Chapter 7 The Deal is Done #4
“How do you even know that it will be the salvation of millions?”
“Maybe not salvation but a vast improvement over how the conditions currently are. Can you fault me for not wanting to be selfish?”
She scoffed angrily as if I’d forgotten who I was speaking to. “Yes, I can, actually.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because you’re always bloody selfless, Asha, that’s why! It’s not a bone in your body that’s selfish. That’s your problem now. You’re chronically giving and it angers me. And I wish that there was someone who would absolutely fall on their sword for you the way that you do for others.”
My mind shouldn’t have but it went to Ori. I couldn’t believe I was thinking he was trying to be heroic in any of his dealings with me but he seemed…decent. And that was far better than I could say about any other man so it was high praise.
“What do you want from me? There’s only so much that I can do to make any part of this world better.
My writing only goes so far; my work only helps so many.
These are our people for whom I’m stepping on the line for.
We already live in a gilded cage, Sasha.
I’m just trading the current one for another. ”
There was no truth to the idea of freedom.
Our father’s profession and his wealth made us targets especially because he was African.
They, of course, would want to do anything they could to extract as much wealth from him and we were easy targets.
His hold on us had tightened when our friend Nev had been betrayed by her own bodyguard.
It hadn’t loosened even when she was returned safely.
Unfortunately, when he relaxed a little the worst possible thing happened.
“There’s no way in the world that I’m going to deal with this on my own. Hold on.”
My sister's side of the line went quiet and I didn’t bother to hang up.
I knew that she was going to gather backup and I needed to do more to keep my nerves settled for the people I knew were going to come on the line.
Instead of fighting it, I stood up and headed toward the wine fridge and didn’t bother with a glass.
I propped the phone up on the marble countertop beneath the glass shelves before bending down and grabbing a bottle blindly.
I didn’t care what it was; I knew it was going to do the job of numbing whatever frustration arose from what they said.
“Malbec. That’ll do.”
I muttered my approval mainly to myself before reaching up on the glass shelf for the corkscrew to open the bottle.
I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirrored backing behind the shelves before my sister’s voice brought me back to what was going on.
I didn’t look like someone who was in the process of having her life turned upside down so I could at least be thankful for that.
“Now everyone’s here.”
I looked back at the tablet screen and saw the faces of the three women I loved most staring back at me. Instead of doing anything grand I gave a nod of my head to acknowledge them before taking a long drink of my wine.
“Asha, your sister is being her usual extra self. She says that you’re getting married. I don’t know why she feels the need to be hyperbolic today but please put this to bed.”
Teegan was looking at me confused as to why Sasha was saying what she was. My other friend Nev was sitting there glancing between what I assumed were the three of us on her screen and I could hear her son and husband in the background.
“For once she’s not being dramatic. I am getting married.”
“You’re what?!”
“I bloody well told you!”
“To whom?”
The three of them spoke all at once and I wanted to laugh at the comical nature of it all. Our bond had been formed years ago when we met and the distance, near-death experiences and our individual successes hadn’t broken our bond.
“You good?”
I heard Nev’s husband and knew he was worried that something was wrong.
Over the last few years, Midas had proven to be her match in every way and I was thankful that she’d met him.
I could count on one hand the men I trusted and he was among them.
And even then, I probably wasn’t as nice to him as I should have been.
Thankfully, he understood and didn’t hold it against me.
“I’m fine, it’s just that Asha is getting married.”
“Oh, that’s right. Congratulations.”
Nev’s head swiveled and even I had to perk up at his words. That easy acceptance, as though he’d already known the news gave me pause.
“Hold up, what do you mean, that’s right?” I could only see the back of her head on the screen but I knew she was grilling him.
“Some things aren’t my business to speak on, baby. You know that. Once it became public I can tell you what I know.”
“You’re lucky you’ve been trying to knock my ass up again or else I would sleep in another room.”
“Nev, you’re having another baby!” Life was meant to be celebrated and I couldn’t wait to spoil another of her kids.
“In the works but right now we’re talking about you, Asha!”
“The news of new life was always exciting to me, Nev.”
I toasted both of them with a raise of my wineglass and Midas just laughed and shook his head.
“Can we not change the subject? You are sitting here getting married to someone who is apparently affiliated with Midas’ shit.
Which means a whole lot more than you’re letting on.
” She’d increased her volume when she said Midas’ shit to ensure he heard how displeased she was at having to wait to hear the news.
“I wouldn’t say all that.”
“You’re not really saying much, Asha.”
“For real. You’re being mighty secretive about this,” Teegan spoke up and I looked at her because she truly couldn’t throw stones.
“Tee, you got a whole nigga you’re dealing with that none of us have ever met. Please don’t even try that right now.”
“Teegan got a man?” Midas’ messy ass stepped back closer to the camera and Tee’s head went down like she was ready to sink into the floor. Nev nodded with a smirk on her face unbothered by Teegan’s discomfort.
None of us were surprised that he was still lingering around because he would never be too far from Nev. They were that couple. The one we didn’t bother to say don’t tell your man because Nevaeh and Midas were in lockstep. She knew all his business and he knew hers. And by proxy ours.
“I’m not about to be discussing my love life or lack thereof with my bosses.” She put an emphasis on bosses like either of them would give a damn. Her hair was cut into a cropped, curly hairstyle that perfectly fit her face.
“Girl, please. We gone talk about that shit,” Nev sat back staring at her and Midas was shaking his head in disappointment.
“Damn. I just knew that you and Omega were gonna link.”
Teegan’s brow arched, and Nev turned to look at her husband in shock. “Are you playing matchmaker?”
Sasha’s spoiled ass didn’t give him a chance to respond as she waved her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Can we please focus on one thing at a time? Mainly that my sister is running off and getting married to somebody she doesn’t even know?”
“Exactly. That seems kinda ridiculous, A, not gonna lie.”
Nev looked at me judgmental as hell and I had to remind her of her ho-fax real quick.
I took a gulp of wine from my bottle as I narrowed my eyes at the screen. “I’m sorry, weren’t you the one who married Midas in a bloody wedding chapel in Vegas after barely knowing him?”
Midas burst out laughing and kissed his wife on the top of her head. “Points are being made, Nev, you might have to sit this one out.”
“Will you shut the hell up, Midas? This is girl talk, why don’t you and CB go out and take my son to the park or something. Damn.”
“I know that’s my girl in there. She got you ready to stab my ass. I can’t wait to buy her first gun.” He leaned over and kissed Nev on the cheek and even though she tried to look annoyed she couldn’t keep her smile contained.
“Unfuckingbelievable. She gets a bloody fairytale after a one-weekend stand.” Sasha was grinning as she shook her head because, like the rest of us we were happy for Nev.
“Aren’t you glad you minded your bloody British business, big sister?
” Sasha had made it a point to send me the recording of Nev refusing her advice so that when she sobered up and regretted marrying Midas she didn’t have anyone to blame but herself.
Of course, the regret never came but I still enjoyed teasing her because of it.
Sasha rolled her eyes as if we were aggravating her. “Y’all will never let me live that down will you?” She had her hair pulled up in a high bun, no makeup and a black t-shirt. From the decor, I knew she was in her flat in London so it was nearing midnight for her.
“Hell no. You’re kinda hilarious when you’re drunk, Nev.” Tee who was probably happy not to be the center of attention any longer finally spoke up.
“Can’t lie, I’m really sorry I missed it.”
“If you weren’t running around behind that weirdo you work with you wouldn’t have.” Nev cut her eyes at me like I could’ve predicted she was going to up and marry a random man on the one girls’ weekend I missed.
“Moving right along. At least that weirdo didn’t abandon me to go and chase dick in the desert.”
“Girl, I came here for money. I just so happened to find dick. Gold-plated, tatted up, bad assery in a butter-yellow billionaire but still. I don’t mind claiming to be the gods favorite.
I take my blessings however they want to come.
” She lifted her hands in total praise having the nerve to sway from side to side.
“What’s going on with this marriage thing, Asha? This is something I’d expect from… well hell, none of us really but least of all from you. What’s the deal with this guy? Something is up if Midas is okay with it.”