Chapter 22: Sweet Samples of Regret

So I called Green's cell like five times, but if I wait any longer my promise will be broken. & if y'all learn anything about me through this project, no I'm big on keeping my word. I'm no where near perfect and to expect me to be, or anyone else for that matter, would be foolish. With that random insight said... S/o to @PINKMunyBARBIEShe's cool people. I'm tryna catch up with her fic but a certain someone who think they A Pimp Name Slickback & I'm the hoe chasing after him in some heels won't pick up. & I can barely walk in 'em. I'd shout it out too, but we doing a post real soon, specifically for that reason. But we neither here nor there *Jadakiss voice* Enjoy this, cause I guess y'all wasn't feeling the last one.

                                                                                                  Cooncerely,

                                                                                                               Cristal, like the champagne.

          I woke up to the sound of a steady tapping. I flipped over onto my stomach while bringing the covers over my head. That muffled it a bit. Of course, then the tapping became slower but louder knocks. I went to peek from underneath my covers to see the time, but quickly pulled them back up because of the unexpected sunlight. While I was letting my eyes adjust, the knocks turned into banging. I automatically thought of Safaree and the recording of Warning. I can remember him wanting a hundred retakes because he thought he could do a better ‘Knock knock knock knock knock knock knock, POLICE, OPEN UP’. Always so damn extra. I eventually just used his vocals and we added on pre-recorded knocks. Til this day he still says his would’ve sounded better. He thinks the final sounds like a cheap AK-47 effect or some firework type shit. I think it’s not that serious and could’ve been left out all together. I’m lying. I love it. It’s a movie.

          

            I took my time getting out of bed. Nobody was yelling so it couldn’t have been life threatening. I checked to make sure I was decent before unlocking and opening my bedroom door.

          “I need you to get ready.” Martin said, practically sticking his head in through the crack I allowed the door to be opened to.

          “Damn. Goodmorning to you too.”

          “Goodmorning, is S.B. here?” Oh. So that’s why he was tryna scan my room.

          “What are you trying to say, Martin?”

          “I know he’s not out here, So is he in there with you.”

“Excuse me?!” Fuck I look like?

“I didn’t mean any offense, it’s just that we don’t have time to waste.”

“I don’t know where he’s at, but he fo damn sho ain’t in here.”

“Okay.” He surrendered.

“Okaaay?”

“Do you need me to call him?”

“For what?! You still ain’t even tell me why you here. Banging on my door at..”

“6:53.” He said, before I could turn around to look at the clock.

“In the morning." I glared at him. "WELL?”

“You know how you’ve been wanting me to keep your schedule full?”

“If you don’t get to the point I’ma snatch that key off yo neck and close this door in yo face.”

“Well I got a certain meeting pushed up.” I opened the door more and reached for his neck. He jumped back. “WITH THE LADY ABOUT YOUR FRAGRANCE.” He blurted out. A huge grin crept onto my face.

“Seriously?!” I exclaimed. Hopping up and down.

 “Yes. Now go get dressed so you’re not late.” I stared at him blankly, then closed the door in his face before going to get ready. I thought about what was actually going down today as I probably took too long in the shower. I’m about to have my own fucking fragrance. I was smiling from ear to ear. Martin and his gotdamn selective hearing. I can count on him to always listen, even when I’m just rambling. If only there was a way to help him keep it in his head pass the time I usually make him repeat it back to me.

I stepped out, wrapped up in a towel and went to quickly lotion myself up. After I was done, I texted Candi and Lauren to tell 'em the good news.

          GUESS THE FUCK WHAT?!!!

          What?! Lauren asked.

          Betta be crucial this early Candi complained.

          Shut up Can it’s almost noon there

W.e.

Can y’all not right now so I can kno whats going on?

 iLoveMartin.com

          Y?!

Yuck. U playin right?

“You almost done, Nicki?!” Martin yelled from the hallway.

“Yeah!” I lied. “Give me like 15 more minutes!” I heard him laugh.

*Ignores Candi* Bad bitches EVERYWHERE bout to be smellin like Pink Fridaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If u not talkin perfume I’ma have Beezy check yo crazy ass in

Pleeaaase girl. Don’t name anything else Pink Friday

First of all. Fuck Sb. Second. What kind of friends are y’all?

I’m just sayin there’s other colors & days of the week.

WTF happened?

She change her mind. AGAIN.

You know what? Fuck y’all too.

Damn Nicki!!

Yep

How’d he take it?

I think its worst than last time.

EXCUSE ME!!! Why the fuck y’all keep messaging me if y’all not gone talk about the topic at hand?

Why am I just now finding out about this shit?

I had to hear it from CJ

I tossed my phone down on the bed and went to go brush my teeth. When I came back I saw their texts.

That’s cray & u askin what kind of friends we are

Leave her alone Can. She’s stressin

Whats new? She ain’t gotta keep takin it out on Safaree doe

U right, but we all know how she can get

Still don’t make it okay

Hopefully it’ll work itself out again

I’m over it. Shit’s not gone change til she wants it too anyways.

I’m about to block y’all hoes if y’all don’t quit fucking up my day with this bull shit early in the mornin.

Don’t get mad cuz u fucked up Onika

CANDICE!

Naw son. U can keep it cute cuz that’s work, but Idc

Ha! You so tough over text.

Y’all really need help

But I promise you won’t come back to Queens without that nigga Dream doe

Sounds like you tryna finish ‘05

ARE YALL FUCKING SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?

Shit. Maybe somebody need to knock u off that high horse.

How bout you stop worry bout mines and worry about getting yo own to take care of?

Don’t try to play that card Nic. U kno I got some shit in my deck

I’m done with y’all. This ain’t even the time or the method.

Sheeeiit. This chicken feed. I gotta get dressed. I’m runnin late

Right. I’ma keep it pushin.  & u keep runnin. Ya mouth &  away from ya problems.

Only thing you pushin is my buttons. Now that away.

You can go to hell.

You can kiss my ass.

Y’all can grow the fuck up.

Never have I kissed yo ass & I won’t start now.

I’ma tell Martin to send you the address Lauren. Love.

-_-

I left my messages and checked the weather on my phone. It was truly a habit because it’s usually the same around this time of year out here. After I was done I turn it off before tossing it back on my bed. They could've had a  full discussion about the left side of my clit for all I cared. I refused to let them ruin my day.

Since this was business I had to dress the part. I went in my closet and came out in record breaking time. Well, for me anyways. As I looked in my floor mirror, I gave myself a once over. I was wearing some slim fit gray slacks, a light pink blouse and some cute pink kitten heels just in case there was a lot of walking. I put on my long, blonde, bob wig and tried my best to feather it somewhere near to what Terrence does. As I applied my stainer, M.A.C. lipstick and gloss I heard another knock.

          “If you don’t quit rushin’ me I’ma..”

          “Hush chile and grab your purse. I’ll fix yo head in the car.” Terrence told me.

         

8

We pulled up to the building and parked right next to Lauren. I flashed a fake smile and she rolled her eyes at me before turning to do her make up in the mirror. I took off my seat belt, reached over the driver and honked the horn. She jumped and almost messed up. I couldn’t help but to cry out in hysterics. She flicked me off.

 I’m guessing this place is called Lighthouse Beauty because that’s how the lady greeted us. She set me up with six different smells so I could see which ones appealed to me the most. I was asking all types of questions. Swear Martin and Terrence huffed about 50 times. They really got mad when Lauren asked could you mix 'em because I loved them all so much and couldn't narrow down my options. I'm glad she came cuz she kept me from being so bitchy without making me lose focus. By the end of the day I was down to three and I just couldn’t choose. I told the lady I would sleep on it and took the three samples home with me. 

8

  When Wayne came thru the door at ten o’ clock, I was still up trying to decide. He sat in the main room and I followed. I brought the samples with me and sat down next to him.

          “I’m glad you’re here.” I told him.

          “Oh really?”

          “Why wouldn’t I be?” I asked, sitting them down on the coffee table.

          “Whatcha need?” He asked looking at the small bottles sitting before him. I rolled my eyes.

          “Boy..”

          “Naw don’t boy me. I can’t get a ‘Hey, how was your day’?”

          “Okay, I’m sorry. Let me start over..”

          “A ‘Did you eat’ or ‘Can I fix you something’?”

          “LOOK.” I said pointing in his face. “You gone quit interrupting me or yo ass gone be down in the parking garage sleeping in yo rental, nicca.”

          “Damn, Nic. It’s like that?”

          “Like I was about to say, before you rudely interrupted me about being rude was… I’m sorry.” I told him. “How was your day?”

          “Aiight.”

          “You wanna tell me why it was just aiight?”

          “Nope.”

          “Oh. So did you eat, cuz I can order or cook something.”

          “Nope. I ate.” He chuckled. Guess my face read what I was thinking.

          “I’ma hurt you.”

          “How was yo day, Nic.”

          “It started off not so good, then I got great news, which was almost ruined, but shit picked up so it WAS going great.” I eyed him.

          “Yeah yeah.”

“So before I give you the boot, smell these.” I said, trying to hand him the samples. “Which one you think smells the best?” He looked at ‘em and made a weird face.

          “Man, I ain’t finna choose no girly ass perfume.”

          “WAYNE. Come on, don’t think of it like that. Here.” I said putting a drop of the first on my wrist. “Which one would you rather smell on a female?” I asked, putting my wrist up to his nose. I did the same with the second on my other wrist. For the third and last one I put a dab on my finger then rubbed it onto my neck. I leaned over to him and put my neck close to his face. I heard him inhale, and I felt him exhale. I sat back on the back of my legs. “Which one?”

         
             I couldn't read his face and he was takin’ too long to answer. After about 2 minutes I was about to get up and go to bed. When I began to make the motion he spoke.

          
             “The last one.” He said before closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the sofa. I smiled to myself. Not only did I not think he was going to answer, but I was leaning towards that one anyways. That’s why I saved it for last.

          “The last one it is.” I said, sitting back farther, putting my back against the arm of the couch. I stretched my legs out as far as they would go, which didn’t even reach him.

         
           We sat like that for about 8 minutes. Him quiet, and me sniffing the third sample trying to come up with a name. 
          “Pow.” I thought out loud. It was close, but not quite it.
          “For the name?” He asked. We both looked at each other. Then shook our heads at the same time.

He leaned his head back and after 15 mins I thought he was out.

          “Hey, Barbie?”

          “Huh?”

          “Hey, Barbie?”

          “Yeah, Dread?”

          “Are you into black men?” He asked.

          “They’re okay.” I said. Before sniffing sample three some more. I couldn’t stop, even though my nose was starting to hurt. He lifted his head back up and gave me a strange look.

          “I’m talkin’ ‘bout Knockout girl.”

          “Oh shit!” I said, jumping up to my feet.

          I went to the kitchen to get my phone so I could see what Lauren, Terrence, Day and maybe Candi thought of the name.

          KNOCKOUT!

          Whaaa?

          Huh? Day asked.

          -_-

          Chile. I know you know what time it is over here. Terrence complained.

Sounds like a great name for my perfume right?

          Oh. Yes girl!

          I love it!

          It’s cute, thought you’d go with something related to your name.

          Or Pink Friday

          Nope. & Candy Girl? L

          THANK GOD!

          Praise him!!!!

          Hallelujah!

          Lmaooo! Amen. Now hush up. I’m tryna be serious.

          *Yawns*

          I second that!

          3^rd!

          GOODNIGHT! I texted them, before starting a new message only to Candi. Don’t stay mad at me too long. You don’t wanna miss out on the deetz whenever I get around to fixin this shit.

I felt the vibration from my phone letting me know that I had a response. It wasn’t from Candi though. They read.

          Muah! Out!

          God Bless!

          ZZZZZ

          Thanks guys. Nothing’s final ;-) I text them before checking to see if Candi texted me back even though I knew she didn’t. Never say Never *Justin Beaver voice*

 “Can a nigga get something to drink?” Wayne blurted out. 


I shook my head before sitting my phone down on the counter. Then I pull out the blender then grabbed some fruit out the fridge. I heard the buzzing of my phone so I sat them down and went to see why.

Go to bed.

Come out here and join me?

Smh. Goodnight.

Sleep tight. *wiggles eyebrows*

I opened a bottle of Absolut and blended some mangos, apples and kiwi together with ice. I added half of the bottle to the blender, poured both me and Wayne a glass and sat back in my previous spot on the couch. I handed him his.

“Ugh. This shit too sweet. Where da liquor at?” He complained. I smacked my lips and got the bottle from the kitchen. He poured some into his glass and took another sip. He twisted up his face again and started drinking from the bottle. I laughed at his ignorant ass.

We just sat, talking about random shit. I had finished my glass and was half way done with Waynes. Shit this was a joyous occasion. Why let it go to waste?

“So what you wearin’ to Drizzy’s party?” I asked him.

“I’on know. I ain’t gettin’ dressed up doe. Prolly like a sweater and some jeans.” Wayne replied nonchalantly.

“I wish I could, but I know he’s expecting me to go all out and shit.” I slurred.

“Nic. Now you know Drizzy would be happy if you came up in there with some baggy ass jeans and a tee shirt.” Wayne chuckled his ugly laugh.

“Whatever.” I said throwing a pillow at his face.

“You know it’s true.” He said.

“Yeah. I do. I wish he would stop though. Everybody.”

“Stop what?”

“I don’t know.” I said looking down. “Fallin’ in love with me.” I stated. “It’s nerve wrecking. Everywhere I go. Work, home..”

“Home?” He interjected. I let out a huge sigh.

“S.B.” Wayne just shook his head. “It’s ruining our friendship.” I continued. “I haven’t seen him in like three days. And you’ve been here. You see it’s always on some hi and bye shit.” He was quiet for a second.

“Yeah. I noticed.” He said, before taking a swig. “I thought it was cuz of me.”

“Whatchu mean?” I asked, puzzled.

“Niggas don’t trust me around they females.”

“We not together.”

“Whateva.” He said before taking another swig. “I’m talking sistas, cousins, nieces. Shit, even they muthahs.”

All I could do was laugh. Dis nigga can’t be that full of himself.

“I ain’t playin’.”

“He knows you're my brother.” I assured him.

“So.”

“So?”

“Yeah. So.” He sat the bottle down on the coffee table. “You been callin’ Drizzy yo bro fo how long? Brothas and Sistas don’t act the way y’all do.” He laid back. “Well some do, but that shit ain’t right.”

“Key word… ACT. We be playin’ Wayne. You know that.”

“Aiiight, Nic.” He said picking up the bottle. “I betta be seeing some Oscars from y’all niggas real soon.” I smiled, cuz he will.

“But on another note.” I attempted to change the subject. “Who you taking to the party?”

“I’on know.” He said. I hesitated for a second then sat his cup down.

“Take me.” I looked up at him. “Anybody else I let escort me will think I wanna be with them.” He smacked his lips.

“Beleedat.” He said.

“Woe.” I added. He chuckled.

“So that’s a yes?” He downed a long ass gulp.

“Yep.” He answered putting extra emphasis on the ‘P’. “But know I don’t fuck on the first date.”

“Mhmm, and on that note. Goodnight.” I told him getting up. I took the two glasses into the kitchen and left the bottle with him.

“Goodnight.” He said as I stumbled down the hallway.

I ran some bath water and got in. The hot water felt good against my skin. I rubbed the back of my neck. It was tense and I knew I was stressin’. Even though I hate to admit it, Candi and Lauren were right. I was starting to miss Safaree and I hated it. I slid my hands down from my neck to my shoulders. For the first time I considered DJ’s ugly self. Just for a slight second though. Things like that are more comical to me than sensual. I just needed somebody to come in here, sweep me off my feet, and take me. No feelings other than lust. No drama, just trust. But shit like that barely exists in the movies. Let alone in real life. Guess I’ll just stay horny then, cuz I was too gone to do anything myself. After I was done I dried, oiled, and threw on some shit. I didn’t think I should try to make the distance to the switch I forgot to hit. And the last time I tried to work a lamp tipsy that bitch fell over and almost started a fire. So I just crawled into bed, turned on my ‘Night Time’ playlist, and drifted off to sleep.