“How much is this?”
“This model is $97,500,” Michael answered. Now, we were both waiting for the verdict from Buddha. I held my breath as I looked at him.
“You sure this is the one? Dior, you get on my nerves real bad. Next week, don’t say to me that you made the wrong choice getting this.”
“I promise I won’t,” I said, with a hand against my chest.
“We’ll take this one,” Buddha said to Michael. I squealed in excitement and leaped into his arms, throwing my hands around his neck.
“You’re lucky I love you,” he said in my ear before he kissed my neck. I blushed like crazy when he said that. I don’t think I’d ever get tired of hearing him say that he loved me.
While Michael prepared all the paperwork needed, Buddha and I stood out front. I wanted to talk to him about two things, and I believed this was the time because he seemed to be in a good mood.
“Hey,” I said, reaching for his hand and interlocking our fingers. He turned to me, waiting to hear what I was about to say.
“What’s up?”
“I wanted to talk to you about something. You have to promise to keep an open mind, ok?” Buddha’s expression changed, and he got a look as if he was having a heart attack.
“Jesus, what did you do, Dior?” He asked, pinching between his eyes. I was low-key offended by his response.
“Wow, that face is really unnecessary,” I let go of his hand and folded my arms.
“I’m listening.”
“It’s about my sister, Chanel.” Buddha frowned at me, obviously curious about where this conversation was leading.
“I didn’t mention to you, but I went to my old home yesterday. Apparently, Lewis has been doing a piss, poor job of looking after Chanel. She’s staying with his sister, and he hasn’t been providing for her properly. My aunt called and complained to me. Anyway, I was kinda wondering…” I allowed my voice to trail off, wondering if Buddha would be cool with what I was about to ask.
“You were wondering?” He asked, twirling his index finger for emphasis.
“Maybe Chanel can come live with us? I mean, that’s if she wants to. I know she seems to like being with Aunty Debbie. I promise that if she does come, she won’t be any trouble. I’ll take good care of her and make certain she doesn’t bother you. I’ll al—”
“Stop, stop, what are you doing?” Buddha said, holding his hand up to my face.
“Why are you going on and on explaining shit to me? All you had to say was you want your sister with you, and that’s it.Nothing more, nothing less. It’s cool, we’ll figure it out if she wants to come live with us.”
Buddha held my face as he reassured me that I had nothing to worry about. I felt immense relief, like a weight had been lifted off me.
“Thank you; it’s just Lewis has turned into this man that I no longer know. I can’t believe he’s the same person. I even told him he had a month to pack his shit and leave my mother’s home. He moved a woman into my mother’s home. They’re over there playing house, and he forgot all about Chanel.”
“Your stepfather is just showing you who he’s always been, which is a spineless, selfish coward. It was very obvious from what he did to you that he only cared about himself. Don’t worry about thatstronzo(asshole). If he gives you any trouble moving out of the house, just let me know.” I smiled when he bent and kissed the middle of my forehead. I just knew he’d have my back; Buddha was definitely my happy place where I felt safe.
“Now, is that it?” He asked, pulling away from me. I made a face at his question. “Jesus, what now, Dior?” He grabbed his forehead, something I realized he did a lot when talking to me.
“Well, I know I’m no longer on social media, and I’m certain I won’t be allowed to do my modeling jobs.”
“That would be very fucking accurate,” Buddha said, nodding his head.
“Anyway, I explained that I don’t believe being pretty is enough. So, I was wondering since you said running the pizzeria was your least favorite thing that maybe I can do it.” I watched carefully as Buddha’s face sort of dropped at my request. This time, instead of grabbing his forehead, he grabbed the back of his neck. What is it with this man?
“We’ll talk more about it. I could use the help running that restaurant,” he said, with a tight smile, almost as if it were forced. I thought his reaction was a little strange, but I let it go.
“Mr. & Mrs. Ricci, I’m ready for you,” our salesman, Michael, suddenly appeared. Buddha held onto my right hand and led us both into Michael’s office, so I could officially sign the paperwork for my new vehicle.
“I’m going to meet Tomasso. We have some stuff to sort out with our upcoming deal with the Russians. You said you’re gonna visit Mia?” Buddha asked me as I buckled in behind the wheel of my brand new ride.
“Yeah, I already called her and told her I have a new car. So she told me to come on over so she could see it.” I gave Buddha a wide smile while he gave me a perplexed look.
