TATIYONNA
I double-checked my email to make sure my assistant had the address correct and that the appointment was confirmed. I spent my earlier years headfirst in my schooling to become a Licensed Speech Therapist. After working at a few places, I got all my credentials and opened my own business that I ran with just me and my assistant. It allowed me to do other things that I loved to do and not have to worry about someone telling me what to do. Of course, my dad and Kileen pushed me to do it. It was shaky at first, but after three years of being on my own, I was well-established.
Once I confirmed I was at the right address, I grabbed my purse and phone, rushing to the front door because I hated being late, and I was already pushing it. This was my first time with this client, so I had to get to know them. I hit the doorbell and stepped back slightly to give myself some space from the door.
“Hey, you must be Ms. Cole?” A woman with auburn hair answered the door.
“Yes.”
“Great! I am Lonni Grant, the one who contacted you about my niece and nephew.”
“I wasn’t aware that it was two.” I double-checked the text messages between my assistant Wesley and me.
“I apologize. I thought I made that clear with your assistant.”
I wanted to reschedule to regroup. Being unprepared threw me off.
“Everything okay? I’m sorry, I thought we made that clear.”
“Yes, everything is fine. I’m sure I can handle it. We have plenty of paperwork to fill out anyway.”
“Come in so I can introduce you.”
The home was very nice. It was bigger than it appeared from the outside. As soon as we walked in, I could tell that the twins were the ones who ran the home. She had no control over them as they ran through the house.
“Please excuse their mess. The maid will come behind them and clean it up.”
“So, you said the twins are your niece and nephew, correct?”
“Yes, they are my sister’s kids.”
“Are you the guardian?”
“No, my brother is, but he’s extremely busy, so we take care of them together. They are with me the majority of the time so he can work.”
“I’m sorry, but I need to speak with the guardian of the kids. He will need to be here to sign their paperwork.”
“By the time you’re done with this appointment, he should be walking in the door.”
She walked me into the den where the kids were playing. The little boy was just about to push his sister down until he noticed his aunt and me standing in the doorway.
“And that is Mr. Dream and she is Miss Reign. Don’t let her pretty eyes fool you, she’s a bossy something.”
“Hello, Dream and Reign. My name is Tatiyonna. Can I sit and play with you and your sister?”
They both nodded. I placed my bag down and sat on the floor. For an hour straight, I would let them play but pay attention to their behavior. I took notes and recordings. For them to be four, their speech and behavior were behind. Usually, I would go through my clients' files, but the bullshit with Kileen had me thrown off. They communicated with each other well, but it was hard to understand some words.
I wrapped up my session so I could get my paperwork done and schedule the next appointment when the finest man I had ever laid my eyes on walked in. He was tall, dark, with a nice fade with waves so deep they would make you dizzy. His beard was trimmed so well that it looked like it was perfectly laid like a damn lace front. He was so put together that I was in a trance. That was hard to do. He caught me staring at him and cleared his throat.
“Ms. Cole is here for the twins. She said that I couldn’t sign the papers because I’m not their guardian. I know you hate me to bother you while you’re working,” Lonni told him.
“It’s cool. Where are the papers?” The fine man asked.
I heard him, but I was distracted. All I could think about was what was under the nice ass suit that he wore. He was dressed in a suit, but the diamonds and tattoos around his neck let me know there was a little roughness in him somewhere.
“Aye! Where are the papers? I got things I need to be doing so I can afford to keep things running.”
“Sor…sorry,” I stuttered. “It’s a few papers I have here. You can put your number…I mean, your sister can put her number if she’s the one who watches them while you work.”
