The Alpha For Her

“You thought that maybe–”

“Yeah,” Jennifer said, sliding her sunglasses back down and sipping her drink. “I can be such a doofus.”

“I don’t know,” Candy said. “I saw him checking you out the other day when we were giggling at the table.”

“He’s got a girlfriend.”

“Really? I don’t remember reading that.”

“You read up on him?”

“Of course. Didn’t you?”

“Things happened so fast,” Jennifer said.

“I guess you are a doofus,” Candy said, adding, “what’s a doofus?”

“Exactly what it sounds like it is.”

“Right. Oh, cool. Billie’s finally alone. See you later.”

“Doofus.”

Jennifer knew that she would be no match for that Alaiah woman, but she still wanted to look good. She refused to wear anything that Dryzek had given her, especially the lingerie. So she chose a metallic pink long halter gown with a goodly plunge and slit up one thigh. It was gathered at the midriff where an oval brooch sparkled in silver. She did her face modestly, but elegantly, then she couldn’t help herself, and so did her eyes smoky, with dusty pink shadow.

Flint’s residence took up the west end of the north wing. She was met at the door by a maid who took her wrap, and led her to a parlor. Unlike his office, the residence was done to match the building in a tasteful, but lush Spanish Colonial – carved wood with wicker webbing, plush carpeting with intricate designs, deep crown molding and trim, candlesticks, and, of course, a fireplace. There she was met by Dryzek, dressed in dinner formal.

“Jennifer”, he said, smiling, taking her hands and kissing her cheek.

“Mr. Dryzek,” she said, nodding. He gave her a look.

“What can I get you to drink?”

“I’m fine for the moment.”

“You sure? Perhaps a sherry?”

“I’m fine.”

“As you wish,” he said. Then, out of nowhere, he turned to the hall and shouted, “Alaiah.”

Jennifer startled.

“Alaiah,” he called again, “our guest is here.”

What kind of relation did he have with the woman, Jennifer wondered. She quickly found out, for a moment later a girl of, maybe thirteen or fourteen entered the room. She was all of four-and-a-half feet tall, and had just begun to blossom her figure. And she was well aware of the fact, for she was dressed in tight, jet black jeans that hugged her hips, a silken white ruffled blouse with ballooning sleeves that cuffed tight, a low cut black vest that seemed to merge with her jeans, and a pointed, broad brimmed felt hat decorated with black and maroon flowers.

The girl’s skin tone was copper, as if she was Brazilian, but her nose was almost elfin, her lips slender and her almond eyes were blue. Her hair was jet black, but that was obviously a dye job, for her eyebrows were reddish. Her make-up was minimal, but with bold colors.

“Ms. James,” she said, approaching Jennifer and taking her hands. “Do forgive my father, he can sometimes be a bucolic clod.”

“I – I know,” Jennifer said. “He had been just short of being a brute with me this morning.”

“Men can be such morons.”

And then Jennifer couldn’t hold it back any longer. She let out a squeak, that turned into a giggle, that burst into laughter. Alaiah seemed to feel as if she were in on some sort of joke, and so began to laugh along with her. But inside, Jennifer was chiding and mocking herself for having, once again, been so very wrong, and in her error she had wasted so much time and emotion and fury.

“I don’t get it,” Flint said. “What’s the joke?”

“Oh, Dad,” Alaiah said, rolling her eyes. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Flint,” Jennifer said, finding a chair and still chuckling, “I think that I’ll take that sherry now.”

“Absolutely.”

“So, you must be Alaiah.”

“I am. But please do not call me Dryzek. I’ve chosen to go with my mother’s name, Cassmero. Much more refined, don’t you agree, Ms. James?”

“I do,” Jennifer said, taking the crystal sherry glass. “Will your mother–”

“Elizabeta passed away some time ago,” Flint said.

“Oh. Oh, I am sorry.”

“I was just a baby,” Alaiah said. “This doofus is all the family I’ve ever known.”

“Doofus?” Jennifer said.

“Sorry,” Alaiah said, giggling. “I got that from your website. You use the word a lot.”

“And that is not all you stole, young lady.” Jennifer said with one eyebrow raised. “That is my hat.”

“I know. Cool, huh?”

“Actually, on you, it’s perfect.”

“Thanks.”

“Alaiah is an avid fan of Jenny’s Gems,” Flint put in.

“Dad… The Beatles had fans. Ms. James has followers.”

“Oh.”

“Call me Jenny.”

Flint poured himself a sherry and gave Alaiah an iced tea. The three sat to a chat, and the young girl dominated. Flint seemed content to allow, so Jennifer happily joined. And over dinner, she dominated. She and her friends never missed one of Jennifer’s blogs, but she was confused at how Jenny could be at the seminar, and still put out fresh posts daily. Jennifer explained how she had doubled her postings, and so every morning all she needed to do was call up the new one, and hit ‘send’. Both father and daughter were impressed. And all through the meal, Flint kept on the skirts of the conversation, and yet Jennifer saw him glancing often at his little girl, and the pride in his eyes couldn’t be missed.

After desert, it seemed as though there was some sort of agreement between Flint and Alaiah, and the girl excused herself, saying something about doing homework.

“Homework?” Jennifer asked. “But I thought that the roads were closed. How do you get to school?”

“We telecommute,” Alaiah said, as if it were nothing. “But, Ms. James – Jenny…”

Alaiah couldn’t leave without asking Jennifer if she might be able to stop by again and have a small get together with her and some friends. She even gave Jen her phone number.

“You know,” said, “talk about make-up and stuff.”

Flint stepped in before the girl could corner Jennifer.

“Ms. James is going to be busy.”

“We’ll see,” Jennifer said, “no promises, mind you.”

“Of course, Jenny. I understand. Have a pleasant evening.”

And Alaiah left with a beaming smile.

“Thank you,” Flint said, clasping his hand in prayer. “She was gaga when I told her that you would be dining with me. She begged.”

“She really is a fan of my site?”

“A follower,” Flint corrected.