Page 55 of Defending the Post
Marquise placed his hand underneath my chin and gently pushed my month closed. I listened in amazement as she manhandled this grown man. She allowed a second of silence, but she moved to stand as Axel motioned her back down to her seat.
“For that kind of deal, I need more than a two-year renewal,” he requested.
“Sure, let’s discuss the numbers,” she said, and my eyes toggled over to Marquise.
As the ink was drying on the paperwork, a supermodel entered the room. She came equipped with straight, shoulder-length black hair, a fitted breast-lifting business suit, a small waistline, and brown glowing skin.
“Marquise, the showroom is available for you to shop. Please follow me,” she said.
He stood and tried to pull me up with him, but I resisted. Marquise swung my hand side to side as if we were playing jump rope. I gave in when he tugged me forward. We followed behind as the assistant tried to dislocate her hip. The hallway held drawings of various athletes associated with Noise Level Shoes. Pushing the glass door open, the space reminded me of a shoe store.
The curved L.E.D. lighting on the ceiling and the bright orange and red painted wall provided a unique shopping experience.
“What size do you wear in sneakers?” Marquise asked as we stood in the middle of the floor surrounded by rows of shoes.
“A size nine,” I answered.
“Marquise!” a woman yelled from behind.
I turned to find yet another beautifully sculpted woman in fitted athletic gear. She was toned but not bulky, with brown skin and a middle part bob. Marquise stood and hugged her as if they were best friends.
“Bella, what you got for me?”
“The hottest, of course, but we need to discuss how you dunked on Calvin. Sales went insane for Malcolm’s shoes because you refuse to wear your signature shoe,” she said.
Bella had perfect white teeth, and the maroon tinted two-piece outfit she wore highlighted her best attributes to perfection.
“It’s a twin thing, but whatever you pull for me, get Erin the same. She wears a size nine,” he said.
Bella extended her hand to me, and with reluctance, I returned the greeting.
“I got new Allen’s in,” Bella said, and Marquise followed her to the shoe. For an hour, I watched as they laughed about sports and picked shoes. Marquise would, on occasion, call my name and hold up shoes but I gave him a halfhearted response.
“Marquise, you know red is your color,” Bella said and stood on her feet.
I opened my phone and pretended to be on a call, headed for the exit doors.
Standing by the elevator, I watched them get cozy and joke with each other. She touched his arm a few times without handing him the bag.
“Mrs. Anissa, can I catch a ride with you?” I asked. She glared over at Marquise and back at me.
“Sure. I do need to stop by my husband’s office, but I don’t mind dropping you off,” she said.
We both stepped on the platform as the doors opened. As we were departing, two additional women joined the Marquise party with bags. Anissa had a nice white Mercedes truck; the leather shook your hand before you sat down. We drove around the fountains, and I prepared myself to answer questions. Sitting in traffic, we discussed the progress of Jhae’s branding and future brands. Not once did she ask me about Marquise.
Unc
I miss my niece, and I want you to meet someone.
Me
Did you meet her at the steakhouse?
Unc
Why?
Me
