#made an eye on double braided rope today it is so pretty <3

[stewystew]

I am so powerful now that I know how to splice line

[hearteyes-for-killmonger]

Cheesy little one-shot.

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"STOP!" Nnena washed her hands watching chaos bounce around the spacious and upscale restroom. "Oh my God.. YOU GUYS.." She dried her hands as the three woman grabbed, tugged, and swung on each other like they weren't in a public establishment where anyone could walk in.

One girl was on the bathroom's floor blocking her face. A second girl had the Marley braiding hair from the first girl's bun in hand while slapping at the third girl who was wielding her stiletto as a weapon. "STOP THIS!... I SAID STOP!!" Nnena barked as her shrewd gaze passed judgmentally over the group of heavy breathing women. "You guys are acting like fools fist fighting each other over some MAN who was playing ALL of you." She'd started to stay in the stall and mind her own business but she'd heard the confrontation and their conversation, the 'who are you' 'the boy is mine' situation intensifying, their fighting words, the sound of a first hit and the following rain of hits where someone was going "bitch, bitch, bitch' after every hit. These were BLACK women going to war with each other over something stupid. Plus she was a waitress and she'd witnessed their man's clownery up close. He was a regular but the faces of his dates always changed. She'd watched him with his women. He always used the same lines every time and they'd swoon and be all over him, never to be seen again. Hearing these women fight amongst themselves like cats, she couldn't take it sitting down so she cleaned herself and she flushed.

Fast forward to the three huffing and puffing women staring at her work uniform and name badge as if she had no right to intervene or speak to them. "Look outside. No seriously, look at his table. He's supposed to be with one of you right now I assume?" She checked her watch. This man ran like clockwork. "Look out there. Really watch him."

They limped and shuffled to the door peaking out, having to move forward a bit more into the restaurant to see him. He was just sitting there waiting for the who'd been on the floor to return to the table. The women were getting impatient but Nnena pointed to another woman at a nearby table who was giving him bedroom eyes. She slid him a card and he turned it over, smiling, before sticking it in his pocket and giving her a wink. He put his hand to his ear like a phone and they didn't need to read lips to know that he'd call her although he was doing a good bit of talking.

"He's already picking up the next girl. He's not thinking about either of you. It's how some men are, only caring about their dick getting wet.. leading you on and making you think he cares just to get what he wants so he can leave and move on? You're a conquest to him! Look at yourselves fighting over a guy who probably doesn't remember either of your names."

Dignity kicked in and the women straightened themselves, avoiding eye contact with each other as they straightened and headed back into the bathroom to fix themselves in the mirror. "He definitely remembers my name, we work together," Slappy said, reapplying her nude lipstick.

"And? I've worked with him too just not through the same company," Stiletto added slipping the shoe back onto her foot. "This is stupid. Keeping up with you two on my man is already irritating and I'm supposed to watch that thot out there too?"

"I didn't even know you two existed. He said he was unattached," Floor girl said unsurely.

Stiletto rolled her eyes to the ceiling. "Of course he did," she laughed angrily. "I'm an idiot." Shaking her head she did a double take at the gold ring that sat on a chain dangling from Slappy's neck. "Did he give that to you?" She looked as if she'd been stung.. deeply.

"Yeah, it belonged to his father. He wanted me to have it to prove he was serious," Slappy smiled, smug until Stiletto girl revealed the exact same ring and chain around her neck. Following suit, Floor girl revealed hers from her purse.

The same story and the same necklace had been fed to all three. They stood staring at each other with new eyes.

"I'm gonna kill him," Stilleto whispered, dazed.

"He gotta die for this," Slappy whispered wide-eyed. They were still in shock.

Floor girl finally spoke up, her hair returned to a pristine textured bun. "Erik Stevens... MUST DIE."

"Whoa whoa whoa," Nnena waved in attempt to diffuse the situation. "Murder? That's excessive. Revenge however...."

The women's dark grins showed that the wheels were turning. They looked at each other eye to eye before turning their mutual attention to Nnena who froze wondering what exactly she'd roped herself into.

One Week Later

"When I suggested you guys give him a taste of his own medicine? I didn't mean I was volunteering to help," Nnena mumbled. She was in a sharp bright red dress with a matching blazer and stilettos. Her juiced up bantu knot-out made her long curls hang over the ear where her earpiece hid. The other side of her hair was pinned artfully behind her ear, a diamond stud shining. Stiletto's clothes. The women had dressed her and bugged her with a device which allowed them to hear and see what she did and they were able to speak to her through it. That was twenty minutes ago in Slappy's office. She'd found out then that Stiletto's actual name was Rankita. Floor girl was Rose. Slappy was Vanessa.

"You're in it now and you're getting paid $300 so suck it up and act expensive," Rankita fussed with Vanessa in the background mumbling about Erik being down the hall. Vanessa worked with Erik afterall and Nnena was in their building, now planted in the hall where she was instructed to wait while they all looked on. Act expensive?

"When that door opens, you are smarter and tougher and all around better than him. You say exactly what I tell you and nothing else," Rankita says. "Chin high, don't fidget. Call Rose's phone and pretend to talk on the-"

"The door's opening," Nnena whispers putting the phone to her ear and walking as if she'd just turned down the hall. As if she weren't just standing there dawdling.

"I said I wanted Lashawn on the marketing campaign not Megan. Fix it," Nnena said over the phone line, repeating Rankita's words in her ear. She strutted like she owned the place. She felt Erik's eyes on her and kept walking.

"That boy loves black people in charge so I bet that piqued his interest," Rose giggled.

"Of course it did. How do you think I pulled him," Rankita asked. "Okay now hang up like you irritated."

As Nnena hung up with Rankita still in her ear directing her, she rolled her eyes and finally turned to find Erik staring at her carefully. "Hi, can I help you?"

"I had the same question. This is my office," Erik smiled gesturing to his door. She was standing adjacent to it.

"So it is," she nodded with a glance at the door. Rankita's voice hissed at her to turn around and keep walking. She did and got a few steps away before Erik yelled out.

"Hey," he called, "Um.. who are you here for? If I may ask."

"Dolly Masters!.. Say Dolly Masters!" Rankita was frantic.

"Dolly Masters."

"Oh.. damn, she's not here today. She actually left because she had an emergency.. Sorry you made the trip here, but maybe I could help you? I know a lil something something about what she do," he smiled warmly and if she didn't know he was a womanizer she'd have easily fell into the trap of his dimples and pretty eyes. Fortunately, she knew his game and what he wanted.

Surprisingly he got straight to business and Nnena had to keep up with that Rankita fed her to say, making the pauses seem as natural as possible. She understood only 3/4 of what she was talking about. Rankita was a genius. How could this man screw that up, she wondered. The conversation went on. He started printing shit she didn't really need, estimates. She was feeling awkward. Especially when he kept looking at her with his penetrative gaze. "You have beautiful eyes," he said as if discussing the weather. For some reason Nnena's heart beat harder and faster. "You okay," he inquired with another dazzling grin.

Rankita's voice snapped her from her heated gaze. "I'm excellent, but I do need to head to lunch so this is where I say my goodbyes."

Erik jumped up so fast his pen fell in the floor. "You mind company? Lunch on me."

"No I've imposed on you enough," Nnena stood with an Hermes bag.

"Please.. let me take you out. I WANT to," Erik pressed before grabbing his suit jacket, wallet, and keys.

Vanessa took over the mic from Rankita as the women prepped to beat Nnena and Erik to the next location. "Tell him there's a place nearby called Vudu that you've been aching to try and meet us there."

---

As they ate, Nnena flirted her ass off with double entendres that she pretended not to realize could be taken as sexual. Erik's eyes seemed to never leave her face and body. It made her extremely anxious but she was not allowed to show it. She didn't have the time to show it, Vanessa's orders were so extremely specific. 'Touch your lips.. Touch your hair.. Blink at him.. Smile.. not too much! Talk sexier. Smize. Lick your lips. Bend over.' On and on, these directions went. She felt like a porn star.

"Look at him. He wants to tear you apart like a wildcat right now, I know that look. He wants you bad. You've got him in your hand now bring it home. Accidentally call him daddy," Vanessa said.

Nnena's eyes went big before she controlled her face. "You okay, Nnena," Erik asked, eyes so focused on her she wondered if he could see through her.

"Yeah," she coughed pretending to be strangled by her drink. He bought it.

"You sure," he stood and moved beside her in her side of the booth to pat her back.

"Yes daddy.. I mean ERIK," she rushed avoiding his eye as his hand on her back froze. When she looked up, his eyes had darkened. That word stirred something in him and Nnena felt herself getting hot. Her thighs pressed together and she slid away. He slid closer, putting his hand in her lap.

"I can BE daddy," he whispered causing her to shiver.

"Control yourself," Vanessa hissed. Nnena moved Erik's hand and pushed him from her booth gesturing for him to return to his. Based on his expression, that was only the beginning. He knew what he wanted and was hellbent on getting it. "Make him take you out a few more times. Wait until you get the necklace!"

Two Months Later

There was a second date, a third, fifth, eighth, sixteenth. Nnena was making bank from the girls and Erik was basically up her ass meanwhile she'd only kissed him three times. He always wanted more, but she never gave it. For one, the girls would kill her. For two, if she even kissed him for too long her brain got foggy. She understood exactly how all of the women before her got caught up.

"You know I haven't seen him approach any women since we've been doing this? He's gotta be the biggest whore I've ever met based on my research into him and suddenly he's celibate?" Rankita shook her head in disbelief.

"I can't believe it's been two months. He was with me for two weeks," Vanessa added.

"Same," Rankita nodded.

"One week," Rose said shyly. Her time had been cut short. Erik had never called her back after she didn't return to the dinner table at the restaurant. She was lowkey crushed.

"Take him to the butterfly museum," Rose recovered enough to say. The entire group was in Florida just because they could be. It was a quick little vacay and Nnena enjoyed her free trip as she pretended to be a wealthy woman taking her wealthy man on a day date. Erik was all smiles.

"How'd you know I like butterflies," Erik whispered, awed. Vanessa and Rankita looked to Rose whose eyes were watery.

"I loved him," she whimpered, tears falling in explanation of how she knew this about him. Vanessa and Rankita both comforted her while Nnena walked with Erik enjoying the date. At this point Rose was unable to speak so Nnena was left to be herself and AS herself, she had a ball.. surrounded by butterflies and Erik.

---

"Nnena," Erik spoke gently pulling out a jewelry box. It looked like it could be a necklace. They were on a day cruise now that Erik took her on after the museum and he was mildly tipsy. All day he'd been grinning and laughing and trying to pick her up. He was adorable and every time Nnena caught herself just as happy as him.. she had to check herself and remember that it wasn't real.. which was hard... because it felt so real. "Nnena, we been seeing each other for two months and I never been with anyone like this. I ain't never had nobody make me this happy. You are perfect for me. I never thought love existed until I met you." Her ears perked at the word 'love' as did the three women's. He'd never, ever, EVER used that word flat out before. "I've done a lot of shit in my past and hurt a lot of people. I don't deserve you honestly, I don't. But if you'll stick around, I promise I'll never hurt you."

He opened the jewelry box and there was a golden necklace but it had no ring. The chain was different. At the end of it was a diamond pendant in a heart shape. He told no sad story. Nnena was shook. The three women were shook.

"Do it now. Dump him!! Tell him you're not interested in him," Vanessa urged. Nnena's heart wanted to break. She didn't want to, but she shut off her emotions. The three women approached and stood behind Erik with their arms crossed.

"Awe, fell in love did we," Rankita teased sitting by Nnena to stare at Erik with an evil smile. The surprise on his face was everything to her. He truly didn't understand.

Vanessa stood before Erik with a wave of her fingers. "Too bad she played you. And you know what? You deserved it! I hope you feel all of what you made us feel. You ruined our damned lives and I for one am sick of you. I hope you DO cry," she grinned, highly amused. Erik's eyes went to Nnena's sad eyes. He didn't want to believe it.

"...Is this true," he asked and Nnena could hear his heart shatter. She nodded, unable to speak.

Rose approached, also somber. "You would have never learned your lesson or how much what you do hurts if we hadn't done this. You'd still be leaving trails of damaged women. Nnena is an actor. We had to show you what it feels like. Maybe this will be your wake up call.."

Tears rolled down Erik's face and he stood. For a moment he was wordless, just staring at the water with nowhere to truly escape. Rankita grinned watching his pain, taking a sip of Nnena's drink. "You're right," he finally said bringing confusion to the women. "You're absolutely right... I had no idea how much I was hurting you all... I knew I was an asshole who hurt people.. but I never knew it could hurt this bad..." He held his gut as if he were in pain. Like he'd been stabbed or shot.

"Damn," he whispered shakily. Suddenly Rankita's grin faltered. She'd wanted him to get mad. Jump, yell, cuss, rave! Somehow, this wasn't as fun to watch. He was truly broken.

"I'm truly sorry," he said again looking Rankita in the eye. She nodded, genuinely accepting his apology and he looked at Vanessa.. apologizing from his heart. She wasn't smiling anymore either. Rose was the one he had to really apologize to. Her feelings matched his the most. He apologized to her from his soul and she sniffed, her own tears running as she forgave him.

Nnena wanted to rip her own heart from her chest. She tried to return to Erik the necklace, but he shook his head folding it in her palm. "Keep it," he nodded. He couldn't even look at her. He walked away disappearing and no one went after him. Getting off the boat, no one saw him exit.

They were suddenly worried about him and what he might do to himself. He'd fallen pretty hard for Nnena just to have his heart smashed suddenly. Nnena called but he didn't answer. There was nothing they could do now.

One Week Later

Nnena went back to her job with the three women consistently checking in with her. Erik had not returned to work and Vanessa was worried. He was a workaholic and this wasn't like him. Nnena tried his number again, fear making her think the worse. No pick-up. She blocked her number and tried. Nothing. She left messages and voicemails. Still nothing.

Days passed and then weeks.

No one had heard from him. Nnena regretted ever getting involved with that revenge scheme. Broken hearts could be moved on from, but suicide was permanent. She couldn't help but blame herself and the worst part was that she genuinely liked him. She liked him!!! She couldn't get over it. It ate at her.

Regret.

Days would go by and she'd be in a haze, dazed out while working on autopilot taking customer's orders with an empty smile. She didn't even notice the customer she spoke to on a particular day as he stared at her after she'd taken his order. She was looking dead at him, but didn't see until he said her name and suddenly she focused. He'd cut his hair. His locs were gone, but those dimples were the same. "Hey," he smiled hesitantly.

"WHERE WERE YOU," Nnena snapped angrily. He licked his lips, tapping the table.

"Therapy," he said simply, "...in Africa."

She looked him over. He looked well and she was grateful. She was relieved. Very relieved. She realized she'd never told him she was a waitress. As far as he was concerned, she was rich. "How did you find me," she squinted.

"Rankita," he stated with even eye contact. Before Nnena could get angry, he continued. "I stopped to talk to her, Vanessa, and Rose before coming here." Nnena nodded, understanding. He was letting them know one by one that he was okay.

She gave a small smile, "I'm glad you're alive... I'll- I'll put your order in."

She turned and he grabbed her wrist, gently, causing her to turn back to him. "There IS something else," he blinked, "I know it was a revenge plan and you were playing me and all that. I deserved it. But I never felt anything like that before. I was hoping maybe we could start over? That is if you're willing to trust me.."

Start over? Nnena had to think about it. It was a unique situation. That answer seemed to satisfy him. She went to the kitchen to put in his food order and she made a call to Vanessa.

"Which one of you psycho bitches told Erik I had feelings?"

"That would be me," Vanessa sang. "Well it's true isn't it? We're not dumb and we're not so cruel as to deter you if that's what you wanna do. We just hope he's really changed. It seems like he has."

Nnena peeped onto the floor to see Erik fiddling in the booth. "Is it- Is it really okay? I understand if it's-"

"Go for it," Vanessa said hanging up.

With a big sigh, Nnena walked slowly back to Erik's booth. He looked up and she nodded, extending her hand.

"Hi... My name is Nnena. Nnena Odigwe. I work here and... I'm not rich nor do I own a business. You are?"

"Hello, Nnena. You have beautiful eyes." He smiled when she rolled her eyes. "My name is Erik Stevens."

"Erik Stevens," Nnena smiled, "It's nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine."

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