#urbanff

Another hot day in New York meant nothing when you were hidden away in a tall building with great central air. Unfortunately we were down on our luck with the unit so it forced a great deal of the office to open windows and bring fans from their home. Naturally my office would be one of the few to get hit with bad luck. 

"Why am I working in this shit hole again?" I asked myself as I scanned through events and memos that Aiko, my assistant, typed in my planner. 

"Because you get paid top dollar to bring and deflect attention from the people you're looking at in your agenda." Aiko busted through my door with no regard.

My eyes cut into slits at her rude ass, because she knew it annoyed me to no end when she invited herself into my office without approval. Her hands flew in the air to beg for forgiveness. "Girl you know I don't know how to act right." 

I flashed her a smile to let her know all was well. I had more pressing things to take care of at the moment. I continued to look down at the meetings I had in line. "Aiko. I told you that I wanted my meetings scheduled 30 minutes apart from each other. When are you going to do the schedule the way I like it and not the way you want it to be?" My brows furrowed at the thought of having to crunch my prep time. I loved being prepared for any and every event of my life.

She sat down in the chair that sat adjacent to the desk. I could feel her eyes burning holes through thee top of my head. "I told you that I work on what makes the client happy. I thought you would get the picture since they are paying your bills."

"Well if you keep up with working on your own rules, unemployment will cover a portion of your shit too. I know you don't feel like giving up those bonuses and fine jewelry you rock everyday to the office."

An invitation was slid across the desk. The script writing and embroidered detailing caught my attention. I peeled the seal back to reveal the contents stored inside. I eyed Aiko before shaking my head. "Leo think he's too good to pass invites to his colleagues? That's cute." I joked with her.

"Girl you know he wants to dip his berries in your chocolate."

"Hey. Now you're being messy. I already let you drop the white girl act around me as you like. I won't have none of that ghetto rat mess." I retorted.

"Mhm. Well I'm taking my lunch. Do you want anything? Aiko asked as she dug around in her purse.

"No thank you. I brought plenty from home."

"Suit yourself boss," she pushed herself from the seat and began to make a beeline for the door. "I'm tearing through to the next hot donuts sign I see."

As much as I enjoyed Aiko being around, I loved the quiet that came when she went to take her lunch. With her out of my way. I pulled checked emails that were left unanswered when I went to my trip to Vegas. I was out to help my latest client out with the release of her new clothing line. That and to help route questions back to the task at hand since she managed to land herself in jail for drinking and driving two weeks prior. Things like these became easy.

My attention was pulled away by the knocking on the other side of the door. I hid all things client related since I hated having my peers look into what I had planned. "Come in."

I tucked away the smile that wanted to spread across my chocolate features when Leo pushed past the doors. I didn't have one eye for white men, but he put them on the radar for me. "What brings you in here on a hot August day?"

He locked the door behind himself. One button after the other became undone as he fought to rip his shirt off. "I was wondering what it was going to take for me to convince you to come to my engagement party." 

I watched him hang his shirt over the back of the chair before closing space in on us. The smell of his Armani scent made me want him closer. 

The fact that he was marrying his high school sweet heart had not made me bat one eye when he walked into my office for a brief session. A great deal of our career together had been signed with a kiss. My hard work got me noticed, but my sex landed me partner.

"I hope you weren't coming in here thinking you were going to do two thrusts and a goodbye." I pointed to his shirt. "My assistant will be back in 10 minutes. Why don't you come back when you can put your show me your new big boy moves you've been practicing on wifey to be." 

Leo snatched his shirt up. "Fuck you." He fought to get his shirt and coat back on without looking too disheveled. "You think you got too big to do favors now that you have partner?"

I rolled my eyes. "As a matter of fact yes. Are you trying to say something, Leo?"

"Don't get too big for your Hermes dress. There can always be another partner."

I was accomplished. Not only did I have the job that I wanted by 34, but I had the life that most people desired. Yeah, hard work and student loans played a great bit in determining how far I was really going to take this dream. However, the damage--sorry--the fine tuning I did when my Versace pumps stepped foot on Christian & Brooks Firm spoke volumes. The first year, I snaked my way into helping fix Rihanna's 'domestic dispute'.  The taste that was left from success couldn't be sated with nothing other than an unending supply of power that started an upward trip for me.

*next day*

Josh came home at about 6 and knocked on the floor in the living room.  I woke up at 10 to Alana putting  frozen waffles in the toaster for us.

“Morning” she said smiling.

“Morning” I said back “You cooking for us aww” I said messing with her

“Shut up. Y’all don’t even have any real food. Shame” She said chuckling.

“It’s that college life haha” I said.

“Wassup “ Josh said walking in he looked tired as hell.

“Hey” Alana said while Josh gave her a hug

“Sup nigga “ I said while he dapped me up. “You still wanna ball today?”

“Yea. We needa bust some ass” He said laughing

She smiled. After we finished eating we headed out to the park in my car. Katrina’s dorm wasn’t far from here so she walked.  I saw her approaching us while we got out of the car.

“That’s her?” Alana whispered in my ear

“Yea”

“mmm” She said stank like.

“Yo be nice .” I said smiling.

I introduced her to Alana and they went to sit in near by bleachers.

Alana pov

This girl was gorgeous, but that’s all nothing on the inside. She was dumb as hell. Not saying dumb people don’t need love, but Maine loved basketball she knew nothing about the game.  He’s smart too I don’t get that from her. Why is he even thinking about getting with her. I don’t understand

“So you know my Jermaine well?” She asked while smirking

My Jermaine. Bitch please. “Yea I do. Him and Josh been best friends since they were freshmen.” I faked smiled back.

“aww that’s cute.” She replied. “He’s an up and coming rapper right?”

“Yea. He’s actually really good.” I said

“Oh really?” She said making a suspicious face. Dollar signs practically jumped out of her eyes.

“yea…” I trailed off when I saw Josh coming.

“Hey I gotta go to work for a few hours I’m getting a ride with my boy. Be good.” He said while hugged me and kissed me on my cheek and nodded at Katrina.

“Can J take me to my hotel to get my bag? I need to  change out of your sweats.” I said laughing

He laughed too “Of course, just ask him.” Then he left.

“Can I come with you guys?” Katrina asked

I mentally rolled my eyes. “Yea I don’t mind, I’m sure Jermaine doesn’t either.” I smiled

After about 10 minutes they were finally done balling. Jermaine walked over  looking very excited caused he had a good game

“Man you saw me out there? Crossing niggas up?” Jermaine said so hype.

“Yea! Getting buckets.” I replied. Katrina looked so lost. Jermaine and I looked at eachother and laughed.

“What?” She asked in that annoying flirty girl voice.

“nothing” Jermaine said shaking his head.

“Can you take me to my hotel to get my bag? I can’t go around in my brother’s sweats the whole weekend?” I asked

“Yea for sure baby girl” He said

He called basically everyone baby girl, but when he called me that I felt special. I could tell Katrina was eyeing us. He acknowledged her.

“Wassup baby?” He said while giving her a big hug grabbing her waist right above her butt.

“Nothing my little rapper”, she said giggling. “You wanna go do something?” She said biting her lip and stroking his chin. Ew. I enjoyed people being in relationships, but I saw right through her.

He gave her a funny look. “I can’t.” He said smiling at me. I smiled back snapping out of my thoughts.

She gave him a stank look. “She’s grown” She said sharply

I wanted to say something but I bit my tongue. “Yea I know, but I wanna chill with her” He replied honestly

“Whatever.” She replied

“Aw don’t be mad baby I’ll hit you up later” He said kissing her cheek. I said goodbye to her as sincerely as I could and then we got in the car. He took me to the hotel where the rest of my friends were staying. My plan was to come see Josh today, but that plan got messed up.  I went up to the room and took a shower, got dressed and did my hair. Jermaine stayed in the car he said he just wanted to chill. I took about 45 minutes.

Jermaine pov

Alana and Katrina didn’t seem to kick it off. I know Alana was probably sweet like she always is, but I feel Katrina was jealous I don’t know why I didn’t give her any reason to catch feelings. I mean sure I hit it a few times, but we kept it as that. I just need someone to talk to someone who could get me back on track. 

Alana came down dressed in a pretty casual outfit. I was gonna go home and shower too we would probably just chill like last night until Josh came at 3 or even later cause his boss never let him out early.

“Hey, sorry I took long” She said

“Long? You wasn’t long at all”

She smiled at me.  It was 1 so Josh would be back soon, so she could finally have some time with her brother. I could tell she really loved him and he loved her and would do anything to protect her.

“So you liked her?” I asked curiously

She paused a moment which mad me chuckle. “What? I didn’t even say anything.” She said laughing.

“the look on your face said it all.” I laughed harder.

“Well it’s not that I didn’t like her, she just seems fake. Y’know?”

“Josh said the same thing, but I think I really like her.” I said

“Well it’s your relationship, but I didn’t get the right vibe from her.” She said.

“I understand. I just gotta talk to her.”

 She smiled. We pulled up to my dorm and went in. I hopped in the shower while she stayed in the living room section. When I turned the water off I heard her on the phone with someone. I got dressed and walked out she quickly hung up on whoever she was talking to.

“Who was that?” I asked while walking to sit opposite to her on the couch.

“No one” She said blushing.

“Mhmm what boys heart you breaking now?”

“All of em” She said confidently

I laughed, “You funny”

Raquel’s POV.

Today was my very first photo shoot and I haven’t heard from Marcus all day. So much for support huh?

*phone rings*

Raquel: Hello?

Marcus: Baby it’s me. Listen, we have a game coming up and I won’t be home at all tonight. Gotta stay for practice.

Raquel: Mhmm, okay Marcus. You missed my photo shoot today.

Marcus: That was today? *sighs* my fault baby I’ll make the next one I promise..

Raquel: Whatever. I’ll see you tomorrow I guess.

Marcus: Alright baby, I love you iight?

Raquel: Bye Marcus.

*hangs up*

Jermaine pov

I walked to the VIP with Mya and Shayna on each side of me. I was gonna introduce them to Derrick but he was in his zone grinding with some girl. “Is that Derrick Johnson?” Mya asked. I answered “ Yea, Yea he’s my roommate.” I wonder who that girl is, never seen her around campus before. I would’ve remembered her. The song that was playing ended and I saw her face.  Is that Alana? I thought to myself . I ran up to grab her before Josh saw her cause I knew he would flip. She was only a year younger than us but he hated her acting “grown”.

“Alana come with me right now” I whispered in her ear. She looked at me like a had 5 heads.

“Yo what the fuck you doin? Shes mine” Derrick said.

Alana replied “ I’m not yours. I don’t even know you nigga.” She said giving him a stank face. I took her to the hall where the restrooms are.

  “ What the hell are you doing here?! How did you even get in?!”  I asked.

 “Im on a college tour, I told Josh I was coming tomorrow, but there was a change of plans” she answered smiling trying to lighten the mood. I wanted to smile too, but no I had to get her out of here.I handed her my keys

 “Here go to my car it’s out in front. I gotta take you home before Josh sees you here.” I walked back to the VIp section.

 Derrick mugged me “What the fuck was that J? How you gonna take my bitch like that?” he spat.

 “Nigga calm down. You know who the fuck that was? Josh’s little sister and she’s not a bitch” I responded. 

“Shit” I heard him mumble.

“Don’t tell him, he’ll beat her,yours, and my ass.” He nodded his head in agreement.  “I’m bout to take her to our dorm she was staying here the weekend anyway” Derrick was leaving tomorrow morning for a game. He barely stayed at our dorm anyway since it was basketball season.

“iight “ he said. As soon as I turned around I heard Josh

 “ YOOOOOO J where you think you going?”

“To handle some business” I said.

“Oh I get it” He smirked hard as hell. He was tipsy I could tell. I played along

“She bad like a straight 10 nigga and she waiting for me” I said while walking away.

“My nigga” I heard him say. 

I walked to the car. Why would Alana come here like she knows she’s in her brothers college city. Wouldn’t she think he would be at a party? Well he did tell her he was sick which he was getting over, so she probably thought he wouldn’t go out. I walked out to the car and hopped in. She was on her phone texting I stared at her.

“what ?” She asked casually

“What you mean what? You sneak into clubs, dance with fuck niggas, and almost sleep with them. You tell me what.” I tried to say this not sounding like Josh or her father but damn.

She sighed. “I wasn’t gonna sleep with him. Im not that fast.”

“You’re not fast at all” I mumbled “Who you texting?” I asked sternly.

“The girls.  they still in the club, I had to explain where I am” she replied

“Oh ight…Why you hanging with them anyways?” Those girls were nothing but trouble. I knew she talked to them, but I didn’t think enough to come with them to New York.

“They cool man. I mean I know they got their problems,but I don’t feed into it”

I nodded at her “good….Im taking you to our dorm.”

“What you gonna tell Josh?”

“That your friends wanted to go out and you stayed in cause you’re a good girl and you wanted to surprise him, so I unlocked our dorm for you”

She laughed “Alright Jermaine.”

We pulled off. Silence filled the car. It wasn’t awkward silence just neither of us felt like talking silence. I turned the radio up.

“thank you…” I heard her mumble.

“No problem. Just don’t do no shit like this again.”

When we got to my dorm she took off her heels and went to Josh’s dresser to find shorts and a tshirt to change into. I sat on our couch while she did so.

“Is he coming back tonight?” She asked while coming out of the bathroom.

“Nah I don’t think so he said he got two bad girls who he gonna bang the f-“ I stopped I forgot I was talking to Alana about her brother.  “Let’s just say he’s not coming.” I chuckled.

She side eyed me. “Well what are we gonna do?”

“I don’t know you wanna watch a movie or something?”

“Sure what you wanna watch?”

“I don’t know” I pulled up Netflix.

Alana pov

Text from Kiara

Where the hell you at? You went with that fine lightskin? Go head girl give it to him good. We going to a after-party at the frat house.

This girl is crazy. I am not a hoe and did she not recognize it was Jermaine?

Nah Im at my brothers dorm. Ima stay here. I’ll get my stuff tomorrow. Have fun J

Sent to Kiara

Jermaine found a movie .He chose to watch Juice. I liked this movie, so I had no problem watching. I mean all the boys were sexy as hell except the fat one. My thought caused me to laugh out loud.

“The hell you laughing at?” He asked

“Nothing, I thought of something funny” I smiled shyly

“Suuuuure. Why you acting so shy?” He asked sincerely

I was acting kind of shy. I didn’t even know why. Well I did, but I didn’t want him to know

“I think I’m tired I don’t know.” I replied “You worked on any new music lately?” trying to change the subject

“Nah. Not really”

My eyes widened “Jermaine  Cole not working on music. Is this real life?” I asked semi-serious.

“Yea I’m getting caught up with this college shit.”

“Aw man you gotta get back on it. You’re  great.” He smiled “Thanks”

After Raheem’s death and funeral, I started dozing off. I heard Jermaine on the phone with someone. I’m assuming it was a female because he was speaking pretty soft. It had to be like 2 in the morning.

Jermaine pov

Alana was sleeping at the other end of the couch. I checked my phone for the time.  1:38. I saw I had a missed call from Katrina. She was one of the many hoes on campus, but I didn’t care she’s fine as hell.

“Wassup baby” I said to her whispering so I wouldn’t wake Alana.

She was moaning and telling me she was playing with herself. I grew harder. I tried to contain myself cause I mean Alana is here.

“I gotta call you later”

“Why baby? I just got started.”

“I have company, I’ll hit you up tomorrow. “

I hung up.

“Who was that?” I heard Alana ask.

“No one important” I replied

“Mmm.  Mainey done got a girlfriend” she said smiling

“Chill.”  I said calmly laughing.

“Whatever” she said still smirking. “I’m not tired anymore you ruined my sleep”

“Aww I’m sorry, you not a real nigga cause real niggas don’t sleep just take cat naps” I said

She laughed

I was thinking, I don’t really know anything about her. Like sure we would hang out, but Josh was always there. And this was one of the first nights we were alone together without the chance of Josh randomly popping up. Josh was very protective over his sister. I was the only one in our crew he allowed to be around her.

“So what you wanna do?” She asked

“ Why you always wanna do something?” I asked to mess with her

She mugged me.

“I’m just playing baby girl calm down.” I said while laughing

She threw a pillow at me.

“Oh nah. I know you not in my dorm throwing my pillows.” I said while throwing it back at her.

“Shut up” she said while giggling.

“Them fighting words” I told her.

“Whatever you not bout it.”She said

I tickled her side. I knew that was her spot cause Josh always used to tickle her there.

“Stop” She said while gasping for air.

“Am I bout it?” I asked

“You bout it bout it” She said while laughing. I stopped tickling her.

I needed a girls point of view on something so I decided to ask her about what I should do with Katrina.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot” she said giving me a curious look.

“You think I’m ready to be in a relationship?”

“I don’t know. I aint you” she said laughing. She stopped when she saw I was serious. “I don’t know. You talking about the girl you was on the phone with?” I nodded “Well a lot of boys aren’t like you. I mean she seems like a booty call, and she’s probably used to being just that”

“what you mean a lot of boys not like me?” I asked

“I mean you’re sweet, and  genuinely care.  Like tonight I’m pretty sure any other of Josh’s friends woulda been like welp, but nah you helped me before I got my ass beaten by Josh” She said laughing but she was sincere.

I smiled. “She is just a booty call, but I want more than that someone I could talk to you know? All she ever wanna do is fuck. I mean I’m fine with that, but not all the time”

She nodded. “Let me meet her and I’ll tell you if she’s Mrs. Cole worthy” she said smiling.

“Aight, I’ll tell her to stop by the court where me and Josh ball tomorrow”

“alright.”

I yawned. “I’m getting tired. I’ma knock out.”