Chapter 2
Vaughn St. Clair aka V-Saint
“They thought I was joking… I was just saying real shit out loud.”
THE PRESENT…
Ididn’t like interviews. Too many questions from people who didn’t understand how I moved, trying to package my life into something they could sell to people who didn’t belong in it.
But visibility came with expansion.
And right now, I was expanding.
So, I sat there anyway.
Black suit, no tie. Richard Millie watch low on my wrist. No chains. No distractions.
Let them focus on what mattered.
Me.
Alana Pierce, across from me, smiled like she had been waiting for this all week.
“Welcome back to The Executive Room, where power, strategy, and legacy meet real conversation. Today’s guest is someone who doesn’t do interviews often—but when he moves, the city feels it.
Vaughn St. Clair has quietly built one of the most strategic real estate portfolios in Los Angeles, transforming spaces people overlooked into assets people compete for.
From South Central roots to high-level development deals, his name has become synonymous with precision, control…
and results. But today, we’re stepping a little outside the numbers—because for the first time, he’s speaking openly about something people have been watching just as closely…
his personal life. Mr. St. Clair, welcome to The Executive Room. ”
“It’s Vaughn,” I told her.
She laughed a little too nervously.
“I’m sorry, Vaughn. But let’s get into it.”
“Get into it,” I smirked.
“You’ve been called one of the most strategic developers in Los Angeles,” she continued. “From South Central to Downtown, you’ve acquired, rebuilt, and completely transformed multiple properties. People are saying you’re reshaping the city.”
I leaned back slightly.
“People say a lot of things.”
“But it’s true,” she pressed. “Your South Central development—”
“Is almost finished,” I cut in. “And it’s going to look like what I said it would look like when I bought it.”
She blinked, then smiled again.
“I think what people are most curious about is how you did it. You’re young, you’re private, and you don’t come from—”
“I come from exactly where I’m supposed to,” I said, calm. “The hood.”
I wasn’t here to be explained.
I was here to be understood… correctly.
She cleared her throat, shifting gears.
“Well, you’ve built an empire in a short amount of time—”
“I built structure,” I corrected. “Empire sounds emotional.”
She studied me for a second. Probably trying to figure out if I was serious.
I was.
“Structure lasts longer,” I added.
She nodded slowly.
“Okay… structure,” she repeated. “And with that kind of success comes attention. A lot of people have also been paying attention to your personal life.”
I almost smiled.
Here we go.
“Have they?” I asked.
“You recently came out of a… very public relationship,” she said carefully.
Translation: Messy.
I didn’t shift. Didn’t react.
“Public to who?” I asked.
“Well… social media, blogs—”
“I don’t live there,” I said. “So social media don’t really apply to me.”
That got a small laugh out of her.
Because the truth was…
I had let my old situation go on longer than I should have. And I didn’t like anything that felt like I couldn’t control it.
“So where does that leave you now?” she asked. “Are you dating again? Taking time for yourself?”
I looked at her as I leaned forward just enough. “I think I’m done dating for fun.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “Oh?”
“Yeah. At this point, it’s either making sense… or it’s not happening at all.”
“That sounds serious,” she said, a little intrigued now.
“It is.”
She smiled, then tilted her head. “So… are you saying you’re ready to settle down?”
I shrugged.
“Might be time I pick a wife. Honestly… I might just hold auditions.”
Her eyes widened, a smile breaking into a laugh.
“Auditions?” she repeated.
I nodded once.
“Yeah. Applications. Interviews. Background checks. Full process. Y’all women be snitching and playing both sides. I gotta see what’s going on.”
She shook her head, laughing again. “You’re joking.”
“Am I?” I asked, calm.
“Well,” she said, trying to recover, “I’m sure a lot of women would line up for that opportunity.”
“That’s the problem. Too many options usually mean none of them are worth it.”
“So, what are you actually looking for?”
That question…
I didn’t answer it right away.
Because the truth wasn’t something I was about to hand to her, or anybody watching this. But it still crossed my mind, clear as it always was.
She was impressed by nothing and not moved by everything in the city.
The only woman I had ever seen move like that…
She never gave me access.
I leaned back again, meeting her eyes. “I’ll know when I see it,” I said simply.
She nodded like that made sense. It didn’t. Not to her. But it did to me. Because while the world was about to take what I said and run with it… Turn it into headlines, clips, and conversations. I wasn’t looking for a woman. I wasn’t holding auditions like I was some rich ass bachelor.
I had already seen her. Years ago. I just never went back and got it. Until now.