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“You and all those people have no idea what I have gone through to get here. The horrible people I have encountered and the horrid names that I have been called. You have no idea the opportunities I have had taken away from me because of my skin color.”

“You have no right to discredit my success and anyone who thinks I didn’t earn my position can take a perfectly pink dildo and shove it up their ass.”

I was breathing heavily at the end of my speech and he stared at me for a full minute before speaking.

“I’ll scrap that out of the final interview.” He said finally.

I huffed and got to my feet. I should have known there was no use talking to him; they never listen. People will always hear what they want to, they will always think what they want and there is no changing it.

“Adira,” my steps haltered when he called my name.

“What do you want?”

“For what it’s worth; I don’t agree with the questions, and I think sometimes they are very invasive and rude but it’s my job and I just do what I’m told to.”

“Whatever.”

“I think that’s enough for today.”

I ignored him and went back to my desk. So much for my happy little bubble and living in denial, reality always comes crashing down and ruining it.

A part of me knows that my anger isn’t directed at Nathan; he is just doing his job and telling me what others have said. Nothing in his behavior has ever pointed to him being racist but I am too stubborn and prideful to apologize .

“I’m surprised you’re going with Marissa.” He said after a beat of silence but I remained quiet, “She doesn’t seem like someone who would do well in a crowd.”

“She’s not a fan of crowds but she has told me that she would love to attend an event one day.”

“I’m surprised you’re not taking your boyfriend.” That statement had me looking up at him with a cocked brow, “I overheard you on the phone with him a few days back; you were saying you loved him.”

I was getting more confused as the seconds ticked by and I scrunched my brows while I tried my best to remember what incident he was talking about. He must have seen the confusion on my face because he sighed and explained.

“It was the day Joseph released his statement.” He explained and my mouth formed a wide o, “He called you and I was there.”

“That wasn’t my boyfriend,” I couldn’t keep the humor out of my tone, “That was Olivia; although she would be amused to know that you thought we were together.”

He was shocked by my words that much was obvious and his expression was the same one from before, surprise and a little relief. This time, I didn’t let the opportunity pass, I spoke up immediately.

“You look a little too relieved by that fact,” I teased, but he didn’t rise to the bait. I don’t know why I expected him to, he almost never does.

“I’m surprised, not relieved,” he stated in a smooth tone, “You really need to work on your understanding of facial expressions. Next time, you might say I’m sad when I’m really constipated.”

“Did you just make a joke?” I mock-gasped, “Oh how the mighty have fallen. ”

“Have a good day, Adira.” I couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled out of me as he made his way out of my office.

I will take our interaction to mean he isn’t upset by the fact that I yelled at him and we are now good. I packed up my own stuff and decided to call it a day early.

When Miles saw me coming down the stairs, he stood up from his spot at the lobby and led me outside. The crowd had reduced considerably but there was still a crowd and it was still a hassle to get into the car.

I let out a sigh of relief as left the office and an even larger one as we parked in front of my house.

“Thank you,” I told him as he handed me back my keys, “You were really helpful today.”

He gave me a curt nod, “I will be back same time tomorrow.”

He was about to leave when a car pulled in. I recognized it but he didn’t because he pulled me behind him.

“Relax,” I told him as I stepped aside, “it’s my best friend, Olivia.”

He relaxed considerably and I gestured for Olivia to get out. She made her way out slowly with her hands raised a little.

She was in her usual work outfit; a fitted black skirt, a buttoned up white shirt and black heels. Her hair was in a tight bun but a few strands had come loose from it and I could see the stack of files on the passenger seat so I knew she came straight from work.

“I bear no ill will,” she said as she made her way closer to us, “I’m just coming to see her.”

“I’m sorry about that,” Miles said to her but she waved him off .

He didn’t waste any more time with us, he just gave me a curt nod, apologized once more to Olivia, pulled his hood up and walked away. Olivia waited until he had disappeared around the corner before she spoke.

“Well your bodyguard is hot.” She teased and I rolled my eyes, “Come on, you know I’m saying the truth. He has that whole uniformed man thing going on.”

“Just get into the house.”

“Oh I forgot, you’re surrounded by that piece of eye candy every day. Of course you wouldn’t see how hot he is.”

“I will lock you outside.” I threatened.

She laughed knowing full well I was bluffing and took her precious time walking into the house. When she was in, I locked the door behind her and she took off her heels and made her way to my fridge to pour herself a glass of orange juice.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to congratulate you on officially being a judge at Couture Week.” She raised her glass to signify a toast, “I would make a toast with wine but I have a meeting at 8 tomorrow and I’m not willing to risk it.”

“Thank you.”

“I would’ve loved to be there to support you but guess who was put on overtime that day?”

“You really need to learn to say no to your boss.”

“I will, but we’re not talking about that right now.” She took a sip from her drink, “We are talking about you and how you are trending on social media. ”

“Are you serious?” I reached into my bag for my phone but she pulled it out of my hands before I could even unlock it.

“That brings me to my third reason for being here,” she walked over to the couch and sat down, putting her feet up on my marble table, “I’m here to make sure you don’t spend your night reading negative comments; you’re welcome.”

“I wasn’t going to.”

“And I’m the Queen of England,” she flashed me a wide smile, “Now get over here; I have some work gossip that you would die for.”