Secret Liaisons (8 page)

Chapter Twenty

To prove his cooking skills were no fluke, Terrance surprised Mona the next morning with breakfast in bed.

“You can cook bacon and toast. The eggs could have been fluffier, but you get a passing grade on breakfast too,” Mona teased, as she took her last bite.

Terrance's cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID. “If I don't take this call, she's going to bug me all morning.”

“While you take your call, I'm going to take me a shower.”

Terrance answered his phone and watched Mona, wearing nothing but one of his t-shirts, walk to the bathroom.

“Terrance, do you hear me?” his mom asked from the other end of the phone.

“Yes. Loud and clear.”

“Instead of lying in bed all day, you should be in somebody's church.”

“Mom, I read my bible. I do come at least once a month so why are you complaining?”

“Look, boy. I don't have time to discuss this with you. Dinner's at four. The pastor will be there. Don't be late.”

“About dinner. I'm not sure I will be able to make it. I have an important meeting tomorrow and I really need to prepare for it today.”

“You are your father's son. Always have a million and one excuses.”

“It isn't polite to talk ill of the dead, mom. Isn't that what you've always told me?”

“Four o'clock. I'm not taking no for an answer.”

Without another word, she hung up on him.

Terrance fell back on the bed and closed his eyes. He'd forgotten about his weekly Sunday dinner with his mom. All he wanted to do was stay in bed with Mona.

Terrance could feel Mona's presence before she said a word. He opened his eyes. She was fully dressed in the jogging suit she had on the night before.

“You and I need to talk,” she said, as she sat on the bed near him.

Terrance sat up straight. “We sure do. I need a date for dinner. Are you available?”

“That's just it, Terrance. We may be going a little too fast. We might need to slow things down just a little bit.”

“Too late. Now that I've had a taste of you, there's no slowing down for me.”

“But I told you I was talking to this other guy,” Mona said. She regretted saying it as soon as it was out of her mouth. Her own insecurities were causing her to sabotage things between them without giving Terrance a fair shot.

“I thought after last night and the night before, this other guy would be the last person on your mind.”

Terrance felt disappointed that Mona seemed to care about this virtual stranger.

Mona eased closer to him. “The one thing this other guy can offer me that you haven't offered is a commitment.”

“Did he show up the other night? No. So if he can't keep his appointments, how can he keep a commitment to you?” Terrance asked.

“Technically, he never committed to meeting up with me.”

“Have you heard from this dude?” Terrance knew the answer to it but he wanted to hear her response.

“Uh. Well, no. But—”

“There you have it. It's been two days and you haven't heard from him. When men are interested in a woman, they will number one show up to meet you and number two, they will communicate with you. Mona, I hate to sound cruel, but apparently your mystery man is just not that in to you, so forget about the zero and focus on what's staring you straight in the face.”

Mona frowned. “Like what? You haven't made your intentions clear of what you want from me.”

Terrance looked at Mona and without blinking he responded, “I want you. I want to see where this thing between us can go. I know we're attracted to each other, but I think it's about more than sex. I'm willing to give it a try, if you are.”

“Terrance, there's no doubt you're a wonderful person. You can be a demanding boss, but overall, I feel you're a good guy. You never date a woman long, but yet I still think you're a good guy.”

Terrance looked at Mona as she talked. When she finished, he said, “I'm glad you think I'm a good guy, but you still have me pegged wrong. I am capable of committing to one woman.”

“When was the last time you were in a committed relationship?” Mona asked.

Terrance groaned. “It's been a long time. Let's just leave it at that.”

“See my point exactly.” Mona's hand went to his face. “Terrance, I like you. I really
really
do. Being with you makes me forget about everything else. What I don't want to happen is for me to get so caught up in you that when you decide to move on to the next woman, I won't be able to function. I've had my heart broken one too many times. I'm not looking to go back there and besides, we're about to embark on this new TV show together. I've come too far in my career to let anything interfere. ”

Terrance placed his hand over Mona's. “Whatever happens between us, I promise you, it will not interfere with our working relationship. I have no plans to ever hurt you. I care about you. The more time we spend together in this capacity the more I'm drawn to you. Thoughts of being with another woman are the furthest thing from my mind”

“You say that now. But how will you feel next week? The week after that?”

“I can only hope that my feelings will grow. Mona, all you have to do is give us a chance.”

“I'll think about it.”

“While you're thinking, I have one other favor to ask you?”

“What?”

“My mom wants me to meet her for dinner at four. Can you come with me? Her pastor is going to be there and I have a feeling this might end up being an ambush and I need someone there to have my back.”

“Only if you're paying me overtime because dealing with your mama isn't part of my job description.”

Terrance wrapped his arm around Mona. “But if we're going to be a couple, my mom will be in the picture.”

Mona pouted. “I'm sure I'm not your mom's ideal woman for her son.”

“She's happy as long as I'm happy,” Terrance said, although Mona was correct in her assessment.

“I'll do it. But I need to go home and change into something more suitable. I wouldn't dare visit your mom dressed in this jogging suit.”

“For the sake of time, why don't you order what you want from this boutique nearby and I'll have them deliver it here,” Terrance said.

“The benefits of having money. People like me can order online but the quickest we can have it is the next day. Must be nice.”

“It is nice when you can do it for someone you care about.”

“Money can't buy my love, Mr. Terrance Beckham.”

Mona kissed him on the lips.

Terrance couldn't be happier to hear her say that.

Chapter Twenty-One

Before dinner, Mona and Terrance decided to go over the pitch for the show. Mona sat with her legs curled under her on the sofa. Terrance sat in the chair across from her and practiced his pitch. Overall, it sounded fine to her.

“Terrance, reference my script, be sure to emphasize the sisters' bond. The sisters may bicker among themselves, but they won't let others from the outside harm them.”

“Gotcha. Maybe I should have you come along with me,” Terrance said.

“I would be too nervous. I trust you to do a good job. It's your expertise, not mine.”

Terrance looked at the clock. “Not sure of how much time you need to get dressed, but we should be leaving here in the next hour to make it to my mom's on time.”

“Thanks for the clothes. If I keep spending the night over here, I'm going to have a whole new wardrobe,” Mona joked.

“You can change in one of the rooms down here or you can use my bedroom.”

“I'll use one of the guest rooms. I'll be back,” Mona said, as she left Terrance alone in the living room.

Less than an hour later, Mona was fully dressed. She wore a light-brown pants suit with a white blouse. She opened the jewelry box and admired the faux pearls. They were beautiful. No one would know they were fake. She placed the earrings on then went to locate Terrance.

Terrance was in his bedroom. He sat on the edge of the bed but looked up when she entered.

“You're looking dapper,” Mona said. He wore brown slacks and a white buttoned-down shirt and brown jacket with no tie.

“Thanks. You're looking beautiful as usual.”

Mona held out the pearl necklace. “Can you put this on me? I'm can't fasten it with this clasp.”

Terrance stood and walked near Mona. “So you like the pearls?”

“Yes. No one should be able to tell the pearls are fake.”

He took the pearls from her hand. She held her hair as he placed them around her neck. “That's because they aren't.”

Mona removed her hand and let her hair fall back into place. “I will return these as soon as we get back from your mom's.”

They were now face-to-face. “You will do no such thing. I bought them for you. They're yours.”

“I can't accept it. You've already purchased me far too much.”

“Look at it as a bonus for being such a great assistant,” Terrance said, as he walked to the dresser and retrieved his car keys. “I'm ready, if you are.”

“Sure,” Mona responded.

Terrance didn't know what to say to prepare Mona for his mom. They listened to music the majority of the one-hour drive to Pasadena. When they got close to his childhood neighborhood, he began sharing some of his history with Mona.

“You would think the way my mom acts that we always had money but that's not the case. My father moved us here after becoming Vice President of operations at this local plant. He also made some wise decisions when it came to the stock market. He owned shares of Microsoft during its early years and it made him a very wealthy man.”

“I rarely hear you speak of your dad. How long ago did he die?”

“He died five years ago from a heart attack. He was golfing so he went out doing something he loved.”

“Your mom's probably a little clingy because she's missing your dad.” He saw Mona look at him out of the corner of his eyes.

Terrance disagreed. “My dad explained it to me when I was a teen. Apparently I had a little brother that died before I was born. My mom blamed herself for his death because she had him on the bed and left the room for a few minutes and when she'd returned, a pillow had fallen on top of him and he smothered to death.”

Mona gasped. “I'm so sorry. I know it must have been devastating to your mom.”

“I just wish I could figure out a way to get her out of my business without hurting her feelings.”

Mona reached over the seat and placed her hand on top of his. “You'll find a way.”

“You don't mention your family. Why is that?” Terrance asked.

“You never asked.”

“I guess I've been so busy being busy that I never took the time to get to know you on a personal level. So tell me about them now.”

“Fortunate for me, we live in two different states. My folks are both alive and well and live in Frisco, Texas, which is in the suburbs of Dallas. My older sister and brother are married with kids. The grandchildren seem to occupy my parents' time so that keeps them from always trying to get in my business.”

Terrance wanted to learn more about her family, but by now they were in the driveway. “Don't be nervous.”

“I wasn't nervous until you said don't be nervous.” Mona opened the visor and reapplied her lipstick.

“My mom has hired help too so just wanted to warn you,” Terrance said, right before slipping out of the driver's seat of the car to open Mona's door.

He held her door open. “After you, my lady.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Mona admired the beautiful Mediterranean style house as she followed Terrance up the stairs leading to the front door.

A woman dressed in black greeted them. “Terrance, so glad to see you, son.”

Mona had seen Terrance's mom before but this woman didn't look like her. She looked to be in her sixties with gray streaks in her hair that was pinned in a bun.

Terrance hugged her. “Gilda, this is Mona. Mona, this woman helped raise me. She's like my second mom.”

Mona extended her hand. Gilda pulled her into an embrace instead. “It's about time Terrance brought a woman home to meet us.”

“Oh, no, it's not like that. We work together.”

“My eyes don't deceive me,” Gilda said.

Mona blushed. “This is a nice home you have here.”

“Thanks. But I'm just the help. The mistress of the house is waiting for you both in the parlor.”

“Gilda, you are more than the help and you know it.”

“Tell that to your mama. Let me get the food on the table so I won't have to hear your mother's complaints.”

“Gilda's the cook slash housekeeper and when I was younger, also my nanny,” Terrance informed Mona while they walked.

Mona couldn't help but notice the expensive paintings on the wall and the expensive-looking chandeliers hanging above them as they walked down the grand hallway.

“Are you ready?” Terrance asked while standing outside of a door. He placed his hand on the doorknob.

Mona took a deep breath and plastered a smile on her face.

Terrance opened the door.

Sara Beckham stood about five feet five inches. The brown-skinned older woman didn't have a wrinkle on her face. Her sandy brown hair was free of any gray strands thanks to hair dye. She wore a navy blue designer dress with pearls adorning her neck and several diamond rings filled her fingers.

She greeted Terrance with a hug and kiss on the cheek.

“Mom, you remember Mona.” Terrance moved to the side.

“Mona, yes. The young lady who works for you.” Sara looked Mona up and down.

Mona extended her hand. Sara touched the tip of her fingers and shook it.

A gray-haired man wearing a black suit stood behind Sara. He was almost the same height as Terrance.

“This is Reverend William Hamilton,” Sara said.

Mona noticed how Sara's voice seemed to soften when she spoke his name. Mona and Terrance shook the Reverend's hand.

“Dinner's ready,” Gilda walked to the doorway and said.

“You two can wash your hands in there. Terrance show her where the bathroom is. Come on William. We'll meet them in the dining room.”

A few minutes later, they were all seated in at the table. Reverend Hamilton said grace over the food.

They were served roast beef, mashed potatoes, green peas and rice pilaf with rolls.

“Terrance, I wasn't aware you were bringing a guest,” Sara said. “But thankfully Gilda always makes extra.”

“Mom, you act like Mona being here is an intrusion.”

“Your words, not mine,” Sara looked away.

Reverend Hamilton said, “Now Sara, what did I preach about today?”

“Terrance knows I don't like surprises,” Sara responded.

Mona rolled her eyes. Something told her even if Sara knew she was coming with Terrance, she wouldn't approve.

“Mona, so you're working weekends now?” Sara asked with a scowl on her face.

“I don't have a typical nine to five job. There may be times where I'm with Terrance for days on end. It just depends on what he wants.”

Mona smiled. Terrance gave her a funny look.

“You're a beautiful woman in a peculiar sort of way. You should be dating instead of spending so much time with my son.”

“Your son is all the man I need right now.”

“William, please excuse her. These young people today have no respect for their elders or men of the cloth.”

Mona interrupted her. “Reverend Hamilton, I meant no disrespect.”

“None taken,” Reverend Hamilton said. “Sara. Eat your food. It's getting cold.”

But it wasn't as cold as the look Sara gave Mona.

Terrance didn't like how rude his mother was being to Mona. He would address it as soon as they were alone.

Reverend Hamilton turned to him. “Terrance, I've known you since you were a little boy.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I respected your dad and have always had the utmost respect for your mom.”

Terrance continued to eat his food but would look in the Reverend's direction as he continued to talk.

“Sara thought it would be best for me to be here when she shared some news with you.”

Terrance stopped eating. He held his breath. He'd lost his dad. As much as his mom could get on his nerves, he didn't want to lose her too.

Sara spoke out, “William. Let's finish dinner first.”

“No. I think it's time now.”

Terrance looked at Mona and she looked away.

“Mom, out with it. The suspense is killing me.”

“Well, dear.” Sara looked at William and then across the table at Terrance. “Reverend, I mean William has asked me to marry him.”

Terrance laughed. He knew it must have been a joke. His mom and the Reverend? He looked at each one of them, shook his head and laughed again.

“Dear, I'm serious. William has asked me to marry him. I wanted you to be the first to know. Didn't know we would have company, but oh well.”

Terrance had no idea his mom was interested in remarrying after his father died. This news came as a shock. The Reverend wasn't just his pastor; he was one of his father's friends. To Terrance, this was a betrayal.

Terrance pulled away from the table and left the room without saying a word.