Page 31 of A Corruption Dark & Deadly
“Tell me everything,” Annie said enthusiastically.
“I was made partner!” she exclaimed, not able to control the high-pitched voice or the giggles.
“No way,” Annie returned. “That’s amazing! Carmen, I am so happy for you! If anyone deserves being made partner, it’s you.”
“We have to celebrate,” Carmen said.
“Agreed.” An idea popped into Annie’s head. “Let me take care of the plans. I’ll invite the girls. Are you free tomorrow?”
“Girl, you know I am.”
“Okay,” Annie said, ideas already flooding through her head. “Let me make some calls and then get back to you. I’m going to take care of everything.”
“Are you sure, Annie?” Carmen asked, doubt tainting her tone. “Maybe you should get Shonelle’s input.”
Annie bit her bottom lip to keep from saying something she would later regret. She loved Carmen with all her heart but there were times Carmen didn’t take her as seriously as Annie would have preferred. Yes, Carmen was drop-dead gorgeous in a dark, statuesque way while Annie was more girl-next-door and Carmen went to law school and passed the bar and got hired right after graduation at a prestigious law firm while Annie just got a bachelor’s degree, graduated with honors, and got hired at a somewhat reputable accounting firm. Maybe Annie’s life wasn’t as glamorous as Carmen’s but it was still hers and she didn’t necessarily appreciate the dismissal.
Although, if Annie was being honest, she knew it was because Annie wasn’t the party type. She celebrated, certainly, and wouldn’t refuse to go out with the girls, but she wasn’t into getting drunk and partying on a crowded dance floor. So the fact that Annie offered to plan everything meant Carmen thought she was going to do something simple and reserved, like a classy dinner or a wine tasting or something. Annie clenched her teeth. She would show her.
Carmen wanted a party? Annie would find a way to ensure Carmen got the party she wanted. In fact, Annie wanted to make sure it was over the top, to the point where Carmen would never suggest she get help from anyone else again.
“I got this,” Annie told her. “Trust me.”
After she got off the phone with Carmen, she called up the rest of their group and told them tomorrow, they would be out celebrating Carmen’s promotion. She didn’t have the details but she wanted eight o’clock at night on hold for the celebration. They all agreed and each woman asked Annie if she was certain she could handle this and offered to help if she needed it.
By the time she got off the phone with the last invitee, Annie all but slammed the office phone on the hook. She was frustrated with her friends for their lack of faith in her abilities, but more than that, she was frustrated with herself. Why would she continue to carry on like some wallflower? How was she supposed to really let go and live life? She didn’t want male attention like the other girls did but she wanted to feel free, and it was only with Jericho that she felt that way.
The problem was, as much as she loved Jericho, her independence was important to her. And she needed to be able to feel free by herself without being with Jericho. As much as she loved being around him, she knew she wouldn’t always be in his presence.
And, she also knew she didn’t have to prove anything to anyone. It was okay that she didn’t like to drink much or to party. She really didn’t even like to go to clubs, even with her friends. She did like dancing but not in public; she believed that people tended to assume if she was wearing a short dress and shaking her ass, men thought they had a right to touch her or grope her, like she was on some personal display for them. Like she was an object to satisfy whatever hunger they had and not a real person with real thoughts or feelings.
She placed her head in her hands and stared at the black keyboard in front of her. Suddenly, an idea hit her and she picked up the phone. They had only been together a couple of weeks at the most but she knew he would do anything for her.
Annie wanted to wow her friends, and what better way to wow her friends than with the help of Jericho, owner of The Door clubs that permeated Seattle and ranked in thousands of dollars the four nights they were open.
He answered just after the first ring.
“Hey, baby.”
Annie’s heart warmed at the term of endearment, which was odd, because she had never cared about term of endearments before. But the way he said it, and knowing that it came from him, made her feel tingly and special. She felt light, like she could walk on air, and she realized that everything was going to be okay.
“Hey,” she replied.
“What can I do for you?” he asked. “Everything okay? I know you’re at work right now.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Annie said, wincing. “Am I bothering you? I know how busy you are. This can wait until tonight.”
“You are never a bother,” he promised her. “Get that out of your head right now. Call me whenever you want. I’ll always answer.” He paused. “But you didn’t answer my question. What can I help you with?”
Annie felt herself shrug even though Jericho couldn’t see her. “It’s nothing important,” she told him. “One of my close friends from college made partner at her law firm and I wanted to take them out to celebrate. The problem is, I’ve never been that much of a club hopper so they don’t take me seriously planning stuff like this.”
“Don’t say anything else,” Jericho said. “I’ll take care of everything. You said you planned everything for tomorrow night?”
“Yes,” Annie replied.
“Bring them to The Red Door at eight,” he replied. “I’ll set up a limo so you can pick everyone up in style. Don’t worry about anything. You and your friends will have the time of your life.”
As Annie hung up the phone, she couldn’t stop smiling. She might not have enjoyed going to clubs, but she was already looking forward to tomorrow night.