Page 42 of Jade: Chance Are

“And you think, I also have a private and intimate experience business, that’s taking Prince Naseer away from your services.”

“Finally, we are getting somewhere,” she says like I now have a brain and finally show my worth.

“Like I said, you have me mistaken for someone else, I’m a computer programmer and nothing else. I don’t have a private and intimate experience to provide anyone. You will need to speak with Prince Naseer directly about why he’s no longer using your services, I can assure you that it has nothing to do with me. Now if you will excuse me. I do have a busy day and you have taken more time than I’m happy to give.” I stand and watch her take her sweet time getting to her feet. Just as she’s about to say something else to me Ken walks in.

“Be quiet, Chloe,” he says to her in a harsh tone. She gives a sad chuckle. “I’m sorry, Mariam, about this,” he says to me “Chloe will be leaving now.” He practically drags her out of my office.

I slam back into my chair. Not sure how to react to Naseer’s private and intimate experience. A good thing, we haven’t talked. Reality completely downloaded. Before my mind could start down the rabbit hole. Lucy walks in

“What did she want with you, Mariam?”

“Apparently, nothing with us. She had me mistaken for someone else.” I couldn’t tell her that woman had been giving my estranged husband intimate experience and I wanted to claw her eyes out.

“That’s a relief, she looked like she was coming to punch you,” she says exhaling, like she’s glad she didn’t have to pull us off each other.

“A good thing we cleared the air, and I didn’t pull her hair out?” I smiled though I was mad at myself for letting my desire dominate my defiance to stay away from Naseer.

“Good, do you need anything?”

“No, thanks, Lucy. I’ll just get back to work.” Once she’s out the door, I let relief wash over me. It’s not Mr Darabi which means I’m good on that front but it’s my gent getting private and intimate service. I begin to mantra “Focus. Focus. Focus.” Till I get my head back in my zone.

Not sure how long, I was zoned out. Until Ken taps on my desk “Naseer, would like to speak with you,” he says. I have my phone off. He placed the phone in front of me.

It’s on speaker. “Could you please let him know now is not a good time, I need to finish the stuff, I’m working on, and he might need to speak with Chloe at Velvet Escapades and let her know, I’m not the reason for her declined patronage.” I stress patronage.

“Ken, what’s Mariam talking about?” Naseer yells. Ken picks up the phone and takes the phone off speaker.

I turn my attention back to my work. Steaming a bit. He doesn’t get to talk about Knox while he’s having intimate experiences. The playing field is level.

twenty-four

Naseer

“Ken, why is Mariam mentioning Chloe?” My voice brusque

“Chloe, came in here today, to speak with Mariam. She seems to think Mariam is a business competition.”

“What is Mariam doing right now?”

“She’s in her zone.”

“That’s good, when she’s in that mode, she’s all work. I don’t want her to give Chloe any thought. This is messed up. I’ll handle Chloe. Thanks, Ken.”

I hung up with Ken and let out a loud f-u-c-k that got Raheem’s attention.

“Hey, take it easy, what’s going on,” he says. I drop into the nearest chair. Facepalm letting out a frustrated grunt. I turned to Raheem. “I just had a beautiful weekend with Jade, I left her smiling. I called her all day, but she didn’t answer which is not unusual for her when she’s in the zone. I finally got Ken to check on her and she says, ‘I need to talk to Chloe.’” Raheem is taken aback.

“Chloe, as in Velvet escapade Chloe,” he asked to make sure.

“Yes, I’d told her I no longer needed her services.”

“She’d asked why, and I’d replied Mariam is enough. I haven’t called since I set eyes on Mariam. So, she visited Mariam today, Ken says she thinks Mariam is her competition, I can only imagine Mariam’s reaction.”

“Yeah, that’s messed up, but I will suggest you tell Mariam the truth.”

“I’d planned to once we are back to us again now; I can see her pushing me away again.”

“Do you want to fly back and speak with her?”