Devilish Taste

Pretty Wild

"Ashanti girl, one of your tables been staring you down." One of my co-worker says, pointing her finger directly over to the customer table.

"I completely forgot about them, thanks Tracy." I thank her as I made my way over to them so they can receive their check. I was pleased when they didn't hassle me about forgetting to attend to them. They tip me which in return I was surprised, even though it wasn't a great tip I still felt thankful for the tip. I clean up the table by wiping everything and putting the dishes into a cart that was nearby. My mind began to fill with the events of yesterday.

Last night was fun, until someone had to go and shoot up the place making our night end short. If Nino hadn't shown up to save me, I don't know what would of happen if Jerome kept forcing me to dance with him. I have to start watching my back when it comes to him. I really don't want to bump into Jerome with the way we are right now. Since he's always around my brother and now that I found out Stanley is with Jerome in a gang, I'm pretty sure Jerome is going to be asking Stanley for me. I was glad for the fight Stanley and I had, simply because if Stanley brings Jerome to his place I won't be home.

Stanley hasn't contact me yet, and I'm assuming he thinks I'm just going through my phase and I will return, which I won't. I was serious when I told myself I was going to grow up and become an adult and not play around anymore. Stanley words really hit me. The way he felt about me while he was going through so much made me feel even more guilty. I honestly didn't know he went through that with our parents. I was assuming he was just going through a phase with our parents like we usually do.

The mini conversation Nino and I had before our night ended, had me up late at night thinking. Nino killed someone or hurt someone. Heck, he probably killed and hurt innocent people for the things he stands for. When I ask him that question, I honestly didn't know what to say when he just stare blank at me like I was supposed to know that answer. I never killed someone, I did use to fight girls back in high school over Jerome crazy ass, but that was about it.

How can I stand by him and catch feelings for someone my parents would definitely kill me? Knowing them, they would say I lend my heart to the devil. Nino, for some odd reason he excites me, he makes me want to know the world, the dangerous world. This is how he was raised up, his family was taken from his lifestyle. He accepts this lifestyle, so I'm guessing he's already accepted death in his heart.

I couldn't stay away from him. Once again I say it again, the heart wants what the hearts want and that is him.

"Aye yo Ashanti! Jerry is looking for you." Amanda taps my shoulder, coming from my thoughts.

"Okay, can you finish this up for me?" I ask her. Amanda nods her head and took over while I made my way to Jerry.

I knock on Jerry office door twice, waiting for his response. Once he answers to come in, I made my way inside walking up to his desk.

"Hey Jerry, what's up?" I greet him, waiting for him to answer me. He looks up from the pile of papers he was reading.

"Hey Ashanti, give me a minute." He tells me as his cell phone began ringing. Jerry looked so stressed, I can tell he hasn't sleep a full eight hour of sleep, the way his eyes were so baggy. Jerry was real young, probably hit thirty in his age.

"Okay Ashanti, I'm back. I wanted to tell you can clock out now, since you took care of the large crowd we had fast. I know I've been cutting hours from everyone, it's because we're having some financial issues, and it seems that our bosses went a little overboard on hiring new people."

"It's okay Jerry, I understand." I told him truthfully. I was mostly thinking about Nino and I first date tonight. I wonder where he was taking us. It didn't really matter as long as we were together with no interruption.

"I don't have your check, since they didn't come in yet. If you want later on you can come by and pick it up." Jerry said as I walk over to the exit. I told him okay as I made my way out his office. I told some of my co-worker I'm cool with goodbye and I head over to the bus stop waiting for the bus to take me to my girl's place. Thank god it was only one bus away from them.

I sent a text over to Nino saying I was done with work, and I was free until our date night unless he wanted to make the time earlier. He didn't reply once I made it to the girl's place. I called him going straight to voicemail and that told me he was probably at his hideout or spot.

"Auntie you home!" Ashley yells once I came through the door. I smile at her child like reaction.

"You a fool girl, my manager let me out early so you know I had to get ready for my date tonight. Where Tasha?" I ask her as I made my way to the kitchen popping my head in the refrigerator.

"Tasha right now got a visitor, and they in her room lock up arguing." Ashley said flipping through the channels. A visitor?

"Ashley please tell me you know what's going on with Tasha. She didn't drink last night when we went out, and you know how crazy she gets when she doesn't drink." I walk over to the couch, throwing myself right next to Ashley to talk. Ashley avoided my eyes keeping her expression neutral.

"You need to talk to her..."

"I thought all three of us, don't keep secrets from each other."

"It's not my place to say Ashanti. Look, I love ya'll, but this one Tasha has to be the one to tell you." Ashley got up from the couch and walk inside her room, shutting it a little loud. I decided to leave it alone, since no one wanted to talk to me, I gave it up as I took the remote flipping through the channels.

I end up falling asleep, thinking I shut my eyes for just a moment, but it wasn't a moment until my phone alarm buzz through my ear and I check my phone seeing it was now eight thirty. I shot out the couch looking at my surroundings to see everything was switched off, and a blanket over me. I'm guessing both girls went out. I check my phone to see Ashley, sending me a text saying she went to work, and Tasha says she went out don't wait up. A random number text me saying meet me at Sunset by nine thirty ma, and I already knew it was Nino. I guess he changed his number again, without telling me. I sigh as I made my way to the shower to get ready.

"Hey girl you sure your date coming through, it's now ten forty-five." One of my co-worker I'm cool with came by to check up on me for the fifth time. I nod my head over to her for the last three times she came over. She handed me another lemonade being this was my fourth refill. I sigh checking my phone ever since I got here at nine thirty with no text or call from Nino. Should I be even upset with him? The lifestyle he lives through are unpredictable. The fact he hasn't contact me saying he was going to be late, upset me to the max. I didn't know what to think, what to do, and how should I even react to him basically not showing up. He played me like a fool, and I was the joke I guess.

"Let's thank all the contestant for entering the slam jam tonight." The person on the microphone said to the crowd, as people began clapping. I forgot tonight was the slam jam. I turn my attention onto the stage as they were a line of people standing next to each other. The person that was talking on the microphone had asked the audience who should be the winner. After the audience choose who should be the winner, the person on the microphone said if anyone wants to come and spit a rhyme for free to come directly to him so he can introduce you to the stage. After he got off the stage, the musician beginning playing their instrument to play music while people were slow dancing with their partner.

My leg begins to walk on its own towards the guy who was on the microphone. The guy was new since I haven't seen him around before. He probably came when I left for college. I tap him on the shoulder since his back was facing me.

"Hi, I was wondering can I perform on stage?" I question him.

"Sure no problem, what's your name?" He asks me.

"I work here actually, Ashanti William. I'm a waitress here." I told him. He nods his head.

"I call you up in five minutes after the musician are done playing. Is that okay with you?"

"Yes." I answer him. I mostly wanted to perform to let out some frustration. Today wasn't really a great day, and I thought seeing Nino tonight would make me feel better, but Nino not showing up made me feel worse. Things were not heading in the direction I thought it was heading. For some odd reason, my intuition was making me feel out of place. I just wanted to go on stage in front of random strangers and voice out my heart and mind together.

The guy that I talk to that was going to let me on stage, walk back onto the stage, letting his hand wave to the musician to lower it down.

"Alright, I hope you guys are enjoying the night. Even though slam jam is over, there is someone who missed out and still wants to perform for ya'll, is that cool with everyone." Once he said that, the audience begins to clap and cheer signaling him to continue.

"She's actually works here, you may even know her already, come on up Ashanti William!" He looks over at me as I step onto the stage walking over to him to stand next to him. The audience starts clapping, and I hear some of my co-worker yelling my name. I smile, waving at them.

"Ms. William the spotlight is all on you." He hands me the microphone and walk down from the stage leaving me alone. I turn back to the audience, shutting my eyes to calm the nerves down.

"It's been awhile since I perform and hopefully everyone will enjoy my words. I don't have anything to read from, so I'm being bold and freestyle from my heart." I said onto the audience as everyone got quiet, waiting for me to begin. I shut my eyes changing into my character to voice out my feelings.

"Pretty wild

Got me speaking in tongues

The way that I feel about you have me drowning in your eyes.

A drug addict to your scent, and a slave to your heart.

I've been here before, and I refuse to let you in.

Repeating this nightmare,

Where I am in prison,

Because being in love with you,

Might have me sleeping behind bars.

Me, fighting for you will end up in scars.

Pretty wild, huh?

Two different world trying to become one.

I'm afraid that I'll become lost.

Trying to love you the way you need love.

I hate you and we don't even go out.

You got an excited dangerous life,

I want to be your Bonnie in Clyde.

I want to be the women you always been wishing for,

That has you drunk off of my walk coming towards you.

I want your eyes to lit up like the firework

And the member behind your pants to shot up when I say your name.

I'm pretty wild right?

To think about these things.

Got me speaking in tongues,

Might become an inmate to your hoes.

It won't be long, till I'll get set free.

I'm hungry for your touches,

And I'm thirsty for your love.

Let me be the wild flower in your life.

I swear I won't ever let you forget my name that will be planted in your heart.

So let me be the queen to your world,

Sticking next to you so we can fight till we die.

Ride or die, and I'll show you the definition of the two,

Because believe me baby whatever you smoking,

I'll get you higher than your secret stash.

And I'll make you feel richer than the rich.

But I'm pretty wild huh?

To think about these fantasy,

since we didn't even trade our hearts yet,

and you already disappear from my life.

I'm pretty wild."

I finish preforming and the crowd begins cheering loud for me. Some people even yelled another one and I laughed. I felt great after expressing my feelings. I'm surprise myself with the words that were coming out of my mouth. I told the audience, thank you for hearing me and I walk down the stage. The musician went back to playing some soft music as everyone went back to slow dancing with their partner.

"Girl, that performance was the bomb. I had recorded it for you if you want." Tracy my co-worker said after hugging me. I thank her for recording my performance and I made my way towards the exit to leave.

"Ashanti!" A voice I recognize as Jerry. I turn his way and saw him walking up to me with an envelope.

"I forgot about my check." I told him once he handed me the envelope.

"Your performance was amazing. I was watching from my office, and you had me thinking about my love life." He chuckles fixing his tie. I giggled.

"Well I see you around Jerry, I'm going to head home." Right as I turn waving at Jerry, Nino began walking up to me with flowers in his hand. His eyes capture mine, and usually I would feel like the only girl in the world, but at this moment I didn't want to feel like this. I wanted to just go home. I decided to walk pass him, and head to the exit behind him.

He quickly grabs my elbow once I pass him. His strength letting him win as he held me in his arm. He grabs my chin and direct it to his face, force myself to look into his eyes.

"I'm sorry ma, work had me really busy and when I finally look at the time I was so late." He apologizes to me.

"Save it Nino, just forget about us and whatever we had between us." I snatch my arm forcefully and walk out the restaurant not looking back.

"Ashanti!" I hear him calls after me. I ignore him as I kept walking down the sidewalk.

"Ashanti! Please give me another chance. I heard what you said up there. I do want you, and it's not pretty wild to think about these things when I've been thinking about these thoughts too. I do want you to be my queen, you different and even though we haven't even spent time together or get to know each other like we supposed to do, I still want you to be mine. Hell, you are mine and you got me f**k up if you think I'll let another nigga touch you." My heart flutters hearing this confession and I stop walking, turning to face him.

Nino takes this advantage and jogs over to me with the flowers still in his hand. His cologne whacks me in the face as I inhale the scent that I got really fond of already. His eyes stare deep into mine, and I don't know what to say anymore. God, what do I do in this position? I ask you countless of time if he's the man for me, or my temptation. What if I get embarrassed again? What if I actually fall in love and I end up getting heartbroken? Then again, life is all about taking risks and I could probably find my prince charming after him or he could be my prince in charming even better my king.

"Say something ma, you got a nigga feeling scared." His voice interrupts my thoughts.

"I forgive you." I hope after this he can take me more seriously. My heart is literally on the edge of a cliff to see where this goes between us.

Nino smile showing his perfect white teeth, he lifts my chin up to lean down to give me a kiss. His minty breath I smile once his lips landed on mine and my lips automatic react to his without me taking control. Once again our lips mold into one as he plants his free hand on my waist to bring me closer. Everything on him was making me go crazy; his cologne, breathe, his soft lips and don't forget his touch. I felt as though I was riding high on the clouds if you get my drift. He gives me one last peck as he moves back showing me his signature smile.

My heart jumps at the sight. He hands me the flower and I grab it from him smelling the red roses.

"You look so beautiful by the way. I came right when you started your performance. I wanted to have dinner at Sunset, but by the looks of it, they about to close soon. How about I take you back to my place and I'll cook up a nice meal for just the two of us?" I honestly was shocked. I thought he was just going to take me to another restaurant and eat, I didn't expect him to take me back home and cook for us. Does that mean he wants me to spend the night with him also? I blush thinking about the thoughts that was running through my dirty mind.

"So that's a yes?" Nino asks me, and I nod my head as he place his hand on my mine guiding me to his car.

His phone rings, breaking our comfortable walk. I'm already upset, because every time he gets a call he has to leave. He gives me a look that says he's sorry, but I know he's going to answer it anyway if I tell him don't.

"What man, I told you I'm out. It better be that important." He replies on the phone as he opens the car door for me to climb in. After he shuts the door he stays outside talking to whoever is on the other line. I hope I don't regret getting in this car with him.

"You got to be kidding me right? Fine, no I will handle it. I'm on my way." He throws the phone at the back seat once he settles in the driver seat. I get upset over the fact he picked his job over being with me, and I'm not surprise.

"You can drop me home, I guess." I whisper towards him.

"No, it's going to be quick. I can't end us now when I ask you to give me another chance." He places his hand on my thigh rubbing it. I look up to him watching me, and I smile slightly that he still wants me to be with him tonight.

He reverses out the parking lot, and speed out into the street heading to wherever his spot was. The fact that he was taking me there, had me on the edge of my seat. I was going to finally see a part of his daily lifestyle.

"You don't have to worry about coming in, you are staying inside the car since it won't be long." My heart drops after hearing this. It felt like he was listening in on my thoughts and answer against my wishes. I didn't say anything since we weren't on that level to discuss that. I simply nod my head and continue to look out the window. We stop at a red light, and Nino takes out a bag from the glove compartment. My curiosity got the best of me.

"What's in the bag?" I watch as he takes out a needle and my eyes go wild for a few seconds wondering what the hell is he about to do.

"I'm sorry ma, but I can't let you know where exactly is our hideout." My jaw drops as I hear his comment. You have got to be kidding me.

"I'm not going inside with you though." I try to compromise with him, but he shakes his head as the green light hit and he began driving.

"You're not touching me with that s**t Nino, I'm serious." I was getting angrier by the second, and I wasn't going to let him touch me with that needle. If anything I was going to fight him on my life.

"It's just going to make you sleep for a few minutes' ma."

"No." I cross my arms as I stare at him.

"If you don't trust me then what's the point of us trying to make a relationship?" I fire at him, and he stays silent. I hope I win this argument, because I would really feel piss if he stabs me just so I won't know about his damn stupid clubhouse.

"Fine." I mentally do a happy dance and I couldn't help but smile as I won. Even though I'm going to be stuck in the car while he goes inside defeats my whole purpose of seeing his lifestyle, but it's a start.

We finally get to wherever his clubhouse is at, and it's harder to look out when his window is so dark tinted. He reaches from the backseat and takes his phone placing in his pocket.

"Call me if anything, and don't and I mean don't come out this car. I don't care if you have to use the bathroom, okay?" I smile watching him gives me an order. Even though he was serious, I couldn't help but blush as he watches me. He smiles afterward and opens the car door to leave. I watch his back as he walks away from the car creating distance. Soon enough, I don't see him anymore and I sigh reclining the seat back to lay down.

After a while of waiting, I bring my seat back up to look out the window. A shadow figure catches my attention and I squint my eyes hard to see if it was Nino walking back. I decided to bring the window down so I can clearly see if it was Nino. I gasp, seeing a person in a black ski mask, hiding behind the bushes. I whip my head around to see more than just the person in a ski mask. They were all walking around the office looking building that Nino disappear too. They might be Nino workers just guarding the place right?

I quickly dial Nino number and he picks up on the second ring. It's funny when I'm not with him, he never answers the call so fast like that, but instead when I'm finally with him and I call he picks up the call after the second ring. I shake that thought after I hear his voice, and I remind myself to get on him about that.

"Better be important." He says on the line. I was taken back from his response.

"Hello? What is it before I hang up." I can tell he was on the verge of being pissed of. I hope he wasn't angrier with me for bothering him.

"I just wanted to ask you if the people that's wearing a ski mask and running around your place is your body guards or something." I told him.

"What niggas in a ski mask?" He asks me, and the fact that he responds to me with a question has my heart dropping fast. All the colors on my face is drained.

"Nino please tell me you're joking." I panic on the phone.

"Ashanti, you need to get out of here. Take my car and drive somewhere that's safe, I think it might be a set up."

"What do you mean..." The next thing I hear are the gunshots and people yelling all over the place.

"Nino!" I yell and the line went dead as I call for his name.