Читать книгу Visible Lives: - Terrance Dean - Страница 19

The company receives a major announcement from Richard Goldstein, the President of GBS Television. Rap artist Jay-Z is performing at Radio City Music Hall. Our network has received complimentary VIP tickets to attend the show. Richard gives my department several tickets. I immediately decide not to attend. I don’t have anyone to go with. Ashley has her performances with The Lion King and she can’t afford to miss a show.

I give my assistant two tickets and since Quincy has been doing a great job thus far, I give him two tickets.

On the day of the concert everyone in the office is gleaming. They are all talking about the show. It is all over the radio. The newspapers cover the event like it is the biggest thing to hit New York City. It is a huge deal in the music industry.

Quincy taps on my door. His tall muscular frame is standing in my doorway. His bald head is only a few inches from the top of it.

“I’m sorry to bother you, but I want to ask you something.” His deep voice reverberates.

“Sure. Come on in.” I lean back in my leather chair.

“I want to thank you for the tickets. I really do appreciate it,” he says as I watch his long body slide into the chair in front of my desk. “I have a little problem.”

“Okay, what is it?” I ask, a little perplexed.

“I have two tickets, but unfortunately I don’t have anyone to go with me. None of my friends are able to go or they already have tickets.”

“I see.”

“I know you are not going, but I was thinking maybe we could go together. It would at least allow me the opportunity to have a full uninterrupted one-on-one conversation with you. And I haven’t had any extensive amount of time to really get to know my boss.”

I am taken aback by his request.

I can’t believe he has the audacity—the balls—to ask me out.

It is a bold and daring move on his part.

I am turned on by it.

He is making moves many men in my age range dare not even consider. Most of them are too intimidated by my success or they are hangers-on. They want the free perks that come with dating me and my job.

The free concerts.

The free movie tickets.

The grand openings.

Ugh!

Quincy doesn’t seem to be threatened or bothered by it.

“Can I think about it and get back to you later, Quincy?”

“Sure. No problem. I know you are extremely busy.”

I don’t have anything on my calendar for the evening. I cleared it because I knew everyone will be at the concert. It will allow me the opportunity to leave work early and catch up on some other things, like a much-needed spa treatment.

Throughout the day I am torn about what to do. I will be attending the concert with Quincy—an intern who is a sexy and fine young man.

In public.

Where everyone will see us together.

Most of the employees know I am gay. It’s not a secret, but I don’t mix my personal life with my professional life. And I know everyone at GBS will be whispering if they see me with Quincy. As much as GBS is a great place to work, there is still the element of gossipmongers lingering throughout the company.

I also need to think about what to wear. I did not plan on attending the concert so the John Varvatos suit and Murray zip boots I wore to work are not appropriate for a Hip Hop concert.

It is nearing three o’clock. The concert is at eight. I still have time to run out and grab something quick from Bloomingdale’s.

What the hell. It will be fun. I mean, this is innocent. It isn’t a date. Besides, I could get to know Quincy more. I could find out his aspirations and how far he wants to go in this business. I could be a mentor to him, I tell myself.

I call Quincy back into my office. “Yes, I will go with you,” I tell him.

“Oh man. This is great.” The smile on his face is priceless. He lights up the entire room with his dazzling smile. He is more excited than I. He bolts out of my office and I swear he throws his hands in the air like he just scored two points for his basketball team.

I tell my assistant I am leaving the office for the rest of the day.

I rush to Bloomingdale’s where I purchase a pair of True Religion jeans, a deep blue Prada shirt, and some gray suede Prada sneakers.

I must admit I am going to look fly.

I want to at least look age-appropriate, but not too much older than Quincy.

I still have time to get home.

Shower.

Change.

And mentally prepare.

I call a car service to take me to the concert.

When the car drops me off in front of Radio City it is ten minutes to eight.

Perfect.

Quincy is standing patiently like a dark knight in the urban jungle.

He has changed clothes from his office attire of slacks and a button-down dress shirt. He has on an Ed Hardy T-shirt with a sky blue blazer, some Rock and Republic jeans, a pair of crisp white Nike Air sneakers, and a blue New York Yankees fitted baseball cap.

He definitely looks like a sports star.

I notice the many women walking by staring at him.

Damn, he is handsome.

He beams with enthusiasm when I get out of the car. He rushes over and greets me as I step onto the sidewalk.

“Check you out!” Quincy grins.

I brush my shoulders and do a b-boy stance.

Quincy doubles over in laughter.

“And, look at you, fly guy,” I say.

Quincy steps back and does a little spin.

“You know I got to have my swag game on.”

I smile.

“It’s going to be a crazy concert. You ready?” Quincy asks.

“I’m a big Jay-Z fan. I’m definitely ready.”

“You’re a Jay-Z fan? I would’ve never guessed it.”

“Don’t sleep, Quincy. I may be a little older, but I’m a true Hip Hop fan.”

“Let me find out my boss is a Hip Hop head,” he laughs.

“H to the iz-o, V to iz-a,” I chant.

Quincy throws his head back and lets out a loud bellowing laugh.

He is so sexy.

Already he is making me feel comfortable and at ease. Maybe because there is no pressure. It makes the evening that much more enticing.