Chapter 22 I'd Much Rather Talk About The Newest Little At Sinful Delight  •Mel's POV•

As soon as Duke pushes me through the door of my apartment, and closed it behind me. I lean my back against it, and begin balling my eyes out. Big, gasping, sorrow-filled cries. That had tears the size of raindrops sliding down my face, and snot bubbles coming from my nose. I didn't care if anyone sees me losing my shit right now, I'm to fucking heartbroken to care!

I don't know how long my body managed to stay upright against the door, but eventually I'm on my ass. With my legs stretched out in front of me continuing to sob. Until, I'd say almost a good hour and a half later when the ungodly wails started to calm. After another twenty minutes I'm finally in control over enough of my body that I get up, and walk across the apartment to my bedroom in a complete zombie like state.

I don't even know what time it is in the afternoon, to me it's the perfect time to just call it a night. Let the clothes fly through the air before climbing in bed, and going the fuck to sleep! Which is exactly what I do!

I'm almost asleep, my conscious half awake and half asleep, when a shrill noise starts blaring from the table right beside my bed. I reach out blindly for my phone that's making the noise, and answer it without even looking to see who it is. It's like he can see as I bring place the speaker against my ear, because Duke begins speaking right then.

"Hi My Love. How are you?" Duke's voice sounds so deep and hypnotizing.

I scrub the leftover salty tears from around my eyes with one hand, and use the other to cover the receiver so I can clear my throat. I don't want Duke to know I've been crying since he left me. Finally I roll over onto my back to look up at the ceiling, and try to smile.

"I'm fine, I promise Master." I whisper the last word seductively, so Duke wouldn't catch on.

Duke rewards me with a groan of pure lust. "I love it when you purr that word to me. It makes me want to do bad, bad things to you, but not right now. Instead, I called to give you some good news."

That peaks my interest somewhat. Enough for my eyebrow to lift in curiosity. "Oh?" I breath out then wait.

"I know where Dean is." Duke tells me, and I can hear the smile on his face.

My body jumps up into a sitting position so fast my eyes roll around in their socket for a minute. "Really? Where?" I rush out.

"I spoke to Drake before calling you, and he told me Dean is at his house in Palm Springs. When I get off the phone with you I'm going to pack some of my clothes and toiletries in a bag, and head down there. But, before I leave the city I'm going to stop off and buy a prepaid cell phone until I can get mine replaced when I get back. I'll call you after I have everything set up to give you the number, so we will still be able to talk and text one another while I'm gone."

"Ok. When will you be back?" I ask gripping the phone a little tighter in my hand afraid of the answer for some reason.

"I should be back some time Friday. How about Dean and I come pick you up from work Friday afternoon when you get off, and you can come stay the weekend at our place. How does that sound?" Duke ask full of confidence. Like it's a given that he's going to bring Dean home with him no matter what.

His conviction makes me grin. "That sounds like a plan. But Duke." If only for a moment.

I leave the rest of my words unspoken while I think about what exactly I want to tell him, and what the words I should use are.

Finally, after several more minutes Duke breaks the growing awkwardness between us. "Yes My Love?"

Before I start to say anything I blow out a small breath, and close my eyes. "When you see Dean will you tell him something for me? I want you to tell him I miss him already, and I'll be here waiting for him when he decides to come back. Be that now with you, or whenever. Tell him I understand, and to take as long as he needs."

A long, pregnant pause settles between us once I finish. Until Duke whispers his agreement to me. "Of course I will, My Love."

"Thank You." I whisper back to him opening my eyes, and laying back down in my bed.

"Get some rest Darlin'. I'll call you in a bit with my new number, and see you Friday afternoon. I promise I'll fix this Mel Blu, trust me. I love you."

"I love you too." I say back to him meaning it from the depths of my soul.

Duke waited long enough to hear me say those four words to him before telling me bye, and hanging up the phone. Once the call comes to an end I make sure to set my alarm for the next morning. Then connect it to the charger before placing it on my bedside table, and burrowing back under the covers. In seconds, my body falls into a much needed, but restless sleep.

When my alarm starts going off Monday morning it feels like my eyelids have just closed. My body moves on auto pilot as I begin to get ready for work. Once I'm dressed in a fashionable, high-waisted pant suit I make my way into the bathroom to start on my makeup. Unfortunately I have zero luck in hiding my zombie like appearance, and give up trying rather quickly.

Maybe I just need a little extra pick-me-up this morning to bring me back to the land of the living. I rush back into my bedroom gathering the rest of my thing, and take them into the kitchen. Unlike my normal mornings, I make myself an x-large thermos of hot chocolate before walking out the front door of the apartment right on time.

On my walk to work my mind seems to wake up with each sip of caffeine I drink. First, I start remembering every detail of the past weekend in vivid detail. Then it moves on to overthinking about Duke and Dean. By the time I walk through the front doors of high-rise housing my office my every thought is consumed!

I use my almost empty thermos to hide my face as I speed walk through my co-workers arriving with me toward my office. Completely forgetting to even acknowledge Modesty as I slide through a small opening of my door into my office, and around the corner of my desk into my leather, rolling chair. Then dropping my bags down on top of my desk, and tossing my head back against the tall wing-back of the chair releasing a sigh.

Somehow, I manage to make myself look busy for the rest of the day. Staying in my office mostly, to avoid the rest of my co-workers. Everyone except for Modesty that is. Who comes into my office thirty minutes before lunch to ask me if I want to join her. Only I'm still not ready for the company, so I tell her I have a meeting during then, and instantly feel like shit when I see the disappointment clear on Modesty's face.

When it's time for me to leave at five o'clock I'm both mentally and physically exhausted from this day already! I can barely focus as I walk out the front doors of my office building to join the mad exodus of people leaving. I fight through the crowd of people to the edge of the sidewalk, and into the first empty cab I see. Closing my eyes before relaxing my worn out body into the seat as the cab takes me home.

Only to make the cabbie park outside of my apartment for a few minutes before I'm able to get out. I just need to avoid Abbie once I make it inside, and I can finally write this day off as being somewhat productive! With that thought I slide the driver a wad of cash before getting out of the cab, slowly making my way up the stairs to my apartment, opening the door, and walking inside.

I close the door gently behind me then let my eyes scan around the open living space for Abbie, but by the grace of whichever higher power out there, that has my back, she isn't here. I take off at a sprint through the living room, down the short hallway, and into my bedroom. Slamming the door behind me as I pass. Letting my exhausted body collapse onto my bed, and falling asleep instantly. Still wearing my shoes and work clothes, but I couldn't care less.

When I wake up with my alarm Tuesday morning my mind doesn't seem to be weighed down with all the chaotic thoughts from yesterday, but I guess thats what almost twelve straight hours of sleep does for a person. I put on my favorite suit to match how much better I'm feeling on the inside. It's a figure-hugging, cheetah print jacket and skirt set. The cuffs and collar of the jacket are longer than normal, and a bright cherry red color. That I match to my favorite pair of peep-toe heels.

Once I finish I make my way into my bathroom to finish getting ready. I leave my hair hanging down around my face in big curls then start on my make-up. I'm able to hide the fading dark circles under my eyes under a single layer of foundation, and highlight the glow coming back into my cheeks. I give myself a final once over in the mirror before grabbing the rest of my things, and walking out the front door of the apartment. Just as Abbie's alarm beings to go off for the first time this morning.

As I make my way across town I make a conscious effort to keep my thoughts off of my problems. I feel bad about giving everyone the cold shoulder yesterday, and I refuse to do it again today. So, when I arrive at the front doors to my work I plaster on a beaming smile, and make it a point to acknowledge everyone as I walk past to my office.

I let my work, that I could hardly focus on yesterday, consume me this morning. Making the hours slip away without me noticing. Finally finishing my research, and the rest of the deposition I've been working on before lunch. Only for someone to start knocking on my office door as I'm putting everything back in its place on my desk.

The full smile on my face freezes as I look toward the door to see who's knocking. Modesty is standing there with her fist raised to knock again giving me a sheepish smile. But, it's the person beside her that has alarm bells ringing inside my head. Abbie is right there beside her with her arms crossed over her chest, and a shit eating grin splashed across her lips.

I have to fight to keep the care-free smile on my face as I wave the pair into my office. Modesty is the first to enter, but Abbie pushes past the smaller woman to march across the room coming to a stop in front of my desk. Then she places her palms flat down on top of my desk, and leans her body down bringing us face to face.

"How ya doin' best friend?" Abbie ask giving me that same smirk. Causing me to lean back against my chair in apprehension.

"I'm doing fine Abbie. What brings you here this afternoon? Don't you still have classes you should be at right now?"

"Nope. I'm free for the rest of the day." Abbie says as she straightens up to her full height.

"Well then, to what do I owe the pleasure?" I ask moving my gaze between both of them.

Abbie looks back toward Modesty, and slides her hand around the other womens forearm. Then pulls Modesty to stand beside her against the front of my desk. Before looking back down at me in all seriousness.

"Modesty and I are here to steal you away for an intervention." Abbie tells me full of pride. While Modesty is burning a hole through my desk, instead of looking me in the eyes.

I don't know whether to laugh, or groan in annoyance. I just chose to use my words instead. "Ok then. Why do I need an intervention?"

"Because you need to talk about what happened! Duke told Drake you barely said anything to him after Friday night, and you have been successfully avoiding me since you got home as well! That's not healthy, and you know that!" Abbie says first, and finishes by throwing her hands up in the air in frustration.

Modesty clears her throat once Abbie finishes getting both of our attention. "I don't want my only friend in this place to go back to being antisocial, and hiding away inside your office." Her words come out low, but powerful.

I give both of them calculating looks trying to see if that's all it is. After several moments of silent guessing. I shake my head at them, and chuckle. "Did you plan on doing this here in my office where everyone can overhear what's being said, or somewhere else?"

Modesty comes out of her shell once she sees I'm not mad, and gives me a blinding smile of her own. "Abbie and I already made reservations at Ne-Ne's across the street. I'll head over there now to get our table, and wait for the two of you there." She tells me with a wave before speed walking back through my office door.

Abbie and I both watch Modesty's retreating figure for a second. Before Abbie turns back around to face me smiling. "I really like her."

"Me too." I say with a genuine smile on my lips. Next I finish stacking up the folders on my desk, and grab my purse as I stand up.

I make my way around my desk to meet up with Abbie. Then I slide my hand around her arm letting her escort me out of my office, through the building, and out the front doors. Abbie and I stay silent as we walk across the busy New York street to the small deli, and around the line of waiting customers toward Modesty already waiting for us at our usual table in the back.

Abbie and I are barely in our seats when Ne-Ne herself comes to the table to take our order. The three of us ordered the same special house salad with extra sides of Ne-Ne's homemade salad dressing, and a glass of water. Once the slightly older Caribiean woman leaves a silence takes over around us. Until Ne-Ne leaves for a second time after delivering our drinks, and Abbie gives me a serious look.

"You have nowhere else to hide here Mel, so it's time to talk. Tell me how you're really doing, and feel?" Abbie ask folding her arms across the table, and leaning closer to me.

I wish the ground would open up right now, and swallow me whole just so I wouldn't have to relive the painful memories over again in a flash. I close my eyes and try to banish the pain back into the box it came from, but it's still there.

I sigh then open my eyes looking directly at Modesty getting ready to fill her in on everything. My mouth is open, but before I can utter a single peep Abbie interrupts me. "Modesty already knows everything, so stop wasting our time." 

My shocked wide-eyed gaze swings to Abbie with that statement. "How?"

Abbie just shrugs her shoulders, and gives me a bored look. "Instead of going to class this morning I followed you to work. Modesty just so happened to be the first person I bumped into when I walked through the doors of the building, and naturally we got to talking. By the time we finished I had told her everything that happened New Years Eve, or what I know, and this intervention was planned. Now answer my questions."

I look at a smiling Modesty for conformation, and she just nods her head yes at me. So, I give in and do the one thing I don't want to fucking do! I close my eyes, and let all my caged emotions out of their locked up box.

Almost immediately a painful burning rips apart half of my heart causing me to clutch at my chest to try and stop the pain. Only the pain begins to radiate out from my center making my body convulse. I feel a lone tear escape from the corner of my tightly squeezed eyelids, and start rolling down my cheek. But the little drop helps ground me back in the present as well.

My eyes come open with a snap, and I discreetly wipe the tear off my chin. I feel way to raw and exposed to even look either Abbie or Modesty in the face while I talk, so I keep my gaze cast down. Locked on my interlocked hands sitting on top of the table. Before finally putting a voice to my darkest fears.

"For starters, I can't allow myself to feel this pain. If I do it will consume me completely, and leave me in nothing but a pile of ash when it's through. So I locked as much of the feelings away in a box placed in the darkest part of my mind. Leaving behind only vivid memories that I could dwell on while remaining numb, and I did. I thought long and hard about every insignificant detail, and do you want to know what I realized after all that?" I ask full of determination finally able to look up at both of them.

"What's that Sweetie?" Abbie asks as she grabs my hand in reasurrence.

"That I'm head-over-heels in-love with the Jackass, and I didn't even get the chance to tell him!" I finish a little too loudly for the crowded restaurant we're in before bursting into tears.

Abbie and Modesty jump from their seats to engulf me between their loving arms as I lose control, and praise me with encouraging words directly into my ear. The women continue to hold me for almost a full ten more minutes, until my sobs begin to calm down.

Once I'm finally done crying I give them both a quick double tap on their shoulders. Modesty and Abbie release me immediately , and give me matching sympathetic smiles as they move back to their seats. Only to reach back across the table to grasp one of my hands between both of theirs.

The three of us don't talk as we sit around the table in comfortable silence sharing our strength between us. Until Modesty breaks from her norm, and starts patting the back of my hand that's intertwined with her other one. Then she surprises me further by being the first to offer advice.

"Dean knows you love him Sweetie. He could see it in the way you looked at him way before you even realized it yourself. Hell I'm pretty sure the astronauts on the Space Station could see it from where they are!" 

Abbie and I full on belly laugh at Modesty analogy. Making the redhead blush from the top of her head all the way down her body the same color as her hair. Which she tries to wave off as no big deal.

"Haha, very funny you two! But you get what I mean, right?"

I sober up and look at Modesty with a twinkle in my eye. "I do, and thank you. I really needed that laugh right now."

"What about Duke? Have you talked to him since he dropped you off at home Sunday afternoon?" Abbie asks me getting my attention again.

"Yes. He called me Sunday night to tell me he was going to Florida after Dean."

After a long moment of silence both Abbie and Modesty both shout at me at the same time. "And?" Making me smirk at them.

"I asked Duke to tell Dean I miss him already, and I'll be here waiting when he decides to come home. Whenever that might be. Then I told Duke to be careful and I love him. Before we both ended the call together."

"Really?" Abbie asks me gobsmacked dropping my hand from the shock.

"Really." I mimic her back.

"Really!" Abbie ask in disbelief crossing her arms over her chest, and shooting daggers from her eyes at me.

"Really, Really." I wink at Abbie while letting go of Modesty's hand as well, so I can relax back against my chair. Crossing my arms over my chest just like Abbie without a care in the world.

Abbie and I get caught up in this epic silent stare down for awhile. The tension around us slowly starts to effect Modesty by causing her to squirm in her seat. Thankfully Abbie only last another second before finally cracking, but I raise my hand up between us stopping her from saying anything.

"This intervention is over now. I've told you everything you wanted to know, and now I'm done. Frankly I'd rather talk about anything else!"

Abbie looked at me like a fish out of water, but Modesty clears her throat getting our attention. I can tell she is extremely nervous to say whatever is on her mind this time. She sits up to her full five foot nothing height. While still managing to keep her eyes downcast. Before tucking the front strands of her long hair behind her ears.

"Actually, there is one thing I wanted to ask you Mel." Modesty says sounding incredibly shy, but has enough courage to peak up at me when she says my name.

"And what would that be?" I make sure my face is void of emotions before asking.

"Welll..umm..since this is the first time we've gotten to talk since the New Year. I was wondering if you have given any more thought about bringing me to Sinful Delight one night as your guest?" Modesty says with a slight stuttering to begin, but finishes sounding strong and clear.

This time Abbie and I stare at each other for a totally different reason. I completely forgot about telling her about Modesty being a virgin, and my crazy idea to get her a job at the club. I let my mind run wild planning my next move until my eyes are glowing with excitement along with Abbies.

Abbie and I silently communicate the plan to one another, and finish with a single nod of the head before moving. Abbie reaches into her purse that's sitting beside her, to pull out her phone. Then let her fingers fly as she rapidly dials the number by memory.

While I stand up from my seat then move around the table grabbing Modesty by the hand, and pulling her up from her chair. I start making my way through the cafe pulling her behind me. Making the poor woman have to run just to keep up with me as I rush both of us across the busy street.

I pull us both to a stop about twenty feet from the front doors of our office building. Then turn Modesty's body sideways to face me, so I can place my hands on her shoulders, and lean down. Looking directly into eyes with a knowing cocky smirk on my face.

"Listen up, Buttercup. You have ten minutes to casually walk inside to your office. Gather your things, and send an email to your boss letting him know you're leaving for the rest of the day. I'll follow you inside, and do the same. I want you to meet me right here when you're done. Just make sure you hurry Modesty. Today might just be your lucky day." I tell her with a wink.

Before sliding my arm back around hers, and gripping it tightly. Casually leading us inside the building, down the hall to Modesty's office door, and then mine a few feet away. As soon as I close my office door I pull my phone out of my pocket, and send a message to Abbie.

She answers me immediately with great news making me smile. I hover over my keyboard as I fire off a quick email to HR requesting the rest of the afternoon off. Before shutting everything down, and walking back first my office, then the front doors just as fast.

Every inch of Modesty's exposed skin is the same color as her hair when she finally makes it back outside in front of the building fifteen minutes later. I raise one of my eyebrows silently questioning what happened to her, but Modesty just waves me off. I don't push it either.

We walk back across the street to the cafe in silence. Both of us lost in our own deep thoughts. But, as soon as I walk through the door to Ne-Ne's my eyes immediately land on the new person sitting beside Abbie at the table, and I get giddy!

Poor Modesty still doesn't notice a thing, so I grab her hand tightly getting her attention. Flying through the crowded place with a barely upright Modesty behind me all the way to our table in the back of the building. Both of us tumble into our chairs completely out of breath.

"Ooh..Perfect timing! Sherry just got here about two minutes ago herself." Abbie says to me bouncing in her chair in excitement.

Sherry gives Modesty a complete head to toe full body assessment before turning her sorrowful gaze at me. "Hi Mel. How ya holdin' up?"

I'm stunned she even knows about Dean leaving. I turned a quizzical eye on Abbie, but she starts adamantly shaking her head no. Meaning it wasn't her who told Sherry anything.

"Relax. Dino was in my office yesterday while he was on the phone with Drake getting all the juicy details, so I made him fill me in after they got off the phone." Sherry says shrugging her shoulders like it's no big deal.

FUCKING MEN GOSSIP MORE THAN WOMEN!

I shook that thought out of my head before giving Sherry my undivided attention. "Nope. Not Again. I can't go through it all again right now. Plus, that's not the reason we called you over here."

"Then why did you have Abbie call me, and demand I get her as soon as possible?" She asks defensively switching her gaze between the three of us.

I perk up some more in my seat, and change my voice to sound like one of those announcers from a TV Game show. "Why, to introduce you to the best GEM you have ever had the privilege to walk through the doors of Sinful Delight. This pure, untouched vixens name's Modesty Perkins." I end by waving my arms around Modesty's frame like she's the prize of the show.

"Hello." Modesty says to Sherry barely curling her fingers up and down to make a waving motion, and turning redder by the second from the embarrassment.

Sherry reaches across the table grabbing Modesty's waving hand, and gives it a proper shake. Modesty's face is growing even darker in color with each passing second until she looks purple. While Sherry looks at the shaking woman with even more scrutiny.

"It's nice to meet you Modesty. I hope you don't mind me asking you this, but how old are you Sugar?" Sherry asks with a cocky smirk on her lips obviously thinking Modesty is younger than she actually is.

Instead of Modesty getting embarrassed by Sherry's question she gets mad, and grows a small backbone right in front of my eyes. She moves back away from the table snatching her hand out of Sherry's as she goes. Then sends a hellacious death glare right at the shocked woman.

"For your information I'm almost thirty years old. I can't help it that I have a face full of freckles, and blush every time the wind blows!"

"You really are a virgin still?" Sherry asks leaning closer to Modesty, and playing with a lock of her hair that came loose from behind her ear.

Modesty's innocent eyes get trapped in Sherrys making the other woman gulp. "Yes." She whispers. "But, I've vowed to lose it before my thirtieth birthday in May. I don't want to start what's supposed to be the prime years of my life, still the same old boring me."

Sherry moves her hand up to tuck the lock of her she is playing with behind Modestys ear, and moves her upper body closer as well. Stopping with their lips a few mere inches between them. Then breathed her words against Modesty's moist lips.

"I promise you will never be the same boring person you were last year, because you are already different this year. You are the newest GEM at Sinful Delight, and when you make your debut at The Valentines Day Auction you will be it's crowning jewel! You, Little Vixen, will have everyone in the place eating out of the palm of your hand, and begging to taste you."

I'm struck completely dumb in my seat unable to tear my eyes away from the all out sexually dominating display from Sherry. It's turning me on, causing my body to break out in sweat, and a fresh dollop of cream to leave my core demolishing my panties.

I'm so tuned in to the pair of them I hear Sherry's sudden gasp of breath like it's right beside my ear. Not a second before Sherry finally releases Modesty to relax back against her seat. Then turns toward me showing me a deep burning passion in her eyes.

"Where on Earth did you find such a rare unicorn?"

"Working in an office close to mine for awhile now." I answer Sherry without even thinking about it, but I'm also able to use this to break away from the spell those two put me under.

I sneak a quick glance across the table at Abbie noticing her skin is flushed, her body is shaking, pouring sweat from every pore, turned on as much as me watching Sherry. She's even trying to cool herself off with her hand as a fan, what good will that really do though?

Abbie catches me looking at her, and gives me a shocked, bug-eyed look, and mouthed the letters OMG to me. I gave Abbie the same baffled look, and mouthed back I KNOW! Before turning my focus back to Sherry. Who is quietly trying to work something out in her head, until I see the metaphorical light comes on above her head.

Sherry leans back across the table toward Modesty. Cupping the woman's blushing cheek in the palm of her hand, but when she starts to speak her words are directed at Abbie and I.

"We don't have long before The Valentine's Day Auction to get her ready, and I would really like to help both of you this time with that. So, when can the four of us get together again, and get this thing started? Next weekend I have to be at the club all weekend, but I'm free for the rest of the month after that. Mel?"

I snap out of my lust filled haze at the sound of my name. Then grab my phone from my pocket, and pulling up the calendar checking my schedule. I have to read over the entire month twice before any of the words actually click in my head.

"I'm free the twenty-second. How does that work for you Abbie?"

"Oh, I'll make it work for me. Don't you worry." Abbie tells me, but never took her eyes off of Modesty's flaming cheek cupped in Sherry's hand.

"Perfect!" Sherry says with a beaming smile before placing a chaste kiss on Modesty's opposite cheek. Then lets her go, and gets up from the table.

"Well Ladies, I hate to cause such a mess, and then run, but I have to get back to the club unfortunately. I will be at Mel and Abbie's apartment about eleven am that Saturday." Sherry says with a flurious, but then turns serious as she looks back at Modesty one last time. "I'll see you then Sugar." Then gives her one more wink before turning around, and walking out the cafe doors.

Leaving the three of us sitting here, looking at the door like lunatics, slack-jawed, in complete and utter stunned silence!

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Who saw that surprise coming at the end?

Text Copyright  ©Callie Sumner ™ 2019