Page 5 of Rage & Paradise
“Fine, play peacekeeper. No me importa.” She mumbles.
Leaving her in the room, I make my way back to the reception area where Lisette and the four other girls are still standing around talking.
“It’s a damn shame. I don’t know why she acts like she’s head bitch.” Marisa, one of the newer recruits says as she rubs a hand over the still seemingly rattled Lisette’s shoulder.
“She’s a bully. Just a big bully.” One of the other girls adds.
“Lisette, you want to come talk to me about what’s going on?” I speak up, making my presence known.
“What’s there to talk about?” Lisette shrugs and wipes the crocodile tears from her face. I might have doubted it before but with just one look in her eyes it’s clear that this is all a show.
“There’s obviously something to talk about. You ladies shouldn’t be in here fighting.” I’m doing my best to deescelate the situation. I’m usually pretty good at it.
“No, we shouldn’t, but there’s always going to be fighting when you have someone like that…”
I put a hand up to stop her, “Watch yourself. Coca has been here for years. She knows what she’s doing.”
“Asi, esa problema, she’s been here for so long she thinks she’s a fucking queen or something. She’s a tyrant. It’s her way or no way.” Lisette narrows her eyes at me, “Maybe it’s time she hung up her heels.”
The group of them stare daggers at me. Suddenly this is starting to feel like a stand off.
“I’m not going to tell her she needs to quit. You’re out of your mind if you think that’s going to happen.” I scoff ready to end this conversation.
“Well then you’re going to have a different problem. I don’t think any of us are going to keep working with someone like that. There are other places we can go, sabes?”
I fist my hands at my sides. I’m not usually the type to be disrespectful to women but this one is pushing all the buttons.
“If that’s what you have to do, go for it. You know no one here is a hostage. If you want to leave, go. Just leave all our shit here…” Just as Lisette and her crew turn to get there things I add, “And our clients too. If I find out you’re trying pilfer from our people you’re going to have a bigger issue than someone bullying you.”
Lisette swallows hard but she doesn’t reply.
I don’t need to be around for this. So much for thinking my day was about to get better. It feels like I’m going from one shit job to the next.
I walk out of Seda back toward the clubhouse. I just need some peace. If things go how I think with Lisette and her little clique I’m guessing peace isn’t something I’m going to get much more of.
THREE
Estrella
I have got to be the worst judge of character on this entire island.
Every last person I even think about putting my faith in turns out to be a snake in the grass.
“No seas asi, mami,” Prince wraps his arm around my waist and tries to pull me closer to him.
I met Prince at a food drive. I thought he would be a good guy. I mean who the hell goes to a food drive if they’re a bastard. It helped his case when he found out that I was actually at the food drive to get donations for myself. It didn’t seem like he was judging me. At least I thought he wasn’t.
“I’m not being like anything, Prince. I don’t want to do this. This isn’t my scene at all.” Trying to push away from him, I grab at his hand to pry it off my waist.
When he showed up at my door and asked me if I wanted to come out with him and his friends, I was excited to get out of the house. I had no idea that it wasn’t just a good time out but that he wanted me to help with a score.
“What the hell are you talking about this isn’t your scene? I’ve seen your scene. You don’t got shit.” He pushes me awayhard and my back hits the wall. “I’m giving you a chance to get out of the shithole of a room and you want to be ungrateful.”
“Ungrateful?” My eyes widen as I stare at him. I know better than to provoke any man who is unhinged enough to bring a woman he’d just met to help him with a crime but I just can’t believe he’d even think to say this shit to me.
“You know what. Vete pa carajo, I don’t need this shit. You’re not even hot enough to pull this off.” Prince turns his back on me and I’m left standing there with my mouth gaping open.
I’m insulted, annoyed and completely fucking bewildered.
