Chapter 8
"I want you to stay late today." Jessica breezed into her office and spoke without preamble.
The computer company was a product of a settlement from her second husband, and she ran the place like an army general, without mercy and a complete lack of compassion for staff members.
As her assistant, Melanie received the full brunt of her spiteful nature.
On her way to work this morning, after sitting in her car for a few minutes, she had decided that it was time to start speaking up for herself and stop letting this bitch walk over her. She needed the money, but there was a limit to how much she was willing to take.
Looking up from the invoice she was typing, she spared her a glance. "Try asking."
That stopped her in her tracks and had Jessica gawking at her.
"Excuse me?"
Calmly hitting print, she rose to retrieve the document before coming back to the desk.
"It sounded as if you were ordering me to stay over.
Unless I'm mistaken, I'm supposed to leave here on the dot of five and it's up to me if I want to stay for overtime.
In the past, staying past five has never reflected on my paycheck.
And I distinctly told you that I am a single mother. "
"You need this job."
"I can get better."
The two of them stared at each other as if waiting to see who blinked first. Jessica did, light green eyes flashing. "What's gotten into you?"
"You mean, why am I not stretching myself out at the threshold and inviting you to walk over me? I'm starting to wise up." She handed her boss the folder. "The invoices you wanted done ASAP. You have a meeting with Caltech at ten and luncheon with your ex to sort out the details of the house."
"And no, I will not be staying after five. I have my son's soccer practice to go to and there's no way on God's green earth am I missing that."
Grabbing the folder, Jessica stood there for a minute, deciding if she should flex her muscles.
She had become so accustomed to people jumping when she said the word, that this, what she called blatant disregard for her authority made her wary.
The truth of the matter was that Melanie was the best assistant she had ever had.
The woman was a gold mine. Jessica was often envious of the woman's natural beauty and her graceful ways, not to mention her bastard of an ex-husband had mentioned Melanie several times during various conversations.
Melanie Foster might dress in department store clothing, and she might pin back that glossy weight of hair behind her head, but it still did not detract from her looks.
She had also seen her brother-in-law fishing around. The woman attracted men like bees to the honeypot and was not even aware of the power she had in her hands.
"Is there anything else?"
And, she had grown a pair over the weekend.
"Not this minute." Turning around, she wheeled out the door. Melanie waited until she was certain the woman had cleared the tiny room before leaning back and closing her eyes. She had taken a chance there.
If Jessica had told her to pack her things and leave, she would have ended up apologizing and giving her more ammunition to walk all over her.
Despite what she had said about leaving, she needed the job.
It was convenient and in close proximity to her home and her son's school. Until things improved, she was stuck.
But telling her boss where to shove it certainly felt good.
*****
Her friend stared at her openmouthed. "You said that to her face?"
"Right to her face." Melanie nodded with a grin as she poured dressing over her salad.
"And she did not boot your ass out?"
"She needs me. I happen to be very good."
"Too good for that place." Stretching out her left hand, she showed off the bling she was wearing.
"Wait! Is that diamonds?" Melanie hissed as she grabbed the wrist and brought it up closer to stare at the stones.
"And emeralds." Carrie said loftily as she continued to eat her salad one-handed. "Look but don't touch. My guy said the sex is the best he ever had. I showed off more than a little and had him breathing like a fire engine. This was the reward."
"It's stunning and expensive."
"Now tell me about your reward."
"I'm thinking I should be the one handing that out." Taking one last look, she dropped her friend's hand.
Carrie stared at her with raised brows. "He's that good? Of course he is. The guy is hot and young. Tell me everything."
"It would take more than my half hour lunch to tell you." She smiled slightly. "He wants to take me to Paris."
"And you say yes of course. Paris means shopping, shopping, shopping."
"I intend to." Melanie sighed and reached for her water. "I told Grams about it."
"Why?"
"Because she's my grandmother and we never had secrets from each other and because I'm leaving David with her more often than before." She shrugged. "And I feel damn guilty. I more than like him."
"I more than like my guy too."
Melanie looked over at her. "Have you told him the truth?"
"Nope." Carrie dug into the crisp salad.
"He's a snob. He has always had money and never knew what it's like to lack.
We were passing through downtown the other day where they have all those homeless people wandering around and I asked him to stop so I could give one of them leftovers I had and he refused to. "
"Said that's what was making this country of ours so pedestrian.
That's the word he used. Said he writes a check to give to the local charities because that's what is expected of him, but those people should get up off their ass and do something productive to help to build the country. I wanted to slap him upside the head."
"Sounds like a jerk. I don't think Rodney is like that." She toyed with the salad, her appetite disappearing.
"But you're not certain." Carrie shrugged. "After what my guy said, I'm more determined to wring him dry."
"Doesn't it bother you?" Picking up her glass of water, she took a sip. "It kinda sounds as if we're pimping out ourselves."
"Nope." Her friend responded promptly. "We're having fun and reaping the bennies. Nothing wrong with that."
*****
"That's my boy! You go baby!" Rising to her feet, she pumped her fists in the air and jiggled her butt as David rammed the ball into the net, kicking his team up to first place.
"Cute kid."
She had been unaware of the man seated next to her on the stand and did not realize she had spilled popcorn all over him.
"Oh goodness! I'm sorry. Let me--"
"No." He grinned at her, white teeth flashing as he brushed it off. "I appreciate your enthusiasm. Name is Joey Watkins." He stretched out a hand and she took it.
"My nephew is the one with the crazy hair.
" He pointed to the child jumping up and down.
The stand was not really full, which was due to the stinging weather of fall, but she had left work and rushed home to change into jeans and sweater and a jacket and barely made it in time to witness the starting of the game.
"Melanie Foster. Son's name is David."
"How about you come with us for ice cream and pizza?"
"I just want to go home. I promised David I would treat him to some homemade vanilla ice cream."
The man nodded, light blue eyes twinkling. "And for all you know, I could be a serial rapist."
"That's possible." She smiled back. "Besides, I don't get to spend a lot of time with him and want to celebrate this victory with just us."
"Another time perhaps." He smiled at her and she could not help but regret refusing him. "Here's my card." He dug one out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her.
He was an architect.
"Just moved here a month or so ago. Messy divorce and wanted to start fresh. Bunking with my sister and my nephew for now until I get my own place. Nice to meet you Melanie Foster, hope we meet again."
She nodded and watched him walk away before turning to wait for David.
*****
"Did you see me, mom?" David was jumping up and down as if he was on a spring. "I scored the winning goal."
"I was there, remember?" She rubbed her hand over his wavy curls fondly, before passing him the bowl of ice cream.
"Sprinkles?"
"Coming right up."
"This is the best day ever." He dug his spoon into the ice cream enthusiastically. "I saw that guy talking to you. Did he ask for your number?"
She sent him a wry look before pouring caramel sauce over her own ice cream.
"And if he did?"
He looked up at her, his heart toppling a little at how beautiful she was. The guys on his team were always ragging him about how young and pretty his mom was. "You blew him off."
"David Foster."
He just grinned at her and scooped up more ice cream.
"He's white."
She stared at him with narrowed eyes.
"You know better than that. We spoke about equality of the races and that God does not care about our complexion. He doesn't see color."
He ducked his head sheepishly. "I know. It's just that I love that it's just us."
"What if I met someone?"
"You mean the guy you're now seeing? When am I going to meet him?"
"When I'm ready. Now enough of that topic. You have homework and tomorrow is school. Finish the ice cream and grab your book."
"You're like a drill sergeant." He muttered under his breath.
"And never forget it." Blowing him a kiss, she went to get more ice cream.
When Rodney called her later that night, her son was tucked in bed and so was she.
"Hi."
"Hi yourself." The sound of his deep voice brought memories of their night tumbling back.
"I'm sorry I was unable to call you today. Had a crisis and had to zip over to New York. How are you? And can I persuade you to come and spend the night?"
She laughed softly, bringing the sheets up to her chest. It was getting late, but she did not care. "No."
"You're killing me here, darling."
Her heart did a slow dive and then settled.
"It's late." She murmured huskily.
"I could make it worth your while. Cook you breakfast in the morning."
"That's not going to work."
His sigh warmed her heart. "How about dinner Friday night? Same place, same time."
"Spirano's?"
"Yes. And then a trip to Paris for the weekend."
Her breath caught. "Only someone like you can work that into a sentence. Dinner locally and then off to Paris."
"I want to be alone with you. I want to show you the city, shop for you."
"Rodney--"
"Indulge me, please."
Her heart raced as she thought back on the conversation with Carrie. This was the opportunity she was waiting on. He would be buying her things, expensive things, ones she hadn't asked for. He was offering.
"Melanie?"
"I'll...I'll let you know."
"I'm going to continue to hound you until you say yes."
She blew out a breath. "I'm sure you will. It's good to hear from you."
"It would be better if I saw you in person. I have an idea what I would like to do to you."
"I'm sure. Talk later."
"All right. I'll leave you alone for now. Dream of me."
"Count on it." She hung up with a smile on her lips and him on her mind.
*****
"It's lovely."
Gloria turned her head to smile at the woman as she put the tray on the Chippendale table by the large bay window.
"Think so?" She dabbed emerald green to the corner of the easel and stepped back to take it in. Painting was her hobby and her therapy. It had served her well after she had lost her husband and continued to do so now.
"I'm thinking of gifting it to Rodney, spruce up his living room." She stepped back to the easel and dabbed more paint on. "His birthday is coming up end of October."
"You're planning a lavish party." Martha poured tea and walked forward to hand it to her.
"He's going to protest, but mother's privilege." She smiled and walked over to wipe her hands and drop the brushes into turpentine. Settling by the window she curled her feet under her and stared out at the windy fall day.
"He's met someone." She murmured, wrapping her fingers around the delicate cup.
"And you're worried that it's like before." Martha sat comfortable in her position as a friend as well as the one who ran the household.
"Hmm. My boy is smart, but that woman broke his heart." She sighed. "I've seen the girl, exceptionally beautiful, flawless complexion and a stranger. I've never seen her before. Melanie Foster. I've asked around and no one knows her. It's like she just dropped from the sky."
"And my son is hooked. She spent the night at his place.
He did not say anything to me, but when I called, he was very evasive, said he was tied up when I asked him over for supper.
And he has not spoken about her. That's another concern.
This might be worse than the one before. " She sipped and sighed again.
"I'm tempted to do a run on her."
"Which is another right as a parent."
Gloria sighed again. "I would go ahead, but the team of investigators are loyal to him and word might get back."
"You could go independent." Martha suggested.
Gloria shook her head. "I'll just wait and see. Oh, Martha, I so want him to meet the right person. I want him to be happy."
"Which is your right as a mother." She sniffed. "It's also my right as the woman who helped to grow him."
*****
"He said not to pack. We'll be flying straight from having dinner. Using his private jet." She clasped her hands in front of her and gave her Grams a pleading look. "Please don't say anything."
"I won't." Her grandmother sighed. "Girl, I want the best for you, and I would have wished this was real, hoped that you could bring that man home and introduce him to me and your son. That this isn't going to blow up in your face."
She waved her hand as Melanie opened her mouth. "David and I will be fine. Go and have fun. You deserve that much. You've been deprived of it since that no good son knocked you up."
"I'm wearing my own clothes." There was a touch of defiance in her expression. "I never felt good 'borrowing' someone else's clothes. He might take one look at me and decide that I'm not who he wants to be with."
"You could always tell him the truth." Her grandmother pointed out. They were in her room with David downstairs playing a video game.
"No." She shook her head. "Not yet. You have to trust me on this Grams. I want to enjoy being this person for a little while longer."
Sighing, Eloise came forward and embraced her.
"All I can do is pray for you."
"Thanks. I really appreciate everything you do for me and David."
"Nonsense. You're blood and my only family."