“I told you, nephew,” Ron said, pulling him into a solid hug that almost broke Najee down. “It’s only going to get better from here.”
“I appreciate you for everything. I know you’re probably tired of me saying it, but I mean it.”
Ron waved him off like it was nothing, but his eyes said everything. He was honored to witness a moment his niece would’ve loved to be present for.
Ashley motioned toward the small table near the back where a light spread of finger foods, cider, mocktails, and fruit platters had been set up. “Let’s take a few pictures and celebrate a little.”
As they all gathered around, Najee poured himself a glass of sparkling cider and nodded politely at a few people. He noticed how everyone looked at ease. Peace Haven wasn't just a name; it was a feeling. And now, his company would be a part of that. The feeling was one he couldn’t put into words.
“You know…” Ashley said, letting her eyes roam the room. “…we’ve had a lot of vendors over the years. But rarely do we come across someone who leads with both business acumen and a good heart.”
“That’s a fact,” Luke added. “Everyone in this room is here because we have the same mission, and that’s what matters the most.”
Najee nodded, letting the weight of their words hit him. This wasn’t just about money. It was about leaving a legacy, finding healing in the safest space, and representation.
“Here’s to the start of a great partnership, pouring into our community, and saving the lives of women and children throughout our city,” Ashley said, holding her glass up.
Everyone mimicked her and toasted. After taking a few pictures and talking to a few of the members, Ashley pulled him aside. “Hey. The drivers assigned to start in the next few weeks are trained in trauma-sensitive transportation, correct?”
Najee nodded. “Yes, the core crew is. I’m hiring a counselor for ongoing workshops, too. We wanna make sure every driver remains alert and aware when the woman enters the vehicle.”
Her eyes softened. “You really thought of everything.”
“I had to. Their safety matters the most, but so does their mental health.”
Each driver was trained not only in logistics but also in empathy. Some women had trauma so deep, the slamming of a car door would trigger them. So, Najee wanted to make sure his drivers were prepared. They needed to know when to be quiet, when to offer a kind word, and when to just let music or silence fill the space.
Najee even set it up to ensure that the same driver would return for follow-up rides when possible or requested. It was all about building trust through consistency. As uncomfortable as their situation may have been, their ride didn’t have to be.
Ashley smiled and patted his arm. “Absolutely. I can’t wait to see what the women think. Before you leave, grab your gala tickets from Brya at the front desk. There should be four inside an envelope with your name on it.”
“Will do. Thank you,” Najee said.
“Of course.”
Ashley walked off, and Najee walked back toward his uncle, who was eating a mini deli sandwich and was tearing it up.
“You over here acting like you ain’t ate,” Najee joked, chuckling.
“I haven’t. These little things are good. You should try one.”
That didn’t sound like a bad idea. Although he had plans to take the family out and celebrate, he needed something to hold him over. Glancing around the room, the weight of the moment finally sank in. He’d done it, and it felt damn good. Glancing upward, he smiled and said to himself,This is for you, Mama. Rest peacefully, my baby.
The only person Najee wanted to share his good news with besides his family and a few friends was Orielle. They talked this morning before her first private yoga session, and she wished him good luck, even though she claimed he didn’t need it. Then, she had the nerve to say she’d give him some celebratory head once she saw a picture of his signature on the contract.
Najee couldn’t snap a picture and send it to her fast enough. Ashley and Luke liked having a paper trail on file, so they gave him a copy and uploaded it as a PDF to their shared, secure folder. Just in case anything came up, they wanted to make sure everyone was covered.
It’d been a good forty minutes since Najee had texted Orielle. She was a hardworking woman, and he loved that about her. A woman with too much time on her hands for a man was a redflag in his eyes. It was usually a sign that she didn’t have her own goals, hobbies, or boundaries, and was liable to lose herself trying to keep up with a man.
He wasn’t tripping about Orielle’s silence. If anything, it reassured him. A woman with no hustle in her wasn’t the one for him, and he’d crossed paths with a few in his life. They’d drop everything the second he called or texted, eager to be where he was and talk to him. Women had tried molding their entire lives around him, only to cry when he told them he needed space.
Najee learned the hard way earlier in his dating years that not every form of affection was healthy. Some folks showed love in the most suffocating ways. It had taken maturity to admit that he didn’t want someone who revolved around him. He wanted someone who evolvedwithhim, but for themselves first.
When it came to Orielle, she did exactly that. Najee realized this before and was reminded when he hopped on Instagram. The call he made to her had gone straight to voicemail, so he figured she was on live. While she slept, was in the studio, having a day to herself, or when she didn’t want anyone to interrupt her video, she would turn the feature on.
Najee smirked when he spotted her profile picture at the top of his feed with the word ‘Live’ at the bottom of the circle. He wasn’t ashamed to admit that he watched her stories. He wanted her to see his name among the viewers in her notifications because he had liked a post. And if she didn’t see it, she’d see his name in her direct messages because he’d replied to one.
Orielle ignored men who did that, but not Najee. She loved that he was still crushing on her and let it be known. Furthermore, it proved that he actually liked her. So many men acted like they liked a woman just enough to get something out of them, and it was sad.
