Rendezvous at Silver Lining

Divinity's POV: Hey mama

Phone call:

Me: Hey, Mama.

Mom: Hey baby! How have you been?

Me: I'm doing alright. I guess, more than that.

Mom: Oooh. Is there a man involved in this "better than ok" mood?

I blushed.

Me: I guess you can say that, but that's not the best news or the news at all.

Mom: The man wasn't the news? What's better than that?

I laughed.

Me: Mommy, no. Although he's part of the reason why what's happening is happening. You know my paintings and sketches.

Mom: Yeah. The ones you've should us were beautiful.

Me: Well, others think so, too. I've been given the opportunity to have an art gallery and auction at The Mozielle.

Mama gasped, then screamed. I moved the phone away from my ear because of the pain but smiled from ear to ear. I knew she'd do that.

Mom: OH MY GOD!! That's amazing, baby. How'd that happen?

Me: It's a long story, and one I'll tell you and papa when you come down for the opening. It's in 2 weeks, so definitely come down.

Mom: You don't have to say nothing but a word. We will be there! Divi, I'm so proud of you, and I know your mommy and Daddy are just as proud looking down from above.

I got a little emotional from her comment, and my voice came out a little froggy.

Me: Thanks, ma. I really appreciate it, and I appreciate you guys. I can't thank you enough!

Mom: There's no thanks needed. I can't wait to see everything.

Me:OK, ma.

Mom: By the way, where's my bum ass daughter. I have to be dead for her to call. When I see her, I'm beating that ass.

I busted out laughing because I knew she meant every word of that.

Me: Ma, she's running a company. So yeah, she's busy. She's not doing it on purpose, I swear. She loves you guys.

Mom: Yeah, whatever. I'm still gonna beat her ass.

I shook my head and smiled.

Me: Anyway, Mama, I wanted to ask if you could help me with something?

Mom: Sure. What do you need?

Me: A partner company that's working with SL has realized money being siphoned from his company, and I noticed some forging of his signature. Could you help me once I get all the information.

Mom:Yeah, baby. Just let me know.

Me: OK, mommy. Thanks. Love you.

Mom: Love you too. Bye.

End of phone call.

I sighed and fell face first on my bed. I just came back from dinner with Kris, and now I'm exhausted. I thought about the whole dibocal with Damien and the forging of his signature and where the money could possibly be going to. This just made me realize that when I began my own company, I needed to have people I absolutely trusted working for me. I don't have time for the bullshit.

It was going on 9:30 pm, and I needed to get myself together for work the next day. I got out some clothes, took my shower, did my daily night routine, and went to bed.

The next day...

I was in my office getting my work done for the day. A potential partner made contact with me today, and I wrote it down so I can bring it up to Raphael. I'll go see him in a few minutes to take a look at it. I got a knock on my office door.

"Hey b***h!!"

I looked up to see Robin poking her head in my office door, then dragged her dusty ass in the rest of the way. Right on her heels was James.

"What do you want, trick?

I smiled at her, and she chuckled. James looked at us.

"Uhhh, y'all ok? I didn't know you two went on speaking terms."

Binny and I looked at each other, back to him, then back at each other. We busted out laughing, lowkey scaring James.

"Were not on bad terms at all. That's just how we talk to each other. If we weren't rude, that would mean we didn't love each other."

Binny told him as she patted his shoulder and then posted up on the corner of my desk.

"Yeah. We good. That's a normal greet. How's yall's day?"

James took a seat in one of my chairs.

"It's been pretty hectic on my part. Since SOMEBODY has decided to leave us, I've been tasked to look for your replacement on top of my other duties. Finding anyone to replace you is a chore in itself. You're like 6 people in 1. I always knew your work was tiresome, but after having to go over a full day's load and the many different avenues you have to go through, the amount of people you have to pretty much supervise, AND still find time to contact and build new relationships with current and new partners is f*****g ridiculous!! How the hell do you actually do it?!"

My eyes widened at his words. I never knew I was doing all of that.

"I mean, I didn't even know it was that crazy. I just be doing the work, to be honest."

James sighed out heavily and sunk deeper in his seat.

"Damn. Then we gonna really miss you. We're gonna definitely have to hire a few people to do what you do flawlessly. "

I smiled, and he smiled back.

"That's because my girl is the bestest. Her company is gonna flourish as soon as it's started."

Binny jumped up and ran behind my desk to give me a big hug. I squealed and laughed because her hug was more like an attack than hug. I looked over at James and noticed how he stared at Binny. My eyebrow popped up in surprise. I gave a knowing smile, one he didn't see or paid no mind to.

"Oh, tell Raphael that Mr. Charles is looking to partner. He wants more information first and a couple of meetings to hear the details in further detail without the assumption of partnering afterward. I believe he will, though, considering he has ignored all our prior advancements. I think with Damien's company partnering, those who were hesitant will slowly make their way here."

James nodded.

"You can probably tell him yourself. I followed Robin here because he asked me to ask you to meet him in his office. Besides, I need to get back to work."

He hopped up and headed for the door then suddenly stopped and turned back.

"I hear you're having an art gallery opening and auction. I'd love to come and show my support."

He gave me a warm smile and it was beautiful. I clutched for my imaginary pearls.

"Uh, yeah, definitely. It's open to the public. Come on by."

He nodded and left out. Once the door latched clink to let us know he had completely closed the door, I swung around and looked at Binny. She looked confused.

"What?"

"I see why you like him so much. He has a gorgeous smile. He's sexy too."

She looked kinda embarrassed, and her usual tan skin darkened to a pale pink.

"What you mean? He's had a girlfriend for forever now. They just broke up a few weeks back."

I gasped.

"Oh, s**t. They broke up? When they do that?"

I could clearly see her "f**k, I just said something I shouldn't have" face. I loved it when she was flustered because she hardly was. Now, it was payback for all her butting in. I gave her a sinister smirk.

"Awwwww s**t. Here we go with the fuckery. What is it, Vinnie?"

"Nothinggggg."

She cut her eyes at me. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Look, I just think it's great. You two look good together. He's such a sweet guy and smart, too. He clearly likes you, and you most definitely feel the same way. So why are either of you beating around the bush. And yes, this is the pot calling the kettle black. And I don't care if my pot ass is black as hell. Also, Raphael was a dumbass for not telling me he had feelings for me. So is it really the same???"

She gave me a bored look and crossed her arms over her chest.

"You gave me your whole life story just now, Vin. Cause you know yourself what you just said was bullshit."

"Doesn't make what I said wrong."

I gave a smug look and leaned back in my chair to face her. She rolled her eyes, and I chuckled.

"I do like him. But he's fresh out of a 6 year sentence. That's kinda hard to move on from."

I nodded in understanding.

"That may be the case, but you didn't see the way he stared at you. Just because he was in a relationship for that long doesn't mean he was happy the entire time, too. Just trust me on this or trust yourself because you already know the answer."

She sagged at my words, knowing I was right.

"I missed when I was giving the dating advice and not receiving it."

I laughed maniacally.

"You goofy, for real, Vinnie."

We both laughed a d spoke some more. After another 10 minutes, I made my way to Raphael’s office. I didn't see delulu Sarah today so that was a good sign. I knocked twice, then popped my head in.

"Hey! You wanted to see me Mr.McCoy?"

He gave me a deadly glare.

"My bad. Old habits die hard."

"How's your day going, mi amor."

I still blush hearing that. We've been doing pretty good lately. He's been real patient and I have been learning little by little about him. It's been icing seeing the man behind the myth, even though at times he's still tryna hide from me. One thing I know for sure, when he says mi amor he means every syllable of the words.

"So what did you need to talk about. James gave me your message."

"Have you heard of the fraud situation over at B&G?"

"Yeah. I just was made aware of it yesterday. Don't worry, I already told Damien what to do to catch the culprit and how to save his funds. I also, have someone on gathering evidence of fraud by looking at signatures. We should have some answers in a few days, once Damien send the documents and signatures to me."

Raphael just stared at me for a long while.

"What?"

"I just can't get over how you never cease to amaze me."

I smiled.

"Then stop tryna limit me, but never stop trying to figure me out."

He smirked.

"Anyway, Mr.Charles has made steps in the direction of partnering. He has some logistics specifically for him that he wants us to follow, but honestly, it's just a front. He wants to join but doesn't want to seem too hasty."

He nodded and looked back down at his laptop that was sitting in front of him.

"Alright. I'll reach out to him first thing in the morning before our date."

I looked at him confused.

"Date? Did we have something planned that I forgot?"

He looked up and smiled.

"Nope. I'm telling you now."

He smiled brightly, basically telling my ass I didn't have a choice.

"You can be real bossy, Mr.McCoy."

I gave him a smug smirk and he gave one back.

"I hear you like that."

Oop. Now who told him that? I swear my v****a makes me seem hoe adjacent these days.