Chapter 38
The next few days dragged like hell. Every time my phone lit up, my stomach dropped thinking it was Madam calling with our results. I already knew everything would be clean, but the anticipation of it still grated my nerves.
Ronnie was on edge. Snapping. Pacing. Talking about Monroe every five minutes.
I decided not to tell Remy this newest development because I already knew what he would say:
"You don’t have to take this."
I know.
"I'm here for you, Gianna."
I knew that too.
Honestly, the whole thing was…embarrassing. It was childish as fuck that I was dealing with a real-life mean girl. I wanted to keep Remy and Melo totally separate from this part of my life. They were peace and stability. Light and love. I wanted to maintain that balance for myself. For them too.
Then Madam finally called me. “Gianna.” Her voice came through calm as ever. “We’ve received your results. I need you and Ronnie to come in.”
My stomach dropped. “Okay,” I replied simply.
We got there quickly and took seats in front of her desk, side by side. Neither one of us speaking. Ronnie’s knee was bouncing slightly next to mine, her fingers tapping against her thigh while I sat still, hands folded neatly in my lap.
Madam didn’t rush. She picked up the folder in front of her, opening it slowly “Both of your panels came back negative,” she said taking out two sheets of paper and extending them to us.
Ronnie and I reached out and took them. Negative for everything.
Silence.
Ronnie let out a loud exhale. “Told you our pussies were clean,” she muttered, leaning back in her chair.
I didn’t move. Because yeah—we were clear. But that wasn’t the point. I leaned forward slightly. “So our schedules will be restored?” I asked.
Madam looked at me over the rim of her glasses. “Yes,” she replied. “Immediately. If you two want to stick around, I can reset the system, and you can resume today."
"Bet." Ronnie nodded.
"So…about that investigation?" I asked slowly.
Madam exhaled slowly. "The clients wouldn't disclose who the rumors came from, but they were relieved to know that they were untrue."
"So that's it?" Ronnie scoffed. "This bitch just gets to run around lying on us and gets away with it?"
"If I had more concrete evidence I would handle it accordingly," Madam replied simply. "For now, you can take relief in knowing your names have been restored."
"Madam, this is bullshit," Ronnie spat out, voice rising at the end.
Madam stared at her silently before speaking again...
” I don’t know what about me makes you think you have the liberty to continue to raise your voice in my establishment but let this be the last time you do so," she said sharply.
"Now, I've extended grace once, but I'm fresh out today.
If you can't hold your tongue, little girl, this will be your last day in here. "
"Ronnie, chill." I looked over at her with a warning look.
Ronnie balled up her fists trying to suppress her anger. Finally, she gave a short nod. "I heard you."
Madam arched a brow and nodded once. "Go ahead and get ready," her voice softened slightly. "I have one of your regulars on standby."
Ronnie stood. So did I.
"Hold on a second, Gianna," Madam stopped me.
Ronnie glanced back at me from the doorway. I gave her a reassuring nod, and she closed the door behind her.
Madam stood slowly. "Have a drink with me, doll." She walked around her desk and towards her bar. "What's your poison?"
"You got any Reposado?" I asked standing.
"Of course." She poured us a shot of tequila. "To women." She lifted her glass.
I smiled. "To women." We toasted and knocked the shots back.
Madam sat at the barstool and patted the seat next to her. I sat down watching as she poured us another shot. "You know…I really like you, Gianna. You have a way about you that makes everyone feel comfortable in your presence."
Smiling I accepted the second shot from her. "Thank you. I try."
She finished the shot and sat her glass down with a clink. "And I know you and Monroe have your issues…" she began.
"Issues?" I snorted. "I just try to mind my business, and she keeps fucking with me," I clarified. "I'm trying really hard to be respectful, but I'ma beat her ass, Madam. It's inevitable at this point." I shrugged.
Madam shook her head. "She's a sweet girl for the most part. Just…territorial."
"Over shit that doesn’t belong to her." I frowned. "All this over a man she can't have anymore. A man that's no longer even here."
Madam nodded slowly. "About that…that's actually what I wanted to discuss with you."
I set down my drink. "Okay," I dragged out carefully, stomach knotting and wondering if she somehow found out about our little moment at Simmer & Soul.
"Boss has requested you tonight."
I blinked rapidly in shock.
"And tomorrow night. And…the night after that." She locked eyes with me. "He has requested you every night this week, Gianna."
"What the fuck?" I whispered.
Madam exhaled a slow breath. "He's offering 20k for the week."
"Are you kidding me?" I gawked in disbelief.
"You know I don't play about money." Madam shook her head slowly. "This has never been done before. Not with Monroe or any other girl in my house."
"That's crazy," I shook my head processing. "Why me?"
"That's exactly what I need to know, Gianna." She looked into my eyes. "Why you?"
"Hell, I don't know." I shrugged at a loss.
"Is there something outside of the fantasy that you've possibly led him to believe?" she pressed.
"No." I shook my head again, adamant. "Boss knows what it is with me. All I did was show him something different. Created an experience just like you told me. That's it."
"Well shit—" she huffed. "You may have created too good of an experience, girl," she chuckled.
I smirked still trying to wrap my mind around this.
"Look, this is your choice," she continued. "If you're not feeling it, I'll let him know. But he's ready to pay the entire amount at once."
"For real?" I asked.
"Mmhm." She nodded. "It's up to you though, Gianna." She rested her elbow on the bar. "What do you wanna do?"