The Promise

By Denise

When I woke the next morning I discovered he had already had gone to work. I peeked out the window and saw his car was gone. So, I took a quick bath and then got dressed. I was coming down the stairs I heard noises coming from the kitchen and as I opened the swinging door and I saw a woman standing at the counter. She looked up at me and smiled, "Good morning. You must be Miss Anderson."

"Yes…a…who are you?"

"I am Nadine. I work for Mr. Cardenas."

"Oh." I wondered why he didn't tell me about having a housekeeper. "How long have you worked for him?"

"Since last fall…around November."

"Oh." Then another woman came in the backdoor. She was much younger, about my age.

"That is my daughter Roxanne," Nadine said. "She will be working here through the summer, until school starts."

"Oh." I wasn't sure what else to say.

"Would you like some breakfast? I have some pancake batter made and I could fry some bacon or anything else you may want."

"Yes…a…thank you," I smiled, liking the idea of someone making me breakfast like back home. "What ever you make will be fine."

"I'll get started right away," she said. "I'll let you know when it is ready."

I went back through the swinging door and went into Antonio's office. I wanted to find out how this telephone worked. So I picked up the receiver and put it to my ear. A woman's voice said, "Operator."

"Oh, this does work!"

"Yes, can I help you?"

"Well…this is the first time I have ever used a telephone and I am not sure how it works?"

"Who do you wish to contact?"

"Well…I was wondering if I could call Meredith, Colorado?"

"One moment please." There was a moment of silence and then she returned. "I have two numbers for the town of Meredith, one for the Meredith Hotel and the other for Ben's General Store. Which one would you like me to connect you to?"

"Ah…well…let me talk to the general store."

"One moment please."

The next thing I knew a man answered. "Ben's General Store."

"Mr. Parker?"

"Yes…who is this?"

"This is Cassandra…Anderson," I said with a lump in my throat.

"Cassandra? Oh my God…where are you?"

"Yes it's me. I'm here in Denver. I can't believe I am talking to you!"

"Well, it's great to hear from you! There is someone here who wants to talk to you."

"Who?"

"Cassandra?" A familiar voice said.

"Brendan?" I started to cry when I heard my brother's voice. "Oh my God!"

"Cassie, are you all right?"

"No…I mean…yes."

"You don't sound like it."

"I'm so happy to talk to you."

"So, how was the trip?"

"It's so exciting seeing new places! Here in Denver they have buildings as tall as mountains! They have cars, traffic lights and, and so many wonderful things!"

"I know, that is why I thought you should go and experience the city. Sounds like you are enjoying yourself."

"Yes, Brendan, I love it here!"

"So, where is Antonio?"

"He went to work, so I am here alone."

"It's been great talking to you."

"Yes same here. Will you tell everyone hi for me?"

"Yes, Cassie, I will."

"I love you Brendan." I thought I would never say that to my brother, but he really has become a good friend to me.

"I love you too, Cassie. Take care of yourself."

"I will. Goodbye Brendan."

"Goodbye Cassie."

I placed the receiver back onto the cradle and sat there crying. I couldn't believe that I talked to Brendan. Then Nadine came into the room and said, "Miss Anderson, your breakfast is ready."

"Thanks, Nadine." I got up from the chair and walked towards her. "You can call me Cassandra," I said to her as I walked towards the kitchen. I sat down at the dining room table and ate my breakfast, when Roxanne came into the room. "Hello Roxanne."

"Good morning, Miss Anderson."

"Please call me Cassandra. Roxanne, how old are you?"

"I am 19."

"So, are you still in high school?"

"No, but I will be attending collage in the fall."

"Oh I see…Roxanne, since we are the same age, maybe we could get to know each other and be friends. I would love to have someone to do things with and could show me around this city."

"Sure, we can do that." She left me alone as I finished my breakfast and took my plate into the kitchen when I heard that bell ringing sound again, but it was much closer. Then Nadine came running into the kitchen and answered the telephone that was hanging on the wall.

"Hello, Cardenas residence," she answered then listened and said, "Just a minute." She looked at me and said, "It's for you."

"Really? Who would want to talk to me?" I took the receiver from her hand and held it to my ear. "Hello, this is Cassandra."

"Good morning, sweetheart!"

"Antonio?" I looked around and saw that Nadine and Roxanne were listening near by. "Do you mind leaving this is private?" They both left the room. "Why didn't you tell me you had housekeepers?"

"Oh…I'm sorry."

"So, what are you doing?"

"I was taking a coffee break and I wanted to talk to you."

"I have so much to tell you."

"What have you been doing?"

"Well, I used your telephone to call home." I twisted the cord around my finger.

"You did?"

"Yes, I hope you don't mind?"

"No, of course not. So, how's your family?"

"Well, fine I think. I only talked to Brendan, he just happened to be there at Ben's General store when I called."

"Sweetheart, I have to get back to work. Why don't you come downtown? I will take you out for lunch."

"Okay, where should I meet you?"

"Come to the Colorado National Bank around 1:00 and we will go from there."

"Okay, I can't wait to see you!"

"Oh and you will need some money for the taxi. So, go into my office and you will find a box in the top drawer of my desk. Just take what you need."

"Okay."

"Cassandra, I love you."

"I love you too!" I hung up the telephone as Nadine came back into the kitchen, as tears ran down my cheeks.

"Are you all right?" she asked.

"Oh yes…I am fine." I ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs to get cleaned up to go see him.

***

Nadine called a taxi to take me downtown. The taxi driver dropped me off at the entrance of the bank. As I approached the door of the bank a gentleman opened the door for me as I entered. I looked around noticing the beautiful lights that hung down from the tall ceiling. Then another gentleman stepped out in front of me and politely asked, "Can I help you, ma'am?"

"Yes, I am here to see Mr. Cardenas," I said with confidence thinking of the last words he said to me.

"Ma'am, do you need to see him for a loan?"

"Well…no. I am here to have lunch with him."

"Well…miss…"

"Anderson."

"Miss Anderson," he smiled. "I think he is with a customer. Please have a seat and I will tell him you are here."

"Thank you."

He then left me alone as I looked around the bank. I then noticed Antonio coming towards me I stood up to greet him. He had on a tan suit with his hair combed back from his face. He reached out for my hand and kissed it. His eyes sparkled as he looked up at me, seducing me with his eyes. He offered his arm to me and we left the bank. We walked for a few blocks coming to an outdoor café. We both ordered ham sandwiches and iced tea.

"I was sure surprised to see your housekeeper Nadine this morning."

"I know, I forgot to tell you about her."

"Why do you need a housekeeper?"

"I needed someone to take care of me."

"I want to take care of you and our home."

"I know, but I thought I would give you a break from doing housework."

"What time did you leave this morning?"

"I left around 8. I was going to wake you, but you looked so beautiful sleeping so I decided I didn't want to bother you. I kissed your cheek and then you spoke my name. I loved knowing you were dreaming about me."

"I have dreamed about you every night since that day we met." I blushed realizing what I just said; I never wanted him to know.

"You told me that once before."

"I have?"

"Yes." He grinned as he looked at his watch. "Let's go back to my office."

When we returned to the bank, he introduced me to all of the bank employees including his boss Mr. Richards. He took me into his office as everyone watched and closed the door. "So, what do you think?"

"I like it. So, what is your job?"

He stood in front of me with his hands in his pockets. "I give people loans for buying cars, homes or anything else they might want or need."

"Oh. Is this room soundproof?"

"I don't know."

I stepped closer touching his face and his lips with my finger. He groaned as he claimed my mouth and his arms went around me holding me in a tight embrace; as the kiss deepened. Then there was a buzzing noise coming from the desk. He ended the kiss and went to answer.

"Yes, Miss Jones."

"Mr. Cardenas, there is a Mr. Brady here to see you," she said.

"Yes, thank you."

"I guess this means I have to leave," I pouted.

"Yes, I have to get back to work."

"Okay. When will you be home?"

"I work until 5."

"I'll see you later."

He opened the door and I walked out of his office with a smile on my face. I left the bank and decided to go shopping before going home. I had to buy something for Antonio and a few things for me too.

***

When I returned home I went upstairs and took a long hot bubble bath. I put on a robe and laid down on the bed, thinking about Antonio and fell asleep. I thought I was dreaming when I felt someone kissing my lips and touching my breasts. When I opened my eyes and discovered he was sitting next to me on the bed. I reached up to pull him down to me as our mouths and tongues met. Then there was a knock on the door, "Mr. Cardenas?" a voice said.

"Who is that?" I asked as he got up to answer the door. I quickly covered myself up.

"Roxanne?" He had a surprised look on his face as he glanced back at me and then back to Roxanne. "Can I help you?" He asked.

"Sir." She stared at me and said, "I wanted to let you know that your dinner is ready."

"Oh…well…thank you." He stammered. "We will be right down."

I got up off the bed as he closed the door. "Why can't I spend a little time with you without someone or something disturbing us?" I stood in front of him allowing my robe to fall off my body.

He swept me up into his arms taking my mouth and my body his prisoner. I unbuttoned his shirt and pulled urgently on his pants to free them from his body. He paused as he finished undressing than locked the door and he came back to me. He covered my mouth trying to keep me from screaming as he fucked me. I lost consciousness as an intense orgasm erupted deep inside of me. We both cried out in agony as we climaxed together and then enjoying the rapture of our lovemaking. He rolled over and got up off the bed. He put his clothes back on and said, "Why don't you go get cleaned up, so we can go have some dinner, all right?" He then left the room.

***

The clock in the hallway was chiming 7 p.m. as I made my way down the stairs and towards the dining room, where I found Antonio waiting for me. He stood up from his chair and came around the table to pull out my chair. "Is this dress new?" He asked as he placed his hand on my chest and down around my breasts, kissing my neck.

"Stop!" I moaned. He then removed his hand when he heard someone coming from the kitchen and went to sit down in his chair. I took a big breath trying to relax. "I went shopping and bought this sun dress!"

"I like it…I shouldn't have done that." He stared at me.

"I bought something for you too."

Moments later Roxanne appeared with our dinner. "Your dinner is cold, since you were late for dinner," she said as placed a plate of roast beef with potatoes and carrots in front of Antonio and dropped the plate down if front of me causing some of the food to fall off the plate onto the table. Then she sat a plate of bread and butter on the table.

"So, what did you buy me?" he asked as he grabbed a dinner roll off the plate.

I glared at Roxanne waiting for her to leave and she finally did. "You aren't mad that I spent your money?"

"No, sweetheart. You can spend money on what ever you want."

***

We finished our dinner and Roxanne came back to collect our plates as we went into the living room. I watched him as he stopped in front of a chair; turned around and sat down. He then picked up the newspaper that was sitting on the table next to his chair.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Oh I thought I would read the newspaper for awhile."

"Why?"

"I like to know what is going on around town and the world."

"Oh, now you are acting like my dad." I went over to the divan and sat down. I picked up the Readers Digest that was sitting on the coffee table in front of me. I sat back and started to read one of the stories. I finished it and turned to the next when a piece of paper fell out of one of the pages. As I bent down to pick it up, I felt his eyes on me and as I glanced up at him; his eyes were so intense as he stared at me. "What do you want?"

"Come here and I'll show you." He reached out his hand to me as I got up and went over to him. I picked up the newspaper from his lap and threw it on the floor. I sat down on his lap and he pulled down into his arms. He caressed my face as I sighed deeply as our mouths were joined together in a deep heartfelt kiss.

"Mr. Cardenas," a voice said as I broke the kiss and saw Roxanne standing near by.

"Roxanne." He groaned as he closed his eyes and laid his head back against the chair. "What do you want?"

"I'm sorry to bother you," she said.

I stared at Roxanne wondering why she was there bothering us? "Sure you are," I mumbled as I got up off his lap annoyed with her interruption.

"I just wanted to tell you that I was leaving," she continued as she stared at me and then looked at Antonio again.

"Good," I said as I went over to the divan and sat down, picking up a magazine.

He got up from his chair and walked Roxanne to the door. "Well, have a good evening," he said as he closed the door.

"Damn her!" I threw the magazine down onto the table. "What's her problem?"

"What do you mean?"

I walked over to him. "Well, this morning I asked her if we could be friends since we were the same age and now tonight she being such a bitch!"

"I don't know." He turned away from me and started up the stairs. "Are you coming?" He asked as he looked back at me.

Once up stairs, I went into the bathroom and put on this creamy white silk teddy with a touch of lace, that I bought today. When I returned he was stretched out on the bed naked. He sat up when he saw me, "Is this what you bought me?"

"Yes, do you like it?"

"Yes, but why did you buy it?"

"I have always wanted something like this. I saw one in a catalog a long time ago and I never thought I would get a chance to wear one."

"The problem with buying this, you don't wear it very long."

"Yes I know." I lay down next to him.

He kissed me tenderly and then whispered, "Let's get some sleep," as he then rolled onto his back. I laid my head on his chest, listening to his breathing as I drifted off to sleep.