going to Preston's house meeting the Mother

*****

 11

Going to Preston's home is scary.

Z did a quick change in the employee restroom. A quick fix of her face a couple of breath mints and she was tucking her work clothes in her bag ready to go. Preston had been so excited at lunch that you would think they were going to Disneyland. She did have to admit she was interested in seeing where he lived. He did expect her to live with him at this place someday soon.

She had on the most decent outfit she owned besides her sexy black dress. Before she met Preston, she did go out and shop with her friends. Not anymore, she has only had a few conversations with them on her phone having to beg off another shopping trip. She even missed the latest bag sale at Goodwill. Won't they go crazy when she tells them who she is marrying? Who knows they may not know who he is, she didn't. 

Z made the long trip to the lobby rethinking the shoes she had on. She may change them in the car. She was smart and brought another pair. Preston stood by his car waiting. He smiled and stepped forward when he saw her at the door. His smile got bigger when he saw what she had on. To him, she always looked beautiful. She was just more beautiful than usual. He appreciated that she tried to look good for her introduction to his mother. Receiving a hug and kiss she waited for him to open the car door for her. The evening seemed formal to her.

"How was your day?" Preston asked.

"Not bad, a guy named Steve came down and told us about the new system. He gave everyone a script to tell the different vendors to send the bills via e-mail starting next month. He said he has a crew that is moving my filing cabinets out in the hallway on Monday. He said starting Wednesday I will be taking files and putting them into the machine. Something like that he said he would come and show me how. I guess I will be busy," she told him sounding unconcerned. 

"We'll move people around and have a couple of people help you."

"Sounds good he says that the program can even read the bills that are handwritten so that is cool," she told him and paid attention to where they were going. This was a different direction from any place she had gone with him before. 

She was shocked with one turn the city disappeared behind tall trees, large homes, with sprawling lawns, were all she could see. It was beautiful, peaceful, and scary as hell to think that people lived like this. He passed up a dozen homes and a beautiful lake sparkled behind a huge home, and she held her breath this can't be his. 

Sure enough, he turned on his blinker and broke the silence that had prevailed since he turned on the road. 

"I had Lesley spruce up the place for your visit, so this is going to be all new for me too," he told her. He saw Lesley leaving as he turned the corner. Talk about last-minute finishes. The lawn was freshly mowed, and the hedges trimmed. He smiled his staff was on the ball today. He could swear he heard someone yell "he is here," as he stepped out of the car. Smiling he went around to open the car door for Z. He had to decide if he would introduce her as Zarita or Z. Taking her hand, he felt her resistance and squatted down as she sat in the car seat looking unwilling to move. 

"Sweetie this is where I was raised don't be overwhelmed it is only a home no more no less. All the people in here will love you as I do, just give them a chance to get to know you." 

"Did you tell them the same thing?"

"No, they already know you're important to me and that is all that matters. They know you will be my wife and will treat you with respect as they do any person who comes into our home," he told her helping her up. He popped the trunk and went to retrieve his Wal-Mart bag. Slipping it into her overnight bag he grinned and said, "I got rope and some other things for you."

She looked puzzled and questioned at Wal-Mart. Had he gone there on his own? Getting a grim look from her she followed him to the front door noticing the weight he added to her bag. He took a deep breath and she followed suit. 

 "Don't abandon me I can't handle this on my own no matter how tough you think I am," Z told him as he reached for the doorknob.

"Never," he said and opened the door. He had to remember how out of place he felt at her place, she has to feel the same here. Worse he expects her to move here.

Marie was waiting at the door looking past her he saw his mother standing in a very different-looking living room set up.

"Marie this is Zarita. Marie is the head of the household staff. If you need anything ask her."

"Hello Marie, nice to meet you," Z said and shook her hand.

The woman smiled and gave a polite bow.

"Thanks, Marie tell the Cook we will be ready to eat by six," Preston said and moved on to whom she assumed was his mother. They had the same eyes and when she smiled, she saw Preston there too, but she was thin and wrinkled.

"Mother I want you to meet the love of my life Zarita Ionescu we met about eight weeks ago. Z this is my mother Louise Palmer." He was so glad Peggy said it three times he would have had a hard time with that last name without her help.

"It is nice to meet you and your son is a handful. I keep telling him to slow down, but he is headstrong," she said as they shook hands. 

"Well he is quite taken with you, and I can see why, you're quite the beauty," his mother said and stepped back to allow them to pass. Preston seemed to be interested in seeing the living room. 

"Don't get me wrong she is a beauty, but it is her spirit that has me paying attention. He said stepped into the living room and smiled. She had rearranged the furniture that alone made a big difference. She added just a few new pieces, but it looked different with a few colorful pillows around the room. "So, do you like this," he asked his mother.

"I do, she kept talking about the flow and sitting areas."

"I like it," he agreed. "Come in sweetie and let me get you a drink. Soda or water," he asked walking towards a bar with a complete setup. 

"Ice water would be fine thanks," she said looking around trying to figure out what was new. The place was beautiful and clean. She could easily eat off those floors. He handed her the drink and walked her to the French doors leading out to the backyard. If you could call it that. More like a back pasture of perfectly manicured lawn. The sun was going down and the lake glimmered pink mimicking the sunset. 

"It is beautiful," she whispered and cupped her hand over his as he held her upper arm. 

"Yes, it is, and you just add to the beauty," he said, Z rolled her eyes at him, and he smiled. "Let me show you around before dinner."

"Fine but not your room. I know you and we won't come back out."

"Darn-it I almost had you," he teased and pulled her around to the other rooms. Room to room he showed her around. It was an impressive large home. 

"This is a party room, and I was thinking we could be married here. If we limit it to two hundred, we would all fit in here." He said and opened the doors to a huge room with several sitting areas spaced out on the shining hardwood floors.

'We haven't had a party for years. My parents used to have people over all the time but not anymore." What he didn't tell her is the men who kidnapped him had been servers for a party the year before they took him. It took them a year to work out the details and if Jack hadn't been so nosey, they would have walked away with 10 million and he would be dead. That put a stop to the parties.

They came back to shoot him when the cops caught them. The only reason they hadn't already, was his father kept demanding to speak to him. He could hear his father screaming on the other end of the call he wouldn't give them one red cent if he doesn't speak to his son. The gag came out and they smacked him to make him talk. He endured three days of no food, no water, no bathroom breaks, a lot of pushing around, and threats on his life to get him to comply with their demands. The only good thing that happened was they didn't put him in a small room. He wouldn't have survived he would have fought them to the death. Pain shot across his face and Z saw it and reached up to cup his cheek. 

"Sorry sad times. We did have some good parties here over the years," he told her backing out of the room.

"I can think of twelve people who I could invite so you can have the rest," She told him and that was pushing it for invitees on her side. 

"My Mother will be thrilled."

"Good she and the Wedding Planner can do it all I have no idea what to do," Z told him and stepped away. 

Marie stood by waiting for them to finish their conversation to inform him, "dinner is served Sir."

He took her to the dining room where his mother waited. The table easily sat fourteen with extra chairs along the wall to add more seats. He was shocked her friends weren't there waiting to meet the woman who has stolen his heart. 

"Well Mom your wish came true Z would prefer that you plan the wedding. I will give you my list of people I want invited and she will give you hers. We'll let you figure it out. We'll have the ceremony in the great hall."

Louise was looking between him and Zarita to see if he was telling the truth. "Sure, I would love to plan a wedding, but I will need some input. Dates and colors have to be decided. You want the wedding here?" she asked not sure if that is a good idea. 

Preston saw it in her look and casually asked, "Are you thinking one of the big banquet halls would be better?" Preston asked and took his serving and Marie moved to Z for her share of the meat. Quickly the other items for dinner were served and they ate dinner debating the pros and cons of the house or the hotel. She quickly caught on that they was something unsaid as a con. 

"Are you concerned with my friends coming here," Z asked. "Because I don't have to invite any one. I was just teasing about a big wedding we can go to Vegas if you want," Z offered she had no intention of causing a problem.

"No sweetie we had an incident here after our last big party. We are a little gun shy having a bunch of people here. But I think it is about time we get past that and begin to live again," Preston told her looking at his mother trying to encourage her to be willing to take the chance.

"I would feel safer if we have it at the hotel," Louise offered she was not at all comfortable with a house full of people. She had her friends and that was plenty.

"I hear you; we can discuss that later for now let's discuss flowers and colors. I want to wear a baby blue tux," Preston said and smiled. "With a frilly white shirt."

"Sure, I love that idea. If we look really hard, we may be able to find one at a Goodwill store maybe a nice polyester one," Z offered being as smart mouthed as he was. She wondered how long it will be before she hears the real story. She could always tie him up and force him to tell her. She kept looking around wondering if she could live like this. 

 "What do you think it would be hard to find?" he asked continuing his deception. 

"Louise your son seems to think I'm stupid."

"Never in a million years," he said really not wanting to discuss this right now. He was hoping for a pleasant weekend. "It is an upsetting subject, and I would rather not subject my mother to the retelling of the story is all. I'll tell you; but not right now," Preston said and put an end to the subject. "So, are we back to a fancy wedding or not?" he asked they weren't getting anywhere. Z was back to I'm not worthy of this life. Well neither is he without her here. The hurt in his eyes shut her up and she tried to eat this really good meal. He is right his chef is a excellent one. She just realized she would never have to cook again if she moves here.

She told her mother she would go along with this…Whatever it is, an affair, a relationship, love, and she is back to fighting it. Roll Z roll with it she chastised. The worst that can happen he wises up and drops her. The best they marry, and she is spoiled and happy for the rest of her life. Maybe this is pay back for being so mistreated in her youth. Could her father have a hand in this? Was he paying penance to God for his behavior all those years? But how could that be? He should be in hell far from God for what he did to her. She always thought God had stopped him to save her and her mother from his abuse. The preacher said evil men go to hell and he was evil. So, it must be her mother and as Preston says his father setting this up. That falling picture had to mean something.

Z looked up and Preston was watching her. "What were you thinking about so hard," he asked. 

"Spirits whether they exist and if they have any sway over this world?" Z said and put her spoon in the dish she was served of lime sherbet. She love lime sherbet it was her favorite. How had he known? It would have been the Cook's decision. "That is all, nothing too deep."

His mother bid them good night as she finished off her wine. Preston continued his tour of the house. They stopped by the kitchen, and she thanked the chef for the wonderful dinner. Finally making their way upstairs they went by room after room with doors open to the hallway. He stopped and looked in one room and smiled. "That is my old bed frame. I had very vivid dreams about you being tied to that bed," he whispered into her hair. Her mass of curls circled her head like a halo. He knew she was no angel. He was looking forward to tying her to his new bed. They stepped into his room, and he was thrilled. Lesley had done it up completely and his new headboard and frame perfectly matched the other wood in the room. His new bed spread went well also with the curtains and rugs. They all had done well. 

"Nice playboy pad," she teased looking the place over. Why was it they always feel apprehensive when they first get together. She even felt a little embarrassed about what they do together. He slipped her bag off her shoulder. He appreciated how she kept that bag with her at all times. But now he needs to retrieve his new toys and presents.

He hid his bag in the back of his closet now he needs to collect his toys and get on with the night. Preston pulled his bag from her overnight bag. He had presents for her beyond the rope. He had a great time roaming Wal-Mart looking for anything she may like. The clothing was cheap, so he passed them up, but he got body wash and smelled every shampoo until he found the one she used. It was the cheapest, but he loved the smell, probably because it reminded him of her. 

Displaying all the things he bought her on the bed he also bought a specialty wrap for her hair to keep it dry as they shower. He just hoped it was big enough to hold all the hair she has. 

Taking her presents to the bathroom it had been a long day and she expected it to be a lot longer night. She knew she needed a shower and knew she could get him to follow. Stepping into his bathroom it was huge and those rugs looked like scatter rugs in the big room. He has a nice big tub and a huge shower. She noticed as her clothes came off, how impressive the room was. 

Preston stood watching the strip show as she eyed the room. She was amazing where the hell did, she come from. There was no need to wine and dine her as with most women he knew. He could have brought her home straight to his room and she would have been happy. He is one lucky man he decided as he stripped to join her. He assumes in the shower although a nice soaking bath would feel good. Having her between his legs and he would have all kinds of tasty thing to touch.

His closet was big, but it was full of his clothes. If she were to move there where would her things go? She didn't have much but his precision spacing would be lost. She noticed and looked back and saw Preston stripping he smiled when their eyes met. He had already slipped the ropes on to the headboard using the thickest part to attach them to. He didn't want to break it, but he did plan on making Z struggle tonight. That was the best time to fuck her when her body was straining to contain itself.

Tonight, her hands will be spread as well as her legs and he was going to devour her. When he finishes that she will be on vibrate over load without help from some toy. He just hopes the staff doesn't think he is killing her. How embarrassing if she has to wave to them with her tied to his bed. Give the staff a freak show. He smiled as he approached her ready to go. 

Saturday mid-morning they finally let go of each other and got dressed. He needed to buy a ring was spurring him on. No way in hell was he going to let her get away. That trip to Vegas was looking more promising by the minute. Maybe his mother could plan a reception for after they got married. He would broach the idea with her later nothing is set in stone yet. Right now, the ring was the most important thing and of course her saying yes to the proposal would help. Until the ring was on her finger and the I do's said, he didn't trust her to not run. He could tell she was over whelmed last night. Not with the sex which was amazing but with the house the money. It was too much for her to come to terms with. 

Dressed casually Z wanted a simple burger so they had a Whooper. He was impressed at how tasty they were and actually enjoyed the meal. Ring shopping had been difficult. Z wanted nothing fancy, and Preston wanted to show everyone how much he loved her. 

Much to the salesman's disgust she won out and Preston bought a one caret in a platinum setting with small chips as he called them around the mount. Z loved the ring on sight and no coaxing to a bigger ring could sway her. That was the one she wanted. 

The staff eyed Z when they came home. She knows they heard her last night. Preston wouldn't give her a washcloth to bite on as he had at the hotel. He had been feeling himself last night and exhausted her quickly. She had unleashed something in him, but they couldn't play like this every night she wouldn't be able to work the next day. She did well to get going at mid-day as it was. His ass had been off limits last night, but she figures if you put the probe in and just left it, it doesn't matter what you find in there as long as you pull it in the bathroom. So, whether he likes it or not he was hers tonight because he had hers in play last night big time. Live and learn is her motto. Oh, but she enjoyed his attention. She could never complain he doesn't like to play. Her body was still humming from his attention.

They had a nice dinner even with the staff eyeing her. She swears they all came in at some point just to look at her. 'Yes, people I was the noisy one last night and your boss is a sex maniac. Hopefully tonight you hear him calling out,' she thought as Preston suddenly stood and got down on one knee by her side as she flashed red. She couldn't believe he was doing this right now. 

"Zarita my love, I know this is fast but so was our romance. I love you with all my heart and soul. Would you please agree to be my wife and make me the happiest man on earth?" he asked smiling sweetly at her holding the box with the ring she picked out. 

His mother held her hand to her mouth and began to cry. She hadn't expected to be involved when he asked her.

"Yes, Preston I will marry you, but baby there is no rush," she told him leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. With a groan he slipped the ring on her finger. 

"Yes, there is, I want you to be mine forever," he said and went for another kiss. Ok he got a yes now the trip to Vegas is the next step. Once he takes her home tomorrow, he will tell his mother his change in plans. She should be fine with a reception at the hotel it will be a lot less work. He'll just sick his event planner on it.

She is right why she should take the chance. He can't remember anyone having a party like they used to in this area. His kidnapping had changed everything for the rich around here. He was glad to hear his kidnappers were still locked up and had twenty more years until they were up for parole. The DA threw the book at them. Who did they think they were messing with the elite of the area.

How they got the job with the catering company no one could explain; except lousy hiring practices. They all had records some very bad ones. His father sued, and all that money is sitting in an account waiting for him to do something with it. Maybe he will use some of it to take Z on a honeymoon. Lord he hadn't thought about that; one more thing to think about. Where would she want to go, he wondered. Still on his knee holding her hand he needs to ask her later. One quick kiss and he was up as Marie served chocolate cake for dessert smiling happily.

More conversations about a wedding that she didn't want, and she hoped they understood her point. She has no one to impress. So, whatever they decide she will go along with it.

 They finally made it up to his room and found the bed made fresh sheets and the ropes neatly curled on the pillows. The foot ones curled on the floor. She hadn't expected his staff to come in their room. They tossed the bedspread over the bed and put away the toys before they left. She hadn't given it a thought no one cleaned her room at her apartment. She went ballistic. 

"No wonder they all were looking at me like I was a freak. They probably all came in here to see the freak show," Z said and quickly gathered her things that had been nicely draped over a new chair. She had to go. There was nothing anonymous about their sex now. Pulling the ring off her finger she sat it on his dresser and asked tucking her clothes in to her bag. "Could you please take me to the nearest bus stop?" she demanded sounding so angry and embarrassed. She wanted out of there and she wanted to go now. 

Preston stood watching her throw her fit. He hadn't thought about the staff coming in his room. She is right this is embarrassing but she can't give back the ring and leave him over this. He could see the hurt and defiance in her eyes as she spoke to him collecting her things.

"Whoa, whoa slow down. Yes, this is embarrassing but you can't leave me over this. I'll make our bedroom off limits. I hadn't thought about someone coming in here sweetie," He said as he approached her. "All I know is my bed is made every day I never thought about it."

 She was filling the overnight bag with a lot of anger leaving all the gifts he bought her. He tried to assure her as she moved about his room, "No one in this house will say a word about anything we have going on in this room."

"No of course not they just looked at me like I'm a prostitute some paid sex freak. I want to leave if you won't take me fine, I'll call an Uber," She said and pulled out her phone to find the number. 

"Please calm down Zarita, so what Marie knows we enjoy being a little wild. Now it is known we have nothing to hide. Hell, I'll buy the damn Hilton if that is what it will take to keep you happy. I'm not losing you over the kind of sex we like."

"Easy for you, they aren't looking at you. Bull shit she told everyone. The entire staff came in just to look at the sex freaks room," Z screamed and crumpled into tears falling into his new chair. He hated she was so upset he had to fix this. Hell, no she is not leaving him.

"Maybe they came to see who the boss brought home because I have never done that before. I will not lose you over nicely wound rope," he told her loudly. "I'm sure she was shocked but Z she hasn't told the rest of the staff. She knows her job and discretion is the most important part. Let me go ask her if she has. I'll tell her to not come in my room again unless I give her permission," Preston told her as he crouched next to the chair. He hated she was so upset but she was not going anywhere if he has to, he will tie her to the bed until she calms down. It will be a fight she is strong, but he won't let her leave until she has calmed down and listens to reason. 

She watched him leave the room and he was pissed too. 

"Marie," Preston bellowed as he went down the hall the name echoed in the house. 

The woman scurried from the dining room to answer his call. She and his mother had excitedly been talking about the wedding. Coming up the stairs he stepped into an empty bedroom with her and closed the door as she followed him. "Did you tell anyone about what you found in my room?" he demanded to know.

"No Sir I would never that is your business. I know my place Sir," Marie told him looking very embarrassed he was angry.

"Keep it that way and don't come back in my room until I tell you to. Understand," he told her, and she could see his anger.

"Yes sir, I'm sorry I upset you I wasn't sure what to do so I did my best."

"You didn't do anything wrong it was just upsetting to Z. She felt the staff was coming in to look at her and then we find the room made up the way you did."

"Sir they are excited you have brought someone home is all."

"That is what I told her. Ok thanks I'll see you later." Preston told her happy to hear he was right. All the crap that went on in this house when his parents were fighting, he is sure she knows what the fight was about. He also knows she would never tell him. Making a quick trip back to his room Z was nowhere to be found he started to panic with his eyes darting around the room until he heard the toilet flush and started breathing again. 

 "I'm back," he called out and she stepped out of the bathroom. "Like I said she told no one. The staff was interested to meet you because I have never brought a woman home. She won't come in here again unless I tell her to. She understands our wishes," he said and walked over to the dresser and picked up the ring. Got down on his knee again took her hand and slipped it back on her finger. "Z you can't take this off every time you become angry."

"I know I'm sorry. What we do is between us, not the world, and now your staff. This is all difficult for me," she said twisting to look the room over to make sure she didn't leave anything.

"I understand it is a different world, but sweetheart I love you and this will all work out for us. You'll get used to living here we will be fine. It is a great place to raise kids," his eyes sparkled with excitement as he told her how he, "loved roaming this land playing in the lake. We have plenty of room for as many kids as you want to have. With us both being only children I would like to have at least two, so they won't be so lonely growing up."

"Ah were you lonely in this big house," Z teased 

"I was and I had a cousin I played with a lot. He was an only child too, but his parents were much younger. As you can tell my mother is older. My father told me they tried for years and when they stopped trying, she got pregnant."

"My mother got pregnant with me quickly. It ruined their lives, and my father took it out on me because he was stuck with her. It hadn't been her idea to marry him or have sex with him. In Romanian families, you marry period if you have sex. Well, she had proof they had sex with me."

"So, no happy home life?"

"For me? No not until he died. I know that sounds bad, but he was mean to me. My mother told me he would throw me across the room if I cried too much when I was a baby. At least it was onto a bed when I was little. When I got bigger, he just threw me to the ground. He was an angry drunk to be avoided at all costs. I had a broken leg and two broken arms. My mother told the doctors I fell each time. This was true I fell out a window, down the stairs, and out of the car with his help."

"I'm sorry," Preston said cupping her cheek. 

"Why you didn't do it,"

"I'm still sorry no one should be treated like that. Your mother should have stopped him when you were little."

"Right, my mother couldn't have stood up to him. He had her so beat down she couldn't even look him in the eye." 

"Again, I'm sorry. So, what happened to him?"

"He took off one night drunk on his motorcycle and hit a pole. He died on impact. We stayed in the house until the bank kicked us out. I received social security and my mother got on disability. Her doctor signed papers for her. She had been abused so badly she couldn't work. We moved to the apartment building where I live now, but my mother was sick a lot and died after her last surgery. She got an infection and never recovered. I was eighteen, but I have been on my own for a long time. Even before she died, I did everything. She had so many injuries she couldn't walk right or think right. They had to take me to the hospital when I was injured. I had to go to school my mother didn't. He could hide her away from the world, and keep beating on her." Z told him looking so sad. 

"My stories aren't as bad as yours, but they have changed my life," he explained about being locked in the chest. His problem was the chest he found to hide in was in a room no one ever went into. Then he told her about the kidnapping and how that still affects him. She got up and sat in his lap and held him as he continued the story. Now she understands his trust issues and why they had concerns about having the wedding in the Great Hall. 

"So, we are damaged goods," Z said as Preston stood taking her with him. He pulled the cover off with one jerk and crawled on the bed with her held tight against him. This woman was not leaving him.