her trepidation waned and her interest peaked.
“Surprise! Welcome home!”
Demetri untied the blindfold, and when Angela saw the lavish suite decked out in marble and luxurious furniture, she recognized it immediately. They were in the penthouse suite at Trump International Hotel and Tower, their secret getaway in the heart of the city. The wall-length windows overlooking downtown Chicago provided a spectacular panoramic view, but Angela’s favorite spot in the suite was the enclosed wraparound balcony.
Angela glanced around the suite, confused. The living room looked a lot like the one in her house. There were fashion magazines on the glass coffee table, a red velvet armchair, and a statue—just like the one she’d bought in Cancun—was sitting on the bookshelf. The teal walls weren’t covered in expensive abstract paintings. Instead they were filled with dozens of framed candid pictures that Demetri had snapped on his cell phone when they were goofing around at his estate. Angela smiled when she thought about all the great times they’d had the past few months.
“What do you think? Do you love it?”
“Yeah, it’s great. But why did you have the hotel redecorate the suite for one night?”
Demetri came up behind her and wrapped his hands around her waist. “Not for one night. This is permanent, unless you want to redecorate again.”
“I don’t understand.”
“This is our new place.”
Angela stared at him, puzzled and confused by his words. “Our place?”
“I hate you making the drive to Lake County after dark, and since you don’t like my driver picking you up after work, I decided to buy this penthouse.” A proud grin stretched across his face. “Now you don’t have to steal the designer bathrobes or pilfer the candy in the mini bar. Everything in here is yours for the taking!”
“This suite is amazing, and I appreciate the gesture, but we can’t live together.”
“Why not? We’re practically living together now!” Demetri held her tight. “Angela, I love spoiling you and doing things to make you smile. Because of you, I have a new lease on life. For the first time in years, I feel as rejuvenated and healthy as I did my rookie year.”
Angela shook her head and held her hands out in front of her. “This is all too much. The expensive gifts, the penthouse, this insane notion of us living happily ever after.”
“What’s so crazy about that?” Demetri turned her around to face him and cupped her chin softly in his hands. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and spoke in a tender voice. “Baby, I’m committed to you, one hundred percent, all the way in. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t be making future plans or taking you with me to Italy to meet my parents.”
“Italy!” Angela shrieked, widening her eyes. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
“We’re going Memorial Day weekend. And that’s not all. We’re staying at the...”
“Demetri, I can’t go with you to Italy.”
“Of course you can. You already booked the time off work, remember?”
“Yeah, so I can work on my next series, not to fly halfway around the world.”
“You can work on the jet. It has everything you need. An office, a computer...”
“Demetri, I don’t want to meet your parents.”
His eyes darkened. “Why not?”
“Because I don’t want them to read too much into our relationship. We’re lovers, nothing more, and that’s not going to change.” The lie seared her lips and filled her mouth with such a bitter taste she couldn’t swallow. Her stomach lurched, pitched violently to the right. “I told you from day one I wasn’t looking for anything serious. We’re having fun, lots of laughs and great sex. Don’t make this out to be more than it is.”
He gave her a blank look and rubbed his fingertips over his eyes. “Angela, what are you talking about? Where is all this coming from?”
A war was waging in her heart as Nichola’s words tormented her troubled mind. An unseen force urged her to tell Demetri the truth about her past, but she couldn’t make her lips form the words. Her eyes were teary, her throat was dry, and when Demetri sank onto the leather couch and raked his hands over his head, her heart broke in two. Angela loved Demetri with all her heart, more than she’d ever loved anyone before, and the days they had spent together were the happiest of her life. His kisses were magical, his touch made her feel sexy, and being in his arms was the best feeling in the world. It killed her to know that he was hurting and that she’d been the one to cause him pain, but Angela couldn’t tell Demetri—or anyone else—that she used to be an escort.
“I’m not cut out for relationships—you know that,” she said, adopting a playful tone. “I hate being tied down, and after a while, dating the same person gets boring. That’s why I like to play the field, you know, keep my options wide open.”
Demetri’s head snapped up. Lines of confusion creased his forehead. He was breathing so heavily, Angela couldn’t hear the music from the stereo.
“You’re dating other guys?” His tone was sharp, filled with anger and accusation. He stared at her with contempt in his eyes. “Who? How many?”
“Why does it matter? We’re both free to date and do whoever we want.”
He slammed his fists on the armrest and rose to his feet. For a long moment he studied her with a lethal expression. The veins in his neck were stretched so tight, Angela was scared they’d snap. The next words he spoke were through clenched teeth, in a tone she’d never heard him use before, one that made her feel empty inside. “I won’t share you, Angela. Not now, not ever.”
“That’s not your decision to make.”
“Then we’re through.”
Angela didn’t know what possessed her to touch him, to reach out and rest a hand on his cheek, but she did. To her surprise, he didn’t pull away. This was the last time they’d ever be this close, the last time she’d ever have Demetri all to herself, and the thought made it hard to breathe. Angela saw pain etched on his face, a heartbreaking sadness that tore her up inside.
“Look me in the eye,” he ordered, gripping her shoulders, “and tell me you don’t love me. Tell me the last three months meant absolutely nothing to you.”
Angela opened her mouth but quickly closed it. She couldn’t do it, couldn’t lie.
“I’m not the right girl for you, Demetri. You deserve someone better, someone you can be proud to take home to your parents.”
“Baby, what are you talking about? You’re the most remarkable woman I’ve ever met,” he praised. “You work your ass off down at the station but still find time to volunteer, mentor teenage girls and burn dinner for me at le
ast once a week.”
Angela smothered a laugh, but inside she was smiling. She was being a royal first-class jerk to Demetri, but here he was, complimenting her. For as long as she lived, she’d never forget him or the love they shared.
“I want you, Angela. Only you, and no one else.”
“I’m sorry, Demetri, but I can’t do this anymore. I need my space and the freedom to do what I want, whenever I want. You’re a great guy, but I’m tired of feeling smothered.”
“Smothered?”
“Yeah, smothered,” she said, opening her purse and rummaging around inside for nothing. Her eyes were stinging, and Angela knew if she didn’t leave soon, the tears would surely fall. “I better get out of here. I have a full day ahead of me tomorrow.”
“Angela, you sure this is what you want?”
His voice was muffled, and for a second Angela feared that he was going to cry. He wouldn’t, of course. He was Demetri Morretti, a superstar athlete who had beautiful women like Nichola Caruso at his disposal. Men like Demetri, young, handsome, ridiculously wealthy, didn’t stay single for long, and Angela knew he’d have another girl on his arm by the end of the week. At least that was what she told herself when guilt troubled her conscience.
She leaned in and gave Demetri a peck on the cheek and forced a smile. “Have fun in Italy. And good luck this season.”
Then Angela turned and walked away. She’d played her role to the hilt, but when she stepped onto the private elevator and the heavy steel doors closed, her facade cracked. Her vision blurred, and for a long, dizzying moment she couldn’t breathe. Angela slapped away the tears as they spilled down her cheeks, but nothing could assuage the aching void in her heart.
Chapter 20
Angela opened the refrigerator, took out the plastic container filled with barbecue chicken wings and strode out the back door. The sky was free of clouds, the air was thick and humid, and a hot breeze blew through her. Her colorful, long dress whipped around her ankles as she ambled through the backyard.
Angela fanned a hand in front of her face. It was scorching outside, at least ninety degrees, but her dad didn’t seem to mind the sweltering heat. He was standing beside the grill, singing in perfect pitch to the Motown classic playing on his battered stereo. Like the CD player, the grill looked as though it was on its last legs. Every few minutes, it conked out, and when her dad turned it back on, smoke billowed out the hood. Tomorrow, I’m buying him a new one, Angela decided, resting the container on the wooden picnic table. And a new stereo, too!
Within the hour, the backyard would be filled with family and friends looking to celebrate Memorial Day by cutting loose, getting down and eating finger-lickin’-good barbecue. Angela was looking forward to catching up with her relatives and playing a game or two of dominoes with her uncles. But every time she heard an airplane in the distance, she couldn’t help but think about Demetri. This was the weekend they should have been in Italy, visiting his family and taking in the sights, but because of the things she’d said and done, they were over. Angela told herself it was for the best, that it was better being alone than living a lie, but if that was true, why did she feel as if she were going to die of a broken heart?
It had been a week since their breakup, and each day was harder than the one before. At work, Angela was the consummate professional, but at night, when she was alone, thoughts of Demetri and the love they’d shared consumed her. For hours, she’d lie in bed, staring up at the ceiling, lamenting over what could have been. These days she was such a basket case she considered seeking professional help. When she wasn’t crying, she was on her laptop watching old Chicago Royals games and interviews.
Eye on Chicago was still number one with viewers, but ever since her interview with Demetri and his brothers had gone up in smoke, Salem had been giving her the cold shoulder. Who cares? Angela thought, raking a hand through her windswept hair. The man I love hates me.
Loud music filled the air, and when she heard a car door slam in the distance, she knew her brother had arrived. Rodney strode into the backyard carrying a case of beer in one hand and plastic bags filled with junk food in the other.
“Hey, sis, what’s up?” Rodney asked, flashing a smile at her.
Angela had nothing to smile about, so she nodded her head instead. It was the first time she’d seen him since running into him at Madison’s Steak Bar a few weeks back with Demetri. But he leaned over and dropped a kiss on her cheek anyway, as if everything were cool between them. It wasn’t, but Angela knew better than to argue with Rodney in front of her dad.
“Here, this is for you.” He pushed a wad of money, secured with a plastic elastic band, into her hands and winked. “Don’t spend it all in one place.”
Frowning, Angela glanced from the cash to her brother. “Where did you get this?”
“From work, of course!” Rodney rolled his eyes. “I got my first paycheck today, and after taking out a grand for you, I still have a little left over in my savings to buy—”
“You have a savings account?” Shaking her head, Angela dropped down in the checkered lawn chair behind her. “Someone pinch me. I must be dreaming!”
“I told you your brother would get his act together.” Cornelius wagged his plastic spatula at his daughter. “He just needed some time.”
“And a break,” he added, sending Angela a smile. “Thanks again for the hookup, sis. Working for the Royals is a real sweet gig.”
“You’re working at Skyline Field? How did that happen?”
“A couple days after I ran into you and Demetri at that posh restaurant, he called and told me the stadium was looking for new ushers. I wasn’t interested until he told me the pay was twenty bucks an hour. Then I told him, ‘Hell yeah!’”
“I had no idea he called you.”
“Really, but Demetri said he was hiring me as a favor to you.”
Angela shook her head. “I had nothing to do with you getting the job.”
“For real? So, my charm and good looks got me the gig?” Rodney smiled wide. “I guess I’m just fly like that!”
Cornelius stroked his beard reflectively. “Maybe I was wrong about Demetri Morretti. Maybe he isn’t as bad as I thought.”
“Pops, Demetri’s mad cool,” Rodney said, his tone full of admiration. “He’s real laid-back, and everyone down at the field loves him.”
“Is that right?”
“Demetri knows everyone by name—even the janitors—and he’s the best tipper on the team. Yesterday, he gave me a hundred bucks just for vacuuming his Bentley!”
“That’s hard to believe.” Cornelius opened the cooler, took out a can of Pepsi and broke the tab. “I read that he’s a troublemaker, a real hothead.”
“Now that I’ve gotten to know him, I don’t believe the hype anymore.”
Cornelius grinned. “Rodney, you don’t know Demetri Morretti any more than I do. You’ve only been working there a couple weeks.”
“Yeah, but I’ve seen firsthand all the crap Demetri and his teammates go through.”
“Please.” Cornelius dismissed his son’s words with a flick of his hand. “They live in million-dollar homes, drive flashy sports cars and can afford to buy the very best of everything. What’s so hard about that?”
“I used to envy pro athletes, but now that I know what goes on behind the scenes, I actually feel sorry for them,” Rodney said. “People are always trying to provoke Demetri into fights so they can cash in on his money. Everyone wants fifteen minutes of fame, and they’ll do just about anything to get it, including...”
Angela sat up, listening with rapt interest as Rodney spoke. What he said was true, every single word. She’d seen firsthand how cruel society could be to celebrities. Whenever she was out with Demetri, he was constantly looking over his shoulder. He craved privacy and didn’t want to be surro
unded by the paparazzi. But to make her happy he’d taken her to festivals, shows and anywhere else her heart desired.
“Demetri said if I work hard and have the right attitude, the team might even pay for me to go to trade school. Isn’t that crazy?”
“You want to go to trade school? Since when?”
Rodney shrugged. “I’m just thinking about it. Demetri thinks I’m smart, and he said if I apply myself, I could make something of myself...”
Angela slid farther down her lawn chair. She tried to manage her emotions the best she could, but it was hard to keep her composure when all she wanted to do was cry. Being without Demetri was killing her, and hearing Rodney talk about what a great guy he was only intensified her guilt. Her brother was spot-on, though. Demetri was an amazing man, hands down the sweetest, most generous person she’d ever met.
“Demetri doesn’t sound half-bad,” Cornelius said, slowly nodding his head. “Now I see why you and Angela like him so much.”
Not like, Dad, love. I love him with all my heart.
Her gaze fell on her cell phone, which was sitting on the pile of board games. Angela wanted to call Demetri to apologize for the way she’d acted last week and thank him for helping Rodney, but she was too afraid. What if Nichola had told him about her past?
The sun was still strong, making Angela unbearably hot, yet her entire body was shaking. Her past was hanging over her head, tormenting her day and night. The dirty little secret she’d been keeping for years had prevented her from falling in love and giving herself completely to any man, and Angela was tired. Tired of running from her past and the man she loved. She’d let fear stop her from telling Demetri the truth, but she knew if she didn’t come clean to the people she loved, she’d never be able to move forward.
“Did you invite Demetri and his people to come over today?”
Angela glanced up at her dad and shook her head.
“Why not? I’d love to meet him.”