Girls From da Hood 8

by Treasure Hernandez

  In her most sincere voice Keisha said, “I’m sorry, miss, but it’s been a long day and I—”

  “Oh, why so apologetic now?”

  Keisha didn’t care what came out her mouth and wanted to see just how far she could push it. “’Cause yo’ ass white and I could lose my job!” Keisha showed her pearly whites.

  Nicole tried to keep a straight face, but eventually busted out in laughter.

  “So if I was black it would still make it okay for you to be so fuckin’ rude? Just come in,” Nicole said, leaving the door open.

  Keisha watched as she moved her unexpectedly full, round ass from side to side. She wasn’t aware that there was a mirror exposing her facial expression.

  “You like what you see?”

  Keisha stood still and quickly turned her head. “Huh?”

  “It’s okay, you can look.” Nicole smiled.

  “Nah, I ain’t like that.”

  “You ain’t like that? I can smell someone like you a mile away. I just don’t see this look for you.” Nicole pointed to Keisha’s fatigue pants and worn out green T-shirt.

  It was Keisha’s turn to laugh. “I only dress like this when I feel like it. Umm, anyway can you sign this ’cause I’ve already taken up too much of your time.” Keisha handed her the clipboard.

  Nicole licked her lips. “Yeah, no problem, but I’ma still call yo’ boss.”

  “Wow and here I thought we were past that.” Keisha pouted as she reached for the clipboard.

  Nicole liked the challenge of turning girls out, especially when all they needed was a little push. “Okay, I’ll make a deal with you only ’cause you’re so cute. Why don’t you stop back when you get off of work later? Maybe I can dress you up a little, show you how much fun you can really have.”

  “And you won’t call my boss and try to get me fired?”

  “Depends on how much you let me dress you up,” Nicole said, smiling.

  After that day Keisha was introduced to another world, a free world, where no one hid their wants or needs. Nicole showed her different urges and allowed her to be herself without repercussions. Although, after a while, it seemed that Nicole had more in mind. A few times a week Keisha would stop by and they would flirt, play games, smoke a little until it became more of a routine.

  Keisha wasn’t ready to show herself to the people who mattered; it was more comfortable for her to play a role with people she didn’t care about. Having fun with Nicole was just a pastime when Keisha didn’t want to work or she needed a weed break. It became different when Nicole started calling every hour, trying to find out when she was coming by, or making plans like they was in a relationship. She wanted to go out more and more and started showing all types of PDA (public displays of affection) movements.

  After Nicole showed that she wanted more Keisha slowed everything down; she stopped coming by and pumped the brakes on their intimate episodes. Keisha liked Nicole, but not enough to start a relationship or show her true colors. Now she was in a binding predicament; she needed a place to stay. Nicole was the only person she could think of who would put her up with no questions asked, but could Keisha withstand the power Nicole would have over her?

  Keisha grabbed her knapsack, threw it on her back, snatched the duffel bag off the bed, and walked her bike out the room. She headed down to the lobby to permanently check out. Keisha pulled out her phone and dialed Nicole. “Hey.”

  “Hey, stranger, what’s up wit’ you?” Nicole asked enthusiastically.

  “Is yo’ offer still good?” Keisha hoped she was making the right decision.

  “Of course, when you comin’?” Nicole’s voice was eager.

  “I’ll be there in an hour or so,” Keisha said flatly.

  Keisha handed her room key to the clerk at the desk and headed out the door. She threw the straps of her duffel bag over her shoulder and took hold of the handlebars of her bike and walked out into the night air. She decided to take the train instead of riding her bike all the way uptown; besides, she didn’t think she had enough energy to make it there.

  After finally making it to Nicole’s house it was obvious to Keisha that other plans were in place.

  “Hey, baby, I’m so happy you came,” Nicole greeted her in a sheer white robe at the door.

  Keisha wanted to ravish her on the spot, but didn’t. Instead she rolled her bike past her and dropped the bags from her shoulders. “Damn, I’m beat.”

  Excited that Keisha was there Nicole rushed to close the door and hugged her from behind. “Mmm, I missed you.”

  “We ain’t gonna get into that now. I’m tired as shit and all I want is a decent shower and a warm bed,” Keisha said, prying Nicole’s hands from around her waist.

  “Okay, that’s fine for now, but I ain’t gonna go for that too long now that you staying with me. Anyway, look what I picked up for you the other day.” Nicole headed to the hallway closet and pulled out a shopping bag. She reached into the bag and pulled out black and red spandex pants with a fitted shirt to match.

  “Who’s wearing that?”

  “You don’t like it? It’s hot to death. Your body will have everybody drooling after you. I promise you that your tips will be bigger.” Nicole smiled.

  “I’m not wearing that and I don’t get tips.”

  “Okay, we’ll see.” Nicole put everything back into the bag and tossed it to the side.

  “A’ight, whateva . . . lemme go take a shower.”

  “You want company?” Nicole disrobed, revealing her nude body.

  Keisha shook her head. Damn, this may just be trouble.

  9

  Shawna

  It’d been a few weeks and not talking to either of her closest friends was killing her. Those were the only girlfriends she felt were real; many of her new associates faked the funk because they wanted something for nothing. All the women she met now didn’t want to beat her ass like in high school, but sure as hell threw shade every opportunity they could. Making new friends and taking new steps was scary to Shawna and not having her girls around was even harder.

  Shawna concentrated on the positive instead of dwelling on what she didn’t have. Her job was secure, she had her own place, and best of all she had a phat bonus check. Moving her head to the tune of Bob Marley’s hit “Could You Be Loved” she entered the building offices of Lifers Music in the best of moods. Happy her parents saw that she was becoming independent and needed to experience life with them from afar, her frame of mind was indestructible.

  Since her promotion, Emma kissed her ass every chance that came her way; coffee was always promptly on her desk five minutes after walking in, she even arranged to have Shawna’s new office painted and decorated. Shawna removed her headphones and with a huge smile greeted Emma, “Good morning; anything good happened over the weekend?”

  “Good morning, Shawna. Actually, the painters finished your office and the furniture will be here today. So by tomorrow you can be in your own office instead of Carolyn’s.”

  “That’s great . . . Umm, you still going to help me with that, right?” Shawna smiled.

  “Don’t worry about that. I have it handled.”

  “Great.” Shawna walked out the reception area and headed toward her temporary office. Easing behind the desk, she pressed the phone to speaker and dialed.

  “Shore Real Estate, how can I help you?”

  “Hello, can I speak to . . . Nicole Ashland, please?” Shawna asked, fiddling with a sticky note.

  “Yes, this is her. How can I help you?”

  “Hi, Nicole, my name is Shawna Vasquez. Shore referred me so we can set up a time to look at a few apartments. Do you think we can do something today?” Shawna hoped.

  “That’s right, I was expecting you to call me over the weekend,” Nicole said, looking at her appointment book. “Okay, I have some time around two. Can you meet me then?”

  “Two, huh?” She paused for a minute, staring out the window.

  “Shawna, you still there? Is
two o’clock okay? If not I can do four o’clock too.”

  “Sorry, Nicole, let’s go with four o’clock. I should be able to leave the office by then.”

  “Perfect. I’ll swing by and pick you up. See you then.” Nicole ended the call.

  With a smile on her face she logged on to her laptop and searched for Shore Real Estate. She clicked on one-bedroom apartments. They all looked too small for way too much money. Was this a trick? Did I only get a bonus to pay him rent? He’s a damn mogul! She searched for studio apartments; there were none listed.

  Like clockwork, Emma entered the office with Shawna’s latte in hand.

  “Thanks . . .” Shawna’s somber tone didn’t dismiss Emma quick enough.

  “Wait, what happen to all the smiles you walked in with?” She peeked at the computer screen and saw the logo for Shore Real Estate. “Ooh, I would love to live in any one of those apartments. Who popped yo’ bubble?”

  “Do you even know how much the rent is?” Shawna cut her down a little.

  “Actually, I do. What are you so worried about? It’s not like you gotta pay full price as advertised.” Emma gave her a wink, suggesting other ways of payment.

  “So you’re telling me that these apartments come with a discount employee tag?” Shawna folded her arms across her chest in disbelief. “Emma, I really can’t take your tricks today.”

  “Look I know we have this hate-like relationship, but you really need to start trusting me,” Emma said, walking out the office.

  Shawna didn’t want to look foolish so she called Carolyn. After a long conversation she understood that Shore liked his people close along with his money. It made sense to want your employees to be happy enough that they don’t have to worry about housing because their landlord was their boss too. But how much control of her money was Shawna willing to give? According to Carolyn, most employees lived in property acquired by the company; it was easier for most to have money taken out of their checks weekly. It wasn’t a bad setup, but somehow she felt uneasy about the idea of it.

  Happy that talking to Carolyn made her decision clearer, she pressed SPEAKER on the desk phone. “Hi, Nicole, I’m sorry, but I would like to cancel our appointment this afternoon.”

  “Oh okay, did you want to reschedule? I have an early appointment for tomorrow if that works better,” Nicole offered.

  “No, thank you, I will be searching for the apartment on my own, preferably non-Shore affiliated. Nothing personal, of course, just business. Thanks. Have a great day,” Shawna said, ending the call.

  There was no way she was going into this with her money being taken before she even got it. She stood up and headed to Shore’s office. Making it clear from the start was her first order of business before stepping into her new position. Contracts weren’t sealed and delivered yet. Taking her time to his office she reflected on the recent changes in her life. Change one was the dead weight I was holdin’ on to. Done. Change two is a work in progress. I’ll find somewhere to live. Change three should of definitely been my número uno—my money. I can’t let all the titles blind me.

  Shawna stood in front of Shore’s office with her head strong and her eye on the prize. She took a deep breath before knocking the door.

  “Come in,” he answered.

  “You have a minute?”

  “Okay, let’s hear it. I have a conference call in two from Japan.” He gestured to the chair in front of his desk.

  “I know you referred me to Nicole Ashland for the apartment hunt, but I want to find my own place. I appreciate the offer, but it would boost my confidence if I did it all on my own.” She spun the reason to make her look good.

  With his signature smile he said, “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Is that all?”

  “Actually no, I wanted to go over the money points of my contract.”

  “Well, we can do it over lunch. Get Emma to make us reservations somewhere close,” he said, reaching for his ringing cell phone. “This is the conference call; can you close the door on your way out? Thanks.”

  She stepped out his office with relief and ease. Shawna headed toward the reception area with her swag back. As she got closer, the voices and laughter seemed familiar, but the who wasn’t coming to her fast enough. When she finally reached the reception area, the who was standing before her—Keisha. Her entire demeanor changed in an instant; happy-go-lucky to raging fire horns in five seconds flat. She walked up to Emma. “Can you reserve lunch for two at one o’clock somewhere close? You can text me where.” She fought the urge to curse both of them out.

  “Okay, no problem. I tried to buzz you just a minute ago. You have a guest.” Emma smiled with a wink.

  Shawna rolled her eyes at Emma and turned toward Keisha. “Follow me.” She walked out the office entrance and pressed for the elevator.

  “Hello, Shawna, I thou—”

  Shawna put her hand up, stopping Keisha from any further humiliation to herself; she looked like a fucking train wreck. She hurried her into the elevator and pressed the LOBBY button. The wink from Emma already told her this shit was going to get around quickly. Keisha’s look alone would cause anyone to jump to conclusions.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to just show up here. I had a delivery ’round the corner. And you didn’t return any of my calls. I just want to apologize for what I said. I’m really sorry. I was dealing with a lot.”

  Shawna looked up to the digital floor indicator without expressing words or emotions. The elevator doors opened.

  Shawna stepped quickly off the elevator and out the building. Keisha lagged behind her, calling out her name, but she wasn’t going to say one word to her until she was away from prying ears and eyes. Her business was her business.

  “Shawna, what the fuck? You really not talkin’ to me?” Keisha stood before her with a desperate look on her face.

  “Keisha, are you gay?” Shawna asked in a low tone.

  Keisha looked at her strange at first, but then came clean. “Yes. You mad?”

  “Mad? Why would I be mad ’cause you gay? I’m mad ’cause you ain’t tell me, but go tell Ronnie about it, c’mon. You talk about friends; you really ain’t my friend.” Shawna waited for her response with an angry stare.

  “First, I’m sorry; and, yes, I shoulda told you long time ago. Second, I ain’t never tell Ronnie nothin’. Is that what she told you?” Keisha stepped back with her arms crossed over her chest.

  “You are . . .” Shawna dropped her head low and flashbacks of when they were younger moved her emotions into mortification.

  Keisha watched Shawna’s display of humiliation. She reached for her but Shawna jumped back. No, this bitch didn’t just look at me like that!

  “Well, you don’t need to show up to my job ’cause you think you can. Let’s be clear, you can’t show up here unless you’re invited. I’m no intern now. This is my job and future and all this drama shit I don’t need. I can’t be seen with . . . I just can’t be involved in the shit you caught up in anymore. I ain’t called you back for a reason. You and Ronnie can keep y’all bullshit to yo’self. Like I told you before y’all gonna be lookin’ in while I’m the show. I got my shit together. I got my own place where I ain’t surrounded by hustlers and closeted addicts. My future looks brighter now that y’all ain’t feedin’ stupid shit in my ear.” Shawna didn’t hold back.

  “So what, now you think you better than us ’cause you got some little fuckin’ job?” Keisha asked boldly.

  “Nah, I don’t think I am. I know my little job gonna get me further than what you do. Listen I gotta get back to work. You should too.” Shawna turned around and headed back into the building, leaving Keisha standing by herself.

  She felt good telling Keisha off, but Shawna knew that dismissing their friendship was harsh. Unfortunately, she felt it was something she had to do before it dragged her back into any unwanted mess.

  When she got back into the office, Emma quickly tried to get into Shawna’s business but she shut it down b
y walking straight past her without a word. I can’t believe she came up here without even talking to me first. I ain’t feelin’ that shit. What the fuck, am I suppose to act like ain’t nothin’ happen? After what we been through. I should’ve kept my mouth shut that night. I hope she don’t . . .

  An unexpected knock at the door shook her out of her thoughts. “Come in . . .” She quickly shuffled some papers on the desk to look busy.

  “Hey there, how’s it going?” Shore asked, stepping into her office.

  “Great, actually. Emma said my office should be done tomorrow. Is there something you want me to do?”

  “Yes, I need a favor. Usually I would tell Emma to do these kinds of things, but I think it would be better if you handled it. I don’t want any lines crossed.” Shore shifted his brows.

  “Sure, what do you need?” Shawna was ready for any distraction.

  “There’s a client I need you to have dinner with and explain our contract clauses to. You think you can handle that?”

  “Sure, but don’t you think our legal team could explain it better than me?” Shawna asked.

  “Yes and no. I don’t want to scare him with all the legal stuff right off the bat. I want you to hook him first. Think of it as your first big test. If he likes what he hears then at our meeting he’ll just sign on the dotted line.”

  “Test?” Shawna said, confused.

  “Maybe test is the wrong word. Let’s just say I feel more comfortable. Nothing shady, it’s just this client is young and still lives in the hood. So I think you would make him more at ease than Emma. He’s young and hot with his lyrics. If we sign him we’ll be in the money,” Shore reassured her.

  “Okay, I guess I’ll arrange a car and reservations. What’s his name?”

  “Jeremy; he’s local and underground. Not a lot of people know about him and he has a regular nine to five so he’s hungry. You can get his info from Emma. Sorry, but we are gonna have to cancel lunch. I have to meet with Rich Mafia; some bullshit went down in Miami. We’ll handle it first thing when I get back,” he said as he was walking toward the door.