Chapter 7 #2
“I love youuuuu, I want youuuu. You’re the one that I live for and I can’t take it anymore…”
A short, lazy song as she drifted to sleep.
She barely opened her mouth, but a little Faith Evans eased his mind.
She loved how he appreciated her gift. She had never had a man be truly thankful for something as simple as the melody of her voice.
Whether singing or speaking, Demi was spellbound whenever Charlie opened her mouth.
If only she could get him to listen to her desires truly.
She loved him, yes, but some of their wants for this moment in their lives were different, and as she sat thinking about the love they’d just made.
She knew she would have to address it head-on and soon. Otherwise, they’d fall apart.
“She got the invite?” Day asked as he adjusted his cufflinks in the mirror he stood in front of.
Roman nodded. “She got it. Wasn’t too happy about it, but it’s in her hands,” Roman informed. “The fit should be there by now as well. The car picks her up in about half an hour.”
“You’re a good man, Ro,” Day said.
“I just keep the wolves in skirts at bay,” Roman responded. “I’ve seen how you’ve been burnt. The sexual assault claim…”
“We don’t even speak on that, bro. Bitch was chasing clout. That’s why I play it safe these days,” Day stated.
In the beginning of his career, right after his first single had taken off, a groupie had hit him with a lawsuit claiming he had raped her.
Day had met her in a studio session, and drinks had flowed.
Turned out she had drugged him, and when he knocked her down, she claimed rape.
If it weren’t for one of the girl’s friends revealing that they had an agenda the entire time, Day would have lost everything and probably done jail time.
He hadn’t casually entertained a woman since.
“Seems like you like this one,” Roman added.
“This ain’t no different. I just like that she pretended to be offended. She’s a challenge. I’m sure she wants something just like the rest,” Day answered. “And she know what I want. I make it clear. I ain’t looking for nothing else. Can’t trust these hoes.”
“That’s why you got Livi coming too? That’s been on for a minute. You sure you not serious about that one?” Roman asked. “Cuz if it’s just a casual thing, I wouldn’t mind shooting my shot.”
Day chuckled and turned from the mirror, picking the expensive bottle of champagne out the bucket.
“That thang solid and she about her business. Ain’t never no confusion with that one.
She understand options, but she ain’t an option for you, as long as you work for me,” Day stated. “Nod your head, so I know you hear me.”
“Understood. You’re the boss,” Roman said.
“Remember that.”
“I can not accept this,” Stassi whispered to herself as she stood in the mirror, running her hands down the front of the Saint Laurent dress.
She turned to the side, looking at her profile.
Everything about her figure was giving what it was supposed to give, however.
“This ass, though,” she reasoned with herself.
She gave the mirror a little sexy twerk. “It’s definitely thanging.”
Day had gifted the pricey dress and paired it with a pair of red bottoms to complete the look. She desperately wanted to wear it, but she couldn’t show up in these clothes. No matter how tempting his money may be, she couldn’t let him put a price on her soul.
“Bitch, if there ever was a price, this nigga would be the one to afford it,” she muttered to herself.
She gave herself one more longing once-over and then huffed her displeasure as she slipped out of the dress.
The Fashion Nova replacement she slipped into next could hardly compare.
It got the job done but nothing compared to the quality of designer.
The entire evening was financed by Day, and as she stepped out of her condo and made her way to the front where her Town Car was awaiting, she felt like a princess.
“Good evening, Miss,” the driver greeted as he opened the back door.
“Hello,” she answered, smiling graciously before lowering into the car.
Her stomach waltzed as she rode in silence.
She had been around Day plenty of times before, but it felt like she was walking into the lion’s den.
She knew she was overthinking, but she couldn’t help it.
It would be easier to forget his proposition if he wasn’t so damn attractive.
He drew her eye every time they were in the same room, and this night was no different.
As soon as she arrived and stepped foot inside the upscale lounge, it was like he magnetized her.
He was seated in a booth in the VIP section.
His accessories included more karats than she could count and a pretty little plaything on his arm.
She was sure that girl had no problem taking Day up on his offer.
She didn’t know why she felt a way. He wasn’t her man, yet a little hating-ass spirit manifested in her soul because the girl was gorgeous.
Damn, he just has them lined up, she thought, faking disgust, when really she wished he would at least glance in her direction.
She had put this dress on for him, or rather in spite of him, to show him that his money didn’t move her, but damn it if the rich-ass nigga wasn’t moving her soul.
He was so fine he was redirecting her heartbeat, sending her pulse straight to the valley between her thighs.
Suddenly, she wished she had called one of her homegirls. She had come alone, thinking Charlie would be all the company she needed, but these awkward moments before Charlie arrived were torture.
She took a seat at the bar, and the bartender’s attention was hers effortlessly.
“What can I get you, sweetheart?”
“A French 75 would save my life right now, please,” she said, smiling graciously as she crossed her legs.
“I’ll have what she’s having.”
Stassi glanced quickly to her left and then doubled back for a longer look when she saw Day’s date sliding in beside her.
“I’m Livi,” she introduced.
“Stassi.”
“You literally look like you taste amazing.”
Stassi was sure she had heard her wrong. The compliment slapped her in the face, confusing her as she sat there at a loss for words.
“That’s what Day said as soon as you walked in the club,” she said.
So he saw me, she thought.
“Aren’t you here with him?” Stassi asked, confused.
“Day and I are friends who fuck. Sometimes we’re friends who fuck friends. He says you wouldn’t be his friend, so I said, well let me make her mine,” Livi stated. Stassi downed her entire drink and then motioned for the bartender to prepare another.
What the fuck?
Livi’s giggle was the most seductive laugh she had ever heard. “Tonight’s going to be fun, Stassi. Trust me.”
“I don’t know you to trust you,” Stassi answered.
“So let’s change that, mama. Come on, let’s go to the booth. The regular people section makes me itch,” Livi answered.
Stassi wasn’t sure she had ever seen anyone more glamorous than Livi. Head-to-toe designer, long lace front weave, with a face beat that was so well done, not even her lip gloss was left on the champagne glass she sipped. She was an industry girl and exactly the type she would expect Day to go for.
“We’re over here,” Livi said as she linked her pinky finger with Stassi’s to lead her through the crowd of men.
Day didn’t even look her way as she sat. When she looked around, she noticed the weed and pills that filled the section. They were living a rock star lifestyle.
“Don’t ever fuck with none of this stuff. That’s not for you,” Livi said.
“Is it for you?” Stassi wondered. She couldn’t help but assume that Livi was high off something.
“Absolutely not, babe. My addiction is powerful men and money. You’ll never catch me with powder around my nose,” Livi said. “But that’s how these niggas move. This is how the upper class blows off steam.”
“Oh,” Stassi said, her eyes involuntarily going to Day who was in the center of the section and clearly enjoying the vibe as he slapped hands with another man who came up to greet him.
She wondered if he did hard drugs. She knew he smoked, but pills…
cocaine…they were instant turn-offs, and she couldn’t help but be disappointed.
“Sex,” Livi stated.
Stassi’s confusion was evident as she turned to Livi.
“Day is here for pussy and money. There is no in-between with him. He’s the money man, and his fetish is women.”
“And you’re okay with that?” Stassi asked.
“Day and I go way back. It’s not about money with us. He’s just not the type of man to take something from you without giving you something in return. He always makes sure I’m straight.”
“So you’re his…”
“Friend.” Livi shrugged. “We’re grown, and we’re friends. Everything doesn’t have to be complicated, Stassi. Sometimes, you just choose to go with the flow and have a good-ass time.”
Livi moved Stassi’s hair out the way, and goosebumps formed on Stassi’s neck. “You really are gorgeous.”
Stassi blushed. “You’re legit making me nervous,” Stassi said, a titter falling from her lips.
Where the fuck is Charlie?
“Yo, Livi! You know I got whatever you need. You looking good. When it’s feel-good time, you know what I got for you,” he said.
“None of that bullshit that’ll leave you lifted either.
” He picked up the bowl of pills that sat in the middle of the table.
“You don’t know what the fuck this shit is.
Fentanyl bullshit. I got you if you need it. ”
Stassi was thrown off at the random presence of a man as he sat down between them, making himself comfortable, too comfortable, and he was sitting too damn close.
“We ain’t on that,” Livi answered, standing and nodding for Stassi to follow suit. “Come on, babe. There’s a private bar in the VIP suite upstairs.”