Black Butterfly (15 page)

Nodding he picked up his suitcase and left without another word of protest. I walked into my bedroom and climbed into my comfy bed. I slept for the first time in a while because I didn’t have Maurice poking me.

*            *          *

Seantay

Ambrosia had just dropped off some hot exclusive fashi
ons she’d picked up in Italy and Paris. I was ready to hit up some clubs and show off. Some paparazzi shots in my hot ass fits were sure to get some major press. Reba was the only other person I knew who loved the paparazzi more than me. Sometimes it could be annoying to get photographed when you didn’t want to be. In my mind if the paparazzi didn’t snap shots of me I must be old news. I wasn’t trying to be old news.

I
called Reba to see if she wanted to go out. She answered the phone on the second ring.

“Hi Tay. What’s up? You called Dean yet?” She got straight to the point.

“Hi Reb. Nothing’s up and no.”

“Why?”

“Because Dean’s too sexy and successful. He could be the first man to put me in my place. I am not trying to settle down.”

“Oh, so that’s it. Now we’re cracking the surface. So, that’s why you deal with men that you can’t commit to. You don’t want to fall in love and settle down. Dean
is perfect for you, you know. He’s a
legit
, rich thug. That’s even better right? I mean, it’s not like you can be seen with Raheem. Shit, Dean’s fine; not to mention he’s sexy as hell.”

I changed the subject. “What are you doing girl?”

“Polishing my toenails. I got a pedicure yesterday, but the polish doesn’t match what I’m wearing tonight. I want to go to this club in South Beach called Mango’s. It’s a mixed crowd and they mostly play Latin music. Let’s hit it up. You with that?”

“Yeah, that’s what’s up. Seandra’s been there a few times and said she loved it. I’ll be at
your crib in about an hour. I have to stop by Raheem’s first. I will call you when I’m on my way.” I said.

“Look bitch. Don’t be getting all caught up in that nigga and forget about the club.” She was faking an attitude.

“Whatever Reba. You know me, so don’t trip,” I laughed.

“Alright girl. Do your thing. Get at me later on.”

We hung up and I dialed Raheem’s number.

“Yeah.”

That was not how he normally answered the phone. It kind of pissed me off, but I played it cool. “Hi Raheem. How are you doing tonight?”

“What’s up baby? I’m good.” He sounded funny.

“Nothing’s up with me. I was just wondering if it would be okay for me to stop by before I go to the club with Reba.”

“Uhh…what club are you going to?” He asked. That was not the response that I was looking for.

“Mango’s,” I said being short with him. Something was up with his ass.

“In South Beach?”
              “Uh huh.” There was silence. “Raheem?”
              “Yo?”

             
“What’s going on?”

             
“What do you mean?”

             
“Okay. You’re avoiding the question. I asked if I could come over and you changed the subject. Usually when I ask it’s no fucking issue. What the fuck is going on with your ass and don’t lie to me. You know me better than that, so there’s no point in lying to me.” I was really upset, which made me question my feelings for him.

             
Raheem cleared his throat. “My uh… my ex girlfriend is over here. We broke up a few months before the two of us hooked up. After we broke up she moved to South Carolina to live with her dad. Now she shows up here big and pregnant claiming that it’s mine. She says she’s seven months, so it could be. I don’t know. Shit!”

             
I sighed in frustration. “Why did you too break up? Why did she wait so damn long to tell you?”

             
“She cheated on me with my best friend. I have no idea why she waited so long to tell me.”

             
“So it’s a possibility that the baby is his too?” If what he was saying was true she sounded trifling to me.

             
“Yeah, she said that it’s possible. Man, this bullshit is bananas. I don’t think it’s my seed though. I only had sex with her once seven months ago and I used a condom. We broke up a couple weeks later. She’s in there crying and begging for me to take her back. If it’s mine I’ll take care of it, but I don’t want her ass,” he stated angrily.

             
“Well Raheem, you handle that. I will talk to you later.”

             
“Look baby, she’s going to leave in a few. Don’t go to the club. I want you to come over. I need you.” He sounded so pitiful and stressed out.

             
“Rah, I promised Reba I’d go with her. Why don’t you get rid of that bitch now and I’ll come chill with you for a little bit. You have ten minutes to call me back or I’m going to come and get rid of her myself. I don’t give a fuck. Shit, the heifer cheated on you with your boy. That shit is low.”

             
“Alright baby. Ten minutes.” He hung up the phone.

             
I sighed knowing that I couldn’t go to his crib starting trouble. I knew she’d probably figure out who I was and then I’d have to deal with the press. I didn’t want my parents exposed to my secret liaisons. They would not approve of my relationship with Raheem, or my attacking his pregnant ex. I could see the story in the Enquirer and on Media Take Out. That would not be good.

A few minutes later the phone rang. “Hello,” I smiled into the phone. I just knew that it was Raheem calling back to tell me that she was gone.

“Who the fuck is this and why the hell are you calling my man?” A female voice asked.

Assuming that it was Raheem’s alleged ex I cleared my throat. “This is Seantay and I called
Raheem because I wanted to. What the hell are you going to do about it bitch?”

“I got your bitch,” she said. “Did he tell you that I am pregnant with his baby?”

“Look, put Raheem on the fucking phone. I don’t have shit to say to you.” I could hear Raheem in the background.

“Jamia, give me the damn phone!”

“Hell no! Why you all in the bathroom talking to some bitch on the phone? Be a man and be real about yours nigga! Talk to her in my fuckin’ face!” She yelled sounding like some hood rat.

I could hear more yelling back and forth and then the sound of them struggling with
the phone.

“Tay, baby I’m sorry. We are not together anymore. I swear. She took my phone and call
ed you back. Look, I promise you that she’ll be gone…”

I cut him off. “Never mind Raheem. You have too much drama going on right now, and I don’t have time for that shit. You need to handle your little situation. Call me when you have control of it.” I hung up and got ready for my night out.

Seantay Beauvois was on the prowl once again. I opened one of my massive walk-in closets and chose a short, rust orange dress that fit my curves like a glove.  Pulling my hair back before turning on the shower, I tried to push Raheem out of my mind. I couldn’t believe how hard it was and wondered what I’d gotten myself into.

*                *                   *

Two weeks later in Manhattan, NY

Of course Reba agreed to go with me to New York. We settled into the Presidential Suite at the Plaza Hotel. My father did have a luxury hotel in Manhattan, but this trip was all expenses paid by Francesca Amaranni, the famous Italian designer. I would be a celebrity guest judge for her model search, along with a few other big names. I would also be featured in her runway show in Times Square.

Reba was very excited and I was happy to see a smile on my best friend’s face. She hadn’t stopped smiling since the
plane had taken off. First class made you feel like you were on cloud nine literally. The first thing I wanted to do upon arrival was get a full body massage. The stress of the past couple weeks had caused me plenty of tension. Reba wanted to hunt for some men, but a man was the last thing on my mind.

“This suite is laid out girl!”
Reba said excitingly as she gave herself a tour. There was a huge, extravagant living area with a huge HDTV mounted on the wall. The beige carpet was plush and pleasant to my tired feet. There was a huge kitchen that we would not be using and an expensive chandelier hanging over the dining table.

“Let’s take that with us. It would be beautiful in my dining room,” Reba mused.

I shook my head at her. “I’ll buy you one like it.”

Reba smiled at me and headed down the hall. She opened a door and shrieked. “A Jacuzzi and a double shower?  This bathroom is gorgeous. I love you Seantay, but I wish I was here with one of my dudes.”

I had stayed in the same exact suite plenty of times. The toilet, sink, Jacuzzi, and bidet were all black and gray Italian marble. The showerhead and all other fixtures were made of solid gold. It was indeed beautiful, but I was used to it. I didn’t want to seem non-chalant, so I joined Reba in the bathroom.

“It is going to take the NYPD and the fire department to pry you out of that Jacuzzi,” I laughed.

“Mmm, firemen.  Now that’s gangsta,” she said staring off into space. We both laughed.

The two bedrooms were both exquisite and had bathrooms. After Reba’s tour we both sat down on the sofa exhausted from jet lag.

“So, we’re in New York City. What do you want to do first?”

She seemed to be contemplating hard.

“Please say spa. Please say spa,” I said pretending to be hypnotizing her.

“For some reason I want a mud bath and a full body massage,” she said like she was under hypnosis.

“Cool, c’mon.” I grabbed my quarter length Burberry P. Coat and purse to match.

“After that we’re going to a club to fool hunt,” Reba smiled slippin
g her feet into some black boots. She put on a black, waist length coat and grabbed her black leather bag.

I hated cold weather, but I loved New York. “Can’t help but love this place,” I said as we headed to the elevator.

“I agree,” Reba said.

“
There’s a spa in the hotel, but why be stuck in here. Let’s go get beautiful and then go shopping. I want to go to Club 40/40 tonight. We have to have our fun tonight because tomorrow is all work for me. Oh, and we have to get some grub because I am starving,” I said pressing the down button.

“You’re such a good friend Seantay,” Reba said smiling warmly at me. “As a matter of fact you’re the best friend in the world. Thanks for inviting me.”

“Aww,” I gushed giving my bestie a big hug. “You’re the best friend a girl could ever ask for Reb.”

*                *                    *

Seandra

On the set of my show I just didn’t feel right. I hadn’t spoken to Maurice since I had made him leave. I had told him that I would call him, but I thought he’d fold before I did. He hadn’t. I missed him, but I couldn’t bring myself to call. I had to stand my ground.

“Okay, get in your places,” Ahmad Cruz, the director, said clapping his big, black hand
s. He was very handsome at twenty-eight years old and had been in entertainment since he was a child star. Clearing his throat he focused his attention on me. “Come here for a minute Seandra.”

I walked over to him and nervously w
aited to hear what he had to say. He had come up with the concept for the show and casted me himself after my first audition. He was so fine with his smooth, midnight black skin, straight white teeth, nice lips, and close, neat haircut. He’d been married for two years, and the platinum, diamond cut wedding band on his left hand sparkled in the light. I envied her.

“Are you okay Seandra?” He asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t try that with me Seandra. You’ve been walking around sulking all day. Don’t tell me it’s nothing. What’s up?”
He saw right through me,

“It’s nothing Ahmad, really. I’m just exhausted. I think I need t
o go to my dressing room to relax for a little bit. If it’s okay.”

He looked at me and shook his head. He lowered his voice. “Is it Maurice? Are the two of you having problems? If so you need to not let it interfere with your career. You need to handle that. For real,” he stated firmly.

“Maurice and I are fine. I just need a thirty minute power nap. Okay. I’m fine. Just tired.” I forced a smile on my face.

He was silent
, as if he was contemplating whether he should let me take a nap, or make my ass get back on the set.

“Okay. Thirty minutes and that’s it Seandra. The show can’t go on without the star.”

I went to my dressing room and closed the door, which automatically locked from the outside. I reluctantly pulled out my cell phone to call Maurice. I hated to be the first to bend, but I couldn’t stand it any longer. I felt sick without my man.

“Hello,” he said groggily.

“Were you asleep baby?” I asked meekly.