Sweep Me Off My Feet

Chapter 7

Michael did not remember the last time he had met a woman who aroused such a desire in him the way that Angela did. It was not just physical desire; it was also the fact that she did not make such a big deal about who he was. Normally, he had to almost physically push the women away because more often than not, the relationship was meant to be a means to an end. A way for them to access his millions and live life on the fast lane. For Michael, women came easy, but they were never the kind of women he wanted. Angela was the full package. She was beautiful, she was sexy, and she even challenged him on an intellectual level. The only thing he noticed was that she was not so comfortable with him. After all, he was her boss. It was only natural for her to feel that way.

Angela was all he had been talking about and Jackson could not help but notice that his best friend was more than a little smitten.

“You really like this girl, don’t you?” Jackson asked, and Michael shrugged.

“She is the only good thing that has happened to me lately…the only person who doesn’t look at me like they believe the stories out there.” He shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t know what to say, J.J. She really does make me feel like I can be happy again.”

“Dude, if you really like her this much, why don’t you just go ahead and marry her already?” Jackson asked, and Michael’s smile faded.

It might have been too soon for him to take the plunge into marriage with Angela, but doing that would mark the end of the nightmare he had been facing lately. Marrying Angela, a black woman, would show the world that he was not racist and probably even save his company. His image needed him to do this. His company needed him to make that important step.

“You know, that could be a great idea, J.J.”

Jackson frowned.

“Michael, you do know that I was kidding right?” he asked.

“Yes, but even in joking, sometimes people make the best innovations while joking.”

“So, what are you saying exactly?” Jackson pressed further.

“I could marry Angela and everyone talking about Michael O’Brien being a racist could have a reason to think twice and she is a stunning woman. She must have friends of color…they could be inducted into the business, maybe get them to model…” His voice trailed off as Jackson shook his head.

“I don’t know, Michael…” he started before Michael suddenly bolted out from his chair.

“Sorry, dude, but I need to go,” he said as he ran out.

*****

Angela’s eyes felt heavy. She had not had the best sleep the previous night. The date had gone well for the most part, but she could not help but wonder why the hell it had been so awkward. Awkward moments of silence, awkward touching, awkward accidents… it was all a disaster. The only good thing about the date was the food, but she was too wound up to even enjoy it. She wanted nothing but to go back in time and reset everything from that fateful Friday night. If only she could do things differently and maybe go to a different club rather than agree to go to Rehab and then probably she would have only met Michael in a professional capacity at work on the following Monday without having any strings attached. The colossal disaster that her date had turned out to be made it hard for her to sleep after getting home. She had spent the night tossing and turning and because of that, she probably only got a couple of hours to sleep which were barely enough for her to function. All she wanted to do was call in sick and go home, maybe have a long, relaxing nap. Or just sleep until the morning. She was quite sure that she could comfortably do six solid hours before she had to pick up Brandon and then do another nine or ten hours.

She had just finished her third cup of coffee when she heard a soft knock on her door. She looked up expecting to see Darlene or some other employee, but she was surprised to find Michael standing there, looking at her.

“Hi,” he said in a soft voice.

“Michael… what are you doing here?” Angela asked.

“I was not very sure you were going to pick up my calls or answer my texts after last night,” he started, and Angela wanted to tell him that he was probably right, but she held her tongue. But he was wrong. She would have picked up the phone. After all, he was her boss. Actually, he was her boss’ boss’ boss… or something like that. “May I come in?” he asked, snapping her back to the moment at hand.

“Yes, yes, of course,” she muttered as she looked up at him.

“I guess my office is the only one without any guest furniture,” he said as he looked at the chair in front of her desk. It was meant to be a joke, but she could not bring herself to smile. All she was thinking about was what reason he would possibly have to be in her office at that moment. “I am sorry for ambushing you at work, but I really needed to see you.”

She shrugged.

“Why?” she asked. “Is there something wrong?”

He shook his head.

“I wouldn’t exactly say it that way…” There was a look on his face that told Angela he had been rehearsing what he wanted to say all the way to the store and now that he was there, his very carefully rehearsed words were failing him.

“Last night was a disaster. I am sure you feel the same way and I am here to ask you for another chance,” he said when he finally found his words. “Give me a chance to show you that we could be good together.”