“I thought my executive assistant could handle it.”
One of her brows dipped. “Construction work? Boy, be for real.”
Chuckling and shaking my head, I told her to head inside since it was so cold, and I was going to talk with the construction team.
“Good morning,” I announced to make my presence known when I neared the group. When the one holding the tablet turned to me, he accepted the hand I extended. “Dr. Ward.”
“Good morning, Dr. Ward. I’m Antoine, the team’s plumber, this is Frank, Mike and Terrell. We all handle different trades in the construction process, but I promise things will come together beautifully. Our foreman, Mont, had some business to handle this morning, but he should be here shortly as well as the plumber, Zach. He caught a flat on the way here.”
I nodded. “And you guys are sure you can get this done before the New Year?”
“Definitely.” He nodded then went over the things they’d be doing today.
We all walked inside where Mel was waiting, as he pulled up the 3D schematics on his iPad and began to explain the things we’d discussed in our initial meeting, only this time I could actually see the plans in real time.
After that, Mel and I left them to their work while we went back to campus so I could conduct my meeting. Leila texted me during the meeting, sending pictures of the kids making gingerbread houses with my sister, aunt, and mother while the guys smoked some brisket for lunch.
I replied asking her what she was doingandrequesting to see what she looked like since she’d showed me everyone else, so she sent me a picture seconds later of her laid on the couch in my den claiming that the women forbade her from cooking or baking since she’d been up early to make breakfast for everyone. I skipped since I had a protein shake after working out when I first got up.
By the time I tuned back into the meeting, Mel was wrapping things up. I could feel her glaring at me, more than likely to be nosy, so I made it my business to ignore her. I closed my computer down and gathered my things, preparing to leave.
“You feel me looking at you, negro.”
“I do,” I chuckled. “That’s why I’m ignoring you.”
“My girl has your nose wide open,” she commented, leaning back on my desk. “I love that for you.”
“Mind your business, Melonie.”
“You are my business, Kiyan,” She fired back, lifting from her spot and walking into my personal space. “You weren’t unhappy before, but it’s nice to see you smiling more these days, and it being for something other than work or family. I’m glad you met Leila.”
“Yeah.” I laughed lowly and nodded. “Me too.”
After she grabbed her purse, we walked out together, me walking her to her car before I went to mine. She was heading back to my house while I went in the opposite direction toward the president’s House to see their progress and let them know we’d be providing them lunch.
I could hear all of the equipment going when I let myself in, so I made my way in the direction of the noises then eventually heard voices as I neared.
“So what are they saying, Al?”
“She’s lawyered up,” he scoffed. “Don’t ask me how because she has no money to her name, but she did.”
“Told you I saw her with some pretty boy ass nigga down at Blues. It was probably him.”
“Could be, but it’s strange. Ijustput her and Ava out. She would’ve had to have known him for a while now if that was the case because what man in their right mind would spend money on a lawyer for someone else’s problems?”
Leila and Ava?
This was her husband.
Small ass world.
“When niggas are desperate, they’ll do anything,” the man replied. “Told you buddy looked pillow soft.”
“Well, I could probably use that,” her husband voiced. “I’ll just say she was cheating because like you said, what kind of man would take in a woman with nothing to offer but burdens and a daughter who’s ret?—”
“I dare you to finish that statement.” I stepped in and growled, making my presence known.
“D-Dr. Ward.” Antoine stuttered when he saw me. “I-I wasn’t expecting you back.”
