Chapter 6 #3
“To break the cycle of domestic violence by providing a safe space. Not just somewhere for women to rest their heads, but to get support and empower them, too. It doesn’t matter if you’re at your lowest. Everyone deserves to live a life free of abuse and fear.”
Najee nodded. “Absolutely. Sadly, these types of situations aren’t going to stop.”
“But we can try our best to limit them.” Luke nodded, and stood up.
Najee did the same, straightening his shoulders as he offered his hand.
“I’m going with a yes to this partnership. We can iron out specific details later, but it’s sealed on my end.”
Najee shook his outstretched hand. “That’s a bet. I appreciate you, man. You won’t regret it.”
“I know I won’t.” Luke smirked. “Now, we just have to pitch the idea to my wife and the board of directors.”
“Tough crowd to please?” Najee wanted to know.
Luke chuckled. “Not necessarily, but they want to have the client’s best, safest interest at heart. We all do.”
Nodding, Najee knew it wouldn’t be hard to get them on board. He hadn’t jumped headfirst into pitching his idea without studying first. Plus, it wasn’t about exposure or money for him. He was doing this from the heart... for his heart. Candice’s name would forever live on thanks to him.
“I think I spoke with your wife when I first reached out,” Najee divulged.
“I’m sure you did. She’s so hands-on with everything. What was she doing answering the main office line anyway?” Luke chuckled, shaking his head.
“Aye. A boss wears all the hats in their business.”
“Oh, I know. You don’t have to tell me. I’ma let you get out of here but let me see if she’s still on her tour. You can follow me.”
They exited the office, stepping into a larger conference area with office doors on each side.
Heading toward the steps, they descended two flights and stopped at a set of double doors.
The label read auditorium, but Najee didn’t need to see it to know that’s what it was.
He immediately recognized the powerful voice coming from behind those doors. It made him stop in his tracks.
Luke looked back. “You good?”
Najee nodded, and he pushed the doors open.
Orielle’s honeyed vocals echoed throughout the massive space, floating right to where he stood.
Her voice was undeniably smooth. The kind that pulled emotions out of you before you knew what was happening.
She stood in front of a small crowd of people, whom he assumed were the staff.
They were receiving front row excellence and a cappella at that.
Orielle was raw with it. Effortlessly, the soft tremble of her voice poured from the speakers as she sang one of her favorite songs by JoJo.
She’d been told more than once that she sounded like a mashup of her, Brandy, Alex Isley, and Tori Kelly.
That was the highest of compliments, considering their range and talent.
But Orielle had her own unique sound. She could alternate her voice with beautiful ease.
The vulnerability in her tone as she belted lyrics about writing a note to God hollowed Najee’s chest. Her effect on him had been the same that day in the truck.
Orielle was pushing notes out from the depths of her soul.
Ashley had asked if she could give a sneak peek of what she’d be singing at the gala, and she gave them her all.
As they planted themselves in the aisle, Najee noticed a woman clutching her chest and another wiping her eyes. With her eyes closed, Orielle let herself feel everything in that moment, as she walked back and forth. She made everyone else feel it, too.
As the final notes left her lips, silence filled the space, before the room erupted in applause.
Slowly opening her eyes, she blinked away unshed tears of emotion and smiled.
She lowered the mic, and her chest rose and fell as if she’d just come back from somewhere only she had gone.
Najee felt like she took him with her. In a way, she had.
Getting lost in the lyrics of songs had saved her mentally, physically, and emotionally, and right then had healed a piece of him.
“My God!” Ashley exclaimed, holding her chest. “You just blew me away.”
She smiled humbly. “Thank you. Is that song okay to sing at the gala?”
“It’s perfect. You have my staff in here crying, honey.” Ashley chuckled, truly impressed.
When she turned to glance at them, she spotted her husband and Najee. Her face lit up as Luke made his way down the aisle to her. Only then did Orielle notice Najee right behind him. She didn’t look surprised to see him; just curious. He spotted the wonderment in her brown eyes as he got closer.
Luke greeted Ashley with a kiss to her cheek, and she wrapped an arm around his waist. “Did you hear her?” she asked.
He nodded. “I did. You’re amazing.”
“Thank you,” Orielle said, and her eyes ventured to Najee.
Luke’s did too. “Najee, this is my wife, Ashley, and a few of our staff.”
“How y’all doing?” he asked politely, lifting his hand to greet them.
“So much better now. I feel like I was just at a praise and worship service,” Ashley said.
A staff member with long burgundy locs came up to Orielle. “Girl, you killed that. Do you have social media, and how can I find your music?”
Grinning, Orielle thanked her and ran down the details of where she could connect with her.
Other staff members gathered around before they headed back to work.
Seeing her in one of her elements made Najee proud to know her.
Seeing everyone react the way they did, and witnessing how her voice touched them, made him look at her in a new light. One he’d never seen her in.
It made him want to protect her again, forever, and feel a little possessive. Like his ears were the only ones that deserved to hear her sing. More than anything, it made him respect her gift.
“How’d the meeting go?” Ashley asked, looking between Najee and Luke.
“Real good. I’ma catch you up and schedule a time for all of us to sit down and map out the intricate details.”
Ashley’s eyes slightly widened. “Oh. You must’ve really impressed him.”
Najee chuckled. “I wouldn’t say all that.”
“Nah. Say that. You did, and I can already see this partnership being very beneficial.”
Respect. That’s what was mutually shared between the men. Orielle walked over, still on a high from her performance. Najee gave her a once-over, appreciating the glow of her skin. The confidence radiating from her was damn near contagious. Under his gaze, Orielle blushed.
“Small world,” Najee said.
Ashley looked between them with a smirk, instantly sensing the shift in energy. “Y’all know one another?”
Orielle nodded. “Yes. We’re kinda like family.”
Najee tilted his head to the left. “Now, why you lying to these folks?”
Luke chuckled while Ashley smirked. Playfully, Orielle rolled her eyes.
“I’m not lying. You’re my cousin’s best friend. That makes you what, since I’ve known you most of my life?”
A nigga who gon’ show you how much we’re not related, Najee thought. Orielle had him fucked up, but he was going to keep it player. They were obviously both here on business, and he’d never jeopardize that.
“A friend of the family, and yours,” Najee clarified.
“So, are y’all friends or family?” Ashley teased. “I’m just wondering, don’t mind me.”
Najee kept his eyes on Orielle, giving her the floor to answer her question.
Smirking, she said, “We’re friends.”
“Well, friends, it looks like we all had a successful day. Thank God for that. Are you coming to the gala?” Ashley asked Najee.
He nodded without hesitation, not caring that he knew not one detail about the event. If Orielle was going to be there, so was he.
“Yeah. I’ll be there. You mind sending me the info?” His question was for Luke.
“There should be a flyer on the table by the front door. Grab a couple on your way out,” he said.
Najee nodded, planning to do just that.
“Sorry to cut this conversation short, but I have to get back to work, and so does Mr. Morris,” Ashley said, patting his chest. “Orielle, I can’t thank you enough. I know you agreed to sing for free, but if I could pay you, honey, I would.”
Orielle smiled. “You’re more than welcome. Knowing that the women love my music and can heal from it is enough payment for me.”
Approvingly, Luke nodded his head. “Yeah... I like you. Our daughter runs your music into the ground, and now I see why. It’s more than just the music to you.”
She nodded. “Yes, it is. I’m glad you can see and feel that.”
“Absolutely. Let me walk y’all out before I get fussed at.” Luke chuckled.
He guided Ashley in front of him, and Najee did the same with Orielle. When they made it to the front entrance, Ashley and Luke gave their farewells, promising to see them soon. Najee grabbed a few of the flyers from the brown table and held the door open for Orielle to walk through.
“Where you park at?” Najee asked.
She scanned the lot for her car. “Right there.” She pointed to her black Lexus ES. “Why?” The question flew from Orielle’s mouth before her brain could stop it.
Najee chuckled. “So, I can walk you to it like the gentleman I am. Shit, unless you trying to ride with me.”
“Ha, ha. Very funny,” she said sarcastically, laughing.
“I ain’t laughing, though. Let me take you to grab a bite to eat.”
Orielle’s smile fell. “For what, though? It’s not like we have anything to talk about.”
“I can name a few things, but I’ll let you decide what to discuss. Now, what you got a taste for?”
“Najee...” she said his name as if she were fed up, and he smirked.
“RiRi,” he countered. “Quit being difficult and let a nigga feed you. You acting like I’ma kidnap you.”
Orielle’s head fell backward as she laughed.
The sound was so pure and soft, it made Najee smile without effort.
She thought back to that night in his truck and how he claimed he wanted to kidnap her just so she could sing to him.
Back then, she wanted him to do just that, and crazily, she still had the same feeling. Only stronger.
“You might,” she replied.
“And you’d enjoy every minute of it,” Najee said with so much confidence, it made her insides quiver.
She knew she would. That’s why all she could do was roll her eyes, instead of admitting how correct he was. “Whatever. You better not pick anything I won’t like. And I’m following you, so don’t be speeding either.”
“I got you, Pretty Girl. Just make sure you keep up,” Najee said and smirked. “Come on.”
Orielle watched him walk ahead of her to her car, and she lifted her head to the sky. “Lord, what am I doing?”
He may not have given her the answer she wanted right then, but He’d give her exactly what she’d need when it was time.