The Protege - S01 E87

Story 11 hours ago

The Protege - S01 E87

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 87

After my fifth walk-through and final tweaking of training program, I felt ready. I would review it again tomorrow and have it down. I had delivered the presentation some seventeen times in four different languages, with the help of Maurice and Andre. This was the fourth time on my own and my confidence was high. Cynthia taught me the importance of preparation, but she also thought on her feet better than anyone I had ever seen. I prided myself on that ability, but she was the master.

I relaxed in the living room and began to read a book, thinking about lunch. It was 12:40 and there was no sign of Rosario. After a few pages I became drowsy and fell asleep. Later, I awoke to the sight of Rosario, sitting on the end of the couch, smiling at me awkwardly.

"I am so sorry to wake you, Ms. Carmichael, you were sleeping so peacefully."

"It's fine, I was just reading and dozed off."

She looked incredibly fresh. I was amazed. Had I not seen and felt her pass out in a drunken stupor would have not believed it.

"How long was I out?" looked at my phone. It was just after 2:00 o'clock. "Wow, I was out. How are you feeling?" I asked, still in awe.

"Better now. I took some aspirin and drank some water. I am starving. Would you like something to eat, Ms. Carmichael?"

"I am hungry, but let me get it for us. I'm taking care of you today. What would you like?"

"You don't need to..."

"I'm making lunch, Ms. Rosario! Is there something you would like?" I said, recalling Cynthia's orders for addressing her.

"I do have a craving for grilled cheese and tomato soup," she replied with a smile, apparently she liked the idea of being waited on for a change.

I got up and went to the kitchen. Rosario followed and sat at the dining table. She had on the olive skinny jeans and a thin pink tube top from last night. It had spaghetti straps attached above each breast that tied behind the neck. Her nipples protruded from the thin tight fabric and her golden-brown skin contrasted with the soft pink material.

I couldn't help but imagine peeling that top off and gently kissing her shapely breasts. Her exposed midriff, back and shoulders looked so smooth and silky. I recalled how electrifying her skin felt as I caressed her last evening.

I realized I was lost in thought and suddenly the silence seemed awkward. "You and Cynthia were a little tipsy last night. What do you remember?"

She looked at me for a moment with a smile that made me think she noticed my stare and liked it. "After we went to the bar, I remember a few shots of tequila and that's about it. I think I remember waking you up. Did we eat pizza?" she asked, embarrassed.

"Yes, you were both pretty blasted at that point, but it was fun."

"I hope I didn't do anything or say anything bad," she said timidly.

I really wanted to talk about what she was doing to me when she passed out, but since she didn't remember, I thought it best to drop it

"No, you were fine. Don't worry. You had a terrible day. I'm sure I would have tied one on too."

"Wow, I don't even remember telling you." She looked ashamed.

"Ms. Rosario, this is not your fault at all. It's all on him, you didn't send the girls to him. Some men are just pigs."

She began to cry just as I was turning on the stove. I turned it back off and went to her.

"Oh, Ms. Rosario, I didn't mean to make you cry."

"It wasn't you. I just can't believe was so stupid for so long. She hugged my waist as I stood next to her.

I stood there and she had a good hard cry with her face buried in my belly. I patted her soft dark hair and felt guilty as my mind went back to the night before when she was kissing me. Her marriage was over, and her heart was broken, but the twisted part of me wanted to take advantage of her weakness for my own pleasure.

I pulled myself together and just held her there until she cried it out. When she stopped, I released her and stepped back.

"I think you needed that, Ms. Rosario. Now let me get you some food. We can just relax and have a girls day. What do you think?"

"Please call me Rosie," she said, raising her head and trying to smile.

"But Ms. Cynthia said..."

"Ms. Cynthia is not here, Ms. Carmichael," she said with a rebellious grin.

Happy to see her spirit returning, I complied. "When she is not here, but you must call me Alecia."

"Okay, Alecia," she said, in her sexy accent.

We had lunch and sat down for some television time.

"How about we binge watch the Hallmark channel," I suggested.

"Please, no romance right now. I'm not ready."

"You're right. Let's see what's on Netflix."

She agreed, and we watched 'The Heat" with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy, then followed it up with 'Snatched, starring Goldie Hawn and Amy Schumer.

Then we took a walk on the beach and ate burgers and fries at a little joint. It was an alcohol-free dinner. When we returned to the house we sat on the patio and talked about our families and anything but relationships.

Her father had passed away when she was young. Her mother raised her in Miami and was semi-retired to a mobile home park in Lakeland, offering her housekeeping services to the residents and owners. Rosario was the youngest of six siblings who had moved to Georgia and the Carolinas for work.

I texted Cynthia and suggested, with both of us leaving, she should encourage Rosario to go see her mom and spend some time with her for some extra emotional support. She agreed, and took the time to call Rosario and talk to her. Again, it amazed me that a woman of such power and importance genuinely cared about everyone she encountered.

They spoke for about thirty minutes and then we moved inside. She had discovered Downton Abbey, so we watched it and talked.