Page 8 of Ony If It’s You

“So, what do you say?” Pres asked, jarring me from my thoughts.

“Well, I do?—”

“Mr. Pres, would it be okay if you gave her until tomorrow to think on it?” Celeste asked, cutting me off. Quickly, I shifted my eyes to her and frowned.

What the hell was she doing?

“Sure.” He beamed. “That actually works best anyhow. Here.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled a card out and handed it to me.

“This is the image consultant’s address and phone number.

If you would, please meet us there tomorrow around noon.

That way you’ll have rested a little after this long weekend. ”

He was so compassionate, making it impossible to tell him no. He reminded me a lot of my own father.

“Fine.” I nodded and eyed the card before looking at him. “This isn’t a yes, this is just me not being able to tell you no right now .”

“Fair enough.” He chuckled. “See you tomorrow.”

It was then that I realized that we had pulled back up to the hotel that we were staying at.

We weren’t scheduled to leave until early tomorrow morning, but I definitely planned to get online to see if we could fly out today.

The entire trip was a tragedy that I was ready to put behind me and I was ready to get home to my babies.

“Thank you for the ride,” I said to Pres before allowing my gaze to travel to Javyous who was sitting there wearing a scowl on his handsome face. I imagined that he was upset seeing as though he didn’t have much say in this entire thing.

“You fine as shit, you know that?” he slurred looking into my eyes as he gently held onto my chin.

“I do.” I blushed.

“I wouldn’t mind waking up to this pretty ass face every morning either.”

My cheeks were on fire, I was blushing so hard. I wasn’t a woman that had low self-esteem. I knew that I was beautiful, but it was just the way he was saying it. He had been complimenting me all night.

“Don’t gas me.”

“All gas, no brakes.”

“Javyous, stop!” I squealed and turned my head because I was lowkey embarrassed that I was blushing and smiling so hard.

“Why?” he asked pulling me closer as I tried to move out of his hold. “You don’t like me being this close to you, telling you how fucking fine you are?”

“Yes, but ? —”

“Marry me,” he said, cutting me off and catching me completely off guard.

“W-what?”

“Marry me,” he repeated, pushing some of my hair out of my face. “My people want me to be in some committed shit because apparently it will paint a better image of me, so I want to do that with you.”

“I don’t—we can’t. What will ? —”

Some of last night was coming back to me. That was how it happened. We were all twisted, well past our limits, and he asked me to…

“Shit,” I hissed, grabbing Celeste’s hand and pulling her out of the truck with me.

“What the hell, Kehlani?” she complained as I dragged her inside. “Keh—let me go, bitch!” She snatched away when she got to the elevator. “What is your problem?”

“Nothing, I just had to get out of there,” I lied. I didn’t want to tell her that I was starting to remember the events of last night.

Once we made it back to the room, I immediately started to undress. I knew that I was hungover because my head was pounding and I felt nauseous due to the fact that I hadn’t eaten anything all day.

“Friend!” Celeste shouted gaining my attention. “Are you okay, bitch?”

I nodded. “I just have a headache.

“So, what are you going to do?”

“About what?” I’d slipped on some leggings and a t-shirt and was now on my phone looking for flights because I was ready to go the hell home.

Sucking her teeth, she pulled her t-shirt over her head before replying. “You know what I’m talking about, Lani.”

“You know I’m not staying married to him, Celeste. That should really be a no brainer for you.”

“Well, it’s not,” she quipped. “I think you should consider it.”

“What?” I screeched. “I don’t even know that nigga and let’s not negate the fact that just a few months ago he almost killed a man on television, Celeste. I have kids to take care of and a thriving business. There is no way I can have that kind of stuff tied to me.”

“A thriving business that you are working yourself to death to grow, Kehlani,” she argued. “Just think about all of the benefits that the connection would bring, the money.”

“I’m comfortable financially, Celeste. Me and the twins have everything that we want and need.”

“I know that.” She sighed. “I don’t know.

I just want more for you and this may be it.

I’m not saying to say yes, but I don’t think you should say no either.

Hear them out and see what they’re offering.

Hell, the man is fine and paid, and judging from the way you were walking earlier, he can lay some pipe. ”

“I hate you.” I laughed and tossed a pillow her way.

“Tell me I’m lying.” She smirked.

I looked her way. “Fine. I’ll sleep on it tonight.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” she squealed.

“Only because I want a new building, Celeste, and if they’re offering me the right amount of money I’ll bite, temporarily .”

I felt horrible thinking about using this man for financial gain, but I had been slaving to save up for not only a new building, but also to get a lawyer for my dad to see about a potential time cut.

I could have easily gotten the money from Pharaoh, but that came with stipulations and false hopes.

I just hoped that if I agreed, this shit wouldn’t backfire in my face.