Page 98 of Halo: Tales Of A Hitman

“I’m glad you’re here. Hopefully, this is a start of a new stylist/client relationship.” I happily told her.

She was my last client and my longest. Her style selected was large heart shape knotless braids. These were going to look amazing and couldn’t wait for the ending result. I offered her some cute jewels to put on the braids. She selected the gold set. It was going to look nice against her brown hair.

Regan and Wren were working today as well. They only had one client scheduled then they were off. They started before me, so they would finish before me too. I was a wiz at locking up the salon now, so it was no problem when I worked by myself. The day was slow with only two clients. I would be out of here no later than 4pm.

“Are you going to Blake and Siren’s housewarming party?” I asked Regan.

“I sure am. You know I love them and Brian was their realtor. He will be there as well.”

Brian was Regan’s fiancé and he was a hell of a realtor.

“I forgot to tell you. Guess who I ran into last week at Tapper’s Jewelry?”

“Who?” Regan and Wren asked at the same time.

“Halo.”

I answered and they both gave me the reaction that I knew they would. Siren and Hendrix already knew the story. I thought the two would go off and want to hunt Halo down. But they stunned me when they wanted to know everything that happened. Hendrix even asked me to describe Halo’s facial expressions. Siren could barely say anything, but she kept screaming.

When I saw Halo at Tapper’s my stomach flipped repeatedly. Out of all the people I did not think he would be who I’d see. I knew we would somehow see each other considering Blake and Siren. But that day was unpredictable. I thought if I ever saw him again that I would want to burn him too ash.

But for some reason I just wanted to keep talking to him. I wanted to know what he’d been up to and how he had missed me. Sounds conceited but it was the truth. Halo changed, he was mature, his confidence was not questionable anymore. Although he never moved like he had none.

But he made you think if he was mild mattered or with the shit. Now, from head to toe, you knew Halo Stone was with all the noise. I always felt safe with him but that day I felt untouchable. When we went to eat, I noticed how I still affected him. Halo listened to every word I said.

His jokes, laughter and personality were still present. The way he would ask if I needed anything or would watch me when he thought I wasn’t looking. I got the same butterflies as I did when we were together.

“Let me tell you, my cousin hangs with Dallas and Aspen from time to time. That thot is nothing to be taken seriously. She’s easy, Halo is a man and we all know how they like to have their egos stroked.

Because Dallas pretends that he walks on gold, that’s why he even fucks with her.” Wren told me after I told them everything that happened when I saw Halo.

Regan chimed in. “I agree with Wren. Although I hate that he hurt you and I still want to step on his chest and crack his ribs. Now that time has passed and everything is settled. You and Halo were nineteen. But he was mentally and emotionally fourteen.

A chick like Dallas comes a dime a dozen. They think their looks and what’s between their legs is the answer to all. He cheated and that’s where he messed up but remember I told you. In this situation you were not the problem nor is turning yourself into a chick like Dallas the answer.”

“I know and I have thought about it a lot over the years. Dallas and women like her do not worry me. I do not want a man who is weak when it comes to lust. That may be a lot to ask of a nineteen-year-old. Some men would not fall for the trap, and many would.

Halo was one that did. He lost me because of it. I will say this. I did not expect to react the way I did when I saw him. But I get reminded of what he did, and I feel back to square one.”

“Girl that’s the tricky thing about love. It will tear you and have you battling with your heart and brain.” My client added and she was right.

This was part of the reason I loved doing what I do. Black women talking, sharing experiences, giving advice and opinions was as important as oxygen. We kept talking about a mix of things. Wren finished her clients first and Regan was right behind her. They both left and I was on the last two braids of my client.

“Oh my gosh! I love it! Ooooweeee girl!”

I almost burst a gut when I handed her the mirror and she saw her hair. After a few minutes, she finally was ready to pay her remaining balance, and she gave me a nice tip. I walked her to the door then locked it once she was gone.

All I had to do was sweep and straighten up my station. The Weekend album DAWN FM played on a good volume as I cleaned up and drunk some of my smoothie.

“I know you fuckin’ lying.” I stopped and whispered to myself when I turned around and saw Halo walking towards the door.

He hit the alarm to his ride then smiled when he saw me. His dimples and those unique colored eyes both lit up. He has not been here in almost three years as a client.

“What are you doing here?” I asked him when I unlocked the door.

He had a grey and blue head wrap on his head with an orange hoodie and light denim jeans.

“I’m here to see you.” Halo answered as he walked inside.