by Silke Ming
“Have you ever met her mother?”
“That was the hard part. I had met the mother on a few occasions and she seemed like a lovely lady. I think she liked me for her daughter.”
“So when is the trial?”
“In another two weeks, so I will have my hands full. Luckily for me, Gypsy has been dealing with this subject for a while and has been helping me to understand all about FGM.”
“I still can’t believe that the two of you connived to trick me.”
“There was no trickery. She knew that my interest in you was not just a passing fancy and did what she could to bring us together.”
“I appreciate what she did, but I wish she had said something to me. Suppose I had shown no interest in you?”
“Then we would’ve taken it to the next level. I would’ve enticed you into my lair and held you there,” he said grinning.
“We’re almost there,” he said, as a bridge appeared on the horizon.
“So we are in New York City.”
“I’m looking for the Manhattan exit,” he said glancing around.
It was just after eleven when they arrived at the hotel. The entrance was small, but that belied the grandeur of the hotel. The lobby was large, warm and welcoming, with huge vases of flowers placed strategically in the main lobby area. The guests all looked as if they were dripping with money. They wore beautiful clothing, some of them carrying their little pooches in designer bags. Josie took a seat while Richard checked in. He was being so cordial with the receptionist that she wondered if they were flirting with each other. The porter took their bags, which they could easily have taken themselves, and waited until they had climbed into the elevator. That was the way things were done in such a grand hotel. He tipped the porter and closed the door. They stood in front of the large picture window which gave them the most fantastic panorama of the Manhattan skyline.
“What a view!” she exclaimed.
“I paid for it,” he said. “The receptionist wanted to put us on the other side, so I gave her a tip for this view and for telling me where we can find the most beautiful clothing for you.”
“And I thought you were flirting with her.”
“I was. Being charming will get you everything and everywhere in life. So now it’s back to the wide avenues to do some shopping. Are you ready?”
In the lobby, the concierge gave them directions to the best shopping areas, and also assisted them in making reservations for a late dinner. He accompanied them to the curb and hailed a taxi. There was so much to choose from in the way of clothing. Richard sat and waited while she tried dress after dress, then either shook or nodded his head at her preferences. She chose a black dress with a collar which fit snugly over her shoulders and upper arms and a pencil skirt which hugged her perfect figure.
“That’s it,” he said, smiling and agreeing with the saleslady.
Next it was the shoe salon and then to a men’s store to buy a couple things for him. They were like two children in the big city for the first time, laughing and teasing each other. They had a quick lunch and returned to the hotel, where she once again tried her dress and shoes together.
“I can’t believe it has been just over a week since we met,” he said.
“Yes. One long week,” she replied.
“Josie,” he said. “Come here.”
She understood that tone in his voice. Whenever he called her name in such a seductive tone, she knew he was up to something. She moved toward him.
“I love you, Josie.”
“And I love you, too.”
“Show me how much you love me,” he said, reaching for her.
“I can’t. Not now. I’ll show you later tonight.”
“Why can’t you show me now?” he asked, looking disappointed.
“You will make a mess of my hair and I won’t look my best for the theater and for dinner.”
“I’ll let you get on top,” he said pleading.
“You will get carried away. If you wait until tonight, I promise you, it will be a hot night in New York City.”
“Really? How does that song go?” he asked.
“What song?”
And he sang his version of it to her.
“One night in New York makes a hard man stumble. I would stumble for you anytime and anywhere, Josie.”
“I know you would. I’d stumble for you, too.”
Chapter Nine
He looked extremely handsome in his black slacks and white shirt, with the top button opened, showing just a touch of his chest hair. He had brushed his hair away from his face, all the way to the nape of his neck. He turned around when she came into the room and she gasped. He had actually taken her breath away. She stared at him and her knees felt weak, and she felt a little insecure just staring at him. What did she do to deserve this handsome man? Why was he attracted to her? He could have any woman he wanted, but he had chosen her. It felt like a dream.
She continued staring at him. She loved the color of his eyes which seemed to pierce her soul. No one looking at the handsome, well-dressed, intelligent lawyer knew his deepest, darkest secret. His appearance belied what he was like between the sheets. He had a ravenous appetite for sex and so did she, but she wouldn’t have wanted him any other way. She liked him hot and sizzling!
“You are a picture of beauty, Josie.”
“So are you.”
“What did you do to your hair?”
“Spiked it with a bit of gel,” she replied.
“Let’s go. We don’t want to be late for the show.”
“Take a photo of us,” she said handing him her cell phone.
He took a photo of the two of them together, then one alone. He did the same thing with his cell phone.
“You’ll always be in my eyes, in my head, and in my heart,” he said looking at the photo.
“So will you.”
She had really hit the jackpot.
Arriving at the theater, they had enough time for a glass of champagne before the throngs converged into the lobby. They took their seats and chatted until the lights were dimmed and time for the show to begin. It lasted almost three hours with a short intermission. When it was over, they joined the rest of the audience in applause.
“Did you enjoy it?” he asked.
“Yes, it was beautiful, but I hate injustice. My heart just kept aching for the main character, Jean Val Jean.”
“I’m glad it was just a show,” he said smiling. “Let’s hurry to the restaurant. I don’t know how long they will hold the reservations.”
They were surprised to find that the restaurant was packed to capacity at that late hour. Seated at a corner table by a window, they perused the menu with its many choices while sipping their cocktails. The atmosphere was electric. Buzzing! The very young and the old sat together, tasting and indulging, while the younger couples stared into each other’s eyes, enjoying the eroticism of the food and wine.
“Excuse me for just a moment,” he said, getting up and walking away.
No sooner had he left, than a stranger took his place at the table.
“You are beautiful,” the strange man said.
“Thank you,” she said looking around for Richard.
“Here is my card. When you are free, I would like to get together with you.”
She was so shocked, that words failed her. She looked at the card.
“Mr. Cross,” she started. “I think—”
“Who are you?” asked Richard, returning to the table.
“I’m so sorry,” said the man, jumping from the chair and retreating to his table.
“What did he say to you?” he demanded.
“I think he wanted to buy my services,” she replied, handing him the card the man had placed on the table.
Richard stood up and marched angrily over to the table where Mr. Cross was sitting alone. As he reached the table, a lady joined Mr. Cross and sat down.
“Are you Mrs. Cross?” he asked his companion.
>
“Yes. May I help you?”
“Your husband has just disrespected my wife. If he steps anywhere near her again, I will beat him within an inch of his life. Good evening.”
He returned to Josie and noticed the couple hurriedly leaving a few minutes later, his wife walking way ahead of him.
Tears welled up in Josie’s eyes and she stared at him.
“Thank you, Richard, for standing up for me. I really appreciated it.”
“That’s my duty. To protect you,” he replied, wiping away a tear from her cheeks with his thumb. “The bastard can consider himself lucky.”
* * * *
Just after midnight, the horrible incident forgotten, they made their way back to the hotel. They stared out at the New York Skyline and wished they had at least one more night there. Richard had not checked his cell phone since they had arrived in the city, and when he did, he found three important messages waiting for him. He listened to the calls and promptly called his assistant. Josie turned on the television set, trying to be discreet, but listened to the conversation. Someone, it seemed, had leaked vital information about his client, Flower. That was last thing she would’ve wanted. She had kept her secret for many years, not even divulging it to him, the man she had loved, and someone was now threatening to throw her dirty laundry into full view of the public.
“Damn!” he said. “Who could’ve done a thing like that?”
“Do you think it was someone from your office?”
“I don’t think so. The people in my office have been there for quite a few years and I think they are all trustworthy.”
“Who do you think did it?”
“I really don’t know. She has kept that secret for so many years. It will be very difficult for her to show her face in public.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. The reporters will probably be parked outside her door waiting to get a glimpse of her, and you know them as well as I do. If they don’t know the full story, they will make one up.”
Josie felt small pangs of jealousy stirring in her heart. She knew he cared for his client and didn’t want to increase her pain. She didn’t know Flower, even though she wondered who she could be. Josie was at a disadvantage. She was up against an unknown opponent.
“Josie,” he said, and she suddenly felt uncomfortable.
“Yes?”
“I must do something.”
“What?”
“I’ve got to protect her. I can’t allow her to be run over by the press.”
“So what are you thinking?”
“This will change nothing between us. You are still the most important person in my life.”
“I don’t like where this is going,” she said.
“It will only be a temporary arrangement. I want to bring her to my home to protect her privacy. I know this isn’t something you want to hear, but I feel responsible for her, especially since this information got out.”
“You do what you must,” she said, as the deep sinking feeling in her belly enveloped her.
“It’s purely business,” he said with pleading eyes. “Please try to understand.”
“I knew this was too good to be true,” she said.
He got up and took her in his arms.
“I love you, Josie. In about two weeks, this will all be over,” he said, lifting her chin and staring into her face. “I will come by your place to see you.”
That meant she could no longer go to his place. Perhaps he thought once was enough! She didn’t know the client and she knew that he couldn’t introduce them to each other. Who was she? Who was this well-known black woman who had so rudely intruded into her world and caused her pain?
“Can I go ahead and bring her to my place? I want you to be honest with me.”
“For only two weeks?”
“Two weeks. That’s all. I’ll start looking for a safe place where she can stay without being hounded by reporters.”
“Go ahead and do what you must do.”
“Thank you. I’ll make it up to you,” he said hugging her.
He called his assistant again. She was to get his client, Flower, to his home either at that late hour or very early the following morning. He would speak to Mrs. Harris and she would let her into the home and get her settled. With each word he uttered, Josie’s world fell apart.
“I guess we should go to bed,” she said. “You will probably want to start early tomorrow morning.”
“You’re right,” he said, his thoughts far away from New York and from her.
The next call was to Mrs. Harris. He apologized to her for calling at the late hour then gave her instructions concerning his house guest. He then spoke to Harvey, instructing him to keep the gates at the bottom of the driveway closed, to keep out the intruders. She felt as if she was taking second place in his life. Even though she knew his actions were necessary, she could not help but think she had fallen one notch down the totem pole. She entered the bathroom and closed the door.
“Are you all right?” he asked, knocking on the door.
“Give me a minute.”
“Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked when she returned.
“I’m fine, Richard. I’m going to bed.”
“I’ll join you.”
It was a night she wouldn’t forget. He held her close and immediately fell asleep. Hers was a restless night. She wanted to be away from him, away from New York City, and back to her boring life as a real estate broker. She wanted to talk to Gypsy. She wanted her roommate to tell her that everything would be all right, that his client belonged to his past and that she was his present and also his future. She thought about her old love Michael and the way he had ended their relationship. Her insecurities knew no bounds and were driving her to the brink.
It was five o’clock in the morning when the telephone rang. It was their wake-up call. In an hour they were both ready for the return trip. They were both unusually quiet, perhaps because of the early hour, or because they were tired and because they were both preoccupied with their own troubles.
“It’s quite a pleasant morning, isn’t it?” he said.
“I didn’t really notice,” was her reply.
“I’m worried, Josie.”
“About what?”
“You are the light of my life, Josie. I don’t want to lose you and I know you are not very happy with the decision I’ve made.”
“You are right. I wish I could say that it doesn’t bother me, but the truth is I feel very insecure. I know she was once the center of your world, and there she is again, back in your home and back in your life.”
“She will never take your place. Trust me just this once. I’ve told you why we could never have that kind of relationship again, and it is the truth.”
“I guess you’ll take me straight to the condo.”
“I must,” he replied. “You’re starting back to work tomorrow, aren’t you?”
“Yes. That should keep me busy,” she replied.
Along the way they stopped for breakfast, and two hours later, they were back on familiar territory. He parked the vehicle outside the condominium, and pulled her to him.
“We’ll get through this,” he said. “I’ll call you later.”
He did not accompany into the building, but as soon as she disappeared, he called Gypsy.
“I can’t tell you about it right now, but please reassure Josie that all will be well between us. It has to do with the FGM case I’m working on. I’ll fill you in tomorrow. Just take good care of her. She’s on her way up.”
* * * *
“Hi, Josie,” Gypsy called out from the comfort of the plush couch. “How was New York?”
“It was a lot of fun.”
“I didn’t expect you back until this afternoon.”
“Duty called and Richard decided he had to take care of it immediately.”
“You don’t seem too happy about it. Is something wrong?”
&nbs
p; “I know you meant well when you set up the meeting between us,” Josie said, sitting on the couch next to her friend. “But I wish you had told me about it.”
“I thought the two of you were getting along well.”
“We were until he got a phone call from his assistant.”
“Are you speaking about Eleanor?”
“I don’t know her name, but she left him three messages, and our weekend came to an abrupt halt.”
“Tell me what happened,” urged Gypsy.
“Did you know his last girlfriend?” she asked, searching her friend’s face.
“I wouldn’t say I knew her. I knew of her, but then everyone knows her,” said Gypsy.
“Except me,” Josie said mournfully. “I have no idea who she is.”
“Didn’t he tell you?”
“He didn’t. He explained something to me about FGM, and I figured it had been done to his ex-girlfriend. Then when he spoke to the assistant, she said that information about her case had been leaked and reporters were camping out outside her door.”
“Dear God!” her roommate gasped.
“Tell me more about this FGM practice,” she said.
“It’s done in many countries the world over, but mainly in parts of Africa, Eastern Europe, and some Middle Eastern countries. My belief is that it is done to control women, but in the countries where it is practised, they have many ruses for doing it.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Just a moment,” she said getting up.
She returned and handed a book to Josie.
“This is the book I was reading the night you and Richard met. It will tell you all you need to know on the subject.”
“Does it really deprive women of all sexual feelings?”
“It does! They don’t enjoy sex, and they actually have no desire for it. Where is she now?”
“At his home,” Josie said, picking up her bag and heading to her room.
“Now I understand why you seem so unhappy. But for all it’s worth, I know he loves you and nothing will come between you.”