Giovanni

by Dominique Butler

  " That sounds nice, but is your stylist gonna have clothes for our size," Tisha ask.

  " Yes, he'll have your size," Victoria said, giggling.

  " Good morning Mrs. Lilly, Mr. and Mrs. Ricci," Madison said, walking into the living room.

  " Hey Maddie," Victoria said, getting up off the couch, giving her a hug.

  " Have you met my daughter in law," Victoria asks. Madison looks at me up and down.

  "We meet earlier," she said.

  Tisha scoots closer to me and asks, " does she have a problem with you or something?" I look at her. " You need me to deck her," Tisha asks. I shake my head, watching her and Victoria talk.

  Mrs. Lilly takes a seat next to me. "That girl thinks that getting in good with Victoria will get her in with Gio," she tells me.

  " Where's Trey?" Michael asks.

  "In the bedroom down there," I say, pointing to the back. He walks off to Trey's room. For thirty minutes Victoria and Madison talk while the rest of us watch TV. A phone rings Victoria pulls her phone out of her purse. "Hey Chino," she says then pause for a second, " your downstairs come to the penthouse I'll be at the door see you in a few," she says before hanging out. She gets off the couch with Madison heading to the door.

  "Are they always like this," I ask Mrs. Lilly looks at me.

  "No, they are worst," she tells me.

  "Darling, it's been a while since I made a home visit," Chino said, walking down the hallway. "Who are these plum beauties?" Chino asks, seeing Tisha and me.

  " This is my daughter in law Camille and her friend Tisha," Victoria said.

  " Nice meeting you, ladies," he said, shaking our hands.

  " Nice meeting you, too," I say.

  Chino walks around us, looking at our frames. " So many ideas, " he said, staring at us.

  "I guess I'm chopped liver over here," Mrs. Lilly said, getting everyone's attention.

  " Sorry mama Lilly," said Chino walking over to her, giving her a hug. " So ladies, my assistant will be up in a minute with the wardrobe, so what am I helping pick out for you lovely ladies today," he asked, taking a seat next to Mrs. Lilly.

  " For now, just something new, but I do have an event in four months I want to start looking early," Victoria said.

  " Ooh, what's the event," Chino ask.

  " Just a celebration dinner for Michael’s retirement," she said.

  "Okay," he said before a knock at the door.

  "That should be her. Madison, can you get the door?" he asks. She gets up, opening the door. A young lady comes in, bringing in five racks with her. “This is my assistant Nicky," Chino said, helping her unzipping the covers around the racks.

  " Nicky, you take Tisha and Camille while I get the rest," he tells her.

  " Okay," she said, grabbing the last two racks. Tisha and I walk over to her.

  "So ladies, what style are you looking for?" she asks us. Tisha dives right in.

  "Well, I'm good, but this one needs to get out of jeans and leggings with a t-shirt," she tells Nicky.

  "Girl, I wear suits at work five days a week," I say.

  Nicky looks through racks of clothes and pulls a couple things out. "Go try this on," she tells me.

  I walk to the downstairs bathroom and look at what she gave me: a blue leather skirt with a chain hanging off the waist part and a black crop with holes. I put on a high waist skirt then the crop top. I look in the mirror. The skirt moves everything in the right place. I turn around, looking at my back, seeing it made my butt look bigger.

  " Hurry up, let me see," Tisha said, banging on the door. I walk out of the bathroom. "Girl, you look cute turnaround," she says. I twirl around twice.

  " You know what would make this even better is some print stockings," Nicky says.

  " I was thinking that," Tisha.

  Madison walks over by us, looking me up and down and says, "you look cute," with her nose in the air.

  “Nah, my girls look stunning," Tisha said.

  Nicky walks back to the rack pulling out more clothes. "Try these on," she says, shoving them in my arms. I walk in the bathroom, placing the clothes I wore on top of the toilet seat. I see she gave me some black leather pants with slits on the thigh and a black bustier. I look at myself in the mirror, not really liking the way it looks. I walk out of the bathroom, and Tisha looks at me.

  “What's wrong? You look cute," she tells me.

  "I just don't like it," I tell her.

  Nicky looks at me and says, "How about I get you some high waist pants or a jacket to go with it?” Madison walks up to us again and says, "For what? Her fat ass ain't gonna do nothing but bust out of it.”

  Tisha turns around so fast that it looked like she was possessed and punch Madison in the face.

  Madison's head snaps back so fast it took her a second to bring her head back into alignment.

  "Don't you ever in your life repeat anything about Camille," Tisha said, pointing her finger in Madison's face.

  Madison smacks Tisha's hand.

  "Why does he have to be involved with these hoodrats? I don't know why you think that Gio would want her but let's get this you touch me again I'll have you in jail, and I’ll have the Ricci personally come after you," Madison said.

  Tisha started laughing. “Sweetie, I'm the guard at the New York State prison. So think again, pasty white girl that's hooked on a man that she’ll never get," Tisha says to Madison before walking over to me, saying, “I don't know who Molly the maid thinks she is.”

  Madison charges her way over to us, grabbing Tisha's hair. I grab her hands, trying to pry Madison's fingers. “Let go of her hair," I tell her and she mean mugs me.

  “Madison, what are you doing?" Victoria said, looking at the situation.

  " They both disrespected me then this one hit me," she said, releasing Tisha's hair.

  " You’re a fucking liar," Tisha says, standing up straight.

  Trey and Michael come out of the backroom. "What happened?" Trey asks.

  "Molly, the maid, thinks she can say whatever to people and not get hit," Tisha said. Michael walks up to us.

  "Madison, did you attack my guest? " he asks.

  "She hit me first. I was just defending myself," she said.

  “Little girl, you're a worker, not family or friend. You should have been cleaning not getting involved with what was going on," Michael said, walking towards her. "You're fired. I'll call your father," he said, standing in front of her. Madison's eyes started getting glossy.

  "This is your fault," Madison said, pointing to me before walking to the front door.

  Michael walks towards Tisha and I. “Sorry about the commotion she caused," he tells us.

  "It's okay," I tell him.

  “Ladies go back to shopping. I'm not paying Chino for nothing," he said, walking back to the room with Trey following him.

  After another hour of Nicky picking outfits, I ended up with a good five that I like. "Thanks, Nicky," I say.

  “You’re welcome. Here goes my card if you ever need my help," she said, handing us her card.

  “Ladies, I had fun. I'll see you later," Chino said, giving everyone a hug then leaving.

  “That was eventful," Mrs. Lilly said.

  " It sure was," I said, agreeing with her while I pick up the clothes.

  “We are going to make dinner tonight," Mrs. Lilly said.

  “What time are you gonna start cooking?" I ask.

  “Around five. I got to see what's in the refrigerator before going to the store," she tells me.

  “We'll be down after we take the clothes upstairs," I tell her, going upstairs. I place the clothes on the bed.

  “Girl, if they didn't intervene, then I would have had to swing her ass across the floor," Tisha said.

  I start laughing. “At least I don't have to see her no more," I say.

  " Yea, like she was going take Gio from you," she said. I shrug my shoulders.

  "Come on, let's go help," I tell her. We walk back downstairs,
seeing Mrs. Victoria sitting on the couch. Tisha walks to the bathroom while I go sit on the couch.

  "Camille, I didn't know her infatuation with Gio was that bad. I'm sorry for the trouble she caused you," Victoria said.

  “It's okay," I tell her.

  “I'll make sure the next maid won't be like her," she tells me.

  “Thanks, " I tell her.

  Mrs. Lilly walks into the living room. “We have to go to the store Victoria go get Michael," Mrs. Lilly said. Victoria gets up going to the back room. "Thank God that little girl is gone," Mrs. Lilly said. I just laugh.

  “You didn't like her?" I ask.

  “Not that I didn't like her, but she thought that since her family worked for ours for years, she should marry Gio," she tells me.

  " Mama," Michael says, walking into the living room.

  " Yes," Mrs. Lilly says, turning towards him.

  " You can have someone pick up what you need from the store. You don't have to go," he tells her.

  "I want to go myself," she tells him. They stare off for a minute.

  " Fine, let's go," Michael says, heading for the door. Tisha and I follow right behind them.

  “Camille, you have to stay," Trey said behind us.

  " Come on, Trey, I don't want to be stuck in here all day," I tell him.

  " Gio wants me to keep you from being seen with his family and keep you away from the FEDS," he tells me.

  I pout for a second. "What if you drive us in a separate car?" I ask him.

  " It could work, but no. He doesn't want you going out today," Trey said.

  " Okay," I say, dropping on the couch.

  " I'll go with them. You need anything," Tisha asks.

  " Just some candy," I tell her.

  " Got you," she said, walking out the door.

  " Not fair," I mumble.

  " Life ain't fair," Trey said, walking to the back.

  I grab the remote changing the channel to Wild n Out. Five minutes into the show, the front door opens. "Tisha, what you forget?" I ask, still facing the TV. There was no reply, but I was still on the TV. "Meow," I hear I look behind me, seeing Gio holding Star. I just stare at them for a minute. “Why didn't you tell me you were coming to see me today?" I said, getting off the couch. I grab Star from Gio holding and looking down at her. Gio grabs my chin, pulling my head towards his smashing his lips on mine. I start getting butterflies, the deeper the kiss got.

  "I see you, kids," Trey said, making me back up. Gio mean mugs, Trey.

  " Sorry, man," Trey said, putting his hands up, walking backward.

  After Trey disappears, Gio takes my hand, leading me to the couch sitting next to each other.

  “How have you been?" he asked.

  I look down at Star. "I'm doing good. How about you?" I ask, petting Star.

  " Good having you in my presence makes my day better," he tells me, putting a smile on my face.

  "What did you do today?" I ask.

  " Went to see the lawyer and check on some business," he tells me.

  " What did your lawyer say?" I ask.

  "That they don't really have nothing. Just checking your records and watching the cameras," he said.

  I shake my head. “He said that this should be wrapping up in the next two weeks," he tells me.

  "That's good," I tell him, smiling. Gio just stares at me after a few minutes. I look down at Star. "Why do you keep staring at me?" I ask him.

  Gio chuckles for a second. “You're so beautiful that I can't take my eyes off you even if I tried," he said. I was so stunned that I couldn't respond to him. " Cat got your tongue," he says, making a joke.

  "That's not funny," I tell him.

  "It was. You’re just acting all shy now," he tells me.

  " I'm not," I say.

  “Love your acting all shy. What's the problem?" he asks.

  "Nothing," I say.

  He grabs my chin, moving my face in his direction, kissing me. After a few seconds, he grabs the back of my head, kissing me harder. I grab his shirt bringing him closer to me. Gio breaks the kiss picking me up, putting me on his lap. I try getting out of his lap, but he grabs my face smashing his lips on mine, making me forget where we are with me, gripping his hair and him grabbing my ass.

  “Damn, he works fast," I here Tisha say. I jump out of Gio's lap.

  "Look at you two being nasty," Angel said, adding on to what Tisha said earlier.

  "Leave them only," Mrs. Lilly said, walking to the kitchen. I straighten my clothes then walk to the kitchen.

  "I see you still got some type of game, Gio," Angel said.

  "Shut up," Gio said.

  Tisha caught up to me. "I see you are getting nasty," Tisha says, laughing. I roll my eyes, going into the kitchen.

  "Let's go, ladies. Dinner is in an hour we have a lot to do," Mrs. Lilly said, pulling out pots. We each got busy with cooking assignment from Mrs. Lilly.

  “Camille," Victoria calls me.

  " Yes," I say.

  “What are your plans until you go back to work?" she asks.

  "I don't know yet," I tell her.

  “If you need someone to talk to, I'm always available," she tells me.

  “I'll call you," I tell her laughing.

  " Chop- chop ladies," Mrs. Lilly said.

  After cooking, we set the table. “Camille go get the boys," Victoria said.

  ,

  I walk away from the table, heading to the living room, not seeing the men where could they be, I thought. I walk to the room Trey is occupying, and I stand outside the door. "Sam said that the FEDs didn't confirm or deny that it was an outside source but said someone tipped them off about it," Gio said.

  "What do you want to do?" Trey asks.

  “Wait until Camille is cleared, then get my hands on that file after the investigation is officially over," Gio says.

  “That's the best plan of action," Michael said.

  “For the time being, you still want eyes on Camille and Amy," Angel said.

  “Yes," Gio said. They pause for a while, and I knock on the door.

  Angel opens the door. “Dinners ready," I say, then walk back to the kitchen. I helped put the rest of the dishes on the table when they came into the kitchen.

  Chapter 26

  Two weeks later

  The investigation is over, and I'm cleared to go back to work tomorrow.

  "Camille, what are you going to wear? You need to look fly," Tisha says over the phone.

  " I don't know. All these extra clothes I have, I'll find something," I tell her.

  "It's gonna be so good having you back at work. These bitches be thinking since you were gone that I was gonna run your business," she tells me. I just laugh. They don't know that we were friends before working together.

  " Tisha, I'll see you in the morning," I say.

  " Night girl," she said before hanging up.

  I'm still at Gio's penthouse I walk to the closet picking out a tan suit with a light pink dress shirt and tan pumps I set them on the dresser then grab a brown satchel. I lay in bed thinking about Gio. I haven't really seen him since dinner, but he would call me every day. I get up off the bed, walking to the kitchen and grab a bottle of water out the fridge. What's going on, I thought, walking to the window staring at the city. I take a sip of water. I take a couple more seconds looking out the window before heading back to bed. I walk out of the living room, bumping into Gio.

  " Hey," I say, he walks up to me, pulling me into a hug. we stay like that for a few minutes, then he releases me.

  " Why are you up?" he asks.

  "I was just grabbing some water," I tell him.

  "Where have you been?" I ask, putting my hands on my hips.

  " Love, I have been busy getting business deals together," he says.

  " If you say so," I tell him walking towards the stairs. He grabs my arm, pulling me, so my back is on his front.

  " Love, don't be like that," he said, kissing me on my neck. My knees get we
ak I would have fallen if he wasn't holding me. He grabs my boobs squeezing them, then he runs his hand down my stomach grabbing my center.

  I start squirming in his arms. He turns me around, picking me up. I place my legs around his waist as he carries me up the steps. Gio drops me on the bed.

  " You sure you want this," he asks. I take a minute to think about it.

  " Yes," I say.

  He takes his jacket off then starts kissing me. I unbutton his shirt while he holds my head. I push the shirt off his shoulder. He moves away from me, breathing hard I look down his body, seeing the well-defined six-pack and the happy trail. He reaches out, grabbing the end of my tank top, pulling it off. "Damn love," he said, seeing that I don't have a bra on under my shirt. He instantly dives in sucking on my boobs. After a couple of minutes of him going back and forth, he pushes me on the bed, kissing me from the top of my head going down. When he reached my stomach, he pulls my shorts off, flinging them across the room. "You're gonna kill me," he said, staring at me. He gets on his knees, kissing my inner thighs up to my center. I scoot back on the bed as he instantly starts sucking on my pearl. Gio stands up, grabbing both my thighs, dragging me back to the end of the bed." Next time you move in gonna tie you up and spank you," he said. He goes back down licking and sucks a few minutes later I squeeze my thighs around his head, but he breaks free. " No, come back," I yell. Gio looks at me, smiling unbuckling his belt. I sit up a little as he pulls off his pants and briefs; his stick sprung free, smacking my leg. It's thick, curved with a pink mushroom top; I raise my brow. He walks over to the nightstand to pull out a Magnum.

  " You're prepared," I say.

  " Never know when you would be ready," he tells me, putting it on. He climbs on the bed, kissing me across my chest. " You sure about this," he asks.

  " Yes," I moan while he’s kissing my neck. I lay back on the bed, and he puts my right leg on his shoulder then enters slowly. I put my hand on his stomach, stopping him for a second.

  I'm gonna take my time," he says before moving my hand, putting a little bit more in then starting to go in and out.

  After five minutes of my body getting adjusted to him, I say, "go faster, Gio." He pulls out. " no," I yell. Then he flipped me over on my stomach, grabbing my waist then started pounding the shit out of me. "Move again," he says when I try to scoot away.