Tainted Love

The Beginning VIII

The Beginning Part VIII

Allen was sitting in his lavish corner office on the twenty-third floor of Yoba & Yoba, when Michael walked in. He had a seat in one of the two brown leather chairs in front of Allen's desk. Allen's eyes followed him from the door. Michael made himself comfortable, while he waited for him to finish his call.

"There can be no mistakes. I'll call you back to make sure everything is in order for my date with Niyah tonight."

He looked Michael in the eye to see his reaction, and smiled. Provoking him was one of Allen's favorite pastimes. He hung up the phone and sat back in his black Italian leather chair. Allen thought Michael was predictable. People set their clocks by him.

"Let me guess why you're here." The look on his face was smug. "Could this visit be about me seeing your sister? Who would think that she would be related to you."

"It surely isn't for your sparkling conversation."

"I wondered when you were going to get around to seeing me. So what does big brother have to say?"

"I don't want you within fifty feet of Rabbit. For the life of me, I don't understand why Emonie hooked her up with an asshole like you. I think you're doing this to get up under my skin."

"Any other time, it would give me great satisfaction to piss you off! Nevertheless, this isn't the case." He laughed. "This has absolutely nothing to do with you."

"I don't want you seeing her. You're bad news. I've seen what you've done to some of the women around here. You wine and dine them, until you get what you want. After that, they never hear from you again. I won't let you do that to Niyah. She has had enough of assholes like you fucking her over."

"I think the words you chose to use were interesting. 'Fucking Niyah over.'"

Standing to his feet, Michael leaned over Allen's desk, looked him right in the eye, and spoke slowly.

"You're walking on dangerous ground." He wanted Allen to understand him. "You should be careful."

Allen clapped.

"That was brilliant. I almost believed you. You sound convincing, coming in here, and playing the big brother looking out for his little sister."

He was pushing all the right buttons. Sometimes, he could read Michael like a book. It wasn't hard to tell Michael was furious. Allen knew he had him right where he wanted him.

"Let me ask you a question. Where were you when that guy Chris was fucking Niyah over? What were you doing then? Oh wait, I remember. You were chasing after my leftovers." He sat up in his seat. "Who I see is none of your fucking business, even if it is your sister! Now get the fuck out of my office!" Allen waved his hand in the air, as if he was dismissing him.

Standing up straight, Michael told him, "This isn't over."

Allen watched as he left. He sat back in his chair. As Michael walked out, an older Caucasian man entered. The man had a strong face and a dimple in his chin. His hair was short, straight, and black with a few strands of gray. The black Armani suit fitted him to a T.

Allen walked over to the bar on the other side of his enormous office and fixed himself a double shot of Hennessy. He drank it straight and fixed another. The man had a seat in his chair. Silence filled the air. When Allen returned to his desk, he sat on the other side, where his clients sit.

"I understand you have a date tonight. Do I know who she is?"

"No." Allen took a sip of his drink.