Rendezvous at Silver Lining

Raphael’s POV: The Invitation

After my conversation with James, we headed to my office to make preparations for the next work week and for the banquet I am to attend tomorrow for a charity event. Pondering on what James said to me, I thought of Divinity automatically. I've never really liked going to events like this, and I've never thought to ask Divinity to go with me. I usually have Sarah escort me. She's good in that type of environment, but I needed to put my plan into action. After seeing that asshat push up on Divinity, I knew I needed to do more. We finalized my work week and scheduled out my day for tomorrow. It was about 4:30 pm, and James and I were gearing up to leave when there was a knock at my office door. Not many people are still in the office pass 4pm. James and I made eye contact, trying to think of who it could be.

"Come in."

I waited for the person to enter, and in comes Sarah as bouncy as ever. I figured she was coming in to ask about the event tomorrow and what she should wear and when to be ready. I could care less about how she’s gonna feel about not going, I just didn't feel like hearing the complaints. I give her special treatment on the low around the office. She can definitely be a b***h at times, but as long as it doesn't get to a certain point where it could potentially affect the office and the environment that has been established, I let her have her ways. She stopped in front of my desk. James couldn't stand her and immediately turned around to face me and leaned back in his chair to prepare for the onslaught to his ears that was about to ensue. s**t, I couldn't blame him cause I also knew it was coming and leaned back as well.

"Yes, what is it, Ms. Lloyd?"

"Good afternoon Mr.McCoy… Steven."

Sarah hesitated to even mention James and James rolled his eyes. I smiled at the interaction because I always found it entertaining. They really hated each other.

"Slu- uh- Sarah."

She cut her eyes at him, and he smirked at me for his on purpose by accident mispronouncing her name. She then turned her attention back to me.

"Anyway, Mr.McCoy, I was coming to see when I should be ready for tomorrow's event?"

I side eyed James, and he readied himself for the scene with a big ole smile.

"Ms. Lloyd, I have made the decision to have Ms. Loore with me to the charity ball tomorrow."

"WHAT?!! What do you mean you're taking that woman. I'm always your escort to these events. You've never asked her to go with you. She dresses like she has some sense once, and everyone loses their mind!"

"ENOUGH!!"

I had enough of her dramatics already, and she will not speak of Divinity like that in my presence. Divinity chooses to wear comfortable clothing to work, and I don't blame her. She works hard and has a hand in a lot of things around the office. Unlike Sarah, who sits at a desk most of the time, Divinity is up almost all day.

"It has nothing to do with what she wears. Yes, I have always taken you, but that does not mean I'm not allowed to take someone else. I do not have to explain my actions to anyone, let alone you, and you will never question me like that again. Understood?"

I said it with enough force that it startled her, and she checked her attitude right away and nodded her head at me. I took a deep breath.

"If that is all you have to say, you may leave. It's late. You should be heading home anyway."

Sarah inched closer to my desk, came around the side, and sat on top of it. She leaned closer to me, touched my chest, and put on her best pouty face.

"Mr. McCoy, I thought we would always be a duo, though. I highly doubt she’d even know how to maneuver in a situation like that. Wouldn't it be better to take the person you always show up with than to show up with… her. I mean, I don't think she would enjoy herself anyway. Don't you think?"

James sighed so hard. I really didn't feel like all this s**t. James spoke up before I could.

"Seriously?!! She's literally in the most contact with practically everyone we work with, and most of those people will be at that event. Everyone loves her and would be very welcoming of her if anything. You just don't want her around him for fear of her taking your “place”, which if you knew better, you would know, you have no place. You're just helping him bide his time."

She turned around, anger etched into her face.

"Screw you, James!!"

"No thanks! I don't do seconds."

I banged my hand on my desk, already tired of this crap. James begins to get up to leave. I let him since I knew he needed to go before he said some things he couldn't take back, although I doubt he'd feel bad about it. He turned back to me before exiting.

"I'll talk to you later, Raph. Hit me up when you're done with… this. "

He looked over Sarah with disgust and was heading out again but stopped himself and turned back to me once more.

"Oh, let me know what you plan on doing and whether or not you’ll be taking Ms. Divinity. I'm sure Mr. Becker would love to take her if given the chance."

James left out the door after that. The bastard knew that would put a fire under my ass. I would not let him take her to this event. I don't know how he'd get her to go, but I was not about to wait to find out. I got up from my desk with Sarah right on my heels, gathering my things to leave, I began to walk out of my office. Sarah stopped at her desk to grab her things quickly and caught up to me. We entered the elevator in silence, and she then stepped in front of me.

"Raphael? Are you still gonna take that woman?"

"Her name is Divinity or Ms. Loore. Use it."

"I don't care what her name is, and you haven't answered me. Are. You. Taking. Her?"

"I already gave you an answer, and I'm not changing my mind. She will be escorting me, and you're just gonna have to deal with it. I will not repeat myself."

The doors opened, and I walked around Sarah and headed to my car. I immediately put in the directions to Divinity's place.

A few months back, Sarah was sick, and she wasn't able to pick up some things for me that I couldn’t get myself since I was out of town. Divinity had offered her help and picked up my things, and brought them to her apartment. She met me outside her complex, although she gave me her apartment number. I'm guessing she didn't want me too close to her space. The exchange was brief, and I left. I saved her info into my phone just in case another situation like this arises. I get to her place 25 mins later and park outside her building. Getting out of the car, I headed to the door that led to the lobby. I pushed the button to her apartment, and I was rung up immediately. I thought it strange but assumed she saw me through the camera. She probably believed I was coming for my laptop. My laptop will definitely be an excuse, but that's not the real reason I'm here. Finally reaching her floor, I head to her apartment door. I knocked, and a few seconds later, the door flew open. I had to control the urge to devour her where she stood. Her hair was still in the messy bun from earlier, but her face cleared of all makeup, which didn't change much of her appearance. She was still gorgeous, even with her glasses hiding her beautiful light brown eyes. She had on a big white t-shirt that hung off one shoulder and stopped a little above mid thigh. I could see her tattoo much more clearly, but I could only focus on those luscious thighs of hers. She wore blue patterned knee-high socks that just added to her sexy ensemble. A hand up against the door and one on her hip, her silhouette made perfect with her wide hips and juicy breasts. This is the thing about Divinity. She could wear a sack and still be sexy without trying.

She seemed shocked by my presence, so I'm assuming she wasn't expecting me at all. She tried pulling her shirt down and straightening her stance. Looking confused, she finally says something to me.

"Mr.McCoy?"

"Good evening, Ms. Loore."

"Um… what are you doing here?"

"Well, Ms. Loore, I'm here to pick up my laptop."

She seemed to be in a daze but quickly recovered.

"Oh, yeah. Of course."

"May I come in?"

She hesitated at first to answer but nodded. She moved and ushered me in. I stepped inside and was met with a delicious aroma. I looked back at her closing and locked her door, and headed to the kitchen to stir something on the stove. She comes around the island and stands in front of me and points to the stool.

"Please, have a seat. I apologize for my… well, this. I'm gonna get your laptop real quick."

I took a seat and shook my head at her.

"No, please. I apologize for my abruptness and showing up without notice. Please forgive me."

She smiles at me and nods.

"Of course. It's ok. I just wasn't expecting YOU to show up at my door."

I raised my brow.

"Really? So who were you expecting, if I might ask?"

I crossed my arms over my chest, waiting to hear this answer. Just thinking it may be a man or Damien of all people, had my blood boiling. She just smiled.

"Oh. My friends are coming over for a little chill night. I was making food for me, that then turned into me making food for us, hahaha."

She walked back to her kitchen, went to the stove, and took the pot off the hot eye. It smelled incredible.

"It smells amazing in here."

I started looking around her place, really impressed with how it looked. It's quite inviting. It definitely says Divinity. Turning back to her, she's bent over, taking out a pan from the oven, filled with seasoned fish. Although the smell was captivating, it was her that I was truly captivated with. The t-shirt rose up some, allowing me to see the bottom of the black shorts she had on. With all that ass, she might as well not have anything on. I licked my lips. I couldn't seem to tear my eyes away from her. She had bent back down and brought up a pan of baked mac and placed it beside the fish and turned around to look me in my face and laughed.

"You look real hungry, Mr.McCoy. You're close to drooling, hahah. What? Are your 4 and 5 star restaurants not as appetizing?"

She had such a bright smile, and it's hilarious for her to say I looked hungry because I definitely was. I wanted to eat her. The food looked good, too, though. I gave her a small smile back.

"Absolutely. It's nothing like a home cooked meal. It seems as though you are full of surprises and have a ton of talent. It smells delicious."

"Would you like some?"

She looked at me with such innocent eyes and tilted her head slightly to the left. She bit her bottom lip, anticipating my response. I could literally stare at her forever.

"Yes, I would love to stay and have a taste, but I don't want to interrupt your girl get-together tonight with my presence. And, I'm sure you made enough only for you and your friends."

She flagged me off and smiled.

"It's fine. Besides, I wasn't asking you to stay, but I can make a plate to go and wrap it for you. Plus, I have a habit of always making too much, so no one is gonna miss it. It's no problem at all, really."

She smiled her bright smile again, and I nodded my head.

"Ok. Thank you, Ms. Loore. I truly appreciate it."

She nodded her head and got to work. I just noticed her music in the background playing when she began humming along. She had a pretty voice. I sat back and just enjoyed the view and the show. I never envisioned myself as a family man, but this warm environment and the aroma of food in the air, with one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen, definitely made me rethink things. She slid a plate in front of me and had a smirk on her face.

"I know you come from a lot, but I hope this regular paper plate doesn't offend your high standards?"

My eyes kind of popped. I never knew she could be this witty. She's always so nervous around me and closed off. Maybe being in her home has eased the tension between us. I raised a brow to her and huffed out a chuckle.

"Yeah, I think I can survive. Thank you again, Ms. Loore."

"Anytime, Mr.McCoy. Now, let me go get your laptop. I'll be right back."

She walked around the island and headed towards what I would assume is her bedroom around some corner. She has the sexiest walk ever. I seriously can't comprehend how she has no idea how beautiful she is. It's beyond sexiness but sensuality. She just oozes beauty. She comes back and hands me my laptop. The moment I see it and she hands it to me, images of earlier that day popped into my head. I looked up at her and could tell those same images flashed through her mind as well. She went back to being this timid person around me just that quickly and retracted her hand. She looked away and went back to her food and covered everything up. She turned back around to me and leaned against her counter.

"Thanks again for letting me borrow your laptop. I'll be getting a new one sometime this weekend. Ummm… yeah."

She brushed her hair back and blew out some air, then extended her hand for a handshake. I always think it's cute that she does this. I really used to think she was just playing hard to get, I now know this is just her. I take her hand and shake it. She then steps back and starts heading towards the door. I get up and follow her.

"Oh, um, Ms. Loore. I have something like a favor to ask of you."

She stops and turns to me.

"What's that?"

"Well, you know of the Blakfield’s charity event they host every year, correct?"

"Yes, I do."

"I was hoping for you to accompany me tomorrow. I understand that it's last minute but I would be honored if you could come with me."

She gave me a puzzled look, and I could almost hear her brain churning.

"Don't you usually take Sarah?"

"Yes, I do, but I wanted you to escort me this year. You've done such excellent work, and you have always impressed me with capabilities and work ethic. But this last deal, you have exceeded any and all expectations. Not to say, this is some kind of award for your labor. I want to show everyone the glue to my company so you can receive just as much accolades as me, if not more. Mr. Becker was the one to propose this, and I must say I agree. I wish I had thought of it myself, but I would be remiss if I didn't ask you. So please, say yes you'll come."

I stepped in front of her and looked down into her eyes, hoping she'll give me a chance. She took a step back to ease the bending of her neck.

"I don't know. I'm not really good in situations like that and I don't even have a dress for that type of occasion. I wouldn't want to cause you any embarrassment or say the wrong or use the wrong utensils. Hell, I'm not good with table manners… and, and, what if I say the wrong thing to the wrong person and smack a b***h cause she's talking cra…"

She slapped a hand over her mouth in hopes of stopping herself from talking more. I never heard her curse and it's hilarious. I knew she would start to ramble on, she does that when she's nervous and panicking. I gave her a smile and stepped to her again.

"You will be fine because I will be there every step of the way. Don't worry about what anyone has to say. You wonderful. You’ll do an excellent job. If it's about clothing, I will send someone tomorrow morning to pick you up and take you to a shop. There, you can pick out a dress and get your hair and makeup done. You’ll do great and I'm sure you will look spectacular as well."

She looked at me wide eyed and I could see she was about to protest, but I gave her no time to and headed towards her door. I opened it and she came up behind me getting ready to say something, when two women stood outside her door getting ready to knock. Divinity let out a sigh and palmed her forehead.

"Oh, you've got to be kidding me!"

Divinity sounded exasperated by seeing the women standing there. Even I was nervous if I could go by the looks on their faces.