Trouble In Paradise (4 page)

She looked at the time, eight thirty, she dropped her jeans and shirt to the floor went in the bathroom and wrapped her hair.  She covered it with a bandana.  She put her hand under the water to test the heat.  It was perfect.  She stepped in and began to shower.  Twenty minutes later, she stepped out dripping on the carpet and started to dry off.  When she came out of the bathroom Joshua was there with the room service trays. 

“I see you’ve already ordered,” he said. 

“Yes, I figured you wanted salmon so I ordered you the dinner special.” 

“It looks good too baby.  I was waiting for you to get out of the shower so we could eat together.” 

“You could’ve gotten in with me,” Victoria said. 

“Yeah, but I know how you like your privacy from time to time.” 

“Yes, I do a
lthough, being in a two hundred dollar room is and exception.” 

“I’ll remember that,” he said getting up to wrap her in his arms. 

“The water is still hot and I left it on for you,” she said leaning forward to kiss him. 

“You might as well leave that towel off and everything else,” he said.  “I’m about to eat and go to bed on you.” 

“Oh no, I got to get up early tomorrow and you need to be up early to so you can get us situated.” 

“So that means I can’t get any nookie?” he said with a pout on his face. 

“Ha!” she laughed.  “Don’t act like we can just bump and grind and go to sleep.  You’ll try and turn it into an all-night affair.  What ol girl at the front desk say cause I know she had something to say so don’t lie.”

H
e burst out laughing. “Girl,” he said.  “You can be too much sometimes. I was wondering when you would bring that up. You acted like it was all good when we were in the hallway.”

“Look don’t try and change the subject.” 

“She asked me if I needed help that’s all.” 

Victoria let out a loud laughed. 

“Yeah right, like she was going to come from around her little desk to help you.  I can’t believe she actually asked you.” 

He shook his head. 

“Me neither baby, I was thinking you are really trying too hard.” 

“I should go down there and . . .”

“Oh no you don’t, you sit your little sexy self-right here and don’t go anywhere.  It won’t take me as long to shower as it took you.” 

He went into the bathroom. 

She picked her phone up and called Shay.  

“Girl the way you moving got me in trance DJ turn me up ladies this yo jam!” 

“How you gone pick up the phone singing?” Victoria asked. 

“Girl you know I got you under that ringtone so whene
ver you call that’s what plays and it gets me crunk what can I say?” 

Victoria laughed.  “You so crazy.” 

“What’s up? Did you get my message?” 

“Yes I got your message and what have you heard about Danielle?” 

“Girl she been trippin’!” Shay said.  “I get to work today and she is trying to put in vacation time for this weekend.  Talking about she has a trip to take that came up at the last minute and she really needs to get the time approved.  Shirlice gives her anything she wants so hey you know she got it approved.  I think you should watch ya back ‘cause I think she got something up her sleeve.  I was talking to Leon today and he said she was talking about Joshua and how he is such a good Samaritan that he helped you move all the way to Chicago.” 

“No she didn’t,” Victoria replied. 

“Yes, she did,” Shay said. 

Shay was Victoria’s friend since middle school.  They grew up together and went to the same high school but Shay was a grade under Victoria because she partied harder than she studied, so in college they went their separate ways but they still talk to each other and met up twice a week at Café Olay to catch up and chill out
that was until Victoria’s recent move.  Shayla Morrison had two kids and no man.  Her baby’s daddies didn’t come around or even acknowledge the kids.

All her friends just called her Shay, even if they weren’t friends they called her Shay.  The only people that really called her Shayla were her parents, a boyfriend (a real serious boyfriend), and Victoria when she wanted to be annoying or when Shay called Victoria “Vickie.”  Shay didn’t want her name shouted to the world and Victoria didn’t want to become a Vickie.  They were two peas in a pod.  Shay had it going on.  Her looks were flawless like she didn’t have kids.  She worked for The Commercial Appeal, a local newspaper in Memphis, Tennessee.  She was the manager in business marketing.  Even though Shay was now twenty eight she was still known for her wild ways, she just knew how to turn it off and on when needed.

“What makes her think he helped me?  Is she crazy?” Victoria said. 

“Girl
no!” Shay exclaimed.  “That girl aint stupid.  She know what it is.  She just faking it around the office.  You gotta know that,” Shay said. 

“What else did Leon say and why does he
always know everything?  We just left today and he already knows.” 

“Umm
Leon is gay honey.” 

“Oh s
ay no more,” Victoria said.  They both knew that gay men knew everything. 

“We haven’t even been gone that long.  We only left t
oday,” Victoria said. 

“I know.  That don’t mean nothing girl, you know Da
nielle has some real crazy feelings for Joshua and she came in this morning with a plan.” 

“If she
shows up in Chicago girl it’s gone be consequences and repercussions to pay.  I’m not playing.” 

She could hear Joshua turn off the water. 

“Well, I’ll talk to you tomorrow girl I gotta get in the bed.” 

“Ok, keep me updated.” 

“You know it,” Shay said and hung up. 

Joshua walked into the room. 

“Were you just talking to somebody?” he asked. 

“Yeah, Shay.” 

“Oh, what she talking about?” 

“Danielle is going around telling ever
ybody that you’re a Good Samaritan for helping me move to Chicago.” 

Joshua let out an exasperated
sigh; the last thing he wanted to talk about was Danielle. 

“Have you spoken to her?” 

“Yes,” he said. 

“Really, when?” she asked. 

“When I stopped for gas the first time.” 

“What she say?” 

“The same thing she always says when she calls, she’s crazy for me and she wants to kill you.” 

“Oh is that what she says?” 

“I’m just playing baby,” he said and dropped his towel.  “Now can we eat and go to bed?”

Chapter 6

BEEP!! BEEP!! BEEP!! Victoria hit the snooze button.  She let out a yawn and stretched.  When she opened her eyes the digital clock read six thirty, she groaned.  She set her clock this early because she wanted to be especially business sexy today.  Joshua turned over and threw his arm around her.  He was warm she didn’t want to move. 
Dang,
she thought,
so comfortable
.  Slowly her eyes shut. BEEP!! BEEP!! BEEP!!

“
Ahh!”

S
he turned the alarm clock off and sat up.  Joshua pulled her closer. 

“What time is it?” he asked.

“Six forty,” she said. 

“The place is just fifteen minutes down the road.  You took a shower last
night; surely you can sleep another thirty minutes.” 

“I wish baby.” 

Victoria threw the covers back. 

“You can sleep another thirty
minutes while I’m getting ready since you don’t have an appointment today; I will wake you up when I’m almost finished so you can get up, put on some clothes and drop me off.” 

She leaned over and kissed him. 

He pulled her closer, “You know better than to get close to me ‘cause I gotta have you.” 

She kissed him again. 

“That’s nice to know.” 

She slid out of his embrace and walked into the bathroom.  An hour later Victoria tapped Joshua on his shoulder,

“Hey baby I will be ready in fifteen minutes.” 

He slid out of the bed onto the floor and fell around her legs.

“Boy stop you gone get my pants wrinkled!” she yelled. 

“Oooh baby that was a good lil’ snooze.  What time is it now?” 

“Seven thirty.”

“Forreal?”

He jumped to his feet,

“G
irl you gone be late what took you so long?” 

“Honey it takes a long time to get beautified so hold your horses, we’re only fifteen minutes down the road like you said earlier.  I’ll still be on time I got thirty minutes.” 

Joshua focused in on her. 

“Look at you
looking good enough to eat!” he smiled. 

She took a step back and did a slow turn.  Victoria was wearing a pair of cream and white Burberry Nova Check round toe pumps, some navy blue pants that fit nicely around her curves, and a cream button down shirt with a Burberry Brit print and logo outlined in the ruffles. She was looking good. 

“Thank you love, now let’s go.” 

She grabbed her purse and briefcase.  Joshua went into the bathroom and came out five minutes later. 

“I’ll just wait and drop you off then come back and get myself together.”

Victoria looked at him and thought about Rebecca. 

She walked up to him and raised her fist, “Don’t make me cut yo balls off and hand them to you patna,” she said sounding like the police officer from the movie The Players Club. 

He slapped her hand down. 

“Girl stop.”

They walked toward the door. 

“Oh hand me my Blackberry it’s on the desk.  That would’ve been a disaster if I left it.” 

“I know,” Joshua said, “then the girl from the front desk may have found it and gotten my number out,” he chuckled. 

She looked at him sideways. 

“I hope that isn’t the best excuse you got.” 

He shook his head.  Twenty minutes later they pulled up in front of Banks Association for Relationship and Family Therapy. 

“Have a nice day baby and call me if you need anything.” 

“Ok.”

S
he leaned in and kissed him.  Before she got out, she pulled down the visor and checked herself then hopped out.  At the receptionist desk she noticed a petite middle-aged woman; her glasses where barley hanging on to her nose.

Her head rose and she spoke;

“How can I help you?” 

“I’m here to start my internship with Caroline Banks.”

“Hi, the lady said with a warm smile.  I’m Marilyn O’conner—if I can get you to sign in here and show me your ID.” 

Victoria handed Marilyn her ID and signed in. 

Her hand slid into her purse and pulled out the badge.   “Go straight down that hall and hang to the left, you will see double doors, slide your badge there and sign in with Mrs. Banks’ assistant.” 

“Thank you,” Victoria said. 

“No, thank you and welcome,” Marilyn said. 

Victoria turned and walked down the hallway, when she got to the door she swiped her badge, the door made a buzz noise and Victoria went through it.  Inside she saw a young woman sitting at the desk,

“Hi, I’m Victoria.”

S
he walked up with her hand out.

“I’m here for my internship with Caroline Banks.” 

“Hello, I’m Monica Township, Mrs. Banks’ assistant.  Sign in here and have a seat Mrs. Banks will be right with you.”  Monica picked up her phone and dialed Caroline’s extension. 

“Yes,”

Caroline came through on the speaker. 

“Mrs. Banks your eight o’clock has arrived, would you like me to send her in?” 

“Yes,” Caroline said. 

Monica hung up. 

“You can go right through this door Ms. Mathis.” 

“Please call me Victoria.” 

“Ok, Victoria.” 

“Thanks.”

Caroline looked down at her watch.  It was two minutes after eight. She was going to have to teach this girl a lesson.  This was late in her books and Caroline wanted to make sure she understood.  When Victoria walked in Caroline noticed she had a pleasant face, very easy on the eyes, the clients will like working with this one she thought.  Smooth skin, deep complexion, professional, long ponytail—southern hospitality is written all over her. 

“Hi, I’m Victoria Mathis.”

“And your late,” Caroline scoffed. 

“Oh, I was here on time I was in the reception area.” 

“Well if you are not here with me then you’re late.  You have to allot time for you to sign in.  I want to start work at eight, not you get here and sitting in my lobby at eight.  This is very important Victoria because if you’re offered a position with this company then I will need you in your office at eight a.m. your first client will be here at eight thirty a.m. which gives you thirty minutes to be ready for someone who is about to tell you things you wish you didn’t know.  Have a seat.”  

Victoria sat down. 

“It’s a pleasure to be working with you,” Caroline said.  “I don’t mean to come off strong but things have to be done a certain way.  Now, first things first and that’s psychology 101.”  Victoria took out a pen and notepad. 

“I know in school you were taught very properly how to handle this job and this internship is the real life lesson first hand.  Now, these clients come to us for all sorts of reasons.  Some think their wives may be cheating and they want to know how to stay calm and not go crazy.  Some need to have someone stroke there ego and tell them how much of a good boy or girl they are.  They need to know that they grew up on the right side of the tracks and just because they made a few mistakes in life it doesn’t make then a cast away.  Some come in here because they’re having sexual thoughts about a cousin or sister that they know they shouldn’t have.  Some need advice on how to handle aggressive children.  They come for all sorts of reasons.  Some will shock you.  I am here to prepare you for the real. 

“In these six months that you are an intern with this company you will be under my supervision.  You will be given an evaluation at the end of each month.  You must past all of the evaluations in order to be offered a position at the end of this training.  Your evaluations will consist of a client package that I put together for you.  There will be five clients.  Out of the five there will be two that are working for me and will report to me if you passed your evaluation.” 

Caroline paused. 

“You know I want you to succeed Victoria, I liked you before I met you and your resume is impeccable.  I will help you with whatever you need just ask.  Now, your first evaluation will be at the end of next month.  For this first full month you will sit with me in this chair.”

Caroline pointed
to the chair next to hers,

“You will
be invisible to the client.  You can take notes but that’s all.  If you have questions write them down and I will answer them when the client leaves.  At no point in time will you interrupt the client or me during these appointments.  The client pays very good money to be listened to and he doesn’t expect to be interrupted.  You will listen and take notes, by the end of this month you will have your own professional way to deal with the client to his or her satisfaction, any questions?” 

“Yes,” Victoria said as she scribbled down the last of her notes. “You said there will be a package of five, is that a different package per month?” 

“No, good question.  It will be the same five clients; you will not know which is reporting your evaluation to me at the end of each month.  What you must know Victoria is when you have a session with a client they are in your care at least three to six months.  They pay for someone to listen to them and be on their side.  This package that will be put together will be your test of whether you can handle this career Ms. Mathis. Now listen I’ll give you a tip, while you’re watching, listening, and scribbling down on your notepad, imagine what you would say to a client once they ask a question.  For example if I had a client who was scared of the dark and sees shadows and wonders if it’s ghosts or the devil, think about how you would calm him down without displaying your opinion, it’s your job to help this person deal with what they’re going through.  You are here to guide them.” 

Victoria nodded while taking notes.  She understood ev
erything Caroline was saying; besides she was made for this. 

“Now some clients have to have medicine prescribed, it is also a method that will hel
p get them at times.  There are all kinds of disorders out there so sometimes it’s necessary to prescribe medicine. My first session is at eight thirty which is now.” 

Caroline’s speaker buzzed. 

“Mrs. Banks your eight thirty is here.” 

Caroline looked at Victoria.  Victoria got up and went to the chair next to Caroline’s desk. 

“Send him in,” Caroline said.