Chapter 6 - That’s His Girlfriend?
1401 Words
My friends immediately began to jump and bounce, their heads trying to wrap around what was happening. Even I, myself.
"Listen, Irie." Roanna started, leaning in. "You have to take the job. I mean, $65,000 a month? Even if he’s rich, that’s insane. You could at least see what working with him is like. You can't miss this!"
"Yeah!" Kimberly chimed in, sticking her gum to the side on the inside of her mouth. "Tell him to pay weekly, though. You know.... you need funds urgently. And don’t worry, we’ll cover your Pizza Hut shifts while you work with your dad."
I blinked, overwhelmed but pleased. "You’d do that for me?"
"Of course!" Roanna said firmly. "We’re your ride-or-die squad. Always remember. Now, it's getting late. Get to class and take that job, girl!"
I nodded and ran along, trying to understand the whole thing.
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****
When I got to class, it was a bit busy. I thought about how to write something sensible to Armari. I was nervous.
When the class managed to settle into quietsy, I finally pulled out my phone and typed a message to Armari:
"Hi, it's Iris. I’ll take the job. And you pay me weekly. Agreed?"
I hit send, trying to act all casual, though my hands trembled and the professor's voice sounded faraway. Within seconds, my phone buzzed. Armari.
“So… you’re taking the job? Guess someone’s ready to be bossed around by me. Hope you survive the first week.”
I imagined what he'd said and helplessly giggled in the middle of class. Everyone turned to look at me. And I was blushing. I helplessly waved and everyone decided to try and mind their businesses.
Armari was typing.
"Blushing and giggling in the middle of class? Classic."
My forehead raised and I looked around.
"Well, he could have guessed." I told myself.
"Job accepted. You’re on. Sending $2,000 to get you started. Call me when you're ready and I'll get you a driver."
I squealed, nearly dropping her phone. Everyone jumped and looked back, questioningly.
“Miss Welland....” The professor said, raising an eyebrow, “....if that’s a new method of participation, do enlighten the class. Otherwise, please save the squeals for after the lecture.”
My cheeks flamed and I lowered my phone and tried to focus on my notes, but the corners of her mouth shook. I was in shock. Roanna and Kimberly barely held back their giggles, and somewhere deep down, I couldn’t help but feel happy that even my squeal had drawn attention. Though not the kind I expected.
Minutes later, I was in the bathroom, crying my eyes out, overwhelmed with joy and disbelief. I thanked God immensely, sniffing and staring at the mirror and straightening my hair as I imagined how much I'd fix some of my problems with that two thousand dollar tips I'd just received.
****
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Roanna and Kimberly erupted into cheers, jumping and giving me high-fives. "You did it! You’re officially in! Oh my god!"
It was evening, after classes and we met up at closing time, hearts racing with excitement. As we walked through the car park, I suddenly froze.
"Wait!" I whispered, my nose twitching. "Do you guys smell that?"
"A… perfume?" Kimberly asked.
I nodded, wide-eyed. "Yeah… a familiar perfume."
Roanna followed my gaze, noticing the dozen or so luxury cars parked. "Uh… wow. That’s… a lot of cars."
Then, emerging from some distance, we saw him.
Armari Compton, flanked by his horde of intimidatingly handsome male friends. His sharp eyes.... Their sharp eyes instantly locked on me.... but something was different.
Armari wasn’t alone. He was holding Stella Tartman, whispering something into her ear that made her burst into laughter.
I and my friends froze, hearts practically leaping into our throats. So many thoughts rushed at once.
Armari in campus?
Armari holding someone else?
Armari Compton?
Armari looked at me but he passed us by. Even when my friends waved.
"HEY! WHY ARE YOU SNUBBING US? YOU KNOW OUR FRIEND, DON’T YOU?" Kimberly suddenly yelled and I gasped.
Roanna joined. They flailed their arms wildly and scolded Armari openly, fingers pointing at the guys, their voices echoing across the parking lot.
The guys paused mid-step and turned to stare at us like deers caught in headlights. Even Armari froze, his eyes glinting dangerously as he glanced at me. As if warning me to take my litters away.
Stella Tartman frowned. "Uh… what’s going on, Armari?"
Armari’s voice was calm, cold, commanding: "GET IN THE CAR."
"Uhm.... my door?"
Armari didn't hear her.
I grabbed my friends, wildly whisper-shouting warnings. The girls scrambled after me, laughing in mischief. The boys finally moved with Armari holding Stella’s hand as they got into the sleek car.
"f**k YOU!" Kimberly screamed.
I, Roanna, and Kimberly ran off but as we did, I saw Kim wink and blow a kiss at one of the guys.
My friends were still giggling uncontrollably. The parking lot echoed with laughter, shouts, and the low roar of the cars as the group drove off, leaving everyone dizzy, flushed, and stunned.
"Oh my god, girls. What have you done?"
"Hey, Irie. Don't be scared. We wouldn't do anything to hurt you." Roanna cooed. "Armari just has to know we're people."
"Yes! Remember, we don't accept trash. No matter how what, where, who tries it. We out here vibing." Kimberly added, jumping and Roanna joined her, giving shouts of affirmations.
I giggled and nodded at how she added the Ariana Grande effect.
"Although, I'm guessing we already added too much spice for your first day." Roanna said, slightly frowning.
"Give us tea, okay? Always remember that."
I nodded really hard and we ran off to catch the bus.
****
****
I was able to get drugs for my dad and pay wages. I told my dad about every single thing and he felt so overjoyed even in his state.
He whispered a small promise and told me to hurry along. Then, he added.
"You should wear a red shirt."
I laughed.
"Dad!"
"It draws attention to the sheen of your hair and your beautiful eyes." He said, playfully but I couldn't help myself when I squealed and slapped my hands to my face and blushed.
We laughed and I gave him a kiss on his forehead.
"I promise I'll be safe. And I'm going to tell you about everything that happens."
He nodded, excited.
"Yes."
I wore a red shirt as he'd requested and to god, I could see what he meant. I took a long amount of time staring at my rosy lips and almond-shaped eyes. I thought of putting on a mascara but changed my mind.
My dad was really a fashion king.
I was busy flashing my looks at him who kept making me swell with pride as he took pictures of me with shaky hands.
Till I heard a horn.
My heart jumped and I flew up, grabbed my bag, gave my dad a hug and ran off.
The driver was dressed corporately in a black suit. He was a very huge man.
And the vehicle? Ooh... It was the plushiest thing I'd ever set foot in. How could anyone be this rich? I needed to know. How could this even be real?
The drive was very mostly silent after I was told to put on my seatbelts. Except for the two times I saw him glancing at me from the rearview mirror. It seemed like I was floating on air.
At the estate, the gates opened almost instantly as the driver announced my name. I barely had the chance to glance at the guards before they waved us through.
And then, the estate spread before us like a private paradise.
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ARMARI'S POV:
I didn't want the guys to think I was excited about the new maid coming over. We would never show excitement about seeing anyone. Not even ourselves.
So, I stayed up in my room and told Deshawn to get her started before I came downstairs.
It happened fast. I was already dozing off when I heard a knock. I quickly put on a shirt and went to open the door. And there I saw the sight of a very beautiful angel.
But....
we were twinning shirts. Red with same shade. Interesting. She really doesn’t miss a detail, does she?
- Writer
