Chapter 21 #2
I knew Russ said he had it taken care of, and I trusted him.
But without him telling me what was going on and without any work to do, I couldn’t help but worry.
So, I spent the day going over my contract with a fine-tooth comb.
The next step was to reach out to my lawyer uncle to make sure I didn’t screw myself by putting all my eggs in the RLF basket.
It was scary to feel so sure about something and then have it ripped away. I was so sure about RLF, and then Bowen swooped in and threw a curveball.
What if that happens with Russ?
I pushed that intrusive thought away.
As if she could feel me spiraling, my mother called.
“Hello?” I answered.
“I’ve been instructed by your father to let you know that he’s taking me on a romantic getaway this weekend,” my mom stated in lieu of a greeting.
I laughed lightly. “I’m glad to hear it. Do you know where you’re going?”
“No, not yet.”
“I’m excited for you, Mom! Okay, I see Dad trying to step his game up. Now you can stop living vicariously through me.”
“Speaking of, how are things with you and your boyfriend?” She let out a little yelp. “It doesn’t even feel real coming out of my mouth.”
“It doesn’t feel real hearing it either,” I joked, pulling my legs under me on the couch.
“Is everything okay?”
I took a breath before opening my mouth.
That short pause was all she needed.
“What’s wrong?” Her voice was a bit more serious. “Did something happen?”
“There was an event that I didn’t go to on Saturday because I already had plans to go to Aaliyah’s party, and another model went in my place.
Apparently, there were some business decisions made and the partnership with RLF and Bowen is linked to the model who went instead of me.
I gave up all my brand deals and contracts to do this.
It was the kind of opportunity that was worth it though.
” I shook my head in disbelief. “And after I put all my eggs in this basket, I might get phased out.”
“What?” Mom reacted. “And Russ let that happen?”
“Russ was with me. He found out about it when we got back yesterday afternoon.”
“He’s not going to let them phase you out.”
I sighed. “I don’t think he’ll want to do it, but who knows if that will be the end result.”
“What? What do you mean? Is he not the man you said he is?”
I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “No, Russ is perfect. Literally everything I ever said I wanted in a man.”
“So, he’s not going to let them phase you out. It’s his company, right?”
“He’s the CEO but he has a board he answers to. He’s about to expand his brand. And the executives and board members who were at the event want the new model.”
“Well, they have to still honor your contract,” she pointed out.
“Yeah, I just got finished looking it over.”
“You should call your uncle and have him take a look, too.”
“Yeah, I’m going to. I sent him a text earlier about it.”
“Good.”
We were both quiet for a second.
She took a loud, audible breath. “This is just a minor hiccup, but you don’t have to worry too much about it. What’s for you is for you.”
“I know. I just really wanted it to be for me.” I groaned in frustration. “But this is what I get for putting all my eggs in one basket.”
“When it’s worth it, you take the risk. Is it worth it?”
I nodded even though she couldn’t see me. “Yeah.” I glanced at the printed version of the contract that was splayed across my coffee table. “It is. And they can’t outright fire me. They’d have to pay me out, but they could replace me for the national campaign—”
“No!” my mom cried out, sounding as heartbroken as I felt.
“Yeah. And that’s why I texted Unc. I’ve been reading over stuff this morning, wondering if I set myself up.”
“Set yourself up?”
“I don’t like not having options. If I’m tied to one thing and then that one thing screws me over, I’m left with nothing.”
She was silent, and if it wasn’t for the faint sound of the radio in the background, I would’ve thought she’d hung up.
“Nina, sweetheart.” She paused. “Are you talking about this contract or are you talking about Russ?”
I swallowed hard. “I guess… both,” I said slowly, reflecting on what I’d said. “All my eggs are in this RLF basket, so I have no choice but to hope it works out. And all of my eggs are in Russ’s basket, too.”
“The contract is a matter of business. Your uncle will help you figure out if you’re getting the short end of the stick.
But you didn’t go into the contract lightly.
You’re smart and you did what was best for you.
All of your eggs in that basket made sense because of what they told you.
If they do something underhanded, that’s a reflection of them, not you. ”
I nodded, taking in what she’d said. “That’s true.”
“But with that man of yours… that is a matter of the heart. And if Russ is as great as you say he is, all of your eggs should be in his basket.”
“I know. It’s just… unnerving.”
“That’s because you’ve never done it before.”
I let my head drop back against the cushion. “And this is the first time I’ve ever wanted to do it. That’s unnerving.”
“Sounds like you’re in love, sweetheart.”
I closed my eyes and exhaled, letting out a noncommittal groan. “Mom, please.”
“And if you love him, that means he’s earned your love. So, he’s not going to let his company do wrong by you.”
“I know he’s going to do what he can.” I sat with that for a moment.
“But if everyone wants me gone except for him and he refuses to fire me, then all of the hypothetical quid pro quo, sleeping your way to the top rhetoric would hold some weight, and then that would negatively impact him. And I can’t let him go down like that. I won’t let him go down like that.”
“Do you believe he feels the same way about you?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Then what are you worried about?”
“I’m worried because I don’t have any control over anything.”
“Do you trust him?”
“I do. I trust him.”
As the words came out of my mouth, I realized how true they were. I knew it when Russ and I talked about it over the weekend. But as I talked to my mother, I realized the anxiety I felt had nothing to do with him and everything to do with my lack of control.
“Who is the new model?” Mom asked, interrupting my thoughts.
“I don’t know.”
“Well, whoever she is, she isn’t you.”
I smiled. “That’s true,” I murmured.
My mother always poured into me and reminded me who I was. I could always count on my parents. My eyes started welling up as I thought about how blessed I was to have their love and support.
“So how are we moving forward?” Mom asked.
“I’m going to do everything I can do. I’m not going to roll over and just give the job away.
If they want to choose someone else, I’m going to make it the hardest decision they ever had to make.
” I exhaled, feeling lighter. “I just needed to vent and get it off my chest because I was stressing. But now… not so much.”
“That’s my girl!”
“Thank you, Mom.”
“You don’t have to thank me. Honestly, thank you! My daughter is living her dream, and I am so proud.”
My eyes unexpectedly stung with tears. “Mom.”
“And not to mention, it has been a treat to see you falling for this man all summer.”
She ruined the moment.
Stifling a laugh, I groaned, “Mom.”
“I knew it would happen. You just had to meet the right one. When I met your father…”
We talked for about twenty more minutes before we said goodbye.
My conversation with my mother was the reminder that I needed.
I couldn’t control what RLF did or who Bowen wanted to work with.
The only thing I could control was what I would do with the opportunity in front of me.
If it worked out with RLF, my career would reach new heights.
If it worked out with Russ, he would forever have my heart.
I put my hand to my chest and exhaled.
It was unnerving, but the reward was worth the risk.
I got up to use the restroom, and as soon as I sat on the toilet, everything made sense.
“I fucking knew it,” I muttered to myself as I realized my period had started.
All weekend I’d been feeling emotional. I had been in my feelings and off-kilter.
The highs of rekindling with Russ and getting my back blown out every day for the last four days had me on cloud nine.
But the lows of having to hide our relationship, having to put everything at risk, and having no clear way forward got to me.
And then finding out not only did I miss the chance to impress Bowen but RLF also planned to cut my workload in half sent me to the pits of despair.
I got myself together, washed my hands, and returned to the living room. With a shake of my head, I grabbed my phone. Two missed text messages flashed across the screen.
Russ: I can’t stop thinking about what you said about how nobody is bossier than an Aries.
Jazmyn: In the car and can’t talk, but I can text. Is everything okay?
I checked the time and decided to text Jazz first to clarify some things. I was in a completely different frame of mind from when I texted her an hour ago.
Nina: False alarm! My period came a couple days early so disregard what I said about the eggs and the basket. I was having a moment.
Jazz: You said all your eggs were in one basket ten times last night. I was starting to think you had a literal basket of eggs you said it so much.
I cackled as I read her message.
Jazz: I never thought I’d see the day that Nina Ford would be in love and ready to settle down.
Nina: I know you’re not talking! You said you were going to use this summer to fall on some dick and instead, you decided to fall in love.
Jazz: I have no idea what you’re talking about. And unfortunately, I have to go.
Nina: You were smiling at that man so hard I could see your molars! And you only smile like that at someone who is dicking you down. Is this the same man you were talking about a few weeks ago?
Jazz: GOODBYE NINA!
I snickered to myself.
Jazz might’ve been in denial about her feelings, but it was evident.
I wasn’t going to tease her too much because I knew broaching a new relationship was a big step for her.
But she kept calling him her friend, and there was nothing friendly about their chemistry.
They were really into each other, and I was happy to see Jazmyn happy—especially after the last couple years she’d had.
Still amused with myself, I picked up the phone to call Russ instead of texting him back.
“Hello?” He answered on the first ring and my lips pulled upward immediately.
“Hey,” I greeted him. “Why are you randomly thinking about astrology?”
“Remedy walked her ass in my office trying to tell me what we’re going to do. I had to remind her that this is my shit.”
I burst out laughing. “Did she at least have a good idea?”
“Yeah, it was good. But that wasn’t the point. She should’ve knocked.”
The warmth spread through me with each chuckle. “You’re right. That was very rude of her. But I’m glad she brought you a good idea.”
“What are you up to? Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good, actually,” I told him as I climbed off the couch. I made my way to the kitchen. “After I eat, I’m going to record some content and then get my bag packed for Atlanta.”
“Okay, that’s what’s up. You need anything? I can send my assistant to the store.”
I smiled. “No, thank you. Well actually”—I switched the phone to my other ear—“there’s one thing I could use. What’s the name of the model that’ll be working the schedule with me?”
“Gabriella… Gabriella Pace.”