Chapter Twenty-Three #2
Shyriq hadn’t made his way to the Gold members’ exclusive lounge, but the velvet burgundy drapery that separated them from the crowd was an eye-turner.
Nhuri knew what she was doing. She wanted to ensure that tonight was an unforgettable, top-tier event that upped the notch on Nine Oak as a brand synonymous with class, quality, and craftsmanship.
Instead of being able to praise her for her skills, Shyriq had to admire and congratulate her from afar.
Nhuri was right at the center of it, moving effortlessly through the room.
Shyriq clocked her the second she walked in, and so did every man with roaming eyes.
The sight of her in a fitted black silk dress that stopped just below her knees, hugging every inch of her thick frame, was hard to ignore.
Her jet-black hair was silk-pressed and parted down the middle, stopping below her bra strap.
Shyriq kept his eyes on her as her heels clicked against the marble floor. Nhuri was moving with confidence as if it were her second skin. She was in her element and engaging with the guests as if she’d known them her entire life. She was doing all of that while ignoring the hell out of him.
For things to flow seamlessly, she had to keep her distance. Shyriq looked too damn good and tempting in his tailored black suit that fitted his stocky frame to perfection. She tried not to get caught up in how his muscles flexed whenever he shook someone’s hand or embraced someone for a hug.
Nhuri would purposefully step out of his line of vision because she knew he was watching her.
Shyriq tried not to let it get to him, but it was impossible.
The way she refused to even glance in his direction was maddening.
The way her energy never wavered, even though he knew she still had to carry some weight from their argument, messed with him.
He knew he’d been on some bullshit and had taken his frustrations out on her.
But now he was seeing just how much he’d underestimated her.
Nhuri wasn’t some fragile thing who folded under pressure.
She’d been pressured her entire life. Tonight was no different.
She collected herself, stepped into this event, and showed him exactly why she was built for more than just being his assistant.
“She’s incredible,” a voice said beside him, pulling Shyriq from his thoughts.
He turned to meet the knowing gaze of Anthony, one of his associates. The older man swirled his whiskey, nodding toward Nhuri, who was conversing with a group of investors.
Better her than me, Shyriq thought.
“She’s sharp, professional, and charming as hell,” Anthony smirked. “You have a gem working for you, Hendrix.”
Forcing a smile, Shyriq exhaled through his nose. “Yeah, I know.”
And that was the problem. He knew exactly how much of an asset Nhuri was. How much he depended on her and needed her period. Yet, he’d let his pride trip him up.
“She’s my assistant,” he offered, not wanting him to get any ideas about getting her to work for him.
Anthony’s brow raised. “Really? She seems much too advanced to just be at your side. A woman like that? You either elevate her or lose her.”
He didn’t know just how correct he was. Shyriq didn’t respond.
He focused back on where Nhuri was now standing with Natalia, Malik, and some man.
He placed the glass of spiced whiskey to his mouth and sipped slowly with squinted eyes as Nhuri shook the unknown man’s hand.
Her smile was too bright, and the man’s eyes lit up like he’d just hit on all his bets on FanDuel.
Shyriq’s jaws clenched.
The man was clearly interested, leaning in just a little too close and smiling big for no reason. Shyriq couldn’t hide his disgust when Malik patted the guy on the shoulder as he said something that made Nhuri laugh.
“What this nigga doing, playing matchmaker?” Shyriq grumbled, grateful that Anthony had walked off. He was the man of the hour, but he needed everyone to leave him be for a few minutes while he checked the scene.
Shyriq knew that laugh. It wasn’t forced or just her trying to be polite. It was genuine, and hearing it flow from her lips and not because of him had Shyriq tight. His fingers tightened around his whiskey glass, and he clenched his jaws . . . again.
He was supposed to be mingling, talking business, and celebrating a new venture, yet all he could do was watch as another man engaged Nhuri in the type of conversation that should’ve been his to have.
“Pops told you to get your woman. Now look at you. Over here about to throw the fuck up,” Rush said, walking up to him.
Shyriq scoffed. “I ain’t in the mood, Rush.”
“Man, I don’t care. This is a special occasion, and instead of enjoying the fruits of your labor with her, you’re over here in the corner pouting because you can’t man up. Get it together, bro.”
Rush patted Shyriq on the back and walked off. His little brother’s advice, which made sense, let Shyriq know he was definitely tripping and in the wrong. Rush never made sense. He knew it already, but somehow, being called out made Shyriq pull it together.
He didn’t like seeing another man looking at Nhuri as if she were the only thing in the room worth paying attention to. Nor did he like that she was letting it happen while pretending he didn’t even exist.
And maybe he deserved that.
Shit, he knew he did. But that didn’t make it any easier to stomach.
When the man leaned down to whisper in Nhuri’s ear, Shyriq had seen enough.
He put his glass on the marble table, and his feet moved before his brain caught up.
He wasn’t trying to cause a scene and wasn’t about to let this turn into some spectacle.
But what he wasn’t about to do was stand on the sidelines and watch this play out like he wasn’t even in the damn building.
The crowd shifted, making room for him to walk through.
A few people tried to grab his attention, but Shyriq was locked in on Nhuri.
Natalia noticed him first, and she smiled before seeing the grim look on his face.
Nhuri hadn’t gotten her up to speed on their falling out, and for a reason.
Hearing “I told you so” from her sister would make her feel worse than she already did.
Nhuri had her back to him, still engaged in conversation and utterly oblivious to the fact that he was walking up on them until Natalia acknowledged his presence.
“Hey, Shyriq. This was such a great turnout,” Natalia said, smiling but trying to read his expression.
Nhuri didn’t turn quickly at the sound of his name. She took her time, letting it be known his presence didn’t move her.
“Hey, Natalia. Thank you.” His tone was dry and unwelcoming.
Before he could address Nhuri, the guy who’d been holding her attention spoke up.
“Shyriq Hendrix.” His voice carried excitement as he extended his hand, completely unaware of the energy shift. “Man, I’m a huge fan of your work. Your whiskey is some of the best I’ve ever had.”
Shyriq barely spared him a glance. He looked down at him and his hand, considering his much shorter height, and didn’t bother shaking his hand. Shyriq didn’t even acknowledge the praise.
“Who you here with?” Shyriq asked.
The man looked confused for a second. “Oh, uh. I’m here with my cousin as a plus one.”
“Next year, tell them I said not to bring you.”
Shyriq’s words made Natalia choke on her drink and sputter laughter. Malik looked stunned, while Nhuri still had her cool, calm, and collected expression. In fact, she smirked while Shyriq stood there looking like he wanted to knock the guy’s head off.
“Nhuri, let me talk to you for a second.”
She cocked her head to the side and blinked slowly. Her lips pressed together, and for a moment, Shyriq thought she was about to shut him down, and she had every right to.
“In private, please,” he added tensely.
She hesitated before turning back to the guy, giving him a tight smile. She felt bad for him but wasn’t about to pacify his feelings. But she didn’t want to be ruder than Shyriq had already been. “Excuse me for a second.”
Shyriq didn’t wait for her to second-guess it, nor did he wait for the dude to get another word out.
His hand was on the low of her back, escorting her out of the main ballroom.
Nhuri took her time and even stopped to talk to a few of the guests.
Shyriq stood by like this was her event, and he let her do her thing.
Finally, they reached a private location, and Shyriq pushed open one of the side doors leading out of the ballroom before entering another door.
The hallway was quieter, and the heavy bass from the jazz music in the main room was muffled.
He took a breath, trying to level himself before turning to face Nhuri as she walked through the doorway, letting it close behind her. She crossed her arms and waited.
His jaws tightened. “You gonna keep giving me the silent treatment and cold shoulder all night?”
Nhuri arched a brow, her lips pressing together as she tilted her head. “Is that what you called me in here for?”
“Just answer the question.”
“That isn’t an apology.”
Shyriq exhaled, rubbing a hand down his face before meeting her eyes again. “Nhuri—”
“No, let me stop you right there,” she interrupted calmly but firmly. “You may run this company, but you don’t run me.”
His brows drew together. “I never said I did.”
“You didn’t have to.” She shifted her weight from one high-heeled leg to the other.
“You think because you’re frustrated that you get to take it out on me?
Because you were in a mood that morning, you had the right to nitpick and snap at me like I don’t mean shit to you?
” She shook her head. “That’s not how this works, Shyriq. ”
He sucked in a breath, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I know I was out of line, and I’m truly sorry about that. You do mean something to me, and instead of communicating, I lashed out.”
Nhuri huffed a short, humorless laugh. “And yet, here you are, acting like I’m the one who needs to fix this?”
His gaze dropped to the floor briefly before he looked back at her. “I didn’t mean to take it out on you.”
“But you did.” Her expression softened, but there was still a guardedness in her eyes. “And you never even acknowledged it. You just expected me to brush it off and keep it moving like nothing happened.”
Shyriq sighed, stepping closer. “You think I wanted to come at you like that? That I wanted to see you walk away from me?” His voice dipped lower. “’Cause I didn’t, Nhuri. Not then and not now.”
She held his gaze for a moment, trying to read between the lines of what he was really saying.
“You hurt me,” she admitted, her voice quieter but just as steady.
“I know your life may get stressful with everything you have going on, but that doesn’t give you a right to disrespect me.
I’ll let a lot of things slide, but that isn’t one of them.
And I won’t keep making space for somebody who doesn’t respect mine.
If you wanted to know about my ex and why I was at the hotel that day, you should’ve just asked like a grown man instead of playing little boy games.
That’s why he’s my ex, and I can guarantee we’re never getting back together. ”
Shyriq exhaled through his nose, nodding slowly. “You’re right. I should’ve come to you and talked it out before jumping to conclusions. Again, I’m sorry. I mean that.”
“Mm-hmm. I hear you.”
“So, how can I make things right?”
Nhuri stepped to him and smiled. “You grow the hell up and enjoy this tasting like I’m about to do,” she said before patting his chest and walking out the door.
Shyriq stood there stunned with his dick so hard and a smile while shaking his head. Nhuri wasn’t letting him off that easily, and he couldn’t do anything but respect it.