“…Did he say his name?” I asked in a shaky ass voice.
“No, he was actually walking towards the elevators and I had stopped him. He said he was here to see you so I had told him you weren’t accepting guests. He said thank you and left”, Paul replied back.
I was silent and had a confused/concerned look on my face, that I think he was picking up on.
“He came the following day after you left. He was in a gray BMW that I’ve seen here before, so I think you may know him.”
I sighed and pressed my back against the elevator wall. Pablo came and pulled up on me after the thing at Hong Shings, I just wasn’t here. That’s why he didn’t hit my phone, he was going to corner me. But when he couldn’t get in, I guess he must’ve hit up French… or Packs. French would’ve told Packs we were coming to the D. And Packs would’ve told him when we were in Detroit so he could set his plan in motion.
I fake smiled, “thank you, we broke up and it’s been messy. It’s the last thing I need to deal with right now to be honest.”
My body was on autopilot as we walked out the elevator and to my front door. Everything was blurred out and I was drowned in my thoughts.
“No problem Royaal”, he said as he opened my door. I could tell he was trying to tread lightly and piece together the story in his head.
“Break ups are usually tough.. and messy. It seems like you’re going through a lot, if you ever want to talk… I’m here.” He offered, he really was such a gentleman, probably the type I should be going for. He wasn’t bad looking either, tall, spicy white, most likely from Europe. I could tell he was young but still older than me.
“Thank you Paul, I really appreciate you looking out for me, especially during this time..” I voiced, as I was about to step through the threshold. “I was just wondering.. how come you didn’t call me?”
“It’s not protocol to call, when residents have requested us to not accept visitors. Also I didn’t want to disturb you on your trip..I was just going to let you know when you got back but my apologies if that’s not what you wanted.” He said putting his head down, he had a guilty apologetic look on his face.
“No, no it’s okay you’re right I only said no visitors”, I fake smiled again and walked in. “I’ll be quick, I know you have to get back to the desk.” I was trying to conceal my annoyance and frustration.
“Take all the time you need. If you have to leave, just let me know so I can come and lock it behind you, it’s no problem.”
“I am actually, i’m going to stay with family until this is all straightened out. I just don’t feel like being alone right now.”
“I understand, i’ll lock up when you’re done”, he said with a little sadness in his voice.
“You’re really the best you know, I swear”, I flirted.
He blushed, “just doing my job”. He smiled, nodded and walked towards the elevators.
I stepped inside the fossil of a home. The place did not feel the same, not one bit, it had such an eerie feeling. I really didn’t want to be here for very long, knowing how comfortable Pablo felt popping by.
And especially since I’ve been staying at Bam’s crib, this condo felt like a downgrade.. For lack of a better word. I immediately went to my closet, grabbed my carry on and two tommy duffle bags. I had forgotten I brought my big suitcase to Detroit and would never be seeing that again. I stuffed the two duffel bags with as much clothes as it’d allow. Then filled my suitcase with my safe, make up and weed paraphernalia.
I was hesitant to grab the Gucci purse Pablo got me, it was the only designer purse he’s ever bought me. I needed something to keep my intimates in, for now. 15-20 mins later, I had grabbed everything I needed and was ready to leave this place for good.
I threw one duffle across my body, the other on my shoulder, while wheeling the suitcase to the front door. I grabbed my purse and took one last look before turning my back forever. Then the feelings overwhelmed me, I was really leaving it behind. This place represented my first step at independence.
I had gotten it by myself, when I started dancing. I was living with a friend when I was working at Zara and got with Pablo. My first couple thousand, he told me to look for a spot for myself. I couldn’t stay with a square bitch anymore, it was ‘bad for business’. I remember we fought, cause I wanted a condo but he told me to grab a dainty basement apartment. Until I found this spot, it was so nice his ass couldn’t say no and ended moving in with me.
I walked out and stood waiting for the elevators. My eyes closed, with tears forming behind them. It felt like this was my whole life, letting go. A constant series of what I loved being ripped from me. Having things pried out of my hands and yet, I still sucked at it. This was the end of a time, this was the death of who I thought I was, I was grieving, again.
The elevator door opened and I tried to quickly wheel my shit on. The 2 other people in the elevators stood behind me as I wiped the single tears dripping onto my cheek. We got to G and I wheeled the suitcase into the lobby, flustered, hurt and a fucking mess. I walked towards the concierge desk, too overwhelmed with my thoughts to see Bam standing in the lobby.
“I’m finished, you can lock it back now, thank you so much Paul! You’ve been so helpful,” I sniffled.
“I’ll contact you..when I have more info about the keys and stuff.” I lied again, God willing this would be our last time talking. Hopefully Bam’s realtor can take care of everything. “Oh and if he comes back and asks for me again, just tell him the same thing; but call me if you can.”
“Of course, it really was a pleasure seeing you Royaal. I’ll go lock up now and please give me a call if you ever need anything.” He said it in an apologetic tone, like he was worried for me.
“For sure”, I smiled and turned around to see Bam walking towards me.
“You got everything?” He asked as he grabbed the duffle bag off my shoulder along with the suitcase. He stretched his hand out for the other duffle.
“Yeah..and I can carry this you know”, I insisted as we walked towards the entrance doors.
“Just carry your purse”, he said as he grabbed it from off my body, flashing me a warm smile.
We walked to the car and he popped open the trunk. He threw my suitcase and bags in and walked around to the drivers side. We jumped in and before he took off, he grabbed my chin and softly leaned in for a kiss.
The motion of his soft big lips guided mine, he was gentle. He pulled back and finished putting on his seatbelt. “You’re a very courageous and strong woman Royaal, I respect that.”
I sunk into my seat as the shyness bounced around from nerve to nerve. My cheeks burned red and my heart fluttered. Little did he know, I was only courageous and strong cause I didn’t have a choice. Being a black woman in this world, means you are the most unprotected, the most ridiculed and the most preyed on. It was eat or be eaten and I’ve been devoured one too many times.
“So everything went smooth?”, he asked.
I contemplated telling him about Pablo, but I now realize the gravity of speaking too soon. That could start a whole new war and right now, I just need some peace. “Yeah everything went perfect, I told him I’m going to be staying with family for a little while since I don’t want to be alone. He bought it though.”
“Good. So we’ll get you a phone first, then redo your ID and then return the rental. I figured you probably want to get connected back to your life and your people as soon as possible”, he said as he swerved in and out of traffic.
I let out a heavy sigh, “I don’t got any people..” I said avoiding his incoming stare and fiddling with the purse.
“Okay.. Well now you do”, he said as he pulled into a parking space on the street. “And we’ll get you some friends, some real ones.”
He opened his door and stepped out of the car, I didn’t realize we had pulled up to a Rogers store. I left the purse in the car and followed behind him into the store as he walked up to the counter.
“Eyyy, B what’s up man?” The Rogers agent greeted him and dapped him up.
“Nothing much man, I just need to grab a phone for this fine young lady right here. She said give her the newest samsung, she loves those things.” He grinned and turned towards me.
“Wait what? Noo I said an iphone, I can’t even work a samsung”, I awkwardly chuckled and threw him a confused, embarrassed look.
“Oh yeah, that was it. She’s slow with the samsungs”, he teased and snapped his fingers.
I nudged him, “oh you’re just going in uh”. I smiled, I knew what he was trying to do and it was working.
The Rogers agent laughed at our little show, “he’s an ass ey? Well don’t you worry, we’ll get you hooked up with the latest Iphone in no time.”
“Thanks fam”, chimed Bam.
“No problem, should I put it under your account?”
“Yeah, the usual”, he said without missing a beat.
“Alright perfect”, the agent said as he typed a bunch of shit into the computer. “Did you want a specific number?” He asked, looking back and forth between us both.
Bam looked at me and raised his eyebrows, as if I was suppose to answer.
“No whatever you have will do”, I said looking at the agent, feeling Bam staring at me. I definitely wanted to ask what the fuck the usual was, but I figured that was a conversation for another time.
“Alright just give me one second”, he said before disappearing into the back.
“Bless, thank you”, Bam said, nodding his head at him. “So you should probably pick out a case and shit for it”, he said to me.
“I don’t even know which iphone he’s grabbing”, I said with a fake attitude.
“Whichever the newest one is babylove”, he replied back pointing to their poster. It was offering a special for the newest iphone.
“Oh…my bad”, I said back with red smiling cheeks. We both laughed and walked towards the case section.
“So let me guess, your favorite color is pink like every other girl right?”
“Actually it’s pale pink, thank you very much”, I said, twisting my fingers and rolling my neck.
“Mmm, my bad”, he said as licked his lips and he walked up on me. He came close enough that my breasts were against his chest and he was staring down at me. The lustful heat coming from his eyes immediately made me drip.
“Ah-..”, I was scrambling for words. I could feel the semi soft imprint of him against me.
“Pale pink…I’ll be sure to remember that”, he said looking me directly in my eyes.
The voice of the agent broke the sexual tension, we backed away from each other and approached the counter. “Alright so in stock we have the colors black, white, green and purple. Our red and blue are sold out, but I can get them to ship it to the store or your address.”
I looked at Bam, but he put down his head and motioned for me to pick. “Ahh, well.. I’ma put a case on it anyways so I’ll just get purple please. Thank you by the way.”
“No problem, I’ll go grab it, then we’ll activate it and you’ll be ready to go.” He said before he disappeared in the back again.
“Why purple?”, Bam asked, leaning against the counter.
“Because purple is the color of Royalty and no matter what color case I get, that’s what I am at the core.”
“I like it”, he said, staring into my eyes again.
Just as I was about to get lost into his, the chime rang and someone walked through the door.
“Bam??”, a female voice questioned.
Traffick’d 