Runner

Don JC

            “JC’s on his way to the house, he wanted to take me shopping to buy a dress for dinner.” She informed me while biting her freshly manicured nails.

            I ignored the classic signs of her nervousness as she quickly pulled out her wallet to pay, “So what does JC do?” I asked causing her to freeze in place.

            “He does business.” She answered plainly, unfreezing to flag down the waiter to give them her card. I tried to stop her so that we could split the bill but she shooed me away. The waiter quickly rang her up and gave her the receipt to sign, she quickly signed and put her card into her wallet, “Okay, we gotta go, So.” She popped up from her chair and ushered me up and out of the restaurants. She began to speed walk to her apartment and I could barely keep up.

            Once we got up to her apartment, we saw a six-foot-three, heavy-set man pacing back and forth in front of her door. He had an oval-shaped, chubby face that was chiseled by his full, dark beard, which lightened his olive complexion. His dark, hooded eyes had a malicious light to them. He turned to face us and I finally got a good look at his face. His lips were full, but not as full as my lips or Amara’s lips. His nose was broad and he had a beauty mark on his right nostril. His dark eyes were mink color and his eyebrows were dark, thick, and bushy. His thick dark hair was cut low, into a fade.

            He first looked at Amara with hostile eyes then he noticed me and his eyes softened. Amara began to speak first, “JC, baby, I’m sorry we’re late. We went to go grab brunch and…”

            “That’s cool.” He told her in a husky voice, “How was your brunch, ladies?” He asked us as I felt Amara loosen up. She then pulled out her keys from her sweatpants, walking past JC to unlock and open her apartment door.

            “It was really nice, delicious. We went to the Grand Lake.” She said softly, not directly looking him in the eye.

            He still focused most of his attention on me, but would look at Amara will admiration and love, “Cool. The spot we’re heading to tonight will probably be better though.” He chuckled, making her wince before popping the door open. She quickly slid into her living room. He stood at the door and gestured to it, “Ladies first.” He beckoned me. I walked into the living, catching Amara heading towards her bedroom. He came into the apartment and stretched out on the navy sofa, “So, Amara told me she had a friend living with her now.”

            I nodded, still standing by the door. I always felt uncomfortable with new people because I have severe trust issues. However, with him, I felt vexed. Something about him rubbed me the wrong way, but I also knew Amara was falling all over him. I assumed she truly vetted him out, but I should have known better considering she does not have the best track record with men.

            “What is your name again?” He questioned, squinting his face.

            “Solana.” I chipped.

            “She’s the girl I was telling you about this morning. The one we want to go to the club with tomorrow.” Amara appeared from her bedroom, startling me. She was putting in the last diamond stud earring into her right ear. She had changed into a royal blue maxi sundress with beige, braided straps and she wore beige, strappy wedges. Her curly mane pulled up into a pineapple hair-do. She was also sporting a duffle bag from Victoria's Secret, which was possibly an overnight bag.

            JC nodded, “Oh, okay. Babe, would you mind if we have your friend join us on our little shopping trip. I can send her back with one of my employees.” He proposed.

            Amara seemed stunned by his words so I spoke, “No, that’s okay. I think you guys should just have a day to yourselves. Besides no one likes a third wheel.” I insisted. Amara shot me a sympathetic look.

            JC popped up from the sofa, “It was nice meeting you, Solana.” He shook my hand before grabbing Amara’s overnight bag.

            “Nice meeting you too! And I will see you guys tomorrow.” I teased Amara.

            Amara nodded and JC spoke, “Yeah, see you at the club tomorrow.” He said before the door closed.

            “I am so sorry we took so long; the waiter took forever to get and process my card.” Amara pleaded. The two had already hopped into JC’s white Camaro convertible, with black leather seats, and were driving on 880 heading towards the Westfield shopping center in San Francisco.

            JC shrugged, “It’s fine. I must have seemed really angry, and I’m sorry.” He apologized to her, grabbed her left hand with his right, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb, “My anger has gotten the best of me lately. With work being super stressful lately, I haven’t been myself.” He admitted, his words sounded sincere to Amara’s ears. She looked down at her hand that was being held and looked up at JC, smiling brightly.

            “I understand, again. If you need my legal help again, let me know.” She offered. JC smiled back at her, before looking back at the road and getting on 80.

            The two finally made it to the outlet and parked the Camaro. The two walked to the main outlet hand and hand. The two entered Bloomingdales first, and a black one-shoulder dress caught Amara’s eye as she quickly rushed over to it making JC chuckle.

            “That was quick.” He teased her.

            “It’ll look so good on me,” Amara whined.

            JC nodded, “Then let’s get it.” He told her as he began to search for a size four for her. She then let go of his hand to begin to search for more items. When they first started dating, she was taken back by his ease to spend money on her. However, she got used to it after a few months. Besides, she felt that she deserves it after what he has put her through.

            She then saw JC walking towards her with more clothing items making her smirk triumphantly, “More stuff for me to try on?” She sang.

            JC laughed, “Of course, mi Reina. Besides I have to have you looking good for tonight’s events.” He eluded.

            “Oooh.” Amara purred, “Does that also include going to that little lingerie boutique that we like?” She asked in a bubbly tone.

            JC grinned mischievously, “Hell yeah!” His voice boomed making Amara snicker before turning back to the shirt she was looking at.

            “Are we just shopping for me or are we looking at things for you too?” Amara questioned. JC shrugged, “Okay, are you going to let me buy you something today?” He smirked and shook his head making Amara chuckle as she began to move throughout the store. Once the two were done with Bloomingdales, they started their venture out to the rest of the shops from Club Monaco, Michael Kors, LuluLemon, Rolex, Hugo Boss, and others; with JC carrying all of Amara’s shopping bags. Once the pair was done, they hopped into the Camaro and began to drive to the lingerie boutique.

            Amara smiled at JC before turning up the radio in his car to blast “Bodak Yellow” by Cardi B. Amara, bouncing around in her seat began to recite the lyrics making JC snarl. Her smile began to fade as she turned her attention to him, “What’s wrong?”

            “I can’t believe you like that shit.” He hissed at her, still keeping his eyes on the road ahead.

            “JC, it’s a fun song,” Amara whined, putting her hands on his thighs making JC scoff.

            “It’s not a rap song, and it’s by some stupid reality tv hoe. I honestly don’t even get why you like her or that show that she’s on. It’s all trash.” He proclaimed.

            Amara retreated her hands back to her lap and began to look out of the window she was closest to. She rolled her light eyes at JC’s bashing of her choices, “Why do you like to call the stuff I like trash? I don’t talk about the dumb s**t you like.” she grumbled. She knew she should not have said anything, but she could not help it. It was in her nature to snap when she felt attacked. Her favorite language was figurative, specifically sarcasm. However, with JC she knew that he could not deal with her smart mouth, and should always use it with him.

            “What?” He hissed, snapping his head towards her.

            Amara turned to him with soft eyes and a softer tone, “I just,” she started, “I’ll change it to something we both like.” She conceded, turning the Pandora station to Reggaetón. He then turned his focus back to driving. Amara’s smile did not fully return during that ride.

            Once they got to JC’s house after a quick trip to the lingerie shop, JC had one of his employees grab Amara’s shopping and overnight bags to the room the coupled shared on some nights. The trip was short since their interaction in the car clouded Amara’s ability to shop. JC opened Amara’s car door to let her out. She quickly slid out and began to walk into the six-bedroom Orinda home, which had a Mediterranean architecture to it. The foyer had light grey, diamond-shaped tile, the ceiling went up to almost three stories high. Hanging from the ceiling was a grand chandelier. The foyer had two grandeur staircases with a black iron railing leading to the second floor with wall lights on the wall.

            “I should probably go change,” Amara said softly before heading upstairs, she heard JC’s footsteps following her. She began to mentally prepare herself for the full fight with him. She figured that dinner was probably not going to happen tonight, the thought made her stomach growl throughout the halls on the way to the bedrooms.

            “You’re already hungry?” He asked gently, startling Amara a bit. She turned to him and nodded. He reached out and grabbed her hands, “’Mara, I’m sorry I’ve been such an ass lately. You like Cardi B and I should respect that.” He then sweetly kissed her forehead, “Now go get dressed so we can go get you food.” He ordered her, still following her into the bedroom.

            The two came back from their dinner at the Waterbar in San Francisco, again there was a cloud over their time together since their interaction earlier that day. Amara attempted to keep calm, but even JC had a hard time keeping up the act. Amara would try to make a joke, but JC would continue to snap at her and their waiter. This time Amara did not say anything about his treatment of other people, but JC still called her out on it. They finally entered the home and they were still arguing over it, or rather JC was arguing and Amara was trying to drop it.

            Amara quickly ran upstairs, hoping that would end JC rant, “Amara, yo, what the f**k are you doing?” He growled before running up the stairs behind her making her run into the room. Though it was not quick enough to close and lock the door, as he pushed his way into the room.

            “JC, just stop!” She yelled at him.

            He laughed manically, “You’ve had a f*****g attitude about the waiter s**t. Like you’re f*****g him. Are you f*****g him?”

            “You know that I’m not. You already know that I’m loyal to you!” She yelled at him. She knew his rage had not peaked yet, so she could calm him down before he snapped tonight. But she also knew she was short on time and if she said the wrong thing, he would go off, “I’m sorry I haven’t been in the best mood tonight.” She attempted to apologize.

            JC snorted and rolled his eyes, “I’m honestly getting sick of your s**t, Amara. You’re so f*****g difficult, I don’t even so how any man would want to deal with that.” He spat, Amara swallowed his words, knowing she had to suck it up to avoid the big blow up. She then turned to go to the bathroom to begin to wipe off her makeup, “Yo, where the f**k are you going?”

            Amara stopped dead in her track, “I’m going to take off my make-up.”

            “So, you’re going to turn away from me while I’m talking to you!” He growled. Oh s**t. Amara thought. She should have known better than that, especially since he’s been on edge all day. Amara turned back to face him and he laughed, “You’re such a piece of work!” He hissed, “First you show up late to your own place, then you play that s**t you already know I don’t like, and now you have an attitude?” He shrilled, “And you ain’t got s**t to say for yourself?”

            Amara’s eyes widened in fear, he was over the edge. Apologizing for whatever he felt she did wrong would no longer work. She knew if she opened her mouth to say anything it would end badly. She also knew if she turned to go into the bathroom, she would have to be quick, but if he caught her it would end badly.

            Amara felt stuck and frozen with fear as he began to walk towards her. She then began to walk backward until she hit the wall. JC chuckled darkly, “You must like having me angry, huh?” He asked in a low growl. “HUH?” He screamed into her face before punching the wall next to her left ear making her jump.

            “For Christ's sake, Juan Carlos! STOP!” She wailed, immediately getting a left hook to the face. She dropped to the floor in pain and began to whimper.

            “s**t, Amara.” JC whispered as he then went to the floor to hold his girlfriend, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” He repeated as he began to rock her in his arms. “I’ll never do that again, babe. I swear!” He exhaled as her cries began to get louder and her jaw began to swell. But she was not crying over the pain, she wept for herself because she knew it would happen again because it was not the first time. She knew that she should have walked away when it did happen the first time, but she did not for various reasons. She now understood that she was in too deep.