Black Butterfly (10 page)

“Well, you two need to go on and announce your engagement.” Mother prompted the few respectable reporters and photographers who had been invited. Of course she had real media connections thanks to her parents.

Maurice took Seandra’s hand and led her to the ballroom’s stage. The whole room shunned as all eyes landed on the very attractive couple. Thankfully, Maurice appeared to be sober. I was sure that would change by the end of the night. It was so pathetic. The quietness of the room was as if everybody was holding their breath. The sound of high heels clicking on the Italian marble floors made everyone avert their eyes away from the stage.

I looked toward the entrance and it was
Renell looking fierce as hell with a fine piece of chocolate eye candy on her arm. Sister girl was trying to make a point and I got it. Their entrance was better than the celebrated couple on the stage. Everybody wanted to know when Renell had started dating the fine, young sports agent. I nodded my head in approval. He was no stranger to the spotlight. Ricky Cory had been a Ralph Lauren model when he was in college. After the crowd became rowdy with questions the couple on stage was suddenly old news. The reporters made their way to the mystery sister and her new beau. Renell didn’t like the spotlight, but seemed to be enjoying it all of a sudden.

I couldn’t help but go over to her and give her a gracious hug. Seandra followed me and Maurice lingered behind. Renell was hesitant to hug Seandra, but she did because it was proper. The Beauvois reputation was important to our mother and we didn’t want to put it on the line. I
t could never be shown that there was bad blood between the beautiful Beauvois sisters. We’d all been photographed all our lives, but I’d never known for Renell to pose before.

“We’re about to make an announcement, so everyone should grab a glass of champagne,” Seandra said desperately trying to get the focus back on the occasion at hand. Besides, this was
her
engagement party. Seandra absolutely bathed in the spotlight. She was a famous actress and was damn good at it. Her show was in its third season and had been number one since the fourth episode. However, Renell was the star of the show tonight. Everyone wanted to know about her. I had to admit that she looked hot as hell in a sharp, short red Dolce and Gabbana dress. It was tight and showed off her long, Tina Turner legs. Her usually innocent looking gray eyes were smoky and sexy. What was up with her? Was she trying to show Seandra up? Whatever her motivation was, I was damn proud of her.

Seandra kept cutting her eyes at Renell in envy. I felt sorry for her. I stopped everybody’s fuss over
Nell and Ricky. “Okay. C’mon everyone. Seandra and Maurice have something to say,” I said.

Seandra looped her
arm through Maurice’s muscular one and tugged him toward the stage. The huge diamond encrusted platinum choker she wore glimmered and glistened as she scanned the room. She was waving like she’d been crowned Miss America once she was back on the stage and the center of attention again.

Maurice grabbed the mic and cleared his throat. Cameras started flashing capturing the moment as it happened. “Ladies and gentlemen we would like to thank all of you for sharing this very special night with us. I would like for you all to be the first to know that I asked the beautiful Seandra Bea
uvois to join me in holy matrimony and she accepted.” He beamed at his wife to be and the room erupted into thunderous applause. Seandra held up her hand and blinded everybody with her bling. There were gasps around the room. I just shook my head because everyone was oblivious to who Maurice really was.

Of course the cameras kept right on flashing and the reporters circled the room asking everyone for their reaction to the news.

“Seandra and Maurice are in love and I wish them all of the luck in the world.” I smiled sexily at the camera. “I only hope to be as lucky as she is one day.”

The photographer was a cute white boy. He winked at me. “You sure do
look lucky to me,” he flirted.

I smiled and walked away. I couldn’t take the stuffy atmosphere anymore, so I walked
toward the rear exit of the hotel. I walked into the crisp night air and lit a joint. I’d had it tucked away in my little clutch bag.

After about fifteen minutes of puffing the joint was gone. I rushed back inside and made sure the door was closed. I pulled a sma
ll bottle of Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue from my purse and sprayed it on my neck and wrists. I made my way back to the ballroom and bumped into Maurice. He grabbed my shoulders to steady me.

“Where are you going
?” I asked. I could see the white residue on his nose.

He wiped his nose as if he’d known I’d seen it. “I had to use the restroom. Is that okay with you?”

“Fine with me.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I guess we both had an itch that needed to be scratched.” I let his mind wander. He practically had his lips one inch from mine. I put my hand up. “Back up please.”

“How about we go into that little room right there? Let’s see if the baby of the Beauvois clan is the real freak. Look at you looking all sexy. You were only sixteen when I met your sister. Now you’re all woman. Yeah, you’re ready.” His eyes traveled all over my body. I could
smell the alcohol and the cigarette he’d just smoked on his breaeth. It was a lethal combination. All of the mints and money in the world couldn’t conceal that.

“Yeah, I am a freak. Probably freakier than Seandra and Renell combined, but you’ll never find out. Besides
, if I did go in that room with you, which I wouldn’t, you’d be very embarrassed.”

“What?” He asked as I pushed him away.

“You probably can’t even get hard because coke makes your dick limp. Can’t fuck a freak like that.” I laughed and proceeded to the ballroom.

My father was on the stage holding my mother’s hand. The crowd was quiet again anticipating what the powerful Sean Beauvois had to say. The cameras
were still flashing.

“I would like to propose a toast. Seandra and Maurice?” He searched the crowd for them. “W
ill you two join Tameah and I?”

Maurice walked past me and took Seandra’s hand. He led her to the stage as the crowd clapped again for the newly engaged couple.
I looked around and spotted Renell and Ricky. There was something up with Renell. Suddenly she didn’t look as confident as she did before. She wasn’t holding Ricky’s hand anymore and she looked nervous. My eyes focused back on the stage. What the hell was going on?

Daddy continued with his toast. “Seandra you look beautiful tonight. I’ve watched you grow into a very
talented, charismatic young woman. You are a good judge of character and your mother and I trust your choices.”

‘Yeah right,’ I thought with a smirk on my face. I downed my champagne
and made eye contact with Renell. She shook her head with a disgusted look on her face.

“We welcome you into our family Maurice. I expect that you will make our daughter very happy. If not you will have hell to pay.”

Laughter filled the room. Father chuckled, patted Maurice on the back and gave mother the microphone.

“Raise your glasses,” she said with a huge smile on her face. She looked at Seandra with more love in her eyes than I’d ever seen. “I’m so proud of you Seandra. And Maurice you
will
have hell to pay if you don’t make my little girl happy. There are three versions of me in this room and the Beauvois women do not play.” She laughed as she worked the crowd. Everyone loved her. “Let’s drink to many many happy years to come. I wish you two all of the blessings and children you can stand. Yes, I would love to have some grandkids. Congratulations to you two.”

Everyone clicked their
glasses together. I looked back again and Renell and Ricky were gone.

*
    *    *

Renell

I couldn’t take it anymore. I’d gone in with confidence and walked out feeling sorry for my sister. She just didn’t seem to know what she getting herself into. Ricky and I had gone to the party together. I finally relaxed once we were seated in his silver Range Rover. Ricky finally said something.

“Are you okay?” He asked.

“Yes. I just don’t like these social events. I’m the private one. My sisters both live for the cameras and the spotlight. Not me.”

“Well, I couldn’t tell. You look really sexy tonight and you see
med to enjoy the cameras. What was that all about then?”

“
It was nothing really. I tried to act like I was into it for my mother. I wouldn’t even have gone if my mother didn’t insist that all three of us be in attendance. Why should I hide myself away though? I’m just as beautiful as my sisters.”

“Yes
, you are. You sound like you have to convince yourself. You know that you’re beautiful Renell,” he said looking into my eyes.

“Just drive Ricky,” I said realizing that we were still in the parking lot.

He started the ignition and drove off. “Are you that upset that your sister is marrying that guy? Why are you letting it get to you like that? I know that’s your sister, but you are not the one who has to put up with him. If he’s that bad it’s her problem, so let her deal with that.”

“You don’t even know the half of it. I don’t want to talk about Seandra and Maurice
anymore. You’re absolutely right. He’s her problem. If she wants to be a fool who am I to try and stop her?”

“Maybe she will wake up. People have to make their own mistakes.”

“That is true. I am starving. I didn’t want any of that mess at the party. I grew up eating that stuff. I want something that’s going to stick to my ribs.”

Ricky smiled at me. “I know the perfect place.” He watched as I kicked my shoes off and stretched my shapely legs. His eyes lingered on them and I pointed
to the road.

“Oh
, I’m sorry. You have the most beautiful legs I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t help it.”

The compliment made me blush. I smiled instead of being defensive. Maybe Ricky would bring me out of my shell. He was really sweet and seemed to be really into me. I just hoped he was patient.

“Thank you. Did I tell you how handsome you look tonight?” He had on a sharp, black Armani suit.

“Thanks sexy. Just because we’re going to grab a bite now does not mean we won’t be going on a date tomorrow. I hope that’s not what you were thinking.” He looked over at me and winked.

My heart skipped a beat. “Why would I not want to go out with you tomorrow? I genuinely like you Ricky. I apologize for all of the times I was rude and anti-social. I’ve been through some things and…”

He cut me off. “Don’t apologize to me.”

“Okay. That will be the last time I apologize.” I laughed.

Ricky just stared at me. “You have the most beautiful eyes. You’re beautiful, strong, and intelligent. I
like that combination. You’re not over exposed and that’s why all eyes were on you tonight. The first time I saw you, I knew I wanted you Renell. I must confess. I couldn’t stop looking at your legs. All I could see were those beautiful legs wrapped around my…”

“Your neck,” I interrupted him.

“I can see that too,” he said licking his lips.

When he saw how I was looking at him he laughed. “Just being honest beautiful. Don’t be offended. You have a nice ass too.”

I laughed enjoying how sexy he made me feel. I hadn’t felt like that in a long time.

“I
just want you to see what I see when I look at you.”

“I
know that I have a lot to offer and I am a lot more confident than I may seem at times.”

“Well, I will never stop complimenting you.”

I blushed again. I seemed to be doing that a lot tonight. I was glad that his eyes were on the road. “You’re too much Ricky.”

“Hopefully that’s just enough for you.”

He was pouring it on thick and I was enjoying the sweet, syrupy feeling called affection. I hadn’t had any in a while. I leaned over and kissed Ricky on the cheek. He quickly turned and brushed my lips lightly with his. I thought time had stopped. Just as quickly as he’d kissed me his eyes were back on the road. He was grinning from ear to ear and I couldn’t stifle my smile any longer.

“You’re very sneaky, but you have nice, soft lips,” I said.

“Mmm, so do you,” he said leaning over to kiss me longer this time. When he pulled away I leaned back against the headrest.

“Damn,” I whispered. My head
was spinning and I hadn’t felt so out of control in a long time. I had to admit that I kind of liked it.

*                *                    *

Seandra

Mother walked over to me. “Where’s Renell?” She asked.

“I don’t know. She left I guess.” I shrugged my shoulders. “She didn’t say anything to me.”  Why was everybody fawning over Renell? It was supposed to be about Maurice and I tonight.

Mother sighed. “She didn’t say anything to
Seantay either.”

“Maybe she wanted some alone time with her new man. Who knows and who cares. This is my engagement party,” I said with annoyance dripping from each word.

“Well, if she thinks that’s more important than your engagement,” mother spat sarcastically.