Rich or Famous...Rich Because You Can Buy Fame

by King, Deja

  “I might need to have my next party here,” Sway commented also impressed with the spot. I was surprised he even wanted to come but this was the party to be at tonight so of course Sway had to show his face.

  “Yeah, it’s incredible,” I said, as we walked past the gas fireplace adorned with marble. The layout was so open that there were some people sitting at the expansive dining table, others were by the wet bar and then there was what had to be a specially designed rotating swivel 6-foot day-bed located in front of one of the bay windows. You could spin yourself to any view you pleased.

  “What’s up, Dior,” Phenomenon said, giving me a hug. He nodded at Sway as if he didn’t want to speak.

  “Hey, congratulations. I know you’re gonna move a lot of units.”

  “That’s what they predicting. Pretty soon I’ll be taking your spot, Sway.”

  “You got a long way before you get there. We talking millions, millions and millions of records. In my genre ain’t nobody moving those type of numbers but me.”

  “All we can do is try,” Phenomenon grinned. “You guys enjoy the party, oh and if you hungry, there’s a full service kitchen at your disposal. The chef will cook whatever you like.”

  “Cool, thanks,” I smiled. “Wow, I can’t believe his label dropped this type of paper on his album release party.”

  “Please, these labels ain’t spending that kind of money on new artist like Phenomenon or mostly any artist for that matter.”

  “Then who footing the bill, ‘cause this shit definitely ain’t no on a budget party.”

  “From what I understand Phenomenon has some major Drug Lord with an endless cash flow funding his project.”

  “Really, do you know him?”

  “Maybe, maybe not. If I met him, I doubt he was advertising what he do. But I heard he’s a real low key dude that stays in the background.”

  “There’s Brittani over there by the bar, I’ma go speak.”

  “Go ‘head I’ll be over there in a minute.”

  It was nice to get away from Sway even if it was only for a brief period of time. I hurried over to Brittani. She greeted me with a warm smile which was nice since she had been pissed with me ever since I got back with Sway.

  “Hey! It’s good to see you.”

  “It’s good to see you too. I didn’t expect Sway to come to this party.”

  “I know but he has to be in the spotlight and this is where everybody is tonight.”

  “So what have you been up to? Every time I turn around you’re being photographed or featured in something. I even read somewhere you’re getting your own reality show. Is that true?”

  “I’ve had a couple of offers but I haven’t decided on anything yet.”

  “Do you even know what the show would be about?”

  “Nope.”

  “Amazing, these networks are just throwing reality shows at anybody these days.”

  “Well tell me what you really think, Brittani.”

  “I wasn’t trying to offend you. I’m just saying, one minute you’re a nobody and then you do a video, a men’s magazine and run around with the biggest narcissist of them all, Sway and all of sudden your face is everywhere and you’re being offered a reality show. I’m officially putting you in the famous for what category.”

  “I don’t need to hear this shit from you, Brittani.”

  “You need to hear it from somebody because I’m sure all the ass kissers you have surrounding you aren’t telling you a damn thing.”

  “Are you jealous? Is that what this is about?”

  “Jealous of what? All you do is party.”

  “You seem to be at the same party as me. Plus I know you and Kevin aren’t together anymore. He’s running around with that R&B singer. Is that what has you acting like your PMSing?”

  “Don’t concern yourself over my relationship with Kevin.”

  “Trust me, I’m not. All I’m trying to do is figure out where all this negativity is coming from.”

  “You don’t even see what you’re becoming, Dior.”

  “What a star. I thought that’s what we both wanted for me.”

  “If being with Sway is part of that stardom I’m not cosigning on it. He is poison and I’m starting to think you are too.”

  “I always thought I was the bitch out of the two of us…actually I am—you’re just bitter. And good luck with Kevin. I hope those checks keep clearing,” I said, walking away from Brittani and right into Lorenzo. “Excuse me. I didn’t see you.”

  “I know but I saw you. You seemed to be in an intense conversation. I was waiting for you to finish. Can we go upstairs and talk?”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m here with Sway and he wouldn’t be thrilled if he came looking for me and I was with you.”

  “Please, I really do need to talk to you.”

  “My cell works great. Is there a reason you haven’t used that to talk to me in the last few weeks? Or is it just more convenient for you to talk to me here, since we’re both at this party?”

  “I know you’re angry with me, and I don’t blame you but just come with me so we can talk.”

  “I’m done talking to you. I have to go, Sway is waiting for me.” As I walked towards Sway I could feel Lorenzo’s eyes fixated on every step I made and I planned to give him something to really be mad at.

  “Who was that guy you were talking to?” Sway asked me when I reached him.

  “Nobody.”

  “If he’s nobody why is he staring at you like that?”

  “Like what?”

  “Like he’s fucking you!”

  “Baby, the only person who is fuckin’ me is you. You know this pussy is all yours.”

  “You always know how to make my dick hard.” Sway seized my ass and started kissing me right in the middle of the floor in front of everybody. I knew he would if I said that to him. It didn’t take much for me to turn him on and once I did he couldn’t control himself. I knew we were giving Lorenzo an eyeful and I relished in knowing that.

  “Baby, don’t you want to go fuck,” I whispered in his ear between kisses.

  “Oh yes,” he moaned pulling me closer. He was damn near trying to fuck me right here on the floor.

  “That’s enough!” I heard Lorenzo say grabbing my arm. My eyes widened in shock. I knew he would be pissed by what I was doing but I didn’t think he would call me on it in front of everybody. “You’re coming with me, so we can talk, now!”

  “Who the fuck is you? And get your hands off my girl!” Sway knocked Lorenzo’s hand off my arm and Sway’s security guards came running up to make sure he was protected. But then like six big bodyguards dressed in black seemed to come out of nowhere to protect Lorenzo. All I could do was wonder what the hell he did that warranted that sort of protection. Before any more words were exchanged massive chaos broke out between both sides of security. In the midst of that Sway grabbed my arm, pulling me out the suite and into the elevator.

  “What the fuck just happened in there?” Sway yelled so loudly I thought my head would explode. “Answer me,” he continued slamming me against the elevator door.

  “I don’t know!” I yelled back.

  “Are you fuckin’ that nigga? Why else would he grab on you like that!” As we were going down and the elevator stopped on another floor, when the doors opened he roared, “Step the fuck back, this elevator is out of order.” The older couple ran back, startled and scared.

  “Sway, would you stop it!”

  “Shut the fuck up! Don’t tell me what to do,” he spit before hitting me in my face. By the time the elevator hit the bottom floor Sway was in full blown anger mode. He was using me as his personal punching bag. It was like a switch had gone off and he couldn’t turn it back on. When the elevator doors opened I was crawling out and my face was battered, bruised and bloody. There was hotel security already in the lobby and the police were coming in. Between the old couple and the ruckus going on at the penthouse suite I wasn’t
surprised to see both but Sway was. He was totally shocked when the handcuffs clinched his wrist and he was arrested. I was taken to the hospital and all I thought about was that I hoped nobody got a picture of me looking like this.

  ** *

  “Courtney, thank you so much for coming over and bringing me something to eat.”

  “Of course, I would do anything for you, Dior.”

  “Is it still crazy out there?”

  “Yes, it’s like a zoo. There are photographers and news people everywhere. They all want to get a picture of your bruised face.”

  “It looks bad, doesn’t it?” I could tell she didn’t want to admit it, but Courtney nodded her head yes. But I didn’t need her to tell me, I could look in the mirror and see the damage Sway did to me.

  “I can’t believe Sway beat you up like that. I would’ve never thought he was that type of guy. You know what happened has been on the news all morning and every radio station is talking about it.”

  “I know. The crazy part is that I always dreamed about getting publicity of this magnitude but I didn’t want it like this. I don’t even know what to say. They keep calling my phone, I can’t leave my apartment. I just want it to stop.”

  “It’s not going to stop anytime soon. Sway is an international superstar. He makes Chris Brown seem like a nobody and you know how long the media kept that story going. He has to be somewhere regretting he ever put his hands on you.”

  “Do you know if he’s out on bail yet?”

  “I’m sure he is. You know he has the best attorneys on speed dial. I can’t imagine them letting him stay in jail.”

  “That’s true but I figured if he was out he would’ve called me by now.”

  “You think he would have the audacity to call you after what he did!”

  “Courtney, this isn’t the first time Sway has put his hands on me. This is just the first time he got caught.”

  “If this is the life of the rich and famous I don’t want any parts of it. I idolized Sway now you’re telling me he’s a typical woman beater.” Courtney kept shaking her head as in disbelief.

  “Courtney, don’t idolize Sway or any of these people in the entertainment industry because they’ll disappoint you every time.”

  I picked up the paper I had Courtney bring over and there was a picture from an event Sway and I attended together a few weeks ago splashed across the front page. If you went by the image of us we appeared to be the perfect couple. I was even smiling in the pic which was a joke in itself since Sway never made me smile. I didn’t know how I could turn something so tragic into a positive. I was lost and I desperately needed some direction.

  Lorenzo

  Complicated

  When I pulled up to Alexus’s townhouse, I had so much shit on my mind, mainly Dior, that I was tempted to turn around. But she had been back home for over a week and this would be the first time I came to visit. Before I went inside I decided to try and call Dior again. Right when I was about to hang up she answered.

  “Hi.”

  “I’ve been blowing your phone up, why haven’t you answered?”

  “I wasn’t in the mood to talk.”

  “Now you are?”

  Not really. But I know how it feels to be ignored so I didn’t want to keep doing it to you.”

  “I deserved that.”

  “What do you want, Lorenzo?”

  “I want to know how you doing. I heard what Sway did to you after the party and I’m worried about you.”

  “Not good.”

  “I feel responsible for what happened. I know coming up to you like I did pissed him off. I had no idea he would lose it like that though.”

  “You’re not responsible for Sway’s behavior. Trust me, he had problems keeping his hands to himself before any of this went down.”

  “So that nigga had been puttin’ his hands on you on a regular? Is that what you tellin’ me?” I could hear the anger building up in Lorenzo’s voice and I didn’t need that.

  “No, that’s not what I’m telling you,” I lied and said wanting to kill the drama before it started up again.

  “Then what are you saying?”

  “I’m saying that whatever went down between me and Sway you’re not responsible for it. So if that’s all you called to tell me I’ma let you go.”

  “That’s not the only reason I called.”

  “What else?”

  “I want us to give this relationship thing a try.”

  “When did you decide that?”

  “I’ve been thinking about it for awhile but I didn’t want to put it out there until I was a hundred percent sure that’s what I wanted to do.”

  “And now you are sure?”

  “Yes. Dior, I’m a complicated man which means I have a complicated life. It’s hard for me to let people into my circle especially a woman. But I rather try with you than lose you.”

  “I want to say yes, let’s do this but my life is so fucked up right now. I don’t want to put you in the middle of all this pandemonium.”

  “I can handle it and so can you. The first thing we’ll do is get somebody to straighten this mess out.”

  “How and who?”

  “I’ll hire the best public relations firm money can buy and they’ll come up with a crisis management plan that will make all this bullshit work in your favor.”

  “You make it sound so simple.”

  “Money gives you options and the more options you have the more simple shit gets. Trust me, Dior, I got you.”

  “No more games?”

  “No more games. When I make my mind up about something I see it all the way through. I’ve made up my mind that I want to be with you.”

  “I want that.”

  “Then that’s what you’ll have. I’ma come see you later after I handle things.”

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea?”

  “Why not?”

  “The paparazzi are holding court in front of my building.”

  “It’s that bad?”

  “It’s worse than bad. I didn’t have anything to eat in here so I had a friend bring me over some food and some other stuff I needed. I can’t leave my building.”

  “We’ll figure it out but I need to be with you.”

  “I need to be with you too. I feel so alone.”

  “But you’re not. I’m here for you no matter what.”

  “I love you, Lorenzo.”

  “I love you too. I’ll see you tonight.”

  “Ok.”

  A sense of relief came over me when I got off the phone with Dior. I had been debating the decision I would make about where to go with our relationship up until the very moment I got her on the phone. It wasn’t easy for me because there were certain aspects of my life I would have to open up to her about, if I let her into my world on a personal level. But last night the fury that overcame me when I saw her at that party with Sway established to me that without a doubt she was the woman I wanted to be with.

  Now that I came to my decision I needed to get the rest of my life in order, starting with Alexus. When I rang the doorbell I heard the dog barking and a few seconds later Alexus came to the door.

  “Lorenzo, what did I do to deserve a personal visit from you? I’ve been home for a little over a week.

  I was beginning to think you were never coming.”

  “You knew I was coming. Things have been out of my control lately but I came to see you the first chance I got.” I gave Alexus a hug and we went to sit down in her living room. “It’s got to feel good to be back home.”

  “It does. I know I told you over the phone but thank you for paying the ransom. When I heard the amount they were asking for I wasn’t sure if you would think I was worth paying that much for.” She gave a half-hearted laugh as if she was joking but I knew she was serious.

  “Of course I was gonna pay it, no matter what the amount. But I was surprised they thought to make it that high. I mean how many people know I have access to t
hat amount of cash.”

  “That’s true but I guess desperate people do desperate things.”

  “Where is Deon?”

  “Still visiting with my mother.”

  “It’s a good thing he was in North Carolina when the kidnapping went down because getting him down there might’ve been difficult.”

  “Yeah, speaking of kids how is Tania doing?”

  “She’s good.”

  “You seem to be spending a lot of time with her and Lala.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “A couple times I talked to you when I got back you were either on your way or had just left from

  being over there.”

  “I want to make sure they’re good.”

  “I think that’s noble, especially under the circumstances but be careful.”

  “Why do I need to be careful?”

  “I know you Lorenzo and I hope you don’t cross the line when it comes to Lala. I care about you and I would hate for you to make a mistake like that.”

  “I appreciate your concern but I got everything under control.”

  “I don’t doubt that for a second. But like I said, I care about you and only want what’s best for you.”

  “Thank you,” I said, not convinced that was how Alexus really felt. The main reason it had taken me so long to visit her was because I still wasn’t sure if she was friend or foe which was disturbing since she had been one of the few individuals I felt I could trust. My people were meticulously investigating how the whole kidnapping went down, not leaving nothing or no one off the hook. Alexus was at the top of my list although I hoped she hadn’t committed the ultimate betrayal like Darnell had. So far everything was coming up clean on her but something didn’t feel right. Normally, to put my mind at rest I would’ve had her killed just for thinking she was somehow involved but because she had a very young son, I held back. I wouldn’t want to leave a child motherless unless I had no other choice. I prayed for his sake that she wasn’t involved.