Reinvention of Chastity (13 page)

“You know what I’m talking about.”

“Okay, okay. Your lady friend, what’s her name?”

“Chastity.”

His mother burst into loud laughter. “Talk about ironic.”

“Please, Mama.”

Wiping tears from her eyes, she stopped laughing. “I’m sorry, but you have to admit, that’s pretty funny. Okay, tell me what Chastity is like.”

“She’s a paralegal and very bright. She has a superior grasp of her job. People usually go to her for the answers. And I’ve never heard her complain once. When I’m with her, I feel calm, yet I can’t keep my hands to myself. She’s very attractive. But the funny part is, months ago I didn’t think so. I see glimpses of her kindness, and gentleness, but when I try to get closer, she shuts down.”

“How do you mean?”

“If I ask personal questions, she either changes the subject or gives a flippant answer. I’m not sure how much more of this I can stand.”

“Well, if you really feel she’s worth this agony you’re suffering, then you should take action. I’d certainly like to talk to this young lady and give her a piece of my mind for giving you the runaround like this. Even though you’ve probably had this coming for all the hearts you’ve broken in your lifetime, no one messes with one of my babies.”

“In that case, I don’t want to introduce her to you.”

“I’d be on my best behavior.”

Sebastian doubted that, but kept his opinion to himself. “There’s something else.”

“What? It can’t be as bad as the other part.”

“She’s black.”

His mother blinked a couple times, not saying a word. Sebastian knew she had her heart set on him settling down with a nice Italian girl, but there were just too many beautiful women in the world to narrow his view. He’d dated outside his race a handful of times, but since he’d never 92

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considered bringing any of his previous girlfriends home, it had never been an issue.

“Mama, say something.”

“Well, this news does concern me a little. If you settle down with this woman, think of the hardships you’d face. Think about the children.”

“Mama, I’ll cross that bridge if it ever gets there, but if anyone has an issue about my being with Chastity, then that’s their problem, not mine.

I’d like to think I have your blessing if anything did come of this.”

“Well, of course I’ll support you in your choices, but you know how cruel the world is. Why make it harder on yourself than it has to be?”

“Is that what you really think?” he asked, slightly dismayed. His parents had not raised him to judge people based on the color of their skin, so hearing his mother talk this way was a surprise.

“Do you want me to pretty up my words and tell you that everything will be okay? I can’t do that. I’m just trying to be honest with you. At the end of the day, the decision is yours and you’re still my son. I love you, Sebastian, and if this woman is who you want to be with, I’ll have to accept it. I’d rather gain a daughter than lose a son. I’ve seen it happen with a few of my friends.”

“And that’s unfortunate for them.”

“I know. It would kill me to have a rift over something like this. The Cohans’ daughter married a black guy and they sat Shiva for her. They act like she doesn’t exist anymore, but I think it’s sad. They’re a couple of assholes anyway. Polly Cohan is probably better off without those two in her life. I don’t want to lose you over something so trivial.”

“You’ll never lose me, Mama.” Sebastian leaned over and pulled her into his embrace.

“You’re such a good son, and I trust your judgment. If you want to be with this Chastity person, I could learn to love her.”

Me too, he thought and that was the truly terrifying part.

* * *

93

Eve Vaughn

Chastity felt like she was being split in two. It was hard to keep pretending an indifference she didn’t feel for Sebastian. In the beginning of this huge charade, she thought she’d be able to channel all her anger into the situation to carry on, but the more time she spent with him, the harder it became.

She saw a side of Sebastian she didn’t know existed. When he wasn’t taking her to the heights of passion, he let her in enough to see his true character. He’d always hold her after sex, stroking her hair while he shared tidbits of his life. She learned how his passion for law had come about, his hobbies, and goals. She saw the gleam of love and pride in his eyes when he talked about his family.

When he tried to find out things about her, however, Chastity wouldn’t open up. That would mean trusting him and putting her heart on the line again. Maybe things would have been better if she’d never gotten this stupid makeover or better yet, if she’d never heard what he really thought of her. Then she wouldn’t be struggling with these feelings.

Each time she was with him, she found herself falling just a little bit more for him. So what if he was attracted to her now? She’d seen enough of his women parading through the office to know his ardor wouldn’t last.

She wouldn’t allow herself to be crushed by him again, so instead, she’d crush him.

Walking back to her condo, she scooped up Fluffy, who’d been waiting by the door. The walk she’d just taken hadn’t cleared her mind.

Actually, it had only given her more questions to think over. Taking a seat in her favorite chair, she stroked the purring cat absently behind the ear, wondering how she’d escape this mess unscathed. She started coughing violently.

Fluffy jumped off her lap and ran away. Chastity hoped she wasn’t coming down with something. One of the reasons she took a walk in the first place was to shake off the lethargy she’d been feeling lately. Perhaps a cup of tea would make her feel better. As she stood, a wave of dizziness hit her, forcing her back down.

Making a second attempt to get up, she did it slowly this time, but still felt woozy. She walked to the kitchen on unsteady legs, and fixed her tea. When she took the mug out of the microwave, the phone rang.

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The Reinvention of Chastity

Chastity was tempted to ignore it, but Dallas had said she’d call this weekend to tell her about the new man she was seeing.

“Hello?”

“Chastity, honey, it’s me, Brenda.”

She wished she would have ignored the phone. Taking a deep breath she tried to inject as much enthusiasm into her voice as possible. “Hi. It’s nice to hear from you. What’s it been now? A couple months?”

“Well, you know how it is, dear. So many men, so little time. Well, maybe you don’t, but I’m a busy woman. I do think about you though.”

Her mother never failed to get in a little dig whenever she could. “I understand. So, how’s life?”

“It’s fabulous, as always. Uh, look, I’m going to be in your area next week, and I was hoping you’d give me a bed for a night.”

“Of course you can stay with me.”

“You know you’d have to put those filthy cats in the kennel while I’m there. I can’t stand those nasty little beasts. And please be sure to give the place a good vacuuming, I don’t want cat hairs on my clothes.”

Brenda sighed dramatically.

Chastity silently counted to ten before she spoke. “They’re not filthy.”

“But you will put them in a kennel or something before I come, right?”

“I’ll make sure they’re not around when you visit. So, what’s the occasion? Will you be bringing Jared with you?”

“Oh, him. We broke up ages ago.”

“You broke up with Jared? I thought he was the one.”

“I thought so too, but there is that pesky little thing about him still being married. That bitch wife of his has threatened to cut him off if he doesn’t stop seeing me.”

“So he did?”

“Well, of course not. He knows he’ll never find another woman like me. Jared only
told
her he’d stopped seeing me.”

Chastity rolled her eyes. “So, why did you two break up then?”

“She tightened the purse strings anyway. I can’t deal with that.”

95

Eve Vaughn

“So, you dumped him because he’s not lavishing you with gifts anymore? That’s kind of shallow.”

“Sweetie, you’re naïve. It’s a man’s world. A woman has to use what she has, to get what she wants. You’d have a man if you took that advice to heart.”

It was on the tip of Chastity’s tongue to tell her mother about Sebastian, but she decided against. The last thing she wanted was a running commentary on a situation she wasn’t sure of herself. “Yes, I suppose so,” she agreed meekly. “So, why are you coming up?”

“I’m driving through on my way to New York for a shopping excursion. I met this beautiful man online and he says we’re going to paint the town.”

“Brenda, you really should be careful. Will this be your first meeting?”

“Yes, but, we’ve talked on the phone almost every night. He sent me a present too, the most darling little necklace. It’s only 18-karat gold, but it’s a start. He’s a stockbroker, living in a big empty house on Long Island.”

Or an apartment in Bed Sty.
“How do you know this guy is legitimate, and since when have you resorted to chatting online.”

“Stop being an old fuddy-duddy. Jared bought me a computer so we could chat when he was home. We couldn’t talk on the phone because the bitch listens in on his conversations and scans the cell phone bill every month.”

“But instead of chatting with him, you used it to talk to other men?”

“He doesn’t own me. Anyway, I don’t see the harm in it.”

“Only that you could potentially be meeting an ax murderer.”

“Even if he does turn out to be an undesirable, I still have the credit card that’s exclusively in Jared’s name. I plan on using it to stay at the Waldorf Astoria. I’m meeting my hunk in the lobby, so we’ll be on neutral ground. I’m not a complete airhead.”

“Just be careful, okay? I hear so many bad things that could go wrong when you meet people online,” Chastity cautioned.

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Brenda laughed. “Don’t be jealous, dear. Maybe you should look into internet dating. Some of the guys don’t care what you look like.”

Chastity was so used to those types of comments from her mother, that it didn’t even faze her. Trying to talk sense into her mother was like trying to stop the sky from being blue. She sighed. “When exactly will you be here then?”

“This coming Friday. Well, I’d love to chat with you, but I have a date in an hour. Take care of yourself, honey.” Brenda hung up before she could respond.

When Chastity replaced the phone on the hook, she slumped against the wall, feeling tired. Talking to her mother was always draining, but right now she felt positively weak.

97

Eve Vaughn

Sebastian navigated his way through downtown Philly traffic, breathing a sigh of relief when he pulled into the parking lot outside of his firm. Court had been hell this morning, waiting for a deliberation that could have gone either way. Fortunately the jury came back with the verdict he wanted.

He originally planned to go home and unwind, but the need to see Chastity drove him back to the office. Tonight he would take her out and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Like his mother said, he’d have to force her hand and that’s exactly what he intended to do. When he walked inside the building he nodded toward the receptionist.

“How are you today, Debbie?”

“Just great. How was court?”

“Grueling, but things turned out our way.”

“Congratulations.” She smiled at him before answering a call.

Sebastian walked past Chastity’s desk on the way to his office only to find it empty. Maybe she was in the restroom. Shrugging, he went to his office to check messages. An hour later, he walked by her desk on the pretext of going to get a cup of coffee. She still wasn’t there. Where the hell was she?

Just then, the object of his query came into his line of vision—no, it was more like wobbled. Something wasn’t right. Her face, bare of make-up, had gray undertones. Dark circles rested under glazed eyes, and Chastity looked like she’d pass out at any second.

Hurrying to where she stood, he grabbed her arm. “Chastity, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

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The Reinvention of Chastity

Sebastian touched her cheek. She was hot. “You’re not fine. You’re burning up.”

“She’s been coughing and sneezing all morning, spreading her germs,” Pearl broke in, spraying a can of aerosol disinfectant around her desk. Sebastian ignored her, focusing his attention on Chastity, who obviously wasn’t well.

“I’m fine. I just need to sit down so the room can stop spinning.”

“That’s it. I’m taking you home. You’re in no condition to get behind the wheel of a car.”

“No. I’ll call a friend.”

“Kevin?”

She looked up at him with feverish eyes, but didn’t confirm or deny.

He could already guess the answer to that question and he’d be damned if he’d allow lover boy to get his hands on her. Ignoring her feeble protests, he helped Chastity collect her things. It briefly crossed his mind how things may have looked to the other workers, but he couldn’t very well allow her to go home alone as she was now.

“Have a seat and I’ll be back. I just have to let my secretary know I’m heading out again.” He sat her down and she nodded, head drooping.

After talking to his secretary, he caught Jeremy walking down the hall.

“Hey, Seb. I thought you weren’t coming back in today.”

“I, uh, had a couple things I needed to take care of first, but now I’m on my way out. Chastity is sick, so I’m taking her home.”

Jeremy frowned. “She’s sick? I’ve been holed up in my office all day.

Is it serious?”

“Apparently she’s been coughing and sneezing all day. I also think she may have a fever. It could be the spring flu.”

“Do you think it’s wise for you to take her home? This is how gossip gets started.”

“She’s sick. Any fool can see that.”

“I’m just making an observation. Coupled with her makeover and all the times you find excuses to go by her desk, people will start to put two and two together. Look, I know this is none of my business, but even if 99