Playing With Fire: Loyalty Demolished

by Charlee Renea

  She woke up early, getting her and Junior ready for the day. She wanted to get to the airport early to pick up the rental then shop for household items. Afterward, they went back to the airport and waited.

  ~ ~

  “What’s wrong, Ma?” Ray’Sha asked.

  They’d made it safely and were walking off the plane.

  “I’m not feeling moving here! I don’t care how pretty it is. That brother of yours needs to get his act together!”

  “It’s only temporary. Let’s just soak up this good living!”

  “Then my grandbabies! The baby doesn’t even know me.”

  “He doesn’t know any of us and it isn’t too late!” Ronald said.

  They saw Chyna sitting in the chair. Ray’Sha walked over to her with her daughter in her arms. Mr. and Mrs. Smith grabbed their luggage and headed over to them.

  “Hey, girl!” Ray’Sha greeted and Chyna stood up.

  “Hey, Ray’Sha! Where’re your parents?”

  “Oh, girl, they’re coming! Is this Junior?” she said, bending down. He was sitting in the seat.

  “Yes! Say hi, Junior.” He got up and hugged on Chyna’s leg. “He’ll get use to you. This your little one?”

  “Yes, girl, and she so spoiled.”

  “She’s so cute. What’s her name?”

  “Cherri.”

  Ray’s parents walked up and Chyna got nervous again.

  “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Smith. How are y’all?” Chyna greeted.

  “We’re doing well, Chyna. Thank you for asking. Now, where’s my grandbaby? I don’t want to miss any more of his life!” Lashan huffed.

  “He’s being shy right now. Say hi to your grandparents, Junior.” He waved at them but held on tightly to her leg.

  “He’s going to know who I am by the end of the day!” Lashan stated.

  They headed out the airport to the rental. On the drive to the house, Chyna told them about her labor and how good of a child Junior was. When they pulled up to the house, the Smiths were impressed by the ocean being only a block away. They might like St. Thomas after all! They liked how the house was decorated and felt a little more comfortable.

  Chyna remembered Mrs. Smith’s cooking and how she’d loved attending Sunday dinners. She’d gone to the grocery store earlier to grab some food to cook. She had it lying out on the kitchen counter.

  “Looks like somebody’s cooking a big meal today,” Lashan said, observing the food.

  “Yes, I figured a home-cooked meal would be better than fast food!”

  “Yes, it is! So, hopefully, you’re cooking!”

  They chuckled. Chyna’s phone started ringing; she hit answer and left the room. Mrs. Smith started prepping the food.

  “Hello,” Chyna answered. She walked into the bedroom.

  “Wassup? What are y’all doing? Did they make it?”

  “Yes. We’re getting ready to cook. What are you doing?” She was happy to finally hear from Ray.

  “Shit, sitting here with Vin. What y’all about to cook?”

  “Chicken, shrimp, corn, fresh green beans, red potatoes, and pineapple cobbler.”

  “Damn, that sounds like Mama’s cooking. Wishing I was there.”

  “When are you coming, baby?”

  “Soon. I have to make sure shit’s straight with Boss first. I can’t stay long, baby. We’re going to L.A. next week.”

  “Okay,” she said in a whisper.

  “Don’t sound like that. Everything I do is for y’all, so we can live comfortably.”

  “I understand, baby; don’t explain. I just hope you’re here for the birth.”

  “I will be, baby. Don’t stress over that. I want y’all to be healthy.”

  “Okay.”

  “Tell everyone I said hi and I love them. I’ma talk to y’all later.”

  “Okay, baby. I love you, too, and be safe.”

  Chyna was nervous, hoping Ray would show up for their daughter’s birth. He’d already missed Junior’s birth. She walked back into the kitchen.

  “Hey, Ma, Ray just called.”

  “Um; what’s he talking about?”

  “He’s coming here soon.” Chyna sat on the bar stool and put her head down.

  “Look at me.” She looked up. “We’re here for you! Despite what happened in the past, we’re going to be here for those children! You stay strong and don’t stress over it. Your babies are looking up to you!”

  “Thank you. I didn’t know how y’all would react knowing we’d kept Junior from y’all.”

  “Yes, it hurts, but we’ll get over it. We’re family and I look at you as our own. I know you want Ray here when she’s born, but if he isn’t, we will be!”

  “Okay, Ma.”

  She rubbed Chyna’s belly. Mrs. Smith always had touching words to say to cheer up any situation. Chyna knew she had to remain strong for her family. She worked up the strength to help with the cooking, and got up and started on the corn.

  ~ ~

  Pebbles was a five-four, Hershey bar, with no curves, a pretty smile, washboard stomach, medium-length hair, and sassy attitude. She was popping gum and sitting on the couch watching Love & Hip Hop when Ray knocked on her apartment door.

  “WHO IS IT?” she yelled.

  “It’s me!”

  She got up, walked to the door, and looked through the peephole. He looked good in his cargo shorts, wife-beater, royal-blue Air Max’, and a royal-blue KC fitted hat. She opened the door and jumped into his arms. She hadn’t seen him in a couple of days. She tongued him down so he’d know how much she missed him.

  Ray had met Pebbles six months ago at a car show he and Vin had gone to. She had approached him, looking good in some blue jeans and a plain T‑shirt. They exchanged numbers and had been chilling hard ever since. Ray wasn’t looking for anything serious with her, but he could tell she was feeling differently because she was always offering him money to hustle with. He thought that was strange, or she was just desperate. He kept her out of his business and used her for sexual pleasure only since he wasn’t sexing Chyna.

  He walked inside her apartment, closing the door behind them, then laid her down on the couch. He sat next to her, pulled out a Black & Mild, and lit it. He was trying to slow down on the weed, but his nerves were bad. Plus, she didn’t smoke weed. Truthfully, he enjoyed smoking better with Chyna because she was freak.

  “What I tell you about answering the door like that? I could have been anybody!” he said, taking his hat off and placing it on the couch.

  She looked up at him, giving him the puppy-dog eyes. ‘Damn, he’s fine! If only . . .’ she thought. “I’m sorry, boo. I won’t do it again.”

  “Better not!” He put his hand on her thigh and she leaned in to kiss him.

  “Why haven’t I heard from you?” She was curious because they usually talked every day.

  “Been busy working. You miss me?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m here now. What you ’bout to do?”

  “Chill in the house. I want to spend the whole night with you!”

  “Cook a nigga something to eat and show me how much you been missing me.”

  Pebbles did what he’d asked. She was really starting to fall for him. She understood they weren’t a couple, but she did for him like they were. She hadn’t planned to fall for him. She turned on the radio and an old song by Silk started playing. She was into the old-school music, and she had an old soul to be thirty.

  Pebbles was a single woman who had been previously engaged, but after she found out her fiancé had had another child, she called the engagement off. She’d given him over ten years of her life for him to deceive her. She had suffered through two miscarriages and was hurt. The woman he’d cheated on her with didn’t even want him. She’d learned to stand tall and strong because their fake relationship was built on a lie, so it was going to fail!

  She remained humble and was enjoying her life! The stress she’d been under no longer existed. She started p
raying and prayer had changed her life around for the better.

  ~ ~

  “Good afternoon, beautiful,” Jacob said, opening the blinds, letting the sun shine through.

  He had ordered them room service while Bella was sleep and sat it up on the table. Bella opened her eyes and smiled. She enjoyed the time they’d spent last night and was a little hung over. Noticing she was still dressed in last night’s attire, she climbed out the bed and joined him for lunch.

  “What time is it?” she asked, not seeing her phone.

  “It’s noon. We got in pretty late.”

  “Thank you for brunch. The table is set up beautifully.”

  “You're welcome.” He started making her plate and put it down in front of her.

  “Do you know where my phone is?”

  “Yes, it’s in your clutch.”

  Bella got up to get her clutch off the nightstand. She pulled her phone out and it was dead.

  “Um, it’s dead! I can’t remember where I put my charger.”

  “You can use mine.”

  His phone started ringing and he answered. “Hello . . . Wassup, bro? . . . Sitting here chilling with my lady friend . . . Word? We might have to! . . . Okay, we will . . . A’ight then; see y’all when we get there!”

  Bella joined him back at the table. “You have plans?” she asked, overhearing his conversation.

  “Yeah, my bro’s in Vegas and asked if I could drive down today.”

  “Vegas? Sounds interesting.”

  “Yeah; I also told him I was chilling with you and we wouldn’t mind coming if it’s okay with you.”

  “I wouldn’t mind.”

  . . . 6

  CHING! CHING! CHING! was the sound coming from the slot machines at the MGM Grand. Cigarette smoke filled the air, and the blackjack, poker, and craps tables were occupied by gamblers. Jacob and Bella checked into their room and headed to it.

  “How do you like it so far?”

  This was Bella’s first time visiting. She wasn’t the partying type or a gambler. “Pretty extraordinary, I must say. I’m new to this.”

  “Well, I’m going make sure you have a great time! That way you’ll come back to visit. Now let’s get ready for the pool party.”

  “Yes! I can’t wait.”

  She grabbed her bag and headed to the bathroom. She’d packed an all-white, one-piece swimsuit with cut-outs in the midsection. She took a quick shower. After she was finished, she touched up her makeup.

  Jacob’s phone started ringing; he reached for it in his jeans pocket and hit answer.

  “Wassup, bro?”

  “Wassup? Did y’all make it?”

  “Me and my lady friend just checked into our room. We’re getting ready for Lil Wayne’s pool party now. Y’all should slide through.”

  “Will do! Where’s the party?”

  “The Palms.”

  “Okay; we’ll be there.”

  Bella walked out the bathroom looking stunning. Her hair was pulled up into a bun, the swimsuit showed all the right curves, and she wore light makeup. Jacob was struck by her beauty. He was loving the white Chanel jelly sandals and bracelet to match. He liked how she’d dressed with class every time they’d gone out and how she kept herself like a lady.

  “You’re beautiful. I’m loving everything.”

  “Thank you! Now it’s your turn, Mr. Handsome.”

  “Oh, let me get in here!” He grabbed his bag and went into the bathroom.

  Bella grabbed the ice bucket off the table, her phone, and the key card, and headed out the room. She searched for her father’s name and hit send.

  Boss was having dinner with his wife, Bella’s mother, at a restaurant on the beach in New Jersey. They both loved seafood and tequila. His phone started vibrating on the table. He felt comfortable laying his phone around his wife because his days of cheating were over. He was in love with this beautiful, caramel, five-four, smart, and sassy woman. She’d had his back since day one and had stayed loyal. All the years he cheated, she’d known it was a part of the game. She knew her husband was a hustler who wouldn’t turn down a hustle. She did hate that Bella had gotten caught up in the drug cartel. She wished she was like her youngest daughter Arabella and had started a business instead. Seeing Bella’s picture pop up, he answered on the first ring.

  “Hello, princess. How’s everything?”

  “We just made it to Vegas and we’re getting ready to go to a pool party. Everything is going good so far. He hasn’t mentioned anything about his job yet.”

  “Okay; we’ll be flying out in a couple of days, and hopefully, y’all should be back by then.”

  “Yes; we’re just staying here for a night and leaving tomorrow evening.”

  “Okay; we will see you Monday. Take care and be safe, Bella. We love you.”

  “Yes, Daddy; I love y’all, too.” She hung up the phone, filled the ice bucket up, and headed back to the room.

  Boss hung up the phone as his queen stared at him, waiting for an explanation. She always wanted to know what was going on with Bella.

  “She made it safely and they’re in Vegas now.”

  “That’s good to hear. This is it! After this job, I don’t want Bella doing any more illegal activities. She’s been through enough! Don’t you think so?”

  He hated arguing with his wife, so he usually let her win the argument before it began.

  “I totally understand, and yes, she has been through enough! That time she was away from us, I felt bad and I promise this is it, baby.”

  “Don’t tell me that just to shut me up! I mean it! This is the last job! We’re living well, so let’s not get greedy!”

  “Yes, baby! When this job is over, we’ll be living even larger!”

  “I hope you plan to start with the money and flip it! I’m not talking about drugs either! Set up businesses for our girls. Use some of the money for that.”

  She had a good point he’d never thought of and was seriously considering following through with the plan. He had the money to start the businesses now if he wanted to.

  “I’m working on that, baby.”

  ~ ~

  Jacob was still in the shower when she walked back in the room. She placed the bucket on the table, checked herself in the mirror again, and was satisfied with her overall look. She didn’t really need the ice, she just needed an excuse to leave the room to call her father. She sat on the bed, thinking about him.

  Jacob was a nice, charming, respectable man. She didn’t understand why he was single. Then she thought he was probably just about his money. His phone started ringing on the nightstand, knocking her out of her thoughts. It rang again, and just as she was about to look at it, he walked out the bathroom. He was looking good standing there in some white shorts with no shirt and Nike flip-flops. His diamond bracelet was shining and so was the Jesus piece around his neck.

  “Bella, Bella, Bella!”

  He snapped his fingers and she came out of her daze. She was hypnotized by his sexiness. His abs were on point and she thought of some freaky things she could do to him. She usually wasn’t into white men, but he had her thinking differently. Even just a sample and she’d be satisfied. She hadn’t been pleased good by a man since before she’d gone to prison. Her pleaser was Ray. He had her hooked on his good pipe, but now he was acting like he wasn’t interesting in giving it to her good any more. She thought after being away so long, he’d miss her and wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off her. That was another reason why she believed he was messing with Chyna or another woman. Either way, she wasn’t prepared to let him go.

  “My bad; I was in my thoughts. You’re looking good, by the way!”

  “Thank you. You ready?”

  “Yes.”

  They grabbed their things and headed out the room. Jacob let her walk in front of him so he could admire her round booty. ‘Damn!’ he thought.

  ~ ~

  “Change into this.” Chris threw the black, short, s
trapless dress at Ashley. “The heels are in the bag. Now go get dressed!” He pointed to the bathroom and she headed toward it. Nikki had been calling his phone since he’d been in Vegas the previously day but he ignored her. He was focused on making money, which she didn’t help him do. She just liked spending it. He didn’t care if she had a good job working as a detective! Her earnings didn’t benefit him.

  Ashley took a quick bath, getting all the dirt off from turning tricks the night before. She’d thought coming to Vegas would be a vacation. She started to think about Ray and missed him. A tear dropped and she quickly wiped it away. ‘I’m not going to be down for long!’ she thought. She washed up, got out, and dressed quickly.

  Chris was sitting on the bed, waiting with the wig he had her wearing. He handed it to her and she went over to the mirror to put it on. He stood behind her.

  “What happened to you? To us? We were supposed to be married with a family and live happily ever after,” Chris told her.

  He’d left his fiancée to start a life with Ashley. He’d painted Ashley as the woman of his dreams who he’d always wanted in the beginning. If he had known she was using him, he would have left her alone and married his fiancée. Now neither woman wanted him and he was left treating Ashley badly.