The high and the high roller

12

*Onika*

"Mommy, I can't find my backpack, have you seen it ?" Aaliyah asked, walking into the kitchen with her shoes in her hands.

"Didn't I see that backpack out in the garden yesterday ?" I replied, trying to jog her memory.

Her eyes widened with realization. "Ohh yeah! Thank you, mommy." She said, bolting out the door to fetch it.

This little girl was so disorganized, it was unbelievable. Definitely something she got from her father, not me. I chuckled to myself as I took a sip of coffee, scrolling through a few emails. Today was a light workday, just a team meeting and a handful of tasks, so I was glad to be starting it with a little peace and quiet.

Aaliyah came back inside, proudly wearing her backpack, and sat down at the table to start on her breakfast. "I'm sorry, mommy," she said between bites. "I was grumpy when you woke me up, but I love you."

I smiled, touched by her little apology. "It's okay, baby. I love you too, baby."

She was upset every morning so I'd grown used to it, morning were not her thing. But I appreciated that she took the time to apologize, even if she did it every day.

"What are you going to do today, mommy ?" She asked, after taking a sip of her hot chocolate.

It was her little ritual to ask me that every morning, and I loved it.

"Well," I began. "I'll be working, but not all day. I have a hair appointment at 4, and then in the evening, I'm meeting a friend for coffee."

"Your new friend ? The one who said my name was cool ?"

I rolled my eyes playfully. Ever since Beyoncé told her she had a 'cool' name, she told everyone she could. "Yes, that friend."

"Can you tell her I said hi ? She asked eagerly.

"I will. Now finish up or we'll be late."

"Okay, mommy. I'm almost done."

While she finished eating, I grabbed my briefcase from the coffee table in the living room, along with my phone and my shades. I glanced at my to-do list and made sure I had everything for the day. When I got back to the kitchen, Aaliyah had finished her breakfast, through her face was still dusted with crumbs.

I chuckled, grabbing a paper napkin to gently wipe her mouth. "There we go." I said, smiling as she grinned up at me. With that, we headed out the door, ready to start our day.

***

"I need some dick, or else I'm going to go crazy by the end of this fucking day, Onika."

I laughed, shaking my head at Lauren, my best friend. There was always something with her, and usually, it was some dramatic story.

"I know you did not come to my office just to complain about being horny, Lauren." I said, giving her a look.

"Well, obviously I did." She replied with a shrug, her tone making it clear she thought that was obvious. I rolled my eyes.

"What happened to the guy you were dating ? Pharrell, right ?"

She gave an exaggerated sigh, rolling her eyes in unison. "He can go straight to hell."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What happened now ?"

"He's a good guy, but he plays too much. Plus, I think he's in love with someone else and Im not about to get mixed up in some twisted love triangle." She said, crossing her arms with finality.

"Lauren, you always have drama with these men," I teased, unable to hold back a smile.

"It's not me, it's them!" She exclaimed, raising her hands defensively. "Why can't I find someone who's straightforward? Just one man who knows what he wants and isn't hiding a whole side story."