Rafael stared at the invitation text Josie sent him, he really liked how she was friendly the day Caleb introduced them and he had done a little research on her, she was hell of industrious and a big name in the modeling industry, unlike a lot of other models he knew, Josie was into business too and have made a name for herself in the business world too, if he wanted to date again, she is the kind of woman he should be seen with, everything about her screamed successful and he was a huge fan of successful people, he decided to accept her invite, not only is she successful, she is bold too, not a whole lot of women out there makes the first move.
He wanted to just text her back but he decided that since he wasn't busy, it would be best to just call her instead and that's exactly what he did. she picked up on the second ring, even her voice sounded even better on the phone.
"Hi, Raf,"
Her Italian accent was even more obvious, he liked how she sounded, more green flags.
"Hey, Josie, I got your text and decided to call you instead of texting back,"
"Oh, I am in Florida and thought it will be nice if we hangout since you said I can contact you anytime I am in town, I hope I don't sound pushy,'
"No, not at all, and I would like to meet up with you too."
"Yay, I thought you were going to turn me down nicely that's why you called, thank you for not turning me down,"
"It's cool, so where do you want us to meet? Please not somewhere crowded, you know the way things are,"
"Yes, I am aware, I was hoping you will pick a good place,"
"Sure, I will do that and text it to you, see you soon,"
"Thanks, Raf,"
She said and the call ended, he stared at the phone for a few moments before dropping it, he went right back to work, there was a deal that was like a bone in his throat, it was neither going in nor moving out, it was just stuck in his throat, he didn't want to lose the deal as it was worth billions but at the same time, he knew the chances of him getting it was close to nothing but that didn't make him stop working towards getting it, business is a game of win or lose, he hates to lose that's why he tried not to lose as much as he could but if he does lose, there is nothing a few bottles of beer can't fix.
He spent the whole day working on different things that called his attention and also attending meetings, he left the office at four pm to go prepare for his date with Josie, then he remembered he was supposed to be at a party.
"Oh fuck,"
He said picking up his phone to call her to cancel, he couldn't miss this party either, there were so many people he would meet that would make the opening of his new mining industry come to pass, so he was going to play nice.
"Hey, Raf, what up?"
"I am sorry, Josie, I forgot I have an event today, can we do this another time?"
"I was going to cancel too, was about to call you, I suddenly got invited to this party, the induction ceremony after party of senator Brave's son,"
"Oh, what a coincidence, I am going there too, so we can meet there and can go for a drink after?"
Rafael asked.
"Yes sure, see you soon,"
She said and he ended the call, got ready, and left his house, he wasn't going to come back here until maybe next week as he plans on staying at the penthouse for the week, he got what he needed and placed them in his car before telling the driver to drive off, he called Armani on the way, she was supposed to come with him, he knew how uncomfortable she is when Caleb is around, he decided to let her off this night.
"Yeah, right, or you don't want her to be the third wheel while you party with your new lady," the annoying voice in his head whispered.
"That's not it you moron,"
"I am you, so you are the moron here,"
"Ignored,"
He replied shaking off his annoying subconsciousness.
"Armani, you don't have to come with me tonight,"
"Oh, thank you, sir,"
Armani responded, he could tell that she didn't want to be at the party, someone he knew also was like that before, hated social gathering and anything that attracted her to the public, how shocking it was when he had seen her on TV talking about her birthday party and her parent's anniversary which was coming up, he had doubted it so much when he had seen it and kept thinking it was Natalie, but it wasn't, she even talked about her IG account which had so much followers in the space of some months, she changed so much too, she was no longer the shy and naive and pure Nicole he knew, she was someone else, maybe he never truly knew her, that's why he feels the difference so much, and what more, she recently signed a brand deal with a jewelry company, he knew not because he was stalking her but things about her always found their way to his hearing, he never in his whole time with her pictured her as someone who would become an influencer, no, never once pictured her sharing her photo on the internet, but she did that, there was a new page in her name that got almost five million followers within twenty-four hours that it was opened and she shared her photos, he should really get used to it but he couldn't, he wanted to go to her and shake her back to her senses, her birthday was in two days, he thought of going but knew it would be better for him if he doesn't go, not like he was even invited.