Beyond The Spotlight

Chapter 4

Vanessa got home feeling tired; she strolled to her mom's room and found her soundly asleep."Good night, mama," she whispered as she trailed off to her own room. She sneaks into the house so no one would notice she was back and obviously report her. After thinking about the dude from the bar earlier, she smiled and was more than determined to get him."I'm going to get ya ass," she said and turned off the lampstand before falling asleep..Liam got home quiet alright, but he knew these advances he gets from girls were just starting. He came here to preach the gospel, but he knew it would be hard because Barnes is a town full of drug dealers, w****s, gamblers, drunks, liars, corrupt politicians, and so much more.""I need an actual job," he sighed, and his mind wandered off to the newly opened coffee shop not too far from church.Vanessa woke up really tired as her mom made sure to disturb the house and the entire neighbourhood with Eddie Murphy's songs, and she was tired walking out of her room and then straight to the kitchen."Lean on me, baby..." Her mom sang, and she was fed up."Mama, turn that thing off; it sounds like there’s a war going up here." She went to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water."I love Eddie Murphy; my baby doesn't love Eddie Murphy." Her mom asked as she reduced the volume."No, he sounds overrated, and isn't this one of his songs from those cliché movies?" She walked inside."Yes. Baby, you need a job," her mom yelled.She came back and gave her mama a shrug. "I don't need a job; I've got money and a lot of properties."Darling I know, but you need a sense of a little responsibility, and I heard that the cranes are hiring," her mom winked at her."Hiring what? "Wait what? They need bartenders," her mom explained."She looked offended, wondering how her mom would suggest something absurd."I'm sorry, baby," her mom apologised.Vanessa plunged on her bed, staring at the cell. "How do you get a guy like that?" She thought and smiled as an idea popped in her head.

Liam got up really early, as his day was already planned. He'd go to the coffee shop and apply, then work for a few hours if hired, and then go to church to organise a little audition for the kids."I've got it all planned; he arranged his files and application letter into his bag.He went to the coffee shop with confidence. "Good morning," he greeted the man who was busy fixing the signpost."Oh good morning, young man, are you here for a cup of coffee?" The man asked, and Liam smiled. "No, sir, I'm actually here for a job; I saw your vacancy post," he pointed to the vacancy needed placed outside."Oh that!" The man realised."Come in," he ushered Liam inside. He got inside and was amazed at how beautiful the shop looks. It was empty because the shop wasn't opened yet, but it was ready, and he was sure he'd be hired because they'd need help for the store opening."Wow," he couldn't hide his surprise. He followed the man into the office behind the counter."Have a seat, Mister..." The man stalls, pointing to the seat opposite him."Liam, Liam Kent," he completed as he sat down comfortably."Okay, Liam, I'm Patrick Stone, and I own this place; as you can see, it's not yet opened, but we are planning for the opening day," Patrick explained, and Liam nodded."So what are your qualifications? Any work experience?" Patrick asked."Yes, I worked as a data analyst in HUD before I moved here weeks ago," Liam explained."HUD? What made you leave?" Patrick asked curiously, wondering why he would leave such a nice job to come work in a little coffee shop."They wanted me to do some shady work, Liam explained, speaking honestly; he had nothing to hide anyway."I like you already; you are hired, and you are starting tomorrow; resume by six, nothing more, nothing less.""Thank you, sir; you won't regret it." Liam's smile filled the room."I hope so. I hope so, young man," he responded as Liam excused himself and headed to church.

Vanessa had quite a morning; their neighbour almost caught her. Mrs. Barker came by the house with a big pumpkin pie and discussed for almost two hours with her mother, and Vanessa was getting impatient as Mrs. Barker was going on and on about her daughter's college degree and so many irrelevant things. Vanessa could swear her mother wasn't listening to any gibberish coming out of that woman's mouth."Is she gone?" Vanessa whispered as her mom nodded."Thank you, Jesus; she's like a parrot, talking s**t, and who cares if her daughter has a first-class degree? Vanessa rolled her eyes, and her mom laughed. "True, but you need to find your own place, baby; I can't keep doing this hide and seek s**t," her mom sighed, looking exhausted."Ouch, ma, you sending your daughter out? Vanessa teased as she poured herself some wine."It's morning, and you are drinking?" Her mom arched her brow.Vanessa knew exactly what to do after Tarnie told her that Liam is a churchboy and literally goes to church all the time. Her plans were to stalk him till she got him in a corner, then she could talk to him again.Lian got to church and was glad he met Ashley and the kids; she already paired them and arranged a little audition for them; she even picked out a song, 'Silent Night."Thanks Ash, I owe you a lot," Liam thanked her."No worries, anything for my partner," Ashley beemed with a smile."Partner?" Liam scoffed, perplexed.Ashley giggled. "You didn't know? We are organising the party together.""Oh, I see," Liam managed to say before facing the kids."Hello kids, can anyone of you sing?" He asked, and they all raised their hands.Praise thy Lord!" Vanessa screamed as she entered the church, and Lian immediately recognised her as the girl from the club."Why are you here?" He managed to say that as Vanessa dressed got his attention, she wore a mini skirt showing all her laps and cleavage and wore a really tight high-neck sweater with some good sneakers."Isn't it cold? Why are you wearing that?" Ashley asked."Keep your mouth shut, miss; don't ask stupid questions!" Vanessa fired at Ashley and then smiled at Liam, who was very surprised and out of words.

Hey kids, are you doing some Christmas songs? Come here, let Aunty Nessa teach you some good music," Vanessa said."Don't I know you?" Ashley asked, trying to remember where she knows this mystery girl."No, you don't; I'm Nessa Dean, and I"I just moved to town," she corrected."Hey dude, just standing there, you going to say something or what?" Vanessa asked as Liam just stood not speaking; he didn't know how to stop this lady because something tells him she is not going to be easy, and she sure wouldn't take no for an answer."Hi," he waved at her."Seriously? Hi?"Can we go have breakfast?" She finally asked him out."Errm, I'm busy right now with the kids." Liam tried making excuses."What is she doing here then if you can't get away with me?""You ain't going to use the kids as an excuse to turn me down."Nessa, I'm really sorry, but I'm busy. Maybe some other time," he prayed deep down that she would go away."Dinner? We could go to the cranes, and there sure would be an afterparty." Vanessa winked at him, and he knew what she meant. She scared him very much; her courage scared him. He sure needs God on this one. By now Ashley was attending to the kids and paying little or no attention to their discussion."I'm not sure because I've got to go to sleep early because of work.""I'd be back, and then you won't have any excuse to give," she said as she walked out of the church.