When Champagne heard his voice, she jumped out of her seat so fast that it appeared as if she’d either been busted or was waiting on him to come over.
“Thomas, hey.” She hugged him and whispered in his ear, “I am not having a good time. Alexis has lost all her mind. Get me out of here.”
Not knowing if it was because she was caught in the company of another man or if these, what he assumed to be knuckleheads were bothering her, he told her, “Your man just called me,” loud enough for all to hear.
On that note Alexis stood up, “Excuse me, fellas.” She looked at Champagne and asked, “Do you mind if I steal Thomas for a second?”
Champagne moved to the side as Alexis grabbed Thomas’ arm and pulled him a short distance away.
“What are you doing?” Alexis asked him with much attitude and with her hands on her hips and neck snapping.
Thomas started laughing.
“What the hell is so funny?”
“You,” Thomas told her.
“What’s so funny about me?”
Thomas, who was a bit amused, asked her, “What’s up with the street attitude? You know damn well that’s not you.”
“What do you mean it’s not me? You don’t know me.” Alexis knew she was just acting out.
“I know enough about you to know that you’re not street and that you’re a lady. I also know enough to know that you might have had one too many drinks.”
Alexis rolled her eyes.
Thomas started laughing again.
This time Alexis stomped her right foot. “Why are you still laughing?”
Thomas didn’t bother responding. He looked over toward Champagne who looked bored by whatever the two men were talking about. “I think your girl is ready to leave.”
“No, she’s not.” Alexis looked at Champagne and saw her unease. “We’re having a good time.”
“Maybe you are but she’s not and I think you should let her leave. As a matter of fact I think you both should leave.”
Alexis looked at Thomas like, how dare you.
“And I think you should leave with me.”
Alexis looked in Thomas’ face, only to see that he was dead serious. “First you come and interrupt my good time and now you’re trying to steal me away.”
“Exactly.” Thomas wasn’t beating around the bush. “Come home with me.”
“For what? Sex? I’m not fucking you.”
Thomas was surprised that Alexis used the word fucking. He had never heard her use profanity before and it must have shown on his face.
“That’s right, I’m not fucking you.”
Before Thomas could respond, Luscious was up on them. “So, who’s your friend?”
Thomas turned around and said, “I thought I asked you to wait by the bar.”
“You did and I told you I wasn’t going to wait forever.” She was eyeing Alexis the whole time.
Alexis stepped back and told Thomas, “I see you have your hands full. I’ll leave you two alone.”
When she turned to walk back toward Shamel, Thomas took her arm and told her, “No, you stay right here.”
“Oh,” Luscious said, “you’re just going to disrespect me like that.”
Thomas let go of Alexis and told her, “You know what. We didn’t come here together, so there’s really no need to act like we did. You’re up here in VIP where you wanted to be, so go do your thing.”
“You know you are so right. I just used you to get in here anyway. There are other men that have it going on in more ways than you.”
Thomas didn’t bother responding. He wasn’t with that ghetto shit.
Luscious looked around and recognized several ball players and celebrities. The same ones Champagne noticed when she walked into VIP and the few new ones that had arrived. She faced Thomas, “Shit, there are better looking men in here than you, with more money anyway,” and walked off.
Alexis was still standing there when Thomas faced her.
“So that’s your type?”
“No, you’re my type,” he told her as he wondered how he was going to get her to spend the rest of the evening with him.
Chapter Thirty-six
Watch your back and your front; you never know who’s eyeing you.
Off to the side, Khalil was watching everything and he could feel his pressure rising. What he wanted to do was go and knock Thomas the fuck out for ruining what he had with Alexis. He knew that he handled the situation at the airport wrong. He was thrown off guard. He would have never thought that Alexis’ crew would dig into his past and pull out his wife. Yes, he was married, but he was also in the process of leaving her. He regretted not telling Alexis, but he knew that she had morals and beliefs and one of those was married men were off limits. He knew this because she told him that during one of their conversations. He wasn’t playing with her mind. He’d fallen in love with her, with her innocence, with her vulnerability, and with her sense of right and wrong. It was something he missed in women. It was something he missed in his wife. He wanted an opportunity to speak with Alexis to explain his side. To apologize.
Khalil looked over at their table and every fiber in his being wanted to knock Thomas the fuck out. However, he knew that wouldn’t do anything but soothe his ego and piss Alexis off. Now was not the time, it would have to wait. He also knew from the first time he met Thomas over Champagne and Zyair’s house that this Thomas character was feeling Alexis. It was all in the way he looked at Alexis and sneered at him.
Khalil needed to come up with something that would destroy Thomas but he knew that would take some time and time was all he had.
Khalil had spotted Alexis and Champagne the second they walked through the door. He chose not to approach them just yet because he wasn’t sure what he wanted to say. He watched them as they headed upstairs to the VIP section and made the decision to follow them. His boy who was working the entryway let him in.
His first thought when he looked at Alexis was, She is looking fine as hell. His second was, Why the hell did she have on that tight-ass outfit? He knew Alexis, hell he loved Alexis and when they were together tight clothes was not her style. He wondered if she was looking for trouble and his third thought was, Would she want me back if she knew I was physically separated from my wife?
Yes, he never told her he was married. He would have eventually changed that, all he needed was time and because of Thomas, his time had run out.
He watched Alexis approach Shamel. He watched Shamel and his friend take them up to VIP and he followed them. He stayed just a few people behind.
The plan was to approach Alexis the second he had a chance. Like all women did, he knew that eventually she would have to go to the ladies room and that’s when he would make his move. The thing of it was, it appeared like it was never going to happen. Right when he’d just about made up his mind to just walk over there, who approached her but Thomas?
I’m a man just like he’s a man. I’m stepping up. Khalil made the decision to approach the both of them, Alexis and Thomas. Whatever the hell went down was just going to go down.
“No, you’re my type.” Khalil heard Thomas say.
“Alexis,” Khalil said.
Alexis looked past Thomas, who turned around with swiftness.
“Oh, hell no! You need to step the fuck back!” Thomas said as Khalil stepped up. He was two seconds away from punching him in the face once again but Alexis placed her hand on his arm.
Khalil ignored Thomas and looked directly at Alexis. “Can I talk to you?”
Alexis was in shock. Her heart was pounding and she felt like she was about to start hyperventilating. This cannot be happening . . . This cannot be happening.
At the exact same time, Champagne just happened to look in their direction. When she saw what was taking place she stood and headed over in their direction to protect her girl.
Shamel and True also stood. Shamel was wondering what was going on and if he should intercept.
“Please,
I just want to apologize. I want to explain.”
Thomas, who was two seconds off Khalil’s ass told him, “I’m going to say it one more time–step . . . the . . . fuck . . . back.”
By this time Shamel, True, and Champagne were up on them. “Is everything okay, Alexis?” Shamel asked.
Alexis placed her hand on Thomas’ shoulder. “It’s okay.”
Thomas didn’t think it was okay and he didn’t want to let it go.
“Is there a problem?” Shamel asked Thomas.
“I don’t know. Is there?” Thomas had not taken his eyes off Khalil.
“All right y’all, this shit is getting out of hand. Khalil, you need to leave,” Champagne said.
“Please, will everyone let me speak?” Alexis asked.
No one said a word, they just looked at her.
“Khalil, there is absolutely nothing you can say to me to justify what you did or how you hurt me, so please just leave, please.”
The tone in her voice sounded wounded and Khalil could hear it.
“Please,” she begged. “Please just go, I don’t want any trouble.”
Khalil took a step toward her but Shamel and Thomas took a step toward him.
Khalil looked at Shamel, “Who the hell are you supposed to be?”
“A friend,” Shamel answered.
Thomas looked at Shamel as well. “Man, I got this.”
Shamel didn’t move. He stood his ground. “I’ll step off when Alexis tells me to step off.”
“Khalil, please just go,” Alexis said.
Khalil looked at them and knew to leave well enough alone for now. He didn’t say a word; he just turned around and walked away. It would be the one and only time he’d ever done that or planned on doing it.
Alexis then turned to Shamel, “Shamel, it was a pleasure meeting you–”
Shamel cut her off, “Are you dismissing me? I thought we were going to get to know one another.”
“I’m not dismissing you or telling you I don’t want to get to know you. I’m just letting you know that this night is over for me and I’ll call you.”
“Damn, man. She ain’t worth it,” True said.
“Man, shut up,” Shamel told him and looked over at Thomas, who looked familiar. Shamel had never had this happen to him before. He’d never been dismissed and he contemplated making a scene but what would be the point. It was evident Alexis didn’t like drama. He’d just look like an ass. Plus, he and Alexis had just met. So he told her, “You make sure you do that,” and walked away with True behind him talking shit.
“Come on girl, let’s go.” Champagne took Alexis’ hand and tried to pull her along.
“No. I’m going to stay here and talk to Thomas.”
“Huh?” Thomas and Champagne said at the same time.
Alexis looked at Thomas, “We’ll be back.”
Alexis started walking away with Champagne following behind her. They were headed toward the ladies’ room.
“What’s up?” Champagne asked the second they walked through the door.
Alexis looked at Champagne, she opened her mouth to speak, but the next thing she knew, she was crying.
Champagne knew there was no reason to ask why she was crying, it was obviously because of all the drama that just took place. The only thing she could think of to do was pull her friend close to her and tell her, “Let it all out, it’s all right, that’s what I’m here for.”
A short while later Alexis pulled away. “I’m sorry, it’s just that seeing Khalil made me realize there was never any closure and maybe I should talk to him. Maybe I need to find out why he wasn’t honest with me.”
“What! Are you crazy? You need to leave well enough alone, you need to just let his ass go and move on.”
“It’s not that easy Champagne. I was in love with him.”
“I understand all that, but what I don’t understand is why you’re staying here with Thomas.”
“Maybe it’s to spite Khalil. Maybe it’s because Thomas obviously cares for me and I feel like I owe him an explanation for the kiss. Maybe it’s because you’ve been ready to leave for quite some time and I’m not.”
Champagne didn’t say a word. She realized there was nothing she could say. This was Alexis’ moment and she was going to let her have it; even if it meant biting her tongue.
“I’ll be all right. I’m with Thomas. I’m sure he won’t let anything happen to me.”
Champagne gave Alexis a tight hug. “I’m sure he won’t. Just be careful. I love you and I know you lost someone you cared about because of our actions and I apologize. I’m sorry if I’m being insensitive. It’s just that I want what’s best for you. That’s why I did what I did; searched his background and shit. Please forgive me.”
Alexis hugged her back, but she couldn’t forgive her just yet. She still felt it could have been handled better. “I love you too, sweetie.”
They stepped away from one another. Champagne wanted to know, “So, are you ready to leave?”
Alexis laughed. “I told you, I’m going to stay here and hang out with Thomas for a little while.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. I never got a chance to thank him for trying to be there for me.” Alexis couldn’t help but notice the worried look on Champagne’s face. “I’ll be all right. I’m a big girl.”
“Well, I just want you and him to know that if he does anything stupid, I will kick his ass.”
Alexis laughed. “I’m sure you will.”
Chapter Thirty-seven
Sometimes you want what you think you can’t have, but the reality is you probably could if you just asked nicely.
As Champagne was leaving the bar, she felt her phone vibrating. Who the hell? I’ll look at it when I get to my car.
Champagne waited in front of the club for the valet to bring her car around. She decided to check and see if maybe it was Zyair. She opened her purse, pulled out her phone and noticed that there was a text message. It was from Candy, her old employee and lover.
Hey, beautiful. I was just wondering how you were. I’m going to be in town next week and would love to get together. Let me know what’s up.
Champagne was about to text her back but decided to wait and think about if she really wanted to do that because it’d been over a month since she last saw Candy and that was in a motel room and it wasn’t just for a visit. Champagne thought back to that moment. A few weeks prior to their last sexual encounter, Candy informed Champagne that she was giving her a few weeks’ notice. This surprised Champagne because she thought they had a good working relationship. She hired Candy when she first started the Agency. She was thinking of training her to be a publicist when she gave her notice.
* * *
“What? You don’t like working here anymore? You have a new job?” Champagne asked her.
“Oh, no, it’s nothing like that. It’s just that I’m going to support a friend. He has AIDS and well, he needs me.”
What could Champagne possibly say about that? If it were her she’d probably be doing the same thing.
“Are you sure you don’t just want to take a leave of absence? I can hire a temp and hold your position for you.”
“I don’t want to tell you yes, because I don’t know how long I’ll be away or even how I’m going to feel after this is over with.”
Champagne could hear Candy getting choked up. She reached out and tenderly took Candy’s hands in hers. “You do know if there is anything and I mean anything you need, I’m there for you.”
“All I want is you,” Candy told her, “but I know that’s not possible because of your man.”
“This is true,” Champagne pointed out.
“And I know that what happened on our business trip to DC was supposed to be a onetime thing. But I would love to make love to you again Champagne as a way of saying good-bye.”
Pretending that she didn’t hear what Candy said, Champagne looked toward the filing cabinet and started movin
g in that direction.
“If you can get someone in here right away, it would give me the opportunity to train them,” Candy told her knowing Champagne wasn’t going to respond to what she just said.
Business was business and Champagne had hers to run so she got on it. She appreciated the fact that Candy gave her so much notice in the first place.
Champagne went through the resumes that flowed in consistently from experienced people to students who wanted to intern. She was seriously considering going the intern route because it would save her money.
Within a week’s time she and Candy interviewed over fifteen people. It was exhausting but they finally hired Shana.
Candy did an excellent job on training her before leaving.
* * *
Candy’s last week of employment had finally arrived. Champagne asked her if she wanted to spend Friday together, since she wasn’t leaving until Sunday.
“Friday after work?” Candy asked.
“I’ve decided to close the office Friday. I don’t have any appointments and since you’re leaving, I was thinking we could spend the day together, go to a spa and have lunch.”
Champagne knew Candy wasn’t a spa type girl but since she was leaving soon and because Champagne was paying for it, she figured Candy would be more than happy to go and experience something new. They both needed a day of relaxation and pampering. If Champagne had to, she would force Candy to sit or lie back and enjoy the occasion.
How they ended up at a hotel afterward Champagne couldn’t figure out but they did. Perhaps it was the being pampered, getting massages, manicures, pedicures, and then going out for lunch and having drinks afterward that did it. They were so relaxed and had enjoyed each other’s company so much that Candy brought up the subject of their tryst.
“How come we don’t talk about what happened on the business trip?”
“What are we supposed to say about it?” It wasn’t a topic Champagne felt needed to be discussed.
“Did you enjoy it?” Candy wasn’t letting it go.
“Of course.”
“Would you do it again?” Candy boldly asked.
“With you?”
“Who else would I be asking about?”
Turned Out Saga Page 23