Chapter 12

It had been a few weeks since I had been working with Alyssa and her client who might I add was starting to get on my nerves. He never made it to any fittings and always had an excuse that Alyssa would sadly relay to me. I had agreed to style her client for free but was beginning to regret it. A courtesy should never feel like a chore. Every time he canceled I mentally kicked myself for opening my big mouth anyways. I was sitting behind the counter at the store when a tired looking Alyssa walked in. I thought I looked drained until I saw her.

"Hey Heaven" she said with almost no enthusiasm.

I raised an eyebrow and looked her over before asking her what was wrong even though I had a pretty good idea of what was bothering her. She didn't answer me she just let out a deep sigh and dropped herself into the chair next to me. I placed a consoling hand on her shoulder before asking " Did he cancel again?" she just looked up at me and nodded slowly as if she was getting more annoyed as the minutes progressed. We sat in silence for a few minutes before I suggested for her to just get his size and I would do the rest.

"As long as I know his size Alyssa we'll be fine"

"What if he doesnt like the apparel? "

"Wellllll he kind of has to considering the event is tomorrow and this would have been his only chance to voice some sort of opinion and he didnt show up. What does he do any way?"

"He's an athlete but has other business too"

Oh i thought. Figures. Athletes never take other peoples time into consideration so I wasn't even surprised.

"Just go and get me the sizes so I can get the clothes and we can both be done with the mystery man"

she chuckled before heading out. A couple of hours passed before she texted me his sizes. Everything from his measurements down to his shoe size. A bit of over kill but you could never be too sure so I couldn't even blame her. I went out and picked him up something simple. Something that I would like to see Rico in. Whenever I dressed anyone I would do it like I was doing it for myself or someone I cared about. I picked up a slightly distressed olive green/brown tee shirt that fit right in with this fall season, light wash jeans that were distressed at the knee and some clean looking Giuseppe's. When I laid the clothes out on my bed to get an idea of what all the pieces would look like pieced together I couldnt contain the smile that formed at the corner of my lips. It looked so good and I was so excited. I called Alyssa to come pick the clothes up later that day and then spent the remainder of my day trying to decide what I was going to wear to this event.

I decided to keep it simple and classy. I pieced together a flowy, sheer bohemian styled dress and strappy heels. I was going to let my natural curls flow as I have been doing since I stopped using the cream crack and went natural. With my clients outfit ready to wear and my outfit ready to go I curled up into a ball in bed and drifted off into dream land. I woke up the next morning to the sound of Rico and a couple other men laughing and joking. I groggily rolled out of bed and threw my robe on before slowly tiptoeing out the room to look over the banister and see who the mystery voices belonged to. I looked over but couldn't see anyone, as I peered closer I stumbled but quickly caught myself but not without making a loud noise. Everyone snapped their head in the direction of the sound and my cheeks quickly grew hot. Rico smiled before saying "Guys this is my girlfriend Heaven" "Hi" I said while dusting myself off. Rico quickly came to help me get my balance and walk me over to where everyone else was. He placed a kiss on my cheek before saying "Heaven, baby this is Mike, Greg, and Jerry" I smiled and shook everyone's hand "These are someone of my guys from the team" Rico continued. "Oh okay ba.." I was cut off when another person walked out of the kitchen causing Rico to say "And this is Julian" I felt all the blood rush from my body and my hands and feet turn cold. My mouth instantly went dry and I immediately got dizzy and lost my footing. My back was turned to the person but my limbs were so stiff I couldn't even turn to see if it was who I thought it was. "Baby? Don't be rude to my guest" Rico whispered in my ear before helping me turn around to shake hands with the devil. I slowly looked up and there he was. My past in the flesh. His eyes grew wide and the tension in the room grew so thick but of course only he and I knew what was going on. He cleared his throat and stuck out his hand for me to shake. "You must be the infamous girlfriend, we never hear the end of it when it comes to you" he joked. I couldn't speak. I simply shook his hand and let out a weak smile. Our handshake seemed to last forever. I didn't know I was still holding on until Rico grabbed my waist and pulled me in to him. I let out a nervous laugh and patted his chest before saving "I'll leave you guys to it" I kissed Rico on the cheek grabbed my car keys and rushed out the house, I didn't even bother change out of my sleep clothes. I drove to the only place I knew I would some what be safe, my moms. At least there I would be able to sleep without Julian popping up.... For now.