Chapter 11
Eleven
Tremaine
I flopped down in my chair once I arrived at the office.
My body was exhausted. For two weeks, I'd been running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
I'd been pulling long, late hours and early mornings, even on the weekends.
I was opening two new offices in another state.
My goal was to have a chain of real estate businesses all over the country.
However, with that came long, tedious hours and stress.
Still, regardless of the hard work, I knew I had a goal, and that was to retire before forty. Until then, I would continue to grind.
I opened my computer to crunch some numbers before the weekend when my phone rang.
I looked at the caller ID and saw it was Ari.
I had unblocked her number but hadn't spoken to Ari since the incident in the car with Mila.
I had been avoiding her by screening her calls and letting Susanna or Mila handle her issues.
It was time for me to set a boundary between us.
Plus, lately I'd been feeling it was time for me to settle down with someone I could build with, not someone who was only trying to fuck and spend my money.
Things needed to go back to a business-only relationship. I sighed and answered the phone.
"What's up, Ari?"
She sucked her teeth. "Don't what's up Ari me. Why haven't you been answering my calls?"
"I've been busy. I've got a lot of shit going on."
"Bullshit. You don't miss me?" she asked.
She had changed the tone of her voice to seductive, but I wasn't falling for it. Ari was semi-right. I missed her, but in ways that only satisfied me.
"Ari, we need to talk," I asserted.
"What is it now, Trey?" she asked, voice filled with irritation.
"Whatever this thing we've got going on, we need to end it. It's bad business. You're getting your feelings wrapped up in this, and it's not healthy for either of us."
She sucked her teeth. "Trey, whatever. Stop playing so much. So when can I see you?"
I let out a deep sigh. Ari wasn't getting it. I had no intention of being mean to her, but clearly, she wasn't getting it. She left me no choice but to be stern.
"Ari, I'm dead ass. We can't keep doing this. You don't need to reach out to me unless it involves business because all of this shit stops today."
The line went silent. I looked at the phone to make sure she was still there. Seconds later, I heard her sniff. Usually, hearing someone cry would pull at my heartstrings, but this time I wasn't affected.
"Ari, don't do this. Let's just leave it cordial. There isn't any reason to be dramatic. This shit was never deep."
"Who is she, Trey?"
"Huh?"
"Who is the bitch that's got you speaking to me like this?"
I sighed. My patience was gone, and I had already wasted enough time on the phone with her.
"Ari, from now on, Susanna will handle your issues. Have a good night."
I didn't even wait for her to respond before I hung up the phone and returned to my computer.
It didn't bother me that I had to be like that toward her.
It was long overdue. Ari wasn't the woman for me, and it wasn't right for me to keep having to deal with it.
Ari called back, but I didn't bother to answer.
My point was made, and continuing to address it was not my concern.
I silenced my phone and went back to checking and responding to emails.
By the time I had finished my administrative work, it was eight p.m. and time for me to wrap up and head home. I needed to work on my bullet points for the conference. I stood to get my stuff but suddenly heard a commotion coming from the other side of the door.
I froze and waited. I wanted to be certain I had heard something before I reacted.
Once I heard the chairs move, I reached into my drawer and pulled out my gun.
I had forgotten to lock the front door, but I didn't think I would've stayed as late.
I walked to the door, listening closely.
Finally, I recognized the voice. It was Mila.
"Shhh. Go over there and sit down. Hey, stop touching stuff, please, KJ."
I placed the gun back in the drawer, locking it away before I made my way out of the office and saw Mila standing at her desk.
It looked as if she was searching for something.
KJ spun around in one of the rolling chairs.
Neither of them noticed me. I stared at the innocent boy as curiosity covered his face.
He was the spitting image of his jackass father, but he had his mother's eyes.
"KJ, stop that! Didn't I tell you to..." She paused when she saw me standing there.
"Mr. Houston... um... sorry for being here this late. I accidentally left my notebook here and I need it for tomorrow."
"Understandable."
"Hi," KJ's small voice said.
By this time, he had made his way over toward me. He had a bright smile on his face. I squatted down to his level.
"What's up, little man? You're KJ, right?"
A big smile spread across his face. He nodded his head up and down.
"Use your words, KJ," Mila instructed.
"Yes, sir."
I smiled. "Nice to finally meet you. I have heard a lot about you. I heard you're pretty cool."
He smiled bigger. I held my hand up for a high-five, and he received it. I scanned him from head to toe and tugged on his Spider-Man shirt.
"I have the same shirt. Actually, I have tons of Spider-Man shirts."
"He's my favorite."
"Mine too," I stated with a wink.
"Here it is!" Mila declared, holding up her notebook. "Alright, KJ, come on. By the time we get outside, an Uber should be here."
I stood back up while KJ ran over to his mom. She had him by the hand as she headed toward the door.
"Sorry to disturb you. We are out of your hair. Have a good night, Mr. Houston," she stated.
"You called an Uber?"
She nodded. "Yeah."
"Cancel it. I'll take y'all home."
"Mr. Houston, that's unnecessary?—"
I shot her a look, and she stopped talking. It was the same look I'd given her every time she objected to my doing anything for her.
"My bad."
"Exactly. Give me a second to get my stuff together, and we can be on our way."
"Okay," she whispered.
I took off to my office, grabbing my keys and jacket. They stood by the door, but this time, Mila squatted down, speaking to KJ.
"Ready?"
She nodded.
We headed out the door, and I locked everything down. I was thankful I had driven the SUV because KJ would have space. I opened the door for Mila.
"I can put KJ in the car, Mr. Houston."
"Get in the car, Mila. I got him."
She hesitated, but eventually got in. I helped KJ into the back seat, helping him with the seat belt.
"You cool, little man?"
He nodded with a smile. This time, he stuck his hand out and I high-fived it. A silly smile spread across my face as I closed the door, heading to the driver's side.
"Ready?" I asked after fastening my seatbelt.
She nodded. We rode down the street for about five minutes before I heard soft snores coming from the back seat. I turned around and saw KJ slumped over. I chuckled.
"He must've had a long day," I surmised.
She giggled. "No, he's just no good in the car. It doesn't matter the distances KJ is going to sleep."
"My type of party."
The car grew silent, but I didn't want the conversation to end.
I wanted to keep talking to her. Since I last saw Mila, she'd been the only thing that had consistently crossed my mind.
I wanted to know how she was doing, what she was doing, and when she was doing it.
Regardless of how much work was on my plate, Mila filled the majority of my thoughts.
"How's everything going with your ex? Still harassing you?"
She sighed and nodded. "I need to find a great lawyer."
"I can talk to Owen. He's a defense lawyer, but I'm sure he knows some decent family lawyers."
She scoffed. "Sounds nice, but I know they're expensive. Thank you, but no thank you. I'm saving all my tips and paychecks from the diner to at least afford a consultation without breaking the bank."
I made a mental note to shoot Owen a text when I dropped her off. Anything would help at the moment. Instead of letting her know my plan, I switched the subject.
"Did you figure out whether you can attend the realtors' conference?"
She nodded. "Oh yeah, Chas is going to look after KJ."
"Nice. I think you're going to enjoy it."
"I hope so."
A few minutes later, we arrived at the apartment. I parked the car and shut it off. She was already unbuckling her seatbelt.
"Thank you, Mr. Houston, for the ride."
"Of course. Anytime. And before you protest, I am going to carry KJ upstairs. I know I would be mad if you woke me up from a sleep like that."
She laughed. "You're right. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
I jumped out of the car and grabbed KJ, placing him on my shoulder.
We went up the stairs and finally arrived at the apartment.
Mila showed me where to lay him, and I placed him in the bed, covering him with the blanket.
I looked at the nightstand, and there was a picture frame with a family photo in it.
I looked past his cowardly ass father of his and zoned in on Mila.
Her hair was long and curly, unlike now.
However, I liked her shortcut better. The cut gave her a more edgy look.
It gave off boss vibes. She was more beautiful now than with her long hair.
"Thanks, Mr. Houston," she voiced from behind me. "KJ is getting heavier, and I know those steps would've taken me out."
"You're welcome," I replied, walking out of the room.