Chapter Twenty One
The mug of cappuccino brewed to perfection, Samiyah grabbed it off the Nespresso coffee maker and blew lightly at the steam. Claudia entered the kitchenette. “Feeling better this morning?”
Samiyah leaned against the counter. “If by better you mean shifting my focus from my mother to something else then yes, much better.”
Claudia smirked, “Oh honey, you guys will come to an understanding at some point, but you know she is set in her ways. Hey, I told you at the beginning of the week not to get your hopes up about her changing. So, when you called me last night fussing, I just sat back with a glass of wine and listened.”
“Yeah, I don’t want to talk about it. In other news, you have yet to show me this dress you’re wearing to the benefit tonight.”
“Ah yes,” Claudia kissed her fingertips one at a time. “It’s magnificent! Samiyah giggled.
“Why haven’t I seen it?”
“I haven’t seen yours. I sent you a photo!”
“Actually, you were on the verge of sending me a picture when you found out you and Jonas were front page news.”
Samiyah frowned. “Oh yeah. Wait, you didn’t see it when we were moving?”
“No ma’am, I was too focused on that fine stallion of a man to notice anyway.”
Samiyah cut her eyes.
“What?” Claudia asked.
“Must you be so thirsty for a man, where’s your independence?”
Claudia gawked, “Says the person who’s been married for the last five years. That independence ran out the door when I decided to keep it real with myself. As long as I’m single, I’ll be that, but I long to be dependent on someone. Besides you would say that after everything you’ve been through.”
Selena Strauss floated into the room. “Mrs. Manhattan, you have a visitor.” Samiyah checked her watch. “My first appointment isn’t until nine thirty.”
“He’s not on your schedule.”
“Who is it, Ms. Strauss?”
“Mr. Manhattan.”
Samiyah held back an eye roll; her jaw now clinching. She looked to Claudia. “You wouldn’t happen to have some whiskey I can drop in this cappuccino, would you?”
Claudia stifled a guffaw as she watched Samiyah leave the kitchen. Inside her office, David sat with his legs traversed, be-suited with perfect posture. Claudia closed her door and sat her cappuccino on the cherry oak wood desk.
“There is nothing of yours left at the house, I forwarded my ring by way of USPS, and the garage has been cleared out.”
He stared at her for longer than she liked. Samiyah sat in her swiveled chair her arms coming to rest on the desk. Lightly her fingers began a slow tap, that was her own silent way of saying, anything else?
“You changed your hair.” He said.
Samiyah arched an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t call it changed, I merely cut the front so a bang would hang above my eyes. The rest is still long and wavy just the way you hate it.” She smirked.
His posture buckled and he relaxed in his seat loosening his tie. “It’s hard for me to do this.”
“To do what?” An ink pen was in her hand now. It swayed back and forth as she tapped it on her desk but kept her focus on him. His eyes went to it, a vein popping up on his forehead. He wanted to scold her, but he let it go.
“It’s hard for me to be here.”
“Why are you here, David?”
He averted her stare taking his attention to the glass window pane behind her. “I’m sorry.”
She inched forward slightly. “Say what?”
His eyes met hers. “I’m sorry.” It was clearer this time. There was shame on his face but determination in his eyes.
“What are you sorry for? What’s done is done. I’m over it, I’ve moved on.”
“With that guy who was at the house. That’s who you’ve moved on with?”
He was jealous. Samiyah would’ve rejoiced in the feeling, but honestly, she didn’t care. “Is that all you wanted to say, you’re sorry? Apology accepted, now get out.” Her hand had ceased its tap dance and was now clenched around the writing tool in a fist.
“Baby.”
“No,” she shook her head vehemently. “That’s one thing you will not do. Get out.”
“I know I messed up.”
Her mouth opened and closed. She reached forward and hit a button on her desktop phone.
“Security.” They answered.
“Could you come and escort Mr. Manhattan out of the building. Make sure he makes it to his car safely, please.” She released the button.
“Samiyah don’t do this. You said it yourself, our marriage deserves another chance.”
“Newsflash David, we are divorced. So, the words ‘our marriage’ no longer apply when talking about you and me. And another thing. I don’t know what’s happened between you and your little girlfriend, but I don’t want any part of it.” There was a knock, and her door swung open. Two security guards pulled up in front of him. He rose closing the lone button on his jacket.
“This had nothing to do with me and her and everything to do with me and you. I can see myself out.” He left her office with security behind him. Selena Strauss stuck her head in. “Mrs. Manhattan your 9:30 is here.”
“Send her in, Ms. Strauss.”
Jonas had been calling Samiyah since she’d left her townhouse at the beginning of the week. He understood the scene in his office was misleading, but she wasn’t even giving him a chance.
The cellphone in his lap chimed, and he answered without hesitation. “How can I help you?”
“I’m glad that you asked.” At the sound of Kevin’s voice, annoyance took root.
“Let’s meet in person. I have a bonus for your corporation once you agree to this fight.”
“Kevin, it’s never going to happen.”
“Just hear me out, what do you have to lose? You know you’ll win. Adding an extra one hundred fifty million dollars to your bank account has to be tempting.”
“If this were five years ago, maybe, but not now. That’s what being retired means.”
“That’s why this is an off the book fight. No one has to know about it but the people involved.”
Jonas cracked a smile. “My refusal has nothing to do with people knowing.”
“What does it have to do with? Inquiring minds want to know.”
Jonas didn’t respond.
“Listen if you’d rather discuss it in person let’s set a date. I promise you won’t regret it.”
“I have no desire to talk about my reasons for not participating. I’m sure you can find someone else who’s a good fighter. After all, it is your specialty.”
“I appreciate the faith you have in me but your selling yourself short if you think I can find someone better then you. I’m sure if you came out of retirement you could beat the current champion.”
Jonas smirked. “I’ve gotta go.”
“Wait, listen, let’s have a conversation. I’ll be at the old gymnasium tomorrow, trust me you’ll change your mind once you get there.”
Jonas ended the call. The limo pulled up in front of the Hilton Hotel and stopped. The door opened to a flash of photographers taking shot after shot not wanting to miss an angle as he stepped out.
“Mr. Rose, look left please!” One photographer yelled. “Mr. Rose turn to your right!”
He paused long enough to give the photographers a few still frames before tilting his head with a gentle smile and moving forward down the red carpet. The lobby was designed in a beautiful array of purple and white solidifying the March of Dimes signature colors.
“Jonas Alexander Rose,” a man said approaching him, his hand held out for a shake. “It’s good to see you in attendance.”
“Mr. Mayor,” Jonas said accepting his handshake. “Always a pleasure.”
“Have you ever thought about running for an electoral seat?”
“Not once,” Jonas responded.
“Why not? I think you’re just what Chicago needs to shake things up a bit.”
“You might be right,” Jonas flashed a signature smile.
“Well if it isn’t Jonas Alexander Rose,” came another voice. The men turned to see Jaden and Jordan Rose approach. The brothers smiled shaking hands pulling each other in for hugs.
“Mr. Mayor,” they said acknowledging his presence. “I thought you wouldn’t make it for a moment big brother. The auction is getting ready to start.”
“I was saying the same thing,” the mayor asserted. “Let’s find our seats, shall we? I’m looking forward to outbidding one of you fellas tonight,” he said with a humorous sneer.
“This should be interesting,” Jordan said rubbing his hands together.
“Where’s your partner’s in crime, Jordan?” Jonas asked. No sooner than he’d mentioned them, Jonathon, Julian, Josiah and Jacob made their entrance.
“Speak of the devils,” Jaden said.
“Well if it isn’t a few good men,” Jonas said referring to Julian. Julian was the most sought after international male model and founder of A Few Good Men male modeling agency. They slapped hands and reached out hugging and greeting each other.
“How’s business, fellas?”
“Better than ever,” Josiah said. The men agreed.
“I can’t complain,” Jonathon replied. “My security firm is growing, and I hear you’re not doing so bad yourself big brother.
With a sparkling gleam in his eye, Jonas confirmed, “Not doing too bad at all. Let’s get this show on the road.”