The Bet

Darrelle's POV

"And you think I don't know that,"

"I'm just saying man, she should've gotten another night," Jason replied jogging beside me.

"Well you ain't got to worry about that you're married," I replied.

"Yes but our job is to live through you," he fired back and I chuckled as we began to walk, grabbing my towel from the back pocket of my shorts wiping my face.

"I think you guys are forgetting that it's my dick, so I get the pleasure of deciding if I want to fuck Trina today and Stephanie tomorrow, "

"I know your mother raised you better," Jason said as we walked to the truck.

"I agree with the man," Andre said siding with me.

"Of course you would you're both hoes," Jason pointed out I laughed stopping at the truck.

"The usual," I said handing the man the money, he nodded walking deeper into the truck.

"Don't your dick hurt," Jason joked making me laugh, I grabbed our drinks handing them out as we walked to our usual seats.

"I think you are incapable of having a serious relationship," he said once we sat down.

"And you're right,"

"You're something else man,"

"I just think that relationships are a waste of time,"

"How can you know if you've never been in one,"

"I have,"

"High school and University don't count,"

"Alright so maybe it's been a while," I laughed he chuckled.

"I bet you can't date a girl for more than a month,"

"I can but I don't see what I would gain out of being with the same girl for a month," I said chuckling.

"You can't,"

"Wanna bet on that?" I asked leaning back in the chair.

"Alright, if you and your dick can be in a relationship with one woman, no side hoes just fucking, talking, dating doing everything with one woman; I will set you up with the Preston deal,"

"You serious?" I asked knowing that deal was worth more than every deal I made for the last two years and would probably give me the big break I needed as an architect.

"Yeah, I'm serious,"

"And what do you get out of this?" I asked curiously.

"I get to see my best friend happy an-"

"But your best friend is happy right now,"

"No he is okay he doesn't know what happiness is,"

"And being married is happiness,"

"Are we making the bet or not?" He asked.

"We are," I replied chuckling, I looked over to Andre who was shaking his head in disapproval.

"I raised you better,"

"You made him a hoe, " Jason said laughing.

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I knocked on the door checking my watch knowing we were already late for the club opening tonight, the door opened to reveal my little sister Tiana. She has been married to my best friend Jason for six years now, I'm still adjusting to the idea of them being together.

"Hey," I greeted leaning forward kissing her cheek.

"Is he ready?" I asked referring to Jason.

"Yeah, he's supposed to be coming down," she replied looking behind her.

"Where are the kids?"

"At a sleepover, do you want to come in?"

"No need I'm here," I heard Jason say and Tiana turned around as he walked to the entrance.

"I'll be home by eleven," he said kissing her lips quickly, pulling away his settling eyes on her and she shot him a look making him smile.

"Fine then," he chuckled kissing her forehead.

"Tiana he needs his balls tonight," I told her, he pushed me softly leaning forward kissing her knowing that I hated the sight. I groaned walking away.

After a couple of minutes we arrived at the club, I handed my keys to the valet as we walked inside. We immediately saw Andre and walked over to him.

"You two are always fucking late," Andre pointed out sipping his champagne.

"I'm shocked that your fiance let you out alone," I replied laughing knowing he had been on a leash the last couple of days. I grabbed two glasses off a moving tray, handing one to Jason.

"She knew that Jason would be here,"

"What about me?"

"No she thinks you're slut," he said making Jason laugh.

"How do you guys live without your balls?"

"Fuck off man," Andre laughed along with Jason.

"So how is the bet going?" Andre asked smiling.

"Haven't started,"

"Well since you haven't started I want to add something to it," Andre said.

"What?" I asked curiously.

"Twenty days no sex," he replied.

"I'm not doing that shit,"

"I like it," Jason said laughing

"Just because you guys aren't getting none doesn't mean I should suffer,"

"He's not getting none because he is on probation but I'm gett-," Jason started but I cut him off not wanting the image in my head.

"Remember you're with my sister man," I said he chuckled finishing his drink.

"And I think what he is saying is a good idea,"

"Man, that-"

"You shouldn't have been talking all that shit,"

"Alright," I said thinking about the Preston deal.

"So who you gonna date for the month?" He asked.

"I don't know, "

"So why don't you date one of the girls you've already been with?" Andre asked.

"No if I'm waiting twenty days for sex it can't be the same girl," I said sipping my drink scanning the room.

"What about her?" Andre asked.

"Who?" I asked he motioned to a group of women specifically the one sitting down, I couldn't really see her because of the dim lights and the group of friends she had around her.

"No,"

"Why not?" Jason asked I took another sip before saying.

"She is sitting with her friends,"

"And?" Andre asked.

"Her friends are drunk,"

"And?" Jason asked confused.

"She is the only one with a beer and look at how she continuously checks her phone every five seconds,"

"And?"

"The beer isn't strong which means she is the designated driver her friends are drunk which means she has to leave soon, and the phone just shows that she would rather be anywhere but here like she has much more important things to do. Which lets me know she probably won't give me the time of day because I'm not the most important thing in her life right now,"

"She is the one, she is the one you got to date," Jason said chuckling I watched as she got up leaving the crowd, I thought about it for a split second before saying.

"Alright, I see you're trying to make this as hard as you can for me"

"You're going over there," Jason said I finished my drink before walking away.

"Darrelle," I heard a voice say I turned around to be greeted by Alicia.

"Hey what's up?" I asked glancing at where I was supposed to be going before turning back to her as she placed her hand on my chest.

"I'm good," She replied biting her lip.

"I'm kinda busy right now but I'll call you when I can," I told her she leaned forward kissing me softly before walking away I chuckled turning around I scanned the room for a couple of seconds before spotting her, she walked over to the bar and I quickly made my way there.

"Another round Paul and a water, room temperature," she said he smiled nodding before walking off. She was in a knee-length black dress that complemented her dark skin beautifully almost as much as it did her curves.

"This isn't your scene is it?" I asked moving to stand beside her. She looked up scanning me before asking.

"Why do you say that?" She looked familiar but I couldn't quite put my finger on where I've seen her before.

You probably already slept with her

My conscience said and I pushed it off.

"You just ordered water from a bar,"

"How do even know it's for me?"

"Lucky guess" I replied and she laughed looking over to the bartender before turning back to me.

"So you were watching me?"

"Watching is such a bad way to word it, let's say supervising,"

"Young men's love then lies Not truly in their hearts, but in their eyes," she said softly.

"Shakespeare," I said she looked back to her group of friends before turning to me looking slightly uninterested. It was quite odd hearing a woman at a bar quote Shakespeare in the middle of a conversation.

"She has been watching you," she said

"Who?" I asked confused looking over to her friends wondering if I slept with one of them as the bartender placed her order on the counter.

"The girl you stopped to talk to before you came over here," I looked behind me, my eyes immediately locking with Alicia's before turning back to her.

"You weren't the only one supervising," she said picking up the tray walking off I chuckled watching her, intrigued and slightly turned on. I smiled knowing this was going to be a challenge. I felt a hand on my back, I turned to see Jason with an amused look on his face.

"That's Nia Graham," he said and everything clicked into place.

"She is the one," he added as Andre began ordering for us.

"Of course you would say that," I said glancing over to her, knowing this was definitely not going to be easy.

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Three days later

Darrelle's POV

"So what are you planning to do?" Tiana asked as I held the door open for her she stepped in saying a small thank you.

"I'm probably going to have to get someone else on the project with me you know to go to the constant meetings that he keeps on requesting, since I'm also working with Mr Bryers who is just as demanding, " I replied as we both walked to the counter.

"Good morning Franklin,"

"Tiana," he said smiling." What can I get you today? "

"The usual and a strawberry fruit smoothie for my brother, "

"Alright have a seat and I'll get someone to bring it to you when it's ready, "

"Thanks Frank, " she said leading me to a table.

"Why don't you just get your assistant to do it?" She asked reffering to our earlier conversation.

"Because I fired her,"

"Why?"

"She wasn't able to keep up, so I had to let her go, "

"So you're gonna have to find a new assistant sometime during this week?"

"Yeah,"

"Why don't you hire Dantae since he's coming in tomorrow?" She asked sipping her coffee.

"Just give him the job until you find a new assistant," she added probably from seeing the reluctant look on my face.

"Alright I'll give him the job," I agreed as my phone buzzed I reached into my jacket taking it out groaning as I read the message.

"What?" She asked as someone walked over placing our order before us Tiana smiled saying thank you.

"Mr Bryers he wants to add something else to the house," she giggled opening her straw.

"Do you mind if we cut this short and meet for lunch?" I asked.

"Not at all,"

"Thank you T, " I said getting up kissing her cheek, I grabbed my smoothie standing straight. As I began walking to the door, my eyes met a fimiliar face I smiled walking over to the her.

"Shakespeare," I greeted amused gaining her attention, she looked at me for a second before realization flashed in her eyes.

"Is this going to be constant thing?" She asked looking at her watch as if she had somewhere else to be.

"Until you give me your number," I told her as Franklin handed her the drink, she reached into her pocket ignoring me.

"I got you," Franklin said flashing her smile she returned it.

"Thanks Frank, I'll see you tomorrow," she replied picking up her drink walking away, I chuckled.

My phone began ringing and I answered it quickly knowing it was work.

"I'm on the highway coming now," I told my supervisor I heard Franklin laugh and I smiled walking away.

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One day later

I ended the call with my sister saying goodbye as the doors to the elevator opened and I began to walk to my office.

"Hey Darrelle your brother is in your office waiting,"

"Thanks," I said opening my office door looking at my little brother I closed door as he stood up.

"Hey," he greeted smiling, pulling me into a hug which I returned before pulling away to sit at my desk.

"Thanks for the job, I know you are very hesitant when it comes to family and work, "

"No problem and it's only temporary, Tiana and I will help you get a job, a permanent one, once you get settled, "

"Speaking of that, do you mind if I stay with you for a couple weeks my apartment won't be ready until then, "

"How long are we talking? " I asked loving my personal space.

"Three to four weeks, please man I know I'm asking alot but you know I wouldn't ask if it I didn't have to," I thought about it for a couple seconds before saying.

"Alright but after a month your out, you understand me,"

"Of course I do, thank you,"

"Go to Stephanie and she will show you your office, she is the third desk on your left," I said pointing to the door as I looked through the paperwork on my desk.

"I don't really have much for you to do today just some emails I need sorted and a list of things you need to know is on the laptop in your office; like rooms, how I like my coffee, client details, etc " I told him

"Alright, thanks man" he smiled leaving my office. I sighed getting up walking over to the fridge in my office. I grabbed a beer opening it taking a sip as I sat down in my chair. I turned on some music relaxing, feeling as if I needed a break.

It was only a couple minutes that had passed when Dantae walked in.

"You have a meeting with NCC in twenty minutes," he said reminding me, I stood up looking at my watch.

"Next time tell me when I have more time I like to be early for my meetings, especially important ones like this," I said grabbing my laptop, camera and drone putting them in my knapsack before grabbing my keys going to my car. After only twenty minutes I was a NCC I got out stepping inside.

"Mr. Williams your meeting is on the 70th floor," the receptionist informed me the moment I stepped in front her desk I nodded walking to the elevator tapping the 70th floor. NCC was one of the largest company's owning half the businesses in the country. The doors opened into the office which was very modern the white against the walls complemented the furniture perfectly I scanned the office looking for the owner but came up unsuccessful as I walked towards the desk.

"Tevin Graham," I heard a male voice say. I looked to my right to see a man walking over to me.

"Darrelle Williams," I replied shaking his hand.

"You're very good at your job," he added walking to the small bar in his office.

"Thank you,"

"So I'm looking to build a community centre on Fair Street, and a new house for my sister"

"Neat or on rocks," he asked me referring to liquor.

"Neat,"

"I respect that," he said pouring me a glass.

"Okay I need to get a look at the area before we start discussing designs,"

"No problem," he said handing me my glass taking a sip of his own.

"Just know I need them by next," he added.

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Two week later

I pointed to the left instructing him where to place the extra equipment. I've been here every single day since Tevin conformed the plans two days ago, I wanted to make sure everything ran smoothly not wanting to get on his bad side that's if I'm not on it already, I wasn't exactly sure.

I walked over to Jason and Andre who I had do all my projects since they owned their own construction company.

"How is Nia?" Jason asked me amused, Andre laughed handing me a cold beer, I grabbed my shirt from my back pocket wipping my face before placing it on the table taking the beer.

"How does it feel to be ignored and put to the side?" Jason asked chuckling as opened my beer taking a gulp loving the cool sensation it left on the way down.

"I love how much you guys are enjoying this, it's like you planned for me to fail,"

"Well we don't want to take all the credit, you deserve some too" Jason said laughing.

"Why?" I asked taking another swig of my beer.

"After that little session of you analyzing her at the club I realized her personality was pretty close to someone I know," Jason said motioning to me with his beer, I thought it over realizing that he was mostly right.

"Well if Nia is so much like me why haven't I fucked her yet?" I asked irritated instead of answering they both just laughed I shook my head watching the men that were working before me.

"Good afternoon," A fimiliar voice said. I turned around facing her, wondering if she heard us but by the look on her face I could tell she didn't.

"What do I owe the pleasure?" I asked smiling as Jason and Andre walked away after greeting her.

"I'm only here because of him," she replied swiping through her phone motioning to Tevin who was now walking towards us before looking up at me.

"Husband?" I asked and she cringed pushing back her hair over her shoulder.

"Brother," she corrected.

"Darrelle," Tevin said walking towards us.

"Tev I have to go I've got plans with Trish, but my assistant is right over there and will sort it out before I get back to you" she said putting away her phone.

"How is she?" He asked his voice laced with what sounded like, sadness.

"As much as I love you brother it's not your business anymore," she said kissing his cheek walking away. I couldn't help but look at her ass as she left. I felt a hand hit my shoulder I looked up to see Tevin glaring at me.

"I'm sorry man but your si-"

"I know what my sister is but keep your eyes on her face,"

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Darrelle's POV

"Yes Mr Bryers," I repeated for the third time in the last minute, driving along the highway.

"Did you make the renovations on the outside?"

"Yes, they were made my assistant will be coming by later,"

"Can you come by?"

"Not today I have a meeting in an hour," I told him as I looked ahead to side of the road spotting a fimiliar face. I drove up ahead pulling to side, a few feet away from the car.

"Can y-"

"I'm going call you back," I said into the phone before ending the call. I pushed my phone into my pocket before opening the door.

"Need help?" I asked closing the door walking over to her.

"No I got it," she lied and I chuckled.

"Let me help, you can go back to ignoring me later," I told her amused, she looked at me thinking before rolling her eyes motioning for me to go ahead.

"Pop the hood for me," I said moving around to the front, I propped up the hood and a thought immediately came to mind. I pulled off my jacket putting it in my car, rolling up the sleeves of my white buttoned down shirt as I returned. I reached down picking up a small stick opening the oil tank placing it inside, my thoughts being confirmed.

"Your low on engine oil," I announced and she sighed running a hand through her hair. She sighed frustratedly taking out her phone stepping to the side to make a call. I chuckled as I closed the oil tank, throwing the stick to the side.

"Are you busy right now?" She asked walking opening her car door.

"No, I wa-"

"Good, drop me off at my office," she said emerging from her car with her coat and a breifcase in her hand.

"That didn't sound like a question," I told her closing the hood of her car.

"It wasn't," she replied looking in her phone, I smiled loving her attitude.

"Come on," I said walking to my car, I opened the passenger side and she stepped in saying thank you. I chuckled getting in.

"So you do have manners?" I asked amused watching as she pulled on her seatbelt. She ignored my comment as I drove off.

"Do you know where you're going?"

"Yeah," I replied Nia was actually the lawyer that won the Marlton case two years ago, it was all over the news. She worked for a law firm uptown, they represented my business Brawell, I think.

"You're not some stalker are you?" She asked calmly looking in her phone.

"No, Marlton case," I said chuckling and she nodded still not looking at me.

"I wanna have a full on conversation with you, I mean we do have time," I added

"I do-"

"You can go back to ignoring me after," I said and she let out a small smile.

"So you know how to do that," I added and she rolled her eyes looking outside for a spilt second, before sighing and turning back to me.

"Go ahead"

"Why did you become a lawyer?"

"Growing up, I lost alot of good friends who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, they didn't do anything but couldn't afford a lawyer, they were young with nobody, plea deals were made and jail sentences were given. I want to change that, "

"You've already started," I pointed out referring to the Marlton case.

"Who is your favorite artist?"

"Ottis Redding," she replied and I chuckled.

"Are your parents together or separated?"

"My step dad and mother are married,"

"Favorite food?"

"Anything spicy,"

"Finally, something in common," I said amused turning left.

"So who is your favorite artist?" She asked and I smiled happy at her newly acquired interest in me.

"I don't have one, I just listen,"

"Your parents?"

"I grew up with my mother, my 'father' left when I was a kid,"

"I'm sorry about that, but it does explain your whole-"

"My whole what?" I asked cutting her off.

"You would've know if you hadn't cut me off," she replied amused and I smiled liking how relaxed she was becoming.

"I'm sorry, it's just a sensitive subject," I replied as I pulled up beside her building.

"I'm sorry if I-"

"No you don't have to apologize,"

"Thanks for the ride," she said opening the door.

"One more question," I said and she turned facing me.

"When can I take you out?" I asked and she laughed getting out.

"I'll see you around Darrelle," she said climbing out of the car closing the door. I sent down the car window as she walked around the car, I watched as she left before driving off a smile on my face.

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