eyebrow. “You want to be me. You want to take my place. I know your game plan, and if Terrell wants to be blind to your devious ways, I will go over his head until this is rectified to my satisfaction. So go ahead and call him for this encore you speak of. In fact, I encourage you to call him ASAP. ‘Cause baby, you’re going to need all the help you can get. Everything I am telling you right now I have told him because unlike you, I stand by everything I say. I don’t throw rocks and hide my hand. I’m not scared of you or anyone else in this whole damn building and best of all, I need no gimmicks, childish tricks, or gaslighting to make a thing go right. You think I’m a bitch? You ain’t seen nothing yet. I am a different breed, like nothing you’ve ever seen before, Camden. Bow wow wow, yippee yo, yippee yeah… Just you wait and see.”
And then she proceeded to exit his office, slamming the door behind her.
As she approached the elevator, the flush of heat that had come over her dissipated. She took several deep breaths, and a soothing sense of relief replaced the anger. She had an idea and this was the time to work it out. Upon reaching her office, she turned on her computer to begin her plan of attack.
He has opened an entire can of worms. He must not know about me! I was made for this shit! Funny lookin’ ass boy coming in here thinking he’s going to eat from my table then smash the plate in my face… Oh no, baby! You’re about to see what Yasmine Prince is REALLY about.
She glanced at the time. Shit. Lunchtime.
Nixon was taking her out to lunch, as he did at least once a week. He was rarely late for anything, especially the two things he loved most: Sex and food. Just then, her desk phone rang.
“Good afternoon, Terri.”
“Good afternoon, Yasmine. There’s a Mr. Rossellini here to see you.”
Her chest tightened with excitement and confusion, all at once. It was unlike Nixon to enter the building for their lunch dates. Typically, he’d just call her and she’d meet him down in front or at the restaurant.
“Okay. Tell him I will be right there.”
“I sure will.” Something was a bit off about Terri’s delivery. It sounded almost as if she were on the verge of laughing, but since someone was in front of her, she had to keep everything professional. Yasmine typed out a quick rough draft email to begin a fight of her life, shut down her computer, grabbed her purse and jacket, and locked her office door. She made her way down the hall where Terri was currently answering calls for the entire firm while the main receptionist took her break. When she arrived, the sound of laughter pierced the air.
Nixon was holding three large, clear balloons filled with gold and silver confetti, flower petals, and what appeared to be small toy fish. The ribbons tied to his wrists, he waved at her, a huge smile on his face. She melted instantly. He looked so dapper in one of his signature Italian suits paired with a silky blood red tie. She launched herself into his arms, needing to hear his heartbeat, feel his body heat, smell his cologne and simply be next to the man she loved. Bitterness filled her mouth, the taste of regret. Worry. Rage. She shook herself out of it, concentrating on the fact that her man had showed up with such gorgeous balloons and looked so amazing, as he always did.
“I can’t believe you did this!” She kissed him. Terri cleared her throat, bringing Yasmine out of the moment.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Nixon, this is Terri, my assistant and one of my paralegals, too. She’s the one I’ve told you so much about. Very sweet, ambitious woman.”
Terri smiled at her words and Nixon approached her desk.
“Yes, we’ve met but I didn’t know your name. Nice to meet you, Terri.” The woman gave a cheeky smile, as if she were in on a little secret. “I’m Yasmine’s boyfriend.”
Terri’s eyes went wide then and she nodded in distinct approval, causing more laughter. She extended her hand for a shake.
“It’s so nice to meet you too, Nixon. You two have a nice lunch.”
“Yeah, we will, nice to meet you too. We better get going. Don’t want to be late.”
At the car, Nixon struggled to place