by Pinky Dior
“Sorry,” Maria apologized.
Mercedes locked the door and turned around. Her mother seemed nervous about something. She walked into the kitchen and placed her groceries down on the kitchen table.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay, Ma?” Mercedes asked as she walked into the kitchen.
Maria placed her hand on her forehead as she panicked, pacing the kitchen floor. “I just ran into one of my father’s workers.”
“So what the fuck you come here for?” Mercedes barked. “I mean, what if they were following you and they come here to kill the both of us?” Mercedes slapped her hand on her thigh, shaking her head. “I can’t believe this shit!”
“Calm down, Mercedes,” her mother insisted. “He wasn’t following me.”
“Are you sure about that?” Mercedes didn’t believe her mother. She folded her arms across her breasts and raised her brows.
“There was no one following me, because when I exited the store, he was still inside.”
Mercedes looked at her mother and said, “Ma, next time be more careful. You have to have in the eyes in back of your head. Shit’s crazy.” Not only did Mercedes need to be careful, but also, so did her mother.
“All right, I’m sorry, baby. I’m going to head home and put this food up.”
“Why didn’t you leave the groceries in the car?” Mercedes questioned as she got up from the couch. She walked over to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. She opened up the cap and sipped on the water, watching her mother rummage through the brown paper grocery bags.
“Well, I brought you your favorite cereal.” Maria pulled out the box of Cookie Crisp cereal and shook it up and down, smiling.
Mercedes smiled as she grabbed the cereal and placed it on the table. “Thanks, Ma. I’m surprised that you remember my favorite cereal.”
“Mercedes, please, I’m your mother and been your mother for eighteen years. I know you better than I know myself.” Maria chuckled. “Nah, but I know that’s your favorite cereal. If you didn’t have your cereal every morning, you would throw a fit!”
Mercedes busted out laughing, shaking her head. She couldn’t believe she used to be a little brat when she was younger. Nevertheless, she knew she always got what she wanted and she still did.
“All right, Cedes, I’m heading home.” Maria leaned across the table as they both exchanged kisses on the cheek.
“Be safe, Mami. Call me when you get in,” Mercedes said, sitting down at the kitchen table and drinking her bottle of Dasani water.
“Will do. Love you.” Maria grabbed the grocery bags and headed to the door.
“Love you too, Ma.” Mercedes got up and followed her mother, locking the door behind her.
Mercedes turned around and saw Candy walking down the stairs yawning, wearing nothing but some booty shorts and a short tank top that showed off her flat tummy.
“Hey girl,” Candy said, still half asleep.
“Hey,” Mercedes said, walking over into the living room. She plopped down on the couch and ran her fingers through her hair. “I think your little boyfriend came driving through here looking for you,” Mercedes said.
“Who, my boo Felix?” Candy said, sounding wide-awake, smiling from ear to ear.
“Yeah, I guess, whatever his name is.”
“He and I are spending tomorrow together.” Candy sat down on the couch and crossed one leg over the other.
“Well, he better not be on no stalking type shit. I got my eye on that nigga,” Mercedes warned.
“Please, Mercedes, he’s cool people. I like him,” Candy cooed in a soft, flirty voice.
“You like him or his dick?” Mercedes laughed and Candy playfully nudged her in the arm.
“I like both!” Candy exclaimed. “He sure knows how to put it down on…” Candy danced, winding her hips like a genie.
“Candy, please!” Mercedes cut her off, holding her hand up. “I don’t want to hear about your sexual escapades.” She let out a little chuckle.
“Fine!” Candy smirked. “He’s your kind anyway: Cuban.”
“So what is he doing here?”
“Well, I don’t know. He said he and his uncle are up here, because they got to handle some business.”
“What kind of business?” Mercedes asked inquisitively.
“I don’t know!” Candy shrugged her shoulders. “He told me that I didn’t have anything to worry about, because he said I would be safe. But I know whatever happens and whatever he’s involved with, I don’t want to even be at a close range.” Candy nervously laughed and got up and headed into the kitchen.
Mercedes wondered what Candy meant by that, although it was none of her business. However, she really wanted to know what kind of business this guy Felix had in her city—New York City.
Chapter Eleven
Nothing lasts forever
Candy had been staying with her new boo, Felix, for the last couple of days at one of the most luxurious hotels in Manhattan. The last time Candy was at Felix’s house, his uncle said he didn’t want any girls coming in or going out of his apartment, which he was momentarily renting. Felix didn’t disrespect his uncle, so he took it elsewhere. He informed Felix that they didn’t have time for any females, but Felix didn’t listen. Ever since the first day he laid eyes on Candy, he wanted her to be his girl. There was something different about her. He didn’t know what it was that drove him so crazy about her, but he was about to find out. He watched as Candy emerged from the bathroom, wearing a plush cotton robe that the hotel had provided for them. Her gold hair was dripping wet with water and stringy, cascading down one side of her shoulder as she squeezed it out, letting the water drip onto the floor.
Felix couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her gold hair color fit perfectly with her beautiful caramel skin complexion. She had a body that was petite, but thick in the right places. Candy wasn’t a dope bitch, but she was one of those innocent-looking, beautiful light-skinned girls. Candy bit down on her lip as her eyes met with Felix’s. He sat on the bed, staring at her in a daze.
“What are you looking at?” Candy cooed, asking nicely.
“You, beautiful.” His eyes glistened as he looked into hers.
Candy twirled the ends of her hair, as she blushed, smiling from ear to ear. “Stop it!” Candy chuckled. “You making me blush, boy.” Candy hid her face as she peeked through her fingers like a little kid, staring at Felix.
“You so silly, girl,” Felix laughed. “Come here, girl.” He reached over, grabbed her by the hands, and pulled her down to sit on his lap. Candy wrapped her legs around his waist and stared Felix in the eyes, as she bit down on her lip.
“Make love to me,” Candy softly whispered.
Without any more words exchanged, Felix gently laid Candy on her back. She loved the feel of the soft, heavenly hotel bed. He snatched the towel from around her body and tossed it onto the floor. He took off his clothes and tossed them onto the floor, next to Candy’s towel. He was on top of her within seconds, kissing her on the neck as he played with her pussy. Candy moaned in his ear as she licked around his earlobes, turning him on. Felix moved his finger in circles, as he felt her wetness slowly dripping down his two fingers. He stood up as he stroked his manhood, which was hard and ready to go inside Candy. Candy held her weight up with her elbows on the bed as she eyed Felix seductively. She waved her finger at him to let him know that she was ready.
Felix slowly placed his dick inside of her and stroked it nice and slow. Candy held onto his back. Her long, French manicured nails dug into his skin, leaving marks on his back. She arched her back every time he hit her spot. Candy rotated her hips in a circular motion as he made sweet, passionate love to her, just as she imagined. Heavy breathing and sounds of lovemaking filled the room. Candy looked in his eyes as she panted heavily, and so did Felix. They were both about to cum and they felt their bodies shaking.
“Ahhhhh, I’m about to cum,” Candy moaned as she felt him hitting her spot, making her
cum faster.
“Me too, baby. Can you squirt for me?” he asked, eyebrows arched as the sweat formed in his brow. He grunted in euphoria as he felt Candy’s pussy; it was now soaking wet. Candy bit the bottom of her lip, shaking her head. She couldn’t speak. They both came together as they collapsed in each other’s arms.
“Damn, baby, that shit felt so good.” Felix lay on his back as he held his hand over his chest, trying to catch his breath.
“I know.” Candy breathed in and out. She laid her head on his chest and then looked up and stared into his eyes. She was afraid to say what was on her mind, but she didn’t want to be left hanging if he didn’t say it back. He could tell she wanted to say something, but as she opened her mouth, nothing came out.
“What’s on your mind, ma?” he asked.
“Um, I don’t know how to tell you.” Candy chuckled. “Ummm…”
“Say what’s on your mind, ma, I don’t bite,” he said. “Unless you want me to.” He snapped his teeth at her as he playfully and acted as if he was about to bite her. They both laughed at his silly remark.
“I-I love you, Felix,” she uttered the words from her mouth and then nervously looked away, thinking he wasn’t going to say it back. Silence filled the room and Candy took it the wrong way. “I knew I should have never told you that!” Candy retorted as she tried to get up from the bed.
Felix gently grabbed her arm. “Candy, I love you too, ma,” Felix said sincerely, “From the first time I laid eyes on you, I knew I wanted you to be mines.”
Candy loosened up her mean facial expression. “Really?” she asked as she cracked a smile.
“Yes, really, Candy. I never felt like this before for any other female, except for you,” he informed her. She watched as his hand reached over and grabbed something off the nightstand. She covered her mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. She knew instinctively that it was a diamond ring. Felix slowly opened up the box and revealed a fourteen-carat, princess-cut diamond ring in white gold.
“Oh my God!” Candy couldn’t believe it as she eyed the ring.
“Will you marry me?”
Before he could finish his question, Candy jumped on him and wrapped her arms around his neck, screaming and shouting in euphoria. “Yes! Yes!” Candy exclaimed, “Yes, I will marry you.” A tear slid down her cheek, as Felix placed the diamond ring on her index finger. “Thank you.” Candy covered her eyes as she cried tears of joy.
Felix smiled. It made him weak to see her crying.
“Aw, come on, ma, don’t cry.” He removed her hands from her face. “You going to make me cry too,” he admitted. A smile appeared on her face as she wiped away her tears. “You deserve everything you want, ma, and I’m the one who’s going to give it to you.”
“Thank you, Felix! I love you.” Candy extended her hand, eyeing the gorgeous diamond that glistened on her finger. “This ring is gorgeous.”
“Just like you. I love you too, ma.” He reached over as they tongue kissed passionately. “I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He pulled back from the kiss as he caressed her face, staring in her eyes.
“Me too.” Candy smiled, and Felix’s phone started ringing.
“Excuse me, ma.” Felix got up from the bed, ass naked.
Candy bit on the bottom of her lip as she stared at his firm, masculine butt cheeks. Felix flipped open his phone, and when he turned back around, he noticed she was staring at his butt. He shook his head as he snatched her towel from the floor and wrapped it around his waist, holding the phone up to his ear with his shoulder. Candy sat on the bed and smiled in euphoria, staring at her diamond ring. Candy listened in on his conversation as he had his back to her.
“Yo!”
“Yo, nephew; we about to head over to Maria’s house. We didn’t tell Vicente yet; we want to surprise him,” Romeo said.
“What time are you heading over there?”
“We about to head over there now; so don’t be late!”
“All right, man. I’m with shorty right now.”
“What the fuck I tell you about that bitch?” Romeo barked into the phone.
“What?” Felix retorted. “I’m a grown-ass fucking man.”
“You only twenty, Felix, relax.” Romeo shook his head. He knew his nephew didn’t listen. “Fuck it, if you’re late, we going in there without you.”
“How you know she’s in the house alone?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t give a fuck!” Romeo barked. “I saw her go in the house the other day. I’ve been waiting outside all day watching the house, but she didn’t come out, so I know she’s in there for sure.”
“All right, give me a few; I’ll meet you at the crib.”
CLICK!
Romeo hung up. He knew his nephew wasn’t going to make it on time, so he clipped up as he gathered his crew together and went over to Maria’s house.
Felix looked over at the phone and closed it before walking back over to Candy.
“I’m sorry, ma, something came up.” He grabbed his clothes off the floor and got dressed.
“Aw, I wanted to stay here with you tonight.” Candy poked out her lips like a little girl when she was mad because she didn’t get what she wanted.
“I promise, baby, I will pick you up in the morning. I just got to handle something tonight.”
“Okay,” Candy said softly in disappointment. She got up and quickly got dressed. After they got dressed, Felix drove Candy to the house. “Thank you, baby, I love you.” Candy reached over and kissed him.
“Love you too, ma. I promise I will come back for you in the morning.” He gave her another kiss on the lips. “See you later, baby girl.” Felix smiled as he watched Candy step out of the car and walk up the stairs. He pulled off without waiting for her to get in, automatically assuming that she would get into the house safely.
Candy pulled out her phone from her purse and saw that she had several missed call from Mercedes. Her phone started vibrating and it was Mercedes calling…
***
A light cold breeze crept through Mercedes’s slightly cracked window, sending a cool chill down her spine. Mercedes slept like a baby in her cozy bed. She’d been having dreams for the last couple of weeks, but she couldn’t do anything about it, so she just got used to it. When she was locked up, shed had bad dreams, but they stopped and then came back.
Mercedes jumped up from her bed when she heard a loud noise coming from downstairs. It sounded like shattered glass. Rapidly, Mercedes pulled out the gun that was hidden underneath her pillow. Ever since she started having bad dreams, she slept with the gun under her pillow. She wasn’t taking any chances. She ripped the sheets back from her body, tossed her legs swiftly across the bed, and got up with the gun in her hand. She gripped the gun firmly and swept it around the dark room, then slowly crept out of her bedroom. Mercedes walked down the corridors of her home, trying to make as little noise as possible. She crept over to the spiral suspended staircase that led downstairs. She bent down and peeked through the bars, looking down the stairs, and overheard a few men talking in a foreign language. They were dressed up in all black, with black masks concealing their identity.
Mercedes quickly went back into her room, grabbing her car and house keys off the table. She immediately grabbed the duffle bag and headed straight for the safe that was embedded into her bedroom wall, grabbing all of the money that was in it. Mercedes looked back at her bedroom door when she heard heavy boots coming up the stairs.
Oh shit! Mercedes panicked as she quickly stuffed the rest of the money in the bag and finished cleaning out the safe. She didn’t have time to grab everything else from the other safe that was hidden inside the walk-in closet. Mercedes made a run for it as she heard them walking down the hall and their voices got closer. She quickly looked over at the window and then back at the door. She didn’t want to jump out of the window, but she had no choice. Mercedes scurried over to the window, lifting it up, and then she crawled out onto the slanted ro
of. She wobbled across the roof, trying to maintain her balance. Mercedes threw her bags over her shoulder, bent down, and crawled down the ladder that she had set up on the side of her house. She thanked God for that ladder, because she couldn’t afford to break her legs.
Mercedes jumped down and landed on her feet. All she had on was her Victoria’s Secret pajamas and a tank top; she was freezing. Although it was a summer night, it was a little cold. She headed down the street to where her Benz was parked. Mercedes hadn’t parked in the garage that day, because some idiot was blocking it when she came home. Fumbling with her car keys to get them in the door, Mercedes finally got it open. She threw her Louis duffle bag in the back seat of her Benz and started up the engine. She pulled out her cell phone to warn Candy not to go to the house. Her fingers were trembling as she managed to dial Candy’s phone number, without messing up the digits. Mercedes kept looking out through the crystal clear windshield. Mercedes had the phone pressed up to her ear as it continuously rang.
“Please answer, Candy, come on!” Mercedes whispered as she removed the phone from her ear and looked at it, disappointed when she only got Candy’s voicemail.
Mercedes quickly looked up as the black truck passing caught her attention. It pumped its brakes and stopped in front of her house. Mercedes couldn’t see who got out of the car because it was so dark. She called Candy once again and finally she picked up.
“Wassup, girl? You blowing up my damn phone—”
Mercedes quickly cut her off. She couldn’t even get out of the car in enough time to warn Candy not to go into the house.
“Candy, you can’t go in the house!” Mercedes warned her as she watched Candy walk up the front stairs of the house, assuming she had just gotten out of the black truck. She rang the doorbell.
“Just come open the door!” Candy barked as the cold air hit her face.
“Candy, you can’t go in the house, there are—” Mercedes’s words faded off as suddenly a loud gunshot went off. Mercedes jumped back, covering her mouth as she watched Candy fly back in full force. A guy dressed in all black came out, holding a shotgun in his hand. Tears welled up in Mercedes’s eyes, blurring her vision. She banged on the steering wheel, enraged. Mercedes screamed through clenched teeth as she cried.
