Southern Gossip: A Complicated Love Story

by Tiece

  He smiled staring at her sexy, cola body frame as she stood in front of his desk. “How are you tonight?”

  “I’m good. I’m just ready to get back on the stage, though.” She put her hand on her hip. “I’m missing out on my money.”

  Marlon grinned. He loved that about Sugar. She was certainly driven and money hungry, but she’d do anything for him. “I know you are.”

  “Unless you’re planning on making up by letting me give you some private dances then you better hire somebody fast.” She said with a wink knowing their history.

  “If I have too I will,” Marlon said with a handsome smile. He knew he had a sweet tooth for Sugar and she did too for him being that they were once undercover lovers just a few years prior when she worked at a strip bar outside of the city.

  She grinned at his comment. “Yeah right,” she said. “Since you made it official with Jennifer, it’s been strictly business with us.”

  “That’s because she knows about our history. I can’t disrespect her like that while knowing she comes here from time to time.” He reminded her. “You know I’m not that guy.”

  “I understand.” She said knowing that he’d always have a high level of respect for his lady.

  “Why isn’t the VIP section packed?” he asked looking back at his computer screen.

  Sugar walked around the desk, standing closely behind him to get a look at the VIP Den. Her big breast almost spilling out of her tank top had Marlon rubbing his manhood to keep him calm. “The reserved spots haven’t made it here yet, but uh, that’s Nia Green and her crew. She reserved a spot in the den earlier this week. Serenity Foster reserved a section, party of four, earlier this week too, but they haven’t showed up yet. And then your cousin called in and shut down any spots left.” She said with a soft smile. “I just figured that your brother was showing up here tonight.”

  “Yep, he sure is.” He said remembering that anytime A’keem was in the den on a Saturday night he’d close down VIP, prior reservations and all unless the prior reservists were women.

  “Jerome should’ve had the VIP CLOSED sign posted at the door. You didn’t see it?”

  “Nah, I didn’t see it. That’s why it surprised me to see a packed house, but the VIP Den wasn’t. That’s unheard of here.”

  “I know right,” Sugar commented knowing that anyone sitting in VIP definitely had the best seats in the den. The eight white leather sectionals were matched with black ice glass tables sitting directly in front of them. A bottle of Dom Perignon inside a champagne bucket filled with ice sat on top of each table. The VIP section also had the pleasure of being graced with an exotic dancer for fifteen minutes, at least five different times throughout the night. Sugar would usually hold down that hour and fifteen minutes of stage time all by herself, working that pole like nobody’s business. Marlon zoomed in on Nia Green and her lady friends as they enjoyed their bottle of champagne.

  “Damn, I didn’t realize that was Nia Green with her hair short like that.” He said always remembering her with long hair hanging down her back.

  “Her long hair probably was a weave,” Sugar commented with light laughter.

  Marlon grinned. “Why does every black woman with long hair have weave? I mean, just because you do,” he teased making her hit him on the arm.

  “Hey Boss,” Spice said peeking in the door. “Someone is here to apply for the waitress position.”

  Sugar smiled. “What are you waiting for? Bring her on back.” She said.

  Marlon grinned at Sugar as the cute light skinned girl appeared at the door. “Come on in.” Marlon said. “Have a seat.”

  “No, don’t sit down yet.” Sugar cut in. “Le’me look you over.” She said walking around the lady who had on a black mini skirt, black pumps, and a pink fitted old navy tank top. She appreciated the curves around her thick hips and breast. The lady was certainly cute with very pretty eyes. Marlon sat back knowing that Sugar would take over this interview.

  “Have you ever worked as a waitress?” Sugar asked.

  “Yes, for about four years total.” The lady responded.

  “Do you have a good memory?” Sugar questioned.

  “I sure do. Probably one of the best,” she assured her.

  “Are you okay working in an environment such as this one?”

  “Yes, I have no problem working here. I think it’s really nice in here. I love the atmosphere.” the lady said.

  “Do you have some bartender skills?” Sugar questioned.

  “I was the top Mixologist at my last job.” She responded.

  “A Mixologist huh,” Sugar said still walking around the lady as if she was in boot camp. She looked over at Marlon who was somewhat impressed. “Well,” Sugar said looking for him to cut in at any time.

  “Okay, you’re hired.” He said.

  “BUT, only if you can start tonight though,” Sugar added. “Your shift doesn’t end until three.”

  “Yes! I’d love to start right away.” The lady happily stated.

  “I’ll need you to fill out the application after your shift tonight so I can check your employment history and references.” The lady smiled with a pleasant nod of the head. “Well, my name is Marlon. This is Sugar, and you are?”

  “Fen,” she stated. “Just call me Fen.” Marlon looked over at Sugar.

  “Well, it’s not the usual name you’d expect to hear around here, but it’s edgy and it fits her.” Sugar said.

  Marlon smiled. “Fen it is.” He said, shaking her hand. She smiled, feeling really giddy being in his presence. He was indeed the chocolate surprise she’d imagined him to be in person.

  “Welcome to the Lion’s Den.” He said.

  “Fen,” Sugar called out breaking her gaze at Marlon. “I see you read the help wanted ad and wore what was asked, however pink tanks are worn on Friday nights. Follow me and I’ll get you a white tank top with the logo on it. Tonight you can shadow me and I’ll show you the ropes. I’ll train you personally for the rest of the week and by next weekend you should be on your own.”

  Fen smiled. “Thanks, I can’t wait to begin,” she said feeling all too good to have gotten the position so easily. She followed Sugar down the long hallway and into the dressing room. She could hear the DJ on the microphone introducing Spice, the naughty nice nurse, followed by a shout out to A’keem, Evan, and Flow as they entered the VIP Den. Fen’s face lit up. The butterflies were turning nonstop inside of her belly as she could feel the wheels set in motion. Now my real job begins, she thought.

  Chapter 8

  Inside the dressing room at the Lion’s Den, Sugar looked over at Fen as she stood in the body mirror admiring her new look. She liked the way that Sugar had added a touch of make-up on her face and pulled her wavy hair down from the ponytail. The loose shoulder length hair gave her a sexy enticing look. Fen loved it as she looked over at Sugar and smiled.

  “I can tell that you’re not used to dressing like this.” Sugar commented.

  Fen grinned. “I’m more of a plain Jane and the restaurants and bars that I used to work at didn’t have us dressing in skirts as short as these.” She said looking in the mirror at her ass cheeks almost hanging from underneath the skirt. “But I can get use to this.” She smiled still watching herself.

  “You have no choice if you’re gonna work here.” Sugar smartly remarked. “Plus, this is the skimpiest you’ll ever dress unless you decide to become a dancer and if so, we’re only allowed to perform topless. We have to leave something to the imagination, even if it’s just a little something.” Fen laughed. “Now come on and get out that mirror. You’re looking very cute.” She said grabbing her mini notepad off of one of the make-up booth tables. “Let’s go. You have a lot to learn my dear.” Sugar led the way out of the dressing room as an eager Fen followed the lead to her first big story.

  ***

  A’keem headed directly to the bar. All he wanted to do was get his drink on. The better he felt the less Jada Kent meant to him. “
Hey Skittles,” he called out to the bartender. Skittles looked up at him and smiled while wiping off the shiny black-ice bar top with a dry napkin.

  “What’s good A’keem?” She asked walking over and standing in front of him.

  “Nothing much,” he said admiring her sexy smile and voluptuous frame.

  “It’s been a minute since you stopped through.” She said knowing that sometimes he’d be M.I.A. for a couple of weeks at a time.

  “Sometimes you have to lay low.” He responded knowing that laying low meant staying out of trouble.

  “I understand.” She said smiling at him. “What brings you to the bar on this crowded Saturday night anyway? Your normal spot is in the VIP Den.”

  A’keem grinned. “I didn’t see a waitress over there and I’m not in the mood for champagne tonight while I wait.”

  Skittles laughed out loud. “Well what can I get for you?”

  “I want Ciroc, Peach Schnapps, and Tequila poured over chilled pineapples and a splash of cranberry juice.”

  Skittles grinned. “So you want the AK?” She shook her head. This was preferably his drink of choice which is the reason why it was named after him. Anytime A’keem ordered AK’s it was sure to be a hot and unpredictable night.

  “Keep ‘em coming all night until I say stop.” He thought about Regina being in the VIP Den. “Make sure that the VIP Den get’s AK’s all night on me.”

  Skittles began mixing his drink. “I can do that for you.” She said. “How about you take the two that I’m fixing now and I’ll have more sent over to the den as your waitress alerts me that more drinks are needed.”

  “Sounds good,” he said waiting for his drinks. He turned as he felt a tap on his shoulder.

  “Drinking AK’s?” Jennifer whispered in his ear. “Hadn’t seen you ordering up AK’s like that in two years,” she said remembering that particular night vividly. It was the first time she’d ever seen him upset and vulnerable as he sat at the bar and got hammered on AK’s until the bar closed.

  “What do you remember about that night?” He asked.

  “Enough,” she said, turning up her Grey Goose mixed with Hypnotiq. Skittles slid A’keem his drinks as Jennifer continued. “I heard that Jada Kent is back in town. Could that be what’s gotten you so bothered?”

  He looked at her and grinned then sipped a little from his cup. “Bothered? Is that what you’re calling it? You are a trip, you know that?”

  Jennifer snickered. “Have a good night, A’keem. I’m going to find your brother.” She said walking off. She was no dummy; she knew what time it was. Jada Kent had returned and this could potentially screw things up for her, but that wasn’t going to happen. Not if she could help it.

  A’keem looked over in the crowd noticing Seth making his way to the VIP Den. He’d been rapping to some tall, slim chick the whole time. He looked back at Skittles who was hard at work mingling and serving drinks then left a fifty dollar bill in her tip jar. He walked between the tables as people sat chattering, laughing, and grooving in their seats to the music. Spice had everybody else’s attention spinning on the pole with only one leg wrapped around it then dropping to the floor landing in a split position.

  “Hey A’keem,” a woman spoke as he walked by.

  “What’s good?” He spoke while keeping it moving. By the time he’d made it to VIP entrance, he’d spoke several more times, hugged two different women, and dapped a few friends.

  “Well hey Keem,” Serenity said as she and Jada, coming from another direction, bumped into him on their way to the VIP Den.

  A’keem cleared his throat feeling caught off guard. “What’s good Serenity?” he asked as his attention steered towards Jada who was looking too good to miss.

  Jada smiled, feeling really good. “What’s good Keem?” She asked.

  “Some of everything Ms. Kent,” he responded. “I see y’all heading in the same direction as me,” he said, sipping from his drink.

  “Nothing but the VIP Den for us country girls,” Serenity chuckled then walked off. A’keem and Jada stood for a second gazing at one another. The attraction between the two of them was hot and tempting, but he could feel the eyes watching him, watching them; so he immediately backed off.

  “I don’t know how long you’re in town for, but welcome back,” he told her.

  “Thanks,” she smiled.

  “Ladies first,” he said allowing her to walk ahead of him. Her ass looked edible in her skin tight jeans as she switched it back and forth while rocking an expensive pair of tan Dingo twisted sister boots. She had on a white and tan striped, cowl neck shirt that hugged her body tightly covering her round butt. He loved her look, her style, her grace, the way she talked, laughed, and smelled, but he had to watch himself around her. It was easy to fall prey, but this time he was going to remain the hunter.

  “A’keem,” a lady called out, causing him to stop as she walked up whispering sweet nothings in his ear. By the time he glanced back up Jada was out of sight.

  ***

  Meanwhile, Marlon had been watching the screen on his computer as hard as he could while zooming in and out as he watched A’keem and Jada converse. He couldn’t gather much from their body language, but the connection they shared certainly bothered the hell out of him. She was the love of his life at one time and it still puzzled him how she could turn down his engagement and leave town all of a sudden. He thought that they were good. He just knew that she would’ve said yes to his proposal being that she’d been steering clear of A’keem and giving him all of her attention. Even though five years had passed; that day still haunted him. It was the most embarrassing, heartbreaking moment of his life and although he had forgiven her for leaving, it was hard to forget that it happened.

  “Hey, what are you doing in here?” Jennifer asked as she appeared in the doorway. She instantly walked over to him. “I’d been waiting for you at the bar.”

  “I was coming out, just had to do a little work first.” He told her. Jennifer looked on the computer screen. All she saw were the surveillance cameras displaying any and everything going on inside the den. One camera in particular still had the mouse hovered over it, the VIP Den.

  “So who were you watching?” She asked leaning in closer to the screen, then double clicking on the view of the VIP Den making it bigger.

  “Everybody,” Marlon sarcastically responded.

  “Okay everybody,” she commented. “Look, I know that it’s bothering you to have Jada Kent back in town after she’s been gone for so long. I’m no fool.” She said staring in his eyes. “I know she had your heart for a long time, but she doesn’t anymore. I love you and I’m here, right here in front of you. I’m not going to leave you.” He listened knowing that she was coming from a good place, but his feelings sometimes couldn’t be controlled when Jada was involved. “Baby, all I’m saying is that you have to let go if you’re ever going to be able to move on. I don’t know why she’s back, but it has nothing to do with us.”

  Marlon looked over at Jada’s face on the screen. She was laughing and talking with Serenity as if she’d moved on and wasn’t planning on looking back. It was like she didn’t have a care in the world about leaving him and so why should he?

  He looked at Jennifer. “You’re right, baby. I’m with you and you make me very happy.” He smiled kissing her lightly on the lips.

  “You know that I’d known you three years before getting in a serious relationship with you, because I wanted to make sure that you were over her.”

  “I know.” He responded.

  “And now that she’s back you can prove it.” She said kissing him on the lips again. “I’m going back out to the bar. I hope to see you out there soon.” She walked out of the office leaving Marlon to his cameras, but more importantly to think about what she’d said to him. Her hopes were that he’d quit hiding behind his feelings for Jada and confront them by coming out to face her publicly.

  He looked over at the VIP Den on his screen again.
Just looking at Jada’s face did something to him. She was beautiful and the love he had for her was undeniable. He still felt a connection, but he had to shake it. “Fuck it,” he said knowing that what Jennifer had said to him was true. “If she wanted me, she would’ve never left me the way she did.” He exited the office, locking the door behind him. He was going to enjoy himself, with his girlfriend, and not worry about Jada Kent for the night.

  ***

  Sugar led the way back to the VIP Den with Fen following close behind her carrying six AK’s on a tray and a platter of wings and fries. “Be careful when walking with food and drinks on a tray. You wouldn’t want to trip and drop that.” Sugar told her.

  “I got it,” Fen responded feeling a little nervous about her new position. She followed Sugar closely making sure that she didn’t stumble. She wanted to make sure that she was on point with everything, including the opportunity of landing a big story.