Heather
Nichola and I have been in a deep conversation since we met. It’s really refreshing to my brain to be in a intellectually stimulating conversation that doesn’t revolve around sex. That’s exactly how my ex, Brad was during our entire relationship. Nichola asked me about myself; he noticed the little things about me that guys never take the time to savor in girls. Like my favorite color, my favorite childhood game, even my preferred subject in school. I loved how he kept me aware that he was into me, in a respectful manner of course. “Wow Heather, I’m glad I met you. You made my trip to America, much more memorable.” he said with sincerity. “You say that like it’s the last time we’ll see each other.” you ask looking at him in the eye. He smiles nervously and looks down, rubbing the back of his neck. “Well you see…..I am Russian and….” he said, leading in a direction that I wasn’t picking up on. “and what? What is it, Nichola?” you ask anxiously. Please don’t be gay! Please don’t be married!you thought to myself. Then suddenly, BAM a series of bullets fly across the room. Before I could even blink, Nichola tackled me to the ground, covering me with his body. The gunshots were so loud, I couldn’t even hear myself scream. “Don’t worry, Heather I’ve got you” Nichola yells in my ear. Until I didn’t feel his warm body on at all. He was being pulled away by masked men, with guns in their hands. “Nichola! Nichola!” I called out, like that would do anything. I tried reaching out for him, but all I could see was his silhouette being whisked away in the smoke of gunfire. “Oh my God!” I scream as I looked to me left and see five bodies, dead.
Elan
After I went to the coin exchange, I was directed to the secret department in the casino to retrieve my money. No arguments there, if I were to collect my $500,000 dollars, I wouldn’t have made out of that casino alive. Two guards were behind me in parallel formation of each other. Welp, better safe than sorry. One of the guards opens the door, and I enter as the other follow behind me. There I was greeted with the smell of a Cuban cigar and an old man sitting in a chair, watching surveillance videos of the facility. “Boss” one of the guards call out. The old man turns around, looks me up and lustfully and stood up. What is this, the second time I’ve been eye raped today ughh you thought. “Hola, hola mi bella dama! You are the lucky winner of $500,000 dollars at the blackjack table. My name is Estéban Alcazar, but call me Estéban” he says in a smooth Venezuelan accent. “That’d be me and nice to meet you Estéban.” I said in a sarcastic tone, shaking his hand. I was not in the mood for small talk. Just give me my 500K and I’ll be out the door. “Would you like a drink mi hermosa marrón muchacha? Have a seat, make yourself comfortable. he said pointing to the lounge seat, in front of his desk. ”No thank you señor. I’d just like my money so I can good get some rest. I have work in the morning.” I reply, sitting down anyway. “Oh so you’re a working girl, I like that. Where do you work?” he asked, rolling closer to my chair. “I’m a personal assistant for Russell Simmons, the CEO at Def Jam Records.” I reply. “Oh, good, good! You’re technique in blackjack is quite impeccable. You weren’t even counting cards.” he said in amazement. “Isn’t that illegal in casinos? I’ve seen ‘21’ and I can assure you I came alone. I won that $500,000 fair and square.” I articulate. “Yes ma’am, you did. I’m not going to let you walk out of here with 500 thousand in cash, I will write you a check.” he says, getting up to his desk. I sigh in relief, because I didn’t want to get into details of my life. I knew he would try that route. “Ahh here you are, Ms.?” he asked. “McHughes, Elan McHughes.” I reply, taking the check, and standing up walking away. “Okay, Ms. McHughes, take it easy bonita.” Mr. Alcazar said, watching my ass, as I walked away. What is it with men and women’s butts? I thought.As I’m pushing the button to the elevator, I hear a boy singing and good. ♪♫ Put you on a pedestal, take you real high. Like to see my lady and the way she react when I keep her satisfied. Not to stroke my ego, But I do it well. Plus she does it better when I get her to the point she forget to exhale Baby girl♪♫.. he sang, while cleaning the windows. I caught myself smiling, continuing to hear listen to his performance. ♪♫..can help it baby, just got to be unselfish lady and make sure that you come fi- I am so sorry ma’am. Please don’t tell my boss I’m singing.” he said laughing. He was cute, with his tall frame and muscles flexed tight in his uniform. Then it hit me, the project my boss had me doing: what it takes to discover fresh talent. BINGO! He’s perfect. I’ll get that A&R position in no time! I thought “You sound good! What’s your name?” I ask, approaching him. “Jacob Latimore Jr. and yours pretty lady?” he replied, extending his hand. “Elan McHughes, listen are you looking to pursue a career in the music industry? If so, I may have a way of helping out.” shaking his hand. “Really? You could really do that? Wait! What’s the catch?” he said in disbelief. “No catch, I work over at Def Jam in NYC and I know for a fact their looking for a fresh face. But if you’re not up to it I ca-” I say. “No,No, No I’m up for it. It’s just opportunities like this don’t happen like this at all.” he said in shock. “Well believe it, here, take my number. Clear your schedule for Wednesday of next week. Oooh, I’ve got to catch hat elevator. Okay, bye Jacob and I’ll see you next week!” I say, rushing into the elevator. “Bye El-” he said, but the doors closed. I have a good feeling about this! as I entered my room. I put my clutch purse on my nighstand, wiped my makeup off, striped down to my panties and a t-shirt and slapped my hair in a high bun. It was passed 2, where the hell was Heather? Then instantly, I find myself falling fast asleep.
Jacob
Man oh man! I just got discovered! This could be my big break! But wait a minute, don’t get too excited Jacob. She might be a con artist. Nahh she’s too cute for that. Elan, that’s a cute name. What the hell Jacob, she might be a mangager or something. Things like don’t happen to people like on an ordinary day at a hotel in Atlantic City. I did a little Micheal Jackson as I continue to clean the windows. If it be God’s way I won’t have to be doing this for long. Please let it turn out right. Next thing you know BAM! BAM! BAM! "Oh shit!" I yelled. "Jake bro, they shootin’, they shootin’! Let’s go check it out!" my co-workers said. "Nigga what! Why would you wanna go near a place, where they shooting? You wanna get shot?" I asked. "Oh true." he agrees. The way I see it, what happens here, stays here. Too much funny business going on here as it is. This all the more reason why this thing with Elan needs to pull through. I’ll do anything to make it.
Heather
After the gunfire stopped, I made a bolt for the exit, along with a mob of other people. My hair was a mess and my dress had blood all over it.Oh my God! Nichola, Where’s Nichola? Was he shot? Get to safety first Heather and then worry about everything else I thought. I knew everyone would be rushing to the elevator so I took the stairs to my room on the 7th floor. In my heels, running up the stairs, my lungs were on fire and my feet were about to explode. Once I made it to my door, I realized I didn’t have my purse with my room key in it. I started banging on the door, frantically. “Alright! Alright! Heather, oh my goodness! What happened to you? Why are you all bloody?” she asked confused. “One minute we were talking, then the next we..we..OH MY GOD ‘lani! There were gunshots!” I scream into my hands. Elan puts her arms around me “Jesus Heath’, come on let’s get you out of these bloody clothes. Go take a shower.” she instructed.
I stood in the hot shower for 10 minutes, deep in thought. Why did that happen? Since they took Nichola, would they be coming after me too? My purse! What if they come back for my purse, my information is all in there! I cut the shower off and get out, unable to think about the possibilities anymore. I quickly put on my pajama tank top and shorts and y way over to Elan’s room. ”Hey ‘lani, I can’t sleep by myself, I’m scared.” I said, while climbing into bed with her. “hmmm alright, we’ve got to get some sleep in order to beat the traffic going back into New York.” she said half-sleep. “But what about my purse, my ID and my phone are in it.” I reply. “Heath’ we’ll get it in the morning if everything hasn’t been cleared by the cops okay? Go to sleep.” she said, turning over and going back to sleep. “Okay” I said turning over as well and going to sleep. The next morning I was put at ease, when I got a call from the front desk saying that they found my purse. We managed to walk past the casino and it was a wreck, covered in yellow ‘caution’ tape surrounding it. Body bags emerged left and right. A chill crept onto me and lingered down my spine. “Hey ‘lani, do have your car charger? My phone is dead.” I ask. “Yeah. Let’s hurry up and leave before we become suspects.” she said getting in the car. The entire ride back home I just couldn’t get Nichola out of my mind. I hope he’s alright I thought as I drifted off to sleep.
