Chapter 3
Yani
“Sabrina, get Mark on the phone please. Let him know I need his proposal by the end of the day and because he’s such a wuss to face me. Also, share that if I have to come downstairs and get it, I’ll have a termination letter in tow.”
“Yes ma’am.”
When it came to my job, I played no games.
I was steady growing a lucrative business and I needed people around me that were willing to be a part of it.
I was kind to my employees, but I also wanted them to understand I wasn’t the one that tolerated slack or laziness.
Mark was seconds away from finding himself in the unemployment line.
“And when is my next meeting?”
“At one with a Paxton Hughes.”
I looked at the clock on the computer screen and noted that I had another two hours before that encounter was to happen.
“Make sure the mini fridge in here is stocked. I’ll take that meeting in my office instead of the conference room.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Thank you, Sabrina.” She nodded and tended to her job.
Sabrina was the best assistant I had. She had started a year ago but had helped me in so many ways.
Dealing with Trust and Xara, I had fallen short on a few projects that I wanted to pursue but she stepped up and picked up the slack.
I was more than grateful for her and her dedication to my company.
I began to answer the emails I couldn’t get to the week prior to.
I had so much I was trying to get done in a short period of time that the weekdays didn’t seem to be enough.
The weekends I dedicated to my baby boy, and it seemed that more work accumulated over the two-day span.
At times I felt overwhelmed, but I had a family to feed so I couldn’t slow down.
My current project consisted of me trying to pair with a dating app to use my questionnaires to filter who would suit them best. Instead of the many dates of picking and choosing to see who would get to date two, my questions narrowed down your choices to damn near that one special and specific person made just for you.
I had a tremendous amount of confidence on it working because I tested it out one too many times with our dating events we hosted from time to time.
Several of our test subjects were still together, and some were either engaged or newly married.
I knew I had a hit on my hands. I just needed a platform to present it on.
Time flew by without me even noticing. Before I knew it, the hour had gone by, and lunch had rolled around.
I was heading over to the parking garage quicker than I could blink.
I was famished and had a taste for something simple.
A cold cut with maybe a soft drink to go along was looking like the move.
I knew a good deli not too far from the office that I could visit.
Once in my car, I took the main road and cruised through the city until I arrived at my destination. Oklahoma City was where my job was stationed but not where I resided. However, I knew OKC like the back of my hand.
I loved the people here. They weren’t always pleasant, but I would choose them over any other city I’ve been in.
It could’ve been because of the comfortability I had with the state itself, but I knew they were more hospitable and warmer than others.
I had the pleasure of visiting a few places up north and I refused to ever go back.
The rudeness seemed to be normal for them and I couldn’t rock with that.
I pulled up to the deli shortly after, parallel parking on the street.
It was a beautiful, chilly day in the city, so I was dressed accordingly, comfortably, but still businesslike.
A pair of fitted slacks and a ruffled turtleneck top was the fit I decided on.
Grabbing my phone and wallet, I exited the car, making my way inside.
“Welcome to Sandwich Guru. We’ll be right with you.”
I was greeted instantly and that caused me to smile. I was already in a good mood and their kindness made it better, even though it was a standard greeting for them. I stood behind the next customer and scanned the menu.
That smell. Who is wearing such an alluring scent? It was clear that the fragrance was coming from behind me, but I didn’t want to turn around and seem like a creep. I kept my eyes front while curiosity ate at me.
It was now my turn in line, and I was grateful. I could focus on my meal and not wanting to see who was sporting such an intriguing smell.
“Hi, can I get a turkey cali club sub, two turkey wraps, and a large sprite to wash it down.”
“You got it. That’ll be $23.47. Would you like it made for here or to go?”
“Uhm, to go is fine.” I dug through my wallet and handed over my card as I got a call from Trust. He had a special ringtone, so I knew it was him before looking down.
Smiling, I answered with, “Yes, my love.” I moved down the counter forgetting all about what piqued my interest moments before.
“What’s up baby? Where you at? I came by the office with lunch.”
“You should’ve told me ahead of time. I ran out to get some food. I know by the time I make it back you’ll have to be back to work. I’m sorry about that.”
“It’s cool. I’ll see you later. I love you.”
My lips poked out from not wanting the conversation to be over. “Love you too.”
He hung up, I grabbed my food, and went on about my business. I hated that I was missing Trust’s visit. I loved when he stopped by. It always made me feel like I was his main priority, and like Xara didn’t exist.
Hopping in my ride, I headed back to the place that gained my attention from nine in the morning until five in the evening. I had maybe only fifteen minutes left before my one o’clock arrived. I settled on eating afterward. I wouldn’t dare keep my client waiting.
By the time I made it back to the office, I was literally pushing for time. My feet were practically in autopilot carrying me in a slight jog through the building.
“Ms. Hart, your appointment just arrived.”
“I’ll be ready in just a minute. Offer him something to drink or something.”
I rushed through my office door and got myself together.
I knew better than to play with my time as well as someone else’s.
Normally, I would be on my shit, but I had somehow fallen behind.
Luckily, I had everything laid out on the table before I left for lunch.
I did a quick onceover and signaled Sabrina to usher my appointment back.
Noticing I didn’t have any pens on the table, I grabbed two from my desk.
“Ms. Hart, Paxton Hughes.” Sabrina brought him in, and I turned around to see the same man from the club.
To see him in broad daylight instead of underneath strobe lights, had me second guessing if my relationship with Trust was as solid as I thought it was.
Paxton Hughes was fine. Trust was good looking, but the man standing in front of me held a certain swag about himself that turned his features up a notch.
Not allowing myself to get lost in admiration, I approached him with my hand extended and a smile on my face. It soon dropped when I got a whiff of his cologne. It was him. He wore that intoxicating cologne that I was so intrigued by from the sandwich shop.
Clearing my throat, I said, “Nice to meet you. I’m Yani Hart. Have a seat.” I gestured at the sitting area to my left.
After shaking my hand, he made his way to the sofa, but not before unbuttoning his blazer. That small action caused the hairs on my back and forearms to stand. All he was doing was slightly getting comfortable and I couldn’t handle it.
“Ms. Hart, I hear you’re the woman to see when it comes to having a match made in heaven.”
Damn! His baritone sent chills through me. No man’s voice was supposed to have me confused on releasing my fluids or holding it hostage. I disliked how my body was so quick to betray me.
“Whoever told you that, was right,” I responded, followed by a small chuckle. I took a seat on the sofa across from him. “I’m very good at what I do. I can’t tell you how many people come to me for advice and help with their love life. I get called the female Hitch quite often.”
“Ha! I enjoyed that movie. However, I’m curious as to why you chose my company to partner with.”
“Well, 50 Shades of Melanin is at the top of the charts right now and has been for quite some time. I have created a questionnaire that will reduce the number of failed attempts on finding love.”
“Failed attempts? Is the journey to true love not supposed to be a path of lessons? As you go through life you learn what’s for you, what isn’t, and what all you’re willing to tolerate. No set of questions is going to eliminate what God has set up for you.”
I scoffed feeling a little offended by his comments. My quiz solved a lot of people’s issues in the dating world. I had no problem with proving how my questionnaires made the dating experience easier.
“So, are you saying that my list of questions… is useless?” I inquired with a dipped eyebrow.
“I wouldn’t use those words, but yes.”
I had never felt disrespected the way I did in that moment. “Wow. Okay. How about you allow me to put together an event to show you how useful my inquiries are? To make it even better, you can participate as a candidate. That is if you’re single?”
“I’m single,” he stated not breaking eye contact.
My body reacted to those two simple words. Somehow, I was pleased with knowing he was still unclaimed and didn’t have a woman attached to his hip. I was thinking about his availability forgetting all about mine.
“Good. You’ll make a fine participant.”
“May I have a look at these questions, Yani? Is it alright if I address you as such?”
I nodded and found something else to focus on. Paxton was invading my space and he had yet to move from the seat he’d taken. His gaze was threatening the loyalty I had for Trust. He looked at me so intensely as if I was harboring something that belonged to him.