Maniac
THREE WEEKS LATER
It was finally time for the launch party.
Wren and I have been keeping shit on the low for the last few weeks, but tonight, I was bringing her along to the party.
She’s gon’ be able to meet everyone. I’m not certain how shit gon’ go and really don’t give a fuck.
She’s here to stay and that’s really all that matters.
I ordered her a dress and got it delivered to her trailer.
She didn’t know that she was accompanying me to the party, I basically just told her at the last minute when she got the dress and makeup and hair appointment sent to her phone.
I don’t care what she had to do today, she was gon’ be right there with me.
Grabbing my suit jacket, I slipped it onto my shoulders and stepped in front of the floor-length mirror.
I look good as fuck in my custom-tailored suit.
Wicked is the one who put me on to the tailored suits.
I used to just buy designer ones, but it was something about a custom-tailored one that screamed money.
Satisfied with my look, I exited my bedroom and headed downstairs.
Scooping the red rose bouquet off the kitchen counter, I trekked for the garage door.
For the night, I was pulling out the Maybach.
I stepped into the garage and grabbed the keys off the hook.
Hitting the fob, I unlocked the doors and got into the driver’s seat.
Wren’s ass was still living in her fucking trailer even though I told her that she can come into the house with me.
Most nights, my bed is where she slept. She got ’til the end of the month to move her ass out that fucking trailer or else I’m gon’ set that shit on fire out there and she’ll have no choice but to.
Pulling out the garage, I headed to Wren’s trailer and parked in front of her truck.
Getting out, I went up and knocked on the door.
She’d given me a key to her shit, but I didn’t want to barge in on her, especially since this was really our first official date.
I still say that us going to dinner was a date, but she wasn’t looking at that shit like that.
A few moments later, Wren opened the door in this fire ass red, spaghetti strapped bondage dress. It showed off her petite frame perfectly. I chose red because she didn’t wear a lot of red and I wanted to see what the color looked like against her skin. My job is to bring her out her comfort zone.
“Got damn, if I didn’t have somewhere to be, I’d fuck you right here on this porch. These are for you.”
Her eyes glistened as she stared at the flowers. “I’ve never had anyone buy me flowers before. Thank you.”
“You been fucking with the wrong niggas.” Hooking her chin, I planted my lips against her red ones. “Maybe later, you can smear that lipstick all over my dick.”
“It’s smudge proof,” she said and stepped into the kitchen.
She placed the flowers on the counter and grabbed a vase from underneath the sink.
“It’s been a minute since I’ve bought flowers for myself.
” I stood in the doorway and watched her carefully place the flowers inside the vase.
“I don’t even think all of these will fit in here.
I bought her two dozen roses. The shit was specially made for her to match her dress. “If it don’t we can stop at the store on the way back and grab you another vase. Oh, here, before I forget.” Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a long velvet box and popped it open.
Wren stepped closer to me and stared down at the tennis bracelet. “Is that real?” left her lips.
“You think I’m gon’ walk in here with some fake shit and hand it to you? Who the fuck you take me for?” I removed the bracelet from the box and clamped it around her wrist. “Don’t make me return to sender.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She frowned at me.
“Nothing. Let’s go.”
Taking her by the hand, I led her out the trailer and down to the car. I opened the passenger door for her and she got inside. Once she was settled, I shut the door and rounded to my side.
“The whole family is gon’ be there,” I told her as I pulled out the driveway.
“Oh my God, I’m about to meet your parents?”
“What you sound terrified for? My people cool.”
“That’s what they all say.”
She stared out the window as I drove to Saint-Mercier’s Distillery. When I pulled into the parking lot, it was packed with cars. I parked at the front entrance behind the rest of the family cars and hopped out. We had it looking like a foreign car meet up out here.
Opening the door for Wren, I helped her out and we entered the building.
“Finally,” Murda said when he approached. “The people were getting antsy. They’re eager to try that new cognac of yours.” His eyes shifted to Wren. “Mrs. Saint-Mercier,” he acknowledged her.
“Excuse me?”
“Stop acting like you ain’t hear that man,” I told her, and she closed her mouth. “Wren, this Murda. You can thank him for fixing yo’ truck.”
“Oh my God, you fixed my truck!” Her eyes beamed at him. If she didn’t fix them shits and soon, I was gon’ smack them to the back of her head. “Thank you so much. It runs much smoother now.”
“If anything else goes wrong with it, just let Maniac know. It’s not too many of those mufuckas out here in good condition like that. Keep taking care of it.”
“I will.”
Murda shifted his attention across the room and said, “If y’all don’t excuse me, I gotta go take care of something,” and strolled off.
Knowing him, he was about to go harass some woman somewhere.
That nigga didn’t know the definition of being with one woman.
Since I’ve known him, he’s only been in two serious relationships in his life, and they were only serious for the women because he was still messing around on them behind their backs.
Taking Wren by the hand, I led her through the sea of people, mingling with them along the way. The first person from my family that I laid eyes on was Luxe. She was sitting at a table alone with a wine glass up to her lips.
Stopping at the table, I leaned down and kissed her on top of the head. “Wassup, baby sis?”
“Baby?” Her head cocked back and she frowned. She hated whenever we called her that. The only person that can get away with it is Wicked, and that’s because she was the baby sister compared to him.
“Luxe, this my girl, Wren. Wren, this is my older sister, Luxe.”
“Nice to meet you.” Wren extended her, her hand and Luxe took it.
“Likewise.”
Murda came over to where I stood. Facing the opposite direction of me, he said, “I think you should gone and introduce that cognac. You were already behind getting here.”
“A’ight.” Turning to Wren, I said, “Sit with Luxe. I’ll be right back.
” I pulled out the chair next to Luxe and Wren took her seat.
We headed toward the stage, and I grabbed the microphone.
Switching it on, I tapped on it to gain everyone’s attention and the music cut out.
“I want to thank everyone for being here tonight. I know it was a bit short notice, but I promise it’ll be worth it.
” Looking over my shoulder, I saw Murda snatch the white sheet from over the barrel.
“I want to introduce to you the future, Maniac Noir.” On cue, the waitresses came out with the drinks on a tray and handled one to everyone in attendance.
I stood there as everyone took a sip from their drinks.
Satisfied expressions rested on their faces.
I already knew the shit was good. I had a soft launch a while ago with just family and friends to make sure it was worthy of being on the shelves.
My family was brutal when it came to critiquing something. I trusted their judgement.
Taking my glass from the waitress, I lifted it up in the air and said, “To Maniac Noir,” and everyone clapped.
Once they were done, someone remained clapping. I looked over and saw this nigga Roc standing in the far back with a few of his men. He damn sure wasn’t invited to this event. I’on even know how he got into the building past security.
“Remind me to fuck security up,” I told Murda as I stepped down off the stage and stormed in Roc’s direction.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I asked him when I closed in on him.
I slipped my hands into my pockets, to remain calm in front of all these people.
If I have to, I’ll light this entire mufucka up in here.
“I came to see what all the hype is about. Maniac Noir… I think you could’ve come up with a better name than that for some shit that you stole from me.”
“I ain’t steal shit from you. Yo’ brain couldn’t even articulate a recipe for me to even steal.
That water down ass shit you call liquor you be selling be making everybody sick.
I’ll lick a dick before I steal anything from you.
” That was saying a lot, because I wouldn’t dare put my mouth on a fucking dick.
Grim stepped alongside me with his hand resting on his strap. Roc tossed his head back and chuckled. “You stole that shit from me and I’m gon’ prove it. Enjoy yo’ five minutes of fame.”
Turning on his heels, he sauntered toward the exit with his men directly behind him. Grim followed them closely to ensure they left without any problems. I headed back over toward Wren. Luxe reached up to her right ear and flipped her hearing aid off. That girl gon’ get enough.
“Is everything okay?” Wren asked me when I made it to the table.
“Excellent. C’mon, let’s go find my parents.” Gripping her by the forearm, I lifted her from the table.
“I don’t think Luxe likes me,” she said as I whisked her away.
“Why you say that?”
“I was talking to her and she wasn’t answering me.” I chuckled. There’s a lot for her to learn about this family. “I don’t see anything funny.”
“Luxe is deaf. She probably turned her hearing aid off. It’s something she does all the time. Watch this.” Turning, I looked back at the table and said, “Aye, Luxe, they towing yo’ Lambo outside.” Luxe waved and smiled at me before taking a sip of her wine. “See.”
“Wow.”
“C’mon.” I led her further to the back of the establishment where my parents were seated at a table. Normally, they would’ve been front row, but they were trying their best to blend in with everyone else and give me my time to shine.
When I stopped in front of the table, Ma looked up at me and offered me a smile.
Her eyes drifted to Wren and when she saw her, the smile grew wider.
Ma was the type of person that didn’t care who we got into relationships with long as they treated us right.
That woman didn’t play about her babies.
If she thought that you were a harm to either of us, she’d get rid of you faster than you can blink.
Though she was far from running things, she still has her own connects.
Part of them came from when her father used to be in control.
Pops looked cut his conversation with the guy sitting next to him when he felt our presence and looked in our direction.
“Ma and Pops, this my girl, Wren. Wren, this my Pops, Bishop and my mama, Liliana.”
“It’s so nice to meet you both.” Wren extended Pops her hand first and he firmly shook it and then she moved to Ma.
“So, you’re Big John’s daughter,” Pops spoke, and I wish he hadn’t brought that up.
“Yes, sir. I figured you knew my dad when Maniac said something about him.” Wren grinned up at me.
“Yeah, for the most part, he—”
“And there’s Grim. C’mon. You haven’t met Grim yet.” I took Wren by the hand and removed her away from the table. Looking back at Pops over my shoulder, I mugged him. “Yo, Grim,” I called out his name, halting him in his steps.
Grim turned and faced us. “I wanted you to meet yo’ new sister-in-law.” I hadn’t made it official, but I was a firm believer in speaking shit into existence.
“Sup,” was all that left his lips.
“Hey.”
Grim strolled off, and Wren turned to us.
“You have to excuse him. He’s more of a loner than anything.
” My eyes scanned the building for Solei, finding her in the corner, talking to her husband Zayden.
She firmly held him by the forearm and frowned between every word that escaped her lips.
He snatched away from her and briskly turned toward her.
My strides picked up. I just know this nigga was about to make me return his ass to sender in here.
By the time we made it over there, Zayden stormed off in the opposite direction. His ass was lucky too or else he would’ve slipped and fell onto my fist.
“What the hell was that all ’bout?” I questioned Solei. She stroked the back of her neck with her hand and then took one of the wine glasses off a tray of a passing waitress.
“It’s nothing,” was her response.
“You sure you wanna stand here and lie to me like that? I’ll go behind his ass and find out for myself.”
“Please don’t. It’s nothing I can’t handle. Who’s this?” She turned the conversation over to Wren. “She looks familiar.” After taking a sip from her wine, she tilted her head, trying her best to figure out where she knew Wren from. Solei never forgets a face.
“This my girl, Wren. She works at the library downtown.”
“Oh, yeah, where I had my wedding at.”
“Yeah, I’m embarrassed to admit, but I thought you were getting married to him.” Wren nodded her head in my direction, and Solei burst out laughing.
“Him?... Maniac, of all people?” She waved Wren off, and her face turned beet red.
We mingled for a bit more and then finally got ready to leave. People were still drinking as if they were in the club somewhere. I was ready to go to the house and lay down. I said my farewells to the family and Wren and I headed for the door.
When we made it outside, I saw the security standing around, running their fucking mouths.
That’s the exact reason how Roc was able to get his ass inside.
“Hold up,” I told Wren and sauntered over to where they stood.
“I see y’all don’t like to do ya fucking job.
” My hand balled into a fist and I drew back, punching the first one in the jaw.
The other mufucka, I hit in the stomach.
He doubled over, and I gripped him by the head and kneed him in the face.
“That’s for letting Roc inside. Learn to do ya fucking job,” I told them and went back over to where Wren stood.
“Did you figure out what store you wanted to get yo’ vase from?” I asked her as I opened the passenger door for her.