by T. Styles
My reasons were simple.
I wanted him gone because I was a woman who was only in the position to sell myself to try and save my family. I didn’t need no man or whatever he thought he was making me feel like shit.
“It means that if I would’ve done to you what I paid for maybe this wouldn’t be happening.” He paused. “You wouldn’t be sad and I wouldn’t be rolling up on some stalker type shit.”
“Leave me alone.”
“Nah,” he smiled before looking in front of him and then back at me. “I can’t do that.”
“What does that mean?”
“You in the middle of nowhere at night.” He sat back in the driver seat, head still in my direction. “The last thing I’m gonna do is leave you out here by yourself.”
“I’m a grown woman.”
“I know.” He paused and picked up his phone. “I gotta make a few calls anyway so I don’t mind waiting on your ride.” He paused. “Wait, they are coming right?”
“What do you think?”
“I think we waiting on another nigga to do what I can…take you home.” He paused. “If you ask me this is a waste of time.”
I put my shoe back on and looked to my right and left for my ride. Although I knew he would never find me here. “This is so ridiculous,” I said. “Just go away.”
He smiled again and I heard him on the phone ordering pizza. When the call ended he said, “I put in a call for some food since—”
“What can I do to convince you to leave me alone? Because—”
“Let me take you where you going,” he said. “Please.” He paused. “I mean, technically you owe me since I dropped a band and a half on you.” He rubbed his goatee. “That is, unless you not professional and into taking my money without the—”
I jumped up. “Don’t say that. I may be many things these days but unprofessional is not one of them.”
He smiled. “Are you sure about that cause…”
I crossed my arms over my chest.
He smiled again, leaned over and pushed the passenger door open. “What we waiting on?”
****
PARADE
I ended up at his house.
And I had a plan too. As easily as he put the money into my account something told me there was more where that came from. Could he spare ninety grand?
When I pulled up at his house in Upper Marlboro, Maryland I was shocked to see that his house was bigger than mine back in L.A.
He parked in a round driveway, walked around and opened my car door. There he stood, staring at me again. Not in a way that was mean or happy. Just in a way that made me feel awkward, like he knew something I didn’t.
He extended his hand to help but I denied him, and eased out and around him.
He laughed. “You gonna do me like that huh?”
I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Follow me.” He closed the car and I walked behind him up to his door. When we walked inside I wasn’t impressed with the décor, because there wasn’t any. Still, the place was beautiful. Chandeliers. Cathedral ceilings. Spiral staircase. The works. But why was it so cold and empty?
“Haven’t been here long?”
He smiled. “A year.”
My eyebrows rose. “Doesn’t look like you’ve done much decorating.”
“Let’s go upstairs.”
I started to dispute but there was still the thing of him paying me for sex and me not giving him any. Plus for some reason I felt safe and not scared. That was a big problem too. I’m sure at least half of all murder victims let their guard down at some point.
Besides, I knew nothing about this person but something told me what he wanted from me was not sex related. Maybe Wayne being back in L.A. caused the wise part of me to be abandoned. Maybe I was foolish. All I knew was that I was about to see.
When we made it to the upper level there were many doors but we went to the first one on our right. The room was massive. Bigger than Jay’s and mine and inside was a king sized bed, a table with two chairs and a large refrigerator and microwave. A red napkin dispenser sat in the middle of the table.
“You eat up here?”
“Hungry?” He asked ignoring my question, something he’d done a lot of.
I repaid him the favor by shrugging.
“Please,” he pulled the chair out. “Sit down.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and took a seat. The thought of having to look into his eyes gave me extreme anxiety. He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a clear Tupperware container with a red top. He moved to the top of the microwave and placed two paper plates and two forks on the table. Next he opened the lid and scooped guacamole with lemon juice onto my plate. Finally he grabbed a box of organic pita chips off his dresser and sat down in front of me.
When he was done he grabbed a bottle of wine and a red cup and poured a lot inside. He sat it in front of me. “None for you?”
He shrugged. “Nah.”
I smiled. “A man who doesn’t drink,” I said. “Different.”
“Only the best for my body.” He nodded. “Help yourself though.”
What was up with him? I felt my heart rate elevating again. I ate the guacamole and chips and was surprised at how fresh and good it tasted. And then he looked at me. For a long time and I almost choked.
Wait…I was choking.
While I was coughing hard, he jumped up and hit my back lightly. A chip went flying out my mouth and I felt so dumb. “Are you okay?” He asked.
I nodded rapidly. A fist to my lips to cough a few more times.
He sat back down. “You have to be careful. I can’t have you dying on me just yet. We—”
“What do you want from me?” I asked seriously. “I mean for real? What is your thing?”
He smiled.
“I’m serious,” I continued.
He sat back. “Nothing.”
“But this doesn’t make sense. You paying more than the agreed amount. Choosing to stare me down instead of have sex. I mean, what are you…some college student doing a weird experiment on whores?”
“You not a whore.” He paused. “And I’m not that young either.”
“You younger than me.” I said. “And anyway, how you know what I am?”
He reached across the table and grabbed my hand. Bringing it to his nose he inhaled. “Lavender on your skin. Not a pimple in sight. The tears that flowed down your face the moment you saw me, like immediately you had a reason for being there but regretted it.” He shook his head. “I’ve seen whores and you not one of them.”
I snatched my hand away.
“Yeah, you not a whore.” He repeated. “Not submissive enough either.”
I rolled my eyes. “Then what am I?”
“You’re a woman in pain. And for some reason I want to know why.”
“You don’t know nothing about me.”
“True.”
“So what you talking about then?”
“I just made an observation, Lisa,” he scooped a chip and guacamole before easing it into his mouth. “Am I wrong though?”
“Maybe I should call a—”
“I’m not a man who throws up what I do in people’s faces.” He leaned forward. “But I don’t want you to leave and technically I did pay you too. Besides, I think we can be a benefit in each other’s lives. If you give it a chance.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Why you keep bringing the money up if you don’t throw it up?”
He chuckled and put a hand over his heart. He dropped his hand. “It’s just that I want you to stay. And let me make a promise, I won’t bring up that paper again if you do. Besides, it was short cash and meant nothing.”
“Is that right?”
He wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Trust me.”
****
PARADE
When I woke up I was looking at his sleeping face. All of my clothes were still on as well as his. It was at that time that I remembered it was because w
e didn’t have sex. Didn’t even hold each other. I also realized that I didn’t know his name.
“Am’rak!” Someone yelled behind me. I quickly jumped off the bed and turned around, only to see a girl who looked so similar to me you would’ve thought we were twins. “Who the fuck is this?” She asked.
“I was just leaving.” I searched for my shoes.
“You don’t have to go nowhere,” Am’rak said waking up. At least now I knew his name.
“This is not my thing,” I grabbed my cell and shoes. The last thing I wanted was to get in a fight with a broad when I was married.
“So you choosing this bitch over me?” The girl continued to yell.
“Anja, why the fuck you up in my house tripping? Huh? I know you out there on your whoring shit again!” Am’rak yelled.
“I been stopped!” She responded.
“Your friends already told me,” he continued. “Ain’t no need in you lying. And how did you get in anyway?”
She dug into her pocket and removed a set of keys. “I see you don’t know me at all.” She tossed them at him. “Been made a copy. But you can take them or whatever if you want.” She paused. “And yeah, I came over here because I heard you were trying to find me at work but now look…”
“I’m gone,” I said to him. “And I’m sorry,” I said to her. “But trust me, we didn’t do nothing.”
As I ran out the room and down the stairs I could hear them arguing. Now I think I knew what was happening. Am’rak was looking for her when he hit up the app and probably thought she was me. Later, one thing led to another and I was at his house.
For some reason I felt sorry for her because I know if Jay was with another woman I would be devastated. The good thing is that with me, she didn’t have anything to worry about.
Not when it came to his heart anyway.
I was all about his cash because despite everything, he was the answer to my prayers.
I just knew it!
****
MERCER
When Mercer opened his eyes Lanis was looking at him. He rubbed his lids and yawned. “How long you been up?” He asked her with a grin.
“Where you from?”
He smiled. “You must want some more.” He groped his dick.
“I’m serious.”
He stared at her and yawned loudly. “Why?” He sat up.
“Just asking.”
He glared. “Yeah, well you starting to move me wrong with all the questions.”
She smiled. “Why though? I thought we were getting to know one another.”
He frowned and stared at her for a long time. “Who sent you?”
She sat up. “Mercer, I—”
“Who sent you?” He yelled louder growing suspicious.
She stared at him and frowned before busting into laughter. “You know what, you a dumb ass crazy nigga. I knew you were weird when you bathed me but—”
Mercer removed the gun from his pillow and shot her square in the center of the head. The plan was always to kill her but he had hoped he’d get to keep her longer. His lifestyle didn’t allow for a woman and once again he was reminded why.
Just then his phone rang. Wiping the blood from his face he answered, “Yes.”
“Come get Anja out my house before I kill this bitch!” Am’rak snapped.
Mercer looked at the body next to him. “But I’m on a date and—”
“When I call you come.” Am’rak paused. “That was the deal and there are no exceptions.” He hung up.
Mercer sighed deeply and got out of bed.
CHAPTER NINE
LOGAN
“So let me see your pussy then and stop faking,” Logan said in the bathroom as he talked to his girlfriend on video chat.
Christy smiled. “You know I’m in class right?” She whispered.
He frowned. “Don’t play with me.”
“Okay, boy.” She dropped the phone and put it under the desk. When her white panties were showing she pushed them to the side and unveiled what he wanted to see. When she was done she raised the phone again. “Satisfied now?”
He laughed. “I miss your ass.” He pushed the thickness that grew in his pants to the right.
“Then come home.” She said in a low voice. “What’s taking you so long anyway?”
“I don’t know what’s up with my family,” he shrugged. “I wish I did. But they keeping me and my brother and sister in the dark. To be honest I’m starting to hate them for real too.” He paused. “Anyway, where your teacher?”
“She went to grab some new books from downstairs.” She sighed. “Logan, you have to hurry up because I’m getting lonely. Been thinking about getting a new boyfriend and—”
“Don’t say that.”
“Then what you want me to do? Be the only girl in school without a nigga?”
“Nah, but…” he took a deep breath. “Just give me a minute. I’ma get some money and I’m coming back to L.A.”
“You promise?”
“Fuck you think?” He said seriously. “I’m not playing with—”
“Logan, what you doing in here?” Melissa said entering the bathroom without knocking.
“Grams!” He said ending the call and jumping up. “What if I was using the bathroom?”
“But you not using it.” She paused. “Now clean your hands and come out here.” She walked out.
When Melissa walked back into the living room, Parade was entering the house. She stomped up to Parade and placed her hands on her hips. “Where have you been?”
Parade laughed and walked around her and into the room she shared with Ella. “Where the kids?”
Melissa followed her. “Logon is in the bathroom doing God knows what and Landon and Ella went for breakfast up the street.” She paused. “Now where were you all night?”
Parade pulled money out of her pocket that she earned from her work and handed it to her. “That’s enough for another month of rent and groceries.”
Melissa counted the money and tucked it into her pocket. “Ain’t this something?” She said sarcastically. “You come in here smelling like a whore and—”
“Just so you know, I’m remembering everything you say to me. Verbatim. And when the time is right I’m gonna let my husband know just how foul you really are. When that happens I wonder what he’ll think about you then.” Parade yawned. “Now get out my face. I’m tired of looking at you.”
Melissa rolled her eyes and walked out of the room.
“Logan!” Parade yelled before yawning again. “Come, come see me right quick.”
“Give me a second,” he responded back. “I’m in my room on the phone.”
She shook her head. “Well hurry up.” Still exhausted, Parade took a quick shower, put on some clean clothes and walked back into her room. Once inside she remembered she didn’t tuck her money and pulled it out of her jeans on the chair before putting it under the bed.
Logan who was standing in the doorway saw it all. The moment she slipped into bed and went to sleep, Logan walked into the room, slid his hand under the mattress and removed the money, closing the door behind himself.
CHAPTER TEN
PARADE
I just walked out of Melissa’s house after an hour nap. I spent a little time with my kids but I could tell they resented having to live with their grandmother. Logan on the other hand ignored me all together and I figured he hated me for taking him away from his girlfriend. Little did he know I was working on a plan to put us right back where we started.
I just needed to get the details together first.
I was about to walk to the curb in from of Melissa’s house to catch a Lyft when Wayne pulled up in a rental car. I was so happy to see him a smile spread across my face before I remembered we were beefing.
So I crossed my arms tightly over my chest. “What you want, Wayne?”
“Oh, don’t act like you don’t live for me, bitch,” he said. “Now get your ass in this car.”
****<
br />
PARADE
We were at Fridays drinking martini’s when I finally decided to ask him what I wanted to know. “So what made you come back?”
“I lost Daffany and Sky.” He took a sip of his martini. “So, bitch, it’s just me and you out here in these vicious ass streets. And although I don’t agree with what you doing, if you gonna do it I at least want it to be done right.”
I smiled. “Meaning?”
“You never gonna be able to fuck your way to ninety thousand, precious. You just won’t. But you can seduce your way a little at a time if the mark is wealthy enough.”
I smiled, picked up my drink and took a sip.
“What?” He said eyeing me closely. “Don’t hold back. Spill that tea, honey.”
I put my drink on the bar. “You must have a sixth sense for rich niggas because I definitely met one last night.” I shook my head. “So your timing is impeccable.”
He frowned and didn’t seem pleased.
“Why the sad face, Wayne? I just lent you a compliment.”
“You just lent me a grin too. Now what else is up?”
I cleared my throat, trying not to appear guilty. “Oh.”
“Parade, do I need to remind you that you a married woman?”
“No need.” I waved my hand and took a deep breath. “I think about Jay every minute of the day. It’s why I’m even thinking about this foul shit.”
He looked at me suspiciously. “Mmmmm…hmmm.”
“What?”
“The man must look like something because—”
“Okay, yes he’s fine.” I waved my hand. “Can’t lie. But trust me the only thing on my mind is getting my husband out that hospital bed and kids out that woman’s house and back into ours.”
“I can get behind that.”
“Good.”
“So I guess you fucked him.”
“Nope.”
He smiled. “Perfect! Because that’s exactly what we need you to do is hold off. If this man is rich and as handsome as you say he is, then its stands to reason that he is used to getting what he wants. Sooooo, we have to hold out on opening up your pockeybook to him as long as possible. Now at some point you may have to dish him up a plate of pussy but if we do things right by the time you do, you should be no more than five grand short of the 90,000.”