Without limits ssion and.., p.52
Without Limits: A BWWM Collection of Passion and Desire, page 52
“Robin, you remember Martin your former boss from the mailroom?”
“Yes.” My heart started beating fast.
“Come in. Please, Martin, have a seat— you too Robin.”
“It’s nice to meet you Mr. Trubeau.” Martin commenced to sucking up.
“Yes, it is,” Trubeau said.
I faked a smile. I sat in one of the two chairs in front of Trubeau’s desk. I took the seat that was closest to me. Martin had to take the other. Andrew didn’t bother to take his seat.
“Seems like you two would be happier to see each other.”
I cut my eyes at Andrew. What was he doing?
“Martin, I called you up here to discuss an issue that can’t be overlooked at this company. I’m not going to lie. I have never heard of you until yesterday. Robin never mentioned you. Martin, you are one of the many employees that work for me that I have zero interaction with.”
“This is a large company and you’re a very busy man.” Martin was making excuses for being a regular Joe.
“Yes, I am busy, much too busy for pity issues concerning my employees. I remember sending Robin to the mailroom yesterday to retrieve a package that had arrived.”
“Oh yes, I gave it to her personally. Was it damaged in some way?”
“No, the package and its contents were in pristine condition but my assistant didn’t return in the condition that I sent her.”
I knew I’d better be quiet but Martin wasn’t me.
“I’m sorry. I don’t follow.” Martin was slow.
“No, it seems you do follow. The surveillance footage from the cameras in the underground parking garage proved that you follow, you stalk, you threaten and you harass.”
“I, I, I was—” Martin stuttered.
“No, shut the fuck up! I guess the sexual harassment policy I put in place means nothing to you.”
“Sir, I can explain.”
“You can explain away security footage?”
“Robin and I just had a little disagreement. Whatever she told you about me are lies. We used to date and we were talking about our past relationship.”
This lying ass ninja!
“Robin would never date you.”
That was the god’s honest truth. How did Andrew know? Martin didn’t look like a toad but he was just as slimey.
“She’s dated a lot of guys that work here.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
“No, Mr. Trubeau. Robin is the liar.”
“Here’s the issue. Robin has never mentioned you. Nowadays people wear these nifty earbuds that sit inside your ear. Women with long hair have the little device in their ear and men like you are none the wiser. I was on a call with Robin when she entered the mailroom yesterday. She tried to end the call but hit the wrong button and I heard your entire conversation. There was no relationship. You’re just a predator. I thought I would just suspend you but you didn’t come clean. You blamed the victim like the low-life piece of shit that you are. You owe Ms. MacDowell an apology.”
“I do. I was out of line.” Martin turned his attention from Andrew to me. “Robin I’m sorry for any pain or suffering I caused you. Truly sorry.”
Was his dumb ass sorry about lying on me just a minute ago? I mean damn, this so-called brother basically called me a thot for no reason at all.
Martin's mouth was wide open. He couldn't believe what Andrew was saying and I could barely believe him myself. He never let on that he was on the other line. I knew the line wasn’t clear but I assumed he hung up but hadn’t cleared the line. Cell phones were tricky that way.
“I hate to do this to your wife and two kids but I’m firing you.”
“Mr. Trubeau, I need this job.”
“I know you pay child support to your third child. If you really needed this job why would you behave in such a reprehensible way? You don’t have to answer.”
“What happened was completely out of my character.”
“All that White slave master crap was just low. When a woman says no she means it. You’re fired. Leave the building. If you’re thinking about causing a scene, you shouldn’t. You don’t see security guards because I don’t need them. I have a black belt in karate. I also have this.” Andrew reached into his desk drawer and placed a shiny black handgun on top of his desk. “I don’t need a gun. I just think it’s a beautiful piece of hardware.”
Martin slowly got up on his feet. I didn’t watch him skedaddle his clear ass out the door. But I was sure he hightailed it out of that office.
“Are you okay?”
“What?” I was sitting outside my body.
“You’re just sitting there like a statue.”
“You fired him.”
“I had to terminate him. How do I know he’s not doing this to some other woman? Martin Turner is a liability.”
“He’s a pig.”
“That too.”
Trubeau walked around his desk and knelt down in front of me. “Why didn’t you say anything to me?”
“I can handle my own problems.”
“I never said you couldn’t but everyone isn’t as strong as you are. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. Remember, Sharon, helped me.”
His eyes were penetrating my force field. “Now that you’re looking at me like that I probably should’ve said something.”
“I’m not a monster Robin.”
“You’re not?”
He flashed a crooked smile and I almost fainted. “I’m not a monster today. Come Monday morning I’m a beast.” He stood and looked down on me. “Take my hand.” He held it out and I took it. He pulled me to standing. “Go to Sak’s. Go home and relax.”
“Okay.” I felt like some programmed robot that did everything he told me. I was being paid to do what he said. I was afraid if he told me to open my legs I would do that too. I couldn’t tell if he was flirting or just being his normal hot and cold self. I really needed to know his zodiac sign. I didn’t believe in all that stuff but I just couldn’t figure this man out.
He let my hand go. “Oh thank you— the Martin thing. I know he was a liability to your company but thank you.”
“Yes, he was a liability to my company but I fired him for you. In a weeks time, you have become a very valuable asset to me.”
I wanted to believe Trubeau. But this guy was so fucking smooth. Was he really being honest? I didn’t have a clue how he really felt or if he felt anything at all.
“Thank you.” I gulped up some air and I left Trubeau’s office.
That was a day.
Chapter Seven
I thought about Trubeau all Friday night and I had the nerve to be happy that I was going to see him at this charity event that was being held downtown. I picked up four dresses from Sak’s Fifth Avenue after work on Friday. The most expensive dress of the four was over nine thousand dollars. I picked the candy apple red Versace dress instead. It was half the price of the other dress but I loved the color and the webbed design on the back of the dress.
I wore my hair down with a part down the middle. My makeup was a bit more dramatic and red matte lipstick was the highlight. I looked like a million bucks or at least 5K. Trubeau had handpicked each dress so I knew he approved of all of them.
I drove to Trubeau’s house. It made sense. This was work-related, not a date. There wasn’t any reason for him to pick me up. I arrived at his place at seven and was let in by his housekeeper. I waited in the foyer for an entire minute before Trubeau came down the stairs in his black tuxedo. This man looked good enough to eat but I was sure he knew it. I wondered why he was single. He was a sight to behold.
“I’m glad you chose the red dress. It was my favorite. You look beautiful.”
“So do you.”
“Don’t we make a pretty pair?” I’m not sure why those words caused butterflies in my stomach but they did.
I didn’t respond for fear it was some kind of trap or test. But we looked so good together.
“Are you ready to rub elbows with the upper crust?”
“Yes, I will follow your lead.” He smiled with all his teeth. Damn, they were really white. I had to smile back.
“We’re going this way.”
I followed Trubeau through a room and into a garage. When the lights came on I saw cars, a black Land Rover, a Purple Tesla, a red Porsche and a blue sports car. I didn’t know what it was. He opened the passenger door to the unknown blue car and I got in. He got in and I waited for us to leave the garage.
“This car is nice. What kind of car is this?”
“A Bugatti Chiron.”
Someone other than rappers bought Bugatti’s. You learn something new every day.
“I’ve never been in one before. Is it rude to ask how much it costs?”
“It depends on who’s asking. This car cost two point nine million.”
“Okay so let’s make sure you don’t drive down the street on the wrong side of town.”
“Are you afraid we’ll get carjacked?”
“Well, it happens.”
“It does. But I don’t live my life in fear. You don’t have to worry. I will protect you.”
With that gun? I ain’t forgot about the gun. “Right, if it comes down to me and the car, you’re going to pick the car. Men love their cars.”
“Love is a strange word. I enjoy and like certain cars but it’s an object that can be replaced. So if I had to pick between you and the car I will always pick human life.”
“Good thing I’m a human and not an alien from another planet.”
“Good thing for me.” He half-smiled. “I don’t think an alien can get my coffee order just right. Just a heads up, my mother will be at this event.”
“Your real mother?”
He took his eyes off the road to roll them at me. “Yes, the one that carried me in her belly for nine months. She is big into this charity work. She points me in the right direction and I show up and give away money.”
“Are you really going to give this expensive car to a valet?”
“It’s insured.”
We entered the festivities and we weren’t at the event for fifteen minutes when his mother appeared from the crowd. She looked good for her age although I didn’t know her age. She was fit and well dressed. She had chestnut brown eyes. Her hair was blonde and in a flawless French roll. Her jewelry looked classy and expensive. Her evening gown was long and black. I was so happy I didn’t wear the black Elie Saab gown.
She approached her son with arms spread and kissed his cheek as they embraced. I was nervous. I wasn’t sure why. I didn’t have anything illicit going on with Trubeau.
“Mother, this is my personal assistant Robin MacDowell. Robin this is my mother, Gloria Trubeau.”
We both extended our hands at the same time and shook.
“It’s very nice to meet you Mrs. Trubeau.”
“You as well Robin. You look very nice tonight.”
“Thank you.”
“So Andrew, why would you hire someone so pretty?” Mrs. Trubeau smiled as she checked me out.
“Mother, I didn’t hire her. She was hired by another employee at Trubeau Tech.”
“Oh well, that makes sense.”
I stood quietly and wondered what she meant by that.
“Mother, I can see Laura Monroe eyeing you from across the room.”
Mrs. Trubeau looked for the woman in question. “Gosh, she’s waving at me. I must go to her. Please don’t leave without a proper goodbye.”
“I will find you like I always do.” Trubeau gave his mother a kiss on her cheek.
“Robin, hope to see you later dear.” She grabbed my shoulders and gave me two air kisses on both sides of my face.
Mrs. Trubeau dashed off leaving me with a sense that she was royalty. Her son grabbed two champagne flutes of a tray as a server walked up to us. He handed one glass over to me. I took it.
“My mother is a gem. She loves this lifestyle. She was poor most of her life. My success has literally put her in a world she only dreamed about. She flourishes in this environment. I can’t believe she gave you air kisses.”
“She looks like she belongs in this world and that’s what matters.” I came up with that off the top of my head.
“Why aren’t you drinking?”
“I didn’t know if I could.”
“Yes, as much money as I’m going to spend at this gala we can at the very least indulge in the free champagne.”
I took a sip from my glass and swallowed the best champagne I had ever tasted in my life. I needed more.
I wrote the checks for various charities and Trubeau signed his name on them. After all was said and done, he had given away a total of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
As the night progressed I had three glasses of bubbly and I was feeling tipsy. I was trying to act sober but the alcohol was stronger than any I ever had. Maybe I consumed too much too fast. I blame my boss. He should have cut me off.
My thoughts were getting fuzzy. I remember the valet pulling up in Trubeau’s Bugatti. I remember getting in. I must’ve fallen asleep in the car. I woke up to my boss holding the passenger door open and the words—
“Can you walk?”
“Yes.” I stepped out and almost hit the concrete but Trubeau lifted me over his shoulder. That was all I remembered of that Saturday night.
My eyes opened on Sunday and I was in an unfamiliar bed. I lay very still and pieced together what happened and how I got in this position. Fancy car, charity event, champagne, sexy boss in a tux— now I get it.
I had a mild hangover. I was so embarrassed. I drank too much in front of my boss. I sat up in bed and looked down at myself. I was wearing a gray sleeveless t-shirt and panties. I was alone feeling like crap until he walked in.
“You’re up.”
“Yes. What did I do?”
“Nothing really. The champagne didn’t hit you hard until you were in the car. I couldn’t let you drive yourself home. I put you to bed.”
“And you removed my dress.”
“Yes, I did. The dress was really tight. I had to remove it so you could move your limbs.”
“I wasn’t wearing a bra.”
“I know. Do you think I saw you topless?”
“Did you?”
“Yes, I saw them, both of them. They are really— lovely. I put the t-shirt on you and tucked you in. Your virtue is intact.”
I was too shocked to revisit the topless part. “What time is it?”
“A little after twelve.”
“You let me sleep that long?”
“I didn’t let you. You kind of did it all on your own.”
“I have to go home.”
“I’m not stopping you.”
“I don’t have pants. I don’t have shoes. I can’t put the dress back on. Do you have something I can wear?”
“Something like what exactly?” His perfect eyebrow rose.
“I don’t know. Women leave things at men’s houses all the time.”
“Huh,” He placed his hands at his waist. “I don’t have any women’s clothing. I can give you a tee-shirt and sweat pants.”
“I would like that. I also want to apologize for drinking too much.”
“It happens. Stay put. I’m going to get you something more suitable.”
Trubeau left me alone in the bedroom only to return with a few items that were oversized but wearable for my drive home.
My boss had seen me naked all because I drank too much. He didn’t fire me on Sunday. So hopefully, he won’t fire me officially at the office on Monday.
Chapter Eight
Things were strange on Monday morning. I gave Trubeau his coffee and he didn’t really have any other tasks for me the entire morning. He didn’t call on me. He wasn’t demanding or overbearing. He didn’t have any rude, clever or sarcastic remarks.
When I left to get his lunch I stopped at Sharon’s desk to see if she wanted me to pick her up something.
“No thanks, I brought leftovers from home.”
“Okay.”
“How was the party, the charity gala?”
“Oh, it was really nice, very elegant. I think Mr. Trubeau is mad about my behavior at the party.”
“I highly doubt that. He never said anything to me. He said the event went well.”
“He didn’t say I had too much to drink? It wasn’t on purpose. I can usually drink champagne with no problem. This champagne was stronger or something. I don’t know. I just didn’t handle it well. I fell asleep.”
“Andrew didn’t mention anything like that to me. He said he had a good time.”
“Really? He’s acting kind of weird with me.” He wouldn’t even look at me this morning. “Would you tell me if he was going to fire me?”
“He’s not going to fire you. I would never let him. You are fitting in really well as his assistant. You haven’t made any mistakes.”
“Okay, he just hasn’t said two words to me all day.”
“Robin, oh, that has nothing to do with you. He’s going to stay in his office all day.”
“Why?”
“Today is the anniversary of his father’s death.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“You wouldn’t. Just act like this is a free day. He’s probably going to be very quiet all day. His mother may even show up later.”
“I met her at the charity event.”
“Was she nice to you?”
“Yes, I thought so.”
“She loves pretty people.” Did Sharon think I was pretty? “Did she try to set him up with any women at the party?”
“I don’t think so.”
“You would know. She’s been trying to get him married off for a long time now.”
“Really? It shouldn’t be that hard.”
“Andrew is very picky when it comes to women. He’s not the kind of guy that could be set up. He has to make all the decisions himself.”
“Oh well, that makes sense. It’s getting late. I have to get his lunch to him on time. I don’t want to be yelled at especially after I messed up at the event.”
“Okay. Don’t rush. He’s probably not even paying attention to the time today.”
