Chapter 15 #2
All she heard was silence on the other end until she heard her name as if she were in trouble.
“Nhuri.”
“What?”
“I know you’re not about to tell me this man sent you something. What is it?”
Sighing, Nhuri ran her fingers over the gift basket, eyeing the items inside.
An expensive box of chocolates you could only get out of the country let Nhuri know he’d put thought into this.
Shyriq moved with intention, and Nhuri was trying to figure out if the gift was truly because he appreciated her first week or if he had sent it for another reason.
“It’s just a gift basket with some flowers.”
“And what else?” Natalia knew Shyriq and his generous pockets.
More than once, she and her boss, Cara, were shocked by the expensive gifts they received during the holiday season or when they closed on a big deal.
She knew he hadn’t just sent a gift basket.
Nhuri hesitated before pulling the satin bow loose on the bag.
Removing the neatly placed tissue paper, she grabbed the bag’s handles, pulling it out.
“This is so nice,” Nhuri cooed.
“Girl,” Natalia fussed, making her sister smirk. “You know what?”
Nhuri giggled. “Hold on. Let me call you on FaceTime.”
She tapped the video icon, and Natalia picked up. Flipping the camera, Nhuri showed her.
“Oh,” Natalia chirped. “That’s just not any bag. That hasn’t even come out yet.”
“I know,” Nhuri whispered in awe.
Shyriq spared no expense when he picked out Nhuri’s workbag. Meloré, the Black, woman-owned brand for luxury handbags and accessories, was one of Nhuri’s favorites. It was founded in Chicago in 2012 and quickly became a well-known staple in the fashion industry, selling out collections in minutes.
The exquisite brown and cream python leather tote screamed luxury.
It wasn’t set to release until the fall, and already had a huge buzz about it.
Nhuri didn’t know how he was able to snag it already, but she wasn’t complaining.
The bag’s structure was sophisticated yet functional and was designed to hold everything she’d need for the office without sacrificing style.
“You know . . . I wasn’t going to ask about the lunch date at first—”
“It wasn’t a date,” Nhuri said, cutting her off.
Natalia cocked her head to the side. “That bag is telling me something different.”
Chuckling, Nhuri ignored her and continued examining her gift.
The glossy, hand-textured python skin added a touch of opulence with natural scale patterns that subtly caught the light.
What Nhuri loved most was the gold hardware.
It was minimal but striking and still caught your eye.
A discreetly embossed Meloré logo sat near the top, giving the bag a hint of exclusivity.
You couldn’t find this one in the store just yet, and not everyone was privy to the brand.
Inside, it was just as luxe, lined with plush suede in a deep cognac shade.
Multiple compartments, including a padded laptop sleeve, ensured organization without clutter.
A hidden zipper pocket provided extra security for essentials, while reinforced top handles and a detachable shoulder strap gave her versatile carrying options.
It wasn’t just a bag; it was a statement.
A reminder that Shyriq believed she deserved nothing but the best.
Nhuri wasn’t used to gifts.
Especially not from men like him.
“I think he was just being thoughtful,” she murmured, more to herself than Natalia.
Natalia sighed. “I know you, Ri. And I know that tone.”
“What tone?”
“The one that says you want to be stubborn and not admit that this man is trying to blur the lines.”
Nhuri exhaled. “He’s my boss.”
“And yet, he’s sending you luxury gifts after one week?”
Nhuri pressed her lips together, staring at the bag before her.
She wanted to brush it off, to act like it wasn’t a big deal. But deep down, she knew Natalia wasn’t wrong.
Shyriq wasn’t the type to do something without reason.
She was quickly learning that. His purpose was intentional, which Nhuri found attractive.
Same with taking her to The Spot. He could’ve taken her anywhere, but he’d chosen somewhere to make a statement.
She was his assistant, but he also wanted her to mean much more.
Nhuri bit her lip, contemplating her next move. Should I send a thank-you text? she thought, and, of course, Natalia read her mind. It was those sisterly instincts that always got her caught up.
“You’re thinking about texting him, aren’t you?” Natalia asked, amusement laced in her tone.
Nhuri groaned. “Can I live?”
Natalia laughed. “I knew it! Girl, he got you wrapped already.”
“No, he doesn’t,” Nhuri argued, not sounding convincing at all.
Natalia sighed. “I just don’t want you getting caught up in something that’s gonna make work messy. You deserve all the good coming your way. Don’t let a man, no matter how fine or charming, get in the way of that.”
Nhuri exhaled, rolling her shoulders. “I know.”
“Do you?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Good. Because the moment I see you acting crazy, I’m coming up there to personally knock some sense into you.”
Nhuri chuckled. “Duly noted.”
A slight pause settled between them before Natalia spoke again.
“But for real, though . . . How was the lunch date?”
Nhuri grinned. “It felt natural. Initially, I was kind of nervous, but he’s so easy to talk to.”
Natalia smiled. “I love that for you. I just hate that he’s your boss.”
“Girl, he’s your boss too,” Nhuri laughed.
“No, he isn’t. He’s the owner. Truthfully, he needs to think about taking a step down and enjoying life. I know I would.”
Nhuri nodded, agreeing. “I would too. But I get it. GHC is his baby.”
“And you’re going to be his baby next.”
“You don’t know what you want for me,” Nhuri laughed. “One minute, it’s leave him alone; the next, you’re talking like I should be his woman.”
“I know,” Natalia sighed. “After the shit you went through with Dru, I just want you happy. If that happiness comes from Shyriq, then so be it. I’d never want anything less for you.”
Nhuri’s eyes watered. “I know you wouldn’t.”
Shyriq drummed his fingers against his desk as he held his phone to his ear.
The blinds in his office were slightly cracked, letting in a warm afternoon glow, mimicking how he felt at that moment.
He’d just received the documents finalizing his divorce, and King was the first person he called.
Shyriq was sure it would’ve taken the full thirty days or more to receive something, but it’d only been twenty-three days.
“You should have the documents that finalize the divorce and the settlement paperwork,” King explained.
Shyriq scrolled through the PDF files and downloaded each one. He scanned them while nodding. “Yeah, they’re all here.”
“All right, good. So, it’s over, man. How you feeling?”
Shyriq slowly exhaled, rolling his shoulders.
Truthfully, he wasn’t sure yet. He didn’t feel any regret and knew that, as a man who valued what marriage meant, Xena had to go.
Yet, he still couldn’t wrap his mind around Xena’s betrayal.
It wasn’t even how she played him but that he didn’t see the signs.
Or couldn’t save his marriage. As a man, Shyriq felt that the worst feeling was knowing he lacked in an area of his life where he had vowed to always be there.
He let out a dry chuckle. “Ask me again in a few days.”
“I hear that. You’re a free man, though. Enjoy it,” King said.
Shyriq nodded, letting the word free roll around in his head, but it didn’t hit him like he thought it would.
Xena had spent the last year making the process more difficult than necessary, stretching things out longer than needed.
His marriage had been long over before he received that email, but seeing it in writing made it all real.
Shyriq ran a hand down his face and over his beard.
“You’re right. I appreciate you, King.”
“You know it’s nothing. You gon’ be good, though?”
Shyriq smirked. “Yeah, I’ma be good. It ain’t like I’m heartbroken. I been checked out of the marriage.”
King laughed. “Yeah, yeah. I just know how shit can feel when it’s set in stone. Ain’t no going back now.”
“There wasn’t going to be anyway.”
King hummed in agreement. “That’s facts. But what’s next? What’s up with that celebration?”
“You niggas just want something to get out of the house for,” Shyriq laughed.
Cane and the fellas had been on the same time. They were happy for him.
“Aye, man. This is worth getting out of the house for,” King chuckled. “Whatever you decide, go do something for yourself today. Clear your head,” he advised.
“Nah, bro,” he muttered. “I ain’t in the mood for all that.”
“Man, you always acting like you above turning up.”
“I didn’t say that,” Shyriq corrected, leaning forward. “I just don’t see the point in throwing a party ’cause my marriage failed.”
King chuckled. “Fair enough. You probably just need it to settle in.”
“I hear you.”
“But are you listening? Don’t sit in that office acting like it’s just another workday. This is a reset.”
Shyriq didn’t take his words lightly. King was being more than just his lawyer; he was being a friend. One who had saved him a bunch of money, so Shyriq didn’t mind taking his advice. He hadn’t steered him wrong yet.
“A’ight, bro. Get off my phone preaching,” Shyriq jested.
“Whatever, man. I’ll check in later. If you need anything, hit my line. I’ll be in and out of the office.”
“Bet. I’ll hit you up if something comes up.”
Shyriq ended the call, dropping his phone onto the desk before looking at the ceiling.
He was in a weird mood, and though he should’ve had celebrating on his mind or pouring up a drink and booking a flight, he just wanted to take the day off.
But he couldn’t. He had meetings lined up and couldn’t move them around.