Love You As You Are

19 | Miles

“You said you have this figured out b***h,” I whispered shouted, looking at the endless cue outside the club.

“I do, give me a minute, okay?” she said trudging towards the bouncers at the front. I watched as she whispered something to the bouncer, who gave her a once over, before nodding. Indra turns to me with a smile and waves me over. I eyed the bouncer, wanting nothing more than to put my hands on him for looking at her ass. I made sure to give him a well deserve glare on my way in. “See? I told you I had this figured out,” she turns to me as we walked in.

I have to lean down over the loud music so she can hear me. “You didn’t promise him any s*x, did you?” I asked and she burst into laughter, grabbing my hand as we walked through the sea of people, dancing, grinding to the beat. Once we make it to the other side, I want to turn around. Damn, this place looks expensive.

“Come on, I wouldn’t sleep with a man that bulky,” she said leading us to the VIP section. There aren’t many people on this side and it’s dark. I can barely make out who each person is.

“Good,” I said. “Because I almost decked him with the way he was looking at your behind,” Indra laughed as she handed a ticket to the bouncer at the bottom of the stairs leading to the secluded areas. I looked around, aimlessly, surveying the area.

“You know, I’d love to see that,” she turned to me when the bouncer let us through. I glared at her, making her laugh.

“You’d love to see that dude turn me into a pancake, is what you’re trying to say,” I looked around as soon as we made it to the top. “This place is nice,” I admired, dragging the words. Indra laughed.

“I just heard in Tiffany Haddish’s voice in my head,” I chuckled, remembering the movie Nobody’s Fool.

“Crazy,”

“Okay so I guess we’re early,” she looked around. “Concert hasn’t started yet. We can get a few drinks while we wait,” I grimaced at the thought of drinking.

“You know, I don’t know why I keep doing this to myself,” I started as she called a waitress. “I know I’m going to end up drunk wasted, but I still come here,”

“Come on, I’ll be on the lookout this time. Promise,” she said. “I’ll guard you with my life,” I eyed her sideways. She leaned into whisper, “Unless it’s Mr Stark,” we both burst into laughter, almost sliding off the couch.

“That’s not reassuring,” I pointed out.

“What? You said it yourself,” she shrugged. “You’re willing to sacrifice a lot for that d**k. I’m not about to stand in your way,”

“And I have to trust you with my life?” I quirked a brow.

“It’s good d**k,” she said in a tiny voice, I couldn’t help laughing.

“i***t,”

“Relax, he’s probably not here,” she said when the drinks came. We chatted while we settled, gearing up for the concert. “Do you wanna dance?”

“I’m saving my energy for Lloyiso,” I said. “I’ll be screaming my lungs out. It doesn’t even bother me that he’ll hear me. Matter of fact, keep the drinks coming. I need to get all that shyness out of my system. Who knows? I might go home with two men this time,” Indra laughed.

“How’s that going to work out for you?”

“I got two holes b***h,” Indra screamed out laughing as we both lost it, toppling over one another, no doubt attracting eyes on us.

“Spoken like a true w***e,”

“Miles?” I looked up when someone called my name. Mr Kendrick stands before us, in a neat all black suit with a white button down, the first few buttons undone.

“Mr Kendrick, hi,” I stood up, meeting him halfway.

“Boss, I need the keys to the back room,” a buff male walked to Mr Kendrick.

“Why?”

“We need a new cable,” he said. Mr Kendrick handed him a set of keys.

“You’ll find me upstairs,” Mr Kendrick said. “Or give them to Emmanuel, if you don’t find me,”

Shit. Mr Stark is here.

“How are you doing?” Mr Kendrick turns to me as soon as the man walks away, rushing up the second flight of stairs, no doubt leading to the offices and the back rooms. “I didn’t get to see you in Seattle. I heard about the London incident, are you good?”

“London incident?” I repeated with a frown. Did Mr Stark tell him?

“Yeah, the shooting. You and Emmanuel went to the Sirenios, right? It happened there. You’re not hurt or anything?”

“Oh no, not at all,” I said relieved. “I’m good. There were only two casualties and they’re fine,” I said.

“Good,” he nodded with a smile, his eyes looking behind me briefly. “Who’s your friend over there?” I turn to Indra, who’s oblivious to her surrounding, cradling her drink in both her tiny, manicured hands as she gently swayed to the music. I almost want to laugh at her. She looks like she’s already drunk.

“Indra!” I yelled, startling her. She jumped, almost spilling her drink. As soon as she places it on the table, she glares at me before her eyes settled on Mr Kendrick. Giving him a quick once over, she stood up walking over to us. “This is Indra, my friend,” I introduced her to Mr Kendrick. “Indra, this is-“

“Mr Kendrick,” Indra said with a growing smile as she held out her hand for a handshake. “I think I’ve met him before. At the office,”

“Right, I don’t think I’ve seen you,” Mr Kendrick replied, taking her hand. “Trust me, I’d recognise a beauty,” I grimaced when he kissed the back of her hand. Indra had no reaction as she looked at him.

“I’m the receptionist,” she said, pulling her hand from his. “Probably the first person you see when you walk in,”

“Well, perhaps I should start paying attention,” he said flashing her a toothy smile, revealing his perfect pearly white teeth. “How are you doing so far? Have you been given any drinks?” I was about to answer, but I got distracted when a man rushed down the steps leading upstairs. Mr Starks looked around for a second or two, and I thought about hiding, but it was too late. He’s already making his way over.

“Ooh sorry, I think my phone’s ringing,” Indra said rushing back to our spot, leaving me with the two men.

“I need to talk to you,” Mr Stark says as soon as he reaches Mr Kendrick. When his eyes fall on me, they rake over my body dangerously slow before settling on my eyes again. “Miles,”

“Mr Stark,” I said tipping my head a little.

“What do you want to talk-“

“Seriously?” Mr Stark frowned at his best friend. “Did you wanted me to carry a mic so everyone can hear? When I say I want to talk, I mean privately,” he said. I fight the urge to laugh. I turned back to Indra, who’s struggling to hear the caller over the loud music. “Meaning follow me,”

“Why are you being dramatic?” Mr Kendrick asked, eyeing Mr Stark.

“Dude, I just want to talk. Can we go?”

“Okay! Geez, give me a second,” he turned to me. “If ya’ll need anything, just…maybe have one of the employees call me, okay?”

“Yes sir,” I gave a curt nod. I watched them walk away, before a thought crossed my mind. “Mr Kendrick?” both him and Mr Stark turned to me.

“She’s off limit,”

*****