Chapter Nineteen
Samiyah lifted a cardboard box and placed it on top of another that sat in the corner of her bedroom. She’d been approved for the luxury apartment at EnV, so she busied herself packing. She wasn’t officially moving in for another two weeks, but this would put her ahead. Her mother had instilled in her at a very young age about taking care of her responsibilities.
That included bills, children if she ever saw fit to have any, and anything else she signed her name on. Samiyah had done just that. As of right now her box spring and mattress was standing on edge against the wall, her frame unscrewed and taken down. That box was the last of the things she needed to pack in regard to her bedroom, and she was officially moving downstairs to her living room. Samiyah’s life had taken a turn. Gone were the days of mourning her marriage to David. Her future was looking brighter by the day, and she was excited about moving into her new place.
Her phone lit up setting off a notification. She retrieved it and looked at the screen. It was a reminder that the March of Dimes benefit auction was in three weeks. She’d been thinking about it off and on. The closer the day came the more nervous she became. Since she and Jonas had been spending time together practically every day, she wondered if she should tell him about it. It was no secret really. All of Chicago’s elite would be in attendance. It wouldn’t surprise her if Jonas were going. However, he hadn’t mentioned it.
Well, you haven’t either.
Her eyes scanned the time on her device, and she decided to take him dinner. The last time she’d spoken to him, he was still at his office. He worked diligently trying to get another Rose Bank and Trust Credit Union branch opened in New Jersey. She made her way to the bathroom.
The head scarf she wore was doing nothing for her appearance. She removed it and changed her shirt into a light-colored blouse. She decided to leave on her blue jeans and wrap her hair up into a tight ponytail leaving her neck on full display. She applied some lip gloss to shine up her full lips and added small diamond studs in her ear. Samiyah tried to pull off the most casual look but was failing miserably. She checked her teeth and opened her mouth sticking her tongue out. With one hand cupped to her mouth, she smelled her breath. Satisfied at the outcome, Samiyah left the townhouse and stopped by a Chinese restaurant. After picking up their order, she made her way to Jonas’ building.
It wasn’t too difficult to find a parking spot since most people had already left for the day. She cut her engine and made her way to the entrance.
At the sudden knock on the door, Jonas looked up from his MAC book pro laptop. A small smile lit up his lips, and he sat back in his swivel chair placing his hands behind his head.
“You’re still here,” he said. “I thought you were gone for the day.”
Amanda stepped into the room with a bag in her hand. “I did leave, but since you hadn’t called and asked me to go save the wildlife animals, I thought I’d come by and check on you.” She gave a light-hearted laugh.
His smile stretched further across his face. “Is that your way of telling me I work you too hard?”
“Yes, but it’s okay I can handle it.” Her eyes faltered. Amanda was feeling herself tonight. Truth be told she’d went to the restaurant downstairs and had a few Corona’s. The alcoholic beverage had given her the courage she needed to come back and approach Jonas the way she’d always wanted to.
Her eyes lingered on his handsome face, giving him direct eye contact. She wanted him to feel where she was coming from before she spoke again. He dropped his focus to the bag in her hand.
“What do you have there?”
“I picked up something from the restaurant downstairs, and I’m sure you haven’t eaten. Tell me I’m wrong?”
“So, you think you know me now?” he joked; his smooth voice sending tingles through her. She moved closer to him and rounded his desk coming up inches away from him. She dangled the plastic bag with the styrofoam container in front of him.
He put his nose close to the bag and moaned softly. “Mmmm, that smells good. Thank you very much.” He reached for the bag, and their fingers touched. On instinct, Amanda enclosed her fingers around his.
“My, my, Mr. Rose your hands are rugged yet soft at the same time. How is that possible?” she gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
“Are you trying to feel me up, Amanda?” He joked again.
She shrugged, “Maybe?” her voice low and flirty now.
He chuckled and removed his hand as politely as possible. Amanda took another step towards him but miscalculated her movement and fell over into his lap.
“Oh!” she yelped.
Quickly, Jonas moved his hands to catch her, wrapping one sturdy arm around her waist while the other held on to the bag containing the food.
“Careful,” he said, “you don’t want to hurt yourself.”
Amanda pulled back to look at him.
“Sorry, I must have had one too many Corona’s.”
“I’d say so.”
“Hey, I wanted to thank you again in advance for bidding on me tomorrow night. I appreciate you.”
“I’m sure you’ll be the most beautiful woman in the house, so I’ll consider myself lucky to have a date with you.” He gave a genuine smile.
Noticing a hint of a shadow, Jonas leaned away from her towards the door. “Samiyah.” He said surprised at her arrival. He stood to his feet, while simultaneously helping Amanda to hers. Amanda turned around equally surprised but annoyed by her visit.
“Hello Jonas,” her eyes went from him to Amanda then back to him. “I stopped by to bring you dinner.” She walked into the room and dropped the Chinese bag on his desk. “But it looks like you already have some. My apologies for interrupting.” She turned and beat a hasty departure.
“Samiyah!” he yelled rounding his desk to chase her down.
Samiyah kept moving. She’d been standing at the door long enough to catch their flirty vibes. Seeing Amanda’s hand in his put her on edge, but seeing Amanda in his lap was enough. What could his excuse possibly be? At least she knew now that Jonas would be at the benefit and he already had a date picked out. She felt like such a sore loser. Samiyah had gone years ignoring the signs that her ex-husband was being dishonest and she wouldn’t do it again.
“Samiyah!” Jonas shouted getting to her before she could enter the elevator. He grabbed her arm, and she spun around a glare in her eyes.
“Don’t!” she said.
“Baby, it’s not what you think.”
She tisked, “Could’ve fooled me. Look it’s my fault, I knew what kind of man you were before I let my guard down. It’s okay.” She tried to wiggle out of his grasp, but he held firm.
“Please let me explain, I know how it looked, but it was really innocent. I had no idea Amanda was bringing me dinner. I had no idea you were either, and you’re not the only one who let their guard down. I have too, more than you realize.” He pleaded with his eyes for her to understand.
“You,” she pointed sticking her finger in his chest, “let your guard down? Tell me, Jonas, how did you do that when every time the subject of your parents come up you become instantly mute. Or when the topic of your retirement comes up, something that should be easily explained but again you become silent. You’re not really letting me in Jonas. It’s like you’ve built a fortress and it’s completely impenetrable.”
He sighed, “It’s not that I don’t want to share it with you. It’s just, just…”
“Just what? I’m really intrigued to know. Why did you hang up your boxing gloves, Jonas? You’re young, still in your prime, and undefeated. So tell me why’d you do it?”
He hesitated a minute too long. Samiyah shook her head in dismay. “That’s what I thought.” She freed herself and stepped onto the elevator. They eyed each other in the most intense showdown as the doors closed taking Samiyah to her car.
Later that night Samiyah found herself staring at the ceiling fan as she lay on the sofa in her living room. Her mind roamed with thoughts of what she’d witnessed at Jonas’ office. Since she’d left, he’d called her several times, and she’d wanted to answer on more than one occasion. However, the smart side of her was holding firm.
Over and over again she’d told herself now was not the right time to get involved with anyone, but her heart had told another story. Now she felt even worse than she did before. She sighed and closed her eyes trying to shut out the unwanted thoughts. Her phone rang, and she didn’t bother looking at it. If she did, she might just answer it.