Remy and Rose': A Hood Love Story Read online

  "So tell me why you're over here crying when you have a thousand reasons to smile?"

  "I don't know what the future holds for me and my daughter. I'm just trying to figure out what I'm going to do now that I'm out. I just made twenty-one and I have no job experience. I received my G.E.D while I was locked up, but that will only take me so far. The shit is just frustrating to me."

  "I know you don't know me but I own several businesses. How about you come to my strip club tomorrow at three? I've been looking for a new bartender, and you're beautiful. With a little training I know you will get the hang of it. Actually, I'm not accepting no for an answer, so I'll see you tomorrow at three. Here's my business card and some money for clothes. Dress to impress; first impressions are everything.”

  He walked away from me like it was nothing. I still had my mouth open at his straight forwardness. I guess that's what a ‘boss’ is. He just bossed the fuck up on my ass.

  "Close your mouth before something flies in it," Boo said as he came and sat next to me.

  "Do you know that guy over there in all black?"

  "Yeah, that's my big homie Remy."

  "He just offered me a job and basically told me I couldn't refuse."

  "Remy is the man, cuz. No one tells him no. Make sure you be on point for the interview. He doesn't like it when you’re late." He kissed me on the forehead and went over and stood alongside Remy and Peanut.

  Boo thinks he's slick. He probably set all that shit up. Later that night, I lay on the floor in my daughter's room and stared at the card. I was so nervous about the next day I couldn't sleep; instead, I sat up and watched my daughter as she slept. It was crazy how she looked nothing like me. She was her father's twin. I hated that she was in this fucked up situation because of my stupidity. I'm going to die trying to give her a better life.

  ****

  The next morning I got up and went to Charlotte Rousse to find me something to wear to the interview. I settled on a pencil skirt and a nice blouse to match. I found a nice pair of heels that were high as hell. I wanted to look cute for Remy for some reason. I flat ironed my hair bone straight and put on a small coating of lip gloss. All this shit was so foreign to me after being locked up for so long. I was lost on what was in style. I just hoped he didn't look at my ass and laugh.

  "Stop being so damn nervous cuz. You're going to do just fine," Peanut said as he drove me to the club.

  "Have you seen Ace?"

  "Fuck that nigga Rose'! He a bitch for making you take that weight for his ass. Me and Boo whooped dude’s ass when we found out what the fuck went down. We've been beefing ever since. I'm telling you now, stay the fuck away from dude. He's grimy as fuck. I'll body that nigga on sight. You and Heaven ain't got shit to worry about, I got ya'll.”

  "I just asked because I wanted to let him know about Heaven. He has no idea that she exists."

  "I understand all that cuz. I just don't want you getting all caught up in his madness. Plus, there's something you should know. He's married to Diamond and they have two kids."

  "My friend Diamond?" He nodded his head in confirmation and I was in shock; mainly, because she always acted as if she hated Ace. I guess that explains why I never heard from her either.

  "Fuck them cuz. Move on with your life. I know you want Ace to be in Heaven's life but he doesn't even deserve to know her." I couldn't even argue with Peanut. He was absolutely right. Ace wasn't worthy of knowing my daughter.

  I made it to Club Kitty Kat about thirty minutes early. I walked in and there were some dancers performing on stage. I couldn't believe it was packed in here this damn early.

  "Excuse me, I have an interview with Mr. Ramirez," I said to one of the bouncers. He spoke into his mouth piece and I was led to a set of elevators. I rode the elevator up to the second level. When the doors opened, Remy was standing there waiting for me.

  "You clean up nice, beautiful. Follow me into my office.”

  Remy was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt with a pair of wheat Timberlands. His dreads were now hanging and they were down to the middle of his back. He went from straitlaced to thuggish, and he looked good as hell both ways.

  "Thank you. I hope it's not too much."

  "No, you’re perfect. Here is your uniform and your gym shoes. I don't allow the bartenders to wear heels. I like for my girls to be comfortable. Is that okay with you? If the dress is too short for you, I'll have the seamstress get you a bigger size. Go in the bathroom and change so I can see you in your uniform.

  "So I don't need to be interviewed?"

  "You had the job the moment I laid eyes on you. Your pay is twenty dollars an hour and you keep all your tips. Payday is every other Friday. Is that okay with you, beautiful?"

  "Yeah, that's okay. Thank you so much, Remy. I appreciate it."

  I got up and fell dead on my ass. I was embarrassed as hell. I looked up and he was laughing so damn hard.

  "Are you cool?" he asked as he lifted me up off of the floor.

  "I'm just happy, that's all." I managed to laugh as well.

  "I'm glad I can put a smile on your face. Now go get dressed. You start training at five."

  I was staring in his eyes and they were the prettiest shade of brown. I was staring at him so hard I didn't realize I was still holding his hand. I hurried up and let it go and went to change. Once I tried on the outfit, I was in shock at how my ass and titties had developed over the years. It was an all-black mini dress that had ‘The Kitty Kat’ on the front in pink letters. The all-white Air Force Ones also fit perfectly. It was like he knew what size I wore already.

  "How do I look, boss man?" Remy was on the phone when I came back in his office. He hung up and walked around to where I was at.

  "Damn beautiful. You look good in whatever you put on."

  He took my hand and twirled me around in front of him so that he could take a good look at me. Remy had me feeling like a school girl. No man had ever complimented me so much or made me feel so special. I felt tingly every time he touched me. I couldn't get ahead of myself though. I was scared of the unknown. All I knew was Ace and he had me scared to give my heart again. Plus, the man before me was my boss.

  For the rest of the night I trained, and it was fairly easy. I caught on quick as hell. There was another bartender by the name of Neicee and she was cool as hell. I later found out she messed around with my cousin Peanut. It was now one in the morning and the club was packed. There was a table requesting bottle service, so I had to take them the bottles they had requested. At first I was scared of them damn sparkles, but I eventually got use to them.

  "Here go your bottles, gentlemen," I said, as I sat the bucket on the table along with their glasses.

  "Damn baby. You're fine as fuck."

  The voice immediately made me look up. It was Ace Black in the flesh and he was sexier than I remembered. We locked eyes and that's when he noticed me. I took off running towards the ladies’ bathroom. I was crying and shaking so bad in front of the vanity. Seeing him so happy and living it up hurt me like a motherfucker.

  After about five minutes, I gathered up the strength to get back to work. When I walked pass the table, Ace was gone. The rest of the night was a blur. I couldn't wait to get off and get home to my daughter. Once the club was over, I stood outside and waited for my cab. I shitted bricks when I saw Ace sitting outside in a cocaine white Benz.

  Chapter 3- Ace

  It had been so long since I thought about Rose'. I had no idea that she was even out of prison. I thought she was sentenced to five years. From time to time I would look her up in the Department of Corrections Inmate Search System. I felt bad how shit ended for her. I hated that I had to leave her hanging like that.

  At the time I wasn't trying to be involved in any investigations. I had mad respect for her for taking that weight and never ratting me out. I sit back and think to when she was younger and how I had her wrapped around my finger. She would do any motherfucking thing I said, unlike the bitch Diamond who alw
ays has something to say. I know that Rose' was probably hurt when she found out that I married her friend. Unbeknownst to her, we had been fucking the entire time that I was dealing with her.

  Rose' was real naive to obvious shit going on in her face, but I loved her beauty and her innocence. Seeing her tonight had me all in my feelings. She was even more beautiful and her body was banging. I got a hard on knowing that I hit that shit first. I wondered if she was fucking some chump ass nigga. I hope she wasn't because I had plans to get her back on my team. I didn't give a fuck about being married to Diamond. Plus, Rose' shouldn't care about being my little secret, especially since that's what she was back in the day.

  I sat outside my car and waited for her to get off work. As soon as she walked out she saw me, and was looking like a deer in head lights.

  "Let me drop you off Rose'. It's too late for you to be out here."

  "I'm good. My cab should be pulling up in a minute."

  "Come on Rose'. I just want to talk to you for a minute." I could tell she was about to make this shit hard for me.

  "We don't have anything to talk about, Ace. I actually have no words for you. Leave me alone. I lost four years out of my life and you moved on with yours. It's water under the bridge. Do us both a favor and go home to your family." She tried walking past, but I grabbed her by her wrists.

  "Don't forget who the fuck you talking to Rose'."

  "Get your fucking hands off of me."

  "Do we have a problem here?" Remy said as he walked up with his gun out.

  "This shit don't concern you my nigga." I pulled my gun from my waist as well. I had been beefing hard with him and his crew over territory.

  "Actually it has everything to do with me nigga. You're in front of my establishment harassing one of my employees. Go inside the club Rose'." This nigga Remy really thought he was running shit. Rose’ yanked away from my grasp and hurriedly walked back inside.

  "This shit ain't over Rose'. I'll see you around my nigga," I said as I backed away and went back to my car.

  "You can see me now, bitch ass nigga!" Remy said as I drove away. It was imperative I off this nigga. It's bad enough he trying to take my traps from me, now he wants the one thing that belonged to me. Yeah, I need to get up with my niggas and put my plan in to motion. Since Rose' wanted to side with that nigga, I had something for her ass too. I know her best kept secret. She got me fucked up.

  Chapter 4- Remy Ramirez

  When I look back on my life, I can't help but feel blessed. In all of my twenty-six years, I've never had to struggle. I was born to the best parents a nigga could ever ask for. I wanted for nothing and never had to ask for anything.

  As a young child, I knew that my family was different from others. Our house was always heavily guarded with security and outsiders were never allowed into our home. I wasn't even allowed to go to public school. My father, Reco, was a businessman, but he was never too busy to spend time with his one and only son. It was him who taught me how to do business and take a motherfucker out if I had to.

  My mother, Mariah, hated that my father was grooming me to be the next in line to take over his spot in the family business. As a kid, I didn't know that one day I would be head of the Mexican Cartel. My father is of Mexican decent and my mother is a beautiful African American woman who takes pride in her color. My father worshipped the ground my mother walks on and to this day, he still does. Despite being of different races, no one dared to ever speak or question him about loving a black woman.

  Recently my father was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. He called me down to Mexico for a meeting and turned the business over to me. It's been on and popping ever since. That's what I do behind the scenes. No one even knows who I really am and I want to keep it that way. Peanut and Boo handle all the street shit while I run shit from several of my businesses. Don't get it twisted though. When it's time for me bust my guns, my shit blows in all directions and I never miss my target. I like to remain laid back and out of the scene. The less these niggas in the Chi know about me, the better.

  Sometimes I sit back and think about how successful I am, with no real woman to share it with. Don't get me wrong, I can be with any bitch I choose, but a down ass bitch is hard to find. I can fuck a different bitch every day of the week if I want. I don't trust or loves these hoes though. In my position, you have to watch these bitches.

  I know what type of woman a female is the first time we meet. It's crazy how women get excited over what a nigga is wearing or what type of car he's driving. All these hoes see is dollar signs when they see me. I don't mind taking care of a woman but there's levels to this shit. I'll spoil my woman rotten, but she has to have the same drive as me.

  I need a woman who wants to better herself and at the same time, make me a better man. If you don't have any drive then your ass gets no conversation. End of discussion. I’m not a cocky nigga. I'm very humble. I just know what I want and what I like.

  ****

  I wanted to blow this nigga’s Ace, fucking brains out. He's been trying me for a minute now. I think it's time I give Peanut and Boo the go ahead to murder that nigga. That nigga had a lot of nerve even stepping to Rose' after he left her ass high and dry. What real nigga allows his bitch to do a bid for him?

  I already knew the whole story about how she ended up in jail, and my heart went out to her. Not to mention I have a weak spot for a beautiful woman with a banging ass body and ambition. It amazed me how she was just released from prison and all she was worried about was how she was going to take care of her daughter. She didn't give a fuck about being free. I never even saw her take a drink or smoke a blunt at her coming home party.

  Once we started to talk, I knew that I was going to give her a job. One thing about Rose' that stood out to me was that she was innocent, almost childlike. She deserved to be happy and Ace’s ass was trying to fuck that up. He had another thing coming though. As long as I was alive and breathing, he would not ruin her life any more than he already had.

  I walked back into the club to check on Rose' and she was sitting at the bar with her head down.

  "Are you okay?" I asked her as I stroked her long ponytail.

  "I'm sorry to bring this drama to your place of business. I understand if you have to let me go," she said with tears streaming from her eyes. I've seen this girl cry more than I've seen her smile.

  "I'm not firing you, Rose'. You haven't done anything to be fired."

  I walked towards and wiped her tears from her eyes. I tried to get her to look in my face but I could tell she was either embarrassed or very shy.

  "I'm up here, ma. Always make eye contact when you talk to someone," I said, as I grabbed her face and looked into her beautiful hazel eyes. She looked at me and I was lost in her eyes for a minute. I almost leaned in to kiss her pretty, pink lips. The sound of a car honking outside broke both of our trances.

  "That must be my cab. Thanks for everything boss man. I really appreciate it.”

  She kissed me on the jaw and raced out of the club. I turned and watch as her ass jiggled like Jell-O as she ran away. I had to pour me a shot of Hennessy. It had been a minute since I was attracted to a woman like I am to Rose'. I had to shake it off though. She had a lot going on with her and I didn't want to add to that.

  I hated that I never asked her about the Ace situation. If she wanted to talk about it, she would when she was ready. In the meantime, I would just make sure I kept eyes on that nigga. I had a funny feeling he was about to pull a stunt.

  Chapter 5- Rose'

  The next couple of weeks of working at the club were great. I had made over six thousand dollars and I was able to pay a security deposit and first month’s rent for my new apartment. My father didn't want me or Heaven to move out, but we had to. He had put his life on hold to raise her while I was locked up. It was time for him to get his groove back.

  I hadn't seen Ace since that night when I first saw him. I was still on edge because I knew he was somewhere lurking. Today
was my off day, so I took Heaven to Chuck E. Cheese. She was having a ball and I was getting tired. It was time to go and she did not want to get out of the balls.

  "Come on Heaven, baby. It's time to go." I looked but she was no longer in the balls. I started panicking immediately.

  "Heaven! Heaven! Where are you?" I was running around and looking all over for her.

  "I'm right here, Mommy."

  I turned around and I almost shitted on the floor. Ace was bending down tying her shoes.

  "Get over here right now, Heaven!"

  Ace had a smirk on his face as he grabbed her hand and walked towards me. He got real close to me and showed me his gun.

  "Turn around and walk your ass out of here. Don't try no bullshit or I'm going to take her and you will never see her again. After all, she is my seed right?"

  I turned around and walked towards the exit, and he was right behind me pressing the gun in my back. I got in the front seat of his car and he strapped Heaven in the back. He got in and drove away at top speed.

  "Why didn't you tell me I had a daughter?"

  I was getting ready to respond but he backhanded me across the face.

  "Don't even say shit. All this time you had a baby by me and I didn't know shit about it."

  "Maybe if your bitch ass would have written or visited me in jail, you would have known. This shit is your fault, not mine. Let me and my daughter out of this fucking car." I started hitting the passenger side door. I kicked the dashboard so hard that I made it shift.

  "You can stop all that bullshit before you upset my daughter. The only way I'm letting you out this car is if you're dead when I push your ass out. So shut the fuck up and enjoy the ride."

  Tears streamed down my face because I was so scared for me and Heaven. Ace was crazy as hell back in the day, but he was a fucking psycho now. About an hour later, we pulled into an apartment complex on the Southside of Chicago. Heaven had fallen asleep. I tried to grab her, but he pushed me hard as hell.