Chapter 6
Six
Shyriq stared at his screen monitor, rubbed his eyes, and yawned.
His morning coffee hadn’t done its job of providing the energy he desperately needed.
Going out over the weekend, even though he hadn’t done much, had worn him out.
Fooling around with Rush and a few of his homeboys had him struggling today.
Huffing, he pushed away from his desk and grabbed his work cell phone.
Exiting his office, he bypassed his assistant’s desk and went to the main production floor.
He spent mostly every Monday at the distillery.
Shyriq felt that being surrounded by the scent of aged bourbon that clung in the air motivated him to push through his workweek.
And today, he needed that extra push. Otherwise, his mind would venture to the woman who’d disrespectfully taken up space in his brain.
Shyriq didn’t mind it, but he needed to focus.
He watched through the glass wall as generations of wealth and love transformed before him.
Shyriq was humbled to be the main face of GHC.
His family’s legacy meant the world to him, but he couldn’t help but feel like something was missing.
Whoever made up the notion that money could buy happiness was somewhat of a liar.
Shyriq was frugal with his funds, and he had splurged on more than enough materialistic things to satisfy his cravings, but he wanted more. He wanted what his parents shared.
Since Xena and her conniving ways had put a bad taste in his mouth, Shyriq figured he’d never walk down the aisle again.
He didn’t see it in the cards for him. All the love he’d given her could’ve been poured into the business.
Or better yet, someone else. Nhuri looks like she could use some loving.
The thought hit Shyriq so unexpectedly that he drew his head back.
“What the hell?” he mumbled, running a hand over his deep waves.
He shook his head and pushed away from the railing.
Again, Nhuri had invaded his thoughts. Their last encounter had done something to him.
It altered Shyriq’s mind in a way that left him intrigued.
Nhuri didn’t care about his status or who he was.
She stood her ground and kept things strictly professional.
That damn smirk she threw his way before walking out of their section was imprinted in his brain.
He walked the grounds for a while, stopping and talking to the employees before returning to his office.
Shyriq rolled his bottom lip between his teeth, debating his next move.
He knew what he wanted to do to capture Nhuri’s attention and keep it, but he wasn’t sure if that was how he should do it.
Nhuri didn’t seem like the type to be easily impressed, so doing something unannounced was off the list.
“I got it,” Shyriq said, clapping his hands together.
Going to the employee schedule, he pulled up the log to see if Natalia worked from home today or if she was at the main headquarters. Locating her office number, he punched it into the dial pad but paused before calling.
Shyriq was a confident man. Anything and everything he wanted, he went after. This playing field after being married was new territory for him, though.
Hanging up the phone, he grabbed his personal cell and dialed Rush. He needed some advice. It may not have been sound advice, but Shyriq would take it.
“Yo,” Rush answered.
“You’re too grown to answer the phone like that,” Shyriq playfully scolded.
Rush laughed. “I knew it was you. What’s up?”
“Real quick. Would it be crossing ethical boundaries if someone reached out to an employee to get in contact with a friend of theirs?”
The line was silent for a bit. “Nigga, do I look like your HR department?”
Shyriq huffed. “I’m being serious.”
“I am too. Is this about one of your employees or you? I know you ain’t getting your hand involved with something so minuscule.”
Rush was correct. Shyriq was the owner. Unless it absolutely had to come across his desk, he let the people in position do their jobs.
“It’s about me. One of my employees’ sisters—”
“The fine one from the club?” Rush questioned.
Shyriq smirked. “Yes. Now, like I was saying . . . Her sister works for me. I could easily dial her up and press her about her sister, but is that doing too much? Do men get called thirsty for stunts like that?”
Rush didn’t mean to laugh loudly in his brother’s ear, but he couldn’t control it. Shyriq was acting as if he was an old-ass man instead of a thirty-five-year-old man who was indeed still in his prime. And fine as hell with money.
“I’m about to hang up,” Shyriq said.
Rush struggled to get himself together. “A’ight, hold on,” he coughed, wiping his eyes. “You just sound old. I get it, though. You ain’t really been on the scene like that. Some women like that. It’s called applying pressure.”
Shyriq nodded. “All right. Got it. Hit up the sister and let her know I want her sister’s number.”
“Nah, nah. Not like that.” Rush chuckled. “You’re a smooth talker, but you ain’t rude. Be a gentleman. Watch her run and tell her sister to quit playing games.”
Smiling, Shyriq nodded. “Look at you schooling me. I owe you one.”
“Yeah, yeah. Put me on that fine-ass intern you got, and we’re even.”
“She’s engaged,” Shyriq said.
Rush sucked his teeth. “And you’re still married to that ho but pursuing another woman. Let’s not discuss titles, bro,” he said, laughing.
“Get off my phone.”
“You call—”
Before Rush could finish his sentence, Shyriq hung up.
Back to the task at hand, he placed the office phone on speaker and punched in Natalia’s desk number.
He hesitated on the last digit, which usually wasn’t his style, but something about Nhuri had him moving differently.
Only three encounters let him know she was in a league of her own, and he needed to come at her correctly or not at all. Exhaling, he finally hit call.
The phone rang twice before Natalia answered, sounding surprised. She saw his name flash across the phone and almost panicked.
“Mr. Hendrix. Hi.”
“What’s going on, Natalia? Everything going good on your end?”
She paused. “As far as . . .”
“Your health . . . working for me. Life?” Shyriq questioned and bit back a chuckle. Can she hear the nervousness in my voice? he thought.
“Oh,” Natalia chirped. “Life’s great. You and I both know I love my job, so no complaints there.”
She’d purposely left out the update on her health status, but he wouldn’t highlight that right now. Shyriq had more pressing matters on his mind.
“That’s good to hear,” he said.
“Mmhmm. Was there something specific you called me for?” Natalia asked.
He smirked, picturing her arching a brow. “Actually, there was. I need a favor.”
There was a pause. “A favor?” she repeated slowly. “From me?”
“You make it sound crazy.”
“It is. You don’t ask for favors.”
“Maybe I’m changing my ways.”
Natalia snorted and tossed a hand over her mouth. She’d worked for Shyriq long enough to know he was semistuck in his ways. But if he were changing his ways, that would be good for him. “That’d be a great look,” she said. “What do you need?”
Shyriq thumbed his beard. “I just have a few questions about your sister.”
There was more silence. “Nhuri?”
“Do you have any other sisters?”
Natalia chuckled softly. “Um, no. But that was random.”
“Not quite. Is she single?”
“Wait. You’re calling me about my sister’s relationship status?” Natalia needed him to fully clarify what this call was about because she didn’t play about her sister.
“Yes. You sound as if that’s the wildest thing in the world.”
“It is . . . coming from you,” Natalia admitted. “I just didn’t expect it.”
Shyriq nodded. “I can understand how I caught you off guard. Your sister, Nhuri, and I have crossed paths a few times now, and I’m interested in her. But I had to see if she was single first.”
“Says the man who, by my knowledge, is still married,” Natalia said, uncaring that she may have crossed the line.
“Unfortunately, the divorce papers haven’t been signed by my ex-wife. Now that we’re up to speed on my relationship status, I’d love to know if Nhuri is single.”
Natalia smirked and chuckled. She wasn’t expecting this side of Shyriq at all, but she was amused. “She is and if you have any plans on stepping to her, I’d work a little harder to get those papers signed.”
Shyriq smirked, loving how she held nothing back, just like Nhuri. “Dully noted.” He let the silence stretch for a few seconds. “Do you mind giving me an address where I can send her something?”
“I’m not comfortable with disclosing her home address, but you can deliver whatever it is to my home, and I’ll make sure she receives it,” Natalia said.
“Perfect. I’ll get on that right away,” Shyriq replied.
Natalia smiled on the other end of the phone, picking up on his anxious energy. It was spilling through the receiver. “Was there anything else you needed?”
“Not at the moment. I’ll let you get back to work.”
She chuckled. “Okay. I won’t tell her we had this conversation, but if she mentions your name, then I know you shot your shot.”
Shyriq grinned. “Bet. I mean, thank you,” he said, trying to go back to being professional.
Natalia snickered. “You’re welcome.”
The line disconnected, and Shyriq sat back in his chair.
He exhaled, and a flicker of anticipation ran through him.
He should’ve asked more questions about Nhuri, but he could tell Natalia was already on the defensive side.
That was okay, though. He planned to erase her apprehension and was determined to see where this thing between him and Nhuri could go.
First things first, he had to call his lawyer, King.
Xena needed to sign those damn divorce papers as soon as possible.