Page 6 of Seek & Destroy

We both laughed again as I shook my head.

“Come on. Let me show you around. Maybe it’ll change your mind.”

DeAngelo stood, and I followed him out of his office. I couldn’t deny that the club was nice. It definitely gave off the illusion of some place tropical. The bar was like a huge fish tank. It had a glass top and exotic fish swimming around inside. There was a huge VIP lounge area that had hammock-style seating, palm trees, and even a little sand on the floor. The tables and chairs were wooden with tiki lamps surrounding the place. He even had dancers in small grass skirts, bikini tops, and leis dancing on poles. The bartenders wore floral tops and white bottoms that had their ass cheeks playing peek-a-boo with flowers in their hair or a floral headband. The club definitely felt like being on an island of some sort, but, from what he told me, the food and top shelf alcohol is what kept them coming back.

“This is nice, Angelo.”

“I’m telling you, you won’t be disappointed with where you spend your money.”

Immediately, I became distracted whenshewalked through the door. It was funny because seeing her earlier, I didn’t think I’d run into her this soon. I had plans to send her flowers and a thank-you note with my number attached to it, but I had an emergency at one of my auto body shops that pulled me away. Ms. Esa looked like a beautiful Kenya Doll. Her chocolate baby face was smooth and blemish free. Her eyes were dreamy and light brown, but what really made me swoon was her smile. Her teeth were straight and as white as snow, and those deep ass dimples couldn’t be missed either. Aside from her curvy figure, her conversation had been a beautiful distraction from the everyday hustle and bustle of my life. I could tell that she was educated, and after discovering that it was indeed her shop, I became even more enthralled.

“Aye, are you listening to me?” DeAngelo asked, pulling me away from the trance she temporarily had me in.

“Uh…yeah.”

I looked at him and laughed.

“No, I wasn’t. I didn’t hear shit past where my money is spent. Do you know her?” I asked him, nodding my head toward the other end of the bar.

DeAngelo turned and followed my stare.

“Ahh yes, the beautiful Esani Simms. I wouldn’t travel down that road, G. She’s known for breaking hearts. But damn if she isn’t a baddie.”

“She could only break a weak man’s heart. By the time I’m done with her, I bet I’ll make her fall so deep she won’t see anyone else outside of me.”

“That sounds real toxic, brother,” DeAngelo stated as he laughed.

“No way. I just know how a woman is supposed to be treated. I’d never hurt them or treat them as if they weren’t important to me. A lot of times, us men take these women for granted. If they really fuck with you, they give their all to you. There’s literally no limit to when a woman loves you. They’ll do anything for you or be anything for you. Most men—because I won’t say all men—tend to play on that shit, which is why women become bitter and start to lose the love they once had for you. Not to mention the flip side of that love, is hate. And my dear brother, is a thin line between the two.”

“I’m sorry. Did you come to talk business or give me a lesson on love and happiness, Al Green?”

“Both, nigga,” I told him as we laughed again.

I took a napkin and pulled a pen from my pocket. I wrote my name and number down then bought her and her friend a bottle of Armand de Brignac Brut Rosé. I instructed the bartender to give Ms. Esa the note and bottle then walked away.

“Did you just spend ten thousand dollars on this chick?” DeAngelo asked me, surprised by my actions, which he shouldn’t have been because I wasn’t frugal with my money at all.

“Not really…I just invested in your club,” I told him, reaching out my hand for him to shake. DeAngelo smiled wide as hell as he pulled me in for a brotherly hug.

“Thank you, bro! Let’s get this paperwork going!” he exclaimed as I followed him back up to his office.

* * *

Esani

“Here you go,” the bartender said, walking over to Tania and I and setting a bottle of Brignac Brut Rosé and a napkin in front of us.

“We didn’t order this, boo,” I told her.

“The gentleman in the gray did...Enjoy.” She winked then walked away.

I looked around but didn’t see anyone, so I looked down at the napkin she put next to the bottle. It was Kwame’s name and phone number, with a message that saidenjoy the beverage on me. I smiled as I slipped the napkin inside of my clutch.

“You’re one lucky bitch,” Tania said, rolling her eyes and smiling at me.

“I’m honestly not interested.”

“Hence the reason you put his number in your purse. Girl, you can fool these niggas, but you can’t fool me.” She laughed.

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