Taming Precious Sinclair (24 page)

She heaved a breath, then sipped from her goblet. Precious didn’t know where all the time had gone. During her travels she’d left several messages with Hamilton’s assistant, but not one of her calls had been returned. At first, she didn’t understand his silence; given his insistence to marry her. His cold shoulder wouldn’t woo her and freezing her out wasn’t the answer either. She supposed her mental wandering explained her dawdling. She’d been standing in front of her closet, while her mind lingered on other things. Mainly, Hamilton and his strange silence. She just didn’t get it. Or maybe he never loved her at all. She had to consider this as a viable possibility because without warning he’d cut all communications. Even Audrey had behaved strangely. When Precious spoke to the perky woman, she could feel a chill in her voice. His assistant was hiding something; deliberately holding out on her. Each day when she thought about this, Precious had to force her eyes to remain dry. She did the only thing she knew to do. She focused on her work and her clients. Even though the traveling wiped her out; she didn’t give in to the exhaustion. She pushed herself, day in and day out. She sipped from her wine again, turning her back to the closet.

She looked around the bedroom that she’d decorated herself. She had accomplished so many things on her own. Even the new hedge fund had been a glorious triumph. When Precious strolled into the weekly managers meeting, she had a secret under her belt. While she’d been away from the office, the partners knew little about her deal. They thought Precious was working on the fund that had been assigned to her. When it was her turn to give her report; it was then that she laid out her presentation and they learned about her history making event.

Precious had successfully partnered one of the firms largest group of investors; creating a hedge fund with enormous potential. She’d pulled off an incomprehensible feat. During a short closed door meeting, the firms partners determined that she needed to be headquartered in their New York offices. It made perfect sense. Precious needed to be where the financial pulse thrummed and beat. So, that’s where she was headed; but she found no joy in this. Even after her father hugged her in front of her colleagues and his business partners; she only felt a sense of pride because he’d never done that at the office. He always behaved with decorum and outward shows of affection were never demonstrated at the workplace. In spite of that, she’d earned her fathers respect and his admiration. He held her so tight; but while he showered her with his love. Precious could only think of one person. Her thoughts were of Hamilton. She wanted to share this victory with him. But even now, it all was so meaningless to her and she couldn’t care less what others thought about her.

She sighed heavily, hating the move that she was being forced to make. Since returning home, every thought had been about Hamilton and his offers. She’d asked herself a million times, why had she refused him? Why had she turned him down, when he’d asked her to go to LA with him?

“Stupid, stupid, stupid.” She said out loud. She’d been saying that a lot lately because this mess was of her own making. She’d pushed Hamilton away. He’d asked for so little from her. He’d only wanted them to define their relationship but she’d been too afraid to consider that. She wasn’t ready to relinquish her destiny to him. She wasn’t prepared to give any part of herself to him. Precious had refused to stay with Hamilton because she knew what would happen. She would have given him everything. All that he wanted from her. For that reason, she ran in the opposite direction. Back to her home, back to her life, and back to her job.

When her doorbell rang, the chime pulled Precious from her misery. She padded down the hall in her bare feet. When she opened the door, she was greet by Regina’s gleaming smile. Her friend was dressed in a shimmering off the shoulder mini dress. She closed her eyes, shaking her head while she did this.

Regina walked pass her, leaving Precious in the vestibule to close the door.

“You forgot didn’t you?” Her friend scolded her. Regina plopped on the sofa, crossing her recently waxed legs. Precious joined her in the living room.

She held up her wine goblet, saying...

“Join me?”

Regina shook her curls, frowning she said...

“I’m driving tonight. But... That doesn’t explain why you aren’t dressed. You promised to go with me tonight Precious.”

The Reality TV show was kicking off its second season with a huge party, on a yacht; floating between Detroit and Windsor. The party was the hottest ticket in town and Regina had begged Precious to attend.

Precious sat on the sofa, looking pitiful. She placed her glass on the coffee table nearest her. She said in a drab voice.

“I’m sorry Regina. I just haven’t been able to get myself in the mood for a party.”

“You don’t get yourself in a mood for a party. Your mood changes while you’re at the party. You have to go if you expect to feel better.”

Precious didn’t see the logic in this, but she wouldn’t argue with her friend. She slumped back on the couch and Regina knew the reason for her downturned expression. Precious had told her about Hamilton and their time spent alone at his home in California. It had taken pleading, then begging to persuade Regina to forgive her. Precious had left town without leaving any messages; and Regina was her best friend. Precious hadn’t even called her; telling Regina that she was all right. But, in the end, her friend did forgive her. Now, she would be asking for forgiveness again. Precious couldn’t go to the party because she feared that Hamilton would be there.

Regina eyed her knowingly, while saying.

“Precious... This is crazy. If you still love the guy, it’s all right to tell him.”

“I did tell him. That isn’t the problem.”

“I’m talking about now. If you come with me to the party, you can tell him again. It isn’t too late Precious.”

“Yes, it is. I pushed him away and he punished me by not returning any of my calls. He’s sending me a clear message Regina. It’s over. We’re over.”

“Did he say that? Did he tell you to your face?”

“My God.... I’m not a glutton for punishment.”

“Precious... If he asked you to marry him; feelings like that don’t just go away.”

“Sure they do. Ask Stone. He returned to Fiji and he wanted me to marry him.”

“That’s different Precious...and you know it. You weren’t in love with Stone and he finally accepted that. But Hamilton is different. He is in love with you and you’re in love with him. You just need to remind him.” Regina moved forward to the edge of her seat. She leaned into her words when she said...

“Precious... Come to the party. Artie hired a band. Also, the cast members on the Vegas Reality Show... They’re all going to be there. Especially that hot guy...Trent. Did I tell you we met over the summer?”

Precious furrowed her brows because she wasn’t sure. Regina continued.

“I want you to meet him Precious. Isn’t that reason enough to come with me? I want you to come because I want to introduce you to Trent. He’s my new guy and I want you to meet him.”

“Nice try...but I’m not biting. That party is on a yacht and I’m not getting on a boat, if Hamilton Gantry is there. Once it leaves dock, then I’ll be trapped and with my luck, I’ll probably bump right into him. No... I can’t do that. I won’t do that.”

In the background, the grandfather clock chimed ten times. Precious looked to her friend, she said...

“Didn’t you say that the boat leaves dock at ten-thirty?”

Regina pursed her lips; thinking it funny that her friend recalled details that she selectively chose to remember.

Regina adjusted her short dress for the rise. Tugging on the hem, she crossed the room. With her spiked high heels on, Regina towered over Precious but she embraced her anyway.

“Come here.” Regina squeezed her tenderly. She said... “You’re my best friend Precious and I hate seeing you like this. Maybe it’s good that you’re moving to New York. The change might do you good.”

Precious shrugged, while stepping back to stare up at her.

“Anything will be better than this.” She said but Precious didn’t mean it. Regina strolled down the hall, with Precious following closely behind. When she stood in front of the door, Regina said...

“Precious... Are you sure?”

“Sure about what?”

“Sure that Hamilton wants nothing to do with you.”

Precious recalled when the revelation had toppled her into tears. She nodded because she couldn’t bring herself to say the words out loud. She didn’t want to hear her own voice damning their relationship.

Regina said in a soft voice...

“Try one more time Precious. I think you’re missing out on something that will be so important in your life. We all need someone or something to keep us grounded. I think your someone is Hamilton. And your something... Well, it might be marriage. Think about it.” She said.

Regina stepped closer, embracing her friend once more before leaving. She turned, hating that she was losing her friend to New York and hoping that Precious would take her advice.

Precious watched Regina until her engine roared, then the tires spun in motion. She closed the front door to her house. Trailing back to her bedroom, where she’d been before Regina arrived. But this time; instead of idly standing, doing nothing useful. Precious threw herself onto her bed; falling headlong into a sob fest. There was something about blubbering that made her feel better. The release was more than cathartic. Openly bearing her soul, gave her a relief no amount of counseling could ever achieve. She felt so empty inside and she knew the empty place could only be filled by Hamilton. Being with him made her feel whole. She’d been a fool to ignore this.

Precious rolled over, crawling out of bed. If she was determined to wallow in her misery; then she’d much rather be drunk instead of sober. She ambled down the hall, taking a right, leading to her kitchen. She was crossing over the threshold when her doorbell chimed. She turned, looking curiously in the direction of her foyer. She wondered, if maybe Regina had forgotten her purse. She rambled with a quick pace, not wanting her friend to miss the boat. As she neared the door, she considered, perhaps Regina was forgoing the party altogether. Her friend was known for things like that. There was no one more selfless and giving than her friend Regina but Precious didn’t want her to miss the party on her account. She readied her mouth to say this very thing. She twisted the doorknob, pulling back when she heard the rolling of tumblers. Precious stepped forward, then back. Her eyes blinked several times; her head went up then down. On her front porch, Hamilton stood; all six feet and five inches. He was smiling with a tilt to his head. But the biggest surprise was the small person standing to the left of him. A pint size version of a young woman in her preteen years. The little girl blinked her blue eyes, sniffled her button nose, then grinned with big adult size teeth. A trembling sputtered throughout Precious’ body. She didn’t know quite how to interpret this scene and Hamilton rightly recognized her confusion. He said...

“I’m sorry for coming unannounced but...your phone numbers were changed.”

Precious could not believe her absentmindedness. Over the past few weeks, her life had been topsy-turvy. When she returned home, her father pointedly reminded her of all she’d endured. He told Precious that she needed a fresh start. The suggestion was that she get new phone numbers for her land and mobile lines. With so many responsibilities at work; she’d left the chore of notifying her contacts regarding the change to her secretary. She was fairly certain that Hamilton was not on that list of names and until now, the thought had not entered her brain. Then, she recalled something else that was equally important. The thought leaped into her brain like a lion pouncing on its prey.

“My parents... For the show... When I was a cast member, I filled out an emergency card. You have my parents phone number.”

He smiled, but Hamilton didn’t respond. Pint size girl did the talking.

“I told you I should come along.”

Hamilton ruffled her hair, then he said...

“Precious. I’d like to introduce you to Samantha Stein. But I call her Sam.”

The little girl said... “Or Sammy. You only call me Sam when you’re trying to make a point.”

He laughed, then said...

“When the kids right... She’s right.”

“Why are you here Hamilton?” Precious didn’t see the humor in this conversation. Hamilton said...

“Do you mind if we come inside. I think your neighbors might get the idea that I’m one of those protesters that haunted their neighborhood this past summer. Someone might get it in their head to call the cops.”