Page 99 of Invisible Bars
“Aight. I got something to tell you too, so I guess we both got stories.”
“Nothing pertaining to the business, though, right?”
“Nah. The business is solid,” I answered without hesitation.
“Okay.”
We hung up shortly after, but I sat there for a few extra minutes, staring at the blank wall ahead of me.
What really stuck with me was what he said.
Life is short.
And for the first time, I started wondering what it would look like… to have a real one with Naji.
A real marriage. Hell, maybe even a real future.
But Naji didn’t know me… not fully. And if she ever found out everything I’d done—every stain I carried—I doubted she’d even want to stay. Still…for the time being, she was my wife, and I hadn’t broken my word… yet.
Right when I was about to get up to take a piss,Cruella Gisellewas calling me.
I stared at the screen like it hated me. I contemplated hard if I wanted to answer her call, butmaybeit was something important.
“Giselle,”I answered with a sigh, already annoyed.
“Imanio!”she exclaimed with that signature bougie tone like she was balancing a glass of wine and judgment. “There’s a media brunch forModern Tycoonnext Friday! They want to do a spread on Kors Luxe—cover story and all. I told them we’d consider it.”
I rubbed my temple and sat back down.“Then you lied. We’re not doing it… at leastI’mnot.”
“Excuse me?”she snapped.“Imanio, it’s national exposure! A seat at the table with Black Enterprise and Forbes executives! And you’re turning it down?!”
“Yes.”
“Why?!”
“Because I don’t need a damn brunch to prove I’m doing the work. Besides, you know how I feel about cameras and being around a lot of fake and money-hungry muthafuckas.”
You included, I wanted to add.
“And I sure as hell ain’t playing celebrity COO for a puff piece.”
She let out a sharp sigh.“This is exactly why people think you’re antisocial! Do you realize how many development firms wouldkillfor that kind of spotlight?!”
“Let ‘em kill for it. I’ve had my share of headlines. I’ve done the interviews, sat on panels, and shook hands. I made the press rounds back when it mattered—when I was building something. Now? I don’t need a photo op with Forbes to validate my position. I’ve earned my respect in silence, and I’m good withthat. So yeah, pass this one to somebody who needs the buzz. I’m straight.”
“You’re being difficult!”
“And why is that a surprise to you? But not really. I’m being private; something you forgot how to be a long time ago.”
“You know what, Imanio?—”
Click.
I hung up mid-name, then dropped the phone back onto the desk.
“Every time I talk to that woman my blood pressure does jumping jacks,” I muttered.
The look on her face when I say, “I hired someone better”—yeah, that moment might just heal every headache she’s ever given me.
