Lust in the Moonlight

Chapter 4

Four months later

"Seraphina!!" Ms. Volce has screamed out. A small groan left my lips as I scrambled out of my chair and ran right into her office, just as I did ten minutes ago.

When I stopped in front of her desk, Ms. Volce looked up from her phone and took a long period of time to stare at me. From head to toe, she scanned my body. I shifted from side to side looking around the office trying to pass the time, but I was noticeably becoming uncomfortable.

“What are you doing Friday night?” Ms. Volce asked, bringing her eyes back up to mine, I cleared my throat and briefly thought about Friday night which was two days from now. I had nothing concrete planned, I was just thinking about curling up on the couch with a good book and maybe a movie

“Nothing. There is a small Fifty Shades of Grey marathon tonight and I was-” Ms. Volce scoffed, cutting me off because turning her attention back to her phone.

“You will be accompanying me and a few other employees to the annual banquet thrown by this company-” In my three years of working here I have never received an invite to the famous Lennox banquet, I only heard a few higher up employees rave about it. I was barely keeping my composure. Multiple companies came to the banquet for leisure and business, a lot of influential people attended.

“Usually people of low status, such as yourself aren’t invited but I have many associates coming that night and I’m going to need to be in two places at once and who knows me better than my trusted assistant-” I was slightly offended at the low status comment but I brushed it off at the opportunity to attend the biggest part of the year. I was barely able to contain my excitement. I bit down on my bottom lip as my mouth formed into a wide smile. Ms. Volce picked up on my excitement, she lifted a finger at me and raised her eyebrows.

“Don’t embarrass me, Do not act like a groupie at a pop concert, and please dress for the occasion. I love you Seraphina but your sense of style is horrendous-” I was too over the moon to acknowledge her insult. I nodded vigorously, released my bottom lip and shined a bright smile at her. Ms. Volce chuckled at the sight of me and rolled her eyes.

“Go, get prepared, and your invitation should be waiting for you at home” She stated, I wanted to jump into her arms but I knew how she felt about hugs from non-lovers. I waved to her energetically and thanked her a million times before skipping off out of her office.

Even though Ms. Volce released me hours early, I stayed inside the building and decided to pick up lunch for a special someone. This time around when walking into the Lennox floor, I was greeted by the secretary, Polly. I've probably passed by her millions of times and also delivered her lunch and coffee. She was a newfound friend. We indulged in small conversation before she focused back on her work. I carried a bag that held two lunches and drinks as I made my way through the floor. The people were still intimidating, gave dirty looks, and whispered God knows what about me. I couldn’t care less because I had my attention diverted to someone much more important.

“Knock knock lunch delivery” Isaiah who was typing away at his computer looked up and saw me standing in his doorframe, we exchanged smiles. Me and Isaiah had been dating for about three and a half months now, after we first had coffee in his office the dates continued and by our ninth outing he kissed me and asked me to be his girlfriend. It was the first time I had ever been in a relationship. I've always been so afraid of being in a serious relationship but Isaiah made everything so easy. I wanted him to meet my grandmother but he’s been hesitant, on the flip side, my grandma has been curious to meet the guy who has taken my heart.

“You’re the best..” Isaiah stepped out from behind his desk and greeted me with a kiss. My stomach still twisted into knots when he kissed me. He took the bags from my hands and closed the door behind me. I dropped down in the chair in front of his desk, he placed the lunches onto the table and we would soon dig into one of the turkey sandwiches I had ordered for the both of us.

“Ms. Volce invited me to go to the Lennox banquet” I knew that Isaiah would be going, so that partially sourced my excitement in going to the banquet. Isaiah looked at me with wide eyes but a smile on his lips.

“I’ll be working most of the time but hopefully I can sneak in a dance with you, and maybe I’ll be able to take you home with me afterwards?” Isaiah asked with raised eyebrows, I knew what he was implying. To be completely honest the farthest thing we’ve done was makeout. Isaiah thought I was being hesitant and a tease but the truth was that I’ve never been with a guy in that way, it’s embarrassing to admit, hence why I haven’t told him. These days being twenty-three and a virgin was a thing to be ashamed about.

“Yeah maybe..” I said biting into my sandwich, I wasn’t ready, I couldn’t help but feel it. Isaiah didn’t press me any further, he changed the topic of conversation.

I only spent an hour with Isaiah before we parted ways, he went back to work and I went home. Surprisingly Kennedy was home, ever since I saved her from getting fired she has been showing me extra affection, it led to her being promoted. I came through the door and went straight to the kitchen where she was dancing around in her tank top and underwear. I admired her natural appearance, stretch marks, untamed afro, skin blemishes, Kennedy was the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever met.

“Hey hun..” I said announcing my arrival, I sat at our kitchen table as Kennedy blew me a kiss while she cooked. I didn’t know what it was but it smelled divine.

“Hey love, You’ve got some mail on the table” When she brought it up, I took notice of the pile of mail on the table. I flipped through some junk mail until I got to a red envelope with gold accents that had my name on it. I was actually going to the party. I didn’t think my excitement for the party could be taken away but when I flipped to the next envelope my heart sank in my chest. ‘Avenal State Prison’ was where the envelope came from, my name was messily written on the front by a person I wanted nothing to do with. Slowly memories of my past came haunting, a shiver skimmed up my spine at the horrid memories.

“You okay?” Kennedy broke into my thoughts, pulling me out of the sorrowful ocean I began to drown in. Kennedy looked at me then at the envelope started to grip harshly in my hands, I dropped the envelope back onto the table and nodded. Even though she never asked me about the envelopes that came from the state prison, she knew about them. I nodded my head and grouped the envelopes together excluding the invitation.

“Just a bunch of junk mail” I said nodding my head, Kennedy eyed me for a few seconds before smiling faintly at me and turning back to her food. The last thing I wanted was for an awkward silence to fall upon us so I asked Kennedy a question, something she has been dying to do since we first met but I refused.

“I got invited to the Lennox banquet, and I have nothing to wear. I was wondering if you could maybe help me-” Kennedy dropped the spoon she had been using to stir her food and gasped heavily. She snapped her body around and began to ramble.

“b***h, I thought you would never ask! I have so many outfits for you, you have no idea. I’ve been waiting for this moment since we first met!” Kennedy immediately turned off the stove, and ran up to me crashing down into the chair next to mine and began to chat away.

After discussing color, tones, lengths, and styles, Kennedy finally found a dress that would suit me best, of course she didn’t tell me what it would look like. She told me that she would have to pick up the dress at one of her storage units dedicated to gowns she made in her free time tomorrow morning, and this girl was always designing something. Kennedy was also attending the banquet, so she would have to pick up a few dresses anyway with the fashion department. We stayed up until one o’clock in the morning until we both retired to our beds.

The next day, I didn’t go to work. I had woken up to a text from Ms. Volce that she would be out of office pampering herself for the banquet. She did send me a list of names that I needed to do full research on so I was able to engage in conversations for her at the event.

It was around two in the afternoon, when my doorbell rang. Even though I had brushed my teeth and washed my face, I still hadn’t changed out of my pajamas. I was in the kitchen eating a burrito. Kennedy was still in deep sleep so I had no other choice but to answer the door. I wasn’t expecting anyone, I wonder if Kennedy invited someone over. In my mini silk night dress and my socks against the hardwood floor I skated to the front door, maybe it was someone delivering a package. Without asking who it was I unlocked the door and swung the door open.

Usually I greet anyone who comes to the front door with a warm smile, but it wasn’t the same with him. The last time I had a conversation with him or even saw him was when I delivered clothing to his office. Ever since I have gone out of my way to avoid him now, he was at my doorstep.

“Mr. Lennox?” I asked with confusion and hidden resentment. He looked down at me with a piercing glare, I didn’t know if that was his natural face or if he was going out of his way to intimidate me. He stood in the classic black suit with a black button down, along with a black tie. Jesus, you would think he was going to three funerals in a day.

“Hello, Ms. Farris” It was the first time he had called me by my name, it was refreshing but also foreign. It made me wonder if he knew how he treated me was wrong, was he remorseful? Or at least ashamed for how he carried himself. Did he come here to apologize?

“I was scheduled to pick up a suit from Ms. Marsh but she isn’t in her office, so I was given her home address” He said explaining his presence. It wouldn’t be the first time a client of Kennedy’s came to the house. As much as I wanted to tell him to kick rocks and slam the door in his face, this was Kennedy’s work and I had to put my personal feelings aside.

“Of course, come in” I was reluctant to say it and the thought of being nice to him and I’ve received nothing but disrespect from him made me sick. I opened the door wide enough to let him through, as he brushed past me a shiver tickled up my spine. I closed the door soon after him and turned to see him eye his surroundings, his dress shoes clicked against the floor while he maintained an unfriendly facial expression.

“You can just have a seat, I’ll go get Kennedy” I motioned to the living room before turning my back on him and retreated to Kennedy’s bedroom. I couldn’t even look him in the eyes when I spoke, he was extremely unapproachable.

When I opened up Kennedy’s bedroom door I was expecting to see her slumped in her bed snoring loudly but at peace. Instead I was met with a neatly made bed and a clean room, for once. I poked my head in further but she was nowhere in sight. This entire time I was made to believe that she was sleeping.

As I walked back to the living room, I remembered Kennedy saying that she had to go pick up a few dresses, including mine. This girl was so bad with time and scheduling, she must’ve double booked herself.

“Hi, um, excuse me?” I said when I walked back into the living room. Mr. Lennox was on his phone sitting quite comfortably on the white couch. I pulled his attention away from his device, already the room smelled of his strong cologne.

“Kennedy isn’t here right now but I’m sure she’ll be back within the hour. Is there anything I can get you or?-” Swiftly Mr. Lennox brought out his phone with an annoyed expression on his face, he didn’t bother to hide his frustration. My fists balled up and my lips pressed tightly together but by some miracle I was able to stay calm.

“You’re Renya’s personal assistant, not mine. No need to fetch me anything” He growled in a low tone, my head c****d to the side with pure bewilderment, I would’ve loved to know what drove him to act like a complete animal, I know dogs with better manners.

“A simple no would’ve been fine” I mumbled before turning away and stomping back into the kitchen. I could not stand being in his presence. Angrily I paced around the kitchen trying to distract my mind by calling Kennedy to inform her of her impolite guest but each time it went to voicemail. If she has been out since this morning surely she wouldn’t be out for much longer.

With the time ticking by and no sign of Kennedy, the minute I went into the living room to offer Mr. Lennox cheese and crackers, what can I say I was raised properly, he snapped at me.

“I’ve been waiting for thirty minutes, this is extremely unprofessional.” Mr. Lennox hissed, shooting up from the couch, I had so much desire to slap with the tray that held the cheese and crackers but I refrained. I bit onto my tongue and sucked in a breath when placing the tray on the coffee table. I locked all the potential insults I could call him away in a mental box before opening my mouth once more.

“I understand your frustration Mr. Lennox but Kennedy is only one person having to tend to many people for their looks for the banquet, be a bit more compassionate towards others and not just yourself..” I winced letting a small insult slip from my mouth but I plastered on a small smile to cover it up. Mr. Lennox lightened his jaw and held his chin up high, obviously he was embarrassed about how he composed himself. If only I could laugh in his face.

“I doubt Kennedy will be back soon, but if you are here to pick up a suit I’m sure Kennedy has it in her work space. If you’ll kindly follow me-” I said, I watched as Mr. Lennox straightened himself out and shoved his phone into his pocket. I turned on my heels and led the way to the garage door through the kitchen that took us to Kennedy’s work room.

The garage was completely converted into a work room for Kennedy. The walls were draped in different color fabrics of all textures. A large work table stood in the center of the room, it was covered in measuring tape, scissors, pins and needles. There were a few sewing machines in the corner along with scattered mannequins that had a few articles of clothing on them. There was a huge bucket that carried a few rolls of fabric. After many sleepless nights here with Kennedy, I knew my way around the room. There was a closet that held a few ready-to-wear clothing, I strolled passed her work table, making my way to the closet door,

“Are you picking up shoes too? Or is it just a suit” I asked, swinging the closet door open, there were a few shoe boxes stacked on the shelf on top. I looked over my shoulder to see Mr. Lennox was staring at me with his hands folded behind his back. He did that for a few moments. Just staring at me with his dead eyes, I wondered what he saw. I cleared my throat and looked off to the side waiting for him to speak up.

“Just the suit..” He finally responded after a few minutes of silence, finally. I could feel his eyes penetrate my skin, seeing into my soul. I turned my attention back into the closet, scanning the garment bags and their name tags.

“It should be a wine red suit-” As he began to explain the appearance of his suit my eyes landed on the name tag with his name on it. ‘Malachai Lennox’, I took a liking to his first name, the way it easily rolled off my tongue, and left a daring taste that left you wanting more.

“One suit for Mr. Lennox..” I grabbed onto the garment bag and turned around, Mr. Lennox let out a soft sigh when he approached me, without even a thank you, he snatched it from my grasp fiercely and began to inspect it..

“Your welcome” I spat, even though I had a smile on my lips, my tone was nasty and I wanted him to pick up on my attitude. Mr. Lennox didn’t acknowledge me, he simply turned around when he saw the suit met his expectations. As he made his way towards the door we came from I couldn’t help but feel disrespected and disregarded. I don’t understand how people could like this man, let alone praise him in their conversations.

“I’ll see you at the banquet Mr. Lennox” For some unknown reason my words caused him to halt abruptly, I wasn’t trying to get a rise out of him but obviously I did. He turned around and stormed up to me, coming closer than he did before. My neck began to ache having to look up to him, being in such a close proximity with another man when I was in a relationship felt wrong.

“Why would someone like you be attending an event of utmost class and importance, my event?” He hissed, he seemed to be a bit too displeased with the thought of my presence attending the banquet. It’s repulsive how this man can’t say a single thing to me without insulting me and bringing down my character.

“I was invited by Ms. Volce to help her wi-” Mr. Lennox sneered at my words and how I spoke them with confidence. I retracted my sentence, how could he be so prideful in diminishing someone else’s self esteem.

“Last thing anyone needs is a girl running around taking coffee orders, if you want to work the event surely I can set something up with the kitchen staff..” He said, a sly arrogant smirk twisted his lips, obviously pleased with his sardonic humor. I was caught in between bursting into a million tears and punching the living daylights out of him. Why does he dismiss the idea that I may have other talents? He had no right to continuously write me off as a incompetant coffee girl.

“I will be attending the event to help Ms. Volce with potential new business partners. Now, if you have nothing better to do than insult me, I am going to kindly ask you to leave my house” Being in his presence made me feel sick, my fists were clenched at my sides seconds away from colliding with Mr. Lennox’s jaw. Surprised by my response, Mr. Lennox raised his eyebrows at me and the smirk on his lips disappeared. He held my eyes in an intense stare, it felt like he was sucking the air out from my lungs, but if he wanted to see me break under the pressure, he wasn’t going to get it anytime soon.