There are lots of boutiques on Peachtree Street in Atlanta. A lot of good competition out there, but none that has come to interfere with my money yet. I selected a good location due to the high traffic in Atlanta. I lucked out and found a storefront that was not too close to the other boutiques in the area. My showroom is situated on one corner and I enjoyed every minute of it. That was until I noticed a real estate business moving elsewhere. At first I paid it no mind because the property was vacant for months. All of a sudden, I saw a lovely black couple with the previous owner. It looked as if they were making plans with the space. That was a few months ago, now today, that same office space has been transformed into a Vintage Clothing Store called Queenz. What kind of fuckin’ name is that for a boutique? I mean, I’m not hating or anything, to each its own but come on now, you mean to tell me that you couldn’t come up with a better name, better yet, another location? I was not trying to be in competition with new hoes on the block.
“Crystal? I want to go over there for the grand opening. Come with me.” I said to my employee.
“All good with me. I want to see what the hell we are up against. Did you meet the owners yet?” Crystal asked as she joined me by the door.
“Nope, not yet. But today we are about to find out who they are.” I grabbed my purse and Iphone. “Let’s go. I see people going in now. They just cut the rope.”
Crystal was directly on my heels as we I hurriedly locked up my shop and dashed across the street. I couldn’t front, they did one hell of a job remodeling the place. The front glass had transparent-like faces of what I presumed to be black queens. The colors were all neutral and done to perfection. There was fluorescent lighting highlighting the boutique’s name.
“Damn, they did a good job with the remodeling.” Crystal stated the obvious.
I rolled my eyes. “It’s aight. It is not all of that.”
There were people everywhere, some I recognized and some I didn’t. There were also photographers and news-reporters out there and a few bloggers who I often associate myself with.
“Oh, hey girl, come over here Augustina. Take a picture with Queenz Boutique owner, Ceena.” Ijanei, a blogger I am too familiar with asked of me.
I smiled as to not be rude. “No, let her have her moment.” I said sarcastically.
“No it is perfectly fine with me. You must be Augustina from across the street, Augstina’s Emporium right?” Ceena inquired.
“Yes. The best boutique on this side of Atlanta.” I proudly stated.
“Well, good for you. It is a good thing we offer two different styles or else I may feel threatened.” She returned the gesture.
I noticed Ijanei observing the exchange between Ceena and I. You could tell she loved it. I had to change the route this was going before the next thing I notice is a blog post about me hating on Ceena’s boutique.
“Let’s get this picture so I can go back across the street to take care of my customers.” I said.
“I’m sure you have time, no one is over there right now.” Ceena grinned. Throwing shade in the slickest way.
At the same time, I noticed Ijanei had taken the picture, and of course I was not ready.
“Take that over again, I was not ready.” I stated.
“I’m sorry but I will redo it later, I have to capture the rest of the grand opening. Ciao!” Ijanei quickly exited with a grin plastered across her sneaky face.
“I sense a little irritation; I hope you do not feel as if I am imposing on your side of the tracks.” Ceena said.
“Not at all, I already told you, we sell two completely different styles. There is money to be made at both ends.” I brushed her off as if I didn’t care.
“Good. I’m new to the area and don’t want any problems, you feel me?” She asked. “Now I have a grand opening to host, so I hope you stick around for cake and ice cream. I have to go meet the people of Atlanta.” Ceena walked off as she waved bye to me.
“Bitch.” I mumbled under my breath as I looked for where Crystal wondered off to. I spotted her over by the snacks. That’s why her ass is overweight now, always stuffing her mouth with shit.
I walked through the crowd of people scattered around. “Enjoying the food?” I snuck up behind Crystal as she stuffed two cookies and a shot of wine down her throat. I caught her off guard as she choked on the cookie.
“Damn, you didn’t have to sneak up on me like that.” Crystal recovered from coughing.
“You know you’re supposed to be on a diet anyway, so put that damn cookie down and let’s go.” I was visibly upset behind the interaction between Ceena and myself. I was trying to not let it show but it was getting harder by the minute as I watched a few of my customers posing for pictures with her.
I turned around quickly and bumped into a handsome man. “Oh, I’m sorry.” I said as I stared on as he wiped off the wine I had wasted from his glass.
“In a rush?” He asked as he continued to wipe off his tie.
“Sort of. I’m sorry.” I apologized as I grabbed more napkins.
“It’s okay. Things happen, you move on.” He smiled. “I’m Roderick.”
“Augustina. I own the shop across the street.” I introduced myself.
“Oh, I see, hopefully you and my girl can exchange business ideas and become the leading black women in the fashion sense.” He grinned as he motioned to someone behind me.
“Oh, no. I just do business for myself.” I had to correct him.
“What a shame, I would have loved to hear how you managed to grow to your level of success in Atlanta.” Ceena said as she walked up and wrapped her arms around Roderick’s waist.
“I take it you two met already?” Mr. Handsome asked as he looked between Ceena and I.
“Yes we have.” Ceena stated.
“Actually, we had a little exchange. I wouldn’t call it a formal intro or anything like that.” I corrected with a smile. “Well, I must get back to my store. Money always calls.” I said as I motioned for Crystal to follow behind me.
“See you soon.” Ceena and Roderick both waved goodbye to me and Crystal.
“She seems nice. I like her.” Cystal stated as soon as we got back to my store.
“What the hell you mean, she seems nice? You didn’t even have a conversation with her to know if she is nice or not. Besides, I sense she is very sneaky.”
“How do you figure that? You just met the girl and already judging her.” She responded.
“Listen, who’s side are you on?” I had to ask.
“You know I am all down for you. You don’t even have to ask that.”
“Good.” We walked out of the boutique and I decided to take a few pictures, never know when I will need them to sabotage a bitch.
“Her husband is sexy.” Crystal thirsted after Ceena’s man Roderick.
“He sure is. Guess I can make him my MCM next week.” I responded with a smile.
“What am I going to do with you, girl.” Crystal laughed. “Messy, messy, messy.” She shook her head at me.
For the rest of my day, I observed Queenz Boutique and went directly to the blogs to see what was being said about the opening of a new shopping place on Peachtree. I couldn’t keep my eyes off of Roderick though, he was damn good looking and being the single woman that I pride myself in being, he was making me want to do some of the nastiest things to his body. I don’t know what he sees in Ceena. I mean she is no match for my slim frame. She wears glasses on her round face, kind of thick in the hip area, but slim everywhere else. She put you in the mind of Tika Sumpter. Okay, you got me, I can’t front, the chick Ceena has it altogether. That’s why I can’t stand New Yorkers; they feel like they can go anywhere and take over. Sorry boo, but that is just not going to work on my watch.
Chapter Three: RODERICK
Whew, the past few weeks after the grand opening of Queenz Boutique have been hectic. My girl is a mere perfectionist to the tee. I mean she has slaved in that boutique day and night making it perfect each da
y for clients. So far everything seems to be working out and money is flowing in. Who knew that making this move to Atlanta would be beneficial for us financially? Too bad I can’t say it has worked wonders on our relationship.
I’m not the type of dude who feels intimidated when his woman is out there making the money and I handle the home front. I mean, I work from home most of the time as an author, in which, lately I have been slacking. Ever since Ceena and I moved down here, it has been all about making her dream a reality. Therefore, I have not had time to write any new material in over a year. Like I said, I’m not complaining, just want to pick up where I left off so no one thinks I need my woman’s support financially. I hold my own.
Times like tonight, where I am sitting alone with dinner ready to go and candles lit, while my girl is at that damn boutique hosting a waist training party. I went right to Instagram to enter in #QueenzBoutique and I saw women of all shapes and sizes either modeling my wife’s clothing or wearing a corset. There was one post I noticed that was not there a few days ago. I clicked it and was surprised that someone actually hated on the place. There were pictures of my wife standing out-front of her place of business sweeping the front area. The caption read something about Queenz Boutique is owned by out-of-towners with no sense of the fashion in the dirty south. It continued on to say that our clothes were not of good quality and cheaply put together. I sat up in my seat as I sipped my wine and clicked the page that had posted the picture. Unfortunately the page was a decoy page and only used to talk trash about boutiques in the area.
I kindly hit up the page with my own and inquired why lies were being told. Surprisingly, I got a response right away. The person basically said they felt that Queenz Boutique was invading on their turf and felt as if the owner thought she was better than the rest because she offered something different.
I replied back just as quickly letting them know that that was not the case. In the end of the discussion, the decoy apologized and offered me a fair chance face to face just to make peace. Giving the side eye to this unknown, I declined politely, letting them know that I do not meet random people through apps.
All of a sudden I got a direct message. Clicking the link, it was a picture of a beautiful woman in a bikini. I looked a little harder and asked if that was her in the picture. She responded with a simple yes. She asked if I remembered her and at first I didn’t until she refreshed my memory. I had met her at the grand opening two months ago. She said her name was Augustina. She owned the boutique across the street.
Okay, now it was all making sense. I do remember her, and I do remember the shade she was throwing my girl’s way the day of the opening. Just to ease up a little pressure between the two, I decided to take Augustina up on her offer, just not right now. I would have to speak to Ceena about it first. That is, whenever we have time to have a decent conversation. Shit, we haven’t even had sex since the opening. A man has needs.
It was going on 10 pm when I decided to phone Ceena to see what time she was coming in. When she picked up the phone, I could hear nothing but laughter in the background.
“Seems like you are enjoying yourself, babe. But my question to you is, when can I expect you home. Daddy is lonely and feeling kind of freaky.” I said to her in a low tone, trying to pass the hint along that I wanted some of that sweet mouth she has.
“Oh, I’m sorry babe, but we decided to go out for drinks after we shut down the waist-training party. I’m sorry, I didn’t think I would be long so I didn’t call you but I swear I was just about to call you.” Ceena said still giggling like a high schooler hanging out with friends.
“Well that still does not answer my question, when will you be home?” I asked again.
“Come on, Roderick. This is my first time out and I am enjoying myself. I have been busting my ass all year just to make sure life is great for us in the long-run, so please let me enjoy this one time of fun. I promise to make it up to you this weekend.” She purred into the phone.
I gave in eventually and stopped begging for her to come home to me. Maybe I was being a little pest, but she has to understand that I want to spend time with my woman.
Shortly after hanging up the phone with Ceena, I went back to Instagram and right to Augustina’s real page. I browsed through most of her pictures and had to stop on the one with her in a sexy bondage dress and black heels. Her legs seem to lead right up to a nice plump ass. Damn. I said to myself as I lusted over her body. It seemed like her eyes were looking right up at me. I shook my head and closed my phone, but not before I hit Augustina up and told her to meet me tomorrow night at Cashmere’s, a restaurant not too far from downtown Atlanta.
It was now 12am and still no Ceena. I went up to my bedroom and layed in the bed alone. I started dozing off with thoughts of Augustina and that dress in my head. I took off my boxers and wife beater and began rubbing over my chest and down my nice six pack leading right into a bigger muscle, a ten inch monster that was throbbing for a place to enter. I stroked it slowly and delicately trying to build up the momentum as I imagined myself undressing Augustina.
I imagined her sweet puckered lips wrapped around my entire girth, circling it with her tongue. Deep throating me to the back of her throat, damn this shit felt so real. So real that I actually thought I was feeling the bobbing of her head between my thighs. I sped up the pace and kept my eyes closed as I was about to explode in her mouth.
“You know damn well not to mess up my hair, let me get on top so I can take you to a place that only I can.” I knew the shit was too good to be true. I opened my eyes to see Ceena raising her body on top of mine.
“What the fuck, babe, when did you get home.” I looked over at the clock that now read 2am.
“I been home taking care of this dick for the past half an hour. Who did you think it was.” She asked as she began grinding herself onto my deflating dick.
“I know damn well your ass didn’t beg me to come home to this?” Ceena asked, making me feel insecure for the moment.
“Nah, I’m not in the mood anymore, that’s what happened.” I responded.
“Whatever, I’m about to go shower anyway and call it a night.” Ceena jumped off of me and ran into the shower. Before she even got out, I was back to sleep with thoughts of Augustina on my mind.
Chapter Four: CEENA
“Girl, when I tell you that I have been busy with this shop, I can tell you that I barely have time for birdbaths, I mean I just literally squat over the sink, wash and then I’m back to the drawing board to figure out my next move in this industry.” I laughed with my best friend, Darlene, on the phone.
It has been a long time since we have seen each other, pretty much since I left New York. I miss my girl. When Roderick is not there for me, then Darlene is a good temporary replacement. I lean on her for everything. She has been my best friend since middle school. She was with me through the heartbreak of Byron and also there when Roderick stole my heart away.
“You are too damn much.” She laughed along with me. “So what is Roderick saying about not having enough time to please him in the bedroom? You know he has his needs as a man.”
“He complains but he completely understands that as a business woman in Atlanta, I have to make business my first priority so that we can succeed in the long-run.” As far as I know, everything is good on this end.
“I hear you but I know how men can get when they are not being taken care of at home.” Always like Darlene to let me know her thoughts on my relationship. What kills me is that she doesn’t even have a man and is always the first one to give some kind of relationship advice.
“Well, like I said, we good over here.” I let her know.
“Aight, I hear you, sis. But I have to finish my shift and I will see you in a few weeks.” Darlene rushed me off the phone since her lunch break was ending. I don’t know why she is still working at that damn factory when I have offered her time and time again to go into business with me.
Feeling a little t
ired, I still decided to go into my study to look for ideas for my next item to sell, well looking for inspiration I should say, I don’t want you guys to get the feeling as if I don’ t do my own work.
Leaving my beautifully decorated living room, I head into the study which is a few steps away from the bedroom. Roderick is not home at the moment, in fact, I don’t know where he is but my mind cannot worry about his whereabouts when there is money to be made. For the past week and a half, Roderick has been coming in after 11 p.m.
Not the least bit worried or stressed because I know I have a good man on my arms, I decide to give him his space. Maybe he takes these nights out because he feels intimidated by Queenz. The first few nights out, he did tell me that he goes into the 24 hour café to motivate his mind to write. I hope he figures it out, whatever it is that he is going through because I don’t have time to cater to a man while trying to build an empire for us.
The clocks now read 1:00 A.M and still no Roderick. After searching Instagram for inspiration, I uploaded a few of my pictures of my boutique and told anyone who found me on Instagram to use a certain code word and I would give them a discount. I closed my laptop and iPhone down for the night. I took a nice hot shower to calm me down and then climbed into bed, alone. I didn’t even get a chance to fall asleep for long because I heard Roderick entering our home. I pulled the covers up to my neck and drifted off. Tomorrow I will ask him what brought him in these doors after hours this time.
URBAN: What A Thug Wants Page 52
