The Director's Concubine

NEW JOB 2.

Petra was speechless for a few seconds. I understand why my mom is intrigued with Rex’s personality and wants to know about him but she could have held off the interrogation till after our dinner date. Gosh!

“Mom, I will explain to you after our date. Let’s go or we will be late.”

“Alright.” Mom replied and head out the door with me following behind to her BMW car parked in the driveway. We got in and Mom started the car and drove off. We were both quiet throughout the drive to the restaurant which was forty-five minutes away. I hummed softly to the classical music playing from the radio in Mom’s car.

We arrived at the restaurant. Mom parked in the parking lot and we got out of the car. I looked at where we came, Mimi’s restaurant, one of my favorite restaurants in NYC. They deal majorly in seafood. We got in and we were ushered to our reservation by a waiter. We sat down and I turned to see other diners quietly enjoying their meal while Mom went through the menu. A couple celebrating their wedding anniversary, two businessmen having a business meeting, apparently since they are both dressed in black suits. Then there is a familiar face across the room, Jayden, my former colleague and my previous boss’s boy toy.

Jayden is gay while my previous employer is bisexual. Jayden had financial difficulties when he started working with us. My previous employer took advantage of his vulnerability and harassed Jayden till he became his s*x slave at work for a few extra pays. This a story for another day. But Jayden and I were super close. More like siblings. Though we haven’t communicated with each other since I was sacked. Let’s just say that was my fault since I didn’t return his numerous calls. No hard feelings but I was in a difficult place then. Another waiter came back to take our orders. I didn’t need to place mine, Mom did that for me. The waiter left and Mom looked at my face expectantly. “What?” I asked her. I know she was expecting me to answer her question about Rex. But not until I’ve had my meal. “I noticed you stared longer at that part of the room than the others, anyone familiar?” I didn’t see that coming. I thought she was going through the menu.

“Yes Mom. Jayden, my former colleague.”

“Oh really? Is he one of the good ones or the bad ones?” Mom asked further. What’s with my mom and questions today. “One of the good ones.” I replied. Thankfully, the waiter arrived with our food and we digged in. At least no more questions from my mom. For now. That woman can be tenacious just like a dog with a bone when she needs something. My Mom is from the “when eating, don’t talk" generation so we ate silently.

After our meal, our bill was brought and Mom paid. I expected we would leave immediately but also recalled that Mom was still expecting answers concerning Rex. It’s better to get this over with. I’m not sure I want to talk about it when we get home. I leaned back in my chair and looked at Mom across the table.

Olga Smiths is a beautiful slim woman who despite many challenges over the years, there was no wrinkle on her face. At Forty-five years, she still looked beautiful and elegant. I never knew my Dad and Mom seems not to want to talk about him each time I asked so I just stopped asking eventually. It was just Mom and I against the world. She sacrificed a lot for me. She ought to have remarried but she didn’t. And she never dated. I wonder what actually happened between her and my father. Maybe this was why she was apprehensive about Rex’s job offer. I can’t blame her. After what I passed through in the past three months, It will be difficult for me to trust anyone again. But Rex was different. He has never betrayed me for the past seven to eight years we have known each other. And I don’t think he would. Well, you never know with humans. Always unpredictable.

Mom cleared her throat and I focused on her face. “I see you are lost in thoughts.” Mom looked at me worriedly “Yes, just recalling somethings.” I reply with a smile so she will be assured that I wasn’t about to have one of my panic attacks.

“Rex and I met in Minnesota during my internship at Sharon academy. I had attended a training for brand strategists and managers. Rex was one of the facilitators at that training. I got to work the following day and saw Rex in the parking lot. I walked up to him excitedly and introduce myself, explaining to him that I had attended a training he facilitated the previous day. He was impressed when I told him the major highlight of the training for me was his teaching. He explained to me that he was our Chief consultant at Sharon academy and that was how we became friends. We worked on several projects together after that before I left Minnesota but we still kept in touch over the years. We talked regularly. Almost daily. Infact, I will say that everything I know about my career and every progress I’ve made in my career, I owe it to him.” I explained to my mom who was looking at me attentively.

“But why is there nothing about him on social media and google, if truly he is who you claim he is?”

“Rex is a very private person Mom. He prefers been off public eyes most times.” I replied. “Is he married?” I sighed. “What has Rex marital status got to do with me accepting his job offer?” I asked my Mom. “Petra, is Rex married?” She repeated her question. “No. He is not. He was engaged at some point but they broke up, I don’t know what happened though.”

“How old is he?” Mom asked further. “Forty years.” I replied, seriously wishing in my heart that Mom won’t ask more questions.

“Petra, I want you to know that I’m just watching out for you. I won’t stop you from taking the job. But I need you to promise me you will come back home if it doesn’t work out. I need you to promise me that you won’t endure any form of verbal and emotional abuse on this job. I need you to promise me you will report every act of s****l harassment and not keep it to yourself.” At this point, I had tears in my eyes. Mom would do anything to make sure I never experience what I went through these past three months. It was bad. My world was dark. “Mom, I promise.” I replied her tearfully. Mom stood up and pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back comfortingly. I know without doubt, she loves me. Feeling a little bit calm, I told her I wanted Ice Cream. She said we will get it outside.

We left the restaurant and walked towards our car. The Ice cream vendor was just a few feet away from where Mom parked. Walking towards the ice cream stand, we bumped into Jayden who was standing beside a car, looking like he was waiting for someone, probably his date. I had completely forgotten about him. He looked up and our eyes met. “Petra. It’s been a while.” Jayden greeted with a smile. “Where have you been?” He asked further. “Hi Jayden.” I replied. Jayden rolled his eyes and said “No girl, none of those casual greeting as if I’m the Ice cream vendor by the corner.” Mom chuckled quietly. “Come here.” I was pulled into a tight hug by Jayden. This hug said a lot of things between us. Jayden and I had been very close before I was sacked. He was my rock and shoulder to cry on several times it got tough at work. Someone coughed behind us and we both pulled apart. I turned to see a very handsome man standing a few feet away from Mom, smiling at us lovingly, particularly Jayden. This must be his date. “Oh Emason, meet my friend Petra.” Jayden said, still holding me to him.

“Hi Petra, it’s good to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Jayden.” Emason replied in a deep voice. “Good things I hope?” I said as I stretched out my hands to him for a handshake but he pulled me into a hug instead. It seems I missed the memo that today was world hug day. “Jayden’s only friend deserves a thousand hugs. Thank you for watching out for him at Daniel’s Enterprise. I owe you a lot.” I wanted to say Jayden was the one who watched out for me at Daniel’s Enterprise but decided to keep quiet instead. I wonder what Jayden must have told him. I pulled out Emason’s embrace and looked at Jayden who winked at me. Now I’m seriously curious. What did he tell Emason? Apparently, I can’t find out tonight so I turned to introduce my mom who had been watching us silently. I’m damn sure she will ask me more questions later. “Jayden and Emason, meet my Mom, Olga Smiths”

“Hi, Mrs Smiths.” Jayden and Emason greeted simultaneously. “Oh please call me Olga.” Mom said as she pulled in both guys for a hug. No one can tell me today is not World huggers day. “Pleasure meeting you both.” Mom replied. I looked at Jayden and see he is smiling like he won the lottery. “Well, if you guys don’t mind, we were about getting Ice Cream. Maybe we could meet and catch up some other time” I said to Jayden. “Oh no, young lady, you can’t escape just like that. You need to promise me we will actually meet again to catch up.” Jayden replied. “Of course, we will. Why won’t we?” I responded, rolling my eyes and wondering what Jayden meant. “Petra, you went off radar for almost three months. You weren’t picking your calls or replying your chats.” Jayden explained worriedly. He was right though. I had gone off all social media platforms after the fiasco at Daniel’s Enterprise. I was depressed and losing it. Thank God for Mom who insisted I see a therapist. Rex also kept checking up on me. To be fair to Jayden, I had seen his calls on several occasions but didn’t pick those calls or call back. “Jayden, I promise to give you a call on Tuesday.” He was about to say something but Mom came to my rescue. “Jayden, she will not only give you a call. I will ensure you both meet up.”

“Alright Olga, I will really appreciate it if you can convince her” Jayden said with a smile then pulled me in for another hug. I rolled my eyes again. I’m sure my eyes would have rolled to the back of my head if possible, considering the number of times I have rolled it today. The hugs I have received were enough to keep me warm during winter. “Olga, It was nice meeting you. Petra also.” Emason said to my Mom while trying to release me from Jayden’s hug. “Same here Emason.” Mom replied. I finally got freedom from Jayden the hugger.

Mom held my hands so we could head over to the Ice cream stand. I waved goodbye to Emason and Jayden who made a call me sign in response. I smiled. Jayden will always be the same. A mother hen and a worry wart.

We got our Ice Cream and head over to the BMW where Mom parked it. “I like them.” Mom suddenly said. “Who?” I knew she was referring to Jayden and his boyfriend but I still acted ignorant. It will prolong questions about Jayden being asked by a few minutes. “Jayden and Emason.” Mom answered. “Of course, Jayden is a likeable human.” “But Emason is not?” Mom asked. “Well, this is the first time I’m seeing him with Jayden.” I answered. “Jayden wasn’t dating anyone when we worked together.” I explained further.

We got into the car and Mom drove out of the parking lot. I checked the time on my phone and realized it was 10.30pm. What a day. I had two more weeks before resuming my new Job. “Jayden seems very protective of you.” Mom said. I should have known she will keep probing till she is satisfied. “Yes, He is.” I replied. Mom smiled and didn’t say anything else till we got home. I got out of the car while Mom parked the car in the garage. We went inside the living and I went towards the staircase but Mom stopped me in my tracks. “Petra, I just want you to be happy. You have people in your life who love you and won’t hesitate to protect you. Don’t shut us out.” I understand Mom is referring to herself and Jayden. “Alright Mom. Good night.” “Goodnight my princess. Sweet dreams.” Mom replied quietly. I went to my room with hope in my heart that I won’t have any nightmare tonight and the job offer is not a figment of my imagination but is really true.