Chapter 5
FIVE
Brandy Davenport
I WAS GENUINELY SURPRISED when Armond showed up to my class.
It was hard to get through with him being such a pleasant distraction.
I thought he was showing up to chop my head off for witnessing what he did to that man, but it was the complete opposite.
He wanted a good stretch and I made sure he got just that in hopes of him stretching me out sooner than later.
Though I was intimidated by that dark side of him, today showed me a side of him that was refreshing and really dope.
I wanted to get to know him while he devoured me at the same time.
Every time those bright eyes stared at me, I couldn’t help but blush and my cheeks hurt so damn bad I needed a face massage just for them to work it out.
No man had ever gotten a reaction out of me like him.
My little gestures weren’t something I did on a regular basis.
I usually avoided men altogether since my relationship with Jeffrey.
He showed me every ounce of what a man was not supposed to do in a relationship and it completely turned me off from the male species.
Yet, here came Armond Davis with his tall frame and toned body, light eyes that pierced through my soul, that luscious, wavy, long hair, strong hands and long, manicured fingers.
I mean really, everything about the man screamed sex appeal and great hygiene.
His demeanor and personality just accentuated those good looks by a thousand.
He was nice to everyone in class and though he didn’t like being around so many of us—I could tell by how stiff he became whenever someone other than me approached him—he offered to get us all lunch and spa treatments on his dime.
He didn’t just use his pull as the owner, I literally watched him pay for all our services and our outrageous dining bill.
He didn’t even blink about paying for ten meals.
I mean, when you were the owner of a renowned resort I guess you wouldn’t, but the gesture itself had me smiling all goofy and what not.
Once he left us to our spa day, I instantly missed his presence and that wasn’t even like me. To the point where I had Marsha looking at me all silly and waiting to pounce on me with questions. Armond and I planned on going to dinner once I got a good nap in.
We’d just gotten back from the spa and all I wanted to do was take a nap, but I knew that wasn’t about to happen when Marsha started talking as soon as we entered our room.
“Soooo… inquiring minds want to know… what’s up with you and Armond? ” Her light and playful tone while saying his name made me want to throw a pillow at her but instead I kept a straight face like he didn’t rattle my soul one bit.
“Nothing. Why are you asking me that? I’m about to go to sleep, girl. I just met that man.”
“Yeah, naw. You aren’t about to avoid this convo with sleep. Speak on it. You were blushing something crazy and you couldn’t keep your eyes off each other. There’s something there and it’s kind of obvious.”
“Okay and if there is?”
“I say jump on that dick, girl.”
I burst out laughing. Marsha didn’t have a filter and coming to Puerto Rico helped her be her full self around me.
“If I do, that man will follow me home.” I giggled.
“Okay? He’s filthy rich, so you’re acting like you’re saying something. I’m sure he’d be willing to go wherever you are and take you somewhere else. He likes you. You like him. Roll with that thang, boo.”
“Marsha, since when are you giving relationship advice?”
“Since today.” She stuck her tongue out then playfully nudged me as she walked by and headed to her room. I shook my head then tossed my body onto the sofa. Though my body was relaxed, I was truly exhausted and didn’t think I could make it to my room. This couch would have to suffice for now.
“Girl, no. If you sleep now then you won’t sleep tonight and you’ll be looking like a raccoon come tomorrow evening,” our other roommate, Stella, said as she came into the living area.
“Ooh, y’all about to get on my nerves,” I grumbled.
“Yeah, so what? You know I’m right. Wake up, friend.”
“Fine. Fine. You better give me something to keep me up then cuz I want to curl up for a couple of hours at the least.”
“Okay, how about we go to the lounge? Listen to music and have a drink or two. By then it’ll be dinner and bam sleepy time with the good sleep from the drinks.” She giggled and I couldn’t help but giggle too because she was a fool. It was a good idea though.
“Alright, fine, but I’m not doing dinner with y’all, I have a date.”
“Yet there ain’t nothing going on with y’all. Girl bye,” Stella said, then burst into laughter. I couldn’t help but laugh too because she was right. There was something between us, but I wasn’t trying to make it into anything other than dinner.
“Let me shower and put on something nice then we can go about it,” I replied.
“Sounds good to me, boo.”
“I’m coming too,” Marsha called out behind us.
“Wouldn’t expect otherwise, girl,” I replied.
She laughed then went back to her telephone conversation. Stella and I went our separate ways and got ready for what I hoped would be a fun night ahead. I just hoped time sped by so I could hit these sheets sooner than later.
We walked up to the lounge and instantly caught the vibes.
It was a chill atmosphere with live music.
The singer had pipes and everyone was grooving.
Waiters moved about easily and it was the perfect atmosphere with its warm colors that blended nicely with the evening sky.
My smile had Stella nudging me with a smile of her own.
“See, I knew you’d like this place. Let’s hit the bar then find an open table.”
“Do they have VIP in a place like this? I’d love to be sectioned off tonight. I really am tired as hell and the less people hitting on us, the better,” I replied.
“I don’t know, girl. I guess we fitna find out,” Marsha chimed in.
We all looked around for a second then headed to the bar when we didn’t see any roped off sections. I guess I’d just endure whatever came. Once I got a couple of shots in me it wouldn’t matter anyway because I was a lightweight and didn’t care much after that.
We hit the bar and I saw the same bartender from a night ago. When we locked eyes, he smiled instantly and I couldn’t help but smile too. He was a cool dude.
“I’m two for two. Oh man,” he joked.
“Whatever.” I laughed. “You get around huh?”
“Yeah, I’m wherever I’m needed. What can I get you ladies?” He made eye contact with my girls and I smiled at his customer service. He really was a good bartender.
“Uh… a lemon drop for me,” Stella said.
“Sex on the beach,” Marsha added.
“And I guess I’ll take two shots of tequila and a frozen strawberry margarita,” I answered.
“I got y’all, give me a couple,” he replied, then went off to fill our requests. It wasn’t busy around the bar, so I figured he’d have the time to make my frozen drink with no problem, especially with one other bartender on the other end catering to people.
“Two shots and a margarita? Girl, who are you trying to get drunk for?” Stella asked.
“ Armond, ” Marsha replied in that girly voice again.
“No, I want to sleep at the end of all of this. I didn’t sleep well last night or the night before if I’m being honest.”
“Damn, Jeffrey stirred you up like that, huh?” Stella asked.
“Yeah. He wouldn’t stop blowing me up then had the nerve to show up at my place like that wasn’t a whole problem itself. That man doesn’t understand what a restraining order is to save his damn life.”
“See, that’s why you need to go back to the police and get his ass locked up. He keeps playing in your face,” Marsha chimed in.
“Ugh. They don’t do a thing. It’s like he has them in his back pocket or something.”
“Well maybe you need someone to go kick his ass,” Stella said.
I laughed as our drinks were slid over to us.
“Thanks…” I let the statement hang in the air as I waited for the bartender to give me his name.
“Alejandro,” he finally replied as he wiped the counter beside us.
“Thanks, Alejandro,” we said in unison.
He smiled widely and winked.
“He’s hella cute,” Stella said.
“Maybe you should see about him then, friend,” I said, smiling widely.
“Ooh, I see what you’re doing there,” Stella said, pointing a finger at me. She laughed then took a sip of her drink. “Oh yes, this is probably the best lemon drop I’ve ever tasted. I see Alejandro is good with his hands.”
He looked over at us at the mention of his name and locked in on Stella. “You can say that.” He winked and she blushed while batting her eyes.
“I just did,” she said.
Marsha and I looked at each other then each of them and decided to let them have their moment.
We walked further into the lounge and noticed an outdoor area.
I looked back at Stella who was staring at us with ballooned eyes and I motioned that we were heading out there.
She nodded but continued to look at us in a panic.
I guess she needed her girls for her confidence.
I mouthed, “you got this”, then stepped outside.
I scanned the area then handed Marsha one of the shots I was holding and she smiled.
We took them to the head then walked over to the only available couch.
The second we plopped into our seats, a man approached us.
I instantly pulled my dress down and looked at Marsha.
She was on edge too because he got to us rapidly.
“How are we feeling today, ladies?” he asked.
His accent was thick, non-native, and reminded me of someone trying to imitate the French.
He was an average height man with bushy eyebrows, deep-set eyes, and a crispy lineup and fade but a scraggly beard.
He had white teeth though and was kind of charming, but in a scary kind of way. I didn’t like him.
“Doing well,” I replied. There wasn’t more that needed to be said.
“Would you like to join me and my friend Ernesto? You two look a little lonely over here.” He smiled and I withheld a laugh. He couldn’t be serious.
“How do we look lonely when we’re here with each other?” I asked.
Marsha giggled then took a sip of her drink. He looked her way then back to me as if he was insulted.
“Did I tell a joke?” he asked.
“No but you clearly are one,” I mumbled.
“What did you say? Speak up,” he said, his tone and accent changing. I knew he was a playboy. One who played plenty of games to bag women and didn’t like being rejected. Good thing I had my taser on me.
I stood to face him and handed Marsha my drink.
“I said, no, but you clearly are one,” I repeated, slyly putting my hand into my purse.
His hand raised like he was going to strike me. “Bit…”
Before I could pull out my taser and he could get his words out, he was grabbed by his wrist and it was swiftly brought behind his back. I heard the crack of his bones and the crunch made my stomach churn.
“You should think before you raise your hand to a woman,” Armond said to the man.
He held his arm against his back and reached for the other arm and pressed it into his chest as he pushed him into the nearest wall.
I heard another crack then a whoosh of air coming from his lungs, followed by blood.
Did Armand just strike him and I didn’t see it?
Was his push into the wall that detrimental?
Marsha looked at me and gulped hard followed by emptying her entire drink down her throat. I couldn’t help but pick up my frozen drink and take a few sips. Armond had shown up out of nowhere. I hadn’t seen him when I initially scanned the space.
The man’s friend, Ernesto, saw what was happening and made his way over to us, yelling at Armond to let the man go or else.
I wasn’t sure if he realized it was Armond, or if he was even aware of who Armond was, but it was clear Armond knew them.
Armond continued staring at the man who harassed us with a smile on his face, completely ignoring Ernesto’s antics.
The look in his eyes was terrifying even from the side and I knew nothing good would come from this.
Before Ernesto could fully approach Armond, his body collapsed to the floor.
Spurts of blood splashed against Marsha and I realized Armond had shot this man without even looking at him with his other arm still latched against his friend.
Noticing a speck of blood in my drink, I instantly put it down and grabbed Marsha’s hand, pulling her up.
We had to get the hell out of here. Armond didn’t care about any onlookers in this crowded ass place and bodied a man like it was nothing.
Next thing I knew, the man collapsed to the ground as well and blood seeped from his body. Had Armond shot them at the same time or was I tripping right now?
I looked at Armond and smoke was still coming out of his gun, yet we never heard a shot. There was no way he had a silencer that damn good. On top of that, there was no way this man was that unhinged when he just had us laughing hysterically at lunch.
“Girl, come on, we’ve seen enough. I should’ve just gone to sleep,” I grumbled in her ear.
She latched onto me like she was my child.
She only nodded and we proceeded to go back inside.
Being voiceless showed how terrified she was.
Marsha always had something to say. When I told them we were going to enjoy ourselves and have fun with some excitement on this trip, this was not what I meant.
Once Stella saw us approaching, her laughter stopped and she looked at Alejandro then back to us full of concern. She scanned our bodies and her face sank.
“Is that blood? What the hell?” she asked as she stood.
“Yes. Let’s go, now,” I said as I grabbed her arm and pulled her along with us.
“What…”
“We’ll explain it in our room. Just come on,” Marsha griped.
It was the most she’d said through the whole altercation.
Stella gulped hard and looked back at Alejandro one last time before we disappeared.
I glanced over to him myself and he nodded once before going back to wiping the counter like this was routine. What the hell is Armond into?
We scurried back to the room with our heels in our hands.
Every ounce of intoxication I could’ve felt was back at that lounge.
I could barely breathe but I was grateful to not be on Armond’s bad side.
He technically saved me. Yeah, I had a means to an end, but that man was huge and burly.
I was sure my taser would’ve been slight to him and it would’ve just made him more upset.
I didn’t know what that man would’ve done to me had Armond not intervened. But did he have to intervene like that?