Full Figured 14, page 16
Parish’s off-the-shoulder, above-the-knee, body-con black dress sent the internet into an uproar. The sanctified side of social media deemed her dress as being too-sexy and distracting and implied that the message that God wanted to get across had somehow been lost and that it was no longer about God. Faced with such condemnation, Parish’s husband chimed in, penning an open apology letter to the National Pastors site, a website designed for men and women of the cloth nationwide. In the letter, he had blamed Eboneé for her deleterious influence on his wife. He also publicly fired Eboneé and promised that the promo pictures would be taken down, to be replaced with modest photographs.
Eboneé first got wind of the uproar when Parish called her one afternoon.
“Eboneé, I am sure you’ve seen the feedback and the comments about me and the promo photo that have been circulating on social media,” Parish said after a quick hello.
“N-no, I haven’t,” Eboneé stammered, having heard the dismay in Parish’s voice.
“I’m going to send some of the comments to your phone. Call me when you get them,” Parish said, then disconnected the call.
After the call ended, a notification from Parish alerted Eboneé that she had text messages. Eboneé opened some of the messages, read the comments, and felt mortified. She couldn’t believe what she read. Frozen to the spot where she stood, her anger rose, and she felt like someone had suddenly turned on a heater inside her body.
“I am not a bad influence. How could they say those things about me? And how could Parish’s husband, Kwame, fire me?” she muttered.
The more she scrolled through the comments, the more her stomach churned. She’d already left her job, and negative publicity of this magnitude could ruin her fledgling business.
Why would Parish’s husband cosign any of this? she wondered, feeling traumatized.
Ding dong!
The sudden tinny, grating sound of the doorbell startled her. She ran to the front door and looked through the peephole.
“It’s me, Eboneé! Please open the door,” Parish shouted from the other side of the door.
Eboneé’s hand found the doorknob and turned it. She opened the door and stared at Parish without saying a word. Then she motioned for her to come inside.
“I am so sorry, Eboneé. I phoned you from the car. You are not fired. I need you. I am not replacing the pictures. It’s a done deal, anyway,” Parish blurted upon entering the house.
“How? Your husband said—”
“I have to live my life the way I want. I love God, and I will continue to sing for His glory. And I can look amazing doing it. I am saved and sexy. And guess what? God still loves me. I spoke to my agent. He said we can use this publicity to our benefit. At this point we need to capitalize on all the attention from the press that we get. All publicity is good publicity. We just have to decide how we are going to use it.”
Eboneé couldn’t believe what she had just heard. Minutes ago, she had thought she’d ruined Parish’s marriage and she’d lose all her clientele. However, the opposite was true. Parish had stood her ground, and Kwame had respected her wishes when it came to her career. But he had prohibited her from serving in the church from here on in. He felt Parish had publicly humiliated him, and not allowing her to carry out her role as the first lady of the church was his form of punishment for her transgression. Eboneé could not understand how Parish allowed herself to be treated in this manner. But Parish spent so much time on the road, touring, that none of this bothered her.
Thanks to all the publicity surrounding Parish’s promotional photo, pastors’ wives from around the world took notice, and Eboneé’s clientele doubled virtually overnight. With all the work pouring in, Eboneé realized she needed a staff. And so her one-person fashion enterprise, the Pastors’ Wives Club, became a full-fledged company, B&S Styles.
In order to staff her newfound business, Eboneé opted to host a speed networking event in the event room at the Hilton Hotel in Upper Manhattan rather than conduct traditional interviews. Like-minded entrepreneurs, such as stylists and up-and-coming fashion designers, would attend the event, and she would have the opportunity to pursue partnerships with those she liked. Unlike at traditional speed networking events where only entrepreneurs and businesses were in attendance, Eboneé involved Parish and ten of her other clients. She gave Parish and these clients name tags and scorecards and instructed them to sit in designated spots while the stylists and fashion designers rotated around the room every five minutes, when a little bell rang. Each of her clients was asked to mark on the scorecard the stylists and designers whom they’d hire. Those attendees who got the most yeses would be sent an email inviting them for a formal interview.
While wrapping things up at the event, exhaustion consumed Eboneé’s entire being. She had had a great turnout and considered the event a great success, as everything had turned out according to plan, but she was overjoyed that the attendees had left. Oddly enough, babysitting had added more stress to the event. The sitter for one of her clients had cancelled at the last minute, and the client had brought her infant son inside with her to inform Eboneé that she’d have to bow out of the event. Eboneé had insisted that the infant wouldn’t be a problem and had assured the client that she’d look after him for her. Although she’d enjoyed tending to the infant, she had been so relieved to turn him over to his mother at the end of the event.
After giving a sigh of relief, Eboneé pulled an additional chair in front of the one she had been sitting on, removed her shoes, and then propped her feet up on the makeshift footrest and made herself comfortable.
“Excuse me, ma’am,” said a warm baritone voice.
Startled, her heart fluttering, Eboneé jumped to her feet and turned around to put a face to the voice. There was something electric when her eyes met his, and she found herself blushing. At six feet two, he hovered over her. He was handsome, with dark hair and brown eyes that became lighter when the sunlight hit them. The thick, defined eyebrows that he’d been blessed with would have made most females jealous. His beauty took Eboneé’s breath away.
“C-Can I help you?” she stammered.
“I was hoping I could assist you.”
“I’m sorry . . .” Her eyes widened. “I don’t recall requesting assistance, sir . . .”
“Kasim. My name is Kasim, and you don’t have to request anything. I already know what you’re in need of before you can think of it or ask for it.”
“I think you have most definitely mistaken me for someone else.”
“No, I believe I am right where I am supposed to be, and where you need me to be. You just don’t know it yet.”
“A bit arrogant, would you say?”
“Not at all. I am sincere and confident.”
“Well, thanks but no thanks, Mr. Kasim.”
“My apologies.” He extended his hand, but she didn’t take it. “You’re going to leave me hanging and not shake my hand or accept my apology?”
She shrugged. “Okay. Sure.” She shook his hand.
“Let me start over. My name is Kasim. I have been watching you on the camera from my office. I apologize if this sounds disturbing. However, I just couldn’t take my eyes off the screen. I’ve missed three hours of work because I couldn’t get enough of your beauty. I know this sounds cheesy, but it’s the truth. My truth. Would you please grant me the honor of having dinner with me?”
“Yes, she would love to,” Parish answered as she walked into the room.
“Parish!”
“Eboneé, let the man take you to dinner. You are sweating and fidgeting over there like a schoolgirl. He clearly has you all worked up.” She cut her eye at Eboneé and chuckled before continuing. “And I mean that in a very good way.” She winked.
A voice inside Eboneé said absolutely not; however, there was another nagging voice that said yes. She actually formed her lips to decline his invitation, but Eboneé allowed her emotions to get the best of her, and a yes rang out. Though she had agreed to join him for dinner, Kasim sensed her uneasiness and suggested they dine at the hotel in which she’d just hosted her networking event. When they reached the restaurant, the kitchen staff was in the process of shutting down for the evening, but Kasim was able to pull some strings, as being the Hilton’s director of operations came with some perks.
Though she knew nothing about him, Eboneé discovered over dinner that there was just something about him that she couldn’t get enough of. A soul-mate connection is immediate; it hits you out of nowhere. The moment your paths cross, you both know without a doubt that the other person is yours. As if God Himself had sent you a telegram laying out all the specifics. There is no doubt or fear in your mind. You have never been more certain about anything in your life. There was an instant union of Eboneé’s and Kasim’s souls. Her entire existence fell prey to that connection. She had read about this phenomenon but had never experienced it with any of the men that she’d come in contact with in the past.
They talked all night at the hotel, as if they’d been best friends and soul mates for years. It was almost awkward for her. She didn’t understand why Kasim felt so familiar, though they hadn’t known one another but for a minute. No matter how hard she tried to mentally fight what was taking place, something on the inside of her recognized Kasim way before her mind was able to fully comprehend. Kasim felt the same, and they were inseparable from that moment on.
* * *
The abduction of their daughter had brought out unfamiliar sides of the both of them, and on their wedding day, they viewed each other as strangers for the first time. Although Eboneé felt hurt, afraid, and alone, she was happy to have Kasim out of her sight. She felt that as a couple and, most importantly, as parents, they were supposed to support each other. Even while enduring such a horrific tragedy. No matter the circumstances, they were supposed to crawl, walk, or run through every obstacle course together. No matter what, they had to do it together. Kasim was supposed to be there with her. So how could he have walked out on her like that, as if the abduction of their child was Eboneé’s fault? This man just wasn’t her Kasim. Her thoughts and emotions collided, causing her to tremble violently.
CHAPTER TWO
Kasim believed that no matter the situation, he’d survive and prevail. Giving up was never an option. He was adamant about always looking for the best in every bad situation, no matter the magnitude of the adversity. Kasim attributed his beliefs to the Nigerian saying, “I no carry last,” which meant “I refuse to be the last person in the race or the victim of circumstances.” Be that as it may, there had been circumstances in his life beyond his control that had immobilized him to the core. Kasim had first come to the country on a work visa to secure employment and had intended to bring his expecting wife over later. However, shortly after his arrival, his pregnant wife had lost her life in a car crash back home in Nigeria. There wasn’t anything that he’d read, seen, or experienced that could have prepared him for that kind of catastrophe.
Kasim’s wiring was different when it came to the “manly” role in the family. He placed a huge value on being the man of the house. And all that it entailed. He felt embarrassed when he could not fix or control crises and events that life threw his way. He had grieved the loss of his expecting wife and had also castigated himself for not being with her as the head of his family. Zoya, Kasim’s deceased wife, had been in her first trimester at the time of her death. She had been out driving long after the sun went down and had collided with another vehicle. The air bag had deployed, but the impact from the collision had caused a placental abruption. Zoya’s blood pressure had spiked, which had caused her to bleed more, and that had led to hemorrhaging, and as a result, she had lost her life.
Losing his family had been the toughest pill Kasim had ever swallowed. He hadn’t been back to his home in Nigeria, because of the shame he felt he had brought on his family by not being by his wife’s side and preventing the accident. Had he been there, he would have driven the car, and she would not have lost her life. Kasim also believed that Zoya had had the placental abruption in part because she’d been losing weight while pregnant. Zoya had been unable to keep anything down. The smell of food had nauseated her. Kasim felt that had she been curvier, she would not have lost the child, because curvy women were more fertile. Wide hips, big boobs, and FUPAs were prime indicators of fertility. Zoya’s morning sickness and weight loss had impacted those parts of her body. Kasim had disliked seeing Zoya in pictures and during the video calls that they’d engaged in.
Kasim’s mother, who had died before his marriage, had been a curvy woman. She’d been what society would refer to as a BBW. Curves were one of the attributes Kasim looked for in a woman. He believed his mom had been able to handle all that she had because she had had enough weight on her to cope with anything that came her way. Of course, she had also had the determination to strive for greatness, no matter the odds. After all, she had given birth to six children, had worked a full-time job, and had cared for Kasim, his siblings, and his dad as if God had granted her extra hours in the day in order for her to be what she needed to be to for herself and her family. Standards that Kasim had judged women by when the time came for him to find a mate.
Finding a woman who he knew, without a shadow of a doubt, his mother would have approved of, or who shared some of her same qualities, had been impossible. Kasim and Zoya had made it down the aisle due to the fact that she had met his dad prior to his passing, and his dad had given her his stamp of approval. When he had brought her to meet his father, Kasim had been unsure about Zoya, because he’d felt something was missing. Kasim had shrugged the feeling off, though he’d been disappointed that Zoya hadn’t gotten a chance to meet his mom. Kasim’s parents, Adebowale and Ogunya Oringo, had both suffered from HIV/AIDS. Ogunya, Kasim’s mom, had contracted the virus when she was raped at the age of twelve. Adebowale, his father, believed he had contracted it from his wife. By the grace of God, the virus hadn’t been passed down to Kasim and his siblings.
He hadn’t ever met a woman that he felt was truly like his mom until he met Eboneé. Her voluptuousness and stature made him do a double take when he first caught sight of her. That was a dead giveaway. However, Eboneé’s attentiveness to each person that attended her networking event caused him to stop what he was doing. Eboneé conducted herself with professionalism and finesse, greeting and showing hospitality to each and every person that had come through the door, all while cradling a seven-month-old infant to her body. She included the child in order to make her attendees feel comfortable. Especially the working parents. This was similar to what Kasim had witnessed his mom do while cooking, cleaning, and entertaining guests.
The icing on the cake for him was the deep indention near the corner of Eboneé’s mouth, which was noticeable each and every time she cracked a smile. And the dimple on her right cheek matched his mom’s. Kasim was instantly in awe with Eboneé. Her scrumptiousness and beauty caused his heart to skip a few beats. He knew at that moment, she was his, and that the dimple was a sign from his mom that she was the one.
* * *
Noticing that Eboneé fingers were clenched, her nails were digging into her palms, and she was rocking on her heels, Kasim knew she was as nervous as he was. He was suffering from his own bout of butterflies in his stomach. Which was a first for him. Kasim hadn’t ever had a problem when it came to the ladies. He was what you’d call a lady’s man. He knew what to say and when to say it, and he knew how to leave a lasting impression. Eboneé was different. Everything about her epitomized everything he’d envisioned in a woman, and he recognized all those characteristics in her the moment he gazed into her honey-colored eyes. Despite him being on edge, Kasim’s head buzzed with possibilities as they left the restaurant and made their way to the secret place where they would have dinner.
“This way, my lady.” He held out his hand, and she took it, and then he led her to the elevator. They took it up to rooftop of the hotel.
Eboneé was blown completely away by the view that welcomed them on the rooftop patio. As she stood at the railing and looked out at the cityscape, she admired the shades of pink, orange, blue, and purple that streaked across the sky as the sun descended toward the horizon. The sweeping view of Upper Manhattan took her breath away. Finally, she turned and admired the European-style garden area, a cozy area for two, the walkway to which was adorned with tea-light candles. So too was the stone fireplace. In the middle of the garden was a large burnt-orange sofa covered in oversize throw pillows. It was a scene from the perfect love story, and Eboneé felt swept off her feet in that moment.
“This is absolutely amazing! I would never want to come down from here,” Eboneé gushed as she took in everything that was in front of her and around her.
“I spend a lot of time up here. My position at this establishment comes with a few perks. This happens to be one them. Yes, it cost me a pretty penny, but I couldn’t resist. A sublime location, a bastion of tranquility to ease my mind. My place of Zen, as some would call it.” He picked up a glass of Chardonnay from a tray on the coffee table and took a sip before continuing. You know, you’re the first person that’s had the pleasure of joining me here.”
“The first person? This is a hotel. How is that possible?”
“This area is separated from the area where patrons gather and party. If you look to the left, you’ll see the wall separating my area from the rooftop party area.”
“That just makes it even better. I think I am in love.”
“I didn’t think it’d be that easy, but then again, I think I fell in love the moment I laid my eyes on you.”
“You’re so silly. You know I am talking about being up here.” Her brow rose.
“Wishful thinking on my part, but I knew what you were referring to,” he said, then chuckled.
