Konstantin
The dinner party held between Lopaz Investors and their important business partners was where I first met her. She was beautiful, white pearly teeth that brightened with her dark skin, her confident brown eyes that held innocence yet sexualized it, brown braids that she tied into a large bun with two strands falling from her face. Her nose was pointed perfectly with beautiful red lips from the lipstick she had on and the scent that escaped her body was lavender.
She was curvy, her shape exposed from the red dinner gown she had on and heels to support her height. She wasn’t incredibly tall, five foot ten impressive for a woman and the heels pushed her to a solid six. She smiled with a glass of wine in her hand as she sipped it slowly while her eyes focused on the CEO of the host.
I watched how her smile changed from delight to fake satisfaction before her eyes slowly turned to where I stood and stopped. I said nothing and watched as her smile fell and she rolled her eyes.
The reaction surprised me; she was the first woman who had ever gazed at me and left a remark of displease and it caught my interest.
After the speech of the CEO, Mr. Ronald Smith approached the lady who had caught my interest. They chatted for some time before I watched them approach me and Ronald shook my hand.
“Ebony, this is one of our very important business partners and I’m sure you’ve seen him in the news; Mr. Konstantin Azzaro.” Ronald introduced as Ebony smiled.
“Mr. Azzaro, this is my ambassador and spokesperson; Ebony.” Ronald introduced as Ebony stretched her hand with a stoic face.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Ebony said with a very mature and professional voice that had a slight accent.
“A pleasure likewise. I didn’t quite grasp your last name... Ebony.” I said as she smiled.
“My last name is quite impossible for a foreign with a lot of western influence to pronounce my name correctly… Konstantin.” She replied in the same manner, moving me to smile without doubt.
We stared at each other’s eyes, a strange sexual tension feeling the air as Ebony slowly screened me before she withdrew her hand when Ronald coughed.
“I apologize Mr. Azzaro; I’d love to stay and chat but I and my spokesperson need to greet the other guests.” Ronald said as I nodded before Ebony waved slowly.
“I hope to see you for the rest of the night Konstantin.” Ebony said on a first name basis and left as Ronald wrapped his hand on her hip and they left.
I mingled around with a few individuals, a few interested in wanting to partner with me to enjoy the benefits of my families company.
I am the CEO of the LK&A; a company my father and I had founded ten years ago and brought to the top with the highest revenue after Apple company which dealt on Electronics but we were a conglomerate.
There was nothing fascinating about the party but after going through a bad divorce, my parents had insisted that I left the comforts of my office and socialized with individuals of the same class to heal.
I left the voices and laughter in the party and headed for the balcony where I saw Ebony drinking. She stared at the sky, fully focused before I approached her.
“Is this space taken?” I asked as she turned back and stared at me. I watched how a gentle smile approval formed on her lips and she nodded.
“I was getting a bit bored.” She replied and I stood beside her as we both embraced the gentle breeze.
“You seem quite taken with the sky.” I said as she shrugged.
“It reminds me of home.” She replied.
“I find it interesting especially you as a person Ebony. I hear the women in the party talk of you and Mr. Ronald Smith special relationship.”
“Do you think we have that?” She asked with a coy smile.
“No. There is certainly something but it is far from romantic or sexual and my father says that old man loves his wife too much to cheat.” I replied as she placed her hand on her cheek.
“You are right; we’re only business partners but his son is interested in me. Why do you ask?”
“I told you, I find you interesting. Also you are the first woman I’ve met who talks to me as an equal, a normal ordinary man.” I replied as she giggled and shook her head.
“Few women can stand above or with men as handsome as you. It takes training and opinion.”
“Are you a feminist?” I asked as she shook her head.
“The idea of feminism has been crafted to a mindset that men should bow down to women and we should be seen as more than equals but rather unique specie to be unsoiled.” She explained as her shoulders relaxed.
“You believe men should be above women?” I asked.
“All men are the same; my father always said. Mother said that the three things to destroy a man are wealth, wine and women. A woman can be all that if she trains herself in the art of seduction and bring him to his knees without rights and I think that is why the system is a defense mechanism to control that power women don’t know how to control when gained.” She explained, revealing a new insight to me. “Never mess with God’s creation, summary of Genesis.”
I laughed and she laughed before I waved my hand to a waiter who collected her empty glass and gave us new drinks.
“Here’s to new friendship.” I said as I raised my glass.
“To new friendship.” She replied and our glass clanked before we sipped our drinks slowly.
“What about women? Do you think they are all the same?” I asked as she moaned in thought.
“It depends mostly on stereotypical instincts.”
“What about you as a person?” I asked as she smiled.
“I am one of a kind. You won’t ever forget me, I promise.” She said as we stared into each other’s eyes.
“I like your slight accent; it sounds familiar but it links you to nowhere.” I said as she averted her eyes and I knew if she were a lot lighter, I would see a blush.
“The next time we meet, I’ll tell you where I’m from.” Ebony said as her eyes fell to my lips before meeting my eyes.
We dropped the glass on the support as my finger gently brushed the red lipstick on her lips before meeting her lips and the taste of her lips, the flavor of her tongue ignited something in me.
I felt a hand to my chest push me with strong will before I pulled my lips with a soft peck and stared at the lady whose eyes were lit with lust and passion.
“I’m sorry but I shouldn’t have kissed you. I really enjoy your presence Konstantin but I have learnt never to mix business with relationships especially if it will be unforgettable. Excuse me Mr. Azzaro and I hope my mistake will not affect our partnership.” Ebony said before she gave a graceful curtsey and left.
The first to ever turn me down after a kiss. It baffled me but it imprinted a strong memory of Ebony in my head.
The night I first met Miss Ebony was the last time I ever saw her until a year to come.
EbonyI sighed as I stared at the last establishment that I had successful passed all the other tests leaving only the interview. It would be tough since I heard twenty seven people had passed and only three would be selected and who could blame the company for such policy.LK&A in Boston was the headquarter of the third highest paid company in America after Apples and just above Microsoft and the pay was high since it was difficult to qualify when they had other branches all over the world even a charity site.I have been unemployed for almost four months and my roommate urged me to quickly apply for a few jobs including the only company that I had never expected to certify for their simple examination.I’ve come so far and I wasn’t going to let anyone take my greatest accomplishment ever.“Miss Ebony On—”“Onyedika (Oh-e-yay-di-ka) but you can just call me Ebony.” I informed th
“I’m home.” I announced as I took off my shoes and put on my indoor flip-flops.“Welcome back Bony.” My roommate and best friend, Grace Johnson greeted and my nose quickly knew where she was as I headed to the kitchen.Grace was in only her pant and had a soft pink apron that wrote ‘Mama’ on it as she made lunch. I hugged Grace from behind and kissed her cheek before I leaned my head on her shoulder.“So how was the interview?” Grace asked as I sighed.“It went great; better than I expected just as you said.”“See I told you not to worry. They would be stupid not to worry you but…” She said as I raised a brow and she smiled. “You’ve got that look on your face when you want to tell me something but want me to ask you so I’m doing that.”“I saw him today.” I confessed.“Who? Gerald?” She
“You understand that once you sign this contract… There’s no going back Ebony.” Konstantin said as my breathing ragged and the pen in my hand quivered.This was my only escape; this was the only option to be free of my father’s shackles. This was the only way I could stay here until things changed.“I understand.” I replied before I signed the agreement papers.********************I won’t be home for dinner or at all. Cuddling with my man, kisses. I smiled weakly at the text message as I unlocked our apartment and stepped in.I sighed as I dropped everything on the couch before going to the kitchen, picking a glass of water and chugging it before I exhaled like I had tasted the fucking best liquor of my life.I walked to the living room and fell on the empty couch before I pulled out my phone to text my best friend.Gotcha. I’m already home and grab
I tapped on the keyboard of the desktop hard, enjoying the clicking sound it made to calm my nerve. I typed the last few words, deleting and typing before the words had stuck too much in my head and I had saved it.I exhaled as I leaned back against the chair I thought about what Grace had informed me about yesterday. My plan was to work for as much as I had time, request for a month or two to renew my passport and return but it seemed like life struck worry at a hard time.One more year and I would have been legible to apply for citizenship but with the immigration policy, you can only be a citizen by birth, investment or marriage. The South African had gone home since her Visa was expiring in two days and the Latina was deported because she was an immigrant yet to complete her papers.“You look like you’re in distraught.” I heard a sassy voice as I looked up from the computer screen to the first Asian I’ve seen in this company or on thi
Konstantin“I’ve revised the documents with B&K and highlighted some things that you would need to revise before you give your legal signing. Worry not sir, this isn’t the legal document just a draft of it.” Ebony explained as I watched the way her lashed flickered when her eyes shut shortly.I leaned back in my seat as she placed the document on my table beside me before her head slowly turned and faced me. Brown beautiful eyes that had its unforgettable reflection of me and it made me wonder the things that went on in this mischievous woman’s head.Mischief is another form of intelligence, my mother always says.“Is there anything else I can do for you sir?” Ebony asked as she held a folder in her hand and placed her other on her thin waist; wrapping her long slender arms on her beautiful frame.The contract had been sighed and our wedding should be before Ebony’s visa expires w
EbonyThe whole day was exhausting. I have never met a man who shops more than my mother and careful describes what he wants like my elder brother but Konstantin was a first and he strayed more from the stereotypical men of his kind.It was refreshing how he paid attention to details even a fashion fanatic wouldn’t notice and surprising how he could read people like he’d known them for years but his company wouldn’t be number two if he was like everyone else. I finally understood why my former employer, Mr. R. Smith was sensitive around him.Konstantin’s families had a certain ‘reputation’ to their name that was more underground than legal but so far so good, his company was clean.The first date with a rich man was always the same. Sexy dress, perfect hair, high heels, pretty makeup that made your eyes pop and all that for a fancy hotel that didn’t care how you look but how much you were willing
Phones rang loud across every table in LK&A conglomerates. It was exhausting for the staff, attacked by clients, press and magazine lines that had been eager to be the first to release update on CEO Konstantin A. Azzaro and the mysterious woman he had proposed to the previous night.“I apologize but CEO Azzaro’s schedule is booked with no space for an interview. I’ll submit your request on his desk as soon as his schedules are free.” Ebony said before another phone on the desk rang. “Excuse me hold on.”Ebony pressed the call on hold, hoping that the caller would cut as she turned down another interview offer.“Hello, LK&A conglomerates; Ebony speaking. How may I help you?” I asked.“Mitchell Shell Blog representative, Sophie Carson. I would like to speak to Mr. Azzaro.”The endless calls went on for hours before Ebony in frustration pulled the line and cut the phones from the powe
Ebony“Sorry I’m late.” I apologized as Konstantin stretched his hand and looked at the gold wristwatch on his wrist as I leaned closer to look at the time.“You’re twenty two minutes late to be exact.” He said as he gave me a stance for explanation.“Oh come on; you’ve never been late in your life?” I asked as he folded his arms.“I have but it was never by choice.” He replied and I understood it was the days when paparazzi crowded the office.“We are not bringing that up plus I needed to look good for you. Also, this is where stereotype plays but I’m a woman.” I said as I placed my hand on my hip.“By wearing… a Jeans and a shirt? The women in my family put in more effort and remain punctual.” Konstantin sassed and I wrapped my hands around him.“For better or for worse Mr. Azzaro. So where are we going?&rdqu