WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT WHEN CARMA'S INVOLVED?

DOS

My first day arrived quicker than I realized. If you can believe this, I was a bundle of nerves. Surviving in a new city and not knowing a soul is intimidating but thrilling. How would I be perceived? Over the years I used running as a way to release all the pent-up excitement and anxiety that tends to manifest itself in counterintuitive and weird ways. A mile was less than adequate, but tiring myself out on the first day would not make for a great first in-person impression.

No matter the event I dress for, I always find myself staring into a floor-length mirror for a second opinion. There is no sense hiding the fact during this time I was chunky, pleasantly plump, or stacked in all the right places. It does not matter how far back I think, I looked that way since puberty. My body simply refused to change. No matter how much time I spent working out. Am I pretty? Yes, I am. No, I am not and never have been conceited. I know because I was told all the time, but it was usually followed by, “You should try losing some weight.”

I admit my thought process back then was silly and flawed when it came to my body and appearance. Like everyone, my own eyes were drawn to the set of DD’s I am overly blessed with. Though my back has never agreed they are any such thing. I have given serious thought about a reduction, but I would miss ‘em. My flabby belly was the real problem area. Muffin top with more than a little bit to grab type of problem.

Leslie, my oldest sister, made fun of my thighs all the time. When I understood what s*x was, I began telling everyone that thick thighs save lives. Unless I’m being shown what they tongue do. Hmph. You cannot see me, but I’m smiling over my ex-lover's tongue. It is a weapon of mass licking. I’ve destructed countless times. Sometimes TNT was used, if you catch my drift. Plump and lifted, my tushie made me proud to carry all my sh*t around. All of that is the reason my sisters constantly told me I was adopted. My body did not resemble theirs and I barely had a facial resemblance to our parents or brother.

The first day at a new place of employment is the day of all days to make a statement. Wearing my favorite suit, hot pink, I decided to pair it with a black tank top and my favorite pair of four-inch black heels. After dropping the weight sometime later, the suit had to be tailored. Every piece of my professional clothing makes a statement. My home attire is vastly different and mainly comes from thrift stores or anything from a clearance rack that I think is worth the buck or two they ask for.

Román’s first assignment for me was to see how well I could work with others. I say that now, but surely didn’t think anything of the sort then. Alixxander, his third son, was who he decided to pair me with. He was twenty-seven with some big wins under his belt for someone his age. One might argue our talents were equally matched. Almost. *EVIL SIDEWAYS GRIN*

Checking myself one last time, I chose to let my long hair down. It was the easiest way to hide my best ASSets. No need to cover up my prettiness with clown paste. I find it too time-consuming anyway. Grabbing my monogrammed briefcase, I set off to conquer my new life.

Arriving at Savage & Sons Law, I scoped out the brickwork on the building. The building itself was around two hundred years old and has been in the Savage family for a few years less than that. Meaning they have generations’ worth of wealth. Old money. Squaring my shoulders and with confidence flowing through my veins, I strutted up the stairs like I was walking the catwalk. It was no surprise a thick btch in a gorgeous suit would draw attention. Do you think the color of my suit was too bold? *WINK* The receptionist tried her best to intimidate me. Baby girl was in for a rude awakening because it was never easily done after my reinvention some years back. My hips swayed back and forth with each step to the rhythm of the drums beating away in my head as I walked into the waiting area. Her snide comments behind my back went in one ear and out the other. There was no time in my life for negativity. The look on her face was priceless when Román came down to personally greet then escort me to the top floor where the Savage men worked their behind the scenes magic. I found out sometime later it wasn’t a normal thing for him to do. He ushered me into a conference room and informed me it would be full momentarily.

Being in my new workplace, I figured it was best to act as if I had already earned my keep. As I walked around the room, I inspected the many framed accommodations, magazine covers, photos, and thank you letters from clients, celebs, random TV and radio personalities, and charities alike. Most of them were for Román. A few were for each son. My time alone was shorter than expected as four bodies entered the room. I took note that one brother was missing. Román re-greeted me with a hug before introducing me to his sons; Mitchell, Alixxander and Richie. You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but the latter son exuded a viciousness I’d come face to face with during my younger years. Another made a better impression with a handshake and a half-crooked smile. That one sat in the seat directly across from me. The chair may have been turned in the direction of his father, but it didn’t stop his staring. It’s not like men haven’t stared at me before, but never like I was a piece of the most expensive meat of the day. Leave me alone, it’s the best metaphor I could think of. As the elder Savage spoke, I took notes while stealing admiring glances back.

I estimated he stood around six feet even with dark, rugged, and mysterious features. I assumed he worked out from how tightly his shirt fit. A lot. His jet-black mop brought out his piercing forest green eyes. I was mesmerized by their striking color. For the first time in my life a man kindled something in my brain. Blood rushed to my cheeks out of embarrassment. It took some doing but I shook it off. I was hired to do a job, not misconstrue innocuous signals and become flustered. My first day ended in success because my partner had a prior engagement, so I worked alone.

During my first three weeks Alixxander and I should have been working on the case. I resented having to do all the grunt work while he pranced around the office with his girlfriend that no one seemed to like. Including me. Sorry. At the time, I didn’t like her because of frustrations related to the case. Later, my reasons were based on her actions.

Román hated to overwork his associates, as he prefers to call us. He also frowns upon us willingly spending too much time at the office. His motto, “less work, let’s play”. Yet, I know that’s not how he made a name for himself. It also sounds great unless you have student loans and other bills to pay. Which I did have. But college taught me how to save and live modestly. I’m thankful for that and happy to have a good amount saved in case of a crisis.

As for the pesky case, many of the supposed facts didn’t sit right with me. Relying on my intuition, I knew I’d figure it out. It’d be great if I had someone to bounce ideas and theories off of. Oh ya, that should’ve been Alixxander. As a way for me to concentrate, I use music. I’d never worked in a noisier office, and it became a must to keep a pair of earbuds within reach. I was in the zone, so in the zone that I had not noticed a body standing in front of my desk waiting for acknowledgment until the paper I was reading gently slid from my grasp. It was an incredibly good thing I looked up before yelling because I was ready to go ham on the person that had the audacity to interrupt me.

Seeing who was standing there, I yanked the earbuds out, threw them on my desk, then stood. “Mr. Savage, I'm sorry. As you can see, my work keeps me immersed. I hope you weren't standing there very long.”

“Miss Sanchez, I’ve noticed your work ethic. I’m impressed.” I thought to myself that he should be since he barely lifted a finger or made a phone call since I started.

I managed to choke out all while keeping a friendly smile on my face, “Thank you, Mr. Savage. Just doing my job.”

“Are you going to be staying late again?” Why did it matter to him? Had he picked up some of the slack, staying late wouldn’t have been necessary.

“If you need me to.... I can and will.”

“No husband or kids waiting at home?”

“No, sir. I’m single.” To this day I cannot believe I called him sir. The arrogant jackass probably got his job because of his daddy. His smile broadened after my disclosure, and it creeped me out.

“Great. Instead of staying, I will stop by your place. We can spend an hour or two going over the case.”

So many thoughts ran through my mind. He wanted to come to my home. WHY? Men and most women want only one thing from me. If he thought that way, I was not the one Alixxander was going to get anything from. Jeez, he had a girlfriend. It sucked because I feared defying a request from one of my bosses that soon. How would it look on my next resume?

My words came out like this, “Umm. If you insist.”

“Perfect.” Perfect was not the word that came to mind, but I went with it.