Boss

by Tracy Brown

  “Crystal! Come sit with me.” She smiled brightly as she waved them over. She wore a safari green jumpsuit, nude pumps, and a simple ponytail.

  “Who’s that?” Destiny asked between clenched teeth.

  “Wonder Boy’s fiancée.” Crystal said it with a fake smile plastered on her face. Her heart was racing.

  “Uh-uh!” Destiny froze. “This is too much!”

  “Shut up and come on. Just play along.” Crystal looked at her cousin seriously. “Matter of fact, just don’t say anything. Pretend you’re shy and let me do all the talking.” The last thing she needed was for Destiny to blurt out the wrong thing.

  They made their way over to Vanessa’s table and sat down. Crystal introduced the women and peeled out of her jacket.

  “I’ve been shopping all day,” Vanessa said. “I’m starving.”

  Despite those words, she only ordered the Waldorf chicken salad. Destiny rolled her eyes and ordered the pumpkin waffle with a side order of applewood-smoked bacon. Crystal ordered a turkey club sandwich and a ginger ale. Suddenly, her stomach was feeling a bit unsettled.

  She decided to address the elephant in the room. “Listen, I’m sorry that Oscar and I had to cancel the spread with you and your mother. The creative team decided to go in a different direction.”

  Vanessa nodded. “I was disappointed when Troy told me. But it’s okay.” He had made it clear to her that it wasn’t going to happen. She appreciated Crystal making it sound like it was a decision the creative team had made. But Vanessa was already well aware that Troy himself had shut it down.

  “He doesn’t want me coming around the magazine anymore.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Probably scared that me and my mother will try to take over.” She laughed, but it was clear that she was annoyed. She looked at Crystal. “But I like you. I had fun with you at lunch the other day. We can’t hang out at the magazine, but we should still get together from time to time.”

  Crystal nodded and flashed a smile. “Definitely.”

  “I need friends,” Vanessa confessed. “I’m always with my mom or with Troy. That’s my problem.” She gave that uneasy laugh again. “I need an identity of my own.” She looked at Crystal, thinking she was exactly the type of friend she needed. A woman with intelligence, class, and style.

  “How was your Thanksgiving?” Crystal asked, anxious to get off the subject.

  Destiny cleared her throat. Crystal shot a glance in her direction, and Destiny took a sip of water. She remembered that she was supposed to be shy.

  Vanessa shook her head. “Dinner was good. My parents brought in one of their favorite chefs. It was perfect.” She chewed her salad daintily. “This year we had quail.” She squealed with delight.

  Crystal caught Destiny glaring at Vanessa. Already, she didn’t like this superficial bitch.

  “But then Troy’s family came over and it was all downhill from there.” Vanessa sat back as the waiter arrived with their food.

  Crystal and Destiny exchanged glances again. The moment the waiter had cleared out, Crystal dove back in.

  “I thought Fox was traveling to celebrate his retirement.”

  Vanessa nodded. “He is. He’s in Hawaii.” She smiled. “I love Fox. He’s been a friend of our family since I can remember.” Her smile disappeared. “The rest of the family? Not so much.” She looked at Crystal. “Have you met his brother, Wes?”

  Crystal shook her head.

  Vanessa seemed to consider it for a moment. Whether or not to tell Crystal what was on her mind. Troy had warned her to stay away from the magazine. But that didn’t mean that she and Crystal couldn’t be friends. Besides, she was still pissed about his refusal to let cameras film their wedding for her parents’ show. She had charged a bunch of shit on his black card today and she still didn’t feel any better. She needed to vent and Crystal was easy to talk to.

  “Good,” she said. “You don’t want to meet him. Trust me. He’s a hoodlum.” She took a bite of her salad.

  Crystal peeked at Destiny, eating her food in silence, her eyes focused on her plate.

  “That’s a strong word.” Crystal laughed uneasily.

  “No, I mean like a real-life thug. He’s been to jail before, spent time on the run. That type of thing.” She shook her head. “He and Troy aren’t close. They hardly ever speak. But that didn’t stop him from coming over to my parents’ house unannounced. I mean, nobody minds a little extra company on a holiday, but at least call first.” She ate some more salad.

  “I hate that,” Crystal said.

  “Right?” Vanessa finished chewing. “Anyway, thankfully they didn’t stay long.”

  Crystal frowned. “They? I thought you said Fox was out of town.”

  Vanessa nodded. “Wes came with Troy’s Uncle Don. He’s another character.”

  Destiny choked on a piece of bacon and began to cough. Crystal patted her on her back and gave her some water to drink. Destiny pulled it together.

  “You good?” Crystal asked.

  Destiny nodded. She sipped her water and apologized.

  Vanessa looked concerned. “That happens to me when I eat popcorn.”

  Crystal kicked her cousin under the table.

  “She’s okay,” she said, resuming their conversation. “So, you were saying his uncle is a character?”

  Vanessa nodded. “Yeah. Uncle Don.” She giggled as she said it. “He’s Fox’s brother. But Fox is the nice one. Don is the bully.”

  “They’re brothers. They’re probably more alike than you think.” Destiny shoved food in her mouth as soon as she said it.

  Vanessa shook her head. “No. I’m not saying Fox is a saint. But he’s nothing like his brother.”

  Crystal nodded. “How about Troy and his brother. Are they alike?”

  Vanessa thought about it. “Well, Troy is a good man. But he’s no joke.” She sat back in her seat. “He’s very serious about his family, and their business. Sometimes, I think he overdoes it. Overall, he’s a decent person.” She looked at Crystal. “Wes is just a pig.”

  Crystal sipped her water. “Sounds like you’re marrying into a complicated family.”

  Vanessa sighed. “I don’t know about that.”

  Crystal frowned. Destiny set her fork down.

  “I think the stress of everything is starting to get to him. Daddy thinks we might want to wait awhile before we get married.” Vanessa sounded sad about it.

  Crystal listened sympathetically. Clearly “Daddy’s” opinion held a lot of weight.

  “Relationships always go through ups and downs,” she said. “That’s normal.”

  Vanessa shrugged. Lately, she was beginning to worry that the spark between them had gone out for good. She thought about the way he had stopped getting aroused for her.

  “Love conquers all.” Destiny’s mouth was slightly full. She caught the side-eye Crystal shot in her direction.

  “That’s true,” Vanessa said. “I’ve grown to love him over time.”

  Crystal looked away, her conscience eating her alive.

  “Over time? It wasn’t love at first sight?” Destiny’s eyes were wide. This was good tea.

  Crystal tried to kick her again, but Destiny had moved her leg.

  Vanessa shook her head. “He was a real asshole at first. I could tell he only took me out because our parents set us up.” She laughed about it in retrospect. “We didn’t hit it off right away. But sometimes love takes time to grow. It was like that with us.”

  Crystal smiled.

  “After last night, though, my parents are worried.” Vanessa glanced at Crystal. “Wes threatened my father. In his own house!”

  Crystal frowned. “What happened?” she asked. “I don’t understand.”

  Vanessa sighed. She had so much on her mind. She wished she knew Crystal well enough to tell her the whole twisted story. For some reason, she trusted her. But then she glanced at Destiny, who she was meeting for the first time. She had to watch what she said. She had probably alre
ady said too much. She summed it all up like the press releases her parents were known for.

  “Family drama. That’s all. But those types of things can get messy. You know?”

  Crystal and Destiny exchanged knowing glances.

  Crystal nodded. “That’s an understatement.”

  CRASH

  Crystal arrived at work the following week ready for war. Her weekend with Destiny had been fun and therapeutic. The cousins had laughed, cried, and reminisced while going through old family pictures in Destiny’s apartment. By the time Crystal returned to her brownstone on Sunday morning, Destiny had given her a good old-fashioned dose of tough love. She told Crystal that she had already made her family—particularly Malik—proud. Even if she never went any further. She had already done enough. It had given Crystal permission to take it a little easier on herself. She was human, after all.

  She stepped into her office at around 10:30 A.M. on Monday morning to find the usual pile of mail on her desk. On top of it sat a black envelope embossed with the initials WM. She sat down, and tore open the fancy paper. Inside was an invitation to Fox’s retirement party at his home in Harlem. It was happening the following week. She smiled. This was going to be epic.

  “You’re so beautiful when you smile,” Troy said as he stepped through the cracked door.

  Crystal looked at him and swooned a little. He was dressed casually in a pair of blue jeans, a black T-shirt, a Yankees fitted cap, and Timbs. He looked like an ad for New York City.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  “You haven’t been answering my calls.” He checked her out, too, admiring her cleavage in the tight red dress she was wearing. “I came in here early today, hoping to steal you away for breakfast.” Truthfully, he had been hoping for more than that. But breakfast sounded more noble.

  “I’m sorry. I was busy catching up with my cousin.”

  He nodded. “I understand.”

  “How was your holiday?” she asked facetiously.

  He shrugged. “Glad it’s over. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”

  She wasn’t sure what to say.

  He gestured at the envelope in her hand. “Are you coming?”

  She nodded. “Absolutely. I wouldn’t miss it. I owe my career to your father.”

  He shook his head. “I think you give him too much credit.” He turned to leave. “I’m on my way to L.A. to handle some business. I’ll be back in a few days. I’d like to see you.”

  She was tempted to take him up on that offer, but she knew better. “My schedule is packed,” she said, only half-lying. “But I’ll see you at the party.”

  He stared at her a moment longer than necessary. “Okay,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  She nodded. “Me, too.”

  When he was gone, she glanced at her cell phone. She had a text from Vanessa, thanking her for the cupcake assortment from Magnolia Bakery that Crystal had sent to her. The text was full of exclamation marks, hearts, and smiley-faced emojis. She tossed her cell phone aside, picked up the office phone, and summoned Oscar into her office. He sauntered in minutes later and got comfortable.

  Crystal slid the envelope across the desk toward him. He opened it and looked at her, confused.

  “What’s the problem?”

  “What am I going to wear?” she asked. “It’s black tie. And you know I want to stop the show.”

  Oscar reached for her desk phone and called in his assistant, Tonya. Once she arrived, he gave her his instructions. “Remember the shoot we did with Brandy Norwood back in February?”

  Tonya nodded. The Brandy shoot had been one of her favorites. It had been all about shedding her girl-next-door image for that of a temptress, a vixen. Oscar had personally styled that shoot, and had been the recipient of much acclaim as a result.

  “Pull that black backless Tom Ford dress…”

  “Backless?” Crystal repeated. “Seriously?”

  Oscar narrowed his eyes at her. “Seriously. Troy is running around here every day like a dog in heat. Y’all don’t fool me, honey. I see this little flirtatious game you’re playing. It’s scandalous if you ask me. But I’m here for it.” He winked at her while Tonya stifled her giggles. “So yes. You’re going to serve it.”

  “Serve what, exactly?”

  Oscar smiled. “Classy sex appeal with a touch of whimsy, darling.”

  Crystal rolled her eyes.

  Tonya jumped up and down excitedly. “I wish I could go, too!”

  Oscar shook his head. “It’s not your turn yet,” he said. “For now, go and get that dress!”

  Oscar snapped his fingers and Tonya scurried off.

  He looked at Crystal with a twinkle in his eye. “Ready for the ball, Cinderella?”

  Crystal beamed. It seemed like Oscar was reading her mind. “Yes, Fairy Godmother!”

  Oscar tossed his head back and cackled with delight. “I love it!”

  The next few days flew by in a typical flurry of events. Meetings, press events, panels, interviews. It had all become par for the course to Crystal. She handled her duties with her usual grace under pressure. Troy called her each day, under the guise of business. And at the end of each conversation, he spoke of desperately wanting to see her. Crystal resisted, though. Until, finally, the night of Fox’s retirement party had arrived.

  Oscar had seen to it that she was looking better than ever tonight. She stood now, admiring herself in the large oval mahogany mirror, and could scarcely believe her eyes. The floor-length black gown hugged her curves perfectly. The modest neckline graced her collarbone where she’d splashed just a hint of perfume. The dress’s long sleeves nestled her wrist at just the right point and an emerald cocktail ring shone against the gloss of her manicure. Her ebony legs played peekaboo through a slight split in the front. Black Brian Atwood heels and a tiny gold clutch complemented the look.

  She spun around and peeked over her shoulder at the back. She couldn’t get enough of it. The backless gown featured a zipper that could be adjusted for modesty. She had zipped it to the middle of her back, giving her just enough bareness to leave them panting in her wake. Crystal worked out regularly and the result was a toned and sexy back and a very good ass. As Oscar had predicted, tonight she was serving sexy sophistication in a big way.

  She had booked a suite at the Surrey hotel on the Upper East Side for the night. Being in Manhattan made it easier to travel to and from the party, instead of making the long trek back to Brooklyn.

  Satisfied that she looked perfect, she set out for the party. She arrived at the same time Oscar did. She caught him in the foyer of Fox’s opulent Harlem home, straightening his bow tie and the cuffs of his tuxedo. He froze when he laid eyes on Crystal.

  “Honey!” he shouted. “I mean, seriously!”

  Crystal laughed and thanked him as he continued gushing.

  “I outdid myself this time!” Oscar could scarcely take his eyes off of her.

  Marlo arrived soon afterward. Crystal and Oscar greeted her.

  “Where’s David?” Oscar asked.

  Marlo’s husband, David, was a popular hip-hop producer who had amassed a fortune over the years.

  “He’s out of town. I had him home for three days. But my baby had to get back to work.” As a busy man, David left his wife flying solo at most of the media events she frequented. Marlo was an independent and self-assured woman who had recently celebrated her sixtieth birthday. She was fierce, fit, and a bit flamboyant, and had no problem stepping into a room and owning it.

  She raved about Crystal’s look also. Marlo’s look tonight was classic—a black Chanel cocktail dress with Stuart Weitzman pumps. Together, the trio entered the party.

  A couple dozen people mingled, danced, and sipped drinks in fancy glasses. A DJ was set up in the far corner of what was indeed a great room. The cathedral ceilings were painted in a vibrant gilded gold. The floor-to-ceiling windows were framed in deep mahogany wood that looked as opulent as the house itself. Large
white sofas dotted the room. A bold move, Crystal thought. Entertaining this many people with such delicate furnishings in such an expensive-looking home.

  “Hello, Hipster.”

  His voice made the hairs on the nape of Crystal’s neck stand up. She tried her best not to show it. She turned to find Troy standing behind her, and nearly fainted from pure desire at the sight of him. Resplendent in a black on black tuxedo, Troy looked impeccable. His facial hair had been lined up expertly, accentuating his lips. They were so kissable that she had to remind herself not to stare.

  “Hello,” she said, along with the rest of her colleagues.

  He looked at her, grinning slightly. Approaching the group from behind, Troy had gotten a fantastic view of Crystal’s ass. But as she faced him now, he was even more pleased. To Troy, she had never looked more beautiful than she did tonight.

  “What a great party!” Marlo complimented him. “Fox is going out with a bang.”

  The room reeked of sophistication, class, and, most of all, money. Men in tailored suits and women in fabulous looks and flawless makeup enjoyed themselves. Conversation and laughter filled the room.

  Fox entered wearing a white tuxedo and a Hollywood smile. He was greeted by cheers and whistles as the DJ played “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang. Oscar and Marlo rushed over along with most of the other partygoers to form a circle around the guest of honor on the dance floor. Troy was grateful for a moment alone with Crystal.

  “You look gorgeous,” he whispered. “I want to tear this dress off you like I did that night at your house.”

  She smiled naughtily. “Watch it. Here comes your fiancée.”

  Vanessa entered the room with her mother not far behind. Both women looked as beautiful as always. Roxy’s look was especially jaw-dropping. The neckline plunged all the way down to her navel. As if that weren’t enough, the winter white gown had a sky-high split in the front. Fox and all the other men present did their best to keep their gaze focused above her shoulders.