𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞

Chapter Ten

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Matthew felt vitalized when he landed in Chicago—a feeling he wouldn't associate with his early morning meetings but knowing that she was within reach. That knowledge had his heart throbbing too loud he could hear its rhythm. He was as anxious to see her—the idea of being in the same room with her got him excited.

Stepping out of the jet, Matthew shoved his hands in his pocket as he listened keenly to Isaac ramble about his morning schedule. He couldn't wait for the day to end with a beer and Imani, and it was only 6:30 am. Pete sprinted in front to open the car door, nudging the driver aside so he could slide in the driver's seat. Isaac went around to sit on the other side of Matthew.

While he was on his way to the office, Imani was negotiating with Ben for at least one more night off to take evening classes to get her GED. Although she didn't disclose it and used Jamie as the reason, the manager reluctantly agreed. Maybe it was because he was tired of arguing with her that early, or perhaps he didn't want to lose her. After all, she was valuable to the club, and most importantly, she was one of the big earners.

Imani was excited. She saw this first step as a sign that her life was indeed moving forward and not stuck at one place like a tree watching the years go by, wondering how she would ever get a little bit of money and time to get that GED she always wanted. Realizing this was a perfect time considering Jamie was a bit older and school going, plus she had Mrs. Fernandos to watch him while she was in class; she made a choice. It hadn't been easy knowing how much studying she had to do, but nothing worth having came easy. Imani understood she had to sacrifice something, especially money and time to get it, but she'd made sacrifices most of her life; the only difference was this was for her.

Sitting on the small couch in the living room, with legs across the ankle, a laptop on the lap, and her heart in her throat, Imani opened the school website to register. She had taken a physical tour the previous week, felt the apprehension as she spoke with the lady at the reception who'd sent her to the administration office. Since there was another person before her, she had waited while calming her nerves as she commanded herself not to turn back and walk away. She wasn't going to die for lack of a high school diploma, right? But she stuck her guns.

"Next," Imani snapped out of the trance, taking one step closer to the counter. She smiled embarrassingly at the woman at the counter; she warmly smiled back, looking at Imani as if she understood the emotions running through her at that time.

"Hi," she greeted, the smile still on her face. Her name was Lauryn, as per the name tag. She was black, her hair in braids, beautifully manicured nails, subtle pink lipstick, and a face that seemed to have been sculpted by God on his free day—she was gorgeous, flawless, she was so beautiful Imani wondered why she was behind such a desk and not on a runway. She wore a baggy blazer that ironically seemed to fit her exquisitely. Looking at the warm eyes, Imani chuckled nervously, "I'm sorry," she mumbled, rubbing her eyebrow gently with trembling fingers; Lauryn shook her head, "don't worry about it, how can I help?"

"I was thinking of enrolling for night school here," Lauryn nodded, all her attention on Imani, listening as if she was important without showing impatience. She treated her like she was the first person and not more than the hundredth to have stopped by her office that day. She was not rude; Lauryn was respectful and on more than few times than the other employees would like to remember; she had been voted as the student's favourite.

"I know I could probably get everything I need online, but I wanted to have a feel of it before registration." Imani fumbled over herself; she couldn't believe she was this nervous considering what she did for a living—dancing on a pole in her underwear; why did this feel so intimidating?