Chapter 11
Me and Ronnie were sitting in the in the lounge area specifically set aside for the girls.
Madam had it decorated beautifully but softer than the rest of the area.
Soft shades of whites, and fresh flowers.
The double doors connected to the balcony that was currently open letting in the cool breeze as the gauzy beige curtains billowed around.
Serene would be the word I would use to describe the space.
It was midday, and most of our clients were at work so we were enjoying some rare downtime until our bookings.
We sat on the plush velvet furniture sharing a bottle of Moscato and nibbling on fruit and mini pastries.
It was the little amenities like this that made this place feel like more than what it was.
Madam took care of us. She paid us well and made sure we were treated as ladies. I was completely satisfied. Not to mention, my bank account had never looked better. If I kept this up for another year or two, hell I could probably retire on an island somewhere.
My gaze strayed to the open balcony as the breeze fluttered around my crossed legs. For a moment, I let my thoughts wander to Remy and our unexpected phone call last night. I typically block men, but something about him kept me from doing it.
Maybe I was hoping he would reach out again. And he did—sooner than I would've expected to be honest. He sounded sincere. I hoped that he was especially if I was throwing away my cardinal rule for him.
"What you over there smiling about?" Ronnie poked my thigh sharply with her stiletto nail.
"Ow, bitch," I turned to face her with a laugh. "Sharp ass nails. You need to find another shape."
"No," she smirked. "I like to dig my claws in these men neck's." She bared her nails towards me.
We laughed—Wisdom and Bianca sitting across from us.
"You do seem to have a wistful look about you today, GG." Wisdom said, leaning forward and plucking a strawberry off the tray. She took a bite, her sharp eyes studying me.
I waved her off with a smile and a slight shrug. "It's a beautiful day. I'm making good money, enjoying fruit and wine in the middle of a weekday. Can't a girl just be pleased with that?"
"Here, here." Lena raised her glass in confirmation. "I'm making more money than I've ever made thanks to Madam."
"See…" I pointed. "Lena gets it."
"Thanks to Madam my ass," Ronnie snorted softly with an eye roll. "It's thanks to that tight lil' pussy and that pretty, innocent face you got." She poured another glass of wine. "You look virginal, Lena. I know these weird ass men probably making you dress up in pigtails and schoolgirl outfits."
Lena's eyes widened slightly, mouth dropping open. Wisdom bit back a laugh before rubbing Lena's arm in comfort.
I rolled my eyes, taking Ronnie's glass from her while shaking my head. "I can tell when you've had too much 'cause you become vulgar."
"I'm just honest," Ronnie took the glass back from me. "Ain't nothing wrong with preying on a man's sexual proclivities to get what you want." She glanced over at Lena. "That wasn’t shade Lena, but you are built like a twelve-year-old, babe."
"But that was shade." Wisdom cut her eyes at her.
"It was." I gave Ronnie a pointed look. "Bitch, behave sometimes. Damn."
Ronnie huffed softly. "My bad," she reached out to Lena, holding out her hand. Lena reluctantly took it. "You're pretty as fuck is all I was saying. Madam can’t take credit for that."
That prompted a smile from Lena. "Thank you."
Wisdom titled her head slightly, her eyes on Ronnie. "You got a vendetta against Madam or something?" she asked curiously.
Ronnie exhaled and sat back, picking back up her glass. "Not at all. I actually wanna be just like the bitch when I grow up." She smiled. "She's inspiring."
"Well then you have a long way to go, little Ms. Hip-Hop Homegirl."
We all turned at the voice, and none other than the self-proclaimed, queen bee herself strolled in with her new minion Bianca, snickering like a damn hyena at her side. I rolled my eyes instantly.
"If you want to ever become a woman like Madam, you need to work on a few things." Monroe smirked, standing in front of us. "Poise is one of them. Class is the other." She looked Ronnie up and down critically.
Ronnie set down her glass and stood. "Bitch, I will knock every last tooth down your dick guzzling throat if you keep playing with me," she warned taking a step forward.
"Ooo. I'm so scared." Monroe mocked, fake shivering in fear. "A bitch all of 5'4 thinks she can whoop my ass."
"Bitch!" Ronnie drew back her fist.
I quickly stood and grabbed it, pulling her back. "Chill. This bitch ain't worth it. She just trying to antagonize us so we can get kicked out," I stated, my eyes locked on Monroe's smug ass face.
"Well look who just earned herself a gold star," Monroe smiled clapping her hands twice. "Smart girl. And here I thought your brain was hidden in that big ole' ass you're dragging around."
Bianca laughed obnoxiously.
I damn near had to struggle to hold Ronnie back who was now trying her best to reach over me and swing. Wisdom and Lena hurried over to our side.
"Monroe, you're far too old to be a mean girl," Wisdom chimed in. "Grow up. As I've said, there's enough money for us all to make."
Monroe's neck rolled over to Wisdom. "And like I told you before—you're funny."
We finally got Ronnie to calm down all while Monroe watched us with that devious ass smile on her face that I swear I wanted to smack off.
This bitch was absolutely dreadful, and it seemed like she was making it her personal mission to fuck with me and Ronnie.
But I knew how to knock a bitch like her in her place.
"How's Boss, Monroe?" I asked with a smile.
Her eyes narrowed, nostrils flaring and her jaws clenching. "You don’t need to worry about Boss, fresh meat," she gritted out.
"Maybe not." I nodded slowly. "Maybe—" I dragged out, "Boss needs to worry about me."
I licked my lips slowly. "Maybe, you need to worry about me too.
Because a man like that," I inhaled slowly, eyes fluttering softly as if I could feel his hands on my body right there.
"A man like that could do a lot a damage to a woman who couldn’t handle him.
But me…" I stepped closer until I was damn near in her face.
"A bitch like me knows how to handle a boss.
Turn his ass into a peon with the right pressure.
" I smiled arrogantly. "But you wouldn’t know nothing about that would you, Monroe?
" I tilted my head. "I can teach you though if you say please. "
The room went still as our eyes locked in a silent challenge. I could see everything on her face and in her eyes that she didn't want me to see. And one thing was clear—she had feelings for Boss.
I wasn’t sure before, but it was clear as day reading her expression. She had broken the most important rule in the game and fell for a client. Not just any client—a married one.
“Tread lightly, Gianna,” she said, her voice low now. Gone was the playful bitchiness. “You’re new here. You don’t know how things work.”
I smiled at her. “Oh, I’m learning real fast how things work.”
“Then if you understand,” she added, stepping a little closer. “You would move accordingly. You don’t know who you're playing with.”
My brow rose and I crossed my arms smoothly. "I could say the same," I responded.
I didn’t step back or break eye contact. I also didn't get loud, and I could tell that, that alone pissed her off. Women like Monroe were used to intimidating people. Picking at them until they shrank. Not me. She picked the right woman to play this game with.
Her jaw flexed again, but this time she forced a tight, controlled smile. “You got a mouth on you,” she muttered.
“In more ways than one,” I returned just as calmly.
The tension stretched. Finally—she stepped back. Just one step but it was enough for me to know that I got under her skin.
“Enjoy it while it lasts,” she said in her snooty voice, smoothing her hair back. “This little confidence thing you got going on.”
I shrugged lightly, unfazed. “I always do.”
Her eyes lingered on me one more second before she turned, heels clicking sharply against the floor as she walked out. Bianca scrambled to follow behind her like a lost puppy.
The second the door closed, Ronnie turned to me “Bitchhh!” she grabbed my arm, "You shoulda let me smack her ornery ass," she sneered.
I exhaled, letting some of that tension roll off my shoulders. “Calm down That's what she wants. We not letting her blow our bag over her ego."
"Sis—I'm trying." Ronnie breathed out slowly.
Wisdom shook her head slowly. "She is a fucking nuisance.”
Lena exhaled. “I thought y'all were about to fight.”
“They still might,” Wisdom muttered, side-eyeing me slightly.
I dropped back onto the couch, picking my glass up like nothing happened, crossing my legs again as the breeze from the balcony brushed against my skin. “She don’t want that,” I said simply before taking a sip.
Ronnie plopped down next to me, still buzzing. “So…what made you even mention Boss?”
“She was talking a little too crazy,” I said casually.
But Ronnie wasn’t buying it. “Nah…that wasn’t just that,” she leaned closer, squinting at me. “You tryna get him?”
I let out a quiet laugh. “I don’t gotta try." I turned my head towards her. "Whatever I want comes to me."
Ronnie laughed. "That's my bitch," she squeezed my thigh.
Wisdom watched me closely before speaking again, "Careful, GG. I've met women like Monroe before. She won't go down without a fight. Trust me."
I shrugged easily. "Fighting over a man is below me." I frowned. "But fighting over a bag…" my face hardened, "she betta stay outta my way."