by Charae Lewis
“What's that?”
“I need Asia’s number.”
“Unh-unh. I can’t do that. You gon’ have to get it through someone else.”
He smacked his lips. “Come on, Ma. I'm your son, and you're supposed to be on my side,” he argued.
“Listen, that bullshit doesn’t work with me anymore. Get it from somebody else. Now goodbye.”
Rochelle hung up on him. He immediately called back but she sent him directly to voicemail. Dinero was adamant about getting Asia’s number, so he called Aimee. He figured he would try his luck with her since Rochelle had denied his request.
“Hello?”
“Can I speak to Connie Chung?” he joked.
“What does your worrisome ass want now?”
“I need your sister’s number.”
“I can’t give you that. She doesn’t want you to have it, and if she did, she would've given it to you.”
He kissed his teeth. “Why are you acting like that? Just give me the damn number.”
“No. Get off my sister’s dick. You ain't do this much calling for her when y’all were together. Now you see that life after Asia ain't all that great. You should’ve treated her right when you had her.”
“Are you done? Text me her fucking number, Aimee. You’re talking all that shit when I should beat your ass for tasing me. I didn’t forget about that shit.”
Aimee laughed. “I know your ass didn’t forget. I fried your ass like I was the lead cook at KFC.”
“Shut up, wench. I’ll get her number without your fool ass.”
Dinero hung up and started laughing. He knew just the person to get Asia’s number.
****
Asia had just touched down in sunny Miami to visit Trystan. She was supposed to have arrived earlier, but she’d missed her flight. Since his show was scheduled to start at eight o’clock, it only left her two hours to get to the hotel and get ready. Trystan had sent a car service to pick her up from the airport and take her to the hotel. When Asia got to the hotel, she wasted no time getting into the shower. After cleansing her body thoroughly, she applied her makeup and styled her hair.
Since the weather was nice and sunny at seventy degrees, Asia wore a white long sleeve body suit, denim shorts and black high heel sandals. After making sure her appearance was on point, she left the hotel and made her way to the concert venue. It was jammed-packed as Asia walked to the front. When she found her seat, she noticed a familiar face.
“Hey, you're Big’s sister, Danica, right?”
“Yeah. It’s obvious that you're Aimee’s sister. I was about to call Big like Aimee done snuck to Miami on you,” she joked.
Asia giggled. “Now you know Big ain't playing that. But what are you doing down here?”
“I was invited by my best friend. He’s performing tonight.”
“Which one is your friend?” Asia questioned since there were multiple acts.
“Trystan.”
Asia gave her a surprised look. “That’s who I'm here to see too. He invited me down here.”
Danica gave her a side eye. “How do y’all know each other?”
“Well, I work for the label that he’s sign to, and we’re also good friends.”
“Oh okay.”
The women got comfortable in their seats as the show started. It took a while for Trystan to come on stage since there were two acts before him. When he finally arrived, Trystan blazed the stage with hit after hit. He had the crowd rocking, and it didn’t hurt that he looked absolutely sexy with his shirt off. When his show was over, Asia made her way back stage to greet him.
“Damn, your slow ass finally made it,” he spat as Asia hugged him.
“Shut up. I'm here now so stop your whining.”
“Yeah let me chill. You gon’ hang with me tonight?”
“Of course. Oh I didn’t know you and Danica were friends. She’s my sister’s boyfriend’s sister.”
“Yeah me and her been cool for a couple years now. She’s like one of my best friends.”
As if on cue, Danica walked back with a blank look on her face. She walked over to where Trystan and Asia stood and said, “Good show.”
“Thanks. We’re going to LIV. Are you coming with us?” Trystan asked Danica.
She shook her head. “Nah, I'm going back to the hotel. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Why? You said you wanted to come down and kick it before your finals,” he reminded her.
“Yeah, I know, but I'm not feeling well. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Danica walked out of the room, leaving Asia puzzled. Before she’d revealed that she was there to see Trystan, Danica seemed to be in a good mood. It was once Asia revealed that she and Trystan were friends, she seemed to act differently. Asia looked at Trystan with an inquisitive look as he shook his head.
“What's was that all about?” she quizzed.
“I don’t know. I’ll be right back.”
Asia watched as Trystan walked out of the room. There had to be something else going on between the two because Danica wouldn’t act like that if they were truly only friends. She made a mental note to check with Trystan about it. Although they weren’t officially together, she still wanted to make sure that he was always being honest with her. She couldn’t take dealing with another liar.
****
“Aye, Danica, hold up,” Trystan yelled as he jogged to catch her.
Random people began to snap pictures of him, not believing that he was actually outside. Since he didn’t want others to hear their conversation, he pulled Danica in the back of the car service truck.
“Why are you acting like that? You complain when I don’t invite you anywhere, and when I do, you catch an attitude. Tell me what's good?”
Danica took a deep sigh. “Nothing’s wrong, Trystan. I'm just not feeling it tonight.”
“What aren’t you feeling? You don’t like Asia or something?”
“How come you didn’t tell me that she was the one you were dealing with? You know she’s my brother’s baby mama’s twin.”
“Okay, you act like I knew that shit,” he huffed.
“So that’s who you're rocking with now?” she asked with jealousy dripping from her voice.
“Yeah, she’s cool as hell.”
“So y’all together?”
“No, we’re not.” Trystan scratched his head. He couldn’t win for losing with Danica. His only intention was to spend some time with her. He didn’t think that she would be bothered by Asia’s presence. In fact, Danica had been around him numerous times when groupies would throw themselves at him, and she never had a problem. Trystan didn’t want Danica to feel threatened or become jealous because she didn’t have a reason to. “So you're really about to leave? I want you to come out with me.”
“Yeah, I'm gonna go. I don’t feel like partying. Call me in the morning.”
Trystan reluctantly got out of the truck and walked back inside the venue. When he got back stage, Asia was having a conversation with one of his friends. She smiled when he approached.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yeah.”
“Let me ask you this, are you and Danica strictly friends or is there something else?”
“Why did you ask me that?”
“Because she’s obviously bothered that I'm here with you. I know you don’t owe me anything because we’re not together, but if I'm stepping on her toes by dealing with you, then you should let me know. We’re kinda connected because we share a nephew, and I don’t want there to be any animosity between us,” Asia explained.
“I get it. Everything is cool. You don’t need to worry about anything.”
“Are you sure?”
“I'm positive. Now let’s go, so you can get me slapped, and take advantage of me.”
****
Laree arrived at the photo studio feeling excited. She had finally booked her photo shoot with Asia. She’d instructed Laree to come down to the studio that
was under Fabian’s label office. She got out of the car and walked into the building. She spotted Asia setting up the lights for the session. Laree took a moment to marvel at Asia while she wasn’t paying attention. I see why Dinero is still in love with her, she thought.
Asia looked up and smiled when she noticed Laree standing by the door. She walked over with her hand extended. “Hi, I'm Asia. You must be Laree.
Laree shook her hand. “Yes, I am. It’s nice to meet you.”
“You as well. So are these pictures for a specific project that you're working on?”
“Um…yeah, they uh…” she stammered. “There for my new beauty site.”
“Oh… What kind of site? Is it like makeup, hair, or fashion?”
“All three,” Laree lied.
“Okay. Cool. Well, let me get you set up over here. Are you doing an outfit change?”
Laree looked down at her outfit, hoping that it was up to Asia’s standard. “No, I'm not. Is this outfit not good enough?” she asked in a worried tone.
“No, you look fine. I was just asking.”
Asia led Laree over to her designated area. Laree was unsure of what to do, so she stood awkwardly while Asia got her camera ready.
“Okay, honey, you're gonna have to give me something. Maybe put your hands near your face or maybe on your hips.”
Laree did as she was instructed and began to loosen up. Asia took countless pictures of her while she continued to check Asia out on the low. When the session was up, Laree didn’t want to part ways with her just yet.
“So how long have you been a photographer?” she asked in an attempt to spark up a conversation.
“For about three years.”
“So do you like it?”
“I love it and now I get to do it full time which makes me happy.”
“That’s nice. You must be in high demand since you work for Fabian, the rapper.”
“Yeah, kinda, but it’s not overwhelming. So just give me a little time to edit the photos, and they’ll be ready within the next few weeks.”
“Okay. Do you have a card?”
Asia went inside of her purse and retrieved one of her business cards. “Here you go.”
“Thanks. Is this your personal number?”
“Yes.”
“Can I call and check up on the progress of the photos?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
“Okay, well, I look forward to seeing how the pictures come out. It was nice meeting you, Asia. I’ll make sure to give you a shout out on my Facebook page.”
“Thanks. I would appreciate that.”
Laree walked out of the studio and got inside of her car. At first, she only wanted to see what Dinero saw in Asia, but after spending a little bit of time with her, she wanted to get to know her for herself. She seemed like a cool person, and Laree couldn’t help but be interested in a possible friendship with her. She knew Dinero wouldn’t like it, so decided to keep everything on the low.
Chapter Six
“Damn, Laree. Just like that,” Dinero moaned.
She was planted on her knees giving Dinero some of her wet mouth. He was laid back on the bed looking as if he was floating on a cloud. Although she got on his last nerve, Laree’s head game was exceptional. The tricks she performed with her tongue should’ve been illegal. She looked up at Dinero as her tongue slithered down his shaft.
“Am I sucking it right, Daddy?” she purred.
“Nah, I need you to go a lil’ deeper.”
Laree obliged his request and began to deep throat his shaft. Instantly, she started gagging, but she didn’t let that deter her. She continued to let Dinero fuck her throat until she felt his dick pulsate. She hurried and pulled back and started jacking him off. Seconds later, his juices squirted all over her lips. She rubbed his nut in with his dick and then smiled.
“You think you're slick. You know I like for you to swallow.”
“I'm just trying to switch it up,” she explained as she grabbed a towel off the nightstand to wipe her mouth off.
“I don’t like a lot of change. Next time swallow that healthy nut.”
Laree rolled her eyes and then stood. She went into the adjoining bathroom. Dinero sat up lazily with his penis still hanging out of his boxers. He picked up his phone and checked his messages. Laree’s nightstand drawer was slightly ajar when he noticed something. He picked up Asia’s business card with a displeased expression on his face. He also noticed a pill bottle that was filled with pills. He picked it up and read the label. She was prescribed a drug called Paxil, but Dinero was unsure what illness or condition it was used to treat.
Dinero quickly hopped on Google and looked up the drug. When he read that it was used for depression, panic attacks, and anxiety disorders, he smacked his lips. Dinero didn’t know what all of that entailed, but he knew that it wasn’t anything nice. He wasn’t equipped to deal with her mental bullshit. He already had enough going on in his life, and he didn’t need the burden of Laree’s issues.
Laree came out of the bathroom, and stopped in her tracks when she noticed what Dinero was holding. “Dinero, I can explain.”
“You better start talking right fucking now,” he barked.
“I only contacted Asia for my friend who was looking for someone to shoot her maternity pictures.”
“Bullshit! Try again.”
“That’s the truth. I'm not lying,” she insisted.
“Yes, the fuck you are.” He stood and walked over to her. “I thought I told you to leave Asia alone. Why is it so fucking hard for you to follow directions?”
“I was just trying to help my friend.”
“She’s not the only fucking photographer in Milwaukee! Stop playing with me, Laree. And why you didn’t tell me that your ass was crazy?”
She snatched the pill bottle out of his hand, not liking that he’d just called her crazy. “I'm not crazy, Dinero.”
“Yes, you are. I looked up them pills, and they gave me all kinds of crazy illnesses.”
“Being depressed is not crazy and neither is having panic attacks.”
Dinero scoffed. “Yeah, okay. That’s why you were hiding them damn pills. And why is that fucking bottle full? You got that prescription filled months ago. It shouldn’t be that many pills in that damn bottle.”
“Because I only take them when I need them. Mind your own gotdamn business.”
“Nah, bitch, you mind your fucking business. You got a lot of nerve when you're damn near stalking my wife.”
“Ex-wife,” she corrected.
Dinero grabbed his shirt and threw it on. He then put on his pants, shoes and grabbed his phone.
“I'm out of here, but let me say one more thing. If I catch you near Asia, I’ma body your crazy ass. You got it?”
Dinero made sure that the coldness in his eyes told her that he would keep his word. He stuck Asia’s card in his pocket, and then walked out of her house. He didn’t know why he hadn't seen the signs of Laree being a little off before. He couldn’t understand her obsession with Asia. Now that Dinero had seen that she actually took pills, he had to make sure that she didn’t do anything to harm Asia. He didn’t know the severity of her illness, and wasn’t about to take any chances on her hurting his lady.
****
“Hello?” Asia answered in a groggy tone.
“What's up, Asia? This is Fabian. Aye, I have this new artist I just signed, and I want some head shots of her. Do you think you can make that happen within the next hour?”
She looked at her clock located on the nightstand. “Uh…sure. Let me get up and take a shower.”
“A’ight. Bet. I’ll text you the address to where I want the photos taken.”
“Okay. Cool.”
Asia hung up and then hurried to the shower. It was rare for Fabian to call and request her to do a shoot on such short notice. She didn’t mind since he paid her well and helped boost her clientele. After making sure her appearance was up to par, she left out of the hou
se. She cranked her engine and blasted Tink’s “Count it Up.” Asia looked at the address and knew exactly where she was going.
Thirty minutes later, she pulled up to Klode Park and killed the engine. She looked around and didn’t see anyone. Just as Asia was about to text Fabian, she saw Dinero step out of his car and walk over to her. Immediately, she knew this was all a setup.
“This mothafucka…” she whispered and then rolled down her window.
He smiled as he leaned into her window. His cologne invaded her senses as she secretly admired him. Dinero’s dreads were braided to the back while his precisely cut goatee encompassed his full lips.
“Why the hell are you playing with me?” she snapped.
“How am I playing?” he asked with a silly grin. “I need a photo shoot.”
“You need some fucking help. You’re sitting up here wasting my damn time. I’m about to go.” She reached toward the ignition.
“Aye, I booked a shoot with you and I want it. If you leave, I’ma blast your ass on all of your social media sites. I’ll make sure to tell them how unprofessional you are.”
Asia rolled her eyes and sat in deep thought for a moment. She didn’t need any negative feedback for her business. She knew how petty Dinero could be, and she didn’t want to take any chances. So, Asia grabbed her camera, and stepped out of the car. The weather was unusually comfortable for the winter. She could feel Dinero’s eyes roaming up and down her body, which only made her more upset.
“Come on.”
“Damn, you’re getting thick, baby. You got me over here on brick.”
She turned around and shot him a glare. “Since you want to be treated like a client, I need you to be professional. Stop looking at my ass.”
He chuckled. “A’ight, you got that.”
“So you really want me to take pictures of you?”
“Yeah. Take some pictures of my shoes.”
Asia kissed her teeth. “I ain't wasting my film on those lame-ass shoes.”
Dinero laughed hysterically as they walked over to a bench. The couple sat in silence for a brief moment. He took out a blunt and lit the end. Asia fanned the smoke out of her face as her irritation increased. She didn’t want to be that close to Dinero because she was still weak for him. Asia’s defense mechanism was to treat him poorly. She didn’t want him to know that she still loved him with every inch of her being. She didn’t want him to find out that she often thought of him when she was alone. The only thing Asia wanted Dinero to know was how good she had been progressing without him.
