Cali Serenity

3 weeks later

I collected my money from my dances as I mustered up the courage to tell TIP that I wasn't gonna be working there anymore.

Although this was my last dance, I felt a little sad because the money is definitely a big help but this stripper life isn't for me.

Graduation was around the corner and I was busting my ass full throttle to save as much money as I could and making sure I turn all my assignments before the deadline.

My GPA was currently a 2.2 but it was better than that 1.6 I was carrying for a while.

I got my ass off academic probation and started looking into accelerated nursing programs back home in LA.

I think its safe to say that I want to pursue a career as an RN although fashion and beauty are something I am still passionate about.

It might be my best bet to go back home to pursue another degree and secure a career where I'll always have a job.

Hopefully, I get accepted because my GPA is hella trash.

"So you still thinking bout leaving huh?" Belle questioned.

We were walking back to the dressing room to count our money and freshen up for our next dance for these thirsty ass niggas. 

"Yeah" I nodded. "Its time. After that whole thing with KJ and Kross seeing me like this embarrassed me. No offense"

"None takin" Belle put her hand up. " I mean so like, what's up with you and ya ex?"

"Nothing really.  He texted me when he landed and I haven't spoken to him since" I admitted, trying to hide my feelings.

"Damn, so it was a hit it and quit kind of situation?"

"Damn Belle!"

"What I say?" she looked at me confused. "I ain't mean it like that and you know that"

" I know he still loves me but he really trying to make shit work with his girl.  Like damn, she bad but not that fuckin bad for him to want her over me"

Belle leaned against the locker counting her money quickly as her head nodded.

" He'll be back. Once you move back to LA he gonna put that bitch out for you"

"How you know?"

Belle glanced up at me. "He's a nigga. They move so predictably.  He came to the A cause he knew he was gonna see you"

"He came for KJ game"

"Annnnnd to get some pussy, and not from his bitch. That nigga was prolly on the flight plottin how he was gonna get some of that ass"

I rolled my eyes as I counted up $6,000 dollars.  I was more than satisfied because once I returned to work after the guys left; I made $2,500 the first night since my regulars missed me. 

In total of three weeks, I have a little over $9000 stashed in a separate bank account that my parents don't know bout.

They would fa'sho think I was dealing drugs if they saw that amount.

I smiled as I tossed my money into my Givenchy tote bag and began to get dressed in my Love pink grey sweats, a white-cropped Crenshaw shirt, and my fuzzy slides from Chanel.

"Make sure you keep in touch bitch," Belle said with a grin before hugging me.

"I'll still be around girl" 

I grabbed my tote bag, slinging it over my shoulder as I made my way out the locker room and down the hallway towards TIP office.

As I walked, getting closer I heard voices in the cut right before his office and to my surprise, I see Yummy and Janelle having a talk.

"So you really had sex with that nigga?" Yummy scoffed.

"Can you keep ya voice down!" Janelle said, angrily. " I-I just..."

"You violated me.  How much longer do we have to pretend about us Janelle, I'm getting sick of this shit now. You never said you would sleep wit someone else"

My eyes bulged as I listened to these two.  Whole-time this bitch was a fucking carpet munching hoe.

"Look Yanique, this ain't gonna work out because we was just foolin round.  I aint getting down like that. I can't bring you home to my folks, I want to be wit a man.  I'm sorry if you feel like I played with your emotions"

"Fuck you" Yummy spat. "Go be with that bum ass basketball player.  Guess he can do mo fo you than I can huh?"

Yummy began to walk away and bumped right into me. Her eyes widened before a small grin appeared across her lips. 

She looked me up and down before walking away towards the club.

"Wow," I said with a grin. "So you an undercover lesbian"

Janelle blinked rapidly as she looks shook as fuck that I was standing in front of her with my arms crossed.

"W-Wh...how much did you he-"

"Everything " I cut her off. "So that's why you wanted me to stay away from her? Cause you were fucking her, or she was fucking you?"

"Cali"

"Then you fucked KJ" I laughed.

"I know but-"

"Girl"

I shook my head, rolling my eyes with a grin knowing that she was embarrassed.

"We'll talk later, I got an appointment with TIP. Excuse me" 

I walked around Janelle, leaving her standing there with her neon green G-string and clear heels and her titties exposed.

Funny how the day I quit is when I find out this girl really didn't want Yummy around because she was afraid the cat was gonna get let out the bag about her messing with girls.

I walked into TIP office to find him sitting there counting money as usual. 

My heart pounded with every step that I took to sit in front of his desk.

He looked so fucking fine with his white collared button-up, his fresh line up, and a pair of Dior clear frames on his face.

"Hey TIP" I greeted as I sat down in the chair in front of his desk.

"Wass hannin witcha" he acknowledged me as he glanced up, securing a rubber band around the wad of money.

"Umm...I needed to talk to you"

Tip stared at me with his hands folded stone face.  I looked around at my surroundings before looking back at him.

"Well...is ya gon say sum or not?" he smiled.

"Oh, right. Umm... I'm quitting"

His smile disappeared as he stared back with confusion written all over his face. 

I felt uneasy now because I didn't know what side of him I was going to get.

"Okay"

I nodded my head and pressed my lips together.

"Okay. That was easy" I stood up and rubbed my hands up and down my thighs.  "Umm, thank you for the opportunity here. It helped me a lot and –"

"You know Dream" Tip cut me off. "Its been a pleasure havin you here and runnin up bandz at my club.  I know you in school and shit so, do ya thing"

I bit my bottom lip and smirked, as I couldn't believe TIP was being so cool about this.

"Thank you, like for real I appreciate that and-"

"And if you ever need anything, I got you" Tip licked his lips as he eyed me up and down.

I sighed as I caught on to the eyes he was giving me. 

I came to the conclusion that he was feeling me more than I thought.

"Umm...yeah, absolutely" I looked around before looking at him. "Ima go...now I got umm a –"

"Aye, I'm sayin could you blame me fa lookin at you like this?"

I blushed hard as I tucked my bag underneath my arm tighter out of nervousness.

"Tip" I groaned. "That is very nice but I really gotta go and-"

"Naw looka here lil shawty, I been watchin you since I've hired you.  Ya beauty is real intimidating to the other shawties in here.  But I'm sayin, don't let this be the last time I see you"  he told me.

He threw me off with this whole response of his. I opened my mouth and swiftly closed it, pressing my lips together with broadened eyes.

"I...um...I don't know what to –"

"I know you a good girl, but you still a grown women shawty"

"Yeah, I'm aware. Thank you I gotta... go"  I smiled as I hurriedly made my way to the door.

I walked out of the office as I exhaled before making my way out of the strip club. 

People that were walking in the club were hollering "Dream" and it felt good to walk the fuck out.

I didn't even bother to tell people goodbye because this was a chapter in my life that I was ready to let go of. 

________

Kross

I kept working on my laptop, adding T-shirt orders for our kids that they needed to wear at the community service event we got coming up down in Hyde Park.

"Hey Semere"

I looked up from my computer to see my receptionist Aunjel standing in the doorway with a blue binder in her arms.

"Yo"

"You have a call on line one"

"Oh thanks, good lookin'. I got it" I replied as I grabbed my phone and placed it to my ear. "Semere Isayu speaking"

"Wass craccin nigga, you gon tell me bout Cali?"

"Sam" I huffed. "Nigga why the fuck is you calling me on the company line talking bout Cali"

"Because every time I ask you bout it you act like cat got yo fuckin tongue"

"You could of texted me that shit nigga.  Holding up my line for this shit"

"Bullshit fool. Every time I-"

"Just pull up, I need you to bring my log of schools any way so we can get our program into some schools over there in Lakewood anyway.  Be helpful and do that nigga"

Sam chuckled into the phone.

I heard two knocks on the door as I quickly looked up to see Aunjel standing there again.

"Hold on Blacc. Wassup Aunjel?"

"Ummm....you have a vistor Mr. Isayu"

"A visitor?" I raised a brow. " I wasn't expecting nobody today. They ain't give no name?"

"Umm....she was reluctant" Aunjel replied, looking away then back at me.

She?

"Aight, I'll be out there in a minute"

I watched Aunjel walk away as I focused my attention back to Sam as he was on the phone still running his mouth like I ain't tell him to hold on.

"You left it on the counter? And are we pickin up Adonay today or do Solei got him?"

"She said she was gonna pick him up"

"Aight bro, be there in a few"

I hung up the phone as I got up from behind my desk.

A nigga wasn't expecting anybody today as I exited my office as I made my way down the hall and into the main entrance of the building to see my unexpected visitor.

"Kross"

My eyes widened as I stared at her like she lost her fucking mind.

"Yo, what are you doing here?"

Ari stared at me as she eyed me up and down with confusion.

"I came up here to tell you I was visiting"

"That's some shit you could of called and told me"

She jerked her head back as she looked me up and down with an attitude written all over her face. 

Aunjel was typing on the computer as she kept sneaking glances at us while trying to mind her business at the same time.

"Well I was callin for the past week, you kept iggin my shit so what was I suppose to fuckin do!" she raised her voice as she rolled her eyes.

I felt my jaw clench, as I remembered why her ghetto ass and me couldn't work out.

Looking straight up fuckin stupid standing in front of me with a bedazzled Bonnett on her fucking head, white Fashion Nova sweats, pink Pretty Little Thing tank top and big ass ghetto girl hoops with all that fucking lip gloss on her lips.

"Come out here" I said through clenched teeth as I walked towards the doors to exit the building.

She followed me outside and stood in front of me and sucking her teeth.

"Look I ain't come up here to start no shit wit you, I just wanted you to know I was back in the town and I wanted to see my son"

"You ain't been wanting to see him after you ran off with that nigga and got pregnant by him"

I looked down at her now flat stomach.

"Kross don't fucking start with me cause you ain't innocent either, putting ya fuckin hands on me"

"Nigga cause you had niggas all around my fuckin son like he aint got a fuckin dad"

Ari didn't say anything as she chewed on her bottom lip while I squinted because the sun was in my eyes. 

"Look nigga, I want to see my son so I will be over there to see him later when you are done with ya little job" 

She snapped as she pointed her long fingernails in my face.

"Keep yo fuckin hands out my face" I smacked her hands away. "Why you always gotta do the fuckin most cuh? Just Meet me at my mom crib later and don't be on some wack shit either my girl gon be there"

I turned around to walk back into the building as I left my hoodrat ass baby moms standing there. 

That shit just blew my whole fuckin mood. I shook my head thinkin bout how Adonay might feel bout seeing his real mom after all this time.

"Shit"