You From The Star

 

Clayton did not come over that night. Kelly wasn’t sure if he was avoiding her out of spite or if he’d made up with Leshawna. She ate a lonely dinner of Ramen noodles and beer before turning in and begging sleep to claim her.

When she woke up the next morning, her eyes lingered on the ceiling. Her thoughts lazily wandered to the man upstairs. What was he doing right now? Was he awake? Sleeping? Where did he sleep? Was his bed in another room? Right over hers? Did he sleep in pajama bottoms or boxers?

She wiped the image of a scantily clad Benjamin Levy from her mind and rapped her knuckles against her forehead. 

“You do not think about your boss like that,” she scolded. The instructions seemed to work and Kelly was able to drive all imaginings of her new neighbor away… until they met in the ground floor of their building forty minutes later.

Benjamin Levy had replaced the casual clothes he’d sported yesterday for a pressed white shirt, grey tie, and black slacks. His baby blues sparkled in the morning light and he watched her as she climbed the last steps and stopped directly across from him.

“Good morning,” he said, his deep voice hinting at his cheerful mood. Did this man always look so… refreshed? She would pay to see him annoyed. It would probably be very sexy. Not that she cared.

“You don’t have to talk to me, you know,” Kelly said, adjusting her purse straps. “You can ignore me if we happen to pass each other during the day.”

“Ignore you?” He seemed offended by the concept. “Why would I do that?”

Several answers popped into Kelly’s head. Because he was her boss. Because they barely knew each other. Because—for some reason that she couldn’t name—he was crazily attractive to her and she didn’t want the temptation.

“It was just a thought,” she said and started to walk away. “See you at work.”

“Just a moment.” Benjamin took three large strides to catch up to her and pressed a hand to her shoulder.

The touch sent electricity tingling down her arm and she froze, her face screwing up in frustration. Why did this man keep affecting her? He was handsome, sure—but Kelly had seen and rejected plenty of handsome men in her lifetime.

Benjamin Levy misunderstood her expression and removed his hand, raising it above his head in surrender. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“What is it?” she huffed and impatiently waved her fingers toward the door. “I have to catch the bus.”

His eyebrows shot up. “You don’t have a car?”

“Does everyone have to own a car?”

“No,” he said and smiled charmingly. “I apologize. I met someone who knew you yesterday and he gave me the impression that you drove to work.”

She gasped. “Did you meet Clayton?”

“That name sounds familiar. Is he your friend?”

“He’s my…” She hesitated, unwilling to share her sordid relationship with someone from work. Kelly shook her head. “I’m going to be late for the bus.”

“You can ride with me.” He swung his keys around his finger. “I’ve got room.”

“Thanks, but no thanks.” She walked backward. “I don’t want any rumors to start at the office.”

“You’re right. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Happens to the best of us.” She waved. “See yah.”

Without waiting to hear his response, Kelly dashed out of the apartment building and didn’t stop until she had boarded a bus. She grabbed the last available seat and rocked with the vehicle as it rode the highway.

All around her, children sat in white uniforms, their hands clutching ratty lunchboxes and giant school bags. Adults in grey shirts and khakis ducked their heads toward their phones.

The racial diversity present in the bus was a vivid picture of Belize’s melting pot of cultures. Hispanics, Creoles, Garifunas, Mayas, and even Mennonites filled the seats, sitting near each other without fuss—a testament to the mostly harmonious mentality of her people.

The simple appearance of a united humanity made her smile. Kelly had rejected many opportunities to purchase a car (or have one gifted to her) for this very reason. Riding the bus was cathartic. It reminded her that the tiny world she moved in—though limited—was a part of a larger picture. It gave her hope that whatever she was going through, she wasn’t alone.

It was hard to explain, but she figured it was a healthy obsession.

When she finally climbed off the bus and walked into the Yasser Center, Kelly stopped in the lobby. The place where her embarrassing ‘encounter’ with Benjamin Levy occurred seemed normal as ever.

The tiles gleamed in the sunlight stealing through the large French windows. Workers carrying briefcases and leather purses clopped their heels all over the floor, unmindful of the embarrassing kiss that was birthed there.

Sighing, Kelly boarded the elevators and walked into her office. Rene popped out of her seat at the receptionist’s desk as soon as she spotted her.

“I’ve been thinking about it all last night.”

Kelly groaned wearily. “What now?”

“Don’t give me ‘tude.” Her friend tapped the back of her head. “Even though you kissed him, I don’t think you should get involved with Benjamin Levy.”

“Could you yell that a little louder for the entire building to hear?” Kelly hissed.

“Sorry.” Rene lowered her voice. “Let’s talk in your office.”

“Let’s not.”

Rene ignored her and followed Kelly into the Business Administration Department. Her hazel eyes beamed and her beautiful face reflected her excitement. Kelly wished Rene would find something else to keep her occupied.

“So yesterday I did a proper research on Benjamin Levy and the Levy assets.”

“Am I the only one who hasn’t googled the man?” Kelly muttered.

“Listen!” Rene delivered a stinging whip to Kelly’s arm. “I don’t think you should get involved with this guy. He’s on another level, Kel. I’m talking fully loaded bank account, fancy dinner parties, traveling the world in a private jet—the works.”

“Not that I’m interested,” Kelly said. “But why is that a bad thing?”

“I know we’re always joking about snagging a rich guy.” Rene shook her head so that her mini-twists slapped her brown cheeks. “I wish Randal would get his act together and keep a job. Your girl knows what it means to want financial stability—”

“Get to the point, Ren. I’ve got work to do.”

“He might act all humble and normal, but the truth is our C.E.O. is not just from another world. He’s from another galaxy. They’ve got articles about his family in Forbes. Forbes, Kelly! It might seem like an easy squeeze, but I’d stay far away and keep my nose clean this time.”

“I’m involved with Clayton,” Kelly said. “My days of messing around with multiple men are over.”

“Then why do I feel so nervous?” Rene clutched her stomach. “Whenever I think abut it…” She shivered. “It’s not just about losing your job if they find out you’re playing with Benjamin. If—God forbid—you both wanted something more long term, his world would chew you up and spit you out. Find someone else. Okay?”

“Yes, mother.” Kelly sent her friend a smile. “You have nothing to worry about. I’m not interested in Benjamin Levy in the slightest. What I want to know is why you’re making such a big deal of this. Did something happen?”

“No.” She rolled her eyes. “I mean, apart from Randal asking me to marry him yesterday.”

“Did you accept this time?”

“What? And legally tie myself to man who can’t keep a job for more than six months at a time? Girl, I’m not crazy.”

“Randal will just keep asking you to marry him until you give in.”

“We’re doing fine just living together. It’s basically the same thing anyway.” Rene stood and walked slowly toward the door, her expression grave. “We’re not getting any younger, Kel. I know, deep down, you want that fairytale husband, two and a half kids and the white picket fence. You’re not asking for a fancy mansion and housemaids. You’re not asking for more than love and an employed guy with good habits. Don’t let his charm fool you. Benjamin Levy’s not just a man. He’s a company. A name. A brand. One you can’t afford.”

“Geez. Do I look like some kind of gold-digger to you?”

“You look like my best friend. I’ve seen the crap you’ve been through with Clayton all these years. If you’re gonna move on, do it with someone in this world.” She drew a circle in the air. “Do it with someone single and normal. Promise?”

“Single and normal. I can do that.”

“Great.”

“But I’m still waiting for Clayton.”

“Whatever makes you happy.”

And he did. Clayton made her very happy.

She barely knew Benjamin Levy apart from the feel of his lips and the shared connection of losing a beloved parent. Rene had nothing to worry about. Her boss had briefly entered her orbit, but when it was time for him to fly away, Kelly would let him pass without making contact.