Chapter 7
The attorneys for the injured woman were coming in today. At 8 am two short, unrefined gentlemen walked into the office of Kimberly Walsh and in minutes, left a bitter taste in her mouth. Money hounds by nature, they had simply picked up the scent of money and their client was the poor uninformed individual chosen for their prey.
Mr. Lawrence was bald, wormy looking and poorly spoken. His words came out in short bursts similar to a stammer and determining what he meant to say was a challenge. The other gentleman didn’t offer much by way of interpretation as she simply nodded and echoed the last words of his comrade.
“Mrs. Thomas has been significantly affected by the negligence of your client and we will be asking for no less than five hundred thousand dollars in damages. Personal and financial loss will also be considered on the final tally of what we feel she is rightfully owed.”
Before Kimberly could retort to the ridiculous allegations and settlement proposal, Richard burst in without knocking and promptly took a seat on Kimberly’s side of the desk. Though a gentleman, Richard had little patience for people who sought to take advantage of others -regardless of social and financial status.
His tirade was loud and getting louder when a vibrating sound on the desk drew everyone’s attention. Rejecting the call and silencing the phone Kimberly nodded for Richard to continue. In less than 15 seconds it began to ring again and this time Kimberly took note of the phone number. Aunt Audrey never called during the day when she was at work and Kimberly had already made her weekly phone call.
Excusing herself, Kimberly left the men on a verge of explosion and stepped into the hallway and swiped the screen to the right.
“Hi Auntie, what’s up?”
There was no immediate response from the other end of the line only sobs.
“Auntie, why are you crying? What’s wrong?”
Fear pricked the back of her throat and the tips of her ears grew hot as the voice on the other end of the phone spoke.
“This is Maya. My mom just passed.”
“What are you talking about? I spoke to her just a few days ago and she was fine! Are you sure?”
“It was lung cancer Kimberly. She didn’t want me to tell you, but it’s been a while now. She went into the hospital last night but they called an hour ago to say she wasn’t looking good. I am here now. She died in my arms.”
Kimberly had no idea she was screaming. The frantic footsteps on the floor soon reached her side and Richard joined her on the floor where she sat, cell phone tossed aside.
“Kimberly! What’s wrong? Kimberly talk to me. What’s happening?”
The tears and screaming continued there on the floor of her new workplace, and one by one coworkers gathered, concern on the faces of the men, tears in the eyes of the women. The two lawyers emerged from the office.
“Mr. Damask, are we going to be continuing this meeting today?”
Richard addressed his answer to Kimberly’s secretary who was trying to feed her a glass of water.
“Call security and get these two fucking idiots out of here. NOW!”
The lawyers never waited for their personal escort out of building. They were at the exit in a matter of minutes. After ten minutes if weeping and wailing, Kimberly allowed Richard to help her to her feet. Trembling with tear stained cheeks, she looked into his worried eyes and said. “My aunt is dead Richard… she’s dead. Oh my God, Richard, she’s dead.”
Addressing the concerned crowd, he issued a directive. “Please leave us alone. We need some privacy.”
Feet shuffled and papers were taken to other work spaces in compliance with the boss’s orders. Before the hall was completely empty, Richard pulled a sobbing Kimberly to his chest and stroked her hair in an effort to calm her. He couldn’t take away the pain, but he could certainly try. For an hour, they sat uninterrupted. Kimberly sobbed and stopped and then started her crying again. Her makeup stained the shoulder of his tan jacket and her tears soaked his shirt. Richard didn’t care.
As difficult a time as this was, he needed to ask her some questions. Did she need a leave of absence? Yes of course. When would she like to go to her family? Tomorrow if possible. Did she need help with funeral arrangements? She had no clue, she just wanted to sit there and cry. Understanding the implied command to shut up, Richard put an end to his questions and simply held her gently.
*****
Packing for a funeral was not what Kimberly had planned to be doing on Wednesday morning. 10 am came much too quickly and the small white pills from Richards pharmacy friend didn’t seem to work. How could Aunt Audrey keep her illness a secret from her? Thinking about the way she must have suffered tore Kimberly’s heart open and she found herself sobbing again.
Dressed in denim because she couldn’t find anything else to wear, Kimberly appeared to be a tower of strength and the large sunglasses over her blood stained eyes covered any traces of her sadness.
The building concierge rang at 10:15 to say the limo had arrived. Kimberly opened the door to a waiting bellman who took her three pieces of luggage to the elevator where she joined him on the trip to the ground floor.
Once inside the sleek, shiny vehicle with the help of the chauffeur, Kimberly heaved a sigh of relief as the first step of putting her dead aunt to rest was well on the way. If leaving her apartment was such a trying task, what would happen in the next three days? Only time would tell.
The airport was busy, but not the area she drove into. The hangar for private jets was housed behind the main airport. Deceptively plain, it hid the splendid toys of the rich. Richard Damask, recent boss of Kimberly Walsh, had offered not demanded that she use his private jet to get to the LA as soon as possible. Saying that he needed things to be as easy as possible for her in this dreadful time, silenced her automatic refusal.
A Lear jet was something Kimberly considered a waste of money, but in times like this she was grateful that Richard had splurged. The steps unfolded and stretched out its welcome to a grieving Kimberly and she quickly took the steps and disappeared from sight. Even in grief, the striking aircraft left Kimberly in awe. A voice cleared from the back and there on one of the plush seats was Richard.
He had been worried she would see his presence as an intrusion, but surprisingly, she ran forward and encased his neck in a bear hug of sorts and he reciprocated. This wasn’t and embrace of lust, but rather one of gratitude. Richard thought it was nice to have a friend.
*****
People stared but no one asked who he was and why he was there. The family wasn’t large, but it was big enough to fill the small chapel with mourners to remember Aunt Audrey. A strong upstanding woman of God, the preacher described her as, and the congregation nodded in agreement. Kimberly said little to the people present and Richard constantly glanced at her blank stare at the casket. He wished there was more that he could do to make it better.
At the grave side however, a once sedate Kimberly lost it. Her specially purchased designer black suit and shiny pumps gave way to dirt as she fell in grief when the beautiful ivory and brass casket containing the remains of a woman she loved dearly, was lowered into the ground. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, the preacher said and her wailing pitch got higher. Kimberly was inconsolable.
The wake was in the cramped apartment Audrey shared with her daughter and as Richard held Kimberly’s hand and escorted her to the front door teaming with people she stopped in her tracks.
“I can’t go in. I simply can’t.”
Richard responded as softly and gently as possible, “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.” With his cell phone attached to his ear, Richard turned on his heels. “Stanley, please bring the car around, Ms. Walsh is ready to leave.”
*****
The reservation was made under each of their names. Richard was not so presumptuous as to assume they would share a room. With him in room ninety five and her in ninety six, he felt secure with Kimberly a stone’s throw away.
The bewitching hour rolled around and Richard was staring at the walls. A sleep number mattress was chosen on reservation, but currently it did nothing for his insomnia. It was just after 4 pm when Kimberly closed her door and asked to be alone and she hadn’t been seen since. Richard called a few times, but no one picked up her calls. After losing a few thousand in the casino, he retired to his room. The scotch he nursed did nothing to help.
Sitting up straight in the bed because he thought he heard a noise, Richard listened hard but nothing moved. Two minutes later there was another sound, this time more loudly. In a leap he was off the bed and yanking open the door. There Kimberly stood in a simple sports shorts and a vest. She wanted to come in.
*****
Kimberly woke up dazed and confused. She was having a nightmare in which her aunt had died, after a few seconds of consciousness, she remembered that it was tragically real. In their last conversation, Auntie had encouraged her to live a full life. Only the best she wanted for her niece, and she would only rest easy knowing Kimberly had it.
Why do old people speak such haunting words before they die? Kimberly wondered. A sudden peace descended on the room as Kimberly remembered the trials of the woman who has taken a turn at mothering her. Never fearful, and always a leader, Audrey made the most of what little she had and threw herself fully into loving her husband.
Her mind drifted to Richard, he didn’t have to help. As a matter of fact, he didn’t have to do more than ask the staff to sign a sympathy card. Going above what was necessary to make sure she was comfortable was something that Kimberly admired. It seemed Richard Damask was indeed a nice man. Would Audrey approve of her seeing a white man? Once, after the question of Maya’s paternity became a talking piece in the neighborhood, she had called the girls into the room for an important pearl of wisdom.
“In life, you have to pick and choose those who you call friend. Some want to take from you, some want to crush you, but then there are some good folk, those who go far beyond the call to help and defend you. It's people my children, that deserve your loyalty. No one else.”
She needed to see him. Kimberly wanted him to know that even though she had a tough exterior, she was still gentle enough to understand that he was now someone important in her life.”
Answer the door Richard, Kimberly whispered after a few raps on the door. Nothing. Knocking even louder this time she heard the rustle of sheets as he got up from the bed and seconds later answered the door.
“Can I come in?”
“What kind of foolish question is that Kimberly?”
She had long given him permission to call her by her first name.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” She uttered as she stepped inside the doorway and waited for him to lead the way. It wasn’t a penthouse suite. Richard didn’t want Kimberly to think he was trying to sway her with material things. He had already met opposition when he offered the jet.
Clicking the lamp in the corner on, Richard made sure he was decent before joining Kimberly on the bed where she perched at the edge. The brass trimmings in the ceiling glowed as warmly as Kimberly’s face when she turned to him.
“I have a confession to make. The day we went to lunch I was not completely truthful about my past. There were a lot of things I left out thinking I would appear pitiful. Now I see how short life is and if I want to commit to being your friend, I should tell you about my life.”
The pangs of guilt over Richard’s own unconfessed secrets were building to a crescendo and refusing to take instruction from the conductor. He listened intently after telling himself he didn’t lie; only omitted.
In 45 minutes Richard learned of Kimberly’s mother, the fire, the drugs, the suicide and the scholarship that made her the woman she was today. She didn’t even leave out the dramatic resignation from Goldman & Parks and laughter finally entered the room. Like a soothing salve, it cooled the burns of grief and sorrow while solemnly reminding them about the tragedies of life.
It was Richard’s turn. Jasmine wasn’t a secret, but he wanted to be sure that any woman he let into his life would accept her. He wanted no drama in his daughter’s life. Opening his mouth to speak, he was silenced by Kimberley’s finger on his lips.
The glow in the room was soft and its mist touched every point of the room. Standing, Kimberly turned toward Richard and pulled the silk scarf from her head, allowing the hair to tumble down her smooth back. Eyes as wide as saucers, Richard struggled to believe what was happening for his eyes only.
Crossing her hands at her torso, Kimberly hoisted the white stretchy vest up and off of her velvet body. She wore no bra and her breasts fell free of the confining fabric. Richard felt something jumping below his waist, he was officially aroused. The shorts ended just above her thigh in the front and just below her ass at the back. Turning away from him and answering his prayer, she slipped the spandex garment off her hips and past her thighs. Richard almost lost control of himself.
Two perfect globes of warm copper flesh ballooned from Kimberly’s waist and fell over her sturdy legs. Transfixed, Richard could do nothing but loosen his jaw. Turning and standing in her full splendor to face him she asked, “Do you want me Richard?”
He did not answer. In half a stride, he stood in front of her. Taking her hand from her side, he placed it on his fully erect wood and said, “I think so.”
This kiss was nothing like the one at the restaurant. Hot and deep, Richard’s mouth enveloped hers. His tongue invaded her mouth and Kimberly stood on her toes in an effort to match his height. Erect nipples brushed against his chest, and Richard found his thirst for them gloriously unquenchable. The dark brown areolas and even darker nipples begged to be tasted and as he sucked on her chocolate drops, she moaned.
Kimberly was thick, but Richard was capable. In one motion, he cupped the glorious ass he had admired for so long and lifted his treasure to the bed. It was there that he took a look at what made this caramel beauty so enticing. Her naked skin had no flaws. Kimberly’s skin was softer than silk and her hips were unlike anything he had ever laid his eyes upon.
The mound between her solid legs carried no hair, but the dark lips matched the pout of the ones on her face. Plump and protruding, Kimberly’s pussy begged to be touched and Richard would oblige soon.
Tracing her neck and the curve of her breasts with his finger brought Kimberly to a height of ecstasy. Her back could arch no further and finally her body succumbed to pleasure that had not yet touched her slit. Sprawling her legs, her supple body begged to be taken, but Richard’s exploration was not over. Rubbing his palms on the sleek inside of her thighs, now slick with her overflowing moisture, he appeared to be studying the structure of her appendages. He was worshiping her.
Kisses soon followed everywhere Richard’s hands passed and in a second Kimberly was trying to escape. The pleasure descending on her body was foreign. Never before had such a white hot heat taken her body captive and it was proving too much for her fragile senses. A drum was beating in her head, louder and louder every time he touched her and Kimberly was on the brink of insanity. In an act of desperation, she groaned, “Richard please… I want you to fuck me Richard… please!”
Richard was not ready. Awe struck that the Gods could make such a wonderful creation, he was enchanted. Her pussy was more than a full package. The plump lips parted slightly as Kimberly spread her legs and her clit made its presence known. The dark lips gave way to pink flesh as he finally used his fingers to spread her labia. With a mouth as delicious as cocoa, he knew her juices would be just as sweet.
A hot breath of air touched the nerve endings of Kimberly’s sensitive clit and the beginnings of a climax were evident. Her thighs tried to close but with Richards strong arms keeping them open- there was no choice but let him eat. Fine dining was a rich man’s pastime and Richard Damask had definitely perfected the art. His agile tongue flicked passed the now erect nub of flesh and the sounds from Kimberly’s throat communicated that she was at the peak.
It was his fingers that pushed her over the edge and with just two inserted in her now dripping pussy, she fought an internal battle to hold her climax in. Toes curled, stomach cramped and pussy walls clenched, Kimberly yelled to the heavens, the angels- anyone who would listen about the earthshaking climax that had overtaken her body.
Tiny drops of creamy oil dripped from her open crevice as Richard withdrew his long thick fingers. Not wasting a drop he placed his shiny fingers in his mouth and cleaned them thoroughly. Kimberly never saw. She was busy coming up for air from the sea of pleasure washing over her body. Only when Richard stood up from between her legs, Kimberly came to.
The boxers he wore when he opened the door were now gone and his shaft was rigidly announcing his presence. Without hesitation, Kimberly sat up and pulled her boss onto the bed. Lying flat and breathing deeply, he focused on the queen preparing to rule his rod and staff. The nest of curls surrounding his cock glistened in the light, but that was not Kimberly's focus. The cock in her view was calling her name. She didn’t grab it, instead she simply hovered. Eye to eye like a snake charmer, she followed it until the pulsing stopped and it became still.
Richard’s thoughts were racing. He was in disbelief. A woman he has admired and lusted after was going to suck his cock. The anticipation gripped his stomach with force, and his head pounded as the background music to this dance grew louder and louder.
Warm, wet and wonderful. The envelope of moisture and heat covering his wood was indescribable. With expert precision Kimberly sank the shaft close to her tonsils. The throbbing cock filled her mouth and she imagined it filling other places every time she swallowed it. Saliva ran down the shiny pale shaft and suddenly Kimberly became ravenous. Finally grabbing the shaft, she twisted it in her mouth and increased the suction of the rod of her boss.
Over and over she ate, sucked, nibbled and slurped on the snake she was charming, counting down the minutes until he filled her pussy and possibly her heart. Richard was propped on his elbows watching his white cock disappear into pouted lips in disbelief. Never before had his cock been devoured with such fervor. The globes below her waist clapped every time she descended on the shaft and revealed it again.
Richard had enough. He could no longer count the stars dancing before his eyes and the random words ringing in his ears. God, pleasure, desire, erotic… all words parading across his transfixed vision. The final time she lowered her lips over his cock, he held Kimberly’s shoulders and pulled her off the dick she so hungrily ate.
“Ride me Kim,” He mumbled. “I want you to ride me.” Not needing to be told twice, Kimberly climbed the length of his leg finally straddling his waist. As her thick leg shadowed his torso before landing on the other side, Richard sat up and pressed another hard kiss on her lips salted by his own liquids. The head of his cock pressed her still sensitive clit and her sharp inhale made her eyes close.
A deliciously long and thick cock was rubbing on her slick chasm and it would only take a shift of her waist to bring him into her. Kimberly waited, savoring the moment. Richard didn’t have that patience to give. Hand on her ample hip, he forced her downwards and swiftly her wet deep crevice was filled with his cock. He had waited too long. The sensations crawling over his body coaxed a guttural sound from his throat and Kimberly sat, impaled and in suspended animation.
Entranced, she didn’t have the wherewithal to move, and though she was on top Richard took control. His strokes were deep, long and forceful as he injected her black pussy with his white cock until cream covered both their thighs. Kimberly was dripping and moaning while Richard was thrusting and grunting.
Full to the brim and bubbling over, Kimberly bounced up and down feeling the traction of the budging veins on Richard’s thick shaft. Every time she became full to the hilt, her clit rubbed on the short hairs above his cock arousing her even more. The climax was building and the thrusts from Richards’s waist became sharp. With razor like precision, he hit the spot that made her pussy sing.
Moisture was increasing and so was the tension and electricity between Richard and Kimberly. The volume of the moans and screams from the mating two reached decibels above acceptable, but neither cared. The peak of no return was being mounted and none could bring them back now. Kimberly’s eyes rolled back into her head as the final fireworks of pleasure burst and cascaded down her body. The climax was epic. The clenching of her muscles as she climaxed gripped Richards dick, and all but squeezed the cum from a shuddering Richard. His grip on her ass was equally tight as he finally groaned and spouted his nature on Kimberley’s flat stomach. Trembling, the pair was spent of all energy and no longer cared that they may be an odd pair. For a moment in time all was well with the world, and thoughts of death and grief temporarily forgotten.
*****
The morning after sex with your boss could be odd as one may imagine, and in the case of Kimberly and Richard it was no different. He woke first. Slow and groggy, Richard opened his eyes and closed them again. The ceiling seemed to be moving and this of course wasn’t normal. On his second attempt to enter the world, he tried to remove his hand from under the pillow to the left. It was met with resistance and a soft sighing sound.
With the snap of his head, he turned to the direction of the peaceful noises, encountering the angel that visited him last night. There Kimberly slept with her head on the pillow and that pillow rested on Richard’s forearm. Along the crevice of her nose, a tiny trail of water made its way downward and disappeared. She was crying in her sleep. In seconds, Richard remembered the night before and the love they had made. He needed to hold her. Abandoning his urge to get up, Richard rolled over and placed his other hand around her waist. He wanted it to last forever.
Kimberly stirred when the warm arm was draped over her and for a moment, was confused. Was there someone in her bed? Eyes cracking open painfully, she was met by Richard’s sympathetic pools of blue, watching her, protecting her. It was a mystery to her that there was a man in her bed- her boss at that and she sat upright violently and with a horrified inquiring look.
“Good morning. How are you feeling?” Richard asked quietly.
“My head aches and I was having a little trouble remembering what happened yesterday, but I remember now.” Staring him directly in the eye, she added, “All of it.”
Despite her headache, Kimberly smiled at Richard coyly and he returned it.
“Is it something you want to discuss Kim? Or do we just leave it as is?”
Sliding off the bed with the sheet tucked around the breasts and hips, he had kissed and sucked last night, she turned to him and said. “Slow down Hun, only women want to discuss feelings after sex.”
It was a joke, and though he laughed, Richard was stung that he appeared so vulnerable to the woman he was falling for. Kim softened her tone and gaze as she added, “There is nothing to discuss Richard. Let nature take its course.”
Like the undercover vixen Kimberly was, she let the sheet fall to the floor and in the natural sunlight, revealed the curvaceous silhouette Richard yearned to touch once again.
Walking to the bathroom and pausing by the door, Kimberly glanced over her shoulder as she dropped a statement and instruction balled into one.
“You are the boss, so I shouldn’t have to spell things out for you.”
It was only seconds before Richard was off the bed and standing behind her, willing to do nature’s bidding.
*****
Four weeks and two days had passed since Aunt Audrey’s burial and Kimberly and Richard made sweet love almost daily after that. Sometimes it was in her office when all the others left. Other times it was in the backseat of his limo when she allowed him to escort her home.
The couplings were hot and desperate. Always trying to quench a thirst that did not want to be quenched. Their interactions were not merely physical, but often bordered on tantric. Richard smelled her when she wasn’t there, he heard her voice long after she had left a room. Kimberly was not only filling his bed, she was filling his heart. This was the primary reason he was having lunch with her today.
Golden Goose was a farm to table restaurant in the south of California. Seafood was a staple, but they trucked their meats and veggies down from the farmers who spent their time tilling the soil.
Quaint and unassuming, it hid in the back of a large casino and the two existed peacefully. He had used the private plane for his special announcement and hoped all would go well. Kimberly wore yellow today- well it was more mustard. Insisting she take a personal day off, Richard was pleased that she quickly adapted to the sunshine of California in her strapless flowing dress that still couldn’t hide her remarkable figure. She wore toe rings and this was the first time he had noticed. Flip flops on her were just as sexy on her as heels.
Calling ahead of time, Richard made sure they were dining in seclusion. The only private balcony available was bathed in sunlight and waiting on its guests. Kimberly was more than ready to get cozy. Richard had a knot in his stomach.
“It warms my heart to see you smiling Kim. You have no idea.”
“My aunt would have wanted it. She was a proud woman but she was wise. Life goes on.”
They sat solemnly as the sad moment passed before Richard broke the silence.
“There is an event I’d like you to attend with me this weekend.”
Kimberly looked up from her inspection of her wine, a little surprised. Up until now they had kept their interactions a secret. Only the chauffeur knew they went places together outside of work. Even then, he could only suspect.
“Are you sure you are ready for that? They are lots of cameras at these things. Our pictures will be everywhere.”
Sighing, Richard reassured her that the paparazzi would not be a challenge in this instance.
“Actually the media won’t be a concern where we are going. We are having a family reunion. I want you there.”
He had Kimberly’s full attention. This was definitely going to take them to a whole new level
“I don’t know about that Richard. I know we haven’t discussed it thoroughly, but your mother doesn’t seem to keen our being friendly. When I’m in her personal space she may be a bit more vocal.”
“My mother isn’t an issue. The old woman simply is bored and means no harm. Plus, I want you to know I am not taking this thing between you and I casually. You’re on my mind from the time I wake up until I go to bed. I want to inhale you and keep you in my lungs. I need you in my life.”
Closing his palm over hand on the table, he massaged her fingers and looked deeply into her eyes. Kimberly was convinced that he was being sincere. When he launched into his next statement, things changed.
“Because I so strongly believe in you and me, there is something else I want to share with you.”
She wasn’t aware she had stopped breathing, but Kimberly’s chest ceased to rise and fall as she waited for his next words.
“There is someone near and dear to me that I have not told you about. It was to protect her and not to scare you away. We have been though a lot together, her and I, but now that I can clearly see what type of woman you are, I want you to meet her.”
The bastard had a girlfriend or wife?! Kimberly’s once smooth palm became slick with sweat and confusion. Richard had a girlfriend but still wanted her to attend a family gathering. She was lost until he continued.
“My daughter Jasmine is beautiful and smart and I want her to meet the special woman in her father’s life.”
The sweat on Kimberly’s palm increased.
*****
Richard had lied to her. He had chosen to keep a life changing secret from her and Kimberly felt betrayed. This was why Kimberly had stopped dating in the first place. Men were never what they appeared to be. All were selfish just like Kimberly’s absent father.
“Why would you keep something like this from me?” Kimberly asked as she slipped her hand from Richard’s and wiped it in a dinner napkin. Pausing for the petite waitress to place the beef Wellington and glazed carrots on the table, Richard only spoke when she disappeared through the beaded curtain separating them from the main dining hall.
“Please don’t be angry Kimberly. It wasn’t a lie. I have suffered at the hands of a few women who pretended to be in it for the long haul, and then they disappear after a few tennis bracelets.”
His voice became deep and authoritative. The contents of his next statement though, may have been the last scoop of dirt on his grave.
“Sure, you have had issues and though I didn’t grow up poor, I suffered pain too. Suffering is not committed to one race or social status!”
Kimberly’s neck coiled. The statement may have been innocent but the fact that he was mentioning race and social status led her to believe that Richard thought she used her past and culture as a crutch. Kimberly didn’t accept pity from anyone. A small voice inside her whispered, “Maybe he didn’t mean it that way. Wouldn’t you want to protect your child too before you brought someone new home?” Kimberly answered herself silently. “I can’t have children though. I would mess them up the same way Camilla did me. This is my exit point.”
The pangs of guilt and embers of anger glowed as Kimberly ate her meal in silence, ignoring Richard’s pleas to talk to him.
*****
Kimberly was a professional and nothing outside of work would stop her from delivering a stellar performance. It was Friday and she was due in court. Via email, she had informed Richard of the proceedings and her final argument. He made a few changes and gave her his blessing. Visibly absent from the office for the past few days, Richard decided that maybe a little time apart was best. He called a few times to test the waters. Kim didn’t answer.
The wormy lawyers were there and the stammers were coming hard and fast as they painted a tainted picture of Tabletop. Negligent, dismissive and even combative were used to describe their company policies. Kimberly suspected bruised egos after they were nearly escorted from the building.
When it was her turn, Attorney at law, Kimberly Walsh spoke clearly and concisely. The truth could not be questioned after expert witnesses confirmed that Mrs. Thomas was definitely at fault for her fall. Doctors for her, engineers for them, the experts spoke without reservation about their findings. It was the last doctor who revealed new information. The injured woman had been drinking just before she fell into the chair, drunken and unstable.
In her final appeal to the jury for justice, Attorney Walsh spoke about honesty and truth, sincerity and transparency. It was when she got to the last part that she didn’t believe it was written by her own hand.
“Look inside yourselves and ask this question, 'Can we forgive this woman?'”
The ‘not guilty’ verdict was back in an hour and Tabletop’s side of the court erupted in cheers of joy. They had won, but Kimberly felt like a hypocrite. Appealing to the jury for forgiveness toward a woman who had lied and wasted the court's time, all the while she punished a man who had shown her nothing but love.
*****
Fifteen minutes past four and the red sports car was gunning down the highway. The wind zipped pass Kimberly’s hair as she passed cars going nowhere. She, however, was on a mission. Richard’s estate sat on a plot of land just on the outskirts of the bustling city. She had been there once, late at night for a drink. How did she not know he had a daughter? Feeling low and very angry at her own childish tantrum, she pushed the accelerator even harder. It was in a cloud of dust that she arrived at the gates and wasted time talking to the security.
Who was she? What did she want with Mr. Damask? He had not mentioned he was expecting her. The large men in dark suits watched as she dialed Richard’s number. He answered on the first ring. Maybe he was waiting for her call.
“Tell your security people to let me through. I want to speak to you… now.”
Without responding, the line went dead and the majestic white and gold gates swung open. The security men stepped aside and Kimberly was admitted to the castle guarding her Prince Charming.
Richard waited on the steps of his mansion, pacing back and forth, glancing at the approaching red car. Screeching to a halt only inches from the fountain in the middle of the brick layered driveway, the vehicle stopped and Kimberly sprang from the driver’s seat. Never one to be reserved once she was convicted in her decision, Kimberly made quick work of bounding up the stairs before closing her arms around Richard’s neck and rubbing her wet face into his cheek.
“Richard I am so sorry. I am sorry I reacted so harshly. I don’t want you to go away. Your daughter… Jasmine… I can get to know her…”
He stopped her sentence by pulling away from her embrace. Hurt and disappointed he gazed into her brown eyes. He started to speak and then stopped again before blurting out. “This is why I don’t date. You fall in love with someone and then one hiccup and they are gone.” His voice lowered considerably before he added, “I really wanted you to be different.”
Kimberly’s face turned from sadness to seriousness as she answered. Walking over to a wicker patio chair and pouring herself slowly into it, she matched his solemn tone.
“You know, you and I play for the same team. I try so much to keep people out, try so hard to be strong, try so viciously to protect those we love. Sometimes it’s that same passion that kills the very things we hold dear. It is because of that one fact that I am afraid of being anyone’s mother. I have scars deep and raw that I don’t want to pass on to anyone. The girl I once was survived, but she’s battered.”
Quietly, Richard spoke as he gazed into the distance. The sun was setting and the light on the patio was orange.
“Why can’t you see yourself the way I see you? Humble beginnings, but strong resolve, ambitious, proud, forthright… and damn sexy. The old you is dead. You need to see yourself as you truly are… and that’s absolutely remarkable.” Joining her on the two seater lounge he added a now familiar statement, “We are sitting in the present so we can stand in the future.”
Their eyes locked and held. It was Richard who initiated the kiss, but it was Kimberly who took it to the next level. Both were hungry for the touches and kisses that were withheld and stored for the past few days.
Tires rolling down the driveway made them come up for air. A black town car driven by a burly white man came to a stop and a tall, slender woman emerged, not waiting for the driver to open the door. Rushing to the other side, he was in time to pull the handle before a raven haired little girl leapt to her feet. It seemed that regardless of her readiness, Kimberly would be meeting Richard’s most precious possession.
*****
Barbara trailed her daughter who bounded up the steps, her sneakers hitting the tiled stairs two at a time.
“Daddy!” She yelled, as she jumped into his outstretched arms. This was his treasure. The woman behind bore striking resemblance to Jasmine and it didn’t take a scientist to determine that this was her mother.
Richards ex wife was a thin woman with soft features. Her raven hair fell to her waist. Though well maintained, she seemed unaware of her beauty.
After the father and daughter reunion, Richard lowered his daughter to the ground and cleared his throat. He always did that when he was nervous. Stepping closer to Kimberly and bringing Jasmine with him, he knelt to be on the child’s level.
“Sweet heart, I want you to meet someone special to daddy. You will be seeing her around more often and I would like it if you two could be friends.”
Jasmine looked up optimistically and threw Richard’s killer smile Kimberly’s way. Stretching out her hand like a young business mogul she said, “Hello my name is Jasmine. What’s yours?”
Glancing at the still silent mother and Jasmine’s anxious father, Kimberly grasped the small girl’s hand and said, “My name is Kimberly. I am so very happy to meet you.”
Jasmine’s face lit up in a smile decorated with pink braces before she disappeared inside for ice cream. The housekeeper was very intuitive and sensed the adults needed time alone.
The exchange of words between the adults was short and simple. Everyone walked away with a sense of who played what role. Kimberly was glad that there was a cordial but silent agreement. Baby mamma drama was something she had heard about but never cared to experience. Brenda was alright in her books. Never being one to impose, and especially since this was all too new, Kimberly decided it would be best to go home, but Richard said she could leave only under one condition.
“Come with me tomorrow Kimberly, I need you in my life.”
Bowing her head and staring at their clasped hands she whispered, “I will come where ever you need me to. You never have to ask me that again.”