22. Blythe
Chapter Twenty-Two
BLYTHE
“Hello friend. I feel like I haven’t really talked to you in days.” Autumn spoke into the phone. I had just walked into the XO boutique to get my custom dress for the Halloween party tonight.
“I know. I mean I see you at work but it’s not the same.”
“Yea I know hoe. You always with Pharaoh’s ass.
Y’all don’t have to deal with every issue in the office together, Michelle and Barack, damn.
” She rolled her eyes playfully. We have been glued at the hip.
Pharaoh was a brilliant accountant. The more time I spent with him the more I was learning.
I also enjoyed the time we spent outside of work too.
I was beyond addicted. Which sounded so crazy coming from someone that needed to be alone unless I was spending time with my momma, aunt Ruby, or Autumn.
But now it was him I needed to see every day. In and out of the office.
“Don’t be like that. How many times have I called you to hang out and you turn me down for Rajah’s ass?” The line grew silent. “Huh? What was that?” “Exactly.” I teased.
“I know damn, He doesn’t have a lot of free time and neither do I, so I try to get my quality time in as much as possible.”
“I have noticed your disappearing act. Where the hell you been going lately Houdini?” I was looking through the rack at their new fall dresses.
A cute burnt orange one caught my eye. That was another thing.
I was slowly starting to wear different colors too.
I loved my black but lately it was starting to depress me.
I felt like I was shedding my old skin. My momma was home and Pharaoh felt like my security blanket.
I didn’t need to hide anymore. Looking down at my phone I thought Autumn had hung up because she didn’t answer my question.
“Hello!” I spoke noticing her going through her closet.
“Huh? What did you say? What do you think of this? Too revealing?” I frowned; this was becoming her norm. Every time I asked her where she has been going, she ignores me.
“What’s up shug?”
“Girl nothing. Really.” I bit my lip refraining from going off on my best friend. She stays in my business with Pharaoh but has been super secretive about her shit. Not wanting to be upset with her I decided to change the subject. She would tell me when she was ready.
“I wish you were coming tonight. It’s a Halloween party. A time for us to dress provocatively and get away with it.”
“I know, I hate I have to miss it. But go have a good time tonight Bee bee. and please do me a favor.”
“What’s that?” I ran my hand against the fabric of the dresses.
“Dance as if no one is looking?” I paused and looked at my best friend in the camera.
“I can’t make promises shug. But I will say that I will try.”
“Good enough for me. I just want you to embrace your newfound joy. Let Pharaoh carry your stressors.”
“Okay, what do you think of this?”
“That’s very cute. I’m loving the new Blythe, live and in color. She’s much more pleasant and fucked good.” My eyes widened and I looked up making sure no one was listening. I did a double take noticing a man in sunglasses.
“Autumn, I will call you right back.”
“No, I’m sorry. Stay on the phone, I want to see the dress.” I heard her but I was focused on the man across the room looking in my direction.
“Okay, call you back.” I hung up before she could reply.
Moving in the direction of the man he started walking away.
I followed him until he dipped behind the curtains in the dressing rooms. Looking around to make sure no one was watching I checked my 9mm in my thigh holster and followed.
As soon as I entered, I bumped into Counselor Rosewood.
“Jesus, you scared the hell out of me. Why are you following me around?”
“My apologies Blythe, I needed to speak with you. This was the only way.” I frowned noticing him call me by my real name.
“Speak to me about what?”
“I looked into everything you asked for. Even though I didn’t have to search deep. They are watching you?” He looked around me threw the curtains.
“Who is watching for me?”
“Linda, and Wylder?”
“Why? How do they know each other, Steve?” He opened his mouth to speak and his phone started ringing.
“Shit. I have to go. I will call later to meet. Just be careful, please.” He touched my arm in genuine concern.
He quickly rushed out the fitting room and out the store.
I stood there stunned and completely confused.
Why the hell would Linda be taking shit this far. And how the hell did she know Wylder.
Gaining my composure, I got my dress I ordered and left the store.
I watched my surroundings and made sure pearly was locked and loaded.
If they wanted me, they could come and get me.
I was tired of running and hiding. The old Blythe was gone.
The new me was no longer afraid of her past and it would not control her.
“Trick or treat?” I yelled as soon as my momma opened my aunt’s front door. She looked so cute in her peddle-pushers and pinned curls.
“Happy Halloween baby girl. You look good.” I pulled her in for a hug. I could smell the scent of vanilla and tobacco. Inhaling deep I felt relaxed instantly.
“Thank you, momma.”
“Hey, hey, sexy!” My aunt came around the corner wearing the same outfit as my mom. They were supposed to be Thelma and Louise but with way more hips and ass.
“Hey Auntie. Yall look so cute.” She hugged me and I followed them into the house and through to the kitchen.
This was the meeting spot for Pharaoh and me.
My aunt and momma were complaining that all my time was spent with him.
I didn’t even deny it because for the last two weeks he was the only one I wanted to be around.
I was happy my momma was home but something about Pharaoh made me want to be under his skin.
We spent most of our time in my penthouse or in the Venin Room. I loved being in control and dominating men in my playroom. But with him I can say I was tied up, tortured and pleased more than him.
He was so in tuned with my body and mind. He made the pain pleasurable. I enjoyed all of it. He also made me feel comfortable. Never taking it too far, just far enough for me to obey his every damn command.
Afterwards we will talk and he will check in on me mentally.
We have had so many long conversations about dreams and aspirations.
He was caring and thoughtful. But he was a demon when it came to sex.
I swear we were gonna get caught in his office one day.
I’ve been tied down to that desk so many times I can tell you exactly what the oak smells like.
But I was loving it. For the first time in my life, I felt free and secure. Even with the idea of Wylder being free and looking for me. I knew I would be okay no matter what. My life was definitely falling into place.
“You look amazing tonight, angel.” Pharaoh kissed up my shoulder to my neck. My body grew chills and I shuddered slightly at his soft wet tongue grazing my skin.
“Thank you, baby. So do you.” I looked over and pulled his head to mine for a kiss.
“Baby huh? Pet names is a good sign. Still waiting on the title.” I turned my head and looked out the window.
Pharaoh has been telling me to say I am his since the first time we had sex.
But we didn’t need the label. I was his.
He was mine. We were always together and when we weren’t together, he was on my mind.
Did we have to label what we were doing? Honestly there was nothing I wanted more than this with him, but I still had some fears. Every man in my life has failed me or hurt me in some way.
My dad abandoned me. My stepdad tried to take my innocence.
Wylder succeeded in stripping me of my dignity and pride.
Hell, my brother let him do it and then selfishly took his own life because he couldn’t handle the guilt of what he let them do to me.
Even the men in the Venin room had a motive. Fulfill their nasty ass fantasies.
So, a title felt like bondage. Giving up my control. Letting another man dictate what happens to me. I know, I know, Pharaoh wasn’t like them. He has shown it time and time again. I was just scared to trust and give my heart fully.
“Hey, get out your head love.” He pulled my face back to him and kissed my lips gently.
“I don’t want you to feel pressured. I am on your time baby.
I ain’t going anywhere. I feel like you are it for me.
So, I’m not gonna rush you. Just don’t shut me out.
I know shit from your past makes you want to shut the world out and battle everything alone, but you don’t have to.
Like I said and I will keep saying. I got you. ”
“I know and I believe you are probably it for me to. Thank you for giving me time. I am truly a work in progress, but I am trying. This is all new and scary. But I am ready to start a new life, carefree.”
“I am here to help.” He kissed my lips gently. I pulled him in deepening it. I really wish he could be under my skin. Our souls touching because that’s how close I wanted him to always be.
I was damn near sucking his lips off his face before we heard a clearing of someone’s throat. Looking up Pharaoh’s driver Clyde was looking at us in his rearview mirror.
“Sorry to interrupt sir but we are here.” I smiled and kissed Pharaoh one more time before wiping my gloss from his lips.
“You ready to live carefree?” He asked as soon as the door opened and Clyde stood back to let us out.
“Yea. Here’s to a good night.”
The Wednesday lounge was packed to what I would assume to be capacity. Men and women in masquerade mask were wedged in the building like sardines. No one seemed to care though. They were all drinking, dancing and vibing. We made our way to the booth I felt Pharaoh owned since he was always in it.