Chapter 7
HIS MISS INDEPENDENT: ONE YEAR LATER…
Pretti was so glad it was Friday. The week was over, and she was ready to relax.
She stood at her station, wrapping the cords to her clippers.
She couldn’t wait for Dexz to pull up because they were headed to dinner.
They were going out to try a new seafood restaurant in Malibu.
She was starving and didn’t eat anything for lunch just so she could stuff her face with lobster.
After eating only noodles and McDonald’s when she and Dexz were struggling, they ate nothing but the finest in their new life when she didn't cook.
Her boss, Trigga, walked up to her station as she packed up.
He was an old player who loved young women.
He had wavy hair, chocolate skin, and a million-dollar smile.
He had all the young girls going crazy, but Pretti wasn’t interested.
As much as she knew she needed to be out dating now that she was close to nineteen and stable, she enjoyed being alone.
It was her comfort zone, and she was used to it.
She would use her clit stimulator when she felt her hormones were out of control.
Other than that, she was holding on to her virginity.
“What’s up, Pretti? Here’s your pay for the week.” Trigga handed her a white envelope filled with twenties.
“Thank you,” she stated as she stuffed the envelope in her handbag.
“So, when ya’ brother comin’?” Trigga asked as he sized her up.
She wore tight, stonewashed jeans, a black tank top, and Louis Vuitton combat boots with a thick six-inch heel.
She had stepped her wardrobe all the way up.
Trigga paid her a grand a week, and she made three hundred in tips.
Dexz was still her provider and never asked her for a dime, so she was always draped in something designer.
“He should be here soon,” she responded dryly.
“Damn, you always one-word with a nigga. You stay dodgin’ me unless it’s payday. When you gon’ let me take you out on a date?” he asked boldly, making her uncomfortable.
“I told you before, I don’t date my boss.”
Meanwhile, Dexz pulled up to the barbershop, blasting “Fugee La” by the Fugees.
It was his favorite song from the 90’s era and always reminded him of home and his childhood.
He had a blunt dangling from his lips and was ready to stuff his face with seafood.
He looked inside the shop and saw Pretti talking to her boss.
He was proud of her and enjoyed watching the woman she was becoming.
Her growth was different than any other female he knew.
Dexz was snapped out of his thoughts when he saw Trigga trying to feel her up.
He could tell she was uncomfortable, and then he saw her struggling slightly to get away from him.
He snapped. He had never seen a man touch her, and seeing her being handled aggressively didn't sit well with him.
He sat his blunt in the ashtray, grabbed his pistol from under his seat, and Dexz barged into the shop full of rage.
“Oh, my God! Dexten, stop!” Pretti shouted as Dexz pistol-whipped Trigga until he was bloody.
“Dexz, please stop! You’re going to kill him!” she shouted, finally getting his attention. She grabbed him by the shirt.
“Get your shit, and let's go, now!” his deep voice roared, causing her to move quickly.
She was scared but didn't say anything as she quickly tossed everything on her station into a box.
She knew for sure she wasn't going back to work there.
After she gathered her things, they rushed out, and he drove off at full speed.
“Boy, why did you do that!” Pretti shouted with tears in her eyes. Her hands were shaking, and she felt like she was having a panic attack. She had never seen him so upset or lose control.
“Does that nigga always grab ya’ ass like that, yo?” he shouted as he raced down the street.
“No, that was the first time, but you didn't have to beat him. You can get locked up for this,” she continued to cry.
“Look, I ain't never seen no nigga put his hands on you like that. I lost it,” he said more calmly.
“I was going to tell you when you pulled up.”
She knew he was overprotective of her, and she liked it. She hated when men tried to cross the line with her, but she never had anyone go that far with her to where she had to tell Dexz. Trigga had grabbed her ass way too many times before Dexz stepped in.
“Well, if anybody ever violates you like that again, you let me know. I’ll murder a nigga over you. I don’t care who it is.”
“Okay…”
After that, no words were spoken. Dexz drove back to their apartment and changed. After getting dressed, they left and went to dinner as planned.
They arrived at the luxurious restaurant, and their table was outside on the balcony, overlooking the ocean.
Dexz loved an ocean view, so he personally reserved their table.
They had fake IDs, so the waiter brought champagne while they looked over the menu.
Dexz already knew what he wanted, so he took that time to admire Pretti.
He loved their outings, and she was classy.
He found himself thinking about her as more than a friend, but he still fought his urges, especially since he was still with Kayla.
“You look beautiful,” Dexz uttered and then sipped his champagne.
“Thank you. You look nice too. You look like you need an edge up, though.”
He chuckled. “I do… But let me ask you a question while we’re in the zone.”
She smiled. “What is it?”
“Do you ever still think about us?”
“Of course not. You’re in love with Kayla, so I live my life just seeing you as a friend. You must be drunk because you’ve been bringing us up when you drink, knowing you’re too caught up for me.” She sipped her champagne.
“I’m preparing myself for the future. So, when I’m ready, you better be available for me.”
“You want my virginity or something?” she snickered.
“Nah, I want your heart more than I have it already.”
At that moment, the waiter came and interrupted their conversation, but Dexz’s words danced in her brain because it was the first time that he let it be known that he had his eyes on her.
It gave her butterflies. However, she took his words with ease because she knew it wasn’t happening anytime soon.