by Tiana Laveen
“Sky!” her friend Toi yelled out as if she were standing fifty miles away, with her drunk ass. “Come to the bathroom with me. I gotta piss…” Toi wiggled out of the booth, not waiting for an answer. Sky leisurely placed her hookah pen down on the table and grabbed her purse. “Save my seat,” she said to her friend Candace, who was sitting right next to her.
When Toi stood, her green skirt had ridden to the top of her ass and exposed two big butt cheeks that were chewing up a G-string like the crack of her behind was named Jaws. Sky screamed her friend’s name, but the lady didn’t hear her. She wrapped her hands around her mouth for extra amplification, but that didn’t help either. All their other friends did was point, gawk, and laugh as Toi wobbled away, her bright red weave swaying back and forth like Ariel’s, the little mermaid.
“Toi! Hey, Toi! Slow down! Fix your dress!” But Toi kept on moving, staggering back and forth like a bobblehead. “Bitch! Ya ass is showing!” Several men paused and smirked, some a little too long for her comfort, their faces like hungry vipers and rattle snakes out on the prowl for prey.
“What are you lookin’ at, bum?!” Sky screamed, not liking the greasy grins on their faces.
“Don’t get mad at us, shortie!” a stout one yelled over the booming music. “She’s the one with that thang hangin’ out! Yo! Look at that ass! I wonder if she got room for one more. Heeeeey, baby! Lemme eat the booty like groceries!” All of his friends bust out laughing.
Sky turned away, suddenly realizing that the gap between her and Toi was even greater now due to the idiots she’d wasted time with. She huffed and chased after the woman, who was moving about in a zig zag fashion amongst a rowdy, thick crowd of intoxicated fools. The place was packed practically wall to wall—the spot was particularly popular. This bar inside Club Fallen Angel had some of the best drinks for the prices, and there was a restaurant on the premises, as well as an area where they did live shows and comedy. It was the place to be. She finally caught up with the woman and yanked her arm.
“Finally!” Sky blustered. “I never would’ve thought your drunk ass could move so fast!” Sky huffed, a bit out of breath.
“Wha…? Why are you jerking me around like that?!” Toi said with an attitude, her hand on her hip.
“Did you not feel the breeze, Toi? Ya ass is hangin’ out!”
Sky reached for the hem of the dress and tugged it down like a window blind, with both hands. The woman pursed her lips, then burst out laughing.
“Ohhhh, girl! I ain’t even know.”
Sky rolled her eyes, wrapped her arm around Toi’s, and headed towards the john. She hissed in annoyance once she saw there was a rather lengthy line. Still, they stood, waiting their turn.
“Mmmm, giiiirl,” Toi slurred as she held her stomach, her face tight like she smelled a bucket of shit. “I don’t feel so good…”
“Awwww, hell!” Sky ran her hand up and down her friend’s back. “Just hold tight… COME ON! If anybody is in here just reading on their damn phone while sittin’ on the toilet, get up and mooove! Got a sick girl, here!” Minutes later, Sky was standing in the stall with the woman, holding that red weave in one hand and staring up at the ceiling, silently asking herself, ‘Why me?’ as Toi vomited her entire life away.
“It must’ve been the Long Island!” she said between choking and coughing.
“It must’ve been all ten of them, then… I told you that you were drinking too much. Do you feel better now?” Toi nodded, then moaned. “Come on, get on your feet. Let’s get you cleaned up and out of here.”
Helping Toi to the bathroom sink, she practically dunked the woman’s face in the rushing, cold water. With one hand, Sky dug around in her purse, found a ponytail holder at the bottom of her red Coach bag, and looped it through the cherry colored tresses.
“Oh, God…” Toi sat up, gripping the sink with both hands and looking downright pathetic. The woman stared at her in the mirror, latching on to her reflection with sad, sullen eyes. “You’re such a goooood friend, Sky. Thank you, bitch… thank you so fuckin’ much. You good people, yo…”
“Mmmm hmmm.” Sky rolled her eyes. Hooking her arm around her friend’s waist, she helped her out of the restroom. “Let’s get you back to the table, then home.”
A few minutes later, Sky reached the VIP area she’d recently vacated, only to see that most of her friends, with the exception of Scarlet, were gone.
“They’re dancing,” Scarlet explained between sips of her wine. “They probably won’t be back for a minute because they’re not trying to leave tonight without promises of a hookup.”
Scarlet set her wine glass down and looked like a boss bitch if Sky had ever seen one. The woman sat there holding a hookah in one hand and rubbing her bald head with the other. Large gold earrings hung from her lobes and she looked completely disenchanted, as if her mind were somewhere else.
Sky helped Toi sit down for a spell and planned her exit strategy.
“Scarlet, I am not about to chase them all around. tell them I said bye.” She pointed to the dancefloor. Her friends were lost in the swarming crowd. “I am going to call a Lyft and get Toi to her place, then go home my damn self. Are you coming?” Scarlet blew smoke from her hookah and shook her head. Khia’s ‘Next Caller’ came on, causing a ruckus on the dancefloor.
“Mmmm mmm, baby. You all go on. I’m tryna get me a sugar daddy, secure a bag.”
Sky burst out laughing. “Girl, what are you talking about?”
“See, I’m out here making moves, Sky.” The woman’s eyes grew dark as she smirked. “The owner is about to make an appearance and I heard he likes our type…” She winked and rubbed her index finger across the back of her hand. “This is a big ballin’, White mothafucka. He’s a bachelor, easy on the eye, no fuckin’ kids, and he tosses money like it ain’t nothin’ but a thing!” The lady cackled. After a brief glance at her cellphone, she shot her a mischievous grin, then crossed her long, shapely legs.
Sky shook her head. “You are a trip! I’ve been here a half a dozen times and never met him. Who told you he is coming?”
“Brittany. She said every Saturday night he stops by the front door area of the club, but most times, he comes in and talks to a few of the patrons, kind of like checking in. When he does that, he always comes over to the VIP tables. Why do you think I paid extra and got us this shit tonight? Oh yaaasss, bitch. It’s about to be on and poppin’. His name is Lazarist Zander. Is that sexy or what? I’ve never seen him in person, but he’s tall they say… and a freak… and his ex-wife was some famous porn star.”
Sky wrinkled up her nose at that.
“Girl, that man probably got a disease that nobody has even heard of! Fucking a porn star? Next!”
“Baby, please!” Scarlett waved her off. “Porn stars are some of the most tested people in the world. We’re the dirty mothafuckas.” The woman rolled her eyes as if she were personally insulted. “Anyway, this is about the time they say he arrives.” Scarlet perked up, reached in her purse, and pulled out her lipstick.”
“All right then, well, I’m going to get Toi home.” She glanced over at her friend who was now sitting only half way up, her eyes closed and her complexion ashen, turning green. With a sigh, she turned towards the front door of the club, where rolls of red and white smoke filled the area.
What the hell is going on?
People began to hop up and down as Cardi B’s ‘I Like It’ blasted through the club speakers. A small light from the front of the place caught her eye. The door had opened and someone walked in, making the entire club fill with a crazy energy just from his presence. A tall, broad-shouldered White man was twirling a sparkling white cane. He was dressed in an expensive gray suit with a navy tie, and donning one hell of a swaggerlicious smirk as he began to stroll about. He moved slow and easy, like a big ass lion on the prowl. The man removed a hat from his head and out tumbled a mass of dark locks. People began to walk towards him, surrounding him like long lost loved ones, their fa
ces painted with grand smiles and looks of admiration.
Shiiiit… I bet that’s him.
As if in slow motion, Scarlet turned around to see where Sky’s eyes had landed. Her friend rested her peepers on the man in question and a shit-eating smile split her face. Just as Scarlett predicted, the man made his rounds, and they both watched, for different reasons of course. Sky found this display downright intriguing. Human behavior had always been a source of interest for her, especially when the mob mentality was playing out right before her eyes. People fawned over him like he was some celebrity, and perhaps in his own way, he was. He seemed to feed off the energy, overdosing on it, maybe even needing it. Sky tilted her head to the side and admitted to herself that he was spellbinding…
There was just something in the way he moved, the way he smiled, and the way he interacted that made him a source of curiosity.
“Girl… here your friend comes. Secure the bag,” Sky teased as she shook her head and tried to break the transfixing spell the man had on her.
Laughing, Scarlet stood to her feet, holding a glass of red wine and waiting her turn. She pulled at the top of her dress, forcing it down to reveal more of her ample cleavage. Oh yes, the bitch was ready. Sky glanced at Toi who was now sound asleep, her forehead planted on the table. Grimacing, she turned away and watched Scarlet prepare to work this shit to death.
“Hello, ladies!” the man shouted over the music. His rich, musky cologne floated past her, awakening her senses. “My name is Lazarist Zander, owner of the Fallen Angel Nightclub and restaurant. Are you having a good time?”
He stood with his legs rather far apart, jammed his cane beneath his armpit, and stood there reeking of charm. Scarlet moved so close to the guy, he probably had little room to breathe.
“We most certainly are.”
The guy grinned in a tight sort of fashion as she pushed up closer to him and then, that smile slowly faded when he turned towards the table and caught a glimpse of Toi.
“Hmmm, not all of you it seems are having a good time… is she okay? Should we call for help?”
He pointed at Toi, who looked deceased. The slight rise and fall of her back gave her away, though.
“She’s asleep… a bit too much to drink,” Sky spoke up, trying to usher the conversation in the right direction. “But, uh, Scarlett here, my friend, has been dancing all night at your club and having a great time! Haven’t you, Scarlet?”
“I sure have…” Her friend licked her upper lip in a slow, seductive way. “In fact, I was just going to—”
“That’s wonderful,” the man abruptly cut her off. He looked at Scarlet almost dismissively, but took her hand and kissed it, then turned back in Sky’s direction. “How about you though… Have you been having a good time?”
He let Scarlet’s hand slip away and moved closer to her, holding his cane now at both ends as his piercing light blue eyes stared daggers into her. Sky swallowed and glanced up at the towering man, able to see him much better now.
His hair was dark brown and cropped at the sides. A low cut beard and mustache complimented his keen features and his lower lip was plush and suckable. He moved his leg a bit as if readjusting himself and she could see his damn dick imprint…
Huge.
Taking her hand, he kissed it, too. She could feel Scarlet’s eyes on her; in some way perhaps she felt betrayed, but what could she do?!
“I, uh, yes… definitely having a good time. I need to get my friend home though. Going to call a Lyft, you know, and make sure she gets in safe.”
The man glanced back towards the table with a look of concern.
“Yes, I can see that’s an issue. I tell ya what.” He clapped his hands one time as if coming up with a novel idea. “I will take care of it. I will have one of my employees, whom I trust, ensure she gets home. He’ll drive her himself. But, uh, you though…” He looked her up and down and pointed his finger in her direction as if it were some gun. “You look awfully familiar. I never forget a face. What’s your name, baby?”
“Sky…”
“Sky what?” He sounded authoritative, like some principal who dared her to not give him the information he so desired.
“Sky Jordan.”
“Hmmm, I see. Do you come here often?” His eyes narrowed on her during his inquisition.
“No… only on occasion.” Scarlet cleared her throat. Loudly.
“But Scarlet here is a loyal patron! You see, she—”
“Thank you, Scarlet. I appreciate that. I’ll get you a free drink.” He nodded to her friend, but then turned away before Scarlet could respond. It was brutal to witness…
“I want to thank you for coming out tonight, Sky. What an absolute pleasure. Here, take my card.” The man slipped his hand in his pocket and removed a glossy business card. He placed it in her palm and closed her fingers over it, never once taking his eyes off her. “You’re beautiful, you know? I saw you as soon as I walked in…”
“Oh. Well, uh, thank you.” She offered a watered down smile, but inside, her heart was thumping a mile a minute.
“I want to talk to you privately when you have time… one on one.” He slowly released her hand and took several steps back, twirling that cane like a baton. “I want you to call me, okay? Promise me you will…” His black, thick brows dipped.
“Oh… we’ll see,” She shot Scarlet a glance and caught the woman staring daggers at her. “I have a boyfriend, but Scarlet is single… and ready to mingle.” She laughed nervously.
“Boyfriend?” The man rolled his eyes dismissively. “Well, if that’s your thing, that’s fine, but I’m not a boy, Sky… there’s no comparison. I don’t play games and plastic trains aren’t my thing. When you want to talk to a man, you call me, all right? I look forward to hearing from you. Good night.”
He then turned and walked away, disappearing into the smoke and the crowd.
Whew, Lord… all right… okay… that was intense!
Sky dared to look over at Scarlet. The woman was sitting back down in the booth, holding her hookah and shaking her head.
“Girl! I am so sorry! I wasn’t flirting with him or anything. I just—”
“Oh, shut up, Sky.” The woman cackled. “I know… shit,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “He chose you, point blank, period. It wasn’t your fault.”
Less than ten seconds later, a man came over dressed in a dark suit.
“Is there a Toi here?”
“Yes, uh, she’s the one knocked out at the table. Are you the driver, I mean, employee he mentioned? We actually don’t need one anymore now. I’m not staying. I’m going to go ahead and—”
“No, Mr. Zander gave strict instructions that I am to escort both of you home, free of charge. Is there a Scarlett here as well?”
“Yes.” Her friend perked up a bit.
“Great. All of your drinks are on the house this evening. The bill is wiped clean. Mr. Zander sends his regards. Oh, and he wanted me to remind you, Sky, to call his number on the card to make sure you and your friend got home safely. He said he didn’t care how late it was. Please, just do so.”
Scarlet’s smile quickly faded.
“Okay, uh, let me get her up.” Scarlet seemed to quickly recover and push her pride aside, for she jumped in and helped to get Toi on her feet, then slumped back down into her seat. “Scarlet, I’ll call you tonight as soon as I get home, okay?”
“You better. I want to make sure you’re safe, too.” She winked in her direction and blew her a kiss.
Sky felt a bit better that it appeared Scarlet wasn’t devastated by the blow. After all, her friend was a gorgeous woman who got attention wherever she went. The night hadn’t gone remotely close to planned for any of them, Sky imagined. Moments later, she and the driver were walking Toi away towards the exit. As she neared the door, she caught a glimpse of Mr. Zander out the corner of her eye.
“Sweet dreams, beautiful!” he yelled out.
When she turned completely in the dir
ection of the voice to respond, there was no one there.
What a strange turn of events…
CHAPTER THREE
I Don’t Know Karate, But I Know Ka-raaaazy!
LAZARIST GRIPPED THE cold steel bar and bent at the waist. Sweat tickled his flesh, dripped off his form, and soaked into the white fabric of his karategi, some onto the light oak wooden planks of the floor. Lazarist took pride in his eighth-degree black belt status in the art of karate. He was striving for his ninth, but with his schedule as of late, he wasn’t certain how realistic it was to keep up such rigid training.
I’ll try anyway… Gotta do this. I want it.
“Thanks… I’ll see you all later.” Standing straight, he waved goodbye at the others, exhaustion taking over.
He turned away from the room filled with fellow students and the sensei, their lesson still not over with a few minutes to spare, and grabbed his gym bag. He cursed under his breath when he recalled he had to take Miller to Tae Kwon Do practice. Miller was the son of his best friend, Tobias French, who was preparing to go out of the country on business that evening for several days. Tobias and Miller’s mother were no longer together; besides, it was Tobias’ week for custody, so someone had to step in and assist. The nanny could only be expected to do so much.
He headed towards the bathroom to splash his face with some much-needed cool water, sip from his stainless steel water bottle, and simply breathe. Things had been happening in record speed—changing. He hated surprises, but it seemed every other day, there was some emergency or issue he had to address in the trenches. He’d made a lot of damn money over the years, and he had important connections, his network now like a finely tuned web. Yet, the little free time he possessed was shrinking more and more. At times he daydreamed of surrendering to his natural laziness—something he’d never admit to anyone but himself. He’d take a two week vacation to do absolutely nothing but sleep in all day, enjoy the nightlife, and fuck until the sun rose.
But, when Lazarist was passionate about something, he’d work himself to the bone and become fixated to the point of obsession. Everyone on his team knew this too.
