A Tale of two Brothers

Contract approval

Dressing up is easily my top favourite thing to do, right after shopping of course. My mother always said, “in the right clothes and shoes, a girl can conquer the world.” I like to add a full face of make up to the equation to sweeten the saying.

I slipped on my favourite pair of manolo’s, the one Jer got me for my twenty sixth birthday, finished up my last swatch of lip gloss, while reading the good luck text he sent me earlier. I felt ready to conquer the day.

“Good morning Mrs. Knight.” James, my driver and personal security greeted me with a smile. “I hear it's going to be a big day, would you love to stop by your favourite café before we go to the office ?”

“No James, I don’t think the nerves will let me stomach anything right now. Thank you for the offer, you’re a darling.”

The drive to the office was swift, I could tell how much James was trying to calm my nerves by his choice of music and mindless updates on the recent happenings in New York.

James has been with me for awhile and we were well past the employee-employer relationship. We had settled into some form of friendship and caught each other up on the recent happenings. He was a lot more than a security detail.

“Good luck Mrs. Knight, I’m certain you’ll do great.” He said with a sweet smile as he pulled up to the office.

“Thank you James.”

I was welcomed with a beautiful flower arrangement and the sweetest note from Jeremiah, I felt the wind underneath my little wings and I was ready to soar. The stares I got as I made my way to the office with a huge bouquet did things to my ego. Yes people, look at my flowers, my husband is the best.

“Sarah! I’ve been waiting for you.” Gladys, my colleague and long-time friend from college called out, rushing towards me with a box of what I assumed to be chocolates, distracting me from my flowers.

“They’re from myself and Charlotte. They're said to contain stress calming and hormone regulating whatnot and they’re good for nerves, we want you to have the most perfect day darling.” I engulfed her in the biggest bear hug, planting kisses all over her face while she repeatedly let out multiple Ew and more laughter.

“Thank you Gladys, this means a lot and I’ll be sure to text Charlotte later.” I said, plucking a bar of chocolate off the pack. I had no self control when my sweets were involved.”

“Do you have any idea if the team is already here?” I asked Gladys, gathering my files.

“The meeting is not set for the next two hours so you have time to go over your proposal and put together finishing touches and if you want, I can pretend to be the board while you go over the proposal.” She smoothed my hair and tucked my collar.

“You’ll be fine, you’ve got this and even if you don’t, no one is about to say no to Jeremiah Knight's wife’.

After my wedding day, today might just be the second happiest day of my life. I was going to open my own consulting firm, I already got the place, all I needed was the licence. This project just won me my free ticket.

I was very sure there were people who thought I only got the contract approved because I had “Knight” attached to my name, I couldn’t care less I knew I had worked very hard for this and honestly, if I got it because of Jeremiah no problem still, I was a wonderful wife after all and if this is my reward, I was going to so reap it the field will be devoid of harvest when I’m done.

If anyone had a problem with that, they can try taking him from me or better still, settle for the lesser substitute, his step brother Edward.

“Congratulations Sarah, I’m so happy for you.”

“Sarah! I heard the news, congratulations.”

“Sarah, I knew you could do it, congratulations.”

My cheeks were beginning to hurt from the smiles and thank yous I’ve been dishing out since the board released my approval on the company website.

“If it’s not the latest independent criminal lawyer I know.” Gladys bumped her shoulders against mine, with how wide she was smiling, you’d think she’s the one with the contract. “Congratulations baby girl. You earned this one.”

I smiled, catching the double meaning behind her words. I was glad there were people who understood how hard I’ve worked for this dream and saw me as more than Jeremiah Knight's wife. “Thank you Glad. I feel so light.”

“Hell yeah! Now let’s go celebrate. Unfortunately, it’ll be just you and I, Charlotte is still at God knows where. I swear that girl intends to see the world before she turns 30.”

I laughed in agreement. Charlotte was the less tame, storm princess amongst us and spent more time on air than anyone I knew. Can’t blame her though, if I had an inheritance the size of Manhattan, I’d be spending my days on different Islands too.

I got into bed after my much needed bath, the clubbing and drinking with Gladys and some of the girls from the office had completely drained me, I needed an outlet.

I picked my phone to call Jer. I had no doubt he already got the good news but I was so excited and I needed someone to share it with.

He didn’t pick up after the second call so I assumed he was busy, it was 12am here in New York and who knew what time it was where he was.

I tossed for the hundredth time, I couldn’t sleep, the excitement cursing through me would not let me relax, I tried calling Jeremiah again, it went straight to voicemail this time.

If I was going to get any sleep, I needed to relax and knew just how to, I wished Jeremiah would’ve taken his calls but what can a girl do?

Reaching for the drawer beneath my bed, I pulled out my favourite vibrator, this was going to do until I get my husband.