SORIMAH
Chapter Three
His baritone was on a loop. The way he approached me followed by the way he addressed me had me smitten and blushing nonstop. There were several good-looking women in the club tonight, but he sought after me and I couldn’t help but feel special.
“Girl, what the hell did you and Hendrix talk about?”
“You are so nosy Daria,” I said and poured up another shot.
“And drunk so tell me the details.”
I shook my head and threw back what I poured. EJ sat waiting patiently for me to respond. I wasn’t going to get out of this, so I fessed up.
“All the man did was pay for our singles, compliment me, and ask for my time.”
“Do we have to Uber home? I feel like you and that man gon’ get freaky tonight. I pray you do because I heard about the female he deals with and she really ain’t shit,” Daria voiced.
He was in a relationship so that was strike one. He knew it and came at me the way most men did. Entangled. I shook my head in disappointment.
“What you mean she ain’t shit?” EJ inquired. I was curious as well on my end, hoping her answer would justify why he stepped to me the way he did.
“You know I gets all the tea at the shop, right? Well, I do her best friend Jamilla’s hair on the regular and although she doesn’t ever say her name, I know exactly who she’s talking about because Hendrix is the only fuckin’ Mercer I know around these parts.
Anyway, she spills all her business about how the girl got another nigga in the next city over and how it should be her with Hendrix instead because of how faithful he is. ”
I looked back and our eyes found each other. I had sympathetic ones for him this time because he seemed like a genuine and kind man. I wondered if he approached me the way he did because of his knowledge of the things his lady did.
He threw a wink my way and instead of shying away, I stood and made my way to him. I was tipsy as well so maybe the liquid courage was on my side. I was more interested in helping him get revenge than anything, even if he wasn’t aware of the betrayal that was occurring in his household.
“You got that,” I said as I stood in front of him getting a lap dance.
“Be sure, Sorimah.” His gaze covered me from head to toe and my temperature rose a few notches.
He didn’t have to look at me the way he did.
While we were at the bar, I saw the lust in his eyes, but it didn’t overshadow the genuine curiosity he held about me.
From the way he held eye contact to the way he blushed just from speaking to me, said he was a man that knew what he wanted. I was on his radar.
“I don’t speak unless I am,” I replied with a challenging demeanor.
He took his time giving me a response. I damn near stood there looking stupid, but I knew what was coming next. His friend next to him gave me a onceover before he nodded and continued minding his business.
“Look bitch. If he wanted to entertain your fat ass, he would. Get the fuck on!” The stripper that was in their section felt the need to speak to me, but I wasn’t the one to test or even come for.
I looked down at her with the mug of the century. She was just another female to me before she opened her mouth, but since she wanted the spotlight so bad, I was going to give it to her.
“I might be a fat bitch, but I ain’t never been an ugly one.
Hoes like yourself get fat confused with that term a lot.
Y’all can’t stand to see a fine ass bean bag like me pull the nigga you’re so desperately trying to gain attention from.
Remember who’s throwing the money and who’s bent over picking it up.
We are not the same and never will be love.
Hendrix, when you’re done, come find me. ”
“No need. I’m yours.”
With that, he pushed the stripper to the side and gave me his undivided attention.
I could tell that while he was unresponsive during that time that he was contemplating on what his next move should be.
I understood that completely because what I didn’t want to do was make him do anything he didn’t want to.
I intertwined our hands, and he politely disconnected them. I was curious as to why that occurred, and he gave me an answer before I could get offended. I was pulled to the side so that what he had to say was heard only by my ears.
“I have a woman Sorimah and what I won’t do is disrespect her publicly. It’s way too many people in here and cameras are a messy hoe’s best friend. We can meet up somewhere and continue this conversation there.” He pulled out a business card and handed it over.
“Being alone with me is risky Hendrix. I don’t want to create problems in your life.”
“I’m a grown man that can deal with the consequences. I want more time to hear what you have to say. Who knows, I might need your service one day.” He was smooth with his words, and I knew what he meant by it.
“We both know what will come of this. Conversation, alcohol, and then—”
“More time Sorimah. You’re granting me that, right?”
“I’ll text you the details.”
“Much appreciated.”
I respected that. He let it be known that he put his woman’s image first, but it was followed by a sea of envied emotion.
I softly nodded and went back to my booth.
I was instantly harassed, and I tried not to give them too much because I could tell Hendrix wanted his privacy.
Plus, I had a tad bit of shame hovering over my head.
“Come on. I’m calling an Uber for both of y’all. I have somewhere to be.”
“Oooohh, Ri!” Daria got on my nerves. She really didn’t know how to hold water.
“Shut the hell up girl and come on.” I grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her onto her feet.
EJ followed suit without me having to fuss at her. She would more than likely take her Uber and head straight home. She went from being the fun and live sister to the quiet and reserved sister after a few drinks. Daria was the one I was going to have to fight with.
Stepping outside, the spring breeze hit us hard. I was sobering up little by little because of having to take care of them. They waited patiently in the car as each one of their rides pulled up within a ten-minute span. Once they were situated, I pulled out in the direction of my condominium.
My mind was racing on where to meet with him but the only comfortable and discreet place I could think of was mine. It was in a building where the staff didn’t bother you and the guest minded their business. He would be good there.
I grabbed the card and assessed it as I cruised.
Hendrix may have “respected” his woman but there was no way that man was meeting me anywhere just to have a general conversation.
That could’ve been held in Vixen. He wanted more from me and everything in me wanted to oblige and offer everything I had.
“He has a woman Ri, let him be,” I said aloud trying to convince myself that it wasn’t worth the mess. I dropped the card back in the cupholder.
I had a business that I didn’t want to get any backlash if my private doings got out. We both knew better but that magnetic pull wasn’t allowing me to create distance again now that I breathed the same air as him.
“Fuck! Why did he have to be so charismatic and uniquely fine? And fuck you Daria because I didn’t need to know that.”
I was voicing my frustrations aloud as if that would change the situation I found myself in.
I could easily go home and disregard everything that happened tonight, but I was craving the time that was arranged.
Now that I’d heard his voice, I wanted more of it.
His cologne, I wanted to intake more of it.
He requested the time, but I must’ve been in denial of not wanting it all along.
I grabbed the card once more and sent a text to the number that was on it without hesitation.
If tonight led to something more than a continued get to know you, then it was what it was.
At the end of the day, me and Hendrix would never be because we didn’t run in the same circle, we would never have any further dealings.
His reply was a simple, I’m close. Give me twenty.
A deep breath was exhaled as I pulled into the parking garage.
I was nervous and anxious all in one. It took me three minutes to get from the ground floor to mine.
There really wasn’t any time to spare because twenty minutes was more like five once you got lost in trying to achieve whatever was on your plate.
A shower was administered before my flesh could grasp the marble tile underneath my feet properly. I was pressed for time and from the looks of him, I believed he was a punctual man.
By the time I made it out with a towel wrapped around my body, I had four minutes left on the clock. I shook my head and slowed down my pace. It would take him another five to park and make it up to my floor leaving me shy of ten.
Lotion and perfume were applied as my nerves jumped around like an energizer bunny.
Hendrix gave off the vibe that he would treat you like he was yours and he would do any and everything to reassure you.
I didn’t know what would come from this interaction, but I was afraid that I would crave more of him like a drug and that was something that couldn’t happen.
My attention was quickly gathered by my ringing phone. I rushed to it thinking it would be Hendrix but instead it was my older sister Kara. We didn’t really have beef, but I distanced myself away from her and Justice because we didn’t have a bond. However, I answered from curiosity.
“Hello.”
“Hi Ri. I saw Daria’s snap and saw that you opened another location. I’m proud of you and EJ. I just wanted to call and say that.”
I was a little confused by her words because Kara wasn’t that person. She never gave anyone a compliment or praise if it didn’t involve her. I wasn’t sure what to think.
“Th-thank you, Kara. I appreciate it, I guess. I’ll be sure to let EJ know what you said as well.”
“Your parents have been trying to reach out to you. Do you have them blocked or something?”