The Conglomerate: A Luxorious Tale

The Conglomerate A Luxurious

Copyright ©
2014 by Danielle Santiago

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Acknowledgements

Thank you heavenly father for keeping me in the midst of the storm.
  All that I am is because of my God and the fact that I’m still here is a testimony to his greatness.  In the last three years I’ve faced some immeasurable odds, but I stood tall, and fought through every adversity.  I thank you father God for being the source of my strength, which enabled me to fight.

             
In the middle of the chaos I received a special gift. Her name is Morgan Cali Cofield, aka Morgs, aka Booski.  My little Morgie Porgy you were quite the unexpected surprise, but a beautiful blessing none the less. My dearest Kaden I’m so proud to be your mother and though you work my nerves some days with your preteen ways.  You are such a delightful child and it is a joy to watch you grow. Maddy, my Maddy you are the most rambunctious, curious, and smart four year-old that I know.  All three of you lovely children are my everything. You are my heart, my soul, and my inspiration.  Mommy loves each of you beyond measure and I will always be here for you no matter what!

             
Carlos, you are my foundation and I always need you…  You are a great provider and a dynamic father.  We’ve been through so-so-so much together and I still love you through time, space, and all eternity.  There have been times you should have ran from me and never looked back.  There have been times when I should’ve ran and never looked back.  But, we are still together and that in it self is a testament to the love that we share for one another. 

             
Thank you to my parents for all the love and support you gave during my darkest hours in 2011.  Thanks to my brother Davis and his wife Altimice for the love you gave me in that hour.  Thanks to my baby brother Darion.  A special thanks to my baby sister, Andrea, BKA Aundi; you are my crutch and a beautiful ray of light.  I have no clue how would’ve made it without you.  Thank you to all of my aunties and uncles for everything.  I must give a special thank you to my Aunt Teresa who is more like my sister and I’m more like her child.  And if Aundi is my left crutch you are my right!!!  Thank you for letting me always call on you in my time of need.  Welcome home to my big sister Azuca aka TT, you’re a soldier and I’m thankful that you made it through.  Thanks to all my cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws for your love and encouragement.  Thank you to my mother-in-law, Betty Johnson, for being there, always.

             
Thank you to my Grandparents especially my praying Grandmother.  I know that your prayers have saved me on plenty of occasions. 

RIP Charlie Williams (my paternal grandfather.) I’m happy that you are no longer suffering, but my heart is still broken from not being able to attend your funeral.  RIP Uncle Buster you are deeply missed by your wife, Shirley, your daughters, Tanya and Sabrina, your grandchildren, your nieces and nephews.  RIP to my Aunt Mildred you are forever loved and missed! RIP Mrs. Anne Wilson-Scales your passing stunned us all; Tanya, Erica, and your grandchildren truly miss you. Family gatherings are not quite the same since you left.

Teon “Fatz” Baker, my best friend and my brother, I still cannot express the sadness and hurt that I feel over your passing.  You were an amazing person, the greatest friend that anyone could have, a wonderful husband to Shani, and for the short time that you had with Shane you were an extraordinary father.  You are the one man that I could honestly say I want my son to be like.  Looking at Shane is like looking at you!  I know that no one misses you like Shani, Aunt Sandy, Jasmine, Ms. Suga, April, Khalilah, and Shaneka.  We all miss you badly and we cherish every memory!  Rest in peace for all eternity.

To my true friends I love you and I truly appreciate you.  To the phonies; friends and relatives that were always by my side when I was caked up, but scattered when my money got funny, I would like to thank you for showing your true colors.  If you didn’t do right by me during the struggle you will not be invited to the celebration!

  Mr. and Mrs. Jaquavis Coleman, I don’t quite know were to begin… Hey Ashley did you have a clue during our phone conversations in 2010 that we would end up here? A part of this epic thing together?  Thank you Jaquavis for going over and beyond what asked of you.  Ashley and Jaquavis I want you both to know that I really appreciate this chance.  This is my chance to do it the right way and there is not another company that I’d rather do it with.  Thanks for believing in me and choosing me to be a part of your vision.  I am forever loyal. 

My fellow OWL authors/executives: Amaleka,
Lajill, CN, Keisha T, JM, Treasure, Dream, June, Keisha E, and Eriel, teamwork does make the dream work! When one of us wins we all win!  Thank you very much for the massive support that you put behind The Circle Fallon’s Story, you all made my heart smile.  Amaleka you are so special and your work ethic is amazing; you are going to go places with your skills that you can even imagine!  Khloe Cain my beloved editor, there is a little rich Caucasian, suburban lady tucked deep inside of you (lol insider.)  I know that I can be hard to pin down some days and I probably have given you a few headaches.  Don’t take it personal, my previous editors had the same issues! LMAO! Seriously I appreciate you and all the hard work that you do, it does not go unnoticed.

Thank you
Tu-Shonda Whitaker, K’wan Foye, Charlotte Foye, Treasure Blue, T. Styles, (My Pretty Toi) Davida Baldwin, Ki-Ki Swinson, K. Elliot, Azarel, TN Baker, Tanya Ridley and Dawn Hardy.  I met each of you through the literary world, but I can call each of you a friend in the real world. 

Last but not least, thank you to my readers I would not be here without you!  To my core group of readers that are always checking in on me, keeping my name and my stories buzzing, I really do appreciate each and every one of you and every dime that you spent.

God bless and One Love,

Danielle Santiago-Cofield

This Book is dedicated to:

The latest and last Edition to my family, the incomparable Morgan Cali Cofield and

Harlem’s very own
Teon “Fatz” Baker.  Fatz, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of you.  Sometimes I cry and sometimes I laugh.  Rest In Peace my dearest friend, until we meet again.

Also By Danielle Santiago:

The Harlem Story Series:

Little Ghetto Girl

Grindin
’

Allure of the Game

The Circle: Fallon’s Story

Novellas and E-Shorts

Fair Exchange…. No Robberies

Cater to You

Miami Mish

Chapter One

              “Oh my God! Joey how much longer are you going to be?” Cee questioned angrily. “I don’t know why you had to change anyway. There was nothing wrong with the first dress you had on.” Cee looked over at Evan.

             
“Right,” she said hoping to get support from their best friend. Evan refused to side with her, even if she was right. All of Cee’s complaining and rushing was irking her.

             
“Just chill Cee,” Evan sighed. “We’re still on schedule.” She went over to the small bar in the corner of the dressing suite. Dressed in a gold one shoulder Grecian style Oscar De La Renta dress and her long blonde hair twisted in a neat chignon on the side of her head, Evan looked like beauty in motion. Large gold chandelier earrings adorned her ears radiating Evan’s toasted almond skin. After making a dry martini, she sat down in a wing back chair on the other side of room, crossed her legs, and sipped her drink. Cee cut her eyes in disgust at both of her best friends. Unfazed by Cee’s glares and comments, Joey stared at her reflection while adjusting a gorgeous 18-karat yellow gold Marc Bicego necklace. Once it was rested perfectly on her well-defined collarbone she admired the eighteen thousand dollar gift that she’d purchased for herself.               Joey stepped back and gave herself a once over. She was stunning in a deep burgundy floor length St. John’s two-piece gown. Her silky top hung seductively off her shoulder revealing just the right amount of cleavage. Gold specs accented the long sequined skirt. It hugged her tightly from the hip to the knee then let out elegantly. Joey moved in closer to the mirror tousling her large red curls with her fingers and checking her makeup. She motioned for her makeup artist to come over.

              “I need a little more blush please.”

             
“Are you fucking serious,” Cee snapped loudly jumping up from her seat. Clutching the side of her long cream strapless gown, she stormed towards the door with her gold Casadei heels clicking loudly against the polished floor. Cee’s exit was blocked by Evan, who stepped in front of the door just as she reached for the knob.

             
“What is your damn problem Cee? You’ve been acting like an impatient spoiled child for the last hour with your whining and complaining.”

             
“Look, I’m tired as hell and-”

             
“Whoa!” Evan held up her hand cutting Cee off. “You don’t think me and Joey are not tired? We’ve been working just as hard as you if not harder.”

             
“Well before you so rudely interrupted me,” Cee rolled her neck. “I’m ready to go home with my husband and see my kids. You might know something about that if you had more than your white furniture and glass tables waiting on you at home.”

             
“Fuck you! You selfish bitch! Joey has kids too that she hasn’t seen in days, yet we both stayed after the ribbon cutting to personally work your grand opening. When it was over,” Evan pointed her finger directly in Cee’s face nearly grazing her nose.

             
“Watch your finger,” Cee said knocking it away with the back of her hand.

             
Evan placed it right back in her face. “You ran your wide ass up out of here like it was on fire. We had to finish working then take a quick shower
here
, while you got to go to the comfort of your house to relax, shower, and dress. So you can go suck one ’til it’s dry with all that rushing shit.”

             
The hairstylist and makeup artist exchanged nervous glances as they packed their things. They both had witnessed arguments between the ladies before, but never with low blows slung back and forth.

             
“You can miss me with all that drama ’cause you showered in a brand new twenty thousand dollar custom bathroom and not at the Motel 8. And the next time you tell me to go suck a dick, “Cee moved in closer. “Be prepared to throw hands.”

             
“That’s enough already!” Joey said easing between the two. “This is the exact reason I didn’t say anything back to Cee. This is our night and there should be zero arguing especially over petty shit.” She looked at Cee then at Evan; both of them were frowning hard. “Now fix your faces and let’s go.”

             
Once outside the room any evidence of internal strife amongst the friends was undetectable. The ladies were all smiles as they entered a ballroom to a waiting crowd of close to one thousand people that had come to celebrate their current success at a $250.00 a plate charity dinner. 2010 had been an extraordinary year for the three best friends from the west side of Charlotte; apart they each had thriving profitable careers.               Joey was one of the top club and concert promoters on the east coast. Evan was a highly sought after wedding planner and the owner of a PR firm that specialized in event planning. Cee, a master hair stylist to more than a few celebrities also had a stable clientele list of five hundred plus clients. The trio constantly worked together in some capacity whether it was Evan doing PR for Cee and Joey projects or Cee’s glam squad providing hair and make-up for Evan’s events. Since their businesses kept intertwining they decided to form a conglomerate called The Luxe Group. A year earlier they broke ground and began building their company’s home on a piece of land that Evan inherited from her father.