A Woman's Worth Read online

  Monique screamed out in laughter. The people in the suite next door banged on the wall again. “Amaryllis, I gotta go, girl. I’ll see you at your church on Sunday.”

  Monique’s father and Amaryllis’s mother were brother and sister but the two cousins were like night and day. Boris and Adonis were also the offspring of brother and sister, and Monique often wondered why she wasn’t lucky enough to have met Adonis first.

  Adonis woke Boris by tapping his leg. He opened his eyes slightly. “What’s up, man? Who won the game?”

  “Never mind the game, cuz. Your woman is gone. She ain’t coming home.”

  “What are you talking about?” Boris asked the question half caring.

  “Monique just called and said she moved out.”

  Boris looked up at Adonis. “Moved out?”

  “Yeah, man; she’s gone. What are you gonna do about it?”

  “Monique is a grown woman. She can do whatever she wants to do. I told you she’s a drama queen. When she sees that I ain’t chasing after her, she’ll be back. This ain’t the first time she called herself leaving.”

  Adonis couldn’t understand Boris’s nonchalant attitude. “You ain’t going out to look for her, man? She’s out there by herself.”

  Boris positioned himself comfortably in his La Z Boy and closed his eyes. “She’ll be back. She always comes back.”

  Adonis headed back downstairs. He laid on his back and stared at the dark ceiling. His heart went out to Monique, and he felt the need to protect her. But from who? His own cousin? Boris and Monique were adults, and every couple had their issues. But Monique was pulling on Adonis’s soul. He sat up on the side of his bed and bowed his head.

  “Almighty Father, I may be out of place talking to You about this, but I feel the need to cover Monique. I don’t know where she is or what she’s doing at this moment, but I humbly ask that You surround her with Your glory. Please anoint her car as she drives to and from work, and I bind accidents and mechanical failures in Your holy name. Dispatch Your angels all around her. Father, in Your name, this I pray.” Adonis paused before he spoke to God again. “And Father, I need You to do one more thing for me. Please don’t let me fall for this girl.”

  He searched for the right words to pray for Boris, but couldn’t find any. Adonis didn’t feel led to talk to God on his cousin’s behalf. When he realized sleep wasn’t coming anytime soon, he turned on the radio to V103 FM, then lay down. The words to a song paralyzed him. He could do nothing but lie there and listen.

  “Tell me what kind of man would treat his woman so cold? He treats you like you’re nothing when you’re worth more than gold.”

  In the song, a male singer told a woman, who had been mistreated by her man, that she deserved much more than what she was receiving. He exposed his heart to her and let it be known that he wanted to do all of the things for her that her man wouldn’t do.

  Adonis closed his eyes and imagined himself as being the song artist, and the lady he was singing to was Monique.

  Adonis called Monique’s cellular phone at 5:45 a.m. “You wanna meet at the lakefront and watch the sun come up?”

  “I would love to,” she answered.

  “Let’s meet at Lake Shore Drive and Sheridan Road in a half hour.”

  Monique was sitting on a bench looking at the tides when Adonis walked up. He stood behind her admiring her silhouette. Sitting pretty in a beautiful yellow sundress with her hair dancing to the beat of the breeze and the water waving in front of her, made the perfect picture for a postcard.

  He approached Monique carrying two Styrofoam cups and a small white bag. “Sorry I’m late. I stopped for breakfast. I hope you’re hungry.”

  Monique smiled. “I’m famished. What did you get?”

  He sat down next to her. “For starters, I got hazelnut flavored coffee with extra cream and extra sugar with a pinch of cinnamon.”

  Monique was floored. “I love hazelnut coffee when it’s light and sweet with cinnamon in it. How did you know?”

  “I did my homework,” he answered.

  Her grin got wider. “I’m impressed so far. What’s in the bag?”

  “What do you want to be in the bag?”

  Monique looked out at the lake and thought about the question he asked. “How about a life with no stress, no worries, no disappointments, and no bills?”

  “Is that all? Girl, you ain’t asking for nothing.” Adonis sat the bag in the palm of his left hand and held it out in front of him at arm’s length. He waved his right hand over it three times. “Abracadabra, in this bag shall be what the lady requested.”

  Monique laughed. “Adonis, you are so silly. That was cute though; real cute.”

  He opened the bag and looked inside, then frowned at the contents. “Uh, I’m gonna have to work on my magic skills. What would be the next thing you’d want?”

  “You think your magic skills can make a raisin bagel that’s lightly toasted with butter appear in the bag?”

  Again, Adonis held the bag at arm’s length and said the magic words. Without looking into the bag, he smiled and gave it to Monique. “Your wish is my command.”

  In the bag, Monique saw two raisin bagels lightly toasted with butter. At this point, her mind was completely blown. Without thinking, she leaned over and kissed his lips.

  Before she had a chance to pull away, Adonis pressed the back of her head forward to keep her lips where they were. Monique allowed herself to get lost in the forbidden passion she felt for him.

  He pulled away and looked deeply into her eyes. “I’m in love with you, Monique. I wanna take care of you and do all the things for you that Boris doesn’t do.”

  She was at a loss for words. For so long she had been longing for Boris’s undivided attentiveness, for him to say to her the things his cousin said, and for Boris to make her feel the way his cousin had. “Adonis, I, uh—”

  “Adonis, I what?” The deep, angry voice came from behind them. They looked over their shoulders, startled to see Boris. He walked around the bench and stood directly in front of Monique and Adonis with one hand behind his back. “Go ahead, Monique. Finish what you were saying. Tell him how much you love and want to be with him.”

  Monique didn’t say a word. Boris turned his attention toward Adonis. “What the heck is going on, cuz? How long have you been screwing around with my woman?”

  To Adonis, Boris appeared to be lethargic and high on drugs. “Boris, slow your roll, because it ain’t like that.”

  “Oh, it ain’t like that, huh? How is it, Monique? Is this the reason you won’t let me touch you anymore? You’ve been giving your stuff to my cousin?”

  Adonis stood and took two angry steps toward Boris. His disrespect toward Monique had to end today, Adonis would make sure of it. “Watch how you talk to her, man. I said, it ain’t like that.”

  Boris brought a .25-caliber semiautomatic Beretta from behind his back and pointed it at Adonis’s nose. “Fool, who the heck are you walkin’ up on?”

  Adonis stopped dead in his tracks and raised his hands.

  Monique screamed.

  Boris’s nostrils swelled when he inhaled. “Come on, punk. Take another step forward so I can blast you.”

  Adonis kept his hands in the air. He swallowed, paused, then spoke to Boris calmly. “Cuz, you’re high and overreacting. Don’t do nothing crazy.”

  Boris stood flatfooted. “Crazy? I’ll show you crazy.” He pointed the gun at Monique’s chest and pulled the trigger.

  The gunshot was the loudest noise Adonis had ever heard. It jolted his body awake.

  His eyes opened wide, and he quickly sat up on the bed. It was moments before the familiar surroundings in the basement came into clear view. Sweat dripped from his chin onto his chest. Adonis was panting for air as though he were having a seizure. He reached over to the nightstand and turned on the lamp and saw that his T-shirt and pillowcase were drenched with sweat. His alarm clock read 5:45 a.m.

  “Oh, my God,”
he said. In his dream, that was the exact time he had called Monique. He wanted to make sure she was okay, but was afraid that if he called, his dream would become a reality. He got out of bed and walked upstairs to the kitchen. He filled a glass with tap water from the sink. He brought the glass to his lips, looked out of the window and saw the sun rising. He had to admit to himself that slowly but surely he was falling for Monique, but he didn’t want to. Why hadn’t God answered his prayer?

  Chapter 4

  Monique’s intercom buzzed.

  “Yes, Theresa?”

  “Arykah Miles is on line one.”

  Monique picked up the telephone and pressed the first button. “Good morning, sis.”

  “Don’t we sound like we’re bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning. I take it that you survived your first night of celibacy.”

  “Girl, please. Boris ain’t been gettin’ any on a regular anyway. I love the king-size bed though. I’m gonna have to put one on my Christmas list this year for Santa.”

  “Has the fool called you yet?” Arykah asked.

  “Nope, he hasn’t called my cell, and I’ve instructed Theresa not to send his calls through. No matter how many times he calls, she’s to tell him I’m in a meeting. The security guard downstairs is familiar with Boris and won’t allow him into the building.”

  “My, my, my. I guess it’s true what they say about a woman scorned. It’s a shame when a man can’t appreciate a good woman when he has one. I hope you realize something, Monique.”

  The word appreciate sent Monique’s mind miles away. I appreciate everything you do for me. “What did you say, Arykah?”

  “I said, I hope you realize somethin’.”

  “What?” Monique asked.

  “You didn’t go home last night, and Boris hasn’t called to check to see if you were all right. This proves that you’re not a priority to him.”

  Just then Monique’s cellular phone rang. She looked at the caller identification.

  “Arykah, my cell is ringing.”

  “Is it Boris?”

  “No, but I gotta answer the call.”

  “Okay, call me later, and remember what I said.”

  Monique was anxious to answer the call before it went to her voicemail. “Okay, I will.” She placed the receiver on its base and brought her cellular phone to her ear. “Monique speaking.”

  “Hi, it’s Adonis. How are you?”

  She smiled. “I’m good. How are you?”

  “I’m good too. I’m sitting at my desk browsing through my emails before I head out to a job site. But first I wanted to check and make sure you’re okay and to see if you needed anything.”

  I guess this is what Arykah meant by ‘priority. ’ Monique didn’t know why she was smiling. This man was her fiancé’s cousin, and she knew the right thing to do was to fight whatever feelings she may be developing for Adonis. “You are so sweet, and I thank you, but I’m fine. I don’t need anything.”

  “Promise me you’ll call if you do. No matter what time, day or night. I’ll make myself available to you.”

  Monique’s mouth dropped wide open. If someone had been standing in front of her, they would have been able to see what her last meal consisted of. She could hardly get the words out. You’re gonna make me love you, is what she wanted to say. “Okay, I promise.”

  “How did you sleep last night?” he asked.

  “Pretty good; I was all over that huge bed. My room has a balcony that faces Lake Michigan. I saw the sun rise this morning, and it was beautiful. It’s a shame how we take things for granted. Watching the sun come out of the water was a sight to see. I’ve never witnessed it before.”

  Adonis’s heart started to race. “You were up that early?”

  “Uh-huh. My alarm is set for five forty-five every morning.”

  “How ironic is that? I woke up at five forty-five this morning.” Adonis prayed she wouldn’t ask why.

  “Oh, really? We could’ve met for an early breakfast. I get up early to pray and meditate before my day starts. Why were you up so early?”

  Adonis’s brain scrambled for words, any words. “I pulled a muscle in my leg. It must’ve happened when I was turning over or somethin’.”

  “I know how painful that can be. How’s your leg now?”

  “It’s all right. Um, I told Boris you called and said you moved out.”

  “And what did he say?” Monique asked.

  “I don’t know what’s going on with him, but he definitely needs to get himself together.”

  “Adonis, is that your way of saying he didn’t care?”

  Actions most definitely spoke louder than words, and Boris’s actions were heard clearly, that he didn’t care for his woman, but Adonis refused to confirm it. In his eyes, no woman should ever feel that she wasn’t cared for. “It’s my way of saying Boris has issues.” Adonis heard his name being paged. “Looks like I got an assignment. I’ll call you back when I break for lunch.”

  After a three and a half hour meeting, Monique stopped at Theresa’s desk on the way into her office.

  “How was your meeting?” Theresa asked.

  Monique exhaled a sigh of relief. “Too long. I’m glad it’s over. Any messages?”

  Theresa read a handful of ‘While You Were Out’ memos. “Mr. Wiley called wanting to see the number of calls that came in on the midnight show. Boris called; I told him you were in a meeting. He said he’d call back. Arykah left a message for you to meet her at Macy’s at 1:00 p.m. She says there’s a mad shoe sale going on.” Monique glanced at her wristwatch. “It’s almost two o’clock, I guess I missed out. Anyone else?”

  “Yep. Someone named Adonis called, but he didn’t want to leave a message.”

  Monique smiled and took the messages from Theresa.

  “So, uh, who’s Adonis? And why is your fiancé banned from the building?”

  Monique looked at Theresa sitting on the edge of her chair. “Not that you’re entitled to know my business, but I’ll tell you because I know you won’t get any sleep tonight if I don’t. Boris is tripping so I’m taking a breather from him. My current address is the Chicago Hilton, and that’s my personal business, Theresa. The entire office staff need not know.”

  “Monique, I’ve been your personal secretary for three years. When have you known me to spread your business?”

  “I want it to stay that way.”

  “It will. Who’s Adonis?”

  Monique didn’t feel the need to keep Adonis’s identity in the closet. “He is Boris’s cousin and a friend of mine.”

  Theresa looked at Monique curiously. “Mm-hmm. A friend, huh?”

  “Before you let your wild imagination fly out of the window, Adonis is only a friend.”

  “Monique, who do you think you’re talking to? I can put two and two together. Boris is acting a fool and his cousin is acting right. If I ask a question, will you tell me the truth?”

  “Depends on the question.”

  “Is Adonis cute?”

  “That’s a safe question. Yes, he’s very cute.”

  “Did he send the roses?” Theresa asked.

  “That’s two questions, and yes, he sent the roses. But only to cheer me up.”

  “Uh-huh. One more question.”

  “No, Theresa, you know too much already.” Monique walked into her office and closed the door behind her. She sat at her desk and checked her cellular phone messages.

  “What’s going on with you, Monique? You call yourself moving out again? What? You expect me to chase you or somethin’? Why are you trippin’? You must be on your period, huh? Why you gotta act a fool while my cousin is living with us? What? You’re tryin’ to make me look bad in front of my peeps? You ain’t gotta . . .” (Beep)

  Monique saved the message. Boris placed the blame for their separation on her. How typical of him to refer to her monthly flow as the reason for her leaving.

  “You got mail.” Her computer sang the words after she logged on.
/>   She turned toward her computer and typed in the password that opened her mailbox. The message was sent from Adonis. They had exchanged email addresses over the phone last night.

  [email protected]

  >>Monique, I will be dining at Houston’s downtown at around 5 o’clock this evening. Can you join me?

  Monique leaned back in her chair and thought about it, then sat up to answer him.

  [email protected]

  >>I have another meeting at four this afternoon and I’m sure I’ll be held up until seven tonight. Can I take a rain check?

  She sent the message through.

  [email protected]

  >>Are you absolutely sure you can’t make it?

  She typed in her response.

  [email protected]

  >>I’m sorry; I can’t get out of it. What are you doing later this evening?

  [email protected]

  >>Choir rehearsal from 7 to 9.

  [email protected]

  >>It is Wednesday, isn’t it? How about lunch tomorrow?

  [email protected]

  >>Sounds like a plan. I’ll get back to you. Have a good meeting.

  Monique pressed the intercom. “Theresa, can you come in here please?”

  “I’ll be right in.” Theresa came and sat across from Monique with a notepad and pen.

  “I want you to call a florist downtown and order a dozen roses to be sent to Adonis Cortland at Houston’s at five-thirty. I want the card to read: Sorry, I can’t make dinner this time. Don’t put my name on the card. I don’t wanna leave a paper trail.”

  Theresa smiled. “So, that’s why he called three times. Why can’t you make dinner?”

  “Because I’ve got a finance meeting.”

  “Mr. Wiley canceled the meeting.”

  Monique quickly sat up in her chair. “What?”

  “I’m sorry, I forgot to tell you. It’s been rescheduled for eleven a.m. tomorrow. And before you get your panties in a bunch, I said I’m sorry.”