URBAN: In Love with A Boss Nigga (62 page)

I had moved up to New York with Brenton. His home was beautiful and big enough for the three of us. All of Brenton’s clients were amazing people. One of them even found me a job. I was a secretary at a local business. I did the usual secretary stuff. I answered phones, wrote down appointments, and made coffee. It wasn’t the best job, but I was making it.

Tracey had become a very close friend of mine. She moved to New York to be closer to her girlfriend. Who would have known? She loved coming over to take Reality away and let Brent and me dream a little.

Things were finally getting on a path that I could deal with. I really enjoyed being with Brenton and Reality. It always felt like we were one big happy family, in fact, we were.

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FATAL ATTRACTION

Shantel Johnson

© 2015 Sensual Ink Publishing

Chapter One: CEENA LOCKLAND

Chapter Two: AUGUSTINA JONES

Chapter Three: RODERICK

Chapter Four: CEENA

Chapter Five: AUGUSTINA

Chapter Six: RODERICK

Chapter Seven: CEENA

Chapter Eight: AUGUSTINA

Chapter Nine: CEENA

I hear you be the block
But I'm the lights that keep the streets on
Notice you the type that like to keep them on a
Leash though
I'm known to walk alone
But I'm alone for a reason
Sending me a drink ain't appeasing
Believe me
Come harder this won’t be easy
Don't doubt yourself trust me you need me
This ain't a shoulder with a chip or an ego
But what you think they all mad at me for…

Beyonce’s “Upgrade You” was playing on the radio as I made myself into a diva for the grand opening of my very own boutique in midtown Atlanta. I sang along to the lyrics as I put on my jewelry and fluffed out my short locks. I had recently decided to cut off my hair to say goodbye to the old life, and hello to the good life as a business owner. I named my boutique Queenz Fashion to represent for the women in the business world and also to represent my hometown.

“Damn, Bae! You’re looking delicious over there.” My man of the last eight years commented on my look as he approached me from behind.

“Thanks, my love.” I smiled at him as I turned around and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I just hope everything goes according to plan today.” I shook my head praying that everything turned out okay for my opening. I would hate to be the laughing stock of Atlanta as soon as I get here..

Recently Roderick and I moved from our hometown of Queens, New York to begin a life in a more affordable state. I have always wanted to go into business for myself designing clothes that everyone will love all the way down to the last seam. Since Atlanta is becoming the top city to make money in, Roderick and I decided we would take our shot and make a name for ourselves there. We have only been in the ATL for six months and have low-key heard the hate coming from a lot of boutique owners in the area. Whether they are ready or not, I am coming and coming with force.

Roderick rubbed my shoulders and gave me a peck on the lips. “Don’t sweat small stuff. No one has a stronger hustler’s mind than a true New Yorker. We came here to conquer and make money. We didn’t come here to take out other businesses. The way I see it, we can all get money together somehow.”

“You’re right. It’s not like we all sell the same things. My style is more Vintage, everything from the past comes back into style, so I take that style and give it a little of today’s edge.” I convinced myself.

“Well, we have about an hour and a half before opening so how about we um, take advantage of this time and have a little quickie?” Roderick pulled me closer and began kissing on my neck, my weakest spot.

Bzzz.Bzzz.Bzzz. My phone was buzzing since it was on vibrate. “Stop it, I have to go answer the phone, silly.” I playfully pushed him off of me as I went to retrieve my phone off of the dresser. I noticed it was Marisa, the event coordinator, for my grand opening. Immediately I tensed up.

“What’s wrong? Is everything okay? Please tell me that I am not going to be embarrassed today?” I threw question after question to Marisa.

I heard giggling from her end. “Calm down, silly. Everything is going great and in order. I was just calling to see what time you were making your grand entrance because people are starting to arrive.”

Instantly, I relaxed. “Well, I can be there in about …” I paused as Roderick started undressing me and kissing down my back and shoulders. “In about, um…” I stopped again, being distracted by the good feeling Roderick was bringing to me. He rubbed his fingers down my chest to my stomach and down to my pleasure zone. “Fuck it, give me an hour. I will be there.” I hung up the phone and started taking off my self-made dress.

“I knew you wanted this pipe-down.” Roderick said as he carried me to the bed. Kissing me passionately on my lips, he moved down to one breast at a time and began licking and sucking on my tender nipples. I rested my head back on the pillow and let him take me to ecstasy.

One thing about our lovemaking, Roderick always caters to my needs first. Today was no different even though we were pressed for time. That has been the case for our whole relationship; he always treated me as if I came first in his life.

I was introduced to Roderick when I was twenty-seven, he was thirty. We both had this mutual friend that kept trying to hook us up in the past but we just never found the time to actually follow through with it. That was until one night this mutual friend, Byron, who also used to be my ex but became my best friend when he discovered he was just not that into women, said he wanted me to come over and help him decorate his new living room. I didn’t know he had also invited someone else to also help him.

At first I didn’t know that it was the same guy whom Byron was trying to match me with, instead, I thought it was his date for the night, so I was trying my best to hurry and exit before I saw something I was not trying to see. After a while, we were all talking and having a good time, and that is when Byron made the announcement that everything was all set up and that in actuality this was the date he had been trying to set up for us. Roderick and I looked at each other, and that’s when we knew that we were set up. I am glad that Byron forced us into that date because I probably would still be lonely today if it had not been for that arrangement. Ever since that night, Roderick and I have been each other’s one and only.

“Baby, that feels so good, but you have to hurry up. It is almost time to go.” I moaned as he ate his way to my heart. After climaxing over and over again, we finally recovered and showered together so we could still be on time for my event. I don’t know what I would do without the love and support of my man. Eight years of complete satisfaction. Trust me when I say it is rare to find a black man with no kids, baby momma’ drama, not involved with the streets, and who has a job, a car, and can still be faithful to one woman. That is what I got when Roderick was brought into my life. Handsome, chiseled and strong jawline, brown skin piece of heaven he was. My life is officially complete, my man, and my business.

Sitting in Augustina’s Showroom, a storefront boutique I opened up almost five years ago, I admired all of the hard work I put into my emporium. Not many people can say they are truly in business for themselves. I happen to be one of the ones that can say this.

I was always into fashion and modeling growing up. So once I paved my way as a runway model for a lot of celebrity shows, I decided to take the fashion world by storm and design my own clothing line and sell them at affordable prices. So far, so good; my clothes are high fashioned and a lot of celebrities support me like Toya Wright, Tiny, and Joseline from Love and Hip Hop. It is crazy how you become something overnight.

There are lots of boutiques on Peachtree Street in Atlanta. A lot of good competition out there, but none that has come to interfere with my money yet. I selected a good location due to the high traffic in Atlanta. I lucked out and found a storefront that was not too close to the other boutiques in the area. My showroom is situated on one corner and I enjoyed every minute of it. That was until I noticed a real estate business moving elsewhere. At first I paid it no mind because the property was vacant for months. All of a sudden, I saw a lovely black couple with the previous owner. It looked as if they were making plans with the space. That was a few months ago, now today, that same office space has been transformed into a Vintage Clothing Store called Queenz. What kind of fuckin’ name is that for a boutique? I mean, I’m not hating or anything, to each its own but come on now, you mean to tell me that you couldn’t come up with a better name, better yet, another location? I was not trying to be in competition with new hoes on the block.

“Crystal? I want to go over there for the grand opening. Come with me.” I said to my employee.

“All good with me. I want to see what the hell we are up against. Did you meet the owners yet?” Crystal asked as she joined me by the door.

“Nope, not yet. But today we are about to find out who they are.” I grabbed my purse and Iphone. “Let’s go. I see people going in now. They just cut the rope.”

Crystal was directly on my heels as we I hurriedly locked up my shop and dashed across the street. I couldn’t front, they did one hell of a job remodeling the place. The front glass had transparent-like faces of what I presumed to be black queens. The colors were all neutral and done to perfection. There was fluorescent lighting highlighting the boutique’s name.

“Damn, they did a good job with the remodeling.” Crystal stated the obvious.

I rolled my eyes. “It’s aight. It is not all of that.”

There were people everywhere, some I recognized and some I didn’t. There were also photographers and news-reporters out there and a few bloggers who I often associate myself with.

“Oh, hey girl, come over here Augustina. Take a picture with Queenz Boutique owner, Ceena.” Ijanei, a blogger I am too familiar with asked of me.

I smiled as to not be rude. “No, let her have her moment.” I said sarcastically.

“No it is perfectly fine with me. You must be Augustina from across the street, Augstina’s Emporium right?” Ceena inquired.

“Yes. The best boutique on this side of Atlanta.” I proudly stated.

“Well, good for you. It is a good thing we offer two different styles or else I may feel threatened.” She returned the gesture.

I noticed Ijanei observing the exchange between Ceena and I. You could tell she loved it. I had to change the route this was going before the next thing I notice is a blog post about me hating on Ceena’s boutique.

“Let’s get this picture so I can go back across the street to take care of my customers.” I said.

“I’m sure you have time, no one is over there right now.” Ceena grinned. Throwing shade in the slickest way.

At the same time, I noticed Ijanei had taken the picture, and of course I was not ready.

“Take that over again, I was not ready.” I stated.

“I’m sorry but I will redo it later, I have to capture the rest of the grand opening. Ciao!” Ijanei quickly exited with a grin plastered across her sneaky face.

“I sense a little irritation; I hope you do not feel as if I am imposing on your side of the tracks.” Ceena said.

“Not at all, I already told you, we sell two completely different styles. There is money to be made at both ends.” I brushed her off as if I didn’t care.

“Good. I’m new to the area and don’t want any problems, you feel me?” She asked. “Now I have a grand opening to host, so I hope you stick around for cake and ice cream. I have to go meet the people of Atlanta.” Ceena walked off as she waved bye to me.

“Bitch.” I mumbled under my breath as I looked for where Crystal wondered off to. I spotted her over by the snacks. That’s why her ass is overweight now, always stuffing her mouth with shit.

I walked through the crowd of people scattered around. “Enjoying the food?” I snuck up behind Crystal as she stuffed two cookies and a shot of wine down her throat. I caught her off guard as she choked on the cookie.

“Damn, you didn’t have to sneak up on me like that.” Crystal recovered from coughing.

“You know you’re supposed to be on a diet anyway, so put that damn cookie down and let’s go.” I was visibly upset behind the interaction between Ceena and myself. I was trying to not let it show but it was getting harder by the minute as I watched a few of my customers posing for pictures with her.

I turned around quickly and bumped into a handsome man. “Oh, I’m sorry.” I said as I stared on as he wiped off the wine I had wasted from his glass.

“In a rush?” He asked as he continued to wipe off his tie.

“Sort of. I’m sorry.” I apologized as I grabbed more napkins.

“It’s okay. Things happen, you move on.” He smiled. “I’m Roderick.”

“Augustina. I own the shop across the street.” I introduced myself.

“Oh, I see, hopefully you and my girl can exchange business ideas and become the leading black women in the fashion sense.” He grinned as he motioned to someone behind me.

“Oh, no. I just do business for myself.” I had to correct him.

“What a shame, I would have loved to hear how you managed to grow to your level of success in Atlanta.” Ceena said as she walked up and wrapped her arms around Roderick’s waist.

“I take it you two met already?” Mr. Handsome asked as he looked between Ceena and I.

“Yes we have.” Ceena stated.

“Actually, we had a little exchange. I wouldn’t call it a formal intro or anything like that.” I corrected with a smile. “Well, I must get back to my store. Money always calls.” I said as I motioned for Crystal to follow behind me.

“See you soon.” Ceena and Roderick both waved goodbye to me and Crystal.

“She seems nice. I like her.” Cystal stated as soon as we got back to my store.

“What the hell you mean, she seems nice? You didn’t even have a conversation with her to know if she is nice or not. Besides, I sense she is very sneaky.”