I take a deep breath of fresh air the moment I step outside the uptight office and suffocating presence of Jade Knight. I can't believe that happened, I actually asked Jade to kiss me, and she did. Going to see her was a complete spur of the moment action after talking with my aunt. I assume the adrenaline gave me courage, and to meet her mom, talk about horrible timing. It worked out kind of, either way I feel better about this entire situation. I feel like I'm making the right decision, not just because I kissed Jade, but because I feel different.
Jade has given me the chance to live a life that I've always imagined, for myself and my daughter. I can rebuild my life. I hail a cab and head home, thinking about this deal. I should probably get a new job, it won't look good for either of us, especially me, if I'm "dating my boss". I'll resign after my talk with Jade tonight. After our kiss, she said we'll have dinner tonight to discuss the terms of the deal. She was back to her professional and guarded self, but it did little to dull my mood.
I feel invigorated and motivated like I'm walking on air. This is the opportunity I've been waiting for. I can get Leya a house and yard. We won't have to live with my aunt anymore, it'd be amazing. Leya deserves nothing less and I'll do anything to see that she has the best of everything in life. It takes me thirty minutes with traffic to get home, my mind still reeling from the events in Jade's office.
Her mother is terrifying. I can imagine how bad her father is, I just hope I haven't gotten myself into more than I can handle.
"Mija, get in here, I want to know how it went" my aunt yells from the window as I'm paying the driver. She successfully catches the attention of everyone around and I feel my face heat up, so embarrassing. I knew I shouldn't have told her about this, but I couldn't hold it in if I had to tell someone. It took an hour to make my aunt swear not to tell anyone. I go inside before she starts freaking out and she immediately pulls me to the couch. Leya is on the floor watching Latin Soap Operas and eating lunch while my aunt drinks her wine. I shake my head, kissing Leya's head before taking my spot on the couch.
"Here, now talk, what happened?" I laugh, shaking my head as my aunt hands me a glass of red wine.
"It's 12:30 in the afternoon, I don't want wine". I put the glass down but she simply grabs it, pouring it into her glass.
"More for me, now stop stalling what happened?"
"Well, I went to her office and I was just going to tell her I agreed to help her out, but her mother was there. It was pretty tense, I don't think they get along well". I tell my aunt about the events at the office, stopping before I get to the kiss. I can feel my cheeks warm and I have to look away.
"What? What happened? Something happened, I know that look". She's interrupted by the ringing of my phone and I inwardly sigh. Saved by the ring. I check my phone, seeing Logan's name I roll my eyes. I'm sure this has something to do with Cash picking Leya up tonight.
"Hey, Logan".
"What's up sis? I'm just letting you know me and Taylor are coming to get Leya later on. Cash had some work shit to finish, he didn't want to be late".
"Mm, sure, you don't always have to cover for him, you know. I can just keep Leya with me, it's not like I trust his ass anyway" I mumble the last part. The last time he had my daughter she came back to me late as fuck, exhausted, and smelling like weed.
"I'm deadass, he's working. Would I lie to you?"
"For your homeboy, yes" he laughs because he knows he can't deny it, stupid bro code.
"We'll be there at 7".
"Alright, don't be late".
"Why do you have plans or something?"
"As a matter of fact I do".
"Ooh, I'm telling Taylor you got a date". I roll my eyes, because Taylor's loud mouth is going to tell everybody.
"Whatever Logan, I'll see you tonight".
“Logan and Taylor will be here at 7 and Jade is sending a car at 7:15, which means I have to get myself and Leya ready before then”.
“Ooh she asked you out on a date? You must’ve been quite convincing”. My aunt gives me a knowing look and I just shake my head. There’s no way Jade would ever ask me out seriously. I’m sure she’s just not used to people not worshiping the ground she walks on. I probably just fascinate her.
“It’s just so we can talk about everything, like a business dinner”.
“Mm, sure, either way, we’re going to get you sexy and ready for tonight. Have some fun, let loose, you’re too uptight mija”.
“I can’t just go out partying, I have a kid, and a job”. My aunt waves me off standing from the couch and grabbing my hand.
“Leya come baby, we’re going to help mommy pick an outfit for her date”. Leya runs to my aunt's room, cheering about a date making me sigh.
“It’s really not a date '' Neither of them pay me any mind as I’m dragged to her room to get an outfit. After a failed two hour attempt at finding an outfit decent enough for her in either of our closets, my aunt dragged me to the mall. Another 4 hours later I gave up and started shopping for Leya instead. The clothes I have are fine. Jade will have to be satisfied with whatever I’m wearing. It's not even a date, why am I worried about impressing her?
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
"Tia, we should just go. It's not a date anyway, I don't need..." My words trail off as I turn to find my aunt with a sales person, holding up a dress. It's a white strapless body-con dress with feather and leather jewelry to match.
"Wow".
"Si, I know, you have no patience. Go try it on already" my aunt ushers me away to the dressing room and I sigh. I take the dress before she starts fussing at me again. It's a lot shorter and tighter than what I'm used to, but something tells me that Jade will appreciate the effort. Ugh, this is dumb, I shouldn't worry about impressing her, but I am. I look it over and I can't deny it does look good. The pristine white makes it appear innocent, but the way it squeezes my ass and exposes my legs says otherwise.
"Angel, come on, I'm not getting any younger, right mija?" My aunt starts encouraging Leya to cheer and I shake my head. I step out of the dressing room and my aunt goes quiet.
"Mommy, you pretty" I laugh and kiss Leya's head. "Thank you baby, well Tia, do you approve?" She sniffles, coming over, grabbing my face.
"You are stunning, Angel".
"Are you going to cry Tia?"
"Of course not" she sniffles again and I kiss her cheek.
"I'm going to change now" I turn and go back to change into my clothes. My aunt buys the dress and jewelry to match, we get some food for an early dinner, before going back home to get ready.
"Okay, baby, what do you want to wear?"
"Nice lady clothes".
"You want to wear something Jade got you?" Leya nods excitedly going over to her dresser. She gets a pair of jeans out of her drawer and the hoodie from Jade, along with the shoes.
"It looks good baby, make sure you get a shirt in case you get cold". I help her pick out a shirt and get dressed before I make her sit so I can do her hair. I talk to her about going to daycare and making new friends. I need to start getting her in a school so she's not always hanging around Cash and his buddies as friends. She needs kids her own age and she needs to learn things other than me and Cash's constant arguing. The feedback I get from her is mostly positive and she spends the next ten minutes talking about school and everything she wants to learn. Leya is already advanced, always hanging around people three times her age, but I know there are things I can't teach her as well.
It's 6:40 by the time I finish getting Leya ready and I rush to finish dressing for this impromptu dinner. I try not to let the nerves take over but the closer it gets to 7 o'clock the more nervous I get. I put on my new dress and straighten my hair, pulling it up into a bun. I'm in the middle of slipping on my jewelry when my aunt comes in carrying heels. Leya follows behind her jumping on my bed.
"Mommy you look good, so pretty".
"Thank you beautiful, so are you. Do you want to see Uncle Logan and Aunt Taylor?"
"No daddy?" I sigh, glancing at my aunt who has a pissed off expression. She hates Cash, my whole family does, that's why I got disowned.
"I'm not sure, baby, you might see him later if he gets done working". If I find out that Cash bailed on Leya, again, I'm kicking his ass. Again. This shit is getting old. The doorbell rings and I sigh, knowing it's Logan. I make sure Leya has everything to spend the night with Cash, making sure there's at least two of everything. I answer the door and Leya immediately runs to Taylor, who picks her up. Leya quickly starts talking her ear off while I give them both a hug.
"Thanks for watching her, I appreciate it".
"Of course, you know I got my niece, any day". Logan wraps his arm around my shoulder while Leya tells Taylor about her clothes and Jade. I've never heard her talk about someone so much. I grab my bag and bid my aunt goodbye before walking Logan, Taylor and Leya outside.
"So, be honest, what's he really doing?" Logan says and I give him a pointed look, I'm not stupid.
"Look he's working for real, but he's just mixing business with pleasure. He's got a thing for the club owner so he's just having a few more extra rehearsals than necessary". I roll my eyes, typical. I'd rather bring Leya with me than have her abandoned by her father, who insisted we co-parent.
"You know I have no problem bringing Leya with me".
"You are not taking your daughter on a date" Logan says as Taylor decides to put her two cents in.
"Seriously, it's about time you got over Cash's dumb-ass. Does this have to do with the woman who bought your daughter a whole new outfit? You know I saw you on IG with her too, paparazzi took a picture of you guys all out together. What was her name again?" I don't get a chance to protest as a sleek black and silver Mercedes Maybach S-class pulls up to the curb. It looks like it just came off the lot. It's so clean. Logan lets out a low whistle as the driver steps out.
"Damn whoever is driving in this must be lost?" Logan keeps walking but I stop feeling my face heat up. Could she be any more extra? The answer is yes, I'm sure.
"Good Evening, Ms. Raya. Ms. Knight wanted to ensure a prompt arrival to dinner". I nod, kissing Leya's head, telling her to be good. Taylor and Logan gawk at me, but I simply tell them goodnight. I know Jade isn't the type to be kept waiting.
"Good evening, Mr…I’m sorry, what's your name?"
"I'm Nate, Ms. Knight's personal driver".
"It's nice to meet you Nate". I step into the car and soon we're off. I don't know if I'm supposed to make conversation with him as I nervously play with my fingers. I chew on my bottom lip, staring out the window looking at the passing scenery. People getting off work, starting their night out, from all walks of life, roam the sidewalk or drive in cars. I wonder if this is normal for Jade, sporadic dinners at a luxury fine dining restaurant.
"Don't be nervous, I think Ms. Knight has taken quite a liking to you".
"How can you be so sure? She's so hard to read". Nate laughs, nodding his head as he drives the expensive car like it's a Honda. I could never drive over the speed limit in a car this expensive.
"Jade doesn't usually request me to pick anyone up aside from herself. In fact, I can't remember a time she's personally taken a woman out for dinner. That alone tells me you have caught Ms. Knight's eye". I don't say anything as I feel my nerves increase. I'm sure it's because of the deal and it was more convenient for her, but I can't help but wonder about Nate's words.
Is it possible that I'm, dare I say it, special to Jade? I doubt it, a woman like that, there's no possible way. The idea of being important to Jade has my heart racing and butterflies flying around my gut. So cliché Angel.
Nate pulls up to the high-rise restaurant and I let out a shaky breath. This is just the beginning, we haven't even really started yet. I can't handle this. I don't fit in here. I can't...
"Hey, don't be nervous, just go in there and be yourself. Jade appreciates authenticity, if she didn't like you, you wouldn't be at one of her favorite restaurants". I nod, gulping, her favorite restaurant. Great, no pressure.