Chapter 2
Celeste Peterson
“Friend, it’s about time for you to hire more help.
There were so many customers I almost lost my damn mind.
Then, the one heffa had the nerve to catch an attitude when I told her the Golden Eagles were out of stock.
Like bitch, either you wanna order them or you don’t,” my best friend Jade complained.
The two of us were currently at my storefront preparing to close for the night.
Just a few years ago, I was only shipping three to five orders a week.
Now, not only did I have a successful online store, but a physical location that did just as well.
From custom heels and gym shoes to purses, my shop had it all.
Every detail and design was created by me and I was proud of that.
Luxe Addiction had started as an idea and it still felt like a dream to see it come to life.
“I’m actually interviewing someone tomorrow. He’s wanting full-time and I think he’ll be a good fit,” I admitted.
“He? And how you know he’s a good fit if you haven’t held the interview yet?”
“Yes, he. Erick is a nice young man and he’s one of the girls. He’s been working at Coffee King across the street since they first opened. He’s been asking me for a while now to give him a chance, but I was nervous about making a move like that.”
“Why? As much as you have my Black ass in here slaving, you should’ve been hired help,” Jade countered as she fixed the shoes on display.
“That’s different. You know me personally. You know I’m not perfect and I’m still building. I don’t wanna start hiring people and they quit.”
That was the truth. For a while now I’d been needing help on the floor and extra hands to help pack online orders.
Most nights, Jade and I would be here way past closing and it was getting old.
Although I paid her decently, it was still a lot of work for just the two of us.
One of the main reasons I was afraid to hire was because of the times.
The younger generation wanted money but didn’t want to work.
Customer service was at an all-time low right now, and that wasn’t something I wanted associated with my brand.
If I were being honest, the only reason I was giving Erick a chance was because I was comfortable with him.
Erick knew fashion and I had a feeling he’d thrive in the environment. He expressed to me on several occasions that working at the coffee shop was simply a means to an end. At Luxe Addiction, he’d be able to dress up for work and make a living by selling emotions and tapping into his creative side.
“That’s true, but you have to grow with your company, Celeste.
I tell you this all the time. Companies have turnover rates.
That’s something you won’t be able to control.
Some will come and stay, and some will come and go.
It’s a part of the game. Just because some employees don’t last doesn’t mean you’re not a good leader,” she suggested.
Since Jade and I became friends in college, she’d been the person to keep me grounded and help me see the bigger picture.
She had more faith in me than I had in myself at times and I believed that was why God placed her in my life.
My circle of support was small, but mighty.
I’d never been the type to have a large quantity of friends, I liked it that way.
Having one or two solid friends was worth much more than having an army behind me who couldn’t care less about my well-being.
Jade was my sister and I had her back just as much as she had mine.
“I know, friend. I heard you the first time you pointed it out. I’m just terrified I’ll fail. Nothing scares me more than my life going back to how it used to be—”
“Don’t talk like that. Trust me, I understand where you’re coming from, but times are different.
You bring in more than enough money to save, which I know you’re doing.
Your business is thriving and that’s all that matters right now.
Don’t manifest your own downfall, silly girl.
Now, come on and help me take these boxes out.
I’m ready to get home to my pot roast and listen to the rest of this book I’m in the middle of. ”
After getting the store straightened and the register counted, I set the alarm to leave.
When we stepped outside, the chill from the night air embraced us.
The season was changing and summer was trying to make its presence known.
It was almost nine at night and there was still a hint of sun visible.
“Make sure you text me when you make it in. I would say call, but I don’t wanna hear that nigga mouth,” Jade stated, referring to my boyfriend.
“Girl, he’s probably not even at home. You know the studio takes priority.”
“Mmmhmm. I’ll be glad when you leave that man in the dust, but that’s another story for another day. I love you, friend, and I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll be sure to be here early so I can scope out this interview,” she joked.
Chuckling, I hit the unlock button to my new Maxima and put my purse on the passenger seat before speaking again.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, girl. Erick will be here at eight-thirty since he has to work afterwards. Your ass doesn’t roll out the bed until right before we open, so I doubt you’ll see him,” I responded.
“You right. That’s early as fuck. I guess I’ll save my shit talking until he gets hired.”
I lifted my crossed fingers into the air then walked around to the driver’s side of my car.
Jade and I went back and forth for a few minutes before we both pulled out of the lot.
Heading in the direction of home, the only things on my mind were a hot shower and my king size bed.
Tonight was one of those nights I was praying my boyfriend would have a late night at the studio.
I was tired and didn’t want to be bothered.
All I wanted was peace for the night. Tomorrow would be a long day and I wanted to be mentally prepared to take it on.
“Thank you, Lord,” I said aloud when the garage door lifted enough to show the empty space that held Allen’s Challenger.
Allen had several vehicles parked in the driveway, but the Challenger was his everyday car.
Pulling into my rightful spot, my spirit felt lighter and my shoulders relaxed.
The living room TV was on and I was grateful for the light it gave as I made my way around.
Flicking the living room light on, I located the remote and turned the TV off.
The subtle smell of weed lingered in the air, indicating Allen had been gone for some time now.
Allen got his nickname, Spinna, from being one of the top producers in the music industry.
When we first met, I had no idea who he was or his social status.
He’d come into my life when I was at my lowest and I thought he was heaven sent.
From expensive dates to having flowers delivered to my house daily, Allen was everything.
I could talk to him about anything and he’d listen.
It didn’t matter how irrelevant the subject was, Allen was there with no hesitation.
I was skeptical about going public with our relationship once I realized how big he was.
Celebrities from all over the country knew who he was and he had over two million followers on Instagram.
Financial problems had been non-existent since I’d been a part of Allen’s life.
Truthfully, I’d take financial problems over the shit we had going on now.
When I made it upstairs to the master bedroom I shared with Allen, I went to my walk-in closet and came out of my shoes while simultaneously stripping myself of my jewelry.
After I had my pajamas out, I left the closet and went into the bathroom.
While the shower water heated, I grabbed fresh towels from the cabinet and undressed.
The hot water hitting my body from every direction provided the relaxation I craved.
Minutes later, my body had been cleansed of the day and my nighttime skin routine had been done.
Before settling in bed, I plugged my phone into the charger and turned on the sound machine that helped me through many nights.
I didn’t like the idea of relying on supplements to help me sleep, so I went to the next best thing.
The sound of rain did the job every time.
I was just about to enter dreamland when I heard the bedroom door creak open.
I knew what Allen’s energy felt like and knew it was him without even opening an eye.
I was hoping he’d come in and leave right back out.
It wasn’t even midnight, so the fact that he was already home had my mind wandering.
When Allen didn’t attempt to speak within the first few seconds, I decided to try sleeping again.
My eyes fluttered when I felt strong arms pulling my body.
I wasn’t sure how long I’d been asleep, but it was long enough for Allen to shower.
The scent from his soap was still potent and his body wasn’t completely dry.
“Baby…baby, wake up,” he whispered into my ear.
The butterflies and adoration I once held in my heart for this man had long been replaced with annoyance and irritation. My body stiffened and my mental guard was up. Scooting away from him, I took his arm from around me before turning to face him.
“Celeste, can we finally get past this shit? I haven’t connected with you in months and the shit is frustrating me.
The only time I’m able to hold you is when you’re asleep and I can’t even remember the last time we had sex.
I feel like I been apologizing since that shit happened and I don’t know what else to do.
I’ve been begging you to forgive me and now I’m all out of answers,” Allen complained, like he had a right to do so.