The Boondocks~My Other Half

Chapter 13: A Short Trip On The Other Side

~•~

Chapter 13: A Short Trip On The Other Side

Jasmine's mind went blank for a moment. She shot up from her stool and shook her head. "Tell me it isn't true."

"I'm doing his for the both of us."

"You just left the Shadow for...another job killing people?!"

"Well, yeah."

Rocco frowned at her. "You want that safety or not? I hope you're aware that the White Shadow has sources everywhere. You're probably just in danger standing outside the club."

Jasmine frowned and stared down at her sneakers. She felt a hand on her shoulder and saw it was Kandy. She gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Rocco went on, "Freeman's ours for tonight, Jasmine. You can stay with one of my men for the night."

"Wait, wha--"

"Can she stay with me?" Kandy suggested. "Out of respect, boss. I don't think she'd be very comfortable with one of the men."

Rocco looked at her for a moment. "What's your name again?"

"Kandy, boss."

"Oh right. Sweet candy. I think you may be right, Jasmine can stay with you for the night. Bring her back at the normal time, okay?"

"Yes, sir."

The quiet man put his hand on Huey's shoulder to steer him away, but slowly removed it when Huey glared at him. "Stay safe, DuBios." The three walked back in the hallway.

Kandy's eyes widened. "Wait a minute..." She tilted her head. "DuBios...as in, Jasmine DuBios? The supermodel? The missing supermodel?"

Jasmine shrugged. "Guilty as charged."

"No WAY!"

Jasmine flinched.

"Are you like, on the run or something?"

"Actually--"

"Ooh! Lemme guess...Huey's your boyfriend but your parents forbid you from being together and so you had a romantic getaway!" Kandy's eyes were lit with excitement.

Jasmine let out a tired huff. I feel like I'm talking to a thirteen year old. "Sure."

"Eeeeeek!"

~•~

Kandy hailed a taxi and the two were driven to an apartment building almost at the edge of the town. It looked like a bad neighbourhood with a few drunks staggering the streets and Jasmine swore she saw a few drug dealers. They walked up four flight of stairs and Jasmine was gasping for air. "Why...the fuck...is there no...elevator?!"

Kandy giggled at her. "For a model you're not very fit." She finally walked into one of the hallways and pulled out a key from her coat before unlocking one of the doors. She let Jasmine step in first and flicked on the light. Jasmine looked around at what looked like the lounge. It wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. It was fairly clean, but it looked lonely. A small tv sat on a table leaned against the wall with a short couch in front of it. The room was linked to the kitchen and there was a short hallway that probably led to the bathroom and bedroom.

"You're not here much I'm guessing? It looks so lonely..."

Kandy shrugged and kicked off her heels. "Yeah, Cheetah and I are out most of the time. We usually sleep over at the clients' place." She pulled off her coat and hung it on a hook attached to the door. "I'm not even really that tired. Hungry?"

Jasmine thinks of the last time she ate at the diner and instantly feels hungry. "Yeah."

Kandy crashed on the couch. "We could order a pizza."

Not sure what to do with herself, Jasmine sat down next to her and felt her bottom sink into the cushion. "Kandy...you're only seventeen, right? How did you end up...y'know, working in am escort service for the mafia? Didn't you go to school?"

Kandy frowned.

"I'm being pushy! You don't have--"

"Nah, its alright." Kandy sighed and rested her chin on her palms. "I actually dropped out of school when I was sixteen...with my boyfriend. He made me all these promises about how we'd be successful without college and whatever, but he ditched me." She sighed. "I actually met someone who offered me this job and told me I'd be paid well, and he was right. I met Cheetah there. I guess...she just saw a younger version of herself and took me in. This is her apartment."

"Do you regret it sometimes? Running away?"

Kandy hesitated, but nodded, "Sometimes...most times...all the time? It doesn't matter. Its too late anyway."

"What's Cheetah's real name?"

"Don't say I told you, but its...Claire."

The door opened, startling them both. Cheetah stumbled in and kicked the door shut with her heel. "Oh hey, Jas."

"Hey."

Cheetah tossed her bag onto the coffee table and pulled off her jacket. "I bought some donuts along the way of you want. You can take mine of you want, somebody didn't tell me you'd be a guest." She looked pointedly at Kandy.

Kandy grabbed the bag excitedly and pulled out a packet, ignoring her.

I'm in an apartment with two escorts just after meeting the mafia...this isn't how I imagined my night. Cheetah chuckled out of nowhere, "Not how you expected to spend your night?"

Jasmine hesitated. "Not...really."

Cheetah smiled lazily. "Welcome to the other side."

~•~

The next morning the three took a cab back to the club. The two escorts matched with their cheap, slutty outfits. Jasmine had to borrow a dress of Kandy's. It was a very short, tightly figure hugging red dress that she wore along with tall borrowed heels. The dress was strapless, so she had a coat on, and covering her standing out.

The three entered the club and walked backstage, they we're all surprised to see the lounge filled with men in suits. They sat on the couches, others sat by the bar and some leaned on the wall. They all looked up and Jasmine felt a chill, feeling exposed. She clutched the coat around her tighter.

Huey was sat next to Rocco on the two seater. He was dressed in a suit as well and he stood out. Aside from the fact that he was black? He looked devishly handsome.

Kandy put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a tight smile that said, 'I should go, I'm not allowed here right now,' and left after Cheetah down the hallway.

"This is her?" One of the men asked, looking at Rocco.

Huey stood up quietly and walked up to her, lowering his voice, "You're sure dressed...differently today."

"Oh sure, my bad, my kidnapper didn't buy me enough clothes for how ever long he plans to keep me hostage." Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. Huey rolled his eyes, "Want me to get your coat?"

Jasmine glanced at some of the men who's eyes wandered over her body where they shouldn't have. "No, thanks."

Rocco stood up. "I've discussed it with my men and we're all willing to keep you safe, Jasmine. We know a location where you can stay and hopefully keep a low profile."

Jasmine sighed. "Thank you, Rocco...you don't have to go through all the trouble though."

Rocco smiled. "That's all right. Infact--"

Rocco was interrupted by gun shots on the other side of VIP followed by screaming. The men pulled out pistols Jasmine hadn't noticed before and she wanted to cry. She didn't have the energy to scream, she was already hunted. At this point, she wanted to die.

"Shit! Jasmine, stay behind me!" Huey grabbed her by the arm and pulled her behind him for safety.

~•~