May the Best Man Win (11 page)

 

 

“‘You got it . . . you got it bad . . .'” I sang along with Usher as he sang one of my favorite hits by him. It was a very true statement. I was excited even after the conversation I had with Dennis the other day. He kind of pissed me off with his negativity and all. Here he had close to everything he, I, and most other people wanted, and he was BSing about it. I had to admit I was a little envious of him and all that he had, but I had a feeling that my future was going to change for the good very soon.

I hadn't even known Mateo for a couple of days—and I use the word “known” loosely—but I knew I was infatuated with getting him to be mine. I thought I deserved it. True happiness was for everybody and I was going to get mine come hell or high water.

I was making my way back from the beach where Mateo took me on our first date. It was so majestic and tranquil for a first date. He picked me up at one of his restaurants and whisked me away in a fancy car; just the two of us. His driver didn't count because he was quiet most of the time as if he weren't there anyway. We talked the whole way there and I got to know about him.

“So where are you originally from?” I asked him. Looking into his eyes just sent me over.

“My family is from a small town in Brazil.”

“Are you an only child?”

“Yes, it's just me.” His eyes wandered away from mine for a quick second.

“So where are we headed?”

“I'm taking you to a special place for just me and you to be alone. I want to be alone with you. No interruptions.” He then caressed the side of my face with his hand. He then cupped my chin and leaned in, and waved his nose in front of my lips like he was savoring a sweet smell.

“You smell so good.” He smiled.

“I do what I can.” I smiled and blushed. I had on some sweet cologne that I knew would drive him wild.

It took us awhile to get to our destination. I had to admit I was a little nervous being driven in a tinted vehicle to an unknown location with a guy I just met. But I didn't let on. I just enjoyed the ride and the moment I was having right now. I couldn't say a guy had ever treated me this well before. Mateo looked like he adored me. It was what I was waiting for.

“I know you are going to love this place. We are going to bask in the stillness of Mother Earth.” He continued to look at me intently.

My heart was swooning in anticipation. He was saying all of the right things. All of the things I was waiting to hear.

I assumed we were at our location when the car stopped.

“Wait right here,” he said as he eased out of the door of the car on his side.

Seconds later, he opened the door and motioned for me to get out. But before I could fully get out he got on his knee and removed my shoes and socks one by one. His hands were so gentle and smooth. He wasn't rough at all. His touch sent shivers up my spine. Normally I would have given him the blow job of his life in the back of the car after he smelled me but I didn't want to ruin this moment. I didn't want to mess up a potentially great thing.

He then pulled me up by one hand and helped me out of the car. I wanted to “accidentally” fall just to see if he would catch me, but I knew that would be too much. I just went with the flow of things as they were going right at that moment.

I looked out to the beach that we had pulled up to. It was a beach that I had never been to before and it was a private one; I could tell by the signs scattered around.
He must own this beach.

“Give me one second.” He touched the point of my nose with his finger. He then went to the back of the car where his driver was waiting with the trunk open. He pulled out a decorated basket and his chauffeur retrieved other items from inside the trunk. We all made our way across the cool sand. The crashing sound of the ocean against a few rocks scattered near the shore made for a perfect scene. The sand felt really good in between my toes as we walked.

Mateo found a spot and instructed his chauffeur where to set up our picnic. The chauffer laid down some thick foam and then covered it with a blanket. The area was about the size of a large living room area rug. There were trays for our food, champagne, flowers, and even an iPod playing classical music for us. We both sat Indian-style as he fed me nasty expensive cheese and wine. Mateo was so smooth and gentle. He touched me quiet a few times. All gently. He never once made a move for intercourse. I was a little shocked by that because most of the guys I dated were only looking for one thing.

Finally he had the chauffer, who stood by and watched the whole scene quietly, clean up the food and wine and then Mateo opened up his legs and pulled me in between them as we both looked out into the ocean. His arms were wrapped around my upper body. I was totally relaxed. I closed my eyes and my head drifted back to his shoulder. I could hear his heart beat against my chest. I felt his warm, un-aroused manhood resting against me. It struck me as odd, but I just brushed it off. I was with a new breed of a man. He was older and more mature than the guys I regularly dated. He could control himself around me. I took it as him not wanting to move too fast. I had even more respect for him.

I still wondered in the back of my head if he was dysfunctional in that area or something. I mean he looked to be about forty years old. I didn't know what age a man would start having problems like that but I thought forty was a tad bit young for that. But again, I took it as a sign for taking things slow and easy. I liked it. I liked him.

We didn't stay out there much longer and soon he dropped me off at my car, and here I was driving home with sheer excitement and optimism running through my veins.
I just might be in a really good mood for work. I just hope my boss doesn't ruin it with his attitude. I don't want to have to curse him out and tell him where to stick his job until I am sure that Mateo will be taking care of me forever.

 

 

I woke up the next morning feeling a little more optimistic about life. I wasn't going to be a fool and think that because of a successful first date I had found “the one.” I would only be setting myself up for disappointment. I jumped in the shower with a little more pep than usual. I even hummed a little. It wasn't a particular song, just a simple hum. A hum I knew all too well. I tried to ignore it but I wasn't clueless to my problems.

After about fifteen minutes in the shower I exited, wrapped a towel around my waist, and went to my closet to pick something out to wear. My cat was following me around the house like he needed desperate attention. I kneeled down briefly and stroked his coat, letting him know I was paying attention to him. He was attached to me and me to him. After a few more seconds of appeasing him I was off to get dressed for my day.

I grabbed what I wanted out of my closet and made my way back in to my bedroom. I laid the clothes down on my bed and walked to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Just as I finished brushing my teeth I heard my phone ringing. I walked to my dresser, picked up the phone, and looked at the caller ID to see who it was. A smile radiated my face as I saw who was calling.

“Hello,” I answered with cheer. It was Mateo. He sounded like he just had woken up. He still sounded smooth though. I walked over to my bed and sat down next to the clothes that I was going to wear to work that day. My cat jumped up into my lap as I talked.

“How are doing this morning, sir.” His voice glided over his words. His accent was thick, but low. I tried to find something special to say, but it didn't happen.

“God is good.” I smiled. The vision of us on the beach flooded my mind. It was so nice to be treated like a person and not like a piece of ass.

“That He is,” he concurred. “I know it is early, but I just wanted to tell you that I had a wonderful time with you and I can't wait to do it again.”

“I had a great time as well. We'll have to see about a next time.” I had to show him that I was sticking to my guns when it came to business and play remaining separate.

“Oh, I have a feeling there will be one.”

“Oh, really?” I got up and walked toward the window in my room. I peeked through and looked at the passersby. “How do you know that?” I was curious to know how he thought I was going to give in so easily to his request.

“You answered the phone when I called you this morning. I know that you like me, all evidence of a next date.”

“Oh, really?” I walked back over to my closet and pulled up some shoes that I was going to wear and sat down on the bed. “Again, I guess we will have to see about that. You know I have rules about work and play.”

“This I know. But I have ways of persuasion that you have not seen yet.”

“We'll see.” I lightly chuckled. I was a little curious as to what he could do to get me to go out with him again. I was up for the challenge, to tell the truth.

I turned on my Bluetooth and got dressed as we continued to talk back and forth. I made my way down the stairs and to my kitchen to fill the cat's water and food dishes. I checked myself out in one of my mirrors and exited my house to my car. I told Mateo that I would call him later because I did not like to talk and drive, even with a Bluetooth on my ear.

 

I pulled into the parking garage, turned off the music I was listening to, and exited my car. I grabbed my briefcase out of my trunk and walked across the street to my office building. Before I could get to my building I was approached by a woman handing out fliers.

“Excuse me, sir, have you seen him?” she said anxiously as she handed me a flier. “He's my son and he's missing.”

“No, ma'am,” I spoke after I looked at the flier for a brief second.

Disappointment enveloped her. Her weariness in her eyes made her look like she had been up for days. “Well could you show this to your friends and see if they have seen him? Please? I'm desperate. Any help would do.”

“I sure will.” I smiled, hoping it relieved some of the anguish I knew she was feeling. I walked into the building a little disappointed that I couldn't help her.

I was hoping today would be a very productive day for me and my staff as usual. I walked off the elevator and toward my office door. This time I didn't have to pretend that I was happy. I was. It wasn't because of Mateo, believe it or not. I was just happy with the thought of “maybe.” Well, maybe Mateo did have a small part in it.

“Good morning, everyone,” I spoke out as I walked up to my secretary's desk. There were a few people moving around swiftly, just like I liked to see it. It was nice to know that your company was moving and functioning like a well-oiled machine.

“Good morning, Janice. Are there any messages for me today and is my itinerary for the week ready?” I asked as I walked into my office.

“Yes, sir.” She followed me. “They are already on your desk.” She pointed to them as I made my way around the desk and sat down.

“Thank you, Janice. How was your weekend?” I asked. It was a Monday ritual that we went through every Monday morning.

“Sure, it was quite wonderful. Just me and the grands.” She smiled. She was proud of her grandchildren. She was a mother of three successful children: one doctor, a lawyer, and a schoolteacher. She had four grandchildren she loved dearly. She really didn't have to work, but she did because she said old people sit at home and die.

“That is great, Janice.” I started up my PC and logged on to Microsoft Office.

“Sir, would you like the usual juice and bagel this morning? We have some lovely Danish pastries that were delivered this morning.”

“Who ordered pastries?” I looked at her, confused.

“Well, sir, I thought that you did.” She looked a little confused as well.

“No, it wasn't me.” I got up and walked into our small kitchenette, and looked on the table to see a tray of pastries set out with a note on the top.

“To all of the staff at Bankable Advertising, Inc.” I read the card out loud. Janice was standing beside me as I read. I smiled, because I knew that this was the work of Mateo, but I played it off.

“You know what, I forgot all about ordering these.” I smiled and put the card back on the table. “I thought you guys would like these. I tried one in Lexington Market and thought that it would be a nice treat for the office.”

“Sir, that is so sweet of you.”

I hated to have to lie about something so small. I just didn't want people in my business. It was a major pet peeve. “I thought it would be.” I turned to the coffee machine to get my own coffee since I was already in there.

“And I see that some of the staff has already taken advantage.” I spoke as I reached to grab me a cream cheese–filled pastry.

“Well, that is expected, sir.” Janice snickered and turned to leave me standing by myself. That was short-lived though.

“Hey, boss.” Lewis walked up and reached for a pastry. I assumed that he had one before my arrival to work. “These are sooo good.”

I looked at his attire and smiled. Some people probably would say I was throwing shade, but I wasn't. It was just that he was always overdressed. Bright colors were always his style. He had on a basic suit but he had on purple and gold. I was no hater. I just thought that men should wear certain colors and leave the rest for women. I was an earth-tone type of guy, but I wasn't afraid to mix in a red or green every now and then. He dressed like he had every color of the rainbow in his closet. I had even seen him in colors that I didn't even know existed. He did wear his clothes well, but his flamboyant personality and loud clothes were a lot to handle at times. But that was why I hired him. He had an eye for color and fashion, which made him an asset. One of my business teachers in college always told us that a business requires a team. One person wasn't enough to successfully run a company and you were foolish to think otherwise.

“Staff your weaknesses,” was something he drilled into our heads. It was one of the best things he could have told us. I took that advice and ran with it.

“That they are, Lewis,” I agreed.

Something was up with him and I didn't know what.
He's being too nice. Not like his regular racy self.

I followed him as he left the break room. He was almost skipping. It wasn't that I didn't want him happy. I just didn't want a “phony happy” working in here.
I don't need a postal employee killing folk in here, especially me.
I was just at the breakthrough point and I didn't want a happy crazy taking me out before my time.

“Everything all right with you today, Lewis?” I stood at his cubical as he sat and looked at his screen.

“I'm doing super, boss.” Still no eye contact. He was a good worker, I'd admit that, but his ass wasn't this dedicated. “Life is grand.”

“Did you have any of the work done for the Mateo Lopez campaign?” I asked with a small attitude.

“For the most part.” He looked at me briefly and then turned back toward his PC monitor.

“I need the specs on my desk by close of the day,” I instructed. My voice was firm.

“Whatever you want, boss.” He turned and the smile on his face was spread wide. “Will that be all?”

“Are you shooing me away with an attitude?” I asked to see if his “happy” face was an act. Lewis was defiant and I knew that if I pressed him he would press back.

“No, I was just following orders, like you like them to be followed.” He got up and walked past me and back into the break room. I followed him again.

“Lewis, is there something you need to say to me?” I knew that I had taken it too far with that question. A boss really shouldn't care what an employee thinks. Especially to this degree.

“Nothing at all, boss.” He smiled. The corners of his mouth twitched a little. He was going to blow. I knew it. I needed people to stay the same in the workplace. I knew people changed but this was a drastic change. He was just snappy and flamboyant a few days ago. Now he was quiet and happy. Plus, I could have sworn I heard him humming this morning as I walked past his cubical.
Crazy folk exhibit these drastic mood changes.

“Okay.” I turned to leave the room, but turned back around for one more stinger. “Oh, and stop calling me boss, my name is Mr. Spencer to you.” His mouth dropped. I left him where he was standing. The rest of my day was going smoother. Everybody was in line and I received several calls from Mateo to brighten up my day.