The Proposition (A Geek, An Angel) Read online

  Janeshia could feel her body tense. Her voice was seething. “I don’t think I’m hungry. In fact I was just about to leave.” She rose.

  “None sense,” Ramsey laughed softly. “Calm down Janeshia and please sit down. You agreed to talk to me. And I agreed to meet you here in town. Right here in front of any local reporters that maybe sitting right here, at this very moment.”

  “Why would our personal lives be of interest to a local reporter?”

  Ramsey felt overwhelmed by his own ego and boasted. “Janehisa you forget that I am Ramsey Montgomery, a CEO and a man with the best venture capitalist connections this valley has ever seen. Hell, I’m the most well connected man in this valley period, if I do say so myself. Any reporter with a thought of his own could easily connect the dots and figure out who I am. Then I’m sure they’d make up a scandal so huge that it could make our lives at the very least uncomfortable or at the worst destroy both of our lives.”

  She knew he was right. But she kept her guard up. She leaned back in her chair.

  “Okay let’s have dinner then we’ll talk.”

  Ramsey pinned her with his gaze. He smiled. “I’m so glad to hear that,” he said as he quickly waved their waiter over to take their dinner order.

  An hour and a half later, Janeshia sat her fork down. The remnants of her dinner sat before her as she slowly sipped her wine.

  Ramsey held up his glass and studied the wine. “You know Janeshia I bet you don’t know that the Pinot grigio is an Italian light bodied wine that is the most popular one produced out of Pinot Gris grape variety. Did you know that?

  “No, but I figured it was your favorite. Since you’ve drank two bottles all by yourself,” she said.

  He chuckled softly. “Wine gives a man courage to hear the things he fears most. You know what I fear most, Janeshia?”

  Janeshia merely nodded. She looked back at him questionably. “No, but I’m sure you are going to tell me.”

  The lines around Ramsey’s mouth tightened. “I fear losing you. I don’t want you to break up with me. I need you Janeshia. In fact, I am a man who is willing to make sure you are available for me exclusively, I’ll pay any price you name,” he hesitated.

  Janeshia gasped. “Pay any price; you talk like I’m for sale Ramsey.”

  Ramsey’s jaw clenched. “Who said that? I never said that. That’s not what I meant and you know it Janeshia,” he leaned over and whispered. “What I meant was that I want to make you a proposal. Let me be clear I mean a business proposal of sorts.”

  Janeshia crossed her arms over her chest. “You know Ramsey, you really should stop talking. I’m starting to dislike you more and more.”

  “Don’t break up with me. I couldn’t stand it if anyone found out you broke up with me.”

  “Oh, so that’s what this is all about,” she shook her head. “The great CEO Ramsey Montgomery doesn’t like to be dumped?”

  “No!” He doesn’t like it when a woman doesn’t find him irresistible. Why can’t things just go on the way they have been Janeshia. What will it take to make it continue? I’ll give you anything you want; a car, a house, money for you, money for your foundation. You name it!”

  Janeshia raised her voice. “What don’t you get Ramsey? Don’t you get it? Don’t you understand? Ramsey a relationship has to be built on something more. On the quality of time two people spend together, on love. Not on things! That’s why I’m breaking up with you!”

  “Janeshia! Is this man bothering you? Do you want me to call for help?” The question was politely asked but with a stern tone.

  The sound of a familiar voice sliced through the air.

  Janeshia whipped her head around. “Oh my God Mrs. Perrault?”

  Janeshia took two deep breaths and rose to greet her. She was amazed at how pale and shaken she looked. “What are you doing here?”

  Claire Marie Perrault walked closer with her head held high with a dignity that would have made any queen envious.

  “Janeshia, I asked you before, please call me Claire Marie,” she said taking her hand to steady herself.

  Claire Marie turned and looked Ramsey straight in the eye. There was something familiar about him. “Mmmmmmm, who is this young man you’re having dinner with?”

  “Ramsey Montgomery this is Mrs. Claire Marie Perrault,” Janeshia quickly made introductions.

  Claire Marie greeted Ramsey with a courteous smile. Her gaze never left his. “May I call you Ramsey, Mr. Montgomery?” she asked but didn’t wait for an answer. “And may I please be allowed to join the two of you?”

  Ramsey gazed back at her. “Mrs. Perrault, I don’t see you as taking no for an answer. By all means have a seat.”

  The next few minutes were intense as the three of them sat together.

  Janeshia sat and noticed how it appeared that Mrs. Perrault stared at Ramsey as if in a trance.

  Even Ramsey seemed to notice. He leaned over and whispered “Janeshia, do you think Mrs. Perrault fell asleep with her eyes opened? What do you think she finds so interesting about me?”

  Janeshia shook her head. She leaned over and touched Mrs. Perrault’s hand. She didn’t winch.

  ‘Mrs. Perrault! I mean Claire Marie,” Janeshia said shaking her hand. “Are you alright?”

  Slowly Mrs. Perrault turned her head blinking. “I’m fine…I’m fine. I’m just lost in my memories. Memories don’t leave like people do.”

  Ramsey cleared his throat. “Mrs. Perrault I hope you don’t mind my saying this. But you’ve got one of the most intense stares I’ve ever seen. It seems like you can look straight through a person,” he hesitated. “If you don’t mind my asking, why were you staring at me so intently?”

  Claire Marie Perrault took her time answering. She seemed to be choosing her words carefully. Her eyes looked so sad. “I’m so sorry to be making a pest of myself,” she took a deep breath. “But all that I can say in my defense is that you look so familiar to me Ramsey. You remind me of a boy I once knew.”

  “What happened to the boy?” Janeshia caringly asked.

  “I was told he died in his youth,” Mrs. Perrault hung her head sadly.

  Ramsey rubbed his chin nervously. “I’m so sorry for your loss. I bet that must have been hard on you,” he said. “I can see the loss still greatly affects you. Goodness I don’t know what to say.”

  Both Ramsey and Janeshia looked at each other in silence.

  Janeshia handed Mrs. Perrault a tissue.

  “Thank you for your kindness Ramsey and you too Janeshia,” she said blowing her nose.

  “How did he die, your young man,” Janeshia touched her hand. “If you don’t mind my asking.”

  Mrs. Perrault cleared her throat. “Oh, I was told he died in a plane crash,” she said closing her eyes fighting back tears. “For years I was haunted by my memories of losing him.”

  She took a deep breath. “I loved him so much. Now seeing you Ramsey makes me sad for the loss of him…”

  She openly sobbed.

  “God Janeshia, can’t you do something to calm Mrs. Perrault. I hate to see a woman cry,” Ramsey said.

  “Oh don’t mind me Ramsey. I don’t wish to upset you. In fact I have a favor to ask. Would you indulge an old woman and give her a hug?”

  For a moment Ramsey looked at her in silence. Then he slowly rose and held out his arms.

  Claire Marie Perrault rose quickly and walked into his embrace. She clutched Ramsey hard around the waist firm as if holding on for dear life. Her trembling slender hand reached up until it touched the top of his head. Then her nibble fingers ran down the back of his head feeling the bump on the back of the head. Her fingers continued their descent moving swiftly down to the base of his neck. She felt the ridges.

  After a few seconds, Claire Marie Perrault said. “Thank you so much for indulging in an old woman Ramsey,” she said releasing him. “First love lost is the saddest love of them all.”

  Ramsey pulled away looking baffled.

&nb
sp; He turned his attention to Janeshia.

  “Janeshia, I really should be going. I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t mind agreeing to finish our conversation some other time, please?”

  Claire Marie held up her hand in protest. “Oh, I don’t want to appear to be a bothersome old lady but Janeshia broke up with you for real. I believe Janeshia is seeing my son Walker exclusively.”

  Suddenly Ramsey and Janeshia stared at each other.

  Claire Marie turned quickly and eyed Janeshia. “I mean Janeshia?” she said softly. “Do you think you should be meeting Ramsey Pharaoh Montgomery alone again? What would Walker think?”

  Ramsey snorted out a laugh shaking his head. “Not many people call me Ramsey Pharaoh Montgomery. How did you know my middle name?”

  “Oh,” Claire Marie shook her head. “Well now your reputation precedes you. I must have read it somewhere in the newspapers. You are a well known CEO.”

  “Ah, yes of course,” he said.

  Quickly Ramsey turned and focused his gaze at Janeshia and said softly. “Well now Janeshia, it seems you and I don’t want to be causing any problems. I guess I’d better get going.”

  Claire Marie and Janeshia watched Ramsey walk away.

  “I’m from a very old French family that hold grudges,” Claire Marie said faintly.

  Janeshia breathed out slowly. “Mrs. Perrault let me apologize for any misunderstanding about this evening.”

  “Oh, Janeshia I wasn’t talking to you when I said that,” she softly laughed. “And don’t forget I told you to call me Claire Marie.”

  Janeshia studied her puzzled.

  Chapter 27

  Blackmail & holding a winning hand

  Later that same night, the night air was chilled as Janeshia left the hotel. She sighed with a deep sense of despair.

  A man walked out of the restaurant and stepped right in front of her and yelled for a cab. “Taxi!”

  His distinctly familiar voice made her jump out of her reverie. She gasped out loud.

  At that precise moment the man turned and looked in her direction. He stared at her in wonder. “Janeshia? What are you doing here?”

  A yellow and black taxi cab hurled to the curb.

  “Adam, I was just going to get my car. I see you are catching a cab. I won’t keep you,” she said.

  “No…No. It wouldn’t be right if I let you walk to your car alone. The cab driver can get another fare,” he said closing the distance between them. He hooked her arm in his. “Please let me walk you to your car. It’ll give us a chance to talk.”

  Against her better judgment Janeshia relented. “Alright.”

  Twenty minutes later she shook her head wondering how she ever let Adam talk her into giving him a ride home.

  “Well Adam it was good talking to you. It looks like we’ve reached your place. You can get out now,” she said anxiously parking the car.

  Adam smiled. “By the way I wanted to tell you. You did a nice job handling the board the other morning.”

  “What?” She smiled Adam was giving her a compliment.

  Adam turned and stared at her. “Good, now that I have your attention maybe you can hear me out Janeshia. Why don’t you come inside and let me offer you a drink.”

  “No!”

  She could see where this was leading. Nervously she replied. “Okay what is it this time Adam?”

  Adam’s eyes narrowed immediately. He rubbed his face. “I see I will have to persuade you a little bit,” he sighed. “Okay I think you will want to hear what I have to say. In fact I know you will want to hear what I have said, especially since it has to do with work you’re continuing to receive, shall we say, the great admiration for the things that you do.”

  Janeshia breathed out slowly. “What do you want Adam? Is it some recognition or is it a new position at work?”

  Adam leaned forward and made sure he had eye contact. He smiled sweetly. “I want you to sleep with me. You know have sex with me,” he shrugged. “If you sleep with me I won’t tell Walker that’s what you and I were doing the night that you were over to my place,” he said with a smug smile. “Walker thinks nothing happened between us the other night when you were at my place. And I’m sure you want to keep it that way?”

  Janeshia closed her eyes tight. She couldn’t believe this was happening to her. All at once she blurted. “What if I told you I don’t give a damn about what you tell Walker?”

  Adam could see she needed to be convinced. His thoughts raced. He needed more ammunition to persuade her. “Ah you don’t mean that.” He paused. “Because I’m sure that maybe you would care about what Walker’s mother Mrs. Claire Marie Edmond-Perreault thought if she knew about you and me. And then there’s the board of directors. I wonder what they would think about their director sleeping with one of the employees.”

  Adam watched her face fall. He laughed softly.

  “What?” she asked. She gripped the steering wheel and stared straight ahead.

  Janeshia’s anger fumed as she tried to ignore his laughter. She thought quickly. “So what, tell your lies, I don’t care! I still say no!”

  “Well then I guess I will just have to use my Ramsey Montgomery card,” he said grinning wide. “You know Janeshia with my Ramsey card it looks like I’m holding a winning hand.”

  “Mrs. Perrault saw me with Ramsey, Adam,” she said staring him straight in the eye.

  “Yes I saw the three of you together,” he sneered. “Janeshia, Janeshia! I guess you didn’t think this thing through, now did you?”

  Her anger fumed as she tried to ignore his laughter. She locked eyes with him trying to outstare him. “Are you trying to blackmail me?”

  “No…..No…I can see you don’t understand,” his eyes never left hers. “You see I know you love your career more than anything,” he murmured.

  Adam waited a second or two and smiled. His teeth looked huge like the Wolf in Red Riding Hood. “So I’ve saved the best piece of news for last,” he paused to letting his words register. “And it’s all about you and Ramsey Montgomery.”

  Janeshia heart beat harder and harder. The suspense was making her tense.

  “How would it look to the board of directors that their precious super woman Janeshia James was being a harlot in the community? How would they feel knowing you are dating a married man? Especially when you never could figure out why he kept standing you up”

  Janeshia was rooted to her seat.

  “Hmmmmmm, I wonder if Mrs. Perrault knows that Ramsey Montgomery is married,” Adam laughed out.

  He slowly reached over. His fingers softly caressed her face. Then his hand traveled lower and cupped her breast before moving lower edging closer to the inside of her thigh.

  “Stop it Adam,” she said pushing his hand away. She choked back a sob.

  “Ah I’m sorry,” his thoughts raged. “I want you calm and willing,” the voice inside his head said.

  He cleared his throat. “In fact, I’ll tell you what, I’ll make this easy for you. I’ll give you a couple days to think it through,” he said getting out of her car. “Then, I expect to see you here at my place. You give me a call when you’re ready,” he said sternly before closing the door. “And Janeshia don’t make me wait too long.”

  After an hour of driving aimlessly, Janeshia found herself walking across the front porch and banging loudly on the door.

  The hollow sound of footsteps echoed. The front porch light instantly came on.

  Janeshia started crying loudly as soon as the front door opened. “Oh Larissa, can I please spend the night with you?”

  “Janeshia, what’s wrong? Get in here quick. Is somebody after you?”

  “No,” she said heading into the hall way.

  With a choke in her voice Janeshia said. “Oh Larissa, I’ve been having a real rotten day!”

  “Come inside kiddo and tell old Larissa all about it,” she grasped her best friends arm and pulled her down the hall.

  Janeshia signed. “Oh
, it’s just that things at work have been so crazy and with my crazy relationship with Ramsey, I just get so lonely sometimes,” she hesitated. “In fact I’ve been so lonely lately I’ve been almost tempted to take up with Adam.”

  “What?” Larissa paused abruptly and looked at her friend. She went to open her mouth then realized Janeshia was staring.

  “Babe who’s at the door?” A male voice sliced the air.

  “Who’s that?” Janeshia pointed.

  “Oh him, “Larissa shrugged and smiled wide. “Well my best friend forever, may I introduce to you Mr. Forcier Devereaux, better known as Force. Now my BFF and my boyfriend have met, isn’t this great!”

  Janeshia felt nauseous. “Oh God, I’m feeling sick!” she put her hand to her head. “Oh no I didn’t mean because of you Forcier…I mean….. Oh God I’ve got to go to the bathroom.”

  A half hour later, the last thing Janeshia remembered before falling off to sleep was adjusting the nightgown Larissa had given her to sleep in. This was right before Larissa pulled the comforter up over her and told her all would be well in the morning.

  Chapter 28

  Shameful episodes that didn’t stay hidden

  At nine thirty the next morning, Larissa London slowed her car and turned into the rustic charming elegant drive way with a wrought iron locked gate with thick pillars of stone sitting on either side of it.

  She let down her window and pressed the button on the voice monitoring system. “Hello, Larissa London to see Mrs. Perrault.”

  “Yes, she’s waiting to meet with you in the library,” a male voice called out to her. The wrought iron gate opened slowly.

  A few minutes later, Larissa breathed out slowly as her heels clicked loudly on the marble floor. She knocked at the library door.

  “Come in,” Claire Marie Perrault called out. She was perched behind a massive desk in a winged back chair. The room looked like it had been decorated for a man.