Leaving Lisa in bed this morning had been hard. He'd been sleeping so peacefully I hadn't wanted to wake him up. I'd refrained from kissing his face before I left. Asleep he seemed so worry free. I didn't realize how intense and on guard he was until I'd watched him sleep and seen him completely at peace.
Opening the door to the staffroom I was greeted to the smell of fresh donuts and a smiling Jamel.
"Good morning sunshine," he said cheerily as always.
"That remains to be seen... are you gonna share those donuts or not?"
He held the box out to me. "I bought two extras just for you doll. I knew my blond bombshell was coming to work today and I didn't want to be empty handed."
I sat down across from him and reached for my donut. "If I thought you'd enjoy it I'd kiss your face," I teased.
Jamel wiggled his eyebrows, "Who knows, baby? A face like yours can lead a man astray."
Laughing, I took a bite of the fluffy warm goodness. This wasn't healthy but it was so dang good.
"Eat up because we got us a long ass day ahead. The debutante ball is tonight and we won't be in the dining room. We'll all be sent to the ballroom and forced to walk around with trays of food and then serve them all at a sit down dinner."
Debutante ball? What the heck was that? "Is that why there are so many trucks outside with flowers and decorations?"
Jamel nodded and reached for another chocolate covered donut. "Yep. Happens every year during this week. Crazy rich mommas strut their daughters around and introduce them to society. After tonight, the girls will be considered women and treated as an adult member of the club. They can be on committees and the like. It's crazy ass bullshit is what it is. Especially since Somi turned twenty-one a few weeks back. That means she gets to be released into mother fucking adulthood."
Somi was a debutante. That was interesting. Her mother wasn't here. Did this mean she was returning? My heart sped up... I'd have to leave soon. Lisa hadn't told me that anything had changed about my moving out. When I left would he still see me?
"Breathe, Jennie. It's just a damn ball," Jamel said. I took a deep breath. I hadn't realized I'd started to panic. This is why I'd wanted to keep my distance. I knew this day was coming. Would my dad be home today then?
"What time does it start?" I managed to ask without a hitch in my voice.
"Seven but they will close down the dinning at five to get us ready."
I nodded and put the rest of my donut down. I couldn't finish it. Today would be a waiting game. I felt the phone in my pocket but I couldn't text Lisa. I didn't want him to tell me any bad news through a text message. I'd just wait.
"Jennie, I need to see you a moment in my office," Shan's voice broke into my thoughts. My eyes shot to Jamel's and his were wide with concern. Great. What had I done?
I stood up and turned to face Shan. He didn't look angry. He smiled at me and it gave me the courage I needed to walk toward him. He held the door open for me and I stepped out into the hall.
"Relax, Jennie. You aren't in trouble. We just need to discuss tonight."
Oh. Whew. I took a deep breath and nodded then followed him to a door at the end of the hall.
"I don't get anything glamorous. Dad believes in making me work my way to the top. Even if I'll inherit the club one day." Shan rolled his eyes while opening the office door and waved me inside. The room was as large as my bedroom at Lisa's. It had two large picture windows overlooking the eighteenth hole.
