If Your Wife Only Knew (12 page)

“Let me know when you're ready.”

She waved bye to him and watched him swagger down the hallway.

“Lord have mercy, that could be mine one day.”

She knew Eddison had her back and it was likely she was going to need him very soon.

But now she had to focus on the business at hand. She had an important mission that day. But it wouldn't take place for another hour or so, when Alexis was scheduled to arrive at work.

Her cell phone began ringing. It was Rashad. She put his call into voice mail. He was the last person she felt like dealing with right then.

Kiara yearned to be comforted. She was afraid that her marriage was over. And she had to explore other options. She closed her eyes and thought about that dream that she recently had. It seemed so real. She imagined herself in Eddison's arms again. He made her feel so safe. He was all about the details. And his bringing a coffee seemed so little, but it meant so much.

Alexis texted her and told her she'd be in at nine-thirty. Kiara did not respond. But when her administrative assistant showed up at work, Kiara was waiting for her at her desk.

“Put your things away and come see me.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

Kiara went to her office. Confronting Alexis would be the most difficult conversation she'd ever had with a woman.

Alexis was there in minutes and immediately shut the door. Her eyes were filled with tears. She couldn't believe how much of her tears lately had been caused by other females. Something had to give.

“Oh, Mrs. Eason. I think I know why you want to see me.”

Kiara's cell phone was face-up on her desk, her screen saver clearly visible. Alexis saw the photo of her and Rashad kissing. She started trembling.

“I feel terrible,” she said. “That picture is old. I was young and stupid. Have you ever done something you regretted?”

“Before you get started, don't. This isn't about you. He could have slept with any whore. If it ain't one, it's another.”

“Excuse me? Okay. I-I—”

“I only called you in here just to let you know that I know. I do not approve. Both of you ought to have known better; especially Rashad.”

“I'm so sorry.”

“That changes nothing. I want to kill you, but what good will it do?”

“It'll never happen again, I swear.”

“I hope you mean that.” Kiara stared at her. “And now I'm going to sit back . . . and watch how you'll be dealing with this situation. That's it. You can go now.”

“I still have a job?”

“Alexis, please get out of my face and close the door when you leave.”

Kiara trembled with anger after Alexis fled her office. She was angry and felt so stupid. She wondered how many times Alexis laughed at her behind her back. She wanted to fire the girl, but she knew she had to walk a very thin line as far as the legal implications of her situation.

 

Alexis's hands were shaking as she left Kiara's office.

The event that had just happened really messed with her mind. In fact, she went back to her desk, expecting to get an email or a phone call from Kiara or HR, but none of her worst fears were realized. It was difficult to concentrate on her work the rest of the morning.

Right before lunch, she couldn't take it anymore. She trekked down that long hallway and stepped inside Kiara's office. Her back was turned. She was on the phone talking in a loud whisper.

Alexis stood and listened.

“You need to be getting you some business, Rashad, because I'm sure enough about to get some.”

A pause.

“Blame yourself. You got the rest of the day to think long and hard about what you've done.”

Kiara slammed down the phone.

Alexis started to turn around and discreetly leave, but Kiara saw her before she could flee.

“I really need to remember to close my door. Did you need something, Alexis?”

“May I have a word with you?” Alexis closed the door and took a deep breath. “You may not believe me, you may hate my guts, but I've wanted to tell you, but he said not to tell.”

“And of course, you do whatever he says.”

“No. I don't.”

“Your actions suggest otherwise, because you never went out of your way to let me know you were fucking him.”

“But I wanted to. I just didn't know how. I had never done it before. I didn't know when to bring it up—”

“How could you do it?”

“To be honest, when I met him I had no idea he was married. He never wore a wedding ring.”

That part was true. Due to the nature of his work, Rashad almost severed his ring finger when his hand got jammed up in some construction machinery. After a couple close calls, he decided to stop wearing his band and Kiara agreed.

“Oh, that only tells me that if a man doesn't wear a wedding ring, then he definitely won't wear a condom.”

Alexis gasped. She hoped she didn't know about the baby. “I, um—”

“Where'd you do it with him? No, don't answer. What does it matter at this point?” Kiara stared curiously at the young, stupid woman, the pretty princess who always looked like she was in control.

“What he did was his choice. But, Alexis, make no mistake. He didn't rape you. It takes two consenting adults to do what you did.”

“You're right. He didn't twist my arm.” Alexis stood awkwardly in front of her boss. “But I promise you, it wasn't intentional. Not deviously done.”

“How long did you sneak around with him?”

“Um . . . too long.”

“What did he tell you about me? He said I was a wife that didn't meet his needs? That I was terrible in bed? That I didn't understand him like you did?”

“He wouldn't really talk that much about you—”

Kiara rolled her eyes. “Please. I don't believe that. And I don't want to hear it. Why torture myself any further? The damage is done.” She sniffed and couldn't believe she was having this conversation. “Life goes on. And in case you're wondering, you still have a job.”

“I do? Oh, thank you, thank you, Mrs. Eason.”

“Don't thank me yet, Alexis. Now, is there anything else you need to say?”

Alexis wondered if Rashad had told Kiara about Hayley, but knowing him, the answer was a big “hell no.”

“No, ma'am. I have nothing more to say.”

Alexis drove around during her lunch hour. Eating was the last thing on her mind. All she could do was ponder what had just happened. God knows she didn't know what she'd do if she were in Kiara's shoes. If she was a wife would she stay? Would she go? Never in a million years did Alexis think she'd end up living the life she had. If she could turn back the hands of time, what would have happened if she hadn't met Rashad, fallen in love with him, a love so deep that it turned her into a woman that she didn't want to face in the mirror?

On the day she found out she was having a baby, Alexis wondered if she could pin the pregnancy on another man. But it wasn't in her heart to do such a thing. She was twenty. Had never married. Yet she was in love with a man who went home to another woman every night.

When she decided to inform him, Alexis sat on top of Rashad, facing him with her legs clamped around his waist as she grinded on him. Skin touching skin. Moans. Pleasure mixed with pain. He was holding her by her luscious hips lost in the world of forbidden love that took place behind locked doors.

“Damn, baby, I love how you give it to me,” he said.

She moaned and tilted her neck back, wanting that good feeling to last forever.

“I love it too. I-I love you, Rashad.”

“I love you, too.”

“And I'm having a baby.”

He opened one eye and cocked an eyebrow.

“You're having a what?”

“I'm pregnant.”

“You sure?”

“I wouldn't tell you this if I weren't.”

His face looked transfixed, like he was trying to understand.

“Hey now, that's dope.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, baby, I'm sure. But you can't tell anybody.”

And from that day on, Rashad Eason quietly bought everything Hayley needed. He was all for Glynis watching the child during the week. He committed his weekends to seeing the child. He was worried that her premature birth was his fault. But when Hayley eventually rallied and got stronger and bigger and healthier, he was relieved and on top of the world. He fell more in love with Hayley and he knew her existence would kill Kiara. But Rashad's heart couldn't give up his child, not after he'd already held her and bonded with the precious being. His love had to protect her. She was his everything. So he would do all he could financially to care for Hayley, but no, Kiara would never have to know about her. And he trusted Alexis enough to know she wouldn't tell, either. He encouraged her to find employment elsewhere, and she applied for other positions, but nothing ever came through. So she remained in Kiara's department and tried to play it cool. She continued to fuck her boss's husband and tried not to let it all bother her. But in the back of Alexis's mind, she always wondered what would happen if Kiara ever found out.

 

During the lunch hour, Alexis tried to gather her strength. Although she previously thought she wanted her boss to know about the affair, now that it was out in the open, Alexis didn't feel any better. But she decided to try to act like everything was okay. She didn't want to make a bigger mess of things by constantly harping on the affair.

Later on, Alexis knocked on Kiara's door and carried in two big boxes.

“These came earlier for you. I'm just now remembering to bring them.”

Kiara stared at Alexis. Although she wanted to claw out her eyeballs, Kiara had a reputation to think about. She was a well-known woman at the university and she couldn't jeopardize everything she'd established by unleashing violence on her subordinate.

She had to play things out smarter.

Kiara opened up one box. It was from Nordstrom. She removed its contents and stared at the two stunning strapless maxi dresses she'd ordered online.

“Wow, aren't these pretty?”

“T-they are gorgeous,” Alexis said.

“They're supposed to be for our anniversary cruise. Happy fucking anniversary to me,” Kiara sang as she held up one dress to inspect it.

Alexis didn't say a word. She quietly slipped away from the office. But Kiara didn't notice.

A pair of brown leather sandals were also in the package. Pricey and chic. She tried them on and they fit perfectly.

“This sure brightens up my day,” she said and glanced around, only to realize she was talking to herself.

Embarrassed, she put down the shoes and ripped open the other Nordstrom delivery. This box looked exactly like the other one. When she tore back the shipping bubble wrap, she noticed that the same two maxi dresses and pair of shoes were inside the box. The dresses were exactly like the ones she ordered, but the shoes were white leather.

“What the hell? Why did they send me two sets? They better not have charged me for this expensive stuff.” When Kiara reviewed the order slip, she realized that someone had made a mistake. She got two shipments for the price of one.

“Hallelujah. What a blessing.”

When her conscience whispered it would be deceitful to keep the extra items, she shrugged it off.

“God is good all the time. Even when someone else fucks up.”

 

A few days later, Rashad stopped by TSWU to see his wife. Kiara had been giving him the cold shoulder at home ever since she let him know that she'd had a conversation with Alexis. He tried to assure her that it was a one-time thing. She shot back, “It better be.” Now he wanted to smooth things over with Kiara by showing her that he could be a good husband.

And he knew he'd have to be more careful. When he passed by Alexis's desk, they discreetly acknowledged each other. Alexis knew the deal. Previously, when he came by the office, she pretended like she didn't know him. But she really had to play her position now.

Kiara was in her office in the middle of a conversation with Nicole when Rashad interrupted them.

“Hi, babe,” she sweetly replied to her husband, not wanting Nicole to know her personal business.

“I was in the area. What's going on? You ate already?”

“Yep. I'm good.”

As he stood there making small talk, Kiara knew he was trying to gauge her attitude. Of course, he wanted her to be forgiving. And Kiara was so happy that Rashad couldn't read her mind.