Chapter 31: Walk The Walk

Adani's POV

'A pleasant good-day to you Miss. Adani Prime. Please note that your order has been shipped and arrived before scheduled. Thank you for shopping'.

I closed the email and looked at the box I had placed on the bed. I flushed as I remembered the look and the handsome smirk on my boss' face when he handed it over to me.
It must have arrived when Mavielle and I went to Flamboyant's and being as the package stated Mr. Parriston's address, security bought the item to his office without even looking at the name.

I was too embarrassed to even use it now so I tucked it away in one of my drawers before I reached for my cellphone and called Mavielle to check up on her. What she told me was infuriating.

"What do you mean by she's pressing charges?" I questioned.

"An officer explained that I've assaulted her and she has a right to press charges against me for doing such! It doesn't matter what she did because she's being held accountable but what I did was also a crime!"

"That's so ridiculous. Flamboyant really wants to have the last laugh after what she did, said and put you through?"

"She's a horrible person, Adani. I was so stupid to not see it before. I don't care if I get a million charges, I would beat that bitch all over again for what she did. She put me through hell and had the audacity to say she was my bestie. I hate her!"

Mavielle was still angry and that was completely understandable. I couldn't imagine the pain and hurt and anger she must be feeling at once all over again.

"I'm so sorry. How do you think Mr. Parriston would react when he hears this?" I asked her.

"I don't know. I don't want to lose my job over this too."

"I don't think you would. He has been sympathetic to the whole situation and he did came to the police station. I too have a few days off to gather myself," I informed.

"He's the best boss ever."

We spoke for a few more minutes and then we ended our conversation. I left the bedroom and went into the kitchen to pour myself a glass of water.

"You! You maids!" Mrs. Parriston started. She was already sitting on one of the stools with a glass of red wine in her hand, "All you ever do is embarrass my son!" she added.

"Mrs. Parriston, with all due respect, I don't know what you are talking about," I answered.

"Oh, you don't, perhaps that brain of yours don't process information quickly. If it gets out that my son's maids are attackers, it would be calamitous to his reputation that I worked hard on building."

"Attackers?"

"You and the other black one know exactly what you did. I hope the police officers aren't lenient. I'll make sure of it. Then again, maybe I don't have to. The color of your skin would be just about enough."

"Mrs. Parriston, you have been nothing but racist since you saw me. You don't like black women, fine! But don't poke your nose into something you have no knowledge about. Do you know what Flamboyant did to Mavielle?"

"Of course I know. She ran her mother over."

"Oh, so you do know. And you don't see that that was the reason why Mavielle lashed out at her?"

"She and you had no right to lay a finger on Flamboyant. That's the problem with people like you. Always taking the law into your own hands and then play the victim and the race-card when you can't get away with certain things."

"First of all, I didn't attack anyone. Secondly, Flamboyant deserved it."

"Oh, like how you deserve every beatings you received from your fiancé?"

I was dumbfounded.

"Oh, don't look so surprise, Adanip, I know everything there is to know about you. My son took pity on you like a stray dog."

She rose from her seat, finished her wine and placed the glass in the sink. She then walked out of the kitchen and the tears welled up in my eyes. I fought to keep them at bay. I didn't want her slicing words to break me. I've come too far to slip back into the darkness.

I ran out of the kitchen and went back into my bedroom and I started packing my belongings. My chest ached with every object I tossed into a suitcase. The tears blurred my vision but I didn't care. I just wanted to leave.

~

I pulled the suitcase behind me as I made my way to the entrance. I pushed through the door, walked down the steps and walked to the gate.

"Good evening, Miss. Prime," one of the guards greeted me.

"Hi. Please open the gate."

"Ma'am, Mr. Parriston didn't approve your exit."

"What, he has to approve me leaving?" I questioned.

"Correct."

I turned around and Mr. Parriston was standing right behind me, looking at my wet face and the suitcase.

"Miss. Prime, what are you doing and where are you going?" he questioned.

"Away. I've packed my belongings and I'm going away."

He studied my face then made a hand gesture to the guards. I assumed it was to grant my exit but when I turned towards the guards, they dispersed, leaving Mr. Parriston and I alone.

"Why are you leaving?" he asked again.

"Just please let me leave."

"That doesn't answer my question. Why are you leaving, Miss. Prime?"

"It's your mother. I can't stand her harsh words towards me anymore. At first, I thought I could take it because I've dealt with a verbal abusive fiancé. But your mother is a whole different beast."

"What did she say to you?"

"She knows about my ex fiancé and she compared me to a stray dog. I would rather leave than to be belittled and talked down upon like if I'm not a person, Mr. Parriston," my voice broke and the tears rolled down.

He stepped closer and tilted my head upwards to his face. Just by his finger touching the skin on my chin was enough to wash away every emotional hurt.

"Don't leave. I promise I'll fix this," he spoke. He reached for my suitcase and I allowed him to have it. Then without hesitation, he reached for my hand and walked me back towards the mansion.

~

In the main living room, I sat down and he stood next to me with folded arms. Shortly after, his mother entered followed by his fianceé.

"Mother, I'll cut right to the chase. If it's not work related, you're not to say anything else to Miss. Prime."

Mrs. Parriston eyed me and if could have killed, I would have been six feet under.

"She ran to you?" his fianceé cut in. I watched as he looked at her and she recoiled back to Mrs. Parriston's side like the little side-kick she was.

"Ricardo, this maid is nothing but trouble since the moment she arrived! Now you're telling me I shouldn't speak to her?"

"You've done enough and you've said enough. This bullying ends here and now. I have already told you she works for me and not for you."

"So you're going to believe a stranger over your own mother. You're unbelievable. Rockett would never! She would get so rid of this stra..." she caught herself, "stranger," she filled.

"You sure that's the word you wanted to use, or was it 'stray', Mother ?" Mr. Parriston asked.

"I wouldn't hold my tongue for you or anyone else for that matter."

"Oh yes, you will, because if you don't, I wouldn't have a problem escorting you out of the doors myself."

"Ricardo, what are you saying?"

"I'm saying I rather watch you leave because Miss. Prime isn't going anywhere. The both of you better get this through your heads!"

I was stunned and so was Mrs. Parriston and Penelope Vant.
Mr. Parriston escorted me back to my bedroom front door.

"Thank you, Mr. Parriston. I hope that fixes the issue."

"You're welcome."

We looked at each other as if we were looking into each others' souls. Without even realizing it, we stepped closer at the same time, closing the gap between us. He tilted my head up to his face like what he did previously.

And then it happened.

Like a bolt of sparks from every direction, it hit as our lips met for the very first time. His hands circled my waist and pulled me in even closer. I parted my lips, allowing him the entrance he wanted. His tongue wrapped mine and a small moan escaped me which made him deepened the kiss.

We broke apart, suddenly remembering where we were and what we were doing. I waited for the bullshit 'Oh no, this shouldn't of happened. I'm sorry' but he didn't say that. Instead, he walked away.