Chapter 21
Addison
“Damn girl! You haven’t even been gone for a day, and you already have a date tonight?”
Akira asked, examining me through the phone.
I shook my head and chuckled as I finished putting on my eyeliner. I was sitting at the vanity in my hotel room and had my phone propped up on the mirror.
“Girl, it’s not even like that.”
“So, let me get this straight.”
There was shuffling on the other end causing me to observe K. She had on a black moo-moo gown and her hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. After a few moments, she had maneuvered her phone so that I was staring at her and a whiteboard.
“Oh lawd.”
I muttered, picking up my lip gloss and applying a coat.
“So, you went into Mr. Adalyn’s office to not only return his phone, but to get started on selling your grandmother’s house.”
I laughed as she drew on the whiteboard like she was breaking down a math problem.
“K, if you don’t stop trying to be like Brit and her Books off social media.”
She waved a dismissive hand at me as she continued to draw.
“I love Brit and would never post what I am doing. Plus, you know I’m a visual learner and I’m trying to see something.”
I playfully rolled my eyes.
“Anyway, don’t change the subject. So, after y’all meeting was done, he asked you to meet up with him tonight, correct?”
I huffed out a sigh. “Yes.”
“So, if one plus one equals two, the muthafucking sky is blue, and you got to hide your snacks from that nigga Scooby Doo, then bitch how is this not a date?”
She explained, drawing a big question mark and circling it three times.
I threw my head back and laughed.
“Hold up, trick, when did you start dropping bars?”
K burst into laughter, too.
“That shit was hot, right? My boo be letting me play around in his studio.”
“Let me know when your first album is about to drop.”
I said, wiping away the tears.
“And will! But seriously, answer my question heffa.”
“Ugh! I told yo big head ass it wasn’t a date.”
“Then what’s up with the late night meeting?”
Akira then gasped before she picked up the phone and stared at me.
“Girl, is this a meeting to get your back blown out?”
“What the? No!”
I yelled, falling into another round of laughter.
“Mmhmm.”
I looked at my friend who was not laughing any more but instead had a look of concern on her face. I cleared my throat. If the roles were reversed, I’d be just as upset right now as K was. I haven’t been telling her the truth for a while and for me to just be up and leaving at ten o’clock at night, during booty call hours, was very suspicious. I mean, I never did that when we were at school, except when I was going over to her place or we were going out to get snacks for our long study sessions.
“Akira, I love you and I promise I’m not meeting up with Mr. Adalyn like that. He’s actually introducing me to his uh- assistant that’s going to be working closely with me to get grandma’s house taken care of.”
“All right,”
she sighed.
“Just make sure you keep your location on so I can keep an eye on you.”
“Girl, you still in Vegas. How you going to get to me that fast if something did happen to me?”
“Don’t worry about all that - just know I got your back. If you need my help in any way, say the word and I’ll be there.”
My stomach knotted with guilt, but I made sure to keep a playful look on my face. How could I look my best friend in the face and lie to her? K has been down for me since meeting in our first class together and she told me everything. Yet here I was, too afraid to tell her what I was about to do and what I was going through.
I quietly cleared my throat before smiling at her.
“And that’s why you’re the best! Let me finish getting ready so I can head out of here.”
“Okay girl. I love you.”
“I love you, too”
We blew each other kisses before ending our FaceTime call. I sat back in my chair and exhaled. I allowed my thoughts to run before finally making up my mind. After all this was done, I would tell her everything. Hopefully, she wouldn’t judge on my decision making skills.
My phone chimed with a text message.
Mr. Adalyn: Where can I pick you up at?
Me: That may be a problem. Mr. L has his driver watching my every move and unless I get dropped off by said driver, I won’t be able to go out.
Mr. Adalyn: Fine. Meet me at this address. I’ll be there in forty-five minutes.
I looked at the address and realized it was to a sports bar downtown called Big Shots. I couldn’t help but smile because that was actually a good idea. Jerome wouldn’t suspect a thing when he dropped me off and wouldn’t have a reason to call Mr. L on me.
I stood up and gave myself a once over in the mirror. I had pulled my Boho braids into a high bun and wore a pair of small gold hoops with a matching necklace. My black tank top was tucked into my high waisted Levi’s, showing off my thick curves. I completed the outfit with a black and red flannel and all black Steve Madden shoes. I was comfortable and cute. Not that I was trying to be cute for Mr. Adalyn, but if he were to flirt with me, I wouldn’t turn down his efforts.
I sent Jerome a text message requesting a ride. He said he’d be there in less than five minutes. I wanted to respond that he didn’t have to rush, but at the same time, I didn’t want to be late. Besides, his ass should have already been outside since I had told him earlier that I was going back out tonight. After stuffing my key card into my crossbody bag and putting my phone into my pocket, I headed out the door.
I pressed the elevator button a few times before shaking out my hands. My nerves were getting to me and butterflies were swimming in my stomach. I know I had just met with Mr. Adalyn a few hours ago but knowing I was meeting Seojun, a cold blooded killer, was causing my heart to race. I had no clue what was in store for me when I met up with the pair.
The elevator doors opened, and I absentmindedly stepped in. Thoughts of my freedom was just within my reach, but I couldn’t help but to think about those consequences. What if the man I was being sold to comes after me and my family? What if this was a trap and Mr. Adalyn is already working with Mr. L? I shook my head. I doubt that was the case. I mean if it were, Mr. L would have been outside waiting on me. Then again, what if this was a trap but it was Mr. Adalyn’s way to getting rid of me. I was in his home when that phone was found, and I still had the evidence on me. He and Seojun could be working together to get rid of me since I am the only one who knew what they had done.
My palms began to sweat as the elevator got closer to the lobby floor. A part of me wanted to turn around and go right back to my room, but what good would that do me? At this point I had two options, deal with Mr. L and be sold or risk my life with trusting Mr. Adalyn. If I were to accept my fate with Mr. L than I was letting down future men and women. He would still be out on the streets manipulating them and I could never, in good conscience, allow another human to be put in the same type of situation that I was currently in. I closed my eyes and sighed. I may be taking a huge risk with Mr. Adalyn, but at least I would’ve tried to get rid of Mr. L.
The ding of the elevator had me opening my eyes. I stepped into the lobby just to see Bruno leaning over the receptionist desk flirting with the woman on duty. What the hell was he doing here and what happened to Jerome?
“Aren't you supposed to be on some special assignment and where’s Jerome?”
I asked, stepping up to him.
Bruno stood up straight and seductively smiled at the receptionist before turning his attention to me.
“First off, don’t worry about my business and secondly, Jerome was only needed to get you to your little appointment earlier and to this hotel. With that said, where the hell are you trying to go this evening?”
“To the bar. Is that a problem? I just want a damn drink.”
“Remember what I said earlier. Play any games and that’s your ass.”
I smacked my lips. I knew what he was cable of and he wouldn’t hesitate to hurt me. He didn’t have to remind me every thirty seconds.
“Can we just go? I’ve heard that song already today.”
He stretched out his hand, instructing me to walk in front of him. I rolled my eyes and stomped toward the front door. Stepping up to the car, I reached for the door handle and tried to open the door but heard the locks click into place.
“That’s still my job.”
“Congratulations! Want a damn cookie for memorizing your job description?”
I bit down on my bottom lip and instantly regretted opening my mouth. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I took a step back but Bruno had already broke the distance between us. He gripped my wrist and yanked me closer to him before his dark brown eyes stared down into mine.
“So, I guess my little chat with you today wasn’t effective enough.”
My eyebrows furrowed. I opened my mouth to speak, but he shook his head, his hand squeezing tighter around my wrist.
“I let your ass slide for a long time, but I’m tired of the shit. Watch who the fuck you’re talking to, Addison.”
“Let go of me!”
I said through gritted teeth.
“You know, sometimes all you bitches need is for someone to go upside your head one good time for y’all to get some act right. I suggest you be nice to me or I’ll do far worse than choke your dumb ass like earlier.”
My jaws tightened as I glared up at him. Bruno lifted an eyebrow, challenging me to prove him wrong, but I wasn’t a dummy. I broke our eye contact, causing him to chuckle a ‘that’s what I thought’ before yanking the car door open. I made a mental note to add him to the list of people that needed to get fucked up.