"I see you," I tell them. Each of them excited to the max since their normal instructors, who are also really good chefs in their own right, are not here.
"I see you. I see all of you." I point to one young female, must be about sixteen with dreadlocks, "You been killing them with the curries and gravies." I don't instruct any courses, but I do keep tabs on how well each student does. This organization must help set the foundation for their future or my name means nothing. Giving back is all in the name that my father has given me.
Everyone is excited once more, as I acknowledge a few more of them. Giving praise where praise is due, has brought me back to life for this time being. I hold up a hand, to gather their attention. "Y'all want to dethrone the champ, you gotta be hungry." There's this look in my eye, they've all had it. They want to step up to the plate.
A soft chuckle works its way up from deep within my abs, "Don't front, you all are quiet now. Y'all see the look in my eye. Shit, it hasn't always been dandy for me, no need to be star struck. Iron Chef Franco de León wasn't always at the top of the motherfucking totem pole in the United States."
There's no more laughter. No more ‘mad respect' for the girl with dreadlocks who is a beast with the curry. Or the pimple faced, virgin who knows how to do knife tricks. We are all on the same level right now as I tell them about my rise. I'm no longer the star, I've humanized myself to their world.
Chapter 7
Angelique
USUALLY IT TAKES me weeks to prepare for these events with Carlton and his clients. It's not that I don't know how to act around the United States' most affluent. Give me a topic, any cultural, political topic and this Compton born and Long Beach raised chick can debate with the best of them. That's just it, Carlton likes us to be a "team" to be of one accord while I attend the investment firm's galas.
Carlton surprised me with the latest ‘red-bottom heels' when asking me to join him tonight. While chatting up associates, he kisses my cheek every so often. I'll give kudos to Carlton, since these past few years, he has learned to include me in much of the conversation. But tonight as we mingle, amongst the arrogant, and servers whisk by with bubbly and tiny edible treasures, my Iphone vibrates in my bejeweled coin purse. I gladly leave my boyfriend's side to take the call.
After a Mediterranean chef inspired dinner, I meander to the sitting room and chat with the "plus twos" who aren't talking investment portfolios. After a while I walk through the party, and I notice that Carlton is no longer standing toward the front. Taking a deep breath, I suck up the irritation of having to go find him.
The house has so many rooms that I almost give up.
Then I hear his voice toward the terrace of one room.
"Man, you could've hit that if you wanted to." The voice belongs to none other than Omar Burns. The nastiest of them all.
"Nonsense. I believe in monogamy."
"Carlton so you're really considering proposing to Jelly rolls!"
"C'mon, Angelique isn't all that fat. It's more so her cheeks. And I thank you for mentioning that nickname." He scoffs sardonically.
"Okay, she's got a gorgeous face, I'll give you that. And I've seen ‘em fatter. But you're the one who told me you called her jelly one day. The pussy felt like jelly," Omar chuckles, "I feel you but I'm sure the handling the merchandise is like a few … tiny … jelly rolls. So marry chubs. Fuck the waitress anyway."
"What if Angelique finds out? Think, Omar. You haven't noticed that I've surpassed many of our consorts? Mr. Binder prefers married associates. So … "
"Jelly rolls it is?"
"Exactly, Omar. She loves me. If my assets continue and I begin a new relationship, how do I know I'm not – "
"Oh yeah. You were always stuck on the gold diggers."
"Yup. It's all logistics, they keep trim, are always down to satisfy. They're the prettiest ones – case closed."
"Fuck yeah, they satisfy as long as you have the assets they give up the assets." Omar's joke falls flat. He adds, "Carlton, man, I recall you lost a bit of weight when trying to get Jessica back."
"That was the biggest mistake of my life."
My man's response floors me. Carlton has told virtually a stranger to me, about our sex life and allowed that very man to make comments about me. I'm literally at a loss for words, my heart feels so fucking heavy. I recall Jessica, she was the reason he likes to go ‘halfsies' on everything. That bitch never dug into her pockets, according to Carlton. Which I suppose is true. So my eyelid twitches, as I recall the day Carlton decided that we needed to go on a diet. Guess, losing weight is better with friends. But to get your current girlfriend to put some pep in her step in order to finesse on the old one?
My legs are full of lead. I continue to listen as Carlton says he is done with Jessica for good.
"All right Mr. Man with a plan. Marry ‘chunks.' Then continue to step up the ladder. One day you'll make enough to take care of the chubby chucker's eating requirements and another chick's shoe habit … ha … habits. Habitual liar!" Omar chokes on his words, as I pop my head outside. "Carlton I told you that Dunbar is a habitual liar," He says mentioning one of their newest coworkers. This idiot thinks I didn't hear a word he said.
"Hey guys." I smile, "Carlton. It's getting late."
Carlton glances at his Apple watch. "Yes, it is."
I eye the skinny black guy, "Having fun with your comedian friend?"
Omar stutters, "Uhhh, we were just taking a moment from the party."
"Yeah I'm sure just a moment from this bland party would do." I start back into the room, with Carlton at my heels. Since we're playing a game of lie to me, I add, "Omar is a riot isn't he? So damn funny. It sounds like you two were enjoying a good chat."
"Gossiping with my comrades at an event? Honestly, Angelique, you could've taken the initiative to pass out business cards. Don't you aspire to have a private practice one day? Make the most of the evening, my dear." Carlton chides, ignoring my mention of their conversation.
"You would say wouldn't you?" I roll my eyes, but he's already noticing a person that he hasn't chatted with tonight.
~~~
Later that evening, Carlton's car pulls alongside my Mazda that's parallel parked at the furthest entrance of his condominiums. For a weeknight, all of the visitor parking was gone when I arrived to accompany him for the event. Now, I have to drive myself home. The seat warmers had me in a good place for a while, now it's time to get out into the cold, at night, and drive home.
"Look, Angelique, you looked good tonight. If I didn't have to fly to the Hamptons in the morning … " He reaches over to caress my cheek.
I can't spend the night because you're too selfish. You want to be refreshed in the morning for your clients. Asshole, I like my sleep too! But that's not a statement that I can say because I've been waiting for our forever. I turn in my chair, eyelid twitching as usual, awaiting the next lie. "If you didn't have to fly to the Hampton's, Carlton, what would our next step be?"
A naughty grin parts the stupidity on his face. Carlton seems to be thinking as he sheepishly smiles, "You know, a glass of wine, plus, you like those new heels don't you?"
"Of course I love these heels. But don't get it wrong, Carlton, after many," I begin with a nod, "many, many, many more hours with my clients than you have with your accounting clients, I could have afforded to purchase my own Louboutin heels. As a matter of fact, I splurge every once in a while, it's a given for a female to love herself enough to do that. But do you know what I also know, what should be a given – "
"Jelly – "
"Jelly Rolls ain't in the mood for that!" I snap. Now I know how to get snooty when need be, graduating as part of the honor society has provided me with that, but for the moment, Angelique Tonia Curtis from Compton is not feeling this. "Jelly Rolls, and any other self-respecting woman lo … loves … LOVES HERSELF enough to know that a man who won't drive me home, or at the very least wait up to call and make sure I make it home isn't worth shit. A man who needs to split the bill, because he's insecure, rather, has spent too much money on his little gold-digging floozy on the side – "
"Angelique," Carlton's bottom lip drops, "Where is this coming from? I have never had a mistress!"
"Hmph! You wanna hop into the convo now? Yeah, how about that," I nod with a hard grin. "Let's take it there. The fucking hoochie, coochie mistresses! Oh but don't gold diggers have a God given right to treat your fat ass like shit. Your words – perhaps paraphrased – not mine! So you can splurge on a trick, allow her to walk all over you, then turn around and walk over me. Boy, you have got me all kinds of wrong; it's a damn sin!"