Her Man: An Interracial Romance (The Bentini Brothers Book 2) (9 page)

     “Then we don’t have anything
to worry about because although they aren’t cubic zirconia, they didn’t cost an
arm and a leg.  So, you see…you can accept them.  Now, which do you want to
wear tonight?”  I bring his head down for a kiss, and then choose the black
diamond earrings, the thin black diamond bracelet, and the black pearl necklace
that goes perfectly with my black lace and velvet dress.  

    
Wow!
 Looking at
myself in the wall mirror in the entryway, I’m speechless.  I’ve never in my
life owned real diamond jewelry, and it’s now easy to see why people get giddy
over them…they enhance anyone’s appearance and makes them shine.   “Thank you
Tony, they shine.”

     “No Baby, you shine, with or
without diamonds.  You’re beautiful.”  Antonio says coming up behind me with my
purse in his hand.  “Come on, we’re running late.” He reminds me, quickly
kissing the tip of my nose and then my lips.

     
On our way to the club,
Antonio and I enjoy talking and teasing each other.  Just before we pull into
the club’s parking lot, he looks over at me and says, “I love the way you wear
your makeup, it all looks so natural.”  He smiles.  “And I like that you don’t
have spider eyes.”  When I smirk and ask him what that is, he explains.  “You
know, when you ladies, put on those long fake eyelashes that damn near sweep the
sky.”  I laugh and tell him that I’ve never worn fake eye lashes, so he doesn’t
have to worry about me ever having spider eyes.  I hear him mumble a
heart-felt, “Thank gawd” before he says, “I’m sorry for messing your hair up,
but you know I find your hair irresistible when you wear it down on your
shoulders.”  I really appreciate the compliment.  It’s rather surprising how
turned on Antonio is by my
black-girl
hair.  “Thank you Antonio, I’m
glad that my hair pleases you.”

     “All of you pleases me.”  He says glancing
over at me.  “What’s so amusing?” He asks when he notices the twist of my
lips.  “I’m not so sure you would find this luxurious hair so irresistible if
you saw what it looks like in its natural state.  You have no idea what my much
appreciated hairdresser goes through to make it look this good.”  I chuckle,
then grimace because anyone who has hair like mine, knows how much work it is. 
Glancing at me, he quips, “If it’s as bad as all that, then your hair dresser
must be very talented.  I hope you’re paying her well because she deserves
every penny.”

     Staring at his handsome profile, one thought
keeps running through my mind…  
Damn, how I want him!

***

     I’m kinda relieved that Mrs. Bentini had a
private celebration, for Adam and Jason, at the mansion and won’t be at the
club tonight.  Gabby has appointed herself hostess and is probably already there. 
As soon as we get inside the club, Antonio checks with his security team and I
go looking for Kathy and the event planner.  Unfortunately, the first person I
see is Gabby.  And from where she is standing, she can easily see that Antonio
and I have entered the building together. 
Oh starz! Please don’t let her
suspect anything
.  If I’m lucky, maybe she’ll think that we just happened
to walk into the club at the same time.  Gabby met with the DJ, so I’m not
surprised that the music is upbeat, trendy and loud, but not too loud –as it
would be on a regular club night.  Jason and Adam will be arriving around
midnight, giving the invited guests more than enough time to get here.  

     Gabby and Kathy have seen each other all
glammed up before, but neither of them have seen me like this.  And with my
diamonds, I’m extra crispy glammed up tonight.  Gabby eyes my jewelry and comments. 
“Wow, Ti, you look like a million bucks!”  At the mention of a
million bucks
,
I immediately freeze up, wondering if it’s a casual remark or does she know about
the money her brother gave me.  Michael Elliot comes over and Gabby walks away with
him to take care of a problem.  Kathy grabs my hands, holding onto them as she
exclaims, “Tiressa, you look absolutely dazzling!  And look at that bling!  I’m
gonna have to ask Mrs. Bentini for a raise.”  We laugh and I tell her how much
I love her little
red
dress and jewelry as well.  “Tell me if I’m
stepping out of bounds, but…William Bentini is a fool to let you go.”  Kathy’s
eyes suddenly tear and she quickly dabs at them.  “I’m sorry Kathy, I shouldn’t
have said that.  It’s none of my business and I didn’t mean to upset you.”  Giving
me a quick hug, Kathy assures me, “No, Ti, it’s not you.  It’s the situation. 
I just feel so helpless.  And now, I have to be here and see him and pretend
that I’m not hurting, when I am.”  Seeing her pain, I offer, “Kathy you can
leave and I’ll cover for you.  There can’t be that much to see to and between
Michael Elliot, Gabby, Antonio and myself; there shouldn’t be any problem that
we can’t handle.”  Kathy hugs me again but declines my offer saying, “No, I’m
not going to let his being an asshole get in the way of me doing my job.”

     By eleven-thirty, the club is filling up and some
of the siblings are in place.  Robert and his wife, Angela, arrive with
Nicholas and his wife, Maria.  They compliment Gabby, Kathy and me on the party
theme, decorations and lavish setup.  Gabby glows, soaking up the praise.  Kath
and I exchange secretly amused smiles, watching her escort her family to their
place of honor in the VIP section of the club.  I catch sight of Antonio making
his way over to the VIP section to greet his family.  A commotion at the door
draws my attention to a group of well- dressed young adults apparently ready to
party.  As they walk further into the club, one of the girls break away from
her friends and dashes in our direction.  “Kaaathriiine!”  She squeals as she
laughingly throws her arms around Kathy’s neck.  Feeling kind of awkward, I
step back to give them space and notice that one of the young men has veered
off from the group and has followed the young lady, who is talking to Kathy so
excitedly.

     “Hi, you must be Ti?”  I’m totally caught off
guard when he addresses me…especially by a name that only family and close
friends use.  But it doesn’t take more than a second to realize who he is. 
“And you must be Christopher Bentini?”  I ask with a genuine smile of greeting. 
I recall that Mrs. Bentini mentioned that her youngest son, Christopher, is in
his last year of college and that her baby, Luciana, is thriving in her second
year.

     “Oh my goodness!  I’m so sorry Tiressa…how
rude of me.”  Kathy turns to me apologizing with embarrassment.  “Ana and Chris
I’d like to introduce you to my friend and partner, Tiressa Hawkins…your
mother’s new PA.”  Then turning to me she says, “Ti, I’d like to introduce you
to the soon to be newest rising stars of the Bentini family, Luciana and
Christopher Bentini.”  We shake hands, and I’m wondering why brother and sister
are looking me over and shooting each other mysterious looks.  After a few
minutes, Gabby takes them to the VIP section.  Kathy turns to me and says, “I
bet they don’t stay there longer than they have to.” 

     We circulate for a good twenty minutes,
helping the event planner keep things on track.  The music is a little louder
and the DJ is doing a great job playing a mix of pop, rock and rap –the clean
versions.  As Kathy and I are walking around the club, I’m full of vibrant
energy; I haven’t been in a club in months…I’m looking good and feeling
better.  More than a few men are hitting on me, but I don’t have any problem
getting rid of them…My man is the only man I’m interested in.

     Jason and Adam Bentini enter the club around
midnight, smiling like beloved young Greek gods returning from Mount Olympus. 
Everyone gets to their feet and applaud enthusiastically as they make their way
to the raised dais—built especially for this party—just beyond the dance floor. 
Now, the party really gets turned up.  The DJ is in full DJ mode and the music
is louder, the alcohol is flowing, and lots of people are out on the dance
floor.  All in all, everyone appears to be having a good time, especially the
twins. 

     As I go to stand near the club entrance, I
break out into a big toothy grin because coming through the door and walking in
my direction are my sister Mya, my cousin Danece, Rachael, Frank, Carmen, Janette
and Brian.  I’ve been so busy that I haven’t seen my girlz in a good long
minute –not since the B&S picnic and Janette wasn’t able to make it that
time.  We fall all over each other, squealing, laughing, and chatting like
teenagers at a high school dance.  With the men’s prompting, I show them to one
of the few available tables.

     “Hold on, I’ll be right back, I have to let my
partner know where I’ll be.”  I take off across the club in search of Kathy.  I
locate her talking to the caterers, and let her know where she can find me. 
Then go back to the spacious round table with my friends.  “How did you get an
invite to this private party?”  I ask the table at large.

     “Jason Bentini invited me—” Carmen says as if
she was given the first place prize.  “—and told me to invite anyone I want…so
here we are.” 

     “Yeah, she did invited me…but imagine my
surprise when Rachael also invited me.  You could have punched me in the face,
I was so shocked.”  Janette puts in.

     “I’ll bet you were.”  I reply chuckling.  “Where’s
Rachael and Frank?”  I ask.

     “She said she has family that she hasn’t seen
in a while, so they took off to go mingle.”  Mya answers.

     “So, bitch, this is what it looks like?”

     “Janette, please, we talked about that?”  Her
longtime boyfriend, Brian reminds her.

     “Okay, your right, I did say I was going to
try.”  Janette rolls her eyes and grumbles.  Then restates her question to me. 
“Well, Tiressa, you appear to be looking good and content with your life and I
was just wondering if that is due to your change in employment?”

     We all share a laugh at Janette being ‘encouraged’
to speak appropriately—at least in public.  “You know Brian; I think you are
good for her.  And yes, this is what happiness looks like…I love my job and I’m
loving life right about now.”  I respond in all sincerity, and we all toast to
happiness and loving life.  “Damn Ti, look at you girl.  I’ve never seen you
looking so beautiful and so damn sexy.  Girl, I’m so proud of you.”  My sister
says with a cheeky bright smile.  “Thanks Sis.”  I lean over and we give each
other a big hug.  “What I want to know is…are those real diamonds?”  Carmen
asks in awe.  I try to play it off.  “No, they’re cubic zirconia.”

     “No hell they aren’t.  I am an expert on two
things…men and diamonds.  Those are real diamonds!...And not the kind that 60K
a year will get you.  So, who is he?”  They all stare at me, waiting for me to
respond.  “No one…there is no man.”

     “A woman?!”  Janette asks with a sly smile.

     “Girl, no.”  I respond rolling my eyes at her.

     “Nobody looks like that without there being a
man somewhere in the picture.  Who is it?”  Carmen ask looking like she’s going
to keep trying to interrogate me until she gets the answer she wants.

     “No one.” 

     “Are you and that Derrick guy hooking up
again?”  Janette asks leaning forward.

     “No, we’re not.”  I say with a definite frown.

     “Bitc—I mean girl, who you think you foolin? 
You seeing
somebody
.”  As much as I love seeing Janette catching her
inappropriate words, I wish she would drop it.  “Leave the poor girl alone, she
says she isn’t seeing anyone.”  Brian is such a good guy, I wonder if Janette
knows how lucky she is.  “That’s what she says, but her face and this new look
and that jewelry tell a different story.”

     I’m starting to feel kinda foolish denying
what is obvious to my girlfriends who know me so well.  “Okay, okay, I admit that
there’s a new man in my life.  But, I’m not quite ready to talk about him yet.”

     “Why not?  Is he married, like that other guy
you told me about?”  Carmen asks.  I may be wrong, but I think she likes taking
a dig at me about my situation with Allen.  “No, he isn’t married.  And as it
turns out, the other guy is actually divorced, so there.” I say sticking my
tongue out at her.

     “Then why is it a secret?  We are your girlz…” 
Janet can be just as relentless as Carmen, unfortunately.  “Come on, you can
tell us.”

     “I know, you don’t want to say in front of
Brian.”  Carmen again.  “Hey Brian, why don’t you go to the bar and get us something
to drink.” 
She has some nerve, sending Janette’s boyfriend on a fake errand.

     “That is so not necessary.”  Before I can say
another word, Derrick walks up to our table with a big smile, greeting everyone
and shaking Brian’s hand, then slides into the chair next to me. “Hey man, I’m
sure glad to have another guy at the table…you see how they got me out numbered.”
Brian teases.

     “Yeah, but in a good way.  You’re surrounded
by beautiful women.”  Derrick responds sending a wink my way.  While everyone
is watching us closely –Carmen and Janette with sly knowing smiles, and Brian
with suspension— I’m thinking about how furious Antonio was the last time I was
near Derrick.  I’ve got to get him to leave.  “For some reason, I didn’t expect
you to be here tonight.”  I say to Derrick.