The View from Suite 2100 (6 page)

BOOK: The View from Suite 2100
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Melayne laughed. “Did I hear you right? You’re meeting Drew and his mother? That doesn’t gel with the information I got from you last night! And it sure doesn’t gel with what Becca said!”

“Yes, long story, I’ll give you all the details this evening.”

She laughed again. “You better! I was just calling because Becca’s calling a sister session Friday and I think I’ll hang out in D.C. until then. My honey is coming in tonight for one night but then I’ll be free for a few days. Figured I might as well spend it up here with you three girls building up my confidence. I’m going to be trailing candidates all over this country, plane hopping and trying to make sure I’m able to jockey for position with the best of them so I can keep these new gigs as soon as the ink dries on my contract. You know I’m going to need all the encouragement y’all can give me!”

“Wonderful. I guarantee you we’ll pump you up woman! You take care of yourself. I’ll buzz you tonight.”

I crossed 28
th
Street and made a left. I pulled up to the valet and he opened my door with a well practiced sweep.

“How long will you be, madam?” He asked reaching for my keys.
I realized I really didn’t know? “Let’s say an hour.”
“He handed me a ticket and I hurried around the car and into the hotel lobby.

 

It was 12:25 when I walked into the Seasons restaurant. I heard Gabrilla Ardmore before I saw the two of them seated at a table against the backdrop of the floor to ceiling windows. The sound of her voice, with its slight southern lilt, was like no other.

I ran a nervous hand down along the sides of my soft green Eileen Fisher suit. Alexia had commented on how nice it looked before she left my office, but at the moment I wondered if it was what I might have chosen had I known I’d be lunching with Drew and Gabrilla for such a momentous occasion.

I approached quietly and Gabrilla’s words became more distinct.

“This is such a pleasant surprise, Drew. As unhappy as you’ve been with me the last few days, I must admit I was not expecting this luncheon invitation.”

I paused as I saw her reach out and pat Drew on his cheek, then give it a little pinch. Just at that moment he noticed me and stood up. And, it was still there, every single thing I wanted to see was there in his eyes, the same things I’d found there last night when he’d asked me to marry him. I was thrilled!

He moved quickly around the table and Gabrilla’s neck snapped around to see what had suddenly captured his attention. For a split second her eyes met mine. I felt an absolute chill race down my back.

“Rowena!” Drew said giving me a quick kiss. He led me around to my seat, which was across from his. Gabrilla’s seat was between us at the head of the small table.

“Mrs. Ardmore, how nice to see you again,” I said. Neither she nor I extended a hand, although I had intended to. She folded her arms instead.

“Miss Wilkes! How unexpected to meet you here this afternoon,” she retorted and gave Drew a pouty angry look.

It had an impact on him. I sensed that his confidence was wavering, because he looked away from her quickly. My heart sank, but then, to my surprise, he started right in.

“I know you weren’t expecting to have lunch with both Rowena and me today, mother, but that’s really the reason I asked you here.”

Gabrilla stiffened and I noticed for the first time the frilly collar at her neck. I recognized the chocolate tweed suit she was wearing because of that collar. It was by a new young designer whose name slips me at the moment, but I’d actually looked at the suit myself at Saks and determined it was too young for me. The way it cut off her neck and made her head look like it was sitting on a shelf convinced me that I was right. It was too young for her as well.

“I do not like surprises, Drew, and you know it. They tend to be very unpleasant, especially when they come from you.”

Her words were as sharp as a slap, and I saw something flash between them that didn’t seem healthy.

Drew straightened up suddenly though, reached across the table for my hand and looked at me a moment before turning to his mother. I felt his fingers tracing the diamond on my finger.

“Then you definitely aren’t going to be happy with this one.” He moved my hand in her direction.

Just at that moment a short, rotund waiter stuck a menu into Gabrilla’s hand, then picked up her napkin, snapped it and placed it in her lap.

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Seasons,” he stated pleasantly, giving Drew and I only a backwards glance. “Ah, Mrs. Ardmore! So, you’re joining us at the Seasons again so soon!”

Gabrilla glanced up at him and turned on all her charm.

“It’s Alberto, isn’t it? You waited on us last week, when I was here with Senator Dumarkus’ wife.” She beamed, and he continued to flatter her.

“Will you have the Maryland-Style Crab Cakes, with the “Old School” Pineapple and Cabbage Slaw, Sweet Potato Fries, Lemond-Parsley and Grain Mustard Aioli this time as well?” He stepped aside to quickly thrust menus in both our directions, but his attention was completely on Gabrilla.

“Most definitely!” She looked at Drew, ignoring me. “Darling, you must have the same thing. It is absolutely divine.”

Drew looked across the table at me apologetically. We both knew our moment of revelation was gone, at least for a while, and we’d have to wait for another opportunity to tell her our good news.

Gabrilla continued to urge Drew to order the crab cakes, but he surprised me by ordering the Grilled Vegetable Panini rather than taking his mother’s suggestion. It seemed to surprise her also. She appeared just a bit taken aback. She decided to direct her attention towards me.

“So how are your little businesses doing, Miss Wilkes?”

‘Little Businesses’ was the way she frequently referred to my endeavors. It used to tick me off, but I’d grown accustom to it. I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of upsetting me in any way though, especially considering the importance of the day.

“Remarkably well. Business increased overall by about 11% this year, with the strongest showing coming from the export trading company.”

She looked a bit impressed. Drew noted it too and winked at me across the table. “So you have the three businesses now, and you’re in the Trenco Building Northwest, right?”

“Yes, I’m housed on the 21
st
floor. But, I opened another business about nine months ago and it’s in the Manectan Building on K Street.”

Gabrilla pursed her lips. “Aren’t you stretching it a little thin? I mean, something has to suffer with you doing so much.”

The condescension had returned to her voice, but I ignored it.

“I have an excellent staff, and I hire all the external expertise necessary to make sure it’s all being handled competently at all times. Good lawyers, good accountants, you know.”

Drew leaned forward. “Plus, her newest business is a little different than the rest. It’s a very upscale match-making service. It’s called 2-of-A Kind, Inc.”

Gabrilla leaned back, her mouth open. “A match-making service? Well, that’s little more than an escort service. Why, I never –“
“Mother please!”
I held my hand up for him to calm down. I felt I could explain 2-of-A Kind in a way she could understand it.

“It’s nothing like an escort service, Mrs. Ardmore. My clients are executives, physicians, attorneys, and business owners who want to take the guess work out of meeting eligible mates. 2-of-A Kind offers a service in which we do intensive profiling and extensive background checks on all candidates who are interested in meeting other people who will meet their specific qualifications.”

“It sounds terribly unethical, immoral, and unsafe to me. A real shady line of work!”

I decided not to try to tackle all of what she’d just thrown out. I thought I’d focus on the safety issue since it was fresh on my mind.

“We have a number of safe guards in place. Actually, just this morning I met with a local laboratory to start having all candidates provide a DNA sample as a part of their application process.”

Drew cocked his head to the side. “Really? I didn’t know that!”

“As a matter of fact we’re going to do a few tests this afternoon. I’m going to have him take my sample, and Carolyn is going to come over from 2100 so he can take hers too.” I smiled. Drew really seemed impressed, hanging on my every word. “Why don’t you come through too Drew if you want to see how it’s done. You can have the director, Martin Charleston, take your sample too.”

“I’d love to. I’m fascinated by DNA, anyway. What time?”

I beamed! I had been in Drew’s presence when his mother was around on many occasions in the past, but until today I had never seen him as openly attentive to me. I loved it. I glanced at Gabrilla to see how she was dealing with it and was startled. She was looking at me as if she’d seen a ghost. Her eyes were unusually wide, her skin had turned gray, her mouth slightly open, and her hand was clasped to her chest. She looked as if she were about to have a heart attack.

“Drew?” I said, wanting to draw his attention to her.

Drew turned towards her, but he didn’t notice the sudden change that had come over her. Instead, caught up in the moment, he decided it was the moment to spring our news on his mother. He reached across the table again, grabbed my left hand and guided it towards Gabrilla.

“As I started to say earlier Mother, I’ve asked Rowena to marry me.”

Gabrilla turned her head slightly as though she wasn’t certain she heard what he said. She really wasn’t paying attention to him at first, her focus still on me. He lifted my hand higher and literally shoved it in her face.

“We’re getting married, Mother!” He said, this time almost defiantly.

Both her hands shot up over Gabrilla’s head as she let out a deafening screech. The entire room came to a halt as every diner and waiter turned and stared in our direction.

“No!” Gabrilla continued to screech. “How could you? And your grandmother’s ring? Take it back, you fool! You can’t --”

I admit I knew his mama was a trip, but I sure didn’t know she had that in her. She bounced up out of her chair, and for a moment, the way she looked at me, I thought she was going to try to yank me up out of my seat and swing on me. All I could do was look on in amazement.

Our little rotund waiter raced across the room to try to calm the situation. Drew looked apocalyptic, first at me, and then at his mother. He didn’t know what to do.

“She’s unfit! Who are her people, Drew? She’s unfit, she’s a nobody. You’ve got to stay away from her. You must.”

She was talking about me as if I wasn’t there. I was there though, and it was clear to everyone in the room I had to be the “she” she was referring to. I picked up my handbag. Drew saw me, nodded and looked relieved.

“Go on, okay. I’ll catch up with you a little later. I need to handle this alone.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Baby, I’m so, so sorry. I just never dreamed…”

I didn’t let him finish. I made my way out of the restaurant as quickly as I possibly could, avoiding the curious stares. All the way out through the lobby as I hurried to retrieve my car I heard my own mother’s voice saying over and over. “Are you sure? Are you sure?”

No Mama, I’m not at all sure!
I said aloud, once the valet had slammed my car door and I stepped on the gas and peeled out of the hotel’s drive.

 

Chapter Eleven

 

I don’t remember how I made it back to my office at 2-of-A Kind. It had to have been by osmosis, because my memory is a complete blur. Somehow I lost nearly two hours as well, because when I walked in it was after 3:30 and Martin Charleston was sitting in the lobby waiting for me and so was Drew.

I managed to put on a sane face while Martin conducted the tests and explained details to me, Drew, and Carolyn, who had joined us. I thought I saw him looking curiously from Drew to me though as he talked, as if he could sense the tension between us. I didn’t give Martin the satisfaction of making eye contact with him, but I also thought I saw Drew frown at him more than once as he became aware of the looks Martin was giving me.

“Ms. Wilkes,” Martin said as he was packing up his instruments to leave and Drew and Carolyn were filing out of the conference room. “Can I speak to you a moment?”

Heck no! I thought. With all the crap I’m dealing with right now all I want is for you to just get out of my office.

“This really isn’t a good time, Mr. Charleston. If there is still something you need to explain or provide more details on I’d rather we get back to it next week.”

“I really just wanted to ask if you are okay? You look upset, and that isn’t how you were looking this morning. I know it is none of my business, but if I can be a friend – I’d love to become one.”

I was about to go totally off on him, but I looked in his face and there was nothing there but sincerity. All the flirt was gone. I swallowed deeply, but felt I needed to clear the air then and there.

“I’m in a committed relationship, ah, Martin, and I don’t think it leaves much room for new friendships, although I deeply appreciate your offer. Thank you.”

He smiled, his look still sincere. “The offer stands, but in the meantime I hope you find your smile again. It is magnificent.”

The moment that Martin departed, I caught up with Drew and told him I needed him to give me a little space. I didn’t feel I needed to explain anything more than that since he’d also witnessed the scene with his mother at the Seasons. I left him standing in the middle of my office with Carolyn and just got the heck out of there. I thought I remembered seeing a little smirk on the receptionist Lila’s face as I swept past her desk. She reminded me of someone suddenly, but I couldn’t place who.

 

****

 

My own mother’s sixth sense must have kicked in, because the moment I walked into my house the telephone started to ring and mama was on the other end apologizing for having been “unfeeling” when I’d called her that morning.

BOOK: The View from Suite 2100
7.56Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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