Page 19 of A Beast Captured My Heart

KAYORI

Brian and I enjoyed each other’s company, after being stood up by Praise. I took him up on his offer to go out and celebrate him being able to secure his own doctor's office. The club scene really was not my thing, so we went to a hookah bar. It was very laid back, the people here were more of a vibe than the club scene. Some people danced, while others sat around and smoked their hookah and had a couple of drinks. I was just happy it was Friday which meant I didn’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn to go to work.

“So, Kay Kay, if you know anyone that would like to take a receptionist job for my small clinic, the job is on the table. I’m starting them at twenty dollars an hour. They must be thorough and friendly, with good customer service. I’m starting off at that price because I know the actual pay for that position is fifteen an hour. A lot of people that get paid low wages don’t work to their best abilities in my opinion.”

I totally agreed with him, it’s exactly how I felt every day when I was working security. They asked for too much. The position and the pay were low as hell. Yet, they had us doing police type of work. I wished I could tell him I was a good candidate. I just didn’t want him hiring me because it was me. I didn’t want any conflict of interest on the job. I was already going through something similar with Praise.

“Well if you give me a couple of weeks to think about it, I might apply… send me the link.”

I took a sip of my wine thinking why not, I’d rather be working for Brian than Praise. I felt I would feel way more comfortable. Brian hasn’t made any passes at me nor has he tried to take our conversations back down memory lane. He talked about his girlfriend and how he was ready to marry her. I was happy for them both. We talked and caught up over the phone, he introduced me and his girl Angeline on FaceTime. She was real cool too.

“Man, that would be dope! You don’t even have to apply Kay Kay, I’ll get you in. Just let me know in two weeks before I start posting it on job sites.”

I nodded my head and gave him a warm smile. It felt good to be out enjoying my night, knowing I had no obligations tomorrow but to sleep in. Brian and I laughed, made jokes, smoked hookah, and sipped more wine. I realized I had to use the ladies’ room so I excused myself. On the way there I spotted Praise with a pretty dark skin model chick sitting in his lap. He didn’t notice me and I was happy about it. It seemed like he was talking business with a couple of other gentlemen. Once I handled my business in the restroom, my mouth watered at the sight of our dinner.

“I swear I gotta get you to retwist me and my girl's hair when you free, I was telling Angeline how dope you were.”

“I’ll do it for a small fee. It looks like you need a wash too. Is that dandruff I see?”

I leaned forward and touched his rough hair moving a dread out the way to get a good look at his scalp.

“Damn Brian! You can’t be working with patients with your head dirty like that.” I joked as we both shared a laugh together. Suddenly the vibes felt different, my stomach got tight. Before looking up I could smell his cologne.

“Kayori, let me holler at you outside Ma.”

Praise said with his jaw clenched. The look he gave was deadly. A person from the outside looking in would think he was my man catching me with another man. I tried to play it smooth and remind him just how crazy he looked.

“Umm, Mr. Praise I’m out with my friend Dr. Brian right now.”

Brian had the nerve to blush at the doctor's line. Men were so full of themselves.

“If you don’t mind can you call me, maybe late afternoon or evening tomorrow? We can talk then.” He went to give me a reply but I cut him off again.

“Oh, where are my manners?”

I grabbed my chest to add a dramatic effect.

“Brian, this is my boss Praise. Praise this is Brian.”

Brian waved his hand and smiled, reaching his hand out for a handshake. Praise looked at his hand as if it was a disease.

“Shorty, I be tryna be on some smooth shit with you. I try to give you some leeway cause you really don’t know who the fuck I am. If I have to tell you to let me talk to you again in front of this square ass nigga, I’m gon’ flex real hard in this joint you dig?”

Swallowing down hard, I saw fire in Praise's eyes. I didn’t fear him, I just feared what he could be capable of.

“Whoa, that’s not the way a boss should speak to his employer! Kayori are you okay?”

Brian talked so properly, you could tell he didn’t have a street bone in his body. He pushed his glasses up to his eyes, as he eyed Praise with curiosity and fear.

“I’m okay, listen Brian. It was so nice to see you and spend time with you. I’ll be in contact real soon. I think Mr. Praise has a serious issue he needs to discuss with me so I’m going to have to cut this short and get up with you tomorrow okay?”

Brian looked at me with a disappointed look and I silently prayed he just let me go with Praise in peace. I stood to my feet and hugged him but was quickly snatched away before my chest could collide and touch Brian. I was a classy lady in public, so making a scene wasn’t me. I was ready to lay off into Praise something terrible when we made it to privacy. He walked fast with the bodyguards following close behind. We made it outside and he opened the door to his Range Rover for me. What a fucking gentleman he is now. Soon as he got in the car, I turned to him and glared hard at him.

“Take me the fuck home Praise! I fucking quit! I’m done working for you and I mean that shit.”

Turning in my seat, I folded my arms over my chest and looked out the window.

“That shit don’t phase me, baby.” He chuckled, cocky stupid bastard. I remained quiet the whole way home. Until I realized we weren’t going to my place.