Her Vice

(2): Mama Knows Best.

"They did you brutal," Ocean winced as she dabbed Neosporin on my face. I hissed from the burning on the open wound. "What even happened?" She pulled away from me and washed her hands.

"Ion really know, they just came in asking if I messed around with Malik. I told her yes we have and they jumped me," She shook her head.

"I told you he was a fuckboy, but no." Ocean pulled her hair in a sloppy bun. "That's why you just need to lay low sometimes, Trin."

"Lay low?"

"Leave people like that alone, you know they all just have ill intentions." I sighed, playing with my chipped nails.

"It just be feeling so good at the moment. You just get so caught up in the adorning that you get blinded by their true colors." I began sobbing with a cracked voice. She grabbed my head and rubbed my back soothingly.

"I know," Ocean softly spoke.

•••

"Where you been?" My mom angrily questioned as I closed the door behind me. "What happened to ya face?" She furrowed her eyebrows.

"Ocean's," I sighed throwing my bag on the couch.

"Your face! Know that's your money, plus, I had to say no to every nigga tryna come through these past few days. You know I'm low on supply, Trinity!"

"Why don't you sell out some other ho pussy, ma?" That received a smack to my face.

"Don't you ever!" She pointed her finger in my face. "Now get ready, you have a very important client." I sniffled the tears that made their way down my face. Going back towards my room, I tried fighting away the tears that kept streaming. I just let it out while rummaging through my top drawer, getting my hands on the orange bottle. Popping the top and running my finger over the powdery pill before swallowing. Pushing them back into the drawer and going to my closet setting out a matching bralete and pant set before getting in the shower. The hot water beat on my bruised body but the drug quickly took effect on me and it felt like nothing. I hummed a tune that I couldn't pick where I heard it from.

It took me longer to get ready since I had to cake my face with concealer and powder. An ugly face doesn't pay mommy.

Dressing slowly in front of the mirror and observing the flaws in my body briefly. Sighing as my mother rushed me behind the door, "I'm coming." Throwing a trench coat over the very revealing outfit and grabbing my purse before coming out. She was already by the door with her keys. Following behind her, the whole drive was silent.

"Okay, he's a very professional dude. Keep it under control, you got it? Don't fuck up shit, Trin," she held me tightly by the back of my neck. I nodded slowly.

"I know," She gave me a death glare and I sighed lowly before pushing my way out of the car. Getting out and making my way to the receptions desk, "Can you let me know the room number of Carter Mena?" I nervously bit on my glossed lips while taking a glance over the busy lobby. This was a super nice hotel, definitely knew this guy was either some corporate worker or a drug lord. "Is he expecting you?" She asked while lifting the receiver.

"I'm guessing," I folded my hands on top of the desk waiting.
"Hello, yes, Mr. Mena I have a-" She awaited my name.
"Trinity Smith."
"Trinity Smith waiting for you, okay, okay. I'll send her up." She hung up. "His room is number 320,"

"Thank you," I made my way towards the elevators and tapped my foot nervously as it took me up the floors. Grabbing a piece of gum from my purse and chewing slowly before the bell dinged making me lower my head. I glanced at each number until finally getting to where I wanted to be. Knocking on the mahogany door firmly, hearing rustling behind the door before it was dragged open by a handsome man. Maybe not quite corporate. Glancing over his attire, possible drug lord. I squinted giving a small smile. "Trinity," he greeted.

"Nice room," I looked around noticing the Chardonnay sitting in the cooler on the table.

"You want some?" He offered me the bottle of cold Chardonnay, I watched as the melted ice dripped down the sides of the bottle. Looking up at his light brown eyes and nodding slowly. He popped the cork and poured us both a fizzing glass, "Cheers." We clinked glasses and I quietly observed everything around. He had everything so neat but dismantled at the same time.

"I didn't think you'd be this beautiful," the back of his stroked along my face causing me to wince from the cuts lying beneath the concealer. "Sorry, didn't mean to hurt you."

"No your fine..." I set my glass on the table and licked over my lips. "So...you do know how these things work, right?" I lifted a brow and glanced over at him. He chuckled softly making goosebumps form on my skin. Something about him was just off to me and I was trying to get out of here as quickly as possible. Collect my money and go.

"Yes, I'm familiar. But you can't rush the good shit mami, right?" He smirked. I nodded slowly. "Why so tense? Relax its all good." I giggled softly and let my trench coat off slowly, glancing up at him from the side of my eye. Watching him become infatuated with my appearance. He bit into his lip and lust filled his light eyes, "Damn." I sexily dropped in front of him on my knees and rubbed his erection fighting against his denim jeans. "Damn is right," I smirked.

•••

After I got finished with Carter I was surprised to not find momma waiting for me, I tried calling her phone and texting. Got nothing. "Probably passed out on the couch," I sighed and crossed my arms. Counting through the money I had besides the amount that Carter gave me. Speaking of him his arm snaked around my waist, I gasped softly. I remember him mentioning that he had dinner with a client after we got done. Guess that's where he was heading. "Why yo pretty ass just standing out here like this?" He smirked.

"Oh, waiting for my ride."

"You need me to take you?"

"No, they'll be here shortly. Thanks though," I smiled and he chuckled before pressing a wet kiss on my temple.

"I'll see you later," I nodded and watched as he snapped at valet to bring him his car. Watching him climb into his Silver Mercedes. I smiled to myself before calling an Uber to pick me up.

It was past seven when I finally end up getting home, pushing the unlocked door opened to find her bleeding out on the floor. "Mom!" I screamed and rushed to her aid. Her trembling hands held on her side, letting out short pants. "What happened? Who did this? Why?" I was in a frenzy, could barely think straight on what was going on.

She squeezed my forearm tightly while groaning, "I'm so sorry, I don't have time to explain it all to you but you need to run Trinity. Lance is out. I don't need to ever have you end up like this, get out of here. Go wherever God takes you, please, just leave now. I have money under the mattress in Grandmas old room, don't end up like me I beg of you. I love you so-" Her eyes became still and her heart stopped beating rapidly like it was.

"Mom," my voice cracked and I felt like I was going to die myself. "Mom, mom, mom!" I shook her but nothing happened, she just blankly stared up at the ceiling. I winced and covered my face, sobbing. Pulling myself up to my feet and rushing towards my room and grabbing a suitcase, throwing as many clothes would fit and everything else that I may need. Zipping up the tightly filled suitcase. Getting my duffel bag and pushing through Grandmas old room and flipping the mattress up, I didn't even know where the sudden strength came from. Surprised to find stacks of rubber banded money lying beneath, my eyes grew wide. Had to be well over a hundred Gs. Stuffing the bag until I had almost all of it. Throwing the bag over my shoulder and grabbing moms keys from the counter.