HAPTER 5
That day, every month, that Ellyn dreaded was upon them: the day she rode on a creaky bus out of the city to the prison where Derek’s father was. She was sorry she’d ever agreed to bring him to see his father. Derek had made her promise, once a month. Ellyn didn’t think it was a great idea to have Derek visit his father in jail. Chance, Derek’s father, had done nothing to discourage Derek’s curiosity. The whole situation put a bad taste in Ellyn’s mouth but she hadn’t thought of a way to get out of it.
Derek was up and dressed early. There was never any arguing when it was the day to visit Daddy. Chance had been around when Derek was younger but had then gotten himself arrested. He wouldn’t be out until Derek was in high school. Ellyn should have put her foot down. Derek had been young enough to forget about his father by this point. Chance was no role model, no matter how much he loved his son.
But she didn’t love him and he didn’t love her. She had once been taken in by his charm, never again. She just hoped Derek would eventually figure out his father’s game.
The bus was late and the morning was cold. Ellyn shivered with the women waiting outside the church. If the church had been located in a nicer borough of New York City, it might have been open for them in the cold. In the Bronx, not so much, too much fear here.
Derek bounced around her feet, seemingly oblivious to the cold. He glanced up at her with his deep brown eyes. “I hope we have enough time to tell Daddy all that has happened.”
Ellyn often wondered what Derek would tell his father but he usually talked during the whole visit. Save her from making nice with Chance, she never brought him anything other than their son. Theirs was a not a love relationship, despite Chance trying to convince her that it was. He was using her, end of story.
The bus finally came, letting out a puff of black smoke as it braked. Derek tried to be the first one on the bus but Ellyn grabbed him. “Wait our turn.”
Derek bounced in front of her as a few others climbed on first. He bounced up the steps when it was his turn and he found a seat right in the front. She frowned at him.
“We fill in the back of the bus first,” she said.
“Aw, Mom.” He frowned then trudged to a seat farther back in the bus.
“Open your coat.”
She knew in a few minutes that the bus would get very hot. This was no luxury bus but a big yellow one borrowed by the Department of Corrections. No facilities; Derek was only just able to make the whole trip without complaining about needing to use a restroom.
The bus driver did not stop for anything.
This was her life: a small place in the Bronx, a bus ride to see her incarcerated baby Daddy. No future; no education. The weight of it all forced a sigh out of her.
“You okay, Mommy?”
Derek, the best thing in her life, stared up at her. At five, he was still very self-centered but he had these moments of clarity, moments where he stepped out of himself and his little world to reach out to her. It broke her heart. He was five. He should be worried about kindergarten or the next matchbox car he’s going to get. Derek should have a real childhood with playmates and parks and birthday parties. Her heart ached that she couldn’t give that to him.
“What a handsome boy,” the older woman across the aisle said.
Derek smiled. “Thank you.”
Ellyn also smiled at the woman in her beat up coat. “Thank you.”
Derek took after her; there was no trace of Chance in his face which made Ellyn happy.
“You going to see your Daddy?” the woman asked.
“Uh huh,” Derek said.
She could hear the pride in his voice. She shouldn’t want to take that away, but she did. Then her mind went to Colton’s offer. If she was a model, and even a little bit successful at it, she might be able to give her son a better life, maybe even force Chance to give up custody. If she had money for a lawyer, she could do that. Chance had no money. He had no prospects other than the four walls of the prison for the next ten years. Derek deserved better. Ellyn knew that she deserved better than to scrape by on her own. Scraping by sucked.
Derek chatted with the woman as Ellyn escaped into her thoughts. She was thankful for the respite, because she had to make this decision soon. She had no idea how long the offer would be on the table. And knowing it might be her only chance, she had to consider it. The bus lurched along the road to the prison.
If she were successful, she’d never have to come back here. That might be reason enough.
***
Colton had a brilliant idea. Maybe he could coax Ellyn into signing with him by showing her the potential she had. He mused over it in his office that overlooked Manhattan. He liked tall buildings and the view they offered. He hadn’t wanted his offices to be lower than the fiftieth floor.
They weren’t, because Colton usually got what he wanted. Right now, his sights were on one gorgeous mocha-skinned woman. He wanted her professionally. And, he had to admit, he wanted her personally, too. She had eyes that spoke of strength in those golden flecks. He wondered what those eyes had seen in their life. He had no idea how old she was but she seemed to have an old soul.
“You’re deep in thought. And I know that look,” Marcia said. His admin sat herself down on the leather chair reserved for guests.
“What does it mean?”
“You have someone in your sights.”
“I do.” He smiled. She’d helped him grow this company. She knew him better than he knew himself.
“Is this person giving you a hard time? Holding out for something?”
He leaned back in his chair. He should bounce this off Marcia. “Holding out, but I’m not sure for what. It’s been a few days. I haven’t heard from her.”
“Was someone else sniffing around her?”
“Not that I know of. I met her at one of Doug’s parties.”
“Then she’s playing hard to get.”
He rubbed his chin. “Possibly, but I don’t think for the usual reasons.”
“Why is she so important?”
Of course she’d ask that. He couldn’t lie. She’d see through it. “I’m attracted to her.”
“You know how that can turn out.”
He knew all too well. He’d dated one of his first clients and she’d betrayed him. That’s when he had drawn the line between business and pleasure. That situation still smarted.
“I know.”
“Then why are you not running far away from her?”
“I can’t put my finger on it. She doesn’t strike me as the usual person seeking fame and fortune. She didn’t know who I was.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I am. She isn’t an actress and no one has heard of her. I asked around.”
Like Cinderella, she’d disappeared into the night. That happened every time she left his presence. As if she was from another world and could escape to it any time she wanted.
“Then she’s probably hiding something,” Marcia said. “That could be dangerous.”
He didn’t think that was it. “I don’t know. Either way, I’m setting up a photo shoot for her. I want to know her potential and I want her to know it, too.”
“So, no matter what I say, you’re pursuing this?” Marcia asked.
“Yes, I am.”
She frowned. “Your company.”
“Did you bring me things to sign?”
“Yes, the payroll has to be released, as do payments,” she said.
“Okay. Just leave them here. I’ll have them back to you within the hour.”
Marcia stood. “You’re going to call her?”
“Yes. I’ve got the photographer ready to go for tomorrow.”
“What if she isn’t free?”
“We’ll work it out. Now go, let me call her.”
Marcia shook her head then left. His palms were sweaty as he dialed. As if he were a teenager asking a girl on a date instead of a captain of industry. As if he hadn’t called a thousand women in his time. Why was this so different; because this was important.
Ellyn picked up on the first ring. “Hello.”
“Ellyn, it’s Colton. Do you have a minute?”
“Uh, just a minute.” He heard her put down the phone. She was back a few minutes later. “Okay, I can talk now.”
He wanted to laugh. No one put him on hold or told him to wait a minute. He liked that she had no idea that no one did that. He was just another guy to her.
“I wanted to see you again.”
“I haven’t made a decision yet.”
“I know. I just wanted to make the deal sweeter.”
“Sweeter?”
“Just meet me and see what you think.” He gave her his office address. On the floor below his office he had a full studio where she could be photographed. “Or I can send my driver. He does know where you live.”
“Uh, no. When do you need me?”
He wanted to say right now. His dick agreed but he didn’t say it. “Tomorrow. What time can you do it?”
“I’m free after three.”
“Can you make it a three thirty?” he said. He had his fingers crossed.
“Yes, I can.”
“Great. I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
“Yes, I guess I am, too.”
“How have you been, Ellyn?”
“I’m okay.”
“Good weekend?”
She sighed. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“That’s a shame. I would have asked you to dinner, but I didn’t want to be in your face about this decision.”
She laughed. “But you will do it now?”
He laughed. “I’m giving you an extra incentive, Ellyn. Besides, I’d like to see you.”
Silence.
“That’s very sweet, Colton.”
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”