One and Only

EMBERS 2

I enter the kitchen area of the club and there's mama and papa Ricci. Unfortunately, there's also their son, Tony. I try to go directly to his mom but he cuts me off and grabs my hand taking me out the back door.  Shit! I need another shot for this bullshit.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Tony has apparently lost his fucking mind right now.

"Excuse me?" I stare at him, "I'm here as a consultant Tony, nothing else" I remind him. I know he's pissed from the exchange earlier, but fuck him, I won't put up with that shit.

"You hanging all over that nigga! You look like a desperate groupie!" He's resorting to name calling, which means he's out of argument.

"Let me explain something to you, you fucking slow witted hooligan," His eyes buck at my words and I continue, " He's a growing superstar, he's extremely popular with women,  he's going to bring you a lot of business tonight and a reputation as one of the new hottest spots in L A., so pull your head out of your dick hole and get your mind right!" I jerk my hand out of his and walk back inside.

I approach his mother and father with a huge smile, regardless of the previous correspondence with their son and I'm immediately immersed in warm hugs by both.

"We miss you, you never come to the restaurant anymore," says Tony Sr. I feel bad but I stopped because Tony became so jealous that I just had to remove myself altogether. I'm used to disconnecting from an entire life. Starting over and leaving bad things behind has become my survival technique.  I can cut off emotions in one minute if need be.  I won't look back,  I never do, but his parents were so good to me there is a small scar left from them.

"I'll try to be better," I try to smile. He hugs me again. "I just wanted to thank you for coming and providing such beautiful food," I compliment genuinely.

"Anything for you and Tony" He says.  Suddenly Kamika is beside me telling me there's an issue with the bar.

"Excuse me I have to tend to this" I was grateful for the escape. I hurry out to the club easily pushing any hurt feelings I was experiencing and focus back on work. I walk out and everything looks.... fine. I turn to Kamika whose sipping her drink nonchalantly. "Where the fuck is the problem?"

"Oh there isn't one," she sips and bops around to the music. It took me a second then I realized she saved me again from something uncomfortable. See what I mean? Always there.

"So how are our special guest tonight?" Knowing the real question is,  "You getting it with Lamar tonight?"

'It's Gucci," she replies calmly.

"Who you talking to?" I laugh knowing better,  "Don't play coolio with me, what's really going on?"

"Ok, so they are hella fun! And a little crazy!" We both laugh, I start making my way back to the bar I need another drink for this. I order another double shot for both of us and down it real quick. "He wants to know if they can come over and chill a little bit." I'm in middle of ordering another drink, when I stop mid sentence.

"What?"

ABEL

I got out the back of the Escalade and my eyes instantly fall onto a beautiful woman standing at the end of the carpet. I hear women screaming my name, yelling that they want to fuck me, maybe one will get lucky. I can't move my eyes off of her. She's standing next to some other pretty girl and a mafia looking mother fucker. They look like a couple. He's whispering in her ear but she looks annoyed. Cash walks up to greet them first and I see him take a defensive stance blocking her. When I touched her hand there was an instant electricity and I was intrigued. Her fucking body was calling for attention and I wanted to give it to her. I tried to get her to stay with me but she turned me down. She just made me obsessed. She was so confident and in control, not like the hoes I always deal with. She's not falling for my boyish shit. I pour a glass of sapphire and watch her move about the club greeting people and networking.  She heads into the kitchen and so does her boyfriend or whoever the fuck he is. Her friend is back up here giving Lamar attention. He's smiling like a mother fucker, q tip looking nigga.  After awhile he's pulled his move to make our way back to her house.  I hope Rachel is coming too.

"Fuck nigga put your eyes back in yo head!" Lamar cackles, "Kamika going down there to get her friend and we rolling to their house. "

"Shit they live together?" This night is getting better.

"Yeah nigga they best friends and partners."

"What you running background checks on shorties now?"

"That's what happens when you have conversations other than suck my dick nigga!"

"Man fuck you" I laugh.

RACHEL

"Am I hearing shit or did you say they trying to come to our place?" I look at Kamika.

"Look it'll do you some good to get some, it's been two yea..."

"ALRIGHT! I got it! I'm not fucking anyone tonight, just cause he's famous don't mean he worth a shit."

"Oh ok bitch!" Kamika throws her head back laughing at me,  "We all know his reputation."

"Well let me find Jordan and tell him we're leaving."

"You gonna tell Tony?"

"Of course!" I mock and roll my eyes. I see Jordan on the dance floor getting wild with some hunnies and pull him aside. I let him know what's up and he smiles wishes us a goodnight.  I tell him I'll call him in the morning or whenever I wake up. I walk across the dance floor to leave when two arms wrap around me spinning me in their direction. Tony.  I push him off of me,  "You are really acting brand new right now, what the fuck you doing?"

"I see Kamika is still a whore! Taking men down left and right. "

"Takes one to know one Tony."

His eyes darken, I hate this side, "Remember you're always going to be mine, I have people that know where your brothers live and your parents, don't FUCK with me!" He seethes.

I turn slowly and stare at him coldly,  "You unimaginable piece of shit! Then we going to be some fighting mother fuckers up in here cause you don't know what I know!" I feel myself shaking and move away from him and out the back door for some fresh air.  The tears are brimming and I try hard to fight them off, I feel hands wrap around my neck and start squeezing.  I can't get them off of me! I lift my leg as high as it would go and stomp on their foot with everything I have digging my heel as deep as I could. Tony screams out,  "You fucking bitch! I'm gonna kill you, you fucking bitch!"

He releases me and I run back inside and right out the front into an awaiting Uber. Just stole someone's ride. I pay the driver $100 dollars tip plus the normal fees just to take me where I needed. I text Kamika on the way home telling her what happened and I was calling it a night. She says she'll tell Lamar another time but I can't ruin this chance for her! I let her know I'm ok with them still coming I'll just stay up in my room.  She's, of course,  thanking the shit out of me.

Personally, I'm good for the night, I don't need no more unexpected shit.