Mr White Proposes (BWWM Interracial Romance) (5 page)

When Natasha’s eyelids fluttered open on Thursday morning, she sighed and rolled over to the other side of the bed.

“
Why isn’t today a holiday or a weekend?”
she wondered as she stared out her apartment window. Today would mark the sixth day, almost a week since Mitchell dropped the proposal bombshell on her, and ever since that day, avoiding him was at the top of her to-do list.

The first two days were easy since Mitchell had a closed door meeting with investors but the rest of the week had simply been brutal. When she wasn’t ducking under her desk, she was busy leaving the office early just so she would not have to face him. She hated herself for doing this. She actually didn’t remember the last time she felt so guilty. The thought of looking into Mitchell’s brown eyes, seeing the pain on his face and knowing that she was the one who had caused it was just too much for her.

Her phone suddenly buzzed loudly, the loud ringing piercing the silence that had been prominently present in her room. Without even looking at her phone, she knew it was him. She reached over to the bedside table and picked it up before taking a long deep breath.

Where you at? I miss you. Nowadays finding an honest politician is actually easier than actually getting you.

She smiled as she sat up on the bed.

I miss you too. So much…you have no idea. I just woke up. Where you at?

She hit send and threw the phone on the bed unsure of what to do next. Suddenly, her phone rang loudly.
“Isn’t he satisfied with a single text? Clingy bastard,”
she thought as she picked the phone up. She felt a pang of guilt when she saw that it was her dad on her caller ID.

“
Hey daddy,” she said leaning back.

“
She lives!” her father Eric said excitedly. Natasha felt even guiltier at this moment. Lost in her own little, stupid world trying to get away from Mitchell as much as she possibly could, she had forgotten all about the other people in her life who mattered to her. Like her dad and Nan and Rita…

“
I am sorry I’ve been so distant,”she said. “It’s just work and a whole lot of other stuff,” she added as she twirled one of her curly locks around her finger,

“
It’s the ‘stuff’ that makes me worried about you, princess,” Eric said. Natasha could almost immediately guess that he had put up finger quotes when he said stuff.

“
I am fine daddy. No biggie,” she said dismissively.

“
Really?” Eric asked. “Is this something you would want to talk to me about?” he asked. Natasha suddenly felt a panic go through her body. Did she really want to tell her dad about Mitchell or was it still too early. What if she could never actually say yes? Would her father be disappointed in her? “Are you still there?” Eric asked when Natasha got a bit too silent.

“
I think I would want to talk, daddy,” she said in a soft voice. “But just not right away. There is too much on my plate right now,” she added quickly. She heard her father sigh on the other end of the phone.

“
Okay, but you know that I am always here when you need me right?” he asked. Natasha suddenly felt another wave of guilt. She wanted to cry or for a bus t run over her or better still, for the ground to open up and swallow her.

“
I know daddy,” she said.

“
And our Sunday father daughter breakfast culture is seriously severed,” he said feigning a sob. Natasha laughed.

“
This Sunday, we have a date,” she said.

“
Written ins tone?” Eric asked hopefully.

“
Yes daddy. Even Moses couldn’t break it,” Natasha said before laughing heartily. Eric went silent for a while.

“
I don’t get it,” he said finally. Natasha sighed.

“
Come on dad,” she whined. “Moses, the ten commandments engraved on the stone tablets?” she asked waiting for a word or sound of confirmation.

“
Yeah, I know Moses and the ten commandments. What does he have to do with Sunday’s breakfast?” Eric asked.

“
Daddy! He broke the tablets at some point. Smashed them right on the ground,” she said wishing her father was right in front of her so she could punch him or something.

“
Ah,” Eric finally said. “That’s a bit far fetched, don’t you think?” he asked. Natasha almost screamed.

“
Far fetched, daddy? Really? Engraved in stone?” she asked before finally rolling her eyes. “You make it so hard for me to love you daddy,” she said. Eric laughed.

“
But you love me anyway,” he said. She could tell that he was smiling when he said that.

“
Yes I do, unfortunately,” she said. “Got to go now,” she said.

“
Okay princess, good day,” Eric said before hanging up. Natasha smiled. Somehow, talking to her father always lifted up her spirits. Maybe that’s why she would always be daddy’s girl. She smiled as she climbed off the bed and walked to the bathroom. She got the shower started and then held out her hand letting the warm water trickle down her forearm to her fingers. She then quickly took off her night shirt and stood under the shower head. She felt goose bumps forming on the surface of her skin as the water trickled down her spine to the crack of her ass. She then turned around and leaned against the wall as the water flowed down her torso, the warm water gradually hardening her nipples.

She took a deep breath as she envisioned what the day had in store for her and then closed her eyes. This would be either a very long day or just a disastrous one. When she finally got out of the bathroom, it was already eight but for some reason she didn’t really care. She had no drive to get to work early or actually get to work at all. She quickly spread her bed before walking to her closet. She pulled out a par of black pants and a green sleeveless top.

After quickly dressing up, she let her hair loose, sprayed it up before tying it back up again. She thought it looked better that way especially since it wasn’t straightened. She then took a pair of silver loop earrings and put them on as she headed towards the door. After slipping on a black pair of heels, she quickly got out and headed to the elevator. As she waited, she involuntarily played with the phone in her hands, wondering who to call or text. Her phone vibrated again just as the elevator door opened in front of her.

So lunch?

She smiled as she looked at the phone on the ride down.

Dinner. I need to check up on my Nan before I get to work. Might take a while.

When she got inside her car, she quickly dialed the office , her heart pounding.

“
Nolan Schmidt Communication Solutions. Natasha Black’s office, Stacy speaking,” she heard Stacy’s melodious voice chime. She smiled. She was had never been able to understand how she managed to say all that in under fifteen seconds or at least without biting her tongue or something.

“
Hey Stacy. It’s Natasha,” she said.

“
Oh hi boss lady. How can I be of service to you?” Stacy asked.

“
Just calling to ask you to take down all my messages. There is something I need to take care of and I don’t know how long it might take,” Natasha said.

“
Sure. So tomorrow?” Stacy asked. Natasha smiled. It had work.

“
Yes, please,” she said before hanging up. Her cell vibrated again just before she put it down. She looked at the screen and for the umpteenth time, felt her remorse taking over her body.

Diner’s perfect. Feel like some Tapas tonight though.

She sighed as she quickly typed on her screen.

Tapas it is. Kisses.

The minute she secured her seat belt, she knew she needed to talk to someone. Normally, she would talk to Rita but this time, she needed someone a little more experienced Someone who knew what the stakes in life were worth because she had lived long enough. She had already thought of going to see her Nan and maybe that wasn’t such a bad idea.

*****

Estelle felt especially proud of herself as she took her pound cake out of the oven. She always enjoyed her little culinary adventures when Eric was not in the house. He would always dip his fingers in the mix and eat the ingredients laving a frustrated Estelle to prepare a semi-sweet thing…or just something she would want to give to the dog. She carefully put the cake on the counter to cool off and then walked to the refrigerator to get herself a cool drink.

She had just poured herself a nice cold glass of orange juice when she heard the front door slam shut.

“Eric Black, you put your hands on my pound cake and so God help me I will cut them off,” Estelle said without turning around.

“
Wow, dad has never really grown up, huh?” Natasha said with a smile. Estelle turned around and a smile beamed across her wrinkled face.

“
Tasha! What are you doing here…why are you not at work?” Estelle asked as she placed the glass on the counter so she could hug her granddaughter.

“
I’m taking a personal day, Nan,” Natasha said. Estelle finally let go and held her at arms length.

“
You are not eating well, are you?” Estelle said looking at her like a child would inspect a puppy at a pet shop. Natasha cringed.

“
What?” she said. “I have….” “…that McDonald’s crap ain’t food and you know it,” Estelle said as she finally let her go. “Let me get you some proper food,” she said walking to the stove as Natasha sat down.

“
Oh my God, thank you. I’m starved,” she said reaching for Estelle’s juice. Estelle turned around and gave her one of those I-knew-it smiles. “Oh come on, Nan. It’s just because I didn’t have breakfast yet,” Natasha said in her defense.

“
A mother knows Tasha,” Estelle said as she stirred some pancake batter. “A mother always knows,” she added in a low voice.

“
Okay, Nan. You win,” Natasha said with a smile.

“
So, what brings you to this side of town on a weekday when you are supposedly taking your quote unquote personal day,” Estelle asked as she poured the batter onto a pan.

“
Nothing really,” Natasha said. “I just needed to see you. It’s been a while you know,” she added as she took another sip of the orange juice.

“
Mh hm,” Estelle said as she looked at her.

“
Really, Nan,” Natasha said trying to convince her. Estelle smiled at her before turning back to her pan.

“
If you say so,” Estelle said just as the front door slammed shut again. “Better hide that pound cake,” she said turning to the counter.

“
What on earth are you doing here on a weekday?” Natasha heard Rita’s voice coming through the kitchen.

“
Me? What are you doing here?” Natasha asked as Rita walked towards the kitchen counter.

“
Me and Estelle have a date,” Rita said. “We are going shopping for new wallpaper,” she added smiling at Estelle.

“
Hey Rita,” Estelle said smiling back at her.

“
Hey Mrs. Black,” Rita said before turning her attention back to Natasha. “So, what are you doing here? Everything okay at work?” she asked. Natasha put the glass down and looked at Rita.

“
Fine Rita. How have you been? Me, just cool. Can’t complain,” Natasha said cynically.

“
I’m sorry sweetie. I’m just confused, that’s all,” Rita said as she leaned towards Natasha for a hug.

“
Apparently, she is taking a personal day,” Estelle said in the same cynical voice Natasha had used talking to Rita. Natasha looked up at her grandmother who was now pouring more batter onto the pan.

“
A personal day?” Rita asked looking at Estelle and then back at Natasha. “What for? You and Mitchell okay?” she asked.

“
Yes, a personal day. I am entitled to one every so often,” Natasha said dismissively. Estelle and Rita briefly exchanged glances as Natasha silently took the last sip of her juice. She then stood up and walked to the pantry from where she grabbed a bag of chips.

“
Okay, she is binging. Something is definitely wrong,” Rita said as Estelle walked towards them carrying a plate of pancakes in one hand and syrup in the other.

“
Ooh, pancakes,” Natasha said as Estelle placed the plate on the counter.

“
Definitely something wrong,” Estelle said as she grabbed some plates and joined them. “so, what ‘s going on baby?” she asked as she finally sat down. The two looked on as Natasha squeezed a generous amount syrup onto her pancakes.

“
Okay, I don’t want you to overreact or anything,” she said amid mouthfuls.

“
Okay,” Estelle and Rita said in unison.

“
Last week Mitchell proposed,” Natasha said in a low voice. Her grand mother and Rita were unusually quiet. You could literally hear a pin drop.