Najee let out a deep laugh. “See. That wasn’t so hard. You playing shy like you don’t be fucking the shit out of me.”
She smirked and shook her head. “Whatever. I just can’t believe I’m turned on after the way I was just crying,” she said, shaking her head. “That’s so embarrassing.”
“Nothing to be embarrassed about, Pretty Girl. That’s what’s supposed to happen cause your body knows it’s safe with me. You’re about to be crying right on this dick, too.”
Orielle literally had no complaints. The thought of going home ran from her mind as she slid down his dick and moaned. There would be no more running if Najee had any say so.
13
“THAT’S THE BEAUTY OF MUSIC.”
Orielle discovered that stepping fully into her purpose meant being prepared for all the blessings that would pour in.
The saying ‘Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready’ had never made as much sense as it did now. Although she shouldn’t have been surprised, she was taken aback when Zahir called her directly to schedule a meeting. Orielle expected his assistant or someone to reach out, but that wasn’t the case.
Zahir was a very personable man, and anyone he brought on his team knew that. He was the one who would be working directly with Orielle, so getting acquainted with him happened before they sat down to discuss anything. With a booked schedule and days slipping away from him, Zahir didn’t have time to sit with Orielle until months later. The way her life was set up, Orielle didn’t think it seemed like that long of a wait.
Timing was of the essence. Plenty of talent came across his desk, but there was a difference between someone being talented and someone having a divine gift that would make them a star. In Zahir’s world, that’s what mattered the most.
There were a million talented folks out there, but who was truly ready to put in the work? Did they want their name to hold weight long after they were gone, or did they want to be that one person who did such and such that no one could really remember? Zahir could always tell on a first encounter just from a person’s conversation.
Orielle was the type of person who wanted it bad enough. As she stepped into one of the offices inside the Maven Talent Agency building, her eyes lit up. She smelled the ambition and money in the air. Wealth had a distinct smell to it. The matte black walls with gold accents were lined with platinum plaques, and elevator music floated from hidden speakers. She tucked a curl behind her ear and adjusted the strap of her purse on her shoulder.
“Rielle Summers?”
She turned at the sound of her name being called and was greeted by the receptionist.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Nice to meet you. You can follow me to the conference room.”
She nodded and took quicker-than-usual steps so she could keep up. The receptionist was walking like she had somewhere to be. They approached a glass door, and she pulled it open.
“You can go right in. Zahir will be with you shortly. Feel free to get comfortable.”
Orielle nodded and stepped inside. Her eyes traced the walls full of accolades from artists dating back to the eighties. She recognized names from a few on her playlists, and even the names of those who used to be in the Quiet Storm commercials. MTA had long, residual money, and Orielle was highly impressed and ready to work.
Zahir entered the room a minute later. His presence filled the space before he could even speak.
“Hey. How’s it going?” he asked, pulling out a chair to sit.
Orielle smiled and did the same. “Hi. It’s going.” She chuckled.
“No need to be nervous. Did you have trouble finding the office?”
“Not at all. Everyone was so helpful.”
Zahir nodded. “Good. My apologies for not getting back with you sooner. It’s been hectic these last couple of months. My brain and schedule are already on next year.”
She blew out a tense breath. It was only April. “Sheesh. I need to get like that.”
Zahir chuckled. “Nah. Not yet. I don’t need you stressed out.”
With a baby on the way, Zahir had already set time aside for the rest of the year to be off. Sovanna wasn’t a single mother, and he wouldn’t make her feel like one when their baby girl arrived. She’d give him some pushback, but Zahir was ready to make her a stay-at-home wife and mom. She loved her job too much, though.
“That’s true,” Orielle agreed, smiling. “When we last spoke, you said you’d had a chance to listen to my music.”'
Zahir nodded. “Yeah. Your earlier hits and the newest EP. That sound right there is what the people love. That raw shit. Excuse my language.”
