Seven
I’m mortified. He probably thinks I am a street walker getting away from her pimp. And I have the internship freaking tomorrow. Shit, there goes my opportunity.
“Get in.” He orders.
The driver gets out and opens the backseat door. “After you, Ms. Jones.”
I’m hesitant but I don’t have any other choice. Tasha is back at the club getting her party on so I doubt she even noticed me gone. I drop my shoulders down and reluctantly enter the car.
Mr. Man is dressed in a dark suit with matching tie. He looks and smells wealthy. Not I’m-a-trust-fund-baby wealthy. Not I-just-won-the-lottery-and-I’m-balling rich. I can’t explain it but I get the feeling Mr. Man owns the world and we’re just all living in it.
There’s an air of sophistication and sexiness surrounding him, as if he knows the affect he has on women but carefully wields it. I get the feeling he is curiously picky about who he spends his time with – in or out of the bedroom.
He turns to me and wipes my face with a silk handkerchief. His hands are soft and his brown eyes are studying my face as he carefully blots it. “You smell like you had a bad night.” His voice is quiet and rich with concern.
I’m sure I smell like false hope and hidden presidential tax returns. “I rather not talk about it.”
Mr. Man silently nods as he continues to wipe my face. “Understandable.”
I’m trying to focus on him wiping my face but my punani is asking me when is he coming to visit? “Who are you?”
Mr. Man chuckles and I feel his baritone down to my bones. “Savior Ellison,” he quietly replies.
Ellison, Ellison, Ellison…the name sounds familiar. It then dawns onto me – he’s the Ellison of the long-ass name law firm. He looks very young to be in charge of such of a prestigious law firm. “You own the firm?”
“My father does. I’m one of the partners. Eventually, it’ll become mine once he retires, which will be soon.” He looks up at me and there is a twinkle in his eyes. The light hits the amber just right and I melt. “It’s interesting being one of the youngest people at that firm but you’re everyone’s boss. People gave me shit because I was the boss’s kid until they saw the pedigree and they realized I knew what the hell I was talking about when I cited certain cases. Then they give you respect. People love and resent you at the same time.”
My memory jogs back to yesterday when Savior walked through the hallway like he commanded it. A group of lawyers followed him as he doled out instructions and commands. He had a presence that told everyone they would respect him, regardless if they wanted to. “I hear that.” I finally open my eyes and I see staring back at me. “Thank you for blotting my face.”
“Anytime,” he settles back into the Rolls Royce Phantom like he owns it. Judging by his appearance and the driver, I’m sure he does. There’s no question he’s the McDonald’s and everyone else is a franchisee. “So, where do you want me to take you?”
I look like ass and will eventually smell like it if I don’t get home and shower. “Home.”
“Fair enough,” Savior nods. He pushes a button that pulls down the privacy shade. “To Keisha’s home, James.”
“Yes, Mr. Ellison.” The driver nods.
Savior pushes the privacy button back up. We sit in a comfortable silence for a while, only the Christmas soulful sounds of Luther Vandross and Teddy Pendergrass filling the air.
“I have to ask…” I carefully begin.
“Go on,” he encourages.
“Savior?” I’ve heard many Jesus and Messiahs but those names are usually relegated to brown folk.
He chuckles and the entire backseat comes alive. “My mother wanted a name for me that no other kid had. This was before the Kaiden, Jaden, Aiden phase of the 2000s. My mom’s wet nurse was a Southern black woman and she took one look at me and allegedly said, ‘That boy was blessed by the Savior Himself!’ The lightbulb went off in my mom’s head and well, that’s it.” His mouth curved into a delicious smile. “How do you like Inglewood?”
I shrug. It has its fair share of problems. I lost count the number of friends and neighbors I lost due to random gang violence. I’ve been to more funerals than I’m comfortable admitting and to say it hasn’t had an impact on my life is a lie.
On the same tip, it’s the only hood that’s for us. I know everyone there and they know me. I don’t have to put on my white voice and pretend I’m something I’m not because I don’t want anyone to be uncomfortable. “I like it but it could be better.”
“I hear that,” his voice is smoother than the fade on his head, “I have friends who grew up there. My family lives in Bel-Air.”
“You have friends who grew up in Inglewood?” Savior looks like a real-life Ken Doll. He’s the type of rich, white dude who probably collects cars, and has an interest in motorsports, yachting, and all that other bullshit white people with too much money and the equal amount of boredom have.
Savior looks over at me and peruses my body from my painted toes to my equally painted lips. He did it so quickly, I wouldn’t have noticed it if I wasn’t staring at him. “I have a lot of friends everywhere.”
He was cryptic enough about his response that told me that was the end of that particular discussion. “So, where do you live now?”
“Bel-Air, down the street from my parents. Same area, just a different and bigger home.” He winks at me and my knees feel weak.
I nod. “I feel you.”
“What made you pursue law as a study interest?”
I slightly shake my head. “I just wanted something better. I always loved the law and studied torts for fun. I would read Supreme Court cases to see why they came to such a decision.” I shrug. “I decided to just go for it. I have the full blessing of my family.” Minus one person but he doesn’t need to know that.
“Good, good. Keep that attitude and you’ll go very far.”
I certainly hope so. I don’t like the idea I have to be inside my home by a certain time before I hear the random gunshots ring out. But it’s my Granny’s home. I feel I have to stay there even if I don’t want to be there.
We arrive at my home and I quickly gather my things. “Thank you for the ride home, Savior. I really appreciate it.”
He quickly gets out and opens the car door for me. Shit, Jalen never even did this. This is new. “My pleasure,” Savior extends a hand and I grab it.
We walk up to my front door and it’s not until I get there I realize I never let go of his hand. Maybe I just didn’t want to. It felt so…right. I never felt so protected by someone and I wonder what’s really going on. “I guess I’ll see you at the internship tomorrow?”
Savior closes the space between us and I become so alert of him at that moment. I feel the energy exchange between us; a push and pull. My nipples become hardened and my body is so aware of his masculinity.
I never felt like this strongly towards anyone. What is going on here?
“Keisha,” his deep voice feathers against my earlobe. He holds my waist and stares into my eyes. “Don’t feel you have to stay here if you want more. You can always give back to your community in other ways.”
I see his lips are moving but all hear is Charlie Brown’s teacher voice. Wa-wa-wa-wah.
“Keisha?” Savior calls again and I finally become coherent. “Moving out of the ‘hood doesn’t mean you sold out.”
His advice is coming from a place of experience and I appreciate the knowledge. “Thank you.”
Savior looks up at my bald head and smiles. “Tomorrow, no wig. I like you better like this.”
Jalen hated my fade and told me every chance he got. Savior worshipped it. The difference isn’t lost on me. “Will do.”
Savior softly kisses my forehead and flashes that panty-dropping smile at me. “See you tomorrow, Keisha.” He walks back to his Rolls Royce as the driver waits for him.
I watch him get into the car and sigh. I don’t know what I’m feeling, what I’m supposed to feel, if the emotions that are running through my body are even allowed.
But with Savior by my side, I can’t go wrong.