Page 62 of Heavy Is The Crown

Krys gave a cocky, controlled smile. “That’s more than you expected?”

Kenyatta let out a low whistle, shaking his head. “Hell yeah.”

She leaned in slightly, voice smooth. “Then I expect you to dress accordingly.”

Kenyatta blinked. “What?”

Krys gave him a slow once-over. She was digging the polo he sported the day before but this day he sported a black tee, well-worn jeans, and fresh sneakers. Clean, but casual. “The hoodies and sweatpants gotta go. You’re salaried now. You need to start dressing the part. You can’t be walking around looking like you about to post up outside the corner store.”

Kenyatta smirked. “Ain’t nothing wrong with how I dress.”

Krys tilted her head slightly. “Not if you work somewhere that don’t require more. But here? You gotta look the part if you wanna be taken seriously.”

He scoffed, shaking his head. “Man, I fix shit. Ain’t nobody checking for how I dress.”

Krys narrowed her eyes. “Oh, but they are.” She uncrossed her arms, standing up straight, voice dropping into CEO mode. “You’re not just here to unclog toilets and patch drywall. I don’t hire basic maintenance men.”

Kenyatta raised a brow at that. “Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.” She stepped closer, heels clicking against the polished floors. “This ain’t just some apartment complex job. You’re stepping into my world, Yatta. A world where people judge you before you even open your mouth. And since you represent me, your presence matters.”

Kenyatta studied her, his smirk fading into something unreadable.

Krys pressed forward, voice steady. “You ever notice how I carry myself? The way I dress, how I move, how I speak?” She gestured around the office, the epitome of success and control. “People respect me before I even introduce myself because I demand it. Because I look the part.”

Kenyatta exhaled through his nose, rolling his bottom lip between his teeth. She had a point. He’d noticed it from the jump, the way people reacted when she entered a room, the instant shift in energy.

Krys wasn’t just playing boss. She was the boss. And now she wanted him to match that.

“Damn.” He let out a short chuckle, shaking his head. “You tryna turn me into one of them suit-and-tie niggas?”

Krys lifted a brow. “Relax. I ain’t asking you to walk in here looking like you about to close a real estate deal. Just clean it up. Upgrade.”

Kenyatta rubbed his chin. “So what? You tryna dress me now?”

Krys lifted a brow. “Wouldn’t be the first time.”

He exhaled a laugh, shaking his head. “That’s crazy.”

Krys tilted her head. “What’s crazy is you thinking I’ma let you be out here repping my business looking like you still tryna decide if you wanna be in the streets or not.”

Kenyatta studied her for a second, then smirked. “I like you like this,” he murmured.

Krys lifted a brow. “Like what?”

Kenyatta’s voice dropped lower. “Bossed up. In control.”

Krys’ stomach dipped, but she refused to react. Instead, she reached out, snatched the tablet back, and turned on her heel.

“Would this be all as your pretend boyfriend still or am I no longer on call?” Kenyatta’s voice followed her, teasing, testing.

Krys didn’t stop walking. “You should always be prepared.”

Kenyatta chuckled, shaking his head. “Noted, Bae.”

Chapter 15

Krys sat at her desk, fingers hovering over the keyboard, not typing a damn thing.

---