DIVA: FEMALE HUSTLER

chapter 2

" Dom," I open my eyes to Erica standing on the side of my bed.

" What," I grab my phone looking at the time.

" It's six in the morning. What could you possibly want this early?" I sit up taking the drink out of her hand. I sip the caramel macchiato," this Kyrie that you meet at Club 12. Was he dark skin and lean?"

" Yeah," she pulls her phone out, showing me a picture.

" That's him," I take her phone.

" Well he's part of the Hernandez family. He's the oldest son and very reckless." I look back at her " really." I hand her the phone back," girl he doesn't care who's around. He blasting, he blasting." She gets up," I'll be in the guest room."

" Okay,"she leaves. Kyrie Hernandez, I sip my coffee. I place it on the nightstand and get out of bed. I go to the bathroom, wash my face and brush my teeth when my phone rings.

What the f**k is it today?

" Hello," I walk out of the bathroom to the closet.

" Dom we need to meet up." I look at the time," Chris you going to have to meet me at the funeral home."

" See you in an hour," I hang up. I put on a white off the shoulder sweater with tan dress pants and tan heels. I take my scarf off combing my hair down. I grab my work bag, keys and black jacket then leave.

" I'm out E," I shout in the hallway before walking to the front door. I lock the door then get on the elevator. I pull phone scrolling through i********: until I get to the garage. I walk to my car unlocking the door and throwing my bag in the passenger seat.

I pull out the parking stop calling Chris.

" Yo." I scrunch my face pulling into traffic," its hello."

" Hello, Dominique. How can I help you?"

" I'm going to stop for breakfast-."

"I'll pick it up just get there."

" Alright," I hang up. I drive for forty minutes before I pull to Rizzo's funeral home. I park in the reverse spot for the director. I grab my bag from the seat then get out of the car. I walk to the front door unlocking and turning the alarm off. I flip the lights on while I walk down the hall. I open my office door and turn the light on. I sit behind my desk dropping my bag in the bottom drawer. I turn the laptop on and pull out my planner. Mary Evan at ten. I look at the time on my computer seeing eight thirty. A knock at the door grabs my attention.

" Morning Miss. Rizzo," Tiffany my assistant walks in.

" Good Morning Tiffany, how are you?"

" I'm fine, the corner left a message saying they have the body here later than usual."

" That's fine. As long as it gets here."

" Okay, do you need anything?"

" Not right now but my brother is stopping by this morning. Listen out for him."

" I will," a small smile appears on her face. She walks to her desk by the front door. Girl, you don't want any of those problems. I shake my head going over orders.

" Welcome to Rizzo's funeral home."

" Hey, is Dominique here?"

" Yes,she's in her office. You need me to take to her office?"

" No, but thank you," footsteps walk down the hall.

Chris walks in my office," morning little sister."

" Morning big brother. What did you bring me for breakfast?" He close the door

before placing the bag on the desk. I open the bag pulling out a container," why is your assistant so thirty?" He sits in the chair in front of my desk. I shrug my shoulders," you know I don't get involved with my employees personal life." I open the container to an omelet, home fries, toast and bacon.

" You need to be involved. You can't have anyone working here."

" That's why I stay in the background. I don't need one running up in here having the cops and feds watching me." I eat a piece of bacon," what do you think about the whole Hernandez thing?"

Chris grabs his container. I lean back in my seat," we don't need them or Queens. Y'all just being greedy." He smacks his lips looking at me.

" There would be some profit if we can come to a mutual agreement with them. Let's be real, how long do you think that will last? A year maybe or two before it turns into a war." The room goes silent," we're just going to have to take them out first." I chuckle," I knew that we are all crazy." We finish our food talking about his kids," I'm getting then this weekend you coming over?"

" Yeah," I put all the trash in the bag.

" Let me get out of your way." He gets up leaving my office. I get up and throw all the trash away.

The two meetings went past fast.

" Ms. Rizzo, I'm going to lunch. Do you need anything?" Tiffany stands in the doorway," no I'm fine."

" Okay," she leaves. I grab my phone scrolling through f*******: when my phone rings, " hello pops."

" Hey bambina, what are you doing?"

" Waiting for a body to get dropped off."

" Since you're not doing anything. Come have lunch with me and gram at the restaurant."

" I'm on my way," I hang the phone up and grab my bag. I go lock the front door and turn all the lights out before leaving. I get in the car texting Tiffany that I went out for lunch. I drive off heading to Manhattan.

After horrible traffic I pull in the back of the restaurant.

I go through the back door saying hi as I pass by.

" Dominique , come taste this." I stop looking at Rico standing over the stove. I walk over looking in the pot as he stir," what is this?"

" Chunks of chicken in a cheese sauce with rice and broccoli." He holds the spoon to my mouth," mhmm. That's good." He smiles," I'll send you a plate out."

" Thanks," I leave the kitchen. I look around the floor spotting them in the booth on the left.

" Hey," I hug pops. I walk over to Gram, hugging her. I take a seat next to her," how yall doing?"

" We are good. What about you?"

" I'm good," I smile. The waiter comes over taking my drink order then leaves.

" What's going on? We usually don't do lunch on a Wednesday."

They don't say anything," here you go." The waiter placed my drink down," thank you." I take a sip eyeing both of them.

" Have you been seeing anyone lately." I stop myself from rolling my eyes," no gram."

" You are too beautiful not to have a man." " I've been a little busy to have one."

" Nonsense. You can make time for that." The waiter comes back with two people. Gram stands," Hey Connie." An older lady walks from behind the waiter," Gloria." They hug," this is my grandson," Alex." I know she didn't, I look over at pops as he mouths sorry.

" Nice to meet you. This is my husband Demetrius and my granddaughter Dominique."

" Nice to meet you." I sip my drink. Alex sits across from me while Gloria sits in between him and pops. They order their drinks," Alex what do you do?"

" I'm a silent parent in a couple of business." He ain't making no money. I look at him head to toe with his stained Armani suit and scuffed up dress shoes.

" That's good. Dominique runs our funeral home." Connie smiles at me," a working woman." The waiter gives them their drinks and everyone places their order. I pull my phone out texting Tiffany that I'll be at lunch longer than normal. Gram and Connie chat while pops listens.

" Am I boring you." I put my phone down," no just texting my assistant." He nods his head, " so what do you besides work."

" Help out my family," I smile.