Bitch Reloaded (10 page)

"Hire a private investigator to follow her."

"I did."

"And?"

"She takes the train, and he always loses her. Her cell phone records don't show any suspicious number."

"The train? Nina strikes me as the type of person who would've given that up once she moved in with you."

"That's the thing. When she goes shopping or is running errands, she either takes a cab or uses my car service. But at least three times a week she takes the train. I find that odd. It's as if she's purposely trying to get lost just in case someone is following her."

"That's interesting. So what are you going to do?"

"Precious, I was hoping you could help me." Jamal lifted his head and turned to face me, staring at me with begging eyes. At that moment, I saw the old Jamal from the Brooklyn projects looking at me. He seemed almost fragile.

"What can I do?"

"Befriend Nina. She really enjoyed herself when you all went to the Knicks game. Nina likes you, Precious, she told me. But she said you told her you don't have any friendsI'm hoping that's not true. I'm hoping that you think of me as a friend, and will help me out."

"I don't know, Jamal. I have so much going on in my own life and wasting time with Nina doesn't fit into my schedule."

"Make it fit. It wouldn't be a waste of time. I might be totally wrong about Nina, or I might not. But if I am, marrying her would be the worst thing I could ever do. I need to know. Our wedding is less than two months away."

"Okay. I'll do it."

"Thank you so much, Precious. I'll never forget this."

"Don't get so excited. She might not confide anything to me. Remember she knows that we're cool." Jamal gave me a million dollar smile.

"If anybody can get to the bottom of something, it's you. I'm confident you'll find out what is going on, if anything. So how about calling Nina now and maybe have a girls night out."

"I can't tonight, I already have plans." Disappointment immediately spread across Jamal's face. "I will call her and set something up for tomorrow." The disappointment instantly changed to delight. Jamal walked over and hugged me tightly.

"It's too bad we never had a chance to see if a relationship could've worked between us, because you're perfect."

"Jamal, I'm not perfect, nobody is. Remember that."

"I know, but you're as close to perfect as one can get." We both smiled and I walked Jamal out. It was amazing how everybody in your life could view you differently. But then again, I seemed to show a different side of myself to each person. With Jamal, I always showed him the respectable lady in me. That's why he constantly put me on a pedestal. But then again maybe that's the side he brought out, because he was such a gentleman. Jamal would be shocked to know that with everyone else in my life I was a straight up bitch, and that was on my good days.

After eating my breakfast, I placed the call to Nina.

"Hi, it's me, Precious."

"Precious, it's so nice to hear from you. I left you a few messages, but you never called me back."

"I'm sorry. I had so much going on, and I actually had to go out of town for a few weeks." That was a lie, but it sounded good. "But now I'm back and was hoping maybe we could get together tomorrow?"

"Girl, yes, there's this new restaurant I heard about. It's supposed to be hot. We should go."

"Sounds good, I'll pick you up tomorrow around sevent rry.

"Perfect. I knew we would be friends, Precious. We're two of a kind." On that note I ended the call. Nina truly believed it was all gravy with us. Under different circumstances, we might have been cool, but at the same time, her personality was always so happy-go-lucky. Shit like that made me suspicious. I mean damn, everybody got problems, and those who don't are the ones starting them.

As it got later in the day I started preparing for my date with Mike. I was looking forward to spending some quality time with him. I never sat down and just kicked it with Mike on some relaxing shit.

Standing in front of the mirror fixing my hair, instead of my own reflection staring back at me it was Supreme's. It was probably because of the guilt I felt. "Baby, I know Mike ain't never been one of your favorite dudes, but I kinda dig him. I'm so lonely, Supreme, and it's hard for me. I wake up everyday thinking of you, and go to sleep every night wishing you were beside me. Mike can never take your place in my heart, but I think we're somewhat compatible. The streets run through his blood just like they do mine. Most people just don't understand that about me, but Mike does. I hope you understand, and you don't hold it against me, because with us, it's love for life." I spoke those words to Supreme as if he was standing before me in the flesh. His presence was always felt, and somewhere in my mind I did believe he could hear me. Maybe it was because of the necklace he gave me that I never took off. Whatever it was, the connection was strong.

After going back and forth over how to rock my hair-up then down again-I let my golden brown waves hang loosely down my shoulders. I put on my cream fitted pantsuit and pulled out the shearling to match. It was exactly eight, and I knew Mike would be right on time. I went downstairs to have a quick drink before he arrived. Nathan was standing in the foyer as if waiting for me. "Good evening, Nathan," I said with a pleasant smile.

"You need me to escort you somewhere tonight?" he asked in a protective tone.

"No, I'm fine."

"So where are you going?"

"Out," I replied, trying to remain cool. I never liked for anyone to question me. But I knew Nathan was asking out of concern, so I didn't want to bite his head off.

"With who?" He asked one question too many, and now he was working my nerves.

"That's really none of your business, but if you must know, Mike."

"Pretty Boy Mike? Why do you deal with that arrogant nigga? You know Supreme wouldn't approve of him."

"Nathan, for one, Supreme is no longer with us. Two, I'm grown. I don't have to explain to you or anybody else who I choose to deal with. As far as approval goes, mine is the only one that counts. Now, excuse me my date is here," I said hearing the doorbell ring.

Even after the tongue lashing I just gave Nathan, he lingered behind me as I answered the door. He glared at Mike with hatred in his eyes. I tried to ignore his stares, but it was hard since Nathan wasn't exactly unnoticeable.

"Precious, you look beautiful," Mike said, ignoring the wannabe cock blocker.

"Thanks, let's get out of here." I turned to Nathan, "Have a good night, and don't wait up."

When we pulled up to 23rd Street, I wondered where Mike was taking me for dinner. The block was lined with elegant buildings more suited for private residents than restaurants. "Where are we going?" I finally asked.

"Bette. Its Amy Sacco's restaurant. She owns Bungalow 8, this exclusive nightclub I go to sometimes."

"Oh, I've never heard of either of those places."

"Well, I'm the first to show you something different."

"What type of food do they serve?"

"European grill, its delicious, trust me."

When we entered the spot, I was impressed by the elegant but yet sleek style. It had smoked glass with umber and charcoal colors. The Mobius-inspired tubular light fixture gave it an ultra modern, high tech 70s look. I let Mike do the ordering since I didn't know what was good on the menu. He got some herb-grilled black sea bass and some braised short ribs, which sounded delicious to me. We started things off with a bottle of bubbly, just the way I like.

"So I guess you want to wine and dine me before you sleep with me, huh?"

"It's not so much that. I want us to really get to know each other. I think you're special, Precious, and you're someone I want in my life on a long-term basis."

"I don't know if that's possible."

"Why not?"

"Because you knew and know two of the men who have had the biggest impact on my life. It might be too complicated."

"Listen, Supreme is no longer with us, may he rest in peace, and Nico isn't part of my life. I want to have the biggest impact on your life, in a positive way. I can see us sharing an incredible life together. I can show you things that you've never been exposed to. There is so much out there, Precious, and I want you to experience it as my wife."

"What?" I almost choked on the champagne going down my throat.

"You heard me." Mike paused as he leaned back in his chair. With his caramel complexion glowing under the light, he ran his fingers over his perfect full lips. "It's my hope that one day soon you'll become my wife."

"I just lost my husband less than a year ago. I have no plans to remarry anytime soon, if ever."

"So you have no problem having sex with me on a desk, but you don't want to consider marrying me one day?"

"Sex is totally different than being somebody's wife. We don't even really know each other."

"They say you know if you want to marry somebody within the first moments of meeting them. I never believed that to be true, until I met you. Unfortunately you're afraid of letting your guard down with me. I can't blame you, under the circumstances. It'll take time. But like any great stock, you have to invest. I'm willing to invest in you, because I believe the benefits are worthwhile."

"I'll admit that I'm extremely attracted to you. Not just physically but mentally. You seem to understand me, and at the same time not judge me. There was something about you from the moment I met you, and I think it's because I see so much of myself in you, which is a little frightening. I don't have the most endearing qualities."

"To me, Precious, you're perfect. The qualities you say are lacking in endearment are what I find most appealing. That is the reason you will be mine. I'll put money on it."

Mike and I ate our dinner as he talked to me about everything from the music business to great investments. He was truly well schooled. He told me the street life was the best form of education he ever received to prepare him for the cutthroat corporate world.

By the time we finished, we had went through two bottles of champagne and I was tipsy. As we waited for the valet to pull the car around, I caught the side profile of a woman about to go into an apartment a few buildings down. "Is that Nina?" I asked out loud.

"Who is Nina?" Mike questioned as he walked in my direction and put his hand around my waist. I shook my head because I was so drunk I could barely stand up straight.

"Just someone I know," I replied, glancing back over to where I saw her. But when I turned around she was gone.

"Where? I don't see anybody?" Mike said, peering in the direction I had my head turned to.

"Me neither, I think my eyes were just playing tricks on me. That's what happens when you have too much to drink."

Mike and I got in the car, and he took me home. When he reached my house, I didn't want him to leave. "Would you like to come in?"

"No, you need to get some rest. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Okay."Mike walked me to the door, and I was disappointed that our night was ending. I really enjoyed his company and looked forward to spending more time with him. "Thanks, Mike," I said before giving him a kiss goodnight. When I walked inside, Nathan was sitting in the corner pretending to be flipping through a magazine.

"Enjoy your evening?" Nathan asked with his head still buried in the magazine.

"Didn't I tell you not to wait up for me? Don't answer that, just don't do it again." I went upstairs and closed my bedroom door. Even in my drunken stupor I knew that one day soon I would need to have a serious talk with Nathan. I had to set some rules regarding him interfering in my personal life, especially since I had the feeling Mike would soon become a big part of it.

I woke up the next morning with a newfound anticipation. It was due to the wonderful evening I shared with Mike the night before and the many possibilities it raised. The depressing, not wanting to get out of bed feeling that I had to fight for months after Supreme died was gone. I was looking forward to my next date with Mike and what the future might hold for us.

Ring ...ring.. .

The sound of my cell phone interrupted my daydreaming.

"Hello."

"Precious, it's me Nina. I wanted to make sure we were still on tonight?" I fell back in bed, closing my eyes. It slipped my mind that I was suppose to hang with Nina tonight. But I did promise Jamal, and I couldn't let him down.

"Of course we're still on."

"Great, I already made reservations for us at this new hot spot. We're going to have so much fun. I'll see you tonight." Before I had a chance to roll my eyes about Nina's extra bubbly ass, my cell phone rang again.

"Hello."

"Good morning." Without even thinking I started grinning at the sound of Mike's voice.

"Good morning to you." I couldn't help but wonder if the tone of my voice gave away the smile on my face.

"It will be, if you say you'll see me again tonight."

"Mike, I can't. I already have plans with a girlfriend of mine.

"You have a female friend? I had no idea," he said sounding surprised.

"She's more of an associate, but nevertheless we're going out tonight."

"You can't reschedule with her? I have something for you.