Haywood Millionaire Series: Box Set Books 1-5

by Zi'ere

  I smiled with pride. I bet George made him feel all kinds of uncomfortable. He was not afraid to tell anybody about ‘his’ Laini.

  “Yes, sir I will be sure to bring it up at a more appropriate time.”

  “Yeah okay.” But seriously, for two, I am right on your heels behind you at low hundred millions. An elite transportation company for the rich and famous that includes drivers and leasing custom made one of a kind cars for celebrities to drive when they do not have access to their own personal vehicles when they are away from their home. I have proof. I’m not just puffing smoke. I will disclose all of my personal information to you. When the time comes just know that I won’t have a problem with a prenuptial agreement.”

  I dropped the wine glass. I was frozen in place. Liam, body guard/driver was a millionaire. Oh, hell nawl! In what Lifetime movie does this shit happen? Immediately my memory started looking for the clues. Whenever they were in Bergdorf Goodman’s, he knew his way around the place. I looked across the table at his attire for that night. It screamed top of the line. On his left wrist sat an Audemars Piguet watch. Damn! I couldn’t figure out how I had missed that dead giveaway. My memory files shot back to the day when I first learned Zoey was in the hospital. Liam had spoken in Italian to the nurse that snuck us into Zoey’s room. Unless I we were in Italy, it would have been forgotten. I’d never heard a driver speak Italian in the states. I then went over all the clothing I had bought for him over the years. There had always been more than a few pieces, but I’d never had to turn him around for not matching from neck to feet. While he did wear the clothing I suggested on the red carpet, he was more put together than I thought he should be. My eyeballs were dry from my eyes being open for so long. I was thinking of what the stone on my ring was worth. For the first time ever in life, I- the Laini Jefferies, was stunned speechless.

  Liam had stood beside me and picked up the slack on any level I needed. The man was the walking and talking definition of teamwork. He didn’t just talk the talk, he walked that walk with swag. I never gave him the impression that I ever needed his help. He saw what needed to be done and he did it. No one had to ask for his help. He rolled his sleeves up and got down to business. He had basically become my new assistant during the day when he wasn’t chauffeuring his lady around the city of Chandler. Whether it was making a run to Starbucks, answering the phones, or composing emails my fine man did it all with a smile on his face. Every run he left out on he came back with a gift for me and the other ladies in the office. Roses by the dozen for me, and single roses for them, Hershey with almond bars for me, chocolate and pecan turtles for Mrs. Gert, Skittles for Felicia and Lemonheads for Jamel; it was the small things that meant so much to each of us. Mrs. Gert had always been a sweet woman but I think she had a crush on my man. I had to keep my eyes on her. I picked at him about it just like he picked at me about George. I had already laid down the law and forbade her from bringing Liam any other homemade cooking. I was more than a little jealous. Another one of my glitches was that I didn’t cook. Anything being cooked in my home had always been by chef or the housekeeper occasionally. I reminded myself to get with Liam’s mom on how to cook his favorite dishes.

  After getting production in the offices going again, my being back in the office had be a good thing to lift my spirits. When the calls were made for the employees to return to work, I simply neglected to contact Yvette at all. I had no idea what would be a befitting manner I should choose to return the favor she had shown my life. She and her hellish sister were legally evicted from the house I had paid for. But, that action could be directed on the fact that she was no longer a Purple Label employee. I was going to see her personally for what she had done to me personally. There was no getting around that fact. It was a matter of when and not if. I had too many pots cooking on the stove at one time at the moment. I rested at night knowing she was somewhere afraid of what might happen as a result of my orders. I was content with that at the time. My work load was doubled but the assistants were proving their worth. It was in the middle of a hectic work day when I was officially served papers from the city clerk’s office.

  17

  Emani had filed suit in circuit court accusing me of falsely and fraudulently obtaining the shares I needed to fire her ass. I was embarrassed, ashamed, and mad as hell. Amina had already warned me that it was a possibility but I didn’t think that after Mekhi had disappeared from planet earth that she would still be with all of the foolery in her system. One thing is for sure, she saved her life by not delivering the papers personally. There was no one in the building that would have prevented me from doing bodily harm to her. Felicia had just handed me my second Screwdriver made from my mini bar when Mrs. Gert announced that Mr. Terrell Haywood, Esquire was on hold for me. Before I accepted the call I scanned the stack of papers I had been handed. He was not the attorney that would be representing Emani. I was definitely interested in knowing how that was even possible.

  “This is Laini.”

  “How are you doing today, Laini?”

  “I’m really not at liberty to say right now. What can I do you for Mr. Haywood?” My patience was short and thin.

  I could not handle anymore scandalous news for the day that was a fact.

  “I am sure that you have already received the papers for Emani’s suit.”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact I have. But I am still trying to figure out what brings you to my phone line today.”

  “Ok, I walked right into that. But, I see what time it is for sure now and I understand your disposition one hundred percent. Look, I won’t bullshit you Laini. Emani has broken several of the Haywood’s cardinal rules. It has been handed down from the Queen’s on the Haywood throne that Emani Barton-Haywood has to be exiled as soon as possible. Baby Steph is ready to attend her funeral and start putting money on her books at a prison right now. And, your cousin…well, we both know how that goes.”

  “Yes I am well aware of what my cousin’s feelings are right now, especially if Stephanie is so upset. So if I am understanding this situation correctly, you are in need of some extra nails for Emani’s coffin?”

  “Correct and the most important thing is your nails are to be reimbursed with free legal representation for the hearing.”

  “Free?”

  “Once again, correct.”

  “Mr. Haywood last I checked Armani wasn’t handing out those tailored suits you wear for free. Please enlighten me on why you have the desire to represent a woman who is more than capable of handling the fees for your expensive legal representation. How does all of this work exactly?”

  “The breakdown is that from the outside looking in, Emani was so pumped up and sure of herself that she didn’t even take the legal representation of her own brother-in-law. Secondly, the suit is going to show from the outside looking in that she is clearly off her rocker suing her own twin and best friends over a legitimate business transaction. Third, the Haywood women need a cause to bring out the boiling pot for their witch hunt. Forth, our sweet Amina doesn’t need or deserve any of this. We have to restore the confidence in the solidity of the Haywood name and I am sure you want to make a statement about the Jefferies name as well. And like I said, who can turn down free legal representation?”

  “Right. Let’s do this then.”

  “My home or yours?”

  “Mine, tomorrow night at seven would be great.”

  “No problem, we all will be there.”

  “Send my love to the Haywood ladies.”

  “I promise I will.”

  By the time I had disconnected the call the cat had the canary in his mouth. Feathers were beginning to settle in the air. I looked to my man who was sitting in one of the high back chairs in front of my desk.

  “Damn, that was a deep conversation babe.”

  “No. What is going to be deep is the news that they do not know about yet.”

  “There’s more?”

  “You can bet your cute ass there is more! The wor
ld has been sleeping on Ms. Zoey Jefferies but the girl has been putting in work! She has a bull dozer full of bricks.”

  “So they want Emani gone just because of family business and personal affairs. They didn’t even know about what she has done to you and Zoey before the papers were filed.”

  “Right.”

  “And, there is still more dirty laundry that needs to be done.”

  “Right.”

  “Now when is it going down again? I need to make sure I clear my schedule cause I want to be there! I need to make sure I don’t miss this! Do we have popcorn at the house?”

  “Baby, clear your schedule for tomorrow night and you might want to clear it for the following morning to because all I can say is that it is about to go down! Liam is going to need some shots! Trust and believe!”

  “I’m scared.”

  “Me too! But….at least we will already be at home!”

  I had to come up with a laugh even though I knew there wasn’t going to be a damn thing funny the next night.

  “Can you get the team in here for me please? I need to hand out these contracts and set the tone for what is about to go down.”

  Liam nodded in agreement. While I waited I had to run into the bathroom. I was deep in my feelings. Everything was coming too much, too fast coming at me. I wet a face cloth and blotted my face. I was beginning to feel the effects of the gin I drank. I stared at my reflection in the mirror.

  18

  ‘Stay strong Laini, you can get through this just like you’ve gotten through everything else.’

  Mrs. Gert tapped on the door.

  “Laini, are you okay sweetheart?” Her voice was laced with sugar.

  “Yes ma’am. I will be out in just a second.”

  When I reopened the building, Mrs. Gert became my left hand. Amina had done a wonderful job of teaching her the ins and outs of the business. I had papers presented to me professionally prepared by her that only required my signature after they had been read. I was about to make everything official with the faithful team of three, my remaining administrative staff. According to the paperwork Emani’s attorney sent me that the hearing would be during the time of Purple Label’s fashion and modeling show. This year because of the delays in production, Amina’s and Zoey’s health issues, and firing key members of my staff there would not be a seasonal show. We were gearing up to launch a complete twenty-fourteen line that included fall, winter, spring, and summer designs. The trial with Emani could have not come at a worse time.

  When I re-entered my office everyone had gotten comfortable. Notepads, pens, iPads in hand- they were ready for every and anything.

  “First of all I would like to say that I appreciate each and every one of you. Since the building has been reopened we have been running on a skeleton staff. I am humbled that you have chosen to stick around with this corporation even though you don’t know what its future holds.”

  In return I got affirmation that they were truly on board.

  “Second, as you all witnessed this afternoon- I was served with a lawsuit. The person that is suing Purple Label, the Agency, and Jefferies and Barton holdings in stocks.”

  “That girl can’t turn down the devil for nothing in the world!”

  If I had to be money, I thought Mrs. Gert was more upset than I was.

  All eyes were on me even though no one was as vocal as Mrs. Gert with their tongue. The raised eyebrows said it all.

  “I can assure each of you that when the transition of power was changed with the Agency, it was done properly and most importantly legally. Emani doesn’t have a leg to stand on in court so there is no need for any of you to be concerned. When you are in the cafeteria or passing by the water coolers, be sure to squash all negative talk. This building has been in the Jefferies family for years and Emani is not powerful enough to make it fall. The only down side is that the court dates fall right into the weeks the fashion is scheduled to be in production.”

  As if it were humanly possible, eyebrows were raised even higher.

  “Yea, I know right. I wonder if she planned it that way. But, like everything else, we will get through it all. Please keep Purple Label and the Agencies business number one priority when you are on the clock please. I can’t control what you do once you leave the building but you all know I breathe this company. With that being said, I need to make some changes in staffing positions.”

  Of course the scarecrows assumed the worst. I wanted to laugh but the shock would make the truth all the more special. I knew I had them on the edge of their seats.

  “Mrs. Gert, I am prepared to offer you the position of Chief of Operations for the Jefferies and Barton brand. Of course your main role will be to maintain the Agency and ensure we are turning a profit at the end of every quarter while still making an impact in the industry like always. I have a contract drawn up that you can have looked over by an attorney.”

  Mrs. Gert was speechless.

  “Jamel, I am prepared to offer you the position of Chief Designs for the Purple Label accessories line. Same situation with the contract except yours has a clause for men’s apparel since there is no men’s line for you to reap the benefits of as the ladies do in this company. It is my understanding that Zoey already had a payment system in place. You can review how I have tweaked it to a pretty sweet deal.”

  You could hear a pin drop.

  “Felicia you have the option of choosing a Human Resource Manager position or Co- Chief of Operations of the Agency. You will have both contracts available so you can weigh your options. After this meeting is done, I need to speak to you in private, please.”

  Felicia was in tears.

  “Since everyone in this room has moved up on the corporate ladder if you choose to accept the positions, you will be and are responsible for the hiring your position replacements. I’m telling you now I want a mirrored image in each of you in these new comers. As you can all understand I am a bit stretched, I absolutely do not have the patience for the weak and ill prepared! Trust and loyalty is not going to be taken for granted ever again in my business and personal affairs. I want every t crossed and every i dotted- background checks, police reports, credit reports, FB-Twitter-Instagram accounts all checked. Do I make myself clear?”

  Four confirmed head nods and notes being taken.

  “Oh and on top of all that: this diva is engaged!” Liam was now on his feet doing the George Jefferson walk.

  19

  Cheers, hand claps, screams, and tears were shed in my surprise to Liam’s quick delivery of personal news. We all know who was crying…Mrs. Gert. Liam reached into his pocket and placed my engagement ring back on my finger. I had been leaving it off whenever we were at the office. I really thought that there was too much going on for there to be another distraction for the staff. It was official. I was no longer the only shot caller in the building. My man was making room for himself. I was impressed. I wanted to be swept up in his arms skin to skin in that moment.

  Felicia cleared her throat.

  “Whew, that was close! Ya’ll women get these men and just turn into love sick puppies!” Mrs. Gert was clutching the pearls around her neck.

  The heat between Liam and I was on in high definition for all to see.

  “Ok. Let me get those contracts. Liam could you give us a minute. I will be leaving for the day as soon as I get done, okay.”

  “You are the boss.”

  He gave me a kiss on the cheek before leaving my office.

  I went back to my desk to retrieve the Purple Label monogrammed file folders that held the new contracts.

  “Sweetheart I don’t need time to review my contract. My Amina has already told me what to expect and what the two of you need from me. There is no way I would turn my back on either of you. You can rest easy tonight knowing that I am secured on your time clock until whenever.” Mrs. Gert was on her feet, pen in hand.

  “That goes for me as well. Zoey has always known my desire to design. She said she would
put in a good word for me when the opportunity presented itself and I am honored that she kept her promise. There is nowhere else I want to be learning all I can in this industry.” Jamel stood beside Mrs. Gert.

  I looked them both up and down. Jamel was dressed in fashionable skinny legged Tom Ford dress slacks with brown oxfords on his feet. The nude colored V-neck sweater was layered on top of a long sleeved white button up shirt that was buttoned to the neck. A blue, nude, and brown bow tie was about his neck. The African American man certainly looked as if he was a fashion designer already. Zoey had groomed him well. I could literally send him on a Go- See at this very moment and he would be dressed to perfection. I would not change a thing. Mrs. Gert stood before me in kitten heeled baby blue Purple Label pumps that matched her outfit. She had on a white skirt suit with the jacket over a baby blue blouse that tied at her neck. A small belt separated the top and brought the skirt to life to show off her small waist. I knew that she had a small baby blue leather clutch to match. The woman screamed elegance and grace. Her short salt and pepper razor cut gave her life. She was an African American absolute beauty queen. She had to be getting her hair done by CeCe as well.

  Informal hugs and professional handshakes were handed out after they both signed on the dotted lines. I had no idea what Felicia was thinking or which job she would choose. I had been doing triple Hail Mary prayers that she was in no way mixed up in the scandal with Emani, Mekhi, or Yvette. After the other two had gone for the day, she moved to the chairs in front of my desk. She looked scared shitless.

  20

  “You have offered me two different positions so I know you are not about to fire me. But for some reason I am still terrified of what you might say.” She looked as if I was going to push her off a ledge.