Chapter 3 #3
When I pulled up at the storefront in Buckhead, I sat staring at the sign above the door.
The longer I stared at her name, the angrier I became.
I almost left but something in me wouldn’t let me without finding out for sure if she knew.
Maybe Asim lied to me. Maybe he had talked to her.
I mean, why would she choose me of all people?
I had experience but not enough to guarantee me a position in her store.
“Shit, Ky, stop second guessing yourself. You’re damn good at what you do.”
I pulled down the mirror and checked my makeup.
Flawless. It was light and natural but still on point.
I lifted my phone from the cup holder and rolled my eyes at the three texts I received from Asim.
I didn’t bother reading any of them, just cleared the screen and got out.
It just so happened that the second I stepped onto the sidewalk, so did she.
I knew it was her. I had done my research.
And of course she looked amazing. She wore denim shorts, heels, and a boyfriend fit, V-neck tee.
Her sandy blond hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail that looked as if each strand of hair had been purposely put in place.
Bitch.
I was angry for no reason. She couldn’t help that we knew the same dick intimately. Or maybe she could.
“Brielle?” My face was tight even though I tried my best to smile. She frowned until I offered my hand and name.
“Kyori Spencer. I’m starting today.”
Her face opened into a smile as her eyes moved from the top of my head to the ankle boots I wore.
“Nice. I knew you were a good choice.” She turned to the door and used keys to let us in, stopping just inside to flip the lights on. “This is it. What do you think?”
I looked around and couldn’t contain my smile. It was exactly as I imagined. Authentic, rare, and beautiful high-end pieces.
“I like it but…”
“Oh God what?” Her perfect pink lips pushed into a pout. “Are you here to tell me you’ve changed your mind?”
“Not exactly but you might change yours after what I’m about to tell you, and truthfully, I’m not sure I even want the job after what I found out this morning.”
Her pretty face balled up and I looked around before I pushed out a huff of air.
“I’m dating Asim Nour. We’re…” I paused, pulling my lip between my teeth to think for a minute. “We’re serious.”
She stared blankly, blinking before a smile opened onto her face.
“And you think I care or I would maybe not hire you because of it?” She laughed and I narrowed my eyes, not sure how to receive it.
“Girl, good for you. If you were able to lock that man down, then you deserve an award. He and I were a long time ago, like a year or two.”
“So you didn’t know I was with him?”
“How would I? I don’t know you and I don’t keep up with him.
I’m engaged and carrying twins, Kyori. It’s one of the reasons I hired you.
When the babies come, I plan on stepping back to focus on my family.
” She held up her hand, exposing a diamond so big I was surprised her hand didn’t hurt.
My eyes moved to her stomach right after and she grinned, placing that same hand over her flat stomach. “I’m only six weeks.”
“Shit, I guess you are.”
“I am.” Brielle blushed and I was left not knowing what to say. “Let me guess, he warned you not to take the job because of our history.”
I knew better than to throw my man under the bus around another woman, even one claiming she didn’t care about him. That was a tragic mistake too many had made and it backfired.
“He just mentioned it this morning, so I wanted to be up front.”
“Oh, I’m sure. The last time he saw me was when I tried to burn his house down.
Let’s just say I was a little irrational back then.
A man like Asim will make you irrational as hell.
” She smirked and I cocked my head to the side, causing her to laugh and wave me off.
“Old news, trust me. I’m very happy now, and as for me and Asim, it was all on me, not him.
He never lied. He was up front about what we were but I decided I could change the rules and him.
He’s not the type to bend if he doesn’t want to. ”
I still wasn’t sure how I felt about it, so I didn’t speak right away.
She looked around before her eyes leveled with mine.
“Look, I’ve been with him intimately, and it was a good time in my life, but I’m not hung up on the past. Like I said, I’m happy.
I want you to take the job, but if my history with him bothers you, then I understand.
I think you would be a good fit and I assure you; I do not have any interest in Asim and I won’t ever again.
But I understand your position, so the decision is yours to make.
I’ll leave it in your hands but let me be the first to tell you, if you’re going to center your life around things and women he hasn’t been involved with, I suggest you move to a new city or you’re going to have a very hard time trying to survive. ”
We had a stare down until I finally made the call. “We’ll see how today goes.”
“Perfect. Let me show you around before everyone gets here then I’ll show you to your office and get you the contacts to all of my suppliers.
I’ll walk you through everything for the first couple of weeks then you’re on your own.
You have the experience, so I assume that will be sufficient enough to consider training,” she paused and flashed a smile, “That’s if you decide to stay. ”