Gangster's Gem: The Devious Dance

34

The bass from the speakers rattled the walls, and the smell of money and expensive perfume filled the air. Gangster's Gem was packed to the brim. Tonight was the grand opening of the strip club Malik built for me. Paparazzi were posted outside, their cameras flashing as the city's elite, along with the hood's finest, poured into the club.

I stood in the dressing room, looking at myself in the mirror. The dress Malik had picked out for me was custom—a sparkling silver gown that hugged my curves perfectly. My makeup was flawless, and my curls fell over my shoulders like a crown.

"Diamond, baby, you ready?" Auntie Mae peeked her head in, her warm smile calming my nerves.

I turned to her, smiling back. "I'm ready."

"You look like a damn queen," she said, pulling me into a quick hug. "This strip club? This is your empire, baby. Own it."

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Let's do this."

When I stepped onto the stage, the crowd went wild. I grabbed the mic, smiling as I looked out at the sea of faces.

"Welcome to Gangster's Gem," I said, my voice steady. "This ain't just a strip club—it's a celebration. For the hustlers, the dreamers, and everyone who knows how to turn nothing into something. Tonight, we celebrate us."

The crowd erupted into cheers as the music kicked up. Dancers hit the stage, and the night was electric.

The energy in the club was insane. From the second I walked in, it was like stepping into another world—a world that Malik built for me. The neon lights of Gangster's Gem glowed against the packed crowd, the air thick with the mix of luxury cologne, shea butter, and dollar bills.

Malik's men, my crew, and so many people I grew up with had turned out tonight. Even some folks I hadn't seen in years came through, faces from the block dap me up and hug me tight. The love was real.

"D, this joint fire!" Keon said, strolling in with his baby mama, Kia, right beside him, her face beat to perfection. "Yo, Kia wanna say somethin' to you too."

Kia stepped forward, her long lashes fluttering as she smiled. "Diamond, this club is gorgeous. You did your thing, girl. And thank you for keepin' him outta trouble—half the time, anyway." She nudged Keon, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Keon stays in trouble, Kia, but you know that's your headache now," I teased, hugging her.

"Facts!" Jayden's voice boomed as he walked in, hand-in-hand with a girl I'd never seen before. She was petite, with thick curls and a shy smile. "Y'all, this is Tasha. My lady. My ride or die."

Tasha blushed as everyone turned to her, and Trey whistled, cutting through the moment. "She cute! You better hold onto her, Jayden, 'cause these streets ain't safe!"

"Man, you don't even know her name," Jayden shot back, rolling his eyes.

"I do now! It's Tasha, right?" Trey said, flashing his teeth.

We all burst out laughing as Tasha shook her head, mumbling something about not being ready for all this attention.

"Yo, speaking of rides or dies," Jamal's voice cut through, "y'all peep me and Janelle?"

He strutted in with Janelle on his arm, her smile as big as his ego. The two of them had been playing this "will-they-won't-they" game for months, but apparently, they were officially a thing now.

"Finally!" I said, throwing my hands in the air. "I been waiting on this moment forever!"

Janelle rolled her eyes playfully. "You so dramatic. But yeah, we together now, and he's all mine."

"Good luck with that," Trey joked, earning a side-eye from Jamal.

The night rolled on, and the love kept pouring in. Girls I grew up with came through, pulling me into hugs and whispering how proud they were of me. Guys dapped me up, saying things like, "Yo, D, you really doing it big out here!" It felt surreal seeing all these familiar faces from my past in one place.

Nia and Marie showed up, looking stunning as always. Marie pulled me into a tight hug. "Diamond, this is incredible. I knew you were gonna do something big, but this? This is next level."

Nia chimed in, her smile soft. "You deserve all this and more, sis. I'm so proud of you."

"Thank y'all for comin'," I said, feeling my throat tighten. "It means everything to me."

And just when I thought the surprises were over, Lamar—yes, Lamar—showed up with his new girlfriend. I hadn't seen him in over a year, not since we went our separate ways. He walked up, holding out his hand.

"Diamond," he said, his voice steady but warm. "Congrats. You earned this."

"Thank you, Lamar," I said, shaking his hand before hugging his girl. "Y'all enjoy yourselves tonight."

The club was alive. Trey and Tariq were posted up in VIP, getting lap dances like they'd won the lottery. Trey shouted, "Aye! Tariq said he need one more song before he leave!"

"Man, I ain't say that!" Tariq laughed, but the girl dancing on him wasn't going anywhere.

At one point, paparazzi tried to sneak into VIP, but security wasn't having it. One managed to catch me outside the dressing room, though.

"Diamond! Diamond, can we get a quick word?" he asked, his camera flashing.

I shrugged, smiling. "Alright, but make it fast."

"How does it feel to open one of the most talked-about strip clubs in Atlanta?"

"It feels like a dream," I said, smoothing my dress. "This ain't just a club; it's a piece of me. I wanted a place where everybody could feel the love, the hustle, the grind. And tonight, it feels like I made that happen."

As the night went on, Malik pulled me aside. "You ready?" he asked, his voice low, his eyes intense.

"For what?" I asked, tilting my head.

He just smirked. "You'll see."

The music stopped, and the lights dimmed as Malik led me to the stage. My heart was racing.

"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice boomed over the speakers. "Tonight ain't just about the opening of Gangster's Gem. It's about my queen, my everything."

The crowd went wild as he dropped to one knee, pulling out a ring that sparkled brighter than the lights in the club.

"Diamond," he said, his voice steady. "You're my heart, my soul, my fuckin' everything. The real definition of ride or die,  and now, I wanna spend the rest of my life with you, seeing your face every day until I die. Will you marry me?"

Tears streamed down my face as I nodded, barely able to get the words out. "Yes. Yes, Malik!"

The crowd erupted, gold confetti raining down from the ceiling as the DJ blasted our favorite song. Janelle, Marie, and Nia rushed the stage with bouquets of flowers, wrapping me in hugs as Malik slipped the ring onto my finger.

The whole crew joined us on stage, the energy electric. Malik kissed me, his hands on my waist, and for the first time in forever, everything felt perfect.

This was our moment, our night. And it was only the beginning.