Hook'd (17 page)

She vowed that she wouldn't do it. But here she was, stalking his Instagram page once again. Pictures upon pictures of himself posted on a yacht, with gorgeous women dressed in bikinis, huddled around him like he was some sort of king. So, that was why he couldn't return her calls. Because he was busy frolicking his wannabe Hugh Hefner ass all over Brazil with his trashy sluts. Repulsive.

"Reese!"

She snapped out of her thoughts. "Huh?"

"What are you looking at?" Yasmine asked.

"Nothing. Just this..." She closed the page. "Email."

"Why? Something wrong?"

"No, it's nothing. But anyway, what were you saying?"

"I was asking, what do you think of the purple?"

Reese glanced at her acrylic tips, coated in the blended purple hue. She had chosen a particular nail polish that supposedly changed colors according to her mood. And with her fair skin tone, the color fit her well.

"I like it. It fits you," she approved.

"It does right? Yeah, I figured I'd like this one better than the blue. It goes with my dress, anyway."

Tonight was Yasmine's 5 year anniversary dinner party for her PR agency. As the CEO, she wanted to celebrate the agency's tremendous growth over the recent years by throwing a festivity in appreciation of her business partners, associates, and clients.

She had also invited her closest friends, and as Yasmine's number one supporter, Reese would be going as well.

They spent the afternoon getting their eyebrows, nails, and hair done. However, the whole time Reese couldn't get Cameron out of her mind. They hadn't seen or spoken to each other since their argument a couple weeks ago. And it bothered her. He didn't even have the decency to return her calls. If he was mad at her, he sure had an immature way of showing it. But what could he possibly be mad about anyway? Did he really expect for them to go any further than where they were now? It would never work out between them. They lived in two totally different worlds. And plus, she couldn't risk her reputation being seen with Cameron. She had already put herself on the line even allowing him to be affiliated with her organization.

But he obviously couldn't understand that.

She snapped to reality, realizing she had drifted into another trance again. She focused on Yasmine who had been busy telling her about Mandigo.

"I slept with Cameron," Reese blurted out.

Yasmine's mouth clamped shut.

Reese drifted her gaze to her hand as the clerk filed her nail, dreading her next response.

"You what?!?"

"I said I slept with Cameron Lewis, the box—"

"Shhh!" Yasmine glanced around the salon. "You can't just be saying that shit out loud in public. You don't know who’s listening."

"Don't be dramatic. There's no one here."

Apart from another woman getting a pedicure across the room, they were the only customers there. And she doubted that woman heard a word she said.

"Shit, they asses probably heard you." She flicked her hand toward the clerks doing their nails. "And don't be fooled just 'cause they speak that Chinese rah rah shit."

"Whatever."

"Bitch, if my nails wasn't wet, I would smack the hell outta you. You out of your damn mind? Why would you even—Ugh! I can't even look at you right now." Yasmine turned away.

"I know, I know. It was stupid."

"For how long? And I know it was more than once."

"Why would you think it's more than once?"

"Because your dry ass ain't got none in years. So, how long?"

Reese shot her a glare at her comment. Bitch.

"About two months," she admitted.

"Two months?" Her eyes widened.

Reese nodded shamefully.

"And you're just now telling me this?"

"I just didn't want to deal with your reaction, or your judgements."

"Well too bad, you're gonna have to deal with it. Didn't I say to stay away from him? Why would you even allow yourself to get caught up with his hoe ass? You know that nigga was just in Brazil, hoing it up with them—"

"I know, I know," she cut her off. She didn't even want to think about it.

"How did this all start?"

"I don't even know."

"Uh-oh..."

"What?" She met her gaze. Yasmine shook her head, staring at her.

"He got you..."

"Got me what?" she said, concerned.

"Strung off that D."

"Oh please." Reese rolled her eyes.

"Yup. Look at you, I could see it in your eyes. No wonder your ass 'been so dazed out this whole day, probably thinking about him the entire time. Matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you were busy texting his ass too. Yup, definitely dickmatized."

"For your information, I haven't been texting him. So, you're wrong about that. And no, I'm not...dickmatized, or whatever you call it."

"You could deny it all you want. But I know that look."

"Whatever."

Yasmine scoffed. "I can't believe you. So, all this time, you were busy getting on me for Mandigo. And look at you. Doing the same exact thing."

"No, I only got on you for Mandigo because he's a bum. And a loser."

"And I thought Mr. You-Know-Who was a rapist. Yet, you're laid up with him," she shot back.

Reese fell silent. She got her there.

"See, this is why your high and mighty ass needs to stop throwing stones. 'Cause, look at you. Being a damn hypocrite."

"Alright, Yasmine. God."

She was so damn sick of her.

"Lucky for you, nobody knows. But for your sake, you seriously need to stay away from him. No matter how good the D is. Trust me, it's not worth the headache. And I'm telling you this as a friend."

"Well, we haven't spoken in weeks, so..."

"Good. Keep it that way."

Reese sighed, staring at her brown painted nails.

"You know, he's coming tonight."

She cringed. Great.

"Are you gonna be okay with that?" Yasmine asked on.

"I'll be more than okay."

"You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I couldn't care less."

He had the nerve. For him to actually bring that Barbie bitch along as his date, she couldn't have been more disgusted. She swore she wouldn't allow their presence to bother her. But damnit, it did. On top of that, he didn't even have the curtesy to acknowledge her. They were attending the same event. The least he could've done was greet her. Not pretend like she was just another simple hoe off the street.

Ugh.

She was doing it again. Thinking about him. She should've been outside, enjoying the festivity. But yet, here she was, locked up in the bathroom pining over Cameron.

She shut her eyes with a deep breath. She needed to get herself together. Was she really worrying about Cameron? Please. He had no effect on her life. If he wanted to pretend she didn't exist, she was perfectly fine with that. She could do exactly the same.

Reese stepped back, gazing at the sleek copper dress that adorned her shapely frame. The strapless dress complemented well with her smooth dark skin, her matching hued stilettos enhancing her look. Her jet black hair was styled into her usual pixie cut, with her makeup done to perfection.

She looked damn good, tonight. Definitely better than his little Barbie bitch, who looked nothing but a mess in that hot pink mini dress she wore, looking like the slut she was. Where did she think she was? A strip club?

She laughed to herself. Cameron really had no standards.

Reese grabbed her clutch and left the bathroom.

The event took place at a small banquet hall. The dinner was an intimate one, with no more than 50 guests in attendance. Apart from Yasmine's business partners, a handful of A-list celebrities attended, from models, to athletes to musicians, all of which were current clients of Yasmine's agency or had been in the past.

Reese sat around her table. Each table had seating arrangements, in which hers included Yasmine's closest friends, such as Donette, Linda, and a few others she had been acquainted with a few times. Just to her luck, Cameron's table was across from hers. Right on her radar.

She deeply hated how gorgeous he looked in his black suit, royal blue button up, and matching tie. He sat amongst a few athletes and of course his Barbie, Farah. She still couldn't get over how she looked tonight. The bitch really thought she was cute in that dress that did nothing for her boxy shape and pale skin tone. Not to mention, she had been nothing but touchy feely with him the entire time. He didn't seem to mind either, laughing and chatting amongst his confidants without a care in the world.

Reese rolled her eyes and took sips of her Champagne. She wasn't even hungry. Although the place was well catered with top quality food, she had completely lost her appetite.

When she finished her wine, she tapped one of the waiters passing by holding a tray of drinks. She gestured for another one, and he handed her the flute of Champagne. She thanked him and drank more.

After a while, Yasmine approached the front of the room. The music had shut off, and she signaled for everyone's attention. The place grew quiet as all eyes drifted to her.

"I just want to thank everyone for coming out tonight. I put this dinner together, because I wanted to celebrate all of you for your support. It's been a tremendous 5 years. And I’ve seen this agency grow bigger than I expected," Yasmine announced on the mic. "When I first started, I..."

Reese's focus drifted off as she tapped another waiter passing by. She requested another drink and he handed her the flute off the tray. She took much needed sips.

When Yasmine finished her speech, applause filled the air. The RnB music resumed and she stepped off the stage. Reese glanced across at Cameron again, to find him smiling along with whatever Barbie whispered in his ear. She huffed and downed the last of her drink. She was sick of this shit.

She slammed her glass on the table and stood up. She stumbled a bit, but held unto her chair for balance and walked in careful steps across the wooden floor that began to sway beneath her feet. She approached a nearby table and grabbed an empty chair.

"Excuse me, someone was sitting here," a woman said to her.

"Well bitch, tell 'em to get another one," she snapped.

The woman gasped. Reese dragged the chair toward Cameron's table and placed it in between him and Farah.

"I'm gonna need you to move over." Reese flicked her wrist dismally at Farah.

"Excuse me?" Farah said, taken aback.

"Reese, what are you doing?" Cameron scolded with frown.

"I need to talk to you." She plopped herself on the chair.

"What?"

She spun to Farah. "Damn bitch, can I get some space?"

With a scoff, Farah moved her chair. Reese rolled her eyes, scooting closer to Cameron.

"Yo, are you serious right now?" His frown deepened.

"So, you can't answer my calls?"

"What?"

"I called you 5 times. What, your phone broke or somethin'?"

He gave her an incredulous look. She glared at him, waiting for a response. With a bitter chuckle, he pinched the bridge of his nose, mumbling to himself.

"Yo, I don't know what’s up with you. But you're making a fool of yourself right now. So, why don't you go back to your seat and—"

"No, I ain't leavin' till I get an answer! You think you could just fuck me a-and just treat me like some random hoe off the street?  You couldn't even call not even once!" She blurted, hurt spiraling her insides.

Cameron sighed, glancing around at the peering guests. "Reese—"

"Then you have the nerve to bring this Barbie bitch with you?"

"Um, excuse me?"

Reese spun to her. "Bitch you heard me."

"Um, Cam, I don't know who this is. But you need to tell your hoe to leave," Farah said to him.

"Hoe?!? Who you callin' a hoe? Bitch, I'll drag your curly mop head ass all across this floor—"

A pair of arms grabbed her. "Let's go."

Reese fleeted her gaze up at Yasmine, and yanked away. "No, I ain't done with this anorexic looking bi—"

"Reese, I said let's go! Get up." She demanded, grabbing her arm. With reluctance, Reese stood up only to stumble on her heels. Yanking her arm, Yasmine dragged her across the room like a rag doll, and into the bathroom. She shut the door and locked it.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Yasmine spun around.

"Me? It's her fault. S-she shouldn't even be here," she slurred.

"And look at your ass, drunk."

"No I'm not." She stumbled a bit.

"I can't believe you. You know how much of a fool you made of yourself out there? Ready to fight bitches over what? Cameron? Really, Reese? That's some hoodrat shit."

"Why you let him bring her? You should'a tol' me he was with her."

"Sit down." She grabbed her arm and forced her to the suede bench. "You need to go home."

Reese rushed to the stall and huddled over the toilet, vomiting.

"Shit." Yasmine rushed to her. Reese exerted the acidic contents into the toilet, as Yasmine stood over her, rubbing her back.

Reese buried her head in her arms, crying. "What's wrong with me, Yas?"

"Nothing is wrong with you. C'mon." She flushed the toilet.

"I'm damaged."

"Stop talking like that. You're not damaged."

"I am...nobody wants me. My own mother didn't even want me..."

"C'mon Reese, stand up." Yasmine linked her arms with hers, as Reese forced herself up. She led her to the bench and they sat down. With a sigh, Yasmine shook her head. "I gotta find a way to get you home."

"I'm sorry, Yas..." She leaned her head on her shoulder. "I didn't mean to ruin your party."

"You didn't ruin it."

"I love you," She wiped her tears. "You the only that's 'been there for me. You're the only family I have."

"Okay, wait right here. Don't move." Yasmine stood up. "I'm gonna go run and get Donette. I'll see if she could take you home. Okay?"

Reese nodded.

Yasmine rushed out. Suddenly feeling tired, she leaned her head against the wall and closed her eyes. 

*

"That's her? Really?"

Cam nodded with a sigh.

"Wow, you sure know how to pick 'em." Farah smirked, sipping her drink.

He couldn't believe Reese would act like that. For her to try to fight Farah over him, really threw him by surprise. And even left him flattered, he had to admit. For so long, he had been waiting for that type of fire from her. Some sign that she felt something for him too. This whole time, she had been pretending there was nothing between them. Even making him feel like a sucker for feeling the way he did. But the moment she saw him with another woman, she became possessive. Like a wild animal ready to mark her territory.

Just like a woman.

She deserved that though. Playing all these games. She hurt his ego. He had too much pride and too much pussy available for him to accept that. So yes, he cut her off. He just had to shake her up a bit. To see if she would rattle, and she had.

A tap on his shoulder cut through his thoughts. He turned his head, only to meet Yasmine towering over him.

"I need to talk to you."

He stood up and followed her out to the quieted hallway.

"Look, I don't know what kind of games you're playing with Reese. But whatever it is, it needs to stop."

He jerked his head. "What?"

"You heard what I said. We had this conversation before and I told you to stay away from her. She's not one of your little groupie hoes you could just throw away like trash. She's more than that—"

"Aye, I never did anything to her, alright."

"Then why is she busy getting drunk, crying over you?"

"I don't know. Why you asking me?" he defended.

"Because, you're the reason Cam!"

"Wait, she's crying?"

"Yes, she is."

He let out a sigh. "Where is she?"

"That's none of your business."

He shook his head. He couldn't believe he was getting the blame for this.

"Look, Reese might pretend she's strong and all that. But she's been through a lot of shit. And I don't wanna see her hurt again...by anybody. So, just stay away from her like I said."