Decisions & Consequences

Chapter Three: Every girl needs an outlet

Chapter 3 : Every girl needs an outlet

Instead of going to the mall, I decided Claudette's was much more suitable for the situation.

Getting pampered always seemed to make me feel better as well because I could listen to other people's gossip so it could drown out my own drama.

Walking in the shop on a wish and a prayer I could get fit in, I was greeted by an unfamiliar voice.

"Welcome to Claudette's, my name is Rachel, how can we be of assistance today?" the new girl spoke cheerfully but was cut off by Gina, my manicurist who knows I don't like seeing anyone else but her.

"Hey girl, what brings you in already, I wasn't expecting you until Saturday, everything okay?"

Well I was hoping it would be light today and I could possibly squeeze myself in for a mani/pedi and a massage today from Jessie if possible. My fiancé has planned a get-together Sunday at the house, so Saturday I'm going to be shopping trying to get everything straight.

"Well, boo Jessie is off on Thursday's, but we have a new guy I'm sure can probably take you and I'm finishing up a full set now, so you're in luck", Gina replied.

"New Guy? You, know I loves my regulars, but okay I can give him a try since I am unannounced, LOL" I said in a joking manner.

All the chatter in the shop was definitely not my idea of relaxing, but I needed something to drown my mind and take my thoughts off of Delvin and his new life he was about to start without me.

How could he be getting married and already have a son on the way?

Who was this woman who captured his heart, no longer allowing him to wait on me anymore?

I just couldn't believe he was moving on.

I mean granted I did tell the man my career was more important to me than love at that time, but I wasn't thinking clearly.

I just wanted to succeed on my own, without being judged as just another assistant who made her way to the top by sleeping around.

Why couldn't he understand me and just wait a little longer. I couldn't believe the one man who was the perfect "8" was soon to be off the market and even worse, I had a chance and I blew it.

My emotions were really starting to get the best of me I almost forgot where I was.

As I looked around admiring the decor, I couldn't help but crack a little smile. I loved Claudette's for the upscale, vibrant appeal it had, yet still filled with down to earth employees and the fact it was a one-stop shop.

I've been so tense lately and stressed with work, my body was calling for a 1-2 hour massage of nothing but masculine hands rubbing each kink out and it was my usual week for my mani/pedi upkeep.

One thing I vowed to never do was let work or the many responsibilities of life take away from my "me time" and keeping myself up.

Nothing makes a woman feel more beautiful than seeing her nails trimmed and toes painted, hair fresh and just feeling good about her looks.

With so much going on when you become adults, it's very hard to not get overwhelmed and stuck in a routine or just being drained, that you forget about the necessities that make you feel alive enough to continue the pressures of everyday life.

It also definitely keeps a smile on your man's face as well, to know his woman doesn't (slack off) as they call it.

Gina gave me a bottle of water as I sat down to wait until she was finished with her appointment.

I started going through the many magazines, and started thinking to myself America really loves gossip!

Every cover was exposing someone or having an opinion about somebody's life.

I really wish they would let Rihanna & Chris Brown be whatever they are, and Beyonce & Jay-Z have their baby in peace.

I swear that's one career I would never want.

Being a celebrity comes with too much and I'm sure it can definitely overwhelm you.

People tend to forget they are people just like us at the end of the day, breathe the same air and drink the same freaking water. They live and make decisions and suffer consequences just like the average person.

I just don't get all the hype.

I mean, from time to time, yes I love to hear about what certain celebrities are doing or who's getting married, opening a new business venture, playing in a new movie, having a baby, or giving away free tickets to a concert, but to be so personal about something's I could live without seeing on every page of the magazine, websites, TV and radio shows.

As I was flipping through the books, I caught a glimpse of Romeo on one of the covers, and OMG, what a young man he has turned out to be.

I'm not a cougar, but I'm sure some woman is definitely thinking about it. He is looking so much like his dad, but I'm really feeling the fact he is making moves showing himself to be a gentleman unlike some of these young boys today following these ridiculous trends.

The woman next to me must was reading my mind, because she couldn't help but comment saying,

"Girl, he could get it!"

I couldn't do nothing but laugh, because I was thinking it, but she so boldly stated it!

We started talking and before I knew it, Gina was calling me and Raymone' came over to introduce himself.

Looking fine as Taye Diggs on "How Stella Got Her Groove Back", all I could see was his pretty white teeth and gorgeous smile, and the accent with the way he spoke had me vividly replaying the scene in my head.

He looked and sounded like he was from an island somewhere and at that moment I couldn't wait for him to take me there with his hands.

I completely forgot my first thoughts I had earlier when I noticed him while I was waiting for Gina; that he looked so young, and was probably inexperienced with massaging.

"He just smiled and said, I'll be sure to take care of you once you're all done here, you look very tense."

I just gave him a nod, because I was at a loss for words at that moment.

Gina couldn't do nothing but laugh and said, yeah we ladies all had the same affect when Claudette brought in the newbie his first day.

He's actually her husband's younger cousin, and he's already come in and warned the ladies to stay away.

Gina worked miracles as usual and the new guy turned out to have really paid great attention in school because his hands were not premature at all.

They hit all the right spots and he even remembered the oils and dimming the lights as they should be.

I drifted off a couple times during my 1 ½ -hour visit, but he was fine with it, only talking when he instructed me to turn over and to ask how I was doing and any other problem areas I was having.

When we finished and he discussed my tense areas and reminded me to drink plenty of water the next couple of days, I knew then, he was clearly a professional.

He exited the room, so I could get dressed and advised me he would be waiting just outside with some water when I'm done and to come out when I'm finished.

We talked a little about another visit while walking back to the front area.

Since I'd left his tip in the envelope in the room, I walked back over to Gina to give hers, saying my goodbyes, before heading to the reception area to set up my next appointment and leave.

Beaming from my choice of choosing a spa day over shopping, I was feeling very relaxed now and hadn't even thought about lunch again, until my phone rang and it read Damon on the caller id.

I decided to ignore it and deal with him later. Instead, I called up my best friend and asked her to happy hour.