Rallenti Page 9

  Jamie chuckled. “Shit. I’m ready, honey!”

  ***

  Kyra opened her eyes. The buzzer to her apartment rang from the wall intercom. Jamie had rolled over and was sleep on her side. Jamie could sleep through a tornado. Kyra eased out of bed and went to the intercom. “Hello?”

  “It’s auntie.”

  Kyra frowned. “Auntie Zuri?”

  “Yes. Buzz me up, Keek,” she replied.

  Keek was a pet name the family only used for her. Kyra hit the buzzer. She went out of the room and closed the door to keep Jamie from hearing or joining. She fixed her hair and cursed the untidiness of her place. Kyra unlocked the door just as her aunt stepped to it.

  “Auntie!” Kyra said and reached and hugged her. Zuri hugged her back. She hadn’t seen her since she paid rent earlier that month. “Come in, come in.”

  Her aunt was a regal woman. A middle sister and the only one in the family still talking to her, let alone helping her. This apartment was one of several owned by her husband. And Auntie had given her a really good rate on the rent. Behind the back of Kyra’s parents.

  “How are you, sweetie?” Auntie asked.

  “Good. Work is good. And ah, I got invited to an executive dinner last night.” Kyra started to clean up the magazines thrown around and pick up the junk food wrappers. “Sit down, Auntie.”

  “Your place is so messy, Keek. You have to keep it tidy.”

  “Yes, Auntie, I know. I know. But I was… working late so I fell behind,” she lied. Cleanliness was a quality that was to be admired. For the women in her family it was a matter of pride.

  “So how is everybody? Mommy? Daddy?” she asked.

  “Your dad has been sick.”

  “What?”

  “The flu. He’s better now. He had to take off from work.” Her aunt began to sort the pile of clippings to her left and stacked them neatly on the coffee table. “I would have called but your mother said… well I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.”

  “I understand,” Kyra murmured. She tried to hide her hurt. She suffered through the first holidays without her family. If it wasn’t for Jamie she would have spent Christmas alone. “How are Adika, Esinam, and Doe? Everybody?”

  “Keek,” her aunt said. “Have you had enough of this yet? Working in some office and making sparkling shoes. Aren’t you ready to come home? Start medical school?”

  “No. I’m not,” she said firmly.

  “Well if you are getting married you need to be more settled.” Aunt Zuri said.

  Kyra frowned.

  Auntie smiled. “That’s why I come. Your mother told me about the visit they had. And I have to say you went about this the wrong way, Keek. My poor sister is beside herself with worry for you now.”

  “Visit?” Kyra sat upright. “From who?”

  “She said his name was Cezar. He wanted to speak to your father. He asked for permission to ask for your hand in marriage. Said he had planned to propose. Why are you looking at me like that? Did you not know?”

  Stunned Kyra couldn’t speak. She blinked at her aunt and then tried to capture breath in her lungs. Cezar found her parents? Actually spoke to her mother and father. The implications were disastrous. “When di-did this happen?” she stammered.

  “Ah?” Zuri tapped her chin to think of the date.

  “Kyra?” Jamie walked out of the bedroom with the Mirabella dress folded over her arms. Her aunt’s head turned and she looked at Jamie with surprise. “Oh forgive me, honey. I didn’t know you had company.”

  Kyra stood. “Auntie, this is my friend Jamie,” she said her voice tight with worry. If her aunt even suspected what Jamie was it would not go over well. Jamie and she had talked many times about the conservative views of her family. To the outside world Jamie was a woman, one of the most beautiful. But she never hid her transformation or denied the fact that she was once a man.

  “Hello,” Zuri nodded at Jamie. She extended her hand. Jamie shook it.

  “You are beautiful. Are you the landlady?” Jamie grinned.

  “I am. My husband’s company owns the building. He’s the one you see. Nice to meet you. Are you a tenant too?” Her aunt looked at Kyra with concern. She had one bedroom and was not supposed to sublease.

  “Yes! I live upstairs.” Jamie said. “Kyra is my little baby bird.”

  “That’s nice you made a friend,” Zuri stared at Kyra and she could see a hint of disapproval in her eyes. It made Kyra nervous. She cleared her voice and spoke up.

  “Jamie, I’ll call you after I finish my visit with my aunt,” Kyra said.

  Jamie nodded “I will work on the dress and have it to you tomorrow,” she said. She gave Kyra air kisses and walked out. Kyra closed the door behind her. When Kyra looked over at her aunt once more she saw her now remove her coat and gloves. “Sit down, Keek,” her aunt said.

  Kyra did as she was told. In their lives the women kept order. The aunties and her mother ruled everything as a family. Kyra knew her mother, though not speaking to her, kept tabs on her this way. Zuri would never admit it and Kyra would never ask.

  “Your mom is worried about you. This man Cezar, he behaved strangely when your father questioned him. Where did he come from? Who is he?”

  “He isn’t my boyfriend.” Kyra spoke up. “Not my fiancé either. He lied.”

  “I figured he wasn’t by your reaction. What is he, just one of the men you sleep with?” her aunt asked with disgust.

  “Doe is a liar. I don’t sleep around, auntie. I’ve had six boyfriends total since I was seventeen. Only six!”

  “And now that person you are friends with…” her aunt continued.

  “Jamie? She’s a…”

  “A man.” Zuri finished. “You think I don’t know?” her aunt shook her head. “I wanted to help you, Keek, I did. But you won’t come to your senses.”

  “What does that mean?” Kyra asked.

  “It means I agree with my sister. You need to go to school and let go of these silly girl dreams. At the end of the month you will pay full rent or you will have to move out.”

  “Auntie, please don’t do this,” Kyra pleaded.

  “I am doing it for your own good. We have all spoiled you. Encouraged your foolish ideas. The Cezar man is the last straw. You aren’t marrying or settling down, you’re wandering. I can’t help you throw your life away. It’s decided. You have two weeks.”

  “I don’t understand any of you.” Kyra said as she watched her aunt rise and put on her coat. “You have all the power in the family yet you do whatever it is they want from us. So what I don’t want to get married, make babies, be a doctor, whatever. Why can’t I be me?”

  Her aunt shook her head. “We raised you better than this. Your mother and father sacrificed so much to give you choices. And the sacrifice they made wasn’t for you to make selfish ones. You can be free to be yourself, Keek, but it comes at a price. Everything in life comes at a price.”

  Her aunt came over and kissed her cheek. Kyra turned her face away. She crossed her arms to guard her heart from the pain she felt. Zuri was her last connection to the family. With her withdrawing her support she had nothing. And with her job on the line she was beginning to think her mother was right.

  “If you decide to stay and pay the rent it will be $1200 and you will have to sign a lease. Call me in two weeks and let me know.” Her aunt then turned and left. Kyra dropped into her seat and cried. She was so frustrated she couldn’t stop the tears. She placed her face in her hands and wept. She cried until she couldn’t anymore. And the phone rang.

  Kyra wiped her tears and answered it.

  “Hello?”

  “Are you ready to listen?” Cezar said.

  Kyra sat up. “Did you go to my parents’ home? Did you tell them you wanted to marry me? Are you fucking insane?”

  “I had planned to propose. That is what this has all been about. But you broke up with me before I got the chance. That’s why I wanted to talk to you—”


  “Talk! There is no reason for us to talk. I don’t want to talk to you, see you, date you, or marry you! Do you get that! And if you come around here again I’m going to call the police. Stay the hell away from me and my family! Do you get that?”

  “Kyra…”

  She slammed the phone down. Her life was falling apart and psycho boy was the last thing she needed. She fell back on the sofa and flipped on the television. She didn’t even have the strength to go to Jamie for consoling. Her depression pushed her deeper into her self pity and she wanted to wallow in it alone.

  The phone rang. Kyra snatched it up. “Stop fucking calling me!” she shouted in the line.

  A deep-throated voice chuckled.

  Kyra frowned. “Hello?”

  “Should I hang up?” Renaldo asked.

  “Renaldo?” Kyra smiled.

  “A bad time to speak?” Renaldo asked.

  “No. No it’s not. Hi,” Kyra smiled. “I was just thinking of you,” she lied. She was actually thinking about slitting her wrists.

  “Will you be free this evening?” he asked.

  “Sure. What time? Uh, so I can make sure?” She flinched. She didn’t want to seem over anxious or too eager.

  “How is seven?” Renaldo asked. “Unfortunately I have to remain in hotel. But I can treat you to dinner. Here.”

  Kyra smiled. She loved his accent, the way he spoke. And she desperately needed this. If she could sit down to dinner with him she could explain her desires to be interviewed. Time was not her friend in any of this. She had to get out of this situation, and soon.

  “Okay,” she said.

  “I send driver for you. Okay?”

  “Yes. That’s fine. Send a driver for me. See you soon.”

  “Ciao, Kyra.”

  “Bye, Renaldo.”

  Kyra wiped the tears from her face. She was done crying, and done with feeling sorry for herself. She had two weeks to secure a job and find somewhere to live. And she’d do it. Renaldo would help her.

  Dinner –

  Kyra arrived ten minutes early. She kept walking through the lobby. If she walked she had no time to think of everything that was at risk. If she lost her job and her apartment, out the window went her independence. She’d have to ask someone for help. And that wasn’t an option.

  Everything was at risk.

  Dinner would be at the Peacock Alley. She’d heard of the restaurant but never dined there. The butterflies in her stomach ruined her appetite. She’d be lucky if she could keep down a glass of water.

  “Hi, I’m here to meet ah…” Kyra glanced around. She couldn’t remember his last name. “Renaldo?” she said.

  The woman gave her a curious smile. Kyra felt like an idiot. “I’m sorry, it’s a dinner date and I forgot his last name.”

  “No problem,” she scanned the guest list and nodded. “I see here Cracchiolo, for two?”

  “Yes. Renaldo Cracchiolo,” Kyra smiled. It was shameful that she didn’t remember his last name after the night she shared with him. It wasn’t like she didn’t like him, or want to see him. What was wrong with her?

  “May I take your coat?” the hostess asked.

  “Oh, yeah, sure,” Kyra said. She shrugged off her coat and passed it over. Another woman appeared with a smile to accept the coat from the hostess and Kyra was given a claim ticket.

  “This way,” the hostess said.

  Kyra followed. Only one sweeping glance of the posh establishment was needed to locate Renaldo. He nursed a drink alone at a table. His dark head bowed as he stared into his glass. His gaze lifted when she drew closer and he was out of his seat. Renaldo again wore a suit like a man of importance. And those beautiful brown eyes smiled at her as if pleased. The hot sexy memory of every decadent moment she shared with him the night before made her cheeks burn with excitement.

  “Ciao bella,” he kissed her cheek and then pulled out the chair. The hostess left them. Kyra accepted the seat offered to her. She’d chosen a pearl-white, tightly fitted sweater dress with long sleeves and a low v-cut bodice. Renaldo was a man who appreciated a low cut bodice, so the dress choice was for him. She wore matching knee high boots. She made the pair herself. They were cut from pearl leather with tiny polished pearls studding the heel.

  “Lovely,” he said, referencing her appearance.

  “Thank you,” Kyra smiled. “I didn’t expect you to call. I know you had so much to do.”

  “I was given the night. The ladies decided. They retire early,” he replied.

  “So you thought of me?” Kyra teased.

  “I can only think of you,” he replied.

  She glanced up with the arrival of the waiter. He turned over her glass and poured her some wine.

  “I order for you. It’s okay. No?” he asked.

  “Yes, it is. I don’t think I should drink though. Last night was enough,” she said.

  “One glass?” he held up a finger.

  “One glass,” she smiled. She took a sip of the white wine and savored the grape on her tongue. It was a good choice. Kyra hated to ruin the mood but she couldn’t survive a night of trying to find the way to broach the subject. “I, ah, I have a request.”

  Renaldo stared at her.

  “I need an interview,” she said. “For the Paris office. I need you to help me get an interview with Catalina Battaglia or Marietta Battaglia.”

  Renaldo’s piercing gaze impaled her. He stared with not the hint of expression on his face. She hurried through her explanation. “I’m not trying to take advantage of our friendship. I wouldn’t ask this but… well I really do need an interview.”

  “And you think I can help?” he asked.

  “I’m sorry if my asking makes you uncomfortable. I just need... oh forget it,” she sighed.

  “Why not ask for the interview?” Renaldo asked. “Yourself?”

  “How can I get close enough to either of them to ask?” she said. “I tried to at the party but they were too engaged with other people to entertain me.”

  “I do this for you,” Renaldo said. “Okay?”

  And like that it was settled. He smiled. Kyra couldn’t help but grin. If it wouldn’t cause a scene she’d attack him with kisses. “Thank you so much, Renaldo.”

  He waved off her thanks. “What should we do tonight?” he asked.

  “Dinner,” she said.

  “And after?” he asked.

  “How about a carriage ride in New York?” she asked. “Have you ever had one?”

  His brows lifted. She had forgotten that he was still working but it would be a short one that they could take and see some of the city.

  “No. I have not. I like the idea,” he said.

  The first course of their meal arrived. So tiny was the serving she didn’t see the point. That was the aggravation of fine dining. You could never fill up on the little fancy bites of overpriced food. Lucky for her, her nerves had washed out her appetite.

  “Tell me about you,” he said, before taking a bite of his cucumber salad.

  “Me? What do you want to know?” she asked.

  “Shoes. Why do you love them?” he asked.

  Kyra felt her chest tighten with anger. When he said ‘why’ it sounded so much like her father she couldn’t look at him. She ate and ignored the question.

  “Forgive me. I say it wrong,” he struggled to find the words. “What makes you make this choice to be a shoe maker and not a doctor?” he clarified.

  She glanced up at him. The question felt sincere. So she tried to come up with a sincere answer. “All my life I’ve done what I’ve been told. Or at least pretended at doing what I’ve been told. My family is not from here. My parents are first generation immigrants who really wanted their children to excel here in the States, and they’ve worked hard to make it happen. But they also made me believe I could be anything in the world I wanted to be. I love shoes. I always have. I love making them. Wearing them. Dancing in them. I love everything about them. It’s my dream.”


  Renaldo lifted the tablecloth and stole a peek at her feet under the table. “You make those?”

  “Yes!” Kyra grinned. “This is why I want to meet with Catalina. I have an entire room full of shoes I’ve made myself.”

  “But you answer phones.” Renaldo dismissed, he picked up his wine and sipped. Kyra gave an eye roll. She knew his speech was abrupt because of the language barriers but he was killing his sexy with his cold hard facts.

  “Yes. I answer the phones. I also make my bed every morning, doesn’t mean I want to be a maid.”

  He choked.

  Kyra smiled. Renaldo dabbed his mouth and shook his head smiling. He stared into her eyes and the look impaled her. She couldn’t bring her fork back up to her mouth. “Do you make shoes for men?” he asked.

  “I do.”

  “Will you make them for me?” he asked.

  “I can.” She winked.

  He chuckled. “Young, beautiful, little shoe maker.”

  “Strong, sexy, mysterious enforcer,” she teased.

  His smile dimmed a bit. He glanced across the restaurant and then to his watch.

  “Excuse me,” he said pushing back from the table. Did she say something wrong? She watched him. He strolled over to the piano player tickling the keys. Curious Kyra narrowed her eyes on the scene. Renaldo spoke to the piano player. The man tickling the ivories nodded repeatedly that he understood the request. Renaldo dropped money into the crystal bowl on top and then walked back over to the table. He stopped at her chair and pulled it back.

  “We dance,” he said.

  “What? Here? Now?” she gasped. “We haven’t eaten, and last time I checked this isn’t a nightclub.”

  “No more talking shoe maker. Dance with me,” he said as if he were asking for permission.

  Kyra was never shy, nor one to turn down an offer so appealing. A man stood before her wanting to sweep her off her feet. He smelled like a king, and looked as beautiful as a gladiator in a suit. How could she say no? She took his hand and was helped from her chair. There wasn’t a large dining crowd that evening, a few couples and families at tables. Several heads turned as he guided her to the small area before the piano.