Grind and Pray

V

DJ gave me a ride to work and tried to kiss me as soon as he opened my door for me to get out. I laughed and curved his ass. Like, is he really serious right now? I walked into the club, and began swaying my hips all the way to my boss office. Why? Cause i want to get my paycheck from him personally. Soon, as i got to his office some girl was walking out limping. I shook my head and walked in. Boss was putting his chain on.

Hope: You gonna mess around and catch something.
Jimmel: Hope, baby don't worry.
Hope: I ain't worried. You think i can get my check today instead of tomorrow?
Jimmel: Depends. Why you need it now?
Hope: Bills.
Jimmel: Don't worry. I'll take care of them this month.
Hope: what's in it for you?
Jimmel: Nothing.
Hope: Mhm.
Jimmel: Hope ion want nothing from you. What you need to do is take your smart ass back to school.
Hope: Why?
Jimmel: I see how you keep up with numbers.
Hope: Yeahyeah. So tonight, who the lucky...
Jimmel: Some big time rapper. Listen i want you working VIP and not the bar.
Hope: Jimmel you know new girl and ol' dude can't handle the bar like i can.
Jimmel: Well i need you in VIP.
Hope: Wait, is that why you want to pay my bills?
Jimmel: Yeah *chuckles*. Lock yo stuff up.
Hope: okay.

     I begin walking towards the door.

Jimmel: In here smart one.

     Jimmel pointed towards his desk.

Hope: But you don't let nobody lock they stuff up in your office.
Jimmel: Because i don't trust they sneaky ass like i trust you. Now hurry up.

      I locked my bag up and headed towards VIP. Time for me to work. As i was walking around with a tray of drinks for one group, someone tapped my arm. I turned and look at the guy.

Hope: May i help you?
Chucki: Yea, can you get me and my boys the best?
Hope: Best as in, best we got right?
Chucki: yea.
Hope: Are you going to pay when i come back or put it on your tab?
Chucki: Put it on my tab. What's your name?
Hope: Hope.
Chucki: Cute name for a beau...
Hope: Don't. You're not the only guy trying to talk to me.

      I began walking away to the other group so i could give them their drink, and so i could go get three ciroq bottles. This gonna be a long night. On my way to inventory, i ran into the new girl. She was looking for something while crying.

Hope: You okay?
New girl: No.
Hope: What's wrong?
New girl: Niggas keep...
Hope: Suck them tears up. Look at the job you got. That's what they do.

    I grabbed the bottles and headed back to VIP. A group of girls was now with the big group and im just like "hoes thirsty nowadays". I handed them their bottles then walked away. Once again the same guy tapped my shoulder this time.

Chucki: Hope.
Hope: *turns around* yes.
Chucki: Can i speak to you somewhere quiet?
Hope: *shakes head no* I'm busy.
Chucki: alright. Well lemme get your number.

    I nodded and wrote my number on his hand leaving my name below it. I walked away and continued working. When is this so called Rapper going to get here? Just as i was walking with the tray, the DJ began playing, "Dedicated by The Game ft Future & Sonyae". I began going along with the song and dancing while walking with a tray full of drinks. I realize that i had to walk down to the dance floor to deliver them. Just as i was walking i ran into ol' dude again and handed him a drink.

Hope: ON THE HOUSE.

     He smiled and i continued walking swaying my hips. Just then the DJ got on the mic.

Club DJ: AYE WE GOT CHUCKI IN THE HOUSE TONIGHT! CHUCKI COME ON UP HERE BRUH!

    Wait, he's here? How did i miss him? I delivered the drinks and stood by the bar waiting to see who Chucki was. When i realized who it was, i laughed and shook my head. I'm so stupid. He said a few words and then headed over to me.

Chucki: So Hope...
Hope: I didn't know you were Chucki.
Chucki: oh nah it's good ma'.
Hope: you sure?
Chucki: yeah. But can i still call you?
Hope: i mean i did write my number on your hand.
Chucki: alright. Matter fact, what you doing tomorrow?
Hope: nothing.
Chucki: how about i take you out tomorrow?
Hope: I don't know.
Chucki: Aye its cool. Ima hit you up and you just let me know.

     He walked away and boss Jimmel shook he head as he pointed at me. He then nodded his head towards his office. I walked over to his office and closed the door.

Jimmel: Don't fall for that Hope.
Hope: I didn't even know he was here.
Jimmel: How did you not know?
Hope: He seemed chill and like a unfamous person. We talked, i got him a few drinks.
Jimmel: Aight, but you got a phone call.
Hope: from who?
Jimmel: More like from where.

     I grabbed his phone.

#phone convo#
Hope: hello?
Pablo: hey sis.
Hope: Pablo, where are you?
Pablo: Me and...
Hope: Where are you?
Pablo: Jail.
Hope: I'm on my way.
#end of phone convo#

     I handed Jimmel back his phone and went to grab my things.

Hope: I uhm...
Jimmel: Go ahead. I'll have new girl cover the rest of your shift.
Hope: Thank you.
Jimmel: yeah.

     I headed out his office and out the club. I called DJ and he didn't answer none of my phone calls. I called a Uber and went all the way to the police station. Soon as i walked through my doors i got a text.

#text convo#
?: Hope its yo boy Chucki.
Me: Alright, i'll save your # now.
#end of text convo#

     I saw Pablo but didn't see Snoop.

Desk worker: Who you getting?
Hope: Pablo Rodriguez.

    She walkie talkied one of the police men and three minutes later Pablo was walking out with his head low.

Officer: We let him off with a warning this time ma'am.
Hope: Okay.

    I walked out the police station and smacked Pablo.

Hope: I'm out here busting my ass at work to provide for you ungrateful ass and you get locked up. Are you fucking serious right now?
Pablo: sis.
Hope: Listen when im talking to you. If you can't do what i ask, pack yo shit and leave. Where is snoop?

     Pablo did answer me.

Hope: Answer me when i'm talking to you.
Pablo: his aunt picked him up.

     We got in the Uber and i told him DJ address. Why? Because i'm so tired of DJ and i want to see what the fuck was so important you couldnt keep eyes on my brother like you said you would.