Ghetto Girls Too. Anthony Whyte

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      Sophia locked the door and turned to see the look on Deedee’s face. She knew something had gone wrong between the girls.

      Deedee’s expression changed to disgust as she slowly made her way down the stairs to stand next to Eric. He was in the midst of drinking a beer and examining the damage to the den and the kitchen. Sophia joined the two near the kitchen. Deedee’s arm was wound about her uncle.

      “We could probably fix it all for about 20 grand or so,” Eric said looking at the furniture and assessing the damage to the apartment. This had been his dream home he had specially built after his first million. He had wanted to shout out something to the whole world. From his fortunes made in the music industry, Eric owned a two million dollar, six-bedroom apartment that came complete with a half a million dollar recording studio. It was worth every penny to Eric.

      Eric knew that with his talents and business savvy, there were always fortunes to be made in the music industry. Eric Ascot had enjoyed his fill. With his cup still running over, he could afford to indulge in excess. Eric owned a summer home in the Hamptons along with a Florida pad. He was not lacking for places. He was-n’t living life lavishly but he had the means to do that.

      He grew up thinking of the day when he’d have enough money to do whatever he wanted to do. When his brother had been killed and Deedee’s mother was strung out on drugs, Eric Ascot had bought this place. Deedee was coming to live with him and he wanted to move out of the old neighborhood. He was really proud of the place.

      That was up until a half hour ago before uniformed officers and crime lab people descended. They left yellow taped off sections and now his dream crib had been transformed into a nightmare. It was a crime scene.

      What had occurred in his apartment had been the result of a fatal mistake. Maybe he could erase it but Eric had to talk to Busta. That was important. Somewhere deep in his mind he knew that this was only the beginning of it all.

      “Or we could sell it. You know the board is gonna rule against any further stay,” Sophia said. She moved closer to Eric and Deedee. “Besides, my skin crawls whenever I look around this place. It just doesn’t feel right anymore.”

      Eric embraced Sophia and kissed her lips cutting off her protest. He rubbed her forehead lightly with his lips. Deedee stood apart and watched.

      “Uncle E, I thought you said we could fix it up?” Deedee asked and stared as she waited for an answer.

      “Deedee, you don’t understand but he’s got to sell the place,” Sophia addressed Deedee. She turned back to Eric and said, “Promise that you’re gonna sell.”

      “Sophia, do we have to sell our home? I mean like Uncle E says, it can be fixed and it won’t cost a lot of money to do so,” Deedee offered in protest.

      “It just stirs up this creepy feeling every time I think I’ll have to come here. I don’t want have to think of what happened. Furthermore, the board of trustees probably will vote against him staying.”

      “Well, we could still live here until...” Deedee started but her uncle raised his hand averting any ensuing argument.

      “You know what? Sophia is right. I’ll sell the place and we’ll buy another one that’s better,” Eric decided and moved to embrace his fiancé and niece. No sooner had he said the words than Deedee dashed off. Sophia turned away from his hug.

      “What’s with Dee?” she asked.

      “I don’t know. Maybe she really likes it here. It’s a nice place,” Eric said and looked at Sophia for a response but got none, at least not immediately.

      She hugged herself before saying, “It was a nice place, Eric.” Taking a sip of his beer, she asked, “What do you make of what happened here?”

      It was her turn to wait for an answer. Eric gulped his beer until it was gone. All the time, he knew Sophia’s almond shaped eyes, though soft brown at times, were peering at him. Eric felt the sting of her scorn when she added, “Eric, we’re not taking it back to the streets,” Sophia said. “Are we?” Eric said nothing. Sophia continued, “We’re no longer street people. We can’t take it back there. I won’t let you ruin me, yourself, or Deedee.”

      “C’mon, Sophia, you don’t know what you’re talking about. Listen, you’re just speculating. I’m saying, why couldn’t this cat want to just straight up rob me? Or someone out there could be hating and coming at…”

      “Did it have anything to do with Busta, huh, Eric?” Sophia dropped the bomb of a question on Eric. She saw his eyebrows draw closer together causing a wrinkle in his forehead. Eric took a detour from his answer and speculated.

      “Honestly, I don’t really know for sure if this is related to Busta or not,” Eric said shaking his head and paused for a minute. He knew that Busta was Sophia’s client. Had Busta said anything to let her think otherwise?

      As Eric became preoccupied, Sophia’s focus shifted to the worried expression on his face. She reached around to hug him and kissed him hard on his cheek. In her heart, she knew she loved him and wanted him no matter what. Yet, Sophia felt something amiss and desperately wanted to trust Eric. She looked into his eyes. He was the man she had chosen to share her life with. Even though they had not set a date for their wedding, both knew it was inevitable and it was just a matter of them fixing their schedules to accommodate it. Sophia did not want the wedding plans to be rushed but she could not decide on a date.

      “Why do you figure I’m trying to ruin anyone here?” she heard Eric ask. Her eyes searched his. Their stares pierced each other’s heart. They stayed that way as Sophia spoke.

      “Because he came here to kill you or us. I know it’s definitely not me because I haven’t done anything to cause someone named Lil’ Long to wanna put a cap in my ass, Eric. I’m not a stupid or dumb broad, Eric. Just fess СКАЧАТЬ