Honey (A Keith Powers Story)

Chapter 10: Blowing Smoke

Julian felt his heart constantly pounding as he swung at his opponent again. He missed again and began to get frustrated. Pete screaming in the background wasn't helping but only making him more frustrated. "Come on Julian, you got this" he yelled.

The referee blew the whistle for break. He walked over to the edge of the ring sitting on the bench. He was trying to catch his breath as Pete was wiping the sweat off his face. "You got this okay" he said pumping his up. Julian spit in the bucket before Pete filled his mouth with water. "Block him, if you have to" he said. Julian nodded getting before getting back out there. He couldn't focus primarily because Sevyn wasn't there, nor his family due to a family emergency. Julian never cared who attended his games but it was starting to piss him off that Sevyn can't sacrifice her study time to see him.

He got back out there lunging forward, making contact to his opponent face. His opponent swung back jabbing him hard in the face. He usually takes all of his targets right out but he actually met his match with Cory Slaughter. He jogged around upper cutting him watching him fall to the ground as the audience screamed. The referee counted to 3 waiting for his opponent to get up. His opponent was still on the floor. Happily, the referee lifted up Julian's hand letting it be known that he won. "Wooohhhh" Pete said jumping up. They exited the ring quickly splashing water on his eye. "Ahhh fuck" Julian screeched his whole right side of his face was burning due to the blow he received.

"Aww is it too much for you pretty boy" Ricky said from the audience. Ricky was the oldest brother of Cory and he was eager to fight Julian. He knows Julian is a beast and he hates that about him.

"I am a fine young nigga arent I? He chuckled walking away. Julian never let his enemies get to him, he was way too humble. Majority of the time he would just ignore them. Julian rather show them what he was about in the ring, rather than talk about it but Julian was feeling slightly fiery from the frustration with his fiancé, to the fact that he didn't get hit in a long time.

"Ignore that sucka man" Pete said

"That guy has been talking shit since we were amateur boxers" he said.

"Let em talk" he said getting in the truck beside him. "You're right.. I'm just frustrated man. I haven't got hit like this since the earlier days. I did something wrong man" he said

"You could've blocked more, don't be too confident thinking no one can knock you out Ju, but you still won so that's all that matters" he said shaking his shoulders. Ju nodded his head placing on his beats, something he does when he wants to clear his mind.

Julian

I unlocked the door into my condo being greeted by Sevyn. "H-hey" she smiled but then frowned once she saw my face. "Oh my gosh babe, what happened? She tried to attend to me but I brushed her off walking to the kitchen. I noticed she cooked, at least she did something. I grabbed a bag of frozen peas placing it on my face. "What happened? She asked trying to move the bag off me but I stopped her again. "What do you think happened?? You weren't there so you wouldn't know" I said. She went quiet trying to figure out what to say.

"Don't even say because of school because that's always the reason" I said walking over towards the sink. I roughly washed my hands. I saw her watching me from my peripheral vision. "I'm sorry" she said crossing her legs. I didn't say anything I just grabbed the plate beside me. I walked forward to the stove opening the pot of chicken alfredo. I scooped up a generous amount putting it on my plate. "So I guess a cat got your tongue" I said digging my fork in the pasta. I turned around facing her with my back against the stove.

"You can start by not giving me the death look and clinching your jaw to death" she said. I took a bite of my food waiting for her to say something.

"My school schedule is tight. I promise you .. I will be at the next match. Don't you want your lady to be your equal, we can't bring in money together if I don't get my education" she said sweetly.

"Don't pull that on me" I said. Although I was livid. I tried not to be the guy screaming in arguments. I'd rather just tell you calmly so you could really hear me.

"I find it very funny because anything wedding related you're on it. Balance, that's something you gotta work on baby" I said walking away with my plate leaving her with her arms crossed.

The Next Day

I walked in front of my office unlocking the door. "Honey" I heard my boss call. I rolled my eyes before turning around. I didn't even step foot into my office before she needed me for something. "Good morning Kay" I said.

"Good morning Honey, I need to talk to you in my office" she said. "Okay sure" I said following her. I noticed that everyone in their little cubicles was looking at me and sideying me. I stepped in the office closing the door behind me.

"Have a seat please" she said. The tone in her voice wasn't pleasant so I knew it was something serious. I sit down placing my purse and keys on my lap. She crossed her hands.

"Honey remember that talk we had a few days ago? She asked. "Yes" I said

"Well we've gotten a few more complaints and also a statement claiming that you called one of your co-workers ugly saying she needed a makeover" she said disappointed. I knew there was no justification for that so I kept silent.

She sighed "I will not under any circumstances let me employees feel comfortable or bullied" she said

"Bullied? Since when have I ever bullied someone? I questioned her.

"You're unapproachable and you place a lot of pressure on these girls to do their job"

"Yes because if I don't nothing will get done. Just like how I had to save the last meeting. My whole idea got approved and its getting processed in the magazine as we speak" I argued.

She sighed "Honey I have to terminate you" she said. My heart damn near dropped this job was my life and my income. "You know I don't want to do this but I have to" she said sadly. I could hear her saying other things but I completely blocked her out. I got up grabbing my bag and keys. I walked out acting normal as possible trying not to let these hating ass bitches know that I lost my job. "What happened? Jeff whispered in my ear. I didn't say anything.

Julian

"She what? I asked. "She came up to me man and gave me her business card. You need a photographer so let's hire her and get the job done" Marlowe said. "Mmm I don't know man" I said wrapping my hands.

"You need a few photo-shoots man, well of course after we clear that face up buddy" he said.

"The kid's panties are in a bunch because this is his ex-best friend" Pete chimed in

"Pshh you don't even know what your talking old man. I just don't see why we can't hire someone else. This is kind of like conflict of interest don't you think? I asked. I didn't know how to feel about it she would be taking all my pictures and being around me a lot.

"We don't have to of course but I think you should especially since were trying to do a mini documentary on you. She works for a major magazine company she has skills" he said. I rubbed my hands through my hair. "I'll think about it" I said.

"Fair enough" Marlowe said leaving. "For christ sakes, is it really that serious champ? He asked.

"It's not, it's just I don't know. I haven't been around her in years. I'm not getting along with Sevyn and she may take it the wrong way. It's a lot on the line"

"I hear you kid"

I don't think Julian likes Honey.

Sevyn get from under that rock for a second lol

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