We both stood frozen in front of the elevator for a second, staring at each other. I knew French was going to be pissed, but she’s basically my best friend. And this about me, not her.
“You know that’s stupid, so I don’t have to tell you that’s stupid”, she said as she walked into the elevator and pressed floor 24.
“Look, I knew you weren’t going to like it, but I wasn’t telling you so you can tell me it’s stupid.” I said with a little frustation in my voice.
“Royaaaaal, you just got away from homeboy and now you want to go to a gorilla pimp? Like what did you expect me to say? You know how I feel about pimps AND you’re choosing B? Like Bam? The most notorious pimp in the city, because you like to get beat? You’re so much smarter than this and you know it. You’re just missing having a man. And I get it.”
The elevators stopped and the doors opened to reveal a gorgeous hallway. I motioned for her to go and she walked toward her door as I followed behind her. She pushed her key into the lock and let out a huge sigh as she opened the door.
I walked in and closed the door behind me, “They used my money to buy the bitch new teeth. They’re taking me for a joke French. They’re taking for a fucking joke yo, they think i’m a fucking joke!” I was trying go hold back the emotions.
“Wait, what? What do you mean?”, she asked confused as hell.
“Pablo sent Ari to come collect the fucking money today, and this fucking bitch shows up with a brand new set of veneers! You know how much veneers cost? The same amount I owe Pablo. They’re using the money, i’m fucking working my ass off to make, to live their best lives. While i’m here, by myself but still paying someone and getting nothing in return. Well, I might as well pay someone that can give me back something then. AND have protection.” I said with a lump in my throat.
“But Royaal-“
“I know his reputation, but he’s been trying to send me drinks at the club since I started working there. He wants me bad French, and there’s no one else that would bruise Pablo’s ego more. Don’t be scared for me, I got this I promise. I don’t need a mom, I need you to be my friend.”
“Well will you be able to have friends that aren’t live? Cause i’m never going back to that life Royaal, i’m sorry”, she said seriously.
“And i’m not asking you too, of course you’re still going to be my friend. It’s one of my conditions”, I said with a wink.
“I hope so” she responded back as she walked off to her bedroom.
“Do you want to smoke before I go? I pre-rolled them”, I asked in a surrendering tone. I grabbed my phone and called an uber at the same time.
“Nah mamas, i’m okay i’ll see you after work. Take the keys just in case i’m sleeping. Love you”, she said trying to cover up her emotions.
“Love you too”, I said as I walked toward her bedroom door. “Everything’s going to be alright you know, just trust me.”
“I do trust you Royaal, you don’t get it. I don’t trust him though, not one bit. Did you know he gave a stripper a smiley because she told her friend not to choose up with him? And her friend went back and told him.”
“I wouldn’t do that though!”
“I know you wouldn’t do that, that’s not my point Royaal. He’s dangerous, like for real dangerous. He’s an old school pimp, he believes in hitting his girls and shit. Why do you want that?”
“That’s not going to happen okay”, my phone vibrated. ” My uber’s here, but just don’t worry about it, alright?” I got this”, I said as I walked out the bedroom.
I knew she wasn’t going to support the idea, cause French hates pimps. But I guess I thought, at least thought she would support me and give me a little credit, I don’t know.
I grabbed the keys off the counter, and walked to the door.
“Have a good night, make that money!” she yelled.
“Thank you!”, I yelled back and opened the door. I walked to the elevators and pushed the button.
I know French was just looking out for me, but i can handle myself. I wasn’t about to do a 2.0 of what I just left. If I was going to work for B, there would have to be conditions. I walked into the elevator and pressed the lobby button.
My friendship with French was non-negotiable, that was one of the first things on the list. And he was going to have to buy me out from Pablo.
I walked out to the lobby, my uber was already parked out front. I walked out and opened the back door.
“Uber for Royaal?”, he asked.
“Yes, hello. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No problem.” he replied back, I didn’t realize he had been on the phone.
“You can go back on the phone sir, i’m just going to listen to my music anyways.” I said, kind of happy we didn’t have to talk.
“Oh, okay thank you” he said, then got right back into his conversation.
We’d be at the club in no time anyways, French doesn’t live far.
I thought for a split second, what if French is right? But either way, i’d have to deal with a pimp. I can’t just be by myself anymore and not pay Pablo. He’s not going to hold that, and he’ll make my life a living hell. The only reason he stopped calling is because I blocked him; He doesn’t give up, his ego is too big.
The uber pulled up to the club and I hopped out. The club was fancy, it was called For Your Eyes. It was tucked away on the street but had two large black doors with big gold handles, enticing you to come in. I opened the heavy doors and strolled through the security. I said my hi’s as I walked to the back towards the changeroom.
There were a few girls getting ready but most were on the floor. I sat my bag down on the counter and went to find a locker.
“There’s one at the bottom left corner, i think it’s the only one left”, one of the girls said ans she was putting on her makeup.
“Damnn, thank you girl”, I said as i walked over and put my lock on it.
“No problem”, she replied back.
I walked over and grabbed my outfit for the night. I was going to wear a cute high-waisted two piece that complimented my tiny waist. I quickly got dressed, touched up my makeup and headed towards the floor.
The night was busy, the DJ was playing Rihanna’s Bitch better have my money when I walked out onto the floor. A pretty white girl was on stage, mid-split getting a tip from a customer. I looked around, I couldn’t see B. Maybe he wasn’t here yet, it was kind of early. I decided to go workthe floor in the meantime.
There was a guy sitting by himself, he wasn’t watching the girl on stage. He was scanning the floor, I assumed for her a girl he could take to vip. And the fact that he wasn’t grabbing one of the available white girls, let me know he was waiting for a pretty black girl like me.
I strutted over to him and bent over just enough so his line of vision was at my breast. “Are you waiting for anyone?” I asked as I smothered him with lust.
“No, no actually. I’m here by myself, um do you want to sit down?” he asked, visibly nervous.
“Yeah I do, on top of you. I think you should follow me”, I said with authority.
“Okay”, he said back, completely surrendering. You have to be able to feel the vibes and know which customer likes which personality.
I grabbed his hand and led him to vip, the night followed suit after that. Customer after customer, I didn’t go on stage, cause I was too busy in the back.
I finished my dances, said goodbye to my customer and walked over to the bar for a glass of water.
“This is for you, from Bam”, the bartender said as she slid over a rum and coke.
“What? I was going to order water”, I chuckled. I didn’t even know he was in the club. My body tensed up and immediately I realized he’s probably watching me.
“Girllll just take it or you can give it to me like you usually do”, she winked and laughed.
“Naah, I’m going to take it this time, thank you. Can I still get that water though?” I giggled, as I took a sip. If he is watching me, then game on.
“Oh wow, there must be a blue moon. I dont think you’ve ever taken the drink, are you okay?”, she asked jokingly as she handed me the water.
I laughed, “yeah girl, i’m just trying to get lit tonight” I said back innocently.
“I heard that!”, she yelled and walked to serve the other customers at the bar.
I could now feel his eyes narrowing on my back, I turned around and we immediately locked eyes from across the room. He was sitting in a booth with one other guy and one girl. He looked good, he had waves that’d make you seasick. A thick gorgeous jet black beard that wrapped around his chiseled jaw. He had slanted eyes and his nose pierced. His gold grills shun underneath his dark lips. He wore a gold cuban link over his white balenciaga shirt, it fit his big muscular arms nicely.
He had a huge diamond on his pinky, that glistened when he motioned me to come over. He had a great smile, his devilishly and enticing eyes felt like he was thinking about you naked; and you wanted him too.
I took a breath and walked through the club, me and the beat of the music seemed to be in perfect stride. It felt like all eyes were on me, as the different strobe lights hit my body. With each leg forward, I stared him down to his soul.
“Mine if I join you guys?”, I asked the group but was only staring at him.
“So this is the little shorty?”, his friend says as he points to me.
“Yeah, this is her”, Bam said back, still staring at me. “You finally came.”
“I mean, I had some time,” I joked, as I laid down my bandana to sit beside him.
“I see you’re a busy woman, I like that.” He said readjusting himself to face me.
“So what’s your name?”, the girl asked. I’m guessing the guy beside her was her dude, cause the look he gave her, made her not ask anymore questions.
“My name’s Royaal”, I said, trying to make eye contact with her but her head was down.
“So what are you doing after this, cause we’re going to hong shings?”, B asked.
“After this, um? Wait what time is it?” I asked, not realizing.
“It’s about to be last call babygirl, you were working”, he laughed.
Just as I turned my head, I caught Ari and Pablo walking in toward the bar.
“Look who it is,” laughs B’s friend. B turned to look, and laughed.
My body got tense, I assumed B knew Pablo was my old pimp.
“So whatchu doing Royaal? Are you coming to hong shings?” The look in his eye was confidence, like he knew I was coming with him, and if I didn’t it was my loss.
“Yeah ima come, let me go get dressed and stuff”, I was hoping I could slide to the changeroom without them seeing me. Especially with Bam, since I technically didn’t choose up yet. I haven’t spoken to him about all this.
I crept to the back and got to the changeroom without being spotted. I quickly jumped out of my work clothes and threw on my regular clothes, tied my hair up in a bun and put everything in my bag.
The girl that helped me with my locker earlier was in the changeroom, “girl can you do me the biggest favor of life please? This is so random, I know! But can you check if there’s a pimp and his bitch at the bar still please? She has on a louie bag and heels, brown skin-long black hair “I rambled.
“No”, she said coldly as she got up, locked her locker and walked out.
“What the fuck?!” I said out loud to myself. I didn’t really have the time to take that in and analyze it anyways.
I took a deep breathe, “fuck it” and walked back out onto the floor. Our eyes instantly locked, Pablo looked me dead in my face. I almost dropped my bag, everything seemed to stop. And it was only me and him in the club. I gathered all the strength in me, and moved one leg after the other until I got to Bam’s table.
I could feel Pablo screaming inside my head, ripping me apart.
“You aight?” Bam asked. I didn’t realize my head was down, when I looked up, I saw homegirl from downstairs in the changeroom. She was standing beside his friend and the girl but she looked pissed.
“Yeah I’m good, let’s go” I said, looking at her.
“We’ll meet you at hong’s?” Bam said to his boy. Completely unbothered by the raging Pablo at the bar.
“Yeah, say no more, just now. Be safe”, he dapped him and left with the two girls.
“Aight let’s go, unless you want to say bye to your little boyfriend”, he joked.
“So you do know” I stopped dead in my tracks and chuckled with relief.
“Royaal I know everything, more than you probably. But you can fill me in on our way”, he said in a stoic voice as he headed to the exit.
“Oh shit, I gotta pay my fee, one second. I totally forgot!” I said, remembering as we were leaving.
“I covered it, let’s go. Did you drive here?”, he said non-chanlantly.
Traffick’d 