4. Myheir #2
“So, do I have a fake girlfriend now?” I asked.
She gripped her chin and looked up at the ceiling with a tilt of her head, as if she was thinking about it.
“I guess, but I’m going to need that Birkin. Don’t think I forgot.”
My head shot back as I laughed.
“I’m good for it. Text me your email and I’ll make sure I get you this contract. Then we take that shopping spree you want.”
Khaleya yawned and nodded.
“Sounds like a plan, Mr. Blackwell.”
“What I tell you about that Mr. Blackwell stuff. I let it slide earlier, but call me Myheir or Bae if you’re feeling a little extra that day.”
She rolled her eyes. “Goodnight, Myheir. Some of us have a nine-to-five to get to in the a.m.”
“Mhm, we’re going to talk about that too. But goodnight, Doll.”
She smiled and hung up, not bothering to reply to my comment about her job. But if she was going to have the time to date me, she would need to take some vacation time with Premier Wings. I knew that was going to be a task to get her to agree to.
I said a silent prayer for God to be with me throughout this entire process. This woman was definitely going to bring some excitement into my life.
the next morning…
My driver pulled up into the Blackwell Estate roundabout.
My parents chose the biggest house on the block.
It was guarded by big black iron gates with a security building stationed at the fence.
You couldn’t show up here unless my parents were aware you were coming.
There was no such thing as a surprise visit where they were concerned.
The moment he came to a stop, I waited for him to open my door, then stepped out to head for the front door. I decided to dress down today since I would be taking a flight soon after this breakfast. So I let my driver know not to go too far, since I planned to be here thirty minutes tops.
I opened the front door, not waiting for anyone to grab it for me. I knew my dad only wanted me here to see I’d changed my mind about the bank.
The moment I stepped into the dining room, different breakfast foods lined the table, with my parents seated next to each other at the end. They were silently drinking coffee and eating. The moment my mother saw me, her face lit up, and she stood from her seat.
“Mom, sit. I’ll come to you,” I urged.
She waved me off and rushed over to wrap her arms around my waist. Then she stepped back to place her hands on my cheeks to look me over. She tilted my head left and right as if I were a child. I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Meredith, if you don’t give that man some space. He is not a child anymore.”
She glanced back at my dad with a frown.
“Darren, this is my only baby, and he will forever be my baby. How have you been, Teddy?” she asked, turning back around to face me.
“I can’t complain. Working.”
She patted my chest, then reached for my hand to pull me toward the seat next to her. I eagerly sat down and started piling food onto my plate while one of the staff brought out a chilled bottle of Fiji. I smiled up at her and thanked her.
“So, son. I hear you stayed in the office longer than usual yesterday. Is it my lucky day, or is my son taking interest in the family business finally?” he asked while looking over a few reports in front of him.
I shrugged as I took a bite of my bacon.
“I never told you I wasn’t interested. I said it wouldn’t get my undivided attention. I still have my jewelry business that’s doing exceptionally well, as you know.”
My dad frowned. He wasn’t used to not getting what he wanted. I guess this is what Khaleya was saying about me. I smiled at the thought.
“What has you smiling so much this morning? Normally when your father goes on his tangent, you’re ready to get out of dodge. Is it a woman finally?” my mom asked.
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
She danced in her seat like I’d just told her she would be having a grandchild soon or something, which was far from the truth. I laughed at the thought—she wasn’t close to that sentiment, not one bit.
“Teddy, tell me more. I want to know everything, like where did you meet her, oh is she from here?”
I shook my head.
“Once I get the word, then I got you.”
“So you’re trying to tell me you don’t know this woman’s name?” she pushed.
I shrugged and took another bite of my bacon.
“I’m not saying that, I definitely know her name, but allow me to find out if it’s worth telling you. The moment I find out, you will be the first to know.”
My mother smiled and nodded her head. Then she returned to eating her food.
“As long as she isn’t like that last one. That would be for the best.”
I didn’t need to ask my dad who he was referring to. He couldn’t stand Mia. According to him, she was just an opportunist. I hated when he said that shit. It made me feel like I didn’t know how to find a good woman on my own.
I chose not to reply and continued to eat my breakfast. We fell into a normal silence, one I had gotten used to since I was a child. It was one of the perks of being an only child.
“I know you didn’t ask to see me so I could eat breakfast. What’s going on?” I finally asked the moment I finished my plate.
He grabbed his napkin and wiped the corners of his mouth. Then he looked up to focus in my direction.
“Follow me to my office.”
It wasn’t an offer but a command. I knew that without needing clarification. So I leaned over and kissed my mother’s cheek, then silently followed my dad down the hall to his office. The moment we were inside, he walked further into the room and took up the seat behind his desk.
I glanced down at my watch, realizing I didn’t have much time before I needed to catch my flight.
“What’s up?” I asked again.
“You know exactly where this conversation is headed. I’ve allowed you to run around playing a jeweler when you have a legacy that many young men would kill for. I’m giving you just one more month to get this shit out of your system.”
I stroked my chin, then chuckled. My dad really thought he pumped fear into me. I was a grown-ass man and wasn’t looking for his approval anymore. He could miss me on that. I wasn’t interested in running his banks if this was the shit that came with it.
He couldn’t control me.
“You know you’re more than welcome to offer this to those young men you speak of, and I bet they would run your legacy into the ground.
I hate that we have to continue to have this conversation.
If my memory serves me correctly, you’re the one who encouraged me to start my business. I even gave your money back, and some.”
My dad stood from behind the desk and slammed his fist into the top. His skin had turned a deep red against his smooth caramel skin tone. I knew he was pissed, but I didn’t give a fuck. That was on him.
“You’re so fucking ungrateful. Do you really think being a jeweler can afford you the life you’ve been accustomed to?” he asked.
I dragged my hand down my face, then glanced at my watch once more.