“Damn, boo. I’m sorry you’re going through all of that.”
We sat in silence for a moment as she nervously bounced her leg. Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, she opened her mouth to say something but quickly shook her head.
“What’s up?” I asked, observing her.
“Well, I had a suggestion that may help, but I don’t want to overstep. Besides, I don’t think you’d be up to it.”
“At this point, I’ll take any advice I can get.”
A small grin spread across her face as she grabbed my hands. Okay, so I know this guy who actually helps other people by giving out loans.”
“Is he like a loan shark or something?” I asked, squinting my eyes.
The woman threw her head back and laughed before playfully pushing my shoulder. “Girl no! Nothing like that. He just helps others who need help every now and then financially. You can pay him in installments or work in one of the houses he owns. Once he gets his money back, you’re good to go. He doesn’t double or triple the amount he gives you.”
“When you say work in one of his houses, do you mean I’ll be like his maid?”
“Yeah, something like that. How about this, I’ll take you over to his office so he can explain it better? I was just heading over there to drop off one of my installment checks anyway.”
I had a nagging suspicion in the pit of my stomach urging me not to trust her, but I couldn’t figure out why. She was sweet and innocent and gave off the impression that she really wanted to help me. Besides, I was desperate. If this man could help me pay off grandmother’s bills and prevent us from losing the house,I could at least hear him out. Especially if all I had to do was clean up his house. Shit, I’ll scrub the toilet with a toothbrush if he was able to get us out of debt.
“Ok, let’s go!” I said, grabbing my backpack. “I’m Addison, by the way.”
“I’m Olivia.”
Chapter 4
Addison 5 Months Ago
We pulled up to a massage parlor that had a black and green cobra sprayed on the side wall. The sign on the front door read L & K massages. Outside were two buff men, one Korean and the other Black, wearing a black shirt with L&K crew on it. They had identical bald heads and wore a pair of dark sunglasses with scowls across their faces.
“Dang, since when did a massage parlor need bouncers?”
Olivia laughed as she hopped out of the car. “Girl, you’d be surprised.”
“They be wildin’ like that?” I asked nervously.
“You’ll be fine. Now c’mon.”
Olivia walked towards the two men and gave them each a hug.
“You been staying out of trouble?” The Korean man asked.
“You know me,” she said, winking. “Is Mr. L. in?”
He nodded his head and opened the door for us. We walked in and I expected to see a standard receptionist desk with potted plants, gentle lighting, and some sort of water fountain. To my surprise, as soon as we walked in, the room was lit up with a pink, fuchsia color. There was a sign that had one arrow pointing to the right that read play area and an arrow pointing to the left reading offices.
“This way,” Olivia gently pulled my arm, taking us to the left.
The hall had two private offices on the left and right hand side with an executive office in the center. Olivia walked up to the center office and knocked three times.
“Come in.” a loud voice boomed from behind the door.
I took a step back as my heart pounded in my chest. “I-I don’t think I should be here.”
“Girl, relax. Mr. L is cool people, trust me.”
Olivia opened the door and stepped inside. I chewed on my bottom lip before following behind her. The office space was quite empty with the exception of a black leather couch on the far wall with a few affirmation posters hanging up. Focusing my attention to the center of the office, I saw Olivia sitting on the edge of the desk with a chocolate-skinned brutha eyeing me. He had small coils on top of his head and deep hazel eyes. His shoulders were broad, and I could see the tattoos going up his arms and across his chest through his undershirt. He was handsome, but there was something dark behind his eyes that made my stomach knot. I shifted uncomfortably as he licked his lips. His eyes traveled up and down my body before he looked over to Olivia.
