Fire & Desire

2|SLVE

KAPRI

I picked up my phone dialing Casey number for the third time. I cussed inwardly as her phone went straight to voicemail.

Casey was suppose to be coming over to look over some business plans with me. I know I had been a little fucked up about Dianne these last few days but I was still about my money.

My apartment was cold and messy. Last night, I spent my time indulging in a weekend fling and I wasn't prepared for Casey ghosting me this morning. This wasn't like her and the more I thought about it the more I grew concerned.

I paced back and forth in my spacious living room in nothing but my sports bra and compression shorts.I was trying to put together a plan. With Casey missing, that made the work load even more heavier. And honestly , one mind was good , but having Casey on my team bought in a whole another perceptive and more money! I was indeed stress. I needed this business plan finalize by the end of the week and my business partner was nowhere to be found. Plus I'm all booked up with clients this week. Right now is the only time I have to work on this.

The sound of my doorbell pulled me out of my thoughts as I quickly walked to the door . "Why the fuck you not answering my calls??" I immediately said as I swung the door open.

My anger soon turned to annoyance as a stranger stood in my doorway. I eyed her. She looked just like me but ... more masculine? I made a stank face as I eyed her from head to toe.

Her locs were longer than mine , I could tell even though they were neatly pulled up into two buns with chop sticks going  through them. She wore a black chocker around her neck that had gold letters hanging from it reading out "SLVE" . Her skin was dark and free of any imperfection. She was beautiful to say the least.

Her eyes were a golden brown. Her eyebrows thick and untamed . Her outfit was a mix of edgy and dapper . She wore a black t-shirt with the words "SLVE" on front with some expensive black pants with chains on the side. She wore the latest yeezys in black and finishing the outfit off with a black leather jacket.

"SLVE" I thought to myself. It had seen so familiar and important but I couldn't put my finger on it.

"I'm Aza , Your client. I think those are my business plans in your hand." She chuckled as she pointed down to the papers in my hand . Then It click, she was the owner of the androgynous fashion line "SLVE" it's her business plan I've been stressed about but why is she here?!

I opened the door wider , but immediately hid my body behind it once I remembered I barely had on clothes.

"Look if now not a good time... I really can't come back so now has to be a good time." She laughed . Her voice was demanding and she had a "boss" demeanor to her .

I frowned as I remember I had company still here from last night.
"One second." I blurted out as I slammed the door in the strangers face.

I picked up my phone dialing Casey for the fourth time while going into my bed room. I rolled my eyes as Casey voicemail greeted me instead of her ." Casey why the fuck you got our clients pulling up to my crib? Answer the fucking phone man. I'm in here in nothing but my draws and you got this dark Vader looking bitch at my door!" I hung up the phone before shaking the sleeping girl who laid out messily in my king size bed.

"Yo , you gotta go." I said. Her eyes slowly fluttered open . She smiled , " oh hey-"

"Nah you have to go right now." I said as I found her clothes on the floor and handed it to her. " not even a good morning!" She said as she got out the bed quickly and started putting her clothes on.

"Look it's not like that-

"Nah fuck you Kapri. I know you don't want no relationship and I'm cool with that but this right here is foul." She said as she grabbed her purse and headed for the front door.

I rushed in front of the door , " listen I'll call you , okay?"

She folded her arms across her chest , " how you gone call me when you DONT know my name or number?"

I paused . Damn I've been seeing this girl every other weekend and I could never remember her name . I just called her baby. She was always at one of my favorite nights spots when I wanted to play so it was never no need for a number exchange, she just knew when to show up.

"Exactly." Was all she said before pushing pass me and out of the front door.

She looked my client up and down, " Oh Kapri , I didn't know you like fucking dykes." She spewed those words from her evil lips like venom. My client stood their with a cheesy smile on her face as she watched my company walk away.

"I'm so sorry." I said to Aza. She just stood there with a big goofy smile on her face. The feeling of her eyes roaming my body caused me to tense up as I remembered I was still practically naked

"Uh- hold on." I said before going to close the door but was immediately stopped by her hand .

"Look I have a long day ahead of me can I please just take a look at the plans please."

I nodded before opening the door wider so that she can come in. The smell of Burberry tickled my nose as she brushed passed me. Damn she smells good.

I closed the door before heading to my living room and joining her on my couch. " I'm sorry about all that." I said as I laid the business plan in front of us on my coffee table.

"It's all good , bitches be tripping." She laughed before scooting closer to me , making me a little uncomfortable.

"So, what we got?" She asked as she scanned the papers with her eyes. Her body language changed as she read the paper vigorously. I eyed the tattoos that covered her neck wondering what they meant . I soon snapped out of it and return my attention back to the business plan .

"There you'll see your margins . This is what you should expect in income in over five years with all other expenses taking out already. Right here is a list of all expenses. With your projected sales number actually already being high, you can expect your brand to sale out during the launch." I said as I pointed at some stuff on the papers.

She smiled , " good because I gotta launch this shit tonight." She laughed.

"Wait .. tonight? I thought you needed this back by the end of the week." My body tensed up as my mind started going crazy. How was I going to finalize these papers without Casey? I never finalize papers without her. I really didn't have time for this shit !

She chuckled , showing off the dimples in her cheeks that I hadn't even notice .

"Yeah that's why I hit Casey up about it this morning. She dropped your addy and said you'll take care of it."

"I'm not going to lie to you Aza . I think these plans need some more work before we release them officially to you." I shook my head . I've been a business consultant for a long time. These plans was a shy 7/10 . I only produced and finalize work that was perfect. I couldn't risk having my name associated with anything less.

She laughed as she got up from her seat, " I think they need some more work too. That's why I'm giving you till tonight to finish them up. I'm not paying you twenty thousand for nothing ." She laughed before playfully hitting my arm.

"Look just bring the official plans to the launch tonight . It's going to be at my mansion in Atlanta. Here." She went into the small cross-body duffel bag , that I didn't even notice was hanging from her body and pulled out a pen.

"Here's my number text me for the address . It's starts at 10 but I would love if you are a little early." She smiled .

"Yeah." I said plainly as I looked at her number that was now on my hand.

"See ya tonight!" Was all she said before leaving me alone in my penthouse.

I felt so tried , so hoed! I never had any of my clients tell ME what to do. They usually just trusted my process. I was a big shot and to have me on your side when conducting business was a flex. How dare she come in here talking to me like im her bitch! She lucky I'm even working with her , Casey took five thousand off our regular fee because she knew the bitch from college.

I went back over to my couch and began working on Aza's business plan . Regardless of how I felt about her personally, I still had business to handle.