Part 3 (2/2)
When Phenomenon said that, my mind again went back to Dior because she too craved that exact same fame. I wanted to call her as soon as I got off the phone with Phenomenon but I had been parked outside Lala's crib for awhile and I saw her peeping out her window a few times. It would be rude to keep having long a.s.s conversations when she knew I was basically right at her front door.
”I know you gon' handle yo' s.h.i.+t tonight so I'll hit you up tomorrow.”
”That works, man.” When I hung up with Phenomenon I went straight to Lala's door. She had it open before I even made it to the top stair.
”I was starting to wonder if you were ever coming in,” Lala smiled.
”Sorry 'bout that. I was handling some business.”
”Aren't you always? With all the work you do I hope you make some time for fun. That was something Darnell rarely did. You seem to be just like him in that way and now he's gone. You can't make up for lost time Lorenzo.”
”Don't compare me to Darnell.”
”I wasn't doing that.” I could see the startled reaction on Lala's face because of what I said. ”But would it be so bad if I was? Darnell was your friend.”
”I just don't like to be compared to other people, friend or no friend. So where is Tania?” I asked trying to skip over this topic. Hearing that n.i.g.g.a's name still put me in a bad mood and that was no fault of Lala.
”My mom took her to a birthday party.”
”The last few times I've been here she's always gone, Tania's schedule busier than mine.” I was able to put a smile on Lala's face with my comment which I was happy about. I tried to avoid any sort of conversation about Darnell because I loathed him but that was something Lala could never know. No matter what she always managed to make him a part of our discussion. It concerned me that soon there would come a point that I wouldn't be able to conceal my contempt for him.
”Maybe you should consider calling ahead of time so we can plan for your arrival instead of just popping up,” Lala suggested.
”I never thought about it but you might be right.”
”I am. I'm sure Tania would love if you came over and had dinner with us and so would I. You've done so much for us I want to do something for you.”
”I told you, Lala, you don't owe me nothing.”
”I know that but I like when you come by. I enjoy your company. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you don't have to just stop by when you're dropping off money. You're welcome anytime.”
For the first time I paid close attention at the way Lala looked at me. I couldn't lie and say that the last few times I came by I got some sort of vibe from her but the thought went as fast as it came. But there was no denying now that the vibe was real.
Lala had her hair pulled back off her face with nothing to hide what was going on behind her eyes. Her face was almost angelic like Tania's except she wasn't a child she was a grown woman with s.e.xual appeal. As fine as Lala was, I didn't want to go there. I could see the s.h.i.+t getting messy for a few reasons and I didn't need any of them in my life.
”I have to be going but let Tania know I stopped by and I'll be back to see her soon,” I said, putting my usual envelope full of money on the table.
”I will and I hope you'll consider my offer for dinner,” Lala responded by putting her hand on top of mine as I sat the envelope down.
”I'll consider it.”
”That's all I'm asking, Lorenzo.” I knew Lala was asking for a lot more but since I had no intentions in complying with any of it I left it alone.
”I'll see you later, Lala.” I could hear her saying something but I blocked it out as I made my exit. It was easy for me to erase what had just happened from my mind because I immediately dialed Dior's number as I was headed to my car.
”h.e.l.lo,” she answered in a curious voice. I knew she didn't recognize the number so I was glad she picked up.
”What's up, Dior.”
”Who is this?”
”Lorenzo.”
”Lorenzo! I been waiting for you to call me. What happened to you giving me a heads up before the video dropped...huh?”
”I apologize. I got caught up in some s.h.i.+t and honestly it slipped my mind. But you came out looking like a star so it's all good.”
”That ain't the point. You was supposed to give me time to get s.h.i.+t straight with Sway.”
”You right. Again, I apologize but as savvy as you are I'm sure you smoothed things over with him,” I said pretending not to know that Sway had dismissed her.
”So what do you want, Lorenzo?”
”Checking up on you, seeing how s.h.i.+t was poppin' now that you were a star.”
”Star, hum if you say so,” she answered sarcastically.
”I know yo' phone been ringing off the hook since the video came out.”
”Nope, just the opposite. I believe Sway's petty a.s.s shut all that s.h.i.+t down.”
”You might be right 'cause everybody buzzin' 'bout that video and especially you. But don't sweat that. What I'm about to tell you will no doubt put a smile on your face.”
”It will?” she asked as if in complete shock.
”Yep. This should make up for me forgetting to call you about the video in advance.”
”What is it...tell me!” her voice had now gone from having a p.i.s.sed off att.i.tude to hopeful excitement.
”They're going to shoot you to be on the next cover of King Magazine.”
”Stop lyin'!”
”I ain't lyin'.”
”The cover, not some inside one page booty shot?”
”Nope, that would be takin' a step back. How you gon' go from lead of Phenomenon's new video to that. It's the cover, baby.”
”Don't play, Lorenzo! How the f.u.c.k did you manage that?”
”Money can do wonders, everybody gotta price.”
”I can't believe you did that for me.”
”Dior, I told you whatever you want. You think you need Sway to get to the top but money can get you there just as fast if not faster.”
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