Two Days Later

Shae

"I really like the gold ankle strap sandals better with this black romper," I said looking in the full length mirror inside the dressing room. I was in the Gucci boutique making my weekly visit.

"I think you should get the black ones too, they are sexy," Anita said.

"You're right, I think I'll get both." I smiled at Anita as she sat on the bench texting on her phone.

Anita Hamilton stood five-six, one hundred and fifteen pounds of pure Puerto Rican flavor.  She was not only one of my closest friends but the only person I let call me ShayShay. She works as a reporter for WRTZ during the day and part-time for SportsCenter. I met her when I first started working with Michael and we became friends. I loved that she had full access to players so I could keep track of the major ballers. Plus I kept her around because she definitely knows her way around a woman's body.

"Sooo...have you and Michael decided what your next plan of action is, in the takedown of Sean Gipson?"

"It's not a take down. I love Sean and he loves me although he doesn't know it yet. He has moved me into his house, getting the nursery done and then soon we are going to be a happy family. I deserve this."

"He didn't move you in his actual house that he lives in, he's wasting money on a nursery that will never have a baby in it and this family idea is a dream. You don't love Sean, you love the idea of what he can do for you. I think you should cut your losses and move on."

"I've invested too much. You have no idea the painstaking shit I've been through. I will never give up! I deserve to be happy, you hear me!"

She held her hands up. "I'm your friend. I wish no harm to you. I got to be honest, I was happy you called me yesterday. Oh how I've missed you." She rubbed up my leg but I stepped back. She put her head down.

"If I play my cards right, I can have both Sean and Michael on a leash. I could be the Queen."

"ShayShay give it up. Once Sean realizes there's no baby, he is going to toss you away. When I did that interview with him he mentioned he hated liars. Besides where are you going to get a baby from?"

"I have my ways."

"Please tell me you are not going to do anything illegal?"

"It's been taken care of. Enough about this."

"You are in over your head. Just tell Sean the truth and move on. When he does find out..."

"He won't and you're not going to say anything either."

"I wouldn't do that to you. I'm your friend."

"Then you need to be supportive."

She shook her head in disbelief. "Well I have some bad news for you, ShayShay. From what I hear, Lizzy maybe moving here."

"What?"

"I heard Jeremy in the training room talking about it when I was doing a SportsCenter interview with Malik Jones yesterday."

I stared back at Anita. " I think Sean and Lizzy tied the knot, like in got married. They haven't announced it but my spies tell me they are ninety percent sure but nothing is coming up on social media or courthouse records. I need you to do some digging."

"That's even worse. Lizzy will never let you have your fairytale ending. She's like Sean's overprotective pit bull."

"That heifer doesn't scare me. Aries beat that ass real good, I only wish I was there to finish her off."

"No man should ever hit a woman, in her defense he was wrong. How could you condone that type of behavior?"

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I still had scars from all the rough neck exes and even a couple from Michael. What made Lizzy better than me? Oh just because she has a medical degree, so what, she was still dumb to me.

"Finish this tragic story of her moving here."

"I heard Jeremy say that she was applying for a California medical license. I'm sure with the team backing, she would be approved in no time. Then on top of that, people have been posting pics of them around town." She pulled up her Instagram page and there was Sean and Lizzy holding hands walking into Robertos. They were both laughing with their sunshades on, bitch!

"Aries is still in jail and now since stupid ass Rue is out of commission, Lizzy has way too much time on her hands. She's a doctor shouldn't she be back in country bumpkin Louisiana practicing? Who can be away from a job that long and still have one?"

"When your best friend slash maybe husband is one of the world's best paid sport figures. He's on his way to the Hall of Fame when he retires, probably will get an announcer gig and he owns several businesses, then on top of that he's fine as hell. He's a golden boy. People love him."

I was getting angry.

"Turn that frown upside down. Look, I'll do some digging. If I find out anything pertinent, I will let you know. If they have tied the knot, you will be the first to hear of it. If I play my cards right, Jarreau may spill the tea. He likes me."

"Well he hates me. Go for it, use what you got to get what you want."

"Well I was thinking that certain information doesn't come for free." She got up from the bench putting her hands on my waist. Kissing on my neck I pulled away a little.

"We can't do that, at least not in public."

"It hasn't stopped us before. That dingy sales chick is too busy on the phone talking to her boyfriend. The way I see it, we are the only ones in here. All you have to do is be quiet." Her hands cupped my breasts and her lips were pressing soft kisses across my back. I moaned trying not to give in but the moment the silk romper slid into a pool of fabric around my ankles, I was a goner. I watched as she lowered to her knees.

Thirty minutes later I was at the counter about to pay for my items.

"That will be thirty- five sixty with tax. Do you want to put it on your card we have on file Ms. Shaunte?"

"Of course Dina."

"I will call you later Shae," Anita said popping a breath mint in her mouth. My panties were still soaked from what we did in the dressing room. We hugged and she walked out.

"I'm sorry Ms. Shaunte but your card was declined."

"Excuse me? You need to run it again."

"I have. I've done it three times."

"Well try again Dina. I'm a regular and that card has no limit." I stared at the simple looking redhead. She had no idea who she was fucking with.

"It's not working. Maybe there is something wrong with the card. Do you have another?"

"This is bullshit." I reached in my purse and pulled out another.

I waited and heard the door chime. A man walked in looking absolutely scrumptious. He was wearing a Stanley Korshak Kitron dark blue plaid suit. It was handmade, probably cashmere from what I could tell. He took his sunshades off and I could tell he had me about fifteen or twenty years. The hair on my arms stood, this man was made of money, old money. Daddy Warbucks, Ching Ching, dollar bill ya'll.

"Ms. Shaunte this one isn't working either."

"You've got to be kidding me?" This was now getting embarrassing. I picked up my cell phone and dialed Michael. I waited until he picked up.

"What are you doing? The credit card doesn't work Michael."

"I know, you have been cut off."

"What?! You can't do this to me."

"Your time is up. I have no signed contracts and I told you what the consequences would be."

"Please Michael, I will have them by the weekend."

"No, you will have them to me by tomorrow."

"Fine!"

"When they are signed, you will get your credit back."

"That's not fair."

"Life isn't fair sweetheart."

"If you fuck with me Michael, I will spill everything."

"No you won't. It's no way you would incriminate yourself. Sean would believe me over you any day. It was your idea about a fake pregnancy, that's all you."

"I only did it to help your trifling ass out. You know what, believe what you want, but I think you should rethink this taking away my livelihood. You're the one that has a lot to lose. I will expose you for prostitution and contract fraud. Oh and did I mention the gambling, money laundering and other..."

"Shut the fuck up Shaunte." I heard noise in the background probably him hitting the desk.

"Oh, did I hit a nerve...sweetheart." I smirked because he knew I could take him down. I had been with him too long and best believe I knew way more than he thought.

"I will remove the freeze but you still have until tomorrow. I'm getting very impatient. I've given you long enough. You've taken my kindness for weakness but that's about to change."

"Michael you are full of yourself. You're going to give me what I want and I will get the contracts signed by the weekend, like I said before. This discussion is over." I hung up on him.

My phone rang but I wasn't answering him. He better handle up before I called Anita and have his ass on the next edition of SportsCenter showing him being escorted by police in handcuffs. I would sing like a bird, he was messing with the wrong one.

"Did you want to use another form of payment?" Dina asked bringing me out of my thoughts.

"You were right, there was a problem with the card. They say give it a few minutes and then you can run it again." She nodded.

"Okay. Let me finish with this gentleman and then I will try again."

"Fine." I rolled my eyes and looked down at my watch. I had some time to waste so I took a seat and waited.

The gentleman walked around, asking questions, definitely wasn't a shopper. I sat there really examining him. Not only was he a MOM (made of money), I could smell his expensive cologne that had me wanting to get a better sniff. His hair was salt and pepper on the sides reminding me of a cross between the model Sandor Johnson and George Clooney, but it made him look debonair. He walked with confidence but there was something dangerous about him.

Dina was smiling and putting on aires because I was sure she needed a sale. He looked at perfumes, scarfs and wallets. Then she turned his attention to handbags. He listened carefully as she explained the difference for each one he selected.

He turned my way and nodded. I couldn't help the smile that crossed my face. I pushed my hair back around my ear and sat up a little straighter.

"Miss do you mind giving me your honest opinion about something?"

Damn even his voice was sexy. I had to clear the naughty thoughts that invaded my mind.

"Sure." I batted my eyes.

"My daughter's birthday is coming up and I'm looking for something she may like."

"What did you have in mind?" I stood up and walked up to him.

"I'm not sure if I should get the crocodile top handle or the snake skin one." He held up the two handbags.

"Well there's like a $24,000 difference in price."

"Price is not an object. She deserves the very best."

"Can I be your daughter?" I smiled and he chuckled.

"One is enough. She's a handful and I don't know if I could handle two."

"I'm not that bad. I would be a good girl. By the way, my name is Shaunte."

He held out his hand. "I'm Sam. Nice to meet you Shaunte."

"I like the crocodile one. I'm sure she's daddy's little princess."

"You could say that." He had this ginormous smile on his face. His daughter sure was a lucky one.

"I will take this one," he said holding the red handle bag with the Gucci emblem with gold chain and buckle. Even I didn't own one of those, very lucky girl.

"Also I think I want the matching wallet and scarf." Dina eyes got big as this was going to be a major sale for her.

"I will be right back Mr. Giraud."

"Thank you Dina. Oh and thank you too Shaunte for your opinion, I hope my daughter likes it."

"If not you could always gift it to me." He laughed.

Dina came back with bags, boxes, tissue paper and all kinds of ribbon.

"It was nice meeting you Sam." I walked towards the checkout. Why did I have a feeling he was watching me so I put a little twist in my hips? I was sure the booty had him in a trance. If he played his cards right, who knows,  he might get a chance to make it wiggle. I laughed to myself.

"The pleasure was all mine Shaunte." He leaned against the wall looking at me. Oh yeah he had that I want to fuckyousobad look, I knew it well. I smirked turning my attention back to Dina.

"Ms. Shaunte, your card is still declined. Would you like me to call Mr. Gipson for his?"

Before I could say anything, Sam said, "just put her items with mine."

"I couldn't dare ask you to pay for my things."

"You seem to be in a bind. Just call it payment for assisting me."

"I don't know what to say?" I put my hand on my chest.

"You can start with a thank you and having lunch with me. I can bring you back to your car after. I hate eating alone and I'm only here until tomorrow. My daughter and son and law won't be back until tonight and I have a little time to kill."

"Well..."

"My treat. I'm sure you wouldn't let an old man dine alone, would you?"

"You're not old."

"Well I will take that as a compliment."

"Okay, we can have lunch." Maybe a little dessert too. I licked my lips

He nodded at Dina passing his black titanium Amex card to her. She rang him up and the next thing I knew she was wrapping up the handbag, wallet and scarf. She looked at me through narrowed eyes and wrapped my items last. I smiled because she could only wish to be so lucky.

Walking outside there was a gray convertible Aston Martin Vanquish with red seats.

"Here, let me take your bags." He opened the trunk and lined the shopping bags up. He closed it and opened my door. Chivalry wasn't quite dead. He was such a gentleman.

"Would you like for me to put the top up?"

"No, you can leave it down. It's such a beautiful day."

"That it is Ms. Shaunte, oh what a wonderful day it will be." He put on his sunshades and I did the same as the two us began to cruise down the road.