Eve Chapter 2

Pressing the button on the elevator I wait for it to come. There were a few people waiting with me, but no one I knew. There are different companies within the same building, so it wasn’t odd. I rode with new people all the time.

The elevator came and we all got on. I pressed the button for the 36th floor, which is where our company was. I stepped off the elevator, and through the glass doors to my desk. Unloading my bag, coffee, jacket, 

and fritter, I sat down to enjoy breakfast before this busy day ahead of me. I knew my boss had a lot for me to do and I was prepared for it. I decided to take the subway today instead of riding my bike, so my helmet was one less thing I had this morning.

I usually stay on top of my game and my job, so I was never stressed. I've seen many people huffing and puffing about their day. But I have a great boss. We are busy, but my job is easy, so I spend a lot of my days staring out the window at the building across from us. I imagine that would be my office looking out at the beautiful sights of New York City. And today 

was no different.

As I peered out the window, I thought about 

people coming in and out of my office asking me questions, getting me to sign off on things, boss moves, until the phone rang. Good morning, Mrs. Schaeffer’s office how may I help you? Sure, hold one moment please. Mrs. Schaeffer your husband is on line one.” “Thank you, Eve patch him through.” 

“Sure thing." I patched Mr. Schaeffer through to his wife. I love their relationship. He is the CEO and she is the CFO and they do everything together. His office is down the hall at the other end of the building they are directly in the same spot. They do breakfast, lunch, and I'm quite sure they do dinner together. He sends flowers and little sweet messages up and down the hall by the mail people every day. It is something special for them to do.

It makes me think a lot about my own relationship. WellI wouldn't call it a relationship we've only been seeing each other, or a few weeks and I guess it's okay. What I wouldn't give to have a Mr. Shaeffer though. Like-minded strong powerful and loving. There is nothing he wouldn't do for that woman, and in return, she is smitten with him after all this time.

They’re older I think they've been together about 20 or 30 years. They have the kind of love we all dream of, well at least the kind I dream of. Sort of like my parents who have been married about the same amount of time. I think that’s why I like the Schaeffers so much, they remind me of my mom and Dad.

The day pressed on and before I knew it, lunch time. I decided to go to lunch with Tammy, the party animal of the office. “Girl…I am starving! Where are we eating.” Tammy walked up to me. She stood in front of my desk shining like the sun.

She is a little older than me but not as mature. She is the 'everywhere is the turn up' type. She is beautiful, 5 ft. 7, brown caramel skin, stacked but not overly dramatic, and wears a long weave that stays tight. Today she was rocking a grey pencilskirt with a simple button-down white blouse. Her sleeves flipped at the end, which show off her bangle bracelets. She is the perfect blend of classy and rachet. “I don’t care at this point; I could eat a horse!” Tammy laughed but nods her head in agreement. “Let me grab my purse right quick.” She says and trotted off to her cubical. She returned quickly and we were off.

Just as we headed to the door, Mrs. Shaeffer chimed in, “Eve, would you be a dear and grab me something while you’re out?” Tammy and I looked at each other. I turn back to find out what she wanted. “Sure thing. What can I get you?” I ask as Tammy stood with her arms folded, all her weight shifted to one side. “I would love a chicken Caesar wrap and a water from the place 

downstairs. That’s if it isn’t too much trouble.” “Oh, no trouble at all. Tammy and I were headed there anyway.” I said and shrug my shoulders at Tammy shaking her head at my lie. We hadn’t picked a spot, but the café was as good as any place, so the café it was.

It was packed in there, I guess no one felt like going far. It was cold and the wind was disrespectful. Days like this I missed down south weather. We ordered and sat at the Café’s window bar, waiting for our number to be called. You could see everything and everyone moving about the city. It was a different vibe on a Friday in NY. People seemed to move faster, trying to get through the workday. We engaged in small talk about our plans for the weekend. It was only Thursday, but it was never too early in the week for the weekend plans.

I was supposed to be going out with Stu, dinner and dancing. Both of which I loved, and so did he. “I don’t 

know why y’all don’t make it official. I mean, y’all spending all this time together.” She shrugged and I laughed. He and I had been spending more and more time together. But there was something missing. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but there was something. So, I was good the way things were, 

scrunching my face at the thought. 

We kept talking until our number was called. Not paying attention, laughing with Tammy, I jumped down from the stool, my 5 ft 3in, 150 lb. frame being too short to step down. I smack slam into the most beautiful creature I had ever seen in all of my life. Now I don’t get blown away by many things, especially by way of the opposite sex, but damn! He almost knocked me off my feet, literally and figuratively.

His beautiful frame at a whooping 6ft 4in maybe 5in, stacked at a solid 240lbs, sun kissed dark skin, tight short cut with shiny jet-black hair that shapes his entire face around his full beard and mustache. The button on his suit jacket opened, revealing the image of a God sculpted chest and stomach through his fitting button down shirt. Lord, my eyes couldn’t help but travel all the way down. His package seemed ready to open and I was stuck. I managed to keep going to his slightly bowlegs and then down to his long feet set in these brand spanking new brown shoes. The man looked like he walked on a cloud, not a scuff or any piece out of place.

I quickly snap myself out of the eye bouncing trance I was in and shook my head to gather myself. I don’t know how long I had been staring, it felt to me like time stood still. “My bad Ma, you good?” I was floored! His voice booming deep sending a shockwave through me. I nod my head yes, with no words able to form in my mouth as it sat gaped opened. His strong arm wrapped around my waist for support, he placed his finger under my chin to close it. He winked and let me go as the sound of the number 27 was being called over and over.

He had moved to the front of the line, as I held on to the back of the stool to check myself and readjust my shoe. “Girl…he was fine! Oh lawd, everything about him! How did it feel in those big, strong arms? I wish I would have jumped into them!” Tammy went on and on. “Go, go, get the food and maybe you can bump into him again.” She smiled, shoo-ing me to the counter. I shot her a look. “What? Look I'll go. That may be my future husband.” Tammy said, pretending to get up. I put my hand up in an effort to stop her. “Whatever, I got it!” I said flustered but intrigued.

I made it through the crowd to the counter, but he was gone. I looked around without it seeming like I was looking around. Tammy caught my eyes roaming and pointed to the side door. My eyes darted over to the door closing slowly. He was gone. My heart dropped, as I turned back to the lady. Her warm eyes meet mine as she handed me the bag. “How much?” I said, sounding like a lovesick puppy. “It is paid for Ma'am, have a great day.” Her smile was infectious. The look of confusion plastered on my face, as I reached for the bag. “Mr. Black.” She said and winked; her eyes shot to the door. Mr. Black, I said over and over in my head with a small blush. I nodded in appreciation and walked away.

I headed toward the side door, when Tammy called my name. I had totally forgotten all about her. Making my way back over to her, I felt embarrassed and excited. “What?” she asks as I sat down. “Nothing, nothing.” I shook it off. “Don’t lie, it doesn’t look good on you.” She laughs and dug in. “He paid for lunch.” “Who? My future husband?” She said joking, which I didn’t find funny. “Tammy!” “What? They say speak it into existence, so I am!” She laughed, flagging me off. “His name is Mr. Black, and yes.” “Tammy Black…eh, I guess I would have to get used to it.” She laughed and kept eating. Me on the other hand, I had lost my appetite. I would never say it out loud, but Eve Black kept playing a song in my head…Eve Black, I liked that.

The rest of my day was a blur. I don't remember anything after Mr. Black, which wasn’t like me at all. I don’t fall fast, or hard, if I fall at all. But this was different, and a little scary. I had never felt like this before, ever. I had been with Wayne off and on through college, and didn’t feel this, and we were in love. Maybe I was experiencing lust for the first time. Which I didn’t want or need, so I had to shake Mr. Black...asap!

Shutting down, I watch as Mr. and Mrs. Schaefer meet mid hall kissing like they hadn’t seen each other in weeks. It was beautiful and my mind shot straight to Mr. Black. I felt dirty calling him that, like he was some old man or something, even though we were about the same age. I didn’t know anything else about him, so I had no choice but to call him that. I had no clue where he came from and he was gone just as quickly. But not from my mind, I could think of nothing else. I imagined that being us. Oh, I was tripping, I needed to go.

Closing down, I headed for the elevator. Home is where my plan was, don’t know how I ended up in the Café. The building was closing, but the café stayed opened for anyone who stayed after hours. “Hi, what can I get for you?” The guy said as I scanned the room for the lady that waited on us earlier. I didn’t know what I was going to say when I found her, but she was the closest thing I had to him right now.

Before I could respond, I heard the familiar laugh of a woman. I then heard an angelic song; the voice of my dreams. “Is that so?” he said as I spun around. She had gotten up from the booth, heading toward the restroom. Tammy was with Mr. Black. I screamed her name out of sheer shock. We all made eye contact as I somehow floated to the door. I was crushed, as I ran out. I stood against the wall with my hand on my chest, trying to stop my heart from beating out of it. I couldn’t catch my breath, I was crushed.

After a few minutes, Tammy appeared in the hall and called for me, but I ran off… didn’t want to hear it. There was nothing she could say to me. I felt stupid, and betrayed. How could she have done this to me? She wasn’t my friend, she couldn’t be. I raged as I sat on the train, trying not to cry. I was fuming and ready to fight. I couldn’t wait to get home so I could scream in peace. These people were lucky my Momma taught me self-control, because I was ready to lose it!