Chapter 4 #2
It would have been great if he at least cared enough about me to move on with his life and allow me to do the same, but he refused.
Even after crushing my fairytale, he would not let me go.
I wanted a divorce and he had been hiding for the past six months.
I regretted not filing while he was in the league, because at least I could have tracked him down, but now that he was retired with no permanent residence listed in his name, Kaden had yet to be served and I was unhappily married to a man I loathed with every fiber of my being.
“In theory, yes, but on paper, I’m very much still married.”
“I’m going to reserve the right to keep my thoughts to myself, but again, fuck him.”
I grinned. “That’s not really keeping your thoughts to yourself, friend.”
“I’m a work in progress, but the point is, don’t bail on me. I need support and at five hundred dollars per ticket there better be some quality men at this damn thing too.”
“You do know price is no guarantee for the quality of men who will be there, right?”
“Yes it is. A nigga who’s just trying to hit wouldn’t pay that much.”
“Men spend twice that daily at strip clubs, Koa.”
“Exactly my point. Why would they pay five hundred dollars for a black-tie social when they could pull up at Poles and Pastries, slap some ass, and fuck something. Black-tie means they’ll have to work for the coochie.
I’m expecting some top tier brothers tonight, and if not, I’m demanding a refund. ”
“Friend…” I smiled, tucking my towel so I could finish my skincare routine: toner, brightener and moisturizer.
“I know, I know. I love you, see you tonight, byeeeeeee.”
She ended the call and I grabbed my toothbrush to finish getting ready.
Once I was done in the bathroom, I quickly yanked on a matching bra and panty set because I’d never be caught unprepared if a fine ass man who checked all the boxes on my list decided he wanted to bless me with some phenomenal dick.
I moisturized my body, slipped my dress on, and did a heavy mist of perfume before I unleashed my braids, letting them flow freely today.
I swiped up the first pair of earrings I could get my hands on, grabbed my purse and keys, and went back to the bathroom to get my phone before heading out of the door.
I didn’t bother calling Kinsley to apologize for missing the meeting.
Crying worked better face to face and it would be easier to beg for forgiveness in person.
I left my apartment saying a quick prayer that she somehow forgot about our meeting and a second one that traffic would be kind to me because I did not want to lose my job.
As soon as I walked into the office all eyes were on me. Jordan, the receptionist, grinned, shaking her head before she waved me over.
“How mad is she?” I asked, being hopeful.
“Who?”
“Kinsley?”
“I don’t know. She seemed normal but how do you miss your own celebration breakfast?”
I frowned and tugged at the strap of my leather tote. “Celebration breakfast?”
“Yes, Xiah. Celebration breakfast.” I closed my eyes for a brief moment when the familiarity of the voice behind me traveled my way.
I plastered on a smile and turned to my boss who didn’t give me anything to work with.
She wasn’t sporting any defining hints about her mood in her expression.
No smile, scowl, or “you’re fired” glare.
“My office now.”
“Shit,” I whispered before my eyes dropped to Jordan.
“Ah shit, she’s pissed. She hit you with a ‘my office’.
Good luck, girl, and if you need a box to get your stuff, I have one.
I just restocked the printer paper and that one is empty.
” She pointed to the box beside her desk and I shot her a glare before turning on my heels to follow Kinsley to her office.
As soon as I walked in, I closed the door and hurried to the chair in front of her desk, positioning myself on the edge. “I’m really, really sorry. I’m never late. Like ever and I overslept this morning, a first actually, but I promise it will never happen again.”
She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her cream colored blouse. “Are you done?”
“Done, very done. I’m sorry. Please go ahead.”
She rolled her eyes and smiled. “First of all, congratulations on your sale yesterday. I know we’re waiting on the buyer to sign, but the seller already has, and unless you feel there’s something we need to worry about, then it looks like the deal is done.”
My brain spiraled with all types of thoughts. What if he wants to back out? Why hasn’t he signed? Did I do something wrong? I was kinda rude to him, but shit he was rude to me too, but isn’t the client always right…
“Xiah, is there something we need to worry about?”
I quickly shook my head. “No, absolutely not. Nothing at all. He’s going to sign.”
“You talk to him?”
No, shit…
“Yes, I did, and he said he was waiting on something with his attorney but he’s going to sign today.”
Small lie…
“Perfect. Then at least the breakfast you missed wasn’t in vain.”
I frowned a bit. “Um, I thought we had a meeting about growing my clientele.”
“We did, but after I found out about your sale, I figured you could use the win, so I changed it to a surprise congratulation breakfast that you missed.”
“Shit, sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. It happens. We’ll reschedule because I still want to make sure you have the tools necessary to be successful. I’m adding two other listings for you and I want you to do your best to get them sold as soon as possible.”
“I can definitely do that.”
I probably should have looked at the listings before I made that promise, but at this point, I wasn’t being fired; so I would say anything.
“Alright, I have a business lunch. So check your email for the listings, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Whatever you did to sell that house yesterday, channel the process and allow it to carry over and be your motivation.
You’re only as good as you believe yourself to be, Xiah. ”
Easier said than done. I literally didn’t do anything to sell the damn house other than cram an almost seven foot man into my very compact car.
“I know, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
I left Kinsley’s office feeling a little better, but as soon as I was in mine, I hung my purse on the coat rack in the corner near my desk, removed my laptop and tablet from my tote, and fixed it on one of the hooks as well.
I dug my phone from my purse then sat down, going to the contact I saved yesterday for Kove and realized there was already a text waiting.
Kove: You free for lunch?
I pulled the corner of my lip between my teeth and tried not to panic. Maybe he did change his mind and wanted to meet for lunch to discuss viewing the other houses.
Shit, shit, shit!
Instead of spiraling I dialed his number instead of texting back. I’m an adult. I can handle this.
“Yeah…”
Oh hell, but I can’t handle that…
He spoke one word and my damn body was on sex alert. This man’s voice was dangerous. How had I missed that yesterday?
Because you were so wrapped up in selling him a house and trying to match his rudeness.
“Kove, it’s Xiah.”
“I got you saved, Xi. I was wondering if I was gonna have to pull up on your pretty ass. I texted you three hours ago.”
“Sorry, busy morning. You asked about lunch, did you have questions?”
“Yeah, a few. I want to see if you could go over the contract with me…”
“Why? Your attorney should be able to do that.”
“My attorney isn’t spending half his signing bonus on this shit.”
“Neither am I…”
He laughed and I added. “Shouldn’t you trust the people who work for you?”
“To a certain degree, yeah, but everybody who works for me has been on the payroll for less than a week.”
“You’ve known me less than twenty four hours, so I’m actually not in a much better position than your team when it comes to you trusting my judgment.”
“So you’re saying I shouldn’t trust you?”
I smiled. “No, you can absolutely trust me.”
“Aight then, I want to do this with you, unless you’re busy.”
“No, I’m not busy. I can do lunch. Where would you like to meet?”
“You’re not offering to come get me in your toy?” When I heard the smile in his voice, I couldn’t suppress my own.
“I will. I’m the type of agent who goes above and beyond for my clients.”
A deep rumble filtered through the phone, and fuck me, the sound of his voice was sinful.
“Nah, let me know what you want to eat and I’ll meet you there.”
“Oh wow, and you’re even letting me choose.”
He laughed again. “I told your ass I got manners. Stop trying to box me in as a classless type of nigga, Xi.”
I grinned and rolled my eyes. “I would never do that.”
“Aight then, pick what you want and send me an address. Hurry that shit up too because my stomach has been growling for three hours waiting on you to hit me back.”
I put the phone on speaker, swiped to a search page, and typed in the location. Once I had it, I shared it with him.
“Whatever, I sent you an address. I already know what I want to eat.”
“Aight bet, let me throw some clothes on and I’ll meet you there and you better show up too. Don’t have me wasting gas, Xi.”
“I promise I’ll be there.”
I need this sale…
“Aight.”
I ended the call and dropped back into my chair.
One step closer to closing this deal. Thank fucking goodness.