"My ZimBoy"

Chapter 10 "Riginal's Plan"

 I peeked at my watch, 8:12 p.m. and Royal still wasn't here. The show had already started. She wasn't answering my calls either and I began to panic. I saw Dev and Reg sitting at a table together having a drink. It made me kind of calm that them two were back talking. I wonder what happened to make them be friends again?

I grabbed a wine cooler from the minibar as I tried to relax my anxiety. There was some really great artists and poets. I was truly amazed at some of the things I was hearing. Riginal made his way towards me and held me around my waist as he stood behind me,

"You done panicking over here?"

He chuckled then kissed me on my cheek. I smiled,

"All I know is if Royce isn't here by the time she's up, I'm going to wring her neck."

I glanced at my watch again, 9:10 p.m.

"Oh my God Reg its nine something and she still isn't here."

He playfully bit my earlobe,

"Dusty stop panicking. She knows how important this is to you, she'll be here."

And as if 'On Cue' I saw a Royal walk through the door. I ran over to her,

"Where the hell have you been??"

She put her hands in mid-air as if surrendering to me,

"I'm sorry something important came up, I'm not too late am I?"

Before I could politely cuss her out Royal's mother walked through the door,

"Don't chew her out too much Dusty. I held her up and I truly apologize for the inconvenience."

I put on my sweetest smile,

"Oh don't be rediculous Mrs. Syntheia, it's okay.... You could have told me you know."

I angrily whispered and Royal's ear. Riginal came over,

"Let me get you ladies personals and put them in the back and Royal you're up after one more poet."

I kissed Riginal as he retrieved Mrs. Syntheia and Royal's jackets and purses. He could be so sweet. I told Royal where she needed to be standing and how the DJ already had the instrumental ready to play when she was called to the stage.

I looked around the room and smiled but when my eyes landed on Riginal my heart stopped.

He was rummaging through Royals purse.

I quickly made my way over to him when I saw that he stuck something in his pocket. One thing about me is I didn't tolerate a thief and I would be damned if I date one. When I approached him he jumped when I grabbed his arm,

"What the hell were you doing in Royals purse?"

I folded my arms and glared at him. I saw him with my own eyes and the moment he lied to me I was going to smack fire from his face,

"Relax I didn't take anything personal okay? I can't tell you what it is I'm doing but please just trust me."

I looked at him with a nasty snarl and walked away. I couldn't believe him but I was going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I watched him go back to his seat as I made my way over to Royal. She followed where I was looking,

"Wow, when did them two start talking?"

I shrugged my shoulders,

"That's something I asked myself too."

The last poet was leaving the stage and Royal was up,

"Good luck Royce. Knock em' dead!"

I smiled and cheered her on along with the packed room of people. It got quiet and I listen to her introduction,