Page 83 of Invisible Bars

“Increased engagement by 187% on IG, added three major brand partnerships, and cleared negative press off page one of Google in under 30 days each.”

Chi blinked. “Damn. I feel like you just fixed my childhood trauma.”

Jasper chuckled again. “Happy to help.”

My tone dropped lower. “How do you handle working with volatile personalities? Clients who don’t listen? Clients who ignore protocol? What about people who make snap decisions based on gut instead of guidance? How do you navigate that?”

“I adapt,” Jasper answered smoothly. “I’ve worked with worse… I assure you.”

Chi leaned forward. “You ever had to talk a client out of throwing a chair during a press conference?”

Jasper grinned. “Yes…twice. One of them still ended up throwing it. We spun it as performance art.”

Chi whispered, “He’s slick.”

Too slick.I thought.

I stared at him a beat longer, like I was trying to peel off a mask hewasn’twearing.

“What made you apply forthisjob?” I asked out of curiosity.

“I admire your brand, Mr. Kors. Urban power with luxury class. Most companies don’t know how to balance the two. You do. I’d like to be part of protecting that legacy.”

It sounded good… too good.

I nodded. "We’ll be in touch. We still have a few more candidates to interview,” I lied.

Jasper stood, flashed that toothpaste commercial smile. “Of course. It was nice meeting the both of you. Take care.”

As soon as the door closed, Chi turned slowly.

“Nowthatwas a 401(k)-built negro.”

“I don’t trust it,” I replied. “He looked familiar… like I’ve seen him somewhere; maybe a press event or a fundraiser. Something was definitely off about him.”

Chi nodded. “Yeah. He had a little ‘plant’ energy… like a well-dressed fed. He knew his shit, though.”

“Yeah.” I sighed, running my hand down my face. “Aight, go get the next person.”

Chi stood, cracking his back with a loud yawn.

“A little FYI,sheis the last one for today, and after the bullshit I’ve seen and heard today, I’m sorry, bro, but I can’t help you with another round of this shit.”

The way the interviews were set up, if I didn’t find someone that day, we’d just reschedule the rest for the following week. On so real shit? I was over it too—the interviews, the forced politeness, and pretending like I hadn’t already made up my mind a minute in. So yeah, I hoped like hell the next person who walked through that door had every damn qualification I was looking for, because if they didn’t, I’d be stuck running my own PR, or worse—hiring Dessign, Chi, or God forbid, rehiring Giselle. And if it ever got to that point? Yeah, go ahead and stamp meofficially desperate.

“So either you gon’ choose her, or we gon’ be circling back to our other options.” Chi started counting off on his fingers. “Let’s see… we gotMr. Too-Perfect-to-Be-Trusted—looked like he practiced his answers for weeks.Miss I-Only-Applied-to-Get-Close-to-You— who thought escrow was a skincare line and hada résumé written in glitter ink.Lil Miss- Fine-Ass-Real-Estate—who damn near licked her résumé like it had your cologne on it.

Then there wasBig Ghetto Energy—who rolled in with a ‘Blessed’ neck tat, smelling like peach rings and Hennessy, and tried to flirt with me like this was speed dating and not a damn interview. Moving along, yo’ boyTerrence, aka Reverend Rainbow—looked like he moonlights as a fake pastor and tried to flirt his way into a paycheck. Oh—and we can’t forgetMr. Corporate Privilege, the slick white muthafucka who strolled in like he was about to deliver a major industry speech on how to rebrand a nigga from the trenches.”

Chi shrugged dramatically.

“So yeah… either you choose this last one or we gon’ have to pull names out of a hat, spin a bottle, and pray for HR protection.”

I stared at him. “I swear I hate yo’ ass at times.”

Chi grinned. “And yet, I stay invited, nigga.”

The final candidate for the day entered—a petite, brown-skinned woman with a sharp, graceful stride that said she knew her worth but didn’t need to announce it. Her pantsuit was modest but chic, tailored perfectly to her small frame in a soft gray that gave boardroom but not boring. She looked to be in her mid-thirties, with skin like polished caramel and a short, tapered cut that showed off high cheekbones and a slender neck.