Venus was less than three blocks away, having driven from Ladera after picking up Skyy from Parent Elementary. Though she only enrolled a month ago, it was her last day. Venus took a call. “Hello?”
Claude asked, “Are you on your way?”
“Yes, me and Skyy.”
“Good. And Cameron?”
“I called him and left a message.”
“Okay, I’ll buzz him.”
“Honey, he knows about your grand opening. I’m sure he’ll stop by. I’m not far away.”
“Cool. Park in the front. The valet guys have spots reserved for you and Cameron. Just tell them who you are.”
“Okay. Thanks.” Just as she hung up, her phone rang again. “Hey.”
“Hey, Mom.”
“Cam, where are you? Your dad just asked about you.”
“I got your message. I’m down the street.”
“Down the street from where?”
“Down the street from the new house. I’m helping someone move some things from her garage into her house.”
“Who?”
“One of our neighbors. I was jogging this afternoon and she asked me to help.”
“Oh really? You be careful.”
“Mom. I’m fine. We’re almost done.”
“How old is this neighbor? And where is her man?”
“I don’t know.”
“How old is she?”
“Mid-forties, maybe. Why?”
Her mind filled with doubt. “All right now. Come on over as soon as you can. You know how important this is to your dad.” She pulled into the parking lot.
“Okay.”
“See you in a minute.” She hung up and rolled down her window as she pulled up. “Hi, I’m Mrs. Wilson.” The surname on the large black and white sign above the office matched hers. Wilson Realty.
“Yes, ma’am. You can just leave your car right here,” the valet said.
As she turned off the ignition, he opened the door.
“Thank you. I need to get my daughter.” She stepped out wearing peep-toe platforms and a peach pleated skirt with a boyfriend blazer.
“Okay, sure.” He opened the back door.
She leaned into the backseat. “Come on, Skyy. Wake up. We’re going to see Daddy’s new office. Sweetie, come on.”
Skyy barely opened her eyes, turning her head back and forth, rubbing her nose. “Is my brother here?” she asked, squinting as she looked around, acting like the sun was her enemy. She wore pink with bubble-gum pink fingernails.
“He’ll be here in just a few minutes. Come on.” Venus unstrapped Skyy and picked her up, allowing her to hold on tight. Skyy rested her head on Venus’s shoulder. Venus walked up to the office door as the valet closed the car door. She stepped inside, looking around at the beautiful new office with gray cubicle walls. “Skyy, this is your daddy’s new office. Isn’t it nice?”
“Uh-huh,” Skyy said, speaking slowly while again closing her eyes.
“Hello, Mrs. Wilson,” said Claude’s assistant, Tina. “You’re looking beautiful. And hi, Skyy. My God, she’s a big girl. Look how long her legs are.” Her voice was perky and fast.
“Yes, she is. She fell asleep in the car.” Venus looked at Skyy. “Today was her last day at her school in Ladera. She starts her new school out here on Monday. Kindergarten.”
“Really? Oh, that’s going to be fun, meeting new people.”
A short woman walked up. Cute face. Slim waist. Big hips. Big lips. Dark skin. Dark eyes. Wearing a red wrap dress and red suede pumps. “Hello, there. You must be Mrs. Wilson.”
“I am.”
Tina said, “Yes, this is Venus. Venus, this is Mary Phillips. Mary’s one of the realtors here.”
“Hello.” Venus gave a greeting that was distracted by deep thought.
“Hi, Mrs. Wilson.”
“You can call me Venus.”
Mary kind of bowed. “Venus, nice to meet you, and your pretty little girl.” She looked at Skyy and touched her leg. “Hi there.”
Skyy gave a brief wave.
Venus asked, “Didn’t you work at the Ladera office?”
“Yes, I did. I haven’t been with the company long. I moved here to Orange County a few weeks ago. My parents live in Irvine and my son and I are staying with them. He goes to Valencia Elementary and I understand Skyy will be going there, too.”
Venus said with caution. “Yes.”
“I separated recently. Claude was kind enough to let me transfer, and that’ll allow me to work more hours since my mom and dad are helping out now.”
Venus filed away every word Mary spoke. “Oh, I’m sorry about the separation. But, like you said, it’s good that you have help now. That means a lot.” She saw Claude approaching. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too.”
Venus turned away quickly, eager to be face-to-face with her husband.
Tina still stood there, next to Mary.
Claude was loud. “Hey, there she is. Hey, baby.” He kissed Venus on the lips. He wore brown from head to toe.
“Hi.”
“Hello, Skyy. Here, let me have her. She’s been sleeping?” He reached out for Skyy.
“Yes,” Venus said as she handed Skyy off to Claude. She switched her hobo bag from her left shoulder to her right, then folded her arms, just watching.
“Hi, Daddy,” Skyy said, hugging him and kissing him on the cheek.
“Here, she can stand up,” he said, putting her down. “She’s a big girl. I’ve got some people I want you to meet. You know Tina.”
Tina said, “Yes. She’s gonna be tall, Claude.”
“Like her dad.” He then asked Skyy, “And did you meet Mary?”
Mary said, “Yes, she’s adorable.”
Claude asked Mary, “Where’s little Billy? You could’ve brought him.”
She smiled, showing a slight dimple. “I know you said it was family time, but my parents are watching him. And besides, I’ve got a lot of work to do tonight. Actually, I need to make a quick call.” She looked at Venus and Tina. “Will you excuse me please?”
Tina said, “Sure.”
Claude added, “Just know you need to shut that off in a minute. This is a night of celebration with family and friends.”
“Got it,” she said, walking away.
Claude took Skyy by the hand and headed off as he spotted his top realtor. “Come with my Skyy. Hey Jamal, have you met my daughter?”
Venus didn’t watch Claude and Skyy walk away, but she did watch Mary walk away with her fit body and strong legs.
Tina asked, “So, can I get you anything? We’ve got appetizers and champagne. Or juice, water, whatever you’d like.”
“A glass of champagne would be great, thanks.” Venus looked at Tina, forcing a smile.
“No problem. And we’ll have lasagna soon. I’ll be right back.”
Mercedes turned toward the window and looked outside. She thought and thought.
After a minute or so, Claude said from behind her. “Hey, baby. You look nice.” He placed his hand on her back.
Venus turned around. “Where’s Skyy?”
“She’s sitting on Mary’s lap in her cubicle. Mary’s got some pictures of her son, Billy. Skyy’s looking at them on the computer.”
Venus asked fast, a notch above a whisper, “Really, Claude? Is that the Mary you told me about while we were in the shower the other night?”
“Oh, yeah.” He chuckled. “I was just playing.”
“You were just playing that she and her husband are swingers. Isn’t that what you said?”
He spoke from the side of his mouth. “Venus. Not now.”
“Why not now?” Her tone got louder. “I’m in my husband’s office with the woman who he brought up while we had sex the other night. If she weren’t here, I wouldn’t have brought it up. But since she is here with my daughter sitting on her lap, I think this is the perfect time.”
He stepped aside and took her by the arm. “Listen. She
and her husband did do that. Like I said, she told that to a few people in the office one night when Tina read an article about all of the swingers in L.A. We all said we had no idea. And when Tina mentioned a place in Ladera, some house on Springpark where people go, we were all shocked. Everyone but her.”
“I see. So when you said she and her husband, this was what, before they broke up?”
“I don’t know.”
“What don’t you know? She’s now footloose and fancy-free and just happens to be living in Orange County. I thought we were moving away from drama and leaving the shit behind. Looks like you ran right to it. Don’t let me find out our move was on purpose for that short bitch.”
“You need to keep it down. That’s the last time I’m gonna say that.” He turned his back to the office. “She’s not in my life. Not in my personal life. She’s an employee.”
Venus aimed her fingertip right at his nose. “She’s an employee who you brought up while we were having sex, Claude. Don’t make me go off up in here.”
“You wouldn’t do that tonight.” He looked back to see if anyone noticed them and he took her by the arm to guide her outside but she pulled away. He shook his head and said, “Not tonight of all nights.”
“Try me.”
“Venus, what’s up with you? This isn’t even like you. You’re not one who has a problem with things like this. You’re not the insecure type. That woman’s got nothing on you.”
“What she’s got is your attention. So much so that you couldn’t even leave her name at the office. You brought her home and that’s what pisses me the hell off. You just don’t get it, do you?”
“I was just trying to spice things up.”
“No you weren’t. It was you making a point because you found the letter Owen wrote. That’s the bottom line. You and your usual passive-aggressive games. Instead of coming to me and asking about the letter you read, you made me sweat like you did and dropped hints like that while your dick was inside of me.” She looked around, too, checking to see who overheard. “I knew you had the letter.”
“Then you should’ve asked me about it yourself. Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on either.”
“Whatever. But this isn’t really about Owen. There’s an elephant in the room that I think got in the way before the letter was ever sent. That elephant is sitting over there in a red dress. And whether we live in Ladera or Laguna, I don’t think it’s going anywhere soon.” She clutched her chest as Claude stared at her. Her heart begged for air. She spoke again. “What you need to do is go and get my daughter from that swinging ass elephant, before I embarrass you like you can’t even begin to imagine.” Venus noticed Mary approaching. Skyy was holding her hand. A fire in Venus’s belly hissed.
Mary said, “Here he is, Skyy.” She looked in his direction. “Claude, she was asking about her daddy.”
Skyy looked up at her dad. “Daddy, can we go to her house so I can see Billy, please?”
Venus spoke forcefully. “No, we can’t. Tonight we’re celebrating at your dad’s new office. Come here.” She took Skyy’s hand away from Mary’s and said to Claude, “On second thought, we’re going home so she can eat and get some rest. She’s got a big week coming up and I’ve still got some things to do at the new house.” She picked her up.
Claude told Venus while looking at Skyy, “She’s wide awake now. I can bring her home.”
“Nope, I’ve got her.” Venus turned to walk to the door.
Mary walked away, almost tiptoeing.
Claude stood still.
And then suddenly, Cameron walked in. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hi,” Venus said, blandly.
Skyy said melodically, “Brother!” She immediately reached for him.
He leaned in to kiss her, taking her from Venus. “Hi, Sister.” He grinned big and looked at Claude. “Hi, Dad.”
“Hey, Son.” Claude looked excited to see Cameron but sounded just as lackluster as Venus.
A woman was with Cameron.
Venus spoke first. “Hi, I’m Cam’s mother.”
Cameron gave a look like he totally forgot. “Oh, sorry. Dad. Mom. This is Penny. Penny Heinz.”
“Hello,” Claude said. He seemed to have a glimmer of energy. “Heinz, as in the Heinz?”
Penny gave a giggle. “Yes. And hello to you both. And you too,” she said to Skyy.
Skyy smiled.
Penny continued. “Nice to meet you, Claude. Your son told me about your grand opening and that he was coming by. I asked if I could come with him. I hope you don’t mind.” She had ashen skin, jet black shoulder length hair and a major bust. Her tight, hot pink button-up sweater contrasted her tight white jeans.
Venus asked, totally avoiding eye contact with Claude, “Are you the neighbor my son helped move some things from the garage?”
“Yes, I am.” She said to Claude, “Actually, I came because I’m looking for some property in San Diego. And I have a house in El Toro I’m looking to sell, too. So, this is perfect timing.”
Claude said, “Okay. I’m sure we can help. Let me introduce you around.” And with that Claude walked away with Penny, leaving Venus and Cameron and Skyy behind.
Venus still didn’t look at him. “You have fun, Cam. I’ll see you at home.” She reached for Skyy.
Cameron handed his sister back to Venus. “You leaving already?”
“We are.”
Skyy asked, “Mommy, can I stay with my brother?”
“No. Now stop, Skyy.” she replied as if in no mood.
“What’s wrong with you? Why aren’t you staying?”
“Well, to tell you the truth if I wasn’t so pissed off I would stay just so I could keep an eye on that one over there in the red dress named Mary whose got her sights on your father. And also, I’d stay because that one you just walked in with I guarantee you has her sights set on you. I can’t believe you brought her over here.” She frowned.
“Mom, she’s a neighbor. And if she’s looking to buy or sell that’s a sale for Dad.”
“Money, we’ve got. One less sale won’t break us. But I’m telling you, Cam, don’t you hook up with her.”
“Mom, please.” He looked as if he wouldn’t dare.
“That’s all I’m gonna say. I’m taking Skyy home.”
Just as Venus took one step toward the door, Tina walked up holding a glass of champagne. “Here you go, Mrs. Wilson. You’re leaving already?”
“I am, but I’ll see you later. Thanks, Tina. Maybe my son wants it.”
Cameron took the glass. “Thanks.”
“Sure,” Tina replied.
“Tina, you know Cameron,” Venus said.
“Yes. Hello.” Tina’s smile and stare lingered.
“Hi.” Cameron’s didn’t.
“Well, we’ll see you later. Drive safely.” Tina walked away but turned to specifically say, “Bye, Cameron.”
“Bye.” Cameron did not look back.
“That’s the kind of girl you need to be with. A nice girl, your own flippin’ age, with a job.”
All Cameron could say was, “Mom, you know you’re gonna hear about this later from Dad.”
“I don’t care.” They both walked out the door.
“You need to be in here supporting him.”
“Goodbye, Cam.”
“Goodbye. Bye, Skyy.” Cameron stepped back as the valet opened Venus’s front and back door.
Skyy waved as Venus put her in the backseat.
Cameron went back inside, sipping his champagne.
Venus got in and started up the car as the valet closed her door.
She looked toward the front door and saw Claude standing there looking at her. Alone. His face was upset.
She sped off.
Her face was his twin.
15
Sequoia
“. . . please don’t go telling Mercedes . . .”
Some call it the hottest catch action spot in Ladera. It’s Starbucks in the Ladera Heights S
hopping Center, bordering L.A. and Inglewood, where people spend hours playing chess, smoking cigars, chatting, writing, and plain old chilling, enjoying the lovely scenery.
Once a car pulls up, the patrons have already spotted the driver and all of its passengers, braced and ready to witness their stride inside, ready to score them as though voting on a reality show.
Some of the customers really do come in for coffee, but the ambiance and feel of the place make it an undeniable hot spot. It is, by its own right, a character. A person, place, and thing.
This day, a busy Monday, three of the patrons were very familiar to the other patrons. Actually, the three of them were family. All Wilsons. And all turning heads.
Sequoia strolled into the coffee house, looking sexy in curve contouring leggings and with a polka-dot sleeveless blouse and lace ankle boots.
A few minutes later, she walked out after getting her brew. She put back on her tortoise shades and walked up to one of the tables that had been unoccupied when she had gone in. Her figure was the focus of attention. Even to her own husband, who stood as he said, “Hey, you. I thought you had a meeting with a client?”
Sequoia replied, “I did.”
Mason also stood, as Torino hugged and kissed his wife.
She continued, “We had it at The Custom Hotel on Lincoln and it only lasted about an hour. I was on my way back home when I realized I was having a sugar-free soy vanilla latte craving.” She giggled as they broke from their embrace.
“They use extra addiction juice. They know what they’re doing,” Torino said in agreement.
Still standing, Mason added, “They bank on it.”
She stepped over to hug him, as well. “I know that’s right.” She went back over next to Torino. “Don’t mean to interrupt.”
“No, you just come on and sit down,” Torino said emphatically. “We just got here. We haven’t even gone inside yet. I didn’t see your truck.”
She looked a few rows over and said, “Right there.”
He watched where her eyes pointed. “Oh, okay. Well, have a seat.”
She did, adjusting herself to get comfortable, placing her leopard purse along her lap and her cup on the table. Large umbrellas shielded them from the peek-a-boo afternoon sun.
Hot Girlz: Hot Boyz Sequel Page 10
