Thank you for your continued kind support. I appreciate it more than you know.
Standard disclaimer.
The next few weeks, saw many changes for Mercedes, Sam and some of the others.
Mercedes diligently went about her task of getting her body, in better shape than it was before. Each day, she would go over to Sam's place and make good use of his extensive gym equipment.
She also followed a strict dietary plan, from an online nutritionist's guide, which helped her to choose the right foods and co-ordinate them, whilst doing exercise.
And within six weeks, her hard work and determination reaped results…she lost twelve pounds. She was over the moon, about it.
Sam restructured the company, promoting persons to positions, they were much more qualified for, and made Mike his personal assistant.
He kept Stevie at his right hand, including him in every meeting and every conference call, basically showing him the ropes, as he knew it.
Tina was promoted to Acting Chief Operations Officer, one of the highest ranking executive positions in the company. Her job required her to be responsible, for running the day to day operations of the company…essentially serving as an information conduit, for Sam, the CEO of the company.
And she was given Stacie as her shadow, to basically learn everything she could, as part heir of the company.
Some of the older employees, who wanted to retire, after many long years with the company, were awarded, feasted and given excellent retirement packages, in appreciation for their hard work over the years.
With these changes, some of Sam's duties were relaxed and he found himself with much more free time, which he solely dedicated to Mercedes.
Sometimes he would join her in the gym and he became her personal trainer, more or less.
They started spending some of their nights together, hanging out, cooking dinner and watching movies, growing closer and closer, as they learned more about each other on a personal level.
Some nights, Mercedes would even stay over, in one of the guest rooms, waking up early in the morning and hitting the gym, with grit determination.
Mike proposed to Tina and she dropped a bombshell on him, by announcing she was pregnant.
At first, Mike was so stunned, he almost passed out, but after that, there was a silly grin plastered on his face, almost every day, driving Sam batty, and Mike only helped, by bragging and playfully accusing Sam of being jealous.
"When your time comes, you won't act that different, you know," he told Sam.
After that, Sam went into a dream-like state, picturing Mercedes pregnant with his child.
Mercedes continued to work hard and with such determination, that within eight more weeks, she'd dropped another fifteen pounds.
Within another six months, she had lost a total of eighty-one pounds. She felt fantastic and she looked fantastic.
She and Sam continued to spend many nights together and she found herself falling deeply in love with him.
One night, they decided to go out, instead of dining in, and after much debate with Tina, she chose that special outfit…the one Tina had told her to wear, if and when, she decided to go back to her original weight.
After getting dressed, Mercedes stood in front of the floor length mirror and looked at herself, but she wasn't prepared for the sight that greeted her.
Her breath hitched, as she scanned herself from head to toe.
She had her hair styled in a half up, half down do, with a small side bang, coming directly over her right eye. Even to herself, she had to admit, she looked wonderful, in her red, sexy, irregular one-shoulder, ruffle hem, cocktail dress.
The dress fitted her perfectly, showing some of her pretty leg, courtesy of the opened split on the left leg.
Her eyes became misty, as she suddenly remembered how her life had been, months ago.
Her best friend's voice, seeped into that memory, repeating, 'No more tears,' and she heeded it immediately, allowing her thoughts to drift to the wonderful people in her life, especially the one she was about to go out with.
She moved to her dresser, to look for suitable jewelry, when she heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," she called and her best friend entered, with a sweet smile on her face.
"Hi Tee, what can I do for you?" Tina looked at friend and although she's seen the dress before, this is the first time Mercedes is wearing it.
"My God! Mercedes, you look fabulous!" she exclaimed. She launched herself at her friend and embraced her, as tears spilled from her eyes.
"Tee, no more tears, remember? This is a new chapter in our lives…and we both have a lot to be thankful for and be happy about. Dry your tears, babe…for me…and the baby."
Tina released her and started to wipe her eyes with her hand.
Mercedes moved away, in search of tissues and within seconds, she was standing in front of her friend, wiping her face clean.
"Feeling better?" Mercedes asked and Tina nodded. "Good. Now, how can I help you?"
Tina smiled, reached into her back pocket and handed Mercedes a long, black box.
"This is for you," she said, the smile still on her face.
"It's from your sweetheart, Sam…who is here, by the way. He wanted you to have it, before you were finished getting dressed," she said excitedly and added with more excitement, "Open it! Open it!"
Mercedes was flabbergasted.
She looked at the box and then to her friend, who was hopping from one foot to the other, with excitement clear on her face.
With trembling hands, she unclasped the box and gasped in surprise.
Inside was a necklace, but not just any necklace. It was a Diamond Tennis Necklace, in fourteen carat white gold.
She looked at Tina, who was now sporting a look that said, 'No ifs, ands, or buts…you are wearing that.'
Catching the drift, Mercedes took the necklace from the box and with a nod of encouragement from Tina, she placed it around her neck and turned her back to her, silently asking her to clasp it.
Before she could move, Tina came around to face her, stretching her hand out, and in it, sat another black box, considerably smaller than the first one.
"You'll also need these," she said, smiling excitedly and like before, she pasted the same look on her pretty face and said, "Open it!"
Like a robot and like before, Mercedes wordlessly opened the box and as carefully as she could, took out it's contents.
This time, there were earrings, Diamond Inside-out Hoop earrings in the same fourteen carat white gold.
Tina didn't wait.
She took the earrings from Mercedes, placed them in her ears, for her and took her to the mirror, to look at herself.
"These are so beautiful, Tee…I've never worn anything as expensive, or as exquisite, as these before…he's spoiling me already…"
Tina gently grasped her shoulders, turning her around to face her.
"Get used to it, Mercedes. Sam is crazy about you. Trust me, he knows you're not into expensive stuff, but he wants to do this…think about who he is for a second…and how the media will see you, once they get wind of your relationship. I'm not saying these things to scare you, or overwhelm you…far from it…I'm just saying…to expect this kind of thing from time to time…an outfit here…a purse there…because he will want to buy you things. And there's nothing wrong with that…you deserve it and more. Come, he's waiting for you…and he might be getting a tad impatient, right about now."
Mercedes smiled, picturing Sam's handsome face, as he listened to Mike, no doubt talking about the plans, he has in store for the baby.
She picked up her purse, and followed Tina through the door.
Outside, Sam had arrived earlier than was expected, seeing as he wanted to hand over the jewelry.
He'd made himself comfortable on the sofa, waiting patiently for Mercedes to finish dressing.
Mike had come out of his room then, and quickly struck up a conversation.
"So…where are you guys going tonight, Uncle Sam?" he cheekily asked. Sam looked at him, and trying to keep his good mood, he answered and said,
"Dinner…and maybe, a show. Whatever Mercedes is up for."
Mike smirked mischievously.
Since finding out, he was going to be a dad, he's found himself locked in playful banter with Sam, almost every day. He just liked winding Sam up.
"Wow! You guys are like a married couple already.
I like how you defer to her, without a care. It says something. I can see who is wearing the pants in this relationship." Sam's cool exterior began to crack.
"This…coming from the man, who's so spineless, he does everything his girl says…is rich. Kudos, Mike. I should give you a raise for that…just to remind you…that you work for ME," Sam said, sarcastically.
Mike was caught off-guard by that remark.
He could see that Sam was edgy, so he decided to tone it down a little and broach the subject, he felt quite sure, was at the forefront of Sam's thoughts.
"I wonder what's taking Mercedes so long?" Sam flushed. He was indeed wondering the same thing.
"Well…I arrived early, but I'm sure she'll be out soon." Mike nodded his head and said,
"I gather, Tina's in there with her." Just as Sam was about to answer him, they heard a door opening, and Tina's voice saying,
"Don't worry Mercedes, you look fantastic. Sam will have to keep you close, because lots of guys are gonna be looking in your direction."
Then they heard giggling, from both girls.
Sam stood and turned in anticipation. He was floored speechless, as Mercedes appeared in his vision.
Even Mike couldn't keep the look of awe, from his handsome face.
Mercedes, on the other hand, steeled herself and with an air of confidence, walked slowly up to Sam and kissed him hello.
At that, Sam was broken out of the trance he was in.
He raised his arms to hers, held her at length and took a long look at her. "
You look absolutely gorgeous, Mercedes. I'm going to be in full bodyguard mode tonight," he started, and she giggled. "There's no way I'm letting you out of my sight…I'm sticking very close to you…at all times."
She swatted his sturdy chest playfully. He caught her hand and kissed it.
"I could say the same, Sam. You look really good and handsome, as always…very handsome, I should say. I think I'll be the envy of every girl tonight, so I'll have to keep my eyes on you, before one of them steals you away."
Sam was clad in a green washed button down, navy slacks, dark brown belt and boots to match…all designer wear. He looked at her and smiled, the way he always does for her and said,
"Never…but, to reinforce what I've said, all the more reason to stick together, don't you think?"
Tina and Mike watched the playful banter between Sam and Mercedes, with huge smiles on their faces. Happy to see things were finally going in the right direction for the two of them, especially Mercedes.
They decided to take their leave and let the two lovebirds have some time to themselves, before going out.
"Have a good night, you two," Tina said, and Mike wished them the same. Then, walked over to Mercedes, embraced her, gently kissed her cheek and softly said,
"You look beautiful…always have." Mercedes smiled at her friend, thankful for another wonderful man in her life.
"Thank you, Mike."
The hosts disappeared, leaving Mercedes and Sam alone.
In a flash, she was in his arms, with his warm lips pressed to hers.
Without hesitation, she parted her lips and let him in, on his quest to explore every delicious corner of her mouth.
He groaned when his hands roamed her back, all the way down to her bum, where he softly kneaded and squeezed it.
His grip tightened on her, and he brought her short frame, flushed to his tall one, as he kissed her deeply.
Curiosity got the better of him, so he left her lips and turned her around to get a good look. He groaned again, louder this time.
"Dear God! I don't know how I'm gonna make it tonight. I already can't keep my hands off you…tonight is gonna be a long night and a true test, to see if I can stand other guys ogling you," he honestly said.
"We'll be fine…along as we stick together and remember that…we are together," she softly said. A smile lit up Sam's handsome face.
"What're you saying, Mercedes? Are you saying, what I think you're saying?" he cautiously asked, although his heart was beating wildly in his chest.
Mercedes looked up at him, into his dazzling green eyes, that were looking hopefully back at her and she melted.
"Yes, Sam…I'm saying I love you…so much more than I thought possible."
Sam's face split into a wide grin.
He was elated.
He grabbed her and kissed her again, until they were in need of some serious air.
"You've made so happy Mercedes. I love you more than anything in this world."
"Oh Sam…you're gonna make me cry, you know that?"
"That's not my aim, baby…but…I just love you so much." She flashed him a smile and said,
"I know exactly how you feel…hey…I forgot to say thank you, for the necklace and the earrings. They are beautiful. Thank you…I'll treasure them…"
"You're very welcomed…that reminds me," he said, producing another box, slightly longer than the second one.
"I kept this one for last, so I can have the pleasure of putting it on you…open it, baby."
Mercedes was just about to protest, when she remembered Tina's words from earlier and the look on her face, so she opened it and like before, she was in awe.
Inside, there was a Diamond Tennis Bracelet, in fourteen carat white gold, matching the earrings and the necklace, making it a complete set.
She took it out, handed it to Sam, who took her hand and secured it around her wrist.
"There, they look beautiful on you, but still pales in comparison to you," he softly said.
Mercedes reached up and stroked his handsome face, feeling tears stinging the backs of her eyes.
Although she was wearing heels, she stood on her toes and softly kissed him.
"Thank you, Sam. I love them and I love you…so much," she mumbled against his lips.
Sam took that as his cue, to kiss her exactly how he wanted to, in that moment. And he did.
When they finally parted, Mercedes felt as though, her two feet would give out. So, she held onto him as tightly as she could, whilst they made their way to the door.
'I'd better take my jacket with me…never know…she might get cold…or…there may be a ton of guys looking at her beautiful skin. That's my job…I'm the only one allowed to do that,' he thought to himself, as they walked to his car.
I'm officially on lockdown and my head is everywhere, so I hope this makes sense. Stay safe and stay blessed.