Her Assistant ✓

Chapter Eight

Onika
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She had some theories about Beyoncé's change of behavior of late. The most likely of which involved alien abduction, doppelganger, and mind control.

The boss was tiptoeing around her. Seriously, tiptoeing. And when she did address her, she sounded unsure, hesitant, and...approachable. None of these terms defined the Scrooge McFuck she loved to hate.

She'd always been confident, entering the office knowing exactly what to expect—but today, she was cautious, not daring to say a word that might disrupt the uneasy peace.

She hadn't asked, but she brought her a coffee after her break—she always wanted one whenever she came in close contact with a coffee maker, which was probably proof that she was human, partially.

"Thank you, Onika."

What.The. Fuck.

Thank you, plus her name. This was the first time she'd heard her say any of that. 

That was it. She was dying. She'd had a call from the doctor on her lunch break yesterday, telling her that she only had one week to live.

"Can I ask you a question?"

She nodded numbly, taking in another completely unlikely behavior. She normally just said whatever the hell she wanted to.

"How do you choose a man? What makes you think, this is the guy I'm going to pick. His looks, the depth of his pockets?"

She might have been offended if she didn't genuinely seem, curious, as well as a little lost. Oh. Trouble in paradise. She and Michelle might have had an issue of sorts.

Onika shook her head.

"My husband has no money—he had even less when we got married. He isn't bad looking, but I know people who are better looking." Like you, she didn't add. "I guess I picked him because he charmed me. Said all the right things. Paid attention to me."

And damn if that didn't make her sound like the pathetic, gullible girl she was. Or had been.

"You're married?"

She looked surprised, taken aback; a frown marred her forehead as she looked at her intensely, trying to read her.

She nodded, but found herself compelled to add, "In name, anyway. We're separated."

That seemed to fascinate her.

"And why did you leave him?"

It was embarrassing, because she should have left him. She should have left when he barely helped out Maya, with the house, or anything. She should have told him to fuck off years ago — but she hadn't.

"I didn't. He packed up when I was at work one day, took our savings, and disappeared."

It was the second time Onika had to explain this out loud; the first time, she'd been crying, her rage barely containable. It hadn't been sad tears; she'd wanted to beat his ass for the one time, for the one time. She wanted to hit him in the nuts, but as he hadn't been there, she'd just attacked his pillow instead, crying in frustration and anger.

Now, she was proud to realize that feeling had left her voice. She didn't care. The only thing he'd really affected was her financial situation, and thanks to her new position in the firm that was taken care of now.

Beyoncé was angry enough for the both of them. She didn't say a word at first, her eyes never leaving hers, then slowly, almost menacingly, she asked, "He stole money from you, and left you without a word?"

She shrugged in response. "Technically, it was our money. So I guess he stole my half, yes."

It came out carelessly; she genuinely didn't care about the money anymore. She told Beyoncé, who looked at her dubiously.

I mean, that couple thousand could have helped, of course. But right now, the only reason why I want to find him is..."

She trailed off, imagining her knee up his crotch.

"You're not thinking about getting back with him."

Beyoncé didn't formulate it as a question as much as an order. She just snorted. "No way, no how. I just want to pin him down to get him to sign the divorce papers I had drawn."

As far as she was concerned, their flakey relationship was well and truly over. They had gotten married because of Blue. There was no denying it, but it had been a youthful mistake to assume that a child was a reason to tie two people who had nothing in common together. If her parents, instead of instantly rejecting Blue's very existence, had suggested that they hold off the wedding, things might have gone differently.

She shook off the wave of resentment that hadn't left her yet. No point in dwelling on ifs. They had made their choice, she'd made hers—and she'd live with it.

Beyoncé nodded, and to her surprise, remained in front of her desk for a good minute.

"All right, so we've covered the don't. Stealing money and leaving without a word are no-no's. But what do women actually want from a relationship?"

She bit her lip, considering it.

"I can't talk for everyone, but I guess I'd want someone who takes the time to get to know me. Someone who wants to know what makes me tick. Someone I can have fun with, and chill with, too. I'd want a friend, first and foremost."

Beyoncé frowned and wordlessly returned to her task, so Onika turned away, heading back to her desk. As Knowles didn't say anything at all, she felt awkward, useless. She normally would demand a thing or ten.

"Would you like me to order you lunch, ma'am?" she asked as she reached the door.

Beyoncé—she couldn't call her Scrooge today—lifted her gaze to her and shook her head.

"No, thank you, Onika. I'm going to meet my mother for lunch."

Right. Of course. That made sense.

Or not.

She recalled the million times Tina Knowles had complained that her daughter never stopped to see them during the day even though their Fifth Avenue apartment was close to their office.

Voodoo.

Voodoo could do that to a girl right?

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Keep or delete?

This Chapter?

Nicki?

She's confused as hell on Beyoncé's newly found niceness.

You also learned a little more about her past relationship. Your thoughts?

Onika's parents?

Beyoncé?

She's being nicer. Do you think this is temporary or permanent?

Beyoncé's questions?

Have you noticed that she didn't fit Onika's relationship ideals?

Beyoncé's POV is next chapter...

What do you think will happen next?

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