Page 30 of Allure

I hopped in my truck and made my way to my agent's office. He was so adamant about me coming so I didn’t second guess it. The moment I walked into the building, his assistant told me he was ready for me.

Marcus stood with his arms spread wide and a big smile. I dapped him up and took the seat in front of his desk, intrigued, because the last time we spoke, he was trying to convince me to let go of my job as a sports anchor and sign another contract with my old team.

“Aight, you got me here. What’s up? I thought our conversation was very clear the last time we spoke. I am retiring, but the way you’re looking tells me you aren’t convinced of that or you have something up your sleeve,” I asked.

Marcus nodded, then smiled. “Well, first, I hear congratulations are in order. Why didn’t you tell me you were getting married? I thought we were better than that. I look up and your marriage license is news to everyone but your sports agent,” he asked.

“I’m gon’ keep it real with you. You aren’t the only person who didn’t know. I didn’t feel it was anyone’s business. My people found out a day before the wedding because everyone around me gets shit confused about me being an adult,” I said, my irritation returning.

Marcus held his arms up in mock surrender. “You know, I’ve always had your best interest at heart. I am very aware of the fact you’re grown, but I have been your agent for years. I just thought we had made it past business and had become more like family. Family supports family. Even if I didn’t think it was the best decision, I would have been there for you. But, I’m not here to complain about not getting an invitation to your wedding. We have an offer that you would be crazy to turn down,” he said.

I leaned back in my chair and stretched my legs out in front of me.

“That was never my intent. This moment was for me and no one else. But, let’s hear it.”

Marcus nodded and then slid a folder across the table to me.

“Niko, I just got off the phone with the team’s management. They’re offering to double your initial contract amount if you reconsider your retirement.”

My eyes widened in shock as I processed his words. “Double the amount? That’s… that’s unexpected.”

Marcus nodded, his expression serious. “It is, but it comes with stipulations. They got wind of your wedding and I guess it has been causing too much attention.”

“I know, Marcus. Lore and I wanted to keep it private, but someone must have leaked the information.”

Marcus ran a hand through his hair, looking concerned. “Niko, we need to do some damage control here. The team is worried about how this will affect your image and the fans’ perception of you.”

I shook my head, feeling a surge of determination. “Marcus, I’m gon’ keep it real with you. I don’t give a fuck what the public has to say. This won’t affect my decision. Lore is my wife, and our marriage is more important to me than any contract or public opinion.”

Marcus held up his hands in a placating gesture. “I get it, Niko, but we still need to address this. I think we should release a statement, something that emphasizes your commitment to your new family while also reassuring your fans that you’re still dedicated to your career.”

I nodded, seeing the wisdom in his words. “That’s cool with me. Let’s work on the statement together. But Marcus, I need you to know that I will not make any decisions about the team’s offer right away. I need to think about it carefully, not to mention, this is not a decision I can make on my own anymore. I also need to consider my new job as a sports anchor.”

Marcus leaned forward, his expression serious. “Of course, Niko. I understand. But please, don’t take too long to decide. The team is eager to have you back, but they won’t wait forever.”

I stood up, shaking Marcus’s hand firmly. “I’ll let you know as soon as I’ve decided. But for now, I need to focus on my family and my new career. I trust you to handle the media and the statement.”

As I left Marcus’s office, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but I was ready to face whatever challenges came my way. With Lore by my side and a new chapter in my life beginning, I felt unstoppable.

MY PARENTS’ PLACE

I pulled in through the gate and drove down the long driveway of my parents’ place. I had called my mother after leaving Marcus’s office to let her know I would stop by. She made it known that she needed to put eyes on me since I had gone out of the country.

I didn’t mind obliging her, especially if she cooked a little something. I could grab Lore and me something if she didn’t have anything planned. Not to mention, I was going to need to have a long conversation with her, but I figured I could sit on it for a while since the information was so new.

Also, I didn’t know what I wanted to do now that they had gone and switched everything up, offering me more money. It was easy to turn down the previous contract because it wasn’t too much more than the last one. But this one had doubled, and I didn’t think that would ever be an option for me.

I parked my truck behind my mother’s Benz, then jogged to the front door and waited until someone came to get the door after I rang. It wasn’t long before my mom pulled it open. She wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. She pulled back and looked me over as if I had come back as a new man.

In a sense, I had, but not in the physical manner that she was looking me over in. I shook my head and followed her into the house, then toward the kitchen. I smelled her cooking from the front door and I couldn’t wait to grab a plate. I took a seat at the island as she walked around to head back toward the stove.

“So, how was your honeymoon?” she asked.

“It was a good time. That’s for sure,” I responded, thinking about all the things I had done with Lore.

My mother looked over her shoulder in my direction with a shake of her head.

“How is Lore? Oh, man, I have to get used to asking that now,” she asked.