I Want Candy (57 page)

Candy looked all around the room, tears streaming down her face.

“Gabriel!” she called out, her voice shaking. “Gabriel!” she walked into the bathroom, back in the bedroom, then out into the sitting area. There Gabriel stood, holding a bouquet of bright yellow wildflowers, looking down at them solemnly. His light-blue V-neck shirt clung to his tapered figure. He stood there barefoot, his blue-jeans covered in gold flecks. Candy raced over to him, throwing herself into his arms. He held her tightly as she cried out in joy. He just held her, rocking her as she smashed the bouquet against his body.

“Oh, my God!” she screamed, wiping her tears with her hand. “At first I thought…” She stopped herself. She had thought that maybe Quentin had found her. “How did you find me?”

“Eric,” Gabriel answered, his voice cracking. “He’s been a friend to me during this. I have some important information to tell you, but first I want to…”

Candy interrupted him and smiled as she shook her head. “I can’t believe you’re here! How did you know where I was? I didn’t tell anyone.”

“I had Samantha call every single five-star hotel in Cairo. I knew Jasmine wouldn’t stay anywhere less.”

Candy laughed. “You’re so right. That’s her.”

“And before you ask, I bribed my way into your room,” Gabriel laughed. “I paid a pretty penny. They stood and watched to make sure I wasn’t stealing your belongings. Thank goodness you took a while at breakfast.”

“So much for security around here!” Candy laughed. She hugged Gabriel tightly once more, nearly leaving bruises around his neck.

He got on one knee. He took the engagement ring box out of his pocket. Candy spun around and gasped. “This isn’t happening! This can’t be happening!” she squealed.

“It’s happening, trust me,” Gabriel grinned as he looked up at her. “Candy Benet, will you do me the honor of being my wife?” Gabriel took her left hand.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Candy screamed. “I said ‘yes!’”

Gabriel burst out laughing. “I heard you, Baby.” He slid the ring onto her finger. She looked at it closely, admiring how brightly it sparkled. Gabriel stood back up and kissed her hand.

“I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Gabriel,” Candy said sadly. “I have something to tell you. I need to tell you the truth, the real reason I called off our relationship...” She took his hands into hers.

Gabriel smiled and quickly looked over his shoulder out the window. He stood in awe of the pyramid in the background.

“Why are you smiling?” Candy asked, concern growing in her voice.

“I already know. I know about Quentin and what he was did to you. That’s what I was trying to tell you before. Everyone knows now. You won’t believe what happened the other night.” Gabriel proceeded to inform Candy of every detail. When he was finished, Candy slumped down into the chair and rubbed her throbbing head.

“I’m so sorry. I’m too old to be keeping a diary. This is so humiliating. What about your career? We have to fight for your job!”

“Candy, calm down,” Gabriel said evenly. “I have everything taken care of. What’s most important is that we’re back together and Quentin won’t be bothering either of us for a long time. We’re getting married!”

Candy smiled as the tears continued to stream down her face. They was silence for a moment as they both took in the moment. Gabriel put his finger up to his chin as he contemplated. “I have an idea, but let me know if it isn’t to your liking.” He knelt down close to her.

“What is it?” Candy asked as Gabriel leaned in closer to her.

“It goes a little something like this…”

* * *

Dallas
and Jasmine tried to control their smiling faces to no avail. Wrapped in beautiful fabrics, they spun around and hummed.

“Look at them in the air on those chairs!” Jasmine yelled. “This is so romantic! I never thought we’d be bridesmaids today! This is unreal! Thanks, Abdul, for recommending a place for them,” she said to her new friend who stood off to the side. He smiled and nodded quietly.

Candy looked around as she was bounced in the air in a formal chair across from her soon-to-be husband. Both were dressed in traditional Egyptian wedding garb. Candy’s hair was covered with a long, cream-colored shawl that matched her heavily decorated gown. Henna art curled up and down her arms and hands, and the dazzling engagement ring shone brightly in the sunlight filtering in through the parlor windows.

The Zaffa played the drums and belly danced. Candy held back tears that threatened to ruin the makeup Jasmine had taken so much care in applying. Candy looked over at Gabriel who was smiling at her dreamily. Dressed in cream and white linen, he looked like one of the locals. He winked and blew Candy a kiss as the ceremony continued. A Christian minister spoke in English. The vows were repeated in English and Arabic for everyone to hear. Their chairs were lowered to the ground.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride,” he said in conclusion. Gabriel stood up from his chair and approached Candy. He knelt down on one knee, unwrapped her head scarf, and cupped her face with his hands. He looked deep into her eyes, and then planted a long, soft kiss upon her full, lustrous lips. Everyone clapped and cheered. Music began to play as the couple embraced.

“I’m so happy for both of you,” Dallas said, wiping a tear away from her eye.

“Thank you, Dallas,” Gabriel said. “We’re going to have a really nice reception back in Cincinnati for everyone. My daughter will kill me if I don’t.” Dallas and Jasmine laughed.

“I want to thank you two for loving Candy so much and taking care of her all of these years. She’s fortunate to have you,” Gabriel added.

“Yes, she is!” Jasmine agreed. Everyone laughed. Jasmine took Candy by the arm and swiftly led her a few feet away.

“So,” Jasmine said as she leaned in close to Candy. “What do you have planned for your wedding night – whips and chains?”

Candy pushed Jasmine away and giggled. “Wouldn’t you like to know! I can’t believe you asked me this – well, actually I can.” Jasmine hugged her. Candy walked back over to Gabriel, rose on her toes, and kissed his cheek. Gabriel took Candy’s hand and led her to a waiting driver, ready to return them to the hotel.

“What are you up to?” Candy asked suspiciously as Gabriel opened the hotel room door.

“Your room’s connected to Jasmine’s. We can’t have a proper wedding night with her holding a glass up to the wall.” They both laughed. Candy saw her bag packed up on the bed. Gabriel walked over and grabbed it. “I ran in here and packed up your clothes right before the ceremony. Gabriel felt his cell phone vibrating. He took it out of his pocket and saw he had received a new email on his Blackberry. He opened it up and read it.

From: Justin Daniels

To: Gabriel Justice, HR Board, Kevin Hardy

Subject: HR Board Ruling

After much deliberation, the HR Board has unanimously decided to waive all disciplinary action against Mr. Justice. This decision is based upon the preponderance of evidence that supports the claim of no sexual activity or conduct on company premises. Mr. Justice will remain Chief Executive Officer and will resume his duties effective immediately.

Ms. Candace Benet will incur no disciplinary action nor be contacted regarding this matter. Investigation of her activities is deemed unnecessary. She shall remain Director of Finance.

Furthermore, the HR Board recommends that the content of Policy 78.A be modified to align with the current direction of Blue Sun officers.

Best regards,

Justin Daniels, National Director of Human Resources

Gabriel beamed as he read the message over and over.

“We’re still employed,” Gabriel smiled as he handed Candy his cell phone. She read it and jumped up and down, kissing him all over his face. “When we return, be prepared for the stares,” he grimaced. “Everyone knows all the intimate details of our business, thanks to Quentin.”

“I know. It’s gonna be pretty awkward.”

“We’re married now, so, we’ll see how it goes. Let’s not worry about that right now. Let’s just enjoy our first honeymoon,” Gabriel remarked.

“First honeymoon?”

“Yes, do you really think I wouldn’t plan a second honeymoon? You were here to run away from someone. I want you to run
to
someone on our real honeymoon.” He kissed her cheek as they left the hotel room. Candy followed Gabriel to the elevator. After going up two floors, the elevator doors opened.

“Oh, my God,” Candy gasped. Gabriel led her to a deluxe suite. Dark-red rose petals covered the floor in the shape of a huge heart. Next to the gold and white round bed were two fluted glasses and a bottle of chilled champagne along with a box of dark chocolates. Dusk began to set in, causing the sky to turn shades of deep pink and purple. Gabriel opened the curtains further apart, exposing more of the large, eye-catching pyramid that was nearby in the desert landscape. A large heart-shaped hot tub was off to the side. Atop the warm water floated lily pad leaves, calla lilies, and golden rose petals. Gabriel slid off his shoes and walked over to the CD player.

“Candy” by Cameo started to play. Candy burst out laughing as he ran over to her and took her hand, spinning her around. They fast-danced until Candy was dizzy. She laughed and fell onto Gabriel’s chest as the music continued to play. Soon the sun disappeared, leaving a star-filled sky in its place. Candy watched as Gabriel’s hazel eyes darkened. They were partially closed, yet he continued to stare down at her with a slight smirk.

‘Oh, God, don’t look at me like that,’ Candy thought as her stomach tied in knots. She knew that look all too well. Her legs started to give way. He swooped her up and laid her carefully onto the soft, inviting bed. He quickly removed her shoes, casting them aside. He crawled over top of her, carefully undressing her as if she were a rare porcelain doll. Lying completely naked, she covered her bare breasts with her hands as she watched Gabriel undress himself. She licked her lips at the sight of his growing need, poking out and slightly curving to the left, waiting for her. He removed his boxer shorts, exposing his penis as he made his way closer.

Candy watched the desire in his eyes grow. He cloaked her with his body, wrapping his ankles tightly around hers as he vigorously kissed her neck. She sighed as he took her like a vampire in the night. He reached between her legs, rubbing her clitoris expertly, forcing her moans to increase in number and volume.

“I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered lovingly in her ear before gently spreading her legs further apart. He went to the other side of her neck, decorating it with sweet, slow kisses. She smiled as she wrapped her legs around his tapered waist. She gasped and her eyes flew open as the sweetness of his long anticipated entrance grabbed her attention. Plunging deep inside her, he thrust in and out, holding her close as his kisses continued to bathe her upper body. He went deeper and deeper inside her until he could go no further.

“Your name is very fitting. You make love heavenly, like an angel,” Candy cried out. “I’m so happy you came after me. I love you so much. I was going crazy without you,” she said.

“You never have to go without me again. I’m here to stay.” He dug his fingertips into her hips as he brought her body as close as it could come to him. Gyrating quickly, he wailed as his orgasm drew closer. She pressed her eyes closed as she lost control of her body. Orgasm after orgasm sent her into rhythmic contortions as they waved over every inch of her flesh. Her back arched upward, then crashed back down. She panted, exhausted from the experience.