Stacy was always one to take things with stride, depending on the situation. But unlike before, this was her territory and she was solely in control.

"Please, have a seat," Stacy commanded before turning to Tasha. "T, I got it from here."

"Cool, I'm heading to Chipotle for lunch. You want anything?"

"My usual, please."

"Gotcha," Tasha began to make her exit. "Good luck, Prince."

Prince cleared his throat, "Umm, thank you." With that Tasha was gone with the wind, Stacy strolled around the large desk.

Prince watched the sway of her hips in her acid washed jeans. Oh, the things he'd love to do to her once again. Quickly, he rid his head of those filthy thoughts.

"So, Tasha's spoken highly of you," she began, before taking her seat and crossing her legs. "She even told me what you hope to do in the future."

He stared at her perplexed. She was really speaking to him as if that night hadn't occurred.

"Uh," he awkwardly cleared his throat. "Yea, I'm currently working as a producer and engineer. I'd love to eventually create my own label."

"So you applied here to do what exactly?"

"Learn," he explained. "See what it's like behind the scenes."

"You want to use this job to your advantage--"

Prince shook his head vigorously. "No–no, not in the way you're implying."

"What do you think I'm implying, Roger?" Prince opened his mouth to speak, but fell short once he realized what she called him. "I'm only fuckin' with you," she joked. "Relax," she encouraged.

"It's not exactly easy," he sighed.

Stacy rolled her eyes in agreement, "Don't I know it, but trust me you have it a lot easier than you think."

Prince nodded, although he didn't quite understand exactly what she meant. "I hope it's not too forward to say this but–"

"Don't," she stressed. "Just please, don't." Stacy sat back in her chair, rubbing her index finger across her lips. "So, why come here?"

"Well, the artist your label has housed, they're phenomenal. Every single, every album...the whole shabang has been so spot on. I want to be apart of that, see how the magic happens." He explained enthusiastically. "Just seeing what's being released makes me realize that you actually do pay attention. You truly care. It's not all about the money."

"Well, that's nice of you. Nice that you've noticed that," she blushed. "Believe it or not, I sit in on almost everything done here. Even if it's just 5 minutes, I gotta hear the sound."

"Never heard that from a CEO before..."

"Well, I'd be a shitty one if I didn't," she laughed. "I take pride in what we create here. I feel like if they know I'm gonna pop in, they'll always be creating something of value. Get me?" She reached into the jar of gummy bears that occupied the corner of the desk. "Now, don't get me wrong, I love to hear some ratchet tunes every now and then," she giggled before tossing a bear into her mouth.

Prince chuckled along with her, "Don't we all?"

She fell back into her seat again, the laughter dying. "Now, it's time for the big question. Why should I hire you?" She swayed side to side popping another gummy bear in her mouth.

"Well...I think I'd be of great assistance. In every way," he let his words linger before continuing. I'm reliable and—"

"Blah, blah, blah," she cut in. "Sell me! Why do I need you? What makes you different!?"

"Honestly, I don't know. All I can tell you is that you won't regret it."

"That's all you got?"

Prince threw up his hands. "I–I...yeah. I guess so. I'm sorry, I just–"

"I know..." Stacy leaned on the desk, her fingers intertwining right below her chin.

That's when he noticed it. The piece of jewelry resting on that most significant finger.

"If you really want this job, remember that nothing happened between us." She watched as Prince visibly gulped. "Do you copy?"

"Yeah," he barely whispered. "Yeah, I copy."

"Good," she leaned back in her chair. "I want to at least be fair and give you a chance. Be here tomorrow. 9am sharp. No suit is required," she eyed him. "Be yourself," she encouraged. "I'll have Tasha email you everything you need to know."

"Thank you," he smiled, grabbing her hand to shake. "Really, thank you."

She shrugged, slowly pulling away, "It's nothing. I'm not gonna stop you for going after something you want. If you wanna learn this business, I'm more than willing to show you."

Prince stood to make his exit. Slowly, stepping back to the door.

"Prince," she sighed. "Please, don't make me regret this."

"I won't," he vowed. "I promise."

_______________________

Stacy dropped her head on the desk. Dropping it repeatedly against the piece of furniture. "What the fuuuuuuuuuck?!"

Tasha swept into the room carrying a large bag. "The hell is wrong with you?" Stacy continued to knock her head against the desk repeatedly. "Well, alright then. How'd everything go with that handsome dwarf."

Stacy looked up at Tasha, before knocking her head against the table once more.

"That bad?" Tasha asked, placing the food on the desk. Getting everything in place, she sat across from her.

Smelling the food, Stacy lifted her head, and grabbed a fork. She scooped up the chicken and sofitas mixed burrito bowl, she stuffed her mouth.

"Feel better," Tasha laughed.

Stacy nodded vigorously, "Much better."

"So," Tasha started, "Was it really that bad?"

"I hired him," she mumbled with her full mouth.

Tasha's eyes widened. "Really? So the fuck you trippin' for? James? I told you already, fuck him! Bitch, you need an assistant! I'm bout to go on my vacation! I'M! NOT! STAYING! FOR! NOBODY! Do you hear me?!"

"I hear your, T," Stacy sighed, dropping her utensil. "Remember that night at the Blue Note," she rolled her eyes. "The day you fuckin left me?"

"Oh, yeah," she laughed. "My bad," she mumbled, before returning to her food.

"Mhm," she scold, twirling he folk in the burrito bowl. "Well, I went home with someone that night..."

Tasha looked up from her food, "What?"

"I went home with someone..."

Tasha dropped her fork, giving her full undivided attention. "Wait, what? With who? Was it the guy you were dancing with? I caught a glimpse of that, but we left right after. That dude had you moving."

"Yea," Stacy bit her lip. "We danced for a long while, then he told me all this shit. Just sweet talking..." she sighed thinking of that night. "He was so smooth, T. Before I knew it, I was following him to his place."

Tasha sat with her mouth ajar...

"That man put it down, T. Then when I tried to leave he insisted I stay. Then he put it down again until I knocked out."

"Bitch....you cheated and didn't fuckin' tell me," slowly Tasha grinned, "Bout damn time!"

"T!"

"What?! That so called husband of yours ain't doing shit. I'm surprised you waited so long."

"T," Stacy repeated. "That man I went home with was Prince..."

Tasha's brows furrowed, "What?"

"Prince. Well, he told me his name was Roger that night..." she repeated.

"And you hired him," Tasha pondered. "Why?"

"He has a dream. I'm not gonna let what happened derail that. I can teach him about this business while he's working for me, then when I think he's learned all he needs to, I'll cut him loose."

"Stacy," Tasha began, before shaking her head. "You know what? Just be careful, iight. He didn't want you to have a male assistant to begin with. You get one anyway and it's someone you fucked. Girl," Tasha popped her lips.

"I got this, T."

"I know you do," she nodded. "You always do. You ain't stupid," Tasha sat back in her seat, "Can I ask you one thing though?"

"What?"

"How was he?" Tasha blurted.

"Girl," Stacy sighed, reminiscing. "He was incredible..."

"And it was only once?"

Stacy reluctantly nodded. "Yeah. I can't lie, I should have taken him up on his offer though. James hasn't touched me in months."

"Wait, what? What offer?" Tasha quizzed. "And you already know how I feel about that fool."

"Don't remind me," Stacy sighed.

"Now, tell me about this offer...."

"Well," she began, "Before we started the second half of our shenanigans, he asked to see me again. He said he wanted to be the one to fuck me whenever we were in the mood."

Tasha's eyes widened. "And yo dumbass said no..."

"T..." she frowned.

"Girl, that man is fine as all hell. Short then a motherfucker but still fine as shit. I would've said yes in a heartbeat. You know James is—

"T," Stacy's frown deepened. "You don't know that."

"I don't?! Well YOU sure as hell do!"

"T, please..." she begged. Tasha smacked her lips, before rolling her eyes. "Thanks, I know it's hard for you to shut the fuck up sometimes," she laughed.

Tasha jar fell ajar in shock.
_________________

It was going on 11pm as Stacy sat in bed reading over documents. The words, slowly becoming a complete blur as she grew drowsy. "Oh, fuck..." She dropped the documents in front of her, racking her brain.

The sound of the main door closing, grabbed her attention. She focused on the doorway waiting for him to appear.

In his tailored black suit, he strolled into the bedroom. "Hey baby," he kissed the top of her head. "Working hard?"

"I guess you could say that," she sighed glancing over the documents. "This contact is just–ugh. I'm trying to be fair here, but I don't know..."

"Shit, do what you gotta do baby." He shrugged out of his blazer.

"I'm trying," she groaned. "How's work? Anything exciting happen?"

"No, the hospital is just the hospital," he chuckled. "Same thing, different day."

Stacy watched has he removed his tie, replacing it with a new one. He slipped on a different blazer as well. "Where are you going?"

"Out with colleagues. Quick round of drinks..."

"But–but you just got here, James," she whined, rushing out of bed to hug him from behind.

James turned in her arms. "C'mon, I won't be gone too long."

"I haven't seen you all day and when I do it's for ten minutes..."

James cupped her chin, eyeing her lips. "But I'm coming back home to you right? I'm still here to cuddle up at night."

"Yeah," she sighed, shrinking in front of him.

James gave her a gentle kiss. "I'll be back before you know it baby..."

He slowly pulled away, leaving her by her lonesome, before walking out the bedroom. "Right," she whispered.
_________________

Nervous.

That's how he felt as the elevator rose to the top floor. The once occupied desk, greeted him, now vacant. He strolled over to it, noticing a note on top. He sat down his bag, then began to read.

Prince,
She won't be in until about 9:30-10. She likes a cup of caramel flavored coffee with cream in the morning. Go to Dunkin Donuts downstairs. Maybe it'll help her take it easy on you.

Everything else you need to know today is in the email, but still here's a friendly reminder. There's a meeting today at noon with an artist.

Best of Luck,
Tasha

Prince tucked the note in the desk drawer before placing all his things inside, attempting to settle in.

Checking his watch, he read the time 9:08am. He made his way downstairs to the coffee shop. "Caramel coffee with cream," he reminded himself aloud.

Within fifteen minutes, he stood at the elevator door, waiting for its arrival. He glanced at his watch, 9:22am. "Shit," he scold himself.

The sudden ding of its arrival, caused him to sigh in relief. Yet, the moment those doors opened, his eyes widened.

There she was in a a blue blouse, a black pair of skinny jeans, with black heels to match.

He was staring so long that the doors began to close, but reopened with her quick action to press the open doors button. "Thanks," Prince mumbled, taking his place next to her.

"No problem."

Prince stood nervously, before he realized his bad manners. "Good morning, by the way," he smirked, peering down at the coffees before handing her one. "For you."

"Thank you," she smiled, retrieving the cup. She took a little sip. "Caramel," she hummed. "Tasha told you, huh?"

"Maybe," he smiled.

Reaching their floor, she headed to her office, leaving him by the desk. "Be in my office in 5. Meetings been pushed up a bit," she informed. "I need you to take notes."

Prince casual watched her as she disappeared behind those doors. "Yes, ma'am."