Faces of the Game Read online

  Faces

  Of the

  Game

  Copyright © 2015 by Mandi Mac

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction of any type.

  Publishers Note: This is a literary work of fiction. Characters, incidents and locations are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events is entirely incidental.

  Faces of the Game

  Written, Edited and Text Formatted by: Mandi Mac

  Cover Design and Layout: Supardi Super

  ISBN-13: 978-1503111738 (CreateSpace-Assigned)

  ISBN-10: 1503111733

  BISAC: Drama / American / Urban-African American

  5…4…3…2…1…Happy New Years! The crowd sang in unison at Club 112 of Atlanta, Georgia. All of the ballers, gangsters, good fellas, and good girls who like bad guys were there. The DJ played the hottest jams, everything from old school Hip Hop and R&B to new school tunes. The line outside was still wrapped around the building; cars were still entering the parking lots surrounding the club. Ash, Chelle, Neese and Tera were in the limo parked in front of the red carpet that led to the VIP line directly in front of the club. They all made their finishing touches to their make-up, made sure their hair fell right and each of them sprayed a few puffs of their favorite perfumes before entering the red carpet. Chelle stepped out first, rocking a Marciano dress and Marc Jacobs’s boots; she wore her hair long and layered in a simple Dominican-Styled wrap. Ash wore a sweater dress by Bebe, a pair of Prada peep- toe pumps, and she wore her hair in a shoulder length bob. Then came Neese and she wore a dress by Vera Wang, suede Nine West shoes and she wore her hair long jet black with curls at the ends and a small hump at the top. Last, Tera stepped out wearing a red button down top with ruffles that surrounded the buttons by Bebe and a pair of high-waist jeans by Bebe; she wore the checker board print Louis Vuitton pumps, wearing her hair long with bronze and gold highlights with big curls that accented her highlights very well.

  They all walked straight to the window without waiting in the line, and handed their VIP tickets that they purchased earlier that day to the lady behind the glass window. The bouncer checked their bags for weapons and he escorted them to the main entrance of the club, he pointed to the booth that they had reserved and the girls strutted towards the booth. As the label whores approached the crowd, they felt as if all eyes were on them people were checking them out from head to toe as if they were celebrities. Girls were envious because the four girls weren’t there five minutes and they stole the crowds’ attention. One girl even bumped into Tera, so she elbowed the girl away and starred at her as if to say “Bitch I dare you”, the rest of the girls silently stared her down until she was out of sight. As they entered the booth, they showed the bouncer their wristbands and ticket stubs so he unlatched the red velvet rope and he let them into the booth. Soon after the girls sat on the plush couches and made themselves comfortable while a waitress brought them the bottles that they had ordered. They had a bottle of Moet, Crystal, Remy Martin and Grey Goose; everyone had chosen one of their favorites and they wanted a variety so they could feel important, stunt and give people complimentary drinks as they stopped by their booth. The girls reached for their digital cameras and each of them took pictures as they popped their selected bottle of champagne or liquor. They acted silly as they poured glasses for themselves and took more pictures. “Nobody parties like US!” They all said as a cheers toast. Chelle and Neese decided to walk around and mingle with the people in the crowd for a while. They walked through the crowd squeezing through couples that were dancing like wild and crazy people, snatching their arms from guys who were tugging at them, and maneuvering through the rest of the crowd that just seemed to be standing in the way or trying to get through as well. They finally made it to the other side where a group of nice young men invited them over into their booth for a few drinks. Since Chelle and Neese already had their glasses of Moet and Remy plus they didn’t know these dudes, they declined the offer but they still briefly held conversation with the guys. They were from Nashville, Tennessee Chelle and Neese told them they were from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The guys asked for their names and numbers, but Chelle and Neese took their numbers instead and promised to call them the next day. After chatting with them for a few minutes they decided to make their way back to the other side of the club. As they walked through they saw a few familiar faces in the crowd. “Damn we always see somebody from Winston” Chelle turned around and said to Neese. “Always” Neese said in agreement, and they continued to walk.

  As they approached the side that they were sitting on, they saw Chip, Ryan, B, Hood and the rest of the fellas that hung with them; they were the most notorious crew of bosses and ballers from North Carolina with ties to various drug organizations across the country. They threw money in the air as one of the old school Hip Hop classics played “This is it what, luccini fallin from the sky, let’s get rich what…” “They have to be drunk, they know if they were sober they would be throwing ones instead of twenties” Chelle said laughing. “Yeah, they will be sick in the morning” Neese said and they both laughed as they gave each other dap. Their booth was only a couple booths down from the girls, they walked over and spoke to them for a moment Ryan grabbed Neese by the waist and kissed her on the cheek. “Hey baby, you enjoying yourself?” She asked him as she turned and focused her attention on him. “Yeah, it’s alright how about you?” He responded. They sat down on the couch and she poured herself another glass of Remy Martin VSOP. Chip sat at the other end of the couch he stared at Chelle until she focused her attention on him, he motioned her to come over so she did. “Now are you ready to give me the number?” He asked her as he leaned back and put his arm behind her head on the couch. “Yeah, I guess” she said smiling at him. “336-555-7270” she said before he could even get his phone out of his pocket. “Damn baby slow down, what is it again?” “Don’t call me that” she said as she took his phone from him and attempted to put her number in it. “Here I don’t know how to work your phone, 336-555-7270” she said again. “What took you so long to give me your number anyway?” Chip asked, he had tried to holler at Chelle on several occasions but she played hard to get for almost two years. “I had a boyfriend when you first tried to talk to me, but after that umm I don’t know” she said looking up at the ceiling as if she were trying to remember why she didn’t talk to him before. “You want something to drink?” He asked her. “Yeah, what do y’all have?” She asked him. “All we got is Yak over here” he told her. “Well I’m about to head back to my booth, I’m drinking champagne tonight but I’ll be right back over here.” She stood up and walked over to the steps, she spoke to all of the fellas as she walked away from the booth and told Neese she was going back to the booth with the girls for a minute. Neese nodded her head and continued to talk to Ryan. On her way back over to the booth, Jock and Chloe walked up drunk as hell. “Heeey Chelle” Chloe said as she put her hand on Chelle’s shoulder, “back up bitch you are drunk as hell!” Chelle said as she laughed at Chloe, Jock walked over to the booth with the dudes and they continued their conversation. “Where in the hell have y’all been the club is almost over.” Chelle quizzed Chloe. “Girl, we brought the new year in together” Chloe said as she laughed and hit Chelle on the arm. “Ugh, save it!” Chelle said as she walked over to the booth with Chloe. “Happy New Years bitches!” Chloe said as she giggled and sat down. “Where the hell you been bitch it’s almost 1:30” Tera asked Chloe as she gave her a bottle of water. “Shut up bitch I know you aint talking” Chloe said twisting the top off of the tube shaped glass bottle of water. “I needed that” she said thankful that Tera gave her the water. “I know you are drunk as hell” Tera said laughing. “Where is Ash?” Chelle asked Tera. “Girl Ash
and Lo just left, they are both drunk as hell enough said.” They both laughed. Chelle poured herself another glass of Moet and sipped on it, while thinking about Chip. He is pretty cool, he’s been trying to get at me for a while and he never gave up. I might as well give him a chance plus I like his style, he’s not the cutest guy in the world but that doesn’t really matter, he is low key for the most part and his baby mama is not an issue so I’ve heard it’s that damn Kiki that would be my concern, I hope he knows I don’t do drama... Her thoughts were interrupted, “what’s up, so what are you doing after the club?” Chip had walked over to their booth. “Not you nigga why?” Chelle said as she poured herself yet another drink. “There you go with that snappy attitude; I know that much I wouldn’t have hollered at you if you were out there like that.” He said shaking his head and looking at Chelle in amazement. Finally he thought to himself. “What the hell are you looking at me like that for?” Chelle asked him, “Don’t act like that you might fall in love with me one day.” He said to her as he once again put his arm on the couch behind her head, this time they were in the girl’s booth. “You want to go get something to eat after this?” He asked her. “Yeah, let’s go to City Café, it’s on the corner of fourteenth street downtown.” She told him. “Alright I’m going to call you, don’t screen my call either” he said joking. He spoke to the ladies as he left the booth. Neese came over, “Girl what have y’all been talking about all night?” “Nothing really, we are going to get something to eat after the club” “Me and Ryan are too, where are y’all going?” “City Café” “Sounds good, Ryan wants to go to IHOP”.

  Tera and Cory were standing at the edge of the booth arguing, as usual. “Come on y’all, I can’t believe y’all are bringing in the New Year like this.” Chelle said walking towards them. “Well believe it” Neese snickered. “Nah, this muther fucker is trying to tell me that he wasn’t with that bitch last night, man I am not stupid” Tera said with her arms folded and her right eye brow raised. “So girl, a dude gon be a dude don’t sweat that shit you ain’t gon leave him alone so stop arguing at least for one night, damn.” Chelle said pouring yet another glass of Moet. She looked at Cory with her nose slightly flared as if he stunk and walked back to the other side of the booth and sat down. Chloe went over and sat with the fellas for a few moments, and Neese sat beside Chelle. A few moments later, Tera and Cory were smiling at each other. He apologized and Tera accepted.

  The DJ played slow jams, letting everyone know that the end of the night was approaching. Chelle and Neese decided to go over to the booth with the guys one last time, Neese and Ryan danced to a few songs and Chelle talked to Chip for a little while longer. “So, how old are you?” She asked him. “I’m 25, how old are you?” “I’m 20.” She told him. “How the hell did you get in here if you’re only 20?” “I have a copy of Tera’s ID.” “Oh so how old is Neese, I know Ryan young as hell.” “She is 19”. “Damn y’all some youngins for real” “Shut up” Chelle said laughing. “You don’t act 20; I usually don’t talk to females who are younger than me.” “Oh, so I’m too young?” “No, you straight I guess we will have to make an exception for you” “ah, whatever” “let’s see how long this will last” they both laughed, Chip stood up and he held his hand out to help Chelle up. She stood up and told him she would see him in a little while. “You ready?” Chelle asked Neese “Yeah, let’s go get Tera”. They both left the booth and walked over to their VIP section, Tera and Cory were kissing Neese and Chelle looked at each other in disgust. They sat down and talked until Tera and Cory were finished. “You ready?” Neese asked Tera. “Yeah” “come on.” They exited the booth one by one; they left before the majority of the crowd so they wouldn’t have to fight their way to the door. They stood outside waiting on their ride, but there was no sign of a black Lincoln Limousine anywhere in sight. They waited patiently enjoying the cool night breeze, but after a while they began to get cold. Tera called the limo driver but there was no answer. “Strange, I wonder where he is” Neese said. “Let’s wait a few minutes and try him again.” Chelle suggested. The limo finally pulled up, but it wasn’t their driver. “Hello, are you looking for Frank?” A short man with black pants, a white collar shirt, a black vest and a black bow tie came over and asked the young ladies. “Yeah, who the hell are you?” Tera asked with an attitude. “Oh my name is Abdul; I will be your driver for the rest of your stay here.” “Where is Frank?” Chelle asked concerned. “He was shot; we believe he was robbed at the gas station across the street.” The girls looked at one another with suspicion, “and how are we sure that you didn’t kill him, do you work for the same company?” Tera asked. “Oh yes ma’am, I am Frank’s co-worker and friend I can assure you that I didn’t do this” Abdul said with an accent. “Shit if he tries us, it’s three against one, we straight” Chelle said. The girls walked over to the limo, Abdul opened the door and they climbed in one by one. Chelle called Ash to make sure she and Lo had made it to their destination safely. Ash didn’t answer, but she called Chelle back a few minutes later. “We are straight, I will be back to the room tomorrow” “Okay girl, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” They both laughed and hung up. The girls were rather uneasy the whole ride back, “where to?” The driver asked. “The W hotel” Neese told him. They each sat in silence saying personal prayers for Frank and his family, a tear fell from Chelle’s eye as she gazed out of the window and asked God to welcome another Angel into Heaven on that night. They arrived safely, and they each gave him a tip before getting out. “Here is my card, call me whenever you all are ready for me to come pick you up tomorrow.” Abdul handed each of them a business card, and they walked into the hotel. “What the hell?” Neese said as she looked at Tera and Chelle. The girls walked into the revolving door one by one, “girl I don’t know what’s going on maybe we should have chosen another limo service.” Chelle suggested. “Na, things happen sometimes and we don’t have control over them we will be alright as long as nothing else gets any weirder.” Tera said assuring her cousins that everything was okay. Chelle decided to sleep in Neese and Tera’s suite since Ash wasn’t coming back anyway. She ran across the hall slipped on her navy blue Ralph Lauren Fleece pajama pants and top and slipped on her Minnie Mouse footies, grabbed her charger and her cell phone and went back across the hall. Before she knew it Chip was calling her, after the disturbing news she had forgot all about going out for breakfast. “Yeah” she answered as the girls turned to the twenty-four hour news channel. “What’s up? I’m on my way to come get you where are y’all staying?” Chip said into the receiver. “The W” Chelle said still staring at the television without blinking. “You alright?” He asked concerned about her monotone voice. “Yeah, I’m good call me when you are about to pull up.” Chelle responded snapping out of it. “ Breaking News: A limo driver was shot to death outside of an Atlanta night club, just minutes after the New Year arrived, reporting live from news 2” the news anchor said. The camera switched over to an anchor man in the studio and he continued by saying “ No arrest have been made, but the murder may be linked to a mob altercation, if you have any information call 404-555-7001 visit our website for current updates on this case.” With that, he was off the air. “Why kill him? Why not just duke it out?” Chelle said shaking her head. “I know right, people are just heartless these days how can you just kill an innocent man. They had the nerve to say it had something to do with a mob or something, yeah right Frank seemed like a nice person.” Neese said certain that the driver had nothing to do with an altercation of any sort with a mob. “The news dude acted like he didn’t even care, he was almost sarcastic about the situation.” Tera added. Chelle got up, told the girls she would be right back and went across the hall to change into a pair of seven jeans, a tight white tee, and a hoodie and a pair of white air max. After changing, Chelle grabbed her pajamas and headed back over to her cousin’s room. “I’m going to eat breakfast with Chip; I’ll be back though.” Chelle said as she sat back on the couch and continued
watching television. “Oh, me and Ryan were supposed to go to IHOP let me get ready.” Neese said as she got up and looked for something comfortable to throw on. She called him and threw on a pink sweat suit and a pair of UGG boots. The girls were off to breakfast in a matter of minutes; they all planned to meet back at the hotel room after they ate.

  A day on the Town “So was the food good last night?” Chelle asked Chip as she stepped into his charcoal grey Cadillac DTS. They were both still in Atlanta for the holiday so they decided to hang out during the day. “Yeah it was good for some 4 o’clock in the morning food” he answered. “So what’s on the agenda for today?” “It’s up to you just as long as were together; I don’t care what we do.” He told her. “Well I was planning on doing a little shopping today, what were your plans?” Chelle asked as she turned down the music slightly. “Shit just chill out all day and find something to get into, shopping sounds like a plan where to first?” “Let’s go to Lenox.” “Alright, then we have to go to South DeKalb is that okay with you?” “Sure, it’s on you after that.” “Deal.” With that he was on Peachtree Street. Chip turned up the volume; he felt that it was so ironic that the radio played a song that reminded him of Chelle. Best friend was playing, although they had just met he enjoyed hanging with her already and she also enjoyed hanging with him. They instantly had a connection and they both felt the positive vibes from one another. “You know, I really think I am going to like you I’ve been checking you out for quite a while and I have never heard anything bad about you.” He told her as he leaned towards her and placed his hand on his chin. “Well, I have done my research on you too and you’re not that bad yourself I guess.” She responded while leaning back and checking out his expression. They pulled into the mall parking lot and Chelle directed him to park in the lot right in front of the main entrance. “You know this is your mall, I don’t really know where to go so you are going to have to lead the way.” He said as he pulled into a parking space. Chip got out of the car and walked over to her side to open the door for her. “Aww, thanks you’re such a gentleman.” Chelle said sarcastically. “Whatever.” He responded as he closed the door behind her and put his arm around her. Chelle told him the entire story about the limo driver and he listened to each word she was saying not missing a beat. Chip wanted to give Chelle his undivided attention whenever possible and he could see that she would open up to him before long. From the outside looking in you would have thought they had been together for years, and for some strange reason they both felt like they had. Chelle decided to work her way from one end of the mall to the other, when they walked in she turned left. “Let’s go in Urban Outfitters first” she suggested. He walked and thought to himself damn she can have whatever I got in my pockets; I will go back and get more money if I have to. What can I do to keep her? What does she like besides going shopping and out to eat? How in the hell am I going to keep that stupid ass drama with Kiki and Mo away from her? I gotta make sure I keep this chick around… “What the hell are you thinking about you look like you’re in deep thought.” “Thinking about what I am going to do later.” Literally later, damn I can’t even tell a whole lie because honestly that’s what I was thinking about, later. “So what are you going to do later?” She asked hoping to catch him off guard. “Wife you up, nah I’m just playing I don’t know probably go out to eat before the club want to come?” “Yeah, where are we going?” “I don’t know somewhere nice, quiet where we can talk more.” “Sounds good.” They walked into Urban Outfitters, Chelle walked over to the right side where a stand with all types of graphic t-shirts was neatly folded. She found the Run-DMC t-shirt that she wanted every since she saw someone with it on television. “Look Chip, I have to have it.” “Yeah it’s hot, get it.” She smiled and continued to look around the store. She didn’t see anything else that caught her eye so she decided to head over to the register and check out. Chip paid for the shirt and they left the store. “You didn’t have to do that you know” she told him. “Yeah, I know but I wanted to.” He put his arm back around her and they continued to the next store. “Hmm, I wonder if Guess has anything different from what we have at home.” She asked not expecting for him to answer. They walked over to guess and she headed towards the sale rack. Chelle always started at the sale rack in Guess; believe it or not they always had a pretty good selection on the sales racks too. She found a deep mustard yellow shirt that hung slightly off of her shoulders with gold chains as straps, it was by Marciano it was only $50 so she grabbed it. She plundered through the sale rack for a few minutes longer and she didn’t see anything else, so she made her way to the front of the store. She found a pair of jeans that would go perfectly with the shirt, they were dark with brown stitching and they had gold chains connecting from one end of the back pocket to the other end of the pocket. “Yeah, that’ll do it.” She said as she held up the outfit for Chip to approve. “Get it” he told her as he made his way to the register before she did. He grabbed the bag and took her other bag and they continued over to Bebe. “Oh lord we're going to be in here all day.” Chip said rolling his eyes to the ceiling. “No we won’t I’m just browsing” she assured him. He immediately sat down as Chelle went from one wall to the next looking at everything and loving it all. She saw a nice handbag she loved it and it went perfect with her Versace dress that she planned on wearing later that night. It also would go good with the outfit she had just purchased in Guess. “Look Chip, I love it” she told him as she held the bag up for him to see. “Yeah, that is nice” he said, sensing that she had great taste. It was a silk, chocolate brown hobo style bag with a brown strap covered by a gold chain with the logo printed in various places on the front of the bag. She also saw a beige sweat suit with orange and gold around the wristband and the waistband, she grabbed it also and headed towards the register and he closely followed her. The bag was a little more than he expected, but he was cool with it just a little shocked. Damn I probably could’ve gotten her a Prada bag or something for that amount he thought as he pulled out the money to pay for the items. “Thank you so much, you really don’t have to do all of this.” Damn I hate doing damage on the first date; I should have offered to pay for it myself. Chelle thought to herself as she watched Chip grab the bag. “Okay we can go to Saks 5th Avenue and I’m done” she said wishing she hadn’t let him pay for her things. “I’m following you” he said. She headed to Saks. When she walked in she saw a camel brown leather bummer jacket that went perfect with her camel brown leather timberland boots. “Ooh, now that would go so hard with my tims.” She looked through the rack until she found her size, yes and it’s on sale for $139 can’t beat that. She asked the sales associate to unlock the coat; the sales associate then took it to the register and assured Chelle that it would be there when she came to the front to purchase it. She continued over to the shoes where she saw a pair of Gucci loafers, should I? I’ll wait until the next time I don’t want these right now, I need to calm down and hurry up. She grabbed a shopping cart that was a few feet away from her and threw the shoes in. Then she walked over to the sunglasses and she saw an off white colored pair of sunglasses that she would have almost died for. She grabbed them without thinking twice and headed over to the register. On her way, she saw the perfume and realized that she had run out of her favorite a few months ago. She took the perfume off of the shelf and reminded herself that she had to contain herself. She put a pair of sneakers she had picked up on a nearby shelf “You could have gotten them” Chip told her. “No, I don’t need them they will be here.” She said as she placed the items on the counter to check out. As the cashier rung the items up, Chelle pulled out her wallet. “Don’t worry about this stuff I will get it” she told Chip. “Put that up man, I got it.” He said as he stopped her from opening her wallet. “Are you sure?” She questioned him, she definitely didn’t expect to spend so much money but she really didn’t get too much. “Positive, now put your wallet back in your bag.” “Okay, whatever you say.” Chelle said as she put her w
allet back into her bag. Wow, she had done about $1,200 worth of damage in one day and she didn’t want to do anymore so she was more than ready to leave.