Chapter 5

You know what they say about practice makes perfect. Well, Laura had been standing in front of her dresser with just her yellow lace pant and bra going over her salary increment pitch again.

“Okay the 10th time is the charm” she breathed out—that’s what you said ten minutes ago going over the third time.

Knock knock.

Knock— “lu ohhh I’m sorry…”

Throwing her hands in the air “Dad!! You need to knock. And even at that. You need to wait for the magic word!”

“I’m sorry miss. I was just checking to see if you were ready. I’m making coffee and pancakes, would you like to have any before leaving?” Trying to stifle his laugh he called out to her again.

“Laura?”

“Yes. Yes dad. I’ll be down in five.”

Few minutes later she was sitting on the kitchen stool stuffing her mouth with the pancakes. Every morning she either had a rough start or an eventful one. But thanks to her old man and Maddie who still tried to get her motivated for the day.

“So you were saying?” Downing her last cup of coffee.

“I’m sure you’ve noticed, Dr Hakeem has been frequenting the cafe for a while now.”

He scratched his bald head as he proceeded “Two things, first he’s making secret arrangements on expanding his own restaurant that’s right behind us, meaning he’s planning on doing everything possible to demolish our cafe and also buy out the empty warehouse beside us.”

That man never had anything good to his name.

“You won’t say anything?” He asked as he took the dishes from her and goes to clear them.

Checking the time on her phone— I need to be out of here— “And the second?”

“Ohhh, he’s been wanting to have a discussion with you for a while now. He is really persistent. Something about tutoring his nine year old boy for the weekend. The lesson teacher he got no longer wants to have anything to do with him— in his own words.”

Of course.

“So please.” reaching for her hands “if he approaches you, be in your best behavior.”

“We can talk about all this at the cafe right? I love you love you dad. Y’all better pray I get Mr McGorritth pocketed today.” giving him a tight hug she rushed for the door making a mental note to avoid coming in contact with the mockingbird man.

“Do you really plan on wearing the back of your blouse round New York City today? Is this a new style ?” Sounding amused he turned to leave.

Laura looked down at her blouse— It had to be one of those rough mornings.

Finally making it to the mansion, she released a breath she didn’t even know she was holding.

“7:02am.”

She walked up to the muscled man— who happened to be her boss’s driver, bodyguard, right hand man. Everything— washing one of Mr McGorritth’s car. Is that a new car?

“Good morning Andre, just few minutes ago I was asking myself if and why I didn’t get a sight of you yesterday” her face revealing a wide charming smile.

It’s always so nice seeing him. Working in this house isn’t so bad after all.

“You know? I was thinking the same thing. We didn’t get any breakfast yesterday but I was relieved to see you left lunch and dinner well packed in the fridge”

“Was Mr Maggie still pissed off when he got back? Is he still in the gym? I have to get going. See you later Andre” she hurried off with a hearty laugh.

He shouted quickly in between his laughs “Yes! Mr Maggie was pissed as hell. And see you later Miss cotton.”

Mr Maggie? What a nickname they got.

The kitchen had always been Laura’s favorite part of the house, a culinary haven with sleek, high-gloss cabinets, gleaming marble table tops with a spacious island in the center. Large windows above the sink flood the room with natural light. A breathtaking pantry. This was her small heaven.

“Miss Laura good morning, I’m hoping I got all the things you listed on the piece of paper you left with Mr Alex?” Mav peeked in from the kitchen back door wearing a large smile.

“I couldn’t find the bread toaster” feigning a troubled expression Laura walked up to him.

“What? I.. it’s just behind.. let me get it”

“You really don’t know how to take a joke now do you? Your face got heated up so quick” She teased.

“One can never be too sure with you Miss cotton”

Noticing his hands and the boot he had on she was certain he’d been working in the garden all morning “I see you’ve got your hands soiled again Mav. You do a whole lot of things with those hands of yours”

“Trust me I can show you a lot more I do with my hands” he winked.

Laura is one cheerful soul and she doesn’t pick offenses quite often, she decided to play it cool, smiling along with him.

Always knows how to turn the conversation dirty.

Fully opening the kitchen back door— her favorite view of the house. One discovers a serene oasis, a spacious picnic area and by the far left end is a fire pit. Then there’s the lush garden making the whole back area of the house feel so surreal.

Still lost in the view she didn’t hear anyone coming in, not even when he turned on the tap to wash his hands.

“What are we having for breakfast Miss cotton?”

Since when did Maverick starts sounding like Mr McGorritth??

Walking up to her he hit the kitchen stool besides him “Miss Cotton?”

“Hi. Good hi good morning Mr McGorritth” she managed to come up with a full sentence —oh well.

“I didn’t have my breakfast yesterday morning, will I be missing today’s own as well??”

She began carefully “I’m so sorry about yesterday Mr..”

Cutting her short as he threw his second bottle of avocado smoothie in the bin

“Never mind, I actually came here to tell you I’ll be needing more of the avocado drink. You should fill up the fridge with different flavors. Thank you.”

Just getting out of the gym and he still smells this nice? His eyes. Those eyes. Why is a man blessed with killer siren eyes. What’s with him and going shirtless these days. It’s his house though.

But— Is he trying to seduce me? Or am I seeing things? My heart is going to rip out of my chest one of these days… the mustache would definitely feel good down there— she mentally struggled.

“Do you have anything to say Miss cotton? You’ve been standing and gawking. Why’s your body so tensed?” He moved closer but she scoots away.

Nice one girl. YOUR SALARY!

“Right. Yes sir. I actually have what I would love to discuss with you. It won’t take a minute from you— maybe ten minutes tops.”

He cocked his head to the side picking a stool to sit on.

with his leg wide open and his arms crossed —this should be interesting, she’s never had anything to say asides correcting me on her name. He thought.

‘Is it just me or are his thighs really big?. Girl focus!’

“Right. Right. Sir.. “

“Do you always have to begin your sentences with right? I have a meeting and I need to have that breakfast. So please.”

‘SHUT THE F**K UP YOU SEXY BUFFON.’

Biting hard on her lips she inhaled

“Right. Oh I’m sorry. Mr McGorritth, it’s about my salary. So you see, the 30th of this month will make it two years I’ve been working as your house keeper. —I need to catch my breath. I need to pee.— Giving that..” she gestures with her shaky hands, not being able to get her brain to unfreeze.

F**k anxiety. Every single one of you in my head. F**k his f**king kissable face!

“Okay Fine Fine. I get the gist. You’ll get an email from me on your raise. And thank you? Or happy two years anniversary? Yh whatever. See that the avocado smoothies are ready. Anything else? No. I’m sure” He stood up to leave before his obvious hard on gets too obvious.

That was easy. She stared at him wide eyed.

King walked out of the kitchen area, keeping a straight face he couldn’t help but think to himself.

‘Why did she have to be this anxious every single time. I just had to hold myself from laughing. That would have been so embarrassing for her. Am I that intimidating? And biting her lips while gently scratching her neck ?

Is that why I’m getting hard? Or it’s the avocado drink. ‘

~~~

At the end of her shift, Laura narrated to Maddie over the phone how everything played out as she walked to where she’ll take her bus to Harlem— the cafe.

“Wait did you say he was checking you outttt?”

“No! Madds I was the one checking him out for goodness sake. Where’s your head at”

“The gutter obviously” She squealed

“In all, I’m getting a raise! And definitely going to file a case on Mathew. I still haven’t forgiven him over the punch he gave in high school, now he wants to bolt with my four grands?” Laura stoped in front of a boutique to adjust her hair.

“Well, technically he was drunk. And it’s three thousand eight hundred. Honey!. But Yh, are we filing the case now or tomorrow?” Maddie replied.

“Hold on me another call is coming in. Ohhh it’s Lucia. I bet this is going to be about Estelle.”

“Estelle her daughter? Alright bye Lulu if you ever feel like giving your boss a sexy raise. Winks. I don’t mind being your wing woman. Winksss” she draws out with a high pitched voice.

Get a life Maddie!

Silently hoping this wasn’t a distress call she answered with a brittle tone

“Hello Lucia, I’m sorry I haven’t called in a while”

“This would be the last time you’ll be using that Micky mouse voice on me.” Lucia warned

“Andddd please, it’s not been a while. We spoke on Sunday evening. Where are you right now?”

Now this was a distress call “I’m heading to the cafe. Anything the matter ? How’s Estelle? Where are you guys?”

“We’re at the hospital. She’s been quiet since we got here. Can you come over. Please.”

“Her heart really needs that surgery Lu.” Lucia’s voice broke.