Page 5 of More to Love

I looked toward my girls, and they nodded. “That’s fine. We’ll take it and can we just go ahead and get some singles as well? Oh, and buy a fifth of 1800 and a bottle of 42 please.”

The blue faces were handed over and our order was filled. We headed in the direction of our assigned area. The music was jumping and so was the ass on the strippers. Whoever was on stage was giving the people a show and I was excited to get a few personal dances of my own.

We took a seat and like birds, the men flocked. Where their attention was supposed to be given to the women in floss, they were trying to gather ours and I had to chuckle at their attempts.

That didn’t last long due to the screams that started randomly. I assumed the man of the hour finally showed. The crowd grew and the spotlight was on a set of men that maneuvered as if they had no care in the world.

“Which one is Hendrix?” I inquired.

“Him,” Daria said with lust in her eyes pointing to the man in the middle with the least amount of jewelry on.

He was a handsome man, but he had a certain je ne sais quoi about him that was appealing and distinctive. I watched him walk in our direction with our eyes locking briefly. I found myself smirking and reaching for another drink. I could tell this night was going to be an interesting one.

Chapter Two

HENDRIX MERCER

“Did the payment clear?” I was asked to host at club Vixen tonight and I made it perfectly clear that I wasn’t showing until that check was deposited. I didn’t play about my time or bread.

“It went through this morning. You’re good to go.”

“Good. What time do I have to be there and have you let Dex know the plans for tonight?”

“Yes, I did. He confirmed that he’d be joining you. As far as the club appearance, you have to be there by nine no later than nine-thirty sir.”

“Thank you, Nora. Am I free to go or is there more on the schedule for today?”

“You’re free to go. I will call you if anything comes up. Have a good day sir.”

Nora was my assistant of eight years. She was there whenever I needed her, and she had yet to let me walk into a room that wasn’t for me. Although she as always by my side, she also gave me space. I appreciated her in many ways.

She walked out of my office, and I followed suit after gathering my things. I had an ice cream date with my favorite girl, and I had yet to disappoint her in the four years we’d been in each other’s life. I looked forward to our dates probably more than she did.

I hit the stairs for a quick exercise instead of taking the elevator down. My building consisted of three floors with two holding nothing but creative space. Most ads, music videos, and photo shoots were held here. I took pride in what I did.

I was a Black man that took shooting videos for the homies in the hood to a whole new level. I got my first real acknowledgment when I was around twenty years old and my first big job when I was twenty-one. After that, my career took off, and I haven’t looked back since. It was the prayers of my grandfather that helped me along the way.

I exited the side door and headed for the automobile that sat in the assigned space for the CEO of Mercer Visions. I came a long way from borrowing some nigga’s baby mama’s car all day to having one of my own and one that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars at that. I had it like that now and I flaunted it from time to time.

“Mr. Mercer.”

I looked in the direction where my name was being called and saw it was one of my best employees. “What’s up Jamie? You good out here?”

“I am. I see you rushing out of here, you must have a date?”

“You know my baby can be a brat if I don’t stick to my promises. I owe her this,” I responded.

“Trust me. I know how that goes. I’ll see you later.”

“No doubt.”

We ended the conversation there with me throwing my belongings into the passenger seat and then getting comfortable in the driver’s. I checked my watch to see if I had enough time to scoop her up instead of going home and going from there. Seeing that I had thirty minutes on the clock, I smiled. She was going to enjoy this surprise.

I headed to my destination cruising through the city with the top back allowing the sun to beam down on me. It was a pretty day in Reedsburg and the women weren’t letting it go to waste. They were showing thighs and I couldn’t help but enjoy the view, especially the ones that were thicker than cold grits. I just loved women and their softness.

Anthony Hamilton was playing as I viewed my city with a smile. I lived all around these parts and knew how it operated. Once I made it, I made sure my people had a legit job as well.

Dex was my right-hand man, and he was the first to elevate with me. I went back and got the crew, but that nigga never left my side. I wouldn’t be where I was today if it wasn’t for him. He kept a nigga out of depression and uplifted me when I felt defeated. Some thought we had some different shit going on, but that nigga was just my better half.