“Do you want me to leave?”
Marcus stopped dressing and sat down on the bed next to Carmen. “No, Carmen, I don't want you to leave. I never want you to leave.” He kissed her gently on her lips. “You relax, and I'll go see what my soon to be ex-wife wants at eight forty-five in the morning.”
“Okay,” Carmen answered with a kiss. Marcus got up and walked slowly out the door, closing it behind him as the bell rang again. As soon as the door closed, Carmen got out of bed and looked around for her clothes. Then she remembered that Marcus undressed her in the bathroom, Carmen went in and shut the door.
By the time Marcus reached the door, Randa was leaning on it. He shook his head and opened it. “Good morning, Randa.”
“'Bout time,” Randa said, standing with her hands on her hips. Dressed provocatively in a Donna Ricco flyaway halter dress.
“What do you want, Randa?” Marcus said blocking the door.
“To talk to you, Marcus.”
“You could try the telephone.”
“Why? You never answer it. You haven't returned any of my calls. Marcus, we need to talk.”
“Randa, there is nothing to talk about.”
“There is a lot for us to talk about,” Randa pleaded. “Can I come in?”
I knew she was gonna say that. But this is what you get for letting it come to this. “You can come in, Randa, But—” Marcus uttered, opening the door enough for Randa to ease in.
“But,” Randa stopped and sniffed. “You have a woman here. I can smell her perfume. Jean Paul Gauther, if I'm not mistaken.”
“Yes, it is Jean Paul Gauther.” Marcus turned away and Randa followed him slowly to the den. He opened the door for her.
“It's probably Carmen Taylor.” Randa mused as she walked by him.”
“Yes, it's Carmen Taylor.” You're fired Tiffanie.
“And before you fire Tiffanie, she didn't tell me a thing.” Randa sat in one of the chairs in front of the desk. “That girl thinks you walk on water. She won't even say your name around me.” Marcus sat in the chair next her. “You two aren't exactly low profile, ya know. The high profile lawyer and the model. The two of you eat in the best restaurants and you go dancing every night. People that you don't see; see you, and they're talking about it. They were talking about you the other morning on V-103. There's even a rumor that you had this all planned. What really happened was she killed her sister, left the country and you had Roland step up for it, since you knew he didn't do it.”
Marcus ran his hands over his face. “What do you want, Randa?”
“Relax, Marcus. I'm not here to hurt you or to make a scene. This is the only way I can talk to you.”
Just then, Carmen tapped lightly on the door and came in. “Hi. I don't mean to interrupt.”
Randa rose to her feet. “You're not interrupting,” she said and extended her hand. “I'm Randa Douglas. I've been looking forward to meeting you.”
“Carmen Taylor.” She shook Randa's hand and turned to Marcus. “Can I see you for a minute?”
“I'll be right back, Randa.” Marcus stood up and followed Carmen out of the den to the front door. “You're leaving?”
“Yeah. But after I saw what she's wearing, I almost changed my mind.” Carmen smiled. “But It'll give you two a chance to talk. I know you've been putting it off.” Carmen laughed a little. “Besides, I couldn't lay in that bed by myself wondering what you two were talking about. It would eat me alive.” Marcus opened the door and Carmen stepped out. “Oh yeah, I don't have my car here.” Marcus reached in his pocket and handed Carmen the keys. “I don't want to strand you here.”
“Don't worry, if I need to go somewhere I have the Durango.”
“Thank you, Marcus.” Carmen began walking toward the car.
“You don't have to go, you know. This won't take long.”
“Maybe. But if I'm not here, you two can talk things out and be done with it. So take your time. I'll call you later today.”
“No,” Marcus opened the door for her. “I'll call you.”
Carmen kissed him on the cheek, got in the car, and drove away. Marcus went back in the house and turned toward the den. Randa was standing in the hallway. “Now that she's gone, do you think we could talk in the living room?”