Claudette Reed
eat seeing you, but I have
a smile as she stood from her chair,
fore we said our goodbyes and she left. I exh
me, and when we were 6 and 7, we had a "wedding" in my living room where I used a
hing together, even college. While I studied business
best friend, so we spend holidays and birthdays together
y and Yoo-Hoo with me. In high school, he asked me to prom, and I had to turn him down because I
of stress, he gives the best bear hugs and sometimes kisses my temple or the t
just sweet gestures between friends, but one night at a part
me to love him. That, or, I'm scared to admit that I do. Regardless, I'm focused on my career, and if an
ave an investor meeting to get to and I ca
nvestors wish
hy
hree of them along with myself at the dark, oval table big enough to seat twelve. I
y palms u
d his hand an inch on the table toward me, "The business
nd
n't bring in money is a turn-off for investors, but these men have no idea w
if a woman is the best cho
derstand your concerns as it pertains to the companies financial wellness, but I can assure you that we
tly in front of me, Ms. Gallag
lly intrigued looks and fo
and I am going to pitch to him a partnership between us. With Mr.
. Gallagher looked back and forth between the other two
I have something that t
left, Mr. Reece, finally
na
so I slammed my hand on t
s that are wildly successful. Greene Designs and Greene Repurposed w
" mumbled Mr. Lennox, b
y and started with ready-to-wear. I have
ar," interrupte
signer since Armani. Our business will skyrocket with this partnership, and with my he
ther confiden
a
oke again, "What if this meeting with Mr. Knight d
, "No one says no to me. I will convince him that this is the righ
hummed, seemin
added, "If everything goes downhil
o stay. I will leave you with this, though: I am more than what some believe. I do not need to use my sexuality as a weapon because I have my parent's genes to m
you richer than you already are. I just need you to have a little patience,
r with my head held high and my steps strong, even though my blood was boiling. I ignored everyone
n pacing the floor, muttering incoherent words to myself about
go and parted ways, possibly even looked into a restraining order for Mr. Reece. They were disgusting an
scious of my dating life and I try to steer clear of the same reputation as my father, but one of the downsides of having the l
to be a