them disappeared just as fast as she appeared.
“What is this place exactly?” Suri asked, her boots clicking against the glossy white floor as she walked toward a large diamond-shaped window.
“It’s called the Bentley. It’s a place that is used exclusively for fashion shows and related fashion events.”
“Ahhh, I see.” She looked up at the vast chandeliers. They were absolutely stunning. A mixture of crystal and empire light fixtures. They work well together in here.
“King tells me you do professional hotel and restaurant staging?”
“Yes, I do.” She smiled. “It’s not consistent work, but I enjoy it.”
“It supplements your income?” She nodded. “So, you have an eye for beautiful things, such as yourself?”
King made a show of clearing his throat before she could respond.
“Well, I enjoy aesthetically pleasing environments. In this chaotic world, having serenity and order, in our personal indoor sanctuaries, I think is essential.”
“It most certainly is. Like the love and adoration of a beautiful woman such as yourself. King’s a lucky man.” Ricky raised his glass in the air as if to do a toast, then winked.
“That’s enough.”
“That’s enough of what?”
“Ricky, stop flirting with my woman.”
“What? Flirting?” The man burst out laughing and looked about as if caught in a whirlwind of confusion. His acting was atrocious.
“Don’t play dumb. You and I both know what you’ve been doin’. You didn’t hire me because I’m stupid. All these slick compliments, it’s mad disrespectful. Now, come on, this is about business. So, let’s act like it.” He pursed his lips. “Let’s get this show on the road.”
The older gentleman seemed greatly amused.
“You’re awfully ballsy today, King. I was just being nice. I always kill ’em with kindness.” There was bite in the man’s words, as if he were in some way insulted, or delivering double meanings perhaps, too?
Suri noticed how the two dominant men locked eyes. King glared at Ricky, and Ricky glared right back. The mood had shifted, the energy changed. She felt as if she were some place she shouldn’t be. As if there was more here than met the eye.
“Ricky, I’m not going to bend over backwards or beg anyone for anything. You came to me, not the other way around. I don’t owe you anything but a good job managing your store, making sure your sales stay up, and that your customers are happy and employees getting to work on time. I have something to offer as much as you do, so don’t—”
“King—” Ricky started in a calm, even tone, as if trying to soothe a rabid dog.
“I’m speaking. Don’t do something and then try to act like I’m crazy and imagined it all. Don’t try to play me, man. I don’t respond well to shit like this. Just because you’ve given me an opportunity to get some of my designs on something that could really go somewhere doesn’t mean you now own me. Nobody owns me but me.” King pointed to his chest. “You can’t treat me like one of your flunkies. I know that’s what you’re used to, ass-kissers, but I’m not like that, all right? I’m a man, not a kid, and I brought my girlfriend with me because I wanted her to meet you. That might have been a mistake.”
I shouldn’t have come…
“King, you’re overreacting.” The man gave a devilish smirk, then sipped on his wine.
“I’m not overreacting to shit. I ignored the first two times you did it, so the free passes are over. This is my woman.” He pointed at Suri, but kept his eye on Ricky. “We both know how you are with the ladies, so stay focused. If the shoe were on the other foot, you’d try to snap my back in half, man. You’ve got me fucked up.” King’s voice rose, and Suri couldn’t recall ever hearing him yell before. It was jarring. Frightening. The look in his eyes registered unadulterated rage.
Ricky’s brow rose as he kept sipping on his wine.
“King, it’s fine. He was just being friendly,” Suri interjected, determined to suck the air out of the toxic balloon blowing up right in front of her face.
“A clown is friendly, too. Pennywise and John Wayne Gacy were clowns. I never did like the circus.” King and Ricky stared each other down with death glares.
“Uh, you know what? There was a really sweet looking boutique right on the corner here. You know baby, the one we drove past?” She began to walk backwards, hitching her thumb in the direction of the exit. “I’m going to excuse myself and