August's Empathy

No Money or Guilty Monique

AUGUST'S EMPATHY

August spoke to Debarge, "I think I'm about to start putting things together. My family hurting."

Debarge looked over at him, confused. "What you mean by that?"

"Man, my nieces and my family. Charice told me she can't go on not knowing who did this to my brother. I haven't been able to go a day without thinking of it, too. It's better if I just find out for myself now. I know Jorven pulled the trigger but there was more to this, man. It just didn't happen like that and I can feel it deep down." August replied.

Debarge shook his head. He understood where his friend was coming from, but that would only bring up more pain and past feuds. He wanted to help August out and bring justice to their family, but he didn't want to lose his friend doing so. August was the only closest person to him, therefore he told him what he felt.

"Man, I know you care about me on some family shit but wouldn't you rather me die by the gun than to go crazy, not knowing who hurt my family like this?"

Debarge nodded. "I got your back, Ace, through whatever. I promise that if you don't end up getting the good end that I'll figure it out for you."

He leaned back in his seat and placed his earphones back in. August sat by the window, staring at the clouds as they made their way back home. He calmed down once he thought about Camry, who was waiting impatiently for him to return. Then, he thought about Monique, who he had not heard nothing of the entire time there.

"Yo, did you hear Rakim got robbed?" Debarge inquired. August turned towards him, surprised.

"By who?"

"They don't know. Said they found him bleeding from his chest in his crib. Whoever did it got him for his money. Bianca was telling me that they're saying he knows who did it but he not telling anybody. I guess he goin' handle that on his own, man."

"That's crazy, but that's what you got to be aware of. I hope he get whoever did it and handle his business. Ain't like the system will care much about it." August dismissed it.

An hour later, they arrived home. It was back to the normal, boring routine. August had put business on hold for the trip. Debarge was going back to hustling for the rest of the week. Nothing exciting really happened for them. But that would change very soon.

Monique scrolled through the apps on her phone, smiling. She was beyond excited to have a new phone. Lately things had been going great for her. A week had passed and she was able to purchase her own things for herself. For the moment, she forgot that she was wanted back home.

Monet walked into the living room, dressed in a sweat suit. She stared at her sister, who had got a new phone. She turned her nose up. Somehow, the girl was magically popping up with money. She didn't know what her hustle was or any of that, but she didn't like the fact that she was getting money and not sharing.

"Nothing in life is free, Monique. You can pay half rent or a bill." Monet spoke, slightly jealous.

"Relax, Mo. This is temporary. I'm only here for a few more days. I'm looking for a place right now. You don't think there is any openings at your job, or no?"

"No, there isn't," she lied, "Try somewhere else. I'll ask around for you if you really want to strip."

"Not stripping. I ain't trying to be all on that stage looking silly. I just need something like bartending or something simple." Monique replied, not even realizing her offensive words. Monet grinded her teeth against one another before leaving out of the house, slamming the door.

If she would've known that Monique would cause her so much stress, she would've never answered her phone. She just felt like doing a good deed. Maybe something better would've came back to her but it didn't work that way. Instead, she had to deal with Monique insulting her job and not even showing that she was appreciative.

Once she arrived at the club, she headed to the dressing rooms where Lyndsey was oiling herself up. She smiled at her close friend, sitting her bag on the table. "I'm done with my sister. Girl, she hasn't been here but one week and she already aggravating me."

"How?" Lyndsey asked.

"OK, so I come into her and Play acting all buddy-buddy last week, then she's been blowing money the entire week. Do you think she has offered to help on a bill or rent?"

Lyndsey rolled her eyes. "I know she's your blood and all but she seems shady. Home girl getting buddy-buddy with Play and I already don't like him as it is. He lies so much. I wouldn't doubt if he was sliding her some shit for some cutty. If I was you, I'd tell her straight up that she has two weeks to get a job. And I know you got the bills because you're not broke, and you don't have to stay with other people and stunt."

Monet laughed. She was going to tell her sister that she definitely had to pitch in. And she wasn't worried about Play. Monique was a lot of things but she wasn't disloyal, so she thought. But her assumptions were far from correct.

Play pumped into Monique, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist. She clutched onto Monet's sheets while moaning, loudly. He bit into her flesh while feeling her tighten around his throbbing manhood. He pulled out of her slowly and then tore the condom off.

Monique sat up, then grabbed her shorts from the floor. They didn't say anything to one another as Play dressed back into his attire. She snuck out of the bedroom then went to shower while he finished getting dressed. Monique hopped into the shower. Soon, she heard a tap at the door.

"Ay, I put it on your dresser, princess. I'm out."

As she washed him off of her, she felt so guilty. Monet didn't have a clue about them and it made her feel even worse that this was her sister's boyfriend. It was just that the two of them couldn't deny the attraction to one another, plus he was sliding her a few bills in return. It wasn't because she asked him to but he offered to because it was so good. Those were his words.

Play wasn't bad at all. He knew how to keep his mouth shut and keep it between the two of the strictly. He didn't cut eyes at her when Monet was home, nor did he text or call her. The two of them knew her job hours perfectly so they got it done when they felt like it, then he was out to hustle while she showered. She just knew it was only so long before they had to stop because Monet was becoming jealous of her.

Yes, Monique was positive that Monet was jealous. She saw all of the money she was getting. Monet just wanted to know the source so she could do the same thing. Monique shook her head. If only her sister knew the source was under her roof daily. The thought, alone, made her feel even worse. Then, she thought about a quote she had saw.

It's true that money is the root of all evil, because when I am broke is when I have my most evilest thoughts.