It felt weird staying with her father again. She hadn’t spent the night in his home in a very long time, but she was glad that she was back so that they could spend some quality time together. As the sun crept through her blinds, Six sat up and stretched her arms out. She had gotten a perfect night’s sleep. There was something about being underneath her father’s roof that made her feel safe. She felt untouchable because she knew that her daddy would never let anything happen to her.
I’ma make him something to eat, she thought as she stepped into her house shoes and walked out of the room and into the kitchen. As soon as she entered the kitchen, she saw a note from her father on the counter.
Morning, baby girl,
I’m out fishing. Won’t be back soon. I left you some pocket change on the counter and your favorite cereal is in the cabinet.
I love you always,
Daddy
Six looked at the hundred-dollar bill that was on the countertop and shook her head while smiling. He still treats me like his baby, she thought as she went to the cabinet to retrieve the box of cinnamon toast crunch that her father knew she loved. She sat down in the living room with her cereal in hand and curled up on the couch. Then she picked up her cell phone to call Free.
Ding-dong!
Six ended the call abruptly when she heard the doorbell ring. Opening the door, she was greeted by a white woman in a cream-colored suit. Six recognized the designer Dolce threads immediately. Her eyebrows creased as she wondered what the upscale woman was doing on her father’s doorstep.
“Can I help you?” Six asked.
“My name is Melissa Warren. I have a letter for a Ms. Six Jones,” the jeweler stated.
Six leaned against the frame of the door and replied, “That’s me…a letter from who?”
The woman gave her a bright smile and handed over a chocolate brown-and-gold envelope. Six opened the letter in suspense, anxious to see what was going on.
Today I show you what it’s like to fuck with a boss. Today is your day, ma. A limo is going to pick you up in one hour and take you to Somerset mall. You can have whatever you like. Just have the cashiers put your purchases on my account. Enjoy yourself and don’t hurt me too bad. The limo will bring you back to my place later to night. I have something special planned. I’ll see you then.
Britain
Six was cheesing from ear to ear by the time she was done reading the letter and when she looked up, she gasped in surprise.
The woman was standing in front of her with a briefcase full of diamond jewelry. “He must really love you to buy such an expensive gift,” the woman stated. “You can pick any piece you like.”
Six’s chin dropped to her chest as she stepped to the side and let the woman in. “Oh my God,” she whispered. Britain was pulling out all stops, and the extravagance of it all floored her. She was like a kid in a candy store as she sat down across from the woman and began to try on the expensive jewels.
“This here is a Harry Winston piece. It’s a two-karat diamond ring,” the woman said, going on to describe the cut of the ring as she placed it on Six’s finger. Six held out her hand and looked at the rock as she imagined what her wedding ring would look like someday. She shook her head and removed it from her finger.
“It’s too much like an engagement ring,” she said as she placed it back into the lady’s hands. She leaned over the coffee table where every piece was spread out on top of a velvet cloth. “What about that?” she asked pointing to a necklace.
“You have great taste,” the woman stated as she grabbed the necklace and walked behind Six to put it on for her. “This is a Tiffany’s piece. Platinum rope with a ten-karat colorless diamond.” She fastened it around Six’s neck. “Wow! That is beautiful on you. The size of it overwhelms most women, but it fits you perfectly.”
Six walked over to the wall mirror and gasped when she saw the diamond resting against her neck. She touched it as if it couldn’t be real. She had never seen anything so beautiful. “How much is it?” she asked.
“Twenty-seven thousand dollars,” the woman answered.
Six shook her head. “I can’t choose this. That’s way too much,” she said.
“Mr. Adams instructed me to bring only the best. I think he’ll be pleased with your selection. Just between you and me…your limit was seventy-five thousand dollars,” she said, whispering the last part.
Six fingered the necklace and took a deep breath, a bit over whelmed by Britain’s bottomless wallet. “Okay, I’ll take it,” she said, smiling.
“Wonderful selection. It was nice meeting you, Six. I’m Mr. Adams’s personal jeweler. I’ll probably be seeing you again,” she said as she extended her hand.
Six shook it and replied, “Nice meeting you too.”
Dressing quickly, Six put on a cocoa-colored, floor-length maxi dress and sandals while pulling her hair off her face in a ponytail. She wanted to be as relaxed as possible because she knew that she was in for a day of pampering…courtesy of Britain. He was flattering her to no end, pulling out all stops in order to win her favor. She knew that he had probably charmed many women in his day, but she couldn’t help but feel special. He showered her with attention. Even though they had not seen each other since they were very young, somehow he always knew the right things to say and do to get her loose. Every time she shut her emotions down and blocked him out, he did something new to win her over. She was beginning to think he had done this before with many women, because he was too good at playing the gentleman role.
Just as she applied the last of her M•A•C cosmetics the doorbell rang again, announcing the arrival of her limo. At that exact moment, Free called her phone. She sighed as she stared at his name as it flashed across the screen of her cell. She loved Free, but his constant presence made it harder for her to get the job done. He’s gonna have to give me a little space, she thought. That’s not asking too much.
Six picked up her purse and put on her Christian Dior shades and walked out the door, hitting the ignore button to stop the call. She sent Free to voice mail. She didn’t want to hear his voice right now. He would only remind her that her relationship with Britain wasn’t real, and at that moment, she could not bear to hear it, even if it was the truth.