Chi-Town Bosses & the Women That Love Em 2

by Anna Black

  I smiled brightly. “I’d love to, I mean, you’re right. At the end of the day, this is still Gabby’s townhouse, so if I move, she could collect better rent because it’s worth way more than I pay her.”

  “Well, it’s settled. This weekend, we pack you up and throw all of that old ass shit that you call furniture away,” he joked and then went back to the other side to sit.

  “Hey, everybody ain’t able.”

  “I know, but I also know you have taste, style, and class. I know your situation was a lil fucked up, but all that is about to change,” he said and then bit into his sandwich.

  “I guess it is. If someone had told me that I’d meet you the day my divorce was final, I would have laughed in their face. I lost a lot, but now I got you, about to be living in a beautiful home and back in my salon. Shit can’t get any better than this,” I said and took a bite of my sandwich. I decided to just let something good happen for myself instead of going in kicking and screaming. Rel so far has shown himself to be a loving, kind and giving man. That was exactly what I needed, so it was no need to keep up a wall of fear and doubt. Chris had dimmed my light on love, but Rel just reignited the flames again, and I was grateful for that.

  “Oh, it can, just watch,” he said, and I couldn’t stop smiling.

  I was in love and finally truly happy again. I couldn’t wait to move, get my salon back up and running and begin again with Rel.

  19

  Rel

  Six weeks had gone by so fast, it’s like it all was a blur. I was putting the finishing touches on my baby’s place, hoping I could do a reveal by the weekend, but I was still multi-tasking with my brother’s new club Desire, so I was keeping really late nights. My crew had helped me tackle the heavy shit, but now the finishing details were all me, so as soon as I left my brother’s site, I headed straight to Chasity Rules. I knew my baby’s favorite color was red and then I remembered the color scheme at her last birthday party. There was a lot of red, black and silver in her place. Since I was in the home stretch of the project like my paying clients, I urged her to stay away until all was complete.

  I’d need a week more tops, but I was so close to the end of the road, I was excited. I continued to do my paint touch-ups when I heard someone enter the back door. It wasn’t locked because I was in and out, and I hoped Chasity didn’t break her vow to stay away like she had promised.

  “Chas, I said no peeps, baby. Why are you breaking the rules?” I called out, but then a man about five-nine at most in jeans, a button-down and J’s walked in from the back. When I saw him, I put the paintbrush down. “Can I help you?” I asked.

  “Ah, nah, playa, you can keep painting,” he said with a tone that I didn't care for.

  “I’ll get back to that. Who are you, and what are you doing here? This is private property,” I said calmly.

  “My bad, I’m Chris, Chasity’s husband,” he introduced.

  I had to catch myself to keep from laughing as I walked into his direction. He was just the muthafucka I wanted to see and the muthafucka I had no problems fucking up. “Chas is divorced, and if you don’t mind, I have a job to do, so you can head on up outta here man,” I said, moving closer, closing the distance between us. I wanted him to flex. I indeed did, so I could knock his ass to the floor, but he nodded, then turned to head for the back entrance, but then he paused.

  “So, are you her so-called new man?” he quizzed.

  “Who and what I am isn’t any of your concern, Chris. You don’t get to ask me questions, nor do I owe you any answers. Again, I ask that you vacate this place because it is private property.”

  He smirked and then let out a chuckle before he turned to walk away again. “I’ll be back during normal business hours, believe that,” he said and proceeded to leave.

  I was on fire. I knew it was smart not to attack that son of a bitch, but I had to make sure Malice got there sooner than later to install cameras and the security system. I didn’t trust that nigga. If he thought he could just stroll back into my baby’s life, that was a negative. And if he thought he’d bring her anymore heartache and pain, he was fucking mistaken.

  Chas and I were still new, but together, we were like an old couple. She was my peace, pleasure, and remedy to happiness. Oddly, we never argued, and we like so many of the same things that shit was always so smooth and easy with her. I’d question it because there were times I thought shit was too good to be true, but things with Chas were great, and nothing was complicated. We favored the same foods, drinks, movies, music, and after a few short months, we were finishing each other sentences. Unreal, I know, but that was us. Before the finishing touches at her salon, we’d both get off work, go there and spend hours fixing whatever. Well I’d fix, and she’d watch, but I showed her how to do a ton of things.

  We were so close to the finish line and then this clown shows up out of the blue. I’d typically beat my damn brain on why, but I had to focus on what Chasity needed. I let the thoughts of that bitch ass nigga fade to the back of my mind and got back to the task at hand, hoping to get all of the touch-up painting done that evening. A few hours later, my cell rang.

  “Hey, baby,” I answered.

  “Hey, I’m home. How much longer will you be?”

  “Not too much longer. I’m just putting the cabinet doors back on. They are all completely dry, and I’m glad I didn’t leave them to paint today. Getting them out the way last night was a good choice.”

  “Great! I’m dying to see my place. I don’t know if I’ll be able to stay away.”

  “You promised, so don’t ruin the surprise, babe.”

  “I won’t. Can you save the rest for tomorrow and come home now? I feel I don’t know. I mean, I know the house is secure, but I’d love it if you come home now, Rel.”

  “Is everything okay, Chas?” I could hear a little tremble in her voice.

  “I’m okay, babe. I got home a while ago, and I just feel a little alone in this big old house. Can you come home?”

  “Yeah, baby, don’t worry. Give me a few minutes to put things away, and then I’m on my way.”

  “Okay, baby, drive safely,” she said, and then I ended the call.

  I just poured the paint back into the larger bucket, rinsed my brush, and headed home. I didn’t want to tell her about the visit from Chris’ stupid ass, so I decided I’d keep that information to myself for now, and hoped he had the damn sense to not show the fuck up again.

  20

  Chas

  Finally, I was off and could not wait to get out of Sassy Styles. Doing hair was my life, but I must admit I had days when I just wanted to do nothing and not go nowhere, but adulting didn’t allow that bullshit, and it was a constant grind. I was in the back cleaning my combs and utensils, but Legacy called my name in a whisper.

  I turned to her. “What’s up and make it quick because I’m outta here as soon as I put my combs and shit away,” I said.

  “It’s Chris, that nigga is here. I told him that you already left, but I don’t think he bought it,” she said softly.

  Legacy and I went to hair school together, and she was always cool as fuck. We were never considered to be close friends, but we were girls, and she and Andrea were the only two in the salon that knew the real on Chris. Back when Chris was going upside my head, Gabby was all the way down in Texas and Tori was living in her husband’s momma’s house so they could get their degrees and shit, Legacy would let me crash on her sofa to get away from Chris, but my stupid ass would always end up going back to him.

  “Are you serious?” I said in a panic. He was the absolute last person I wanted to see, talk to, or even lay my eyes on.

  “Yes, his ass just waltzed up in here like he owns the got’damn place. He went straight to your booth, Chasity as if he knew you worked here all along,” she said.

  That was shocking to me because I had no idea that he knew where I worked, to begin with. And if he walked over to my station, that meant he had someone watching me, or his dum
b ass was watching me himself.

  “Did he leave?” I asked nervously.

  “He walked out the door, and I locked it, but I don’t know if he is gone, gone. Yas and Sonia are still here, but everyone else has gone. I mean, I’m six months pregnant, Sonia and Yas weigh one-hundred pounds combine. I called the police just in case he is outside. I don’t want him to act up.”

  “You called the damn police?” I asked, shocked. I didn’t see the need to call the man.

  “Fuck yeah! Do you remember the ass whoopings that nigga used to put on you?”

  I nodded because although I wish I could forget, I couldn’t. “Well, he doesn’t know what kind of car I drive now, at least I hope he doesn’t. I’ll just hurry out first, and you watch for me. If something goes left, do not open that door, Lay. I don’t want to put you or the other girls in danger. Chris is crazy as fuck,” I said. I began to tremble. I hadn’t seen my abuser in a while, but I didn’t trust him as far as I could spit.

  “Are you sure you want to step outside alone or just wait for the police, Chas?” I could hear the concern in her voice.

  “Legacy, I’m good, babe,” I said with a fake smile.

  Truthfully, I was terrified of Chris and prayed that he had left. I hurried and finished up, grabbed my bag, then made my way to the door. I gave Legacy a tight hug and made her promise she’d locked the door and stay out of it if Chris was still there. If he hurt her or her baby, that would be too much for me. I headed to my new AUDI A4, walking as fast as my legs could move. Before I could grab the door handle to open it, my neck jerked back as he yanked my weave.

  “So, you got it going on now I see with yo’ new ride and shit,” he said against the side of my face.

  “Please let me go and leave me alone.”

  “Let you go, bitch? Why would I do that?”

  “They will call the police on your ass, Chris. They are watching,” I warned. “And I will be fucking pressing charges on ya’ ass this time, Chris!” I blasted. I was afraid of him still, but I didn’t want him to know that I was.

  He let go. “I’ll leave you alone for now, but I know what’s going on. I see you, and that nigga you wit’,’” he said, taking a couple of steps back.

  “Chris, don’t do anything stupid. You and I are done. I’m just trying to move on and live my life.”

  He laughed out loud. “Bitch, there is no moving on from me. You think I ain’t been watching you? You got out of the fuckin’ ghetto and living with that contractor nigga in that fancy-ass house. Yeah, I know shit. And all the work that mah’fucka putting in at your salon is a waste because next time, I’ma burn that bitch to the ground,” he threatened.

  Before he could say another word, the cops rolled into Sassy Styles parking lot. I exhaled and thanked God. In that neighborhood, 9-1-1 wasn’t a joke. They rolled up on us and let down a window.

  “Is there a problem, ma’am?” he asked me.

  “Nah, we good, officer. I was just leaving,” Chris said.

  Since I was unharmed, I didn’t argue. I nodded, agreeing with Chris, quickly got inside of my car and pulled off as fast as I could and hurried home. I rushed inside, set the alarm, and then went for my tablet to look at the cameras. For twenty-minutes, there was no movement, so I found the courage to shower. An hour or so later, I knew Rel would be at the salon working, but I needed him home with me. I was on edge, so I called him. I was paranoid, and every noise I heard seemed amplified, so I went for my wine. I just sat and peered at the cameras until I saw my man’s pick-up pull into our drive. I got up and raced to the door. As soon as he shut the door, I fell into his arms and cried uncontrollably.

  21

  Gutta

  I woke from my sleep when I didn’t feel her lying next to me, and then I sat up in the bed. I thought she may have been in the bathroom, but the door was open, and the light wasn’t glowing into our room. I wondered where Gabby was. The digital clock read three twenty-nine a.m., and I wondered why my woman wasn’t fast asleep by my side. I got up to search for her, and when I got downstairs, the house was dark and quiet. I looked over to the powder room, and the door was closed. As I got closer, I heard sobbing. I tapped and didn’t wait for her to invite me in before I proceeded to open the door.

  The overhead lights were off, but the nightlight shone bright enough for me to see my babysitting on the floor. There were five pregnancy sticks on the granite vanity. I picked up one just to make sure I read pregnant, and then I placed it back with the others. I didn’t have to guess that the others were positive. Her sniffles confirmed that, so I sat down on the floor beside her.

  “Why is this bad news, Muffy?” I asked tenderly. I wanted to break out into a dance, but I wanted to see why the news didn’t cause Gabby to be celebrating.

  “It’s not, but it’s just not how I pictured things would be for us.”

  “Well, tell me how you pictured it,” I quizzed. I was so fucking happy that it took every muscle in me to remain calm and get to the bottom of why it made my woman sad.

  “Us married maybe two or three years after we’ve traveled a little, party like rock stars and just did us before parenthood.”

  “I could see that, Gab, and that vision is perfect, but in the real world, things happen like unexpected pregnancies, or there are more delays on opening my new club, or baby, guess what, my parents are back together again after almost twenty years of separation. So, this baby doesn’t ruin things for us. We can still do whatever we want to do, Muffy, even party like rock stars. This kid is a blessing and has two sets of grandparents that are dying to spoil their first grandkid, and they will be fighting to babysit. We are going to have to turn them away because they are going to be here to spoil this kid, so things might slow down a bit, but it ain’t over. This is a good thing, babe.”

  She nodded up and down. “I guess you’re right,” she cried.

  “I am super fucking happy. I’m so happy right now I want to jump up and down, call my parents, and wake them out of their sleep. This is good news, Gab,” I said softly, trying to hold on to the excitement. I wanted her to be on the same page before I celebrated.

  “Are you really happy, Gutta? I mean, I’ve been beating my brain wondering how in the hell this happened. I’ve never missed a pill, and the only reason why I got the test today is because I’ve been nauseous and dry heaving all damn week.”

  “Really, when? And how did I not know this?”

  “Because it’s been happening at school and I didn’t want to freak you out or have you going all crazy over me, so I didn’t say anything.”

  “Even though you are right, you should have said something, babe.”

  “I know, but the last time I had a lil cold, you treated me like I had pneumonia, and I wasn’t going through that shit again,” she giggled.

  “I was a bit extra,” I said, thinking back on it.

  “You were acting like a damn lunatic. Hell, you barely let me piss alone,” she reminded me.

  “Welp, now that you’re pregnant, I will not be letting you pee alone. I’m going to take extra good care of you and our baby,” I said, and pulled her into my arms. I kissed my baby on the side of her head and just inhaled the scent of her hair. I loved Gabby so much, and the idea of being a father had my insides doing flips.

  “Awwwww, baby, please don’t drive me crazy, okay,” she whined.

  “I’ll try not to, but ten times out of ten, I’m going to overprotect. It’s just in me,” I laughed.

  She sighed. “I know,” she laughed lightly. “So are you really happy? I mean, now I’ll be showing at the wedding.”

  “I’m ecstatic, baby, and I am bursting. And with this news, I think we should move the wedding up,” I suggested.

  She lifted her head. “You think we should?”

  “Why not? I mean, there is no reason not to.”

  “You’re right, but first things first. I have to make an appointment to see when did this miracle happen.”

  “I know exactl
y when it happened,” I teased.

  “Oh, really? Enlighten me,” she smiled.

  “You remember that night you came by Desire and brought me dinner because I was there late, and you damn near raped me on the new bar?”

  “Ooooh, you might be right. That night I was on fire, and I remember begging you to fuck me right that night. The new bar was in, it was so sexy. And the lights… I just had to have you.”

  “Yes, and when I climaxed that night, I thought I’d have a damn heart attack, I came so hard.”

  “And you screamed louder than me,” she teased, laughing.

  “I fucking did. That night, I don’t know what it was, but that shit was extra good, extra wet and super fucking tight. So that had to be the night my soldiers gave them damn birth control pills the damn finger.”

  We both laughed. “Well if that is the case, we’re around five or six weeks,” she said.

  I counted back, and she was about right if in fact, that was the night. “So, when will you see the doctor?”

  “I’ll call in the morning to make an appointment, and then I’ll let you know.” She rested her head on my chest, and we sat in silence for a few moments.

  “So, can we go back to bed?”

  She looked up at me again. “Yes, but are you sure you are happy, Gutta? This is such a surprise.”

  “I’m happy, Muffy. I am so happy that I could dance,” I assured her and then kissed her deeply.

  After our passionate kiss, she looked at me before smiling brightly. “We are going to have a baby!” she yelled, giving me the level of energy I was holding inside.

  “Yes, yes, yes!” I cheered with her. “I’m going to be a dad!” I blasted excitedly, and my baby and I had our very own intimate celebration alone.

  I couldn’t wait to spread the word, but Gabby insisted that we wait until after she saw the doctor. I agreed with her, but I did text my best friend and brother Rel to let him know the big news. I had to tell somebody, and he was the first somebody that I told.