The Venture Capitalist (14 page)

“Nothing,” I say quickly. Although, I feel like I’ve been revisited by my mother, who used to call Nathan and me
incorrigible
when we were naughty based on a book she read to us when we were kids. I don’t tell Ms. Beale this, because I’m not ready to be vulnerable with her, and not sure I’ll ever be.

“I’m incorrigible only when errant women tell me I can’t say certain things.”

“Give it a rest. So, what’s you favorite movie?”

“I don’t have one,” I say sheepishly.

Her mouth drops open. “What was the last movie you saw in the theater?”

“Nate and I saw Basketball Diaries with some friends from the Academy.”

“That is sad.” She has no idea just how truthful that statement is, since it is the last movie Nathan and I saw just before our mother died.

“We had a large home movie library, but our parents wouldn’t let us see Basketball Diaries, so we sneaked into the show and saw it.”

“Why?”

“We were thirteen and because of its rating, we had to be accompanied by a parent.”

“Oh, okay. Then what’s the last movie you’ve seen recently at home, on television, or whatever?”

“The Bourne Ultimatum.”

“That came out at least seven years ago. We need to bring you into this decade.”

“What’s your favorite movie?”

“Of the classics, I love
Imitation of Life
. It’s a film my mother introduced me to which tells the story of this blended family: A white single mother who aspires to be an actress and her daughter, and a black single mother who’s a maid, and her daughter. It’s all about being who you are no matter what your ethnicity is, and how societal expectations shape who we are.”

“Interesting. And of current films?”

“I’m a comic book geek, so I love anything to do with the Avengers, X-men, any movie based on a comic book.”

“I like those, as well.”

“Then we must get you caught up to today’s versions. Do you have copies, or do we need to go movie shopping?”

“I’m sure Mrs. Naven has kept the library current.”

“Then why aren’t you watching?”

“I’m usually working.” Or playing with submissives, which is more entertaining than any movie.

“You know what they say about all work and no play.”

“Yes, as my father recently reminded me how dull I am.”

“Does he live here in Chicago?

“Yes.” I need to change the subject quickly before she asks about my mother. “Just so you know, if I agree to watch movies with you, you have to do something with me.”

“Have you stooped to blackmailing me into more than being your submissive?”

“No. I do have some scruples, Keisha. I was going to say, I’d like to teach you how to fence.”

“You mean selling hot property to dirty pawn shops?”

I glare at her and she laughs. “I know what you meant, I just thought that was a pretty funny joke.”

“I don’t do jokes,” I say.

“Ever?”

“Never.”

“See, I’m going to have to lighten you up, White. I mean, what do you do for fun?”

“Invest in businesses that make me tons of money?”

“That’s your job. You really are sad. I have half a mind to agree to be your submissive so I can teach you to have fun.”

“I would not be opposed to that.”

It isn’t until the limo stops at the curb in front of La Perla that I realize I’ve held Keisha’s hand throughout our commute.

I squeeze her hand and release it. “I’ll call you later.” Moses opens the door for her.

She hops out and beams at Moses, who graces her with a goodbye salute. I watch the gentle sway of her hips until she disappears into the store. I’m not aware that Moses is waiting for further instruction until I hear him clear his throat.

“Don’t pretend that you don’t know where we’re going next, old man,” I say.

Moses laughs more than half the way to my office building.

Just before lunch I page Darryl to come to my office.

“Yes, Mr. White,” he says the moment he pokes his head into the door.

“Did you call Ms. Jameson and then fax the budget and contract Legal fast-tracked this morning?”

“Yes, I collected all hers and Ms. Beale’s personal and business information when I spoke with her.”

“Good. Now, I need you to order some items of a personal nature for me.”

He readies himself with pen and paper. “I’d be happy to, sir.”

“I’d like you to order a bouquet of two dozen roses. Send them to Keisha Beale and Jada Jameson with an appropriate welcome note from me. Also, a bottle of the best chilled champagne you can get at such short notice that’s shippable. I have a gift for Ms. Beale alone which I’ve wrapped and will include with your shipment. I’ll give it all to you after lunch. Spare no expense in getting everything delivered tonight.”

“Of course. Anything else?”

“Have the crew at Midway ready my jet. Nathan and I are going on a business fact-finding mission to Atlantic City.”

“I’ll take care of everything, Mr. White.”

“Thanks, Darryl.” I don’t have to tell him that my thanks is his dismissal as he goes off to complete the tasks I’ve given him.

One of Darryl’s clerks delivers my lunch immediately after he leaves and I settle in to enjoy an organic hot lunch from one of my favorite local farm-to-table restaurants. I take out my stationary and pen a note to Ms. Beale:

Keisha,

Please accept these gifts with a promise. If you agree to be my submissive, this is only the beginning of what I desire to lavish on you.

The credit card enclosed will be activated on Wednesday after the signing of the contract. It is for you to use to bolster your wardrobe and anything your heart desires, within reason, as long as you are my submissive. I will expect you to attend various functions with me and need you to always dress tastefully and appropriately as a woman befitting my social stature. My personal shopper will be at your disposal.

I’m looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday. Please plan to stay with me after the meeting, and I’ll answer any further questions you might have about the lifestyle. Then we’ll move on to more pleasurable things.

Tristan

P.S. I don’t consider your acceptance a foregone conclusion. I wouldn’t presume to second-guess you, but I think you made your decision Saturday. It just hasn’t dawned on you yet. For what it’s worth, that’s when I made up my mind about you.

Next, I call my bank and inquire after the emergency credit card I requested this morning. They assure me it’s on its way via courier as we speak. I take out the package in my bottom desk drawer which I had Keisha’s ridiculous boss wrap for me at La Perla. I fold the note I’ve written and place it in an envelope to await delivery of the credit card and the other items Darryl is responsible for collecting.

After lunch, I stop at Darryl’s desk on my way out and hand him the package and the sealed envelope containing the note and newly-delivered credit card. “These items are to be addressed to Ms. Beale only. For her eyes only. Got it?”

“Got it. And FYI, I secured the following for Ms. Beale and Ms. Jameson: A bottle of chilled Dom Perignon Vintage 1995 White Gold Jeroboam champagne, a tin of Beluga caviar, and a basket of gourmet nuts, cheeses, and the like. The message says, ‘Ms. Jameson and Ms. Beale, please enjoy the flowers and have a mini-celebration on me. Here’s to a long and mutually satisfying business relationship.’”

“Perfect,” I say. “I’m off to meet my brother at Midway. Hold down the fort.”

“Absolutely.”

Although, I promised myself I wouldn’t call Ms. Beale at her place of work today, I find myself speed-dialing her on the way to airport. She doesn’t answer, but I assume she’ll have a lunch break within the hour, so I expect her to call me back before I’m airborne.

She does not.

After greeting my brother at the hangar, I try her again. Still no answer, and a direct route to voice mail. Once they put us through our paces and we finally board the plane, I dial her again. No answer. When we’re belted and ready for takeoff, I try Keisha’s number one final time. I frown and try not to get upset about it. I call Velasquez.

“Yeah, Boss?”

“Eyes on Ms. Beale within the hour. Text me back with proof of life.”

“Do you have reason to believe she’s in danger?”

“Not unless it’s at my hand,” I say. “She’s not answering her phone. I just need a visual.”

“Okay, I’m on it.”

Nathan is grinning at me when I hang up.

“Who’s the new sub?”

“What makes you think she’s a sub?”

“Have you ever had any other kind of relationship?”

I don’t dignify that question with a response, but I answer his previous question. In a fashion. “Her name is Keisha Beale, and I’d like to train her as my submissive, if she’ll have me.”

“No shit! You’re training a newbie?”

“Well, tell the whole goddamn crew all my business, won’t you?”

Nate raises his hands in surrender. “Sorry, brother. I’m just excited for you, is all.”

“Why’s that? You don’t have a submissive either.”

“But I’ve been without a much shorter time than you have. It’s about time you found someone again.”

Nathan asks more questions about Keisha during takeoff and I tell him only what I’m comfortable sharing about her. She’s too new to me to share everything about her with anyone right now. Besides she hasn’t yet agreed to be my submissive, but I’m hopeful.

“So, she’s a demon in a blue suit. Fine Catholic institution of higher learning,” Nathan says.

“That it is,” I agree. “And she has this wicked sense of humor.”

“What? Has she met your buttoned-down ass?”

“Fuck you, Nathan.”

“In fact, have you met you?”

“If you keep that up, I’m not telling you anything else.”

“Okay, I’ll stop. What does she do?”

“She’s about to open a recording studio and retail music store with her partner who also happens to be her roommate.”

Nathan raises his brow. “A roommate?”

“Keisha isn’t in the lifestyle, Nate. So what are the odds that her roommate would be?”

Nate looks crestfallen. “Not likely, huh?” Then he brightens up again. “But
I
can do vanilla dating, you’re the one who refuses.”

“But for how long?”

“You’ve got a point there. Anyway, what made you target this vanilla girl as your sub?”

“I met with her in my office about their business a couple of Fridays ago, and she was all, ‘yes sir, no sir,’ and I had the most visceral reaction to this girl that I’ve had for any woman. Since…you know.”

Nathan nods. “Still can’t say her name, can you?”

“I can think it, and I think of her. But, no. I can’t talk about her without going to a dark place. She’s forgiven me, but I don’t think I’ve forgiven myself.”

“That’s fucked up. You know this, right?”

“Listen. Let’s not go there now. I’m happier than I’ve been in a while with just the prospect of training Keisha.”