I cuddle into the warmth at my back, grasping to the last bits of sleep before I have to start my day. I don’t want to get up even though I have to work. My body is sore and tired but I’m more than satisfied. When Jade said she planned to indulge she wasn’t kidding. It was a long night but perfect nonetheless. More than anything I missed sleeping next to Jade, feeling her secure hold around my waist, the way she kisses my shoulder and nestles her head in my neck before she sleeps. The times of the night when she pulls me closer, or pushes me away because she wants her space, only to grab me even tighter later, I missed it all.
“We should get ready for work Kitten” Jade mumbles, kissing my temple as she rubs patterns on my belly, neither of us make a move to get up. If anything Jade only pulls me closer to her chest and I sigh, rubbing her arm. I’ll never have enough of this.
“Do we have to? You’re the boss and I’m sure Alexia would understand”. Jade scoffs as she kisses the side of my face, making me smile, not opening my eyes. Jade has been so affectionate and lovey all night and I was hoping it wouldn’t fade in the morning. I don’t know what’s going with her but I love it. How am I supposed to leave her side when she’s acting like this?
“It’s very tempting” Jade mumbles, as her kisses go from pecks to more lingered kisses that continue lower and lower until she reaches my marked neck. I smile as her hand moves up my torso to my neck tilting my head to give herself better access.
“Hm, so maybe we stay” my words barely come out above a whisper as her tongue sneaks out to lick my neck. I sigh and reach behind me to rub her leg, contentment and happiness is all I can feel right now and it’s so addictive. Our moment is interrupted by the ringing of her phone, making us both sigh, boss or not, she’s the busiest employee at her company. Jade gives me a final kiss before answering her call.
“Good morning Imani, what’s going on?” Jade gets up and I know that I have to do the same so I won’t be late. Since this is the first divorce case Alexia has had since I’ve started, I have to make sure she has everything she needs. I’m not sure what goes into a divorce case but Amara said they can get messy and there’s a certain decorum that we take. Apparently there’s more catering for divorce clients because of the constant meetings. Like today Billy has another meeting before her and Alexia meets with her soon-to-be ex-wife and her lawyers. After that there'll be more meetings before they go to court. It all sounds a bit messy and difficult, hopefully something I never have to deal with. I look towards Jade as she talks with Imani while getting ready for work, her body moving on autopilot as she walks around the room.
I smile as we easily fall into our normal routine of getting ready together. When I’m dressed and ready I finally check my phone to see my phone blown up with messages from my aunt and friends asking or teasing about my dinner and make up with Jade. I’m in the middle of responding when Jade hugs me from behind and I smile, showing her the messages from Karla and Taylor who blew up my phone last night. Which mainly consists of them asking how good this sex was and telling me not to blow it or wimp away from adult conversations.
“You’re friends seem sweet and they know you well”. Jade says and I nod, tucking my phone away and turning in arms so I can face her.
“Yeah, we’re always busy so there’s barely any time for us to hang out anymore”.
“Your friends are welcome here, you know?” I smile just thinking about how much Karla and Taylor would love to see the behind the scenes of a rich person.
“Really? It wouldn’t bother you?”
“This is your house as well, Kitten”. I feel my face heat and try to hide my face, but Jade simply lifts my head.
“You’re becoming shy again” Jade comments, poking my cheeks and I smile at her adorable behavior. Who and where the hell did this woman come from?
“You’re being so sweet, even after I fucked up. How am I now supposed to be shy?”
“Should I not be sweet to my wife? Angel, you know I never expected you to be perfect, I never wanted you to be and I don’t want you to run from me either. Like I told you last night, trust me to handle all of you. We agreed to be in this together, right?”
“Yes, we are. I promise I won’t run anymore and I’ll be honest about anything you ask”.
“Good, because it was quiet and cold without you and Leya here. I won’t let you go again”. Jade grips my hips and I smile at her words as she stares me down, brushing a few strands of hair out of my face. The look in her eyes is more expressive than I’ve ever seen but I can tell that she’s holding back from saying more. I contemplate telling her I love her but decide it’s probably not the best time. I don’t want her to think I’m only saying it because of last night and our reconciliation.
“This time without you, I never expected to feel so miserable. I didn’t have the energy to do anything, I felt like shit. It sucked and all I wanted was to be with you. I know this relationship started in an unconventional way, but over time my feelings for you have developed into…more. I care about you and I want to be the person, the wife you never thought you could have. I wasn’t ready for us to end and I didn’t want to be without you when I agreed to marry you. I’m not going anywhere, as long as you’d like to have me here, I’d like to stay”.
Jade shakes her head before cupping my face, “you’re something else, Kitten”. I don’t get the chance to respond before her lips descend on mine, slow, drawing, and intoxicating. The way her lips move with mine, I can never get enough, unfortunately her stupid phone has other plans. I roll my eyes playfully as I move back, nodding towards her phone.
“You should get that, Imani doesn’t typically call back-to-back like that”. Jade answers her phone as I step away to fix my hair.
“Mm, okay, so what?” I get all my things and wait for Jade so we can head out for work. “Who’d he sell his properties to?...You’re fucking kidding me, are you serious, Donovan Mitchell?” My ears perk up at the name as I tune into her conversation. That asshole better not be causing trouble for Jade, again. I’d thought we’d gotten rid of that guy but I guess he’s more persistent than I expected.
“Right, I’ll be there soon, bring up all the properties that Donovan has procured and put the reports on my desk”. Jade hangs up with a sigh before rolling her eyes, going into badass boss woman mode. I know that she’s likely going to be working late and too distracted to eat. I make a mental note to have lunch and dinner sent to her office later as she rushes to get her things together.
“I’m sorry Angel, I don’t know when I’ll be home tonight. One of our first clients has sold the majority of his properties and shares to Donovan. I’d rather not work with that man so I need to consider my options, it may take a while, Imani says it’s over 20 properties”.
“I understand, Leya and I will be home waiting for you, just take care of yourself, be safe”. Jade tells me the same before leaving the house, her phone attached to her ear as she starts giving out stern orders. I smile and leave for work after locking up the house. I drive with a smile on my face and beaming eyes, everything feels like it’s back in place again. I walk into the office all smiles, even greeting the bitchy, gossipy, nosy bitches in the office.
“Ooh, someone is happy this morning, I see you and wifey made up” I wink and smile at Amara and Kevin, the newest office couple as I get settled in at my desk.
“Good morning love birds, how are you two this morning?” Kevin gets shy and awkward while Amara’s smile is similar to mine, she’s beaming and I laugh at the couple. They’re so cute together, the quiet mail guy and the outgoing lovable CEO secretary, an unlikely but very attractive couple.
“I’m doing fucking amazing” Amara runs her hand down Kevin’s chest and the poor guy practically melts onto the floor.
“H-Hey, w-were at work” Kevin gently grabs Amar’s hand, removing it from his chest and running a hand through his hair. “Right, I should get to the mailroom” Kevin barely takes a step before Amara grabs his shirt with a mischievous smirk. His face is beet red and he looks between me and her but I start my work giving them their “privacy”.
“Baby, aren’t you forgetting something?” Kevin sputters and stutters before taking a deep breath. He kisses her after that and I smile to myself, giving him a mental pat on the back, there you go buddy. When they’re done, Amara sends him on his way, tripping, beaming, and red as hell, with a satisfied smile on her face.
“I think you broke him for a second there”. Amara laughs and nods, gathering papers from her desk.
“I know right, it’s so cute seeing him all flustered like that. But anyway a bunch of us are going out tonight, you coming?”
“Sorry, I can’t tonight”.
“No worries, if you change your mind, we’ll be at the usual place”. I nod as she disappears to Alexia’s office to fill her in for the day. I call the cafe at Jade’s job and order a meal replacement smoothie to be delivered to her office before I start working. I spend most of the morning adjusting Alexia’s busy ass schedule with Amara, and setting up meeting rooms for her different clients. It’s around lunchtime when Amara and I finally get a break.
She invites me to go to lunch with her and Kevin but I decline and head downstairs to the cafe instead. On the way down, I call my grandmother and get an update on her health. I didn’t notice anything at the party, but my mother’s words have been replaying in my mind since she cornered me in that kitchen. I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if something happened to her and I didn’t help, all because I didn’t believe my mother.
“Angel, is everything alright? You don’t normally call during work?” I pay and find a table near the window, leaning back in my chair and watching all of the people scurrying around outside.
“I’m on my lunch break, I was just calling to check on you?”
“I’m good baby, I’m just here with your mother, she’s making us some lunch now. How’s Leya?”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“She’s fine, my Tia said she was a little difficult this morning, tried to throw a fit because she couldn’t take her toys to school”.
“Hm, if Selena dropped her off does that mean you talked with your wife?” I can’t stop my smile and the heat rising on my cheeks as I recall the events of last night. Reconciling with Jade lifted a huge weight on my shoulders and sorrow from my heart. I was preparing myself to lose her, telling myself that I was fine without her, but I wasn’t. I was going through life in a daze, everything felt mundane, food was bland, and life was boring. Jade brings excitement, adventure, care, and attentiveness that I’ve never had with anyone. She introduced me to a different world that I never believed I could step foot in. Jade is someone I didn’t know I wanted and never want to be without.
“Yes, I told her everything about Andres and A.J”.
“I’m glad you’ve finally been able to talk about it, Angel. I know how much that impacted you and your mental health. You became recluse and quiet, you give your all for others just so you don’t have to care for yourself. After you lost Andres, I was sure we’d lose you too. But ever since you met this new wife of yours, I’ve noticed you going back to your old self. No longer the shy, stuttering, unconfident girl, into a beautiful, strong, confident young woman. The credit isn’t all Jade’s, of course, but I think she pushed you to take the first step”.
“Yeah, Jade has been incredible, even through all the obstacles we’ve faced so far, we just seem to come back to each other. But I didn’t call to talk about Jade, mom told me things have been a struggle with the house and you’ve been having some problems lately. What’s going on?” My grandma sighs before mumbling how my mother talks too much.
“I’m just old, baby nothing you young folk need to worry over”.
“Abuela” she’s avoiding the subject. I guess it’s as serious as my mom said.
“My osteoarthritis is acting up and I’ve been getting edemas in my legs, and my immune system is wearing down. I’m almost 90 years old baby, there’s no need for you to stress, so stop frowning like that”. I laugh a little, relaxing my face and leaning back in my seat, looking outside.
“Is your medicine not helping?”
“The medicine I have is just for pain, regular over the counter medicine from the pharmacy. I’m not paying all that money for them drugs, besides having the bills paid are far more important”.
“What about my parent’s money, what happened?”
“Hm, something about the bar needing renovations and remodeling and lack of funds, I don’t know sweetheart”.
“Well, then I’ll take care of it”.
“Absolutely not”.
“Abuela-”
“No, you have your own daughter and family to take care of, don't worry about us old folk. Now, you finish your lunch and get back to work, I’ll talk to you later. Love you baby”. My grandma hangs up before I can say another word and I sigh, rolling my eyes at the stubborn woman. If I have the means to help my grandmother, I will. She’s done so much for me, stuck by my side when I was cast aside and loves me despite my constant mistakes. I’ll give my all to her, so I text my mom and ask how much they need.
I sigh, pushing my plate away as I run a hand through my hair as worry starts to creep into my bones. My grandmother writes off her health whenever it’s serious, she gets secretive and pushes it aside as if it’s unimportant.
“That doesn’t look like the face of a woman who makes the best coffee I’ve ever tasted”. The voice of Billy sounds beside me and I look up just as she sits at the empty table in front of me. Why is she suddenly popping up all over the office now?
“Ms. Shaw, is there something I can do for you?” The tattooed woman smirks, leaning back in the chair and crossing her legs, I guess she won’t be leaving any time soon.
“First, you can stop being so formal with one and two, you can tell me what’s bothering you”.
“It’s nothing important, just family things, how’s your case coming along?” Billy eyes my subject but goes with the flow regardless and I’m glad she’s not the pushy type.
“Ugh, I wish it’d be over already, my ex is stalling and trying to “work things out ". It's stressful to say the least. I’ll be relieved when it’s over”.
“Wow, I have to admit I’ve never seen a divorce handled up close, it’s…extensive, for lack of a better word”. Billy laughs, nodding her head as she sips on the coffee in her hand. I’m starting to think this woman is addicted to coffee.
“I’m sure normal couples have it easy, but my ex has a thing for drama and theatrics”. I frown at the bitterness in Billy’s tone. I wonder why she married someone that she seems to barely be able to stand.
“You have the same look that Jade had when I told her I was getting a divorce”.
“It sounds like you and Jade are close”.
“I wouldn’t say close, I considered us friends since I was one of the few people she spoke and performed with. But that stone cold dominatrix never regarded me as more than an acquaintance. We worked at the club together and I was one of her first investors after she went all corporate and quit the club. I hadn’t seen her until she came whining into Alexia’s office during one of our meetings about a week ago”. I look at Billy and nod slowly.
“So, you’re a dominatrix too?” I look at Billy in consideration, she gives off more of the woman next door vibes rather than a dominant like Jade.
“I know what you’re thinking and every dom is different. Jade in particular has always had her own way of doing this. She’s stern and strict, but classy about it all, it’s what made her stand out at our club. It wasn’t just an act or performance, that was just Jade 24/7, stone cold bitch that one but I suppose it’s what made her stand out amongst us all” Billy laughs fondly like she’s talking about an old friend.
“I understand that Jade was quite popular” I can’t help the lick of jealousy when I think of Jade’s past. But I remind myself that I’m being ridiculous and roll my eyes, I need to get a grip, my feelings are starting to get carried away. Billy laughs at my mild irritation, obviously noticing my jealousy as she sips her coffee.
“Jade Knight has always been popular, whether she likes it or not, it comes with the name. I see that popularity is rubbing off on you as well”. Billy looks around pointedly at the people subtly and not-so subtly recording and taking pictures of us. I sigh because I know it’s going to be all over the internet later and the press is going to eat it up. From what it sounds like, Jade is having problems with Donovan and work. I don’t know the extent of it but she doesn’t need any extra stress right now.
“Yeah, it seems to never end, people love to talk. I don’t know why they’re so interested in me, I don’t even do anything. Jade is the business mogul”.
“And you’re her wife, first wife, and the only one to capture her heart”. I inwardly snicker at Billy’s theatrics but nod.
“I suppose so”.
“Have you checked your socials lately? The page for you and Jade has 2 million followers now, people love you two together and they love this side of Jade that you’ve brought out. I mean, nobody ever imagined THE Jade Knight to ever go to an amusement park or a cafe that wasn’t 4-star at least. To people, she seems more approachable, less scary, and that’s on account of you”.
“I never really knew Jade before we first met, I just knew her as the woman who owned the hotel I was working at. She was my rich, poker-faced boss, intimidating but I wouldn’t say unapproachable. You just had to get past your nerves”. I remember clearly the night Jade and I met, I was nervous but I still wanted to talk to her, despite my better judgment. However, I’m so glad I decided to take her offer that night and listen to the proposal she made. We’ve been through a lot but I think it’s made us closer in the long run. We have an understanding that’s just between us.
“She was a hard ass, scary, uptight, kind of snobby, and never smiled, but when it came to business and control, she’s a genius. From knowing the unimpressed college student who walked into the club as if she owned it, to seeing the woman she is with now, I can see a definite change, for the better. Her parents are, well you’ve met them, so it’s not surprising Jade approached life the way she did, but with you Angel, she’s seeing things differently. I know she believes the same, I could tell when she came crying to Alexia that you two hadn’t spoken for a week and she didn’t know what to do”.
“I feel like you’re exaggerating a bit, Jade isn’t the crying type”.
“No, she isn’t and she’d never admit it, but the girl was crying, you can ask Alexia and Nikki if you don’t believe me, they were there”. Billy smirks and I start telling her I still don’t believe her when my phone starts vibrating.
“Well, that’s my alarm, I need to get back to work”. I pack up my things, grabbing my uneaten lunch to put in the fridge upstairs. I stand and turn to leave when she calls me back.
“Wait, I’ll walk with you” Billy sidles up to my side and I shake my head.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea” Billy laughs, waving me off as we walk out of the cafe.
“Don’t worry your pretty little head, I’m no home-wrecker but there is something I’d like to discuss with you”.
“With me? What is it?”
“I’m not only in photography but beverages as well, primarily coffee, though we’ve been considering delving into alcoholic products. I’m the co-founder of Tritea”. I stop walking and look at Billy in disbelief, before eyeing the coffee cup in her hands. Tritea is the most famous coffee and tea brand in the United States, it’s also my favorite and one of the two brands I drink. The other is some expensive shit Jade has that I don’t know how to say the name of. I can’t believe Billy is the co-founder she seems so carefree, not corporate like I’ve come to expect.
“Wow, I love Tritea drinks, I didn’t know you were the co-founder”.
“I prefer to spend my time traveling and researching rather than being in the office. I save that for my partner. But anyway, I wasn’t exaggerating when I said your coffee was the best I’ve ever had. I’ve never tasted our coffee prepared so well, it was perfect and the smooth, creamy, airy, whipped style inspired us to come up with a new recipe. Yours, Angel”.
“What? Mine? But I didn’t do anything?”
“I disagree, in fact, me and my partner and co-founder, Jessica both believe that this will be one of our most popular brands yet. We want your recipe and your name on it, we’d also like you to be a spokeswoman if you’re willing”.
“What would that mean, exactly?”
“Well, you’d be the face of Tritea Angel, with your recipe and how to make the perfect whipped coffee, some photoshoots, appearances, maybe interviews, nothing you haven’t done before. I saw you and Jade’s instagram, you’re a natural and the media love you, plus we’d pay you of course, you’d also get a percentage in stock whenever your product sells”. I look at Billy and she’s being completely serious. I shake my head in disbelief, I really didn’t do anything but make coffee since the cafe was giving Amara a hard time.
“I’m not sure about the photoshoots or interviews but, I’ll think about it”. Billy and I keep talking about this job proposal of hers on the way up to the office before parting ways after I promised to think it over. I suppose I have no reason to decline the offer but really? Coffee? I didn’t do anything special but make the coffee the way I like. It seems wrong to take credit for something a lot of other people do as well.
I settle into my desk and check my social media to see if I’m as popular as Billy said. I’ve been avoiding all my socials for the past 2 weeks. My eyes widen as I see the thousands of messages and friend requests and I let out a relief seeing that my main account is still private. I guess Billy wasn’t kidding after all, I’m popular by association. I check the joint account I have with Jade, something her dad made us create along with the photoshoots and interviews. The followers have reached 2 million and I shake my head. People are just curious about my life that’s why they’re flooding the social media accounts.
These people even managed to find out that I wasn’t with Jade for 2 weeks and we were spotted driving together last night. They’re better than some detectives, how do they manage to get a picture through Jade’s tinted windows? They even have pictures of Billy and I from barely 10 minutes ago and are trying to make it look like a date or Jade’s replacement. Just when I thought everything was going back to normal. I sigh and roll my eyes as I follow the link to an article that was just posted. I look at the picture and frown at how close it is, it’s clearly not zoomed in, meaning whoever took this photo was in the cafe. Some journalist by the name of Shana Rogers.
Why does that sound so familiar?