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Date Posted: 00:33:57 08/04/09 Tue
Author: Hannah
Author Host/IP: bas21-toronto12-2925087528.dsl.bell.ca / 174.89.75.40
Subject: Northern Woods, Chapter 172
In reply to: Hannah 's message, "Northern Woods, Chapter 172" on 00:14:56 08/04/09 Tue

Chapter 172

Dinner passed without Nikita commenting on her new ring, even though she gazed at it repeatedly in wonder. Michael smiled delightedly at her unguarded reaction, knowing that his modest wife would later claim it was an unnecessary extravagance. He hoped to convince her that this symbol of their union was important to him.

When the music began later for dancing, he swept her out onto the dance floor and hoped her silence would continue.

“Michael?” Nikita said softly.

“Oui chérie?” Michael replied just as quietly.

“Why?”

“Why what?” he parried; staring at her and trying to keep his expression bland.

“The ring, Michael. Why?” Nikita asked. She wasn’t upset, but she was curious.

“Don’t you like it?” Michael asked quietly as he watched her beautiful face lovingly.

‘How can I not *like* it?’ Nikita wondered. ‘It’s *beautiful*!’

“I love it, but it had to cost the earth.” She replied quietly.

“It doesn’t matter Kita. You can’t have a wedding without a ring.” Michael explained in a soft voice.

“But we were married.” Nikita replied seriously. “It wasn’t necessary.”

“It was to me.” He explained simply.

“What do you mean?” she asked curiously as she gazed lovingly into his eyes.

“This ring is from me. The rings I gave you earlier were my mothers’.” Michael said firmly. “You deserved to have a ring of your own and I wanted to give you that.”

“Michael, it wasn’t important. I told you when we got married that I was honoured to wear your mothers’ rings. I meant that.” Nikita protested.

“I know.” Michael replied with a soft smile as he gazed at her adoringly. ‘She’s unbelievable! She’s always content with what I give her. Any other woman I’ve ever known has always demanded or expected more… and more. She’s always had so little. Could that be why?’ “Giving this ring to you was important to me.”

Nikita looked curiously at the serious face of the man in her arms and said nothing.

“My ring belongs on my wife.” Michael continued firmly. “It’s important.”

She glanced at his face and swiftly noted both the seriousness of his eyes as well as his tender expression. She sighed, knowing that she couldn’t fight the emotional decision that had prompted him to do this and that any further discussion on the matter was futile.

‘If it’s *that* important to him…’ she thought; as she swiftly came to terms with the possessive symbolism of the outlandishly expensive item on her left hand….‘then how can I possibly argue the point? The ring is a *thing*, and expensive as it undoubtedly is, what he’s trying to express to me with it is that it’s important to him for me to have it. Giving it to me is his way of saying he loves me. If I reject that…I might as well tell him I’m rejecting him.. and his love. That’s not going to happen!’

“You’re right Michael.” She said quietly; fully understanding the primal male pride that had led to the purchase. “Thank you my love… it’s beautiful.”

Michael smiled, knowing his decision been understood and accepted by the woman in his arms. ‘How does she do that? We’ve only known each other a short time… and yet she can read me so well!’ “You’re welcome, Kita. I only have one regret about today.”

“What’s that?” Nikita asked curiously.

“No… make that two regrets.” Michael said with a sad smile. “The first is that I invited those two witches here that attacked you in the first place.”

“Michael…” Nikita gently admonished with a tender smile. “Don’t apologize… we’ve already discussed that… and we agreed to forget it… remember?”

“I remember… but I still regret it Kita.” Michael said with a loving smile. “I also regret that my parents will never meet you. They would have loved you.”

“Why?” a truly surprised Nikita asked curiously. “I’m not French. Wouldn’t that have mattered to them?”

“No. What would have mattered to them is that you make me happy.” Michael replied truthfully. “That’s all they ever wanted for me.”

“That’s sweet Michael.” Nikita replied, smiling shyly at him while caressing his handsome face lovingly. “I’m sure I would have loved them too.”

Michael closed his eyes, enjoying her loving caress; and then turned his head so that his lips centered on her soft palm and kissed her there tenderly.

“Michael…” Nikita breathed softly, as her face softened even more with her love for him.

‘Yes!’ Robert thought in awe as his camera swiftly captured the tender moment. ‘These two are in a world all by themselves! I’m going to have so many unbelievably romantic pictures that it will be hard to chose the best ones!’

“Besides, you deserve these things.” Michael replied cryptically as he opened his eyes to gaze at her lovingly.

“What things?” she probed shamelessly, wanting to know more of her handsome husband’s thoughts.

“This party, this dress, this ring… all of it.” Michael freely clarified with a tender smile. “This evening’s not quite what I would have done if you’d let me give you a real ‘show’, but it’s a close second.”

“As a memory for the future?” Nikita asked softly.

“Oui.” Came his softer reply. “You deserve this… and more.”

“I don’t understand something Michael.” She continued.

“What’s that?” Michael asked with a tender smile.

“Before our ceremony, you mentioned that you bought me this dress so that I wouldn’t feel cheated if I couldn’t show our children wedding pictures in the future. How will we have wedding pictures? You didn’t hire a photographer.” Nikita stated quietly.

Michael smirked. ‘She’s so focused on *me* that she hasn’t even noticed the photographers here? How couldn’t she? There’s been a constant flashing of those damned cameras ever since we arrived here tonight. She’s so unpretentious it’s unbelievable! I hope she’s not seeing the malicious looks these damned bitches are throwing her way either! They’ve upset her enough!’

“One of the perks in owning a newspaper is getting first crack at the best the paper has to offer. Look around you Kita. The Express’ photographer is here. Montreal’s other papers have sent their photographers here tonight too. I promise we’ll have a few pictures. They might not be formal ones, but there will be some photographs.”

He felt her sigh and then to his relief, she laid her head on his shoulder once more and held him tighter. “You’re such a romantic softie.” She whispered; overwhelmed by his tenderness.

A heartbeat later he heard her speak again. “Don’t ever change.”

“Never.” Michael replied firmly. “You bring that out in me.”

Minutes later Michael felt tremors proceeding from his bride’s trim form and realized that she was shaking with barely contained laughter.

“Do you find something amusing, ma belle?” he asked in mock indignation as he drew back to look questioningly in her arctic eyes.

“If I keep bringing out this sort of financial lunacy in you Michael, you’ll soon be a pauper.” Nikita said with a crooked grin.

He couldn’t help smiling at his bride in return. She really had no idea how much he could do if he wanted to and he was content to leave things that way.

“It’s never going to happen Kita.” He stated confidentially.

‘I could have spent ten times as much as was spent for tonight’s party and never missed the expenditure.’ Michael thought with satisfaction. ‘She doesn’t need to know that though. I meant what I told Walter. She’s always going to have the best of everything. So will our children!’

“Oh, and why’s that?” Nikita asked, giggling softly.

“I’ll just make more money.” Michael said simply, as he valiantly attempted complete seriousness. “If that doesn’t work, we could always go and live in my cabin.”

“We could, Michael, we could.” Nikita said with a grin. Then in mock indignation of her own, she said; “Wait until I get you alone, mister.”

“Is that a promise? If it is, then let’s leave now.” Michael said grinning back as he pounced on her playful threat and chose to interpret it as a promise. “I like it when you get me alone.”

“Oh you!” a now blushing Nikita said with an embarrassed smile as she playfully swatted his arm.

Michael just chuckled again and gathered his gorgeous wife closer. They continued their dance, oblivious to the other couples who were now dancing around them and the constant flash of the cameras.

All during this interlude, Robert was madly snapping away, delighted to see the love flowing between the couple.

‘The pictures of these two are going to be amazing!’ he thought, thrilled with the emotional shots he was gathering. ‘And Gabrielle thought this lady had married him for his money! Ridiculous! You’d have to be blind not to see the love they share! I am definitely going to enjoy seeing Louis’ reaction to these shots!’

Every once and a while, Robert glanced meaningfully at Gabrielle. Finally, she shrugged her shoulders; conceding defeat.

‘I *was* wrong about her.’ Gabrielle thought as she watched the beautiful couple dance so devotedly with each other.

Glancing around her, Gabrielle sighed as she noted the looks of disdain that the ‘insulted’ society women around her were clearly conveying. The couple dancing before her were, she had to admit, a well-matched pair. Both were gorgeous and it didn’t surprise her that the women present were glaring at the young woman Michel Samuelle had chosen to wed.

‘Mon Dieu!’ she thought in disgust. ‘These witches need to grow up… all of them. Madame Samuelle was right… anyone here has the right to chose their *mate* and yet their attitudes seem to be that he had no right to chose her. How completely ridiculous! The man doesn’t need permission from anyone about *who* he married… why can’t they see that? Because he has billions… and they wanted to latch onto him to get it? Likely….’

True to his promise to himself, Michael continued to dance solely with his bride. A few of the women present had the audacity to pout publicly as they noticed his devotion and Robert didn’t miss the opportunity to get pictures of them without their noticing. Given their demeanour and their facial expressions, it amazed him that they still foolishly hoped to sway Monsieur Samuelle’s attentions. ~~~~~~~~~~~
“May I have this dance please?” a familiar voice said, startling Lakeisha from her contemplation of the dance floor and the vision that Michael and Nikita made.

Chuck had momentarily left the table he, Lakeisha, Marie, Madeleine and Sarah had been sitting at and Lakeisha started, looking up at Willie’s hovering form.

“Willie?” she replied uncertainly.

‘Oh no!’ Lakeisha thought as panic flooded her mind as she gazed up at Willie. ‘He’s asking me to dance? Oh my! I can’t handle this… not now! It’s too soon to be *that* close to him! I’m mad at him, but if he holds me… even for a dance… I know I’ll break down and give in to him! No! He doesn’t deserve my forgiveness yet!’

“Lakeisha, may I please have this dance?” a somber faced Willie repeated quietly, as he gazed steadfastly into her dark eyes.

‘Oh please Keisha… I love you…don’t refuse me this. I need to talk to you.’ Willie thought miserably.

‘He’s going to be insistent.’ Lakeisha realized in dismay. ‘I’m going to *have* to do this to avoid a scene. I can’t let anything more spoil this evening… for Nikita’s sake…’

Lakeisha rose gracefully, albeit reluctantly while the other three women silently watched. Madeleine noted that Nikita’s friend appeared to be mesmerized as she wordlessly stood and took Willie’s outstretched hand. The couple glided away from the table, just as Chuck returned.

“Why is Nikita’s bodyguard dancing with Lakeisha?” Sarah asked in a puzzled voice as she gazed after the handsome black couple who had drifted off towards the dance floor.

“They’re old friends.” Chuck replied tersely as he tried to tamp down on his annoyance. He had hoped to ask the lady to dance himself, but Willie had beat him to it. He was a patient man however, and the night was young.

Silently Willie gathered Lakeisha in his arms for the dance. Their surroundings faded and all other sounds dimmed into insignificance as he focused wholly on her beauty.

‘She’s so beautiful! … and I’ve been a fool.’ He thought. ‘I hope she’ll forgive me.’

Lakeisha allowed Willie’s embrace with downcast eyes as she began to move in concert with his handsome form to the rhythm of the music.

“Keisha?” he whispered softly as they glided around the dance floor.

Silence.

‘Oh boy, she’s really mad at me… I hope she’ll listen.’ He thought desperately.

“Keisha, I’m sorry.” He began quietly. “I was a fool to treat you the way I did. Please forgive me.”

“Why?” Lakeisha whispered.

“Why what?” Willie asked in confusion.

“Why did you stare at that women when you were with me? You asked me out for dinner, and then you ignored me and stared at some stranger. Have you any idea how that made me feel?” Lakeisha whispered, refusing to raise her head to look at him.

“I’m sorry.” Willie mumbled contritely.

“Why?” She repeated miserably as she finally raised tear filled eyes to his. “Why did you treat me that way?”

Willie was momentarily stunned at the sight before him.

‘I’m the cause of this?’ he wondered in amazement, cringing as he finally wondered how many other tears this gorgeous lady had shed because of him. ‘Could it be what I did that night made more of an impact than I realized? Does this mean she really cares? Or *did* she care and what I’ve done has ruined things? Oh… I hope not!’

“I don’t know why I did what I did that night Keisha.” Willie whispered against her ear as he snuggled closer to her. He shut his eyes and persevered even as he felt her stiffening in his arms. “All I know is that I’m sorry that I hurt you…. I never meant to.”

“Saying that doesn’t change the fact that you did.” Lakeisha replied tersely.

“I know.” Willie murmured back. “I was a fool. Please forgive me.”

“Is that the type of woman you want?” Lakeisha asked boldly; while ignoring his plea. “A rich, white woman?”

“No.” Willie replied immediately. “I want you Keisha… if you’ll have me.”

“Are you sure?” Lakeisha probed miserably. “I think I saw her here tonight. Maybe she came hoping to find you again.”

“Yeah, I know she’s here and I don’t care.” Willie replied. “I don’t want anything to do with her.”

“Please Willie! You’re asking me to believe that?” Lakeisha asked sarcastically as she drew back slightly in his arms to look at his handsome face. “I don’t think so. You’d be crazy if you didn’t want what she can offer you! And you’re a lot of things Willie… but crazy isn’t one of them. Come on… be honest! A beautiful, rich woman like that doesn’t come along every day.”

Willie shut his eyes as he shuddered, suddenly in pain. The sadness he saw in her brown eyes clearly showed that she thought that woman was more beautiful than her. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, he remembered the woman he’d stared at that day. He’d been overwhelmed by what he now knew was an artful delusion.

“There’s nothing I want from her or any other woman.” Willie said lovingly. “You’re the only woman I want Keisha.”

“And why should I believe you Willie?” a now furious Lakeisha asked angrily, determined to hold onto her feelings of betrayal. The anger was still too fresh in her mind and heart to allow for forgiveness yet. ‘Words! He thinks he’s going to convince me how *sorry* he is with words! Oh *please*!!!! I’m not *that* stupid! How *dare* he think he can charm his way out of this!’ “The minute I began to trust you, you ignored me! Why would I put myself through that kind of hurt again?”

‘Oh man… I’ve really done it! She’s furious at me!’ a miserable Willie realized at last.

“You shouldn’t.” Willie admitted candidly. “You have every right to be mad at me and I’m sorry I was so rude and insensitive. Please believe me.”

“Apology accepted.” She replied stiffly while her eyes shifted downwards once more.

‘When hell freezes over maybe then I’ll forgive him…’ Lakeisha thought stubbornly.

“Keisha… please.” Willie pleaded, sensing that he wasn’t making much progress. “I admit I made an error in judgment that night and I’m truly sorry. Please believe that. Right now I know you don’t… but I’m hoping that you’ll forgive me. I really *want* you to forgive me Keisha!”

“Why should I?” Lakeisha demanded tersely.

“Because I’m asking you to… and because everyone deserves another chance.” Willie pleaded. “I’ve heard you say that before, so it must be true. Besides, if I’ve learned one thing since working for Michael, it’s that not everything is what it seems.”

“What do you mean by that?” Lakeisha said crossly as she glared at him. ‘He’s right… I *have* said that before… damn it I hate it when he quotes me and he’s right!’

Willie shut his eyes, sighed and tried again.

“Those women who tried to come on to Michael earlier…” he began with a sigh, “appeared to be beautiful. They were ‘high-brow’ and elegantly dressed.”

“That’s true.” Lakeisha conceded. “What has that got to do with me?”

“Their beauty was on the surface. However, their behaviour proved that they were tramps, not to mention spoiled, vindictive brats.” Willie continued bluntly. “Their ‘beautiful’ appearance was largely due to makeup and expensive clothes, but inside they were terrible people. People like that are phony. I don’t like that.”

“You seem to.” Lakeisha snapped. “That a good description of every woman you’ve ever dated Willie.”

Willie cringed. ‘And she would know! She was my neighbour and she saw every one of the tramps I dated before!’

“Your beauty..” a determined Willie continued as he pulled his emotions back under control and then smiled gently at Lakeisha’s incredulously, angry face, “is inward as well as on the outside. You’re not like them… or any other woman I’ve dated. You’re special.”

“Special?” Lakeisha echoed mockingly. “Oh please! I’m not sure what you mean by that Willie. If I’m so special, why did you treat me the way you did?”

“That was plain stupidity on my part. I hope you can forgive me.” a now somber faced Willie pleaded sincerely.

“And if I can’t?” Lakeisha challenged belligerently. “What then?”

“I hope you will. In fact, I’m begging you to.” Willie replied seriously.

Lakeisha shut her eyes and exhaled loudly. She couldn’t ever remember being this angry with anyone.

“Why should I?” she stubbornly demanded to know.

“I can’t think of a single reason, but I’m hoping you will. And you’re right… and I was a fool to be taken in… I only ever saw the ‘flash’ and stupidly overlooked the ‘substance’… and the class of a woman I’ve always known.” Willie admitted.

“I don’t understand.” Lakeisha said.

“The women who came onto Michael tonight were like that woman… all ‘flash’.” Willie explained. “You know… all outward appeal and no inner beauty.”

“And you don’t like that?” Lakeisha inquired as she gazed at Willie skeptically.

“I thought I did.” Willie admitted honestly. “Michael’s taught me a valuable lesson.”

“What’s that?” Lakeisha curiously inquired.

“He could have had any woman here… but he chose Nikita over them.” Willie explained patiently. “She’s a lady… just like you. She would never be so trashy… and neither would you.”

“Trashy? Willie… the two women Michael threw out of here were wearing designer gowns.” Lakeisha pointed out. “Most of the women here are.”

“I wasn’t referring to their clothes Keisha. Clothes and makeup are just ‘window dressing’ anyway. They’re not important. A truly beautiful woman… like Nikita or you… could dress in a designer gown, or something from a thrift shop. It really doesn’t matter.” Willie replied sagely.

“What do you mean by that?” a puzzled Lakeisha replied.

“The two women Michael threw out of here tonight had nothing *but* window dressing going for them. Their actions made them look like tramps… regardless of what they wore.” Willie replied bluntly. “They may have spent a lot of money on their appearance, but it didn’t change who they really are.”

Lakeisha said nothing; pondering this information.

“I suppose you’re right. They *did* act trashy. And you’re right. It wouldn’t have mattered what they wore… their actions showed what they are.” Lakeisha replied quietly.

“I see that now.” Willie admitted. “I didn’t before… and I’m truly sorry for that… and that I hurt you. That woman you were upset about is here… yes. But did you notice? When that redhead attacked Nikita, she acted like she supported what happened.”

“Yes.” Lakeisha replied heatedly in agreement. “I *did* notice that. I was so angry at both of them! I wanted to scream at them and slap both of them and their smug, superior looking faces. Nikita’s a wonderful person! We both know that! How dare they treat her that way!”

“I don’t know. What I *do* know is that acting like that is not beautiful, no matter what you’re wearing.” Willie replied. “You and Nikita would never treat someone else that way. You’re both beautiful inside *and* out… and that beauty just shines through. Your actions define you both.”

“I don’t understand.” Lakeisha replied, mesmerized now by Willie’s speech.

“It wouldn’t matter if you were both wearing old clothes…or designer dresses like you are this evening. It also wouldn’t matter to either of you who the person you’re dealing with is.” Willie explained seriously. “You’d both treat someone the same if they were a billionaire like Michael or a hobo on a street corner. In other words, your actions would show what you both *are* more strongly than anything else.”

“You’re right.” Lakeisha replied. “I’m shocked by the way Nikita’s been treated by these women tonight. It wasn’t right.”

“No, it wasn’t. People like you and Nikita *know* that. These women though….” Willie broke off, disgusted by what he’d seen that night.

“They judge others by what they have and what they *think* they can get out of them, don’t they?” Lakeisha supplied.

“Exactly.” Willie agreed logically. “That’s just it though Keisha. Why would I be attracted to someone who condones others being treated the way that redhead treated Nikita? You know me… you’ve known me all your life. Do you honestly think I’d be attracted to a person like that?”

“I don’t know.” Lakeisha mumbled in reply, ashamed now of her earlier outburst, but reluctant to admit that she might have been hasty in her judgment of the man in her arms. Yes, Willie’s behaviour had upset and embarrassed her that evening, but she had to admit that he was making sense. ‘No… he wouldn’t. He may be a jerk at times, but he’s basically a decent person and he’d never like someone like either of those women. Not for long anyway.’

“I wouldn’t. I promise you.” Willie said softly. ‘Could it be that her earlier reactions to that woman proves that she was jealous? Could that mean she cares for me? Ohhhhh… I hope so! I hope I haven’t blown it with her! At least not so badly that she won’t give me a second chance! I really would like her to give me that chance!!’ “What I do know is that it’s taken what’s happen tonight to make me see that.”

“And what exactly do you see?” Lakeisha wondered aloud.

“What I see is that I’ve been a fool.” Willie replied softly. “All I saw were surface things, and not the things that are important.”

“And what’s important?” Lakeisha replied.

“Someone who cares… someone who is real.” Willie replied, holding his breath before letting it go in a rush; plunging into previously uncharted areas of emotional honesty. What he was about to say now, he’d never admitted before… even to himself. “Michael and Nikita have taught me what’s important.”

“Oh?” Lakeisha inquired haughtily. “And what’s that?”

“They’ve taught me that what’s important is finding someone who loves me… and someone who I love. I was too much of a fool to admit that what I wanted was right in front of me… and in fact it *has* been for years. Michael even tried to tell me that, but I didn’t listen.”

“He did?” Lakeisha said; surprised that Michael would notice her and Willie’s relationship.

“Yes he did. I told him I was envious of the relationship he had with Nikita and that I wished I could have the same thing with a lady of my own.” Willie admitted. “When I said that maybe I hadn’t met someone like that yet I was surprised not only by his answer but by the way he looked at me.”

“What did he say?” a truly curious Lakeisha asked.

“He said if I thought really hard it would come to me.” Willie replied. “The look he gave me could have frozen water too.”

Lakeisha’s eyes widened. She couldn’t imagine the congenial Michael she had come to know being that cold.

“He was right too. I was thoughtless Keisha… and cruel…. and I hurt the lady I love.” Willie replied.

“Pardon me?” Lakeisha replied as she stared at him incredulously.

“I was an idiot that night, Keisha. I saw an elaborate delusion and I was mesmerized. In the process, I hurt the woman I love… you. You’ve much more beautiful than any other woman I’ve ever known, and you’ve always been there... loving me.” Willie admitted.

“And what makes you think that?” Lakeisha thought as her heart pounded wildly and her eyes shifted erratically from Willie’s gaze. ‘Damn it! Why couldn’t he have said these things that night? Even *after* he was so rude… if he’d only apologized…’

“I’m not sure…. but I remember things now that I never noticed before and I’m pretty sure you do love me.” Willie said quietly as he watched her beautiful face closely in hopes of gauging her reactions to his words. “At least I hope you do. You always seemed upset whenever you saw me with someone else… and you always went out of your way to do nice things for me when you did see me alone. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have not noticed that you cared?”

“Maybe you’re remembering things that were never there.” Lakeisha replied quietly.

“No… I think I’m right… but right now you’re too mad at me to admit it. I’ve been blind Lakeisha and I can’t apologize to you enough for that. You have every right to feel angry with me too. I also know what I’m saying is real. Please forgive me.” Willie begged sincerely.

Lakeisha shut her eyes and prayed that he wouldn’t feel her trembling.

‘Damn the man!’ she thought in annoyance. ‘Why couldn’t he have said these things that night? He has no idea how long I’ve fantasized that he’d feel that way about me!’

“You love me. Why should I believe you?” Lakeisha replied stonily.

“I hope you will.” Willie said honestly. “I’ve been a jerk Keisha, but I’ve never lied to you. You know that.”

“That’s true.” Lakeisha said simply.

‘He loves me?’ Lakeisha thought cynically as they continued their dance in silence for a few minutes. ‘Yeah, like I’m supposed to believe that! Damn… it’s somewhat bizarre that all of a sudden he’s being so honest with me! I wonder if there’s another reason for this strange spurt of *truthfulness*?’

‘What is she acknowledging as *true*?’ Willie wondered in exasperation when Lakeisha didn’t elaborate further. ‘Is she saying that yes, I was a jerk… or yes she knows I’ve never lied to her? I hate it when women do that! Damn it… did I just win a point here, or lose one? I’m trying to apologize here and she’s not giving an inch! Sims.. you deserve this but it’s soooo frustrating!’

As they turned in their journey across the dance floor, Lakeisha looked up and saw Chuck watching them.

‘Chuck… he seems interested in me… and he’s so nice…’ Lakeisha thought, her eyes widening suddenly as her thoughts overwhelmed her. ‘Wait… could Willie’s sudden declaration be tied to what Willie sees as Chuck’s interest in me? Has Willie picked up on that and it’s provoked him to say these things? Could it be that obvious? Chuck’s a nice man… but I don’t feel anything for him. I think we could be friends… but nothing more. Maybe Willie thinks I’m attracted to him! Oh my! Well, it won’t hurt Willie’s ego to squirm a little. God knows he’s deserved it for a long time! There’s no way I’m going to fall into his arms like all the other women he’s dealt with over the years!’

As her silence continued, Willie continued desperately. “Maybe I needed a wakeup call Keisha… I don’t know. You’ve always been there, so I guess I took you for granted.”

“You have.” Lakeisha replied quietly. “I’m not your sister Willie… but that’s how you’ve treated me.”

“You’re right. I did treat you like Carla and Nikita. I’ve known you all my life… but you’re right. I’m sorry about that too.” Willie replied sincerely. “I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“I’ll think about it.” Lakeisha replied with a small smile.

Willie caught the smile and his hopes rose. “Does that mean you might feel the same way?”

“Maybe.” Lakeisha conceded shyly. She noticed his hopeful expression and sighed. “Look Willie, I’m not going to fall into your arms and sigh my undying love for you. You can forget about that! You’ve ignored me for years and now you think this conversation is going to solve everything?”

Willie grimaced and then nodded. “I deserve that.”

“You’re damned right you do.” Lakeisha said firmly. “I said I’d think about what you’ve said, and I will.”

“I don’t want to lose you Keisha…. please….” Willie pleaded miserably.

‘Lose me? To whom?’ Lakeisha thought. Then she noticed that Willie was glaring at Chuck and she ducked her head against Willie’s shoulder so that neither man would see her purely feminine smile of triumph.

When she didn’t reply, Willie nervously queried, “Keisha?”

‘I could make Willie jealous so easily… and it might even be fun! No… that would be wrong! Chuck’s a nice guy… and I’m not going to do that to him.’ Lakeisha decided instantly. ‘I can’t hurt him just because Willie hurt me. It wouldn’t be right… and it would make me as bad as those women Michael threw out of here! That wouldn’t be fair to him either! Oh my… he *is* interested! I’m going to have to cool things off with him right away so that he doesn’t get the wrong idea.’

“You can’t lose what you’ve never had Willie.” Lakeisha said firmly as she began down the path that her convictions dictated. “Don’t get me wrong, I care about you… a lot. That doesn’t mean I have no self-respect and one sweet speech is going to make everything better.”

Willie nodded. He deserved that too and he realized if he wanted this lady, he’d have to win her respect. It helped that she said she cared about him, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted her to love him. That might take a little time and persistence, but he was willing to try.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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