Chp. 16

Disclaimer

Ok, I'm here. Almost a year later, literally. Omgoodness. So sorry, extra long chapter for today. I promise, so sorry loves. So sorry.

The woman arrived at a tall glass building that was brightly lit. Parking her car on the side street she got out and crossed the street to a smaller building that did not shine as bright. Getting into the building the woman opened and closed the door to silence. Putting her purse on the desk to the right she continued to walk until she arrived at a closed door. After a quick knock, she entered the not brightly lit office. Despite its small size, the office was spotless. She knew how many cases her boss took over and was surprised that none of it spilled onto his floor or desk.

"What do you have for me, Katlyn?"

She turned her attention to her boss who was reading over a file. He never looked up unless something truly interested him.

"I have the photos that you want,"

He looked up, making Katlyn smirk on the inside. She handed him her phone when he extended his hand. Facilier scrolled through the photos for awhile, his expression saying nothing.

"So, they plan on getting back together," He mumbled to himself as he got to the last photo.

"From the looks of it, it seems they already have,"

"A picture is worth a thousand words," Facilier quoted. "But it means nothing if there is something that can drive them apart," He handed her back her phone.

"Is there something that can drive them apart? From what Ive heard in their therapy sessions everything that could've broken up their marriage has been resolved."

"Not everything," Facilier said cryptically. He looked out his window that showed him the open almost empty street. "Not everything,"

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"Hello, Miss. Did you help with something?"

Tiana turned to the sales attendant who had a helpful smile.

"Uh, yes actually," She turned to the shelf that held ukuleles. "Do you have any of these in black?"

"Um, well, I can check if we have some in the back," The sales attendant offered as she scoured the shelf and unable to find what Tiana was looking for.

"That would be great, thank you very much," Tiana nodded happily. She went back to looking at the shelves when the attendant left., The store was close to empty despite it being close to the end of the afternoon.

"A very interesting selection they have here isn't it?" Someone from Tianas left inquired.

Tiana was not aware of there presence until they spoke, making her jump.

"Oh yes," She felt her phone vibrant. "Yes it is," She smiled at her phone at the message that Naveen sent.

"Someone very important must be talking to you, for you to smile like that." The man observed.

"Oh sorry," Tiana pocketed her phone. She got a better look at the man and found him a little odd. He was very tall and had on an unassuming suit. "Uh, yeah, he is pretty important to me," Tiana admitted.

"Here you are ma'am," The sales attendant came back and handed Tiana the box.

"Thank you."

"Is there anything else?"

"No, this will be good thank you very much,"

"Of course, my pleasure. Is there something you needed, sir?" She turned her attention to the small man next to Tiana.

"Oh, no, thank you. I'm just browsing." He gestured to the shelf in front of him.

The sales attendant gave a smile and a nod then left the two.

"So, is that for your important someone?"

"His brother actually," Tiana corrected as she took a picture of the ukulele then sent it to Naveen.

"I see, well he is sure to love it,"

"Thank you," She began to walk past him.

"I'm sure Naveen will love it as well."

Tiana stopped her typing and looked at the man.

"I'm glad that your marriage has avoided the rocks but I have a question for you,"

"No comment," Tiana automatically said. Now she knew why this man threw her off, he was press. She went to walk past him again but he was relentless.

"Tell me, Tiana does Naveen know everything about your time spent at home, alone?"

"No comment," She repeated as she walked on, he followed behind.

"He is bound to find out, especially if you don't tell him soon. It could even break your marriage, after you've tried so hard to keep it together,"

"No comment" She said again and walked ahead until she got the cashier. "Please help, I don't know this man," She whispered to the cashier.

"What man, Miss?"

Tiana looked behind her and found that he was gone.

"He was," Tiana looked over the head of the people behind her. "N-never mind," She shook her head.

"Ok," They rung up the instrument. "Would you like a bag?"

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"Yes that is me, thank you," Naveen reached over the counter to grab the pizza box.

"Prince Naveen, don't you have servants to this for you?" The manager handing him the box asked.

"I do, but I'm already out and don't see the fuss,"

"Really? I remember reading somewhere that you made one of your butlers go to Italy for an espresso," The old man said.

"Aha," Naveen shook his head as he put down the pizza. "Yes, I was selfish then," He looked up at the manager. "But, I'm hoping to turn over a new leaf,"

'Even though that happened a year ago.' He thought as he put a tip in the glass jar on top of the counter.

"Have a good day your Highness," The manager waved, Naveen returned the wave as he left the restaurant.

As he got to the car he felt his phone vibrate. Putting the box in the passenger seat he took it out. He smiled as he looked at the message that Tiana sent him and replied. Before he could put his phone away another message showed up on his phone by an unknown number. Wrinkling his eyebrows he opened it.

The message held no text but an image of him and a woman very close to each other in a dark club.

Who is this?

Naveen sent the message then went to the driver side of the car. As he sat down his phone went off. Even after he opened the message several pictures followed after. Each one a bit more compromising than the next. However, several of these pictures were of several years before he met Tiana.

Nice try.

He texted back. Tiana knew about his past and did not dwell on it. He held nothing back from her. His phone vibrated again.

But do you know about hers?

The picture sent was of Tiana sitting across from a man, a meal in front of the two of them. Her hand was on her chin and her eyes were completely focused on him. He looked at her with the same attention. He could not tell if the photo was recent.

Taking a calming breath Naveen sent the message and photo to his security team.

Find out who this is, and get rid of them.

After that he blocked the number and deleted the photos at the same time. He would not allow this to break up what he and Tiana worked so hard to achieve. Sighing he placed his head on the head rest and closed his eyes. Rain started to pattered onto his car windshield. His phone vibrated in his hand. Looking at it, he saw that it was Tiana. Forgetting about the picture for a moment he answered her text then put his car in gear.

'We're going to be okay,' He assured himself as he pulled out of his parking space.

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When Tiana made it home, rain was pouring down and she was soaked. She usually remembered to bring an umbrella or have one in her car, just in case, but today she not at the top of her game. Sneezing once, Tiana started to peel off her soaked jacket and put her purse onto the chair.

"Aaaaaaaaah." She groaned as she felt the cold begin to seep into her body. Looking into her purse she pulled out a ponytail holder than put her hair into a low ponytail then walked to her room, taking her shoes off as she went. She was dragging the bag that held Ralphie's gift behind her. As she got to her room she put the gift onto her bed and picked up the towel that was on it. She went to her bathroom and got ready to take a shower.

"Tiana?" Naveen came into the house, holding the pizza in one hand, his keys in the other and his umbrella in the croak of his arm. "Tiana," He called again. He went to the kitchen and put the pizza onto the counter. Opening the box he looked at the pie and tooled a slice. Hearing a vibrating he went to the dining room table. Hearing it come from the chair he looked into Tianas purse. Taking a bite of pizza he put his hand into her purse and pulled out her phone. It was Ray.

"Tiana," He said but his mouth was full. Hearing the shower he quickly walked to her room with her phone in hand. The vibrating was becoming fainter.

"Tiana," He called, as he went into the bathroom.

"Yeah?" She answered, getting ready to turn off the shower.

"Your cousin is calling you," He stuck his hand in the shower.

"What the hell, Nave-then answer it or let it go to voicemail." She suggested as she turned off the shower.

"Alright, hello?" Naveen answered the phone and took a bite of the pizza.

"Naveen, out," Tiana looked out from the curtain to see Naveen who was leaning on the sink, still eating his pizza.

"What?" He shrugged. "He cant see you. Yeah, Ray she'll be right with you, she's in the shower,"

"Oh my gosh Naveen can you just pass me the towel?"

Naveen put Ray on speaker then reached for the towel that was on the rack in front of him and handed Tiana the towel.

"Thank you," She wrapped it around her then stepped out. "Where's my phone?"

"Hello?" Rays voice echoed through the tiny space.

Naveen reached over to the counter and handed it to her then walked out.

"Hey Ray," Tiana took the phone off speaker and walked into her room. Naveen was sitting on her bed eating his pizza and was on his phone.

"Hey Tiana, so about the apartment,"

"Mhm," Tiana looked into her dresser drawers and rummaged for clothes.

"It might not be on the table tomorrow, she said that someone put in a bid."

"Already? Wow," Tiana put her clothes onto the top of the dresser.

"Yes, well it is practicality the perfect place for someone in your situation, Tiana you got to give me something to tell her,"

Tiana sighed and hung her head, pulling the phone away from her ear. She did not know, right now she did not know.

"Tell her, if she could hold out till Saturday Ill have an answer then,"

"Tiana," Ray said warningly.

"I know, I know. Just, Saturday, please."

She heard Ray sigh on the other side, but he relented. She thanked him a lot before she hung up. Putting her phone down she knocked her head on the dresser.

"So, what's Saturday?" Naveen asked from her bed as he finished his pizza. He locked his phone and put it in his pocket.

"I," Tiana stopped. She did not want to tell him but she did anyway. "I put a bid on an apartment." She said as she put her shirt on over her towel.

"And you have till Saturday for your final offer?" He asked, getting up from the bed.

"Yeah," She put her sweats on underneath the towel. She pulled the towel out from under her and went to throw it on the bed but Naveen was behind her. She lowered the towel.

"Anything I can do to change your mind?" He put her hands around her waist and leaned his forehead on hers.

"Mmm," Tiana hummed as she closed her eyes. "I don't know," She admitted. At that moment her stomach began to grumble. "But, I do know that I'm hungry," She chuckled as she moved her head from his.

"So, you're saying that if I feed you, you'll consider staying?" Naveen shook his head and looked her in the eyes.

"We're you not going to feed me?" Tiana laughed, throwing her around him aiming for the bed but it ended up on the floor. Naveen offered her his arm, to which she took.

"Well, I had a slice and I don't think I want to share,"

They made it to the kitchen and Tiana reached for the box but Naveen made it there first. He grabbed it and held it over his head.

"Naveen, gimme," She reached over her head but he leaned further away. Putting her arm down she poked his stomach making him flinch forward. She quickly reached overhead and took the box.

"Cheap trick," He mumbled.

"Yes," Tiana laughed and stood up on her tiptoes in order to reach his lips. Chuckling he met her half way.

"Ready for our date?" He asked as he held her close.

"Yes I am," She smiled.

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So..uh hey? It's been awhile. Almost a year but I am back so...yay. Again I am so sorry and yes it is back to every Saturday. It's just posted on a Monday because that is when I finished this chapter. So, love you. See you Saturday.