Her Man: An Interracial Romance (The Bentini Brothers Book 2) (12 page)

     “Okay, okay…I know when to give in
graciously.  I’ll drive you back to your apartment for your car.  But no matter
what, you’ll park your car at the office and we’ll drive home from there.”

     “Thanks for being reasonable, I know how much
it hurts.”

     “Look who has jokes.”

     “I just have one more favor to ask, Tony.” 
Glancing quickly over at his profile, I’m relieved we’re having this
conversation in the car and he has to keep his attention on the road.  “No PDFs
at work or at the mansion.  I want discretion.  No more office visits during
the middle of the day, no more presents.  I want to be treated like a regular
employee when I’m on the clock.”

     “Just so you know, you were never a regular
employee, Ti.  Look, I know you’re worried that people will treat you
differently once they find out that we’re dating—”

     “It’s more than that Antonio.  I’m worried
that your mother will hate me and fire me once she finds out…as she has every
right to do.  She made herself perfectly clear, and I broke the rules anyway. 
Being fired is bad enough, but having your mother and your family despise me… 
I like your family Antonio and that’s something I never want to happen.”

     “Tiressa, that’s not going to happen—”

     “You don’t know that Tony!”  I damn near shout
in frustration, and then try to continue in a much calmer voice.  “I don’t want
to be
that
person who causes a rift in a loving, close-nit family.  I
would loathe myself if that happened…and eventually so would you.”

     “You’re wrong Ti—”

     “No, Tony.  You’re wrong…and I refuse to be the
dreaded girlfriend that everyone barely tolerates.”

     “It’s not going to come to that Tiressa.  My
family likes you.  The kids are crazy about you, my parents like you, my
sisters and sisters-in-law like you—”

     “Yes, they do like me well enough…as an
employee.  Someone who’s in their lives because she’s paid to be there.”

     “Did I mention that my brothers also like
you?  A couple of them say they like your chocolate sexiness and would sex you
up in a New York minute.”  Antonio claims, throwing me a smile and a wink.

     “I’m not sure if I should be insulted by that
or not.  What are you doing discussing me with your brothers?”

     “You’re my lady and that’s what brothers
sometimes do.  We talk about what’s going on in our personal lives.  But don’t
worry, I don’t discuss our relationship in detail—other than to talk about how
much I care for you.  And you shouldn’t be insulted.  Don’t you know that
Italian men love black women?”  He claims sending me a sexy smile.

     We pull into my apartment’s tiny parking lot
and I get ready    to get out of the SUV.  “I don’t know how true that is, and
I don’t particularly care about Italian guys wanting to bang me …except my
Italian guy of course.”  He likes hearing that and rewards me with a steamy
kiss. My man loves to liplock, and I love the way he puts those skillful
delicious lips to use.  As I turn to close the car door, Antonio concedes.  “No
public displays of affection –while at the office or mansion.  And as far as
Mom goes, we’ll deal with her together.”  Walking around to the driver side of the
SUV, I lean in and give him a quick kiss on the side of his neck.  My guy also
has a thing for necking.

~~~~

     The next couple of weeks are sketchy for me
because I can see that people know about me and Antonio—at least at the office. 
Some of the looks are speculative, some are disbelieving, some are neutral and
some are just plain ole’ mean and nasty.  I do my best not to be seen alone, in
any part of the building, with Antonio.  But even when there are several people
around, I feel uneasy and uncomfortable; because I can imagine what some of
them are thinking.  So, I stay holed up in my office as much as possible.  As
much as I’m disconcerted about the situation, Antonio doesn’t appear to be
having the same difficulties.  No one is giving him looks or sly smiles.  He’s
an authoritative executive; everyone has their face fixed in his presence, and
no matter what they may be thinking, they wouldn’t dare let it show…especially
if those thoughts were mean or nasty.  Unfortunately, I don’t have that kind of
insular protection…and I’m just going to have to deal with it.  I guess I
should be thankful that no one has come right out and said anything derogatory
to me…yet.  And Antonio is quickly losing patience with not being able to
express his feeling for me openly.  But each time he suggest we speak with his
mother, I chicken out and make up some lame excuse, putting it off just a
little bit longer.  I’m on borrowed time and I know it.

***

     “Hello Ms. Hawkins, how are you?”  Smiling in
greeting, I reply as I walk closer.  “Hi there, fine thanks.  And how are you
today, Mr. Honeycutt.”

     “Oh, I have no complaints.  If you’re here for
Ms. Bentini, she’s out in the garden.  I believe she’s expecting you.”  It’s
not what he says, it’s how he says it –all cryptic; like he knows something
that I do not.  “Thanks Mr. Honeycutt, I’ll just go right on out there then.”  I
reply with slight hesitation.  Leaving the large patio area, I follow the brick
path to Mrs. Bentini’s personal haven –her beautiful flower garden with the
water fountain, filled with all types of unique fish.

     Mrs. Bentini doesn’t smile a greeting as I
approach the gazebo. That in and of itself is very telling…something is wrong. 
“Have a seat Tiressa.”  I immediately comply, sitting down on the chair across
from her.  Looking at Mrs. Bentini’s face, my heart thumps at her set
expression.  Capturing my gaze, she comes straight to the point.  “Do you have
something that you need to tell me?”  This is the Mrs. Bentini that I first interviewed
with…cold and unapproachable. 

     “Regarding you and my son, Antonio.”

     Oh Gawd.  I don’t think my heart can thump any
harder.  I try to find the words to explain myself, but only come up with,
“I’m… I’m sorry Mrs. Bentini.”  I apologize in a quiet shaky voice, dropping my
gaze to the table between us. 

     “How long Tiressa?” 

     I’m not sure how to respond.  “How long?”  I
repeat stupidly.

     “How long has it been going on?  How long did
you think you could keep it from me?”  She snaps at me.  Oh how I wish I had
the courage to come here with Antonio and talk to his parents when he kept
repeatedly insisting these past couple of weeks.  Now I’m sitting here by
myself with an irate Mrs. Bentini.   “We were going to tell you…  But I was
afraid that you would be angry with me and—”

     “You should have been afraid, because that’s
exactly what I am! You betrayed me Tiressa!”  She yells at me.

     “I did and I’m sorry…truly I am.  I never
meant for it to happen—” I cry, barely recognizing the furious woman screaming
in my face.

     “Like hell you didn’t!  You saw that my son
was attracted to you and you couldn’t wait to get your hooks into him.”

     “That’s not true, Mrs. Bentini, I fought my
attraction to Antonio…really I did.  We avoided being alone wi—”

     “Apparently you didn’t try hard enough—”

     “Mrs. Bentini, you’re not being fair.  I’m not
in this by myself.  Antonio wants this relationship just as much as I do.”

     “Oh I’m sure
you
do…you would just love
that –a relationship with my son.”  She sneers.

     “He says with that he wants me, that he wants
to be with me.  He wants us to have a future together.”

     “Tiressa, has your mother failed to teach you
that a man will say anything to get what he wants from a woman.”

     “That’s not how it is, Mrs. Bentini, Antonio
cares for me.”

     “You stupid girl!  You are so naïve.  Do you
really think you are the only woman that Antonio has chased after, caught, and
then paid off once he was finished with her?!”  I stare at her in shock. She
knows about the money!  “How much did he pay you?  I’ll double whatever the
amount is.”  I’m so humiliated.  “I don’t want your money, Mrs. Bentini, and
I’m sorry that you think so little of me.”  I stand up and start walking away. 
“Wait.  You have willfully violated the ethics clause that you agreed to when
you signed your contract with me.  Therefore, effective immediately, you are no
longer employed or associated with myself or Bentini and Sons.  Turn in all
keys and access cards to Katherine -immediately.”  She is relentless in her
vengeance.  “Just know that Antonio will get tired of you at some point, as he
always does with his women, until that time, someone of your low moral
character is not welcomed onto this property.”

     I can barely see as I slowly make my way to
the patio area and around to the side of the mansion to my car.

     “Ti, Ti, wait up.” 
Shit!
  Robert Bentini’s
son, Dominic is sprinting towards me. 

     “Hey Ti, I wanted to show you my report card;
I got a B in math.”  He calls out as he approaches.  I hurry to clean my face
up but I can’t disguise my puffy eyes and he knows I’ve been crying the moment
he sees me.  “Ti what’s the matter?  Why are you crying?”  He exclaims with the
sweet concern of a nine year old.

     “I’m not crying exactly.  I fell and hurt
myself.  I’m sorry Dom, I think it’s absolutely wonderful that you are doing
well in your math class and I would love to see your report card, but I have a
very important errand to run for your grandmother and she will have my hide if
I delay.”  I unlock my car door and move to the inside.  “So give me a hug and
I’ll see your report card as soon as I come back.  Is that okay with you?” 
Thank goodness for well-mannered kids.  He gives me a quick hug and then steps
back and waves me off as I drive away.

     My worst fears have come true…Mrs. Bentini hates
me and I’ve just lost my job.  I drive around aimlessly for several minutes
before I pull into a mini shopping plaza and call my sister Mya.  My hands are
shaking so badly that it takes three attempts before I’m finally able to dial
the number correctly.  “Mya, can I come stay with you for a couple of days?” 

     “You sound awful Ti.  Have you been crying? 
Are you okay?” 

     “There’s a situation that’s come up…and I just
need a little time to get my thoughts together.  Can I
please
come stay
with you and James for a few days?”

     “Yes, of course, you know you can.  Where are
you?  Do you need me to come pick you up?”

     “Thanks, Mya, but that’s really not necessary.” 
Once I get to my apartment, I call Kathy.  “Kathy—”

     “Tiressa, what’s the matter, you sound
strange.”

     “Kathy, Mrs. Bentini knows about me and
Antonio.”

     “Oh no…”

     “Yeah, and she isn’t taking it well at all. 
She fired me.”

     “Oh my gawd, she didn’t!  She actually fired
you?!”

     “Yeah, she actually did, and she wasn’t kind
about it either.  Look Kathy, I have to turn in my keys and security cards to
you.  I’ll leave them here in my apartment, Antonio can pick them up.

     “What can I do Tiressa?  Maybe I can talk to
her for you.”

     “No, Kathy stay out of it.  She’s so angry she
may fire you too.”

     “What about Antonio?  What does he have to say?”

     “I haven’t talked to him.  I can’t talk to him
right now.  I’m going away for a few days.”

     “Going where!  No, don’t do that!  I’m sure
Antonio can fix it!  Tiressa—”

     “Kathy listen, please!  Will you clean out my
office for me?  I’ll get my stuff from you when I come back.”

     “I think you should wait until you’ve talked
to Antonio.”

     “No.  After the things she said to me, there’s
no way I’ll ever be able to work for her again.  She banned me from B&S and
the mansion.  She basically said that I’m never to step foot on any Bentini
property.”

     “That’s awful.  I’m sorry she was such a bitch
to you.” 

     “Kathy?”

     “Yes, Tiressa.”

     “Will you give Antonio a message for me?”

     “Tiressa, you should wait until—”

     “Kathy please!  Will you?”

     “Okay, what’s the message?”

     “Please tell him that I just need a few days
to myself…that I need a time to think.  Will you tell him that for me?”

     “Yes, Tiressa…I’ll tell him.”  Kathy stops me
just before I get off the call.  “Hey, Tiressa…I’m here for you anytime you
need me.”

     “Thanks Kathy, I appreciate that.”

***

     “Antonio you seem preoccupied.”  Antonio
raises his eyes at the sound of his father’s concerned voice.

     “Sorry Pop, I guess I am a little
preoccupied.”  Antonio admits, getting out of his chair to pace across the
carpet in his father’s office.

     “You know that I don’t make a habit of
interfering.  But it’s apparent that something heavy is on your mind.”  When
Antonio only pause in his pacing, his father continues.  “If you need to talk,
I’m here.”

     “Thanks, but that’s not necessary.”  Antonio
rejects his father’s offer, but then suddenly changes his mind.  “Well, Pop
it’s like this…” He leans against the conference table in his father’s rather
large impressive corner office.  “You remember what happened with the young lady
years ago; back when I was in college?” 

     Mr. Bentini slowly nods his head.  “Yes
Antonio, I have always regretted my part in that entire debacle…and wish that I
had done more.”  

     Antonio continues.  “Well, this situation is
kind of similar…”

     “How so, Antonio?”

     “You’re already aware that Tiressa and I are
dating.”

     Smiling, Mr. Bentini nods his head.  “Yes.”

     “Actually, we’re more than dating; I’m in love
with her.  I want to marry her.”   

     “And how does Tiressa feel?”

     “The same…she loves me.  But Mom will most
likely not approve.  Tiressa insists that she will not be the cause of a family
rift.  She respects Mom and she respects family.  She won’t commit to me
because she doesn’t want to risk losing mother’s respect.” 

     “Yes, I suppose Tiressa wouldn’t want that to
happen.  She’s a good girl, indeed an admirable young woman.” 

     “Yes, Pop, I think so too.”  Antonio smiles at
his father before becoming stoic once again.  “That’s why I won’t allow Mom’s
intolerant views to stand in the way of our relationship.  I plan for us to
talk to Mom together before she finds out from someone else.”

     “That’s a good idea. I’d advise you to hurry
that along; even I have heard some whispering about you and Tiressa.”  Mr. Bentini
says looking steadily at his son. 

     “Yeah, that’s exactly what I plan to do soon,
with or without Tiressa.”

     “Why do you say with or without?  What’s going
on?”

     “Needless-to-say, Tiressa is anxious about
speaking to Mom.  She’s been putting it off, but I finally got her to promise
to go through with it.  We’re planning to speak with Mom this weekend.”

     “Good, very good indeed.  So, what the problem
Antonio?”

     “I don’t know…I have the feeling that
something is wrong.”

     “Why…wrong how?”

     “Tiressa hasn’t come into the office today and
I’ve been calling her cell.  She’s not answering…and that’s just not like
her.”  Antonio says allowing his worry to show for the first time.

     “Have you checked with Katherine or your
mother or maybe even Mrs. Honeycutt…sometimes Tiressa tutors the boys or plays
with Gigi?”  Mr. Bentini suggests.

     “Thanks Pop, I hadn’t thought of that.  You
know…I told Tiressa that the family likes her…would support our relationship.” 
When Mr. Bentini raised his eyebrows, Antonio continued.  “What do you think? 
Do you think that the family likes her…not as an employee, but like her for
herself?  Can they look beyond skin color and accept Ti for who she is as a
person?”

     “I can’t speak for the entire family,
Antonio.  But as I said earlier…Tiressa is a good girl.  The family surely
recognizes that.  And if they don’t, then I’ll be right by your side as we help
them see what we see in her.”

     “Pop.  I have to know.  I need you to be
completely honest with me.”

     “About what Antonio?”

     “Would you be ashamed or embarrassed to have a
black woman as a daughter of the family…as the mother of your grandchildren?”

     “Antonio, we Bentini’s are people of the earth;
simple people at heart.  We have all that we have because we do not bow to the
dictates and whims of others…and that includes so-called, polite society –much
to the constant chagrin of your mother.  We will continue to live life as
we
see fit.  You are of my blood…my beloved son.  You have done nothing that has
ever caused me to feel ashamed or embarrassed.  I love you, Antonio, and if you
want this girl…then I want her for you.  I will do everything in my power to
see you happy.  I will not make the same mistake twice.”

     Father and son embrace each other as they try
to maintain the veneer of macho men while knowing that their shining eyes are betraying
them.  “I love you too, Papi.”  Antonio says, using the name they called him as
children.  They give each other hearty pats on the back -in that manly fashion-
before Antonio walks towards the door.

     “Antonio?”  He quickly turns back to his
father.  “Yes, Pop?”

     Smiling a roguish smile, Mr. Bentini asks,
“Did you not know that Italian men love black women?”  He says with a wink and a
booming laugh.

Chapter 22

     “Thanks for taking me in, Mya—”  I enter my
sister’s house and immediately she embraces me in her comforting arms. “Cutting
me off impatiently, Mya says, “Forget the thank yous; you’re my baby sister,
you know that James and I are here for you always.  Now tell me what’s going
on.”  She doesn’t waste any time getting to the point as she leads me over to
the sofa in her spacious well-appointed living room.

     “Okay, but first I need you to promise that
this stays between us.  Please don’t tell anyone…not anyone, Mya!  Especially
Mom and Dad!”  I put out the stipulation.  Our mother is the last person we share
our personal problems with –she can’t hold a secret in a cement bucket.

     “Okay, okay, okay, I promise…I’ll put it in
the vault…my lips are sealed.”  That’s as good as gold, so I start spilling my
guts.  “As you know, I haven’t been hanging out with you guys much during these
past couple of months because I’ve been seeing my boss’s son, Antonio.”

     “Yeah.  So, he isn’t just some man you’re
having a fling with?”

     “Mya!  When have you ever known me to have a fling?!”

     “Well…Ti, to be perfectly honest, from the
moment you introduced him and I heard his last name, I kinda figured that
you’re having a little affair.”

     “Mya, I’m
not
having an affair…we are
in a seri—”

     “Gawd, Ti, don’t say that you and that man are
having a serious relationship!  That guy looks hard and dangerous…I don’t think
he’s someone you should be involved with.”

     “Mya, why are you saying that.  You met
Antonio. He’s a good guy.”

     “Are you forgetting that I saw him threaten to
put his fist through another man’s face?  And he would have done it too, if
that other guy hadn’t been there to stop him.”

     “What are you thinking to get yourself mixed
up with a man like that?”    

     “You’re not being fair.  You don’t know what
preceded that incident.  Look, yes, Antonio can be intimidating, but he’s also
a kind, caring, compassionate man.”   I scowl at the skeptical expression on
Mya’s face. “What?  Don’t look at me like that.  He’s my man and I’m crazy
about him.”  For some reason, I can’t bring myself to tell my sister that I
love Antonio.  Maybe because the reality of it is so new and I’m not prepared
to share them with anyone just yet.  Or maybe because I have doubts about us
after what Mrs. Bentini said.

     “So you’re crazy about him.  Is he crazy about
you?”

     “Yeah, he says he loves me.”  When Mya rolls
her eyes at me, I instantly become defensive again.  “Stop giving me that
look!  Antonio says he loves me and damnit I believe him!”

     “Okay, okay…you love him and he loves you…so, what
happened?”

     Exhaling a deep breath, I explain.  “His mother
found out about us…and she fired me today.”

     “Damn little sis…when you step in it, you sure
as hell step all the way in.”

     “Thanks for the useless idiom sis.  I know
I’ve messed up.  And I don’t think I can make it right.  His mom hates me
now.”     I can’t prevent tears at the memory of how angry Mrs. Bentini was,
and the awful hurtful words she threw at me.  “She said I wasn’t welcomed on
any of her properties any more.  She basically accused me of being a gold
digger and…”  More tears fall.  “She tried to buy me off.  She offered me money
to leave Antonio alone.  It’s obvious that she doesn’t think I’m good enough to
be in her family.” 

     Mya immediately comes to my defense.  “She
doesn’t know what the hell she’s talking about!  You, a gold digger?!  What
nerve!  She’s probably scandalized that one of her precious children wants to
date someone black.  What did she say to her son?”

     “I don’t know.  He wasn’t there.”

     “Have you talked to him?  Have you told him
what his mother said to you?!”

     “No.  I don’t want to talk to him.  I don’t
want to talk to anyone …at least not for a couple of days.  I just need a quiet
place to stay so I can think this out.”  I say wiping another run of tears off
my cheek.  “Oh Gawd Mya…It was so humiliating!  She looked at me as if I were a
piece of trash.”  My sister comforts me until my tears finally dry up.

***

     “Katherine, I didn’t know you were in the
building today.  Is Tiressa here as well?”

     “No.  Antonio, she’s not here…”

     “Is she running errands or at the mansion
then?”

     “No, she isn’t running errands.  But she was
at the mansion earlier.”  Kathy says, obviously uneasy.

     “What aren’t you saying Kathy?”  Antonio asks,
staring hard at Kathy.

     “Antonio…your mother confronted Tiressa about
your relationship.”

     “Damn!”  He exclaims under his breath. 
“Where’s Tiressa?”

     “She’s really upset, Antonio…”

     “Katherine, where is she?  I’ve been calling
and she’s not picking up.”

     “She said Mrs. Bentini fired her and she wants
me to clean out her office for her.  She said she would leave her keys and
access cards in her apartment and that you could pick them up.”

     “Damn.  I’ll talk to Mom right after I talk to
Tiressa.  Don’t do anything yet, Kathy.  I’m going to head over to Tiressa’s
apartment; she’s probably in there with the cell turned off.”

     “She’s not there Antonio.”

     “What do you mean she’s not there?  Damnit
Katherine, if you know where she is, just tell me!”

     “I don’t know where she is.  She called me and
told me what happened, and then asked me to give you a message.”

     “What message?”

     “She said that she needed some time to think. 
She said she was going away for a few days.”

     “Where is she Kathy?  Where did she go?”

     “I swear Antonio, I have no idea where she
went.  She said she needs a couple of days.  I’m sorry Antonio.”

     “I’m the one who’s sorry.  I should have
talked to Mom well before now.  Maybe I could have prevented it from
happening.”  He walks out of the office.

***

     “What did you do Mother?” 

     “Do not use that tone of voice with me
Antonio.  I am your mother, not one of your employees.”

     “It is precisely because you are my mother
that we are having such a civilized conversation,
Mother
.” 

     “You know I hate when you call me
Mother
,
because we both know that you only use it when you’re angry with me.”

     “That is exactly what I am Mother; I’m furious
with you.  Now, I’ll ask you again… What did you do to Tiressa?”

     “Antonio, you act as if I’ve murdered her and
dumped her body in the ocean.  I haven’t done anything to her.  I let her know
that she has gravely disappointed me.”  Shooting her son a look.  “And because
of her actions, she is no longer a trusted employee… and no longer welcomed at Bentini
Mansion.”

     “Is that so?”

     “Yes, Antonio it is.  Tiressa knew what the
consequences would be if she crossed the line with my family.  And that is
exactly what she has done when she allowed herself to become involved with
you.”

     “And what role do I play in all this, Mother? 
What will be my punishment…what consequences do I receive for my actions? 
Because apparently you still think that you can meddle in my personal life.  And
that I will allow it.”

     “Antonio.  I’m not saying that Tiressa is a
bad person, but I am saying that she is not an appropriate fit for our family. 
If I had an inkling that you were going to be attracted to her, I would have
never hired her in the first place.”