Paper Dolls

by Sienna Mynx

  “Well the best way to get over one man is with another man. That’s Valentina’s recipe.”

  Zee frowned and rolled her eyes. Valentina leaned in and kissed her cheek. “You stink.”

  Zephyr laughed.

  Valentina sat back. She smiled at the sound of Zephyr’s laughter. “Have you packed his stuff?”

  “Manny is coming over to do it. I can’t look at his stuff. I think José will pick it up tonight,” she said.

  “So you talked to him?”

  “Nope, heard his message.” Zephyr cast her gaze over to the phone.

  “Want me to stay? I can hang around and help Manny. Be here when José comes?”

  “No you guys can’t protect me from me. I’ll deal with him,” Zephyr said.

  Valentina pushed off the bed. “Okay. Well I got to get home and change.”

  Zephyr shot up straight. “What do you have on?”

  “Matt’s jersey.”

  “Why?” Zephyr asked.

  “We had a water fight,” Valentina said with a broad grin.

  Zephyr’s eyes stretched.

  “We were just horsing around. No biggie, girl.” Valentina shrugged.

  “Mmmhmm.”

  “AK is back tonight. Me and Matt are going to meet him at Jade.”

  “You taking Matt to Mr. Shotgun’s party?” Zephyr teased.

  “Not a party really, just some industry thing. They’re both in the business so it’s cool. And besides that we’re best friends. We’re all friends.”

  “Girl, one day you’re going to have to look in the mirror and the truth is going to scare the crap out of you,” Zephyr chuckled.

  “So you keep telling me.” Valentina called back to her over her shoulder. “Get up and lock the door. That cute neighbor of yours is sniffing around outside. And Mr. Stripes ain’t the pussy he looking for!”

  Zephyr laughed. She tossed the covers aside. With all the drama she hadn’t even once thought of Clayton. She hurried out of the room and nearly knocked Valentina down.

  “Girl, what the hell?” Valentina gasped.

  “What did he say?” Zephyr asked.

  “Who?”

  “Clay, ah Clayton?”

  Valentina looked her up and down. “He asked if you were okay.”

  Zephyr looked to the door. “I wonder if he heard us. José and me I mean. If I can hear my neighbors screwing upstairs, then he had to hear the fight, huh? He must think I’m crazy.”

  “Who cares? If he heard José kick your cat he knows who is the crazy one,” Valentina said.

  Zephyr sighed.

  “Seriously, Zee, don’t obsess over that foolishness.”

  “Doesn’t matter, the last thing I need is a new romance,” Zephyr said.

  “Give me a hug.” Valentina took her in her arms. “Promise me that when José comes to collect his things you’ll have bathed, run a comb through your hair, and put on something fierce. The best defense is a good offense. Show him what he has passed up on.” She rubbed her back.

  “I promise.”

  “Love you. Oh and Rae is meeting Alexander tonight over at the Ritz. She says for closure, but I’m beginning to wonder about those two,” Valentina said.

  “You can’t help who you love, Valentina.”

  “God knows that’s the truth. Bye!” Valentina waved and was out the door.

  **

  “Coming!” Valentina hurried to the door while putting on her earring. She yanked it open. Matt stood there clean shaven in blue jeans and a white sports jacket for the cool Miami night. He looked yummy.

  “Give me ten minutes,” she pleaded.

  “Okay.” He stuck his hands in his front pockets and walked around her place.

  “AK is already there, he’s calling me every five minutes,” Valentina said. “My baby misses me.”

  “Am I late?” he asked.

  “Nope. For some reason he and his crew are early. I mean who gets to a club before midnight?” Valentina asked.

  Matt stared at the shelf of Grammys. Her new album would surely gain her another one.

  “Ok ready!”

  When he turned and saw her he was left speechless. For the night of drinking and dancing she wore a silk sleeveless baby-doll style dress with black and gold trim that barely made it past her sexy hips. The black and gold platforms that fastened around her slender ankles gave her feet a lift that made her legs even lovelier.

  “How do I look?” She turned for him like Wonder Woman. A small breeze picked up and blew the dress upward to reveal more of her smooth dark thighs. “You know my picture is going to be all over the net before we leave.”

  Her dreads were groomed away from her face and in a twisted style to the back of her head.

  “Beautiful,” he said and meant it.

  “Awe! Ain’t you sweet. Did you see my purse?” She went through the living room in search of it. When she found it she immediately started shutting off the lights. He took the time to walk behind her and admire how her ass swayed in the tiny dress. How could she not know that she was killing him in that damn dress?

  They left. He escorted her to his car. Alone with her in his vintage convertible they sped toward South Beach, and he did little to suppress or dilute his desires. The night wind blew her fragrance under his nose. He dropped his seat further back and drove with his arm extended to pretend to not be affected. The truth was his balls and dick were twisted in an insufferable knot.

  Valentina was once again on the phone with AK. She assured her boyfriend she was on her way. Matt barely listened. He did, however, steal repeated peeks at her crossed legs that revealed the curve of her thighs. He had already given himself the pep talk. He was going to try harder to check himself. She had made it clear that she wasn’t interested. It was on him to rein his emotions back. But the smell of her, look of her, and the idea of her, kept him longing. Then she wrote and sang that song to him. When she left him he sat in his studio and played her records, the old and the new tracks. He felt lost. It was time to put an end to this.

  “Matt?”

  He looked over. “Yes?”

  “It’s reggae night. So you know Rasta Gango and some of his people will be there.”

  “It’s cool, Valentina,” he said. “I have no beef with him. We squashed it.”

  “I know you still hate the guy. You sure it’s cool?” she asked.

  It was then he heard her concern. He glanced over and saw the care she had for him in her eyes. “It’s cool. We’re cool.” He forced a smile.

  She nodded and relaxed in her seat.

  “How’s Zephyr?” he asked.

  “When I called her back before you arrived she said José was there. So she couldn’t talk. I hope she’s okay.”

  “She has you and Raven. I’d say José doesn’t stand a chance,” Matt smiled.

  Valentina chuckled. “You got a point.”

  Matt turned off the next exit. He traveled along the back streets to avoid the parade of cars with tourists profiling up and down A-1-A. Soon they were driving up to the front of Jade. Valentina rolled her eyes at the mob of people roped along the sidewalk, and the press bulbs flashing in her face. The valet opened her door and helped her out. Matt tossed him his keys. He extended his arm to her. Their picture would hit the Internet in minutes. She was sure. They were snapped repeatedly as if they were a couple.

  Together they strolled through the VIP entrance. The flashing lights and gyrating bodies were proof the party was in full swing. Their celebrity granted them free access. The music greeted them both once they entered the dark club. She was temporarily blinded by the strobe lights. Go-go dancers on elevated stages were at each corner of the place. The bar was lit in an electric blue. If you stared too long your vision would be diluted by the neon sparkle. Security followed and led them along the side of the club to the roped off entrance. And then they climbed up the steps.

  Valentina looked over her shoulder at Mattel who remained close. She climbed the final st
airs. She noticed before her that heads turned. Many strained to recognize who they were. It appeared that everyone drooled over AK’s private party upstairs. Some of them even used their camera phones to snap a picture of her. Why was it she didn’t miss this part of fame? She knew the answer to that question. When she had that kind of celebrity she overdosed. The self-idolatry was poison to an artist.

  AK was up pouring the champagne. He turned around, glittering in diamonds. He had to have on more bling than the diamond mines in South Africa.

  “BABE!” he yelled over the music and rushed her. Mattel had to step back from the way AK swept her up with one arm and swung her around. Valentina struggled to keep her ass from falling out of her short dress. She smiled and kissed him in return. She saw Mattel being pulled into fraternal hugs from other men he knew in the business. Dirty Red pushed through the men to get up in his face.

  “What up, Matt?” she licked her cherry lips and looked him in the eyes. Mattel glanced past her to AK leading Valentina away. The couple headed toward a small dance floor and wrapped each other up in a lovers’ embrace.

  “How goes it, Red?” he asked.

  “I’m good. Why don’t you come and sit with me and my girls?” she asked.

  Matt wiped his jaw and he surveyed the scene. Shrugging he followed her. She wore tight jeans with rhinestone pockets, and a black corset that had her breasts up on display. Her hair was brick red. It reminded him of Ronald McDonald. She was sexy but not his type. He subscribed to the less is more theory. Her entourage looked up like he was on the menu. The ladies parted for him. As soon as he sat down someone put a drink in his hand. Red moved in close “Damn, Matt, you get finer everyday. AK said you mixed with Indian. That true?”

  Her girls cackled. Mattel continued to watch Valentina. The reggae beat orchestrated the seductive way she danced. She worked her hips in a lethal manner that would make any man pause. AK’s hands rubbed her ass freely, and she moved up and down him matching his desire for her with desire of her own.

  Envy burned his chest so hot it felt like someone had dropped coals down his throat. How long could he watch another man enjoy the privileges he often dreamed of? Valentina wrapped her arms around her lover’s neck, and gave AK a welcome home kiss that finally forced Mattel to look away.

  He downed his drink and was handed another. Dirty followed his eyes and noticed how locked tight his jaw was as he watched Valentina. She slid her hand over his thigh. “So yeah, I hear you’re working on Valentina’s next album?”

  Mattel looked down at her hand only an inch from his groin. “What do you want, Red?”

  “Nah, baby, the real question is, what do you want?” She moved in to whisper the rest of her proposal in his ear. “What I mean is, I heard you got skills. Trust me, I got talent you won’t believe. She flicked her tongue at his ear.”

  **

  Valentina wound her hips and turned in AK’s arms, grinding into him as he held her. Her vision crossed the room. She saw Dirty Red on Mattel. But he didn’t seem fazed. In fact their eyes locked and he didn’t blink.

  She danced.

  AK kissed the side of her neck. Locked in Mattel’s gaze, she saw herself in his eyes. AK’s arm slipped around her waist. He put more instruction in the way her pelvis moved. For a moment she recalled what it was like lying on Mattel’s chest on the sofa of her living room. Or the way he felt when he laid on top of her in the grass after they played with the water hose. Her lids fluttered shut. She remembered Mattel’s kiss. She moved up and down AK’s strong body and gave in to thinking of Mattel Cutter.

  Reality popped when the song ended. She blinked awake and looked at Mattel again. What kind of hold did he have over her? She was losing her mind.

  Mattel sipped his drink and that skank-ho put her hands on his chest. Red was so close to his ear an untrained eye would think the bitch was licking it. Valentina tried to ignore her discomfort. A remix of an R&B hit played and the tempo was their groove. She continued to dance while AK whispered how badly he wanted to fuck her. He told her of the things he’d put her through before the night was over, and she didn’t blink. She just held on to him and reminded herself that he was the man she loved.

  It was then that Mattel broke the stare off. He put the drink down and stood. Valentina feared he’d march right over and tell AK everything. Force her to admit the way she lied to him, herself, and worst of all to her boyfriend, about her real feelings. She feared it and she wanted it. But he didn’t. He dapped up several of the men he knew, gave a few fraternal handshakes and headed for the exit.

  “Hey? Where you going?” AK asked when she tried to go after him.

  “Mattel’s leaving.”

  AK looked up and saw him headed for the stairs. “Fuck him.”

  He pulled her back and she grimaced. Swinging her around to face him and dance slow he held her close. “Another hour and then we’re leaving. I got a surprise for you, babe.”

  “Let me just go and—”

  “Valentina!”

  “Okay, okay. I’m sorry.” She smiled. “You got a surprise huh?”

  “You’re not going to believe it.” AK grinned.

  She put her arms around him and rested her face on his shoulder. She continued to dance. She could look out at the partygoers to see Mattel working his way through the club beneath them, headed for the door. Her heart sank at the sight of him leaving alone. She tried not to make much of it, but she was so torn. Part of her wanted to go after him. A greater part of her wanted to tell him how she felt. That she felt something.

  “Valentina?”

  “Huh?” she lifted her head and smiled. “Yes.”

  “You make me so happy, baby. I couldn’t take this business without you,” AK said and dropped his forehead to hers. “Let’s go now. I have to tell you now.”

  She stroked his cheek. “It’s that important huh?”

  His lips brushed hers and she parted them to receive a gentle caress of his tongue. Soon all thoughts of Matt faded when she gave into his desire for her. He kissed her several times before breaking away. “Let’s go.”

  **

  Valentina walked around the pool. The water was glowing from the lamps in the tiled pool floor. It was a cool night but a pretty one with a trillion stars twinkling above. Valentina clasped her hands behind her back and walked to the edge of the outside veranda. His home faced the city. She wondered if Zephyr was able to deal with her pain. She worried about Raven’s meeting with Alexander at the Ritz. She wondered what Mattel was doing at that moment.

  “There you are!” AK exclaimed. He pulled up his low hung pants and walked toward her.

  “Here I am,” she said. She opened her arms as if she were a prize.

  “Come here, babe. It’s time for your surprise,” he said. He extended his hand.

  Valentina walked over. She took his hand in hers and let him lead her over to the deck chairs. She sat down. “Should I close my eyes?”

  “Yeah. Yeah do that,” he said.

  Valentina put her hands over her eyes. “Okay, tell me when.”

  “Now!”

  She lowered her hands. He just stood there. She looked in his hands and around him and saw nothing. “I don’t understand?”

  “Me. It’s me, babe,” he grinned.

  “Yeah I know it’s you, but where is the surprise?”

  “You’re looking at it. The surprise is me.”

  Valentina stared at him. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’ve decided to retire. To give up the business. I’ve decided to focus on producing. Get behind the muscle of my record label. It’s why I wanted to talk to Cutter.”

  “You decided what?”

  AK knelt before her. “I’m ready for the next stage in my life, Valentina. Fuck this hustle. I’m smarter than this bullshit. Competing with these no talent niggas round here who push bullshit through the airwaves. I want to raise the game. Take it back to Biggie and Pac days. Bring back the realness in hip-hop.” />
  “But you’re on top of the charts. You’ve only been in the business for a few years. Who retires that early, that soon?” she asked.

  “A wise man! Already them fools are sampling my shit. Imitating me. Soon there will be another AK and then what? I got to wait for the industry to tell me to take my mic and go home? Fuck that! Look at the moguls. The money ain’t in my rhymes. It’s here.” He said pointing at his head. “You were right, babe, I can be more. I can do more. I’m sick of the bullshit, the petty fights, and the turf wars. I can sit back and write and produce. Hell I can produce your album. We can be a team. A family.” He took her hand.

  “I-I-I don’t know what to say,” she stammered.

  “Say you’re ready. Say that we can have the family we never had. You know what I mean. Let’s build our own dynasty. Make babies, live life on our terms.”

  He reached in his mouth and pulled out his diamond fronts. He removed his cap and dropped them both to the side. “It’s me Earl. And I want to start my life from the beginning with you.”

  Valentina couldn’t move past her shock. She just couldn’t find the words to convey the conflict in her heart. “Earl?”

  He stood and pulled her up in his arms. “You’ve changed my life, Valentina. I can’t tell you how good it is to be with someone that has your back. That you can trust. Now we got money, talent, we can fucking run this town. Me and you, baby!”

  Valentina wanted to cry. She could finally name the emotion in her heart that was overwhelming all others. It was guilt. There were other ways of being unfaithful. And now she understood her crime: neglect of his trust and love, by concealing her feelings for Mattel. And the truth was she had feelings she didn’t trust or understand for both of these men. They both gave her heart what it needed, just in different ways. How was it possible to be in love with two people? How did that happened, when did it happen, she didn’t know.

  When she looked into Earl’s eyes she could see the future he promised. And it was then she had to admit that anything with Mattel would be the unknown. She was too scared to trust the unknown. What she had with Mattel was different than what she knew she could achieve with AK. The men weren’t the same. They could never be what she and AK could be. Right?