Chapter 9

• “What is your secretary doing in my office and why won’t you stop blowing up my phone?”
• King demanded with a grunt as he stormed into Brian’s office.
• King stared at him from where he stood holding a scowled expression. Wondering why he’s never serious.
• “Alright. For your first question, I took it upon my self. As the kindhearted friend that I am..” He gestured with his hands— “To lend my secretary to you for the time being, before you get yourself one.”
• Lend? Since when did we start lending each other our staffs.
• “You are welcome.” Brian quietly said as he swiveled around on his seat.
• “Andddd for the second question. Thank you very much for that question by the way.”
• King began to stomp out of the office —
• “I’ll be in my office when you are ready to tell me what this ‘supposed’ urgency is about. And please get that overly clumsy girl out of my space.”
• Brian got up immediately to block him from leaving.
• “I was just about getting to the second question, why are you always so agitated “ he hissed.
• “And?” King asked impatiently.
• Brian spoke with a sudden enthusiasm “Did you read up how Stephanie connected the fire incident to her ‘retirement’. She deserves an Oscar award bro.”
• “I haven’t had any breakfast this morning. Don’t get me started” king eyed him.
• “There’s been some change in plans, the investors called to say they will be meeting tomorrow, no more next week” he explained with a slight frown.
• No way in hell!!
• Brian carefully added—
• “Infact they also sent in delegates this morning, the bottom line of everything is we are maimed. Meeting and presentation is tomorrow.”
• “But things don’t work like this around here!!” King exclaimed as he walked to the table to pour himself a drink.
• Why didn’t I see this coming??
• I’m definitely going to need a miracle to pull this off.
• “I don’t even have a presentation to come up with. When did they call? How? Why am I the only one trying to wrap my head around this right now” he clutched his head in disbelief.
• “I already had my own nervous breakdown. Trust me, you’ll be fine .” Brian assured.
• And where in the world is Chase? King’s mind was spiraling out.
• Brian began to fill him up on the current situation of things, their next line of actions and whatnot— when a disorganized Chase badged into the office.
• “I just got off the phone with Karl, his company would be coming in tomorrow as well.” Chase alarmingly stated as he walked over to pour himself the remaining bottle of scotch.
• “Actually, I’m just coming from the club guys, a fight broke out last night and it’s been from one thing to the next.” he hopped with frustration.
• Speak of the devil.
• King spoke a little defiantly as he stood up to pull his suit jacket “Guys I cant do this right now. I’m going out to get something to eat.”
• “What happened with your Miss cotton? You ‘retired’ her too?” Brian inquired.
• “Mind your business.”
• “And for the records we know you weren’t the one who baked all those stuffs yesterday. You couldn’t even find your way around your kitchen.” Chase bantered.
• King shot them a baffling look
• “Whatever. She called in sick this morning.” He replied firmly.
• “Although, Maverick tried preparing something. It was a disaster, plus Brian wouldn’t stop harassing me with the calls.”
• King added in a flat tone before leaving.
• Karl had better stay off my way tomorrow.
• As Andre drove out of the building, King whipped out his phone to open his emails.
• “Dre, you won’t believe Stacey still sends me her nudes” He whined.
• Andre doesn’t bother looking at him before responding “Does Anne knows her friend is still obsessed with you?.”
• Anne is King’s younger sister, and Stacey being her friend— well, best friend on some days— there has always been some sort of awkward tension amongst them. Stacey ha)s gone round spreading fake rumors about her having secret relationship with King— Anne doesn’t even care. But this obsession has been going on for years and King is exhausted.
• Obsessed. Yes that’s the word. That girl works overtime in following me.
• With a twisted face he explained “Anne thinks it’s nothing serious. I’ve just been acting considerate cause of family ties. I’ll have her sorted out.
• “You still remember Donny’s place? It’s been over a year we visited his restaurant. Let’s go there instead” king instructed.
• “To Harlem? and it’s a cafe.” Andre mumbled.
• “Drive Dre.”
• Andre plastered a smile on his face “Mr McGorritth you do realize that’s where Miss..”
• “I need to take this call.” king interrupts in a rush.
• After about half an hour— all thanks to the traffic in town— Andre pulls up infront of the cafe.
• He turned off the ignition to ask “We are here sir. Would you wait in the car while I go in for you?.”
• “I’m really pressed, I need to take a leak.” King replied with a throaty laugh.
• He opened the door to get out “And I’ll also love to say hi to Donny if he’s around. Don’t worry.”
• King entered the cafe and immediately started scanning for the restroom.
• I look so out of place here. Where’s Donny? Why are they staring at me like I’m lost.
• Well sort of— I can’t find the goddamn toilet.
• He stopped to ask a lady holding a tray.
• She looks so distraught. By this time of the day?
• “Hello, can you please direct me to the restroom.” King stuttered as he tried to think of how to roll out the words.
• “Mr Kingston McGorritth?” She squealed sounding ecstatic.
• “Yes. Can you direct me please? And is Donny in?” He raised a brow and put his hands in his pocket.
• “Sure. Yes. Definitely. You just go straight and take a right.” she beamed.
• Luckily for him he was able to locate it and did his business in peace, but he couldn’t stop thinking of the lady who has been crying and hitting and hitting in the ladies room just opposite where he is. King decided to wait a little to know if she will stop. She didn’t.
• Why the hell will anyone be comfortable crying so loud in the toilet ?
• The door opposite him opened.
• Laura?
• Are those her cleavages!!?
• “Miss cotton?” King called out.
• She turned, color drained out of her face.
• ~~~~
• Today of all days? Laura thought as she tried to get her head to stop panicking.
• She tucked in her messy hair behind her ear “Good day Mr McGorritth, what a surprise.” her voice cracked slightly.
• I’m going to bet a thousand grand that the first thing he’ll bark out will be “Miss cotton, what are you doing here.?”
• “What are you doing here, Miss Cotton?” His eyebrows furrowed.
• Now I owe myself a thousand grand.
• Wait. The Miss cotton came afterwards. F**k.
• “You’re putting on an apron, do you somehow work here?” King asked blankly assessing her.
• “Yes. I do actually.” she admitted.
• He’s not putting on his suit jacket. His shirt is rolled up. Damn! Why am I always checking him out. And when did he trim his mustache!!!
• Did he hear me crying ? I called in sick!!
• Laura shot him a puzzled look “What.. what are you doing here?”
• “I uh, wait. You can call me King. Outside the house of course.” He said in a firm but polite tone.
• Crossing his arm he continued— “This was one time my best spot, my old friend owns the place. Donny. You should know him. I haven’t been here in a long while and I decided to stop by today.”
• Donny? Davon? Dave?? Oh.
• “You mean Davon? My Dad? I almost forgot you both knew each other.” Her mouth curved into a smile.
• “I’m not sure I follow.” He chuckled
• “I’m his niece, well I grew up with him as my dad— so technically he’s my dad. I give this explanation every single time.” She gave a nervous laugh.
• “Interesting. I always use to wonder how you ended up working for me, it was through him. I remember now.”
• King clears his throaty feebly “I can’t say I’m not surprised. I never took you for one who worked two jobs.”
• Are we really talking infront of toilet doors right now?
• “Mr McGorritth, about me calling in sick..” she began
• He shook his head “King.”
• “Right. Mr King… King, uhmm what’s so funny?” Laura’s brows drew together.
• You started with right again! This is third degree embarrassing.
• “You don’t have to explain. Is your dad in? I’d love to say hello.” He said with his mouth twitching, as he studied her.
• Ohhh?
• She tucked her hair in again before telling him Dave wasn’t around at the moment.
• King walked up to her— he’s towering over me— and tucked in the remaining strands of hair.
• King is silent.
• “Do you always wear a black D cup bra even when there’s mad heat? Cause right now the heat is maddening.” his pupils dilated as he spoke lightly.
• What? Who?
• “Laura your boobs have been all out the whole time. You forgot to button up” king added in a lofty tone with a smile.
• She looked down to see her shirt rumpled up, giving her cleavages a really nice view for him to have noticed. Her whole face lit up at the realization as she struggled with the buttons.
• He’s been staring at them since? No way! Maddie would have a heart attack.
• “I uhmmmm.. I’ll just get back to work. Thanks” she managed to say with a smile.
• He raked his fingers through his hair as he stepped aside. “You know, they look nice. Black bras definitely looks good on you. And you’re most welcome.”
• Laura walked away mumbling words to herself.
• He just said all that without moving a muscle!!!
• His eyes were definitely flirting with me.
• I’ve been on too many novels recently. I’m beginning to read meanings into everything.
• I can’t really blame these women who throw themselves at him now can I.?