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Underestimated Too by Woodruff, Jettie (22)

Chapter 22

 

 

Drew’s story continued, “I smelled Morgan’s expensive perfume before I saw her. ‘Hey,’ she softly spoke with her hand on my bare chest. My fingers found hers on their own accord. She pulled hers away. I opened my eyes, trying to determine whether or not I felt better. I needed to feel better. I had a client coming at two. She was no doubt feeling better. She looked amazing. She’d showered, her hair was perfect, and she wore a black pencil skirt with a light pink satin blouse. A bright studded belt with diamonds and pink ice gems circled her waist.  

‘Take a drink of this,’ she coaxed. I took the glass, deciding that I didn’t feel any better. I just wanted to lay down and die until this passed. ‘Can you get up? I ran you a cool bath. You need to go to your room and sleep. You have a client coming. Derik is going to take care of it for you.’

‘You stay the fuck out of my business,’ I angrily demanded, instantly getting mad at her. I probably would have hit her had I had the energy.

‘I don’t really care about your business,’ she retaliated, pulling my hand to get up. ‘Derik called your phone about fifty times. I finally answered it and told him that you were sick. He said to tell you to rest and he’d be here to present the deal.’

‘Where is my phone?’ I asked, looking around.

‘Right there,’ she motioned to the table behind the sofa. ‘I put it on silent so it didn’t wake you. Derik had your calls forwarded to him. He told me to tell you that,’ she added. She didn’t want me to think she had anything to do with it. Standing, I really didn’t care. I felt like my legs were going to give out and not hold me. They shook and my uneasy stomach moved to my throat.

‘I want to lie down,’ I said, walking through the house in nothing but my boxers.

‘You need to take a bath. You smell, plus, you’re still pretty hot. It’ll help with the fever.’

Normally I would have protested. I honestly didn’t have the energy to do that. I barely managed to slide out of my shorts and make into the bath without toppling over.

‘You want me to help you bath?’ Morgan asked.

‘Why would you do that?’ I asked, turning to look at her curiously.

She shrugged her shoulders. ‘You’re sick. I know how you feel. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, not even someone I hated,’ she added.

I snickered a little. ‘Do you hate me?’

‘Pretty much. Do you want help or not?’

‘I may take you up on that offer, it could be fun, just not today.’

‘I’m not going to be offering this any other day.’

Smiling, I kindly reminded her that she didn’t decide that. I did. She left.

I would have slept the whole day had Morgan let me. She kept waking me, forcing me to drink. She woke me around six in the evening with a bowl of soup, crackers, and more Sprite. I sat up, feeling like I felt better.

‘What time is it?’ I asked, taking the glass.

‘Six, Derik wanted me to tell you that Mr. Sheffield wishes you well, and to let you know that he got asking price.’

‘Where’s my phone?’ I asked. I needed to talk to him, find out what happened. I didn’t even know he’d been there and gone. Morgan handed me my phone and saw herself out.

The next time I woke was around eleven. I sat up and opened my laptop, wondering where Morgan was. She was in her room, arms crossed, leaned against the windowsill, lost in thought. I wondered what she was thinking about. Was she looking out to a world that she’d never know? She wouldn’t. I would never let her go, not now, I couldn’t. Our arrangement was working out just fine. I didn’t need her dead anymore. I liked having her at my beck and call.

I watched her turn, looking straight at the camera towards the clock. She pulled on a robe and slid her feet into satin slippers. I watched her descend the stairs, switching camera views until I realized she was coming to me. I quickly closed my laptop and scooted down. I had planned on feigning sleep but changed my mind. I didn’t want her to peak in and leave.

‘You’re awake. I’m going to get you something to drink.’

I got up and walked to the bathroom, feeling better. Morgan was in my room when I returned. She didn’t really come in here. I didn’t really allow it, just the few times when I’d had too much to drink and wanted to play with her or punish her.

‘You look better,’ she assessed, altering the stale soda for fresh.

‘I feel better, I think,’ I replied, sliding back under the covers. I still felt weak as hell. I wouldn’t be running any marathons, that’s for damn sure.

Morgan nodded with a cold stare.

‘Well, night,’ she said, turning to leave me.

‘Stay, Morgan,’ I commanded, trying hard to make it sound like a request more so than a demand. It didn’t really come out that way. I didn’t know how to talk to Morgan that way

‘Excuse me?’

‘Stay here tonight.’

‘Why?’

I gave her a look of warning. She was pissing me off. She wasn’t allowed to ask why. She knew that. She took a deep breath and obeyed, knowing it was in her best interest.

 ‘Take your clothes off,’ I requested.

Morgan wasn’t modest about it like she had been at first. She looked past me—as she always did— and undressed for me. She didn’t even look at me when I told her how beautiful she was. Her eyes stayed focused to the right of my head. She was beautiful, I meant that.

‘Come here,’ I whispered.

She stood by my side and let me fondle her beautiful soft curves.

‘You’re still a little warm,’ she spoke as my lips met her erect nipple. She was probably feeling the heat from my forehead on her skin. I knew I was still warm and didn’t feel the greatest, but this wasn’t really about me. I wasn’t going to tell her that of course. I kind of wanted to reward her for being there and taking care of me. I was a little taken aback by it. She didn’t have to do that.

I pulled her over my lap and rubbed her ass. She tensed, waiting for the blow of my hand. I didn’t hit her. I brushed my hands over her soft ass for a bit and then moved my fingers between her legs.

‘Do you want to come?’ I asked, dipping my middle finger deep in her already wet pussy.

‘Yes,’ she answered with the only answer she was allowed to use, knowing I really wasn’t going to let her. I was though. I wanted to make her come. I guess it was the only way I knew how to say thanks without really saying it.

‘Roll over,’ I told Morgan.”

“You were nice to me that night,” I interrupted again, remembering. You took care of me, but didn’t ask for anything in return.

“I took care of you because you took care of me. I wanted you to know that I appreciated you,” he said as he looked to me and then to Deidra.

“You did?”

“Yes, love. I did. I didn’t know how else to show you then.”

My lips curved up in a heartfelt smile. I felt loved. That was one of the good nights with Drew. He used his fingers with his head on his pillow too weak to lift it, and then held me close to his fevered chest as he slept, sick as a dog. Maybe I was falling for him back then too. Nah, not really. I still hated him most the time.  

***

“We’re okay, right?” Drew asked, holding me tight. He didn’t want to leave after our session. I’m not sure if he was feeling insecure or he was afraid I was. I was feeling insecure. I hated Thursdays as much as I loved them.

“Yes. We’re fine. Get out of here before I don’t let you go.”

“Do you want me to stay? I can send Celeste and do a video conference,” Drew offered. As good as that sounded, I wasn’t going to let him do that.

Standing on the tips of my toes, I kissed him. “Get out of here before I take you up on that. I love you. Call me later.”

“But it’s Nicky’s birthday. I should stay,” Drew replied, trying to talk himself out of going as much as he was fighting to make himself go.

“Nicky, doesn’t know that. He’s going to think his birthday is Saturday when we have his party and he sees those pictures of his daddy holding him while we sing happy birthday. Go get Celeste, and go to work.”

“I love you, Morgan. I love you more than anything on this earth and no matter what I say or do, nothing is going to change that. Please don’t give up on us.”

“Drew,” I said, pulling back, looking up to him, bewildered. “Are you afraid I’m going to leave you?” Okay, I knew he was feeling uncertain, but I didn’t realize the extent of his insecurity.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you did.”

“I’m not going anywhere—ever.”

“Promise?”

“Yes, now go to work,” I ordered, needing him to go before I begged him to stay.

“I’ll call you after the meeting,” Drew promised, kissed me on the head, and left.

I played with Nicky for a while and then laid him down for a nap. What was I supposed to do for two days? I should have told my mom to come a couple days early.

“What are you doing?” I asked, calling Alicia.

“Meeting Deidra for supper and a movie. Want to come?”

“I don’t think Drew will let me.”

“Oh, my god, Morgan. Stop letting that man run your life. You can have a girl’s night without asking Drew’s permission.”

 “I’m not sure Marta will want to stay and keep Nicky.” I tried, I did need Drew’s permission. He would be irate if I went without asking him first.

“You’re so full of shit. Drew would never leave you if Marta wasn’t going to be there with you. Come on. Go with us. When was the last time you went to a movie?”

“I’ll call you back and let you know.”

“Okay, we’re leaving at six. Text me and let me know what the master says.”

“Yeah, yeah, see you later.”

Why the hell was I so nervous about calling Drew? Alicia was right. I didn’t need to ask. I’d just call him out of courtesy, let him know what I was doing so he didn’t worry. I was almost twenty-nine years old. I didn’t need to ask permission. Shoot. I couldn’t call him while they were in the air. Drew wouldn’t land until seven. I did want to go. Would he be mad? Of course he would.

Maybe it would be okay if they weren’t going downtown. Drew shouldn’t mind if we stayed on this side of town. It took me two hours to decide. I was going. There was no reason for me to stay home when Alicia asked me to go out with her and Deidra for dinner and a movie.

I was glad I went. Deidra was a lot of fun outside the office with an attitude that didn’t take any shit. We went to a little Italian restaurant on the side of town that Drew wouldn’t object to, well, I hoped anyway. I still hadn’t talked to him.

The waiter had just brought us another wine refill when my phone finally rang. My heart literally stopped, knowing it was Drew.

“Hi, made it okay?”

“Yeah, we’re here, but I can’t talk right now. We’re meeting the buyers for dinner. I just wanted to check in. I’ll call you when we leave.”

“Drew,” I said, stopping him before he hung up on me.

“What, Morgan. I’ve got to go.”

“I’m at dinner with Alicia and Deidra,” I spat out, wanting it over with so I could enjoy the rest of my evening. Drew didn’t speak. Silence lingered for at least twenty seconds.

“We’ll talk about it later. Go home after that.”

“We’re going to a movie,” I said, getting up and walking towards the ladies room. I didn’t want them to hear him yell or take a chance on hearing something he might say.

“Why didn’t you ask me?”

“You were in the air. It’s just us girls, Drew. I need to get out once in a while.”

“You don’t think I let you out?”

“No, I don’t mean it like that. I just mean there is nothing wrong with me having dinner with two friends.”

“Deidra is not your friend. She works for us. You don’t just take off without asking me first.”

“Okay, now you’re being an ass. I don’t need your permission to have dinner with friends. I’ll talk to you later.” I was the one to hang up, and now I was pissed.

“Why the hell do I stay married to that man?” I asked, rejoining my table, and chugging my glass of wine.

“Don’t look at me. I ask you that every day. Ask Deidra. She’s the shrink.”

“Uh-uh, Deidra is not a shrink. Deidra stops being a shrink at five o’clock. Don’t ask Deidra anything that pertains to shrinking,” Deidra exclaimed, downing her own wine, and holding it up for a refill.

“Don’t you have to breast feed?” I asked Alicia, holding her glass for more too.

“Nope, I have five bottles pumped. I’m good till tomorrow afternoon.”

“Hey!” Deidra shouted excitedly. “Let’s ditch the movie and go across the road.”

“Across the road?” I asked the dumb question. I knew what was across the road. I heard the loud music when we crossed the road.

“Yeah, let’s go to the Swiggy’s and drink,” she coaxed.

“I can accept you not working after hours, but with all due respect, you’ve been seeing my husband for months. You know I would be locked up for years if I went to a bar.”

“We won’t tell him. Come on, live a little. You act like you’re fifty. Let’s do it.” Alicia begged.

“Drew will call.”

“And you can’t answer in the movie. The way I see it the movie lasted two and a half hours, giving us till eleven thirty. We’ll leave before then, and he’ll never know.”

“You can’t condone this. You’re a psychiatrist,” I argued, wanting Deidra to intervene, no, needing Deidra to intervene. Drew would kill me. I was sure of it.

“I’m not telling you to go to a bar. I only suggested it. You guys can do what you want, but I’m thinking a few more drinks and some good music sounds better than a romance where we’re all going home alone.”

“Why?” I asked Deidra.

“Why what?”

“I know why Alicia and I are going home alone. Why are you?” I wanted to know. Deidra laughed.

“I’m not sure we should have this conversation. I am still your therapist.”

“So, why don’t you have someone? Are you gay too?” Jesus, Morgan. It must have been the wine. I was being a little bold.

Deidra laughed again. “Are we going to the bar or not?” she asked, evading my question.

“I better not, Drew would have a massive heart attack.”

“Come on. What’s he going to do? Not talk to you? He’ll get over it. We won’t stay long,” Alicia begged.

I wasn’t afraid of Drew not talking to me. That was the least of my worries. If that’s all it was, I’d go in a heartbeat without hesitation. That wasn’t the case with Drew. “One drink,” I caved. One drink couldn’t hurt. I still wouldn’t lie to him and tell him we went to a movie. I would tell him the truth.

We did walk across the street to the mid-sized bar, drank one drink, and then one more. I did step into the bathroom to check on Nicholas. He was sound asleep. Marta was ecstatic that I was out having a good time, and she encouraged me to stay out as long as I wanted. Drew’s seven missed calls didn’t go unnoticed. I wasn’t calling him back, not yet anyway. I didn’t want him to hear the pop band, playing in the background.

By the time the three of us got good and drunk it was nearly two in the morning. I hadn’t even realized it was that late, or that I was that drunk.

“Oh, my god. It’s almost two in the morning,” I exclaimed, retrieving my phone to check the time. The nine calls from Drew didn’t go unnoticed, neither did the twelve text messages and five voicemails.  

The cab dropped me first since I was the closest. I was drunk. I’m not sure I have ever been that drunk before. Deidra and Alicia laughed at me when I couldn’t find one of my shoes. I never did find that shoe. I left the one that I did have in the car. What was I going to do with one shoe?

Marta was still up and opened the door for me.

“Marta, I lost my shoe. Where do you think it could be?” I slurred.

“I take you had a good time? That makes me very happy, however, your husband has called here at least ten times.”

“I’m home now, Drew. See me?” I waved to the camera over the stairs as Marta helped me ascend them. My cellphone rang from my handbag. Stumbling up the stairs I laughed, trying to retrieve it and walk at the same time.

“I’m good now, thanks, Marta,” I said, plopping to my bed and answering my phone.

“Hi, lover.”

“Do you have any idea what time it is?”

“Yes, no, well, maybe. What time is it, Drew?” I slurred, then laughed.

“It’s almost three in the morning.”

“Oh, I better get to sleep. Nicky will be up soon.”

“Morgan, what the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m just going to lay here for a second. I’ll call you back in a minute,” I decided, feeling sleep—or passing out, more like it—overtake my body. I dropped my phone to my side, vaguely hearing Drew call my name.

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