Creating my lingerie line has been stressful to say the least. I am a perfectionist so I want to make sure every detail of the lingerie is absolutely perfect. My line is named Intimates and I decided to go the lingerie root because I wanted to create pieces that cater for size zero to plus-size plus I wanted to create pieces that make women all over the world feel sexy and beautiful.

I am currently at Cassie's with a designer that is helping me bring my lingerie line to life and we are going over the sketches and the fabric swatches. Cassie's is well known for their amazing pastries so I had to have my meeting here so I could indulge in their goodies. I take a bite of my jam doughnut before setting it down and turning my attention back to my laptop.

The bell on the door chimes, indicating that someone has entered the cafe. All I hear are gasps and murmurs from the women around me and I ignore it. I am one of those people that could see a burning building and walk right past it as if nothing is wrong. It's not that I don't care about what's going on around me, I just choose to mind my business at times.

"Thembi 12 o'clock" the designer says and I look at her perplexed.

"Huh?"

"Look at the man that just walked in but don't make it too obvious that you're looking at him"

I finally look at the man she is talking about and now I know what had the women in this shop gasping. Standing in line is a very handsome man, with caramel skin that I would love to bite on or suck on. He has dreadlocks that are neat and tied back. He has a little stubble that is trimmed to perfection and his ears are adorned with black studs.

The handsome hunk is dressed in a navy blue suit that looks tailor made and him leaving a few of the buttons on his white shirt open, gives me a glimpse of his tatted chest. I can tell he has an amazing body underneath those clothes and there's something about his demeanor that demands respect. He is wearing a pair of Ray Bans so I don't get to see what his eyes look like. God took his time with this one. I guess he senses my gaze on him because he lifts the shades and he looks in my way.

He gives me a smile and a wink and I quickly look away because I'm embarrassed about getting caught gawking at him. My heart starts beating fast and I can feel my hands getting clammy. I normally don't feel like this whenever I see guys because I've been on a 'niggas aint shit' wave but he is definitely eye candy. He starts talking to the staff and his deep voice fills the shop. I shouldn't be having the dirty thoughts I am having about this man but I cannot help myself.

He goes to the back and most of the ladies (including myself) watch him as he walks away. I decide to excuse myself from the table so I can calm myself down because my body has gone into overdrive. I go into the ladies room and I look at myself in the mirror wondering how a man I've just met has me feeling like a teenager. Who would have thought that I would act like this after meeting a guy.

As I'm heading out, a hard body bumps into me. I immediately fall on the hard wooden floor and I am ready to cuss out whoever is responsible for me falling when I look up and it's the handsome hunk from earlier. He is no longer wearing the shades so I look directly into his eyes.

When I tell you I feel an inexplicable pull towards him after looking into his eyes, I mean it. This man is gorgeous and his scent is undeniably intoxicating. I feel like I am already drunk off of his scent. What was I saying about cussing out whoever made me fall again? It doesn't matter anymore. I'm a little embarrassed that I fell but he can never say I didn't fall for him—pun intended.

"I'm so sorry. I should have been watching where I was going instead of putting all my focus on my phone." his baritone voice says.

"It's fine"

"No, I'm very sorry"

"It's okay. Please help me off the floor, it's not the most comfortable place to sit"

"Oh sorry beautiful" he says and he offers his hand for me to grab and I do so. His fingernails are well manicured and I add that to the list of things I find attractive about this man. I am attracted to men that take good care of themselves so it's little things like this that make me want him. He gently pulls me up with his soft hand and he doesn't let go of my hand. We stare at each other for a little and I take in his appearance from this close range. He has very few freckles on his nose and his lips—God his lips look good enough to bite.

"Thank you. Please can I get my hand back" I break the little moment we were having.

"Oh right. Once again, I apologize for making you fall. How can I make up for it?"

"It's okay. It's not that big of a deal"

"Are you sure? I don't want us to run into each other again and then you have your friends or boyfriend ganging up on me because I made you fall" he adds and I laugh.

"It's okay, you didn't hurt me."

"I'm glad, I don't think I would have lived with myself knowing that I made a beautiful woman fall." he responds.

"Are you trying to work your charm on me?"

"Is it working?"

"Unfortunately not." I say and he places a hand on his heart dramatically.

"Damn, that's a blow to my confidence."

"My bad. Well I have to go now, enjoy the rest of your day"

"Same to you"

I start walking back to the table and I'm fixing myself which causes my designer to smirk. I know it looks like something happened because I'm straightening out my dress and the handsome hunk is walking behind me but nothing happened.

"So..." my nosy designer starts.

"Nothing happened"

"If you say so" she says and we get back to working.

The handsome hunk gets his order and gives me another smile before walking out of the cafe. We call it a day and I make my way to my best friends house because she invited me over so we could catch up. I knock on her door and a minute later, she opens up.

"Hey Jasmine" I say as I hug her.

"Hi Thembi. Please come in."

As I'm walking in, her cute fluffy dog runs towards me and starts barking excitedly. I have taken care of Jasmine's dog when she traveled outside the country plus I see her quite often, that's why she's so excited to see me. I pick her up and carry her to the couch.

"Hey girl. It looks like you missed me, I missed you too" I say and she runs all over the couch excitedly.

"Okay, I know you missed me but you need to tone it down with the running around" I say and Jasmine calls her and puts her in her cage.

"I can tell you never get bored with your dog

considering how energetic she is." I joke and she gives me an exasperated look.

"She's great company but she has been getting on my nerves lately."

"What did she do?"

"She ripped one of my new cushions and ruined my bedroom rug."

"I guess she's a good girl gone bad."

"Like her owner." she adds and I playfully roll my eyes.

"Well I've been thinking about getting one."

"You should. It would be great company."

"I'll see."

"Dinner is ready, come wash your hands." Jasmine shouts

"What are we having for dinner?"

"Pizza" she says and I give her that 'really' look

"When you said you were going to make dinner, I thought I was going to be treated to some fine dining. I was hoping for some fillet mignon with a creamy mushroom sauce or pan seared sea bass with a lemon garlic butter sauce." I say and we both laugh.

"You know I'm not a great cook. The best I can do is breakfast and I wasn't in a cooking mood."

I wash my hands and grab a plate before putting two slices on my plate. We head to her living room and sit on her couch.

"So what's new? We haven't spoken in a while." Jasmine starts.

"I'm sorry about that. I have been under immense pressure to finish designing my first line."

"It's okay. How is it going?"

"It's going good. It's stressful but I'm glad I came here so I could take a little breather from it."

"I'm surprised you came, I thought I would have to drag you out of the house. Are you coming out with us on Saturday?"

"Who's going to be there?"

"The girls and some of Drew's friends." she says and I frown because Drews's friends make inappropriate comments that make me uncomfortable.

"I know what you're thinking but I specifically asked him not to invite his creepy friends."

"I'll think about it."

"Please do. Anyway, how did the date with the personal trainer go?"

"It was okay but I didn't feel a connection with him. However, I met a man I felt a spark with today."

"Where did you meet?"

"We met at Cassie's and all I can say is that he is gorgeous."

"Did you get his phone number or his name?"

"No"

"Why not?"

"You wanted me to ask for his number?"

"Yes. Why not?"

"Are you forgetting that I'm shy?"

"I know you're shy but it wouldn't hurt if you tried to make a move. What's the worst thing that could've happened?"

"He could've said no and left me feeling embarrassed."

"How many guys have you said no to?"

"That's different.

"It's the same thing. If he had said no, you would have moved on. It's that simple."

"I know Jasmine but I don't think he would go for someone like me so it was best for me not to waste my time."

"Thembisa you are a beautiful woman and you should never doubt how amazing you are because of what your ex said."

"I hear you Jasmine and I don't mean to talk like this but the bullying I endured in high school plus what my ex said to me lingers on my mind often."

"That's understandable but I want you to remember you're an extraordinary woman and any guy on earth would be lucky to call you his woman." she adds and I smile.

"Thank you Jasmine. Sometimes I forget how amazing I am because I was with someone who treated me badly but I'm working on loving myself a little bit more."

"I hear you. Learning to love yourself after being mistreated isn't easy but it's the best thing you can do for yourself."

"Thank you for your kind words, I appreciate them very much."

"You're welcome. I'm always going to be there if you need someone to talk to."

"Okay."

We get back to watching tv and my mind can't help but ponder on what Jasmine said. I should never doubt my self worth because of what bullies and a narcissist told me. I have to believe in myself and believe that I am beautiful just the way I am. One thing I love about Jasmine is that she's brutally honest. She doesn't sugar coat things, she gives it like it is and it may be brutal but I've learnt that it comes from a good place. After eating the pizza, we indulge in some chocolate chip ice cream. I know it's bad for me but a cheat day won't hurt anyone.

It's 8pm when I finally get home and I am exhausted. I decide to take a bath. I add some Radox bubble bath to the water and add some Epsom salts as well. I light some candles and place them all over my bathroom and switch the light off. My body has been sore for the last couple of days so I definitely need this. I get inside the bath and I moan in satisfaction as I feel the hot water instantly soothe my aching muscles.

R&B/Soul plays as I take a sip of my wine and relax in the bath. I sit in the bath for about fifteen minutes before jumping in the shower just to wash off the soap. As I am applying some Vaseline cocoa butter to my skin, I take time to appreciate how beautiful my skin actually is.

Society has made women that have darker skin (like myself) feel like they aren't as beautiful as fair skinned women and I refuse to allow myself to continue listening to society. It's now time for me to love myself a little bit more than I have and for me to embrace the skin that God put me in. I change into my pajamas and I tie my headscarf before putting my phone on the charger and slipping under the covers. I say a little prayer and because I am beyond exhausted, it doesn't take long before I fall into a deep slumber.