Trife Life To Lavish (A King Production Presents...) (26 page)

They say it's a thin line between love and hate, but
I believe the line just becomes blurry, depending
on whether the person in your life is bringing you
joy or pain. But, sometimes the love and hate can
be so equally powerful they become one in the
same. That's when you know you're sprung, and
there is no coming back from that.

"Tierra, this crib is official, and the view is
beautiful!" Nichelle said, standing in front of the
huge bay window in Tierra's bedroom.

"Yeah, it's hot! I'm so fuckin' happy to be out
my mom's crib and back to ballin' like I'm supposed
to be."

"How long is this house-sitting job supposed
to last?"

"I know the lease is paid up for the first year. Hopefully, by the time it's up, my shit will be so
lovely, that how I'ma pay for the next year won't
even be a stress for me."

"So, who is this new guy that got you living so
good-rent paid up, nice ass furniture, cute drop top
BMW? All this shit seemed to have fallen from the
sky. Is it that guy you met at the bowling alley a few
months back? Did you hit the jackpot wit' him?"

"Yep, it's him."

"So, if he's checkin' for you like this, why
don't he just move you in wit' him? It would be
much cheaper."

"He's married. And you know wit' them types,
I always tax them higher."

"Tierra, don't you ever wanna settle down
and-"

"And what, get married? Hell no! These niggas
out here ain't shit! And the reason why I know is
`cause I ain't shit neither, and we be out here not
being shit together!"

"Girl, you are a straight fool. Always have been,
and I've pretty much accepted you always will be."

"Not foolish, logical. I give you a few more
years and you'll be logical like me too."

"Whatever. I want to stay just like I am now,
in love."

"That didn't take long. But then, we are talkin'
about Renny. I'm hardly surprised."

Nichelle blushed. It had only been a couple of months since the first time they made love, and
Nichelle had been floating on clouds ever since.
She breathed, slept and ate Renny. He consumed
her every thought and move. Everything she did
was to please him. Her days consisted of going to
school and coming home, waiting for Renny.

The only reason she decided to chill with
Tierra was because Renny had to go out of town
for a day. Missing him had her in such a slump,
she thought being around Tierra would cheer her
up. It was helping, but she was counting down the
minutes, waiting for him to return. "I never thought
I could be this happy."

"Humm, if I'm not mistaken, you were so in
love wit' Carmelo," Tierra reminded her.

"I realize now that was puppy love. He never
had me open like Renny does."

"Oh, so you are aware that dude got you sprung."

"It's that obvious?"

"Pretty much. I am happy for you, Nichelle.
But be careful. Renny is a thoroughbred. His kind
is damn near extinct. I would be afraid to fuck wit'
a nigga like that... and we know how I gets down."

"Hold up, that's him calling now. Hey, baby!"

"I called the house and you weren't there.
Where are you?"

"At Tierra's. I was missing you and I didn't
wanna be alone."

"That's cool."

"When are you coming home? I hate when
you're gone."

Tierra wanted to vomit, listening to how
mushy Nichelle was being. She didn't know whether
to laugh or cry over how far gone Nichelle was.

"I'll be back late tonight, but I have to leave
tomorrow again and go to Philly."

"Baby, you leaving me again?" Nichelle was
trying not to whine but she couldn't help herself.

"I tell you what. You can come with me."

Nichelle's face instantly lit up.

"During the day, I'll be handling a lot of business.
Bring Tierra so she can keep you company."

"Okay, I'll ask if she wants to come. Thanks,
baby. I'll see you tonight."

"He's off the phone, so you can take that
smile off your face," Tierra groaned.

"Shut up! But listen, can you go to Philly
tomorrow morning? Renny has to handle some
business there all day, so he suggested I ask you to
come and keep me company."

"Now I'm your babysitter?"

"It'll be fun."

"I'm kiddin'. I'm down."

"It's so nice that Renny is cool with our
friendship. Carmelo didn't even want you coming
through the front door. That shit was so stressful.
Now my best friend and my man is cool ...I like
that."

"Yeah, Renny ain't a bad nigga. My only
concern is you. But if he's making you happy, then
fuck it, that's all that matters."

When Nichelle woke up in the morning, the
first thing she did was turn around to see if Renny
was beside her, and to her relief, he was. She had
tried to stay up, waiting for him to come home, but
eventually fell asleep. She wanted to wake him,
craving to feel him inside of her, but he looked
peaceful, so she opted not to.

"I'm starving," she said out loud as she headed
to the kitchen. When she opened the refrigerator,
there was nothing but the leftover Chinese food she
had last night. "Mickey D's still serving breakfast.
I'ma go get me something before we head to Philly,"
she continued, closing the refrigerator door.

Nichelle threw on some jeans and a light
sweater. She then grabbed her wallet and house
keys, but was confused when she didn't see her
car key. Normally she would lay them both on the
kitchen counter next to each other. After searching
everywhere she thought they could be, she grabbed
the keys to one of Renny's cars and went to the
garage. Although she figured it was highly unlikely,
she was going to peek inside her car to see if she left the key inside.

"What the fuck! Where is my car? I know I
parked it right here." Nichelle frantically searched
for her car, feeling as if she was losing her mind.

She got back on the elevator and went
upstairs. "Renny, wake up...wake up, baby!" she
called out, shaking Renny out of his sleep.

"Babe, what is it?" he mumbled, turning
around, wanting to go back to sleep.

"Baby, my key is missing and my car is gone!
Somebody must'a come in here and stole it! But
when? And what we gon' do?"

"We can talk about it when I get up. I'm tired.
I just got in a couple hours ago."

"Renny, are you not hearin' what I'm sayin'?
Somebody broke in here!"

"Didn't nobody break into shit."

"Then where the fuck is my car?"

"I sold it," Renny stated casually, putting the
pillow over his face, determined to get his sleep on.

"What! You sold it, why? Why would you do
some shit like that? I loved that car, and it was a gift
from Carmelo!"

Renny slowly moved the pillow from over
his face, and slightly lifted his upper body up to
face Nichelle. "What did you say?" His voice was
steady and even.

Nichelle lowered her tone as if realizing who
she was talking to. "I don't understand why you sold my car. You didn't even ask me."

The speed in which Renny reached out and
seized Nichelle's arm made her legs buckle and fall
down to her knees. "First of all, I told you to never
mention Carmelo's name again."

Nichelle swallowed hard, stunned by the fury
she could see on Renny's face.

"Second, I don't have to ask you to do
anything. I don't want my woman driving around
in a car that another man bought her. I should'a
been got rid of that shit, but business has been too
hectic for me to get around to it."

"I'm sorry," Nichelle whispered in a shivering
voice. Renny's grip on Nichelle was so commanding,
she couldn't even move.

"When I get some time, you can order a
new car, but until then you can drive one of mine,
except for the Maserati."

Nichelle nodded her head, not disputing any
of what Renny said. But there was no need for him
to mention the Maserati. He had already made it
known that was his baby, and nobody could drive
it but him. "Over there on the dresser you'll see
your checking account information. I deposited
the money from the sale of the car into your new
account. You need to learn how to pay bills and
balance money."

"Okay."

"Nichelle, don't ever raise your voice at me unless you willing to back it up. Understood?"

"Yes. I'm sorry, baby."

Renny freed Nichelle's arm and laid down to
go back to sleep like nothing happened.

The quick, less than two-hour drive to Philly
seemed like an eternity, with the lack of conversation
and the dark cloud looming in the car. Tierra didn't
know what the fuck was going on, but from the time
Renny and Nichelle picked her up, nobody had more
than a few words to say.

Damn, I know this nigga gotta Range or some type of
truck. Why in the hell did he have to drive this Maserati? This
shit sweet as a motherfucker, but I'm cramped like hell back here.
Shit, I can't wait to get to Philly and get out this car, 'cause this
shit is not comfortable, Tierra thought to herself, eyeing
Renny and Nichelle, who both seemed to be in
their own misery.

"Renny, how much longer?" Tierra wanted to
know.

"Another fifteen minutes."

"Baby, I was thinking maybe we could go
out to dinner tonight, after you finished handling
your business, of course." Since Tierra was able
to get somewhat of a full sentence out of Renny,
Nichelle used the opportunity to open up dialogue between them.

"We're gonna have dinner at my cousin's crib,"
Renny stated, not giving Nichelle any real rhythm.

Tierra was dying to find out what drama
jumped off that had the `hood's royal couple at
odds. She sat back, anxiously waiting for them to
reach their destination.

Around twenty minutes later, Renny pulled
up on the corner of 18th Street and the Parkway, to
the Embassy Suites in Center City. He got out of the
car not saying a word, and walked into the lobby
of the hotel.

"Yo, what the fuck is going on between you and
Renny?" Tierra couldn't hold her tongue any longer.

"I don't wanna talk about it." Nichelle's voice
sounded like death had hit her.

"What you mean?" Tierra crossed her arms,
like you better come with more than that.

"I mean, I don't want to talk about it. I fucked
up, and Renny's pissed at me."

"What did you do?"

Nichelle shrugged her shoulders, not wanting
to get into the details of what happened. All she
wanted was for Renny to stop being mad at her. The
silent treatment he was flipping in her direction had
her on edge.

"I'll tell you when we get to the room." She
decided to fill Tierra in, thinking she could give her
some advice on how to make it right.

"Cool, that works, because here come Renny
now."

Nichelle looked up and Renny was walking
towards the car with the same distant aura he had
when he left. He opened the car door and handed
Tierra a room key, and then one to Nichelle. "Your
rooms are right next to each other," he said, without
making any eye contact.