{*}Underneath All the Make-Up{*} A Novel... (+ 11/1/10)

Chapter 23



‘Hey Kay!’
‘Tasha! Hey you...welcome back’ we hugged each other and I followed her into Lisa’s place.
‘Arghhhhhhhhhhh...OMG...Look at her finger? Gurl how they let you in the plane with that rock...it must weigh a ton!’ Rachel screamed jumping up and down as she hugged me.
The other girls looked at my hand and I flashed my engagement ring. ‘Sammie proposed to me when we reached Barbados. We spent the entire time just walking on the beach and spending some good, quality time together’
‘In bed I bet’ laughed Lisa
‘Well, wherever we ended up actually’ I replied with a smirk.
‘Look at you girly girl’
‘So what have I missed...oh Rachel this is for you’ I handed her a bouquet of white roses and she teared up a bit but smiled still. ‘Thanks Tash...that’s sweet of you’

‘Well...you missed quite a lot’ sighed Kamaria as she dropped down on the couch. All the others nodded.
‘Someone fill me in’ I said I sat down next to Kamaria.
Rachelle talked about everything that had happened ever since I left. The others added their bits every now and then as I sat in shock.
‘Lisa...are you ok?’
‘Yeah...don’t worry bout me Tasha’
‘Kay and you?’
‘I’ll be fine’
‘So...now back to what I was saying...I know some people!’ Rachelle was dead serious.
‘Who can do what?’ I asked since everyone else had their mouths shut.
‘Duh...we need to get rid of this guy...he is a threat to our girl here...and we certainly can’t do anything ourselves...but I know people who can handle it’ she got up and paced around with her hands on her hips. ‘All you gotta do is say the word Lisa, if this guy comes up again he may not just beat you and...well...rape you...but he could KILL you’
‘I hate to say it but Rae is right...we need to do something’ I agreed completely and the others started nodding their heads, ‘say the word Lisa and this guy could be gone for good’

We stared at her awaiting her answer. All it took was a slight nod and Rachelle got on her phone. Within 5 minutes the hit was set and we each put up a $1000 to pay the men who will carry out the hits.
‘Good it’s decided...now Kay...we need to handle you’ said Rachel
‘No...not yet...he hasn’t done enough yet to get me scared...I can handle him. I didn’t sign up for self-defence lessons for nothing’
‘Are you sure cuz you know all you...’
‘I know Rae...say the word...but seriously girls I got this for now. When and if it comes to that I shall say the word ok’

We nodded but we weren’t sure what to think. She looked off into the distance and I decided we need some good news.
‘Well girls...there’s something I haven’t coughed up yet’ they looked at me with sudden curiosity.
‘Apart from helping me plan my wedding...and Rachel by the way...I want you to design my dress...anyway as I was saying you’ll also have a baby shower to plan’
‘OMG...you’re expecting? This is good news Tasha...I’m so excited’ Kamaria stood up and hugged me tightly, but we all focused on Rachel. How would she handle this?
‘Oh no...I’m so sorry Rache , I shouldn’t have told you today...this is bad’ I was upset with myself
‘Don’t be silly...I’m happy for you! I’m ok...why would I be upset?’ she smiled weakly but I could tell she was sad.
‘We need to celebrate this...Lisa what you got to drink?’ asked Janae. She was already in the kitchen when she asked the question. Rachel got up too.
‘I’m sorry I can’t stay...I have to go meet Trevor later and I have a business meeting that I’ve been putting off for too long...I’ll call you later ok?’
She walked out the door and left us all staring at each other. ‘I messed up huh?’
‘No Tash...she just needs to cope with this in her own way...she ain’t mad at you. She really is happy for you, but today she just needs some alone time...let’s just give her that ok’
Kamaria reassured us that she would be ok so we helped Janae make some cocktails and spent the afternoon picking out baby names. I was very excited but sad because of Rachel and even Lisa looked a bit down. I hoped Rachelle’s people can handle this guy as soon as possible.

Chapter 25



The moment I got home I had taken off my clothes and hopped into a long, warm bath with bubbles. I stayed there for an hour just thinking about my life up till now. I’ve been through so much since college. I remember meeting Dwight and I was so happy when I ended up pregnant, but then when I lost the baby, my life just turned upside down. I blamed Dwight when I knew it wasn’t his fault. Kwame was sick and he died. I thought back to when I met my new friends. Things have happened so quickly. 6 strangers have become the best of friends in such a short time. How is that possible? I smiled remembering how we got locked in the room and then that night at the club when I met Trevor. I felt tingles all over my body when I thought of him. I walked in the club and he was the first person I noticed and from then on I never looked back.

I got up from the bath and changed into some shorts and a small t-shirt that showed my belly. I had some time to kill before Trevor’s flight got back so I switched on the TV and saw him playing against the Wizards. He was scoring some important baskets. I walked to my table and decided to work on some designs for Natasha’s wedding dress. I was happy for her and I hope that she didn’t think I was upset at her happiness. Her and Sammie are too cute and I’m sure they would make a beautiful baby together. I glanced at the tv and started thinking about Trevor. I guess a baby is too soon and I don’t need to rush him into anything. I don’t want people to think that maybe I just want another baby.

My phone rang and I saw it was Janae calling.
‘Hey you...are you ok?’
‘Hey Nae...yeah I’m ok...just chilling before I go meet my baby’
‘Aww...sweet...hey can I come over?’
‘Something wrong?’
‘No...I just need company’
‘Good...me too...come right over girl’
‘Be there in 10’
I continued to work on my designs until Janae arrived with a bottle of wine and a cheeky smile.
‘Oh my God...you just got some!’
‘Hell yeah Pooch laid it down’
‘Get in and talk’

She sat on the couch and watched the game while I went to get some wine glasses. ‘So here we are’
‘Look your man scoring some good baskets and you know what the dudes commenting on the game said?’
‘What Nae?’ I asked smiling
‘They said...must be the model who making him score so good’
‘Are you serious? Oh my God!’
‘Yeah anyway...sit down and let’s drink some wine’
I poured the wine and we took a few sips while the game went on. It was the 3rd quarter and there was 1 minute left. ‘So what happened?’
‘Well...I was home and I got this delivery. It was an iPhone and some very expensive make-up! Anyway the phone rang and it was Pooch. After a while I asked him if it’s true him and his bitch are engaged’
‘Seriously?’
‘Yep...and he hung up saying we’d talk later...then he texted and I was pissed. He showed up at my door step right after’
‘Wow...girl you in some crazy shit!’
‘Yep...he said he is engaged to the girl and I said ok then you need to leave then and he was like I can’t cuz I’m feeling you too much...then we had sex’
I burst out laughing and she did to. The situation was too hilarious. I poured some more wine.
‘Girl what the fuck?’
‘I know...I was so confused after that. I don’t need that shit right now. I just want to have fun with my girls. I can’t handle another Tyrese situation’
‘Yeah...you taking another woman’s man’
‘I know...I don’t need that...I wanna kill the bitch right now but whatever. What you think?’
‘I think you need to relax...let him find himself first and then when he does he can come find you’
‘Hey...that’s good Rache...Ima give him space...but you know I still have him on a hook!’
We raised our glass and toasted as we laughed at loud.

We watched the game talking and laughing at random things. Once it was over we opened another bottle and drank it down. It was almost midnight when she got up to leave and she swayed a little.
‘Girl you sure you can drive? There’s a spare room upstairs’
‘Yeah I can drive...I’ll be fine!’
She got into her car and I got into Trevor’s. For a while I followed her and then she turned in another direction as I headed for the airport. I found a parking and then got out and went to wait for him at arrivals. It was really cold tonight and I hugged my jacket around me tightly as I found a seat. A little girl came to ask for a picture and an autograph which I did gladly. She was adorable. I heard some people scream and I looked up and saw the guys walking out. Trevor was the last one to get out and I waved so he would see me.
‘Hey baby’ I jumped into his arms and kissed his lips.
‘Damn someone missed me’
‘You have no idea how much!’
We walked to his car hand in hand avoiding the cameras. When we reached his car he walked around it and looked at it carefully.
‘Boy please...I drove that thing better than you ever did’
He laughed as we climbed in and pulled out of the car park.
‘You want something to eat?’
‘Nah...I’m not that hungry...I just wanna get home’
We drove to my place and he walked into the bathroom for a shower while I changed into my nightdress. It was a very clear white Victoria Secrets dress and I had the matching panties underneath. I was in front of my dressing table removing my jewellery and make-up when Trevor got out in nothing but a towel. I stared at his body in the mirror and he stuck his tongue out at me while flexing his muscles. I teased back by doing a sexy catwalk in slow motion for him, I turned around and bent over and watched him lick his lips. He walked over to me and slapped my ass. I stood up and felt him wrap his arms around me. My back pressed against his chest and his face fit into the nape of my neck where he sucked my skin gently leaving his marks. I reached back and removed his towel as his hands reached underneath my dress and found my clit. Moaning softly I turned around and found his lips.
‘I missed you so much Rache...I couldn’t believe it when the plane landed and I was thrilled to see you waiting for me like that. I’m in love baby girl...and it’s with you’
‘Are you sure about that?’ I smirked at him.
‘Let me show me’
He lay me down on the bed and removed all my clothing. I gasped feeling him between my legs. This was not going to be short night and I made a mental note to call my secretary and have her post-pone my meetings.

Chapter 26



Monday night was always boring for me. I hopped into my car looking fine in some white skinny jeans and a black halter top. My feet look cute in some gold stilettos. I drove around town with no destination in mind. I just wanted to get out of the house. I passed by a club I use to dance at and decided to go say hi to the girls. I parked my ride and walked out. I walked past men passing rude remarks and ignored them with a smirk on face and showing them the finger.

‘Hey look who dropped by!’ An old friend of mine walking around topless came up and hugged me. We heard more crude remarks and just laughed it off.
‘What’s up Shelly?’
‘I’m good girl...don’t I look good?’
‘Yeah you do...how’s the club?’
‘Girl...them niggas keep getting fine every night’
‘Shelly the dick lover!’
‘That’s me girl and I ain’t afraid to say it’
We sat down and chatted about the club and I learnt that since I left the club has upgraded a bit and now get richer, finer clients.
‘Like that guy over there...girl...I want some of that’ she pointed at a man but I couldn’t see his face.
‘He has a chick with him’
‘Yeah they always come in here together...kissing and frolicking while we dance...maybe it turns them on...I might ask for a threesome!’
‘You are insane’
‘Isn’t that Drake?’
‘Where? Oh yeah...I told you we get A listers who come in here now’
‘That how you got those double Ds?’
‘Very funny..gurl you know my mama gave me those’

We talked some more until it her turn to perform and I sat down and watched. Every now and then I looked at the man and the woman. It was so weird seeing a couple acting like that in a strip club.
The DJ started to play ‘Drop it Low’ by Ester Dean and the crowd went wild as Shelly strutted to the pole in a nurse suit. I laughed as she winked at me and did her thing. She seemed to have gotten better and I remember nights we stayed up till late as she showed me the ropes. After a few years she encouraged to me to get out of the club and become a video vixen. I owed it all to her. She got out of her dress and walked over to the mic.
‘Hey y’all we have a visitor tonight’
The crowd went wild as the spotlight hit me and I hid behind my purse.
‘Rae please...we know it’s you...for old time’s sake...let’s burn the place down’
The other girls who hadn’t noticed me all ran to dragged me to the stage. I climbed on Shelly and I did giggled as we did a dance with me in a my clothes and her topless. I grabbed the pole and rubbed my body down and spun round. When I stopped I found myself staring into the eyes of Marcus Cooper. He was the man with the girl. He looked into my eyes and I stared back stunned. Shelly seemed to notice and got all the attention away from me. Eventually I regained my composure and was able to dance off the stage. I waved goodbye to the girls and ran to my car.

‘RACHELLE’ I heard him call out my name but I kept running. I didn’t see a gap in the sidewalk and I tripped and fell twisting my ankle. I screamed out in pain as he knelt down next to me and grabbed my foot.
‘Why you running in 6 inch heels?’
‘Cuz I don’t wanna talk to you’
‘Let me explain’
‘You don’t have too. I’ve met enough guys like you to know what you going to say’
‘Rae please...Don’t do this to me’
‘Let go’
I struggle to stand up on my good leg and removed my shoes. I put my other foot down and tried to walk but I only fell straight into his arms. He lifted me up and carried me to my car. I opened the door and he set me in the passenger side as he ran to the driver’s side and started the car. I was fuming by the time we reached the hospital and I didn’t want him near me as the doctor bandaged my ankle and gave me crutches to walk on.
‘Talk to me Rae’
‘We fucked...It was really good...Now it’s done and I don’t have anything to say to you’
Tears formed in my eyes and I felt ridiculous.
‘Rae please’ he begged me as I hopped to my car and waited for him.
‘What Marcus? So you can fuck me over again huh? Make me think that me and you could possibly be together someday? How stupid do you think I am? My heart is still broken from the last nigger and I swear I will not allow you to do me that way’
‘I’m here with you aren’t I?’
‘So what?’ I opened the door and sat down. 5 minutes later he got in and started to drive me to my place.

‘I’m sorry...It wasn’t my intention to hurt you like that...I didn’t want you to find out that way’
‘Well...It’s done’
‘Will you give me another chance?’
‘For what?’
He didn’t answer and just drove faster. I sighed and looked out the window at my past flashing before my eyes. I can’t believe this happened again. Wiping the tears from my eyes I took a breath and closed my eyes as we drove in silence.

We reached my place and I climbed out without looking at him. I opened the door and waited for him to bring my car keys. He placed them in my outstretched hands and as he leaned in to kiss me I slammed the door and leaned against it. I could hear him calling my name softly. It even sounded like he was crying but I blocked it out and hopped up the stairs to my bed. I should have stayed home tonight. My phone kept ringing so I switched it off as I climbed into my bed and fell asleep crying over him. This cannot happen again, I won’t allow it.