Inheritance

Chapter 4

"Hi. Um, not that I know of. I'm Sasha." I managed to muster.

I found myself becoming faintly self-conscious of all the flaws he was likely to observe from staring so introspectively at my face. Attempting to be polite, I offered him a handshake, to which he momentarily accepted. I flushed at the sight of his large hand engulf my much smaller one.

"Sorry, I must have mistaken you for someone else. Kendall. Nice to meet you." He threw me one last long-winded stare before standing tall and returning to his seat across the table. 

I released a shaky breath of air I hadn't noticed I had been holding in.

Once seated, Kendall shifted in his chair, opting to settle into a much more comfortable position. He leaned back in his seat until his broad shoulders relaxed, allowing him to place one arm over the empty chair beside him. His fingers tapped on the back of the chair repeatedly, as he stared blankly off into the distance, presumably lost in his own thoughts. 

A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of those same long fingers carousing my body in a similar fashion. 

Returning my attention to the stage, I listened to several employees present important updates about the company branches and describe qualities they enjoyed most about working with me. Suffice to say, I felt overwhelmed with love and appreciation. Maybe it had actually been a good decision to attend this event.

"Please join us in wishing Sasha Milton a very happy birthday. Sasha, if you don't mind, can you make your way to the stage? Following Sasha's birthday song, our company will be making a very special announcement to shareholders and investors."

As the large cameras panned to my face, I rose slowly from my chair and walked a short distance to the podium platform. Accustomed to the abundance of eyes transfixed on me, I sashayed my hips side-to-side with my chest held high. Smiling at the occasional familiar face, I eventually reached my destination. I stood there awkwardly, as the audience delivered the traditional happy birthday song. 

While they sang, I took the opportunity to glance over at Kendall, only to find him conversing with a woman who now occupied the seat beside him. I couldn't quite understand why my attention had become so transfixed on a man I'd just met, but something about him allured me. 

I watched as the woman placed her thin hand on the cusp of his shoulder, rubbing up and down in an intimate manner. The sight of her hands roaming freely over him stirred up an unpleasant feeling, which left me further confused. 

Upon greater reflection, I realized that I recognized the woman as a family friend, Patricia. And, by family friend, I actually meant a rather distant acquaintance, who was somehow always invited to our family gatherings because her father was my uncle's best friend.

Patricia was a dignified barbie doll whom most men found attractive. Although she had some melanin in her genes, her bleached blonde hair and fake green contacts partnered with fair skin, afforded her exclusive access to whiteness. To which she happily embraced. 

She was modelesque with subtle curves in all the right places. In comparison to my chocolate skin, black hair, hazel eyes, and tall physique, it was safe to say that we looked nothing alike. I scoffed as she dramatically flipped her luscious hair and gave that look she so often gave powerful men, which made their dicks swell and wallets shrivel. 

Kendall seemed unmoved by her forward display. Although I couldn't quite determine whether he enjoyed the flirtatious act or was completely turned off by it. I mean, it's not like I cared either way. 

When the song finally came to an end, I delivered a brief thank you speech.

"Thank you everyone for making my birthday feel so special. I'm sure you all had much more entertaining things to do than celebrate my 26th with me. So, I hope you all enjoy the refreshments and drinks. Dance, laugh, socialize, and, most importantly, please have a wonderful night."