Page 8 of The Hellcat Barbies: Saskia
“So, what do you need? And remember what I said.”
Don’t tell me no.
Remembering I needed to get out of there, but I didn’t trust anyone else to come up with a plan for me, the diamond on my finger caught my eye. I’d always dreamed of an elaborateproposal, one where I pretended not to know what the man I loved was secretly planning but was secretly aware all along. One where my friends had gone behind my back and planned it with him, making sure he got every detail right and that I was perfect for the day he asked for my hand in marriage. Except my ring had been delivered in the mail like a package from Amazon, and my father’s lawyer called a few hours after it arrived to tell me to wear it at all times.
I set my empty drink down and twisted the perfect-fit ring off my finger. It was the first time I’d taken it off in about three and a half weeks, and although it was a beautiful ring, I felt relieved, like a burden had been lifted, and I was finally free. But I knew I was still far from being out of danger.
Holding the ring up, I stretched it out.
“I need you to buy this from me. I know it’s worth at least a hundred thousand dollars. You can give me ten thousand right now. Take it to your jeweler and see what he tells you — it’s a steal.”
I sounded desperate because I was desperate. I’d been raised around a man who had been successful all my life. I grew up surrounded by success. I went to school with students whose parents were successful. I knew a paid man when I saw one. Even though he was dressed casually in flip flops and socks, you could strip him of his jewelry, and I would still be able to tell he's holding. There’s something about a rich man that sticks out like a sore thumb, even if he's trying to blend in.
Yak’s syrupy brown eyes with the golden sparkle had me completely entranced by his captivating presence. I was so lost in my own feelings that I didn’t care if I looked like a fool in front of this handsome man, but desperation was the strongest feeling. I could have gone to a pawn shop, but I had never been to one before and knew they would want to put me in a data system for the kind of diamond this ring contained.
I was fully prepared for this man to laugh in my face, tell me to get the fuck out of here, or ask me if the ring was even real. But just as I had been able to tell that his claims were genuine and that he didn’t own anything nearly as expensive as the jewels on his neck and wrist—especially considering I had no access to anything outside my father’s house, where I couldn’t even set foot without being forced to marry—I knew he knew the ring was worth way more than ten thousand dollars.
With his eyes still on me as I struggled to breathe, he reached into the pocket of his shorts, pulled out a wad of money that was thicker and bluer than the one Dasani had given me, and then reached into the other pocket, producing the same.
Reaching in, he tugged at my hoodie and shoved the money inside, making it bulge because there wasn’t much space for that amount.
“You… you’re not going to ask me what I need the money for? Or why I’m selling the ring so low? Or… I don’t know, something?”
Yak licked his lips, making my eyes twitch and kitty thump.
“Nah. I told you not to tell me no. So, a nigga is fully prepared to do what I require. Fuck I look like denying you when ion want you denying me?”
Swallowing the thick wad of spit, my head began to spin at the fact that this was the second person of the day who had given me money without knowing the first thing about me. What the fuck was in this Jagoda Bay water? Dasani had mentioned that this is where she was from, too, I think.
My eyes shifted to the hair atop his head. It had a few curly kinks and was faded on the sides. He looked as if he had just come from the barber shop. I normally didn’t like men without facial hair, but he didn’t need it. Shit, he was fine, and he was willing to hand me money, which had my pussy even more moist than it had been when he first made his appearance.
“Take the ring.”
“Nah,” he licked his lips.
“You keep it. It looks good on you.”
I frowned, and his brow rose.
“It’s… not my taste. Plus… I dumped my boy–fiancé. I have no use for it.”
His expression was one of subtle pondering as he rubbed his hand down his face. Still, he hadn’t taken the ring, so I pushed it on the bar in front of him. I didn’t want it. If I were starting over, I would do so without bringing any of the past with me.
Now that I’d gotten more than I came with and at least had money to get away comfortably, even though I was sure it was more than ten thousand dollars judging by the weight, I pushed from the bar.
His hand went to my wrist, causing a static shock that he ignored.
“I need to go,” I replied breathlessly.
He licked his pillowy lips.
“Chill with a nigga a bit.”
“I… I still have pins in my hair,” I gave him the lamest excuse while at the same time rattling off my current insecurity.
“So, and I got on flip flops. You still the finest muthafucka in this bitch.”
I gnawed on my bottom lip, knowing I needed to leave but also enjoying the company and the feeling of protectiveness he provided.
