Love Or Revenge

2

When I finished singing the song, I heard an abrupt applause in the club. I smiled, me and the band took our bows. As I was coming up from my bow my eyes connected with Colton’s. I felt sprakes all over my body. My breathing began to hitch. What was wrong with me? Why am I lusting over married men? I shook my head to regain my train of thought. I felt Frank grab my elbow to whisper something in my ear.

“I think it’s time to get a bit more sensual”

I looked him in the eyes for a few seconds, then it hit me what he meant and what song he was referring to. I smirked.

“But who will I get to come up here?” I asked.

“You know who”

I turned back to the mic. I gestured my hands so the crowd could settle down.

“Can I please have Samatha Evergreen on the stage please?”. Everyone fell silent looking for the person I was referring to. I saw Poppa Red guiding Sam to the stage. She was looking confused just how we practiced. As she got on the stage, Poppa Red handed her a mic.

“What’s going on?” she asked, confused. I had to refrain from laughing because she was playing her part very well. I only smiled.

“ I love you with everything in me. You were there for me through thick and thin and I appreciate you. You are a strong, intelligent, and powerful woman. And, everyday I spend with you it becomes more apparent” I said sincerely from the heart. Me and Sam's relationship was never like that but I really did love and appreciate her. I saw her get teary eyed because she knew I was speaking from the soul. I grabbed a tissue from inside my dress & dabbed her tears away.

“Can I sing to you?”. She nodded her head while wiping her tears away. On que the band started playing Hrs and Hrs by Muni Long

Uh, oh, ooh, mmm

Yours, mine, ours

I could do this for hours

Sit and talk to you for hours

I wanna give your flowers

And some champagne showers

Order shrimp and lobster towers

But it’s me that gets devoured

Ooh, when you do what you do, I’m empowered

You give me a superpower

Together the world could be ours

You sit me up on the counter

Instantly, it’s thunder showers

Stromin’ for a couple hours

When we finished, take a shower

I could do this for hours

And hours and hours

I could do this for hours

And hours and hours

As I’m singing, I’m looking right into Sam's eyes. She grabbed my hand and pulled me to her. She takes a pair of scissors out of the dress she was wearing. Placing the scissors at the triangular crease of my dress, cutting all the way up until the dress came off of me. Revealing a very sexy lace tan lingerie piece Sam designed to go with the dress. The crowd went wild. Out of the corner of my eye I see Cameron and Colton looking like they want to kill everyone in the building, including Sam. I was confused but I shrugged it off and kept singing. Lightly pushing Sam in the chair that was placed behind her, I straddled her. I slowly grinded my hips in a circular motion to the music and my voice.

All these ni**** full of shit

You’re just the homie once they hit

Felt like givin’ up on love

These ni**** almost made me quit

Then I met you

When I met you

I knew this was it

I’ve never been in love like this

A love like ours

I pray for it on my knees

Every night for some hours

And hours and hours

As I finished up the song I planted a short gentle kiss on Sam’s lips. She started laughing and I couldn’t help but join her while I was getting up off her lap. I helped her up from the chair and we took our bows. I looked up in the direction where Colton and Cameron were but they were not there. I looked around the club for them but I couldn’t spot them. Sam and I got off the stage hand and hand, we separated when we got to the back locker rooms. I went straight to the showers. I needed to take a shower so I could get to Red’s office and get my pay for the night. I’m sure I got plenty of tips from the show. I used the restroom, taking care of my hygiene, and then took a shower. I got out of the shower with my towel wrapped around my body. I walked to the mirror and grabbed one of my makeup remover wipes. I proceeded to take off all my makeup. I rubbed my chocolate drop skin and smiled to myself. I have always loved my skin and even felt that I didn’t need any makeup.

“Great performance”. I jumped, placed my hands on my chest.

“Damn it, Colton! You scared the s**t out of me!”. My eyes averted to Cameron, who was leaning on the doorframe of the bathroom. He had a smirk on his face.

“What are you guys doing back here?”

“We just wanted to check on the star of the show.”

“Well, I assure you that I am good. Please exit so I can put some clothes on” I said gesturing towards the door. Colton looked back at Cameron who was chuckling and shaking his head. Colton began to walk towards me like a predator stalking its prey. I was getting nervous, so I started to back up. My back hit the wall, surprising me, making me look back at the wall. When my eyes pulled back in the direction of Colton & Cameron, Colton was right in front of me staring into my eyes. He lifted his hand and brushed my cheeks, his touch sent my body into a mini frenzy. I closed my eyes letting his touches set my bud on fire, a small moan escaped my mouth. Reality hit me like a cold bucket of water. My eyes shot open and I covered my mouth with my hands. What the hell is wrong with you Aphrodite?! I thought. Colton was smirking. He backed away from me and walked back to Cameron. Colton left the shower room which left me and Cameron alone. Cameron slowly walked up to me with his hands placed in his pocket.

“Get dressed. Red is waiting for you.”. My voice was caught in my throat so I just nodded my head. He was looking at me like he wanted to say something else but decided against it. He left me in the bathroom with my thoughts.

*****************************************

I practically ran to Red’s office, I slowed down when I got in front of his office. I asked Harvey if Red was in his office, he nodded his head at me. He opened the door for me so I could go in. When I walked into the office, I didn’t expect to see Colton, Cameron and an unfamiliar man sitting in front of Red’s desk. I c****d my head at them, hesitating a bit in my steps.

“Am I interrupting? I can come back”

“Come in baby girl”, Red gestured for me to come sit. I sat down on the sofa that was to his left. They all were looking at me. The man I didn’t know was looking at me as if he’d seen a ghost. It made me uncomfortable a bit but somehow he felt familiar to me. I put it to the back of my mind, of course, turning my attention back to Poppa Red.

“Poppa I just came to get my pay for the evening but if I am interrupting you can just drop it by my apartment on your way home” I said, while getting up to leave.

“Sit down.” I gave him a questionable look but obeyed and sat back down. I felt like a kid getting scolded by her father. I crossed my arms over my chest in annoyance. He raised a brow at me not liking my attitude so I uncrossed my arms and averted my eyes to look at my fingers.

“You are probably wondering why I am letting you sit in this meeting”

“Kind of”

“Well-”. Before Red could finish he was interrupted by Cameron

“We want to invite you to our lands for a ceremony of sorts”

“What kind of ceremony Cam?”. I asked, while he smirked at the nickname.

“You can say it’s a wedding. You have a very beautiful voice and we would love for you to sing for the newlyweds and everyone that lives on our land”

“Uhm, When is it?” I asked, my curiosity peaking

“Saturday” Colton said

“Uhm that's in two days”

“Yes that is correct, we would have to leave tonight to make it back in time. It is about a day's drive.”

“Uhm I don’t know. I appreciate the offer but that it such short notice”

“We will pay you whatever you want.” said the man sitting beside Cameron and Colton

“Um and You are?” I asked, c*****g my eyebrow

“Brandon”. He stood up to shake my hand. I shook it.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Aphrodite Smitt.” I introduced myself

“I know.. You look so much like your mother”. I gave him a questionable look. My mother? He knew my mother? How? I cleared my throat showing I was clearly uncomfortable at the mention of my birth mother.

“$1,000”. They all looked at me.

“That is my price to do the ceremony”.

“Deal” Colton said excitedly

“Okay well, I will go home and pack. I will give you my number so you can send me the address. I will be on the road within the hour.”

“Oh no, You will ride with us. We will take you home too” Colton said

“Oh no I can’t impose on you guys like that” I shook my head

“Please we insist,” Brandon said. I hesitated a moment but I ended up agreeing to it.

“Great! Now, that’s settled. Gentlemen would you mind giving me some alone time with Aphrodite?” Red asked. The men got up and proceeded towards the door.

“We will be waiting outside in the car,” Brandon said. I nodded. They closed the door. I turned my attention to Poppa Red.

“I want you to know that I am proud of you”. I smiled

“I love you and remember when you get there. No matter what you see, don't be afraid. Be the strong woman you were raised to be.” Red said to me and kissed my cheek. I was confused by what he meant when he said don't be afraid but I am sure I will find out sooner or later.