The Elite

“Everyone, please join me and raise a glass for Maritza and Antonio as we celebrate their endless love. Congratulations to the both of you, we love your love.” as the band starts to play, I begin to make my way through the crowd.

“Tamara, everything is so beautiful! You have created a winter wonderland in the middle of the summer. The ice sculptures and crystals are amazing. You have really outdone yourself.” Jasmine says as she looks around.

“Thank you so much Jasmine, I just wanted everything to be perfect for the Latina Princess.” A familiar voice comes from behind me.

“Too bad the memories of this beautiful wedding will outlast their marriage.” Eva says in a low voice.

“Eva, why do you always have to be like that!” Jasmine whisper shouts.

“Jasmine, you know what I am saying is true. I dated Tony years ago and let’s just say he wasn’t man enough for me.”

“Okay ladies this is not the time or place for all of this. Now will you please excuse me and change the subject.” I wink. My girls’ facial expressions are priceless, to the point that we look at each other and start laughing all at once.

As I begin making my way to the kitchen, I realize how crazy it is that I am juggling between being a guest at this wedding and the one responsible for making sure everything is perfect. In the kitchen everything is running smoothly. I am grateful to have an excellent staff. They are a large part of my Venue being such a success. For the past three years I have worked so hard to create the most wanted Venue in New York. The Elite is known for the best food, signature drinks and just an altogether good vibe. I have gained a favorable reputation among the social elite and celebrities alike.

“Everyone, you all are doing a fabulous job this evening as always. Thank you so much for all your hard work, I appreciate you! You make me proud. We have officially reached third quarter of the festivities. Let’s Go!”

“Tee, before you head back to the floor can I talk to you for a minute?” I look up to meet eyes with my employee, Omar. Omar is not just any employee; he is my husband’s younger brother fresh out of prison. Omar went to jail as a teenager and came out as a grown man, a fine one at that. I decided to give him an opportunity for a fresh start. So far, he has fitted right in with my small crew.

“Of course, what can I help you with Omar?" I say as I look up at him. Even with my four-inch stilettos on his six-foot three built frame still towers over me.

“We are going through the champagne that you had imported quickly, what is the next option that you want to be served?”

“You can move on to this champagne next. Thank you so much, do you need anything else?” I say with an amused tone.

“No, that is all that I need from you for the moment. Oh, and you look gorgeous tonight.” Omar says as he looks into my eyes.

“Thank you, Omar.”

As I walk away, I feel like I am being watched. I slowly turn and look over my shoulder. Omar is watching my every move with those hazel eyes. I should feel flattered, but he is definitely forbidden. I am a married woman, to his brother at that. This is my second marriage. I was in a bad place when I meant Rodney, my now husband. He was everything I needed at the time. He is a good man, but he is threatened by my success. Rodney knew my dreams from the beginning. I never thought he would try to sabotage my success though.

I hear bass and Bey as I enter the ballroom. Everyone is partying the night away. I see Rodney coming over to me. “Damn Bae, I thought you wouldn’t be working so hard tonight. I mean your boy finally got married.”

“I know, I just have to make sure everything is running smoothly.”

“Well, I guess I will be heading home then.” Rodney says with an annoyed tone.

“Wait you’re not staying?” I hate how high my voice comes out.

“Nah, I’m not needed here.”

“But you are! If you are tired, you can wait for me at the studio.” At this point I feel like I'm pleading with him.

“Nah, I’m good.” Rodney says as he stands at full posture.

Rodney reaches down to give me a kiss on the cheek. "Goodbye."

I can’t help but to feel disappointed, but I set my feelings aside as always and put on my calm got it together face. I see Jasmine bee line across the room. “Tamara, are you okay? Is Rodney leaving?”

“Jasmine, I’m good. You know how Rodney start acting after a while. I told him to relax in the studio, but he decided to go back home to Jersey instead.” I look down, trying to hide my disappointment.

“That’s crazy girl, that studio you had built is everything. I would never go home if it was mine.”

As Jasmine is talking to me my mind starts to thrift off. The whole purpose of me having the studio built was to have somewhere to stay on the nights my events are running too late. I can’t help but to think that I will be staying another night there all alone.

At that very moment I snap out of my thoughts when I hear “Aye, this is our song!” Eva is making her way over to us dancing with a wine glass in her hand. “Y’all too good to dance now, Aye!!!”

I grab hold of Jasmine hand before she runs off. "Come on Chica lets have some fun!"

I hear Jasmine whisper “Michael is not going to be happy.”

I look over my shoulder and catch a glimpse of Antiono. Always watching, making eye contact with me followed by that smile and a nod. The beat took over us, and I had a flashback of a time when we commanded every room we walked in. We were carefree, living our best life. My girls have always been baddies too. What good memories we have and still was creating more.

The night comes to an end. Maritza and Antonio are all smiles as they make their way over to me to say goodbye. “Tamara everything was perfect. Thank you for making our day so special.”

“You are very welcome. I wouldn’t have done it any other way.” I reach in to hug them goodbye. Honestly, I made everything perfect for Antonio. He was like a brother to me, my best friend. At one point we even made a pact that if we were both single by the time we turned thirty we would marry each other. We would never be alone. We had each other. Now thinking back that was pure craziness, but it was us. I hope he will truly be happy.

My crew is in full effect taking apart the Winter Wonderland. Next up is a Sweet 16 tomorrow, all pink everything.

“Thank you all for your hard work, I appreciate you. We can call it a night. I will see you all back here at noon. Please be safe going home and as always Gentlemen make sure our Queens get to their cars safely. Goodnight.”

Everyone is gathering up their things and leaving out when I notice Omar staring at his phone. “Tee is my brother still here in the city?”

“No, he left earlier tonight.” I say as I am grabbing for my bag.

“Aww Man, my ride is having car trouble.” Omar says still looking at his phone.

“If you want you can wait for them over at my studio.”

“Are you sure that will be, okay?” Omar says with his voice trailing off.

“Of course, your family.” I can see the hesitation in Omar’s hazel eyes and the way his body looks unsure. I look over my shoulder and tell him, "Come on."

We make our way over to the studio apartment, just on the other side of The Elite. I open the door. I could see the expression on Omar’s face. “Yooo, this is nice!”

“Thank you, make yourself comfortable. I have some food from the reception, feel free to warm some up.”

“Will you eat with me?” Omar asks shyly.

“Sure, I just have to get out this dress and take a quick shower. Give me like fifteen minutes”.

“Alright, cool.”

Ring. Ring. “Hey Girl, Hey. I am home, Jasmine and Michael just dropped me off. I can’t stand that man! She would do so much better without him even with her five babies. He is such a loser!” Eva says all in one breath.

“Eva, stop it. You are being way too much right now. We have got to work on your filter.”

“Babes, what is that noise in the background? Did Rodney decide to stay in the city with you tonight?” Eva asks as I hear her popping a bottle of champagne.

“No, that is his brother Omar. He is waiting for his ride to pick him up.”

“Girl, that sexy man is trying to get a ride from you. You know Tee, I hear sex with an inmate fresh out is amazing. You have got to let me know.” Eva laughs.

“Eva, you are too much. You know I don’t get down like that. On that note I am going to say goodnight. Call me in the morning. Love you.”

“Love you too. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.” Eva sings in the phone.

“The food smell amazing, thank you for warming it up. I am so grateful to have one of the best Chef in the country on my crew. Why are you staring at me?” I say as I do my little happy dance.

“Am I staring? I guess I am so used to seeing you dressed for the events, but now I see a different side to you. You are a natural beauty Tee; my brother doesn’t appreciate what he has in you. I would never leave you here alone.”

I turn away to grab my fixed plate and break up the intensity. “Have you heard anything from your ride?” I ask Omar.

“Uhm, yeah. I don’t think they are going to make it.” Omar looks like he is holding his breath waiting for my response.

“Well, you can stay here tonight. We just won’t ever make any mention of it.”

“Yeah, I’m cool with that. I can sleep on the floor.” He points over towards it.

“Not at all, I have a king size bed. It is large enough to share, just absolutely no touching. Stay on your side.”

Omar laughs. “I got you Tee.”