Chapter 16
chapter sixteen
Crown
Tiffany
“I can’t believe you waited until today to get the flu,” I whine through the phone.
Mira’s chuckle turns into a wet cough. “Actually, I caught the flu two days ago. I’m sick. And trust me, I’d much rather go to your awards ceremony than be stuck at home being forced fed Quentin’s mom’s homemade chicken soup.”
Tonight was the night of the AAIDE ceremony. After all the stuff that came with this night, my husband not wanting to come, Ezra buying me a dress, and then not finding one until the last minute, none of it compares to the fact that now I’ll be going to one of the biggest events of my life alone.
“I don’t want to go by myself.” I flop down on my bed.
“Isn’t Evelyn there? I’m sure she’d love a reason to get dressed and flaunt around.”
I’d rather go to the event naked than take Evelyn.
Don’t get me wrong; my mother has been a lot more tolerable lately.
She’s been giving me marriage tips and pointers.
Yes, I see the irony in that. The woman who has been married over five times is trying to tell me how to keep a husband.
Not to mention that most of her tips are just her nitpicking at me.
For instance, she told me I walk around in a bonnet too much. Ms. Rose had my back with that one and told my mother that Nico knows he married a black woman, I didn’t have to hide my being black from him.
My mother then told me I spend too much time with Noah and not enough with my husband.
Granted, she does not know Nico and I are going through rough times.
The woman has all the advice in the world on how to keep a husband but has yet to maintain a happy marriage.
She is doing her best to bond with me. But that doesn’t mean I want to hang out with her tonight.
Mira sneezes on the other end of the phone, and I’m so happy germs can’t travel through telephone connections.
“You need to get some rest. I’ll let you know how the night goes.”
“Everything is going to be fine. You’re going to win, and if you don’t, it doesn’t matter because you don’t need an award to tell you how well you did on that hotel.”
For the first time since I started to get ready for tonight, I smile. Despite all that’s going on, I still can’t believe I’m being nominated for an Aurelia award. This is insane to me.
“Thank you. Now, get some rest. Love you, girl.”
“Love you too.”
I hang up the phone and climb up from the bed.
Going over to the floor-length mirror, I admire myself in the black dress.
The stylist was right; this dress is stunning on me.
It hugs my body like liquid, sculpted to fit me perfectly.
One shoulder is bare, while the other side sweeps upward to clasp high at my throat before cascading down into a dramatic one-shoulder cape.
The bodice clung to my frame, accentuating every curve before spilling onto the floor in a slight train.
The designer of the dress was not well known nor were her dresses gracing the frames of celebrities. No, this was done by a local woman that is just trying to get her name out there. I felt honored to wear this gown.
My natural hair was braided down, and a short wavy lace front bob was styled to perfection on my head. My makeup was light as always. I never did too much with my makeup. The gold accessories added to the beauty of the dress.
“You look stunning,” Ms. Rose says from behind me.
I spin away from the mirror to look at her. Noah is in her arms, clapping.
“You think Mama looks pretty, Noah?” I cross the room to him.
“Dadadada,” he babbles.
Of course his first word would be daddy. Nine months of pregnancy and seven hours of labor and the first thing out of his mouth is his father’s name. I take him out of Ms. Rose’s hands and place kisses all over his face. He squeals with excitement.
“Why would you hold him before going to a black-tie event?” My mother’s voice has me and Ms. Rose turning toward her.
She’s looking at me with her nose turned up.
“He’s my baby, Evelyn.”
She waves me off with a roll of her eyes. “Why are you wearing that dress? Why aren’t you wearing the Samoht that Nico bought you?”
I don’t care to explain to her that Nico didn’t buy the dress. It wasn’t any of her business.
“I didn’t want to wear it.”
Evelyn looks as if I just told her I eat horse shit.
“I actually think this one is much better. It hugs your body better and gives elegant. It will look really nice when you stand on that stage and collect your award.”
I smile over at Ms. Rose. When I asked her earlier which dress I should wear out of the two I bought, she told me this one.
Mother chuckles. “So you will listen to the nanny and not the person who has actually been to black-tie events?”
Ms. Rose cuts her eyes to my mother before turning back to me and I can tell she is not a fan of Evelyn.
In all honesty, Evelyn is a lot to swallow.
Although I will admit, she’s been a lot more pleasant since being here.
I don’t know if she’s just playing nice since she has nowhere else to go, or maybe she too is trying to form a relationship.
I glance down at my gold watch.
“Oh, I have to go.” I plant kisses all over Noah’s face as he giggles and tries to give me open-mouth kisses.
“Hand me my chunky man.” Ms. Rose takes Noah out of my arms. “You look stunning, sweet pea. No matter what happens, you are an amazing designer.” She places a kiss on my cheek that warms my heart.
I watch as she carries my happy seven-month-old baby out of the room.
“How much do you trust that woman?” Evelyn asks, drawing my attention.
Rolling my eyes, I grab my clutch off the bed. The bag is just big enough to fit my phone, my lip combo, and some mints.
“Ms. Rose is a sweetheart,” I say, making my way out of my room and toward the front where I know Jake is waiting for me.
“That’s what you think. It’s not smart to have too many lonely women around your husband. You need to let her go.” I swing around to face my mother at the door. She followed me all the way out of my room and to the front door.
Glaring at her, I say. “Do you really want to have that conversation with me?”
Her eyes widen and her mouth drops.
I let out a deep breath. I was being a bitch because I was in a bad mood. Although I was not worried about Ms. Rose taking Nico, I know my mother was just trying to help me in her own way.
“I know you’re only trying to help, but right now isn’t the time.”
“Sorry.” She dips her head. “You’re right. I was out of line.”
Shaking my head, I reply. “It’s okay. Good night.” I turn to leave but stop when she calls my name. I turn back to face my mother.
She walks over and pushes one side of my hair behind my ear. “Wear one side back, it will better accentuate your beautiful face.”
Jeez, it’s sad that I’ve realized that in all my twenty-seven years, this is the first time my mother has ever told me I was beautiful. And what’s worse is the way the simple words warmed my heart. It fed on those words like it was deprived.
I smile. “Thank you.” The words are sincere.
“Good luck with your award tonight.”
I dip my chin before turning and walking out the door.
Jake is standing at the back of my G-Wagon with the door open.
“You look gorgeous, Boss Lady.”
“Thank you, Jake.” Lifting the hem of my skirt, I get into the backseat. I’m immediately struck by the enormous bouquet of red roses. I pull the card out of the flowers as Jake shuts my door.
Good luck tonight, my love. Although I know you won’t need it.
Love Always,
N. Basille
Although the flowers are nice and thoughtful, I really wish he were here with me.
“This is your fault, Tiffany. You should’ve invited the man when you had the chance.”
Despite feeling like he should have known, the right thing to do would’ve been to invite him the first night.
Now, it’s too late, and I’m riding to one of the biggest events of my career alone.
I place the note back into the flowers and lean my head back as I stare out of the window on my way to the ceremony.
The awards ceremony was held in the downtown area at a large hotel known for holding conferences and weddings.
The room was packed. Circular tables crowded the space and lined with white linen tablecloths.
All the chairs had matching seat covers.
The walls in the ballroom were trimmed in gold.
At the front of the room was a large stage with gold drapes behind it.
And at the back of the room, near the door, was a fully stocked bar.
I make my way through the aisle between the tables to find my seat. The circular table with my name card is at the front of the room. Pulling out my chair, I place my clutch down on the table and take a seat.
There are already people at the table. When I learned I had made the top five, I looked up the other nominees. I was honored to be on the same ballot as these designers.
Across from me is Jason Hickman. He was nominated for his work at Carelli’s, an upscale Italian restaurant.
He’s been in the design business for a while.
A very clean cut and prim man, not a hair out of place.
He looks as if he could be a model with his strong jawline.
The way his forehead barely moves and the narrowness of his nose tells me he might have had help with that.
To the left of Jason is Paula White. Paula has been nominated many times for the AAIDE award and has yet to take one home.
Her platinum blonde hair hangs down to her very high cleavage.
Her face gives you the impression she is in her late twenties, however the wrinkled and sagging skin around her neck and chest tells a different story.