𝙄𝙣𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚

Boss Lady

Xiomara's POV •

"Thank you, Auntie. I'll be right over."

"Oh, and my friend down at the school got back to me. There's already four families lined up for tutoring."

"I'll talk to the librarian and see when I can get started. I'll start making flyers too," I suggest.

"I'm so proud of you. And doing good for the community too, X."

My phone started ringing and I realized that it was Natille calling me through Instagram. "Hold on. I gotta go. Someone's calling."

"Alright. Zabelle's still asleep."

I answer Natille's call, annoyed as hell. "What?" I snap.

"Liviya went to jail last night."

"And?"

"I- I think I sort of snitched on her."

"Oh," I laugh. "So you want me to help you out or some shit?"

"No. I just- I don't know why I called," she sighs.

"What exactly did you say?"

"The cop asked me if I was in the car with her around the time it exploded."

"What?" I cut her off.

"Long story short: I cut on the air and the car went crazy. The engine cut off, the hood started smoking, we ran and got out and that hoe burst into flames."

"I feel like a criminal just knowing this story," my voice drips with sarcasm.

"I guess the cops got a report about a burned vehicle. After I let your crib, next thing I know, I walk into Liv's apartment and cops are waiting for me. She asks me if I know that the vehicle's stolen."

"And what did you say?" I ask.

"Yes," Natille admitted.

I sigh and let her continue. "Then she pulls out this bag of pills, says they belong to Natille and that she'll cover for her if I tell the truth. I tell the truth, and then she asks for a favor basically. So now I'm getting her daughter into my father's ballet company, some way, some how, and Liv will only have theft charges instead of theft and pill charges."

"What if those pills weren't Liv's and she used you?"

"Regardless-

Natille pauses.

"Crap."

"Natille, I hate to break it to you, but you're a real big dumby. So now what are you gonna do? Report a cop for doing wrong?"

"Yes," she answers back hesitantly.

"Baby, you're black and she's a cop. Ain't no way anybody's believing that," I scoff. "And when Liv finds out you're the one who snitched on her, she's going to probably have you killed."

"You know Liviya, admit it," she accused me.

"And?" I roll my eyes.

"And I want you to help me."

"I got a kid and a rent due. I don't have time to help a dead woman, Natille."

"Who? Who's dead?"

"Yo ass," I hang up.

Natille calls back and reluctantly answer. "Please," she pleads.

"Fine. What is it?"

"How do you know her?"