A Woman's Worth

by Jahquel J

  “Hi, I would like to speak to Antonio, please,” I said, throwing on my professional voice.

  “Tiffany?” The male asked,

  “Yes. Who is asking?” I questioned, getting a little paranoid.

  As I was driving, I looked into my rearview window.

  “It’s Quinton. Tone is out for the day, can I leave a message?” he asked, sounding so damn professional and sexy.

  “Yes, I need to find a condo or townhouse for my daughter and me. I’m looking for a realtor.”

  “I know he would squeeze you in, but I know he’s pretty swamped with all his other clients, so I would be glad to show you some properties tomorrow.”

  I smiled because he was going out of his way to help me. Nobody had done that for me in a while.

  “Sounds good. Do you want to get together for dinner and talk about commission, areas, and my budget?” I asked, hoping I didn’t come off like I was trying to hit on him.

  “You took the words right out of my mouth. Let’s meet at Prime 112 around nine o’ clock,” he said, sounding ecstatic.

  “Sounds like a plan,” I said and hung up.

  I pulled into Tyrisha’s driveway.

  Chapter Eleven

  Mezzie

  “Where the hell are you?” I screamed into the phone.

  I was mad as hell. Tone had told me he was going to come home two days ago and I hadn’t heard anything from him. I spent my whole damn day running around after AJ. I wanted to at least relax with him while he rubbed my belly. But, no! That nigga was M.I.A.

  I went by his house and he wasn’t home. I even went by the office, but all Quint told me was that he had an emergency out of town trip. I needed to tell him what I had found out and show him the pictures that my private investigator took of his “wifey”. She was leaving another man’s house in the afternoon with different clothes on she came in the night before. He needed to wake up and realize that this bitch was cheating. Nine times out of ten that baby she was carrying, wasn’t his. He was being real dumb.

  AJ was with my sister and I was home alone, driving myself crazy about where Tone was. I decided I was going to treat myself to a mani, pedi, and some retail therapy. I dressed in some skinny maternity jeans and flip flops with a loosely fit True Religion V-neck. I put my gold chain I got as a push present for having AJ and grabbed my bag, keys, and was out the door. As I was heading out the door, I noticed Tone’s wifey talking at the rental office’s front desk.

  “What the fuck is she doing here?” I said to myself while I ducked behind one of the columns in lobby. She was walking into the renting office. My mind eased a little. Maybe she was renting a place because she knew once Tone found out, she would surely need another place to stay. Me and AJ would be moving in that house ASAP. I tossed my bag over my shoulder and headed off about my day. I was feeling happy. I proceeded to treating myself to the spa.

  Chapter Twelve

  Tyrisha

  I was at the Edge Water Apartment Condos to cancel that lease Tone had put in my name for his bitch. He was out of town with some other young bitch he had been fucking on the low, only it wasn’t so low ‘cause I knew all about that shit. I heard through the grapevine that he took her to Puerto Rico for the weekend.

  Even though I cheated, he had been doing it even when I was faithful to him. Now, it was time to ruin his little safety net he built at Edge Water Condos.

  As I sat in the building’s rental office, I was getting pissed off because every time he addressed me, he called me Miss Gonzales. So, that must’ve been that bitch’s name.

  “Look, sir, I’m not Miss Gonzales. I rented this apartment for my fiancé and it’s obvious he wasn’t being that holy. If you keep calling me another’s woman name, I’m going to start cussin’ yo ass out. I'm not mad, but I would love to terminate the lease because I will not be paying this month’s rent. Now where do I sign?”

  He knew this was some drama for your mama type of shit at that moment. He and the rest of staff was about to be a part of it if somebody didn’t help me.

  “Sign and initial here, we’ll give Miss Gonzales notice that she should vacate the premises in about ten business days,” he said, shuffling the papers into the file cabinet.

  “No, make it a week. Now, you have a good day, sir,” I said walking out the office, not giving him a chance to respond.

  ***

  I was lying in Moses’s bed watching Wendy Williams re-runs when he came strolling into the room. I had a key to his house, so seeing me there in his bed wasn’t a surprise. I hadn’t been back to my house in a week. I knew he was enjoying my company because he came home to me every day and slept next me every night. That was all I wanted. I wanted someone who was going to be there.

  Moses wasn’t like any other man. He didn’t run the streets at night and when he said he was handling business, it wasn’t another woman. It was actual business. He took care of home and was always attentive and caring. He could switch to family man and stone cold killer in a second. I loved it.

  “What’s good, babe?” He asked, throwing his coat over the chair in the corner.

  “Nothing, just had some business to take care of,” I said, crawling across the bed to give him a kiss.

  “I hope that it was good business you had to take care of.”

  I pulled back from the embrace and looked at him strangely.

  “What you mean by that, Moe?”

  “You know what I mean, so please spare me the dramatics. Our son will be here in a month and I will not be bringing him in this world under that nigga’s roof,” he said it calmly, but I was smart enough to know it was the calm before the storm.

  “Babe, I’ve been making steps. I signed papers to terminate the lease on that bitch’s condo and I'm gonna start moving my shit out tomorrow,” I said, kissing his cheek.

  I was eight months pregnant and swollen everywhere. I looked good, but I was far from feeling like it. I was stressed because I had to move my stuff out the house and find a condo. Plus, I had to tell Tone that I knew about his little family and second side bitch.

  How was I going to split the stuff between us? We weren’t married, but I had money tied into that house and other investments we had going on. I knew Moses wasn’t going to go for me moving into another condo, but his house was just what it was- his house. If he wanted to kick my ass out the next day he could and I wouldn’t have any legal grounds to stay there.

  I waddled to my side of the bed, laid back, and was slowly drifting to sleep, thinking about the next move being my best move. Not only for me, but for my baby.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Moses

  “Yo, when you coming down here? Victor wants to meet with both of us in a week,” I said talking to my younger brother, Reshawn. He was supposed to be down a week before and yet he was still in New York sniffing around for some pussy.

  Our supplier had been worrying about things on my brother’s end. He heard thru the grapevine that Reshawn was shopping around for other connects with cheaper prices. One thing about the drug business was shit like that was disrespectful, especially since he had been dealing with my brother even while he was locked up for a year.

  Fresh out of jail, he only had the one house he owned and two cars. He was broke, so Miguel gave him some bricks on consignment. If it wasn’t for me, he would’ve been six feet deep already.

  As soon as he came home, he went partying, using up all his supply. I did what any big brother would do. I had to dig him out his hole he had dug by loaning him over seventy grand, which to this day I hadn’t even seen.

  Between my mother always complaining about him going to get himself killed and me going to spend time with her, to Tyrisha having my baby, I was stretched pretty thin. But, my number one priority was Tyrisha and our son. She was due in less than a month.

  We had a few things prepared. We had a car seat set up in her car and the newly furnished nursery at my house. She didn’t even know I was selling my house and moving to
the same gated community she lived in with Tone. I wanted to make sure she made the right choice because if she didn’t, she was going to see me every day, visiting my son, whether she was with Tone or not.

  ***

  After I left Tyrisha to sleep, I went to my office to work on some paperwork. I had to call some moving companies, so I could be moved and settled in less than a week. I wasn’t taking all my stuff. I included some stuff with the house. That’s why it sold so fast.

  An hour later, I arranged everything and was sitting in my theater room, puffing a cigar and nursing my Bacardi rum when my phone started to ring.

  “Speak to me,” I stated.

  “Yo, bro, I'm gonna be coming a little sooner than later,” Reshawn said.

  “Why? Is something wrong?”

  I knew something was that’s why I asked.

  “Nah, I need to get away from the drama. Can I stay with you for a week or two?”

  “Nah, but you can use my condo for your stay. Call me when you know what day you’re coming and book your flight. I’ll arrange to pick you up,” I said.

  “Aight, good looking... One,” he said and hung up.

  I took a big gulp from the Hennessey I was nursing before puffing my cigar. I puffed it so long that I started to choke. I was going to need something stronger. I went upstairs to my master bedroom, cuddled with my baby girl, and closed my eyes. She was truly stronger.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Tiffany

  I was nervous as hell walking into the restaurant. I knew I looked good. I was rocking a pair of Rock and Republic skinny jeans, a white and red silk tank top paired with a white blazer, a pair of nude color six inch Louboutins, and a black clutch. My hair was done in a big sock bun with my side bangs swept to the side. I didn’t want to over dress, so I went somewhat casual. I hadn’t been on a date in so long, I was shaking.

  “Reservations, ma’am?” the white hostess asked.

  “Yes, Quinton, party of two,” I said. I didn’t know his last name.

  “Right this way,” she said and guided me through the beautifully decorated restaurant.

  It’s just a business dinner calm down, Tiff. Love is for the birds, remember? I said in my head.

  When I got into my fuck niggas get money mode, I was good. I added some pep in my step and strutted to the table.

  I got to the table and he was already sitting, waiting, and looking good. He was out of his suit with a pair of jeans and a white Gucci tee. He looked so good. He stood up to greet me with a kiss on the cheek.

  “Hi,” I said, smiling, returning the kiss on his cheek.

  “What’s good, Tiff?”

  I was taken back. This was not the man that I met in the suit talking proper English a couple of days ago.

  “I’m cool. I’m just ready to get out the hotel and into my own place,” I said, getting straight to business.

  “Welcome to Prime 112. Our special tonight is the sautéed salmon with arugula and fresh squeezed lemon juice, paired with a porterhouse steak with peppers and onions,” the bubbly waiter said.

  “Do you mind if I start with a drink?” I asked, looking at Quinton.

  “Not at all, I’ll have Ciroc with Red Bull,” he said.

  “I’ll take Peach Ciroc topped with a mint leaf, please, and a glass of sparkling water,” I said, smiling at the waiter.

  “No problem,” she replied as she rushed off to get our order.

  “So, let’s get to business. What properties do you have for me to see?” I looked him in his eyes with a smile.

  “Well, I have a three bedroom, with three full bathrooms and one partial bath. It has 3,045 square feet. It’s a townhome in the South Beach area.”

  “It’s just me and my daughter. I want something small, but not too small, and something that’s affordable for me to keep living how I'm living,” I said seriously. I didn’t want something over the top and big where I wouldn’t feel secure enough for my daughter.

  “If you want something smaller, I would suggest a condo. Maybe two or three bedrooms with around the clock security in the building and amenities,” he said, pulling out some papers out his folder.

  “Okay, sounds good. When can we look?” I questioned, getting excited.

  Just then, the waiter came with our drinks. He sat mine down and then sat Quinton’s down. “Are you ready to order?” he asked, pulling out his book.

  “I'm not really that hungry, so I’ll take a lobster roll with sweet mango sauce,” I said taking a sip of my drink.

  This shit was good. I hadn’t had a drink since Madison was born.

  “Alright, I’ll take another drink and a club soda please,” he said, handing her his menu and reaching for mine.

  ***

  Three drinks and a half eaten lobster roll later, we were talking like we knew each other forever.

  “What brings you down to Miami? I know it’s not the weather,” he said laughing.

  “I was tired of my daughter’s father and his ways. I want something new and better for us,” I answered bluntly. That was the truthful effect from drinking.

  “Hmm, if I was your baby’s father, I would’ve never let you get away,” he said, licking his lips.

  “Okay, I have had too much to drink if I think you’re trying to flirt with me,” I said, trying to get up. But, I was obviously too tipsy, so I sat back down quickly.

  “Let me drive you home and you can come pick your car up tomorrow with Tyrisha,” he said, handing me his hand and helping me to the door.

  The Miami night breeze felt so good on my skin. It was cool, but not chilly, warm, but not hot. It was the perfect weather to be out at night. I wasn’t ready to go home.

  MaryAnn had Madison for the night. I had to be at the office early, but I was free to hang out. Plus, I wanted to get to know Quinton. I had nothing but the time and the opportunity.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Quinton

  I was feeling the hell out of Tiffany. She was smart, funny, and it didn’t hurt that she was sexy as hell. I wanted someone… nah, I needed someone like her. I wanted that stable chick who didn’t mind working or staying home to take care of the kids.

  We were sitting on the beach in the middle of the night. Tiffany was laying her head on my shoulder, talking about her mom and how she wished she could see where she was now in her life. I understood because I felt the same way about my mother.

  My mother was a meth head that could care less about anything unless it was going to get her high. I left Minnesota when I turned twenty and moved to Miami. I heard two things about Miami. The drug game was good and the weather was always warm. I came down here with eight hundred dollars in my pocket and a Blackberry.

  I rented out an apartment and met up with a dude named Hassam who was moving weight. After ten years of moving weight, I had more money than I knew what to do with. That’s when I came across Tone and decided to invest my dirty money and make it clean.

  Now, I owned half of our real estate business and three barbershops in my old hood. I was content with my life. I had broken up with my no good ex-girlfriend and now I was ready to move on.

  As I sat, listening to Tiffany, I realized she had been through a lot but, she still remained positive. She made me want to give her and Madison the world, even though I hadn’t met her baby. What man lets his baby mother and daughter leave the state and not look for them or be concerned? That’s the part of her story that threw me for a loop. Was that the complete truth or was there more to her story? Either way, she had me at hello.

  “I'm ready to go home now,” she said, standing up and dusting her pants off.

  “I’ll take you home. I don’t want you driving. You had one too many drinks,” I said as I grabbed her shoes. She had the cutest and smallest feet.

  “Thanks Quint,” she smiled, looking at the ocean before walking back to my car.

  ***

  By the time I got Tiffany to the hotel, she was knocked out sleeping. I tried waking her up, bu
t all she did was make a small moaning noise and got even cozier in the passenger seat. I turned the car off, went around to the passenger side door, and lifted her out the car. She was so light and looked so angelic. She snuggled in my arms and went into a deeper sleep.

  When I eventually got her to the bedroom of her hotel room, she was still knocked out cold. I laid her down, covered her up, and started to leave.

  “You leaving?” she asked sleepily.

  “Yeah, I just wanted to make sure you got home.”

  “Can you stay? I don’t wanna be alone. Please?” she whined as she patted the side of the bed next to her.

  “Aight, just for a little while.”

  I took my boots off and lay down next to her. She snuggled closer until she rested her head on my chest. She was back to sleep. I wasn’t too far behind her. Sleep finally won the battle and I was out cold.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Tiffany

  “Shit, I'm gonna be late,” I said as I jumped up out the bed.

  That’s when I realized Quint was sleeping next to me.

  I know I didn’t fuck him, I thought to myself as I checked my jeans. They were still in place, so I was good. I looked at my iPhone and it was twelve. I was supposed to be up at nine this morning.

  I sent Tyrisha a text telling her I wasn’t coming into the office. I sat my phone on the night stand. I was nervous to wake him up, so I decided to just lie back down and catch up on some must needed sleep for the mean time.

  ***

  I woke up around three o’clock to the smell of food. It smelled so good that I didn’t realize I was up and out the bed walking to the kitchen. Quint was in the kitchen cooking, and damn did he look good. His toned body looked favorable in the kitchen.

  “You didn’t have to cook,” I said taking a seat at the table.

  “I didn’t. I was hungry and cooked me something to eat,” he said looking serious as hell.