by Twyla T
“You gon’ learn not to run up on everybody. I know Chyna had to put that ass whoopin’ on ya. She don’t even look like she can fight, do she?” he taunted her.
“What the fuck he see in that bitch?” Sasha asked with hatred in her voice.
“That nigga in love… so, you might as well move on. You a loose cannon Sasha. No real nigga wants that when they tryna grow,” Vice told her honestly.
“I was good enough for him in Chicago. He just gon’ dismiss me for a bougie bitch,” Sasha spat. Vice didn’t even bother bringing up all of the shit that they had been hearing about her. He knew Chyna was the best thing to happen to his cousin, as well as their business, so he wanted Babyface to do right by Chyna by all means.
“Sasha, just let it go,” he told her. Sasha stood there looking like she wanted to cry, but Vice didn’t have time to baby her. He patted her on the shoulder, then hopped in the car and left, leaving her standing there all alone, feeling lonely and stupid.
“This shit ain’t over. I swear it ain’t over,” she told herself angrily.
Chapter 27
Vice was headed to meet one of his little female companions at The Green Room. He couldn’t help but to laugh at the ass whoopin’ Chyna had put on Sasha. The only thing he hated was that he wasn’t able to have a front row seat to the throw down. Sasha had finally met her match and he didn’t feel the least bit sorry for her. He only tolerated Sasha because of his cousin and he wished he would’ve gotten rid of her a long time ago. He knew Babyface was probably busy trying to make up with Chyna, but he needed to make sure he was okay so he called.
The phone rang four times and Babyface finally answered by saying, “What’s up cuz?”
“Nigga, Chyna beat the fuck outta Sasha. Her face is fucked up. I know you ain’t coming to the crib, are you?” Vice asked, even though his original thoughts were to be serious.
“Nah, I’m staying here,” Babyface replied.
“You good though?” Vice asked.
“Somewhat man… tryna explain all this shit that shoulda never happened,” Babyface replied.
“Well, I’ma let you handle your business while I go chill and handle this lil honey of mine,” Vice replied and hung up.
It was a little after eleven o’clock and the spot Vice was headed to stayed open until about one or two o’clock; it all depended on the crowd really. For some strange reason, he was really feeling the girl he was meeting, so he wanted to kick it, instead of just having sex right away. He told himself he wasn’t about to fall in love and shit like Babyface, but he wasn’t against the idea of spending real time with a female from time to time. He pulled up and called her phone. She answered right away, telling him she had just walked inside. He parked and headed inside. The first thing he saw was her bright smile lighting up the entire room.
*******
Babyface stared at Chyna as she was sleeping and said a silent prayer that she wouldn’t hold the recent incident against him for long. The night before had been one for the books, even after Sasha left, because Chyna was the pissed the fuck off at him for not being honest with her. He called his mom and explained everything that happened and told her there was no way he was staying at home with Sasha there. She cussed him out just like Big Mama did but told him that she understood, and she wanted to meet Chyna the next day. He was hoping that Chyna was still up for it. He understood that he fucked up, but he also knew Chyna had been through a lot of other bullshit dealing with Ashley, Pete, and even her mom. He was determined to make it work and he knew he had to regain her trust, which wasn’t going to be an easy thing to do.
He allowed her to take all of her frustrations out on him. She yelled, cried, cursed, hit, and did everything she could, and Babyface allowed her to because he knew that he was wrong. Now she was finally sleeping peacefully, there was no other place he would rather be than where he was at the moment. Sleep didn’t really find Babyface and it was almost time to get up. He pulled Chyna close to him and held her tight, finally drifting off to sleep.
Babyface didn’t sleep too long. He eased out of bed about ten minutes after seven and went downstairs to the kitchen. Searching the cabinets and fridge, he pulled out a few items to whip up some breakfast for his girl. He didn’t cook often, especially since living with Big Mama, but he could cook and eat breakfast morning, noon, and night. He whipped up some pancakes, sausage, eggs, and poured Chyna a glass of orange juice. After putting everything on a tray, he headed back upstairs to wake her up. It was about eight o’clock when he finished up because he took his time, wanting everything to taste perfect.
Chyna began to stir just as he was walking into her room. “Wake up sleepy head,” he whispered to her. She began to smile, then rolled her eyes at him after she remembered that she was mad. “Ah, come on baby. Don’t be like that,” he said after sitting down beside her. “Come on. Sit up and eat while it’s hot,” he prompted her. After a few minutes, she finally obliged.
“When you learn how to cook?” she asked him after he fed her a couple bites of pancakes.
“I can do a lil sumn sumn,” he told her as he continued to feed her.
“Where your food at?” she asked while smacking on some sausage.
“I wanted to make sure you was straight first. I’m good if you good,” he replied. Babyface finished up feeding Chyna, then headed back downstairs so he could clean the kitchen up. She followed him and ended up helping him.
“You know I gotta go home and get dressed and shit, right?” he asked her in attempt to see what her thought process was looking like.
“I figured that. I’m not one to run up behind men and shit, but you know you’ve put me in an uncomfortable position,” Chyna replied. Babyface stood there with a million thoughts on his mind. He wanted to tell her about how uncomfortable the situation was with her and Pete, but he knew that would only be a cop out because as much as he hated the thought of her being with him, she was straight up with him from the beginning. “I see the wheels spinning in your head. Don’t even dare try to flip this shit on me,” Chyna retorted.
“You can come wit me. I ain’t got shit to hide,” he told her after he walked up and grabbed her. “You need to meet my mom before she leaves anyway,” he continued.
“I got a lot to do today, but I don’t mind meeting your mom. Maybe we can meet up for lunch or dinner. What’s her favorite restaurant?” Chyna asked.
“She ain’t picky, so you can pick anywhere really,” he replied.
“Well, we’ll figure something out. I’m about to go shower, so I can get my day started. I have to get my things from Pete sometime or another,” Chyna told him.
“You ain’t going by yourself. I’ll take care of it,” Babyface stated adamantly.
“I’m not dealing with it today. I was just letting you know,” she said while walking out of the kitchen.
“Damn, I don’t get no hug, kiss, or nothing?” Babyface asked, pretending to be hurt.
“Thank you for breakfast. But nah, you don’t get a hug, kiss, or nothing else. I’m still mad,” Chyna said and stuck out her tongue.
“Damn… I ain’t used to this shit,” he mumbled.
“What you say?” Chyna stuck her head back in the door and asked.
“Nothin girl,” Babyface replied.
******
It was Tuesday evening and Babyface was at the trap waiting on Vice to get off work and meet him. The meeting between his mom and Chyna yesterday had gone quite well. Instead of going out to eat, Big Mama and Nicole barbecued at home, and Babyface invited Chyna. Chyna was very hesitant because she didn’t want to disrespect his mom or grandmother because she knew what would happen if Sasha even looked at her the wrong way. There were no problems because Sasha locked herself in the back room and shut everyone out. Nicole ended up leaving Monday night, instead of Tuesday morning, but not without having a talk with Babyface and Vice. She told them how proud she was of them, but she also noted the new clothes, shoes, the car, and everything, and
warned them that they better not be on any foolish shit. They knew her well enough to know that it was best to just be quiet and listen, which was what they did. Babyface was sure to tell his mom not to do anymore surprise visits, but she told him she was grown and did what the hell she wanted, but she did promise not to bring Sasha again.
“Bruh… I don’t know how much more I can take of this McDonald’s shit,” Vice said as soon as he burst through the door.
“Nah, don’t come talkin that shit. You said we gotta do school or work remember, nigga?” Babyface sarcastically replied.
“I know what the fuck I said. I’m just saying though, the place getting crazier by the day. Yo ass ain’t doin shit in school. I shoulda signed up for that shit,” Vice retorted. Babyface just laughed at him. He knew if it wasn’t for Chyna, he would’ve quit school by now, so he remained silent as he listened to Vice fuss about his job.
Once they were done shooting the breeze, they got down to business. “We got another shipment on the way now. It was supposed to be here earlier, but Corey had a late day on deliveries, due to some meetings and shit,” Babyface told his cousin and right hand man. “We been doing big numbers, and he said his boss wants to meet soon. This could mean we about to take it to the next level man. The more we push, the bigger the discount we get, which means the more WE make,” Babyface exclaimed.
“Hell yeah… I’m ready!” Vice replied.
“It also means more enemies and shit. We been fortunate with the few mishaps, but we gotta really stay on top of shit. What you think about me taking Chyna to the meeting wit me? I think it’ll change up the game… let them niggas know that our plan been solid since the jump,” Babyface asked Vice to get his opinion. He knew his shawty could handle her own, but he didn’t want to put her in any more danger if he could help it.
“That sound like a good idea to me. Because on some real shit, I don’t think we woulda made it this far without her,” Vice declared.
“You ain’t lying. And she knows I try to keep her outta the loop on certain shit but, wit the lil issues we having, this should build the trust back up some because nigga… she still talking to me, but she pissed off as fuck,” Babyface said while shaking his head.
“You sholl fucked up nigga!! Taking her will probably show her that it’s all about her. I’m cool wit it,” Vice replied confidently.
“Aye, have you talked to Skeet lately? The last few times I called, he ain’t answered or called back?” Babyface asked Vice.
“I been tryna holla at that nigga too and I ain’t heard from him. You know he’ll disappear from time to time, then pop back up. Maybe he done took one of his hoes outta the country or some shit,” Babyface said.
“Probably so. I almost asked Big Mama about him, but I came to my senses quicker than a mu’fucka,” Vice said and laughed.
“I’m glad you snapped back to reality. Big Mama nosey ass probably already know something going on, but she can’t prove it. We gotta keep moving with caution,” Babyface replied.
Babyface’s phone vibrated and he got a text from Corey, letting him know he was only minutes away. Since that last attempted robbery, they started doing things a little differently. Babyface got up and walked outside, checking the area for any lurking people. Once he felt like the coast was clear, he texted Corey, letting him know everything was straight. A few minutes later, Corey pulled up. Babyface had his phone to his ear like he was holding a hilarious conversation, and spoke to Corey and continued with his fake conversation. They acted as if they didn’t know each other for a reason. Corey made two trips delivering the packages to Vice and was gone within six to seven minutes.
Babyface was circling the building the whole time Corey was there. It seemed as if people had been popping up more and more on delivery days, and Babyface decided to switch shit up. Once Corey left, he went back to the apartment, so he could help Vice split the product up. After the incident with Vinny’s acquaintance trying to rob Chyna, things were a little tense amongst the team, but everyone still did their part to make the money and that was what mattered the most for the time being. Both Babyface and Vice were watching Vinny’s moves like a hawk and, so far, everything was still all good.
“We ain’t been to Black Diamonds yet and we been hearing a lot about it. Let’s hit it up Friday and see what the hype is about,” Vice said as they finished up with the work that was before them.
“I’m wit it… even though I’m in the dog house, I’ll make it work,” Babyface replied.
“Bet… now let’s lock up and get outta here. Sean should be here within the next thirty minutes. I’m bout to text that nigga now,” Vice said. They locked up and left.
Chapter 28
The week was swiftly moving on by and Chyna was happy about that. So much had been going on in her life; at moments, she didn’t know whether she was coming or going. She was sitting in her last class of the day and, although it was her favorite Thursday class, she was ready for it to be over. On Monday, she visited The Links of Madison County and pretty much decided that was where she would be moving. It was about a thirty-minute commute from her parents’ house, but she knew they would be pleased with the area. Her dad would have to cosign, since she didn’t have a real job yet, but she planned on getting one so she could be legit on paper. She smiled at the thoughts of the layout of the apartment.
Chyna’s vibrating phone brought her from her reverie. Glancing down at the phone, she frowned when she realized it was another message from Pete. She ignored it the same as she had done all of the others and started somewhat paying attention to the lecture. Although I didn’t like Ashley’s ways, I never expected her and Pete to pull some foul shit like that and start fucking. Fuck them both! Chyna’s phone vibrated again and she was getting ready to finally reply to Pete and cuss him the fuck out, but it was Leah and Alyssa. They had created a new group chat without Ashley because Chyna never replied when Alyssa tried to mend things over the other group.
Leah: Heeyyyy y’all! What y’all up to?
Chyna: In class. I thought this was Pete texting again and I was bout to snap
Alyssa: I just finished eating and I’m about to head to work.
Leah: Let’s go out tomorrow night. We all overdue for some fun
Chyna: Sounds good to me
Chyna: Just don’t be tryna do no surprise set up with me and that bitch and I’m good. That’s for you Alyssa
Alyssa: I’m cool with going out and Chyna I won’t. I’m staying out of it.
Leah: You know damn well I ain’t. Let’s go to the M-Bar though. We haven’t been there in forever.
Chyna: Sounds good to me
Alyssa: Me too! See y’all tomorrow!
Class was coming to an end when Chyna and the girls stopped texting. She almost brought up the incident with Sasha but decided that she would wait until she saw them face to face to talk about it. Chyna gathered up her stuff and headed out of class with the quickness when the time was up. She had an eerie feeling like someone was watching her, but she shrugged it off and kept it moving. Looking at the front of her car, you could never tell that it had been in an accident. She was pleased with the repairs and even more pleased that she was able to pay for and get it fixed without her dad knowing anything about it.
Chyna peeped the time and did a mental calculation in her head. She knew Pete should be at work, so she decided she would go by his place and start grabbing some of her belongings, so she wouldn’t have to stay for a long period of time on any one particular day. Riding and listening to Beyoncé’s station on Apple Music, Chyna found herself ready for Friday night, so she could dance and kick it with her girls.
“Sorry, I ain’t sorry… Sorry, I ain’t sorry… I ain’t sorry, Nigga nah!” Sasha sang along with her girl Bey to the top of her lungs. “I gotta thank my dad again for putting me in self-defense classes and taking me to the gun range so young. He saved my life,” Chyna said to herself, then started back singing.
Pulling into Pete’s a
partment complex, Chyna looked around and didn’t see his car and took a breath of relief. She didn’t want to see him and was praying he would be gone; she was thankful God granted her request. For some reason, she was still nervous as she got out, so she reached into her purse and grabbed her pepper spray and put it in her pocket. “Maybe I need to wait and do this another time,” she mumbled to herself but then willed her feet to keep going forward, since she was on the sidewalk already.
Chyna pulled her key out and opened the door. When she walked inside, she saw a girl lying on the couch sleep. She slammed the door closed and the girl jumped. “Who are you?” Chyna asked and was stunned to see, yet another woman in Pete’s apartment.
“I’m Destiny… you must be Chyna because I’ve met Ashley already,” Pete’s cousin said. Chyna remembered Pete always talking about his cousin Destiny, but she had never met her, so she calmed down.
“You met Ashley huh… isn’t that lovely. Well, I just came by to grab a few of my things. Don’t bother mentioning it to Pete,” Chyna said and walked down the hall.
“He told me to call him if you ever come by… I don’t want to make him mad,” Destiny admitted to her, feeling uncomfortable in the situation.
“I’ll be in and out!” Chyna hollered back to her and kept walking. There were a few dresses, jeans, and a couple of pair of shoes that Chyna wanted in particular and the rest could wait.
Luck was on her side because there was one empty box in the closets, so Chyna filled it with some of her stuff. She couldn’t find her brand new Jessica Simpson or Steve Madden pumps, or her new Miss Me jeans and she knew exactly where she left them. After grabbing clothes, she went into the bathroom and got her hair products, including her Chi flat irons, and prepared to leave. Something caught her eyes before she walked out of the bathroom and she did a double take. Once she got a closer look, she just shook her head and left.
Chyna walked back to the front and Destiny was standing up, looking out of the window. “Pete’s on his way; you better leave if you don’t want to see him. I had to call. I’m sorry,” Destiny told Chyna.