The decision not to merge with Sameka’s company had given Drena a momentary sense of peace, but peace was fleeting in her world. SparkDigital was booming, and with that success came an overwhelming tide of responsibilities. New contracts were rolling in, including a major deal with a federal agency that would elevate the firm’s status to a top-tier cybersecurity provider. Investors were interested, talent was knocking, and her name was buzzing in tech circles.
But with the good came the shadows.
It started innocently enough—an invitation to a tech and innovation panel in Baltimore. Drena almost declined due to her packed schedule, but the event’s organizer was none other than Brie Lawson, a former friend turned rival during Drena’s college years at Howard. They had once been inseparable, a dynamic duo with dreams of taking over the tech world. That was before Brie had accused Drena of stealing a prototype idea during their senior year. It wasn’t true, and Drena had walked away, choosing silence over a public battle.
So why was Brie reaching out now?
Curious, Drena agreed to attend—on one condition: she’d bring her assistant and CTO, Justine. She wasn’t walking into that lion’s den alone.
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*The Panel: Unspoken Words
The auditorium buzzed with energy as women in tech mingled. Drena, dressed in a sleek black pantsuit and subtle gold jewelry, held her head high as whispers followed her through the room. SparkDigital was the firm everyone wanted to talk to.
When Brie took the stage to introduce the panel, her eyes briefly locked with Drena’s. There was tension—undeniable, electric—but also something else. Nostalgia?
Throughout the panel, Drena held her own with eloquence, charm, and authority. Afterward, Brie approached her with a soft smile.
“I’ve watched you from afar,” Brie said. “You’ve built something real.”
Drena crossed her arms. “You watched me while telling people I stole from you.”
Brie’s face fell. “I was wrong. I let jealousy poison everything.”
The confession hit harder than Drena expected. For years, that wound had festered beneath her confidence. Brie leaned closer. “Can we talk? Really talk?”
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*Old Wounds, Fresh Truths
They met two nights later at a rooftop lounge. Over cocktails and soft jazz, the conversation turned real. Brie explained her side: the pressures she felt, the family expectations, the anxiety of feeling overshadowed by Drena’s brilliance. “I was scared you’d leave me behind,” she said.
Drena listened, her own memories bubbling up. She had loved Brie like a sister. Brie’s apology, though long overdue, felt genuine.
“I’m not the same girl from Howard,” Brie said. “I want to collaborate, not compete.”
That night, they agreed to let the past rest and find a way to support one another as Black women in tech. Drena didn’t fully trust her yet, but something told her this reconnection might be different.
—
*The SparkDigital Expansion
With a new federal contract secured and a lucrative partnership with a fintech firm on the horizon, SparkDigital needed to scale—and fast. Drena hired twenty new staffers, opened a satellite office in Atlanta, and launched an internship program for underrepresented students in STEM.
She also began mentoring a young coder named Khalia, who reminded her of a younger self—fierce, brilliant, and focused. Drena saw in her the legacy she hoped to build: excellence rooted in ethics and empowerment.
Media outlets started calling her “The Firewall Queen,” and speaking engagements flooded in.
But she never lost sight of home.
Her daughter Kimani remained her anchor. Every night, no matter how late, Drena sang to her, recited affirmations, and whispered dreams into her little ears.
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*Love Comes Softly
Enter Malik Jennings, the charming, soft-spoken owner of a tech logistics firm based in D.C. They first met at a conference in Atlanta, where Drena spoke on a panel about digital defense infrastructure. Malik had asked a sharp, thoughtful question. Later, they bumped into each other again at the hotel bar.
Their conversation flowed like old friends catching up after years apart. Malik was different—grounded, respectful, with a warmth that calmed Drena’s naturally intense energy. They exchanged numbers, and what started as occasional texts grew into regular video calls and in-person dates.
He adored Kimani and asked about her even when Drena didn’t. He never flinched at her schedule or her ambition. He simply showed up—consistently, gently.
It scared Drena how easily he fit into her life.
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*Sabotage and Revelation
Just as things felt stable, SparkDigital faced a threat from within. An internal audit revealed security breaches—someone had been leaking low-level data to a third party. While no client data had been compromised, the breach was enough to cause concern.
Drena initiated a covert investigation, led by Justine. Within two weeks, they uncovered the mole: a disgruntled former employee who had ties to Sameka’s firm.
Sameka denied any involvement, but it was clear someone close to her had tried to damage SparkDigital’s credibility. Drena pressed charges but handled the press carefully, choosing not to name names publicly. She didn’t want her brand tied to pettiness or public scandal.
Instead, she doubled down on building trust with her clients and employees. And she learned: not every enemy wears a villain’s cape—some wear apologies and ask for second chances.
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*Healing and Harmony
Months passed. Brie began collaborating with SparkDigital on a tech equity initiative. Their professional relationship was guarded but productive. Kimani turned four, and Malik threw her a unicorn-themed birthday party complete with a live violinist and balloon animals. Drena watched her daughter laugh in Malik’s arms and felt something she hadn’t in a long time—safety.
That night, Malik told her, “You don’t have to be strong every second of the day.”
And Drena cried.
Not from sadness, but from the relief of being seen and held without conditions.
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*Legacy in the Making
By year’s end, Drena had secured two new patents, expanded into a third city, and started a foundation supporting young Black girls in tech. She sat on advisory boards, gave keynote speeches, and made time for bedtime stories and pancake Sundays.
Sameka faded into the background, and Brie—though not her closest friend—had become an ally in the industry. The wounds were still there, but they no longer bled.
Malik asked if they could build something long-term, maybe even move in together. Drena didn’t have an answer yet, but for once, she wasn’t afraid of love.
Her life was still a balancing act, but it was hers—rich with meaning, resilience, and the unbreakable spark she had always carried.
—
To be continued…
Thee Juju Aura 