I relaxed even further when I felt the hot towel press against the top of my pussy. He lifted my stomach, cleaned underneath it before folding the towel to clean the top. I loved how attentive he was. There was no need to even attempt to compare him to Devin because Dreu was in his own league when it came to affection.
I had my first small job with Dreu’s brother and sister-in-law. Truly had seen Dreu’s post and inquired through my email. I set up an appointment to meet with her right away excited to discuss what it was she wanted me to decorate.
“Damn, I’m about to get up in a minute to shower and get dressed. I at least want to get there fifteen minutes early.” I sat up lazily.
“Okay, I hope you not thinking about bringing your prices down either.” He raised a brow.
“Well, I need to see what she wants me to do first.” I stretched and rubbed at my eyes.
“Plus, I’m just starting out. I don’t want to charge outrageously and then she might not like it.” I said nervously.
I was shy in a sense. I didn’t want to fuck this up, but it was hard not to get too deep into my head about it. Dreu got back in bed and propped one arm behind his head. For the past two nights we spent hours rambling ideas back in forth about my business. He grounded me and reminded me that I would no longer be playing small with Atmospheres By Tavia. He was ready to support and hire me all the help that I needed including an assistant and workers that I could instruct while designing.
“Run it back to me, Tavia,” he looked down at me and smiled. “I can already see that you deep in your head about it. I want you to sound confident when you talk about Atmospheres.” His voice was calm and focused.
I cleared my throat, closed my eyes for a couple of seconds and pushed away any negative thoughts that tried to bubble up inside of me.
“It’s a luxury event design, full scale party planning. Corporate office design. Holiday installs…” My words trailed as I tried to think back to what all I added on the list.
“Brand activations, wedding, private dinners, and visual storytelling for launches.” He finished for me.
“You think that’s too much?” I asked hesitantly.
“Hell nah. Too much for who?” He frowned.
“I mean not for others, but for me.” I said lowly.
“Nope. You just finally being honest with yourself about what all you can do. I think its sexy as hell.” He stated confidently.
“Okay but the prices, Dreu. I keep getting stuck on that.” I finally admitted.
I didn’t want to charge people an arm in a leg for my services. People loved to complain about things like that a lot and didn’t want it to be a problem.
“What are the prices you came up with?” He asked.
“For office design,” I said slowly, “I was thinking…maybe a one or two thousand?” I squinted my eyes already cringing thinking that was too much.
He barked out an amused laugh and shook his head.
“Pancakes,” he said gently, “High end office design start at ten. You will have a crew once you start interviewing. You think I’m going to let you step into this shit without the right resources? I’m getting you an office space and I’m gone make sure it goes big for you baby.” He leaned down and kissed my forehead.
“But ten thousand dollars to decorate just an office? I think that’s too much… I was thinking weddings could start at that price.” I blinked hard.
“No, you will be creating atmosphere. Mood, brand identity and experience. You not hanging pictures, baby. You will be walking in their place and setting the tone. You should always see triple the profit in anything you do.” He offered me a confident smile that made me feel like he had already seen the positive outcome of it all.
“Plus, rich people love paying out more than shit is worth… it makes them feel secure.” He chuckled.
“That’s not true.” I snorted out.
“It is!” he laughed.
“When it cost more, they trust it more. They assume care, excellence, and exclusivity.” He shrugged like it was nothing.
“That sound like some rich people propaganda.” I narrowed my eyes at him.
He reached over and squeezed the top of my thigh then looked into my eyes seriously.
“If it make you feel better, you can offer a family discount since you gone be apart of my family. But I ain’t playing about the prices. You gotta price shit for the lifestyle you serving not the one you were used of living because that shit is over from this day forth.” He declared.
