CHAPTER 8: OH GOD, JUST KILL ME NOW

The rest of the weekend flew by quickly. I stayed in my room mostly, so I could finish up some documents on my computer. The fashion show was only a few months away, and I needed to be on track with everything.

When I woke up Monday, I felt refreshed. I got up to take a shower when I heard movements in the hallway. I placed my ear on the door and I listened. My heart jumped when I heard a small knock on the door. I bit my bottom lip in order for me not to scream, and then I waited and heard feet shuffling away. I took a deep breath before I opened the door. My eyes landed on the trinkets down below and my breath caught in my chest. There was a light-brown teddy bear wearing a red bow. It was almost as tall as me. A box of chocolates lay perfectly in a heart-shaped box next to a well-put-together bouquet of Lilacs. There was a huge white box with a red bow. I looked up and down the hallway to see if I saw anybody, but I didn't.

I hurriedly moved the items inside. I flung the bear on my bed and a noticed a tiny envelope fell from it I didn't see before. So, I set the big box on my office table along with the chocolate and Lilac. I grabbed the letter, and I hesitated to read it. A blue silk ribbon was wrapped around it, and the paper itself smelled lovely, like men's cologne.

With nervous fingers, I undid the ribbon and with clammy hands I unfolded it. My throat was dry as I read it.

Dear Dionnah,

I do not know what kind of spell you've cast on me. But the moment I saw you walking towards me on that fated night, I knew you were made for me and I for you. The other night when we kissed, yes, I said we because you kissed me back with the same feverish need that I have in my heart for you. That kiss moved something deep inside me, and now I don't want to kiss anyone else. I woke up the morning after our kiss starving to see you, but you kept yourself locked up inside your room. I wanted to knock on your door on a few occasions, but Danielle said you were preparing some work documents for your fashion show that's coming up, so I refrained from disturbing you. But if you wish to kiss me again, as much as I am dying to taste those lips of yours again, meet me tonight out in the rose gardens at midnight. I will wait with bated breath. But meanwhile, I leave you with the finest box of chocolates that are supposed to be the sweetest in the world. However after tasting your lips, nothing is sweeter. The stuffed animal was a gift from my mother when I was 8 years old. She said I should hug it whenever I missed her. She died of cancer a few months after she gifted me with it. I want you to have it now and hug it every time you feel lonely. I heard you crying in your room last night and it broke my heart. I don't know who this Derick is, but you damned him to hell so many times last night I wanted to break his jaw. The box with the bow is something I know you will love. I will let you open that and see for yourself what's inside and as for the Lilacs, I kind of stalked your F******k profile and saw where you said they were your favourites. So, I ordered a bouquet because I think you are beautiful.

Yours Truly,

Michael xoxo

I must have read the letter a thousand times. Was this guy for real? Who told him he had permission to pull on my heart string like that? But it moved me, no man has ever written me a love letter before. Well, was this a love letter? I wasn't certain, but he mentioned our kiss around a dozen times. I felt my cheeks getting hot. I fell back on the bed, cuddling the letter to my chest. I was grinning like that was the only position my mouth could do. I kissed the bear on its nose. It was so cute. I cleared my throat at my silliness, and then I moved to put the bouquet in a vase.

My eyes caught the price tag, "$800?" My eyes almost popped out of my head. I filled the vase with some water and sat them in there, anyway. Then I opened the box of chocolates and popped one into my mouth. The rich goodness melted like silk on my tongue. I caught myself humming to the deliciousness of the caramel delight. I checked the label to see what brand chocolates it was, and it said it came from Sweden. I googled it and again, the price knocked me in the back of the head. "$3000. Is this man serious?" Well, he was a billionaire. I popped another in my mouth and I swear it was like my mouth was having an orgasm, if that was even possible.

Chewing like a goat, I sat on the carpet with my feet folded beneath my butt. I placed the big box in my lap and I delicately removed the bow and removed the cover. I saw the Apple sign before anything else. The purple laptop came into view, and it was the latest laptop, so I knew he paid maybe a little over a thousand dollars for it. My eyes got teary at his thoughtfulness. My old piece of shit kept freezing over the weekend, and he probably heard me shouting profanities at the tired machine. Perhaps I was too hard on him the other night, I thought to myself before I went to take a shower.

A few minutes later, I was getting dressed in an outfit Amelia bought me last year. I felt like I needed to dress extra sexy this morning. For myself, of course.

I rolled on the floor, jumped repeatedly on the spot, and held my breath so long that the Guinness Book of World Records would be impressed just so I could pull the black pencil skirt over my wide hips. I was breaking out in a sweat after I zipped it up. I smiled at my reflection. It made my butt look even more enticing. I paired the skirt with a silk peach blouse that had a slight plunge neckline that gave a tiny peek down my cleavage, and then I finished the look with black suede wedges.

I sprayed a little perfume and then headed into the hall. Michael's muffled voice coming from his bedroom across the hall from mine stopped me.

I decided to knock and thanked him for his gifts. I did a breath check first. I puckered my knuckles, and before I could knock, my ears got sad as I heard him say. "Mrs. Cromwell, you tell Honey that I miss her more and that I have bought a home just for the two of us to enjoy," Michael giggled. "You two, Mrs. Cromwell, see you soon. Bye." Then he hung up. I felt like an idiot. I wanted to go back and change, but I didn't have the time. I heard his feet coming towards the door, so I moved away from it. I didn't want him to think I was eavesdropping.

With a click, his door flew open, and I didn't want to gasp, so I gulped instead. His rugged blue jeans hugged his muscular legs like a second skin, and his work boots were light brown Timberlands. He was bending the collar of his blue work shirt. His hair was shaggy this morning. I almost peed myself when his icy blue eyes found my face.

"Dionnah," he almost sounded out of breath when he called my name. His smile could melt the entire North Pole. His laugh lines were so masculine I wanted to lick every one of them with my tongue. No, Dee, he has a woman he intends to live with, I scolded myself.

I kept my head held high. "Michael," I greeted casually. He seemed confused by my tone, but that didn't stop him from being a man.

"You look gorgeous," I searched his eyes, and I almost gave in, but then I remembered Honey. What kind of whorish name was that, anyway? No one can pull off that name like Little Matilda's teacher, now, she was a doll.

"Thank you," I nodded, then I walked over to the stairs and rested my palm on the rail and I glided down the steps so sexily. I heard him growling lowly at how my ass was outlined in my outfit.

I bet Miss Honey didn't have a butt like mine. I giggled to myself.

Like a woman in a power suit, I entered the kitchen where we always ate breakfast. The aisle was big enough to accommodate a dinner party.

"Morning Dee," Dani and Jon said in unison.

Jonathan did a double look. "Dee, you are looking nice today. What's the occasion?"

"What are you talking about? I always dress professionally for the office," I said, pouring myself some coffee, I put the mug to my lips while my eyes scanned the area, I sucked up too much of the hot beverage when my eyes landed on Michael who was watching me as he bit into his buttered toast.

"Dee, stop playing around. You like to dress comfortably for the office. This is your 'I like somebody outfit' now tell us who it is?" Dani investigated.

"Yeah, tell us," Mike inquired while he sipped on his OJ.

"Is it Peter from accounts? I see the way he looks at you while you stroke his arms when you are praising him for his work," Dani giggled. I heard a cat drowning, and I looked over to see Michael choking on his drink.

"Bro, are you good?" Jon asked and Michael gave his brother the thumbs up, still couldn't speak between his coughs.

"Well, Peter has nice muscles," I replied to Dani as I tried to sit down at the table. I could feel my liver squeezing as I sat in this way too tight outfit, but I wasn't throwing in the towel just yet. “Peter asked me out the other day and I think I might give it a go." Michael's blue eyes got dark and frigid as he quaffed down a bottle of water. He pulled the chair back hard and then sat down. I had him where I wanted him.

"He does have nice muscles, but Chrissy from printing says he has a small dick, and we know how much size matters to you," Dani said matter of fact.

"Jesus Christ Dani!" I yelled.

"What? We're all family here now, and we don't hide anything from family."

"But that's just TMI for the men here," I stated, sinking in my seat, trying to be invisible now.

"There's nothing to he ashamed of. We all have our preferences," Jon added. "You know, big bro, Dee here has never dated a white man. She says she prefers them black. But who can blame her that's how I like my women too," he leaned over and kissed Dani. There was tongues involved and all. Then he pulled away.

Oh God, this wasn't going the way I planned it in my head.

"Really now, tell me more." Michael was loving this.

"So the other night, she went on a blind date and the guy was white," Jon continued as he buttered his croissants.

"No way, that sounds scary," Michael gasped.

Oh God, just kill me now.