Page 199 of Invisible Bars
I leaned back against the built-in headrest and exhaled.
My body hurt. But my heart? It felt light.
Chapter Thirty
IMANIO “GATEZ”
Isat at the island in a pair of black joggers and a gray fitted tee, flipping through a printout of building permits while eating a slice of toast. My legs ached a little. I wasn’t sore, but the memory ofwhyI didn’t get much sleep the night before kept pulling smirks out of me.
Naji didn’t say a word to me as she left the room; she just grunted under her breath and shuffled forward like she was mad at the floor for existing. I watched her waddle down the hall—hips stiff, legs damn near trembling. Her outbursts were loud, chaotic, and echoing off the hallway walls. I couldn’t make out half of what she said, but the frustration in her voice was clear as day.
I smirked and shook my head, damn near laughing out loud.
The silence in the house now? Golden. Brief. Clean. Quiet.
I earned it.
Then, of course, somebody couldn’t let me be great— my phone rang. I didn’t need to guess who it was. There was only one person on my roster who had the nerve to call at seven o’clock, before my day even officially started—Saroya.And I already knew it was about what happened the day before.
I took a sip of coffee, hit the green button, and put her on speaker.
Saroya’s voice came tearing through the speaker like a siren on fire.
“Imanio Kors, you let your wifegetaccostedin a damn coffee shop and didn’t tell me?!”
I chuckled, teasing. “Good morning, Saroya.”
“Oh, no! This isanythingbut a good morning!” she quipped. “Did youhearwhat I said?! Let me remind you who I am! I’m yourpublicist! You know, the woman whose job it is to protect your image?! Granted, I knew you were married, but you’re not married to just anybody Imanio Kors; you’re married toNaji Ali, a viral moment waiting to happen,and a veryimportantdetail you failed to tell me!”
I sat up straighter. “Calm down… it’s not that deep.”
“Calm down?!” she repeated, clearly ready to swing. “It’sviral, Imanio! Multiple people recognized her! There areclearphotos! I’m getting tagged in every damn thread from here to hell asking if you’re married toher! So is it true?!”
I rubbed my face and exhaled. “Yeah. It’s true.”
There was a long pause. Then, “Oh, wedefinitelyneed to talk!” she said, her voice picking back up. “And not over the phone! I want a full sit-down—face to face! No middlemen! No assistants! At your house… where yourwifestays!”
I narrowed my eyes. “You know I don’t do meetings where I lay my head.”
“Well, you’re gonna start… or at least make an exception this once!” she snapped. “You want me to fix this? Then trust the woman you hired to handle it! Now text me the address!”
I smirked, leaning back in the chair. “Damn. You’re real snappy this morning. Yo’ husband must didn’t give you no dick last night?”
Maybe that’s why everything felt funny to me that morning—‘cause Ifinallygot some after weeks of being on edge.
“Imanio…” Saroya said, pure warning in her tone.
I sighed and gave in. “Check yo’ phone. I’m about to send it.”
There was silence on her end as she received the text.
“Got it. I’ll see you in thirty.” Then she added, “Oh—and it would be best if your wife joins us. I think it’s time I meet her, anyway.”
I hesitated then replied, “Aight. But before you show up… there’s something you need to know.”
I stood up, pacing a little now.
“Naji has Tourette Syndrome. Which means she has tics—and sometimes they can get bad… especially around new people. So be prepared for her to say some wild shit. It’s not personal, and it damn sure ain’t performative. Just don’t jump, stare too long, or try to correct her. She doesn’t need pity or confusion.”
