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The car door shuts with a bang and I stare at the windscreen. It's silent, the only sound is from my heaving and an annoying beep sound.

"You need to put a seatbelt on, Imani," I feel his stare still on me.
"Just shut up, and drive," I grit my teeth.
"Yes, ma'am," he chuckles softly and drives out the parking space.

I stare out the window and let out a deep sigh as the car drives along, wondering why he isn't talking to me or anything. I mean, is it not men who are supposed to be conversation starters?

"You know, you should be directing me to your house," his says in a low tone.
"And it's now you talk about that?" my tone certainly doesn't match his.

"You have one loud voice, Imani," he stops at a red light.
"Well excuse me,sir! But unlike you my wiring came with a PA system and major vocals so-!"
"Okay,okay. I hear you," his hands are raised and I slouch into the chair.

Pathetic.

"Left," I mutter, noticing the road we're taking is close to home.
"What?"
"Left," I snap.
"Oh," he turns left and keeps driving.
"Are you always this calm about everything?" I turn to face him.
"Yes. Why, I shouldn't be?" He grins.
"I don't know," I roll my eyes.

"Well, I'm not much of an aggressive person,"

Wow, meet the world champ at aggression: Imani Yané-that would be me.

"Ahh, I see," I nod slowly. "Left again,"
"Why would you ask about me being calm?" he gives a side glance.

"Let's not talk about it, Mr Greear," he reaches for the knob on the radio, increasing the sound of the music playing.
"You're into EDM?" my jaw drops.

"Yeah, you have a problem with it?"
"Haha... no, not at all," I raise my brows in amusement. He actually has good taste.

Strange things about this guy. What next, Coachella?

"Town Hill Estate, nice," we drive past the entrance and into the vast area of detached houses lined up on each side.

"2080 is my house,there," I point and he parks right by the sidewalk.
"Well, here we are," he announces.

I can't believe Kenya made him drop me off... now he knows where I live.

"Yep, well thank you and goodnight," I quickly grab my bag and open the door.
"See you soon, Imani," his face is dark and mysterious, almost like he could take me down right here, right now.

"Quick reminder, this is your first and most certainly your last time doing this. I don't want you visiting me whatsoever,"
"The flattery," he scoffs.

"I'm just saying," I close discussion, exiting the car.
"Goodnight, Imani," gosh his voice is seductive- damnit.

"Goodbye, Mr Greear," I close the door and walk to my house, not bothering to look over my shoulder.

Today was quite the experience.

***

"So what's the plan for this weekend, ladies?" Hannah has one heck of a hype and Friday hasn't even arrived.
"I'm going to get my hair done this weekend, zero cares what y'all think," I throw a peace sign at them.

"Oh," Kenya says, gently patting the laid edges of my hairline.
"What's the plan then?" Hannah inquies, selectively picking a fried chip from her plate.
"I don't know, but I want something simple and manageable," I stare into space.

"You could always try braiding your hair into a bun?" Kenya suggests.
"Nah girl! What Imani needs is a wig," Hannah now holds a scowl at her suggestion, taking another chip.
"Maybe, but then if all else fails then I could always just braid it."

We continue conversing and I notice a male figure approach us from the corner of my eye.

"Imani?"
"James?!"my eyes bulge at him.

James Kagan. The Kagan's son, remember him? Two and a half years older dude who my mother swears by the heavens that we'll get married? Yes, him.

Kenya and Hannah exchange looks before smiling at the man, and then at me.

"I didn't know you live around these parts," the liar. How doesn't he know this when my mother talks about it all the time.

"Hahaha, well here I am!" I make a forced laugh and turn to my friends with a confused scowl.

What the hell does he want here?!

"It's good to see you," he extends his hand to the side and now I'm forced to stand and hug him.

In all honesty, James is the real deal. He has the looks; the smile, the body, the money, heck he has it all. But in all those pros, his major con is his ego and the fact that he is under his parent's pit like a purse.

I'm finally out of his embrace and turn to sit down. His hands are in his pockets as he glances over at my best friends.

"Ladies," he nods.
"Oh, James meet my best friends; Hannah and Kenya. Ladies, James Kagan," I blink twice, girl code.

They know the jackass they just never had the chance to meet him, that's all. I notice Hannah scrutinizing his demeanor, good girl.

"Kenya? You're Kenya Badu, Badu & Associates," he gives his famous grin at her.

Not gonna work, my brother. She's getting married, keep moving!

"You got that right," she tries to join his laughter, seeing that it's getting awkward, turns to me and mouths "What the fvck?!"

"I have heard alot about the firm, your parents are amazing. It's great to know you're following in their footsteps," he smoothens his dark blazer.
"Thank you," she simply states to be polite.

"It was great meeting you ladies-Kenya," he nods and then turns to me, " I'll see you around, Imani," and he walks away.

"It's gwheut tuh knwow yuh fuwuwing in thuh footsteps," Hannah mimics James, it's horrible and hideous.
"Glad that's over," Kenya fans herself.

"He's just full of himself, he just didn't say much today," I push my plate away.
"Well, he's still a no-no," Hannah rolls her eyes. "And why is he even here? I thought he lives around your parents alot?"

"Look, I don't know. But all I can say is, I have a feeling my parents made him come this side,"I grunt.

Once lunch ends, I take time to finish off the last of my work for the afternoon.

"Ms Yané," Wendy knocks.
"Yes?"
"The venue for your appointment with Brisk has been moved to this location," she hands me my diary to view the name of the company's representative.

Shit.

My jaw drops and I quickly regain composure and close the book.

"Ok, so it's now?" I ask.
"Sure, would you like it to be held here in your office or the boardroom?"
"Here is fine," I gulp.

Wendy walks out and I'm left in my office to fix myself for this obviously awkward meeting with one of Brisk's representatives. One knock on the door vaporizes my thoughts and I take in one hella deep breath.

"Come in,"I call out.

I'm surprised to see him in a smart casual outfit today. Dressed in a smooth grey dressshirt over dark jeans, his build is still prominent under the cotton fabric. His work boots hit the floor with a soft thud as he approaches my desk.

"So you're Ms Yané," he says with a playful smirk.
"Have a seat, Mr Greear," I try not to look at him.
"You still haven't answered my question,"
"Look, Christian,"
"Mr Greear," he corrects.

Ugh.

"Mr Greear," I rephrase," can we get to business? It's already afternoon and I don't want either of us wasting each other's time," I turn to my computer and shift the mouse around, Lord knows I don't want to look at him.

"Imani the windows on your desktop are closed," he coughs.

Gosh, why is he even paying attention?!

I stare at the monitor for a good ass minute before moving to the main desk.

"Fine, fine. And yes, I am Ms Yané," I smoothen my skirt from under the desk. Nervous isn't the word to describe how I'm feeling but there isn't any other in my head so we'll stick to nervous. I'm nervous.

"Come on, Imani. You know we can't stick to such formalities even if we wanted to," he relaxes in his chair and smiles at me.
"Ok," I clear my throat," Well, as you were made aware, Khale Enterprise contacted your company because we've seen your profile and it is top notch,"

"Thank you," he winks.

My body heats up at the gesture. Wow, I haven't felt this way in...forever. I shake my head, trying to erase the image replay.

"So," I exhale before continuing," we have one big project to extend Logan Square, and they know that us being the experts, we'd support them with everything they need,"

"I see. Well we'd be happy to h-"
"I'm not done yet," I snap.
"For the love of God, I already know your company needs our help. So don't worry yourself over having to say it again," I can tell he's annoyed.

"I'm just doing my job," I raised my hands feigning surrender.

"Ms Yané?"finally, Wendy's squeaky voice saves the day.
"Yes?"
"I'm knocking off,"

Or not.

"Alright, " I smile and she leaves.
"Can we continue?" Christian leans in closer to the desk.
"Not like we have a choice," I say, paging through forms that he should sign.
"We do actually,"
"Which is?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at him.
"Let me take you out,"
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