Courting The Champion

3- Lil Mama U Smokin'!

I've never been in any building with more than  two floors before— Other than the mall. I ain't never had to get on a damn elevator man. So this is definitely an upgrade. No pun intended.

Linear Impact Co. This place is really some' else. I gotta get their architect's phone number. Hopefully the architect is a hot lil feisty thing. I hope she like TI too, cause I heard  I look like him.

Especially when I raise my eyebrows, chicks really lose their shit at that. Hold their hands, look em in the eyes and raise your eyebrows. That's a killer move homie!

The building was guarded by two guys at the entrance in suits when I came in. They told me to go straight ahead to the reception desk. Judging by how easy it was to get in. One would say that a nigga covered in ink here to discuss a contract is like an everyday thing. That's good I suppose. The only difference between me and all those other guys that's been here is I'm hungry for this. I need this. I need to build my life, live a stable life. I wasn't ever able to go to a university because I couldn't afford it, but now look at me now. Walking in a VIP high class building.

I don't understand how this building can even be standing upright on its own. The building is ninety percent glass. Who know what the other ten percent is. I don't know man. It look  like gold to me.

As soon as you enter the building, it start to smell all good and shit. Fresher than the outdoor. That's how good it is homie. The lowest floor where the reception desk is, is a big ass gym. There's fighting rings, punching bags, press machines, cable machines, treadmills, every single little thing you can expect to find in a fitness company. And more.

There are all kinds of men training in the rings and in the gym. Black dudes, white dudes, Asian dudes, mixed dudes, Indian... You name it. I suddenly feel like home. This right here is my moment. It's been a long time coming for this broke ass Bronx boy.

Oh boy! Redhead behind the reception desk. Big ol' glasses. Minimal makeup. Pretty little thing. I don't know if she my type. I ain't never dated no white girl before. She's wearing a light brown sweater and has her hair in a high ponytail. Her nails are a light green that go with her skin. She looks up from her computer just as I approach the desk.

“Hello”.

Her eyes flicker in recognition at my voice. Ahhh... I see. So this is the miss secretary that didn't know what 'dits' meant. Cute!

“H-hi. Uhm... Welcome to Linear Impact Co. Do you have an appointment?” she asks in that sexy voice of hers and  even though she's asking, I know she already know who I am.

“Yes. I'm Andrew Johnson. I have a meeting with Mr Smith at half past nine.” I answer then put my lips in a straight line. Remaining neutral, no need to frighten her. She seem like the shy type.

She nods her head. And gets up. I almost don't notice she was already standing up. That's how short she is! Damn.

“I'll take you to his office,” she says and I gesture at her.

“Lead the way miss.” I encourage then walk into the elevator after her.

The elevator is glass too. So you literally see where you're going and where you're coming from. The floor isn't made of glass though. I suppose it's to protect the ladies otherwise it'd just be a free show all day everyday.

She selects the highest floor and curtly moves back next to me. She keeps staring at door. Her hands are held together. I figure she's one of those nerdy, introverts that like to read fiction books.

“So what's your name?” I ask. She looks up at me then quickly cuts the eye contact and looks down at the floor.

“Uhm it's Arabelle,” she says softly and I marvel at her.

“Oh? That's a very loverly name Arabelle. You can call me Andrew or Drew,” I say with a smile but she keeps looking at the floor and I chuckle. I'll let her be for now. And who wears vans to a place like this? She's too adorable.

The elavator door opens up. Everything on this floor is gold.

“The door on the left, he's already waiting for you.” she says and I raise my eyebrows at her suddenly having confidence. She raises her eyebrows too and I tilt my head. Oh? I don't know where the confidence suddenly came from, but we'll roll with it.

She turns around and goes back into the elavator and I just wonder. I realise I might keep wondering a while about that peculiar smokin lil mama.

There's actually a black man behind the door. Mr Smith is a sixty year something black ass nigga with tattoos crawling up out of his polo tee.

“Wassup man? You look a bit surprised there? Never seen a black man named Smith?” he questions with a bit of humor in his voice. I laugh slightly.

“I really wasn't expecting that you'd be a black man. You sure this ain't someone else's office?” I joke and he laughs.

The Office has a mahogany desk and two leather chairs. One behind, and one in front.

There are two white leather sofas, next to a big ass massage chair. There are a few paintings on the wall. And some boxing awards. So Mr Smith was a boxer too in his time.

During the meeting Mr Smith tells me all about how Linear Impact Co. came to be. He quit boxing because he had a bigger vision in mind, and his dream came true. Plain and simple.

Mr Smith is a very intelligent man with a lot of funny stories to tell. I decide I wanna be like him at his age. Plus he look good for his age.

“The most important thing I always tell all my fighters is to be theyself. To trust theyself. Don't try to copy someone else's moves and try to fight like them. Just. Be. YOU. That's what I like about you Andrew. If you push really hard, you can git everything you want in life,” he says with a smile.

Haha! He prolly know I'm gon make him some big money. I just smile and nod. After settling the financial aspect of things I sign a contract after thoroughly looking through it. We start with a one year contract. If I keep up a good performance throughout the year then we can renew it. I'm happy with it.

“Alright, I guess I can start training today?” I question and he seems very pleased with that.

He gets up from his chair and puts on his fur jacket. “Come on boy, I will introduce you to your personal trainer. He's trained the best of the best. I'm talking fucking Mike Tyson boy,” he says with emphasis and I marvel at that.

Mama I made it.

When we get back to the gym area Arabelle isn't at her desk. Prolly running some errands. It'll prolly take her hours to git anywhere with em short ass legs.

We approach a buff man who looks to be in his forties.

“Ey Trevor. This the boy I was telling you about. He's been fighting in the streets of the city,” he says and Trevor raises his eyebrows, flashing a wide smile that really stands out against his dark skin. He outstretches his hand and I shake it.

“You're the talk of town Andrew. Glad you could make it.” he says and I give him a curt nod.

“Wouldn't miss it.” Is my reply.

Mr Smith grunts and pats Trevor on his arms. “I'll leave you to it. Andrew. Good luck!” he says turning around. Trevor laughs at my reaction.

I look back at him and shake my head. “He always that enthusiastic?” I question and he laughs.

“All day, every day. And he's here from Monday to Sunday. He's always in that good ass mood. Ayt boy. Show me what you got.” he says. I notice Arabelle back at her desk looking as cute as ever.

Man I'm happy to be here.