Chapter 16
“Girl, I’m so glad I could get in to see you.
I messed around and tried some face wash I saw online, and my skin has been fucked up for weeks.
I went to the dermatologist, and they told me the oils in the product clogged my pores.
That’s what my ass gets for trying to follow a trend.
” My client, Anaya, huffed. I tried to hold in my laughter, but I failed.
“I keep telling y’all about putting everything on your face.
If you want to try a new product, you at least have to do a test area.
Only put a little bit of the product on a small part of your skin so you can see how it reacts.
What works for one person won’t always work for you, because our skin has different needs. ”
“I know, girl. You should have seen how bad I cried when I saw how badly my face broke out. I’ll never do it again. The face wash and moisturizer you gave me is the only reason my face looks halfway decent now. I feel like I cheated on my favorite eater and got caught slippin’.”
“Girl, stop. Honestly, finding the right skin care routine takes time. There are a lot of trials and errors. I used to have bad acne in middle school and high school. I tried every product I could find, until I started doing research and decided to make my own. Your skin is gorgeous; you just have to find the combination that works best for you,” I advised.
My clients often asked for advice on products for their skin. Since I had experienced so many different ones over the years, I would share the ones I loved the most.
“What’s been going on with you lately? I was shocked to see your books were closed for two weeks. You never take time off work. I wanted to cry when I saw the grayed-out spots on your booking site.”
“I was spending time with my kids. We went on an impromptu vacation, so I had to close my books and reschedule my appointments. They enjoyed themselves, but I’m actually glad to be back at work.
” I left out the part about my famous baby daddy whisking us from state to state so he could perform for a bunch of screaming and crying fans.
The only people who were aware of my situation were Nova and my mother. I wasn’t close to many people, so I kept a lot of my personal life private.
“Aww, I’m happy to hear it. You never take time for yourself, so I hope you were able to relax and reset.”
“Umm, I enjoyed myself. There have been a few changes in our lives, so my schedule will be adjusting for a little while.”
Keynauri sent over his schedule and all the events he wanted us to be present for.
I couldn’t say anything negative about him, because ever since he found out about Kiaya and Keyaire, he made sure to be present.
Whenever he was out of town, he FaceTimed them multiple times a day.
Kiaya was head over heels for her daddy, while Keyaire seemed cool about it.
We discussed their feelings about their father entering their lives, and they both made it clear they were happy to have him around.
Not only did he provide for them, but he also made sure to get to know their individual personalities and interests.
I appreciated the effort he put in because it made things easier on me.
We found a nanny for when we traveled, so I was able to sightsee and get some alone time as well.
I told Keynauri I could simply send the kids with Lyric and the nanny, but he refused.
According to him, they needed me there to maintain consistency in their lives.
It sounded like a bunch of bullshit, but I decided to enjoy the free trips.
Things between us had been comfortable, but awkward at the same time. The sexual tension between us was thick, but we both avoided crossing the lines for our own personal reasons.
I heard the bell ring, signaling that someone had walked through the door of my suite. I hadn’t been expecting anyone, so I stepped out of the room to see who was out there. I normally locked my door when I was working with a client, but it must have slipped my mind.
“I have a delivery for Naire James.” I giggled when he butchered my name, but I guess it was to be expected. He wasn’t dressed like a delivery person, which kind of struck me as odd. My eyes were glued to the bouquet of roses. I had never received flowers before, so it took me by surprise.
“Thank you. You can put it on my desk over there.” I pointed over to the little desk that I worked from. My suite was small but perfect for me.
“I have a few other things, but I couldn’t carry them all at once.
I’ll be right back,” he informed me. I eyed him curiously, wondering what else he was bringing in.
I received my answer five minutes later when he brought in a large gift basket filled with goodies.
There were also some individual shopping bags as well.
“What in the world is all of this?” I asked myself.
“You have a good day, ma’am.”
“Wait, let me grab my purse so I can tip you.” I felt bad for him having to make so many trips.
“No need. I’ve been tipped very well. I hope you enjoy your gifts and the rest of your day.”
“Thank you. Have a good day.”
I decided to wait to check out the card because I was almost done with Anaya. It only took me fifteen minutes to finish up with her. She was my last client of the day, so I planned to clean up and then close up shop.
“Ooh, girl. You never told me you had a man. You must be putting it on him for him to be buying you designer. What’s in the bags?” Anaya’s nosy tail peeked inside one of the shopping bags sitting on my desk.
I owned a few designer pieces, but it was rare for me to spend large amounts of money on myself. My business was successful, but I tried to live within my means because you never knew what could happen.
“I haven’t looked in the bags, silly, and I don’t have a man.”
“Now you’ve really sparked my curiosity. What secret admirer do you have? Whoever he is has some money, so you need to lock him down and marry him.”
I tittered at her silly comments, but internally, I knew the gifts could have only been from one person.
Keynauri and I fought tooth and nail about him spending money on me, but it seemed to go in one ear and out of the other.
When we got back home from the last trip, he set up an account for the kids and put enough money in there to last me for a couple of years.
I called him and fussed at him because it wasn’t necessary, but he politely told me to mind my business.
With the money in my account, I could quit my job and live well for a few years, but I had no desire to stop working. I loved what I did, and my business was growing by the day.
“I am not marrying anyone. The dating pool is hell, and money doesn’t make it any better.”
I headed over to my desk so I could check her out. She always paid in cash and gave me a generous tip, which I appreciated.
“You are crazy. If I were you, I would put on some lingerie and send a picture of you sitting next to your gifts. As far as I’m concerned, coochie is a nice thank you card in itself.”
“Anaya!”
“What? I’m just saying. If a man is spending this kind of money on you, he either really wants to get your attention or he’s in love. Either way, I would be popping this pussy on a handstand and saying, ‘Thank you, big daddy’ with a little video attached.”
“I am so done with you.” I grabbed the note from the flowers, but I wasn’t gonna open it until after she left.
“Alright, I’m gonna check your site next week so I can schedule another appointment for next month. I need to get my chin waxed before I go to Houston for my girls’ trip. I can’t be out there looking like my boo Saucy Santana.”
“Yeah, it’s time for you to go. I’ve had enough of you and your foolishness.” I walked her out and made sure to lock the door behind her. When I returned to my desk, I opened the note to see who it was from. A smile spread across my face as I read the contents because it was typical of him.
You know I’ve never been a fan of rules. Don’t bother fussing because I don’t give a fuck. Enjoy your day, Cocoa Puffs.
—Your rich ass baby daddy.
I rolled my eyes at his arrogant ass.
My phone went off, so I reached over to grab it. The moment I saw his name flash across my screen, I couldn’t help but giggle.
“What do you want, sir? Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere doing superstar, shit?”
“I am. In my fucking skin and that’s enough.” Keynauri grinned, showing off his diamond grill. The last thing he needed was something to make him even finer than he already was.
“Yeah, whatever. What made you buy all of this stuff for me? I told you I don’t need you to spend your money on me. I’m not your responsibility.”
“I told you when I blew up, I was gonna spoil your ass rotten. It doesn’t matter whether we’re together or not; ain’t shit changed. Now quit being so difficult and say, ‘Thank you, daddy.’ You deserve it, ma.”
“You almost got me, but you had to mess it up. Thank you, Keynauri. You’re the best baby daddy a girl could ask for.”
“I’d better be the only one, if you know what’s good for you.”
“Are you threatening me, Mr. Joseph?”
“Naw, I don’t make threats, only promises.”
I bit my bottom lip, trying my best not to react.
“What’s on your agenda for the day?” Keynauri asked. Based on his background, he was in the car.
“I’m about to close up shop, pick up your kids from my mother’s house, and then head home.”
Daycare closed at six in the evening, so my mother would pick them up on my long days so I wouldn’t have to bring them to the suite.
“Oh, yeah? Do you think you could bring the kids over? I want to see them before I head to Cali.”
It surprised me that he hadn’t invited us like he normally did. I didn’t recall seeing any events for California on the calendar he sent over to me.
“Oh, I didn’t know you were going to Cali.” I tried to mask the saltiness in my tone, but it was easier said than done.