“Baby, don’t you ever give up on your dreams. Don’t you ever stop working hard. Do you understand?”
Her voice was gentle and smooth. You loved to hear her talk. Every night before you went to bed she would sing to you. Her voice was harder and harder to remember as the years passed. You worked hard every day to remember it, remember her. You missed her. You sat up in your bed rubbing the sleep from your eyes before stretching your arms over your head. You yawned loudly. It echoed off the walls in the tiny bedroom you had in the shared 2 bedroom apartment you shared with your roommate April. The room wasn’t big, this was New York after all. Everyone was condensed in this city paying an arm and a leg to breathe polluted air, live in small apartments and hear the constant beeping of car horns and traffic through their windows.
You’d lived all your life in New York. You were born in the Bronx, but moved around the city a lot. You now lived in Harlem, not quite downtown but not quite uptown either. You’d lived in the West Harlem for the last 2 years while you pursued your medical degree. The neighborhood wasn’t bad , it was cool, not too far from midtown, but not too close either. There was a lot around to do. Good food, lively entertainment, it was cool.
Beep, beep, beep, beep.
You snapped out your runaway thoughts and heard the annoying sound your alarm made off the nightstand. You reached for your phone and saw you’d slept right through your 8am alarm. It was now 9am.
“Shit!” You exclaimed.
You jumped out your bed and nearly slipped on your towel that you’d dropped on the floor the night before instead of hanging it up. You were going to be late. You ran into the attached small bathroom and proceeded to brush your teeth and do your daily grooming. After completing your morning beauty routine you hurried out while glancing at the clock.
“Fuck, I over slept.” You scolded yourself.
You hurried to your closet and dug through it’s contents trying to find a good outfit for the day. You hated being late, whatever you missed would not be repeated and you didn’t want to have to ask anyone for the work you missed. You grabbed your cream colored jeans and the pale pink light sweater that was next to it. For April the temperature was mild. One day it would be 50 then the next was 70 and then back to 50. Today would be no different, rounding out to almost 70. You tossed the ensemble to your bed and tiptoed to get the pale pink flats you’d gotten 2 weeks ago but hadn’t had a chance to wear yet.
You glanced at the clock and saw it was 9:05. No matter what you had to be out that door by 9:15 if you wanted to catch the 9:20 train to get to class by 9:50am. You wasted no time in getting dressed and decided to put in a little effort. You put your hair into a ponytail and applied some neutral lipgloss to your plump lips and just a touch of mascara. When you had the time you liked makeup, it was fun. After grabbing your handbag and your crossbody bag you grabbed your phone and dashed out the door. The music was blasting in the small apartment.
You heard April singing along to Rihanna’s “Bitch Better Have My Money”. You shook your head, she swore she was some world famous singer. You approached the kitchen and saw her in the living room standing on the center table singing loudly. You grabbed a bottle of water and drank half of it while watching her make a fool of herself. The scene was hilarious, she wore a tank top and oversized pajama bottoms and was holding the remote up to her lips as if it was a microphone. She screwed her face as if she was really feeling herself. You tried to hold the laughter because the scene was sad. Not only could April not sing, but she was a white girl who swore she had black in her some how. When she started to try to twerk you’d had enough. You laughed your ass out the door and down the stairs. You glanced at your phone. 9:15. You were making good time.
By the time you got to the university and to the class door it was 10:15. You were pissed, the train had delay after delay and what was supposed to be a 20 minute train ride turned into nearly an hour. You were beyond pissed. You yanked open the door and propelled yourself into the class that was more crowded than usual. You nearly ran smack into someone’s back before pumping your breaks.
“What the hell?” You said to yourself.
You heard an unfamiliar voice speaking and looked ahead to the podium and from the back of the class knew it wasn’t your professor. You heard a familiar “psst” and looked down past the full rows of people and saw your class friend Trey. You nodded and maneuvered your way through the crowd while trying to be as quiet as possible. You bobbed and weaved through the crowd and down 4 rows from the back towards the center of the tiered seats. Trey moved his things from the seat next to him and allowed you to take the aisle seat.
“You’re late.” Trey informed like I didn’t already know that.
“No shit Sherlock. What the hell is going on?” You whispered back to him.
“Guest speaker.” Trey answered nodding his pursed lips toward the center podium.
You looked where he was directing and saw a well dressed, tall, man. He was really tall, he looked to be 6 feet at least. You glanced over the features of his face slowly taking in all that he was. His eyes were brown from what you could tell in the 5th row. His skin was chocolate kissed, and it looked smooth. He had a well groomed goatee that complimented his face nicely. His nose was proportioned to his face. You admired his full lips, lips that looked soft. You watched his mouth move as he spoke. He was speaking about the usefulness of STEM programs and professionals with the medical field. He spoke about his work within the STEM field and his excitement to unveil a new program he hoped would be a useful asset to doctors and aspiring doctors. You were interested to say the least.
You glanced over his shoulders momentarily on the path down the rest of his body.
“Mmm, break me off a piece of that.” Said a voice from behind you. You glanced back and saw three girls sitting together. The one in the middle bite into her bottom lip and was looking at the man speaking as if he were a piece of meat.
“Thirsty ass hoes” Trey whispered in your ear.
Your snorted and laughed into your wrist trying not to draw attention to yourself. You returned your attention to the speaker at the front of the room, and saw his eyes looking in your direction. Was he looking at you? You glanced on both sides of you and then back to him but his eyes remained. He continued to speak but his eyes remained. His eyes were masked you couldn’t tell what he was thinking, to be truthful you were having a hard time thinking yourself. He was attractive. As quickly as the stare began, he looked away and his eyes never returned to yours. You were confused but you ignored it.
All in all the lecture was very interesting. You had quite a few questions and wanted to speak to him but at the end of his lecture there was a swarm of females around him all ogling him. Some complimented his suit, some praised his lecture and stroked his ego complimenting how intelligent he was. There was even some that actually asked him about his STEM plans. You stayed away. You packed up your notes and tried not to look at him.
“Y/N, ready?” Trey asked already finished packing up his things.
“Yeah, I’m starving let’s go.” You took up your things and walked up the steps to the exit.
“These females are mega thirsty.” Trey said in his salty voice. You laughed because you knew he was half jealous that he wasn’t getting the attention he was used to.
“You’re just mad those thirsty hoes weren’t all on you today.” He rolled his eyes.
“Nah, none of them were my type.” He confirmed.
“Right, what about Naomi, now she’s not your type because you’ve already hit it.”
“Stop, that was long time ago.” Trey tried to lie.
“Trey, that was 3 months ago.” You laughed to yourself. You couldn’t help yourself and glanced back and saw him watching you. You stopped in your tracks when you saw him snake his tongue out to lick his bottom lip.
“Fuck.”
*************************************
‘’That’ll be 8.75.”
The man put down a 10 dollar bill and winked at me.
“Keep the change.” He offered.
“Wow, thanks.” You sarcastically responded. You took up the money and walked to the register placing it inside and taking out the 1.25 change.
“Cheap asshole.” You said under your breath.
You shook your head and turned your attention to another customer.
“What can I get you honey?” You questioned.
This guy was tall and cute. He smiled and revealed dimples. Yum you thought.
“Beer.” He responded. You nodded and dipped down to the fridge and took out a beer. You placed it on the bar top along with a napkin.
“Thanks.” He responded. You nodded your response.
“8.75.”
He placed a 20 dollar bill down on the bar and smiled again.
“Keep the change.” He responded.
“Thanks.” You answered with your own smile.
You took the 20 and placed it into the register and pocketed the remaining 11.25. Not bad you thought. It was 2 hours until the end of your shift and what you thought would be a slow night picked up speed. You were hopeful you’d leave that night with maybe 300 dollars in tips.
The rest of your shift passed in a hurry, the speed picked up again and you served an influx of customers in the bar. At the end of your shift you left with nearly 400 in tips and your weekly check pay. This week you took on a couple extra hours and it showed in your 1400 dollar check. You immediately walked to the bank and deposited the cash and the check. After you made your deposit your balance read almost 9000. You groaned out because you needed more. Your phone rang. Once you took it out you saw it was Toni.
“Hey Toni.” You answered.
“Y/N, I know you mentioned you had some time this week.” Toni said.
You turned your back to the ATM and leaned on it.
“What’s up?” You asked into the cell phone.
“There’s a client who is looking for some service tonight. Are you down?” Toni asked.
You looked at the time and sighed out. 11:45pm.
“I’m down. Text me the address and specifics.” You responded before exchanging pleasantries and hanging up. You sighed out and closed your eyes.
“I need the money, I need the money.” You whispered to yourself with your eyes closed trying to talk psych yourself up. You breathed out and opened the new text from Toni.
MSG Toni: “934-31 8th Avenue. Wear black paten pumps, no lower than 3 inches and a black dress no longer than top of knees.”
You sighed again and rolled your shoulders before walking out the bank down the street. You needed the money you repeated to yourself. *****************************************************************
By the time you got back to your apartment you made sure to shower and get glammed up. You carefully applied your make up a little heavier than you did this morning for classes. You took the time to perfectly apply your cat-eye liner, and to contour your face. This job was about the physical, your looks determined how much you earned. You applied your trusted rouge de Armani red lipstick ensuring not to get any on your teeth. This was your go to with this job. It was expensive-38 dollars a pop but the color was beautiful on your skin tone.
You pressed your lips together and pouted into the mirror pleased with how you looked. The black dress you wore clung to your body in all the right places and accentuated your breasts with the bondage element that caged them in. You made sure the hem fell above your knees. You took up your purse and your black patent leather pumps and walked out your room. You were great full your roommate was asleep, while you looked good she would have questions where you were going at almost 1 o’clock in the morning. You slide your feet into the pumps and made sure you had your keys, cell phone, cash and pepper spray. You looked at yourself again and checked the LYFT car’s arrival. Seeing the car was outside you left trekked down the 4 floor walk up. When you stepped outside you scurried into the waiting LYFT car.
“Damn lil’ mama, you looking fine.” Said the driver.
“Thanks.” You responded opening Toni’s text to retrieve the address.
“Where to beautiful?” He asked.
“Um, 934-31 8th ave.” You requested.
“You got it.” He pressed the gas and drove off. You sat back in the seat and shot Toni a quick text.
MSG: In the LYFT now, be there in 20.
MSG Toni: Cool. This one should be simple, and it pays real good.
MSG: Anything I should know beforehand?
MSG Toni: Nope, cut and dry. Don’t be freaked out about her. She’s harmless.
MSG: Got it.
MSG Toni: You should be done by 3 the latest.
MSG: Got it, thanks Toni.
MSG Toni: Anytime.
The ride there was pretty quick at this time the majority of the streets were empty. You went over the required reading for class the next day on your way. You had 45 pages to get through by then and you’d only done 10. You closed your eyes momentarily to rest your eyes. What was to be a few moments turned into several minutes.
“All right, 934-31 8th ave.” The driver announced. You opened your eyes and looked around. You were surrounded by luxury complexes.
“Of course.” You whispered to yourself. You gathered your things and walk opened the door.
“Thank you.” You said stepping out onto the sidewalk. You looked up the building and shrugged off the minuscule nerves trying to overtake you. This was not your first time. You walked into the lobby and looked around. The lobby attended approached you. You straightened your back.
“Lilac?” He said.
“Lilac.” You repeated. He nodded.
“Follow me.” He said before he turned. You followed him to the row of elevators and watched him call for one. It didn’t take more than a few moments for one to open. You both stepped on. You walked to the back and leaned on the wall crossing your legs at the ankle. The man next to you looked to your exposed legs and there is where his eyes stayed. You looked at him in a way to ask if he needed help with something. He licked his bottom lip before looking away back to the dial. In a few more minutes the elevator stopped and the doors opened.
“Have a good night.” The man said. You glanced back at him and smirked.
“You too.” You responded before walking closer to the door. You knocked 3 times and waited.
“Lilac.” Came a voice from the other side of the door.
“Lilac.” You repeated.
“Come in.” You took one last deep breath before turning the door handle and stepping into the home.
*I tagged those who expressed interest. If you’d like to be added, let me know. Hope you guys liked it, if you did like and reblog please. Thank you for reading.
i have a tongue, madam. though yours explains well enough why i may not marry your son. you view my circumstances as unfortunate, though i cannot claim even a portion of the misfortune to those whom i most closely resemble. my greatest misfortune would be to marry into a family who would carry me as their shame, as i have been required to carry my own mother - her apparent crime to be born negro, and mine to be the evidence. since i wish to deny her no more than i wish to deny myself, you will pardon me for wanting a husband who feels forgiveness of my bloodline is both unnecessary and without grace.
