I sat tapping the pen against the edge of the table of the boardroom meeting. We were discussing my plans to further the location of my third restaurant. But my mind was on other things. I saw Catora for the first time in almost two years last week and I couldn't get him out of my head.

Unfortunately, he looked so good. Ooh did he look good. He looked better if anything. His chocolate smooth skin was still rich and evened out with barely a speck of blemish. He smelled the same. Expensive cologne and weed. He had his little Honda with him though. Surprise surprise.

"What made you want to expand?"

"Honestly my first thought was to keep it all in Chicago you know like a Landmark, but once I saw those ratings and the money shoot through the roof when I moved up north with my second restaurant that's when I decided right then and there to put one down in New York."

"Logical answer. And smart," Mr. Huntington pointed out. "But who would oversee the restaurant?"

"I haven't quite gotten to that part yet, but regardless I'll be able to make frequent visits to New York, spend a couple of days there and run things how they're being run here. I'm telling you I can do this."

"I know you can do this. I'm just concerned as to who else can do this. This building is in a cleaner and quieter location if you get what I'm saying."

"Oh no I understand perfectly. You mean white?" he looked down at his paper chuckling, fixing his glasses up on his face.

"No ma'am. I'm not trying to say it like that."

"But you did. Indirectly of course," I was over this. I'm making too much money for this.

"Look, all I am saying is the building is located in the suburban part of Manhattan so you should probably consider the people you hire to run it."

There was a short awkward silence before I put a tight smile upon my face and began gathering my folder and binder.

"Can we continue this meeting next week? I'm running late for my daughter's recital."

"Sure. Same time?"

"Yes. Mariska?" Mariska scrambled to her feet in a hurry already knowing. We made it outside of the office and made our way into the elevator.

"You seen that shit?"

"Racism at its best," I pressed the button to lead us down to the lobby. "I'm reconsidering moving number three to manhattan. Maybe it's too soon."

"No. No you're making the right decision don't let that bigget get to you. He just wants to take over your legacy." Mariska shifted on her feet fixing her skirt. "Next thing you know he's changing the name of your restaurant and making a strip club out of it."

"Sounds like you've been through this before."

"I've been around the block. That is why you should find a way to cut him out or show him how much of a boss you are."

Ding!

Our heels clacked against the black marble floor. I said thank you to the doorman who opened the glass door and the valet man.

"Alright I'll call you tonight when I come up with something."

"Okay. Take plenty of pictures and videos."

"Oh you already know I'm filling up the entire camera roll."

"Shit." I cursed to myself bussing a U-turn heading in the direction of my restaurant. I forgot I had to pick up the bouquet of roses I had Sylvester pick up to give to Justyce after her big performance. My baby loves flowers.

"How y'all doing?" I greeted some customers and my staff while passing through and going through a pair of double doors leading to Sylvester's office. Knocking, I waited for a response. Within seconds it opened to reveal a handsome Sylvester in a navy blue button up and solid colored tie. He looked a little bit out of it though.

"Sylvester, what's up with your shirt, it's a bit wrinkled?"

"Don't ask," he rolled his eyes. He moved out of the way for me to walk in. I looked around expecting to see a bouquet of red roses. I didn't see anything but regular office supplies. "What's up?"

"Where's the roses?"

He slapped his hand over his face as if he forgot them. He forgot the damn flowers.

"Sylvester c'mon I asked for one thing now I'm going to be running late probably." I looked at the Rolex on my wrist.

"I'm sorry Jayda I lost track of time and I was drowning in paperwork and then Jenny showed up begging for her job back making a scene."

"A scene?"

"She kind of knocked over the tables in a fit of rage."

"Oh my God I can't hear anymore." I rubbed my temples.

"You're obviously frustrated so I'll run and get them right now I'll call in and order them on the way. Roses you say," I stopped him from running out.

"It's okay. I got it." He sighed. I sat him down on the sofa. I don't know what's going on with him today, but I pray he gets through it.

"I'm coming to you as your boss and not your girlfriend so if you're trying to be bumped up to director of managers or even a raise you're going to have to learn to keep things running right around here and put your foot down,"

"I am trying. It's just one time and I've been discombobulated today,"

"Okay I understand, but you're the manager, the manager doesn't have any excuses. Clearly you're stressing about Lord knows what, but we can talk about it tonight." I grabbed his hands.

"I feel bad. I'm messing up big time."

"Yeah well you're human."

"You made me feel like you were about to fire me." He chuckled nervously.

"That effect comes with my position. It's my duty to put a little fear in your heart honey." I smiled tapping his chest. "I'm gone. I'll pick the roses up on the way."

Sylvester asked if he could tag along.

"Is Nalia here?" I referred to one of my other managers.

"No, today's her day off." Oh that's right. Such a hardworking girl, she should take an extra day off. Paid of course. She's shown me that she's about her money.

"I think it's best if you stay here then. Just to make sure nothing else pops off. I'll tell Justyce why you couldn't make it, she'll understand."

"Sure she will. Sometimes she acts like I annoy her."

"No she doesn't, she just has to get used to you. I've been the only person she has been around practically her whole life on account of her grandmother." I placed my hands on his cheeks. He didn't reply back.

"I'll call you when I get there."

"Alright. I'll call in that way they'll be ready when you arrive." I smiled and gave him five big sweet kisses before turning on my heel.

"I love you." He said. Freezing up a little I took my time turning around to face him. He had a crooked smile placed upon his lips.

"Mhmm. See you later." I waved not knowing how to respond to that. I shut the door softly, careful not to look at his most likely saddened eyes. It's not that I don't love him as a person, I'm just not in love with him. At least not yet.

I just hope I didn't make myself out to be a bitch because that's not the case.

I searched for the nearest flower shop near Justyce's school and sped there. I had less than thirty minutes before the show began and I didn't want to miss anything.

"Welcome to The Garden. Need any help?" A brown skinny woman with curls pinned up into a bang and bun smiled.

"An order for a bouquet was called in ten minutes ago for Moody."

"Your flowers are being wrapped right now. That'll be thirty five dollars and eighty cents."

I paid the fee and stood to the side to wait on the flowers. I tapped my foot trying to busy myself. A clearing of a throat from behind me made me turn around.

"Oh no." I turned back around with a quickness. God what are you trying to do to me?

"Isn't this a coincidence?" Strong sweater covered arms slithered around me from behind and I was embraced into a tight tight hug causing me to stop breathing for a second.

"You can let go now Catora." I let out a deep sigh of relief when he detached. He walked around in front of me with that dumb smile on his face. Shaking my head..

"What you in here for? Getting your bitch I mean your boyfriend some flowers?" He had an annoyed look on his face. I smirked.

"He's not a bitch," I came to Sylvester's defense because he isn't here to defend himself. "It's for Justyce."

"Awe. How's my daughter doing?" He leaned in the counter interested in anything I said.

"Not your daughter." I said as a matter of factly.

"Jayda stop playing with me, that's my whole blood right there." He said in all seriousness. I can tell when he's serious because he doesn't blink, his brows furrow and he talks faster than usual.

"If that was your daughter you wouldn't have abandoned her for almost two years. How is that being a father sir?." I raised a brow. He looked like a ping of hurt hit him. Please..

"You gave me no choice, you up and left me remember. Changed the number and everything. You killed a nigga heart with that one."

"Why the hell are you in here? Asking me questions and shit." I was getting impatient because where are my damn flowers.

"My God daughter's ballet recital. I can't show up empty handed now. You know me."

God I see you got jokes today.

"That's sweet," I said. "Thank you, have a nice day." I smiled at the florist handing the bouquet over to me.

"Bye Jayda."

I walked out the store and got in my car tossing the flowers into the passenger seat. My plan is to get there before he does that way he won't see me, hopefully. If I didn't see him last week I would've seen him today for sure.

"I want to thank you all family and friends for coming to watch the performance of yours truly, The Ballerinas of The City Academy. So get your cameras out and let the show begin!"

We were literally five seconds into the show and I was already grinning from ear to ear. My baby looked so beautiful up there in her pink tutu and leotard. I slicked her hair up into a slick bun this morning as it stated it should be on the paper. She didn't look a bit nervous either.

"Move over patna'" a deep voice distracted me from my video recording. "So you just didn't mention the fact that you were coming here too. We could've driven here together."

"That would've made the both of us late."

"Barely,"

"How did you even spot me? The lights are off." I accidentally said out loud.

"Anyone would be able to recognize the love of their life."

"Ssh." I shushed him and focused on Justyce. I nearly hopped out of my seat when I saw Justyce being circled around by the other cuties. She was twirling around in the middle with her hands held high above her head with a big wide smile. "Oh my God my baby has a solo. That's my baby!" I yelled out loud and clear for her to hear. Her eyes connected with mine and her smile got even wider if that was even possible.

She did some jumping and twirling in the air before dropping to the floor and stretching out backwards slowly.

"Wooo shit nah! " Cato stood up shouting from his seat like a maniac causing everyone to laugh. I pulled him back down.

"You are an embarrassment."

"And you ain't?" I rolled my eyes because he had a point there. I laughed.

"You're supposed to save your applause for the end of the performance."

"Fuck allat. My girls up there." I don't know why, but hearing him say that added a twinge of warmth to my heart.

"Which one is your God daughter?"

"The one on the right with the purple tutu." He pointed out the butter colored girl with curly brown hair pulled up into a donut and her edges laid.

"She's adorable, wait she looks like,"

"Ariana and Herb. Yeah they had her right after you left. Turns out she was four months pregnant at Yosohn's party." She was drinking like a sailor that day. I wonder why they aren't here.

"Ariana is in the hospital and Herb is doing a show in LA right now." As if he read my mind he answered my question. "So I came to watch her. I'm not her parents, but I'm somebody." He shrugged.

"One thing about you is you love the kids." I told him. As long as I knew him he has had that soft spot for children. He told me one time he went to retaliate on somebody who killed his friend and he would have shot the car up, but he saw a little girl in the backseat and just couldn't bring himself to do it. He killed the guy the next day at the gas station. He was only seventeen.

One thing I did miss were those real talks. All night especially on the phone when we first started talking. Like little teenagers or something.

Before I knew it the performance came to an end and everyone was cheering. I held my hands around my mouth cheering for my baby. She worked so hard! She's been practicing at home, in the store, the shower and everything just for this moment.

"My little ballerina!" I crouched down with my arms out for Justyce to run into. I squeezed her tightly giving her kisses all over her face. "You were amazing up there. I didn't know you had a solo." I gently shook her side to side and planted more kisses on her face.

"Stwop it Mommy I'm at school. Hehe" she backed away smiling.

"Awe well I guess you can't get your flowers!" She gasped at the huge bouquet of red roses.

"Oh mommy!" She gripped her arms tightly around my neck. I exhaled deeply. I felt like crying and I didn't even know what for. Opening my eyes I could see Cato not too far away holding onto who I'm assuming is his God daughter. She looked like she was crying.

"You deserve a big bowl of ice cream. What do you say about that?"

"Yes yes yes!" She hopped up and down. "Can my friend Yuri eat ice cream with me too? Her mommy couldn't come see her today and she's been really sad." Justyce batted her lashes at me.

"I don't know we have to call her mommy and ask or ask whoever she's with." Before I knew it she was dragging me over towards, oh man. I can't catch a break.

"Hey Yuri. My mommy said you can come with us to eat ice cream if your mommy lets you."

"Uncle C can I go?"

"Yeah. Go get your stuff so we can head out."

Both girls squealed in excitement before running backstage to retrieve their bags. And here I was sitting in the seat checking my emails while Cato watched me.

"If this ain't a sign Ion know what to tell you." He started. I didn't say anything.

"You ain't gotta ignore me. We can be friends."

"Ain't nothing friendly about you D-Cato." I scoffed, shaking my head and rolling my eyes.

"Oh now it's D-Cato? I'm hurt."

"It became D-Cato when you decided to stick your dick in another woman's pussy. It was a woman, right?" I raised a brow getting under his skin.

"Stop fucking playing with me Jayda," he shoved my shoulder causing me to wince. Heavy handed sonofa- "I ain't stick my dick in no bitch. I just got my dick sucked."

"Oh ghe do you want a cookie?" I clapped my hands. "Congratulations you only cheated halfway" I said sarcastically.

"I'm telling you the truth. That way we can start this relationship off fresh so there won't be no more secrets between us. And I am sorry again."

"Mommy we're ready."

"Okay let's go."

💕

I feel like I'm writing the same ole urban story everyone has😒

Thank you everyone for supporting my story! I'm #1 in two of my tagged categories☺️❤️

💕