“Well damn, hoe, are you speaking at a panel or trying to get you a man?” Kiara said, looking me up and down as I turned around. I was wearing the hell out of my navy-blue Dior bodycon dress and to give it a little pop, I was wearing red Dior peep toe platform stilettos that I made sure to pad the hell out of to relieve some of the pressure on my injured foot. I had my hair slicked up into a bun to properly showcase my white gold accessories.
“Well, you know, I do what I can do,” I said when I turned back to face them.
“What you mean ‘get a man’? What happened to my boy Titan? I haven’t seen him.”
“Fred…you nosy,” I said, giving him a hug, “I’ll see you later,” I said as I slid in next to Giada after he opened the back door to her SUV. When he closed the door and waved bye to us, I heard Kiara’s loud motorcycle rev from behind us before she pulled off.
“I thought you had a driver?” I said as Devin pulled away from the curb.
“Girl Devin is the driver,” she said rolling her eyes, “He wasn’t gone let me leave without him because he wants to embarrass me when I speak today,” she said the last part loudly and Devin’s responding laugh let me know she was right.
When Devin pulled up in front of the venue the convention was being held in, I was surprised to see my brother Anthony standing there, looking handsome in a pair of gray slacks and a royal blue Polo shirt and white Alexander McQueensneakers. But I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised since he worked with Giada as her security. Devin quickly hopped out and went to Giada’s side before the valet could open her door. When valet opened my door and helped me I didn’t miss him biting his lip as he drank in my appearance. I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes.
Giada and Devin were talking with my brother for a few seconds and when I stepped on the curb he quickly came over to me and looped his arm with mine.
“You look amazing sis, you nervous about speaking?” He asked, opening the door for me and leading me into the packed lobby of the venue. Now that I was close to him I narrowed my eyes when I noticed the bruises on his face. I decided not to ask about them though because it wasn’t uncommon to see him with mysterious cuts and bruises on his body.
“No, I’m good. I’ve done panels like this before plenty of times,” I said shrugging. I did feel fine, and I made sure I got plenty of rest. We were heading to the auditorium we were having the panel in when Kiara finally caught up to us.
“Damn it was a bitch finding parking.” I heard her say from behind us and I felt my brother stiffen like he was electrocuted.
That was weird.
“You ok?”
“Never better,” he said quickly.
“Ohhhhhh I smell those roasted almonds I like!” Kiara sounded like a little kid, “I’ll see y’all in a minute,” she said before I saw her rushing past us in search of almonds. I laughed at her eagerness but then I saw the way my brother looked like a lost puppy as he stared at her retreating figure and now my curiosity was peeked.
Do Anthony like Kiara? Like, like her like her?I was about to ask when he stopped in front of the door to where I needed to be.
“You got it from here right? I’ll be back,” he said and before I could respond he was off in the direction Kiara just went.
An hour later, it was time to get the panel started. I was backstage with Giada as the moderator was making introductions of some of the top businesswomen in the city. I knew my name was coming up, so I did a quick makeup check. As soon as I was done I heard my name. I walked onto the large stage waving, the bright lights damn near blinded me but I was thankful I couldn’t see the first few rows as I took my seat.
“Due to a last-minute cancellation, Yolanda Jones, the owner ofJonesing 4 Morecatering won’t be here tonight. But don’t worry, we have a replacement. Please welcome to the stage Eva James, owner ofMoJa Software!” The moderator shouted. Hearing the name Eva made my heart spike, because I immediately thought of Titan’s ex-wife. I didn’t know her last name now that they were divorced. So, I took a deep breath to calm my nerves; Eva was a common name right? What were the chances it was his ex-wife? On this panel?
“Fuck.” I muttered. It was Eva, Titan’s ex-wife. I watched her prance her skinny ass across the stage, like she was a model in Paris for Fashion Week. I tried to move as far as I could in my seat, without leaning too much onto the woman to my right. I couldn’t hate on Eva, the bitch looked stunning in a hunter green knee length swing dress and flesh-colored heels. Her chin-length bob looked like a silky curtain as it swished against her oval face.
When she noticed me, her smile looked like it got wider and sinister at the same time. I didn’t like this bitch, and if I wasn’t a professional I would have drug her ass across this stage. When she sat down she tucked her shiny hair behind her ear but whenshe crossed her legs the tip of her heel scratched my calf. I was about to grab that heel off her foot and hit her with it when the moderator finally introduced Giada.
“And for the moment I’m sure you all have been waiting for, she’s an entrepreneur, philanthropist, angel investor, a board member on several non-profit organizations, and she just won Cincinnati’s most successful 30 Under 30 entrepreneur award. Let’s hear it for our keynote speaker, Giada Morretti!”
The deafening applause in the room was enough to quiet the thoughts in my mind as I focused on being present in the moment. I clapped and smiled as Giada strutted out looking regal and about business. She looked completely in her element as she stood in the middle of the stage taking in all attention as everyone gave her a standing ovation. She exuded power and confidence as she folded her arms in front of her and gave a small nod of her head in gratitude to the room. She wasn’t the warm and smiling Giada I’ve come to know and was just talking to when she picked me up, this was the guarded Giada I first met months ago at my company. When the applause died down, I heard a deep voice shout.
“I love you, Giada! Please have my babies!” The crowd laughed and I had to cover my mouth to stop from snorting loudly as I recognized Devin’s voice coming from the front row. When I looked down to shake my head at him I damn near choked on my spit when I saw the man next to him staring directly at me. Dressed to perfection, also in a blue suit close to the shade of my dress.
Titan muthafuckin’ Browning.
What the hell was he doing here?I damn near screamed to myself. This day was going to hell in a hand basket, and I wanted to leave the stage. Theonlything that kept me from running off was Giada. When she turned around after receiving her standingovation, she walked in my direction, and stood in front of Eva. Without any explanation she bent down and stared at her.
“Move. Now.” Her voice was cold, and I wanted to laugh when Eva flinched.
Eva looked like she wanted to argue but the ice cold look in Giada’s eyes let her know that unlike me, Giada wouldn’t mind dragging her ass in public by her hair. So, with only a little hesitation, Eva got her ass up and went to the seat that was supposed to be Giada’s. When Giada sat down next to me I finally relaxed. I reached over and subtly squeezed her hand as a silent thank you. She returned the gesture, and we both focused on the moderator. Well, at least I did because I was trying my hardest not to meet the eyes of the man whose gaze I could feel on me like a warm caress as my heart thundered in my chest knowing he was here.
Nope! I had to stay strong. I was not going to look at him.
Titan
