Chapter 11
Pilar
“Dre', how sweet of you to call. Yes, thank you. I enjoyed talking to you as well the other night. That was crazy. I still can't believe we talked for so long. Three hours. I've never done that before.”
“Dinner? This weekend? Sure, I would love to. Let's see. Today is Tuesday, and I'm going to be out of town until Sunday. Okay, Sunday, it is.”
“Can't wait, either. Take care.”
With a huge grin on my face, I ended the call on my cell. I just loved, loved, loved it when a plan came together so quickly, smoothly, and most of all, effortlessly. I met Dre' last Friday, and I had predicted I would hear from him by today. He didn't disappoint. Men were so predictable. That was the one thing I loved about them. Beyond that, I couldn't think of too much more.
Unbeknownst to Dre', our meeting at the bar was not accidental, as I'd led him to believe. Mostly everything I did in life had some motive behind it, and our little meeting at the bar was no exception. Even though we had never officially been introduced before our “accidental” hookup, I knew of Dre'. I knew all about him being the best friend and confidant of Xavier Preston. I could barely wait; I was going to have some fun with his ass. By the time I was finished with Dre', he would regret the day he spoke to me and offered to buy drinks.
It was actually quite funny. I have always said that people never realized what creatures of routine they truly were. I had been back in Houston for almost two months now. Luckily for me, I already knew the city pretty well due to my past history. As soon as I was situated in my small apartment, not too far from Xavier's house, I went to work with a vengeance, literally. Step one had been completed; I could check it off my list.
I had found that it also paid to know people who had connections, good and bad ones. Money always talked, and I was fortunate to have a trust fund that enabled me to work only if I desired. For now, I was taking a mini-vacation from freelance writing until I saw my plan through to completion. My contact had supplied me with everything I needed, from a fake license to a birth certificate and a Social Security card. Dre' knew me as Milan. And all my documents backed me up. I chose that name because I thought it sounded exotic and exciting.
God, you had to absolutely love technology. I was able to listen to Xavier's phone calls, access his voice mail, and pretty much keep track of his comings and goings through surveillance equipment with him not having a clue. It didn't take too much for my connection to enter Xavier's home and discreetly place spyware throughout. He had even made a house key for me in the process, had thrown it in as an extra, hadn't charged me a dime.
Xavier thought he was safe with his state-of-the-art security system, trying to keep out the bogeyman. I had learned a long time ago that nothing could keep out the bogeyman if he or
she
really wanted to get in. After the way he portrayed me in his damn movie, he had better look under his bed and in his closet every damn night. By the time I was finished with him, he would have to sleep with a night-light and stash a loaded pistol under his down-filled feather pillow.
I flashed back to how easy it had been to meet Dre'. I had followed him for three weeks, and he didn't even realize it. They never did. It was too easy. I knew where he worked, where he lived, and, of course, where he partied. Between him and Xavier, they were my full-time job, which I took seriously. I pretty much memorized their daily routines, which they rarely varied.
As for Xavier, I had immediate plans to deal with his friend with benefitsâthe slut. The things she let that man do to her. I knew exactly what they did because of the camera in his bedroom. But then again, that was Xavier's MO. He could talk a good game and a woman into doing almost anything for him. As I made the drive to the airport, I couldn't wait to get out to L.A. and handle that bitch. Bailey was her name. Since I had plenty of time before my flight, I wasn't in a hurry to get to the busy airport.
As I drove, my mind quickly slipped back to last Friday at the bar.
“Let me buy that for you. What are you drinking this evening?”
“Cosmo,” I stated, my eyes never leaving his.
“Cool. Bartender, one Cosmo for the lovely lady.”
“Thank you.”
“You are most welcome.”
The bartender mixed the drink and slid it in my direction, and I picked it up to take a long, slow sip from my tiny plastic straw.
“Hmmm. That hits the spot. Just what the doctor ordered,” I sighed.
“Long day?” Dre' asked.
“That's putting it mildly, but I'm happy it's the weekend. I need a few days off to relax and unwind.”
“I was just telling my partner the exact same thing. I work hard during the week, but I live for the weekends.”
“I hear you,” I said and smiled sweetly.
“Why haven't I seen you in here before? I'm pretty much a regular myself,” Dre' said, looking at me curiously.
“I'm new to Houston. Moved here from Charlotte, North Carolina, a few weeks ago.”
“Oh, that explains it, because I knew I would never overlook a gorgeous face like yours.”
I smiled. “Why do you keep staring at me?”
“Something about you feels so familiar, but I can't place my finger on it.”
“Really? I hear that all the time.” I took another sip, glanced around at the small crowd, checking out the different cliques, and looked back at Dre'.
“You have a beautiful smile. You know that?”
“Well, I've been told,” I replied, flirting back.
“What brings you to Houston? Let me guess. Either a man or a job.”
“It's definitely not a man.”
“Why do you say that with such emotion?”
“I got out of a bad relationship a few months ago.”
“Well, we aren't all bad apples.”
“Okay, if you say so.”
“I heard that.”
“I'm a regional sales representative for a pharmaceutical company.”
“That sounds like a cool job to have. I guess you travel quite a bit.”
“You got it. Sometimes too much for my taste, but it comes with the territory. What field are you in?”
“I'm a vice president at one of the local national banks.”
“Sounds intense.”
“It can be. I'm an investment banker.”
“Wow. Impressive.”
“It's a job, nothing special. It pays the bills. Keeps my lights on.”
“Stop being so modest. From the looks of you, you are doing quite well for yourself. You must be quite successful.”
“I'm not going to lie. I'm good at what I do... . I'm one of the best, and being the best has its rewards.”
“I bet it does.”
Â
And just like that, the conversation took off at lightning speed. I was surprised at how comfortable I felt talking with Dre', and before we realized it, they were locking the doors for the night and literally putting us out. Dre' walked me to my car, arm in arm, and we exchanged phone numbers. Well, I gave him my number. Didn't need his, because I knew I would hear from him again before the week was over. He delivered and didn't disappoint. I could scratch that task off my to-do list.
Chapter 12
Dre'
I disconnected the call and pumped my fist in the air twice for good measure. Like in the old-school Ice Cube song, today was a good day. I was close to signing a new client at the bank, and now, as icing on the cake, Milan had agreed to have dinner with me.
I couldn't stop cheesing, and for some unknown reason, I felt a strong desire to share my good fortune with someone. Xavier immediately came to mind.
I glanced at my watch. It was almost four o'clock, and I knew he had this thing about people calling him when he was writing, but hell, I had to share my news before I burst. I was like a fat kid with cake. It had been a long time since a woman made an impression on me. Usually they were a dime a dozen.
The phone rang and rang, and I was getting ready to hang up when Xavier finally picked up.
“What's up, man?” I asked. “I didn't catch you at a bad time, did I?”
“No, if that's a translation for âAm I'm writing?' then the answer is that I'm not. I kicked off early today.”
“Good for you.”
“Why? What's up?”
“Nothing much.”
“Dre', man, what's going on? You have never called me in the middle of the day to say hello.”
“Okay, you got me. I met this chick.”
“And you meet women all the time. We both do.”
“This one is different.”
“That's what you said about your last two ex-wives.”
“Oh, you got jokes today?”
Xavier chuckled. “I'm just saying. Okay, Dre', what makes this woman so special? Educate me.”
“I can't explain it myself, but I get this feeling about her when we talk. She's different.”
“If you say so, man. Where did you meet her?”
“At the bar. I'm taking her out to dinner Sunday, and I'm really looking forward to it.”
“Hmmm.”
“Man, you should see her. She's beautiful, with medium-length brown hair, gorgeous eyes, pretty brown skin, and a gorgeous smile. And she has a body to complement it all off.”
“You just described a lot of women in Houston.”
“Don't rain on my parade.”
“You are so serious about this chick you just met a minute ago that you'll get an attitude with me?” Xavier kidded.
“I simply want to see where it will go. I'm not trying to make her wifey number three, or no shit like that. Like I said, we talked for hours and hours, really connected, and that hasn't happened in quite a while. You know me, man. Twenty minutes after meeting a woman, I'm ready to take her back to the crib, knock some boots, and then lose her number.”
“I hear you. Just slow your roll, player. Okay? That's all I'm saying.”
“I will.”
Xavier was silent for a few seconds, as if allowing his advice to sink in.
“I'm listening. I hear you, my brotha,” I volunteered.
If only I had really been listening.
Chapter 13
Xavier
“Babe, I've missed you so much. Tell me, did you miss me?” she whispered seductively in my ear as she gently caressed my cheek with her delicate, warm hand. Her touch was light as a feather, and her scent was intoxicating to my senses. She had my head spinning.
“But no, you had to go and fuck it all up! I hate your ass so much,” she screamed, looking like a raving lunatic as she held the twelve-inch butcher knife high over her head in a threatening gesture.
“No! No, stop!” I screamed just as the tip of the shiny steel blade penetrated my heart and the first glimmer of blood appeared. I looked on in shock, unable to move.
Then I fell off the sofa, to the carpeted floor below, my piercing screams succeeding in jolting me fully awake. Sweat was pouring off me like I had stepped out of a sauna.
I pulled myself up, rested my back against the sofa, ecstatic to realize it was all a dream. I had fallen asleep and had had one of my crazy nightmares about Pilar. Damn, I couldn't get that chick out of my head. It was like she had a viselike grip on my brain and refused to let go. If anything, she had dug in deeper with her clawlike tendons. I didn't know what was wrong with me. Maybe Dre' was right. Maybe I did need to seek professional counseling. Maybe I couldn't handle it on my own.
What caused me the most frustration was that she was still out there, and I didn't know where. I hoped and prayed Pilar had moved on with her pathetic life, without me, but I didn't know for sure, and that scared me shitless. I knew it sounded absolutely crazy, but sometimes I could sense her. I'd turn and look behind me, but of course, she wouldn't be there.
No, I hadn't heard a peep from her since the e-mail she sent me over a year ago. However, I got the distinct impression that Pilar was very good at waiting. Plus, I had done my research, and I knew they, stalkers, could return and start the stalking all over again. The statistics were not in my favor.
It was late Saturday afternoon, and I had pretty much not done a damn thing most of the day. Sometimes, lately, all I wanted to do was sleep. Even in sleep, I wasn't always guaranteed peace. Pilar interrupted that, too, lately more and more often. Even out of my life, she was still stealing my joy.
I slowly walked into the kitchen and opened my stainless steel refrigerator, looked around at my choices, and retrieved the orange juice carton from the back. The bright orange carton was half full, and I made a mental note to pick up more. After pouring myself a cold glass and gulping it down in three swallows, I picked up my cell phone, which was lying on the countertop, on silent. A quick glance told me I had missed two calls and I had two messages, both from Bailey.
“Hey, sweetie. Check your e-mail. I forwarded you my flight itinerary. Can't wait to see you again.”
I checked the second message.
“Call me later? Why do I always ask that question when I know you won't? Sometimes I can relate to Pilar from your movie, because it is hard loving someone when they won't or can't love you back. Well, I'm off for my jog.”
“What the hell? What did love have to do with anything? Love shouldn't even be in the same sentence with my name and hers.”
I had made up my mind that, after Bailey's next visit, I was going to cut off all contact with her. It was for her own good. She couldn't seem to comprehend what I had been telling her from the very beginning. And what was up with all that shit about identifying with Pilar? Had she lost her fucking mind?
Don't step to me with that drama.
That definitely wouldn't give her any brownie points in my book.
I know most would ask why I would wait until after her visit to cut all ties. I admit it. I'm a dog, still trying to become a reformed one. Bailey had some sweet pussy that I wanted to hit a few more times for old times' sake.
As for Dre', I couldn't wait to meet the woman who had him talking like a Hallmark greeting card. Little did I know, she was about to play God in both our lives.
“This is going to be your room,” the aunt said excitedly, stepping aside so that the quiet and shy girl could enter and take a look around. “Don't be afraid. Come in, baby.”
The girl slowly entered the pink and white bedroom and did a quick sweep of it with her lowered eyes. Her facial expressions didn't reveal if she liked it or not.
“I hope you like it. I wasn't sure if pink was one of your favorite colors,” the aunt said, patiently waiting for an answer. “I think most girls love the color pink.”
“Yes, ma'am,” the girl said, never taking her eyes from the floor or wall or wherever, never making direct eye contact with the aunt.
“I know it's a little bare in here, but I figured you and I could go on a huge shopping spree and shop until we drop. You can pick out whatever you like to make this room all yours. We'll even get you one of those signs to hang on the door that states, âKnock before you enter.'”
The aunt thought for just a second that she had glimpsed a small smile, almost unnoticeable. The entire time she had been trying to gain custody of her niece, she had never seen her smile. And what a beautiful smile she had.
The aunt walked over to the window and opened the curtains. “Let's get some sunshine up in here,” she said, sitting on the edge of the full-sized bed. The aunt patted the bed beside where she sat. “Baby, come here and give me a hug. I am so happy to have you here. I love you so much. You do know that, don't you?”
The girl nodded her head.
“I know you have been through a lot over the years in your short life with my crazy-ass sister, but you are safe now. Okay?”
“Okay,” the girl barely whispered.
“No one will hurt you again. I've never had any children of my own, and I always wanted a beautiful girl just like you.”
There wasn't a response.
“Pilar? Please look at me,” the aunt said with a warm smile.
The girl slowly looked up with big, innocent, but sad eyes, which were void of any light or joy. Her eyes revealed sadness and knowing beyond her years.
“Now that your mama is in jail and will be for a while, I pray she'll finally get some much-needed help, but I want you to know you can come to me for anything. I will never let anyone or anything hurt you ever again. I promise, and I'll take that to my grave.” The aunt had spoken with the caseworker and had discovered the details of the file with a sense of horror and shame. Information was disclosed that had literally made her sick to her stomach. She'd barely made it to the restroom before losing her lunch. That was weeks ago.
“Okay,” the girl said, with more conviction this time.
The aunt with the easy smile and loving heart pulled the girl to her for another big, comforting hug. Many more would follow during their time together. Her hugs would be like the treasure at the end of a rainbow.
For the first time in her life, the girl felt safe and protected. She would experience the feeling of love, unconditional love, and she would thrive. Her eyes would take on a bright light, and her soul would flourish. However, a few years later, death's hand would steal it all away like a thief in the night. From that she would learn a valuable life lesson, that love is fleeting and you have to hold on to it as tight as you can, while you can.