Black Rose

Twenty-Seven

Standing outside of The Trinity Towers, I cursed myself for even being here tonight. After spending a full day contemplating on if not showing was really worth losing Mel, I told Jayna I'd come. It's not only shameful but it kills my ego as a man to allow a woman I haven't dealt with in years to barge into my life and have it fall into shambles. What I'm going through now is unquestionably my karma for treating Mel the way I did in college. My mom has always told me to treat people how I would want to be treated or else the harsh behaviors would come back on me when I least expected them to. 

"I should've listen ma. I should've fucking listen." I spoke aloud to no one in particular or so I thought. 

"Should've listened to what?" Bailey's voice came from behind me. 

Rolling my eyes, I didn't give her the respect to turn to face her. "None of your business. Are we going in or not?" 

"Impatient are we?" She giggled, coming around to stand in front of me. I must admit she was looking mighty ravishing. Sporting a skin tight silk dress with a pair of Givenchy open toe sandals, Bailey was gorgeous--almost like the first time we met. I wouldn't tell her conceited ass that and have it used against me. "Do you like what you see?"

"Not in the least." I lied, stepping around her and going up the stairs leading to the restaurant's entrance. She scoffed and I heard her heels clicking against the concrete, letting me know she was on my tail. Not once did she inform me that I'd have to show any hospitality towards her. The second I opened the glass door, the intense and ambrosial perfume of the Jamaican food penetrated my nostrils. Judging from the external structure of the building, you wouldn't believe how spacious the inside really is. Half of the room had been turned into a night club and there were people on the dance floor who took full advantage of the opportunity. Before we could maneuver through the crowd, a hostess spotted us, coming over to greet us. 

"Welcome to Trinity Towers, I'm Brianna and is it just a party of two or are you joining someone?" She queried, looking between Bailey and I. 

"It's just us." Bailey answered.

"Ok, follow me." She motioned for us to come with her. She took us to the far back of the restaurant to a secluded area and I couldn't be more happier. Even though this isn't Mel's scenery, I can't risk her walking in here. "Will this booth work or do you prefer to sit anywhere else?"

"It's perfect, thank you." I told her before Bailey could ask for another seat. 

"Alright, someone will be with you in a moment." Brianna handed us our menus before leaving us alone. I sat down while Bailey remained standing as if she was waiting on me to do something. "What?"

"Aren't you gonna pull the chair out for me?" She asked as if that's what I'm supposed to do. 

"No. You have two perfectly good arms attached to your body." I pointed at her. "Pull out your own damn chair. What do you think this is? A real date." 

Bailey's mouth flew open as she kept still in the same spot, but I paid her no mind while I searched through the menu. Out of my peripheral view, I saw her lift her hand up as if she was getting ready to hit me and I immediately stood up and grabbed her arm. "Let go of me." She tried to snatch out of my grip, but I wasn't having it. 

"If you knew what was good for you, you'd keep your hands to yourself. That was the first rule we learned in kindergarten. Hit me and your ass is grass." I stared her in the eyes to show her how serious I am. When I felt the tension disappear in her arm, I let her go and reclaimed my seat as she sat across from me with a scowl on her face. Shaking my head at her childish antics, I resumed my search on the menu, completely ignoring her presence and she did the same. I agreed to come here, I didn't say anything about entertaining her.