Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Legend leisurely parked the equipment, went to his truck, slid on his gloves, and pulled out a number of highly concentrated cleaners he used at work. Then, he spent the next two hours bagging the remains, cleaning the area, wiping down everything he touched, and putting things just so, until the construction area looked good as new. Axel taught me well… Tossing the bags in the truck, he would soon be dispersing the flattened bits of the man in various garbage dumps, and burning the skull and hands.
He got in his truck, and drove away, while the beat of ‘Wanna Be A Baller,’ by Lil Troy, put him in a good mood. He lit a fresh cigar, commemorating the moment, with the sun beating down on his face…
Chapter Twenty-Two
“See? Now this is what I’m talkin’ about.”
Desiree walked into the gorgeous spa with Melanie and English, and looked around in amazement. Large Greek style columns flanked the entrance, and above, on the domed ceiling, hung a large, sparkling chandelier. She’d had the occasional professional massage before, and been pampered by getting her nails done for more than just a set of acrylics, but never at a place as exclusive as this.
English stepped ahead of her, approaching the lady at the front desk. They appeared to be on a first name basis.
“Heeeey, Betty! So good to see you again! I brought friends!” English leaned over the tan and camel marble front desk, her baby bump covered in the cutest pink and white cherry blossom print dress, laying it on thick. Desiree turned to and fro, excited to get their spa day started.
Melanie stood off to the side in a red and white bodycon dress, sucking hard on a green lollipop, her glossy mouth in a bunch. The woman suddenly turned towards her and burst out laughing. Desiree followed suit. Though she wasn’t sure why they were giggling, it certainly had to do with English.
“Girl, English is so extra,” Melanie stated, then wrinkled her nose, looking her friend up and down as she jabbered with the receptionist. “I love her though. You will, too. Maybe.” She erupted in a bout of chuckling once again. She and her brother, Legend, had similar laughs. It warmed Desiree’s soul to hear the sound. “How’s the restaurant coming along?” Melanie sidled up close to her, seeming genuinely interested in the progress.
“Oh, it’s going good! They should be finished in a few months. Thanks again for the menu design. They are so fire, girl. Of course, Legend was most pleased that they were free.”
Melanie shrugged. “I was just happy to do it! Plus, he said he’ll credit my name on the front of it. You don’t see that often.”
“Well, you are his sister, and it’s the least he could do considering he didn’t offer you a dime for your artistic rendering. Shame on him! He hates when people want him to cook for free, family or not, and here he is doing you the same way. He can be so cheap sometimes. I’mma cut you a check, okay?”
“Girl, please! Seriously, it’s fine. I’m so happy for y’all.”
“Thank you, Melanie. You’ve been such a great help to Legend with this venture, and he appreciates you so much, even when he doesn’t say so.”
Her thoughts wandered, replaying a conversation she’d had with Legend that morning about that very thing. He’d explained that he had a three-day trip to Alabama for some barbecue sauce class. He wanted to use the information to create a signature BBQ sauce for their restaurant. She asked if she could come, too, but he insisted he go it alone.
She had a strange feeling about it. Typically he always invited her to such things. But this time, she suspected something wasn’t quite right. Maybe she was overthinking things though.
A woman came over, presenting them with a form to fill out on clear clipboards with gold pens. Desiree found the questions a bit odd—asking if she was on her menstrual cycle, or pregnant, amongst other personal ones.
Maybe there are some health risks with deep tissue back massages in rare instances? Sure, that had to be it. The establishment simply wanted to be certain she was in fine health. She turned the paper back in, and she and Melanie were offered gorgeous flutes filled with champagne, while English had a glass of sparkling white grape juice.
“Ladies, right this way.”
The three of them followed a woman in a white and black checkered smock, her hair in a sleek bun. They trailed her into a smaller room that had these gold and ivory stools of sorts. Soft, sultry music was playing, the kind that made you want to wrap your body around your man, and beautiful pink and ivory candles flickered light all around.
“Ladies, please make yourselves comfortable. Get undressed from the waist down. There are blankets and towels to cover yourselves on this shelf here.” She pointed across from her. “English, due to your pregnancy, we’re of course not going to have you participate in a Yoni steam today, but I have a nice foot massager for you while you wait for your friends to receive their services.”