Jamal woke up early, feeling a mix of excitement and fear. He had barely slept, thinking about the five hundred dollars Deion had given him. It was a lot of money, and Jamal knew he had to use it wisely.
He got out of bed and started getting ready for the day. He had a lot to do before the buy-in event that evening. He couldn't just show up looking like he was down on his luck. He needed to look like he belonged.
Jamal stood in front of his mirror, looking at his limited wardrobe options.
He didn't have much, just a few old T-shirts, some faded jeans, and sneakers that had seen better days. He knew he needed to dress better if he wanted to make a good impression.
He picked up his phone and called his friend Tariq. Tariq had always been a sharp dresser, and Jamal knew he could count on him for help.
"Tariq, I need a favor," Jamal said when his friend answered. "I need a suit." Tariq laughed. "A suit? You got a job interview or something?"
Jamal hesitated. He didn't want to tell Tariq about the buy-in event, not yet. "Something like that," he said.
Tariq agreed to help, and Jamal met him at his apartment an hour later. Tariq had laid out a clean navy-blue suit, a crisp white shirt, and polished brown shoes.
"Thanks, man," Jamal said, feeling a sense of gratitude. "I owe you one." Tariq smiled. "Just bring it back clean."
Jamal changed into the suit, feeling like a different person. The suit fit perfectly, and he couldn't believe how good he looked.
Tariq handed him a gold watch. "Here, take this. It'll add a touch of class." Jamal put on the watch, feeling like he was ready to take on the world.
The buy-in event was being held at The Lexington Hotel, one of the most exclusive venues in the city. Jamal arrived ten minutes early, feeling confident and ready.
He walked into the lobby, feeling the weight of the five hundred dollars in his pocket. He knew he had to make a good impression, or he'd be out of the game.
The receptionist looked up at him, scanning him from head to toe. "Name?" she asked. "Jamal Carter," he replied, trying to sound confident.
The receptionist nodded and handed him a golden invitation card. "Enjoy your evening, Mr. Carter."
Jamal took the card, feeling a sense of pride. He was in.
The event was nothing like a regular party. There were no loud DJs, no unnecessary flash. This was serious business. Men stood in small circles, discussing investments, deals, and power moves.
Jamal scanned the room, looking for Leonard Marks, the real estate mogul Deion had mentioned.
Then he spotted him.
Leonard Marks stood near the bar, a tall, imposing man in his mid-50s, wearing an all-black tailored suit and a Rolex that probably cost six figures. He exuded wealth, confidence, and dominance.
Jamal took a deep breath and approached. "Mr. Marks," he said, extending his hand.
"Jamal Carter. Big fan of your work."
Marks raised an eyebrow but shook his hand. "What do you do, Mr. Carter?"
Jamal had two choices. He could admit he was broke, struggling, and desperate. Or he could sell the vision, act like he belonged, and make them believe in him.
He chose the latter. "I'm an entrepreneur," Jamal said smoothly. "I specialize in real estate investment strategies for urban development."
Marks studied him. "Interesting. And what projects have you worked on?"
Jamal smiled. "I'm working on something big right now. A unique opportunity in a growing market."
It was a bold lie, but in this room, boldness was currency. Marks took a sip of his drink. "Tell me more."
Jamal launched into a pitch, drawing on everything he had learned about real estate, spinning a story about an upcoming investment opportunity in the city. Marks listened, intrigued.
"I like your confidence, Carter," Marks finally said. "But confidence without results means nothing. You say you have a project—prove it."
Jamal hesitated. "How do you mean?"
Marks pulled out a business card and handed it to him. "Set up a meeting. Bring me numbers, projections, and a solid plan. If you can convince me, I'll bring in investors."
Jamal's heart pounded. This was it. A real shot at the big leagues. "I'll be ready," Jamal said. Marks nodded. "We'll see."
As Jamal left the event .