10. Pharaoh
Chapter Ten
PHARAOH
“Boys dinner is ready.” I was chilling on the plush leather couch in my parents’ den, watching football highlights with Rajah and my pops. Thea and I had just got back from the bakery. I wasn’t expecting to run into Blythe’s fine ass, but she made my Sunday a little better.
Since I’d been back my mom had been forcing us to have Sunday dinners and sent at least one of us to get dessert from the same little bakery.
I could tell she liked having us all together again.
She didn’t cook a lot when we were kids but now, she was cooking up Thanksgiving feast every Sunday.
I didn’t mind because I was enjoying eating at home cooked meals.
Back home if London wasn’t bringing me plates or cooking for me, naked in my crib, my meals was basic as fuck.
“Hey daddy, let me help you.” My little sister Thea came in the room to assist my pops.
She looked just like his ass, and she was truly a daddy’s girl.
Jah and I knew she was his favorite. Growing up we couldn’t say shit to her without him getting in our ass.
We used to fuck with her just to get a rise out of his ass.
“Nah, we got him big head ass.” Jah walked over and took the arm Thea was holding. I thumped her forehead playfully causing Jah to chuckle and her to slap at my arm.
“Hey, keep yo got damn hands off my baby.” My pops fussed as he rocked back and forth to get out his recliner. Thea stuck her tongue out at me.
“Man, pops ain’t nobody scared of you.” I said chuckling, his ass couldn’t even get up without several rocks.
“Alright, fuck around and find out. I will beat your ass then have you get my inhaler after.” We all busted out laughing.
His ass swore he could still get down, shit if I’m being honest he probably could.
It was hilarious making him mad, but I wasn’t gonna try him for real.
Big or not I knew better than to challenge the champ.
He stood fully and kissed my sister on her head. They looped arms and walked off headed towards the kitchen, the pace was slow and I could hear his labored breathing.
“Daddy your breath is hot on my cheek.” Thea rubbed at her face where my pops was leaning on her.
“My bad baby girl, shit. That last rock getting up almost took me out and your no-good ass brothers ain’t no damn help.
” He complained shuffling down the hall.
Chuckling, I grabbed my phone and followed them.
I had a few messages on my phone from chicks back home and a couple new ones I met here.
Most were asking if I would pull up and spend time with them.
Code for if I would come put this dick in their lives.
But I ignored each one and made my way to the dining room after washing my hands.
Momma had a full spread laid out for us.
Tonight’s theme was Mexican style food. I was hella starving after that blunt Jah and I smoked and was ready to dive in.
My pops sat at the head of the table and my mom sat right next to him.
Thea was on his other side and Jah sat next to my mom.
I sat at the other end of the table where I always sat when I was home.
My mom never wanted to sit at the end of the table she wanted to be right near my pops.
They have been obsessed with each other all my life.
No drama, no cheating allegations, nothing.
Just pure love between them. She reached for his hand and they interlocked their fingers.
He blew her a kiss and looked over at Thea.
Reaching out his hand she grasped it and looked down the table at me.
I stood and reached for her hand. Jah grabbed ma’s hand and reached for me.
We looked around at the food and people here before bowing our heads.
“Dear heavenly Father, we thank You. For family, food and your divine purpose. Keep us together and nourished. Allow us to lean on each other for whatever You have sought out for us. May we grow stronger together. Amen” We all said amen in unison.
My mom opened her eyes from her prayer and smiled directly at me.
Being here reminded me why I loved being home. Life was simple, not demanding. I could let my guard down and chill. I missed it. But I knew it wouldn’t last long. It was time to step up for them.
“Man, I am bout to fuck-”
“Jah, don’t you dare, sit your ass at my table and use that damn language.” My moms fussed before Jah could finish his sentence. He pointed in her direction while he looked at me. I chuckled shaking my head. My attention wasn’t on them; it was on these damn tacos and homemade refried beans.
“Ma, how you gonna get on me for cussin while cussin’?”
“Because I can boy, this my house. Now eat that damn rice. I made it especially for you.” He nodded slapping his hands together. Only my momma could cuss you out and love on you in the same breath.
“Pharaoh, how are you son?” I looked down at my plate already losing my appetite. This conversation came quicker than I thought.
“I’m good pops. You good?”
“Yea, I would be better if I could have my wife home a little more.”
“I know.” Was my only response.
“So, have you decided?”
“Yea, I think I have. I just need time. I have to get back to St. Louis and wrap some shit up, but we should be good in a couple weeks to a month.” I pushed my plate away. I was having an internal battle. Live my life or live theirs. Sounds fucked up but damn.
“I know this is tough son, but family sticks together and steps in where the other lacks. I raised you to be that family man son.”
“I know pops. and I’ma do what I have to do. It’s just a lot to handle you know.”
“Son, we understand completely. And I have a great idea. Take Blythe with you back to St. Louis. It will give her time to get to know the company from a different lens. I think I have narrowed down the potential partners, and she may be one of them. Let’s see how well she handles herself.
If all goes well, I may be able to retire, real soon and give you help with all of this.
” I watched my mother drag her hand over to my dad’s arm that was resting on the table.
She rubbed his arm lovingly before he grabbed her hand and lifted it to his lips.
He peppered her skin with soft kisses, and she blushed like a schoolgirl.
This was the shit my siblings and I grew up on.
The love never lacked in my family. We watched them do this constantly, and it gave us an idea of what love should look like.
They were probably the reason none of us were in a committed relationship.
We knew what real love looked like and we wouldn’t settle for anything less.
“Blythe? The pretty girl from the bakery?” Thea chimed in lifting her wine glass to her lips. She looked back and forth between my mom and me.
“Yea.” I ran my hands down my waves.
“Did you meet her, princess?” My mom spoke.
“Yes, she is gorgeous. Be nice to her P. She is gonna be your wife one day.”
“Man chill out.” I sighed. Her little ass was doing too much now. How the fuck could she tell me who I would marry. Marriage was the last thing on my damn mind.
“She is a lovely girl, Pharaoh. She has some demons, but who doesn’t.
Just be careful son. She will be your greatest challenge.
I trust you, I know your attraction won’t interfere with business but just be careful.
” I was sitting here dumbfounded. Was my mom and sister really sitting here planning my future without my input?
“I’m good on all that. This is business and I plan to keep it that way.” They looked at each other and smirked.
Rajah changed the subject and I appreciated my right hand taking the heat off me.
I felt like they kept my ass in the hot seat lately.
I ain’t gonna lie, Blythe was beautiful and I wouldn’t mind taming that reckless ass mouth, but marriage wasn’t on my mind.
And the way she runs every time we talk let me know she wouldn’t be ready either.
This trip to St. Louis though, this shit might be fun. Getting her alone in my city may make her break out her shell a little. She didn’t trust easily so it would be some work but I wouldn’t mind spending some quality time with her fine ass.
“Good morning and happy Monday everyone. It is so nice to see all your faces.” My mom stood at the front of the conference room smiling wide.
She was dressed in her signature women’s pants suit in all white and heels.
I had to smile at how pretty she was. Her grays spoke her age, but she was still the most beautiful woman in the room.
I watched her a moment longer in admiration until there was movement at the door.
I smiled noticing the second most beautiful woman walk in the room.
Everyone shifted and in crept Blythe. She tried to keep quiet, not wanting anyone to know she was late for the meeting, but I noticed, I always noticed.
The way she smelt, the dark clothes and red lip, her bone straight hair. She was fuckin’ hard to miss.
Our eyes met and she looked away quickly, another thing I always noticed. She was domineering but yet shied from me. Not like she feared me but didn’t know how to control herself. I thought it was cute, coming from the girl that always had men weak in the knees when she was in their presence.
“I will be taking some time away this week, but of course my son is here if you have any questions.” I tore my eyes away from Blythe to look at my momma.
She was smiling with her hand pointed in my direction.
I nodded and looked around the room. Everyone smiled politely and focused back on her speaking.
“Reminder, about the fiscal bonuses, they will be sent out within the next week or two. I am also considering providing a sabbatical for the company. A month maybe. give us all time to refresh before the holidays. More information will come soon. I want to say I appreciate you all. Have a great week and call Pharaoh if you need anything.” I frowned looking in my mom’s direction.
She never said anything about a sabbatical.
“Blythe, do you mind hanging behind please?” She yelled across the conference room just before Blythe could walk out the door.
She nodded with a forced smile and stood off to the side allowing everyone to leave.
I remained in my seat watching her intently, she was fuckin’ beautiful without even trying.
Everyone smiled at her with admiration but were intimidated by her presence alone.
Shit her ass had me slightly nervous whenever she was around.
You could tell she didn’t take no shit, her eyes showed she was scarred but she held her head high like it never bothered her.
I was stuck wondering if I should get to know her and allow her to pour her heart out, but I also wanted to stay away because she may be more than I wanted to handle.
“Blythe, please sweetheart, have a seat.” The sound of the door closing us in the conference room brought my attention back to the room.
I could tell my staring made Blythe nervous.
She ran her hands down the front of her skirt and straightened her shoulders.
She moved across the room and sat near my mother at the head of the table.
“I have been watching your work, and I must say I am impressed, actually Pharaoh and Mr. McCallum are impressed as well.” She gestured to me and I nodded looking her in her eyes.
She smiled in appreciation with a brief arrogance.
Cocky ass, I thought to myself with a grin.
She knew she was the shit. “I have been discussing plans for my retirement and how I could make the transition easier.” Blythe sat up in her seat visibly intrigued.
“Pharaoh will be stepping in as CEO of both this location and our St. Louis location, but he will need help juggling. I was wondering if you would like to accompany him when he returns to St. Louis for a few weeks to get his affairs in order. It would be a great opportunity to get to know the other office and also see how you would feel about the partner position.” Blythe exhaled deep, excited about what she assumed my mom was saying.
“Now this would just be a trial. I have narrowed down my candidates, and you show a lot of potential.” My mother rubbed her hands together and Blythe’s shoulders slumped lightly.
“Umm, yes ma’am. That sounds okay. When would we leave? Do I need to make my own arrangements?”
“Of course not dear. My assistant will send everything over to Autumn and it would be in a week or two if that works for you. You would stay for a week maybe two, depending, but your stay, transportation and amenities will be included.”
“You will be picked up every morning and meet me at the office. For the most part you will attend all my meetings with me, catch what I may miss and give feedback for how things are operating.” I chimed in pulling both my mom and Blythe’s attention to me.
“Will the other potential candidates be going as well?” Blythe directed her question back to my mom.
“Just you, dear.”