The Hustler's Daughter {DC Bookdiva Publications} (9 page)

   “How
are you doing?” Chino asked.

   “I’m
fine and you, what’s your name?” Maria asked.

   “My
name is Chanito.” He introduced himself. Chino extended his arm out and handed
Maria the roses, “And these are for you.” Chino knew he had captured her heart.

   “Aww,
that’s nice of you. Thanks,” Maria smiled as she held them in her hand. “So
what time are you guys going to be back?”

   “Well
the movie starts at 8:00, I will have her in here no later than eleven thirty.”
Maria swallowed hard and thought 11:30 seemed to be pushing it. She liked Chino
already and thought he was a sweet and respectful guy, so she let it slide.

   “Alright,
you guys have fun and be safe.” Maria smiled.

   “Alright
Ma, love you.” Mercedes kissed her mom on the cheek and headed for the front
door.

   “It
was nice meeting you Mrs. Carter.”

   “Please,
call me Maria.” She told him as she waved from the door. As Mercedes stepped
outside, she felt relieved that her mother didn’t talk too much. Chino
respectfully opened the door and she slid into the leather seats. The car
smelled like it was fresh off the showroom floor. Mercedes looked out the
window and noticed Maria looking through the big windows in the living room.
She shook her head at her mother. Chino started the car and pulled off; he
circled around the path and zoomed down the smooth driveway. He put some music
on as he drove, and Mercedes loved watching him shift gears.

   Mercedes
and Chino arrived at the drive-in movie theater. She always wanted to come to
one of these and was thrilled with his selection. The parking lot was packed;
everyone was running around and having fun. Of course some people were making
out in their cars, while others were actually fucking.

He
searched around for a parking spot. Finally they found one in the middle which
gave them a perfect view of the huge screen. It was 7:45 and the previews were
still on, so they decided to get something to drink. As Mercedes stepped out
the car, the frigid air swiftly hit her face. She was freezing and folded her
arms around her breasts. Chino walked around to her side.

“What’s
up Ma, you cold?” he asked.

“Yes
I am.” Mercedes chuckled. “I didn’t know if I would need a jacket, so I left
it.” Mercedes explained. They stopped in their tracks as Chino went back to his
car. He grabbed a Sean John jacket from the back seat and placed it over her
shoulder. 

“Thank
you.” Mercedes said as she removed a piece of hair that was flying in her face.
He wrapped his arm around her neck as they walked to the food stand. Chino was
happy that the line was short; he didn’t feel like waiting in a long line and
the movie was about to start.

He
ordered a big bag of popcorn, two large Sprites and a box of chocolate covered
peanuts. They headed back to the car and as Mercedes slipped into her seat,
Chino passed her the popcorn and sodas to hold until he got settled.

It
was perfect timing, the movie was just starting. They were about to see Denzel
Washington’s newest movie, Déjà Vu. Mercedes thought Chino must’ve read her
mind; she really wanted to see this movie. She felt honored that he brought her
with him and not India. Chino was gonna be her man, whether he knew it or not.

“You
like Denzel Washington?” Mercedes inquired as she began eating her popcorn.

“Yeah
he’s one of my favorite actors, that’s my nigga.” Chino smiled.

“Yeah,
he is a pretty good actor. I love Johnny Depp too.”

“Let
me guess because you think he look good.” Chino looked at Mercedes with the
‘don’t lie’ look. She couldn’t help herself, she erupted into laughter.

“Yeah
he is really handsome.” Mercedes admitted. “But you look way better.” Chino
tried to hide his face, she had him blushing.

“Are
you blushing?” Mercedes asked. She was trying to get a look at his face. Chino
turned to face her and was smiling from ear to ear.

“Yeah
you got me Ma.” Chino smirked with his Colgate smile. “You’re beautiful too.
Actually, you’re beyond it. I’ve never met a girl like you.” He made Mercedes
feel like a million dollars as he told her how beautiful she was.

“Thank
you.” Chino wasn’t the only one who was blushing. Mercedes’ cheeks were redder
than a bowl of cherries, and her two pretty dimples were now exposed.

Chino
loved everything about Mercedes from her head to her toes, she was the complete
package. He watched as she silently ate her popcorn and enjoyed the movie. Her
big bamboo earrings brought out her petite face. Her lips were glistening under
the moonlight and he desperately wanted to kiss her.

“So
what is it about me that you like?” Mercedes was eager to know.

“I
like your beautiful eyes, I like your style, I like your body, I like the way you
talk, I like your hair, and I could go on and on. I like everything about you.”
Chino caressed her chin.

“I
like you too Chino. I’ve liked you from the first day that I saw you. I was
like DAMMMMMNNNN.” They both burst into laughter.

 They
had a full blown conversation about the first few days of school. They talked
about their lives and really got to know one another. The movie was almost
over, but neither of them was paying attention.

 Chino
gazed into her eyes and moved in for a kiss. Initially Mercedes was reluctant,
but she soon puckered up. As their lips begin to lock, Mercedes realized that
this was the first time she’d ever French-kissed a boy.

She
wrapped her arms around his neck as they passionately kissed. Mercedes could
feel her silk panties getting wet. They were interrupted by a loud knocking on
Chino’s window. India was outside banging; she was fuming. 

Mercedes
reclined in her seat and shook her head from side to side. She couldn’t believe
this bitch was trying to cock block.

“Excuse
me Ma.” Chino opened up the door and she heard them arguing back and forth. She
walked over to Mercedes’ window and grilled her; if looks could kill Mercedes
would have been buried six feet deep. Mercedes didn’t know how much more she
could take from India. She promised herself that one day she would give her a
serious beat down. Chino got back into the car and rubbed his hands against his
face.

“Yo
Ma, I truly apologize.” Chino sighed. “I just don’t know what the fuck is her
problem. I cut her off and she still thinks that she own me or some shit.”

“It’s
cool.” Mercedes lied, as she looked out the window.

“You
ready to go home Ma?” Chino inquired. “I don’t want your mom’s bugging out on
me.”

“Yeah,
I’m ready.” Mercedes yawned as her eyelids suddenly were heavy.  As Chino
exited the parking lot, he looked over and noticed Mercedes had already fallen
asleep. He smiled to himself and thought she looked just as beautiful while
sleeping. When he pulled up to her house, he gently shook her to wake her.
Mercedes’ eyes fluttered up and down and she finally sat up in the seat.

“You
had a good nap?” Chino laughed.

“Whatever.”
Mercedes smiled as she looked around and noticed that she was in front of her
house. “Thank you Chino, I had a really good time.” Mercedes said as she
reached over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“No
doubt Ma.” Chino smiled as he watched her exit the car.

“Night,
Chino.”

“Goodnight
Ma.”

 Mercedes
smiled as she sashayed to her door and unlocked it. The home was quiet and she
knew her mom was asleep. Her father wasn’t home; one of his cars was missing
from the driveway. Mercedes dragged herself up the stairs.

As
she got ready for bed, she received a text from Candy. She was too tired to get
into all the details of her date. She told Candy she would call her and tell
her everything in the morning. Mercedes didn’t even manage to take off her
clothes; she fell face first onto her bed and quickly dozed off to sleep.

October Breeze

October
had finally arrived.  Besides being Mercedes birth month, it was also her
favorite month of the year. It wasn’t too hot or cold, it was just right. The
beautiful trees were a nice bright orange color and blew with the wind. The
leaves fell freely from the trees and descended to the ground. She loved the
beginning of autumn.

There
was one week left until Mercedes big birthday party. Everyone at school was
amped and couldn’t wait. Mercedes became the most popular girl in school in a
relatively short period of time. It was in part due to her style, her new
boyfriend and her crew. Everyone clamored to be affiliated with her and her new
crew. They called themselves “MOBB”, which stood for Most Official Bad Bitches.
Mercedes, Candy, Hazel, Chamari and Shateeya were of course all bad in their
own ways.

Mercedes
started schooling the rest of the girls about Prada, Chanel, and Fendi; any
expensive brand that all girls dream about. She wanted her girls to step out in
style, just because they were rocking with Mercedes Carter. She was always ten
steps ahead of the game, just like her daddy, Don Carter. Of course, Mercedes
was the leader of the crew. She represented herself as The Baddest Bitch.

After
getting approval from her mother, she spent the majority of her time with the
girls. They went into the city and did a little bit of shopping, went out to
eat, went to the movies, and did what teenage girls like to do.  They talked
about boys and sex.  Mercedes was anxious to lose her virginity. She was
spending a lot of time with Chino and it was only a matter of time before she
gave it up. Due to her father’s traveling, he still hadn’t had the chance to
meet him.

 She
recalled one day when she and Chino were sitting in the sand on the beach and
holding hands. They watched the sunset and the waves splash on the shore. They
had the most perfect view into Manhattan, as the lights from the buildings
reflected on the water. Mercedes loved looking at the stars that glistened in
the sky.

 “The
water is so beautiful.” Mercedes whispered, as she watched the waves. “And I
love stars.”

“Yeah,
stars are beautiful things and they mean a lot to me.” Chino said.

“And
why is that?” Mercedes asked.

“My
mother told me there are plenty of stars in the sky, but there’s always one
that catches your eye. When it does, you will never forget it. You will always
see that star and it will forever be in your heart.” Chino smiled, “And it’s
like I have a star that I see every night, it’s my father. I always talk to it
every night before I go to sleep. Stars are like scars.”

“Aww,
that’s really sweet Chino.” Mercedes responded.

“Yeah,
I guess. I love coming here when I have to get something off my chest, or when
I’m going thru something and just want to be alone.” Chino admitted.

“So
is there something you need to get off your chest?” Mercedes inquired.

Chino
turned to her giving her his full attention while looking into her eyes, “I
know I’ve only known you for like a month and some change, but it feels like
I've known you forever.”

Chino
took a deep breath and Mercedes listened to the words that were charming her
heart. “You’re so beautiful, intelligent and smart. I mean look at you and look
at me.” Chino joked as they both laughed, “Nah, but you’re everything that I
ever wanted in a girl and more. The more time I spend with you, I can’t help
but think that you’re my soulmate?” Chino smiled as he looked into her eyes.
“All I want to know is, will you be my girl, my baby, my everything?” He
sincerely asked.

Mercedes’
eyes lit up with a wide smile. She had no idea he was going to ask her that question.
She looked into his eyes and eagerly replied, “Yes Chino, I will”

Chino
grinned and they started kissing. He ran his fingers through her soft and silky
hair. Mercedes loved Chino’s tongue game; he made her see stars when they
kissed. After they made themselves an official couple, they took their time
getting to know each other better. Mercedes was one of the luckiest and most
hated girls in school because she was she was Chino’s girl. India still
couldn’t get over the fact that they were dating. She envied Mercedes and
wished she could be in her shoes. She knew that she could never walk in
Mercedes Carter’s shoes, but that didn’t stop her from trying to put a wrench
in the plans anytime it was possible.

Mercedes
got home and found her mother sitting on the couch reading a magazine. She had
the lamp on and a few vanilla scented candles lit. When she noticed Mercedes
walking through the front doors, she put down the magazine and rested her elbow
on the couch.

“How
was your date?” Maria asked. She eagerly wanted to know the details.

“It
was nice.” Mercedes smiled as she walked over and sat down on the couch beside
her mother. “He took me to the beach and we just sat and talked.” Mercedes
smiled, “It was really romantic Ma.” Mercedes New York accent came out.

Maria
had a smile on her face as she watched her daughter talk about Chino. She was
really happy for her; she knew her daughter was falling in love. She was
concerned about what Don would think of Chino, but didn’t express her concerns
to Mercedes.

“That’s
nice, and it is romantic. There aren’t many young men who like to do things
like that.” Maria said. “All they want to do is have sex with you.” She bluntly
stated.

“MA!”
Mercedes eyes widened.

“What?
I’m just saying. Mercedes, are ya’ll having sex?”

“No
Ma, I’m still a virgin.” She playfully rolled her eyes, “Now can we please
change the subject?” Mercedes asked. She didn’t feel comfortable talking to her
mother about sex.

“Alright,”
Maria smiled, “If you ever do have sex, please use a condom. It’s not that I
want you to have sex now; I just want to let you know you can talk to me. I
want you to be safe.” Maria told her. She knew her daughter was getting
aggravated, so she quickly changed the subject.

“So,
how do you feel about turning the big 1-6 tomorrow?” Maria exaggerated.

“I
mean, I don’t know.” Mercedes shrugged her shoulders, “I’m still not legal
yet.”

“I
know that’s right!” Maria said as she grabbed her drink from the coffee table.

“So
just because your sixteen don’t start thinking you’re grown and will come in
all wee hours of the night.”

“Ma,
I know. Tonight was special though, but it won’t happen again.” Mercedes rolled
her eyes.

“Well
goodnight Ma, I’m going to bed.” Mercedes lied. She wasn’t really tired; she
just wanted to get away from her mother. She didn’t want to have this
conversation with her mother.

“Good
night baby.” They exchanged kisses on the cheek. Maria watched as Mercedes
walked up the spiral stair case. When she got to her room, she took off her
clothes and crawled into the bed. She couldn’t wait until tomorrow; she would
finally be the big sweet sixteen.