Page 131 of Zimyra

We get dressed. We look good, too, if I do say so myself. I’m wearing a red sleeveless gown because when it comes to events like this, I always feel like you can never go wrong with red or black. Axel has on a black tux with a red bowtie. We skipped dinner, and while I don’t go to stuff like this, it sounds like they’re going to have some good food and hor d’oeuvres floating around everywhere. I hope they do, and I’m not talking about that healthy crap that leaves you hungry and ready to go eat a bucket of chicken after you leave. I need somerealfood – steak, shrimp, and a juicy salad that doesn’t look like a bag of lettuce with a few raggedy pieces of cheese.

“Baby, our ride is here,” Axel says.

I come out of the bedroom and he says, “Wow! I see I’ll have to keep you close to me tonight.”

“I’ll have to keep you close, too, with your handsome self.”

He opens the door and says, “After you.”

I step out. He steps out behind me, and I loop my arm with his. As we walk toward the parking lot, I say, “Wait—I know that’s not for us.”

There sits a black Mercedes Maybach. The driver is standing outside the car and has already opened the back door.

“Yep. That’s the ride.”

“Oh, I see you—you’re on a mission to impress people tonight.”

“Not people. You.”

“I can assure you—you’ve done that already.”

I step inside the car, pulling my gown in behind me. He gets in, too, and when the driver closes the door, Axel puts his arm around me and kisses me.

“I’m going to keep doing it. You are the most important person in my world and I’m going to show you that every day by my actions—not just words.”

I place a small kiss on his lips so I don’t ruin my lipstick, then say, “Oooh…I’m so excited. I’ve never been to a business gala before.”

“It’s one of many we’ll attend, I’m sure. I think you’ll love it. Imagine the connections you’ll make for your business.”

“True,” I say, feeling butterflies in my stomach at the thought of starting my new business and meeting new people. The possibilities have me so excited, I can’t stop my leg from bouncing up and down.

“You’re nervous?” Axel asks.

“And excited.”

“You’ll be fine,” he says, interlocking my right hand in his left, then bringing it to his mouth to kiss it.

We pull up at The Astor. The driver gets out and opens the door. I’m surprised to see a red carpet leading into the hotel and signs that point to the ballroom. I smell food already and it smells so freakin’ good. Yeah, I’m definitely going to have a good time tonight.

As we walk to the door that leads to the ballroom, I see a sign on the door that reads,Private Event. I look at Axel and say, “You know what sucks?”

“What’s that, baby?”

“If I had a business name, I could’ve made some business cards and had some to pass out tonight. I have nothing.”

“That’s fine. You don’t want to rush any aspect of your business. Trust me on that. In due time, you’ll have the perfect name, website, logo, slogan, email address, office—all of that. And I’m going to be right there to help you along the way.”

“Thank you, Ax.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

He kisses me on my forehead and says, “Are you ready?”

“Yes. I’m ready.”

Proceeding to the set of double wooden doors, Axel pulls one of them open and as soon as he does, music starts playing. A disco ball hangs from the ceiling above what looks to be a dance floor. The room is full of people who are applauding, but they’re not business folk that I was all set to mingle with. They’re my family. My mom, brothers, cousins, Nykendy, Alyssa and my sweet lil’ Kaden. I see my best friend Capri with Dorian, Mr. Alton, Ms. Campos, Mr. Edmonton, Mrs. Phillip, Ms. Hernandez and Mauricio. I see Axel’s parents and his best friend, Murphy. I just met them a few weeks ago and now they’re here. I see people I know from the community, my mom’s friends, my brother’s friends – firemen and doctors.

I’m stunned.

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