Trife Life To Lavish Part 2 Genesis & Genevieve...Am I My Brother's Keeper

by Deja King

  "It went exactly how I knew it would. Maya is full of shit and is a manipulative monster-enough said."

  Quentin let out a deep sigh, and for a slight second Precious felt somewhat guilty. "I hate you feel that way. I was hoping you and your sister could make peace."

  "It's never going to happen."

  "Maybe when she's released from jail and you all can sit down and talk you'll change your mind."

  "Outta jail! What the hell are you talking `bout? Maya got a long bid on her hand."

  "Not necessarily. I have the best lawyers in the country trying to get her verdict overturned."

  "On what grounds?"

  "Several and they believe it could happen, much sooner than I anticipated."

  "Quentin, Maya deserves to be in jail! Why the fuck would you try and get her out," Precious screamed into the phone. Precious noticed several customers staring in her direction but she was too upset to care.

  "People deserve second chances."

  "Says who?"

  "Nico. I mean that's what he gave you after you set him up to be behind bars for the rest of his life. And then you gave him a second chance after he shot you and left you for dead."

  Precious tossed the clothes she was holding on the floor and stormed out the store. "What the fuck are you talking about? Why are you listening to the foolishness that is coming out of Maya's mouth?"

  "Maya didn't tell me about what happened between you and Nico, he did."

  "I don't give a fuck who told you. It doesn't change what Maya did to me and my family."

  "I understand that but all I'm saying is that you shouldn't be so hard on your sister. People deserve another chance just like the one you were given."

  "I let Maya keep her life. That's the best chance you can give anybody. If you want to have a relationship with Maya, that's your prerogative but trying to get her out of jail when she needs to do the time is another story. That is absolutely not cool with me."

  "You've made your position clear but she's my daughter too."

  "Then you need to decide which daughter you're backing in this situation."

  "Are you asking me to make a choice between the two of you?"

  "I'm telling you to make a choice because if you get Maya out of jail, we're done." Precious ended the call without so much as a goodbye.

  "Nigel, do you have everything in place for Wednesday?" Arnez questioned as he stared out the window taking in his view of Manhattan.

  "Yes, everything is covered."

  "I don't want any fuckups."

  "You won't have any. At this time next week, Genevieve will be in your custody."

  "Indeed she will."

  "Once you get her, are you going to continue your relationship with that Veronica woman?"

  "You know, Nigel, I haven't decided yet. She's good in bed but a little too eager and dumb for my taste. But she could continue to be helpful so I might need to keep her around, if only temporarily."

  "I feel you and you don't want her to get suspicious."

  "That don't matter. Even if she did get suspicious, by that time it would be too late. I'll already have what I want and her services will no longer be needed. But don't you worry about Veronica. Focus on making sure my plan is executed without a single flaw or you should worry about where you'll be this time next week."

  When Roscoe took Genesis and Nico to a lounge on Beale Street to meet with Delondo they didn't know what to expect. It was a Saturday night, and the place was loud and crowded. Neither one understood why he chose this location for a business meeting since they wouldn't be able to hear shit anyway. Then Roscoe escorted them upstairs to what seemed to be some sort of secret room that the general public didn't know existed. When they entered there was a full shelf bar, a couple of waitresses and only a few plush couches for a select group of people to sit on. Since the hush-hush room was practically empty, they figured the man sitting on the corner couch had to be Delondo.

  "Have a seat," Delondo said without looking up. Genesis and Nico looked at each other and then sat down. "Would y'all like something to drink?"

  "No we're good." Genesis answered for both of them.

  "Roscoe tells me y'all are looking to do some business," Delondo casually said still not looking at either of them.

  "No offense but I don't do business with anybody who can't look me in my eyes when speaking to me. Nico you ready?" Genesis asked, standing up ready to go. Nico wasn't expecting for Genesis to go there but being a team player he stood up and followed his lead. Delondo then stood up too.

  "No offense taken. I apologize, that was rude of me. I'm Delondo," he said extending his hand.

  "I'm Genesis and this is Nico. And yes, we're trying to do business with you."

  The three men sat down and Genesis got right to it. "We want a spot that you have in Philly. In exchange for clearing your men out and giving us no problems we can give you a rate on a product that nobody will be able to beat."

  "I had Roscoe test out the product you gave him and I ain't gonna front, the customers went crazy."

  "Our shit is the real deal. This would be a win-win situation for both of us."

  "I agree. But I want to make sure that if I let you in you won't get greedy and try to take over all of Philly. I did some research on you, Genesis, and I know Philly was your main playing ground before you got caught up in some shit."

  "You right it was and I know how profitable it is. But there's no need to be greedy. There's more than enough money to be made in Philly for all of us. I give you my word that I won't try to make any new moves on Philly territory without discussing it with you first. I don't want a war. I'm just trying to do profitable business."

  "Good because you know how quick shit can get ugly in this business. The last street war I was in almost cost me my entire team. I don't want those types of problems again.

  "I'm assuming you're speaking about your beef with Arnez."

  "That's right," Delondo answered lifting up his head, "I guess you've done your research too."

  "Arnez is on my enemy list too. But he's a hard cat to find."

  "Maybe that's something else we can work on togeth)) er.

  "No doubt because I won't ever have any peace until I locate Arnez."

  "Genesis, I see we have more in common than I thought."

  "Me too. I think we will take you up on your drink offer after all," Genesis said eying Nico.

  When Nichelle hit the red carpet, the flashing lights almost blinded her. She had watched a scene like this play out on television but never did she imagine one day it would be her in this position.

  "This way, Nichelle!"

  "Over here, Nichelle!"

  "Turn this way, Nichelle!" That's what she heard the photographers scream out over and over again. She watched Akil stand to the side, smiling as if he was so proud of her. Nichelle posed, taking each picture like a pro. But she was relieved when her publicist decided that she had taken enough pictures and swooped in to take her inside the party.

  "You were great out there," Akil whispered in her ear.

  "Wow, I can't get over how great it looks in here!" Nichelle commented, glancing around the venue that had a fantasy dreamland decor. The lavish space was turned into a cream labyrinth with an immaculate orchid display, black dance floor and black chandelier. There were flashing lightening strikes on the wall that went from a midnight thunderstorm theme into a beautiful sunset. "This place looks simply incredible," Nichelle kept saying over and over again.

  "I told you T-Roc was going all out," Akil said, not at all surprised by how lavish the place was.

  "Wait! Is that Sade up on stage singing?" Nichelle gushed. Akil simply nodded his head in acknowledgment. "There is no freakin' way Sade is performing at my party. This evening is already starting off beyond incredible, if only my mother was here to see how far her little girl has come." Nichelle felt tears swelling up in her eyes and swiftly shook them off. She wanted to enjoy her evening and not get burdened down wi
th pain from her past.

  "Nichelle, you look absolutely stunning tonight," T-Roc said when he seemed to appear out of nowhere.

  "Thank you. I was told you specifically had this dress designed for me."

  "I did and it fits you to perfection." T-Roc was accurate with his statement. The plunging v-neckline with side drape and dropped waist, hugged every curve on Nichelle's body. The beading and embroidery detail that cut diagonally across from front left chest to right hem gave the nude silk dress the illusion of contour lingerie.

  "I'm glad you're pleased."

  "Pleased is an understatement. I can't wait to show you off tonight. But I want to start by introducing you to my right hand man. I'm not sure he's arrived yet but he's been dying to meet you. Follow me." T-Roc grabbed Nichelle's hand and whisked her off into the awaiting crowd.

  "Say what you want about T-Roc but that man sure knows how to throw a party," CoCo said to Genesis as they maneuvered through the crowd.

  "This night was very important to him. It seems to be turning out better than even he imagined. I thought with that long ass line outside it would be dead in here but that's far from true. I believe everybody that received an invitation showed up and then some."

  "You ain't lying." When Genesis and CoCo made it through the crowd they smacked right into Precious and Supreme who were holding hands like a young high school couple in love.

  "Precious, it's good to see you and hello to you, Supreme," Genesis said politely.

  "It's good to see you too. Hello, CoCo," Precious said dryly. CoCo gave her a half grin.

  "Precious, excuse me for one second. I see somebody I need to speak to for a minute."

  "Okay, I'll be right here." When Supreme wandered off, Precious turned her attention back to Genesis and CoCo. "So y'all having a good time?"

  "We only got here a few minutes ago. It took forever to get in. The line outside is out of control. Luckily T-Roc had one of his assistants working the door and when she saw me standing in line she let us right in."

  "Yeah, it was funny because I peeped some of those so called A-list celebrities giving us mad heated glares `cause they didn't understand how we walked right in but yet they were still behind the velvet rope," CoCo chimed in.

  "That makes it evident that it's not who you are but who you know," Genesis said to both Precious and CoCo. Right then, Chantal came up and she began engaging in a conversation with CoCo. Of course she gave Precious a fake smile and wave while doing so. Precious didn't have time to think much of it because in came Nico and Quentin who made a beeline straight towards their growing circle.

  "Man, I was wondering when you were going to get here," Genesis said to Nico when he walked up.

  "Yo, it's bananas out there. Quentin suave ass is the one who got us in here so quick." After saying hi to both CoCo and Chantal, Nico made his way over to Precious. "You look absolutely beautiful tonight."

  "Thank you. You look very handsome yourself, but then you always cleaned up nice."

  "Don't nobody fill out a tailored suit quite like me," he boasted.

  "Nobody but my husband," Precious smirked.

  "Where is Supreme anyway? If you were my wife I would never leave you alone."

  "But I'm not. Besides Supreme will be back any minute, he saw a business associate he needed to talk to."

  "I don't mean to interrupt but Nico if you don't mind can I speak to my daughter for a moment."

  "Quentin, we don't have anything to talk about unless you've decided to dead this get Maya out of jail movement."

  "Damn! Who is that?" Nico's question caused Precious and Quentin to halt their conversation and look at what had put so much excitement in his voice.

  "There you are," T-Roc beamed when he saw Genesis. "I've been looking everywhere for you. I wanted to introduce you to the star of this entire party."

  "You must be Nichelle," Genesis said reaching out to shake her hand. "I've been looking forward to meeting you.

  "Nichelle, this is Genesis, my right hand man that I've been bragging on."

  The room seemed to stop for Nichelle. When her hand locked with Genesis she stared deeply into his eyes and wouldn't let go. "Did I hear T-Roc correctly, your name is Genesis?"

  "Yes, you heard him right. I'm Genesis, Genesis Taylor."

  Precious watched as CoCo seemed like she was ready to drag the young beauty across the dance floor. Although she wasn't a fan of CoCo's she couldn't blame her. She thought the chick in Genesis' face was a bad bitch. Precious knew that if a girl who looked and was built like that was holding onto the man's hand, that she wanted to make hers, she'd be heated too.

  It seemed everybody was trying to be up in their conversation wanting to know what the two were talking about, especially CoCo. The longer Nichelle held onto Genesis' hand the more he began to be drawn into her. At first Nichelle's never ending grasp on his hand perplexed him but now he was feeling so much more, like some sort of connection but he didn't comprehend why.

  "My name isn't Nichelle."

  "Excuse me," he asked leaning forward to better hear what Nichelle said. With the crowd continuing to grow and the music getting louder it was hard for Genesis to understand what she was saying.

  "My real name isn't Nichelle," she screamed out. "It's Gene..." but before Nichelle could get her name out the entire party erupted in chaos. The sound of bullet shots ripped through the air. As partygoers ducked, trying to hide, making sure they weren't an unfortunate casualty, the lights flickered and then the room went pitch black.

  "Nichelle, where are you?" Genesis called out as he realized her hand was no longer interlocked with his.

  "Everybody remain calm," T-Roc yelled to the crowd although he couldn't see shit. Paranoia ensued and you could hear glass breaking, tables being knocked over and screams of fear echoing through the room.

  "Precious, are you okay," both Quentin and Nico yelled out in unison.

  "Yeah, I'm fine. But what the fuck is going on and please let Supreme be okay," Precious huffed, hating feeling so helpless.

  "I'm sure Supreme is fine. We all need to stay together until we figure out what's going on," Quentin said being the voice of reason.

  "Nichelle," Genesis continued to call out. "Does anybody know where Nichelle is?" Then T-Roc called out to her but there wasn't any response. At this point both Chantal and CoCo were sick of their men being concerned about the next chick and not checking on them.

  "I don't know where this Nichelle girl is, but your wife is fine, just in case you care."

  "Chantal, of course I care. Are you okay?"

  "I'll be much better when these lights come back on."

  "I think we all will be."

  "CoCo, is that you?"

  "Yes, did you find your little friend yet?" Genesis ignored CoCo's question as he could hear the tartness in her voice and he wasn't in the mood. He felt compelled to make sure Nichelle was safe as if he was supposed to protect her.

  It took another twenty minutes and then as if nothing had ever happened the lights suddenly came back on. The frightened crowd seemed reluctant to stand up as if they thought more bullets would start spraying the room.

  "Precious, there you are...I was over there going crazy." Supreme was one of the first people bold enough to get up as he came running over to his wife. Once she saw her husband, Precious felt confident enough to get up too. She hugged Supreme relieved that neither one of them would need to go to the emergency room.

  "Genesis, you locate Nichelle and I'ma find out what the fuck happened. Whoever is responsible for ruining this party, might as well consider themselves already dead." T-Roc stormed off like a man on a mission.

  Nigel glanced to the backseat at a knocked out Nichelle. He smiled with pride at his accomplishment. His relishing was interrupted when he heard his cell ringing. "Hello," Nigel answered in an upbeat tone.

  "All is well?"

  "All is great!"

  "That means things went smoothly."

  "Yes. I shou
ld be at the location in less than an hour."

  "Excellent. Make sure you take very good care of my guest. I want her in perfect condition before I kill her."

  "Got you, boss."

  Arnez hung up the phone and that feeling of content he had been yearning for had come at last. He obtained the coveted prize and he would use it to his full advantage. Arnez would use Nichelle to psychologically torture Genesis before killing her and sending her body parts to him piece by piece. He felt that was exactly what Genesis deserved. In his mind Genesis stole the only woman he ever loved in Talisa, then the baby she was carrying that he felt should've been his wasn't. Finally, he killed Chanel. The only woman that loved him for the disturbed monster he was. Arnez didn't have anybody and he wanted Genesis to feel as alone as him.

  When Genesis and CoCo arrived back to their hotel room the mood was gloomy. Genesis seemed to get lost in his own world and wouldn't let CoCo in.

  "Genesis, what is going on with you? You're acting panic stricken over a girl you met tonight for the very first time. You would think she was your long lost lover or something. But then again, she was probably still in pampers when you started gettin' your fuck on."

  "CoCo, what the hell are you talking `bout! Why does everything have to be about sex? It's not even like that. I'm not even attracted to her like that!"

  "Yeah right! What, you think I somehow lost my vision at the party. Every man in that spot with a working dick was attracted to that chick."

  "Then I'm not every man because I have zero sexual attraction to Nichelle. But I am worried about her. She's vanished and something feels terribly wrong about that."

  "Maybe she snuck out for a secret rendezvous. I'm sure she had more than enough willing takers."

  "Jealously really doesn't look good on you."

  "That's what happens...." Genesis put his finger up, cutting CoCo off when his phone began ringing.

  "T-Roc, do have any news about Nichelle?"

  "No. Nobody saw anything. Akil has been calling her but she's not answering her phone. We went by her apartment but she's not there. I think Nichelle might've been targeted."