Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
IMANIO “GATEZ”
I sat in my office scrolling through the gala photos that had just come in. Even though I already knew which images would go viral by morning, I found myself captivated by the stunning snapshots, each one a testament to the night’s enchantment.
Every media outlet was reposting our images, portraying us as the epitome of fashion icons and relationship goals all rolled into one. It was more than just sharing; they were packaging our lives like a fairy tale, complete with glitz and glamour.
Like royalty. Like love.
For the first time in a long while, I didn’t hate how I looked in the photos. I didn’t appear stiff and cold; instead, I seemed relaxed and genuinely happy—just present.
With her.
Suddenly, a knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts. “Yeah,” I called out, turning my focus away from the screen.
The door opened, and in walked Lil B, looking half-confident, half-humbled, like he still couldn’t believe that was his reality.
“My bad for interrupting,” he said, stepping in with both hands in his pockets. “I ain’t staying long. I just wanted to say thank you again for the job… for believing in me.”
I leaned back in my chair, nodding. “We gotta look out for one another. From what I hear, you’ve been doing good. You liking it so far?”
He grinned. “Hell yeah! This the most peace I done had in a long time. Honestly? I feel like this job came right on time. It got my focus right and my pockets too.”
I smirked. “Can’t beat that.”
Lil B hesitated, then chuckled like he was about to say something dumb—or important.
“And lowkey… I think I met my soulmate here.”
“Here? Already?”
“Yeah. She doesn’t work her, though. She works for FedEx. She was dropping something off.”
I leaned back, impressed. “Well, it looks like shit is starting to finally look up for you. Just don’t fumble her… or this job,” I advised.
“I won’t,” he promised, heading toward the door. “I’ll holla at you later, man.”
I nodded again, watching him leave.
I hired Lil B because he was loyal, hungry, and had potential—just needed somebody to see it. I saw it and took a risk on him. But I didn’t just give him a job; I gave him a lane, a way out, and a reason to grow. And in that same space, he might’ve found the person meant to grow with him.