"I ain't never said it. I don't even live like I really got it like that. I still eat Cup of Noodles and Vienna sausages. She saw an exploitation of me and ran with it."
"That's how it be," I muttered lowly.
"You staying in Midtown?" I asked after a few minutes of silence, noticing the scenery change.
"Yeah. I been staying out here for a few years now."
The change of scenery was noticeable. This side of town looked healthier. The streets were narrower, the cars fancier. It gave the city a good rep. They were constructing homes in desirable neighborhoods through theHouses of Humanityfoundation, making housing more accessible to individuals who couldn't afford it, enabling them to reside in less impoverished areas.
Thanks to the mayor, he'd looked out for the people. Instead of making false promises, he stood on his word.
"It's beautiful out here."
"It is."
"Did you have it built?"
"Nah, I purchased it for the low and remodeled it. If I showed you how it looked before, you wouldn't think it was the same house. The owner was looking for a buyer at the last minute. What they were selling it for, they weren't getting any bidders. I was following the owner under a ghost account, so I hit up my realtor to ask what they'd go for it. Luck was on my side that day. I gave them half a million. My property is worth four million now."
I nodded, grinning on the inside. Romelo was quite the businessman. That wasn't a hidden gem. I'd always catch him on the phone making moves—illegal and legal—stashing his money, increasing his profit.
My third eye paid attention to details all the time. Trecee never noticed, but I did—in more ways than one.
"What is your girlfriend going to say about her cousin riding front seat with her man in a Benz?" I glowered, giving him a sly smirk as I felt the breeze through my scalp. He had the top down as we cruised through the city.
Romelo glanced over at me. The corners of his mouth turned upward into a smile, revealing the diamonds on his bottom canine teeth. He was sexy without even trying.
Donned in a simple white V-neck from Ralph Lauren, grey joggers from Nike, and black Yeezys, he never had to do too much. Women would always flock over him because he did just enough.
A simple gold chain adorned his neck, displaying the letter R.
"She doesn't know, but I can say I saw you walking to the store or something and gave you a ride," he uttered modestly.
I snickered. "Romelo always helping the needy." I rambled sarcastically as he pulled into his driveway.
"It's up to you how this shit plays out." He shrugged, putting the car in park. "I can either tell her the truth or pussyfoot around."
Now the ball was in my court.
"I don't have anything tied to her. We aren't committed," I justified the taboo situation as best as I could, trying to keep the heat off me.
"Oh yeah?" He guffawed. "Blood ties must not be that important?"
Before I could utter another word, he stepped out of the driver's seat and walked around to the passenger side. I tried to open the door ahead of him, but his crazy ass had the child-proof locks on.
What if Trecee was sitting at the window watching him treat me with these same mannerisms?
If I were her, I'd come barging outside demanding answers about what the fuck was going on. But all my life, I'd alwaysbeen confrontational. Trecee liked to walk on eggshells around Romelo.
"I can open my own doors, ya know," I scoffed as I stepped out, pulling my shorts out of my ass.
"You don't open doors around me, Synthia. You're used to that rough shit, I see."
Shaking his head, he grinned and walked past me. His musky teakwood cologne slapped me across the face, carried by the breeze. I found my footing, blinked myself back to reality, and trotted after him to the black French-styled doors—similar to the ones he had at his compound.
From the looks of it, he had style and cared about appearances. That was nothing new. His grass was perfectly cut and edged up, as if he'd threatened whoever cut it. It certainly wasn't a rushed job.
Stepping aside, he opened the door, and I waited under the threshold because I didn't know my way around the place.
