Lifestyle Fulfilled

Chapter 6

A few minutes before midnight after my first murder, I stood under the hot disposal of water coming from the shower. It was hot, but the sting of the water felt good.
I let the steam relinquish my vision and turn my breath into shallow pants.
I didn't think the murder affected me as it did..I felt the tears brimming in my eyes.
I put my face under the shower head allowing water to run over my face to cover my tears.

"You alright in there, Bull?" Zay asked from the other half of the bathroom.

I asked him to stay the night with me, he was reluctant at first, but finally agreed. He claim he didn't want to stay with me because, I killed Michael before it was time and I let wifey go and he was mad.

I thought back to her facial expression when the bullet went through Michael's head. Horrified.

I took a deep breath, replying to Zay as I blew it out, "Yes, I'm fine....Hand me a towel?"

I heard an almost leisure sigh, as he stood from the closed toilet seat, shuffled to the towel shelf and handed me an white plush towel.
I turned the shower off and toweled dry and then wrapped and tucked the towel around me securely.
I stepped from behind the shower curtains onto my Hello Kitty rug.
I sat on the side of the bathtub, grabbing my body cream from Bath and Body Works, Winter Candy Apple. It smells way better than amazing.

I looked up and met Zay's eyes.
"You're a very beautiful woman, Jah."
He gave me a lop-sided half smile, showing his pearlies.

I felt my cheeks rush up in flames, from the unwanted blush covering my face.

"Thanks" I mumbled, breaking the eye contact. I began to apply lotion to my arms, "For staying here also."

He gave me his lopsided grin again and started to pull at the hair on his chin, "Did I have a choice?"

"You still do..." I looked up at him through my eyelashes. "I'm not holding you hostage like you were with Michael. Feel free to leave."

His smile faded as the words processed in his head. "Let's not play the blame game. Someone's bound to get their feelings hurt."

With that he stared at me for a beat longer and then walked out the door into my bedroom. I continued applying lotion. "Get dressed." He said it with a harshness.

I tied my red converses and tucked them under the leg of my grey sweats. I reached for Tish, my gun, but Zay stopped me before heading to the door.
"You don't need it."

After he walked out, I continued what I was doing by putting my gun in my sweats between my back and boxers.
I then followed suit, turning off the lights and locking the door behind myself.
I climbed in the passenger side of the range because Zay was occupying the drivers seat and slipped the gun from my back, and under the seat.

About 25 minutes later we pulled up at beautiful hotel. 

I walked off the elevator and to room 413. I think thats what the lady said. I put in my room key, and unlocked the door. This suite was beautiful. What was the point of coming to this hotel if we were just at my house though? I wandered over to the balcony, the view of the Atlanta lights was beyond AMAZING!

I sat down tangling my feet throughout the safety bars. It never looks like this down in the depths of the city. I looked for a spell longer until Zay emerged from the doors of the suite.

"You drink wine right?" he asked.

I nodded. I stopped smoking a while ago. Since I stopped smoking I rely heavily on alcohol.

I poured him a glass and kept the bottle for myself. Receiving a exasperated half smile, I smiled wholly back.

He started off the rest of the conversation.
"So, this how this is gonna go. I tell you something, you tell me something. If you have any questions , ask them."

I nodded , rising the bottle to my lips. I pointed at him indicating him to start the game.

"What's your full name?" He asked, pulling a bag of weed out of his pocket.

I licked my lips, getting the residue from the alcohol from my lips.
"Jah Rose Ciprani , What's yours?"

"Zayden Michael Rodriguez. My dad was half Mexican. That's where the Rodriguez comes from."

I furrowed my eyebrows, catching that he said "was".
"You said "was", " I said putting emphasis on that specific word, "As in past tense.."

He half smiled at me revealing his dimple, "You caught that...Most females wouldn't have. My pops died when I was a teenager. He died in the military. I don't know why I keep saying died. He was killed...explosion. They never brought his body home because they say it got blown to pieces, in the mine that they were in. Not really much closure for me and my moms. But shit happens."

I turned my head so I could look out over the city. Replaying the information in my head. A young teenager left with one parent. That's drastic but shit... it's life.

"Do you miss him?" I asked this without even realizing my mouth was moving.

"Nah.. I didn't really know him. He wasn't always around because of being in the military." He said simply while lighting and pulling a drag from his blunt. "Where yo parents?"

I've had a long ride with my parents. I licked my lips before starting, "My mom was a crackhead throughout my childhood. My dad was in prison for killing my brother. So, basically my Grandma was my mom and dad. Ya know?"

He looked at me with pity in his eyes. I shook my head at him. "Don't do that. Pity is the LAST thing I want. I used to pity myself but I realized that that wasn't gone get me anywhere."

I took a long swig from my bottle. I could feel the alcohol warming my insides. I giggled. "So, Why are you single?"

"Well, I'm single because the last girl I dated I had intent on marrying. I had her ring and everything." He looked lost in memories. "She cheated. I cheated. Long story short."

I nodded and drank from my bottle. That says a lot.