Getting drunk with Savannah last night was the absolute worst idea since I knew I had to be up early the next morning for work. Though at the moment, I didn't care.

I sat up in my bed and rolled the black heavy covers off me and looked at myself in the full-body mirror that was placed straight forward on the cream colored wall. My hair was messy and tangled in my face and my makeup was smeared. I inwardly cringed at the sight and got out of bed to clean myself up.

Before I could make it to the bathroom though, I saw Savannah sleeping on the couch with her leg hung off the arm rest and her mouth open as loud snores escaped her.

I stifled a laugh and grabbed my phone to take a picture and once I took one, I took about three more in different angles.

"Haha, blackmail." I whispered and continued to walk into the bathroom and almost slipped over the sheets that were pooling from the couch she was sleeping on

I caught myself on the wall, cursed under my breath, and pushed the bathroom door open.

The amount of work I was putting in just to make it to the fucking bathroom was ridiculous.

As I finally walked in, I turned the light on and grabbed my toothbrush and began brushing my teeth. When I finished making sure people couldn't smell the hangover on my breath, I went back to the room and almost tripped over the same cover and cursed to myself, again.

I frustratingly placed the cover on the couch and made my way to my closet so I could get my clothes for the day. Once I made it there, I pulled out a lilac skin tight dress that I knew would pair well with a black dress coat. Then I went to grab a pair of new underwear and made my way back to the bathroom. I had a quick shower then ran to put on my heels and sprayed my perfume over my upper chest. Then I grabbed my purse that I already prepacked last night.

Yes, I was that organized.

As I walked out my bedroom, I sent a text to Savannah's phone saying that I left for work.

When I sent her the message, I debated between driving myself to work or having Harry drive me, and I eventually settled on driving myself. Even though he was my personal driver, I couldn't help but still want some sort of independence.

I headed to my front door and walked out, locking it behind me, and walked to my car. To my left, I saw slight movement in the bushes but I forced myself to believe it was an animal so I wouldn't do anything irrational.

As I got in my car, I started it, and reversed myself out of the drive way, and started my way to work. I usually didn't eat breakfast so my morning routine was pretty much easy and quick.

Upon arriving to the company, I saw that the billboards were claiming that Cole Anderson from Anderson Corporations was supposed to be leaving the UK in the next two days. He was another big competitor with FR Inc. – the main one for that matter – ever since he took over his father's company, but since he's been busy in the UK for the past three years, Hakeem and I never thought about him.

Hmm, I wonder where he was headed to next.

—

"Angela, tell Hakeem I'm going for lunch." I notified her as I walked past her desk in the lobby

She looked at me with a crazed look and I looked back at her with a sweet smile. I knew she had a crush on him but didn't want to admit it, so I always tried to force them to talk. Perhaps I'm setting her up for failure since I knew my brother and his selfish ways, but I also knew that with the right motivation, he could be so much more than a hot spot for drugs.

Maybe she'll help him see that.

I walked through the exit door and instantly pulled out my phone to dial Harry, just to see that he was already waiting for me. Surprisingly, there was no press or even people on the normally busy sidewalks and I inwardly smiled.

"Hello Ms. Robinson. Where are you off to on this lunch break?" He asked and the smile finally turned itself to show on my lips gently

"You know my normal Harry, take me to Tiana's cafe." I insisted and he nodded his head and opened the car door for me

Once I got settled in, the same routine we did everytime he took me somewhere repeated itself like a blur that I couldn't even process it.

He started the car and began driving to the cafe and I scrolled through my phone to see if any emails popped up within the last 10 minutes. When I saw that I didn't have anything, I closed my phone and looked out the window again.

Today was rather slightly humid and I instantly assumed it might rain later on, and the thought thrilled me. I loved playing in the rain, and when it thundered, well that was the best sleep I ever got.

When we finally made it to the small cafe nearby the company, I thanked Harry for driving me and got out of the car. I knew he disliked when I moved by myself, but I wasn't as spoiled as my brother.

I knew how to walk on my own.

As soon as I walked through the doors, Mrs. Tiana, the middle aged black woman who owned the cafe, greeted me with a kind smile and beckoned me forward.

"Ah, my favorite customer. I'm assuming you'd like your regular Ms. Robinson?" She beamed cheerfully and knowingly making me smile

"Yes Mrs. Tiana, you know me so well, and please, how many times do I have to remind you, you can call me Navehya?" I answered and she rolled her eyes while typing in my order on the computer

I've known her for around a year now and she was almost like a mother to me. With her guidance and wisdom, I've always want to come back to the here. Sometimes just to talk.

"Ms. Robinson, I will continue to call you Ms. Robinson because you have touched the hearts of many at this cafe and in this city simply by being you and being the first black woman to co-operate a high quality business. You deserve the respect." She persisted softly and I sighed accepting her words

The problem wasn't her words themselves but how it's been 3 years and she was the only one, other than my workers and Savannah, who knew of my actual contributions to the company. Everyone else believed it was and has been Hakeem.

Without responding, she sensed my hesitation and gently placed her hand on top of mines.

"The truth will come out eventually dear, let everything work itself out. When it does, don't forget about me okay?" She teased and squeezed my hand slightly making me laugh a little

She always knew how to make me feel better even when I didn't want to, and I greatly appreciated her for that.

"Tiana, order 57 is ready!" One of the workers from behind her yelled from the kitchen

She turned around and graciously grabbed my food and turned back to me to place it in my hands. The turkey deli sandwich topped with mustard, lettuce, and tomatoes was slightly warm as it connected to my palms and my mouth almost watered knowing the flavor of it already.

"Don't forget what I told you now, and tell that Hakeem I said he needs to see me. I've got a few words for him and his antics." She sneered making me laugh harder and nod my head

I walked over to my normal table by the large glass window and unwrapped my sandwich to start eating. I only had 30 minutes left, but I didn't want to waste them all here.

As I opened my mouth to take a bite, I heard my phone ding and I checked to see what it was. Surprisingly, I saw that it was an email from Anderson Corporations and I tilted my head to the side in confusion.

What did they possibly want with me?

As I open the email to see what it was, I skim through it and almost drop my phone onto the yellow and black wooden table.

Good evening Ms. Robinson, as you know, Anderson Corporations has been under the leadership of Mr. Dean Anderson, but recently Cole Anderson, his son, has inherited the company. With this being said, Mr. Anderson has decided that it is beneficial if Anderson Corporations and FR Inc. arrange a meeting together to discuss any future alliances. Additionally, Mr. Anderson has requested that you not inform Mr. Robinson about this negotiation as he wants it to be a surprise and more impacting event than ever. We'll be looking forward to your response before his arrival.

Thank you and have a blessed day.

Signed Rebecca Porter, Anderson Corporations' personal assistant.

You've got to be kidding me.

I skimmed my eyes over the words again and again but I still couldn't find any piece of bullshit in the email. FR Inc. and Anderson Corporations have been enemies ever since I was a child so to receive an email about an alliance was completely far fetched.

What would dad say?

Surely he wouldn't want his children to fall under the sadistic impression of the Anderson's and surely he wouldn't want his company to burn and crash down in ruins as his rival's prospered. The mere thought of this meeting brought tension to my soul, but the part that stuck out to me the most was that they didn't want my brother to find out.

I pursed my lips not knowing how to assess the situation and when I finally looked up from my phone, I realized my sandwich was now a little colder than it was before. Fuck.

I rolled my eyes but nonetheless took a bite while I continued to check my emails. I wanted to reply to them, but my mind was still wrapped around the alliance request from Rebecca. The amount of emotions that swarmed me were endless and it was starting to give me goosebumps – the bad kind.

I shook my head, trying to distract myself, and wrapped up the trash from my lunch. I threw everything away in the trash bin that wasn't far from me and brought out my purse to leave a gracious tip. I sat the money on the table and called Marissa, a brown skinned waitress with light blue curly hair and glasses, to grab it for Mrs. Tiana since I knew she was busy still.

I knew that she disliked when I left tips for her and her workers, but her playful irritation only made me want to do it more. Especially since it was the least I could do to pay her back for her coverage and love over the years.

Also I was the only one who knew she was planning to retire soon and hand over the small yet comfy cafe to her daughter, Kelly. I wanted to make the transition easy for the both of them, and even though I haven't met Kelly yet, I could tell from her mother that she would fit and lead here just fine.

With one last look over my shoulder, I saw Mrs. Tiana whisper yell at her workers to hurry up since they were starting to get behind and I absentmindedly checked the time on my phone. A gasp escaped my lips when I noticed that I stayed here longer than intended.

My lunch was over in 5 minutes and because I didn't want to hear Hakeem and his bullshit ass retorts to why I was late, I called Harry so he could come pick me up.

As I sent the text, I walked out of the cafe and stood by one of the wooden benches that glistened with rain water. While I waited, I took a glance around the block and smiled inwardly, but when I saw a small family of four playing at a nearby park, my heart sank almost immediately.

Shit, I really had to stop comparing myself to other people.

Suddenly, my attention fell from the happy family and wandered upwards to another billboard posting that recorded Cole's landing time and my head tilted as I continued to study it.

What was he planning?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And here's number chapter three!

Any predictions about what Cole could want with Navehya and the company?

Also, how do we feel about Mrs. Tiana?

Anyways, I hope you liked it.

Remember to vote and comment.

Stay blessed

-Imacrazyprincess❤