-2 days later

Mariah

"So we had an excellent first month y'all!" I exclaimed as I closed my beauty bar for the day

The girls replied with cheerful energy and scattered claps.

When I graduated college, I had the intentions of becoming an accountant, and I was for 4 years.
I hated it.
So I followed my heart and decided to open a beauty bar. Dorian helped fund most of it. Even though we aren't together he still helps whenever I need it.

"I'm so appreciative of y'all, really and truly." I continued talking

"Awww" one worker said

"We appreciate you too, boss lady!" Another said

"Y'all gone make me cry. You know I'm emotional." I chuckled, fanning the tears away before they fell "But seriously, thank y'all and keep up the good work. And tonight, we drink! Y'all meet me at Privilege over on Court St, first round is on me."

*

FNF By Glorilla blasted throughout the club as I danced with the girls from the beauty bar. Tonight is really a vibe.
Skylar's with Dorian, my shop is doing great, I'm tipsy.
What Gloria Hallelujah say?

"Anyways life's great, pussy still good!" I rapped out loud

"Still eating cake, wishing that a bitch would!" One of the girls continued

"Long time no see" A male voice said in my ear

I turned around with a mug, but I relaxed my face after seeing who it was.

"Tyler." My smile spread

"Let's go someplace quieter." He said in my ear

I nodded and he grabbed my hand.

"Ouuu, I see you boss lady!" I heard one of the girls say

I looked back, trying to hide my smirk before Tyler lead me through the crowd. We approached a quiet corner and he motioned for me to sit down.

"Tyler Scott" I said while sitting down

(Tyler. Yes him lmaoo)

"Mariah Thompson." He mocked my tone and sat beside me "Did I hear one of them call you boss lady?"

"Yes. I own a beauty bar now." I took a sip of my Long Island

"So you finally opened Luxur." He emphasized

I chuckled "Yes."

"You always said you would, I'm proud of you and for you" He smiled, raising his glass to mine

I met him halfway and we shared a toast "Thank you. So what brings you here tonight?"

He deeply chuckled "I just got promoted and the old crew wanted to congratulate me."

If you haven't figured it out by now, Tyler is the coworker I was unintentionally flirting with when Dorian and I were together.

"Congratulations. I remember you wanting that promotion so bad."

"Yeah, you know what I want, I get." He looked in my eyes and I felt my panties get moist
"Speaking of, you still with uh- what's his name?"

Oop, shadyyy.

"No we aren't together anymore."

I would tell him that Dorian is now my baby daddy, but that's none of his business at the moment.

"Can I be honest?"

"Please." I played with my straw

"That's the best news I've heard in a long time." He grinned

I blushed "You a trip."

"Seriously. You know how bad I wanted you. But I was trying to be respectful of your relationship."

"Mm. Well I'm single now." I poked the inside of my jaw with my tongue

"So you should give me your number and let's reconnect, beautiful."

I smirked, holding my hand out for his phone. He eagerly handed it over and I put my number in then handed it back to him.

"I should get back to my people." I stood up

He did the same "Yeah, me too. I'll definitely be hitting you up soon." He licked his lips while lustfully gazing at me

"Mhm. It was good seeing you." I gave him a side hug

"You too, Ry." He pulled me closer for a full hug, wrapping his arms around my waist

The smell of his cologne and the feeling of his body against mine had me wanting to hump his leg right there.
But I don't want to look like I've been celibate for almost two years. Even though I definitely have been, which is sort of killing me.

Dorian Jones

"Please don't kill me DJ!" The guy cried as blood gushed from his lip and I poured gasoline on him before sitting the empty container by his tied feet

"You been tryna' steal money from me." I pulled my gun from my waistband

"Come on, DJ. Please man we go back since grade school." He begged, trying to free his wrists which were also tied

I chuckled "And I neva' liked you." I said before firing a shot right between his eyes, silencing his begging

I put my gun back in my waistband then pulled my blunt from behind my ear and a pack of matches from my pocket. I struck one match and lit my blunt, then while it was still aflame I tossed it on his dead body.

I took a drag from the blunt before holding it between my lips while I took off my black latex gloves and tossed them in the flames. I watched as the fire decomposed of his body and the smell of burnt flesh filled my nose.

I've been in this game since I was 15, ain't nothing I haven't seen. Do I like it?
Hell yeah. I got money, power, and respect. The main three things you need to last.

After watching his body burn until the fire went out, I left the secluded area.
I like to make sure there's no trace of anything left behind so I do all my killing by myself in a place no one knows about.

*

"Thanks for watching her." I entered my mom's house

(Dorian's mom: Joyce)

"Mhm. Remember she's your child. I done raised all my babies." She paused the tv

"You don't never give Mariah this lecture when she asks you to babysit."

"Mariah don't ask me to babysit at 1 in the morning."

"I had some business to take care of."

"That's not business Dorian."

"Here we go." I sighed, sitting down

"I don't want you to end up dead or in jail son. The game killed yo' father."

"He was sloppy Ma and he definitely won't making the typa' money I'm making." I chuckled

"Doesn't matter. This life you living gone catch up with you."

"Ok." I nodded, not tryna' hear that "Where Sky at?"

She shook her head, pointing to the video monitor "She's sleep, you might as well let her stay overnight and just get her in the morning."

"Alright, I'll be back to get her. Love you." I pecked my mom's cheek

"Mhm, love you too."

After leaving my mom's house, I headed home. Soon as I entered my bedroom, my homegirl Tiara was ready to argue.

"You were out late." She glared at me

(Tiara)

"Ti, I really don't feel like arguing wit' you tonight." I took my jacket off

"That's too damn bad. I been sitting here calling you all night."

"Don't know why." I shrugged

For some reason, she's under the impression that we're a couple. She's one of my workers but we started messing with each other a while ago. I cheated on Mariah with her. Which is something I'm not proud of at all, but shit happens.

Her house caught on fire a few months ago and I let her move in with me until she get back on her feet. I never once told her we were together.

"Because I was worried, where were you?" She followed me in my closet

"Out." I began taking my shoes and clothes off

"Out doing what?"

I ignored her as I examined my stuff to make sure it didn't have blood on it, but it was a clean shot so my clothes were spotless.

"DJ." She stood in front of me

I groaned in annoyance "Tiara, leave me the hell alone." I put my clothes in the hamper

"I'm sorry...I don't mean to be worrisome I just care about you." She rubbed my chest

"I don't feel like fuckin' tonight." I moved her off me

"Then just let me make you feel good." She dropped to her knees and tried to pull my briefs down

"Nah. I'm good." I swatted her hands away

"Hmph." She got up and stormed out

She think sex the answer to every damn thing. The bitch is honestly worrisome, but she one of my best dealers so I tolerate her. But soon and very soon, shorty gone have to find her own spot.

The first chapter is doing amazing so far! So here's a little sum sum until Wednesday.

-Carlisha ❤️