Those Black Roses. Joyce Zeledonis
just that.
“Good. That is settled. Have a nice day, Mr. Lafayette.” Dominic walked out when the elevator door opened; the large man poised himself. He had a reputation to uphold like Simon.
Simon walked out of the elevator knowing what he had to do to win Elizabeth over—give her lots of flowers, and in all colors. He called his secretary, knowing it was Saturday. He would pay her extra for this. She answered, “Yes, Mr. Lafayette.”
“Order four dozens of roses, different colors,” Simon told her as he walked outside. “Black, red, white, yellow. Send them to Mrs. Summerton’s office on Monday with a note that I enjoyed her company, and I will call her. Write my cell phone number on the card.”
“The flower shop is going to love you.” His secretary laughed, and added seriously, “I will call after you hang up. And charge to your personal account.”
“Yes, thank you,” Simon said as he hailed a taxi. He had a car but hated driving in New York. “Have a nice weekend.”
“You do the same, sir.” She hung up.
Simon planned to see Gabriel and talk about this someone else.
*****
The phone ringing woke Nichole up, and she looked at her clock to see it was eleven. Where did the time go? She felt half-stoned when she answered the phone. She heard Gabriel’s voice, and she sat up in a hurry. Oh my god, he was calling her back?
“Hello.” She wished she could get the fog out of her brain so she could talk to him.
“I’d like to go out with you again,” he said loudly. She could hear the street traffic.
If he only knew, but she was not going to tell him what she did last night.
“Oh, yes.” Nichole smiled, making her feel better.
“Good, I will call you,” he said, laughing. “I will see you later.”
“Yes,” Nichole stated happily. Yes! She just landed herself a real man!
*****
Elizabeth was about to leave when Nikki called her.
“Yes, Nikki.” She was wondering what her half sister wanted.
“Gabriel wants to date me!” Nikki sounded happy and excited.
“That’s great news, Nikki,” Elizabeth said with relief, and she was hoping for that. If what her father told her was the truth, Nichole was going to need a strong man in her life.
“What about you?” Nichole asked, laughing, “Simon and you.”
“Oh, the kiss.” Elizabeth knew everyone saw them kissing; there were oohs and aahs from the crowd.
“Gabriel was not surprised. He knew that Simon wants you,” Nikki said boldly, and she was happy about it.
“It’s too soon for me to date or think about having sex with Simon,” Elizabeth admitted, feeling hot at the thought. Of course, people would think that, and it was going to get around. Talk was creepy, but people loved it, feasted on it because life was boring without it.
“Oh, come on, Elizabeth.” Nikki sighed loudly. “Don’t put yourself on a shelf. Richard is not the end of the world. Simon likes you, Lizzy. Go for it. You might have some fun for once!”
“Yes, Nikki.” Elizabeth rolled her eyes. That did not sound like a bad idea. Have fun! Grab life by the horns and ride it.
Then the door opened, and Elizabeth’s father walked, humming.
“Well, Dad is here. I will talk to you later,” Elizabeth said loudly. She did not want her father to hear about her so-called love life. He knew enough, and he wanted to talk to Simon.
“See you.” Nikki hung up the phone.
Her father was carrying groceries, and he was smiling. What did he do? He looked so happy. She was not going to ask, and she just shook her head.
“Nikki called me.” Elizabeth put her cell phone down and helped him.
“Yeah,” he said as he entered the kitchen, “what’s going on with her?”
“Gabriel asked her on another date,” she stated, watching him and helping him.
“I talked to Simon on the elevator.” He stopped looking at her. “I told him to buy you a ring.”
No wonder he was smiling, oh my god, she thought, rolling her eyes.
“No!” She was flabbergasted, and her mouth fell open and closed. “Oh my god, Dad! I am only divorced for six months, and so is he.” She had to say it. He couldn’t play Cupid with her and Simon! But he did!
“I know,” he said nonchalantly, and added, “You’re beautiful, Elizabeth. Don’t lock yourself away and throw the key away. Live life to the fullest. Richard is not the end of the world, and Isabell is not the end for him. Anyway, Isabell is on drugs and cheated on him. Richard is on his power trip, and he thinks he doesn’t need you to win people over. You know he used you because you are beautiful. He did not want children because they were messy.”
“I like Simon,” her father added, smiling ear to ear.
“I didn’t know Isabell used drugs.” She changed the subject. Her feelings were too raw. Her father knew a lot because of the business and social circle. She did not have time for that. The law firm took most her time and her energy.
“Yes, they say it’s cocaine and other social drugs.” He was frowning, “That’s why they were living apart for the last two years. He brought the whole ninth and eight floors in this building. She wanted him for the money.”
“Coke and other social drugs?” She was appalled at the thought. Don’t these people know what it could do to the brain or the body? And the waste of money and talent.
“They say Nichole uses.” He was dead serious. “I know you’re old enough to make your decisions, but I’d like you to stay away from her.”
She had to sit down because she suddenly felt ill and rubbed her face. Did their mother know, but Nichole would not talk about it? How serious was the drug use? Could she help Nikki, or did Nikki want help? Nikki never asked for help before. Was Elizabeth caught in her little world, not noticing what was going on? Her thoughts swirled in her head and caused a headache.
What a hot mess! And she had a strong feeling it was getting a lot hotter!
“I don’t want you to get hurt,” he said to her and hugged her tightly. “I know too much. It makes me sick. That’s why I want to retire.”
“Oh, Dad.” She felt like crying as she hugged him back tightly. “I understand.”
“I want you to live here with me.” He released her, looking at her seriously, “There is twenty-four seven security.”
“Are you serious?” She felt the tears falling from her eyes. She could not help it. Live in the same building as Simon? She ran her finger through her hair and rubbed her face again.
“I just bought the house!” She wiped her tears away when her father handed her a tissue. “I have Fur Ball.”
“I know,” he stated. “You will be safe here, and Fur Ball could come, whatever Fur Ball is, as long as it’s not huge.”
“The kitten is not huge, Dad.” She had to laugh at him, and she needed something to laugh about because there was so much to think about. Her head was spinning with thoughts.
She folded her hands and closed her eyes. Live in the city! Was she safe? Was the world that crazy and out of control?
“All right, Dad. I will come to live with you.” She let out a huge sigh. And just to think how she hated the city, but life would be easy if she lived here with her father. And he was right; he always was.