Page 63 of Mister President

She was still on that let’s take our time shit, and I gave her that. I knew we would end up together, and I didn’t mind taking the time to rekindle our bond and prove we belonged together. As a matter of fact, I didn’t want us to rebuild our bond; I wanted us to create one that was better.

At the feel of someone gripping my shoulder, I looked behind me. Juelz smiled down at me.

“Hey, can I talk to you real quick?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Standing, I followed her to the stairway that led to the lower section.

“I just wanted to thank you for the advance.”

“You’re welcome. Were you able to take care of your business?”

Juelz squeezed her elbow and shook her head. “Yes, but he was so impressed by me actually getting the money that he added on interest.”

With a chuckle, I ran my fingers down the sides of my mouth. “Who is this nigga? Is he here?”

“That’s…I’m not looking for you to save me,” she said, gripping my arms. “That’s not why I’m telling you. I just wanted to thank you again.”

“Were you able to get the money?”

Her expression saddened as she avoided my eyes. “Yeah…I got it.”

How she got it… I didn’t want to know.

“Is there anything else you can do besides this? I mean, I know you needed to work to provide for your family but—”

“This is it for me.” She chuckled as her eyes watered. “I didn’t go to college, and I can’t be out here working several minimum wage jobs. I have to take care of my family. We can’t afford home aides.” She ran her fingers through her hair and rocked from one foot to the other. “I’ll be fine. I just need to save enough money to take care of them and get my sister through high school. Once she goes to college, it’ll be just me and my parents, and I’ll have a little more wiggle room.”

Juelz reminded me of Amanda, and I couldn’t help but wonder if there was anything we could do to help her. I knew she wanted to be an artist, but the money wasn’t guaranteed with that. She’d get an advance when she signed on, but after that, it would depend on if there was a buzz and desire for her art.

“Listen…do you have any experience working in an office?”

Her head tilted and brows wrinkled. “Um, a little. I worked at a law firm my two years of college before I dropped out.”

“Would you like to work for me? I need a new assistant. It pays five thousand a month.”

Juelz’s mouth dropped. “Are you serious? Most assistant jobs pay ten percent of that a month. That’s why I’ve been working here.”

“Yeah, well, notN.E. Art. So…what do you say? Would you like to come in for an interview?”

Her clapping hands as she released a happy squeal made my heart light.

“I would love to! When can I come in?”

As my phone vibrated, I pulled it out of my pocket. “Come in Monday at noon. Just ask for me when you get to the front desk.”

She gave me a quick hug before pulling away. “Yes, sir. Thank you so much, Mr. Peterson. Even if I don’t get the job, thank you for considering me.”

“You’re welcome. See you Monday.”

I wasn’t trying to dismiss her, but Amanda was calling, and I needed to check in with my girl.

“You good, bae?”

“Elias!” she yelled. “I-I shot him!”

Gripping the table to steady myself, I looked at my phone because I couldn’t believe what I heard.

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