An Unexpected Gift

Chapter 1- 'Just the Way I like it'

I sprang up startled by the alarm I had set earlier on my phone; the room was humid and hot. I felt sweat beading on my chest & forehead while the chilling air that occasionally blew through my thin curtains seized. I looked around remembering I was alone. I sunk back in the comfy billows of my white cotton sheets contemplating the fact that sleep had now evaded my space and I was left to my own devices.

I stumbled into my office, tardy as usual clumsily tripping over my brand new pair of Bertinnis that I prayed a month to get and falling knees first on the floor, scattering my books, phone, and laptop. Luckily the floor was fully carpeted with a plush white material I just adored every day because being as clumsy as me, you pray something is always there to break your fall. I got up irritated and stumbled to my desk as I picked up my stuff, that's when I heard a knock on my door, and in came my secretary, "Ms. Foster Good morning, may I remind you about your nine o clock from twenty minutes ago?" I looked up through my now messy hair" Thank you, Dom" Then bending to pick up my laptop he added, "Oh! And your mom called!" Instantly my eyes shot to his and now having every inch of my attention he continued "She pleasantly asked me to remind you of your sister's wedding dress shopping the day after tomorrow and if you don't make it she'll and I quote Mince you up and sell you to the highest bidder, end quote" He finished with a confused look on his face. I left no room for contemplation; I quickly grabbed my presentation folders and hurrying toward him looking into his gray full eyes said: "Let's go!"

It was now 11:40 am and the meeting had ended, it was long but in no way bland and my morning meal had now vaporized from my stomach signaling the ever-glorious ding for lunch. I sat at my desk contemplating what my meal was going to be when a shrill interrupted my thought process, still distracted I answered the phone "Hello! Ms. Fosters of......" I was cut off by the attack of my mother, "Nastacijah Nioma Kadine Foster! Why is it so hard to get to you? Do you know how long I have been calling your cell phone?" she now had my full attention; humbled "I am sorry Mother, I have been in meetings all day and I am about to go have lunch!", "Good! I was thinking of joining you anyway". Reluctantly I answered "Sure Mother why not", "Don't you dear use that tone with me young lady! No wonder why you're single, cooped up in your plush office every day, you need a life! I'll meet you at the Hilton Hotel", "Yes, Mother!" I answered

I sat waiting, fiddling with my phone when I was startled by a waiter. "Welcome to the Winsley Ma'am can I take your order?" I stared up into his caramel eyes as I inspected him from head to toe; he looked new, neat, work ready clad in his uniform, standing upright with an amazingly chiseled physique. He looked of mixed Australian descent with an amazingly thick accent but before I could answer, I was interrupted by my mother "I'll have a steak, well done with that special red wine sauce more of the wine please, eight sticks of garlic bread, buttered and sprinkled I'll also have a bottle of the finest white wine you have along with you on a platter in a speedo!"

Surprised our heads snapped to her at the same time, then she finished "What am I the only one looking at him as a super fine specimen!?" Shaking my head I gave my usual order then smiling he slowly walked away. Then she began

"Kadi have you found a date for the wedding yet, you know it's only two weeks away right? What happened to that young man I saw in your ear at the office or that guy I saw who lifted you in his arms when you broke your heel and almost your ankle off that morning in the middle of the road?", "My secretary's mom?", "Yes! Why not? He's a handsome piece of meat I could just lic...." I stopped her mid-sentence before she could ruin my appetite. "Mother he's gay!" rolling my eyes "Besides the valet wasn't too happy about sweeping me up either!" she snickered

"Your sister's dress fitting will be 10:00 am on Thursday, don't be late ....." She spoke as she googly-eyed our waiter as he worked his way around our table "And the rehearsal dinner will be here in the royal suite, I'm still disappointed that you hardly ever stop working to have an input in any of the preparations, it's appalling actually! None the less it's your sister's day, which should have been yours if you'd actually date a guy, get some balls in your spaghetti if you know what I mean!", "Mother!" Shaking my head "Did it ever occur to you that maybe, just maybe I like being single? It's a bit liberating!", "Liberating to who K? God bless my evil soul the day I met your father and to this day rest his angelic blessed soul he's been the apple of my eye, faithful and loyal in every way, and even though I'm speculating that you're a jacket that not even I'm sure how I got you anymore I adore you and Lacy and I will until the day I die! Nobody likes to be lonely yet to live alone and your younger sister can attest to that because she beat you to the punch in finding someone to appreciate her nerdy ass! And upon my lavender-colored tombstone, I hope you do the same before my front hairs start to gray!" She finished sarcastically and then dug into her steak while I held my glass for the poured wine.

My mother was a lot of things but I couldn't help but love her for the fact that she told it as it was. Truth be told I was lonely, I wanted company and never minded it but was so buried in the work that I forgot about it most times. I forgot the touch and feel of a warm muscled filled body pressed against mine, the tingle on my skin when his warm breath passed over it caressing me with his words while his fingers did the talking. You see my mom has been flying solo ever since my dad died; they were the symbol of hardship, compassion, and loyalty. My dad was Jamaican while my mother is of Spanish descent and even at forty-five she still looked beautiful as a result we had the beauty and grace of her and the build of our dad, purely authentic with flowing, curly, and kinky black Hair, full lips and an amazing figure if I should say. As our lunch progressed she drilled me about my life, my sister's impending wedding, me not finding a date, and my weight, she nagged me but I love her endlessly regardless.

Back in the office, I buried myself once more in my folders that I had come back to find piled stock high on my desk. Business proposals, assignments, assessments to be reviewed and countless applications to be signed off on. My assistant Dom short for Dominic Whyte made himself useful by sorting through the papers, helping to compile and arrange what he could, we worked endlessly like miniature robots throughout the rest of the day forgetting time. The next time we eventually got a break it was 8 pm, way past the time that signaled our work day had ended.