Streetlife

63 - An Update On Lena

LENA POV

As I head down 42nd street to get a few groceries I know I have not been myself for a few days. I really have not, and it has been very awkward in terms of Tess, me and even Callie. Callie hadn't really done or said anything, but she was somewhat cold to me whenever I entered the room now. She also didn't say much to me and remained somewhat quiet while Julius nervously yapped both our ears off picking up on the awkwardness of everything.

I had tried to talk to Callie, for I could sense something happened Friday night in terms of Tess and I wasn't sure what it was. Although, if I thought about it, it most likely had to do with possibly keeping Tess off drugs and remaining clean since Callie had gotten emotional at the breakfast table Saturday about wanting Tess to go to rehab as well.

What could I say? I wanted that for my friend as well and I wanted to talk to her, so when I offered to walk with Tess Saturday night she declined taking Callie with her as they worked the movie theater giving blowjobs since it poured all damn night.

Julius had gone back with Earl again, who I didn't really trust, and came back with more money than any of us could ever make in one night. I didn't like this Earl or this situation at all, as I had counted everyone's money that I would turn into Warbucks Tuesday morning. I was very nervous about it considering the last time I had seen him didn't go well at all and I just didn't know what to expect. I knew we had enough money, even if I would put that extra money Julius made to the side to not cause suspicions, and if I did my calculations correctly, we were okay. But I knew that damn apartment rent would break me. Big time, along with Frank's rehab and this entire thing just made me furious beyond words.

I just didn't know how to feel as I had left the apartment while everyone was eating breakfast just wanting to be alone with my thoughts for I couldn't deal with Stef being there AGAIN for she had gotten to me AGAIN this morning and I had lost my cool in front of Luciella while that bitch sat there grinning at me. She knew what she was doing, and I was the dumb one to fall for her antics.

I hated what was going on and I had to get myself together. It wasn't just that Warbucks was angry with me and teaching me a lesson by forcing me to walk the streets making pennies and that I was responsible for everything now but also the fact that I missed my aunt terribly. I don't ever remember a time when I wasn't thinking about her and trying to sneak off to make a phone call to her. Now, it felt as if she had cut me out, which she basically had.

The worst part of not working these high event parties right now was I couldn't send my aunt any money, even if I knew she wasn't going to take it. I was planning to sneak down there next Sunday if I could without anyone knowing and just check on her. Sure, it would be easier to go see my cousin, but at the same time NO WAY. She was still the worst and the last person I wanted to see right now. Or forever for that matter. All I wanted was for my aunt to talk to me...to allow me to visit, for everything to go back to normal.

Heading into D'Agostino's my budget for food would have to change and I knew my days of shopping here were limited and this was most likely the last time. Everything was tight right now money wise for Mike wasn't giving me anymore spending money, extra money, or any for that matter and I didn't know how long that was going to last.

Yes, I planned on using my savings to pay for that heifer's apartment and it just made me so angry. VERY but I had to remember Frank would live there too so I was hoping that softened the wound. That was the other thing on top of everything else I was worried about him too and wanted to go see him in at the rehab. Honestly, I wanted him to get out off this damn hooking game too for it only continued to make his drug habit worse. Both he and Tess. But I knew that wasn't going to happen as I pay for my groceries and head back down 42nd only to see Warbucks step out of his Cadillac which just about made my heart stop, for he was the last person I wished to see.

"FUCK." I say to myself knowing I can't turn around because if he did see me already that wouldn't be a good thing. At all... as I suck up my anxiety and he lights his cigar now looking directly at me.

"Well now look who it is! My favorite girl." He smiles as I don't now if he is being sarcastic or not for I had no idea how he was feeling about me from one minute to the next anymore as I walk closer to him and he pulls me in and kisses my cheek.

"Hi, Warbucks." I smile as he turns to Bruce and Sherman.

"You two take her bags over to Julius'. Be gentleman." He says as they grab my two grocery bags.

"Oh it's okay, I can take them. They aren't heavy." I protest as he shakes his head, puffing his cigar.

"Nonsense. I'm sure you had a long weekend of working. Got some rest yesterday?" He smiles and puffs his cigar again as I smile back trying to sense his mood and how this conversation was going to go.

"Yes, um, I did yes. How was your day yesterday?" I ask as he looks into my eyes again grinning and I wonder if I should not have asked that. What the hell was wrong with me?

"You know you're still my top girl, Lena." He pulls me in even closer to him as I feel his hand on my back side and the smell of his cologne turns me on.

"I wasn't sure. I know I angered you M..Warbucks." I quickly correct myself as his eyes grow darker but not as angry as the day at the Four Seasons.

"You didn't anger me. Come, walk with me," he smiles again as I feel like a hamster in a yo-yo, and I have no idea how to think or feel right now as he takes my hand in his and we begin to walk.

"Have I ever taken you to my penthouse?"

I lick my lips as my mouth is super dry, and I wonder if he wants to kill me or what. Forget the fact I still haven't registered that he had just said that he wasn't angry with me. I knew that he played games, and I wondered if this was one of them.

"Oh, umm, no. No, I don't think you have. Well, maybe once or twice? I can't remember," I smile as I feel my cheeks become hot.

"Maybe I only took Tessy, but here's the thing. I think me and you had our first quarrel, and I should take you there as a sort of...penance? I listen in church, you know, and I felt that I was too harsh with you. My best girl doesn't deserve that. You work hard, and it shows."

We stop walking as he tugs my hand slightly, and I swallow hard, and smile gracefully. "You're not angry about...you know? How I handled everything? Even ratting out a few of the girls?"

"Nah, I was acting on emotion, and the more I think about it, you were trying hard to be fair. Callie needed to be taught a lesson, and even though Stefanie had paid for that night, Callie needed to know we don't just skip work, and if we have a client, we at least tell someone, right? That's what you were thinking all along?" He probes as my heart races, and I work hard at keep a straight face as I chew my bottom lip.

"You're right, Warbucks. That's what I was thinking. I wasn't going to keep Stef's money for myself. I was trying to make a point with Callie," I admit as he grins now from ear to ear as I see his Cadillac following us slowly, and I know Bruce and Sherman are making sure everything is okay.

"You can call me Mike, honey," He whispers in my ear as he kisses my cheek and motions for the car to stop as he opens the door and nods to me as I slide in.

My mind is in shambles as he pulls me in close to him, and we drive off, away from 42nd and towards his penthouse most likely as I feel his hand slide up my shirt, his lips on my neck and I melt into him as if nothing bad ever happened between us. Ever.