Trife Life To Lavish Part 2 Genesis & Genevieve...Am I My Brother's Keeper (7 page)

"Do you have everything?" Supreme's question jolted
Precious out of her thoughts.

"Yeah, I'm good. All of Aaliyah's presents are in the
car and I'm ready to go."

"Why didn't you have the limo driver do that for you?"

"They weren't heavy, plus I wanted to wrap the presents myself and load them myself. In a few years Aaliyah won't
even care about wrapped presents anymore. When we ask
her what she wants, she'll tell us money or credit cards. So I
want to savor every moment I can with her being our little
glrl»

"I never thought about it that way. I guess they do
grow up pretty fast."

"Yeah they do. Watching Aaliyah go from a baby to a
toddler to now being a little person makes me want to try
again.
1 77

"Try what again?"

"Having another baby." Precious could see the
hesitancy on Supreme's face. "I know things have been
shaky between us for awhile now but I think a baby could
help us get back to that place we used to be."

"A baby can't save a marriage, Precious."

"But it seems to be able to tear one apart."

"Aaliyah not being my biological daughter isn't what
hurt our marriage."

"Really, if my memory serves me correctly that's when
shit seemed to go to shambles to me."

"We're already running late. Let's go to the party. We
can talk about this later."

"767 5' Avenue at 58' Street," Precious told the driver, as she wondered if there was even the slightest chance
she could save her marriage.

"Wow, Nico, you sure went all out for Aaliyah. I mean,
damn you got the entire FAO Schwarz for the night. That had to cost you a nice chunk of change," Genesis said, as
he scoped the store out.

"It's the first birthday that I've ever done for her and I
want her to remember it for the rest of her life."

"I promise you, she'll never forget this shit. Hell, I
ain't gonna forget it! Can I be your kid?" Both men laughed,
watching from a distance as Aaliyah, Amir and a handful
of other kids played together and with the Toy Soldier,
Princess and other real life toys.

"I hope we didn't miss the party." T-Roc stated when
he walked in with his wife and kids.

"Nico, this is the friend I was telling you about that
was stopping by," Genesis said, introducing the two men.

"You didn't tell me a legend was coming through. It's
a pleasure to meet you man, I respect your business hustle,"
Nico smiled as he shook T-Roc's hand.

"I appreciate that. This is my wife Chantal, our daughter
Melanie and twins Justina and Justin." The two girls and
little boy waved at Nico and Genesis before running off
and joining the other kids.

"Your kids are beautiful," Genesis commented.

"Thanks, they're also a handful. Where is your lil' man?"

"Somewhere in that mixture of kids causing raucous."

"What time is the party over?" T-Roc questioned.

"I got the place all night. It's the toy store slumber
party," Nico grinned.

"I like that."

"Me too, maybe we can have the twins upcoming birthday
party here. They would love it," Chantal chimed in.

"Make it happen then."

"I will. I'ma start working on it right now I'm sure
there's somebody in the store that can assist me. I'll be
back." Chantal sashayed off leaving the men alone.

"Man you have it all, beautiful wife; beautiful kids a
power player in your field. I congratulate you."

"I appreciate you saying that, Genesis, but there's a lot
of stress that comes with it. That's why I'm hoping I can
allocate some of it to you."

"I'ma leave you two alone to discuss your business,"
Nico said politely.

"No need, T-Roc knows we do a lot of business together."

"You can fill me in on it later. I think the Toy Soldier
and Princess may need my protection from all those over
excited kids. I'll be back in a few"

"Nico seems like a good guy."

"He's the best. We're making a lot of money together.
I fucks wit' him hard."

"Hopefully I can interest you in making some more
money. More importantly, legitimate money"

"How's that?"

"I'm launching my women's perfume line and I want
you to oversee it."

"Man, get the fuck outta here! I don't know nothing
about perfume."

"It's not just perfume. I'm combining my music shit
with the perfume. You're already a private share holder
in my music label I'm giving you an opportunity to play a
bigger role."

"How `bout I don't want to play a bigger role. I like being private, you know, not dealing wit' the bullshit but
still collecting a nice fat check."

"Remember you were on the run and I helped you out.
You said you owed me, well now I'm trying to collect on
that favor."

Genesis glared at T-Roc, puzzled by what he said.
T-Roc had never come at him like this and he didn't know
how to take it. "What's really going on with you?"

"Real talk?"

"That's all I would expect."

"I believe somebody is stealing from my company and
if they're stealing from me then they're stealing from you
too since you're a shareholder."

"So what am I supposed to do?"

"Come in and be my eyes and ears. Whoever is doing
this is extremely slick and I believe they have help. I don't
know who to trust on the inside but I know I can trust
you.

"Your trust in me is a good thing but I'm confused.
Either somebody is stealing from you or they're not. Is
money missing or is it not missing."

"It's not that cut and dry. A couple of deals that
should've gone through slipped right through my fingers
and a major competitor got them. It was as if they had
some inside information on the deals I had put together.
Then it appears money is being moved but when I go
sniffing around shit seems to miraculously fall in place."

"Are you calling out your people on it?"

"No. I don't want to ring any alarms until I know
exactly who is responsible and then they have to deal with me.

"T-Roc, I feel you but what you're asking me to do
would require me to move to New York, at least temporarily."

"I know but, Genesis, you're the only person I can trust
and who has that street intuition to sniff out the crooks.
Plus, you'll be paid a healthy salary. You never know, you
might enjoy being a corporate executive."

"I seriously doubt that."

"Genesis, you know if this wasn't important I wouldn't
come to you like this. I'm asking for your help."

"I get that and I'm going to give it to you."

"I knew you wouldn't let me down," T-Roc said, giving
Genesis a handshake hug combination. "Will you stop by
my office on Monday so you can look around and let me
introduce you to the top executives? I want you to get a
feel for the people you'll be working with and go over the
short list of competitors I'm concerned about. Speaking of
competitors, the main one just walked in."

Genesis turned to see who T-Roc was speaking of
and his eyes first zoomed in on Precious and then to her
husband Supreme.

"This really is a small world," Genesis said under his
breath.

"I guess you know them."

"Yes, that lovely young lady who is married to Supreme
is also Nico's baby mama."

"Hey, Genesis, it's good to see you," Precious greeted
him as she walked up.

"You too." Genesis then turned towards Supreme,
"glad you could make it." Supreme simply nodded his head acknowledging Genesis.

"Supreme, it's always good to see you. If I knew you'd
be here, I would've brought some contracts in hopes we
could close some deals."

"I'm sure you would've, T-Roc. But I'm here to enjoy
my daughter's birthday party, let's go Precious."

Both men watched as the couple walked off before
saying another word.

"I thought you said the birthday party is for Nico's
daughter."

"Technically it is. It's a long story but Supreme considers Aaliyah to be his daughter too."

"Oh, kinda how it is with Chantal's daughter with
Andre. Although Melanie isn't my biological daughter I
consider her to be just as much as mine as the twins."

"Yeah, kinda like that but their story is a lot more
complicated, trust me."

"You'll have to give me the details one day. That's one
story I would be very interested in hearing."

"I'm sure you would. Oh, there's CoCo," Genesis said,
seeing her come in. "You can meet my other partner too."

"That gorgeous woman is your partner and you said I
had it all."

Genesis gazed at CoCo as she came towards them.
There was no disputing that she always had been and still
was a very beautiful and sexy woman. It seemed like no
matter what color she wore it glistened against her rich,
Hershey chocolate colored skin. And the short shag haircut
that only a selected few could rock properly highlighted
CoCo's features to perfection. It brought out her wide eyes, high cheekbones and full pouty lips.

"I thought maybe you weren't gonna make it," Genesis
commented while giving CoCo a hug.

"The errand I had to run took a little longer than I
thought it would. So where's the birthday girl? I have a
present for her."

"She's down there playing with Amir and all the rest
of the kids."

"I see Supreme and Precious managed to join us for
the celebration. I must say I'm very surprised, not so much
by Precious but definitely Supreme. It's a good look they
came though."

"Yeah it is. CoCo, I want you to meet a very good
friend of mine, T-Roc."

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Wow, I apologize. I was so busy looking at the kids I
didn't even look in your direction."

"No need to apologize."

"Are you kidding me! I've been a fan of yours since
forever. I have every CD you put out."

"I haven't come out with my own music in years."

"That's my point. I'm still holding on to it."

"Since I'm no longer making music, I hope you're
supporting the artist on my label."

"Of course, I support everything you do. I really am a
big fan." CoCo, turned her attention to Genesis and playfully
hit him on the chest. "You never even mentioned T-Roc was a
friend of yours. You been holding out on me."

"I promise I don't. Honestly, it slipped my mind."

"Whatever!"

"Genesis, you might as well share our good news."

"What good news?"

"T-Roc offered me a job here in New York."

"Doing what?"

"Overseeing his music label and the new perfume line
he's launching."

"Really?"

"Yes, I think Genesis would be a perfect fit."

"I see." Genesis could tell CoCo wasn't exactly sold on
his new career path.

"No need to be concerned, CoCo, it's only temporary.

"Does that mean you're moving to New York?"

"For a short time."

"Then I guess I'm moving to New York too," she
stated as a matter of fact.

"Don't you think it'll be best business wise if you
stayed in Philly?"

"Philly is only a couple hours away driving and less
than an hour on a flight. And Nico can manage Philly more
while we're up here."

"We'll talk about it some more when we get back to
the hotel?"

"That's fine. I'ma go see Amir and tell Aaliyah happy
birthday."

"Okay."

"My brother, you didn't tell me your partner was in
love with you."

"Because I didn't know my personal life was open to
discussion."

"We discuss everything else. What's the problem anyway, that woman is fine." T-Roc paused for a moment then
followed up with, "Please accept my apology."

"For what?"

"Because I never had the opportunity to meet your
wife, I always forget that you were married and became
a widower all in the same day. Please forgive me for my
thoughtlessness."

"Only if you forgive me for having sordid thoughts
about your wife ...I kid!" Genesis nudged T-Roc's arm
and both men found humor in the comment. Deflating
what could have easily become a dark cloud lurking over
Genesis' head, allowing himself to sulk in the pain from
losing Talisa.