by Charae Lewis
“What the fuck do you think you're doing?!” she barked at him.
Dinero turned around with a stunned look plastered on his face. He had no idea that Asia would pop up on him at the bar. He needed to get control of the situation quickly before it escalated.
“What are you doing here?” he asked getting up from his seat.
Patrons stopped what they were doing to watch the scene before them. Paris and Camara stood next to Asia and mean mugged Cadence, who held a frightened look on her face.
“No, what the hell are you doing and why you got this bitch all over you?” Asia yelled in his face.
“Man, calm down. She wasn’t all over me,” he lied.
“Yes the fuck she was and bitch,” Asia spat and then pointed her finger at Cadence, “Don’t stand there with that dumb ass look on your face. You know that he’s married because I saw your punk ass at the car wash earlier.”
“Dinero and I are just friends…” Cadence began to explain.
“Bitch, my fuckin’ husband can’t have any more friends. As a matter of fact, I should whoop both of y’all asses,” Asia growled and charged into Dinero.
By this time, the crew had come to the front to see what the commotion was. When they saw Asia swinging off on Dinero and Cadence, they hurried and tried to break it up.
“Twin, chill out,” Big said as he held Asia back.
“No, Asia need to whoop this tramp’s ass for being all over her man,” Camara instigated.
“Man, Asia chill. You’re fuckin’ overreacting over nothing,” Dinero hissed adjusting his shirt that Asia had stretched out.
“Fuck you! Let me get the fuck out of here before I tear this damn bar up!” Asia barked as she picked up her purse from the ground and stormed out of the bar.
Dinero decided to go after her, but Keece stopped him. “Bro, you should let her cool off. She looks like she’ll try to stab your ass.”
“Nah, I need to talk to her,” Dinero said and walked out of the bar.
He saw Asia walking down the street, so he decided to jog in order to catch up to her.
“Asia, slow the fuck down.”
Asia spun around and shot her purse at his head. “Stay away from me before I mace your ass.”
Dinero ducked as the purse shot past his head. “Aye, don’t throw nothing else at me. Why you trippin’?”
“Why am I trippin’? You just had a bitch with her arm locked into yours and you have the audacity to ask me that question. And then this is the same hoe that was at your car wash earlier. You done lost you damn mind,” she hissed.
“That wasn’t shit. I don’t even like her ass like that. You don’t have nothing to worry about,” he assured her and started to walk nearer.
Asia pushed him away from her not wanting to be that close to him. “Don’t touch me, Dinero because you just pissed me off with that sneaky shit you just pulled. Leave me the fuck alone,” she quipped and grabbed her purse.
Dinero sighed as he watched Asia hop into her car and speed off. He had been caught red-handed, and he knew that he was wrong. Even though he had no idea that Asia would come up to the bar, he still shouldn’t have been in Cadence’s company. The fear of Asia leaving him caused an unsettling feeling to reside in the pit of his stomach.
He took out his phone and sent her an “I'm sorry” text. After sending the text, Dinero walked back into the bar. Everyone had gotten back to the drinks and conversation. Dinero didn’t see Cadence anywhere, so he figured that she’d left. He walked to the back and walked over to the table with his brothers. Paris and Camara were giving him dirty looks while his brothers smirked at him. Kiyan finally broke the silence with a ball of laughter.
“What the fuck you laughing at?” Dinero hissed.
“You, nigga. We told your dumb ass to chill on that bitch, but you didn’t listen,” Keece interjected.
Dinero waved his hand dismissively. “I wasn’t even doing shit.”
“Y’all did look awfully cozy, Dinero. If the shoe was on the other foot, you would've been pissed if it was Asia,” Paris added.
“Nah, I would've been shooting if it was Asia,” Dinero corrected her.
“Your lil’ girlfriend scurried out of here with her scary ass,” Camara said and laughed.
Paris chuckled. “She did, though. She’s not about that life.”
“Bro, what you gon’ do? Asia’s probably calling Aimee getting her all hyped up and shit. Now every time you fuck up I gotta deal with my girl, shit,” Big shot while shaking his head causing everyone to laugh.
“Man, I'm gone,” Dinero announced and then left the bar.
He prayed that Asia was home because if she wasn’t, Dinero had no problem going to find her. He would be willing to take the tongue lash that Asia was going to give out, as long as he knew that she was at home with him.
****
Asia paced back and forth while she gave Aimee the rundown of what happened at the bar. She’d come home to find herself frustrated that she didn’t do more damage to the woman who had been hanging all over Dinero. They’d only been married a little over a month and Dinero was already showing his ass. Catching Dinero with another woman left Asia with a bitter taste in her mouth. She wasn’t willing to deal with him being unfaithful to her no matter how much she loved him. Asia’s intentions had been to go to the bar to inform him of her recent booking, not come to blows with him and another bitch.
“So she actually had her arm locked into his? Ooh girl, I wish I could be there. While you would've been whooping Dinero’s ass, I would've been whooping hers,” Aimee angrily spat.
“Sis, I was trying to tag team both of their asses. That bitch was scary looking anyway. Ugh, I don’t have time for this shit,” Asia huffed.
“It’s okay, Asia. At least you didn’t catch him kiss her and then go into a house with her for two hours,” Aimee offered, referring to when she’d caught Big cheating on her.
“Yeah, but it still hurts that she was all over him, and he allowed it. My heart dropped when I saw that shit.”
“Yeah, I understand. Well, what are you going to do? Leave him?”
Asia could hear the front door open and shut. Suddenly, her rage returned as she heard Dinero’s footsteps coming up the stairs.
“Girl, I gotta go. I hear his bitch ass coming up the stairs,” Asia said rushing off the phone.
“Okay, girl let me know if I gotta come over with the taser.”
“Okay bye,” Asia said and hung up.
Seconds later, Dinero walked into the room wearing his signature smirk.
“What the fuck are you smirking for? Ain’t shit funny!” Asia snapped.
“Why I gotta be a bitch ass? I heard you talking about me to your sister,” he chuckled.
“Because you are and don’t come in here like shit is all cool. I should slap your lips off your damn face.”
“Asia, you need to calm down. You’re making it seem like she was sitting on my lap or something,” Dinero argued.
Asia walked up on him. “So you're really going to downplay what I saw? How do you really know her?”
“I told you I went to high school with her.”
“Did y’all fuck?”
After she asked that question, Dinero diverted his eyes. She shook her head already knowing the answer to his question.
“No need to answer that. Your guilty ass face gave it away.”
Dinero grabbed Asia and pulled her into his arms. “Asia, that bitch is old news. Don’t make this to be bigger than what it is. The only person I want is you.”
Asia looked into his eyes and almost fell victim to his sexy gaze. She wanted to believe him, but every time she thought about the woman who was all over him, Asia got upset all over again.
She squirmed out of his embrace and backed away from him. “I'm sleeping in the other room and don’t bring your ass in there,” she quipped and walked out.
Dinero sighed and then walked over to the bed. Asia had a terrible attitude, a
nd the last thing he wanted to do was deal with her shit. Yes, he had been caught with his ex-girlfriend, but it wasn’t like they were fucking.
Their dog, Nero jumped on the bed with Dinero and sat next to him. Dinero began to rub his head.
“Your mama on some bullshit, Nero,” he told the dog.
Asia busted back into the room with a wicked look on her face. “Come on, Nero.”
The dog jumped off of the bed and followed Asia out of the room. Dinero chuckled and shook his head.
“Her petty ass.”
Chapter Nine
Cadence sat in the living room and listened as her mother and aunt talked about her. She’d told them all about the bar scene with Dinero, and they couldn’t resist adding in their two cents. It had been a week since the incident and Cadence hadn't heard a peep from Dinero. She wanted to reach out to him so bad, but she didn’t want to cause more trouble between him and Asia.
“So you let his wife run up on y’all? You're supposed to meet somewhere discreet like a hotel or even a duck off spot,” Carlotta schooled her.
“Ma, I didn’t know his wife would pop up on us,” Cadence explained.
“That’s why you're supposed to meet somewhere more private, girl,” Cherry added.
Cadence blew out an exasperated breath. She wished she would've never got them involved with her quest to get back with Dinero. They were stressing Cadence out with their unwanted opinions.
“So have you talked to him? What’s your next move?” Carlotta asked.
Cadence shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t think it’s worth it to pursue him. It’s not right.”
Carlotta smacked her lips. “You're always so quick to give up. Stop being a punk!”
“It’s not about being a punk. I don’t wanna be a homewrecker. I love Dinero, but he seems like he really loves his wife and I don’t think I can compete with that.”
“Damn girl, where is your confidence? You ain't nothing like me and your mama,” Cherry scoffed.
“You're right about that,” Cadence replied curtly.
“Hey,” Carlotta said pointing her cigarette at her. “Don’t get slick. Shit, you asked for our opinions.”
“Ma, all I'm trying to say is that I'm not cut out for the job. I think it’s best to let him go,” Cadence said sadly.
“Why don’t you just think about it for a couple days before you make a decision?” Carlotta asked in a much softer approach.
Cadence wasn’t stupid. She knew her mother was pushing her to get back with Dinero because she knew that he had money. In her Carlotta’s eyes, she only saw him as a money train. Cadence didn’t care about Dinero’s money at all. She just wanted her man back. It was hard for her to convey her feelings about him to her mom because all she thought about was the money.
Without speaking, Cadence got up and went to her bedroom. She shut the door and laid down in her bed. When she’d told her mom that she would let Dinero go, Cadence knew in her heart that it was a lie. She’d spent ten years without him, and she would give it her all before she walked away from him again. She pulled out her phone and stared at their last text message. Cadence wanted to reach out to him so badly, but she thought that it may be best to give him more time.
The first thing Cadence planned to do was look for her own place to live. She was too old to be living with her mom. She desperately needed her privacy and Cadence knew that she wouldn’t get it while living with her mother. Because Cadence was Carlotta’s only child, she always tried to keep her close. For the most part, Cadence didn’t have a problem with it but now that she was getting older, she needed to be more independent.
She pulled out her laptop and got on Craigslist in search of a new residence.
****
Asia was posted at the studio as she awaited Fabian’s arrival. Today was the day of her photo shoot, and she was still on cloud nine. Although she was excited, Asia was extremely nervous. She wanted everything to be perfect and prayed that Fabian loved the photos she delivered. While texting Aimee, she got a text from Dinero.
Husband: Why you not answering my calls?
Asia rolled her eyes harder than she’d ever had. She was still not talking to Dinero. It had been a week since the bar incident, and she was still upset with him. Dinero tried relentlessly to talk with her, but she continued to ignore him.
Asia: You don’t deserve to hear my voice.
Husband: Come on Soo Yung. I wanna talk to you.
Asia released a deep sigh then dialed his number. She didn’t want to give in too easily, but secretly, she’d missed conversing with him. After three rings he finally answered.
“Damn, a nigga gotta beg you just to answer the phone. What part of the game is that?” he spat.
Asia sucked her teeth. “What do you want? I'm busy.”
“You too busy for me?”
“Um, yeah I am. Plus you know I'm not fucking with you right now.”
“I know. That’s why I wanna take you out tonight. You gon’ let me?”
Asia rolled her eyes but deep down she was happy that Dinero was trying to at least make up for his wrongdoings.
“Where are we going?”
“Don’t worry about that. Just have on something sexy for me,” he demanded.
“I don’t know why because I'm not fucking you!” she snapped not believing her own words.
“That’s what your mouth says, but you need the dick as bad as I need the pussy. Stop playing yourself.”
Asia smiled because Dinero was right. She had been way past horny and in desperate need of some steamy sex. While her mind said she didn’t want to fuck Dinero, her body was telling her something different.
“Why are you so quiet? You know I'm right,” he said cockily.
“Whatever. What time should I be dressed?”
“Around eight and don’t wear no panties either.”
“Bye Dinero,” she said and hung up.
Just as she was hanging up, she spotted a woman walking in with a rack of clothes. She was gorgeous with her umber colored skin and dark slanted eyes. The lady walked over to Asia and stuck her hand out.
“Are you the photographer? I'm Kylie, the stylist,” she introduced herself.
Asia shook her hand. “Yes, I'm Asia. It’s nice to meet you.”
Kylie noticed the ring on her finger and lifted it up to get a better view. “Girl, did you know that you're wearing my jewelry line? Are you married?”
“Yeah, I am. You design jewelry too?”
“Well, that’s my main job now. I'm not a stylist anymore, but because my husband is so spoiled, he requests that I style him for all of his shoots.”
“So you're Fabian’s wife?” Asia questioned.
“Yes, I am,” Kylie beamed.
“Oh wow! I think it’s so cool that you guys work together.”
“Yeah, it is. Since Fabian has his own label, he doesn’t have to pay full price for a stylist since my cousin, and I have our styling company. It actually works out for the both of us since the other stylists get exposure because they work with someone like Fabian.”
Asia smiled. “Wow, you guys are building an empire. I'm inspired.”
“Aww, thank you. Braylon and Sheek have been raving about you so I can’t wait to see how the photos come out,” Kylie mentioned.
Asia sighed. “I'm so nervous right now. I just want them to be pleased with my work.”
Kylie waved her hand. “Girl, you’ll be fine. Fabian is really easy to work with believe it or not. I'm sure he’ll love it. Here he comes now.”
Asia looked back to see Fabian walk in with two other people. He was handsome as ever with his low cut fade and matching beard. He leaned over to get a kiss from Kylie, but she stopped him.
“What?”
“You're not my friend. You just came back from Chicago, and you didn’t bring me any Garrett’s. We’re not cool,” she said with laughter in her voice.
Fabian chuckled. “I promise I’ll have some shipped to you
tomorrow.”
“Okay, now we cool again,” she said and kissed him.
Asia smiled at the interaction between the two. They seemed like they were really in love with each other. Seeing Kylie and Fabian together made Asia think about the current state of her marriage. She prayed that Dinero got himself together quickly because she had no problem leaving him.
“You must be Asia. It’s nice to meet you. My brother gassed you so you gotta come with that work,” Fabian joked.
“Oh Lord,” Asia said laughing. “I'm going to try.”
“Girl, you got this and if he gives you a hard time, I’ll get up in his ass,” Kylie kidded.
“Picture that. You know who runs shit,” Fabian retorted.
“Any who.” Kylie rolled her eyes. “Let’s go get you dressed.”
After Fabian was dressed, he came back on set where Asia began to work. She was very surprised at how easy it was to work with him. She would've thought someone of his caliber would have been a nightmare to shoot. But he was the complete opposite. After showing Fabian a little preview of the shots, they all wrapped up to go home.
“Hey Asia, we’re throwing Fabian a birthday dinner next month. You should come with your husband,” Kylie told her.
“I would love to. Here take down my number.”
After Asia gave Kylie her contact information, she packed up her things and left. She had to mentally prepare for her night with Dinero, starting with a long bath.
Chapter Ten
Dinero walked into the house a little after eight o’ clock. He had been anticipating his date with Asia all day. She had been literally giving him her ass to kiss all week, so when she agreed to go out with him, he was relieved.
Dinero walked upstairs to find Asia sitting at the foot of the bed with her face buried in her phone. He couldn’t help but lick his lips at the sight of her. Asia was wearing a nude, off the shoulder dress with long sleeves. The hem stopped right at her knees showcasing her firm calves. For her footwear, she donned a pair of nude caged heels. Asia’s hair was styled in a bun that accentuated her Asian features.
“Damn, you look good,” Dinero complimented her.
Asia gave him an interested look then went back to browsing on Instagram.
