Curves

Chapter 13

Jayden 

*

"Finished," I sighed as I saved the last of my work. Another assignment has successfully been taken care of. I have to say I'm thankful for the help I've been given with my team. Without a group of competent workers, this job would've been ten times harder to do. I packed up my things and headed out. I saw the light on in Monique's office. I was a bit surprised. I thought I was the only one working late. It just made me admire her a bit more for her hard work and dedication.

I debated whether or not I should go and tell her goodnight before dismissing the idea. I know I would hate it if someone interrupted me when I'm working so I'll just text her later on. The drive home was smoother than the drive to work. Atlanta traffic really is terrible. After some time I finally pulled into my neighborhood. As my headlights beamed onto my neighbor's house briefly I caught the sight of an old beat up truck.

Even though it's been nearly a month I have yet to meet the neighbor that lives right next to me. I spend most of my time at work and when I am at home all I ever see is their car. I've never seen that truck there and honestly, it's an eyesore. The thing looks like it barely runs. Seeing my neighbor's car in the driveway told me someone was home and the person who owns this monstrosity might actually be a guest. 

"I wouldn't be caught dead associating with someone in such a cheap car," I mumbled before stepping foot into my house. I walked down the hall and tossed my keys on the breakfast bar. "I forgot to stop somewhere and get something to eat," I sighed. I guess I'll make myself something microwaveable. Cooking is not a skill I was blessed with. I've been sticking to the bachelor's diet of takeout and microwaveable dinners. It's a costly diet but I don't have the time to learn to cook. As I was waiting for my food to heat up my phone rang. Looking at the number I saw it was one of my old friends. We were supposed to meet up earlier but we had slight scheduling mix-ups. "What's up Tyler?"

"Hey man, what's going on? How's Atlanta life? Sorry about canceling on you last minute. My client wanted to schedule a meeting last minute." 

"It's no problem man I understand. My meeting was actually going on longer than I expected so I was going to reschedule anyways. But so far Atlanta is pretty good. Work is good."

"How are you liking your new place?"

"The owners before was an elderly couple but they managed the keep the place and very good shape. It's a lot roomier than I initially thought but I'd rather own a house than rent an apartment. The neighborhood is alright too." The microwave beeped letting me know my dinner was finished. "Good commute to work. But there's this annoying old lady always pestering me."

"What'd she do?" He chuckled. 

"She's always coming by and gossiping about everyone here like I was one of her batty old friends. She's always inviting me over for dinner to meet her stripper hoe of a daughter. The only good thing is she'll continuously drop off leftovers for me to eat every so often."

"What's wrong with being a stripper?"

"It's degrading and disgusting," I scrunched my face up like I smelled something bad. "Women need to learn how to have more respect for themselves. Being a stripper is the same as being a cheap hooker if you ask me."

"True," he said. "Have you met anyone you're cool with though? I know all you do is work and that's good and all but you need to unwind sometime."

"Well, I have become cordial with a few male workers at my job. We're all going to get a drink someday this week."

"Any females?"

"The female workers are all more worried about what I can give them than their work so I don't give them the time of day." I stopped and thought about Monique for a moment. "Except one. She's a district manager like myself and very hardworking. She's not the type of female I would normally go for but she has a certain charm that I like."

"What? Is she black?" he joked. 

"Ha ha very funny," I said sitting down to eat. "I don't know why you insist that I don't like black women."

"Because you've never dated a black woman," he said like it was so obvious.

"Just because I haven't been in a relationship with a black woman doesn't mean I don't like black women. I'm attracted to women who are motivated and hard-working. Most of the women I've tried dating were neither and way too guarded for me. They felt like I needed to jump through hoops and hurdles for them simply because they call themselves 'black queens'. No queen is a queen without self-respect, compassion, and a strong sense of leadership."

"So this girl is white?"

"No. She's black and a bit on the heavy side but she's honestly the most attractive black woman I've ever met. Even though she seems a bit guarded I can tell she's also open to change. I plan on taking her on a date soon so I can see if she's worthy."

"That's great man. Glad you're finally loosening up a bit. Next time I'm in town we'll link up for sure."

"Alright talk to you later." 

Tyler was one of the few close friends I still have from childhood. A lot of my friends fell off saying I changed or whatever when I went to college. It's true I changed. Everyone has to change at some point. My friends didn't and wanted to stay in those old apartments for generations to come and I didn't. Whenever I tried convincing to at least get a trade they claimed I was trying to change them because I was ashamed of them or something.  That's not the case. I wanted better for them but they didn't want to listen so I dropped them. 

Motivated people are the only ones I keep around me. People who want to do and be better. People who work hard for what they want and don't sit on their ass all day expecting a handout. I expect the same in my woman and I think Monique has those qualities. I'll see for sure once we go on our date though.

Hey, you lovely readers of mines!! Short little update to keep you all interested. And since I deleted A Hate Love Thing I won't have to split my focus. Hope you enjoyed it. 

#TeamJayden?

#TeamJamel?

#TeamZyshonne?

#TeamUndecided? For those of you who still can't pick

P.S. I will begin updating Thick Thighs right after this update so if you all would like to move over to that book and see the changes you are more than welcome to. I'll put a little edit disclaimer at the beginning of each chapter so nobody gets confused.