by Lena Skye
Patrice emptied the bottle into it, “Believe it, it’s your time babygirl.”
“The two of you are not going to make me cry,” Jasmine said, “I’ve been doing really good so far, and I would like to keep it that way.”
“You better not cry Jasmine; I won’t be able to take it. You know I’m a big ass baby,” I laughed.
“I know, that’s why I’m keeping it all inside. But they’re happy tears.”
“I can’t wait to come over and see your new place. It looks so pretty from the pictures,” Patrice said, effectively changing the subject.
“Yeah, and I picked out my furniture 3 days ago. It’s going to be completely set up by the time I get there. I could get used to this!” I said excitedly.
I was such a confused bundle of emotions but I was choosing to stick with the positive ones. I was going to be in Paris soon, and Atlanta would be a 10 hour flight away and that was a non-stop flight. I was traveling light because everything was already in Paris or was on its way. All I had was one carry on and my purse.
“You’re going to have to get used to it, that’s your life now. You’re going to be living a life of luxury,” Jasmine said dramatically as she swung her hair over her shoulder. We all laughed.
“It’s going to be luxurious but it’s going to be a lot of work. I’m almost afraid of the work load, I read that long ass job description and I couldn’t believe. It was like 5 pages. The thing that I’m looking forward to the most is meeting my new staff. I’m managing a department of 5 and they have teams beneath them as well. Things are going to get real,” I said.
“That’s nothing you can’t handle. If you can deal with these crazy bitches in Atlanta, then you can deal with those European bitches even easier,” Patrice said.
“I don’t know, this is a whole new level. But I’m not going to let anyone walk all over me; I’m nice until a person plays with my money. I plan on getting there and taking over and I’ll steamroll whoever gets in my way,” I said.
“Well alright then!” Jasmine and Patrice said in sync while snapping their fingers.
“The both of you are so silly,” I laughed before I drank glass number 3. I had to be careful I did not get too tipsy before this long flight though. Then again, screw it, I needed it!
We spent the next 20 minutes or so drinking and reminiscing on how things were when we first started in the industry, compared to how they were presently. It had been a long journey for all of us. Soon Kenneth showed up and my heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest.
“We’re just going to meet him outside,” I said as I stood to my feet.
“By the way, I’m keeping these glasses,” Patrice said, “It’s not like you can take them on the plane, and I love how big they are.”
“Have it,” I grinned.
We all walked outside and Kenneth was leaning against his car with a huge grin on his face.
“Your chariot awaits madame,” he said.
I smirked and shook my head. I was going to miss him terribly. I walked to him quickly and gave him a huge hug and kiss before I turned to my friends.
“Alright ladies, I guess I’ll be seeing you later,” I pouted.
“Don’t worry, we’ll be coming soon to lie in your house and eat all of your food,” Patrice laughed before she hugged me.
“You better!”
“We definitely will, I love you so much,” she said into my ear.
“I love you too girl. Make sure you call, email, and write me,” I said.
“I will,” she said before she kissed me on the cheek and released me.
Before I could get my bearings Jasmine wrapped her body around mine, “You shut Paris down and show them what you’ve got.”
“I will, and maybe I can even get some of your pieces in the collection,” I said.
“Don’t play with my emotions like that,” she said.
“I’m not playing, I’ll be calling you within a few months and we can set up some meetings,” I said.
“Oh, well girl you better get out of here so that we can make our money,” she laughed.
I kissed her on the cheek, “I love the both of you so much. Thank you for spending the morning with me.”
“There is no place else that we’d rather be,” Patrice said, “Now get out of here before you miss your plane, you’re already cutting it close.”
“Alright alright.” I made my way inside of the car, Kenneth was holding the door open for me.
They all exchanged pleasantries and soon after we were driving to the airport. The ride was incredibly tense, and I didn’t know what to say. Neither of us was completely happy with what was going on but we were moving forward anyway. Ken seemed like he wanted to say something to me but he kept quiet. He would keep opening his mouth to start but nothing came out.
I was excited about my new life that was right around the corner but I knew in my heart that if he asked me to stay, I would have. I wanted to ask him what was on his mind but something wouldn’t allow me to speak either, maybe things were better that way. But if he asked, then I would have stayed, happiness is way more important than money. I didn’t mind putting my dreams on hold, if he wanted to take the marriage journey with me. But I couldn’t allow myself to settle for anything less.
We arrived to the airport and Kenneth stood by me as I checked in. Before I went to the boarding gate we kissed. I looked up at, him and we didn’t need to say anything. He brought his lips down to mine and they trembled, it was something that I never experienced from him before. I understood how he was feeling because I felt it too. One of us had to make a life changing decision if I was going to stay, and neither of us were willing to do it. Everything that I wanted to say was in that kiss. Shortly we parted ways.
I fought back my tears by blinking repeatedly but one tear escaped. He wiped it away with thumb, “Don’t cry Nikki, I’m coming to visit you soon.”
“You promise?” I asked.
“I’m going to look for plane tickets and an open week in my schedule as soon as I get home.”
“Okay,” I sniffled before I rested my head on his shoulder. “It’s not going to be the same without you.”
“I know babe,” he kissed the top of my head, “But you were born for this. This is something that you have to do.”
I nodded my head in agreement and grabbed my carry on from his shoulders.
“I love you.”
“I love you more,” he replied before I turned and headed through to security.
The whole time that I was at the security line I kept looking back, half hoping that he would chase or call me back like in the movies, but nothing happened. He was no longer where I saw him standing, he was gone. He was walking quickly out of the door and he never looked back. The fact he never looked back hurt me more then anything. Tears streamed down my face as I waited for my carry on to come off of the conveyor belt.
“Are you okay ma’am?” Security asked.
“Yes, I’m fine,” I said as I grabbed my bag and walked towards my gate. My bag felt so heavy even thought I packed light. It felt like all of my worries were packed in that bag and they were weighing me down. My flight started boarding when I arrived and I was first to get on because I was flying first class.
I sat on the plane and hoped that some twist of fate would happen. I wanted a “Friends” moment, I wanted him to delay the plane somehow like Ross did when Rachel was leaving for her job. I deserved a moment like that. Him and I had been through the wringer, we deserved a moment like that.
I was numb as the flight attendants talked about safety. I was ready for the plane to take off so that I could order a drink. The plane took off, and that was the end of it. Nothing dramatic happened, Kenneth didn’t come to save my day, and it was over. I was plagued by sadness, but my strength took over. This was real life not some romance novel. Things like that simply did not happen in real life.
*
I didn’t want to let her go when I held her in th
e airport. Everything within me wanted me to beg her to stay. I wanted to pull the ring from my pocket and propose to her right there in the airport. But I couldn’t, I couldn’t ruin her dreams. I know that it’s what she wanted me to do but it wasn’t what was best for her. She needed this; she needed her opportunity to catapult her career. She belonged in Paris. She belonged at the very top, it was always her destiny.
The ring was burning a hole in my pocket the entire time that I was driving her to the airport. I’d brought it along just in case I changed my mind about letting her go without a fight. Over the course of the drive, I kept willing myself to say something. I kept willing myself to beg her not to leave. I wanted to turn the car around and take her home with me. But then I thought of what her life would be like ten years down the road. I didn’t want to be the reason that her career never took off, and so I stayed silent. This was for the greater good.
I couldn’t watch her walk away from me, not without crying like a toddler in the airport. So as soon as she walked away from me, I turned around and headed out of the door. I couldn’t look back because I knew that I would have changed my mind and I didn't want Nicole to see the tears in my eyes. I couldn’t allow myself to succumb to the weakness and selfishness that fueled that decision, she deserved better than that.
My car was parked outside and I was grateful that I didn’t get a ticket. I slid into my car, buckled my seat belt, and drove away. It was a rough drive, my tears kept clouding my vision and eventually I just had to pull over and let it out. I felt like I made a horrible mistake by letting her leave but the deed had been done. We were going to have to live through the consequences of our decisions, and once again it was one that tore us apart.
When would we ever learn?
#Chapter14
“Anyone would miss a tasty dish like Kenneth”
Reuben
The flight was long, I couldn’t imagine having to take that flight in coach.
I felt stiff and exhausted even though I had the best accommodations that they had to offer. I got off of the plane and I was grateful that I didn’t have any baggage to claim, that definitely felt different. I was able to walk out and find my driver. I searched through the crowd of people that were holding up names and I saw my name with a huge heart next to it. Reuben was there holding the sign with a huge grin on his face.
“Welcome home!” He said excitedly.
I was grateful to see a familiar face, “Hey! You said that I wouldn’t see you until tomorrow.”
“I lied, I wanted it to be a surprise,” he said before he gave me a huge hug.
“How was your flight?” He asked.
“That bad boy was long as hell, I’m happy to finally be here.”
“Let’s get you to your new apartment, dinner will be there waiting as well. First class plane food is alright, but this will be even better.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready for food from here yet,” I said honestly.
He laughed, “Don’t worry it's pasta and it’s going to taste delicious. I’ve had your assistant compile a list of “safe” restaurants to go to also.”
“You’re a doll,” I said as he grabbed my bag and we headed out of the airport.
“True.”
Reuben was in fact a diva and he didn’t drive at all. There was a limo outside waiting for us, “Oh you thought that I drove? Oh no honey, I don’t do that here and neither will you. Driving is a thing of the past for us now baby-doll!”
I laughed as we got into the, car and I felt better about my day already. I am still surprised I did not realize he was gay. We arrived at my new condo and it looked better than it did in the photos.
My breath was taken away by the rich décor. I’d outdone myself with my furniture choices, the truth was that I chose the furniture that I always wanted but couldn’t quite afford. It didn’t disappoint. All of the things that I’d sent were out and in their place. I went to the closet and the dressers and my clothes were there. I smiled because my life had just upgraded. I would live a life where people would do these things for me.
“You have taste,” Reuben said in admiration, “I’m going to add interior decorator to your resume because you will be coming furniture shopping with me.”
“I would love to,” I said excitedly as I quickly ran from one room to the next. My condo was larger than the one that I had in Atlanta and that was really saying something because I had a big place, and I heard that places in Paris were pretty small.
“This is really big,” I said.
“Yeah, we’re some of the lucky few. But we can afford it and so it’s ours,” he said. “I live in the place directly below yours.”
“You’re just full of surprises, you didn’t tell me that either.”
“I just moved last week. I saw that you were moving here and I was jealous, and so I figured that I would just get one of my own. No need to be jealous over something that easily fixable, and I wanted to be closer to you. You might need some looking after.”
“You’re so damned sweet. Now can we eat because my stomach is about to get ignorant.”
“Sure, I’m hungry too.”
We sat at my new table and dug in. He briefed me on what to expect in the next few days and my stomach did somersaults the entire time that he spoke. I wasn’t able to eat nearly as much as I thought that I was, although the food was really good. After we ate, he left to handle some business. I called everyone to tell them that I made it safely and I passed out on my brand new king size bed.
The next morning, we shared a limo and went over to the office. It was just as gorgeous as I thought it would be. It looked luxurious and it was larger than I thought as well. I was surprised that most of the staff spoke English fluently and that there were other Americans there too. I shouldn’t have been too shocked considering that Reuben and I worked there, but hey I thought we were special. It really helped to put my mind at ease; I could make it my home.
*
Settling into my new job was pretty easy over the next few days. The expectations were extremely clear, I didn’t have to worry about staying within a budget, and I had a team of magicians working beneath me. The hardest part was realizing that I didn’t have to do everything myself. In that space I wasn’t an entrepreneur and so I had other people and departments at my disposal. At first that scared me, because I’m used to being able to know what’s going on in every aspect of the business. However, it wasn’t my company, and so all I had to do was play my part.
I’d called and checked in on my business, and everyone was doing pretty good so far. Things were going well, even though I was missing Ken like crazy. He was only able to send me a few ‘Whatsapp’ messages as since our time zones completely clashed, I wasn’t able to speak to him as much as I liked. It scared me that our relationship was potentially falling apart, but I chose to focus on what I could control. I wasn’t going to let my sadness get in the way of my new position.
Reuben had quickly become a staple in my life, and I was grateful for him. We’d both settled into the friendship that we’d created in high school. It felt as if we hadn’t been apart for over 10 years. That’s what friendship is all about in my opinion. When you can pick up where you left off with someone as if you haven’t missed a beat, they’re your friend. I hoped that I could repay him for the huge opportunity that he gave to me.
It became routine for Reuben and I to have lunch or dinner together everyday, and I knew that he was only doing it because I didn’t have anyone. I made a mental note to meet more people so that he didn’t feel obligated to entertain me every day. He was my friend, not my babysitter, and he needed to have a life.
Ruben and I sat inside of a great restaurant that was so small and cute. That’s how I described most of the restaurants in my area.
“So what do you think of things here so far?” Reuben asked.
“I absolutely love it,” I responded in as chipper of a voice as I could.
He looked at me as if he didn’t b
elieve me, “Tell the truth, I know the move can’t be easy for you.”
I didn’t want to complain to him, because I didn’t want to come across as being ungrateful. He’d gone out of his way to recruit me, and it seemed really rude to complain about my experiences.
“No really,” I responded.
“Stop being so damned politically correct, and tell me how you really feel. I was extremely homesick when I first got here. Sometimes I still go through times where I want to go home, and I’ve been here for a long time. If you weren’t homesick, I would think that you didn’t have a heart.”
I sighed, “I’m homesick, but I’ll get over it.” At least I hoped that I would get over it.
“I can see that you’re really missing your boo. Anyone would miss a tasty dish like Kenneth” he joked.
