For Better or For Worse Read online

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” His voice roared at me, I didn’t know if the room was shaking or if I was. “All this time we have spent together and you’re still not ready?” He paced the floors back and forth while I continued to sob to myself, not wanting to endure any further humiliation. He looked at me like I was absolutely pitiful. “Why the hell I am calling you a woman for if you chose to remain a damn girl? I have no use for you.” I wiped the continuous tears from my face, no longer able to withstand the berating I was getting; I hopped off the bed, quickly slipped on my dress and grabbed my shoes before running out the door. I bumped into and trampled over party goers until I found my way out. Into the dead of night I raced until my feet could no longer carry me or my breath had given out. I found myself blocks away from where I started and in the worst part of Lake City I had ever seen. There were loud cars blasting hip hop beats, crack heads were begging, pleading with dope dealers for another fix, and prostitutes hollered cars down hoping to turn a trick.

  I have to get out of here, I thought as my mind scrambled on where to go. “Hey…hey lil mama…what’s your price.” I heard some guy on the corner hollering at me. I looked at him giving pounds to his friends as if he had me in the bag. I backed up not wanting any part in what he was planning. “Hey girl what you gonna charge to hit that.” I looked around trying to find somewhere to go, but every street looked worse than the next. The obnoxious man began to walk towards me not wanting to let him get any closer I made a run for it...“Hey…Hey!” I could still hear him calling for me but I would not let up. I turned numerous corners and finally hid in a nearby alley until I lost him…or so I thought. “Damn girl.” The strange man grabbed my wrist and turned me to face him. “You run fast huh? Now I thought we were discussing payment.”

  I tried to snatch away from him but he was too strong. “Let me go!” I yelled. He towered over me a wicked grin spread across his face. “C’mon girl I’ll make it good for you.” He shoved me to the ground and straddled on top of me. “No…Get off. Get off of me.” I screamed bloody murder while looking for the nearest weapon. He got angry and smacked me across the face causing me to wince in pain. “Relax bitch…be grateful I’m even paying for this shit. Now hold still.” He ripped open my dress and began to kiss on my neck. “No…Get off me…No...Stop” I tried to force him off, scratching and clawing but he didn’t even budge. I gave him one more push and he flew across the alley. I was wiping tears and snot from my face, marveling from where that strength came from when I realized it didn’t come from me at all. Grant stood over the strange man like he was about to do the some serious damage. The look that’s was on his face was unreal. The man got to his feet. “Who the fuck are you?” Grant wasted no time and cold clocked the dude back down onto the ground.

  He attempted to get up but Grant quickly tackled him and began raining down blows. I could hear his fist pounding down on the guy’s skull and he was yelling in pain. I struggled to get to my feet while managing to cover myself with the remaining cloth on my body. I yelled for Grant to stop in fear he may murder this guy. When he realized I was still standing there he eased up off of the bloodied adversary. Grant wiped his stained hands on his shirt and turned to me. “Let’s go.” It was more of a command than a question. He grabbed my arm and I having no other option followed. Grants face was blank and he said nothing on the drive back. “I’m taking you home.” He didn’t even look at me. “You can’t.” I protested not realizing how drained my voice was from screaming. “I told my dad I was staying with a friend from school.” He shook his head and kept his eyes on the road. We drove to his aunt and uncle’s house out in the country area knowing that they were at a family function.

  Grant unlocked the door and I followed behind him. He went to the nearest bathroom and cleaned off his hands while I sat on the couch sobbing at how awful this once perfect night had ended. I felt so alone and the one person I loved more than anything now hated me. He came back into the room face still blank and handed me a towel and wash rag. “Go get cleaned up…you can sleep in my room.” I nodded at his generosity although is eyes were cold. I attempted to appease him. “Grant I’m sor…” “Just go get cleaned up.” He cut me off. “We’ll talk in the morning.” With that he walked into the kitchen and raided the fridge. I lowered my head and did as I was told; I quickly showered and walked into his room in my towel. Grants room was nothing like I expected it to be, it was nice and clean with a small bed and ocean blue walls. I grabbed one of his t shirts from off the bed, put it on and searched for warmth within his cold sheets. My eyes feeling heavy closed against my will and drifted me off to sleep without warning but my body barely let me slumber for thirty minutes.

  Even in the cold midnight air I woke up sweating and aching for Grant, he touched still lingered with me and I wanted to feel it again. I fought so hard to ignore the yearning in my body but to no avail. I sat up in his bed finally striking up the nerve to go to him. I removed his shirt and wrapped myself in his sheets. He was asleep in his underwear on the couch which couldn’t accommodate his large body. I made my way over and sat beside him. I touched his shoulders and placed a kiss on the nape of his neck. As he began to move around I nibbled on his ear causing him to come to full attention. “Lucy…what are you doing?” He whispered. I allowed the sheet to drop around my waist revealing my naked breast. Grant who was half asleep was fully awake now and sat up and took notice.

  I pulled his lips into mine and eased onto him. Our mouths intertwined as my nipples hardened and so did his penis. Realizing what was about to take place Grant stopped us abruptly. “No...Lucy you don’t have to do this?” He said trying to push me aside, now it was my turn to hush him. I placed my hand on his hardening and began to stroke while tasting his tongue again. He no longer put up a fight and gripped my hair in his hands pushing his mouth closer to mine. Seeing that I was adamant Grant picked me up off the couch. “Not here…my room.” I held on to him as we made it to his bed. He gently laid me down on the bed and mounted on top me. “Are you sure?” he eyes were soft again and full of concern as he whispered. I nodded. “Yes. I want you.” His lips pressed down against mine as his finger found my clitoris and circled it; I closed my eyes and let his fingers work their magic until that familiar wetness began to form.

  Grant slipped on a condom and eased himself inside me slowly. I held on to his lower back letting him know it was ok, Grant placed one hand on the headboard and the other on the pillow beside me and began thrusting. I held onto him for dear life even when tears slid out of my eyes. “Oh God...” I moaned as his speed picked up, I wrapped my legs around his waist and enjoyed the friction our lower regions were causing. Grant leaned in further and I screamed. I was surprised I didn’t set off the house alarm. As we both reached our climax Grant fell on top of me and we struggled to catch our breath. I took in the weight of his body before he rolled over beside me. Our eyes grew weary again and sleep captured us…now I could sleep. As morning came I watched Grant slumber as I lay naked on his chest. Even the turmoil of last night couldn’t sour this moment for me, he woke up to me staring at him and smiled. “Good morning.” “Good morning.” He wrapped his arms around my body and held me close. I noticed his hands sore and bruised from last night. “Grant…Grant I love you.” He was silent for a while then kissed my hair. “I love you too baby.”

  ***

  Chapter 9

  Too little Too late

  Grant

  “We would like to thank you all for coming out tonight and celebrating the success of Good and Weldness, we hope you all have enjoyed yourself and continue to help Good and Weldness Corporation grow into the successful company we know it will be.” The announcer addressed the audience who applauded as they rose from their seats. The fancy restaurant that Gilman and Marshall picked was decked out in finery, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, works of art from old dead painters on the walls, and I could have sworn the silver ware was real silver. I had never beheld such e
xpensive stuff in my life; I tried not to look so amazed by all these rich cats throwing their money around but my wide eyes tended to give me away. I looked at the notecards in my pocket and ran through them again, tonight was my big night to show the executives of my corporation the innovative plans I had come up with to further the company’s profit.

  When I first approached Gilman with my proposal he was a little leery at first but a quick review of my past work won him over into at least listening to what I had to say. Before I knew it I had to come up with this whole presentation to showcase in front of all of the big business tycoons at Good and Weldnes’s celebration dinner. I was a little intimidated by all of the people that were here tonight and I struggled to be cool. I looked up from the dinner table glanced around the room. There were so many different people from different cultures mingling together but they all had one thing in common …money and plenty of it. Who would have ever thought that same twelve year old street dealer would have made it all the way to New York City speaking about deal plans to a room full of corporate moguls. But I was here and I was nervous, scared to death that I was going to make a fool out of myself. That only thing that could calm me down at moments like these was looking at Lucy’s face in the crowd smiling; reassuring me I could do it.

  But there was no Lucy tonight and from the way I was feeling I didn’t give a damn if she was there…but I did. I quickly shook it off as I saw Frank motion for me to come up to the nearby podium. It was Showtime. I slowly rose from my seat and straightened out my business attire. I met Frank at the stairs of the podium. “Hey man you ready?” He looked more nervous than I did as I noticed his hands shaking. “Yeah, as I am ever going to be.” I looked over him and prepared myself to face the crowd. He nodded and patted me on the shoulder. “Alright kick ass.” “Sho nuff.” I patted him on the shoulder and made my way to face the audience. As I stood at the podium, I noticed all eyes staring my way and the room grew silent instantly upon my arrival.

  I tensed up but kept my composure. Just do it Grant, the faster you start it the faster it is over with, I thought. “Good evening everyone, for those who don’t know who I am my name is Grant Smith, Head Supervisor at Good and Weldness.” Oh my Lord I sound so stupid, I thought. I tried to keep a smile plastered on my face but my nerves were getting to me. I stared at their faces all staring back at me and felt my mouth dry out. “Everyone has come out tonight to celebrate the corporation’s success, but I’m here tonight to share with you new ways to further the success of Good and Weldness.” I felt like I was struggling and I pictured Lucy’s face in the crowd to calm me down, my gaze fell on a woman sitting at the bar. She had on a dark slim dress but I couldn’t make out who she was in the dim light.

  She kept her eyes focused on me and gave me sweet smile pushing me to continue. “When I first decided to become a welder I never thought I could achieve the rigorous task…if I hadn’t had someone there pushing me to go on and accomplish my goals. The welding tech program did just that for me and many others in my position. This program took young males like myself who had low income pay and little education and showed us how to better not only ourselves but our lives too. After much training in the Welding Tech program I was able to land a job in my local town which then led me to Good and Weldness Corporation.” Doing good Grant, I thought. I occasionally glanced at the woman at the bar, for some reason it was as if she were helping me to keep me going. “This training program helped me to not only become a welder at Good and Weldness, but a now leading Supervisor within the corporation and now I want to give back by introducing you all to Project reach out.

  By combining the welding tech training program with Good and Weldness Corporation we would be opening doors for so many young men and women to find work in this spiraling economy while increasing the income of the corporation.” I noticed head nods and intriguing looks across the room coming my way which let me know I had them in the bag. “With this training program on our side we would be able to further branch out among not only New York, but California, Florida, and many other states. Project reach out is a beneficial campaign for not only or corporation but many people in wait of a given opportunity to better their lives and themselves.” I gathered my note cards and exited the stage as applause rained down. Rough start but smooth sailing. I thought making my way down to the main floor.

  Frank was waiting for me grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Not bad buddy…not bad at all.” He said pulling me into a hug. “Thanks man, I was shaking like a leaf up there.” He shook his head. “Couldn’t tell.” My eyes searched for the woman at the bar but couldn’t find her but they did find Gilman who nodded in approval of my speech. The business dinner went great for the most part, everyone was laughing, joking, and discussed improvements for the company. I was in the mist of more praises of my speech when I noticed the woman in the black dress moving through the crowd and this time I knew exactly who she was. I was most definitely shocked to see Alexia there but something inside me was very grateful she had come; she made my speech a lot easier to get through. I would think a girl like her would be out on a date or something but she was here with me. After I gave my presentation on project reach out the big officials came to me to give the final verdict, after carefully explaining to them by offering training programs for inspiring welders would increase jobs and company revenue with more workers.

  Increasing more workers could get more work done and more work meant more money. And I knew they would jump for joy at the sound of that. After it was all over the officials were thinking of promoting me and I couldn’t contain my excitement, hell a promotion…that was cause for celebration. Alexia came up to me, she was wearing a very eye catching black dress and it definitely caught my eye. “Oh wow, you were amazing, they loved it.” She embraced me and I could smell her perfume, it was very sweet just like her. She wore her hair down around her shoulders but it wasn’t hiding her pretty face. “Thanks, I wasn’t expecting you to come.” I said honestly. She looked at me confused. “Why wouldn’t I be here? You were giving your presentation tonight.” I looked at her astonished.

  “You came for me?” She smiled. “Don’t look so shocked.” Alexia gently nudged my chest. Gilman made his way over to us. I found it hard not to smile every time I saw him because he reminded me of the KFC man just a little taller and in an Armani suit. “Grant my boy, you were amazing, can’t wait to put this project to work.” I shook his hand. “Thanks I’m willing to do anything to help the company.” He grinned. “You see Alexia, this is why I wanted him to take you under his wing. Show you the ropes, this man is going places.” She kept her eyes on me still smiling. “Yes …he is.” Gilman made his way around the party and Alexia and I stood in the same spot just starting at each other. “Well it’s um getting late. I’m going to head home.” She started to walk away. “Wait…” I said stopping her in place. “Let me take you home.” She turned around and searched my eyes. “You sure.” I shook off my guilt and nodded. “Least I could do.”

  We drove in my Range Rover until we reached an underground vacancy a few blocks away from Fifth Avenue. I parked the car and walked with her to the elevator of her building, she walked in a head of me and I watched her hips sway, I easily was able to tell she was naked under her dress. “Are you coming? “She asked blocking the elevator door from closing. I hesitated but eventually walked in. “So you live in a studio apartment?” I asked to get rid of some of the nervous heat building up inside of me. Alexia inhaled. “Yes, it’s kind of artsy, that’s why I like it.” I nodded and glanced over at her. I could see the curves of breast down the opening of her dress that pressed tightly up against her skin. If it was catching my attention in a dim lit restaurant, it was most definitely catching it right now. I felt so much heat pressuring down on me in the elevator and something told me by the way she kept touching herself she did too.

  “You ok?” I turned and asked her. I had an intense stare in my eyes, she noticed and instead of getting out of the elevator Alexi
a stopped it. “You know I really have been wanted to thank you for helping me adjust to working at the corporation.” Really, because I want to thank you too, I thought…A lot. I swallowed hard. “No need, it’s been a pleasure… I mean it’s been good to work with you.” She smiled…Damn that sweet smile. I swear I was sweating bullets. “Grant you are a wonderful man, a brilliant man, and I want you to know I appreciate you.” Oh God... she was staring at me in that way, that way that all lovers stare at each other…when it was about to go down. We both knew what was coming. Alexia grabbed the back of my head and brought my mouth down to hers. As our or tongues twisted and turned I never felt something so strong in my life; I was losing all feeling in my legs. I broke away from her gasping for air. She backed up and was practically placing herself against the wall.