The Betting Game

Chapter 5 - 51 Biscayne

Angelica made it to her building in less than five minutes. Austin stayed about one and a half miles from her.

She lived in one of the most prominent and recognizable buildings in Downtown Miami, 51 Biscayne. The 51 Biscayne building was a 54-story condo high-rise with its signature neon reddish-orange crown on the roof, illuminating the city.

51 Biscayne was her ideal place to live since it was located across the street from Bayfront Park, in walking distance to Bayside Marketplace, near most nightclubs, minutes from South Beach, close to the arena, Arsht Center and adjacent to many restaurants. However, the best part about her building was the fifty-fourth floor. She and Claudia were the only two that lived on it.

Angelica's five-bedroom, five and a half bath home was just under 7,000 square feet.  It was converted from six individual units and was slightly larger than Claudia's. She customized her unit to include a party room, a circle bar with a liquor closet and a spa room with a massage table and two pedicure stations like at a salon. 

Claudia's five-bedroom, five and a half bathroom home was a little over 6,800 square feet and was converted from seven individual units.

There was one additional 800-square-foot unit that was converted into a storage space for their motorcycles.

When Angelica got upstairs, she knocked on Claudia's door.

"Who is it?"

"Me."

This Persian and white woman that stood 5'7" with clear blue eyes and long, straight auburn-colored hair opened the door practically naked. She had on a red, two-piece lingerie set with two thin vinyl strips covering her nipples and one thin strip covering her vagina. Angelica just shook her head. She knew by the outfit who was inside.

"Hey, Nico!" she yelled.

"Hey, Ange!"

"Where's Anthony?" whispered Angelica.

"Out of town."

"Well, I'm giving y'all thirty minutes! Hurry up!" yelled Angelica so Nico could hear.

"Bye, Ange!" yelled Nico, laughing.

"Text me when you're done," said Angelica walking away, laughing.

Angelica's penthouse was every artist and designer's dream. She was a huge artsy person, but a minimalist at the same time. She loved color, drama and pizzazz mixed with simple elegance and femininity. She hired her interior designer friend, Jorge Carrillo, to create a concept that would give each room its own identity and fit her personality and style.

Her home was vibrant and full of designer brands, including Donna Karan, Roberto Ventura and Ralph Pucci. Decorative plaster molding beautified the ceilings and arches in the doorways. Large pieces of furniture, dramatic artwork and funky-shaped light fixtures glamorized the space. Italian marble and bamboo hardwood flooring could be seen throughout the home. And her spacious wrap-around balcony overlooked the gorgeous bay and beautifully lit city, allowing views from three hundred and sixty degrees.

After a long, hot shower, she went into the dining room and sat at the table. She turned on her laptop and reviewed her resume before sending it as Austin instructed. After, she checked her e-mail and social media. Then, she sat back and looked around, reminiscing. She couldn't believe she was leaving.

Angelica thought about her home and all that she'd been through in it. For example, she cracked a smile remembering the bickering between her and Jorge when designing the dining room. She didn't think an espresso-colored dining room table with chairs covered in a silk floral and bird fabric would match, but it was perfect together. It blended beautifully with the colored tableware, big floral centerpiece and layered glass, ceiling light fixture. She cracked an even bigger smile remembering the metallic silver wallpaper she argued with Jorge about. She didn't think that shiny floral paisley wallpaper would go with the scheme of things, but she was wrong again. It was used as an accent wall toned down with white sheer curtains, an espresso-colored console table with lots of glass candleholders and a huge painting by Rachel Moani. The white Italian marble floors, large wire art and an elongated, narrow black spiral staircase added extra elegance. She remembered being speechless when she saw the end result.

Angelica thought about Claudia. They'd been best friends and inseparable since their freshman year in college. They both attended Florida International University; they both received dual Bachelor's and Master's degrees; and they both were smart, educated women. They've always lived in the same building or near each other. They both drove Infinitis. Angelica had a black Infiniti IPL G37 convertible with a red leather interior. Claudia had a white Infiniti G37 coupe Convertible 6MT with a camel leather interior. They dressed the same, loved to dance and were into the same things. They knew each other's secrets and had been through life's growing pains together. Claudia had a body like Angelica's...slim, fit and ass for days. They were two peas in a pod.

About an hour later, Claudia texted her to come over.

Angelica walked in with a blunt in her mouth and made herself comfortable on the couch.

"I see you ran over here after I told on you," Angelica teased Nico.

"I had to."

"He knows what's good for him," said Claudia.

"I hope you got in trouble, too."

"Oh...did I? I'm glad I was a bad boy," he said pulling Claudia on his lap.

As they kissed, Angelica said, "Cut that out!"

"You're just jealous," said Claudia in between tongue swapping.

Angelica lit the blunt and said, "So, I have some news."

"What's up, girl?"

"I'm leaving in three weeks."

"Where are you going now?"

"Charlotte, North Carolina."

"For what?"

"I'm moving,"

"Moving?!?" yelled Claudia and Nico, surprised.

"Yes...moving! I just got a job offer I can't refuse."

"I'm telling Falio," said Nico getting up and calling his best friend.

Claudia and Angelica quietly went back and forth on the matter while Nico was on the phone.

"Charlotte? There's nothing there," said Claudia.

"You don't know that."

"It's not Miami."

"No, it's not."

"So, what's the deal? Is this Austin's doing? What does he get in return?"

"Yes, it is...and nothing! We're not a couple, I'm not his booty call and I'm not one of his women. He expects nothing!"

"If you say so."

"It's a job opportunity!"

Claudia tightly hugged her best friend as she teared up.

"I am going to miss you, Bitch. You're my everything. You've always been just a knock away," said Claudia.

"I'll only be three states north and a phone call away."

"It's not the same."

"I know."

Claudia asked for the details of the job.

"Damn! You'll be making as much as me now," said Claudia.

"I know. I'm finally going to do what I want to do."

"Hoe!" said Claudia. "I'm happy for you, but I'm going to miss you."

Claudia hugged her best friend again.

Then, Angelica's phone rang. It was Falio. She excused herself while they spoke. He invited her and Claudia out to celebrate. He knew they were a package deal.

"You're in trouble now," Nico said to Angelica laughing.

"I can't get in trouble with someone who's not mine."

"Yet he is when you want something though."

She just looked at him

"Anyways...I'm out. I'll call you later," Nico told Claudia.

Claudia walked him to the door.

"Don't bring that clown with you tonight either."

"He's not a clown and I won't. He's out of town."

"Good. I have a surprise for you."

"Ok."

He kissed her and left.