ChapterTwenty-One
Asher
So much has happened since the grand opening, all the restaurants and the club are doing well and constantly booked, and phase two is ramping up. I made sure to hire great people who went through a Jabarri background check, so unless I feel like showing up, they really don’t need me there. Carla and I love going to the club and even put on a show, I am not in the habit of allowing other people to see what belongs to me but it was a fantasy of hers. I let her know it was a one-time thing but the smirk on her face let me know it probably isn’t. She’s such a brat, and I give in to her way too much, but I don’t care.
Not long after our engagement night and party I noticed Carla still losing weight, causing me to question what was going on.
“Baby doll, you are steadily losing weight. What’s going on?”
“It’s the new diet, I hate the food.”
“Is it the food or my cooking? Talk to me Mianach.”
“Both.”
“I know how you feel about this, but I need you to trust me. I am going to talk to Jaasiel because even though I am a decent cook I am no Jaasiel.” We are playing catch up since she and I both fell short of following Lennox’s orders. “Once he knows, the whole family will too. We need the support from them Carla. I need the support of my family with this journey. I don’t ask you for much and I have made it my mission to give you everything, can you do this for me?”
“Yes, Asher. Yes. And I am sorry I have been selfish in this journey of ours. I have only thought about me and how I would feel and be affected not realizing or taking into consideration you are going through the same things as me. Maybe not in the same way but you could, of course, you would want the support of your family.”
Once I talked to Jaasiel and he talked to Lennox my cooking classes began, and I noticed a change in her eating habits. I also made the fourth bedroom into her yoga studio, and work out room. She works out faithfully in one way or another. I can see the changes in her body but if she gets any smaller, I am going to say to hell with this new diet.
“Baby doll, do you…” I stop short when I get to the doorway of her work out room and she Carla, Savvy, True, Brooklyn, Skai, and Joyce in there on the mats meditating with her. I stand quietly in the doorway and grin with pride at my family and how they rally around when we need them. I used to come down here and sit with her because she would be all alone in here and now, she has sisters.
Our next surprise came on family dinner night where was all come together to have dinner at least once every two weeks. Imagine both our surprise when dinner was modified to include only the foods Carla and I can eat. I changed my diet to eat what Carla eats but to see my family doing it too almost made me cry. I fucking love them. Now that our family is on board, I feel like we are making real headway.
Carla is in full swing wedding planning because I am an impatient bastard so I only gave her a few months to pull it together. Carla is using the culinary students to cook for the reception, and a new designer for her dress. The venue and reception location is a surprise for Carla so the planning is a little tricky. She’s unsuccessfully tried numerous times to get me to tell her but that’s not happening.
“Where is Carla today?” Jaasiel asks me as we sit on the gondola to the restaurant.
“She had a meeting with a client, I’ve been calling her but she hasn’t answered. So maybe she’s in court. She’s been very busy lately.”
“Can’t stay top dog in Mississippi if you start slipping…oh shit.” Jaasiel says as he comes to a complete stop. He looks like he sees a ghost and I follow his eyes to where he is looking and before I know I’m in motion, I am standing at the table where my fiancé is being fed by another man.
Carla
“Let me explain something to you Mr. Landers for the very last time. I am not interested! Now I took this meeting because you stated you needed legal help but all you’ve done since you got here is hit on me. I am engaged and not interested in you, at all.”
“I do have legal problems that I need your help with, but I like to mix my business with pleasure.”
“Well, I don’t”
“Okay, okay.” He says chuckling. And he finally tells me what his problems are, and we handle a little business. Right up until the waiter asks if we want desert. I decline because it is not allowed with my diet, but he orders the salted caramel cheesecake. I brought him to gluttony hoping to run into Asher and persuade him to have lunch with me and to show off that I can get into the hottest restaurant in Mississippi.
As soon as the desert comes, he starts back up with the shenanigans. But when he called himself trying to feed me desert that’s when I decided to put an end to the bullshit.
“You really are an idiot aren’t you, I have told you ad nauseum that I am not interested in anything more than a professional relationship.”
“What’s the matter Ms. St. Claire, is my bank account not big enough to buy my way between your thighs like your fiancé?”
“I know the fuck you didn’t!”
“I suggest you get the fuck out of my restaurant while you still can. I just opened and I can’t imagine how long I’d have to be closed while they try to find all your body pieces. Carla, go to the kitchen with Joe and I’ll be there to get you soon.” Asher says calmly and deadly and even though I am thoroughly turned on I get up to go in the kitchen like Asher told me to. But when I move to walk past him, he snatches me to him and kisses me until I want to bust it open for him right here on this table in the middle of this restaurant. Asher walks in a few minutes later looking pissed.
“I have been calling you all day Carla, is he why you didn’t answer.”
“Really Asher?”
He walks up on me backing me into the wall. “Is this the game you want to play here dove?”