27 | Trust

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"Hood fame, everybody know my name when
I come through
But don't nobody scream it like you
I was having visions with you
Doing thangs, switching lanes in the beamer
With you" 
- Brent Faiyaz

"Everything has pretty much been nonstop since we got the house." I told Jade as we drove to meet up with Ashley to view the third office space of the day. Ideally I want a high rise office space, and I also want to own the full building. With that does come with having an already occupied building. Realistically we only need about three floors starting off, and I want the top ones.

"Don't forget you have an entire crew, we're here to help."

"I know, but most of it has been stuff as far as the house. It took me a while to find a good interior designer, then Jerrell and Tone had to do even more work to install all of our security things. Us finding a reliable moving service for the furniture from the last house. On top of that we still have to interview and hire staff for the house, and whenever we find the ideal office space we'll have to do it all over again: designers, security, hiring. I just feel a bit overwhelmed and now that I'm in California I'm being pestered by every piece of shit Jerrell has stuck his dick in." I vented, immediately feeling relieved that I was able to say it all out loud.

"Well the bitches will always be there just make sure that Rell isn't entertaining them. On a good note, my mom owns a staffing agency so I can get you set up with a housekeeper, gardener and a pool person. I think Ju already connected Rell with his cousin who's a personal chef. We'll also be able to use my mom's agency for staffing the office space. Do you have a NDA drafted up so I can send to my mom?"

"I have something drafted. I'll go over it tonight when I get home and send you the final version. Thank you so much. This is going to take so much stress off my shoulders." I let her know while pulling into a guest parking space in the underground parking garage of the building.

"Bailey, this is a family business. We may not be blood, but we're in this for life. My resources will always be to benefit the family. My success is dependant on my family's success, period." I smiled and leaned over to give her a hug.

"I love you so much, Jade."

"You're going to get me emotional. You know I love you too. Now shake it off and let's keep this ball rolling." We pulled away from each other and I briefly closed my eyes while taking in some deep inhales and exhales to release all the unnecessary stress and tension.

"Okay, let's go." I grabbed my key card for the Tesla and stepped out of my car. My cars arrived the other day which is a huge relief because I hate trying to drive Jerrell's tiny vehicles. Big surprise that since my cars have gotten here he's been driving the G-Wagon everyday.

"From the outside, this looks like the one." Jade commented as we made our way into the lobby to greet Ashley. I immediately took notice of how clean cut and upscale everything looks which immediately made me feel optimistic about this space.

"Welcome, ladies." Ashley greeted us. "This is one of the largest office space buildings in the city. It's forty-two floors and strictly office space. Unfortunately there is only two floors at the top that are vacant, but the floors are extremely spacious. Let me take you up so you can see for yourselves." We followed her onto the elevator and watched as she scanned a badge before pressing the button for the top floor. As soon as we stepped off of the elevator I knew this was the perfect space.

"Ashley, I think this is the one." I spoke confidently while thinking about reaching out to Noelle since she did such an amazing job with customizing the office in Boston that Malcolm has now taken over. "Actually, this is definitely it. How many active leases are currently on the building?"

I honestly don't really care about the leases on the building. The reason it's so important for me to have full ownership of the building is so that I can have my own surveillance and security wired throughout. I don't need anyone tracking my access and the only way I can control that is by having full ownership. Of course, an additional stream of income wouldn't hurt. I know I'm going to install facial recognition software and the cameras will need to have at least a five mile radius, but I'll let Tone work out the technicals when it comes to that.

"Approximately thirty-seven. Some of the floors hold multiple tenants. There is a property management team based on the second floor as well that handles maintenance and building upkeep. I can introduce you to them today if you're up for it."

"We can definitely get that out of the way. I want to arrange a delivery of the building layout that highlights all exits and stairwells along with a list of amenities and each elevator access point." I looked over at Jade to see her taking pictures of the space. Probably sending them to Ju since I've been too focused to update Jerrell.

"Of course. I'll reach out to them now to give them a head's up that we're on our way down."

A couple hours later I felt a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders as I pulled in beside a moving truck in my driveway. Furniture is the last thing we wanted to take care of due to all the wiring and alterations that needed to be made for the house to install the proper security equipment. Jerrell and I have been staying in a rental for over two weeks now and I'm over it. I stepped out of the car just as Jerrell was making his way out the door.

"Before you start, the last room is being furnished. Your stuff from Cambridge has been unpacked. Security system is fully active, and I've already gotten everything out of the rental, so yes we're staying here tonight. Welcome home, baby." As hard as I tried to fight it, a small smile grew on my face. I've been so focused on everything that needs to get done so to see things get finished is a big relief.

"Is my office done?" He reached around me to close the car door and tossed his arm over my shoulder, leaning down to kiss the top of my head.

"Let me show you. They had me approving designs and shit, so you better like how it turned out."

"Oh God, now I'm nervous." I joked while checking out the new glass on the door as we passed through the threshold.

"Well you hired ole girl, so it's on you. Take your heels off." I stepped out of my pumps, immediately being hit with a wave of relief. I can't wait to soak in my own bathtub tonight. The rental only had a walk in shower. I flexed my foot a bit and let Jerrell continue leading me towards our adjoined home offices. I stepped in and immediately was in awe of how it turned out.

"This is perfect, and bright." I walked further into the office, taking in all the details.

"The first door opens up to my office, the second door opens up to our shared bathroom."

"Ew, shared." He playfully pushes the back of my head and walks over to plop down on the couch.

"Take a look around, but don't you dare start working. As soon as these movers done we're going upstairs to wind down. I cooked and everything for you." I walked behind my desk, smiling at the framed photo of Jerrell and I from the dinner we had to announce our marriage. It's the first time I seen him in a suit and since then I've found every opportunity to talk him into wearing one.

"No you didn't cook."

"You're right, but the new chef delivered a couple meals over so we can try out his food over the weekend. If it's good he'll start on Monday. He signed that NDA shit you sent to me earlier for the staff and he passed his background check." I rose an eyebrow while walking around my desk. Jerrell's definition of passing a background check is different than mine.

"Define passing his background check."

"Well he's been to prison, but in my opinion all the best chefs have." My eyes widened as I gave him a knowing look. "Don't look at me like that. He went from cooking drugs to cooking food. Plus I personally interviewed him and his shit is in order. He's come a long way, and he's just trying to set the best example for his kids." I nodded, feeling more at ease about it. I can't judge anyone with drug charges with all the stuff my family is involved in.

"I trust you on this."

"You don't have no choice, woman. I run this shit." I flipped him off and opened the adjoining door to his office so I could check it out as well. His office is basically identical to mine with the decor, just a different color scheme. "Get out my shit, Bailey!" I heard him call out from my office. I released a laugh and moved around his desk to see what pictures were on his desk.

"Jerrell! Why do you have this picture on your desk?! How did you even get this picture?" I called out while looking at the picture in slight horror since I never even showed him this picture.

I had a drunk photoshoot with Cam one night in our condo and drunk me was ready to send him every single photo, but I ended up not doing it since we weren't really speaking at the time and I didn't want to send him the wrong signal. I wasn't feeling the best that day, so we did each other's makeup, went through our lingerie, and finished a bottle of wine each. Cam always knows the best way to cheer me up, and I hate that for the first time since we met we'll be living in completely different states.

"The other day while you were looking at offices and shit I was going through your fragile items box and found this camera. I thought you had some off guard pictures of me in it, but I was met with an even better surprise. I went and got a couple of them joints printed out. I even got a wallet size." He explained while walking up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Other people can see this." I mumbled.

"Who? This my office. You're the only one who acts like they don't know my desk is off limits."

"Boy, ain't nothing off limits to me in my house." He laughed, burying his head into my neck.

"Family, I'm home!" Essence's voice rang out and I slightly froze when it hit me that I forgot to revisit the topic of her moving into the guest house.

"Don't freeze up now. What the hell did you do, Bay?"

"It's just the guest house. We technically won't ever see her. She's still dealing with that bad breakup and she just needs time to figure out what it is that she wants to do with her life. Maybe you can find some time during the weekend to have an actual talk with her. She masks it good, but she's really hurting. She hasn't even opened up to LJ because she doesn't want him going after the guy." He sighed and nodded his head.

"I'll talk to her. Come on, let's go show her the way to get to the guest house without coming through our shit." He joked making me laugh as I turned to follow him out of the office.

"Do you need help with your bags?" I questioned as we met her in the entryway.

"No. Que and Elle are in the truck. I just don't know where the closest parking would be." She turned on the heels of her sneakers, heading back out the door. We followed behind her, seeing Que's black F-150. He leaned his head out the window, giving us a cheesy grin.

"Welcome to the West Coast, Bailey."

"Thank you. You can follow the path of the driveway around the house. It'll take you to our garage. Park just outside of it. The guest house is right next to it." I explained to him as Essence walked around to get back into the car.

"Where's Elle sneaky ass at?" Jerrell questioned while walking up to the truck.

"She's in the backseat knocked out. This drive was over an hour."

"Y'all watch her. These the only people I wanna see over here Ess, and you and I will talk tomorrow. I'll text you the lock code for the door back there." Jerrell spoke while pulling out his phone. I smiled and sent Essence a wink. I noticed the furniture people walking out and walked over to meet them so I can sign off on their forms.

"Here's a copy. There's a contact number at the bottom incase you guys have any issues."

"Thank you guys so much. We appreciate it."

"Hold up!" Jerrell called out. I looked back to see him jogging over to us while digging in his pocket. He pulled out a wad of cash and handed it to the main guy. "Split this between your team. Y'all knocked this shit out with no issues, so this is a tip for y'all." I could see the gratitude in the man's eyes and gave him a reassuring smile. It's six of them in total so I know it's a decent amount to be split between them.

"Okay, I need a bath." I exhaled as Jerrell and I made our way back inside the house.

"Why you got them heels back on?" He commented as I stepped out of my shoes in the entryway again.

"I wasn't about to walk outside barefoot. Let's go to our room. They kept our original bed right?" The bed we picked out for our last house was perfect and it is one of the few items I didn't sell when I sold the house.

"Yeah, it's up there along with that big ass floor to ceiling mirror you ordered for our closets." I cheesed and did a small dance up the rest of the stairs.

"What are we eating for dinner tonight since you already seen the meals?"

"It's a simple salmon dish. Gotta pop it in the oven for about fifteen minutes then it'll be ready. You can take care of it when you get out the tub. I'm done for the day." I cut my eyes at him and continued to our room.

"You can make the dinner or go sleep your ass in one of the guest rooms."

"I guess we just not eating tonight, because I damn sure don't negotiate with terrorists." We locked eyes and both burst out laughing.

"I'm so happy to finally be home!" I exclaimed while pulling off my blouse and tossing it onto one of the chairs in our room. I walked into the bathroom, happy to see all of the toiletries in place. I grabbed my bottle of Dr. Teals and started the water.

"I can take a bath with you?"

"Wasn't I just a terrorist a minute ago?"

"Ain't shit changed. I just wanna be next to you." I looked up from the running water, taking him all in. Since I moved out here our sex life has been next level, and it's been so spontaneous that most times we don't even use protection. I've just been even more strict on my birth control and doubling up on my morning after stash.

"I feel like you're trying to trap me with a baby."

"I am. You already done left me more than once. I gotta keep you." I bit the inside of my cheek, still afraid of the possibility of having a child. Emotionally, I don't know if I'm prepared for that yet.

"I think that we should greenlight Ju's block party. It'll be a good way to rollout our organization." I said to change the subject.

"You're dodging the topic again, Bailey. Technically, you're contractually obligated to have a baby within the next year and a half."

"According to the contract we weren't supposed to be living in separate homes either, but shit happens."

"Stop catching attitudes with me because you don't want to talk about shit. Regardless of the contract, we're still married and these are valid topics. I want to start a family with my wife. Let's talk about it." I released a sigh and turned my attention to the bubbles forming in the tub.

"I want an actual wedding." I mumbled.

"Done. Now I want you to stop taking all of them birth control pills."

"I-" I paused, releasing a sigh. "I'm afraid."

"You don't think I'm not either? I'm scared as fuck, just like I was afraid to marry a stranger, afraid to choose someone I barely knew over my whole family. Being afraid didn't stop me from doing any of that shit and I'm not about to stop now. I've learned the best route is that if I want something to go for it, no hesitation." I cut off the water and stood to continue undressing.

"At least let me finish the checklist we both agreed to before I stop taking my birth control. I don't want to have a stressful pregnancy, and it'll be just that if we rush into it while still trying to get everything successfully started up out here."

"I can agree to that, but I'm still not pulling out." I rolled my eyes, a small smile growing on my face.

"That's exactly why you're not getting in my bath. Go take a cold shower." He snatched off his shirt while making his way over to the tub. I quickly climbed in while watching him undress.

"Where do you want the wedding?"

"Here. We can rent out the Petite Ermitage Hotel. Their Hummingbird Garden is the perfect space and it's the exact photo-op background I'd want." Yes, I've been scoping out venues, just in case.

"Cool. You got three weeks to plan it." My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as I leaned forward so he could climb into the tub behind me.

"Three weeks? What's up with you and these short ass timelines?"

"In three and a half weeks it'll make three years that we've been married. What better way than having our ceremony on the day that it should've happened. We got married in a conference room and I don't want that to be what we remember that day for." I leaned my head back so I could look at him.

"I love you, Jerrell. I have a lot of fears with life in general, and it's like you always have the perfect solution to put my mind at ease." A huge grin grew on his face as he leaned down to capture my lips in his.

What are your thoughts on the conversation they had about having a baby?

How do you feel about them doing a wedding ceremony on their anniversary?

Do you agree with Essence moving into their guest house?

This book is coming

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