THE REAL HER

Chapter 2

 You ever have that feeling that you just don't fit in? That's how I currently felt. I was at Greg's firm's annual holiday party. No matter that everything about me screamed money and class from my expensive dress and shoes to my straight hair up in a complicated updo or the real diamonds I sported on both ears and around my neck. It's like they couldn't look past the fact that I was black. I wasn't oblivious to the stares I got when I walked in on Greg's arm or how tight lipped the wives became when Greg introduced me to them as his fiance.

It didn't make it any better that I was the only black female in attendance, the other black person in the room was a man and even then his wife was white and he was acting just as prude as everyone else.

This was one of those time where I wish I wasn't so nice. Where I could for once in my life be honest and say no instead of always saying yes. If I wasn't I would have told Greg straight up that I didn't want to come but instead here I am.

I stood off to the side, sipping my glass of champagne by myself while Greg mingled across the room among his colleagues. Before he left my side he told me to play nice as if I've ever given him a reason to warrant that statement. I was the epitome of nice, even when people didn't deserve it. Now I was thinking he said that because he somehow knew how everyone was going to react to me.

I looked up again to see Gregory and an older white man behind him coming my way. I plastered a smile on my face as they approached and once they got closer I realized just who the man was.

"Mr. Meyers this is my fiance Kaliyah, Kaliyah this is-"

"The one and only Mr. Meyers," I finished for him extending my hand to the older man, "It's nice to finally meet the man that Gregory speaks so highly of."

One thing I knew how to do was act around certain people and I knew how to fake it. From what I read about Mr. Meyers he loved compliments.

"Is that right," Mr. Meyers let go of my hand.

"Yes. So much that I feel I know you personally."

"Well that's good to know," Mr. Meyers looked to Greg who smiled bashfully in return.

"Kaliyah is Mr. Alsina's daughter."

It felt so weird hearing Greg say that, sometimes I forgot that my dad was anything other than my dad. My dad had several business's so I'm sure he and Mr. Meyers have crossed paths before.

"Really," Mr. Meyers looked to me for confirmation.

"I am. You and my father have met?"

"A time or two," he nodded his head, he was staring at me like this was the most intriguing news he's heard all day.

Greg and Mr. Meyers were exchanged a look before Mr. Meyer focused his attention back on me, "Come and let me introduce you to my wife."

I accepted his arm and from there I followed him over to the group of women on the other side of the room aka the lion's den.

-

Today I was meeting with a client who wanted my help to renovate an old bar and turn it into an upscale sports bar. It was break and although I should have been relaxing or spending time with my fiance I hadn't heard from him in days which wasn't unusual. I knew he was busy but he wasn't busy enough to keep his followers happy on social media by posting pictures of himself on a daily basis.

I had no time to worry about him because I had to stay focused. If I landed this job it was going to be huge for me and was going to be my biggest job to date and would give me the exposure I needed.