Page 74 of Mister President

“Yeah, that’s cool. Quite a few people are going to be there because of you.” I paused before adding, “Mandy will be there. We are back together. So if that’s going to bother you—”

Her head shook and hung as she released a shaky breath. “No i-it’s fine. I practically gave you back to her on a silver platter because of my secret. Lesson learned.”

“Hey.” I gently squeezed her shoulder. “I know this might be crazy to say but thank you. You are a beautiful, intelligent young woman. Any man will be proud to have you. I was proud to have you, and being with you led me back to the woman I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. I’ll always cherish the good times we had. I hope you know that.”

She squeezed my hand as it rested on her shoulder and smiled.

“Thank you for saying that. I will too. I guess I’ll see you at the party.”

“Aight, cool.”

As she walked toward the elevator, I walked back to my office. I closed the door then opened the envelope to see how much she’d donated. Thanks to her six figures, we’d officially hit a million dollars to give out for Christmas donations.

43

Amanda

Thanksgiving

The party had been going exceptionally well.A lot of people who received baskets and gift cards had gotten together to do a special video to thank Elias and Neko. Everyone was genuinely having a great time until Declan showed up. My man had been on a cloud because his brother was back, but as soon as his eyes landed on Declan, I immediately felt the shift in his spirit.

At first, I thought Fiona had set him up, but she quickly came over and made it clear that she didn’t know her father was going to come. Because he wasn’t on the list, he wasn’t able to come in. However, he caused a scene with his yelling. When Elias couldn’t take it anymore, he downed the rest of his champagne and headed toward the double doors with Neko and the rest of their friends behind him. Even though he told me to stay back, he should have known I wasn’t going to do that. I stayed behind the men but close enough to see what the hell was going on.

I covered my mouth to avoid laughing when Michael stepped in front of Elias and Neko. That man didn’t play about his sons.

“Is all of this really necessary?” Declan asked, putting his hands on his hips. “After all we’ve been through, Elias?”

Head tilted, Elias cupped his hands in the center of him. Even with his family and friends more than ready to fight his battle, his stance made it clear that he was ready for whatever. Elias didn’t do the back and forth. He gave one warning…and then he attacked.

“You don’t hear me talking to you?” Declan continued.

“I don’t have anything to say to you,” Elias replied. “Whatever you need to get off yo’ chest, you can, but you ain’t getting no words from me.”

His tongue rolled over his cheek before Declan scoffed. “You wouldn’t have none of this if it wasn’t for me. You couldn’t be satisfied with my money, so you wanted to have my daughter too? She was too pure to be stained by your bloodline. I won’teverapologize for that.”

“Daddy, please.” Fiona stepped between Declan and Michael. “You’ve already ruined my relationship with him. I’m not going to let you stand here and disrespect him too…especially when I know you’re only saying these things because you’re hurt and miss him.”

Elias sucked his teeth. “Miss me with that toxic masculinity. That’s a bullshit ass excuse. If he wanted to work things out between us, there was a proper way to go about it. Tossing his money at me and then showing up at a private party talking out the side of his mouth was not the way to go about it.” Elias directed his attention to Declan. “You got about five seconds to get the fuck up outta here before I have you forcibly removed…and that’sifI don’t beat yo’ ass first.”

“I’m the force, and I’m knocking it down to three,” Michael said. “Two,” he counted, bypassing one.

Lowering my head, I covered my mouth as I snickered.

“Let’s just go, Daddy. Please.” Fiona tugged at his arm. For a minute, I didn’t think Declan was going to leave, but eventually, he retreated.

There were a few tension-filled seconds before Neko broke through it by telling everyone the cash bar was free for the next five minutes. Elias ran his hand down his face as Naomi, his mom, asked him if he was okay. He nodded, eyes scanning the space. When they landed on me, he smiled. He bobbed his head for me to come to him, and I walked down the few feet that separated us.

“You good?” I checked, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“Yeah. I had a feeling his ass was going to show up. Men like him don’t take rejection well of any kind.”

“I’m proud of you for standing on business when it comes to your morals and principles. It takes a lot to cut someone off because you don’t agree with their way of thinking or living. That shows the pride you take in your circle, because at the end of the day, everyone attached to you is a reflection of you. You did right, baby.”

His lips covered mine for a sweet kiss. “Thank you, bae. I needed that.”

“And I need you to come over here and have a drink. You’re tense, and I don’t like that.”

A quiet chuckle escaped him as he took my hand into his and led me to the bar. “I’ll be cool. My body just needs to relax now that he’s no longer in my presence, but I’m good. I promise.”

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