Awakening Promise

Chapter 9

Antoine slowly opened his eyes to see the woman he had made love to in the early hours of the morning. They had made love several times throughout the nightfall hours. It was as if he could not get enough of her. His blood stirred every time he looked at her. He was getting hard already thinking of all the ways they had brought each other pleasure.

She was everything he had imagined and more. Just thinking about her creamy essence was stirring his loins to desperate proportions. He had to have a cold shower, or he would wake her again to taste her sweetness. He slowly placed a gentle kiss on her forehead before extracting himself from the bed.

"Shower," he thought.

Promise woke to Antoine walking out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. He was breathtaking. His eyes, the color of midnight, burned with desire upon seeing her. She took in his appearance and marveled at his chest with the tattoo on his chest.

She sat up quickly as reality dawned on her. Looking closely at Antoine, Promise slowly smiled. She was face to face with her literal 'dream come true.' She began laughing with joy. Antoine smiled as he finally got to the bed and sat next to the ecstatic woman who had brought him pleasure beyond his wildest dreams.

"Baby, what are you so happy about?" he asked.

Promise looked into his eyes and said the only thing she could, "You, Mr. Sevan, are a dream come true for me." With that one statement, Antoine crushed his mouth to her. And the pleasure that they shared earlier ignited all over again.

They arrived at the Jaz Mine warehouse at about ten that morning. They needed to communicate with Jasmine their findings on her line and see if she was willing to make the necessary adjustments for it to be feasible for AJA.

Upon arrival, Caleb met them at the door and ushered them inside. "Welcome to Jaz Mine. We hope you enjoyed the show last night and have come to make an agreeable business deal concerning the line."

"Where is Jasmine?" Promise asked.

"She is upstairs in the office looking at designs from an associate." He replied as they made their way to the offices on the second floor. Antoine eyed the sheer expansion of the workhouse and found he was impressed. However, he still was reserved as the deal was contingent on Jasmine accepting and producing the changes needed.

He was curious if she would accept the critique and make the changes or be the hateful woman she is. Once seated in the office, Antoine spoke without hesitation, "Good Morning, Jasmine. We reviewed your perspective last night. We found that before becoming involved with Jaz Mine, we need to discuss some changes to make the project profitable for us."

"What changes? My line is exceptional and does not need any changes. Women of all kinds can wear Jaz Mine and feel beautiful. The colors are magnificent and interchangeable and can be worn year around."

Antoine looked at Promise. "Well, not all women can wear the line as it is made for the more petite and tall. The colors are all in the same family and do not offer a variety. Finally, many of the outfits are racy, which will alleviate the young girls' usage." Promise stated matter of factually.

Jasmine stood and looked at Promise directing her venom. "You are just jealous of my success. First, I took your man, and now you wish to repay me by degrading my fashion. How desperate are you?"

"Jasmine. Stop. This is not a malicious attack on you. I'm trying to help you on a professional level. I could not be happier for you and Caleb. However, suppose you wish your line to be profitable. In that case, you should understand that what I am saying to you is strictly business as that is all you are to me, a possible successful business deal. If you wish AJA or any other advertising agency to consider you as a client. You need to make the changes. As your line is right now, you are a liability to us. We will not even consider your line because we do not have money to lose on a corruptible product or a volatile client. You make the decision but do it fast since we leave in a couple of hours today. Looking at Antoine, Promise stated that this meeting was over. Have a good day Jasmine." Nodding to Caleb, Promise started for the door with Antoine behind her, smiling. She is magnificent, he thought as they exited the building.

Once in the cab back to the hotel, Promise lost her anger. She looked at Antoine, knowing she needed to say something. "I apologize for losing my professionalism with Jasmine back there."

Antoine just nodded at her and continued to answer an email on his phone. They stopped to have lunch at the hotel, and after they were seated, Antoine grabbed her hand and said, "You are a force to be reckoned with when someone questions your integrity. Thank you for not cutting me to the quick when I did the same thing."

"I was furious that she would think this was personal. How dare she be petty and lash out at me for trying to help her become a household name in fashion, the little ungrateful twit."

Antoine smiled; his beautiful CFO had a fire inside the bedroom and in the boardroom. She was an asset to his company as well as his life. He couldn't help thinking how lucky AJA was to have her on their side. He leaned over the table, kissed her nose, and watched her startled blush while her pouting lips formed a perfect little 'O.' God, she was glorious.

"In business, you have to be prepared for those that don't know how to handle themselves. It's hard for some to separate the business and their personal feelings when the cynosure of money and being rich is all they see. It can create a helluva riff between making it or not."

"For models like Jasmine, this started out as a hobby, and because of her career choice, she believes that whatever she puts together should be a success. Not only is that stupid, but it lacks motivation as well."

They completed lunch, drove through New York, and boarded the plane, having completed their business in New York. They had also come to a mutual professional agreement that with Jaz Mine's unwillingness to change their clothing line, AJA was better off not representing the company.