Chapter 11
Eleven
Nhuri gripped the steering wheel of her Hyundai a little tighter as she pulled onto Natalia’s street. Stopping to grab food and making it to her house during rush-hour traffic should’ve come with an award. Especially knowing what she was about to tell her. Nhuri’s stomach twisted at the thought.
She had run the conversation through her mind a dozen times since leaving Shyriq’s office, yet it still didn’t feel like she had the right words.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to tell Natalia; she did.
But something about saying it out loud, admitting that she had accepted a job she had never even applied for, didn’t sit right with her.
Maybe it was because everything had happened so fast. One moment, she was unemployed, navigating the anxiety of losing her stability, and the next, she was sitting across from Shyriq, being offered an opportunity she hadn’t seen coming.
It wasn’t that she didn’t think she deserved it.
Honestly, she deserved more and had the skills and the experience. She wasn’t worried about that.
What unsettled her was the uncertainty of it all.
What if it didn’t work out?
What if this role wasn’t what she thought it would be?
What if she’d only accepted because she was desperate to feel grounded again?
Imposter syndrome was on her heavy. Uprooting back home after a breakup was enough to make Nhuri question everything coming her way.
It was a feeling she’d grown to accept and hated that she needed something .
. . someone to validate them. Exhaling sharply, she pushed the thoughts away.
She knew she was overthinking. It was a bad habit of hers that Jazmyn called her out on, but it didn’t change the fact that she had to break the news to Natalia.
Natalia would be happy for her, no doubt. She had been one of her biggest supporters, constantly reminding her of how capable she was and how much she deserved to be in rooms where her intelligence and skills could shine.
But what if I let her down? Nhuri thought.
She couldn’t help but wonder if things went left that she would have to sit across from Natalia in a few months, explaining why she was back to square one .
. . the same way she had to explain what happened between her and Dru.
Nhuri hated disappointing people, but more than that, she hated feeling like she had set herself up for failure.
Her fingers drummed against the steering wheel as she parked in front of Natalia’s house, staring at the front door as if it’d magically open and spill out all the answers she was looking for.
Finally, taking a deep breath, Nhuri grabbed her purse and the food from her passenger seat and stepped out of her car.
Using her key to enter, the familiar scent of vanilla and something faintly herbal filled the air.
She stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
Upon entering the living room, her eyes immediately landed on Natalia with her feet propped up in the recliner and a thick blanket draped over her legs.
“Finally,” Natalia exhaled, lowering the footrest. “I was about to send out a search party.”
Nhuri rolled her eyes, dropping her purse onto the couch. She set everything on the table before heading to the kitchen to wash her hands.
“You texted me thirty minutes ago, and I said I was on my way.”
“Thirty minutes feels like three hours when you’re waiting on somebody to bring you food,” Natalia said, pouting playfully.
“Well, I’m here now. Let me wash my hands and grab us some real silverware.”
She returned with two forks and spoons. Nhuri pulled out the containers of soup, rice, plantains, jerk chicken, and cabbage she’d picked up from their favorite Caribbean spot.
“You’re acting like you haven’t eaten all day,” Nhuri teased, watching Natalia pile up her plate.
“I haven’t,” Natalia answered, peeling the lid off the soup container.
Since it was hers, she didn’t hesitate to dip her spoon into the steaming broth and indulge. She briefly closed her eyes in appreciation of the flavors hitting her tastebuds.
“Mmmm. This is exactly what I needed.”
“You feeling better?” Nhuri asked.
Natalia nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been sipping tea since this morning.”
Nhuri didn’t want to bring up the obvious, so she didn’t. Some days were good, and some days caught Natalia by surprise. Thankfully, Raniya was with her daddy for the weekend because Natalia had no energy to parent. They ate in silence for a few minutes before Nhuri broke it.
“So . . . I accepted a job.”
Natalia paused midchew, her spoon hovering over the container. “Really? When?”
“Today. That’s where I just came from.”
“Wait. We talked this morning, and you didn’t mention anything about an interview.”
Nhuri bit into her bottom lip. “I know. I was waiting to tell you until I made a decision.”
Her sister narrowed her eyes playfully. “Mmhm. So, where at? This is exciting. No more hiding out in the house.”
Nhuri chuckled to mask her nervousness and prepare for her reaction. “GHC.”
Natalia blinked. “GHC?”
Nhuri nodded.
“As in Great Hendrix Co.?”
“Yes.”
Natalia’s brows lifted in surprise as she set down her fork. “Okay. Back up some. Since when have you been trying to work there?”
“I wasn’t,” Nhuri admitted. “I had no plans to. You know the girls took me to brunch the other week, and I ran into Shyriq. He bought us shots, we ended up talking at the bar, and I guess I mentioned celebrating my unemployment.”
Natalia snorted with laughter. “You’re so friendly when you drink.”
“Obviously,” Nhuri laughed and continued. “He gave me his card and told me to call if I was interested.”
Natalia’s lips pressed together like she was trying to suppress a knowing smile. “Oh yeah? In him or the position?”
Nhuri chuckled. “Both. But it’s not like that. I promise.”
“I didn’t say anything,” Natalia said, but the way her eyes twinkled with mischief told a different story.
Nhuri ignored it, focusing on the food in front of her. “It’s a good opportunity. The assistant position is solid, the pay is great, and it’s real work more in my field. It’s not just busywork. I’ll do more than schedule meetings, answer calls, and take notes.”
Her excitement made Natalia’s expression soften. “I know. Being an assistant is more than that, especially for a corporation like GHC. I’m happy for you, for real. You deserve this.”
Nhuri exhaled, some of the tension in her shoulders easing. “Thank you. I thought you’d be upset.”
Natalia eyed her carefully. “No. I would’ve been pissed if you missed out on yet another opportunity because of me. Just because I work there doesn’t mean you can’t. I’m hard on you because I love you and want the best for you.”
“I know you do, and I guess I didn’t want to disappoint you. Had me sitting in my car with the bubble guts.”
They shared a laugh and ate some more of their food.
“So, whose assistant are you?” Natalia asked, sitting back on the couch while rubbing her stomach.
“Shyriq’s.”
Natalia coughed harshly, making Nhuri’s eyes widen before she reached over to pat her back. Nhuri grabbed her tumbler of ice water, holding the straw out for her to sip.
“I’m good, I’m good,” Natalia repeated once her coughing simmered.
Nhuri stared at her and cleared her throat before continuing to eat. “What do you have to say?”
“Nothing. I can’t lie and act like I’m not shocked by the position because I am, but you’re grown,” Natalia said.
“What do you mean?”
“On one hand, I think you’re way too qualified. You do my work tasks with ease, Nhuri. I’m talking about in hours when some projects and assignments take days or weeks. I don’t know. I guess I’m trying to figure out the motive of it all.”
Nhuri nodded. “I know what you mean, and I had second thoughts too, but after reviewing the description and listening to him explain everything, I’m okay with it. There’s always room to grow.”
“There is, so I won’t harp on what I think you should do. I’m just glad you found something I know you’ll enjoy and not because you get to be around him,” Natalia teased.
“Oh, whatever,” Nhuri said, chuckling.
“On another more serious note, is he still married?” Natalia asked.
All the perks about the job were cool to hear, but she needed to know if this man intended to try to play her sister.
Job title be damned. Nhuri couldn’t be 100 percent sure, and asking in the interview would’ve been so unprofessional, but she read between the lines.
That was enough not to make Natalia flip out.
“No. The papers were filed,” Nhuri answered.
“Okay. Good. I know you’re not a home wrecker, but you’re not exempt from temptation. I’d hate to have to whoop someone’s ass for playing with you.”
Nhuri grinned. “There won’t be any of that. What is Shyriq like as a boss?”
Natalia thought back to her first days of working for GHC.
Shyriq had always been kind to her and was spoken of so highly for treating his employees with respect.
Not just them but everyone he interacted with.
He wasn’t Natalia’s main boss, but she had been around him enough to know he was a stand-up guy in and out of the office.
“He’s not some hard-ass that will make working for him miserable,” Natalia said.
Nhuri blew out a deep, exaggerated breath. “Well, thank God for that,” she said, and they laughed.
“Just from attending meetings with him and interacting over the years, I can tell he’s serious about his company. He comes off as a bit chill and laid-back, but I’ve witnessed him snap at a few people,” Natalia said.
“Comes with the territory,” Nhuri concluded.
“Yeah, it does. He’s loyal, though. He looks out for those under his wing.”
Nhuri nodded, recalling his pop-up at the house that day. As an owner, he didn’t have to go out of his way, but he did and ensured Natalia was okay. Back then, Nhuri didn’t understand why he did it, but she didn’t know the type of man Shyriq was. Slowly, he was showing her.
“That’s a good trait.”
“It is,” Natalia agreed, sipping her water. “He respects your ideas, especially if you can prove they’re beneficial and not some mess you just threw together.”
Nhuri listened and smirked. “So, he wasn’t just being difficult with me for no reason?”
Natalia chuckled. “I’d say no, but he may have been acting that way with you for reasons I don’t know about.”
She eyed Nhuri, who was blushing. “Maybe, maybe not.”
“Mhm,” Natalia grinned. “Seriously, though. He’s cool.
We get great bonuses, have the best company parties, and he makes sure everyone, including family, is cared for.
It’s not a messy work environment, either.
He doesn’t play that. He wouldn’t have wasted his time if he didn’t think you’d fit in or were incapable of the position or something better.
He sees something in you. He might push you to be the best or frustrate you with deadlines, but trust me .
. . If Shyriq hired you, it’s for a reason. ”
“Yeah, because Michelle is going on maternity leave,” Nhuri said, trying to sike herself out of the real reasoning.
“Or because he wanted you,” Natalia said. “Own that shit, sis. You can handle a little pressure,” she teased.
“I can,” Nhuri replied confidently.
“And you will.”
Nhuri cleaned up their plates and trash before settling back on the couch. Natalia adjusted the blanket around her legs and got comfortable.
“I’m glad you told me,” she said softly. “I know you like to keep things to yourself sometimes, but this is huge, and I’m so proud of you.”
Nhuri felt a pang of guilt as her eyes watered. “Thank you. And I know. I just . . . needed to sit with it first.”
Natalia nodded in understanding. “Well, now that you have, we need to celebrate. Even if I’m sipping on ginger tea instead of champagne.”
Nhuri chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re a mess.”
Natalia grinned. “And you love me.”
Nhuri smiled. “More than you know.”