The Misunderstood Black Woman

Debilitated XIV

Bryson was intensely watching me while I presented my PowerPoint about new properties around the city. I honestly forgot about the presentation so I put it together last night before I went to sleep. Maybe it was noticeable that I was currently winging it, but I hoped that it still looked professional.

I finished up my presentation then headed back to the real estate office so Bryson and his clients could converse. I began to feel anxious about having dinner with one of the big clients later on this evening. I didn't want to mess anything up and I wanted everything to turn out perfectly.

I was finishing up a property value report when Kelsea came inside with some leftover pizza. I noticed that she was always smiling and looked like she knew something about everything and everyone. I looked up from my report then I flashed her a smile and waved.

"Hello, Miss Anderson. Here's some leftover pizza from lunch today if you're interested. Garrett is taking me out golfing tonight so I'm on my way out of here." Kelsea excitedly stated while walking towards the door.

I waved goodbye then got back to work. I wondered if Bryson would hire more people for this office because I was lonely and missed talking to others. I got off at 5:00 pm so I only had 30 minutes left before I could go home and get ready for this dinner. To keep me distracted I started texting Isabel and Geia in the group chat about what we should do for the extra party details.

A loud knock on the door made me drop my phone down on the counter and lookup. Bryson stood at the door with his suit jacket in one hand and his tie was undone. He looked stressed like he wanted to hit a punching bag and relieve some of it.

"Congratulations! That PowerPoint that you just presented got us, three new clients. But that, unfortunately, means that I'm stuck in the office for a couple of extra hours." Bryson said while coming over to my desk and sitting in one of the chairs.

A large smile spread over my face and I couldn't help but feel accomplished. On my second week of working here, I already got 4 new clients and I was doing a great job. I did feel slightly bad because Bryson looked worn out and tired.

"I'm glad to hear that, minus the extra hours part. I can offer you a massage after my dinner with Mr. Henderson." I said while packing my belongings up to leave.

Bryson tensed at that name then he got up and came over to me. He had a stern look in his dark brown eyes and he looked more irritable than before.

"Since when did you have a meeting with Gabriel?" Bryson aggressively asked while coming closer to me.

I secretly felt nervous and excited by this side of Bryson. I've always seen his sweet side, but was he actually showing jealousy? I honestly didn't want him to feel this way so I was going to explain everything so there was no confusion.

"Since this afternoon after I secured the accounts. I got an email from him and he invited me out to dinner so I could discuss future visions for his property." I said while glaring at Bryson with my arms crossed.

Bryson mumbled some incoherent things to himself then he started to retreat towards the door. I assumed that he didn't like Gabriel since he didn't seem too thrilled about me securing him as a client.

"I'm staying here late tonight. So have fun on your dinner date with Gabriel. I'll see you tomorrow Courtney." Bryson said while grabbing the leftover box of pizza and walking out the door without looking back.

I admit that I felt a small pang of hurt from watching him walk away without hearing me out first. I decided to just brush it off for now because we already agreed to be just friends, and we weren't even exclusive. Another feeling stirred inside of me and I started to feel guilty for leading Bryson on all of those times.