by Anna Black
“Daddy . . .” She paused and looked at Tiffany again, and then back at Langley. She swallowed hard, and the words she spoke made Tiffany even more terrified. “If you can teach us everything we need to know . . . We can do it.”
Tiffany thought her ears were playing tricks on her. Had Tressa lost her mind with all the drugs she had done. But then again, she thought, if Tressa, a recovering addict and alcoholic, showed up and said she could do the job, Tiffany knew damn well she herself could. “Mr. Green, like Tressa said, we can do it,” she said, and then immediately wished she could take those words back. Being CEO of a company that large was a huge responsibility, a level of talent that she may not have had.
“Now, listen, it will be business as usual around here because many people in this company are not going to like my decision, but it’s my company, and I’ll do what I damn well please. So, in the meantime, ladies, we will have a lot of meetings with a team I’ve handpicked to show you two the ropes. There are only a handful of employees that know what’s going on, so do not speak to a soul about my health, Mike selling his shares and leaving, or about you two taking our seats. Understood?” Mr. Green was a pillow when it came to them, but he spoke so sternly, Tiffany knew he was dead serious.
They both said yes, sir in unison. Their meeting went on for another hour with basic details of what’s to come, and Tiffany could not believe what was happening to her. She knew why Tressa would automatically become the next in line, but for Mr. Green to pick her was overwhelming and a little too much information for her already-exhausting day. She finally made it back to her office, and Myah came in.
“Hey, boss, how did the meeting go with Mr. Green and Tressa? Is Tressa back to her old schemes and tricks? Did the precious Queen of L.A. fall off of the wagon?” Myah joked and laughed out loud at her own jokes about Tressa.
“It went well. And Tressa is still on the up-and-up, so far. Mr. Green was just making sure Tressa is on the right track and learning the business. Just a routine follow-up with schedules, budgets . . . just the basics,” Tiffany lied. She was told not to say a word, so only Kory and Rose were going to hear that information for now.
“Wow . . . I still can’t believe Tressa is Tressa. That woman was a mess, but she is doing good and looking damn good.”
“Yes, she is,” Tiffany said, and then there was an odd silence.
“Well, I’ll get back to my desk.”
“Hold on, Myah. I have a question for you.”
Myah came closer and sat. “Yes, Tiff, what’s up?”
“Have you ever thought about producing?”
Myah smiled. “Have I? I have so many ideas swimming around in my head.”
“Really? Like . . .?”
“I can’t tell you. You’d steal my ideas, go make it happen, and then what . . . It will be my word against yours.”
“We can sign a clause, Myah. I’d never steal your ideas.”
“I know, Tiff. I was just joking. I just think if I share my ideas, I want to be the one making my ideas into productions.”
“Well, Myah, today is your day. You are no longer my assistant.”
“Come again?” She looked puzzled.
“Yes, you are fired. Clean out your desk and move your things to the office way down on the other end of this building. It’s small, but as of today, you are a junior producer, so go pick one of those three little-ass offices down the hall and clean out your desk. I’ll get with HR. Your services as my assistant are no longer needed.”
“Tiffany, stop freaking playing. You cannot be serious.”
“I am serious, now move it before I change my mind.”
Myah leaped out of her chair. “Oh my God, oh my God, you are serious!” she squealed and was jumping in place.
“Yes. You’ve earned it, Myah, and it’s time you moved up. There is no limit when it comes to learning new things, so you will shadow Dee, and soon, you’ll be putting your ideas into production.” Tiffany smiled. Myah was bright, dependable, and it was time for her to grow as well.
Myah raced out of Tiffany’s office. Tiffany picked up the phone and called HR and let them know her decision. Not even sure if she had that power or not, she did it anyway and was confident Mr. Green would back her up. When the day came to an end, she headed for the elevator, and when she hit the call button, Tracy appeared again out of thin air. Not a-fuckin’-gain, Tiffany thought to herself and was tempted to act as if she left something in her office just to keep from getting on the elevator with her.
“Long day?” the bitter one asked.
“Yes, and I’m glad to be heading home,” Tiffany said. When the elevator doors opened, Tiffany stepped in first. She hoped someone else she knew would get on so she could talk to them and not Tracy’s ass.
“You know, I’m just as good as you are, and I would have done just as good as you did with Boy Crazy,” Tracy said.
Tiffany rolled her eyes. “Listen, Tracy, I was signed years ago for Boy Crazy, and I’ve produced four other shows since then. Let it go. You are at TiMax now. Work on keeping your spot here,” Tiffany snapped. She hated knowing within a year she’d be CEO, because with that, Tracy’s future at TiMax wasn’t secure.
“I know you’re not threatening me, Tiffany Richardson.”
“No, baby, that’s not a threat; that’s advice; and it’s Tiffany Banks. Get the fuck out of the past,” Tiffany blasted when the doors opened. She stepped off wanting to tell Ms. Simms another thing, but she kept her cool and kept it moving. “I’m too busy doin’ me to let Tracy shake my branches and leaves,” she said to herself and flagged a cart to take her to her car. She was tired, but she promised Rose she’d come by the gallery, and that’s what she was going to do.
Unbelievable
Episode 13
Rose
Rose was busy moving things around, jamming to Anthony Hamilton’s “Since I Seen’t You.” Comin’ from Where I’m From was still and always will be her favorite Anthony Hamilton CD. The music blared so loudly she didn’t hear Tiffany knocking on the door. She was so busy singing off-key and rocking her head she didn’t notice that Tiffany had used her key to come in.
When the music abruptly stopped, Rose jumped. “Oh my God, Tiffany, you scared the shit outta me.”
“Well, I was knocking on that glass so hard, I thought my knuckles would bleed.”
“I’m sorry, girl, but this CD does something good to me. It like moves me to my soul.”
Tiffany scaled back the volume, and then hit Play again. Now it was low enough to hear each other speak. “I know, this is one of my favorites too, so I hear you.” Tiffany put her purse down and began to walk around. “Wow, Rose, it is so nice. This wall color is perfect, and those lights really give this room an elegant feel. I’m excited for you.”
“Thanks, Tiff. I’m just about done with opening all the crates. And I’ve come across pieces I totally forgot about. I’m so excited . . . and terrified at the same time,” Rose expressed. “They are picking up all the empty crates and rubbish tomorrow. After I get bar codes entered and my inventory entered in the system, we can set a date for the opening, and then sell some fabulous art.” She and Tiffany high-fived.
“Yes, your pieces are fabulous, honey, and you are going to make tons of money. I just know it,” Tiffany encouraged. “Oh, and don’t forget to call the paper to run an ad for an assistant. You have to get someone trained and familiar with the prices and the names of your pieces pronto. You want to get someone who is efficient, with a great personality and sales background, so you have to take the time to interview, check references, and—” Rose cut her off.
“Tiff, I know, baby. I know my last gallery went out of business, but things are going to be different here . . . better. The location for one is kick ass, the atmosphere is just entirely different. The timing, I mean, everything is finally falling into place, and I am more than confident about this move, this place, and my new business. I got this. You’ve made a good investment, and I won’
t let you down.”
Tiffany’s lips formed an enormous smile, and then she hugged her friend tightly. “I know, Rose, and I know you got this, girl, but you know me. I’m a control freak, but I trust you, and I know you will do well.”
“Thank you. I remember you were the first person to buy a piece from me.”
“Yes, and when I told people about your gallery, they’d frown and be like . . . a gallery? Don’t nobody like art.” They laughed.
“Well, that was because I started in the hood, hoping I could bring a little culture to the area, but I should have listened to you when you said the location was bad.”
“No, I’m glad you didn’t. You did it on your own. It failed, but you tried it. You did what you set out to do, so that is why I know you are going to rock L.A. It’s yo’ time, girl.”
“That’s right,” she said, and they both continued to admire the space. “So I have to tell you about last night.”
“And I have to tell you about this morning.”
“Okay, you first.”
“No. You. I’m exhausted, and I know you got some wine somewhere up in this upscale establishment,” Tiffany teased.
“You know I do.”
Tiffany followed Rose toward the back. Right before you entered the studio, where Rose created all of her masterpieces, there was a little kitchenette. Rose had had a sliding screen wall installed, so when she had exhibits, the casters could work without disturbing potential buyers.
She poured them both a glass, and after she handed Tiffany hers, they went back to the front and sat on the red, round, plush sofa.
“So, last night I called you about Levi, right? Told you I thought he was up to something because we’d hang out, and he was nice, but it seemed as if he was holding back. So as you know I asked him to come over last night, and he was a little hesitant. When I got home, I showered and waited and after a while, I just said, ‘Fuck, he ain’t coming.’
“So as soon as I headed for the bed, he rang the bell. I let him in, and he told me the truth. He’s married.”
“What? I knew it, Rose . . . damn! Did you kick his ass out?”
“No. Wait.”
“No, wait, my ass! Please tell me you threw his ass out.”
“I was about to, Tiffany, but then he told me she’s on life support.”
“What? He said what?” Tiffany yelled. “You didn’t believe that craziness, Rose? Please tell me you didn’t fall for that. That is the craziest shit I’ve ever heard. That is original, for sure. I’ll have to use this bullshit in a show.”
“Calm down, Tiffany. He wasn’t lying.”
“Rose,” she said. She had one hand on her hip and her head cocked to the right with her brows vaulted toward the ceiling.
“Tiffany, he wasn’t lying, okay? At first, I didn’t believe him either, but this morning, I went with him to the hospital.”
Tiffany relaxed her stance. She then sat back down. She leaned in as if she needed to make sure she heard Rose correctly. “He took you where?”
“I went to the hospital with him this morning. I let him stay with me last night, only after he promised he’d take me and let me see for myself.”
“So you fucked him on his word, Rose? How could you do that? That was stupid.”
“See . . . There you go, being so Tiffany. I did not fuck him. As much as I would have loved to, I didn’t. We talked half the night, and we slept. He didn’t even take his clothes off.”
Tiffany drew back. She let down her defense and said. “I’m sorry, Rose. Tell me what else happened.”
“Well, last night he told me that his wife was shot during a robbery at a convenience store about four months ago. The bullet was removed, and for the first few days, the doctors assured him she’d be okay. He said a day after they took her from critical to stable, she flat-lined, but they revived her, and she has been on the machine ever since.
“He says every night he goes and stays with her all night, and last night when I asked him to stay over, he panicked. He said maybe hanging out with me was a bad idea, but we are human, and he’s been feeling lonely. He said when he met me, I was someone new and different and not from around here and knew nothing about him, so he felt safe to spend time with me. He said after a few days, he realized he was starting to like me, but he felt bad because Paris was on her deathbed and he was out dating.
“He said he told himself that he wouldn’t see me, call me, or text me anymore, but he wanted to, so now he is confused.”
“Oh, wow,” Tiffany said and grabbed Rose’s hand and squeezed it. “So is his wife going to pull through?”
“Most likely no, but he can’t let go. I don’t think he’s ready, and I didn’t want to put my two cents in. I mean, that’s his wife.”
“So are you going to see him again?”
“Well, we’ve decided to just be friends. Hang out and just be champions for each other right now. He’s lonely, and I’m single, so we are just going to enjoy each other’s company.”
“But what if you start to fall for him, Rose, and she wakes up? What if—” Rose cut her off.
“Tiff, please, there is always going to be a what-if. I’ve decided to just be what I said I’d be to Levi. We’re just going to take it one day at a time.”
“That’s some crazy stuff, Rose. I’ve never heard of anything like this in my life, and I can come up with some elaborate stuff, but this . . . I’ll be waiting every day just to see what happens and how this unfolds.”
“Tiff, my life isn’t one of your shows.”
“I know, Rose,” she said and scooted close to her. She wrapped her arm around Rose’s shoulder and kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry, my friend. Things are going to work out just fine.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Me too.”
Time to Tag Team
Episode 14
Tracy
Tracy camped outside of Tressa’s office hoping to catch her. She had been trying to talk to her for a few days, to no avail. She called her several times, and Tressa had not returned her calls, and she wondered why. When she saw Tressa approaching, she smiled. “Hey, Ms. Green. How nice to see you. I’ve been trying to get ahold of you.”
“I know, Tracy, but I’ve been superbusy. I have an agenda longer than my right leg,” Tressa said, going into her office, with Tracy on her heels.
“I know, and I’m sorry to intrude, but I have a problem, and I wanted to talk to you about it.” She watched Tressa put all of her belongings down, and then Tressa took a seat.
“Thanks, I wanted to talk to you about Tiffany Richardson.”
“What about Mrs. Banks?” Tressa asked. Tracy’s eyebrows slightly raised at the way Tressa said ‘Mrs. Banks’ as if she was giving her some respect, and Tracy hoped she wasn’t making a mistake by asking her to join forces with her to run Tiffany up out of there.
“Hold on,” Tracy said. She went over to the door and shut it. Then she came back and sat without Tressa offering her a seat. Tressa looked as if she was very interested in what she had to say.
“Let me give you a little background on Tiffany. You see, she wasn’t supposed to get hired at KCLN as a writer. That was my job, my position, and Bill Keiffer had hired me. I ran a little late, and when I walked in, Tiffany had already worked her magic on the room, and bam! she took my job. Now, between you and me, I had a couple of rumps in the sack with Bill for that position, but after that day, he blocked my calls, wouldn’t talk to me, and my life was turned upside down.
“I lost everything. I went into debt, was jobless, lost my car, and so many people that I thought were my friends just cut me off after a while. I finally got a call from UVN, and if it hadn’t been for that, I would have been homeless, so, yes, I can’t stand the sight of her, and I have been going out of my mind trying to figure out a way to bring her down a notch,” Tracy said and waited for Tressa to reply.
“Listen, Tracy, I’m sorry to hear about the hell you went through, and trust,
I have forty-five million reasons to hate Tiffany too, I can assure you, but my father is fond of her, and there is no way you are going to be able to sabotage her position here. Sad to say, but that will be close to impossible. She is the top producer here and on her way up, so trying to hit her here at TiMax will be a waste of your time.”
“And that doesn’t piss you off? From what I heard, your father basically adopted her. She had you thrown out, Tressa, and your father gave her your trust. She married your ex-fiancé. Don’t you want to see her burn? I mean, you can’t tell me that you forgive that bitch for what she’s done. I’d want her head on a platter after all she’s done to you.”
A smile went on Tressa’s face. “Yes, of course, but you have to cool your heels, Tracy. You can’t go out with guns blazing. A person like Tiffany . . . You have to kill them softly. Tiffany will get hers, trust me, but you have to stop wearing your hatred for her on your sleeve. It’s tacky, and it’s not a good look.”
“How is it so easy for you, Tressa? How could you be in the same room with her without wanting to snatch her head from her body? Or tackle that bitch to the ground? It takes every inch of my muscles to maintain when we are in the same room because I want to choke the life out of her.”
“Because I’m not like you anymore. I once was, but I’ve learned how to channel my anger. You can take a person out when they don’t know that you’re coming. So, if you want to destroy Tiffany, you have to try a subtle approach. All of this extra control to keep you at bay when you are in the same room is like giving Tiffany the power. Bring it down, Tracy. And what she did to you is nothing on what she did to me, but I’m not ready to rip her to shreds.”
“So what do I do? How do you keep your cool?”
“You calculate your steps, devise your plan, and then execute,” Tressa said. Tracy followed what she was saying, but she was hoping she’d give her something more to go on.
“So what do you plan to do?”
