Mask

Chapter 9

Tailani

“Wait so you saw daddy?” Where the first words out of Imani’s mouth the moment I told her and Kona about Jeremih. We were sitting in Kona’s living room pretend watching tv, when she finally got it out of me, and Imani walked in just as I told Kona.

“Yes, Imani I saw your dad,” I said, softly as I looked to my cousin for help but of course receiving none.

“What does he look like? Does he look like me? Where does he work? Does he want to see me? Did you tell him about me?” Imani said, eyes as wide as they could get while staring at me as if she were a serial killer and I was her victim. All her life she had wanted a father and now to hear that he had finally appeared sent her mind and emotions into overdrive.

“Imani breathe,” Kona said, finally helping. On Kona's words, Imani calmed down, but kept her eyes locked on me longing for an explanation about the man that she had heard so little about but desperately wanted to know.

I sighed then said, “Thank you, Kona. Now Imani to answer your questions. You look like your dad, he works for Fase and no he doesn’t know about you, he doesn’t even remember me."

“How can he not remember you? And why didn’t you tell him about me?” She whined, poking her lip out at the same time.

“It was ten years ago Imani, and we knew each other for a brief moment. I remembered him only after we parted ways, so I had no reason to tell him.” I lied. There was no way I was going to tell her the truth.

“Oh. But you are going to see him, again right? There is a father daughter’s day dance in December and I want him to take me. And the family tree project due next week, he can finally be in it.” She begged with the same eyes as his.

“Imani, go play with your cousins so your mother and I can talk, and if you try to listen I will take back your birthday presents,” Kona threatened. And just like that she disappeared.

“So, you ran into your first? Are you sure it’s him?” Kona asked, as she sipped her tea. She knew about the Miami incident that almost costed me my job.

“His voice, and his eyes and when he touched my hand, I felt that same spark I felt ten years ago.” I said, as I grabbed her pillow and began fantasying about that night. Next thing I felt was a pillow hit my face. “Hey.” I said picking up the same pillow and hitting Kona with it.

“What, you need to pay attention when people call you,” Kona ordered. After work Kona was a lot bossier than work Kona. If anyone saw us together outside the job, they'd swear she was my boss. I honestly had no idea why she worked for the company anyway, it wasn't like she needed the money and with her skills she could have any position she wanted but chose to work as my secretary.

“I can’t help it. If you would have experienced what I experienced that night, you’d be just as f****d up as I am. I was such an i***t to sleep with him that night, but it felt so good,” I said, again fantasizing.

“Taili, come back,” she said, sternly.

“Sorry,” I said, still grinning from ear to ear.

“Now when you say he works for Fase, what does he do?” She asked stoically.

“Oh, he is the assistant to the assistant of that asshole DeAndre, but he deserves to be the Director of finance and DeAndre should be his assistant, because Jeremih does all the work,” I snapped.

“Is this what he said or…” She started.

“No this is what I noticed. Jeremih does all the work and DeAndre gets the credit. It’s so unfair, this is why he should just take the position under Akuma then we could play on my desk.” I said, as I picked up my cup and imagined that moment.

“Taili come back to earth. You sound crazy,” Kona said, again calling me out of my fantasy world.

“I know, and I feel crazy, I haven’t felt this crazy since ten years ago, when I decided to ignore that voice in my head and Imani happened, but I don’t care, even though I know I should,” I said giddy.

“Yes, you should care, you are the CEO of Thorton not an 18-year-old college freshman at a college party. Do you at least have a picture? Wait why am I asking this is you we’re talking about, show me,” she ordered. I smiled then pulled out my phone and pulled up the picture of him I had snuck just before I picked up Imani. As expected, Kona blinked and her mouth fell open, and all I saw was the same lust I felt in myself. “That’s him?” She asked, in a hearty voice that sounded nothing like her.

I shook my head yes and smiled, “Isn’t he beautiful?” I asked, bashful.

“Yes, yes he is. And you did nothing. Nothing, that child is all his,” She said, as she handed me back my phone.

“I know, I just showed up,” I said, as I took my phone from her.

“When are you seeing him again?” Kona asked.

“DeAndre is making him stalk me. So I’m seeing him tonight,” I said nonchalantly.

“That man is insane,” Kona said, echoing my own words.

“I know that, you know that, but for some strange reason my dad doesn’t see that. He thinks he’s the best guy in the world,” I said, with an eye roll.

“Are you going to tell him about Imani tonight?” She asked a lot more serious than earlier.

I shook my head yes, “I have to, it’s been ten years, and his boss is obsessed with me, but he is her father and has the right to know about her.

“Well, as long as you are willing to tell him. How do you think he’s going to take it?” She asked, as if I’d know.

I shrugged, “I’ll let you know when I talk to him. But can you watch Imani, for me tonight?”

“Sure, you just go get ready and have fun with our baby daddy,” she teased and we both laughed.

“Um, you have a husband, and he’s mine,” I said, sternly. Granted that last part was just wishful thinking but still a b***h could dream.

“So. What Ryan doesn’t know won’t hurt him, and he’s not yours yet,” She retorted. Again I laughed, happy for the talk but nervous about the date. I hope this goes well. I thought as I said my goodbyes then drove the long way home.