31 UnHappening (2/2)

She stood straight up, tucking her hair behind her ear, and looked away. I could see her flushed face from the side. But the emotions we felt were mutual, and I replied with rubbing my cheeks with my own hands.

”Blessing, I like you. I want to spend more time with you. And I would love to stand next to you,” After a brief pause, she continued, ”Does that define what we are?”

It felt really nice hearing those words out of another human being. Not since I had left my husband did, I feel this gush of emotions in me. And from another woman, nonetheless. I opened my palm and the piece of paper fell on the ground. I reached for her hand and wrapped my fingers around her. Did she always have these well defined fingers? I was already exploring something new about her.

”So, are we like, dating?” I asked Maddie, still trying to define our union.

She turned her head and kissed on my forehead. Then, barely audibly, she said,” Yes. Would you like to go on a date with me tonight?”

I lowered my head until my chin touched my cardigan. i could feel my face getting warm with all the blood that pumped in my cheeks. I nodded softly to answer Madonna's invitation.

Madonna chuckled and started walking away from me. I looked up and she was already at the door, ready to bust out. I stretched my arm and told her to stay. She said she had to go back to work, but I used my CEO powers to sit her back in the chair.

The clarity that we were a lesbian couple was still illuminating my mind, but it didn't cloud m second question. ”Mad,” I said,” If we are a couple, do you mind answering one more of my questions?”

Madonna, full of confidence, shot me a thumbs up. This time, I didn't need my piece of paper,” We have been going out for a while now. And I know we made it official a moment later, but I'd rather not let my doubt seep into whatever future holds for us.” Madonna nodded along as I spoke. ”Maddie, almost a month ago, we first made love. And since then, I have shared almost everything I had in my past. On the other hand, I know almost nothing about you. Do you promise me to share what you had in your past?”

I waited for her response. She thought about it for a second, and gave me a slight nod.

THAT WAS MY CHANCE!

”Maddie, tell me, your name isn't Shaft, right?” Once again, the air around us stood still. As I waited for her response, my mind clouded with another emotion.

Rage.

Not for three weeks, for eight months this woman had lied to me, and our whole corporation about her identity. I had waited for her to confess, but it seemed like she wanted to push this charade for as long as possible. She had touched me, with those lying hands. That rage that I felt resembled that of my husband having sex behind my back. Suddenly, the love evaporated, and I slammed my hands on the table loud enough to make it pang.

This time, it was Madonna who was looking down into her lap. I bend towards her and rephrased my question,” Madonna, are you a Shaft or a House?”

”House, I'm Madonna House!” She exclaimed.

I fell back in my chair. I didn't believe it would be so easy to break her.

”Blessing you have to understand-”I cut her off before she could offer her explanation. I pointed at the door behind her and said,” Seems like it's a no date for you, Ms. House. Please, show yourself out. Your papers for dismissal would be mailed to your house address.”

The cold tone in my voice must have hurt. I knew I was doing something really bad. To her. to myself. But most of all, to my business. I knew mixing personal business with public affairs led to nothing but a distasteful cocktail.

But I was not going to let the woman whom I loved so much get jobless on a whim.

Wait, LOVE? Did I love her? had I already fallen in love with her??

This realization can wait, I thought to myself as I picked up the phone. I had to make a call.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Seconds later, my long distance call to London had connected.