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spidernerdsblog · 3 years

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Wedding Shenanigans

A/N : Not me using my cousin's wedding as a plot for my fic. This has been sitting in my drafts for a while really didn’t have the nerve to post it. I’m still nervous tbh. Please don’t hate me if it’s bad my over dramatic ass just went a little overboard.

Pairing : Tom Holland x Indian! Reader

Summary : you are back home for your best friend’s wedding and Tom decides to accompany you.

Warnings : just over dramatic crap, sexual innuendos

Mini Playlist : Aa toh sahi, First kiss

(Note- As our country has a vast diversity of languages the italicized dialogues represents whatever native language you speak. I didn’t want to emphasize on a particular language.)

"You sure you wanna tag along?" you try to confirm with him again.

"Yeah I have never attended an Indian wedding before. Moreover I should have an experience you know for future just like Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra our grand wedding" he chirped.

"We will be staying at my parent’s house so no room sharing with me"

"What? Not again! But why can't I share a room? I mean your parents do know that we live together"

"Yeah but that's India honey, no sleeping together before marriage"

"I have to sleep all alone at night without you that's not fair" He whined.

"You can share a room with my dad then" you suggested.

"What? No not your dad" he gave a mortified look.

"Why what’s wrong?'' you let out an airy laugh.

"I’m really scared of him" you chuckled at his confession

"What? Don’t laugh at me, he really intimidates me"

"Well he is the only person who will decide to give my hand to you or not, so man up baby"

"And it's just for one night then we will go to the resort where the wedding will take place. And there hopefully we can share a room or you can share a room with Rahul or the other guys. I'll talk to them about it.

"Not that chump!" he immediately protested.

"What is with you and him?" you chuckle.

"When the person is a potential candidate to steal your girl you have to be a little defensive"

"God how many times do I need to tell you that we never had anything between us, he’s just my childhood friend."

"You may not have but I have noticed the last time we went to visit your parents he is always trying to woo you and moreover you parents like him too" he grumbled.

"Aww someone is jealous"

"I’m spiderman. Why would I be jealous? He says defensively, you smirk.

"Ok spiderman pack your things quickly"

You flew back to India the next day, you stayed the night at your parents house before leaving for the resort to attend your best friend’s wedding.

''Y/N!!" Your best friend squealed in excitement as she eagerly hugged you.

"Missed you so much.

"Me too babe. Can’t believe you’re getting married. When did we grow so big?" you pout.

"Hey Y/N"

"Hi Rahul. Missed you so much bro" you hugged him.

"Hey darling let's go to our room shall we? You must be tired" Tom eavesdropped in your conversation.

''Yeah I'm a little"

"Hey man how are you?" Rahul asked.

"I’m good, mate. Will talk to you later."

"Yeah sure, go take some rest" Tom literally dragged you away from him.

"What was that?" you frowned.

"Nothing" He said. You chuckled, shaking your head at your boyfriend’s possessive attitude.

After settling down in your room you went to freshen up. You stepped out of the bathroom drying your with a towel as you informed Tom.

"Okay so tomorrow is haldi"

"What’s that?"

"Well it's a ritual where we apply turmeric paste to both bride and groom, it is said turmeric improves your skin tone. I know it sounds stupid but age old custom so can’t be changed" you continued.

"So don’t wear something expensive as the turmeric stain will be hard to remove. You will be with the guys I have told Rahul everything so you will not have any problem'' he rolls his eyes.

"And please don't end up killing him''

The next morning after the puja was completed your best friend was made to sit on a seat decorated with flowers. As all the married women applied turmeric to her blessing her for a happy married life. Then came all of your turn. And you guys didn't leave a spot, painting her completely yellow.

"Y/N come here let me apply some turmeric so that next will be your turn" a woman offered.

"No thanks I'm fine" you dodged her somehow.

You went back to your room to change, Tom returned as well.

"You guys played quite a holi I see" you comment seeing his face and kurta painted yellow.

"Yeah but why didn’t you put that?

"I'll only apply only when it has been touched by my husband on my wedding day"

"Well I can help you with that" he backed you up against the wall caging you and slowly leaned down. You felt butterflies in your stomach as his face inched closer to yours, you thought he was going for a kiss as you parted your lips instead he tilted to the side brushing his cheek to yours and he did the same thing with your other cheek.

"There you go" he maneuvered you to face the mirror and you saw turmeric paste on your cheeks.

"Tom! Seriously? I thought-" you huff

"What did you think darling?" He whispers with a sultry voice.

"Nothing!"

"Someone is horny" He chuckles.

"Shut up you dickhead!" you snapped.

"But weren't you thinking about my dick in the first place?" He teases to annoy you even more.

"Ugh!! you know what Rahul is much better than you!" saying so you ran inside the bathroom shutting the door.

"What? What did you say?" he heard your giggles from inside.

Later in the day you were in the community hall of the resort with your friends discussing your dance performances.

"Guys we can’t let the groom’s side win do you get that?" you state.

"Chill Y/N we are gonna set the stage on fire"

"So what songs are we gonna perform? And please no bole chudiyan" you quip.

"Dilli wali girlfriend?" one of them suggested.

"Yeah that will definitely be kept for the end other than that?"

"Cutipie?"

"Nah"

"Deedar de? Odhani? Sawan mein lag gayi aag?" Everyone suggested in a chorus, someone even suggested ooh la la.” you facepalmed at the chaos.

"Guys are you planning to seduce those pot bellied bald uncles and middle aged judgemental aunties over there?" everyone went silent as you continued

"No right? So please something sober and fun. These songs can be played in the after party when the main event is over"

"Morni banke?" someone suggested.

"See now you’re getting it" After a lot of discussion finally you all agreed on some songs and started to choreograph the dance steps. Your eyes went to your boyfriend whom you had completely forgotten in the middle of this.

"You’re getting bored right? I’m so sorry babe this why I said you should pass this one out"

"Hey no I’m fine plus I kind of figured out a little of your conversation, you are talking of some kind of dance competition"

"Wow you are improving I’m so proud of you. And yes you’re right tomorrow we have sangeet at night and it’s a dance off bride vs groom and we are gonna smash them"

"Oh you will, darling. How much of an aggressive competitor you’re no one knows better than me" He chuckles.

"Hey! I’m not aggressive" you protest.

"Do I need to remind you of the one time you were literally about to throw the controller at the tv screen after you lost a match of fortnite?"

"Okay in my defense you cheated" you narrowed your eyes.

"No I didn't," He says haughtily.

"Yes you did, you distracted me-" you argue back.

"What did I do baby?" His voice was low as you remembered about the distraction he caused.

"Uh never mind" you stutter all flustered.

"Hey Y/N c’mon let’s practise" Rahul called you.

"What’s he gonna do?" Tom frowned.

"He’s my dance partner, I would have asked you but you don’t understand the lyrics well so"

"Yeah yeah I get it, now go" He said rolling his eyes.

You began to practice the dance for the sangeet it went on for sometime. But later everyone got bored to dancing to the same song so random songs were played

Sun baby deadly hai teri walk ni

Tere thumke bhi karte hai talk ni

Ho dil kare dekhi jaun teri ore

Tu nazre mila toh sahi

Dil diya hai jaan bhi tujhe denge

Tu ik vaari aa toh sahi

Dil diya hai jaan bhi tujhe denge

Tu nazre mila toh sahi

Tu ik vari aa to sahi

You started to move your hips sensually as Rahul joined you too. His hands went to wrap around your waist which made Tom uncomfortable as his face tensed up. You were laughing and giggling unaware of Tom watching you with a pointed look as you both were getting too close to his liking. You looked over your shoulder to find a very displeased Tom. An idea crossed your mind as you waltzed your way to him.

Kab mummy daddy mere tu patayega

Leke band baja ghar mere aayegaKab tak mujhe aise hi ghumayega

Tu baat badha to sahi

Dil diya hai jaan bhi tujhe denge

Tu ik vaari aa toh sahi

Dil diya hai jaan bhi tujhe denge

Tu nazre mila toh sahi

Tu ik vari aa to sahi

Grabbing his hand you pulled him to the center your friends hooted and whistled. You began to dance around him and nudge his shoulder playfully before lacing your hands around his neck pulling him closer to you. You turn around your back pressed against his broad chest as you take his hands and place them around your waist and continue to sway against each other.

............

Next day your best friend was sitting in the courtyard surrounded by all the ladies. The mehendi artist drew beautiful and intricate patterns on her hand with the henna.

You and your girl gang got ready to perform for the occasion as the song ‘mehndi hai rachne wali’ started to play in the background. You all danced to the song gracefully. After the performance you all also got your mehendi done.

"Tom! Tom! Where is my food?!" You yell sitting on your bed with wet henna on your hands.

"Wait a minute my hungry devil" Tom comes with your plate of food.

"Seriously you just can’t wait for a few minutes" He huffs sitting next to you.

"I’m so lucky to have such a sweet and caring boyfriend" you gush.

"Yeah yeah, now open your mouth" You do as he says. He brings the spoon near your mouth to pull it away immediately and eat the food himself.

"Tom!" You protest, he stifles a laugh. This is a nice punishment for you now cannot work your hands.

"Yeah very funny, don’t talk to me" You turn your face away from him annoyed.

"Hey I’m sorry, here take" He holds the spoon in front of you as you open your mouth to eat but that little fucker does it again going into a fit of laughter.

"You!!" You lift your hands to hit him.

"Ah, ah love don’t think of it or your artwork will only get ruined" He chuckles as you huff in defeat.

"Okay now c’mon, this time no pranks I promise" You frowned at him still dubious but this time he finally fed you.

"You know they write the name or initial of your husband in this. I made the lady write your initial, think you can find it?" you looked at him with a playful expression.

"Is that a challenge, love?"

"Well maybe" you shrug.

"Then I fucking accept it!" He gets on to search through the intricate patterns drawn on your hand but soon he realized it was hard than he thought as he frowned.

"Don’t worry baby you have the whole day, you’ll find it eventually I suppose" You snicker.

Later in the evening the sangeet ceremony took place and as expected you guys won the dance off. After all the elders and children were done having their dinner and retreated to their rooms, the younger lot of you as decided earlier had your own kind of mini bachelor’s party with everyone ending up drunk. The boys were dancing on to some peppy bollywood item number, later you and your girlfriends took the stage as the music continued to play.

Ae Yo, Ae Yo

Seene Se Laga Ke Baahon Mein

Mujhe Le Lo

Jaldi Hai Kaisi

I Like It Nice And Slow

Your body swayed sensually as the guys hollered and cheered you girls with a few whistles.

Meri Heart Beat Fast

Aur Sab Lage Mujhe Slo-mo

Mujhe Slow-mo

I Want You Right Now

I Need You Right Now Come

You stretched your hand pointing your finger directly to your boyfriend motioning him to get up and come to you. He obliged with a smirk plastered on his face and strided towards you.

Hassa Hassa Ke Gaya Fasa

Tu Toh Dil Mera

Nasha Nasha Tera Chadha Nasha

Jab Dekha Chehra Tera

Meri Life Mein Yun Kar Gaya Kyun

Har Din Love Wala Season Tu

What You Gonna Do?

Jo Main Keh Du

Meri Heart Beat Ka Reason Tu

His hands rested on your hips as he knelt down to ear and whispered

"You really do like it nice and slow don’t you love?" you elbowed him playfully.

‘‘Fuck off!!’’

‘‘Ow!’’ He groaned chuckling.

…….

It was your bestie's big day as you were getting ready for it putting on your saree.

"Tom can you help me with the pleats of my saree please"

"Sure darling" He squats down to gather the silky material of your saree, you smoothen the pleats as he holds them in place.

"Thanks hun" You tuck in the pleats inside your underskirt securing them with a pin.

"Anytime sweetheart" He stands up on his feet smiling.

You went on to do your makeup and were busy putting on your jhumkas when Tom’s eyes went to your reflection in the mirror. And boy he was mesmerised, you looked unearthly. He slowly walked to you resting his chin on your shoulder, his arms wrapping around your waist, the sweet scent of the jasmine flowers pinned to your hair intoxicating his senses.

"You look so gorgeous, darling."

"Well thank you, love. You look no less handsome either" And it was so true he actually looked like a snack in that designer kurta. You turned to face him gazing into his soft brown eyes. There was a certain kind of flicker in his eyes which you knew all too well though you were tempted to give in but attending your best friend’s wedding was also important so you brought your hands in front of his face and shook your bangles the jingling sound broke him out of his trance as he shook his head, blinking his eyes owlishly.

"Now who’s horny huh?" You teased.

"Shut up!" His face turned red all flustered.

"Aww it’s ok baby boy" You tease him even more.

"You’re so in for it later, Y/N" He warns playfully.

"Will see" You winked mischievously "Now c’mon let’s go" you walked out hand in hand towards the dias where the wedding nuptials were to be performed but had to stop on your tracks when you saw a group of aunties coming your way.

"Oh no! Aunties incoming just smile and greet them" You direct Tom warily.

"Do I need to touch their feet?" He asks nervously as you frown.

"No! That’s too much respect they deserve"

"Y/N how are you?" One of them asked. "You’ve grown so big! You remember me right?" Another lady badgered you with more questions.

"I’m fine, how are you all?" You gave a broad smile as you yourself were confused who the hell they are.

"Everything is going fine for us. So happy Y/F/N is finally going to happily settle in her life, so when is your turn huh?" You gave a tight lipped smile having no clue what to answer.

"You know my sister’s son is in the government sector, a really nice boy and earns a very handsome salary you know if you want-" you cut her off immediately.

"Umm aunty, meet my boyfriend Tom"

"Hello'' Tom greets them timidly.

"Oh hello-’’ she looked at him with a judgy face okay you kids enjoy then, let me see if anything is needed there or not"

"Yeah sure"

"What was she saying?" Tom asked curiously.

"Nothing just trying to set me up with one of her relative’s weird nerdy son"

"What the-!!"

"Relax she got her answer which is a clear no. Now let’s go and see the wedding" You went near the dais and observed all the rituals take place one by one. It was the time for walking around the fire for seven times as your best friend and her husband stood up and started revolving around the fire while you showered flowers on them along with everyone.

"Why are they circling around the fire?"

"It’s quite similar to exchanging vows you see, the bride and groom promise each other to be together for seven lifetimes with the sacred fire as witness" you explained, Tom nods his head in understanding when something went through his mind.

"Y/N let’s get married" Tom says out of nowhere taking you by surprise.

"What?" You chuckle lightly.

"I'm serious Y/N, let's just get married like right now. I mean everything is set, you are dressed no less than a bride and I’m looking handsome as hell and we have a priest right there"

"Ok Tom, I totally get what you’re saying. But honey, I don’t see a ring" you showed him your empty ring finger scrunching your face.

..............................................................................

Tagging some desi peeps I know here

@peaches-parker @parkerpeterparker2004 @lokibuckylove6 @calltothewild

@mischiefmanaged011 @parker--peter @starlight-starks

sorry if I bothered you.

#tom holland #tom holland imagine #tom holland imagines #tom holland x reader #tom holland one shot #desi tumblr

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thesocialfables · 4 years

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The sun hadn’t even reached its peak yet, and Alonzo was already robbing Peter to pay Paul, or better yet, robbing himself to pay Fargo. Sitting behind the wheel of his used 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe, Alonzo watched his phone closely. He knew it was a risk placing the bet, to begin with. Still, it was a risk he had to take. Chewing into his bottom lip anxiously, he anticipated the outcome of the virtual horserace. Betting wasn’t even his thing, but he had run out of options. He needed 10 grand by the end of the night, or his Hideaway would be gone.

“Fuck!” He called out pounding his phone into the steering wheel. He lost. A piece of him knew he would lose either way. As it seemed lately that was the only thing he was good at. Freaking out for the properly allotted time of a man in his position, Alonzo regained his composure before looking up at his strip club from the parking lot.

Alonzo wasn’t like most of the niggas he grew up with. He didn’t try to play hard, running around with guns and multiple women or acted as if selling drugs was the only way for him and his mother to get out of the projects. All his life Alonzo worked hard and followed his dreams. And for the past ten years, he had been living that dream as the owner of Heaven’s Hideaway.

“Okay.” He spoke before checking his bank account to consider placing another bet. Right now, he was 3 grand away from paying Fargo back. And while it seemed like acquiring that amount of money in less than 12 hours was a longshot, as long as nothing went wrong tonight at Heaven’s – he could possibly pull it off.

Glancing between his phone, his glove compartment, the phone, and the glove compartment, Alonzo decided the only gamble he could afford to take now was on the very same club he was drowning in debt to keep. Putting his phone away, Alonzo looked around the sparsely filled parking lot. He had started a morning shift at the club, hoping to pull in the city’s drunks and bored dope boys, but so far it was costing him more money than he was making. He glanced down at his glove compartment one more time before he caught his star dancer’s face on the club’s marquee. Seeing her face made him think of everyone he’d be letting down if he gave up now, but that just made him want to open the compartment more and numb his pains for the day. “Just gotta get through the night, and then all this shit will be over.” He reminded himself, before exiting the car and heading towards the club.

“What you was praying or something, nigga?” He heard Buddy the doorman’s voice calling across the parking lot. “Lord, please don’t let these crazy bitches stress me out today, especially Tanginika. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.” Alonzo just shook his head at Buddy’s jokes. It was too early in the day, and he had far too much going on to joke with the man.

“Don’t call them bitches.” He said closing the space between them, so he wasn’t screaming loudly for the handful of people loitering in front of the club to hear. Buddy and Alonzo had been friends since long before he purchased Heaven’s. “Why you got so much security? Ain’t nobody even here?” He questioned in a low tone while heading inside the club.

“You know how the cops be after a little shooting,” Buddy said following closely behind Alonzo. He had been calling the man since they closed the club just six hours ago. He wanted to talk to him about somethings he had heard. “And calling them, them, sounds worse than calling them bitches. I’m just saying.” He was so close behind Alonzo that when he remembered he left something in his car, they collided into each other as Alonzo stopped and turned around.

“Buddy,” Alonzo started as Buddy moved out the way to follow Alonzo back to the car. “I’ll deal with the cops, send some of these niggas home. We supposed to be making money. How we gone do that if we paying niggas to just stand around creeping everybody the fuck out?” As they walked, Alonzo’s eyes shifted between the people crowding up his lobby. He was the only one creeped out, afraid the men he was hiding from had already come to collect their payments.

“Even the Mexicans?” Buddy asked and Alonzo stopped walking. Somedays Buddy’s sense of humor was a relief, others it was annoying as well. “Well, you said niggas.”

“Yes, even the Mexicans.” Alonzo said heading back towards his car.

“Ok, cool. But I wanted to holla at you about something for a second.” As Buddy talked, Alonzo opened his car door and reached down to the floor of the backseat to pull up an MCM duffle bag. “I was at Remy’s last night – well, this morning.”

“With Dominque? Her Mom just died Buddy, maybe try to get out the friend zone another time.” Alonzo shot unzipping the bag a little to peek inside as if someone had stolen the bag of money just that fast.

“Wow, okay,” Buddy spoke, as Alonzo chuckled a bit while securing the bag close to him and doubling his stride to head back inside the club. “I don’t know what side of the bed you woke up on, but it damn sure wasn’t the nice side. Will you slow down for a minute, I’m tryna tell you something.” Alonzo exhaled for a minute before stopping to talk, for as long as it took for somebody working the front of the club to buzz him in through the lobby. “I heard some guys talking about a special promo here at the club.”

“What promo?” Alonzo asked ignoring all the calls to his name. He knew the dancers wanted nothing more but to discuss who had “stolen” what object of theirs and who would be going on the main stage tonight. But before he could answer any questions, he had to make sure there was a stage for anybody to even go on.

“See that’s the thing.” Buddy had started talking, but he didn’t finish. And as Alonzo turned to wonder why he had grown silent with a crazed look in his eye, Buddy quickly spoke back up. “Maybe we should talk in your office.”

“We can talk later, Buddy. Ain’t no promotions running. That's just niggas talking. Now, go send some of them niggas, out there, home.” As Alonzo continued walking, Buddy continued to follow him and talk.

“I know it ain’t no promotion. That’s what I’m tryna tell you. And I asked for some extra guys because Dante was still out in the parking lot after we closed.”

“He was probably waiting for his girl, Buddy. Or Tangie.”

“Well, he found Tangie. And almost got his head blow the fuck off too.” Ever since he hired her, Alonzo had grown used to Rhapsody and Dante’s bullshit. Their Ike and Tina relationship was almost the reason why he didn’t go through with hiring September. But she had a certain look he didn’t have at the club this far down the pier.

“What was she doing?” He asked because knowing Rhapsody, it could’ve been anything if there was a price tag with it.

“It looked like she was talking to Kendrix,” Buddy informed Alonzo as they reached his office. He also figured they were close enough to be alone to let Alonzo know what he was talking about. In a hushed tone, he whispered, “Probably about that special promo she offering.”

“What promo?” Alonzo responded quickly, just as his fogged brain caught up with the conversation and put it all together. “You heard this from some niggas that was at the club?” He asked and Buddy nodded his head. “Okay, tell Tangie to bring he big ass here as soon as she gets here. And in the meantime-”

“Yeah, yeah. Send the migos home, I know.” Buddy said walking away. Alonzo just shook his head before calling behind the man to tell him to find out who all was in on Rhapsody’s special.

Inside his office, Alonzo opened the safe and put the money inside. He would’ve felt relief adding it towards the money he owed Fargo if he hadn’t owed it to himself already. Alone with his desperate thoughts, Alonzo actually hoped Rhapsody was back to soliciting sex at the club. Because maybe she could cut him in for a while and they all could get out this mess together. But that was the easy way out. Alonzo hadn’t come this far to fuck up his business now. Even if he couldn’t do it for himself, he was keeping his nose clean for his business.

“You got a minute?” He heard a voice call from the doorway of his office. Caught by surprise, thinking he had closed the door behind him, he motioned September to come in. As she closed the door behind her, Alonzo already knew what the topic of the conversation would be. It was the same he had with all the girls in September’s position. As a businessman, he respected the ambition, but just because one of his dancers believed they deserved more time on the main stage – didn’t always mean they did.

“I’ve been here for almost a year now, and I think we both can agree I pull in a lot of clientele.” Alonzo just nodded his head along, fully aware of where this conversation was going. Even if September didn’t. “I would like to have my private dances in The Upper Room from now on.” Well, this was a new one.

“The Upper Room isn’t for private dances. That’s what the back is for.”

“Rhapsody has private dances up there all the time.” September dry snitched.

“Tangie,” Alonzo tired not to call the dancers by their stage name. Especially dancers he considered almost like family rather than employees. No matter how fucked up they were. “Has private clients that pays to see her in The Upper Room. If you get a request, Riva will let you know.”

“Who?” September asked and Alonzo involuntarily chuckled a little. She was asking for access to The Upper Room but didn’t know Venus’ real name. Clearing up as to who he meant, September nodded her head. “Oh. Well, I feel like I will be getting more requests. Because, I also think I should get more time on the main stage, being that I’ve been covering almost half of Echo’s dances this month.” Knowing Echo’s situation outside of the club, and that she and September didn’t necessarily get along, Alonzo ignored September once again. Before explaining to her that Echo had seniority at the club and was a featured dancer.

“If you want more stage time, you have to bring in more clientele. It’s a catch 20/20, I know, but – that’s how it is. You don’t have to cover for her though if you don’t want to.”

September and Alonzo were locked in a staring contest for a brief moment. Before September spoke first and turned to leave the office, “Okay. Maybe Fargo will understand. I heard he doesn’t play favorites. Or about his money.”

Just as September opened the door and Alonzo went to lose his cool, he noticed Venus standing by to speak to him as well, and he instantly calmed down. “You introducing yourself to the girls as Venus?” He asked as Riva stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

“If they only here for a few months,” She said sitting down in front of the desk. “She was supposed to go to college.”

“Don’t they all,” Alonzo said leaning back in his chair to stare up at the ceiling. “Can you grab the cash from the front, please? Also, in like an hour. And then every hour after that?”

“I can do that. Won’t make it $4,000, but I can do that.” Venus started working at Heaven’s seven years ago. When she first came in she was a dancer, and one of the best that Alonzo had at the time. Even giving Echo a run for her money. But one bad night at the club left Venus with fears that still haunted her in the dark of the night. When she came to Alonzo explaining that she needed to quit, he offered her the position of den mother instead. Helping the dancers out and supporting them with whatever they needed to get through the night. But Riva’s favorite part of the job was being able to tell Alonzo what to do.

“3,000. I only owe 3,000.” Alonzo responded flatly. She had been snooping around him these last few weeks trying her hardest to figure out what was going on. And with the way this day was looking, she would be getting her questions answered sooner than later anyway.

“Oh, you put it all back! I was sure a little something wasn’t going to make it back.” Alonzo just remained silent. If there was anyone he wanted to tell about the mess he had gotten himself into, it was Riva. But at the same time, he didn’t want her to worry. Because if there was anything worth saving this place for – again, it was Riva. As she began running down the list of problems she had already from the girls, Alonzo just listened to the lull of her voice and began to drift away to another place where he didn’t have any of these problems. “Also, Bianca, Tangie, or Dominique won’t be at work today.”

Hearing those words Alonzo's head sprung forward and he locked eyes with Riva. “That’s not gonna work.”

“It’s Ava’s birthday.” Riva reminded Alonzo, she had been telling the dancers he wouldn’t even be here this morning.

“I know I sent her my gift. But I still have a job, just like they do. And Bianca? How the fuck does she get a day off and she just fucking started?”

“Dominique said they all are going-”

“I KNOW WHERE THEY GOING, VENUS!” Riva remained quiet as Alonzo slammed his fist into his desk. The force from his punch was so powerful it caused the top drawer of the old desk to pop open. Slowly Alonzo’s eyes looked down into the empty drawer. “Where’s my shit?” His words were calm, yet his voice was irate. Yesterday, the messy drawer was filled with random receipts, handwritten notes, and confiscated items from the dancers. But none of that was what Alonzo expected to see. Bringing his eyes back up to look at Riva, she sat as undisturbed, challenging Alonzo’s stare with a small telling smirk.

“I cleaned your desk out this morning. I also returned several of Fargo’s calls, letting him know that neither Echo nor Lola would be working tonight.”

“Lola not here either?” Alonzo once again spoke before his brain could understand what was being said to him. The chances of Fargo actually showing up tonight for his money were now 50/50. Since neither one of the women who brought him into the club, to begin with, was not working. And that small bit of breathing room was all thanks to Riva. “Sorry,” He responded, standing from his desk and moving around the front of it to wrap his arms around her. “I really don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Although Alonzo was embracing her, Venus continued to sit still. Before turning to look him in the eyes and say, “Kill yourself.”

Releasing her, Alonzo moved back to his side of his desk and sat back down. Since the desk was completely empty, he tried to find something to do while he and Riva sat in awkward silence. “You know,” He stared and Venus rolled her eyes, before standing up herself. “I could make all the money I need if you would get back on stage. You definitely know how to put on a show. It didn’t matter what I was doing. I knew when you was up there.”

Although she had anticipated Alonzo’s stroll down memory lane. Venus’ tough exterior cracked a little, remembering the times she caught him staring herself. And ever since she became den mother, she never caught him lurking in the shadows to watch anyone else as he did with her. “I’ll do it,” He was joking when he said it, but with the way things were looking – he wasn’t going to try and talk her out of it. “If you tell me what’s really going on with you.”

Alonzo smiled a little, relieved. He didn’t want Riva on stage again no more than she wanted to be. “I was joking, Riva. Everything’s fine. Whatever you found in that drawer probably didn’t even belong to me.”

“And how do you know what I found?” The silence between them grew in size, but this time it wasn’t awkward. It was clear that she was waiting for an answer from him – a truthful answer.

“I don’t.” He said flatly, hoping that was enough for Venus to go back to work. “Can you tell the Siamese twins – well, I guess they The Three Stooges now – that they can come to work after the party. Tangie’s mom can take her to King’s Point. Or better yet, her fucking dad can, instead of moping around my club.”

“Whatever you say, Alonzo.” As the door slammed behind Venus, it was clear she did not believe anything he was saying. But that was a conversation the two of them could have at another time. Right now, he needed to make sure he got the three grand he needed to make ends meet. Or else he’d definitely need what was at the bottom of his drawer, hidden underneath a bunch of trash, so he could sell half of it and save his club.

“Fuck!” Alonzo groaned. Heaven’s had been open for five hours already and he hadn’t even put a dent into what he owed Fargo. Getting up from his desk, he headed to the front to make sure he had collected all the money. On his way, he considered giving September what she wanted and asking Venus to dance. He had seven hours left and was looking for nothing short of a miracle at this point.

Just as the thought crossed his mind, he heard Rhapsody’s distinguished laugh coming from the locker rooms. Thanking God, he rushed towards her voice to try and convince the woman to get on stage and bring some money in for his saving.

“Uh-uh, Lonzo. Buddy already told me you looking for my fat ass. But like I told him, I am not here. I just came to get these children some lunch money and then we off to King’s Point, baby!” She lifted her hand for the man to give her a high-five, but Alonzo just stated at her. “Well, fuck you too nigga.” She said, before telling the girl who thought she was gonna send her kid’s to the theme park without their own money, goodbye and going to leave the club. “Whatever you want to yell at me about, that shit can wait until I’m back tomorrow. But thank you for actually picking a present out for Ava. You know how many broke motherfuckers just showed up with slime?”

“Tangie, if you and Dominique not back here tonight, y’all getting fired.” His voice was stern as if he meant every word. As other dancers passed by them in the hall, lingering around to see what Rhapsody would say next, she remained silent as she headed towards his office. So she could call his bluff in private.

“Now,” She said stopping her stride when they were around the corner and secluded from everyone else. “You know damn well you can’t afford to lose us right now.” As Alonzo went to give Rhapsody a spiel about how he was the boss and what he said goes, Rhapsody just continued talking, “How much do you need this time?” Alonzo kissed his teeth before Rhapsody over talked his response once more. “I know I talk a lot of shit, but you know you can ask me for whatever. Don’t be fucking threatening my job. Especially in front of these bitches, that just make us both look bad.”

The amount he needed was on the tip of his tongue, but Alonzo couldn’t bring himself to say it. Too many times now did Rhapsody pull money out of her tities to bail him out. Other than being down for him since the day he opened this place, it was partially the reason why Rhapsody acted like it was her name on the deed. “I said what I said. Be back here tonight, or I’mma let y’all go.”

Rhapsody stared at Alonzo blankly, hoping that he would just put his pride to the side and tell her what he needed. “Well…we had a good run. Good luck, Lonzo.” Instead of pulling money out of her bra, she gave him the key to Echo’s dressing room, which she had got from Kendrix last night. Knowing that Dominique would’ve come in herself to access the room rather than giving Tangie her key – and Buddy never let his out of his sight – it was clear where she had gotten it from. As Alonzo watched her saunter away, he felt the weight on his chest double over as his fist broke through the wall he was standing next to.

Alone in his office, Alonzo continued to express himself by destroying his office in a blind rage. He was six hours away from losing everything he had worked for and he was starting to just admit the defeat. Once there wasn’t anything left in his path to destroy, he slid down the wall behind the door and stared blankly ahead of him.

“Alonzo,” He heard a voice call from on the other side of the cracked door. He knew he closed it this time, however, he had slammed it so hard, it bounced back open. Although he didn’t ask her to, Lola carefully stepped inside. “Is this a bad time?”

Alonzo chuckled to himself at the stupid question. He knew she could care less if this was a bad time or not. She wanted more time on stage and her picture in the club’s slideshow just as much as Echo’s. Just like the rest of these bitches did. “What do you want?” He mustered up. Of course, she offered to come back, but Alonzo just stood to his feet and picked up a chair for her to sit in. Before sliding his body back down to the floor where he belonged.

As he predicted, Lola began to ask for extra stage time. Until she paused for a moment, before saying, “You know what…don't even worry about it.” As she spoke, she sat down on the floor next to Alonzo. “You just got some bad news or something?” She asked in a sweet, calming voice.

“I’ve been getting bad news every day, for so long, I don’t even know what good news is anymore.” Alonzo laughed defeated for a moment, leaning his head against the wall to stare up at the ceiling, hoping an answer would fall from the cracks.

“What’s wrong? Is it something I could do to help?” Alonzo could feel Lola’s hand move across his groin and sat up to lock eyes with her. But he had no strength left to fight the woman off. As the stare between them grew one-sided in its intensity, Alonzo had given up. In the silence of his office, Lola unzipped Alonzo’s jeans and carefully slipped her hands into his boxers. As she did it, the only thought on Alonzo’s mind was, he was better than this. He had been able to run Heaven’s, for ten years, without making one mistake. Believing it was because he couldn’t be played as easily as his customers could. But as her grip softly tightened around his dick, and she began to move her hand up and down at the perfect rhythm, he understood that too was a dream he had been selling himself.

Never breaking his eye contact with the woman, Alonzo remained silent. Soon his breathing began to match hers and all his problems left his mind. His eyes continued to follow Lola’s as she moved to lay face down in his lap. Alonzo wanted to stop her, but he had finally found a way to be numb to everything – but her touch. Thankfully, before the warmth of her mouth engulfed his dick, he caught Echo’s face through the crack of his office door and quickly jumped up from his place at the bottom. “DOMINIQUE!” He called behind her as she briskly walked down the hall. “Come on, give me a second to explain.”

“Oh, I’m not the one you need to explain yourself too. Riva called me. At seven o’clock this morning.” If his day wasn’t already bad, it had just gotten worse. “You know, she tried to convince me I had this big party wanting to book me for The Upper Room tonight. But I could hear it in her voice, she was saving you once again. And that’s what you do.”

“Dom, that was nothing.”

“I don’t even know what you’re so worked up about. You got all that you need, right in there.”

“Hold on, are you seriously making this about you right now?” Alonzo shouted. He waited for a second to see if his lethargic brain needed to play catch up, but Echo’s statement was very clear. “After the shit, you pulled last night? I lost money. I’m tryna make that shit up. You should be fucking thanking me, you and Tangie. All the shit y’all pulled all these years. I should’ve been fired y’all. You make don’t make no fucking rules, Dom.”

While Alonzo deflected, Echo stood still. She very much was making this about her. That’s why she was a stripper and not a nurse. She came before everything and everybody. And while Alonzo may have been so down on his luck he had forgotten that for a moment – Lola didn’t. “Bianca’s ready to go on stage, and I think her picture should go on the marquee too. You can take one of hers down.” As quickly as he had bossed up, Alonzo broke down as he fell to Echo’s feet in tears, thanking her over and over. He didn’t want to miss Ava’s birthday either, but he had fucked up so bad. “Get up!” She called through clenched teeth. She hadn’t seen Lola leave his office yet, and she didn’t want her to see Alonzo like this. “Next time you need something, just say it. I don’t ever want to see someone taking advantage of you like that again.” Passing him a napkin to wipe his face Echo continued with her demands for saving his ass. “Tangie said she’ll be back midnight, and Remy’s is on you tonight.”

Even though he could barely afford even that, he just nodded his head, agreeing to everything.

Once word had gotten out that Echo was in the club earlier than the sun went down, business was starting to pick up just as Alonzo hoped it would. Traveling from the lobby with another cache of money, he was beginning to think he could pull this off. He had saved himself once again – well, Heaven’s did.

That feeling lasted all of five minutes, as he rounded the corner towards his office. Spotting two of Fargo’s henchmen, waiting for him. Clearing the lump in his throat, Alonzo approached them. “Wassup fellas? I thought I had until closing before I’d see y’all faces again.” He joked, trying to seem unruffled.

“We just wanted to stop by and make sure everything was cool until then.” Kendrix spoke, as Alonzo led the way into his office for him and Peace to follow. Inside, Alonzo took his seat behind the desk. While Peace stood in front of the door, and Kendrix sat down to meet Alonzo’s gaze.

“Yeah,” He spoke a little nervous. “You can tell Fargo, I’mma have everything I owe him tonight.” Kendrix nodded his head while adjusting himself to sit back in the old chair.

“You see, I could do that...but, how I know that’s the truth? You not tryna make me a liar again, are you Lonzo? I thought we was cool.” As intimidated as the slow pacing in his voice wanted him to be, Alonzo began to fumble over his words as he once again explained, he’d have all the money he owed at closing time. “I heard you the first time. But, what I didn’t hear…was my name.” Alonzo paused for a moment, shifting his eyes between Peace and Kendrix. “Refresh my memory. How did you end up owing Fargo 10Gs?”

“Ummm,” Alonzo started. Under his desk, he checked to make sure his gun was still there after Riva’s clean up. For his sake – it was. As he continued talking and slowly placing the gun in his lap, finger on the trigger. “I started borrowing against myself. A lot of the time I wanted…to cop, you know. And I didn’t always have the all money. Fargo would let me slide. Say I could pay him back next time.”

“Fargo did?” Kendrix asked, his eyes never moving from Alonzo. Watching the man menacingly as he slowly nodded his head, watching both him and Peace at the same time. “See, that’s I’m talking about,” Kendrix said turning back to look at Peace, before facing Alonzo once more. “Cause…I could’ve sworn, you was buying from me. Fargo didn’t even know where this place was. Until we got up to 10Gs. Then it became a matter of interest to him.” As Kendrix spoke, he’d occasionally look over his shoulder at Peace. As if three men were having a casual conversation, rather than discussing Alonzo’s life – or Alonzo’s death. “But you see…you still owe me. And seeing how I was here first. I should get paid first, don’t you think?” At that point, Kendrix’s stare grew in intensity. While Peace revealed his own gun, he too had his finger on the trigger, just in case Alonzo didn’t understand what was going on. “I know I do. And I don’t have no interest in a whack ass strip club. I prefer cash. 10Gs.”

“So I’m supposed to pay you and Fargo, 10Gs, by the end of the night, really? Come on, Kendrix. You killing me here.” As he spoke, Alonzo put his gun back in the holster. He knew in a quick draw, Peace would win.

“Yeah, I know,” Kendrix said laughing while standing from his seat. Alonzo chuckled along skeptically, watching as Peace put his gun away as well. “I’ll just take five now. You get me rest when you can. I know you good for it. It’s Fargo that’s tripping, right?” Alonzo paused for a moment. Surveying the two men’s faces as they eerily laughed amongst themselves, Alonzo hoped they were just fucking with him. And they were here to really make sure Alonzo had all of Fargo’s money. “Is it in the safe? Or do I gotta get from Riva?”

“It’s in the safe.” Alonzo quickly spoke up, not wanting to get Riva any more involved in his mess than she already was. As he turned to pull the money out, he looked at his gun. Maybe now he could catch Peace off guard and end this nightmare, once and for all. Give Fargo his money, and tell him that Kendrix was making moves behind his back. That was until Kendrix poured his bullets out on the top of the desk.

“I was gone let you keep these motherfuckas, these old ass bullets. They probably say bang…like in the cartoons and shit,” To add insult to injury, Kendrix acted out the cartoon scene. Forming a gun with his hands, aimed at Alonzo, and shouting bang. Actually causing him to jump a little when he did it. “Oh shit chill, Lonzo. Can’t have nothing happen to you until the boss man sees you. Matter fact,” Kendrix dug in his pockets and dropped a small baggie with four pills of Pure onto the desk. “Here, my treat. I swear.” As Alonzo passed the money over to Kendrix, he eyed the designer drug. He wanted to take it so bad, but that’s how he ended up stuck in this cycle in the first place.

After the two men left, Alonzo wasted no time flipping out again and tossing his heavy oak desk over. He was so close to finally paying Fargo off. And now was back right where he had started this morning, with only six more hours to go. Cursing himself, and nobody else, Alonzo was ready to give up.

“Alonzo, stop!” Echo’s voice filled the room.

“I can’t do this shit no more, Dom.” Alonzo continued destroying the office Riva had cleaned up once today already. “I’m done. Fuck everything. Fuck Fargo, Kendrix, and this fucking club! Fuck it all. He can have this shit! I’m better off without it.” Echo watched Alonzo drown in his pity, and she wanted to leave him there so badly. Everything in Alonzo’s life was going right until he started taking Pure. He would’ve been better off just snorting coke with the girls in the locker room, than fucking with the addictive drug. However, over the last ten years, as cliché as it was, they had grown into a family at Heaven’s. And even as he threw a tantrum like a four year, Echo was proud of Alonzo. He built a respectable business from the ground up and had helped so many people out while doing so. It was easy for people on the outside to assume things about Alonzo or the dancers, but the truth was, they all were just using what they had – to get what they wanted.

“This is the last time, I tell you to get up today.” Alonzo sniffled a little, before wiping away his tears and standing to his feet. “How much do you need?”

“5Gs. I had it too, Dom-”

“You still got it. It’ll be here at midnight. Until then, wipe your face, clean up your mess, and I wanna show you something.” Alonzo shook his head. He was sad he had to take money from Dominique, or Tangie, once again, but he was also relieved. So relieved, his thoughts were clear enough to question how he was supposed to come to see something and clean up his mess at the same time. “Don’t get cute,” She responded before kneeling down to pick up the bag of drugs and exit the office. As she continued talking, she and Alonzo walked side-by-side from the back halls of the club to the floor, where they could clearly see the main stage. “You need to stop this shit. And that’s not a suggestion. I’ll handle Fargo, this time. But if you just go out and get you another dealer, I’m done. We’re all done.”

Alonzo was listening to everything Dominique was saying. Thankfully, she wasn’t looking for a response because he damn sure didn’t have one, not while his eyes were fixated on Cameo’s dance. It wasn’t the packed crowd they were used to after the sun went down, but Echo had proved she could draw a crowd at any time of the day. And it seemed Cameo could too.

Money was flying from every direction as she danced on the stage, working the pole, the floor, and her body in perfect harmony. From across the room, Alonzo could feel her eyes peering deep into his soul, begging him to come close and touch her – and he almost did. Until Echo reminded him that he was her boss, just as he felt his dick harden from her glare.

#short story #flash fiction #writing #writing prompt #fiction #ubran fiction #street lit #WTH\LLS #Way Too High #fictional universe #the mason universe #black creators #black writers #black authors #black books #black storytelling

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