A BILLIONAIRE'S DEVOTION

PART -8-

HAPPY READING

Reyon Menture POV

She responded, man my teeth are catching a cold out here smiling like a maniac to myself.

We are in the middle of spring it is still cold out and the cold wind that is blowing around did not bother me in the least. I couldn't complain like I usually do, nothing could change my feelings- my spirit and nothing was definitely not going to spoil this good, good mood.

This fine ass girl finally replies.

It has been one whole month of sending good morning after good mornings and evening beautiful after evening, getting nothing in return. Try as I might this woman didn't reply, I knew I had to be creative and it got me a whole laugh in return not to mention a reply. I texted diligently every morning at the exact time and every evening on the dot. Ten minutes later or less she always reads my message but no response. I practically stare at my phone waiting to see her read my message and imagine a smile.

I wasn't trying to take her from her man, I was trying to be her friend. It was what I told myself every time I texted. I couldn't help the way that I feel and I didn't want to help the way I feel. She has me reeling and I feel like it must be worth it. pure fate.

I feel so good- nice, my adrenaline is pumping and it fuels me going into my final exam. It feels like I am sitting on top of the world, cloud nine as I try to put my feelings into words. I am so excited I damn near skip to class this morning. Something about her makes me want to give of myself more than I ever gave.

Taking my seat I read her message one last time deciding not to respond until later. I try to keep it together but I'm losing it...

Silencing my phone I slide it into my shoulder bag, I am ready for my exam.

focus Reyon...

"Hey rich boy, the billionaire himself," Darius says walking into the classroom.

"Hey man, what's up" I answer.

He stands still, staring at me with his hands open. My response almost stops his breathing.

Yeah, that's how good I'm feeling, she made me feel...

"You aight man," he says adjusting his denim jacket and taking his seat next to me.

"I am cool, my brother," I answer with all the excitement I was feeling.

And his eyes almost fall out of their socket because I never respond to his craziness and he knows I do not like it, usually it is a bored tone with me dismissive of him immediately.

"Why not go the nine yards," he says probably to himself. "A few of us are headed to the club to celebrate tonight, you want to join us," Darius asks.

"Sure why not," I slide a piece of paper over to him with my number. "Add me, text the location and time."

Darius looks at me astonish then back at the paper "you serious man?"

"Very."

"You sure you alright Reyon," he asks still looking at me and it is the first time in four years he'd ever used my first name.

"The best I've ever been," I say with a smile. If I knew it was going to be this simple to get him to use my name I would have done it years ago. Then again she wasn't here years ago sending me a good morning message but... she was here...

"Bout to be on tonight, I'm going to chill with the big boy," he says.

Realisation dawns on me...

Thinking about it, she did attend Harvard University, but only graduated almost two years ago. I was in my second year and she was right under my nose the entire time. Damn, how did I miss that, miss her? She walked these halls, sit in these rooms and was taught by the same professors, I did not see her. I am in an even better mood, so much history yet I have never seen her.

How did I miss that goddess of the dawn? roaming these halls.

The universe had its plans. Maybe we needed to play our positions, maybe there is an ultimate agenda at work here. She was right here walking these halls with me, I wonder if she ever saw me. Of course, I was the only youngster in a suit, four out of five days in the school week, I couldn't have been that hard to miss. Did she ever see me?

Did she? did she see me?

Calm down Reyon, she has a man. I keep reminding myself but it did not deter me.

"Who have you all Barney and Friends over there," Darius asks looking at me quizzically.

"What?" I ask confused.

"You all happy, smiley and giggling like you found pocket change or something. Look at you," he tells staring at me.

"Come on class, settle down, settle down people. For most of you, this is the end. Make it count as your future depends on it," says Mrs Thurman hands on her hip, walking into the room with papers in her other hand.

She places the stack of papers on the first row of furniture. The student seated there did quick work of passing them in stacks beyond her.

"You ready man?" Darius asks passing a paper over to me.

"I was born ready," I say confidently.

___

Handing over my paper I am very confident of my endeavours and somehow I wanted to call her. I want to share my endeavours with her.

She is the first person I thought to call after leaving the room, what could that mean?

Taking out my phone I decided to return her message. It is well past lunch and I had a meeting at 2:00 pm at Rodney's court meeting a potential investor.

:Good afternoon beautiful, an entire laugh just for little old me. I feel special and think this friendship is off to a great start and will work just fine. How's your day going so far beautiful.

I look at my phone the entire walk to the student's parking lot waiting on her response.

Her: Good afternoon Reyon. Friends don't call each other beautiful in afternoon text. Great day so far by the way.

: Really... They should. And I wouldn't mind the attention if you called me Mr handsome, gorgeous even.

Not waiting for her to respond, I send another text.

: You have plans for tonight? We could grab something to eat, as friends of course.

Her: you're really funny. I do have plans actually.

Turn down cold, she responds immediately.

Her: That's ok, maybe next time friend. I hope you enjoy those plans.

That's alright...

Still didn't deter me, I raise myself off the side of my car and slide into the driver's seat. Putting my phone on the dashboard I drive off.

I needed to change quickly and head to my meeting.

"Reyon! Reyon!" Darius shouts, charging down the exit, causing me to pull over.

"What are you doing," I lower my window looking at him.

I watch as security exit their vehicle coming with full force to the side and behind my car.

Reign always had someone on us, whether it was a simple car ride or going to something extravagant someone was always there. "Do we have a problem here?" security inquires getting behind Darius.

Darius jumps back, "Nah Nah no problem I was catching a ride," he says quickly, gripping his bag around his shoulders.

"No problem John, he's good," I say. They nod and walk back to their vehicle, enter the car and wait on me.

"Get in," I say. Darius walks around the front of my car, gets into the passenger seat and puts on his seat belt.

"Yo' you issa billionaire," Darius says like he newly discovered it. Marvelling at the revelation, as if it now dawns on him.

I shake my head and continue driving.

"Where are you going?" I ask.

"Man I ain't worry bout that no mo', take me somewhere, anywhere you going. Damn, I'm chilling with the big boys..."

I raise my eyebrow and shake my head. What was he thinking before?

I chuckle and continue to drive, I need to change quickly. "Let me give you first-hand experience on negotiating a contract then... but you need to be quiet."

"Like a mouse eating cheese," he zips his lips.

I chuckle, I know there was something about him that made me keep him around.

I was in and out in Reign's condo in no time also dressing Darius to look the part as well. As a getaway, I've been between Reigns condo and home mostly at the condo though.

Getting to my meeting on time, "Mr Kennedy, thank you for meeting with me again and agreeing on a more informal setting." I greet shaking his hand firmly. "This is Mr Novak my intern at Menture enterprise." We take our seat across from Mr Kennedy who's looking for software testing. He came to the right place but since we are providing what he needs, I needed our name of the brand.

"Thank you for having me Mr Menture, Mr Novak," he returns the gesture.

I nod.

We negotiate our terms and discuss the phrases of the contract I would be presenting to him in the following week. I was satisfied at the end of the meeting and we both leave with a partnership ready to blossom.

"You're so organised and well informed. I couldn't believe it was you speaking in there. You had him eating out of the palm of your hand. Damn man, you even make me a believer, wanting to invest what I don't have." Darius says walking out of the court.

I chuckle, "it comes with practice, studying people, reading their body language and accessing it."

"Man these streets hard, I don't want to become a static out hay, my mama working three jobs to get me hay," he says his accent coming through stronger.

I turn to him, seeing the genuine concern on his face. "You handle school and all this every day. I need to pull my crap together man," he says in disbelief at what he'd witnessed.

"The soonest you can draft your resume bring it into my office. If we aren't a good fit, I can make a few calls. But you need to be serious and want it, willing to sacrifice like your mum for it." I say to him.

"Thanks, Reyon I appreciate it. I see you out hay walking around in a yo' suit and shit... I thought different but now I see man, you ain't on no game."

"Come on let's get something to eat and I can drop you home. Don't fuss about it, if you work for it you will achieve it." I encourage.

He nods.

"You decide on a club for tonight," I ask.

"Nah man, the ol' lady wanted to celebrate, I think i'ma do that."

"Let's go..." I nod.

Darius may joke around a lot but he was consistent in class, I'm guilty of never taking the time to know where he came from and it's encouraging to see him want to be somebody so as long as he is willing to work hard for it, I am willing to provide it in any way I can. I can also see the determination in his voice and face.

Walking out of the restaurant there she is in skinny black jeans, a white button-down blouse tucked in with those square black heels, a black bag swing in one hand and ice coffee in the other. She always well dresses and makes it look so pretty, organise like she takes great effort into her appearance. To say I am impressed is an understatement.

I walk up to her forgetting Darius was standing there beside me. "Twice in one day, we probably best friends by now uh," I say as she put her bag into her car.

"Twice?" She asks confused.

"First a text now I'm seeing you face to face," I smile.

She smiles, "good afternoon Reyon. What are you doing here?" She asks.

She says my name so good like it's meant to roll off her tongue.

"Just out of a meeting," I answer.

"You?"

"Potential client."

I nod, "you meet clients out of your office?"

"Only when I have to," she says moving her eyes next to me and Darius finally caught up.

"She yo' sister?" He jams my shoulder.

"You know I don't have a sister," I say and Kahdeem chuckle.

"She's my girl... friend," I say.

"I'm not his girlfriend, I'm Kahdeem. Stop telling people that Reyon," she says with a little laugh.

"You're a girl and you're my friend. My best friend." I say and her smile drops. She rolls her eyes and takes a pull of her ice coffee.

I chuckle "I'm playing, I'm playing," I say more serious. She shakes her head with a slight smile.

"Darius this is my friend Kahdeem, Kahdeem this is Darius."

"Nice to meet you Darius but I must be going, I have another meeting to attend."

"See you, friend," I say closing her car door as slide in.

"Bye Reyon," she smiles and starts up her car.

"You have that same look from this morning, she is the one uh," Darius asks beside me.

I didn't respond, just watch her drive away. Darius turns to me giving me a look.

"I'm going to make her my baby mama," he laughs.

"Shut the f**k up, Darius." I turn and walk away from him. Always knows how to anger me.

"She ain't yo' girl, why can't I appreciate a beautiful woman uh," he Snickers.

"She ain't my girl yet but she's going to be..."