by Deja King
"What the fuck! Where is my car? I know I parked it right here." Nichelle frantically searched for her car, feeling as if she was losing her mind.
She got back on the elevator and went upstairs. "Renny, wake up...wake up, baby!" she called out, shaking Renny out of his sleep.
"Babe, what is it?" he mumbled, turning around, wanting to go back to sleep.
"Baby, my key is missing and my car is gone! Somebody must'a come in here and stole it! But when? And what we gon' do?"
"We can talk about it when I get up. I'm tired. I just got in a couple hours ago."
"Renny, are you not hearin' what I'm sayin'? Somebody broke in here!"
"Didn't nobody break into shit."
"Then where the fuck is my car?"
"I sold it," Renny stated casually, putting the pillow over his face, determined to get his sleep on.
"What! You sold it, why? Why would you do some shit like that? I loved that car, and it was a gift from Carmelo!"
Renny slowly moved the pillow from over his face, and slightly lifted his upper body up to face Nichelle. "What did you say?" His voice was steady and even.
Nichelle lowered her tone as if realizing who she was talking to. "I don't understand why you sold my car. You didn't even ask me."
The speed in which Renny reached out and seized Nichelle's arm made her legs buckle and fall down to her knees. "First of all, I told you to never mention Carmelo's name again."
Nichelle swallowed hard, stunned by the fury she could see on Renny's face.
"Second, I don't have to ask you to do anything. I don't want my woman driving around in a car that another man bought her. I should'a been got rid of that shit, but business has been too hectic for me to get around to it."
"I'm sorry," Nichelle whispered in a shivering voice. Renny's grip on Nichelle was so commanding, she couldn't even move.
"When I get some time, you can order a new car, but until then you can drive one of mine, except for the Maserati."
Nichelle nodded her head, not disputing any of what Renny said. But there was no need for him to mention the Maserati. He had already made it known that was his baby, and nobody could drive it but him. "Over there on the dresser you'll see your checking account information. I deposited the money from the sale of the car into your new account. You need to learn how to pay bills and balance money."
"Okay."
"Nichelle, don't ever raise your voice at me unless you willing to back it up. Understood?"
"Yes. I'm sorry, baby."
Renny freed Nichelle's arm and laid down to go back to sleep like nothing happened.
The quick, less than two-hour drive to Philly seemed like an eternity, with the lack of conversation and the dark cloud looming in the car. Tierra didn't know what the fuck was going on, but from the time Renny and Nichelle picked her up, nobody had more than a few words to say.
Damn, I know this nigga gotta Range or some type of truck. Why in the hell did he have to drive this Maserati? This shit sweet as a motherfucker, but I'm cramped like hell back here. Shit, I can't wait to get to Philly and get out this car, 'cause this shit is not comfortable, Tierra thought to herself, eyeing Renny and Nichelle, who both seemed to be in their own misery.
"Renny, how much longer?" Tierra wanted to know.
"Another fifteen minutes."
"Baby, I was thinking maybe we could go out to dinner tonight, after you finished handling your business, of course." Since Tierra was able to get somewhat of a full sentence out of Renny, Nichelle used the opportunity to open up dialogue between them.
"We're gonna have dinner at my cousin's crib," Renny stated, not giving Nichelle any real rhythm.
Tierra was dying to find out what drama jumped off that had the `hood's royal couple at odds. She sat back, anxiously waiting for them to reach their destination.
Around twenty minutes later, Renny pulled up on the corner of 18th Street and the Parkway, to the Embassy Suites in Center City. He got out of the car not saying a word, and walked into the lobby of the hotel.
"Yo, what the fuck is going on between you and Renny?" Tierra couldn't hold her tongue any longer.
"I don't wanna talk about it." Nichelle's voice sounded like death had hit her.
"What you mean?" Tierra crossed her arms, like you better come with more than that.
"I mean, I don't want to talk about it. I fucked up, and Renny's pissed at me."
"What did you do?"
Nichelle shrugged her shoulders, not wanting to get into the details of what happened. All she wanted was for Renny to stop being mad at her. The silent treatment he was flipping in her direction had her on edge.
"I'll tell you when we get to the room." She decided to fill Tierra in, thinking she could give her some advice on how to make it right.
"Cool, that works, because here come Renny now."
Nichelle looked up and Renny was walking towards the car with the same distant aura he had when he left. He opened the car door and handed Tierra a room key, and then one to Nichelle. "Your rooms are right next to each other," he said, without making any eye contact.
"You are staying with me tonight, right?"
Tierra wanted to smack the back of Nichelle's head for having that nigga make her sound so pitiful.
"If I wasn't gonna stay wit' you, I would'a left you back in Jersey. I'll be back in a few hours to pick you guys up." He reached in a side compartment and pulled out a stack of bills. "Here, do some shopping, get something to eat, but stay in the vicinity ... you understand?"
"Yes."
"Come on, Nichelle, let's go," Tierra said, getting out of the car, tired of witnessing the whole pathetic scene.
"You go `head. I wanna talk to Renny for a second. I'll meet you upstairs in the room." Tierra rolled her eyes and shut the car door.
"I gotta go," Renny said, brushing Nichelle off.
"Renny, please don't be mad at me anymore. You're right, I should'a never questioned you. It should'a been my suggestion to get rid of the car from jump. It wasn't right for me to be drivin' another man's car, livin' in your crib. That was stupid on my part. It was me being stunned that the car was gone and not knowing what happened, that made me react like that. I'll never do that again. But I can't take you being mad at me like this. It's driving me crazy!"
"Come here," Renny said, grabbing the back of Nichelle's neck and pulling her toward his mouth. He put his tongue deep down her throat, before gently kissing the top then her bottom lip. "You my baby, you know that."
"Forever. It can't be any other way."
"It won't. Now, go have some fun with Tierra. I'll see you in a few hours."
Nichelle reached over and kissed Renny one more time before getting out the car. The sick feeling that was consuming the pit of her stomach had now vanished since they had kissed and made up.
Nichelle smiled all the way through the lobby to the elevators, imagining the dick-down Renny would give her when they were alone in their hotel room tonight. Her mind had traveled to such an obscene place, that she didn't even notice when a man walked up to her and had been staring at her intently for a few minutes.
"Don't I know you?"
The gentleman's question snapped Nichelle out her daydreaming and caused her to observe the man invading her space. "No, you don't," she cracked, hitting the "up" button on the elevator again.
"Isn't your name Nichelle?"
This time, Nichelle did a long double take, studying the man's face, body and clothes. "How do you know my name?" she asked, being inquisitive and put off at the same time.
"I thought that was you. I never forget an intriguing face."
"Did Tierra put you up to this bullshit?"
"I don't know who Tierra is, but I remember you from the VIP lounge at the bowling alley in Harlem. I gave you my business card."
"Oh yeah, now I remember you. You were tryna sell me dreams of being a model to get in my panties."
"I don't sell dreams, I make them happen. I'm Akil Walker
." He extended his hand, but Nichelle gave him no love. "I'm the owner of Pristine Records, and I've branched out with my own men's clothing line. You may or may not have heard of it," he said, knowing if she hadn't, she had been living under a rock.
"You look awfully young to be doing so much." He had a baby face, with a grown man's suit that seemed to have been tailored specifically for his slender build.
"Yep, and I'm about to do a lot more. Starting with introducing my women's line, and I've been looking for a spokes model. The line is cuttingedge-street, with a touch of sexy glamour. And like I told you a few months ago when I first saw you, I believe you'd be perfect."
"So after all this time you ain't found your model? So what, you left New York to patrol the streets of Philly? Interesting," Nichelle smacked.
"Something like that. We've been going to all the major cities, holding open auditions. I don't want a common face that everybody has seen in videos on BET, or their ass has been plastered in King or XXL magazine. I want a fresh, young but sexy ass woman to rep for my line."
"And you think that's me?"
"I know it is. All I need to do is see if your appeal carries over when you're in front of the camera."
"This sounds somewhat interesting, but I'm here wit' my man for the weekend."
"That's cool, he can come too. Maybe you're not understanding, but this is about business."
"Business, huh?" Nichelle wasn't quite sold on the vision he was selling.
"Here's my business card, again. This time, you should use it. I really can change your life."
Nichelle took the card and put it in her back pocket. The more she listened, something about the dude's swagger made him appear like the real deal. She wasn't hundred percent convinced, but it was worth looking into.
Chanel poured herself a drink, trying to relax since Arnez would be entertaining tonight. She wasn't big on company, preferring to spend her time alone with him, but he was looking forward to having his cousin over. For Chanel, Renny wasn't even the problem. She dug him. But from what she heard, he was bringing his girlfriend and her friend. That was too many females in one room for her liking. She was more of a testosterone type chick than estrogen.
"You look stunning," Arnez complimented Chanel on her black, strapless leather jumpsuit, which accentuated her ample ass to perfection.
"Thank you." Chanel was surprised by Arnez's compliment, since he rarely did so. "How much longer until the guests arrive? Because the sooner they arrive, the sooner they can leave."
"Now, Chanel, I want you on your best behavior. You know how important my cousin is to me."
"Of course. I don't even have a weapon on me. I left it in the bedroom," she winked. Just then, they both heard the knock at the door.
"Right on time," Arnez said, eyeing his watch. "I'm glad you could make it," he smiled, opening the door and letting Renny, Nichelle and Tierra inside.
"I told you I would. You think I'ma be in Philly and not see my people? This is my baby, Nichelle, and her friend, Tierra."
They smiled at Arnez, while Tierra, without so much as pausing, started sizing up his crib and the chick she eyed by the bar.
"Renny's cousin is cute. I guess fineness runs in the family," Tierra whispered to Nichelle.
"Watch yourself. His woman looks like she could take this whole room out with just her stare," Nichelle commented, getting a chill from the ice cold demeanor of Chanel.
"Chanel, don't be rude, come speak to our guests."
Chanel put her drink down and took her time strutting across the floor as if she was doing them a favor by even being in their presence. "It's good to see you again, Renny."
"Likewise. This is my woman, Nichelle, and her friend Tierra."
"Your woman! Is she even legal?" Chanel sulked.
"You ain't fuckin' her, so why you care?" Tierra popped, to one ballsy bitch to another.
Right before Chanel was about to strike, Arnez shut it down. "You have to excuse Chanel. I rarely let her out her cage, and sometimes she doesn't know how to act."
"Well maybe you need to throw her a bone," Tierra mumbled under her breath, but Chanel caught every word.
"That's all good, but Chanel, I do need you to apologize to my woman, because that's what she is. Her age is none of your business."
"Baby, I'm fine. She doesn't have to apologize."
"I'm sorry, Nichelle. That was inappropriate."
"Wonderful. We've all made nice, so let's move on and have dinner." Arnez led everyone to the dinning room, and on there way, Nichelle caught a glimpse of a picture that held her attention and wouldn't let go.
"What a beautiful woman. Who is she?" Nichelle asked, picking up the sterling silver frame from a glass table by the couch."
Chanel wanted to smack Nichelle and the picture out her hand. It infuriated her that Arnez kept that picture out for all to see.
"Her name is Talisa."
"It's amazing how much she looks like my mother when she was younger."
Tierra walked over and took a look. "Damn sure do. They look like they could be sisters."
"What's your mother's name?" Arnez questioned.
For a brief second, Nichelle was about to say "Teresa", but caught herself.
"You do know your mother's name?" Arnez joked.
"Yes, it's Sheila," she answered, putting the picture down.
"Are you okay, baby?" Renny put his arm around Nichelle's waist.
"When you're with me, I'm always okay," she said, sneaking a kiss before they sat down at the dinner table.
After everybody sat down, three servers came out and placed multiple dishes on the table. You had a choice of straight up American cuisine, to French, Italian, sushi, seafood, to good old soul food. Neither Nichelle nor Tierra had ever seen a layout like that before. It was better than being at their favorite all you can eat, ten-dollar buffet in the `hood, and they never thought it could get better than that.
After a while, everyone was enjoying their meal, music was playing, and the original dark mood had softened. After a couple of more drinks, even Chanel thawed out her icy behavior a tad.
"Where are you going?" Arnez wanted to know when he saw Renny getting up from his chair.
"Over to the bar. You know I'm not a drinker, but I'm in the mood for a little cognac."
"I can have one of the waiters get it for you."
"Man, I know how to pour my own drink."
"Then I'll join you. We can have a drink together."
The two men headed to the bar, and Arnez poured them both a drink while Renny admired the stunning penthouse view.
"Life is truly good. We've been blessed, Arnez."
"Yes, we have," he said, handing Renny his drink. "Sometimes I wake up and can't believe this is my life. I have more money than I can ever spend, and access to the most beautiful women, except the one I want... speaking of beautiful women, Nichelle is breathtaking. You didn't exaggerate one bit. But I have to agree with Chanel, she's extremely young. Do you think she's ready to enter our world and deal with the type of life you live?"
"I've been working on her for months now. It's taken some time, but she's getting there. The fact that she is so young is a plus. I can still mold and train her to be the woman I want."
"I understand you perfectly. If only I had gotten a hold of Talisa at Nichelle's age, how different things would be right now. We would be married with a house full of kids. It might be too late for me, but it's not for you."
"Yeah, but Nichelle's not ready yet. I need some more time to fully break her in. But it'll happen, there's no doubt in my mind.
"Baby, I had so much fun tonight. I've never been to a dinner party like that before. It was all so glamorous and stuff, like how you see on T.V.," Nichelle beamed when they got back to their hotel room.
"Yeah, baby, but this is real life. You haven't even seen a glimpse of how me and my people really ball. I'm talking about mansions, private planes, trips to exotic locations where you and your crew ar
e the only ones on the entire island. There is a lot of heat in the streets right now, so we tryna keep shit low-key. But, wait until shit is sweet again. . .you'll see."
"You call how you livin' now low-key? Damn, and I thought you had me living like a princess!"
"Baby, I'ma have you living like a queen. I gotta get your mind right first."
"My mind is right. I'm totally in love wit' you. What else do you need from me?"
"Don't worry about it. I'll let you know when you're ready."
"I wanna make you happy, baby." Nichelle kissed Renny's chest as he sat on the bed, taking off his pants. Then she worked her kisses down to his dick, and as she held it, massaged it and worshipped every inch of it. "I love this dick, baby, almost as much as I love you."
Renny smirked. "I knew from the second I peeped you, you had primetime potential."
"Seriously?" Nichelle would wrap her lips around Renny's thick dick and deep throat it, then gaze up seeking his approval.
"Yes, and when I'm done with you, you gon' be every nigga's dream bitch. But you belong to me, so it won't even matter."
"Baby, I want you to cum in my mouth. I want to swallow every drop of you."
And that's what Renny did. He exploded in her mouth, and then fucked the shit out of her and exploded inside her pussy. Nichelle couldn't get enough of him. She wanted Renny's dick to rest inside of her until she fell asleep in his arms.
Nichelle woke up in the middle of the night, and like always, the first thing she did was look around for Renny. But this time, he wasn't there and it sent her in a panic. She leaned over to the nightstand and turned on the lamp. She got up to see if he was in the bathroom, but he wasn't. The clothes he had on earlier were missing, and Nichelle's brain went into overdrive. She picked up her cell phone to call him, but saw that he left his in the room. Where in the fuck can he be! Nichelle thought to herself as she threw on some clothes and grabbed her room key, not knowing where to begin her search. All she knew was that she wanted Renny back in the bed, sleeping beside her.