by Blue Saffire
chapter five
Moving
I woke up in Victor’s room feeling like a princess in the huge bed, with the soft Egyptian cotton sheets. Victor was already gone by the time I got up. I rolled over to his side of the bed to put my face in his pillow and smell his cologne. He smells so nice and the scent was all over the sheets. I sighed because I knew it was time for me to get up. I was not looking forward to going home and telling my mother I was moving out.
I started playing out things I could tell her as I rolled out of the bed and got in the shower. I know she would freak out if she knew I was dating Victor, let alone living with him. I needed to avoid telling her any of that. I finished my shower and redressed in my clothes from last night. My phone started blowing up the minute I got dressed.
I was ignoring Queeny’s calls for now. It was my mother that I needed to answer. I walked out of the bedroom staring down at my phone. Alex was sitting on the couch with the TV on and a textbook in his hand. I laughed to myself, I study the same way. I took a deep breath, knowing it was time to answer my phone.
“Hello.”
“Liyah, where are you?” my mother fussed through the phone.
“I stayed at a friend’s house last night. We were out really late and the cab would have cost too much to come home by myself.”
“Well, what time you plan on coming home?”
“I’m on my way now. I kind of need to talk to you.”
“You bet you do,” she grumbled and hung up in my ear.
“Oh, boy,” I whined as I hung up my end. I walked over to the couch and flopped down next to Alex.
“Everything okay? We can leave when you’re ready.” Alex offered looking concerned.
“Yeah, I’m good. Okay, so you’re my babysitter?” I teased.
“Yeah, I guess you can put it like that.” His expression said he would rather not be to an extent.
“I don’t think that is a good idea.” I was being very honest. I like Victor and I really don’t see me being the cheating girlfriend type, but this was Alex.
“Why not?” he asked as he closed his book and looked at me. He looked sort of hurt at the implication, but that quickly faded into the stares he gave me last night when we arrived here at this apartment.
“That,” I said pointing to his face. “The way you look at me and the fact that I have a big crush on you.”
“Oh word,” he laughed. He paused to look at me and a little of that pained look crossed his face again. “I guess that is a little weird. Maybe we better get out of here then.”
He stood and waited for me to get up. I put my shoes on my feet and got up to follow him out. We got in the elevator and said nothing to each other.
We were both just gaping at each other the whole time. I could see that regret was painted all over his face. I just was not sure what the regret was for.
Was it because he had to take me around today or was it because I was dating his best friend? Given the way he was looking at me, I figured it was the latter. Knowing that hurt my heart.
I did like Victor, but it was still Alex that I really wanted. I shook my head at myself. It was wishful thinking, Alex was not interested in me that way, he was just being nice.
When we got downstairs we got in the Mercedes I knew belonged to Alex. Alex was really talkative as we drove to the Towers. He asked me about school and what I was going for. It was like he was trying to fill in the blanks of what he already knew about me. As I answered his questions my phone started to ring.
“Hello.”
“Hey Taliyah, what’s up?” Queeny answered back.
“Nothing.”
“Listen, I wanted to give you a heads up. That was Little Craig that was trying to holla at you last night. Word got out that Victor stepped to him about you and now the whole hood knows you with Victor,” she riffled off.
“So.”
“Well Belinda is still pissed cause Pricilla gave her the business. She knows you’re with Victor now so her and Janice are trying to get to Victor to tell him why you were really at that party.”
“Let them. I got bigger things to worry about with Victor. I was right last night. You think Carmen can hook me up?”
“No problem, Mama, I got some samples. I got you,” Queeny chimed.
“I’m on my way to the Towers now. I’ll be there in…,” I said and looked over to Alex.
“Ten minutes,” he answered.
“I’ll be there in five minutes can you meet me at the building?” Queeny always takes longer than you tell her, so if I say five she will be there in ten.
“Got you.”
“Cool.” I hung up with Queeny feeling a little relieved.
Alex was peeking over at me. I turned to look at him and he raised his eyebrow at me. I was trying to ignore how good he looked today.
“What was that about?” he asked.
“Are you asking as a friend or a spy?” I teased.
“A friend.”
“Victor doesn’t want to strap up with me. Queeny’s sister works for a doctor, she has the hook up on the pill.”
“Oh, you should tell Victor about that, Ma-me. He don’t trust. That’s kind of big, if he is not strapping up it’s because he wants something.”
“Yeah, he wants something. To enjoy the fact that he popped my cherry,” I thought out loud. “But thanks, I’ll keep that in mind.”
Alex’s face turned up in pain after my comment. I thought about what I said and realized I just told him Victor was my first. Alex was a little too easy to talk to. I didn’t mean to blab like that. I was relieved that we were pulling up to my building.
Queeny was standing out front with a little shopping bag for me. I gave her a hug and took the bag from her. Alex was giving me a look that said I did not have time to talk. I told Queeny I would call her later and Alex and I went upstairs.
I opened the door to the apartment, pulling Alex inside with me. I knew that would make things go smoother with my mom. She would not make a scene with company in the house. Besides, I didn’t want Alex standing in the hallway like some bodyguard.
My mother was sitting in the kitchen as we entered the apartment, right where I expected her to be. I pulled Alex along to the kitchen to introduce him to make sure my mother saw him.
“Hey mom, this is my friend, Alex. Alex, this is my mom, Ms. Curtis.”
“How you doing Ms.? It’s nice to meet you,” he said politely.
“Nice to meet you, can I get you something to drink or something?”
“No, thank you.”
“Alex, you can go sit in the living room.”
I took the opportunity to go turn on the TV for him. I ran to my room to pack and get changed before my mom started asking questions. I took out my duffle bag from my closet, packing a couple of pairs of jeans and some shirts and a bunch of underclothes. I threw in my schoolbooks and went to get some little things, like my cell phone charger, deodorant, and my hair stuff. I put my laptop in its case before going to change into a fresh pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
Once I was dressed, I took a deep breath and started for the front door. I placed my things by the door and went into the kitchen to sit at the table with my mom. She was giving me a funny look as I sat down with her.
“Where were you last night?” she asked.
“I told you, I stayed with some friends.”
“Aida said you hopped in some truck with some guy last night.”
“Aida needs to mind her own business. She should focus on her own fast daughter and all them babies she has,” I grumbled.
“Well, I don’t want you running around here like her daughter.” My mother was giving me her keep your legs closed face.
“Mom, it is not like that and you know it.”
“Do I? That dress was a little tight and revealing, don’t you think?”
“Mom.”
“What? Liyah, what is going on with you?” This was not going the way I planned at all.
“Mommy, I’ve been thinking about moving into the dorms or getting a place of my own next semester. Some friends of mine offered to let me stay with them as a roommate and I think I’m going to try it out for a little bit. That’s where I was last night. Alex just came to help me with my stuff.” This had some small hint of the truth in it, very small.
She looked flabbergasted. “Where did this come from?” Her mouth was half open as she stared at me across the table. She was holding the edges of the table like they were keeping her in place.
“I don’t know, you and Eddy seem to be getting a little more serious and I figured you don’t need another woman in the house while you have your man here.”
“Liyah, you know you come first. I can always go to Eddy’s place,” she said in a thoughtful tone.
“But this is your house. I just want to see if I like being on my own. I’m growing up you know?”
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” she said with a knowing tone. I could tell she knew there was more behind this.
“Yeah mom, if I don’t like it, I’ll come home.”
Before she could pry any further, Alex appeared in the kitchen. I was relieved he was interrupting at just the right time. My mother and I both looked at him to see what he wanted.
“Sorry, but Taliyah, we need to go if I’m going to help you,” he said.
“Okay, Mom, I’ll call you later.”
“Okay, baby, be safe. I want to talk more about this.” I could tell this was not sitting well with her at all. My mother was just not going to make a fuss in front of Alex and I knew it.
“I know.”
I got up from the table and followed Alex to the door. He picked up my things and walked out as I held the door open. My mother followed us to the door and watched as we made our way to the elevator. Once we were on the elevator, I released a deep sigh and reached to take the laptop bag from Alex to give him some help.
“Thanks, you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’ll be fine.”
“Victor text me, he wants me to take you shopping for something to wear for him tonight,” he murmured with an uncomfortable look.
“Okay,” I sighed.
We got in the car and Alex drove to the mall. He returned to his questions that were helping him get to know everything he wanted. I thought Victor had a lot of questions. He was asking everything Victor did and then some. I didn’t mind it though; it was helping the time pass and made being with him less awkward somehow.
When we got to the mall he took me straight to Victoria’s Secret and I realized what he meant about Victor wanting me to get something to wear for him. Alex stopped outside the store to wait for me as I went inside.
“Let me know when you got what you need,” he said.
“You’re not coming in. Come on, you can tell me what Victor will like. I don’t know what to get,” I said and grabbed his hand to pull him inside.
I went inside and walked over to the lingerie. I stopped in front of the little silk nightgowns and went to reach for one. Alex shook his head at me and placed his hand on my back to lead me over to the lacey pieces. He reached and picked up a black and teal lace and satin bra and boy short set. I raised my eyebrow at him. He smiled, as he looked me over. I looked at the mannequin that the same set was on and there was a garter belt and robe that went with it.
“Really?” I laughed.
“Yeah, Ma-me, trust me.” The look on his face told me he was imagining me in it.
I pulled it from his hand and checked the size. I put it back on the rack to search for my size and went to get the rest of the matching pieces. Alex was following me, looking at me the way I was sure Victor wouldn’t like. I went over to the fragrance area to get some body wash and perfume.
I picked up one of the sample sprays and put it on my wrist to let Alex smell it. He frowned a little and shrugged his shoulders at the scent. I picked up another one and put it on the other wrist before holding it up for him to smell. This time he smelled and nodded his head. I picked up the set and started for the register.
I was calculating the tags as I got to the counter. I was sure I had enough in my account to cover it. The girl at the register rang everything up as I went to get out my card to pay. Alex shook his head at me and pulled out a knot of money to pay for my things.
“Victor said to make sure you get whatever you want,” he explained.
“Oh, really?” I said with sarcasm and laughed.
He winked at me and took my bags from the clerk. We left the store and started for the car. We walked passed a shoe store and I noticed a pair of teal stilettos. I tapped Alex on the shoulder as I stopped in front of the window.
“You think he will like those too?” I asked.
“Now you got it, Mama,” he laughed. “What size you wear?”
“Eight,” I answered and bit my lip. I didn’t want him to think my feet were big.
He turned to walk into the shoe store and asked the girl to bring me the shoes I pointed out to him. I tried them on and took them to the register. Alex paid for them and took the bag to carry it for me.
“I’m starving,” I whined as we got in the car. I hadn’t eaten all day.
“Okay, what you want?” Alex was beaming at me and laughing to himself.
“Isn’t that steakhouse around here? I would love a Kobe burger right now.”
“Yeah, I feel you,” he laughed.
We had a great time at the steakhouse. I started to ask him questions about him and Victor. He told me all about him and school and how Victor is really smart too. Alex mentioned he has been trying to get Victor to go to school.
Alex told me how he and Victor met and why they are so close. Alex’s mother took Victor in when they were little and Victor’s mother left him to follow her boyfriend. Alex’s mother was really good to Victor, but she got sick and died.
The two of them have been together since, looking after each other. Alex’s uncle was the one that took them in for a little while, but he was also the one that taught them everything they know about the drug game. He put them out when they started making more money than he was.
From the things Alex told me, I felt bad for both of them, but most of all I understood Victor a lot more. I could see why he needed to have so much control. Alex really loved him like a brother. Alex is nineteen like me, so Victor has been like an older brother and he takes care of Alex like they are blood.
Alex also told me that I was the first girl Victor ever trusted enough to bring home to where they really live. He said he has never seen Victor make a fuss over a girl the way he was with me. When he talked about that he sort of looked and sounded a mixture of sad and happy about it. I knew there was more to what Alex was telling me, but I wasn’t sure how to ask or if he would tell me.
When we were done eating, we went back to the apartment. We were hanging out on the couch studying while the TV watched us for a few hours. When we were tired of studying, we watched a couple of movies together. It was cool. He is nicer than I thought and really fun to be with.
It was almost eight o’clock and Victor hadn’t called me all day. I was wondering did Janice and Belinda succeed with their mission. I thought he would call at least once by now. My phone started to ring just as I really started to think about it.
“Hello.”
“Hey Ma-me, I’ll be home in an hour. Be ready for me,” Victor called through the phone.
“Okay.”
He hung up and I got up from the couch and stretched. I waved at Alex and went into the bedroom. I showered with the shower gel we bought earlier and put on the lotion and perfume. I got dressed in the outfit Alex picked and put the robe on the chair in the room in case I needed it. I was all dressed up and waiting for Victor to come home.
I flopped down at the foot of the bed and rested myself on my elbows as I flipped through channels with the remote. I was kind of excited to see Victor. That surprised me a little. When I heard a knock on the door, I was really e
xcited he was home.
“Come in,” I sang.
Only, Alex was the one that opened the door and peeked his head in. “Victor just called, he is going to be like thirty minutes late,” he informed me.
“Oh, man, I don’t want to sit in here all that time by myself. I’m bored,” I huffed.
“I can sit with you if you want,” he offered. I realized how I was dressed and I saw the way he was looking. I quickly reached to cover myself.
“Okay, let me put on a robe,” I said quickly and got up to get the robe and put it on.
Once I was wrapped in the robe, he stepped all the way in the room and went to sit on the floor next to the bed, where I was sitting. I found a standup comedy show for us to watch. We were laughing hysterically. We were both bent over laughing when Victor entered the room.
Alex got up when he came in and gave him five and a hug. Victor watched him walk out and closed the door behind him. I sprung up from the bed, untied the robe, and went over to him. He was wearing that angry face again. I dropped the robe to the floor and wrapped my arms around his neck.
“What’s wrong?” I asked and pecked him on the lips.
“What you and Alex do today?” he quizzed. He wasn’t answering my question. I wanted to know what was wrong with him.
“We went to get my things and went shopping. What’s wrong?”
“What you and Alex do today?” he asked again. I frowned at him, realizing he was answering my question after all.
“I just told you. He took me to my mom’s, I got my things, we went shopping for this,” I brushed at the outfit, “we went to get something to eat and we came home to study and watch TV. What’s wrong with you?”
“Your little friends came to see me,” he hissed. “That’s why I was late.”
“Oh, please, Victor. If you don’t trust him, don’t leave him here. If you don’t trust me, then I can leave,” I yelled at him.
“Don’t be having nobody in this room,” he yelled back at me.
