Lady Elect by Nikita Lynnette Nichols Read Free Book Online Page A

Finally, she started the engine, turned the heat up to its highest setting, switched the gear to drive, and pulled away from the curb.
    Arykah was livid. There was no doubt that Mother Gussie had set her up to fail. She had been tricked by the enemy. Arykah knew that her next step had to be a call to Lance’s construction company. She would bet money that Mother Gussie was calling Lance as well. On her cellular telephone, she quickly pressed the number on speed dial.
    â€œHowell Construction. Vivian speaking.”
    â€œVivian, it’s Arykah. How are you?”
    â€œI’m fine, Arykah. And you?”
    Vivian and Arykah got along very well. There wasn’t a time when Arykah had visited the construction company or simply called when Vivian hadn’t treated her with respect.
    â€œI’ll be doing much better once I speak with Lance,” Arykah said. “Is he available?”
    â€œHe’s behind closed doors in the conference room with his guests from Japan. They just sat down to lunch. I can put your call through if you like.”
    The last thing Arykah wanted to do was interrupt Lance with her complaint about his secretary at church, but at least Mother Gussie hadn’t gotten to him either. “That won’t be necessary, Vivian. It can wait ’til later.”
    â€œAre you sure?” Vivian asked. “Mr. Howell told me to always put your calls through to him, no matter what he was doing. I don’t wanna be in the hot seat when he finds out that you called, and I didn’t put your call through to him.”
    Arykah smiled at Vivian’s words. They proved what Lance had been telling her since the day they married; that he’d always make time for her. “You have nothing to worry about, Vivian. I don’t want to disturb Lance, and neither you nor I have to mention that I called.”
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    There was a celebration taking place when Arykah arrived back at the realtor’s office.
    When she walked in, she saw fellow agents surrounding the agent that Arykah had passed the million-dollar listing to. The word “congratulations” was flowing throughout the office.
    Without saying a word, Arykah turned back around, got in her car, and started the engine.
    She sat behind the wheel with tears flooding her eyes. That two-million-dollar sale was hers. It was hers before Mother Gussie threw a monkey wrench in her plans. Arykah reached in her glove compartment for a Kleenex tissue. She blew her nose and dried her tears before starting her car and driving away.
    Moments later, she reached in her purse for her cellular phone and called WGOD radio station and was told that Monique was in a meeting. If there was ever a time when Arykah needed her friend it was right then. Her emotions were all over the place, and she needed Monique to talk her down. Monique was gifted in that area. Whenever Arykah was about to fly off the deep end or do something that would eventually come back to haunt her, Monique was there to calm her down and talk sense into Arykah’s ears. Today was one of those days when Arykah could benefit from one of Monique’s pep talks. She wanted to drive to the church and give Mother Gussie a piece of her mind. There was no doubt that Mother Gussie had set her up.
    To calm herself down, Arykah got on the Dan Ryan Expressway and drove for two hours. She needed to collect herself. She felt comfort in knowing that Lance would have Mother Gussie’s hide when he learned of the trick she pulled. Just as he did when he sat Mother Pansie down and checked her when she had called Arykah trailer trash.
    Arykah was thankful that she could count on her husband to have her back.
    After driving for two hours, she headed home. Lance should be there by now, and Arykah couldn’t wait to fall into his loving arms.
    When Arykah entered the kitchen from the garage, she found Lance standing at the stove adding the finishing touches to a pan of meatloaf