Page 44 of Night and Day
“Inez Fernsby. Is this Miss Jones? I’d like to talk to you about your cosmetics line,” the woman said.
This had to be some kind of joke. Sylvie Johnson was a multibillionaire who owned several businesses, including a cosmetics line specifically for women of color. Her products were sold in sleekly designed packages in high-end department stores around the world. Her name was synonymous with quality. Why the heck would she be calling TamCam Cosmetics?
Tamika rested a hand on her hip. “Okay, who are you really, and who put you up to this?”
The woman laughed. “My boss, Sylvie Johnson put me up to this. Your cosmetics line has come to her attention, and she asked me to extend an invitation to you, to visit her office and talk with her and her vice president of operations about a possible business arrangement.”
Tamika pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at the screen. “No, seriously. Did Calvin put you up to this? Because it’s not funny.” Though she spoke with skepticism, her heart was beating faster and faster because the woman sounded professional and legit. Could this be real?
“Ma’am, I don’t know who Calvin is,” Inez said, speaking slowly, “but Ms. Johnson would like to see you on Friday, if you’re free. If you’re not and there’s a better time, I have her schedule in front of me and can make the arrangements with you.”
“You’re serious?” Tamika squeaked.
Kirk, who was placing a tube of lipstick in one of the boxes, paused and frowned at her.
“Very. Ms. Johnson does not do this very often. She’s a very busy woman. So if I were you, I’d make that appointment.”
Tamika’s knees weakened, and she gripped the counter beside the stove. After swallowing the ball of nerves in her throat, she asked, “What time on Friday?”
“This is a preliminary meeting, to talk to you about your product line. Therefore, it shouldn’t last more than an hour, but more than likely will only last about thirty minutes. As I said, she’s a very busy woman. I have an eleven o’clock and two o’clock opening. Which time works for you?”
Tamika’s mind was racing. She could hardly think. “Um, eleven o’clock. No, no, change that to two o’clock,” she added in a rush. She wanted as much time as possible to get ready for the visit.
“Good, I have you down for two o’clock on Friday. We’ll send a car to pick you up. Where should I send the driver?”
Tamika gave the address.
“One moment, please.” There was a slight pause before Inez resumed speaking. “Based on your location, I’ll have the driver arrive at one-thirty, which will have you here in plenty of time for your meeting with Ms. Johnson. Her daughter, Ella Brooks, is the vice president of operations and will be in attendance, as well. Will anyone be joining you?”
“Um, no.”
“I’ll give you my direct number so that you can call me if you need to make any changes, including having your business partner or someone else in attendance.” Inez rattled off her phone number. Tamika grabbed a lipstick from Kirk and scribbled the digits on the steel countertop.
“Do you have any questions for me?” Inez asked.
“No, no questions.” Tamika was still in a state of shock and would probably have a million questions after she regained consciousness.
“Then I will see you on Friday at two o’clock. Enjoy the rest of your day, Miss Jones.”
The line went dead, and Tamika stared at the blank screen. Sylvie Johnson wanted to talk to her about her cosmetics line and was sending a car to pick her up for the meeting. Was this real life?
“Is everything okay?” Kirk asked, frowning.
Tamika looked at him and her lips expanded into a wide grin. “Everything is better than okay.”
“Would you relax,you’re driving me crazy!” Anton said from the bed.
Tamika stopped pacing and glared at him. “I can’t. I have a very important meeting tomorrow. Potentially life changing! When you received the call for an interview at Abraham, MacKenzie & Wong, were you relaxed?” Anton opened his mouth to answer, but she pointed a finger at him. “Don’t answer. Knowing you, you were calm, cool, and collected and waltzed into the firm with confidence. I’m not going to compare myself to you.” Hands on her hips, she resumed pacing.
“I was a little nervous, I admit, but I was confident because I was prepared. And you’re prepared. Remember, they calledyou. If you ask me, they’re the ones who are interviewing.”
Tamika snorted. “Yeah, right. We both know that’s baloney.”
She stopped moving and looked down at the outfits she’d picked out and placed at the end of the mattress. She couldn’t decide what to wear. She’d gone to the mall yesterday and bought a new dress—deep purple, with gold shoes and complementing accessories. As an alternative, she considered going the more conservative route, choosing a white ruffled blouse, and a black pencil skirt and jacket from her closet.
Anton left the bed and padded over, bare-chested, with the elastic waistband of his plaid pajama pants hanging low on his lean hips.
“You’re stressing yourself out for no reason. Okay, maybe I exaggerated by saying you’re interviewing them.”
