Restriction

Chapter 9

MThe weekend went as fast as it came, and soon I was strapping on heels, and lining my lips with lipstick.

"Have a good day honey," Henry kisses my cheek and I smile.

"You too." He was dressed in his usual tailored suit, classy and prim.

I made a mental note to visit my mother perhaps later today, and another one to call Mira before heading downstairs and having a cup of coffee with toast.

After I was done I locked up, and tried my best to beat the traffic, but that seemed to be inevitable this morning, especially on my usual route to work. I furrowed my eyebrows. This has never particularly happened before.

When I finally made it to the company, an entire 5 minutes late I was upset.

Not only that, but I found the source of interest. How can one man alone hold up an entire city.

Denzel stood, talking to numerous reporters about what? I dont know. Had there been an accident.

A crazy looking man, slaps a magazine on my chest and I flinch. He moves on to do it to the next poor, oblivious bystander.

Denzel Shear,

Sexiest man of the month?

And right below, laid a very questionable picture of Denzel, shirtless laying on a white rug with only a sheet draped around his genital.

I felt like a ctrep staring at him, but I couldn't look away.

Tattoos littered his chest, Roses, thorns, words, he was simply sculpted.

"Wow," I breathed before looking up at him, only to find that he was staring at me. I gulp, and instinctively drop the magazine like a guilty child. Unable to handle the heat of his stare, I quickly walked inside, and into the safety of my office. Leaning against the desk, I sigh, closing my eyes.

Okay, okay that was pretty inappropriate. Get it out of your mind Cooper! Be professional!

My door swung open and I'm not sure why I expected Denzel, but Ben walked in.

"Cooper? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine Ben, how was your weeked?"

"It was good thanks, Mr. Shear needs you to check up on these employees, he thinks there may be a flaw." I nod and take the files from him. He doesnt leave, so I raise an eyebrow

"Are you sure, everything's okay?" He seemed hesitant, afraid even and I sigh.

"Ben, thanks so much for always checking up on me. I'm fine, really."

He nods slowly, before disappearing.

Is it that evident?

Nevertheless, I threw myself into my office chair and began working.

Denzel never came back into the workplace.

- - -

"Its sad really, that I had to send you a text in order for you to come see me."

"Hi mom," I sigh exasperatedly and she moves aside for me to get in. "Is dad home?"

"Your father is in his shop. He'll be home soon, I'm just finishing up dinner."

The fifty two year old woman didnt look a day over 30. Her hips stuck out, demanding to be seen in her long yellow sundress. It was odd seeing my mother, in lace wigs and French tips, when all I grew up with was fantasia wigs and cheap nail polish.

She kept herself hip, and I always applauded her.

Our family home was fairly a good side, a two bedroom house, two bathrooms and a very large kitchen. If its one thing my mom always demanded, rich or poor, it was a big kitchen.

Both my parents were dark skin, and to say they were anti social would be a joke. You'd never see them at a party, or a neighbourhood backyard get together, gosh, you rarely saw them at the grocery store.

Youd find them at church though. They were the usual God fearing couple, with a Christian household.

To say I was sheltered would be an understatement, most times I'd wonder if that's what led me to where I am now.

If my mother found out what i was letting Henry do, she probably find some way to lock me in my bedroom, while taking care of the divorce herself exposing him in the process.

She was distant, but she was extremely protective. Plus, she liked him, and I didn't want to ruin that.

"How have you been Cooper?" She asks lowly, stirring the pot and I raise an eyebrow.

"I've been good, what about yourself?"

"Stop the crap child, I am your mother."

"Excuse me?"

"Since you've got here you've been nothing but quiet, and you completely zoned out. What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"Cooper-"

"Oh my gosh I'm so tired of everyone trying to pry in my life! I'm a grown woman, I can take care of myself!" I snap and she looks taken aback. Running a hand over my face I quickly stand. "Tell dad I was here."

"Cooper where are you going?"

"I'm going home mom, till next time."

"What has gotten into her?" She murmured to herself but I had already closed the front door and was in my car seat speeding off. I wasn't ready to go home.

I felt distraught.

My stomach curled as I thought of the way I just spoke to my mother, I wouldve never done that before.

I'm just so tired of everyone asking me if I'm okay, if my marriage is okay like I'm doing just fine. I don't need help.

Still in my work clothes, I remove my heels and trudge down the river rocks. Some were really sharp but I was used to it.

The sound of the cascading water inviting me, step by step I felt more at ease, away from the city.

Getting closer, the water was as clear as the sky although the time was just hitting the brim of 5:30. Slowly, I dipped one foot into the river. It was cold at an hour like this.

With my eyes closed I unbuttoned my dress shirt and pulled off my pants. I hesitated for a moment, my mind on my wig.

"Screw it." I murmured, I'll just get a new hairstyle tomorrow.

The water engulfed me as I went in, once again my eyes closing. I tried to sink to the bottom, but rivers weren't that deep around here. Still, I could lay back and enjoy the water flow down my body.

For once I didnt have troubles.

I didn't have a husband who now sought satisfaction in another woman, a white woman.

I didn't have a boss, that was very, very handsome.

And my already emotionally detached relationship with my mother was a complete failure.

I was me, I was Cooper...

I was alone, but I wasnt lonely.