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“I was utterly shocked too. But then he went on and on about the amount of vitamins he takes.” She shrugs, heading to the sink to wash her hands.
“Panther Duke, huh?”
“Yes. Kilo told you?”
“Come on, tell me everything!”
“Well, he’s amazing. Has a lot of passion for youth just like me.”
Okay, I don’t need her sounding like this guy could possibly turn her on.
“Okay. That’s awesome—-“
“He knows my Uncle Vito.” She lifts a hot crepe off the stove and plops it on her plate.
“Oh. Of course.”
“Vito has property in Haiti. He has some land out there. Apparently, my uncle visited Haiti after purchasing the land and found an acre of it filled with sculptures. Each sculpture represented a part of colonialism, and instead of ripping them up, Uncle Vito searched out the artist, who, of course, was Panther Duke, and paid him. He also asked him to build more. Eventually, the art hit my uncle in the heart, and he resold the land for half the price he bought it for. My uncle not only gained respect from Haitians but for activists like me. I’m proud of him for fighting against his greed. We need more of that.¨
Of course, here I am, a billionaire, as Micola talks down capitalism.
¨So you two bonded over that or?¨
She stops building her breakfast plate and gives me peculiar eyes.
¨And, yes, he plans on sending his Haitian Goddess collection to Carvel this weekend. Is that what you want to hear?¨
¨Are you serious?¨ My heart races as I try to contain my excitement.
¨Well, you have to connect with him sometime today. There’s no guarantee, as he admitted you must not be that bad of a guy if you’re dating me. Ha! I’ll forward you his contact info. He’s only doing it because I told him about the donation you’re giving my studio.¨
¨Does he have a studio or anything meaningful to him that I can donate to?¨
¨Give it some time, Alex. When you see him in August for the opening…maybe ask him then? Don’t address him about it over a Zoom meeting. It’s effortless to throw money at folks to stay on their good side. It’s different when you actually meet them and have a relationship with them.¨
¨So, do the two of you have a relationship?¨ Why did I give myself away with that question? She’s going to revisit the love I gave her last night and think I’m all about…that.
¨Oh, please. You may have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Duke’s fiance’, Devin, if he comes in August.¨
Well, that certainly shuts me up.
¨I was kidding.¨ I lie.
¨Sure.¨ She gives me a wink before sitting beside me.
¨Thank you for your help.¨
¨I can’t lie; I had no idea my family had so much impact with artists. If the money wasn’t bloody, I’d want them to recognize me and my art studio.¨
¨Did you write Mateo back?¨
¨I did what you asked me to. He hasn’t responded.¨ She begins eating her breakfast.
Micola ceases to amaze me. Not only did she heed my advice, but she also granted me the honor of holding Panther Duke’s Haitian Goddess collection, which is magnificent. This is only day two, we haven’t been here for more than twenty-four hours, and she’s living our negotiation way better than I am. Well, I guess my money is all I offered her, but my heart tugs at this fact. It feels so empty in comparison to her ability to connect with other people.
I sigh, “What’s your plan for today? The schedule is empty.¨
¨Oh, definitely hopping on the tube today.¨
