Page 67 of Devanté
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
I stared at the unopened Ring Pop sitting on my desk at work and sighed a little. It had been a week since Devanté broke down my barriers and erased years of unjust bitterness. It had been a week since I kissed him. Touched him. Fucked him.
My body clenched at the memories. Bright and vivid. Hot and thick.
A knock on my office door flipped the switch on my lustful thoughts, shedding light so all the shadows scattered. Noa stood in front of my desk eyeing me incredulously.
“What are you in here daydreaming about? For the past week, your mind has been somewhere else.” She paused then said, “Perez wants to talk to you in his office.”
“Okay, thanks. I must not have heard my phone ring.” I blinked a few times then stood up. My eyes dropped to the Ring Pop and my stomach swam with butterflies. Was it normal to feel like that even at work?
“Because you’re busy daydreaming.” She opened the door and lingered for a minute, smirking. She may have been trying to read my mind but I was busy reading the bruises on her neck. I had my own smirk after that. “Is it safe to say we need to have a girl’s night? ItisFriday and I miss quality time with my bestie.”
“Of course. It’s time for the Boss Bitch Society to link up. Let’s do your house though. Devin is still making my life a living hell on purpose.” I rolled my eyes then looked up to see Mr. Perez frowning thoughtfully at me.
“Do I need to submit an application to join the Boss Bitch Society or do I get in automatically because I know you two?” His frown gave way to a smile and Noa and I cracked up laughing.
“Sorry, sir. Only boss bitches are allowed in. You failed to meet the requirements when you decided to have a penis.” I shrugged and followed him into his office, leaving Noa at her desk dying from laughter.
“Have a seat, Blake.” Pride spilled from his wide smile. He sat down and took his glasses off so he could really look at me. I can’t lie, I was nervous as hell. I couldn’t stop wondering what he wanted.
“Since you’ve graced us with your genius these past eight years, you’ve secured ninety-nine campaigns over one-million dollars. The Devanté Morgan campaign is officially on track to make us five million within the first quarter after launch. That means you’ve successfully secured Watson Marketing one hundred multi-million-dollar campaigns, Blake.” He ran a hand over his face and shook his head in disbelief. Hell, I was in disbelief too.
I was a boss bitch.
I was THEE boss bitch.
“I already knew once you decided to take on the Shaw campaign, it would pull over one million. That’s why I pushed you to meet with Devanté.” Hearing his name made my body do all sorts of weird things I wasn’t used to.
My toes curled in my shoes. My throat tightened and my blood hummed. What kind of voodoo was this?
“Wow…this is amazing news, Mr. Perez. I don’t even know what to say.” I smiled though. That smile spoke a hundred words my mouth could not. That smile said I was proud and amazed at my power.
“Well, you should be tooting your own horn young lady. Never in all my years have I seen such outstanding work.” He chuckled a little then said, “You know, when I met you in college, I saw something bright. I saw something determined and strong and I knew I was right. I wish like hell you and Gabi could have been friends. She needs someone with your kind of drive.” The proud smile that was on his face vanished.
“Me and Gabi have two different ideas of what friendship means. It wouldn’t have worked,” I told him, crossing my legs.
“You got that right. Do you know my daughter has signed up to be on a damn reality show set to air next year? She keeps trying to get me on camera and I refuse.”
“A reality show?” The words were wrapped around a soft laugh. Can’t say I was shocked. Gabi seemed like the reality TV show type.
“Yeah, some show called Lavish in LA. Anyway, I wish she turned out more like you.”
“Aw, Mr. Perez…” I rubbed the back of his hand and frowned. “She couldn’t be like me on her best day. Regardless, that’s your daughter. You have to accept her how she is.”
“I know. I know. I love the girl no matter what. I just wanted better for her. Anyway, let me not turn this into a pity and regret party. I want to celebrate you and all you’ve done for Watson. If it weren’t for you, more than half of our clients probably wouldn’t even be here.” He reached into his desk drawer and took out an envelope.
My wide eyes were glued to it.
“This is a bonus for you. It’s not nearly what you’re worth but it’s an appreciative gesture for sure.” He slid the stiff white envelope over to me and I plucked it from the desk, holding it between my fingers.
Please be more than twenty thousand.
Please be more than twenty thousand.
“Holy shit, Perez. Is this right?Fiftythousand dollars?”
“Yup. It’s all for you. We’re also having a party in celebration of you this weekend. I have a couple of surprises up my sleeve. Noa’s planning everything so I know it’ll be great.”
