Chapter Thirty-five
My conversation with my mother was put on hold when Cash knocked on the door. “Come on, Chanel. The guests have arrived.”
With a fake smile plastered on my face, I placed my hand in his and walked down the spiral staircase with him. I didn’t know what the celebration was for because there were no decorations, music, food, cake, or anything to symbolize the occasion. I only saw people waiting at the bottom of the stairs in anticipation of our arrival. None of the faces were familiar except for Caesar and that bitch Trina. I didn’t know if it was my imagination, but I could’ve sworn the trick had a sneaky grin on her face.
“Thank you all for coming.” Cash started his speech as I tried to read more into Trina. “I called you all here for two reasons. Reason number one is Chanel did her first bid, and now she’s back home.”
The crowd cheered, all except my alleged friend, who actually looked disappointed.
“The second reason is because I wanted to teach all you snake motherfuckers a lesson.” This time the crowd stood still and hung on to Cash’s every word. “Baby, please take a seat right there.” He gestured for me to sit down on the chair that had been placed in the middle of the floor for all to see. I caught a glimpse of Porscha, who gave the thumbs-up. I frowned. If he was about to propose, he had a strange way of going about it.
“Cash, what’s going on? Who are these people?” I whispered as he walked away from me, ignoring my question.
My hands were wet with perspiration, and beads of sweat gathered on the tip of my nose. My heart pounded loudly with every step he took back toward me. I squinted to see if he had a box in his hand, then gasped when I noticed large black leather straps.
“See, while my baby was away, a little birdie informed me that she’s been stealing my money.” He laughed like a madman. “You all work for me, and everybody knows my motto is what?”
“Never bite the hand that feeds you!” the crowd replied.
“I’m no thief!” I shouted. The grin on Trina’s face told me everything. Porscha was right. She was after Cash and used my rainy-day stash to turn him against me.
“You’re telling me the thirty-two thousand dollars you stashed away at the bank around the corner was saved without a dime from me? You mean none of the money I gave you for shopping, hair, nails, trips, or whatever was used for your private stash?” He stroked his goatee. I contemplated my answer carefully. If I lied, he’d come down on me harder.
“Yes, I saved a few dollars here and there,” I responded.
“I respect you for telling the truth, but I can’t forgive your actions. If I give you two thousand for a shopping trip, that’s what I expect it to be used for!” he barked. “I don’t care if you spend $1,699. When you come home, I expect $301 refunded to me. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” I cried as he struck me the first time, then another and another. I blocked my face as I received my beating. The lashes continued for what seemed like days, and no one came to my rescue, not even my mother. My beautiful dress was ripped to pieces in front of the stunned crowd, leaving me completely exposed. I lay on the bloodstained floor in my bra and panties like an exhibition for all to see.
I couldn’t believe my life had been reduced to this. I couldn’t believe my friend had sold me out, and I couldn’t believe my mother stood and watched this nigga beat me like a runaway slave. Lying on the cold floor, I prayed like hell that he killed me. In my mind, death had to be better than this.