Chapter 20
TANYA
If I were to rate my life right about now, I'd say on a scale of one to ten, it's a five.
That's not so bad, right?
I mean it could be wayy better, for sure, but then I'd need loads of money to up the scales.
I'd always dreamt of traveling to Paris, the city of love. I'm wistful now, thinking about all the things I could do with money. My damn boss didn't want to help, even when I threatened to inform the police about his nefarious activities.
The fucker had found it hilarious. He said half of the LA police was under his payroll. I don't doubt it.
You don't get to his position without having some form of insurance and assurance as well. That, he's got lots of. That's all well and good for him, but that still brings me back to square one. As I walk down the street leading to the dingy apartment I share with Alicia, I'm filled with a loathing so strong, it's eating me up from the inside.
I can't stand this place.
Yes, we've never had much, even when daddy was alive, but back then things were happier, I didn't have to think about not eating three square meals a day or even having some pocket money.
Everything fell apart when he passed and left us in debt up to our necks. We - rather - mother had to sell everything, except the clothes on our backs.
That was when I met Fred, my boyfriend. I should have known, but how could I?
How could I have known he was the biggest red flag to ever come my way?
"Hey, shorty, you going my way, or. . . can I take you home with me tonight?"
When the car crept up on me, I didn't know. I must have been too deep in thought. I angle my body towards it to see a guy not much older than me behind the steering. If I'm to guess his age, I'd say he's about twenty-two, the same age as Alicia. He's got a full head of dreads which are packed at the nape of his neck. His lips are full and red and his brown skin shines underneath the light of the car. He studies me as I study him but I'm not sure if he likes what he sees like I like what I'm seeing.
He purses his lips and I see clear white shiny teeth. It would be so easy to turn to the other side, open the door and get in. I'd probably have a good time, that is until I see the bulge by the side of his jacket. This guy is packing, and it's not his dick.
See. . .that's how I ended up in juvie in the first place. All because of a joy ride.
My eyes harden into slits as I bring out the taser from inside my back pocket and aim it at him. "Get the fuck out of here now before I make you mince meat."
It's dark and the moon hasn't peeked out yet. I know for a fact without proper lighting, the taser looks like a gun.
His mouth rounds into an o as he puts his hands in the air. "Chill out, shorty, we're cool, 'aight. It's cool." He puts his hands back on the steering and drives off sharply, leaving me in a cloud of smoke.
"Yeah! That's what I thought." I say with a smirk.
I put the taser away and continue walking down the street that leads to my house. A door from one of the houses I'm passing opens, and loud rap music spills out as well as a guy and a girl clutching each other. They're very into each other, but I can see they've had one too many drinks, or drugs, in their systems. I shake my head in disgust.
One more reason to hate this neighborhood. It's crawling with druggies and low life's.
I finally get to the front of the tiny dingy apartment and I'm already slotting the key inside the lock when I see a flash of color. The whole place is dark and there aren't any lights on because we haven't gotten around to fixing them.
Who am I kidding?
We're dirt poor, well, maybe now that I'm working and earning some money, I could fix this place up. I bring out my taser as I walk stealthily to investigate who the peeping Tom is.
He's going to regret ever showing his face here. He probably thinks we're two helpless females and wants us as a sport.
I'll give him sports.
I round the side of the house and bump into something. The taser flies out of my hand as I land on my knees. When I right myself, I find myself looking into the face of someone I least expected I'd find here.
"Leonard?! What the fuck are you doing here? I could have hurt you, and what is the meaning of you standing around the back of my house like a creep?"
"Tanya!? I could ask you the same question. What are you doing here?"
"I live here. What's your excuse?"
It's strange seeing Stardust's manager standing in the dark at the back of my house. I'm about to ask him another question when a voice from inside the house sails to my ears.
"Fuck me with your tongue!"
Say what?
Fuck me with your tongue?
Was that. . . Alicia?
No! It can't be her, surely. She never swears. Ever. I look towards the window only to see a part where the curtains are slightly open. I peep inside, but everywhere is in darkness except for the light from the TV. It shines on the silhouette of two people on the sofa. A man and a woman. The man's head is in between the woman's legs and one of her hand is anchoring his head steadily.
Whoever she is, she's definitely having the time of her life. That's when I realize this is the apartment I live in with my sister.
That means. . .
I look back up at Leonard who is now backing away. "Don't even think about it, you sick fuck." I grab a hold of his hand before he can get away. "Is this what you do for kicks? This how you get off?"
The look on his face is one of horror. "What? No!" He shakes his head furtively. "I know the girl in there, Alicia. I texted her I was coming over but when I got here, I heard lots of sexual noises." He makes an exaggerated move of his hand towards the window, "and it led me here. I should not have come." His shoulders slump.
"So, you and Alicia are a thing?"
He shakes his head morosely. "From what I can hear in there, I don't think that'll ever happen."
"I wonder who the guy she's with is?" I chew my fingernail, a bad habit from when I was younger.
Leonard's already moving away but I catch up with him. "I can never compete with him." There's raw pain in his voice.
"But who is he? Hey, wait up!" I put a hand on his shoulder before he can bolt away.
He turns around, and I can clearly see his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Ash Thunder, our fucking boss."
This time, he turns around and walks away.