“Row?” I heard her soft voice call out from behind me. She took one look at my appearance, and her guard went up immediately. “Is everything okay?”
“Can we talk without an audience?” I nodded toward Stacy, who had her eyes on me. “Also, I’d like a little more respect when I come in here.”
“Come on…” She sighed heavily before motioning me to follow her to the back. “Stacy, you can shut everything down for the day. It’s after seven and well after closing time.”
She walked over to the door, flipping the sign. “That’s fine, boo. I’ll wait for you so we can leave together.” With her eyes on me, she rolled them before continuing with her task.
Once inside my sister’s office, I closed the door behind us as she walked back over to her desk.
“Your friend has one more time to mouth off to me when I come in here.” I let her know immediately when her eyes locked with mine. “I’m your family—not hers. If she can’t learn to respect me, she needs to be fired.”
Raising her brow, she clasped her hands in front of her and nodded. “I will have a talk with her about how she speaks to you, but by no means will she be fired. I haven’t heard from you since you showed up on the job, high out of your mind.” She angled her head and looked at me. “How are you today? I can tell today was a long one.”
“Why? Because I’m not asput togetheras you?” I snapped, stepping toward the desk. “Everyone isn’t privileged to sit on their ass and smile all day.”
She and I engaged in a brief stare-off with neither of us saying anything. My chest heaved slightly as I stared at her, trying to look confused and innocent. This was always the game she played, and I hated her for it.
“Rowan, are you high?” she asked in a hushed tone as she stood from her desk. “I literally only said that because I know your line of work. It had nothing to do with your appearance.” She frowned as she made her way around the desk and stood in front of me. “Also, I do more than sit and smile all day. I’m on the phone and on-site with contractors, overseeing anything from rental spaces to multi-million-dollar properties. Don’t ever try to downplay my occupation again. I’m in the field just asmuch as you. I just happen to look good doing it.” She smirked, rolling her eyes at me. “Let’s start over, and you tell me to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit today. Last time you were here, you swindled me out of ten grand.” She giggled softly before stopping. “Wait! You’re not here to ask for more money, are you?”
Biting the inside of my cheek, I had to remind myself of the reason I was here. I really needed the money, and if I had to bite my tongue and play nice to get it, that’s what I was going to do.
“Actually, thatiswhy I’m here. I’m having an issue with my vendors, and I was hoping you would lend me a few thousand until I’m able to get it situated.”
Already irritated, I watched as she walked back over to her desk. As she went into her desk to grab her checkbook, I let my eyes roam around her office. She had a nice little setup in here. The building was located in the middle of Mills Manor and Highland Meadows and received a lot of traffic. By now, she could have owned her building, but I guess she was content with renting. I frowned once I came across her accolades and personal photos plastered on the wall. She and our father looked so happy in the pictures of the two of them together. In the pictures where I was included, they looked like they’d rather be somewhere else. I could feel my rage bubbling over the fakeness of them and our family.
“What is the vendor and the amount?” Blossom interrupted my thoughts. I listened as she sighed before peering up at me. “I’m only doing this because I don’t want you making a bad name for yourself or your business with the companies that you know you need. Not only that, but your crew also doesn’t deserve that. At the end of the day, you’re not the only one who suffers from your bad choices, Rowan. Despite how you talk to me and treat me, I love you and want to see you win.”
“Okay, Blossom. I didn’t come for a lecture.” My jaw flexed as I stuffed my hand in my pockets. “You can just make it out to me, and I will pay them. One hundred grand should be good.”
“Nigga, what?” she screeched, wide-eyed.
I was taken aback by her outburst because my sister was always poised and professional in every setting.
“I am not giving you one hundred grand just because you ask for it, Row. How much do you owe the vendors? Better yet…” She picked up her phone and eyed me. “Give me their number, and I will see if they’re still open to pay them directly. If you?—”
“Oh my fuckin’ god, Blossom!” I threw my hands up, exasperated. “Can you, for once, get off your fuckin’ high horse and help me out without the bitchin’? You just sat up here and bragged about closing on million-dollar homes, so the money ain’t shit to you!” I glared at her with so much anger, I felt myself begin to shake. “Every damn time I ask you for something, it’s a fucking issue!”
“Then stop asking!” she stated, matching my pitch as she placed the phone back on the hook. “I work hard for every single thing I have, and I—while I don’t brag—will not downplay my success. I won’t let you do it either.” Getting up from her desk, she walked around it until she was in front of me. “I love you, and I will help you in any way I can. But only when you learn how to respect me and talk to me like I’m your sister. That’s when we can discuss how to get you back on the right track.” Walking around me, she opened her office door and pointed. “You can go. Be safe driving home.”
Looking at her, I was appalled at her dismissal. She couldn’t be serious. When all she did was stare at me, I knew she was, and that caused something in me to snap.
“Well, fuck you then, bitch!” I fumed as I made my way out of her office. “There will be a time when you’re going to wish I was here to help you, and I want you to remember the day yougave me your ass to kiss. Stupid bitch! You wonder why you get dogged out and cheated on. No nigga wants a self-proclaimed virgin that won’t fuck! Think about that when you’re crying on the way home, wondering why your nigga won’t spend time with you.”
“While that may be true, I have enough money to wipe my tears along the way!” she called out behind me, causing Stacy to snicker as she unlocked the door to let me out.
“Best wishes,big brother…” Stacy said as she waved through the glass door.
Giving her the middle finger, I fumed into the night as I left Blossom’s building. Fuck both of those bitches. Fuck the bullshit my sister was talking. Tyreek was going to be pissed but fuck that nigga too. Blossom thought she was better than everybody, but I couldn’t wait until someone knocked her down a few notches. Calming my nerves, I decided I needed a drink. There was a bar on the other side of the shopping center, so I would walk. I was almost there when I heard someone call my name.
“Yo’, Rowan!” I turned in time to see a fist slam into my nose. “Dame sends his regards.”
Before I could catch my bearings, three more men came out of nowhere and began raining blows all over my face and body. Dropping to the ground, I balled up as best as I could as they not only pummeled me with fists and elbows but stomped me with their feet as well. All I could do was lie there and take it until they grew tired.
“Three weeks just turned into two,” one spoke and spat on me before they hopped in their truck and drove off.
Gasping for air, I rolled around before lying still, hoping that the pain would ease. My day had gone from bad to worse, and Blossom was to blame. She could have helped me, but she turned her back. I hoped she enjoyed being on her throne and looking down on me. Blossom’s time was coming, and I couldn’twait to see how she would burn when it all crashed down around her.
“Da Da! Mean boy pushed me.”
