“Kenny, I’m serious brother. The Autism Awareness fundraising banquet is Monday and there’s going to be a lot of potential investors there. It would be the perfect opportunity for Gabriel to come out of the shadows and introduce himself to the world.” I grunted. That wasn’t happening. I was comfortable in my own space. The people that mattered met with me here in my home office. Everyone else met with the President of my company.
“Kenny is the face of Calhoun Investments. It’s him they’re going to see.” I grumbled. Barry was shaking his head before I finished speaking.
“It’s okay to run the scene from behind the curtain, but some things are going to require you to come out of that office down the hall. I know these guys, and they will want to meet the man behind the man if they’re going to do business with us.” I exhaled. Sometimes Barry was like a fly that I wanted to smash.
“Also, you should think about finding yourself a wife.” It was my turn to grimace. Kenny chuckled shaking his head looking out over the party.
“She doesn’t have to be smart. The last thing we need is a fortune hunter sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong. But she should be beautiful… very beautiful. A nice piece of eye-candy on your arm can go a long way at these events. The stuff coats would be too busy looking at her to notice you much.”
“You know…” He paused eyeballing me. “I can help you find one. There are agencies…” I held up my hand bringing him to a halt before he insulted my intelligence any further.
“If, and when I decide to marry. It will be a woman of my choice. Until then, hold off on the wedding plans.”
“You got it big guy. I’m just trying to do my job.”
“Oh Barry…” Kenny said. Finally doing what I paid him to damn do. He wrapped his arm around the attorney’s neck.
“We know you’re just trying to do your job, and you do an excellent job at that, which is why we have you on the team. But tonight is for celebrating. Let’s leave all the work talk off till Monday morning. Go and find yourself one of those beautiful young ladies down there and see if she can help you forget about work for the night.” Barry used his finger to push his glasses up on his nose. It looked as if he wanted to say more but Kenny gave him a little nudge toward the stairs.
“Yeah… sure Kenny, I had my eyes on the brunette in the green dress.”
“There you go my good man. Go get her!” He clapped the nervous fella on the back again.
“Samson, Kenny!” I said as soon as Barry was out of hearing distance. He laughed, pissing me off.
“Yo, that sh*t ain’t funny!”
“Calm down Hercules. The only thing Barry thinks about is money. It was just a little inside joke between me and you to lighten the mood.” I shook my head, looking back down at my guests.
“So… no show on your lady huh?”
“Are you sure you requested her specifically, or did you let your secretary do it for you?”
“I went myself. But you can imagine the mix up when Shanice came into the owner’s office and it was not your girl. I described her to Shugga and she assured me she knew exactly who I was talking about. She said her name is Yasmin and that she would make sure she was here tonight.”
“Oh, really, did she assure you?” He nodded his head. If he heard the sarcasm in my voice his goofy smile didn’t hint to it.
“One problem though…” I continued. “She’s not here!” Kenny held up his hands.
“Bruh, before you lose it and start hulk smashing sh*t, let me make a few calls. I will personally make sure your missing lady gets here tonight.”
“You do that!” I left him standing by the rail, my thoughts going back to my absent girl. The first lesson Ms. Yasmin was going to learn was to never, ever, lie to me again.
* * * * *
Yasmin
I think that maybe I was going to be able to pull this off. At least that’s what I was trying very hard to convince myself was true. For the most part Shanice had been right. Nobody really paid attention to the wait staff, even though our uniforms were pretty scandalous. I guess the theme was French Maid. The skirt covered my behind but just barely. And the grey button up halter top played peek-a-boo with my belly-button every time I reached for something. I pulled the little frilly apron up as far as it would go to cover my exposed skin. I was extremely uncomfortable to say the least, especially without my cap.
Most of the night I walked around with my head held down and prayed I didn’t bump into anyone. And to make matters worse, my eyes were killing me. They were so dry and were getting dryer by the minute. But outside of those few setbacks, I guess everything else was going smoothly.
I hadn’t even seen Gabriel yet so that was good. There was no way I would’ve been able to pretend this long with his powerful presence in the room. Shanice had gotten here about an hour ago and told me she would give me the signal when it was time to make my move.
“These old mansions all have servant stairs that will take you up the back of the house. When I scratch my ear like this...” She reached up and gently rubbed her earlobe.
“That will be your cue. Just go into the kitchen and walk straight up the stairs. Don’t look around. Everyone is going to be too busy to notice you. Move with a purpose and you won’t draw anyone’s attention. I heard his bedroom is on the third floor. Go up and grab what
