Chapter 13
Arion
Annoyed and ready to catch a body to relieve stress, that was how a nigga was feeling on this shitty ass day. When shit went wrong with my money, shipment, or family, I handled it right then and there. However, I had a certain area in my life that was causing me chaos.
Those twenty-four hours turned into a month, and I allowed it. Clover got lucky due to a nigga having to go back and forth out of town. She could think she was in the clear all she wanted, but I was just trying to settle myself before I put her head through my brand new washer and dryer.
Being at the shop always centered me and gave me a breath of fresh air.
At the moment, I was in the backroom sorting through the inventory.
Some of this shit couldn’t hit the floor speaking that it was pure white.
That was how we moved weight in a legitimate way.
Them crackers ain’t know what the hell was going down in here.
Imagine coming for a manicure and leaving with product.
We served from a simple one ounce to an eight.
If you wanted more than that as a whole, you had to go to the warehouse.
I was cautious in everything I did. Myth Nails had a selection of ten stores nationwide.
This was the first in the Springs. I heard good things from Big Greek about the city, so I figured why not set up shop.
“Aye, you straight? You been zoning in and out all day,” Ashaun asked.
Tossing the empty box to the side, I replied, “I’m fuckin’ irritated, Shaun. Why the fuck did Ro tell me you showed yo’ ass in them people establishment? You don’t know how to act like you got some fuckin’ home training?” I shouted throwing a bottle of acetone at his head off the shelf.
He ducked, laughing like that shit was really funny. As a Greek, we moved different. Him going up in them people shit on nigga time wasn’t part of it. Dumbass showed no decorum whatsoever. Then, I heard it was over a bitch at that.
“The same way you’ll tear shit up behind sis’ green bean head ass, I’ll do the same behind Akira. I ain’t playing ‘bout that one so get up off my neck nigga,” he threw back.
“I should get up and beat yo’ ass. I had to pay for the damages you caused and my lil’ sister got hurt in the process. Now if I hit you in yo’ shit for that then what?”
“I’ll just be a hit muthafucka. I ain’t apologizing, Scar, so shut the fuck up ‘bout it.”
Every so often Ashaun would get this burst of courage to stand up to me and pop shit like he could put me down.
I admired it when he did ‘cause he was the only one that would do it. Everybody played pussy and did what was told. However, today he would end up with a fresh whooped ass fuckin’ with me. I wasn’t in the fuckin’ mood.
Standing, I strolled casually across the room closing the gap between us.
I witnessed my baby brother brace himself the closer I got.
I couldn’t help but laugh at him. Preparing yo’self didn’t really matter when it came to me.
I did shit to you, you wouldn’t think of and the power behind my swings were deadly.
Raising my hand, he threw his hands up shouting, “Aight, aight. Damn. I’m telling Mama!”
“Punk ass. Do something for once and finish separating the product. I’m going to the front to clear my head.”
Leaving him alone, I walked to the front of the salon where the customers were relaxing and enjoying their services.
This trial run we were doing in Sage Springs was turning out to be a good one.
Ever since the doors opened, ladies of all ages been flooding this hoe.
I guess word got around that it was predominately men, so they flocked.
Shaun and I had a table in the front of the salon that was reserved for us and us alone. We were the face of the place so why not see us as soon as you walked in. Noticing a beautiful mature woman sitting on the other side of the desk, I stepped up to assist her.
“Excuse me, have you been helped?” I inquired.
“Oouu. I have not. I wanted a full set. Cateye polish if possible.”
Nodding, I said, “Yes ma’am. I can take care of that for you. Wash your hands for me and meet me at table one.”
She gave a light nod as she followed my instructions.
I set up my equipment in the meantime. By the time she made it back to me, I had more than a few eyes on me.
I had the appearance of a thug on some days and a corporate nigga on others.
I was sure they weren’t expecting me to buss her down with a set that was flawless.
Taking a seat, she looked at me with lustful eyes. I knew all too well how women admired good looking men, and I fell in that category. She couldn’t stop smiling to save her life. Also, her cheeks were red from how smitten she was.
“May I ask your name?”
“You just did. It’s Dorinda. You are very handsome, you know that?” she questioned.
Smirking, I answered with, “I’ve been told a time or two. Thank you. What made you choose Myth Nails, Ms. Dorinda?”
“Well, I heard about you guys through a friend. She’s gotten her nails done by a young man by the name of Magnetic or something of that nature.
” Magnus worked in the shop on his days off as well.
We taught damn near the whole crew how to work a brush.
When our backs was against the wall, this would save us.
A low chuckle rumbled as I looked back at my dawg. Magnus was nice with it too. He wasn’t too open to learning this shit, but he got with the program and now it was his favorite pastime. “I believe you meant Magnus, and he’s here today as well. Would you prefer him?”
She looked in the direction of him and smiled even bigger. I could tell she would be a reoccurring customer coming simply for the eye candy. I didn’t mind her getting her fill as long as she got a service while looking.
“Nope. I’m good right here. So, tell me, what does a young man get out of doing this kind of thing? Oop, was that too personal? I’m sorry.”
I prepped her nails as I gave her the backstory of Myth Nails. When it came to my folk, I was never ashamed. My grandfather worked hard for this shit, and I honored him by creating a chain of these muthafuckas. He would’ve been proud of me.
“I’m mixed so my grandfather on my mother’s side was the original owner of Myth Nails.
He started in Florida doing what was necessary for his family.
This ain’t nothing to my culture so he made good money until he didn’t.
My mother and father were already dating in college, so she vented to him.
He loved her enough to convince my grandfather Myth to buy it.
He did and from then on, we held it down.
My grandfather taught my father, and my father, his sons. I owe this to them,” I expressed.
“You have a beautiful history. I’m big on family. Speaking of, I have a daughter around yo’ age. Maybe you two should meet,” she said pitching her daughter off like a salesman.
The door of the salon opened and in walked my wife as if she was summoned.
One thing I gathered with the quickness was Clover had a hell of a mean streak.
The way she snatched shawty up in the club and been giving me hell sense she met me, I knew she was ‘bout to do miss lady in…
or me. Whichever one of us would do her suffice.
She locked eyes with a nigga and slowly made her way over.
Softly chuckling, I placed a hand on my chest before saying, “I ‘preciate that, but I’m a happily married man. I don’t think my wife would allow it.”
My wife. My muthafuckin’ wife. I had to chuckle once more just from thinking ‘bout how feisty she was. Mercedees Atkins, owner of three nail salons with all doing better than the last. She too specialized as a nail technician. The fact that she found me before I found her was comical. She wasn’t off the hook though.
I gave her ass a day and she took several.
“Oh, you’re married? I didn’t know because there’s no ring,” she commented.
“Bitch, he don’t need one. When a muthafucka tell you they married, respect it,” Clover snapped.
“Respect my shop and my client’s, Mama. Don’t bring that up in here knowing I got a business to run. Apologize to my client and come sit down,” I said, pointing to the chair next to me.
“I ain’t doing shit. You want to be in bitches faces so fuckin’ bad give me my annulment and do you. I wish I would let a nigga play in my face!”
Ignoring my wife, I directed my attention to my client. “Ms. Dorinda, I truly apologize for the way my wife approached you, spoke to you, and disrespected you. She’s supposed to be a reflection of me, but I guess she’s lacking today. Please, excuse me.”
Standing, that smile dropped, and my demeanor grew cold.
The look in Clover’s eyes showed slight fear the closer I got to her.
Those few steps she took back didn’t make a difference.
I had long strides. Once we were face to face, I bent down to speak directly in her ear with my right hand circling her neck. I squeezed lightly just for the effect.
“Who the fuck raised you? Why is it so hard for a muthafucka to get some respect out yo’ pretty ass?
A nigga wouldn’t come to yo’ shop on this bullshit, so don’t come to mine with it.
If you had something to say to me, you should’ve asked for me to be excused.
All this rah-rah shit is hood rat behavior.
I don’t fuck with them kind, Ma. Show me some goddamn respect before this shit go left,” I warned her.
Taking a step back, she looked around out of embarrassment.
Clover was a grown ass woman and still behaved like a brat.
That alone told me she was spoiled as fuck and was used to getting her way.
She was married to a nigga that didn’t tolerate all that bullshit.
She ain’t have a choice but to get with the program.
Shoving me in my chest, she spoke lowly saying, “Stop talking to me like that.”