37. Skip, Reverse, Wild Cards 🃏

I sat in Zeke's room on his sofa with his laptop in my lap. I logged into my email, preparing for the meeting.

Zeke came out of his bathroom. "You can take it with you," he said.

"That was the plan," I admitted with a smile before closing the laptop and standing up. "Do you have the charger?"

Zeke looked around before going to his desk and opening a drawer. He pulled out a black AC adapter.

I walked over to him to retrieve it. "Thank you, sir."

"You're welcome." He glanced at his Apple watch. "Aunt Shell just got here."

My eyes bucked as I pulled out my phone. Time was flying.

"Let's go." Zeke led the way out of his room just as Monica walked past us.

"Monica!" I called her name.

She turned around to see me. "And where have you been?" She looked at me. Then, she pointed at Zeke. "Is that your room?"

Zeke smirked, "Yeah. I'll give you a tour if you like." He held his door open.

"I like!" Monica skipped inside his room.

I stayed in the hall to call Rochelle. When she answered, I told her that Shelly had arrived, and the meeting will start soon. Rochelle laid out the plan: (1) text her right before the meeting begins and (2) don't tell them anything just show the laptop screen. That was the end  call.

I could hear Monica laughing. When another minute went by, I opened the laptop. Rather be prepared then get prepared. I looked at the laptop to see I had a new email. It was a Zoom link from Rochelle.

I walked over to Zeke's opened door. "We're gonna be late to the meeting," I shouted.  I could feel the perspiration under my arms.

Seconds later, Zeke and Monica came out of his room.

"How many meetings you gon' have today?" Monica asked me.

"She'll have more this weekend," Zeke informed her as he closed his door and used his phone to lock it.

Monica sighed, "I get it. Hey, I got a question. Does your assistant have a key to your room?"

"No."

"Does anybody?"

"Monica," I called her name.

She shrugged her shoulders.

"Not unless I give them access," Zeke answered. "Why?"

Monica smiled at Zeke. "You just have a really nice room. Just wanted to know if I could break in without you knowing."

"Monica!" I exclaimed.

"Jamie, I'm just joking!" She copied my tone.

Zeke laughed, "Y'all act like sisters more than cousins."

We followed him down the hall as we made faces at one another.

"You making us late for our meeting," I told her.

She smacked her lips. "While you're booked and busy, I'm trying to entertain myself."

I rolled my eyes as I carried the open laptop.

Monica whispered to me, "Remember when I told you about his assistant? She was coming out of a his room."

My brows furrowed. "Are you sure?"

Monica folded her arms and stopped walking.

"Girl, c'mon!" I told her.

Monica jogged to keep up.

Knowing what Zeke said about no one having access to his room unless he gives it to them, I had a feeling Jaylei wasn't just Zeke's assistant. She may be working for someone else, too.

Zeke led us to a room that I've never seen before. It was hidden but in plan sight - adjacent to the front door.

Shelly was sitting down at a table similar to the one at the RiSe Tower. "I was two seconds away from calling you." She opened her laptop.

"Aunt Shell, this is Jamie's cousin, Monica," Zeke introduced her. "Monica, this is my godmother Shelly Baylor."

Monica waved at Shelly.

Shelly stood up. "You don't know, Aunt Shell. I give hugs."

Monica chuckled as she skipped over to Shelly. They embraced.

"So, you two are cousins. You look like sisters," Shelly smiled. "How long are you visiting?"

"Just until this weekend. I do have a job and bills to pay," Monica replied.

Shelly pointed at her. "I ain't mad at you one bit." She sat back down.

I stared at Monica until we made eye contact. I mouth the word "bye" to her.

Monica playfully rolled her eyes. "Well, I'll let y'all get to business. Nice meeting you, Aunt Shell."

"Likewise, Monica." Shelly waved at her.

Monica walked out the room.

I sat across from Shelly with the laptop in front of me. Then, I plugged in the charger.

Zeke asked, "Taking notes?"

"No." I cleared my throat as I clicked on the Zoom link.

Zeke sat at the head of the table.

When I saw Rochelle's face appear on the laptop screen, I said, "Before we get started, I would like to introduce you to my lawyer Rochelle Ginger." I turned the laptop to face Shelly and Zeke as I took a seat.

"You have your own lawyer?" Zeke asked me.

Rochelle said, "Zeke Rivers... Shelly Baylor... I am Rochelle Ginger, representing Jamie Sawyer. Her stage name is Jae. I apologize for the late introduction. I've advised Jamie up to this point. Please feel free to ask me any questions you may have during and after this meeting. It's been brought to my attention that on today, Jamie, Zeke and his lawyer, met with RiSe Records to accept or sign a recording contract.

Rochelle continued, "I have a copy of that contract. I am attending this meeting to not only protect the assets of Jamie Sawyer, but to come to an agreement on Zeke Rivers and Jamie Sawyer's business relationship. Once that is established, we can move forward with the contract produced by RiSe Records. Is everyone in attendance in agreement to all that I've said?"

If I could root for Rochelle like the woman in the America's Next Top Model meme, I most definitely would.

Zeke was quiet as he looked at Shelly.

"Yes. We agree," Shelly answered with a poker face.

Rochelle smiled, "Let's begin."

After the meeting, I thanked Zeke and Shelly for their time before walking out the office with the laptop in my hand. When I was at a good distance, I looked at the laptop screen.

Rochelle whispered, "Congratulations, Jamie! You did great in there."

"All thanks to you," I whispered back.

"I'll see you at the RiSe Tower tomorrow morning."

I nodded my head. "Yes ma'am!"

"Bye, girl!" Rochelle ended the Zoom meeting.

I closed the laptop as I headed up the stairs. Once I turned into the hallway that led to my bedroom, I danced all the way to the door. I walked in, closed the door, and put the laptop on the bed. Then, I put my phone on the charger. After a bathroom break, I hopped in bed and attended to my phone. Before I knew it, I was making a phone call.

"I can't believe the famous Jamie Sawyer is calling me," he teased.

I bit down on my bottom lip. "I'm not famous... yet."

"I'm just glad I was the first person to get your autograph," he admitted.

I added, "Just hold on to it. It's gonna be worth millions."

"I'll keep it forever. It's priceless," A.B. stated.

I giggled, "If you say so."

"I'm glad you called. I've been thinking about you and the record deal. Has Rochelle been helpful? Are you signed to RiSe Records now?"

I rested on my back as I looked at the ceiling. "Not yet signed, but Rochelle made an entrance  out of this world! She shut Zeke and his godmother-aunt-lawyer down. Zeke is keeping his promise of taking care of all my expenses until I get my own place or unless we break up..." I immediately slapped my mouth. I talk too much.

"Jamie, you still there?" A.B. asked me.

I spoke, "Yeah... Sorry... I didn't mean for that to come out like that, but since I said it, I'll just tell you the truth."

A.B. said, "I already know about your fake relationship with him."

How did he know it was fake?

"Monica told me."

I could karate chop her. Speaking of Monica, where did she run off to?

A.B. added, "You don't have to explain anything to me. I know when the time comes, you'll make the right decision."

"Why do you think that?" I asked him.

"Of all the decisions you made recently, has anyone been hurt?"

I thought before answering, "No."

"That's why."

I closed my eyes as I recalled our road trip to Yellow Sand Beach.

"Jamie," A.B. said my name.

"Yes."

"I have to go, but I'll call you back later."

I started to feel sad. "Aww ok."

"You're gonna be good. Okay?"

I nodded my head as if he could see me.

"Bye, Jamie."

"Bye, A.B." I hung up my phone.

Before I could put my phone back on the charger, it vibrated. Monica was calling. "Where are you?" I asked her.

Monica whispered, "I am in a room with big windows. There's a chandelier in here, too."

"Is it at the end of a hallway?" I inquired.

"Yeah, I think so."

"On my way," I hung up. I haven't been to that living room since I got lost the first time I was here. It's nowhere near anything unless you just want somewhere to go without any disturbance. Now that I think about it, I should use it from time-to-time.

A few minutes later, I stepped into the living room to see Monica's big feet unhidden by the drapes.

"Your invisible cloak isn't working," I called her out.

Monica revealed herself, leaving the window. "Did anyone follow you in here?" She asked me.

I arched a brow. "No. Why?"

Monica peaked into the hall before grabbing my hand. "I thought I was going back to your room, but I got lost. When I was walking down this hall way, I heard footsteps behind me. I just ran in here and called you."

I stared at my cousin before laughing.

Monica crossed her arms. "Don't laugh. It ain't funny."

Oh, she was serious.

I stopped laughing. "Did you turn around to see if someone was following you?"

Monica flared her nose. "No, I walked faster and tripped over air before begging the killer not to stab me."

I linked my arm with hers. "Let's go back to my room."

"Jamie, I looked back twice, and I didn't see anybody, but I know somebody was following me. I am never walking around this place by myself again. You might want to hurry up and sign that contract so you can get your own place."

Monica didn't stop talking until we were back in my room. She eventually talked me to sleep. When I wake up from my nap, I'm sure she'll still be talking. Nevertheless, it's time to dream about my future. Sweet dreams.