Thanks for being patient. Don't give up on me yet! I'm trying hard to keep this story going with the limited time I have:)
Chapter 20
Apart for some change in staff and some deals falling through, everything seems to be business as usual.
"Mike, has there been any special operations lately?"
"No, nothing that required your level of expertise. There's a case with the Indian government that I think they were going to give to Barbra Streep, but I don't know the level of difficulty that negotiation will be."
I'm not letting Rachel have that only to screw it up. She's been here what? A month?
"I'd appreciate it if you could get me the details on that case. I'm pretty sure it'll be mine anyways now that I'm back." I finish my coffee and place the empty cup into his waiting palm as he swoops all the other accessories off the table.
"And one more thing Mike, I need you to keep an eye on Barbra." We share a knowing smile before he nods and leaves.
The rest of my morning is spent on the stack of files given to me. There isn't much compared to what I'm used to working on and most of the balance sheets seem to be in order except for one by a company named 'Walken Enterprise'. There seems to be multiple deals where sales taxes were being paid from a special account before passing through another. It doesn't make sense to wire money through two accounts unless there's some avoidance technique coming into play.
I wake my sleeping monitor and face my black wallpapered screen. I run the government's tax program and wait for all the information to build. My phone rings and a smiling Brittany comes on screen.
"Hey," I'm still not free to say what I want. My office is one of the most secure and that means double the amount of cameras and microphones. I've never had the need for privacy at work but maybe I'll have to rewire some things.
"Ok, yeah. See you in a bit." I hang up and focus my attention back onto the screen. Brittany had just encountered the mailman who in my opinion should be fired for rudeness. She couldn't understand what he was saying but she said there were two letters from unknown addresses for me and that she just signed in my place because she thought that'd be the most normal thing to do. But then she felt guilty and called me. I wonder who would send me letters at my house. I've never had anything sent there. Everything work related was sent to my office.
I put that worry in the back of my mind as I focus on the numbers lined up in neat rows and columns on my screen. There's a pattern, the past two months sales were high and a small amount was put into another account but then it was transferred back ten days later and the taxes were paid in full. But why the extra account? I press the button on the edge of my desk and call for Mike. He comes in immediately.
"I need you to run a full scan on 'Walken Enterprise', I want an audit of all their financial activity for the first three quarters of this year and all of last year."
I check the time; I have half an hour till my appointment with Brittany. I forget how fast time flies when I'm immersed in work. I start putting my shoes on re-stacking the files I already went through. There's one left that I'll look at tomorrow.
"I'll have it here by tomorrow morning if that's ok, unless you want it this afternoon then I'll do it over lunch. It'll probably be ready before two." Mike holds my purse for me ready to walk me out.
"Tomorrow will be fine Mike, I'm not coming back in." I let him open the door for me. He waits patiently while I lock my office.
"Do you have a meeting this afternoon? I checked your schedule but there seems to be nothing written as of yet." He's sharp and does his job well.
"No, I just got back so I have no business engagements yet. I do have an appointment though so I won't be back." I get my bag back from him.
He sees me off at the elevator with a smile and a small wave.
I remind myself once again to get Rachel to sign over her parking space if she doesn't do it by the end of the day. It's just not right for someone of my position to have a regular. It takes off so many 'authority' points. I pull my thick, dark shades over my eyes and get into my car.
I can see Brittany on the porch as I park in front of the gate. I was thinking to call her but it looks like that wasn't necessary. She's more than ready with her sun hat, casual jeans with rips at the knees, my designer boots and a white tank top. The moment I pull up she jumps off the porch seat and runs down the drive way. I laugh when she stops at the closed gate and thinks about how she's going to open it. She contemplates going back inside for the keys but before she can make her way back up the driveway I click the button on my keychain and the automatic gate opens.
"Sheesh, I forgot about the gate," Brittany says in an excited tone as she hops into the passenger's seat without opening the door. If it was anyone else I would have scolded them already about being gentle and about how expensive the leather seats were. But Brittany being Brittany landed like a cat, softly and gracefully. I almost forgot Brittany had said something because I'm still mesmerized by the insane muscles in her arms that were on full display when she supported herself in her jump.
"….so stupid." I catch the last bit of her rant. I put the car into reverse and head down the steady slope to the main road.
"You're not stupid Britt, just…forgetful sometimes. But you were cute, trying to figure out what you'd forgotten and scratching your head. That's why I didn't open it for you immediately." I give her a sneaky smirk and she feigns an angry face and lightly hits my arm.
Brittany decides she's not that hungry. While I drive she tells me of her adventures on the streets near our home. "There were so many yummy things to have with my morning coffee." She whines apologetically.
"So what do you want for lunch then baby?" I pull the car onto the shoulder of the road. Brittany pretends to think hard though I know she already has something in mind. "Out with it, as awesome as I am I can't read minds." I lower my sunglasses so my eyes peek out at her.
"Let's go to the beach," she gives me her biggest grin, as if that's going to work.
"Nope, too hot and nothing to eat." I snap my shades back on and ignore her pout. I can't, won't look at her while she's making that face else I might give in.
"Take me to that bar then, the one where I saved you from Quinn." Brittany may or may not know it but her request scares me a little. That's practically my social life right there. Bringing her there is similar to letting her 'meet the parents'. The people there are like family and I half fear they won't like her or that she won't like them. It's near impossible of course because, well, this is Brittany – everyone likes Brittany. I still have that moment of indecision though; it could go completely right or completely wrong. It also feels like I'm giving Brittany free pass to everything about my current life, there won't be an 'I' anymore, just an 'us' – it freaks me out a bit.
"If you don't want to it's fine." Brittany is turning the other way, looking out at the small street stands to distract her from the situation; it kicks in that she probably feels bad for asking. It also means she knows exactly what she's asking me.
"Let's do it - time for people to meet my girlfriend." I put the car into motion again and catch her eye as she turns to look back at me. She's beaming and I wink.
Bar Ercolano is barely open when I step in, my hand holds Brittany's as she follows. There's a boy setting the stools around the tables, another wipes the grungy windows and one more checks the liquor stocks. I know that boy, barely eighteen but knows the liquor better than most. He's Joaquin's cousin. He's been here since the age of fifteen and believe it or not hasn't touched alcohol –it's not that Joaquin doesn't let him. An alcoholic father and abandoning mother has kept him far away from such things. He has a younger sister, he works so she can go to school.
"Hey Victor, when is Joaquin going to give you this bar?" I sit on one of the tall stools at the bar and Brittany does the same.
The boy with bright, olive eyes turns around and sends a crooked smile. "Nice to see you Anita. Joaquin told me you were back but I was visiting my sister last week so I missed you."
"And how is Rosella doing?" I nod in thanks as he serves Brittany and me some freshly pressed orange juice.
"She's doing well, a whole year ahead too. I'm proud of her." Victor goes on to dry the newly washed glasses.
"As I'm sure Joaquin is proud of you."
He gives me a boyish grin, turning his face away but not fast enough for me to miss the slight red in his cheeks. I've known for a while about his innocent crush on me – more like admiration. In his mind I'm like a super-heroin or something. He gets dreamy eyes when I drop some clues on my latest job; I can't count how many times he's complimented me on how 'awesome' I am.
"Victor, could I get the menu?" I remember that Brittany and I are here for lunch. "They have the best sandwiches here Britt, I don't know about you but I'm starving so don't be surprised if I have one too many."
Victor comes back with two laminated menus, he hands one to me and lowers his eyes as he hands one to Brittany.
"Oh, Victor, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend…Jess." I smile wider than I intend to. I don't know if I'll ever get over introducing Brittany as my girlfriend even if in a name I just made up. Now I really need to talk to Francis about getting Brittany some identity.
Brittany puts her hand out without missing a beat and grabs Victor's firmly when he hesitates to grip his hand in hers.
"Honor to meet you, especially since, you know, you're Anita's girlfriend." His voice shakes with nervousness and excitement.
"The same to you," Brittany squeezes his hand for the last time. "So, as future owner what do you suggest?" She scrolls her eyes up and down the menu then waits for Victor.
"Well, the drinks are all good, depends on what you're feeling but for an afternoon snack I'd go for sandwiches or fries, we've got some cool dips." He finishes his suggestions and stuffs his hands in his jean pockets to stop from fiddling. He side eyes the counters behind him mentally checking to see that all the dips are indeed full or perhaps he needs to check that he refilled them.
"I'll have the big tray of sandwiches, you know my favorites." I don't have to look at the menu because well, I can quote it in a heartbeat if anyone asked.
"Got it, anything else? Ms. Jess?" His eyes dart to her, then to the floor, then to the glasses stacked unevenly. They need to go on the shelves.
"I'll have fries and all the dips."
"On it now." Victor hurries away to the kitchen to put in our orders.
"Jess?" Brittany quirks an eyebrow at me.
"What? It'd be weird if didn't give a name…and that name just came to me." I defend myself but can clearly see Brittany was only playing.
"So Anita and Jess Capella?" She twirls a blonde curl around her fingers while still giving me an innocent look.
"We're not married." I chuckle but then swear loudly when rough arms circle my upper body in a crushing squeeze.
"That was fast, and you didn't even invite me." The pressure releases and I turn full circle to see Joaquin smirking. I turn to Brittany who is scowling.
"Uh….Joaquin, meet my girlfriend Jess. And Jess, this is Joaquin. He owns this place and is a good friend." Brittany's face relaxes as she extends a hand. He takes it and kisses it chivalrously.
"Hey, I may not be married to her but there are boundaries." I slap Joaquin on the shoulder. He waves me off like kissing the hands of other peoples girlfriends is just part of being amiable.
"There will be boundaries on your tab here too if you don't come over tonight. I'm gathering the boys, they've wanted to get together ever since they found out you came back." Joaquin wipes his brow and starts stacking the shot glasses on the shelf.
Victor comes out at the same time; Joaquin steals the tray from his hand and sets the food on the bars surface.
"Thanks Victor," I ignore Joaquin, and send the younger boy a smile that is quickly returned. He sets his hands busy with the glass towers.
"San," Brittany leans over to whisper, "Are you eating all of that?" She looks from the sandwich tray to me.
"I told you not to be surprised baby, I'm hungry and these sandwiches are awesome. Bite?" I don't give her much choice as I shove the ham and celery sandwich I'm holding towards her.
"It's good," Brittany says with her mouth full. I wipe some mayonnaise off the corner of her mouth and like my finger.
"Again, what I said." I take a bite of the sandwich now half eaten. Brittany's fries and dip come and I don't hesitate to snatch one before she gets a chance to try.
"The seafood dip is the best if you ask me." Brittany makes a fake angry face. "I didn't ask you, stop stealing my food."
"Come on, I let you have some of mine." I whine knowing full well both Victor and Joaquin are watching with interest. When I'm with Brittany I can't seem to help myself though, I just do what comes naturally. I'm that type of girl when I'm in love, I almost don't believe it.
"Yeah, but you offered, I didn't, you just stole my fry." She does her pout and I know I've lost.
"Fine, you want me to apologize?"
"Nope, just tell everyone in the room you have the most awesome girlfriend in the world."
"Too easy. Yo listen up peoples…my girlfriend is more awesome than yours and any of your future ones. Better?"
Brittany kisses Santana's nose and pops a maple syrup dipped fry in her mouth. Santana continues to smile like an idiot while everyone else flushes at witnessing the two lovers flirt.
Joaquin shakes his head and leans on the counter right in front of the girls. "Jess, you have to come over tonight and tell me about this miracle you have done." A scowl immediately sketches on my face; the problem isn't sharing my friends with Brittany. I'm sure Brittany will win their hearts with one smile. The problem is sharing Brittany with them. I try to convince myself, but I know the real reason I'm tempted to jump on a plane and leave the country if only to avoid an evening with the boys is that introducing Brittany will make her even more permanent in my life and I'm scared. Sometimes when you put too much into one thing, when one person is your whole world and they share every part of your world, it can kill you when it's all ripped away. I don't fear Brittany will leave me, but what if something happens? There won't be a single place I can go that won't have her face etched into it.
"If Anita is ok with it, I'd love to come again this evening." Brittany nudges me. My throat is dry but I manage to say 'maybe.'
I park in front of Cuomo's Lucky Store. The whole way here Brittany's been bursting with how wonderful it will be to meet my friends. I can't give more than few nods as I focus on driving and trying to convince myself that it is a good idea.
I snap the seat belt off and step out into the hot parking lot. "Let's go Britt," I urge and put my hand up to cover my face from the strong light. Brittany closes the door and walks to my side; she instantly takes my limp hand into hers.
"Why are you not excited? Do you not want me to meet your friends?" She whispers near my ear. I keep walking, leading her to the huge store entrance. I don't want to come off as insecure but I don't want to lie to Brittany. "I never said that, let's just shop first ok?"
I'm glad Brittany decides to let it slide for the moment. She squeezes my hand gently as if to say 'I know you'll tell me when you're ready.'
"What's that Britt?"
The moment she drops my hand, she's digging in her purse and producing a folded up note paper.
"It's a list of all the new things we need and I also prepared reasons because, some things you might not want to change." She smiles sheepishly and I can't help but find her hesitation adorable.
"Try me"
We walk down an isle that has a 'towels' sign hanging low from the roof.
"Ok, bath curtain."
"What's wrong with it?"
"It's black Santana! And it's a 'real' curtain. People don't use real curtains in the bathroom and especially not black ones."
"That's because my bathroom is emperor size and it's not separating the bath tub from the toilet area it's separating the 'bath' area from the rest of the bathroom."
"It's scary, sometimes when I walk in there I imagine what could be behind the curtain so I pull it real quick - like if I surprise it first then it won't be able to surprise me."
That leaves me kind of stumped.
"Ok, maybe we'll change that."
I watch Brittany put a grinning smiley next to it.
"What else is there? Napkins?" We've reached the napkin section that pretty much has every design under the sun.
"Right, at least we agree on the napkins."
Brittany starts looking at the higher shelves as I scan the lower ones.
"Britt, I'm going to look over there. I can only see old lady flower design ones." I walk to another section that display plain napkins in so many shades I can't even name them all. Another shelf catches my eye; the napkins are engraved with initials from 'A' to 'Z'. There's also a pack of brochures on the rack with the lame catch phrase "make dinner memorable", printed on the top.
Inside the brochure are some sample engravings. They have colors to choose from, gold, silver, maroon, aqua, florescent, and the list goes on.
"Hey, San." I look up to see Brittany standing in front of me rocking back and forth, heel, toe, heel, toe. She bites her lip and takes a deep breath. "Ok, so tell me which one." From behind her back she shows me five samples; it takes me five seconds to know I don't like any of them.
"Musical notes? That's uh…creative."
"San, you can tell me if you don't like them." Brittany drops her hands, the motion moves all the way to her shoulders.
I let out a sigh knowing it'll probably be easier to give in to Brittany's pout and drooped shoulders than convince her pink polka-dots and Tweety napkins will make dinner look so wrong.
"How about we get two sets Britt, one for dinner with other people and one for dinner that's just us?" I hope my compromise will be enough for Brittany, I just can't imagine having dinner with friends and picking up a yellow-bird printed napkin to wipe my mouth with.
"I like this one," she separates a napkin with a flamingo standing in purple grass from the others. It's a kid's napkin, I know, but it's not half bad – most of it is a creamy white and I can live with a little pink and purple at the bottom.
"Let's get it."
Brittany smiles in response and gives me a quick peck on the cheek before she runs off shouting, 'I'll help you find some other people napkins.'
I secretly like the idea of having engraved napkins even though it is cheesy. Gold letters on olive green would look nice. I walk to the shelf with all the shades and choose a green I like, holding the brochure up to compare the gold sample against the cloth color.
"I like it." Brittany whispers over my shoulder. She rests her chin there and extends her hand to touch the cloth. "It's smooth too, but I like that it's also a bit fuzzy and also soft."
"I was thinking about putting our initials on it in fancy gold lettering. What do you think?" I turn my head so I can see her work out the pro's and cons. Her eyes shift from the gold on the paper to the napkin in my hand.
"It's great San, but can the napkins be blue?"
"Blue with gun-metal gray engravings?"
"Perfect."
I like how we work together so well and I'm all the more convinced this is the person I'm supposed to discuss napkins, computers, conspiracy theories and everything else with.
Brittany's list is inexhaustible. And by the end I'm completely worn out.
Bed-spread
"Guns and roses"
"Birds and Bees"
"Paper, scissor, rocks"
"I win"
"Britt, anything but birds, please?"
Bath-robes
"We have towels Britt"
"But in China they had silk robes that are super comfortable, and like, they slip off super easy too"
"You have a Chinese concubine kink? Really Britt?"
"They can be pajamas too for when we get lazy to change –that's practical right?"
Door handles
"I feel like I have to pray before I turn the ones you have now, they look so weird and sacred"
"You can't be serious, they came with the house and I never thought that"
"Who knows? They probably attract ghosts or maybe the ancestors of the people who used to live here now live in those door handles"
"Is that actually possible?"
"Do you really want to know?"
Vases
"I'm allergic to flowers"
"That's a lie San"
"But vases are so homey; it's like what my grandmother's home would have. All the flowers would die anyways due to my intentional neglect and your forgetfulness"
"Remind me to get plastic plants on our way out then"
"Now that's just pathetic. Plastic plants are for people who can't carry out the simple responsibility of having real ones"
"You just described us San"
"Fine, we get vases and real flowers"
Sausage pillow
"Is that your way of saying you don't want to snuggle with me, a perfectly soft, warm human being?"
"No, it's for sex. You know when we have it or when I give it to you – I think leverage is the right word to explain when you…"
"Got it Britt"
"And maybe a little cuddling"
"If that thing starts replacing me, I'm kicking it out. Or if you know, we're being wild in bed; it might end up on the floor too"
"I'm fine with that as long as you don't be mean on purpose and kick it out for no reason"
"Britt, it's a pillow"
"It still has feelings"
"No it doesn't"
"Ever heard of pillow talk? If they can talk they have feelings"
"Have it your way"
We've been shopping for three hours. It feels like that day I took Brittany shopping in the market and covered way more area than was necessary, except today there was still more to go.
"How much more to go? I need some coffee." I lean my head against a shelf and watch strand of something dangle in front of my eyes.
"We can have a break after we get this partition, it'll be faster if you help me choose." Brittany points to two that she likes, "Shells or Disco balls?"
"Indian beads,"
"Fine, you are so unoriginal" Brittany has a helper wrap one up.
"I know, but one of us has to keep our house from turning into a 'strange artifacts' museum"
"And that's why I love you"
Brittany steals a kiss then grabs my hand, pulling me along the isle towards the cashier.
I have my eyes set on the Starbucks the minute the bar codes start getting scanned.
More fluff to come. They deserve it after all the drama
R & R