Page 10 of Cessation
There was only one thing left to inspect and that was the medium sized box sitting on the end of the table. If I had to guess, I would say it looked like a wine and glass set. Picking it up off the table, I looked inside to see my prediction was right.
She was one hell of a woman. She had my attention when I did my homework on her, and now, she was winning me over without doing too much of anything. Usually, I was doing thegifting, but she started off with the gestures and that drew me in to wanting to know more about her. Going into business with her would give me the time I was seeking but I also didn’t want to overstep my boundaries.
I retreated to my desk to send over an appreciation email. I was a man that had mannerisms.
All I did was return her wallet. She was so busy on the phone with whomever that she didn’t realize she was leaving her whole identity on the counter of a sandwich shop. The only digging I did when she left it behind was to see where to return it, but once I saw her driver’s license, I figured it was fate.
The email was sent over and I decided to go ahead and indulge in the meal. I was famished and lobster pot pie wasn’t good after it got cold. As I dove into it, she responded, and I automatically smiled. I had no clue as to what she said but just from seeing her name, I was excited.
No need to thank me, Paxton. I was in your debt. I had so much of me in that tiny wallet. If you were someone else, I’m sure I’d be broke by now. I appreciate you being a standup guy and doing what’s right. Once again, thank you, and enjoy!
My smile hadn’t dropped yet. Yani had me feeling like I was back in high school, and she was the new girl that only had conversation for me. It was weird, but I had no intention of scaling back how I was as a man all because she was in a relationship.
There was one thing I knew about people and that was the games they played. Those games required getting people’s feelings involved. The one person that we were advised not to worry about, was where their interest lied. As a man, I knew all too well on how that worked.
I treated women with the utmost respect and with genuineness. Some took it as me flirting while others looked toget that treatment from their partner. I was just an all-around gentleman, which was why I didn’t plan on changing my ways.
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“You plan on getting up any time soon?” I knew that voice all too well. I just wanted some rest. It was a Saturday and I wanted to sleep in.
Throwing the covers off my face, I let the rays of the sun slap me in it. Blocking it out with my hand quickly after, I allowed my eyes to adjust to the brightness. My mother was a pain in the ass in the mornings. I hated how she woke up at the crack of dawn and expected everyone else to do so.
“Good morning, Ma.”
“It’s the afternoon child. Get up and act like you’re grateful to be alive. Me and your father have some things to discuss with you.”
She left me alone for the time being allowing me to get myself together. I knew I had no choice but to get up because she wasn’t going to allow me to do anything but that. I groggily carried myself into the bathroom and handled my hygiene. It woke me up enough to where I could function properly.
I threw on some joggers and a t-shirt for now. I had no plans for the day so there was no need to be fancy. I ended up in the kitchen moments later feasting on a plate from my chef.
“What’s up Pops? Why y’all in my house so early?”
“You know how your mother is son. Once she has something to say, she needs everybody to listen.”
“And I personally don’t want to hear it. I was sleeping good.”
I looked to the right and my baby sister Patience was walking through the kitchen in her pajamas and robe. She didn’t even bother getting right.
“I don’t care about nothing y’all talking about. Now, my birthday is coming up and I?—”
“Ain’t no way you did that. You came across town to wake me up out my sleep to discuss a birthday that’s a few months away, Henrietta?” I questioned. My mother was dramatic as hell and Patience took after her in so many ways.
“I did. It’s my fiftieth and I want it to be right. Now, I thought about my theme. What y’all think about it being like a jazz ball?”
I could fuck with that. I was an old school fanatic, and I loved the design of the men’s tux’s back then with the tail on them. The women and their short but classy dresses or the long silk ones that hugged their bodies just right. I was down with the theme.
“Do people even listen to that kind of music still? It’s so… old.” I knew Patience wouldn’t like it. Her twenty-three-year-old brain could never process any generation before hers.
After enjoying a good laugh from the way my parents looked at her and shook their heads, I spoke up. “So, I’m supposed to pay for all this, huh?”
“Of course, my sweet boy. Here’s my guest list and then you can invite whomever you please. However, I want my guest there and placed at a table first.”
She handed over a folder and I shook my head. My family got whatever they wanted from me. I was the first billionaire and I made sure they were always comfortable. I spoiled them because they showed me the most support, and my parents, well, they gave their last putting me through school. I spared no dime when it came to them.
“Yes ma’am. Is there anymore special request?”
“Make sure everyone leaves with something. I want them to know Hen knows how to throw a party.” She was excited and that was all I wanted for her.
