The Hustler's Daughter {DC Bookdiva Publications}

by Pinky Dior

  “Yes Daddy.” Mercedes stood there in front of him.

  “What’s going on?”

  “What do you mean?” Mercedes was acting stupid, as if she didn’t know what he was referring to. Her father took a deep breath and let out a loud sigh.

  “You know what I’m talking about Mercedes, the school called us and said that you had been in an altercation with a student and they suspended you for a week.” He notified her as if she didn’t know.

  “Well, she came at me rude and was disrespectful. I had to stand up for myself.”

  “Mercedes you’re only sixteen. You’re very smart and that’s why I didn’t want you going to a public school! Because I knew this shit was going to happen.”

  “Well I’m a Carter, and I’m going to stand up for myself. I’m not going to take nobody’s mess, ain’t that what you taught me Daddy?” Mercedes asked him. She continued, “Don’t let no one down talk you or disrespect you, you have to fight for what’s rightfully yours.” Don rubbed his temples as he shook his head side to side, he didn’t even want his daughter in his presence right now.

  “You know what Mercedes, you’re right.” he said. Mercedes was surprised and had a smile on her face. “Daddy did teach you well, but I’m going to have to put you on punishment until you go back to school.” The smile quickly vanished, “WHAT?” Mercedes yelled, “I’m on punishment?”

  “Yes, until you learn how to behave yourself.”

  “Wow, this is unbelievable!” Mercedes shouted as she stormed up the stairs and slammed the door behind her.

  She was on punishment for a week at school and at home. That messed up her plans to go out with the girls. She had her outfit picked out and everything. She really hoped her mother would reconsider. She had to go out, especially since Chino would be there.

  The Party to Remember

  Mercedes rolled up to the club and Mr. Gates exited the car and opened her door. She didn’t expect to be able to go. But since she was “Daddy’s Girl” and never really got in trouble, her father was lenient with her. Her harshest punishment would be at school. She did have a set curfew that was strictly enforced; Mr. Gates was to pick up Mercedes at exactly 11 PM.

  The line stretched all the way around the corner. The music was thumping so loud that you would have thought it was playing outside. As Mercedes made her way to the line, she noticed most of the girls were scantily clad. Mercedes and her friends were all dressed to the nines and all eyes were on them. They were focused on Mercedes especially; she always did a little extra to be noticed.

  As soon as her heels clicked on the concrete, heads turned to see who she was. The boys wanted her and the girls hated her. She ignored them and made her way to the front of the line with her friends. Candy knew one of the guards and he let them jump the line.

  Within minutes, they made their way through security and were in the club dancing to the music. The beat dropped so hard that they could feel the vibrations in their bones. They made their way over to the bar and were greeted with drinks, compliments of Candy and the bartender she flirted with.

  “Girl you’re crazy, we’re underage.” Mercedes said while shaking her head at her friend.

  “Here Mercedes try it.” Candy passed her a drink.

  “Nah, I’m good.” Mercedes replied.

  “Come on girl, let’s have some fun. Tonight is our night to have fun and show these niggas and bitches out here who we are M.O.B.B!” Candy yelled. Mercedes gave her an unsure look. Everyone wondered if she was actually going to drink it.

  “Alright man, just this one drink.” Mercedes took the drink and took a big gulp. The drink was Hennessy and Red Bull and it tasted funny. Once it entered her mouth, Mercedes made a weird face. The liquor slowly crept into her system and she got comfortable. She smiled while her girls took their drinks too. “Now let’s toast.” Candy smiled as they all put up their drinks. “It’s M.O.B.B for life bitchessssss!”

  As they scanned the club, they noticed the men staring hard at them and particularly Mercedes. The girls put her on notice.

  “Damn Mercedes, this nigga is checking you out hard body.” Candy said.

  “Who?” Mercedes inquired as she looked around the club. She was trying to find out who her girl was talking about.

  “That nigga right there with the Red Monkeys on and that long ass fucking chain. He is so fucking fine, Mhmm I love me some Dark chocolate.”

  “How you know he’s looking at me?” Mercedes said. Her words were slurring already from the liquor.

  “Here he come girl! You better holla at that nigga. Girl here he comes.” Candy walked away and slipped into the crowd. Mercedes called out to her, she didn’t want to be alone. Her friend was already gone. The dude walked over toward the bar and stood next to Mercedes and smiled, “Hey Ma, how you doing tonight?”

  “I’m doing good and you?” Mercedes inquired.

  “I’m just chilling, you know Ma. Seeing you definitely made my night though.”

  “Oh, really is that so?”

  “Yeah, my name’s Mike. What’s yours?”

  “Mercedes”

  “What a beautiful name, it’s nice to meet you Mercedes.” Mike gently grabbed and kissed her hand. Christian Milian’s “Dip it Low” came on.

  “You wanna dance Ma?” Mike asked her. The liquor was already in her system and she was feeling nice.

  “Sure,” she responded as she made her way through the crowd and stood in the middle of the dance floor. The drink had Mercedes loose; she had never felt this feeling. Her dance partner held her hips and touched her sensually. They both were getting really turned on and it showed in their dance moves.

  “Ma let’s get up outta here and head to my crib.” Mike whispered in her ear. It sounded good to Mercedes at that time. They were just about to exit the club when Mercedes looked up and noticed Chino walking towards her. The liquor caused her to forget that he was going to be there too.

  “Mercedes, what the fuck are you doing?” Chino barked while giving her an evil glare. “You over here bumping and grinding on this nigga like you don’t know what time it is.” Chino yelled as he grabbed her arm and snatched her away from the guy. “Come on.”

  “Chino, let go you’re hurting me.” Mercedes whined as she tried to pull her arm away from his grip.

  “Ayo man, let her go.” Mike yelled.

  “Nigga please, this is my shorty.”

  Chino laughed as he turned around. “Nigga, who the fuck you think you are?”

  “I just met the bitch and you fucking up my groove.” Mike said trying to defend his actions. His comment made the situation worse by calling Mercedes out of her name.

  “Hold up, first of all she ain’t no fucking bitch!” Chino assured him. “And nigga you just met my girl up in the club and think you gon’ hit… nah nigga not my shorty.”

  “Nigga fuck you! What’s popping den?” Mike was ready to fight, but Chino was from the streets. He didn’t use his hands if he didn’t have to. He quickly lifted his shirt to reveal the gun he held in his waist. Mike backed off immediately and went about his business. Chino covered his gun by pulling down his shirt. He took Mercedes to his car to talk. They had plenty to discuss.

  Outside of the club, Chino stood in front of Mercedes staring at her in disbelief.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

  “What are you talking about BayBay?” Mercedes speech was slurred.

  “Don’t act stupid Mercedes, you’re drunk right now.” Chino barked.

  “How the fuck did they let you drink you’re only sixteen?” He asked.

  “Candy gave it to me, I mean it’s nothing. Just a little Henny to set the mood.” Mercedes chuckled and fell directly into him. Chino caught her and held onto her.

  “Look at you Ma, you all stumbling and shit. You’re coming home with me.” Chino grabbed her wrist to guide her towards his car. Mercedes snatched her hand away and began yelling at him in the parking lot.

  “No, n
o, no I’m not going with you because you’re a liar and a cheater!” She waved her finger around in the air.

  “How?” Chino inquired. “I wasn’t the one in the club bumping and fucking grinding with another bitch!” Chino barked.

  “Don’t act like you wasn’t hugged up on India the other day. I saw you.” Mercedes yelled back with tears in her eyes. “And don’t say nothing was going on between ya’ll two.” Mercedes tried to walk backwards and she fell.

  “Are you okay?” Mercedes heard a familiar voice but couldn’t place the face.

  “Who are you?”

  “Mercedes, it’s me Emilio.”

  “Ohh shit, I hope I’m not in trouble.” Mr. Gates sent Emilio to check on Mercedes and bring her home instead. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself with the limousine.

  “Nah, let’s just get you home. It’s not safe out here.” Emilio picked up Mercedes and held her in his arms. Chino stood next to them and watched the exchange. He had no idea who this dude was and wanted to know why he had his hands on Mercedes.

  “What the fuck are you doing with my shorty?” Chino jumped between them and prepared to grab his weapon.

  “I suggest you back up, I’m taking shorty where she belongs.”

  “Nah nigga, she’s coming with me son.”

  “It was my orders to take her home, Aight son. So I suggest you back the fuck up before shit gets crazy out here.” Emilio demanded.

  Chino and Emilio were arguing about who Mercedes was leaving with, neither of them noticed the black Cadillac speeding down the street. The tinted windows rolled down slowly to reveal a semi automatic weapon that began firing into the crowd. Everyone ran for cover or dropped to the ground to avoid being shot.

  Mercedes was too drunk to know what was happening until it was too late. Emilio pushed her to the ground and lay on top of her for protection. The car sped away without anyone knowing who was inside, or who the intended target was.

  “Are you okay?” Emilio looked over at her and admired her beauty. They both brushed themselves off and began to walk to the car to go home.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” Mercedes wiped her forehead of sweat.

  “Let’s go. Your boyfriend will be fine. We need you to sober up.” Emilio used that as an excuse; he spotted her and just wanted to take her away from Chino.

  “So you’re not going to tell on me?” Mercedes asked as she looked over at Emilio.

  “Nah, whatever happens between us stays between us. As long as you sober up, there’s nothing to be said right?” Emilio caressed under her chin with his fingers and winked at her. Chills went down Mercedes spine and butterflies took over her stomach.

  She loved Chino with all her heart, yet the attraction between her and Emilio was undeniable. To avoid confronting her feelings, she looked out of her window until she arrived at home. When they arrived at the house, Mercedes simply thanked Emilio. She exited the car and they gazed at each other longer than normal. The butterflies came again and she swallowed hard. She prayed that they would go away. She slipped her keys quietly into the door and went upstairs to bed. She was still tipsy and now battling her feelings for two men. Only one of them would win.

  xxxxxxxxxx

  There was no word from or about Chino as the following passed. Mercedes even reached out to her friends to see if they had heard anything. No one had heard or seen him since the club shooting. Mercedes phone calls went unanswered. Mercedes texted him, but he still didn’t respond.

  Frustrated and feeling ignored, she decided to go find him herself. She hopped in the shower and threw on some clothes to make her way to see Chino. While in the bathroom, she felt queasy and began to throw up. It had been happening more frequently during the last couple of weeks and she didn’t know why. One day after school she went to buy a pregnancy test. She decided to take it, just to be certain. She saw the results and wrapped it up in tissue and took it with her to toss. Now wasn’t the time to deal with this issue, she wanted to see Chino.

  Mercedes put on a pink velour Juicy Couture track suit. She wore a white wife beater underneath and her crisp white Air Force Ones. She threw on some big heart bamboo earrings and a gold chain that her father had given her for her 15th birthday. She threw her hair in a ponytail. She kept it simple, but she was still looking good. Nevertheless, she felt horrible on the inside.

  She headed down the spiral staircase and saw her mother sitting at the kitchen table. She was reading the newspaper and sipping on her coffee.

  “Good morning Ma.”

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Maria inquired as she looked up at her daughter.

  “I’ve been in the house all week Ma. I just wanted to get a little air.” Mercedes explained.

  “Yeah, you really haven’t gone out since the club.” Maria responded, “What’s wrong, you look a little pale?” She walked over to Mercedes and caressed the side of her face.

  “I’m fine Ma.” Mercedes cracked a smile and moved her head slightly to the side reacting to her mother’s touch.

  “Are you sure? Because you know that you can tell Mami anything.”

  “Ma, I’m fine!” Mercedes barked. She then realized her tone and smiled, “I’m fine Ma.” She spoke in a lowered tone this time.

  Maria shot her daughter a stern look. She didn’t like the tone that she took and said so without words. Mercedes got herself together and Maria moved on.

  “So where are you headed?”

  “Well, Candy and I are headed into the city to do a little shopping.”

  “You know how your father and I don’t like you running around in the city without Mr. Gates or Emilio.” She informed her, “Especially since you got shot.”

  “I know Ma, but we’re just going to do a little shopping. Nothing serious, I’ll be home before six.” Mercedes gave her mother an innocent look. Maria shook her head and looked back into the paper.

  “Alright, be safe. Make sure you’re back before six or else,” she warned her.

  “Thank you mommy, I love you.” Mercedes wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck and kissed her on the cheek. “See ya later.”

  “Bye.”

  Mercedes was already out the door and was on her way to the subway. She clutched her purse as she endured the long train ride to Harlem. Although it felt good to be alone, she was always cautious of her surroundings. When she reached her stop, she hopped off the train and made her way down 125th Street.

  As she neared her destination, she noticed a few guys standing in front of the project buildings near Chino’s house. She took precautionary measures and hid her jewelry. She knew what type of environment that she was in. Avoiding them was no easy feat; she realized she failed when one of them grabbed her arm and pushed her up against a wall. He shoved a gun to her neck.

  “Bitch, give me the chain or I’ll kill you.”

  Her eyes widened with fear and she felt the barrel of the gun graze her cheek. He ripped the chain off of her neck and smirked.

  “Snitches get stitches bitch!”

  Just as the thief thought he won, he was met with a brick to his face. Chino arrived just in time and began beating him with the brick. He then started punching him the stomach.

  “Ayo, let shorty go nigga!”

  “Nigga…Argh…what the fuck Chino?” The thief yelled trying to protect his face and body from more injury.

  “Nigga! What you mean what the fuck?” Chino pulled out his gun and pointed it directly at the dude’s face.

  “You fucking me up over some dumb bitch!” Red liquid left his mouth in clumps as he spit it onto the ground.

  “First off nigga, this shorty right here is my girl.” Chino’s nose flared up.

  “Come here Ma.” Chino motioned for Mercedes to come over to him. She walked over and held him close.

  “My bad Chino. Dawg, you know I’m sorry. Yo I didn’t know. Shorty came through the block shining nigga, so you know how niggas get down out here in Harlem.” The dude was trying to explai
n himself, his lips started trembling and his legs were shaky.

  “Next time you fuck with anybody I fuck with…you going to end up in a body bag, real shit!” Chino cocked his gun to let him know what time it was.

  “Now, give my shorty back her chain nigga.” Chino placed his gun back in his waistband and watched as Mercedes got her necklace back. The dude also apologized for the disrespect.

  “And I need whatever is in your pockets too son.” Chino said trying to add insult to injury. He wanted to make sure this dude never fucked with anyone else.

  “What, for what?” he raised his voice.

  “A broken chain has to get fixed.” The thief reached into his pocket and pulled off a few hundred dollar bills from the top of a thick pile.

  “Nah nigga, I’ll take the whole stack.” Chino snatched the money from the dude’s hand and walked away. He handed the money to Mercedes to put in her purse and they both walked away.

  Everything seemed normal, but it soon changed. A few minutes later they heard tires screeching down the street. Mercedes and Chino looked back to see a black Cadillac; the same one from a few weeks prior. It was barreling down the street. Like the last time, the tinted windows rolled down and gunshots rang out of the driver’s side window.

  This time, Mercedes eyes connected with the driver’s and the rest of their face was covered with a mask.

  “Get Down Mercedes!” Chino yelled as he ran to her to provide cover. He covered her body and threw both of their bodies to the ground. Chino took out his gun and started shooting at the car as it sped off.

  “Let’s go Ma.” Chino grabbed her hand and they rushed into his apartment building. The elevator ride upstairs was silent and seemed like it took forever. They arrived at his house to recover from the shooting incident. Mercedes walked into his bedroom and removed her jacket. She sat on his bed still and was obviously shook up.