Page 77 of Invisible Bars
Terrence didn’t say a word. He just left with his head held high and pride limping behind him.
Chi shut the door right behind him and wasted no time exclaiming, “Aesthetic? Flexible? Man, that nigga was trying to represent you personally. He was here looking for him a D-A-D-D-Y,” he clowned.
“He better find one who hugs back and doesn’t carry a Glock,” I muttered. “Go get the next person.”
Chi smirked on his way out, and less than a minute later, the glass door opened again.
In she came—light-skinned, maybe five feet one on a good day, with a bounce in her step like she’d just won a game show. Her caramel curls were pulled into two high puffs, and she wore a baby pink pantsuit with rhinestone buttons that sparkled like she planned to twirl in place and say “ta-da” any minute. Nude pumps, glossy lips, a notebook clutched to her chest like it held all her hopes and dreams.
Too much pep. Too much shine. Too muchyesin a world full of hell no.
“Hi, I’m April!” she chirped, grinning widely like we were long-lost friends. “Oh my God, you’re even more handsome in person!”
Yeah… It’s gonna be a no for me, dawg.
April wasn’t just excited; she wasfan-girlexcited. And that kind of energy? In my world? Got people fired or found.
She moved in for a hug like that wasThe Bachelorfinale.
Chi slid in front of me like a linebacker. “We don’t do physical touch, but you can sit…over there.”
April blinked, caught off guard, then giggled like Chi just flirted.
“Oh wow! I love the energy in this room! So alpha!”
I shot Chi a look that saiddon’t say a word.
She finally sat, crossing her legs dramatically. “So… I just wanna say thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I’m very passionate about brand management, especially for high-level clients like yourself, Mr. Kors.”
“Mm-hmm,” I muttered, glancing down at her résumé… or rather, the glittery sheet of vague generalities and Canva graphics masquerading as a résumé.
“So, April, do you have any direct experience in real estate development PR?” I questioned.
She twirled a curl around her finger. “Well… not directly. But PR is PR, right?”
Chi cleared his throat without looking up. “Wrong.”
April giggled like we were playing a game show.
“I figured you could, like… teach me. I’m such a fast learner! I watched every season ofSelling Sunset.”
“What’s three percent of $1.2 million?” I challenged her.
“Like… a lot?” she offered with a shrug and a sugary smile.
I rubbed my temples and tried again. “Alright. Say one of our properties catches negative press from a failed inspection. What’s your first step?”
She perked up. “Oh! I’d post a cute selfie in front of the building and put ‘vibes were off today, but we still slay.’ Hashtag damage control.”
Chi looked over at me and mouthed, “This can't be real”.
I leaned back. “Last question, April. What made you apply for this position?”
She batted her lashes. “Honestly? I saw your picture on the company website… and I said to myself, ‘God didn’t give me this body and charisma just to waste it on bottle service forever!’”
There was a pause. Chi let out a low whistle.
“Thank you, April. We’ll be in touch,” I said.
