Alex
I REALLY SHOULD HAVE STAYED home. I tried to stand up, but my legs were so sore…not to mention a few other places on my body. The lace of my bra felt like a razor, making small cuts on my nipples.
My phone rang with a familiar ring tone. I looked at the screen and my mind went back to last night and this morning, and I pressed the Answer Call button.
“Hey, baby.” I was hot all over.
“Hey, Beautiful.”
“Why did you let me leave the house?”
“Me? I tried to keep you in bed and from the sound of it, I was doing a very good job, until the phone rang.”
“Yes you were.”
I felt his remarks in the lower part of my body. I closed my eyes and tossed my head back, replaying this morning’s lovemaking session. Lovemaking isn’t even an accurate description. It was hot, morning sex.
When the phone rang this morning, I was just about to get my second helping of hot chocolate for breakfast. Forget about milk doing a body good. It was all about the spicy, hot chocolate loving that does a body good.
“And that you were.” I was picturing his hot mouth doing things to me that… “So, I was thinking, how about I come home as soon as this interview is over and we pick up where we left off?”
“What time should I pick you up?”
I looked at my watch. “Noon.” He started laughing. “What’s so funny?”
“I’m picking you up so we can have a nooner?”
I laughed. “I guess you are.”
“See you at noon, Beautiful, bye.”
“Bye.”
I started to cancel this interview, but it wouldn’t be very professional to cancel on short notice, especially since this was an article on “Successful Business Women in Los Angeles”. I didn’t see where I was that interesting, but if it would get publicity for the store, why not?
I looked at my watch, nine-thirty. This shouldn’t take more than an hour. Then I’d give Bas some notes, and it would be off to my play date with my husband.
I leaned back in my chair with my eyes closed, thinking about Moses. Knock…knock…knock. “Come in.”
The door opened and I got up and walked around the front of my desk.
“Alex, this is Tobias Watkins.”
Kim escorted him over and he looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite place his face.
“Good morning.” We shook hands.
“Good morning, Miss Miller.”
“I’ll hold your calls Alex,” Kim said.
“Thank you.” I directed my attention to Tobias. “Have a seat. Interesting name.”
“It’s a family name.”
“Nice…very prestigious.”
“Thank you.” I watched him fumble in his bag. “I apologize. This is my first interview.”
“I understand. Would you like something to drink?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
“While you get prepared, I’m going to grab a cup of coffee.” I needed more than coffee to keep my attention focused. My mind was on Moses and the shower we had this morning. I returned to my chair with my cup, sat down and crossed my legs. I took a couple of sips and placed the cup on the table. “Ready?”
“Yes. Miss Miller, what did you study in college?”
“I majored in English.”
“Please forgive me for saying this, but you’re very beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“How did you end up in retail?”
“I have always loved fashion. After college I thought about working at a fashion magazine, but I liked working with women, helping them discover their style.” I sipped some coffee.
“Do you regret not working for a magazine?”
“No. I think if I had worked at a magazine, my life would have been a lot more structured, and less creative.”
“Why a boutique, and not become a designer?”
“My heart isn’t in creating, but appreciating great craftsmanship and talent.”
“So, you didn’t study business at all?”
“No.”
“What kind of research did you do for your business?”
“None, really. Like I said, I have always loved fashion. Plus, I did an internship in Paris at Motif Magazine.” I sipped more coffee.
“Any plans for marriage?”
“I’m a newlywed.”
“So you have it all.”
“I wouldn’t say that.”
“It must be difficult juggling a growing empire with a personal life.”
I laughed. “I wouldn’t call this an empire.”
“Not yet.” He smiled. “So, does your husband work with you?”
“No. He’s in the arts.”
“Any plans for children?”
“Some day.”
“Is there anything in your life you would change?”
“No.”
“That was a quick answer.”
“Excuse me?”
“Most people have at least one thing or event, if given the opportunity, they’d change. And you don’t have one?”
“No.”
“Interesting.”
“Let me ask you. Is there a thing or event you’d like to change?”
“My birthday.”
“What a strange answer. Why?”
“Because it would allow me to see my mother.”
“I’m sorry. Did she die giving birth?”
“No. She put me up for adoption. At least, that’s what my case worker said.”
“You don’t think that’s the truth?”
“No. I recently found out she and the family that was to adopt me, were told I died.”
“How sad. There are companies that specialize in helping children find their birth parents.”
“I’ve contacted one.”
“All the best to you.” I looked at my watch. “I have another…”
“Miss Miller…”
“Yes?”
“I think you’re my mother.”
“What!” I jumped up.
“I think you’re my mother.” He repeated the words. and I still didn’t know how to respond.
“You need to leave. I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing--” He jumped up and grabbed my forearm.
“Please…hear me out. I was born at Cedars on July twenty-eight, twenty-one years ago.”
“Young man, I’m sorry, but it’s not possible for me to be your mother.”
“I checked with the hospital and there were only two black baby boys born that day, and the staff got a little confused. Your son was mixed up with another baby. The baby you thought was yours later died, but your son, me, was put up for adoption, so everyone thought.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m not your mother, and if you don’t leave immediately, I’m going to call the police. I don’t know who put you up to this, but it’s not funny.” I broke his grasp, walked over to my desk and sent Bas a code pink text. Code Pink, means I’m in trouble. This was Moses’ idea after the crap with my ex-husband and his family. Bas knows to drop everything and come to my office asap with Travis, my head of security.
“Please, Ms. Miller, hear me out, I wouldn’t have come here if I didn’t believe you were my mother.” My heart was racing, and I felt like I was going to faint. Could it be possible? Could my son be alive? Am I talking to Terrence? As I was about to give in to the thoughts, Bas walked in with Travis.
“What’s going on?” Bas asked.
“Bas, I need you and Travis to take this young man’s picture and post it throughout all the stores with instructions to have him arrested for trespassing, stalking, fraud, and whatever else you can come up with if he sets foot in any of the stores.”
“Consider it done.” He took his picture with his phone. “Travis, take his picture, and do as Alex said before escorting him out.”
“I’m on it.” Travis grabbed Tobias by the arm. “Let’s go.”
“Please, Ms. Miller--” He begged as Travis escorted him out. “Please…”
Bas closed the door and walked towards my desk. “Are you alright?”
“I need you to take me home, now.” I started gathering my things.
“I thought Moses was picking you up?”
“Are you going to take me home, or do I need to call a car?”
“Calm down. Tell me what happened?”
I couldn’t speak and my hands were shaking. “That boy says I’m his mother.”
“What!”
“He said I’m his mother.” I felt myself breaking down.
“Calm down.” He wrapped his arms around me, and the tears came like a floodgate.
“Why would someone do this?“ The tears were racing with the air in my lungs to see which was going to choke me first.
“Calm down. Look at me.” I took a deep breath. “I’ll call Moses and tell him I’m bringing you home, okay?” I nodded. “Get your things and I’ll be right back. I’ll get one of the guys to sit outside.”
I nodded.