Jaded (2 page)

“Syeesha? What are you doing here?”

Syeesha looked up in surprise. She had been browsing entertainment sites on her cell phone when Clarissa, the Human Resources manager, had poked her head above Syeesha’s cubicle.

Syeesha put down her phone. “I was just waiting for Matt to open his door so I could get some work from him.”

Biting her bottom lip, Clarissa slowly shook her head. “Oh, honey.”

A low-pitched alarm began to sound in Syeesha’s head. Clarissa came around the cubicle wall, set her briefcase on the floor, and folded her coat in her arms.

“I’ve been out for two days, but Matt was supposed to . . .” Clarissa took a deep breath, and then exhaled sharply. From the pained expression on her face, Clarissa appeared to have one of life’s dirty tasks ahead of her.

“Friday was supposed to be your last day.”

The words burned like hot iron on flesh. The last few minutes replayed in her mind. Cheri knew about the weekly Friday meeting, but she didn’t know that Syeesha’s dismissal was on the agenda. Tom, on the other hand, did. Syeesha just wanted to drop to her knees and beg Clarissa to tell her this was a joke. But there was something in the way Clarissa studied the leather gloves that dangled in her hand that made Syeesha realize the woman was serious.

“But . . . I don’t understand. I thought I was doing a good job and—”

“You were.” Clarissa looked around. “You want to go into my office?”

Syeesha shook her head. She had little interest in making this easier for Clarissa. If people heard her getting fired, then perhaps someone would speak up and fight for her to stay.

“This is not personal and has nothing to do with your work performance at all. It’s just that we’ve had budget cuts and not every attorney can afford his own secretary anymore.”

“So I’m not finishing up the day?”

Clarissa looked over her shoulder then back to Syeesha. She leaned in and lowered her voice. “I wanted to throw you a proper farewell, but they’re watching every nickel around here nowadays. The economy and all.”

Three years I’ve been at the firm
.
And this is how they treat me.

Syeesha attempted to swallow, but her throat was dry as paper. “Are there any other positions around here that I could fill? Maybe become a floater?”

“Syeesha, I’m really sorry about this. You know that we’re fully staffed up. Listen, if you need a recommendation I’ll be more than happy to write one for you.”

She was too stunned to reply. A recommendation? To whom would she give a recommendation letter?

With a tremulous hand, Syeesha reached for her purse. What would she do without a job?

“What about the copy center? I could help out back there, couldn’t I?”

“That section is run by a vendor. You could certainly contact them to see if they’re hiring, but we don’t have anything to do with that.”

Syeesha nodded, though she was only vaguely aware of her head moving. She felt as if she had been pushed off a plank into a turbulent ocean and was clutching for a nonexistent raft. Her body moved in slow motion; sound ceased for a moment; her body was weightless as though her limbs would not support her. She gathered her coat and purse and slogged toward the front door, head bowed and sucking back tears. Tom Marciano stood in the hallway chatting with another partner and quickly averted his eyes as Syeesha passed.

“Thank you,” she said to Clarissa when she finally reached the front door. A quick glance over Clarissa’s shoulder revealed Melinda looking on, awestruck. Syeesha pushed open the heavy glass and squeezed through as fast as she could. The elevator doors were already open to receive her as though they were abetting the firm. Once inside the cab, she threw her hands to her mouth to muffle the primal sound that erupted from her throat. She sucked in her breath, but couldn’t stop the tears from streaming down her cheeks. Pride was as useless to her right now as Clarissa’s apologies.

It wasn’t until Syeesha was out on the street that she remembered she had forgotten her lunch in the refrigerator. The sandwich would linger there over the next few days—possibly weeks— until the stench would eventually propel a secretary to rummage through the fridge to identify the source of the odor. She would find the rotten sandwich and spoiled yogurt, but no one would know whose it was.

***

Chapter 2

Jade McCann entered her four-hundred-foot-square walk-in closet and eased down to open the bottom drawer, mindful of not tearing her form-fitting navy evening gown. She withdrew an elegant silver case from beneath the folded lingerie and plucked out two cigarettes. Carefully, she slid one inside her sequined clutch and another between her glossy lips. Jade peeled a small section from a square of foil and replaced the larger section beneath her folded Agent Provocateur pajamas. Next, she withdrew a match, closed the drawer, and headed toward the balcony, but not before checking the clock on her nightstand. Rodney was late.

The cold air was still and the gray sky did little to mask the beauty of the barren trees in Central Park. Jade struck the match against the side of the building and lit her cigarette. She shivered in the sleeveless dress as she watched the evening joggers. The nicotine coursed through her system and eased the grinding of her nerves. She glanced at the clock again. Two minutes had passed. His tardiness would give her time to enjoy a smoke, then head downstairs to the main level of the apartment for a quick drink before he arrived.

Jade looked forward to pouring herself a bit of the richly flavored Partida Elegante tequila. The first time she’d ever tasted tequila had been with Rodney in a Tijuana bar. That was long before his days as a Congressman had begun. He’d been on break from shooting a low-budget horror film that had gone straight to DVD and she had been the makeup artist on set. Rodney had dared her to down a shot. She’d hated it, of course, but she had knocked back two just to prove that she could hold her own against the handsome actor. Later that night, he’d scooped her up in his arms and given her a deep, satisfying kiss.

“Someday, woman. You’re going to be my wife and we’ll drink the good stuff.”

“In our mansion.”

“On our very own island.”

That had been a different man.

That had been a man who’d needed her.

A sudden breeze whipped her long, sleek hair in front of her face. Jade looked at her reflection through the glass patio door and straightened the tousled tresses of her fifteen-hundred-dollar wig. She looked good. Her body was rock solid from strenuous workouts with Carlos, the current New York personal trainer du jour for some of the hottest bodies on the primetime line-up. Her square jaw, deep-set black eyes, and sharp cheekbones had prompted one magazine to call her a cocoa-complexioned regal beauty. But even regal beauties can find themselves divorced and out on their rumps.

“Jade, are you in here?”

Before Rodney could spot her, Jade ducked next to the brick wall. She fumbled with the lipstick-stained butt as she hurried to douse its flame in the foil. Blowing the remaining smoke from her nose and lips, Jade wrapped the match and butt into the foil and tossed it over the ledge.

“Be there in a sec.”

She smoothed her dress and inhaled a lungful of fresh air. Well, as fresh as a woman can get in New York.

“What’re you doing on the balcony? It’s cold as hell outside.”

“Hell isn’t cold, Rod. And I should know. Over the past few months you’ve dragged me there more than once.”

Rodney chuckled as he threw his suit jacket on the bed and kicked his shoes to the floor.

“Jesus. One fucking paternity suit and you hold it against me for life.”

“I don’t understand why a stranger would make up a story like that.”

He locked his eyes on her as he undressed down to his tight black boxer briefs and matching A-shirt. Showing her his lean, sinewy body was all the response he needed to provide. And his stare, a devilishly sexy one as though he wanted to feast on her skin until she was breathless from pleasure, was the same stare that had made her fall for him all those years ago.

“The court dismissed her and you should, too.” Rodney came close, brushed his lips against hers. Her body quivered at his touch. “You’ve been smoking?”

“I told you I quit six months ago. At least one of us is making an effort at taming our desires.”

He kissed her again. More deeply this time. Her heart palpitated. She cursed herself for still being affected by him.

“You have goose bumps,” he whispered, kissing her neck.

“It’s from the cold.”

Jade struggled to keep her balance.

Obviously amused by his effect on her, he swatted her on the behind before heading to the bathroom for a quick shower. She shivered as she watched his retreating back taut with muscles.

“We’re taking someone to the dinner with us tonight. Be a doll and get my tux out, will you?”

“Who’s coming with us?”

The door slammed behind him.

She had to do something about him. As far as she was concerned, that paternity suit—even though proven false—was the smoke that would eventually lead to a fire.

After laying out her husband’s tuxedo, Jade made her way downstairs for that much-needed drink. She saw her housekeeper about to slip through the front door. Maria stopped when she saw Jade coming down the stairs.

“I’m leaving for the day, miss.” Maria was an exotic young woman who could have had ethnic roots from Argentina or Columbia or Queens. Jade had never bothered to inquire. Rodney had hired her with the explicit instruction that only he could fire her. Her employment was a favor to a local storeowner who had been instrumental in stomping for Rodney during the election. Never would Jade have employed a woman with those pouty, bubble-gum lips, coal-colored locks, and bewitching eyes. Not unless she had a damn good reason. “Your guest is in the living room.”

Jade turned her head in that direction but didn’t see anyone.
I don’t think I’m ready to meet the arrogant bore Rodney’s brought home again.
She cut her eyes back to Maria.

“I’d appreciate it if you would tell me when you’re leaving. I need to start keeping track of your time to ensure you’re not trying to cheat me.”

Maria shook her head. “I’m not the one you have to be worried about in that department.”

Just then, Jade heard glass break in the living room.
Time to put on a smiling face and go entertain the honcho my husband will be sucking up to for the rest of the evening,
Jade thought.

She got as far as the threshold. A brunette was bending down to pick up broken glass. A thin cord coiled down her back. It took a second for Jade to realize it was her spine. She wore a plain silk dress. Oscar de la Renta. Two seasons ago. She must have felt Jade’s presence because she turned around and flashed lifeless sapphire eyes at her.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I was just admiring your wedding picture and then it slipped from my hand.”

Jade’s eyes drank in the sight of her. She placed her in her mid-forties. Dark pockets hung low under her eyes, plump enough to store luggage. Her neck sagged beneath an emerald necklace. A heavy hand had painted primary colors on her face like a child coloring for the first time.

“It’s okay.” Jade placed the broken frame back on the table. “It’s not one of my favorites. Drink?”

“Whatever you’re having. I’m sorry I’m making you two late. Mr. McCann invited me at the last minute.”

“And who are you exactly?” Jade asked from the bar.

“I’m Millie Cross. Mr. McCann’s new secretary.”

Jade watched as the woman sipped her drink.

“Whoa.” Millie coughed. “You’re brave to drink this stuff.”

With a sweet smile, Jade looked at her shoes and teased, “White in February and you’re calling me brave?”

Millie looked down at her wrinkled dress. She fumbled with the lapel of her bolero, tugging it over her nonexistent cleavage.

“Is this . . .? I’m not really into . . .”

“So why exactly are you coming with us to this dinner tonight? Millie, is it?”

“I just happened to mention how much of a fan I am of Barbra Streisand and Mr. McCann insisted I come along.”

Jade shook her head. “Barbra Streisand isn’t going to be at this fundraiser.”

“Oh.” Millie’s shoulders slumped as she considered this. Her cheeks, stroked with a burnt red, brightened underneath the rouge. “Maybe I should . . .”

Jade almost felt sorry for her.

“I see you two have met.” Rodney stood in the doorway, looking from Jade to Millie. “Are we all ready to go?”

Jade stormed across the living room and stopped when she was eye to eye with her husband. “What kind of game are you playing with me?” she whispered.

“She’s my new secretary and also the daughter of a very influential producer,” he explained. “Thought it might be beneficial to be nice to her.”

“How nice?”

“Is everything okay?” Millie asked. “Listen, if I’m intruding—”

“You’re not.” Rodney grabbed Jade by the arm and led her into the foyer. “We’ll just get her coat and then we’ll be ready to go.”