Chapter 7
H itting the bag this morning gave me the energy to sit through hours of oversight meetings. The main issue was Victor complaining about contracting more than one trash company to solve residents’ complaints. Another favor by the PAC backing Victor's campaign.
“It’s a win for now, but in five years, AWC won’t be able to compete with those companies you’re suggesting. What happens to all the jobs they create for this city?” Zoe argued.
“Now we’re rewarding mediocrity?”
“We’re rewarding them for taking care of the city’s waste for over thirty years. Not throwing them to the side because the rich want their trash picked up three times a week.”
“Isn’t it your job to say something, Executive Liaison ?” Victor called out, growing frustrated with Zoe’s resilience.
“I won’t do your job for you,” I replied, bringing the cup to my mouth again because at the rate they were going, I wouldn’t be free for a while.
Victor threw his hands up, annoyed that he couldn’t bulldoze his ideas through like he used to. After another hour of going round and round, I tabled the subject for next week. Otherwise, I would’ve spent the afternoon listening to them bicker, and I had more important shit to do.
“Good morning, Mr. Westbrook,” Yassah called out, stalling my stride through the rotunda. That allowed her high heels to catch me and lean in for a quick hug and smooch on my cheek. “I’m on my way to lunch. Care to join me?”
“I can’t, Princess . Packed day.”
Her neck fell to the side, refusing to accept my excuse, “Even the future president has to eat.”
“When you put it that way.”
Yassah straightened up, and her eyes grew as wide as her smile.
“Great. I have a car outside.”
Yassah spun and strutted toward the exit while I texted my assistant.
Yassah’s driver took us to the Gilded Fox.
It was a nearby restaurant where backroom discussions were held in hushed tones, thanks to its private dining facilities.
The Langston name carried weight in Madison Pointe.
It was the kind that could pop up here, request the best table, and be seated within seconds.
“So, Treason, what have you been up to?” Yassah asked once seated.
“Work.”
She playfully rolled her eyes.
“Cut the political bullshit. How have you really been?” She leaned back in the seat and sipped the champagne she requested before even sitting down.
“Nothin’ poppin’ over here. Your brother has me busy with campaign shit.”
“You know what they say about all work and no play.”
“Nah, what do they say?”
Yassah licked her lips, so my eyes could follow. “Nothing good comes from it. You need to unwind and release all that pent-up stress.”
“Since you’re so well-versed. How do you release stress, CEO of Langston Media Group? Congratulations, by the way.”
“Thanks, Tre. You know me, I find ways to entertain myself.”
“One of those young boys is going to turn your ass out.”
I hung my head, shaking it while Yassah giggled, “My days are filled with boring ass board meetings and micromanaging employees. I need something for myself. You should try it. I’m sure there’s an endless list of women who would have you.”
“I’ve never been short on offers, Yas, but that’s not what I’m looking for.”
“I can help. I know every eligible bachelorette in this city. So, tell me what you’re looking for.”
“According to Jaleb, it’s you, but I think I found it.”
Her brows shot up in shock. The more she talked, the more I realized this was a setup. I was still deciding who the guilty culprit was between Fallon and Jaleb.
“It's impossible to have found it and not be having fun.”
“Can’t rush the process. Things worth having take time to come together. You should know that.”
“Jaleb’s ideas usually irk me, but I have to agree. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. Apparently, being a single female CEO isn’t a good look either. We could’ve killed two birds with one stone, but you already found it.”
“You don’t wanna be stuck with a nigga like me, anyway.”
“And why not?” She asked, folding her arms across her chest. As the youngest and only girl in a prominent family, Yassah always felt like she had to prove herself. Prove that she could do what the boys could. She hated being doubted, as she stared at me with fire in her eyes and pinched brows.
I didn’t want a relationship that looked good on paper. I wanted substance and some form of authenticity. As a Langston, Yassah represented everything safe. She’s familiar, polished, and respected, just like the women in that portfolio. She just came with a fancier last name.
“You’re fine as hell, but the fight that would end us isn’t worth the headache, Princess. Plus, how would Danielle feel about that?”
“I didn’t think you’d care?”
“I don’t, I just didn’t take you for the fucking behind your best friend type.”
Loyalty was a lot higher on my list of needs than most assumed. I didn’t give a fuck about Danielle or how she’d feel about it. Yassah wanting to venture down that road was a bigger red flag. If she’d snake her best friend for the right opportunity, she would do the same to me.
Yassah wasn’t used to being called out, so she quickly diverted the conversation, barely raising her hand before the server rushed over. “Share a toast with me.”
“You’re trying to have me drunk on the job.”
“Why not?”
As beautiful as Yassah was, sleeping with my mentor’s sister was a line I couldn’t cross, especially when the risk didn’t outweigh the reward.
It made for a good lunch date catching because we hadn’t sat down in a minute.
Yassah tried to put our meal on her tab, but I wouldn’t let her.
She smiled coyly as I covered the check and pulled out her chair so I could get back to the office and handle business.
When I reached the campaign office, I was pleased that Milaya had listened. Fallon waited in my office, playing music loud enough to help her concentrate without being a distraction.
“Yassah just happens to be strolling through the rotunda at the exact time of my lunch. I expect more creativity from you, so that only leaves Jaleb.”
Fallon didn’t shy away from my scrutiny, waving her hand dismissively.
“Did you enjoy lunch?”
“Don’t do that shit again.”
“Do my job?” Fallon countered with a sarcastic, high-pitched tone.
“Go behind my back and put Yassah in a position to be rejected,” I clarified.
“Had to do something considering how pressed you are behind Navie Racquel Dixon .”
“That’s a conversation I’m more interested in. What did you find?”
“Thank God it’ll be short because I didn’t find much. Born to Sloane Bishop on March 24 th . No father is listed. She’s thirty-two and has never been married. No children or pregnancies recorded. She grew up in Madison Pointe, attending the city's best private schools.”
“Mother’s occupation?” I replied rapidly.
“A professional wife. Sloane’s been married three times. All wealthy and successful men, which is probably how she was able to afford a house in Montclair Cove as a single mother. Can we let this go now?”
“You never questioned the way I called plays before. Why the fuck are we starting now?”
“You’ve never jumped off the deep end behind a bitch before,” Fallon yelled.
“Somebody needs to save you from yourself.” Jaleb walked through the door, joining the conversation. “Navie Dixon isn’t happening.”
“Thank you!” Fallon gasped, throwing her arms up.
“You think because you’re cutting the check, I take orders from you?”
Jaleb’s jaw ticked at my tone, then replied, “That’s not what I’m saying.”
“Sounds like it because I told your ass Yassah was off limits too. Then I had to sit at lunch and let her down. How the fuck is dating my ex-girlfriend’s best friend a solution? That’s more mess I don’t need.”
“People will overlook anything for the right storyline, and fortunately, Yassah is a Langston. That carries a lot of weight in this town, and your proximity to the family will help sell it. You two tried to fight your feelings, but eventually realized it was much deeper. That’s a fairytale the city will get behind,” Jaleb poached.
“Yassah isn’t the answer. If I have to repeat it, I’ll shut the whole campaign down.”
“Navie Dixon can’t be the answer either,” Jaleb replied, lowering onto the couch next to Fallon.
“She’s a scammer,” Fallon said flatly. “The nonprofit? It’s paper-thin. Just enough for it to look legit at a glance.”
Jaleb didn’t even look surprised. “We can’t afford a scandal right now, Tre. We’re too close. Victor’s people are waiting for you to fuck up.”
I leaned back in my chair, exhaling slowly. I knew this would come. Hell, I expected worse. I looked into Navie’s eyes at the gala and saw it clear as day. She was a survivor, not a saint.
“She’s a hustler, but so am I. The difference is, I wear a suit and call it politics.”
Fallon gave me that look, half warning, half weary. “This could ruin you.”
“She had a meeting with Abdul Hampton. Even you can’t get me that. She also got Barbey to double what I asked for. Navie knows how to make a lie feel like a dream. She’s the solution to our funding problem and the relationship optics.”
Jaleb muttered under his breath, “You’re playing with fire.”
I smirked. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”
“It’s my job to call you out when you’re slipping! Right now, you’re slipping, Treason. It was fun, but we need to focus on winning this election,” Fallon’s tone softened, as if that would make me nod and agree.
“Slipping and not doing what you want aren’t the same.”
“In this situation, it is. I understand the attraction, but she’s not the girl you marry. What is it about her? Do you know her from somewhere?” Jaleb probed.
“Get on board or we can all get off and get back to our regularly scheduled program.”
Fallon and Jaleb shared a look before she announced, “I have errands to run. We need to get a meeting with Abdul Hampton.” Before mumbling this shit is stupid , on her way out.