Rent Me By The Hour (24 page)

While still inside me, he focuses his eyes with mine, “Jacquelyn I have something to tell you.”

I brush my fingers across his beautiful face, “Whatever it is, I know you love me.”

He genuinely penetrates my tongue with his and this time he makes love to me. The rare but phenomenally dreamy kind of loving making. The one where you’re so caught up in the moment that tears collects in your eye socket. And if he lovingly thrust his pelvis one more time inside you, a tear rolls down your cheek. That kind of love making.

Chapter 13

The weekend was our relax day. The four of us stayed home enjoying each other’s company without getting off the couch. We stayed in our pajamas all day; we ordered pizza and rented movies on cable. Since Jeremiah had to work the next day, he went to sleep early which was great because it gave me a chance to catch up with my kids.

“Mom are we still going to visit dad on Father’s Day?” Jordan rubbed his eyes.

“Of course we will. He’s y’alls father. We will never stop visiting him.”

We talked about what’s been happening the last month. I wanted to make sure they still feel the same way about Jeremiah. If they’re not feeling his vibe, then I have to cut him off our lives.

After Jeremiah went to work, I received a phone call from Matt requesting me to come to his office. With Jeremiah being twelve years old, I left him in charge to watch over his sister while I leave for a couple of hours.

Houston traffic is still the worst during lunch time. It’s insane how many people that owns vehicles here. When I arrived in Matt’s office, he closed the door behind me and asks me to have a seat.

Worried, “What’s going Matt?”

“I’m about to tell you something. But you have to promise me you won’t say anything.”

“Say anything to who?” I’m so confused. What in the hell is going on.

“Jac, I mean it. You cannot say anything to anyone. This man is my number one client. He is a big chunk of my income. So I cannot afford to lose him as my client. Do you understand?”

I’m guessing he is talking about Jeremiah. I nod, “Yes.”

“Jac, please don’t tell him. He will let me go if I tell you.”

“I promise Matt.”

Matt is hesitant to let me know what’s going on afraid to lose his number one source of income. “You know how Jeremiah owns J&W right?”

I remain silent and nod.

“And you know how your monthly mortgage of fifty five thousand dollars a month is paid to him right?”

I narrow my eyes at him not fully understanding where this is going. But I continue to nod so he’ll finish the damn story.

“Jeremiah asked me to return all the money you’ve paid in mortgage for your office.”

“All? Return? What are you talking about?” Shaking my head in disbelief. I understand what he’s saying. But I want to make sure I’m hearing him correctly.

“Since you’ve rented with his building for five years, he wants me to return all the money you’ve paid him in rent so I had to put a little over three million dollars back into your checking account. He paid for all the taxes owed for the three million dollars so that money is yours free and clear.”
I’m bewildered, “Did he say why?”

“I didn’t ask questions. I just do what he tells me to do with his money.”

“So why are you afraid of him finding out that you told me?”

“Because he told me not to tell you.”

“Did he not know I will find out that my bank is three million dollars over the expected amount?”

“I don’t know Jac. He told me to do it, I did, and I hope you don’t tell him I told you.”

“Don’t worry Matt. I won’t tell him.”

I leave his office fuming frustrated. How dare Jeremiah. He cannot buy my love. I already am in love with him so why does he have to ruin it by thinking he has to pay me off. To buy my love. I’m not mad at Matt because I know he was just doing his job. Shit I know Jeremiah has to be paying him lots of money for Matt to be worried like he was. So now I do I let Jeremiah know that I know without letting him know Matt told me? I think I just might have an idea.

Since I was already in Houston, I decide to stop by the office. I switch cars and head to the J&W building. Who would have thought my boyfriend owns the most expensive building in Houston. When I get to the office, Carmen questions me about our trip.

“Did you guys have fun?”

“Oh yes. My kids had a blast. We did everything so I’m amazed they still have energy to move around.”

Carmen pursed her lips, “Well we’ve been receiving tons of prank calls while you were away. They even threatened to call the cops on us. With that being said, some of the women decided to lay low for a while till things cool off with Paula.”

“Has she called today?”

“No. Which is kind of funny because she was blowing up our phones where it was impossible to book appointments because she kept our phone line busy.”

“Can you get her address for me?”

“Of course. What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to have a little talk with her.”

Carmen knows I’m up to no good, but she doesn’t care. She hates Paula for all the bullshit she’s pulled lately. And so am I. I make arrangements for Cynthia and Victoria to watch Jordan and Jocelyn for me. I have some things I have to deal with before I can go home.

I call Jeremiah cellphone but it’s forwarded to his office.

His secretary answers, “J&W Industries. This is Angela speaking. How can I help you?”

I quickly hang up. I don’t want to speak to his secretary. I need to know if he’s in his office.

I park my car in the front of Paula’s condominium. The concierge behind the desk smiles and kindly asks who I am visiting. I can’t do this. We need to discuss this in public because if it’s just me and her, I know I will do something to her that I will regret forever. My kids need me around. I ask the older man if he has a notepad and pen I can borrow. I’ll just leave her a message to meet me in public. Yes that’s a better idea. I have to be the bigger person in this situation. I place the note in an envelope and seal it. I do not want anyone else seeing the note. It’s for Paula’s eyes only. When I leave her place, I call Jeremiah again, and sure enough, his secretary answers. This time I leave a message for him to call me as soon as possible.

The secretary asks, “May I ask who this is?”

“
I’m his girlfriend.” I snap

“
Girlfriend?” She acted as if this is news to her. “May I have your name?”

How many girlfriends does he have? “Just tell him his girlfriend called. He should know which one.” Rolling my eyes like she can see me.

Within seconds, Jeremiah calls me back, “Hello sweetheart. You called? What’s going on?”

“I was wondering if you could meet me for lunch later? Say in an hour?”

“Sweetheart, I can’t. I’m fixing to have a meeting in a little while.”

“Oh ok. Will I see you later?”

“Of course. Well I have to go. I’ll see you later. I love you.”

“Love you too.”

I order a glass of sweet tea, while I wait, and wait. I’m not leaving this restaurant till I talk to this bitch. After two hours of waiting, this bitch finally shows up.

“I guess you don’t know what an hour means.”

“I had important things to do. Plus I do not work for you any longer, so I am not going by your time.” She sits across from me with her nose stuck in the air.

I bite onto my bottom lip restraining myself, “I want to start off by saying you have some balls.”

She cuts me off and leans closer to me and the table is the only thing that separates us, “Yes I do. Especially when a conniving bitch steals my man.”

“Your man. As I do recall he was just your trick. You got paid to fuck him and that’s it.”

She laughs. “So that’s what he told you. You’re so stupid for believing him. It was more than fucking and him paying me.”

“Oh really? So please explain to me why he only saw you on Thursdays at his hotel? Why didn’t he take you out in public?”

She remains quiet. Exactly. That’s what I thought. This bitch is trying to convince me that she and Jeremiah had a thing. Which I doubt very much. “Let me tell you one thing. Whatever Jeremiah and I did to you, that’s between Jeremiah, you, and me. But when you fucking threaten to hurt my kids, then that’s between you and me. I hear Jeremiah paid your sorry ass off to leave me and my kids alone.”

She bops her head back and forth, “And?”

“I know he only paid you one million dollars. And for you, that probably won’t last long. So I’m going to do an ever bigger offer.” I slide a piece of paper across the table.

She glances at the check, “What the hell. You’re paying me this much?”

“Three point four million dollars. If you spend it wisely, it should last you a life time.”

Paula grabs the check and hides it in her purse, “What’s the catch?”

“Listen and listen well. When you cash that check, you agreed to leave me and my kids lone. I better not hear from you or about you again. If I do, I promise you I will fucking kill you. That isn’t a threat. I’m not like you. I keep my word. So cashing that check is a contract. You can say it’s a life for a life. You break that contract, and I promise to break you neck. Understood?”

She swallows the lump in her throat, “He knows more about you then you think. He’s a very powerful man around here. We talk about you all the time. Has he told you his secret? It’s about you.” She laughs, “History’s going to repeat itself.” And then she leaves.

I’m in shock. What does she mean he knows more about me? Secret? What secret? And why does Paula know? Why do you two talk about me during your time together? I want answers. As I’m leaving the restaurant, I dig in my purse and call his office, but the secretary doesn’t want to put him on the phone.

Frustration is getting the best of me, “Put that fucker on the phone now.”

She puts me on hole, and then Jeremiah gets on the phone, “Sweetheart what’s wrong?”

“What secret Jeremiah? What secret are you keeping from me?” Tears gush down my cheeks. “What was Paula talking about?”

“Paula? When did you talk to her?”

“Don’t fucking change the subject Jeremiah. Tell me the damn secret.”

“Where are you? I’m on my way.”

“Fuck you. Tell me the secret.” I’m sitting in my car crying. Mad that I put myself in this situation.

“Sweetheart, please tell me where you’re at? I’ll come get you. Don’t drive like this. Please.”

“Why would you talk to Paula about me?”

“Please tell you where you’re at so I can explain.”

“I don’t ever want to see you again. Leave me and my kids alone.” I’m sobbing so hard, I’m stuttering, “I thought I loved you, but I don’t. I fucking hate you.” Click. I ended the call because I know I’ll say more things that I will regret. What secret is he keeping from me? My eyes are cloudy from crying and blood rushing to my head. I can’t think straight. Instead of switching cars, I hurry and get home. I’m so mad at myself. I allowed this to happen. This is my entire fault. I was so need for someone to love me, that I let my guard down to the first sexy man that showed me attention. I let him into my life. Into my kids’ lives. My kids got attached to him, and now I’m going to break my kids’ heart for dumping him. I need to hurry and get home before Jeremiah gets there. He has a key, and I’ll be damn if he comes to my house unwelcomed. I shouldn’t have been driving. I should think this through and calm down before I get behind the wheel. I should wait till my eyes are dry so I can see well. And my irrationally thinking got the best of me. How was I supposed to know I was speeding and that the eighteen wheeler next to me was drunk?