The Conglomerate: A Luxorious Tale

by Santiago, Danielle

  At twenty the couple married and moved into one of Petey’s father’s rental properties. The early years of their marriage were no fairytale. Cee struggled with balancing her successful career and her young family. There was also infidelity on both parties, in some aspect it was to be expected in their situation. Neither had experienced anyone else before taking their vows. In the long run both learned from their cheating that they only wanted one another. Though it had been a rocky road, life had come into a full circle. Cee had become an über successful stylist and salon owner. Petey was now the owner and operator of his family’s truck business. He’d expanded and taken the trucking company to heights his grandfather never even dreamed of. The triplets or Trips, as they were affectionately called, were in their freshmen year of college. In addition to the Trips, Cee and Petey were the proud parents of a seven-year old boy, Petey Jr. and a four-year old daughter, Shelby.

  Joey didn’t have much conversation for Zay, her husband of ten years. Yes she’d been away from him more than usual lately, but this was the first meal that she’d had in two days and she was beyond starving, so there wasn’t much time for talking. In a matter of minutes it would be time for her to head to over to the club to complete last minute preparations before the grand opening that was only an hour away. While eating Joey did manage to keep a close watch on Evan who had yet to sit down.

  Although Evan was single and both of her parents were deceased, she did have aunts, uncles, and cousins in attendance. She zoomed around the room like a Tasmanian devil busying herself with the smallest things. Things that Evan’s highly skilled staff is more than capable of handling. The dinner was flowing smoothly without a hitch just like all the events that Evan planned. Evan’s movements only confirmed Joey’s suspicions that Evan was hiding something serious.

  “Slow down baby,” Zay whispered to Joey. “Can you even taste the food?”

  “I don’t need to,” Joey blushed. “Besides I have to get over to Luxe to make sure everything is straight before the doors open.”

  “There is nothing more for you to do. I stopped by there before I came in here. Everything is good, so slow down and enjoy your food.” he kissed her cheek, “when you’re finished don’t take off like your girl ran off the stage for no apparent reason,” Zay chuckled.

  “You caught that too?”

  “Hell yeah. I was standing at the back of the room and not one person motioned for her. I’ve been telling you for years something not right with ya girl.”

  “Oh Zay, please there is nothing wrong with Evan. Just admit you don’t like her and you haven’t from day one.

  “Not true at all. I don’t dislike Evan. My instincts have just always told me that she got some extra shit with her.”

  “The street nigga in you tells you she got extra shit with her.” Joey shook her head. “That has been my bestie for over twenty years. She has never done anything for me not to trust her and for the ten years that you’ve known her you’ve been trying to find something wrong with her.”

  “I’ve been telling you for a long time you can be down with someone for thirty years and they will betray you like they never knew you. Anyways,” he said changing the subject. He wasn’t going to waste his time arguing over something petty. “You are beautiful in that color.”

  “Thank you honey.”

  “I meant to tell you that when you first sat down, but you went in on that plate like a beast.” Laughing, Joey nudged him with her elbow, “Shut up boy.” Biting her bottom lip sexily she eyed him up and down. “You are looking real presidential in that tux. If I had fifteen minutes I would take you in my office and do you real good.”

  “Ain’t no if about it. You got time.”

  “Nah, I don’t have time. As a matter of fact,” Joey looked down at her gold Rolex. “I have to go change my clothes right now. I’ll peel you out of that tux tonight and give it to you until the sun comes up.”

  “That ain’t happening.” Zay spat.

  Joey frowned, “Why not?”

  “First of all, I’m coming up out this monkey suit before I go in Luxe. And you know the sun will be up by time you get home. But hey we haven’t fucked in two weeks what’s another day?” he winked taking a sip of Hennessy.

  “Really Zay? You wanna do this right now?”

  “Not at all. I’m only messing with you baby. I know how hard you’ve been working and it has definitely paid off. I’m proud of you.” Joey cupped his face in her hands.

  “I’m going to make it up to you. We’re going to leave together early.” She kissed him adoringly, and then said, “I gotta go. I love you.”

  “Love you too.”

  With fifteen years of club management experience in Miami and Manhattan, Bev Garcia, the operations manager of Club Luxe, ran a tight and efficient operation. Bev’s expertise came with an expensive price tag, but it was well worth it. She had the club’s staff well prepared for the huge grand opening which included: performances by three of the biggest stars in hip-hop and R-n-B, two hour open bar, and free flutes of champagne all night for VIP guest. Two hours after the doors opened the club was filled to the maximum capacity of three thousand. This forced the bouncers to turn away a line of hundreds.

  Clad in a short, silk white romper and fuchsia platform pumps, Joey moved through her club greeting guest, checking the five bars, and constantly making sure that celebrity guest and performers were okay.

  When Bev went into the stock room, she found Joey loading bottles into a box that she had tucked beneath her arm.

  “What are you doing?” Bev asked.

  “I am getting some Vodka and Patron for the first floor bars. They’re both almost out.”

  “I know,” Bev said then took the box from Joey. “That’s why I came to pull bottles. The bar hands are on their way to pick up the orders.”

  “Well I can at least help you pull bottles so the boxes will be ready when they get here,” Joey replied reaching for the box.

  “Joey, I have everything and I mean everything under control. I just sent three bottles of Ace up to your VIP section. Go celebrate your night to enjoy all of the hard work you’ve put in.” Joey checked her watch. It was a little after midnight. “Okay,” she said reluctantly.

  “Thank you Bev and you are doing a wonderful job. This night turned out much better than I ever imagined.”

  “That’s what you hired me for,” Bev replied with smiling brightly. “What kind of Ace did you send?”

  “Two gold bottles and one Rose ́.”

  “I’m going to get another bottle of Rose ́ from the bar. That’s Cee’s favorite, so I know it’s probably gone already.”

  “All the bars are out of Rose ́. My next stop is the cooler to pull some more of that too. When I get them I’ll send you some over by the waitress. Now go have fun.”

  Joey slipped into the largest VIP section on the second level unnoticed. She snuck up behind Zay, who was standing next to Petey watching the performances. Joey wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him.

  “Hey baby, I’m done working already and the nights not over yet.”

  “That’s what’s up,” he said turning to face her. “I hope you still planning to give it to me until the sun come up.”

  “I sure do. What’s up with Cee?” Joey asked pointing at her best friend.

  Donning a slinky white off the shoulder mini dress, Cee was standing on top of an oversized ottoman with a bottle of champagne in her hand dancing and singing.

  “You know what’s up with her,” Zay laughed shaking his head. “She’s wasted.”

  “I’m about to get just like her,” she said dancing side to side. Joey looked around. “Where is Evan?”

  “Hell if I know. I thought she was with you.”

  “No,” Joey frowned. “I’ve only seen her twice since we’ve been in here. Whatever,” she shrugged. “She’ll surface eventually.” Notorious for hard partying, Joey had the bottle server pour her three shots of Ciroc which she quick
ly downed and chased with a big swig of champagne. Minutes later she was up on the ottoman next to Cee with her own bottle dancing.

  Evan smiled as she peered down at her two best friends from a restricted area on the third level of the club. She could tell that they were having a really good time. Normally she would be right there in the middle getting twisted with them. Due to recent strange events she needed to be focused while in public. Evan felt a tap on the shoulder and nearly jumped out of her skin. She spun around. “Oh God Bev,” she exclaimed, holding her chest. “You scared the shit out of me.”

  “Sorry, but why are you not down there celebrating?” Bev questioned, wondering why Evan was in a secluded area of the club by herself. “Do you need a bottle of champagne or something I’m about to go in the cooler room now.”

  “No, I’m fine. I just needed a moment to myself. I’m not really in the partying mood right now,” Evan paused. “You know, Bev I’m gonna break out. Can you tell Joey and Cee that I left?”

  “Sure.”

  Evan walked briskly through the enclave parking lot to her reserved spot in front of the L Room. Once she was in eyeshot of her white Maserati, she spotted a blue Tiffany’s box atop the roof. “What the hell is this?” she muttered. Evan snatched the box down and looked around the parking lot. A few drunken partiers were straggling to their vehicles and the security guards were patrolling the lot on golf carts. Evan hurried into her car, locked the doors, and cranked the engine. She reached beneath the passenger seat, retrieved a Glock .380, and placed it on her lap. Before pulling out of her space she opened the box. Evan gasped at the sight of the contents, a silver bullet with her name engraved in it. A small note beneath it read: Especially for you.

  Over the last month she’d been receiving subtle to not so subtle notes, texts, gifts, and emails that could easily be perceived as threats. In the beginning she thought it was some scorned female mad at her for messing with their boyfriend or husband. Not long after the threats started she realized that it wasn’t some vengeful woman. Evan received a text that stated: I’m coming for my money; on my terms. When you least expect it. After receiving that text she started to think the anonymous threats were most likely from one of the many men she’d played while leading a different life a decade earlier. She always thought that one of them would come after her, but she thought it would be within the first two or three years. Not ten years down the road. Someone coming after her didn’t bother her as much as not knowing who it was. The situation was torturous which she figured was the person’s intent. A light tapping on the driver’s side window startled Evan. She looked up and a saw Rhamel, the security guard.

  He was forty- something, brown skin and stocky. His claim to fame was the one year he played for the Cleveland Browns. It was no secret that he had a huge crush on Evan because he was always flirting with her. Evan rolled the window down half way.

  Rhamel flashed a wide gold tooth smile. “You need something Ms. E?”

  “No Rhamel. I was just leaving.”

  “So soon? I thought,” he spotted the gun on her lap.“Is everything alright Ms. E?”

  Evan glanced down at her lap then back at him, “oh this is nothing. I always take it out when I’m driving home late at night,” she lied. “You know this city can get dangerous for a lady late at night.”

  “Well,” he said rubbing his chin between his forefinger and thumb, “If you ever need me to accompany-”

  “No thanks,” she spat cutting him off. “I’m good with my boyfriend,” she held up the glock. “So good night.” She pressed the window button up and drove away.

  Driving in silence, Evan tried desperately to figure out who the culprit behind the threats was. Faces and towns raced around her mind until her head began to throb. That’s enough, she told herself, as she pulled up to the entrance of her gated neighborhood. Familiar with her car the guard waved her through without looking at her face.

  Chapter Two

  “Damn it,” Evan screamed, struggling to disable the newly hi-tech alarm system complete with cameras, yard sensors, and a fingerprint scanner. She was ready to rip the key pad from the wall when she realized that she was putting in the code to her old system. Evan punched in the correct code scanned her right thumb. “Thank you Lord,” she sighed when the green light appeared. Evan reset the alarm and removed her heels. Her eighty five hundred square foot home was a palatial palace. It had seven bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms, several living and dining areas, a pool, and a pool house. Hand crafted crown molding lined the ceilings, while Swarovski crystal chandeliers hung from it. Marble flooring adorned the halls, kitchen, baths, and dining rooms. Gleaming snow-white carpet lay in the rest of the house. All of the couches and chairs were white, light beige, or a mixture of both. Expensive glass pieces, paintings, and sculptures perfectly decorated the home. Evan’s place was undeniably stunning, yet it was cold and uninviting.

  Exhausted from the long day, Evan knew the only thing that would ease her mind enough to sleep was a good strong drink. She scanned the shelf of her entertainment room’s fully stocked bar. Wanting something with a quick one-two punch, Evan decided to make Texas Tea. She grabbed a small glass pitcher and poured in a mix of tequila, rum, vodka, gin, and bourbon. Trying to remember the final ingredients she studied the bar. It had been a long time since she made it. Champagne and vodka martinis were her usual drinks of choice. “That’s it,” Evan snapped her fingers then grabbed the triple sec, sour mix, and a can of coke. Stirring the pitcher of liquid, Evan suddenly thought of Reza, the man who taught her how to make Texas Tea. Could he be the one behind all this non-sense? she wondered. He could easily be number one on the list of suspects, considering that when they parted ways it was not pretty at all. Standing behind the bar, Evan took a few sips of her drink as her thoughts took a trip down memory lane back to her time with Reza.

  ***

  Hampton Roads, VA 2000

  Evan attracted the attention of males and females as she roamed around Club Shadows in a brown, cream, orange, and gold Coogie sweater dress. Not the awful cheap ones that are sold. She was donning a seven hundred dollar dress paired with a brown knee-high boots and a large Fendi bag. It was a Wednesday night; the club’s most crowded and busiest night. All of the area’s elite were in the building. When Evan walked past the VIP area someone grabbed her wrist. She turned around and frowned at the short light skinned guy that was holding onto her. He leaned over the red rope and said to her. “My man wants to holla at you,” he pointed over his shoulder.

  She looked past him and saw a gorgeous brown skinned man, with shoulder length cornrows, and dressed in all black Iceberg. He raised his glass to her. Evan smiled at him then said to guy who’d stopped her. “Tell your man he should’ve hollered at me himself.” She yanked her wrist from his grasp and walked away. Evan squeezed through the tight crowd and found a spot at the bar. The six bartenders were getting slammed from every angle making it hard to get their attention. Evan took out a twenty dollar bill and flashed it at the bartenders. A trick that usually worked in this type of situation, but fifteen minutes later she still had not been served. Mr. Gorgeous from the VIP came and stood next to Evan at the bar. Immediately two bartenders nearly knocked each other down running over to take his order.

  “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” Evan scoffed. Mr. Gorgeous leaned over and said to her, “Tell ’em what you drinking?”

  “A Cosmo with Grey Goose,” she said to the bartender with her mouth twisted.

  “And,” Mr. Gorgeous interjected, “Let me get a double shot of Remy.”

  “You must own the place,” Evan said to him.

  “Nah, why you say that?”

  “ ’Cause I’ve been here for close to twenty minutes and not one of them ass wipes have even looked at me. You walked up and they ran over like the king arrived.”

  “They like me in here. I’m such a friendly guy,” he extended his hand. “My name is Reza.” Evan shook his hand and took a quick glanc
e at his iced diamond watch.

  “I’m Mika,” she replied using her favorite alias.

  The bartender returned with their drinks. “That will be twenty-five dollars.”

  Reza pulled a large wad of money out of his pocket. Evan checked it from the corner of her eye as he rifled through it. The roll of money consisted mostly of one hundred and fifty dollar bills. He found three twenties and tossed them on the bar.

  “Hmm thirty-five dollar tips,” Evan remarked. “No wonder they think you’re such a nice guy.”

  “That’s light money,” he said tooting his own horn. “My bad if I offended you by having my home boy stop you. I didn’t want to let you get away.”

  “All is forgiven.”

  “Are you here with your friends or your man?” Reza asked.

  “Neither,” she replied.

  “You’re alone?” he questioned with a raised eyebrow.

  “Yes.”

  “You wanna come chill in the VIP? It’s a little more comfortable in there.”

  “Sure.”

  All eyes were definitely on Evan now as she sat down next to Reza, almost every female in the club wanted to get with. Some of the girls that were already in the VIP were pissed that Evan was receiving all of Reza’s attention. They were sure to let her know with mean glares, eye rolls, and twisted lips. There was a tall, slim expensively dressed female that looked like she was about to burst in tears. She was the one throwing the most shade at Evan.

  “I don’t think your little girlfriends appreciate me being here.” Evan told Reza.

  “Pay those thirsty hoes no mind,” he said with a dismissive wave in their direction. “You want me to put them out Mika? ’Cause I will.”

  “No you don’t have to do that. I like making people jealous,” she said then smiled at the slim girl.