With her career repaired and her father doing better, she realized things were going her way except for two things. First, she hadn’t spoken to Ray and was worried something had happened to her. Second, she didn’t know if she should fall again for the only man she ever loved.
Picking up her phone she sent Nat a message.
Thinking of you. What are you doing?
Seconds later:
Thinking of you too. I’m playing with Cara. Danny was sick today so I’m watching her.
Her response:
Sorry to hear about Danny. I hope things work out. You’re a wonderful person for looking after Cara.
His response:
Nonsense. It’s my duty.
Mona smiled. She thought it was cute that Nat was looking after Danny’s daughter. She admired their friendship. She also noticed he was great with children.
Her response:
You’re too cute. When can you make it back to New York? I want to show you around. Besides, I’m in need of some meaningful conversation.
One minute passed. Two minutes passed. Three minutes passed and still no response. Mona even turned her phone off and back on, thinking the network was running slow. Still…no response from Nat.
With nothing else to do she tried to contact Ray again. The phone rang four times like it had in the past before going to voice mail. Seconds later she received a message from Nat.
I’ll make it out there next month sometime. We’ll arrange something soon. I’ll hit you later.
Mona didn’t know where their relationship was leading, but she did know she wasn’t waiting until March to find out. She was thinking about what to do next when she smelled a foul odor coming from her kitchen.
Shit! I forgot to take out the trash.
She had crabs yesterday and was too lazy to throw them out earlier. Now they were stinking up the place.
She slipped on her black North Face coat and Timberland boots. The first person she saw when she opened the building’s door made her frown.
“Get out of my way,” Mona moved quickly to place her garbage in the trash can.
“See how you are? That’s why you didn’t know that guy had been sitting in his car waiting on you for an hour.”
Mona whirled around to face him. “What guy? What are you talking about?”
“That guy who moved you in. I saw him in the car drinking wine out of a bottle and looking pissed, and I figured he was waiting on you. I tried to tell you when you was going up the steps, but you ain’t had no time to talk, remember?” Jerome leered at her.
Mona placed her hand on his hand and gave him an icy stare. “You could have figured out a way to say something, you know, Jerome. That could have turned out to be a dangerous situation.”
“Like I said, I tried. It’s not my fault you don’t never have time to speak to a brother.”
Mona considered his words. He was an asshole, but he was also a neighbor. And had she given him even the slightest time of day the whole situation with John might have been avoided.
“I’m sorry for acting that way…let’s start all over,” she said, extending her hand.
They shook.
“So, now can I get your number?” he spat out as he tried to pull her closer to him.
“Get the fuck off of me,” Mona said, snatching her hand away.
“Jerome, what did I tell you about harassing my tenants?” Margie said as she walked up on them.
“Aw, not that shit again,” Jerome grumbled. He looked at Margie, then spat on the sidewalk.
Margie’s eyes widened. “Boy,” she shouted. “I know you didn’t just—”
Before she could get her next words out, Mona stepped forward and slapped Jerome upside the head with an open hand.
Margie started laughing. “I couldn’t have said it better myself,” she managed to get out.
“Y’all’s a bunch of crazy-ass women in this building,” Jerome said angrily as he backed away. “I ain’t got no time for none of you broads.” He glared at Mona. “Especially you!”
“Bye, Jerome!” Mona chanted at his departing back.
“I’ve got to say, you D.C. girls do know how to handle your business,” Margie chuckled after he left. “Say, you don’t look so good. Not that it’s any of my business. None of my business at all.”
“No, just a long night,” Mona said, still trying to determine if she wanted to have a conversation with the obviously nosy woman.
“You look out of sorts. You want to talk about it?” Margie said as she pulled out a cigarette. “I don’t proclaim to be a miracle worker, but I’ve seen a lot of things in my fifty-somethin’ years here in Harlem.”
“No, I’m good,” Mona said as she started to turn around and climb back up the steps. She suddenly stopped in her tracks. “You know, I could use some advice. Would you take a chance at rekindling a romance with someone after six years? Even though you were never really together to begin with?”
“Child, I’m probably the last person to be asking about romance stuff.” Margie lit her cigarette. “I thought you were going to ask me something easy. But still, I guess I’d say that life’s too short not to live it to its fullest…so while you’re here…make it worth your while. But remember, I’m no expert.”
Mona smiled. “You’ll do in a pinch.”
It was settled. She would pursue Nat and give herself a chance at love. She knew just where to start, by planning a dream date on Valentine’s Day he’d never forget.
Everything was set. Mona planned a sextacular evening that would start with a drive from New York to D.C., in a red stretch Hummer limousine. Once she scooped up Nat, they’d be whisked to a landing strip in D.C. where Scarlett’s jet and a hired pilot would be waiting to take them to New York. While in the jet, they’d sip on Cristal and enjoy each other by indulging in a little foreplay. Once in New York, she’d take him to a suite in the Waldorf Astoria where they would be surrounded by relaxing music and catered food with a chef.
With everything in order, a day before Valentine’s Day, she realized she hadn’t heard from Nat in almost three days. The last message she sent him earlier read:
Nat,
I’m hoping you will join me tomorrow. I want to do something I’ve never done with you…be honest. Will you trust me again and join me for Valentine’s Day?
When she hadn’t heard anything, she decided to call him again and each time she couldn’t reach him. She was so busy planning that she hadn’t realized she didn’t confirm if her guest of honor would be present.
When her phone rang, she jumped up thinking it was Nat. She was disappointed when she saw it was the maintenance man and pressed IGNORE. When it rang again she saw it was Ray and quickly answered it. “Where in the hell have you been?”
“It’s a long story,” she said.
Mona couldn’t help but detect her sadness.
“I have something to tell you about Sony. Can we meet tomorrow? I was thinking about driving down there.”
Mona wanted to talk to her friend, but the next day was out of the question. She had plans for Nat and Nat alone. “Tomorrow…might…not…be good.”
“You have plans?”
“Yes.”
“On Valentine’s Day, huh? I’m glad somebody has a date,” she breathed heavily. “Especially you ’cause I know you don’t usually go in for doing anything on Valentine’s. What about next week?”
“That’ll be perfect,” Mona said, relieved she gave her an out.
“Okay…I’ll call you then. Good luck on your date, and tell Nat I said hello.”
“I will.” Mona blushed because she didn’t have to tell her it was with him. “And don’t worry…things will work out.”
“Bye, Mona.”
When she ended the call she tried to call Nat again, and once again nothing. She decided if she didn’t hear from him today, she’d take a ride to D.C.
She was hungry, and deciding she didn’t feel like cooking anything, she threw on h
er jacket and headed out the door to get some takeout from Amy Ruth’s, yet another eatery that Dayshawn had turned her on to.
“Sorry,” she said when she almost bumped into a woman who was coming into the building as she was coming out.
She couldn’t believe it when the girl, who she had to admit was dressed almost as good as she, had the nerve to give her an up-and-down look as if appraising her. Who the hell is she to be appraising me?
“I said I’m sorry,” Mona repeated, giving the girl a look that said And I’m expecting you to say the same.
“No problem,” the woman said in a lilting southern accent. “I guess you live in the building.”
“Yes. I’m Mona Lisa Dupree. I’m up on the third floor.”
“That’s nice. It was good meeting you,” the woman said as she stood there without bothering to return the introduction.
“Yeah, well. If you say so,” Mona said before walking off.
Mona was riding in a red stretch Hummer limousine on the way to steal Nat away. She looked sexy and radiant in her one-piece red minidress by Ella Moss with her Via Spiga heels. She was playing Beyoncé’s “Upgrade You.” Her glass was full with champagne and she was anxious when she saw the street leading to his house. She’d gotten his address from the Web.
When she pulled up to his block in Upper Marlboro, she smiled at the beautiful brick home he lived in. Her heartbeat raced and her stomach was knotted. She contemplated telling the driver to pull off, but the thought of losing out on love again made her continue with her journey. When she saw his white Mercedes next to a Cadillac SUV in a driveway, she knew she was in the right place.
“This is good,” Mona said to the female chauffeur. She was a beautiful white woman with blond hair. “I’ll be right back.”
“No problem, ma’am.”
Mona exited the limo only after ensuring that her makeup was on properly. She knocked on the door and took several deep breaths. When he came to the door, and she saw how handsome he looked wearing brown slacks and a black cashmere sweater, she smiled. He didn’t.
“Mona?” he said as if it was a question. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here for you.” She opened her long black fur coat to reveal her dress.
He looked behind him, stepped out, and closed the door slightly. “I’m confused.”
“I know, Nat…” She paused. Having to be true to herself frightened her. “Let me explain. My life couldn’t be grander. I have everything I ever wanted.” She continued tugging on her coat and pointing to the candy-apple-red limo waiting for them. “But out of all of my accomplishments, and all of my accolades, I was stupid enough to let the one thing that meant the most to me go. You.”
“Mona, don’t—”
“Please, Nat.” Her eyes were brimming with tears. Placing her hand on her chest, she continued. “I let you go and I’m sorry. I’m sorry for running from us. But if you’ll allow me to, I’ll make it up to you. From this day to the last. For the first time in my life, I can admit that I am in love. With you,” she said, touching his chest. “And I’m asking you…to love me in return.”
Before he could answer she heard a female voice say, “Honey, who’s at the door?”
Mona was struck. Who is this woman and why is she calling him honey? As if to answer the unspoken question, the woman appeared wearing black slacks and a beautiful royal-blue sweater. Her hair was pinned up in a bun with a few loose curls falling down the sides. She was extremely attractive and favored Gabrielle Union.
“Oh…uh…honey, this is Mona Lisa, my friend I was telling you about from college,” he responded, placing his hands in his pockets.
“Hello, Mona,” she said, extending her hand. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Mona quickly blinked back the thankfully unshed tears and unconsciously extended her hand to her. The woman looked at Nat when she saw the shock and pain on Mona’s face, waiting for him to provide some clarification.
“Mona, this is Danny, my fiancée.”
Mona almost stumbled and Nat reached out to grab her. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard. When she got her balance, she held on to the guardrail for support and Nat released her.
“This is Danny?” Mona said, trying to be sure she heard him correctly.
“Yes,” Nat said slowly.
“Will she be joining us for dinner?” Danny asked, eyeing the limo in front of their home.
“No,” Mona said quickly. “I won’t.”
“Okay…well, let me go get Cara. It was a pleasure meeting you, Mona.”
Mona just nodded. She was at a loss for words. When Danny disappeared into their home together, she found the words to say, “I thought Danny was your friend.”
“She is. She’s also my life.”
That hurt. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I thought you knew. We even talked about me taking the next step at your house.”
“I’m confused!” she said, rubbing her hands over her forehead, her diamond rings shining like flashlights. “I thought you loved me.”
“I do…but as a friend.”
She was devastated. “So, is…Cara…yours, too?”
“Yes, she’s my daughter.”
Mona had heard enough. He was a liar just like every other man she came in contact with. She felt stupid for ever believing men were any different. She should not have listened to the old lady, her father, or anybody else who told her she should follow her heart. There was nothing else to say. He had deceived her and it would be for the last time.
She ran back to her limousine. The sounds of her high heels clicked loudly against the concrete pavement and rang throughout the neighborhood. She felt Nat running for her, but she wanted nothing more to do with him. And fortunately, he wasn’t quick enough to catch her, because just like that, she was gone.
The tears stopped flowing when she was about fifteen minutes from her house. She was done with men and she was done playing games. She decided to go back to her old ways. Besides, there was nothing wrong with her to begin with, and if people had a problem with her, they could kiss her ass.
The moment she pulled up on the block, she saw the maintenance man walking to his car.
“Hey, Jasmine,” Mona called from the backseat. “Pull up next to him.”
“Sure thing ma’am.”
When she did, she rolled down her window and said, “So…you feel like hanging with me for a minute or two?”
He smiled, walked over to the limo, and got in. “I thought you were dodging me.”
She smelled his cologne and instantly got aroused. “I’m sorry handsome.” She smiled. “Let’s kiss and make up.”
“Are you okay?” he asked. “You look like you’ve been crying.”
“I couldn’t be better. Now, are we gonna talk or get busy?”
He respected her wishes and removed his pants, leaving his shirt on. He moved over to her, his cold hands on her warm legs as he removed her panties. Still on the backseat, she turned around so he could see what he was getting ready to get into. She wanted it doggy style.
He moved toward her and she stopped him short. “Put this on,” she said, handing him a condom.
He did. And when it was on, he grabbed hold of her waist and slid inside her.
Ummm. This is how it should be. This is all they’re good for.
After he brought her to an orgasm she said, “Happy Valentine’s Day. Have a good night.”
“What?” he said, putting his pants back on.
“I said have a good night.”
“You throwing me out?”
“No…I’m sending you home.”
“You know you can’t keep treating people like shit, Mona! One day you’re gonna get what you deserve.”
As she watched him exit the limo she thought to herself, I already have.
When he was gone she fixed herself up and yelled to the driver, “Jasmine…where can I go to get a drink around here?”
&nb
sp; “There’s a really nice place called MoBay. My man, Julian Meyers, is playing sax tonight.”
“Take me there!”
Mona walked slowly into the club. Already she liked the atmosphere. It was crowded, but the crowd was mature, and all well dressed. And the music was soothing. She looked at the saxophone player, a light-skinned man who looked to be in his late twenties, with dreads that hung down his back. Damn, now, he looks sexy as hell, she thought. I might have to add another notch to my belt tonight. Hell, it is Valentine’s Day.
As she scanned the spot for a place to sit, she noticed the three women in her building sharing a table and looking as if they were having a good time. She was contemplating going over to them before her phone vibrated. Looking down at it, she saw she had a message.
Mona. I feel terrible about all of this. I hope you know I would never do anything to mislead you. I hated seeing you that way. Please…please call me. There’s something going on between us that we have to talk about. Nat.
Mona wasn’t dealing with him. He’d already taken everything from her, including six thousand dollars for planning the evening. But what was done was done. She decided to turn her phone off. Looking up at the women, she saw they appeared to be enjoying each other’s company.
Diamond Playgirls Page 28
