Diamond Playgirls

by Daaimah S. Poole; Miasha; King Deja; T. Styles

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t catch that last part,” Christopher said.

  “Oh, nothing, I can’t believe what a coincidence it is that two total strangers would cross paths again in such a big city, that’s all.”

  “I don’t believe in coincidences. Some things are meant to be.” Christopher pulled out a business card and wrote a number on the back. “Here, this is my office number and I wrote my cell number on the back. I hope you plan on giving me your number.”

  “Of course, but can you write it down? I don’t have a pen on me.”

  Christopher pulled out another business card and jotted down Chloe’s digits.

  “I hate to exchange numbers and run, but I have to get back to work. I know my boss is wondering where the hell I am.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to keep you.”

  “Please, don’t be sorry. Standing outside on a beautiful sunny day talking to you is a lot more enticing than going upstairs and being bossed around. But hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.”

  Christopher stood for a moment nodding his head. “Without a doubt I’ll be calling you.”

  “I look forward to it.” They both seemed frozen, unable to say good-bye. So instead of using the words they both turned and walked away.

  Chloe couldn’t believe her luck. She hadn’t been in New York for even three weeks and had met a man who seemed like pure perfection.

  For the rest of her day at work Chloe could not get Christopher off her mind. She daydreamed about the next time she would see him, hoping that finally she would be able to feel the softness of those full lips and the embrace of those muscular arms. At six foot two he towered over Chloe’s petite frame, but that’s how she liked her men—tall, strong, and with the presence of being a protector. Christopher exuded all these qualities and more.

  “Chloe, don’t forget to be here early tomorrow, so we can prepare for the photo shoot. I don’t want any problems,” Kari belted out, interrupting Chloe’s daydreaming.

  “Aren’t I always early?”

  “I suppose, but be here extra early,” Kari snapped.

  Chloe was starting to believe that Kari had a hard-on for her. No matter how many hours Chloe worked, it was never enough for her boss. She would always find some reason to nitpick at whatever Chloe did. Any suggestions Chloe made, even when beyond great, Kari would shut down. Chloe was trying to remain a team player, but feeling slighted by a woman she felt was somewhat beneath her was becoming more difficult to tolerate.

  Chloe arrived at work at seven thirty, so early that she was the first one there. She didn’t get much sleep anyway because she’d spent half the night tossing and turning, wondering why Christopher hadn’t called her. Although it hadn’t even been a day, Chloe felt their connection was so strong that he would’ve called last night. She had no time to dwell on it because she had work to do. After gathering all the necessary items for the photo shoot, she headed to the studio on the other side of the floor.

  This was Chloe’s first photo shoot and she was looking forward to it. The magazine was featuring the two hottest young female R&B artitsts on the scene right now, Taj and Melodic. Both would be gracing the cover—timed to hit the stands the month their debut duet CD would drop. It was all the buzz since both ladies had equal star power.

  “Just getting here, Chloe?” was the greeting from Kari when she walked in at eight thirty.

  “No, I’ve been here for an hour. I have all the clothes, shoes, and accessories lined up right over there,” Chloe said, pointing to the corner area.

  Kari rummaged through the stuff not acknowledging Chloe’s hard work. “I need for you to go downstairs to inventory and bring up six more boxes of shoes.”

  “But I brought up all the shoes on the list you gave me last night.”

  “Well, we need more.” Kari hurriedly added some items to the list as if they popped into her head at that second. “Here, take this, and bring these items up.” She tossed the list at Chloe without even making eye contact.

  Does this two-bit hussy know who the fuck I am? My father can buy this whole damn company twenty times over. I can make one phone call and have her trifling ass collecting an unemployment check, Chloe screamed to herself, though she was dying to say the words out loud. Her experience working at Posh magazine and for Kari was teaching her self-control if nothing else.

  Chloe was rattled when she realized her cell was ringing. “Who could be calling me this early?” she wondered out loud. “Hello,” she answered hesitantly.

  “Hi, are you busy?” asked a cheerful voice.

  “Who’s this?”

  “You forgot about me already?”

  “Christopher, is that you?”

  “Yeah, do you have a minute to talk?”

  “Of course, I’m just surprised that you would be calling me so early.”

  “I know but I wanted to hear your voice. When I got home last night I couldn’t find your number and when I came to work it was sitting right here on top of my desk, so I took a chance and called you. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all.” Chloe couldn’t help but smile to herself. She knew there had to be a reason he didn’t call the night before. “To be honest I was disappointed when I didn’t hear from you. I was thinking maybe the feelings were one-sided, me being the one part.”

  “Please don’t think that. I haven’t been able to get you off my mind since running into you that very first time. If I had known you were working in the same building for all this time, I would’ve tracked you down. But then you might’ve thought I was a stalker.”

  “By all means, stalk me.”

  “I can feel you smiling through the phone,” Christopher said after Chloe’s comment.

  “It’s that obvious?”

  “Yes, but damn, I love your energy. You have this glow about you that’s so enthralling. I know I might sound crazy but it’s hard to describe.”

  “You’ve explained yourself perfectly, because I feel the same way about you.”

  “Please have dinner with me tonight? Don’t even go home. I’ll pick you up right after work. I’m not taking no for an answer.”

  “Then yes, I will.”

  “Excellent, what time do you get off?”

  “Around seven.”

  “I’ll be out front waiting for you.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you then.” Chloe couldn’t help but revel in the tingly feeling you get when you first become totally smitten with someone. It’s the sort of rush that keeps you on a natural high, and Chloe wanted to soak up every minute of it.

  When Chloe got back upstairs with the additional items, Kari seemed to be in an even nastier mood. “It took you long enough. What? Did you walk to Bergdoff’s and buy the shoes?” Kari snapped.

  Chloe was in such a mellow mood after speaking to Christopher she simply brushed Kari’s comment off her shoulder, which seemed to aggravate the woman even more. As Kari parted her lips about to drop another sarcastic line, Taj and Melodic arrived.

  “Ladies, how are you?” Kari said as she ran over to the pair, honey dripping from her voice.

  As Kari played kiss ass, Chloe was debating in her head what outfits would work best for each artist. Taj was about five foot seven with womanly curves and a chestnut complexion, so Chloe reasoned that the Roberto Cavalli numbers would accentuate her body perfectly.

  Melodic was petite with a sun-kissed, dewy bronzed skin that would look amazing in the Zac Posen outfits. Yes, Chloe had it all figured out and was separating a pile for each young lady when Kari walked up.

  “Chloe, what are you doing?”

  “Selecting some outfit choices for Taj and Melodic.”

  “Did I ask you to do that?”

  “No, but—”

  “But nothing. You work for me. You do what I tell you to do and nothing more. Are we clear?”

  Chloe’s eyes and mouth hardened as she stared at Kari, but she managed to get out one word. “Crystal.”

  “Now g
o fetch some juices, the ladies are thirsty.”

  When Chloe left to go get drinks from the kitchen, Kari tossed the outfits Chloe suggested to the side and went with her own selections. Chloe took her time coming back since Kari had basically relegated her to playing gofer. But by the time Chloe did return, all hell had broken loose.

  “I’m not wearing this shit. It makes my ass look wide and flat,” Taj screamed. “And besides my voice, this is my greatest asset,” she shouted while slapping her ass to accentuate each word.

  “What about me?” Melodic whined in her best spoiled little rich girl voice. “This outfit is drowning me. I know I’m slim but this crap has me looking like Nicole Richie. My fans will be demanding for someone to feed me a biscuit or two. I know that ‘I’m hungry, feed me’ look gets kudos in the fashion world, but from the streets I rep, no ass means no cash. So if this layout is supposed to help me sell some records, dig up another outfit…like now.”

  “Ladies, you look fabulous,” Kari was saying over and over, causing Chloe to look at her as if she’d lost her mind. Taj’s outfit had her flesh pulled in so tight that areas that should’ve been popping out were squished in, and parts that should be in were hanging out. It was a hot mess. Then poor Melodic was a replica of one of the Olsen twins before rehab.

  “You must not be able to fucking see, because we look hideous. You better come up with something better than this or I’m out,” Taj barked.

  “Damn right, you not going to have me playing myself on the front cover of a magazine. You better step your game up and come correct or only thing you’ll see is the back of me as I’m walking out the door,” Melodic said.

  The photographer, lighting crew, and everyone else zoomed in on Kari, waiting for her response to the dilemma, but the woman seemed bewildered, and did little more than sputter almost unintelligible words at one diva and then the other.

  “What about this for you, Taj? And this for you, Melodic?” Chloe suggested, thrusting the outfits she had originally picked out at them.

  “Chloe, how dare you? Didn’t I tell you to mind your business?” Kari said, finally finding her voice as she tried to snatch back the clothes from the women. “Don’t pay her any attention, she’s only my assistant,” she quickly told the singers. “And I don’t know how much longer that will be.”

  “Nah, this is what’s up,” Taj said as she held the outfit against her body while looking in one of the studio’s full-length mirrors. “I’m feeling this gear right here. This is what I’m talking about.”

  “Me too,” Melodic piped up. “This right here is going to have me looking like my little ass is ready for the catwalk.” She turned to Chloe. “You have excellent taste, what’s your name?”

  “Chloe. Chloe Johnson.”

  “You need to let her pick our clothes and you need to sit the fuck down,” Taj said, pointing her finger at Kari.

  The look on Kari’s face was pure mortification and Chloe felt a surge of intense satisfaction run through her body, starting up from her toes and finally ending with an upward turn of her lips, that she couldn’t hide. As embarrassed as Kari was, it was probably that smile that was the straw that finally broke the camel’s back. After the singers went into their dressing rooms to suit up for their shoot, Kari stomped over to Chloe.

  “The nerve of you, going over my head after I told you to stay out of it. You embarrassed me in front of everybody,” Kari bawled.

  “Although I would love to, I can’t take credit for embarrassing you. You did that to yourself,” Chloe said without missing a beat.

  “You conniving bitch. You’re trying to sabotage my career and I will crush you before I let you do it,” Kari threatened with her finger pointing directly in front of Chloe’s face.

  “Get your bony finger out of my face before I break it. And, my dear, that isn’t a threat, it’s a promise,” Chloe stated, not flinching. “I’ve only dealt with your bullshit for this long because I was focusing on doing my job. But between my editing articles, trying to assist Leslie, and taking your crap you’re making it damn near impossible for me to function, so all bets are off.”

  “So, what’s your point, you prima donna hillbilly?”

  “The gloves are off. No more boxing, we’re going to turn this into a good old-fashioned street brawl, so watch your back,” Chloe said, brushing Kari aside and tapping on the dressing room door. “Taj, how do you like the shoes? Do you need me to bring in another pair?”

  “No, honey, these here are perfect,” Taj shouted through the door. “Melodic’s right, you do have excellent taste.”

  Chloe smiled, and turned to find Kari shooting daggers at her with her eyes. Well, it’s on now. And damn if I’m not going to come out this the winner.

  The photo shoot was exhilarating, but the day was long, made longer by her anticipation of an evening with Christopher. Having to keep a change of clothes at work in case you needed to attend an unexpected event actually came in handy, she thought as she slipped on a classic red Diane Von Furstenberg wrap shirt dress, with a pair of animal-print Prada open-toe heels. She loosened her hair from its tight ponytail and let it cascade down onto her shoulders, then reapplied a coat of mascara and lipstick. She checked in the mirror again, and had to give herself a pat on the back. Sheer perfection.

  As promised Christopher was standing outside waiting for her with a bouquet of orchids and pink roses.

  “Thank you, these are beautiful,” Chloe said, soaking in the scent of the flowers.

  “And you look incredible,” Christopher said, complimenting Chloe on her appearance.

  “You look very handsome yourself. With your sleek pants and shirt you seem more equipped to be running a men’s fashion house than a record label,” Chloe said.

  “I’m assuming that’s a compliment, although I’m not sure that I like it.”

  “I wasn’t trying to offend you. Call it ignorance on my part, but I assumed all men in the music industry wore throwback jerseys, sweatsuits, and jeans that fall below their waist. But seeing you in that suit changes my perception.”

  “I understand. And no, I’m not offended.”

  “Wonderful. Because seeing you tonight has been my only bright spot in a rather dim day.”

  “Why? What happened?” he asked with what seemed to be genuine concern.

  “I don’t want to talk about it. This evening is supposed to be about us, and I don’t want anything to ruin it.”

  “That’s fine with me, let’s go.” Christopher took Chloe’s hand and escorted her to his car.

  “Where to, Mr. McNeil?” the driver asked.

  “Cipriani’s, Two hundred Fifth Avenue.”

  “Wow, you got us a driver for the evening?”

  “No, Pablo is my permanent driver. He takes me everywhere.”

  “So? What? You don’t have a license?”

  “I have a license, it’s just stressful driving in the city. Plus, parking is a pain,” Christopher explained. “I like being able to come and go as I please, knowing that I have a car waiting.”

  “That does sound ideal. Plus, it must be nice being chauffeured around in a Maybach all the time.”

  “I can’t lie, it has its perks. But don’t worry, I have a feeling your life will be filled with such benefits, too. Growing up in Bed-Stuy…” Christopher paused, seeing the confused look on Chloe’s face. “Bedford-Stuyvesant, that’s a somewhat unsavory neighborhood in Brooklyn—I never expected to be sitting here having dinner in establishments like this. Both my parents died of drug overdoses when I was eight years old. My grandmother raised me the best she could but it was tough. In my household, being able to buy a new pair of jeans instead of rocking some hand-me-downs was considered a luxury. I’ll never forget when I was fourteen and I came home from school ready to explode. I threw my backpack down on the floor, went into my room, and slammed the door. My grandmother walked in as I was punching my pillow.

  “She glared at me and said, ‘Boy, why you come up in this hous
e throwing your things and beating on the only good pillow we have up in here?’

  “I don’t want to talk about it,’ I told her.

  “She said, ‘Well, if you don’t want me standing up in your face for the rest of the day you better start.’

  “Today when we was at the gym, this guy named Danny Boy said I was wearing his old sneakers that his mom had given to the Salvation Army. Everybody in class started laughing and teasing me, saying I don’t have any parents and all I can afford is throwaway garbage that nobody wants. I feel like I’m not going to ever be nothing in this world,’ I explained to her.

  “And I’ll never forget what she told me. ‘You listen here, because if I leave this earth tomorrow, there is one thing I want you know. Nobody is ever going to give you anything in this world. Whatever you want you have to earn it. So don’t whine about what you don’t have. Use the brain that God gave you and figure out a way to get it.’

  “From that day forward that’s what I did,” Christopher finished.

  “That’s powerful. Your grandmother seems very wise.”

  “No doubt, when I need guidance I still turn to her for words of wisdom.”

  Chloe sat back absorbing every word as Christopher continued to speak about his past. “You’ve told me about your childhood and your high school days but still haven’t told me how you got into the music industry.”

  “Where do I begin? Believe it or not I first started off as a dancer. Then I branched off into being a rapper. I even came out with an album even though it didn’t register on anybody’s hit list.”

  “Seriously, you were a dancer and rapper? That would be interesting to see.”

  “If you say so,” Christopher said, shrugging. “But then I branched out into music producing and had much better luck with that. I produced several hits for artists like Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, and then I started signing my own. Pretty soon I became so successful that it only made sense for me to open up my own label and get distribution from a major. With that I finally found my niche and it’s been smooth sailing ever since.”

  “That sounds like a fairy tale.”