Betrayal

Chapter Nine

•Paula•

I sat at my desk going through the listings and checking to see if anyone had asked for information. My phone had so many missed calls from my assistant and partners that I had to respond to every one of them.

Shawn had left after breakfast to go spend time with his father at the hospital so I was surrounded by peace and quiet at least thats what I thought until I heard a knock on the door.

"Who is it?"

"Its me." I heard Shay yell from the other side of the door.

I got up to let her in.

"Hey, what yall up too?" I asked seeing that she had Tara with her.

"We about to have a girls day and stopped by to see if you wanted to come." She asked as we sat down in the living room.

"I dont think I can make it Shay, I got a lot of things to do."

"C'mon Paula, its Sunday, youre suppose to kept the sabbath day holy, which means relax."

"Well.. I guess I could use a little mani/pedi and a new hair style." I said looking at my nails and hair.

"Yay! Now go get ready."

It didnt take me long to get dressed. I jumped in a simple grey jumpsuit, a burgandy blazer, some single sole heels and tossed my hair up in a pony.
I locked up the house as we all walked out to Shay's car for a day of relaxation.

As we drove to our destination, Tara was busy listening to her music that was blasting loud through her headphones. I laid back in the seat as I began to speak with Shay.

"I'm kind of glad you guys pulled up and snatched me away from that desk." I started.

"You know I gotcha. I knew you needed a break but you also needed some extra motivation to get you to come."

"You right." I said blowing out a heavy breath of air.

We pulled up in the complex of the hair and nail shop and parked.

"You aint the only one who need this break cause let me tell you, the argument I just had with Jeana.."

"You two are always at each others throat."

"I try to be calm but chile it never works. So I'm about to go in here and just forget about everything. Today is going to be a drama free day." She said as she took the keys out.

"Amen to that." I responded getting out the car.

We walked in and sat down in the waiting area after we made our appointment. We all decided to get our hair, nails and toes done. I guess you can say we needed extra pampering.

We basicly spent our whole afternoon in that damn shop. I was the first one done as I sat down at the drying bar for your nails and toes. I looked across the room in the mirror at my hair that was cut into a short purple bob like Justine Skye. Tara had her hair in plaits and Shay kept her long locks.

We paid for the service and left out the building to go and get something to eat. We went and sat down at Brulé, which happened to be packed with a lot of young people.

We chose our seats and ordered our food. After we ate, Tara got up to hang with some of her friends from school, so that gave Shay and I a chance to chat a little in private.

"How is Shawn's dad doing?" Shay asked.

"The same. Shawn was out at the hospital this morning with him."

"I hope he gets better."

"You and me both.. enough about that. Tell me whats been going on with you." I asked sipping my drink.

"Well, you know I've been looking for a contractor for my building.. and I found one, Nelson and Company."

"Yeah, I've heard about them. I hear they're very good."

"They are. I got a chance to see what they're capable of in person. I also got to meet the owner."

"Really?"

"Yes.. We had a few drinks the other day.."

"Awh.. and what happened."

"We chatted you know, about business but mostly about ourselves."

"So you feelin him."

"Umh.. its so so. You know I dont want to jinks anything but I really like being around him. He just has that presence you know.."

"Ooh girl. I like him already. If he got you talking and grinning like this he got to be a good man."

"You know how hard I've searched for a man with ambition girl and he just might be it forreal. I just dont want to jump at it."

"Girl please."

"I'm serious P. you remember how I thought Kevin was the one and he turned out to be the complete opposite."

"How could I forget. You stayed in that damn bed for nearly three weeks sobbing over him."

"I was hurt P." Shay stated with emotion.

"I know it. Thats why I never left your side."

"You sholl didnt. Shawn was mad as hell with you cause you never came home and if you did it was damn near midnight."

"Girl I didnt care." I said as I laughed. "But we should get together oneday. You know a double date."

"If it happens to go that far.. I might think about it." She responded as she laughed.

Shay checked the time on her phone and realized it was getting really late and Tara had school in the morning.

She looked around the room for Tara among the young people.

"See this is why I have to keep a watch on this lil girl." She said as she paid for the food.

"What up Shay?" I asked wondering what was going on.

"Tara. Look at her fast ass over there in the corner with that boy.. Just damn cheesing."

I laughed at Shay.

"She damn near ready to give up the draws."

"Lets not forget we were some hot asses back in the day too." I said as we got up.

"Thats different. She just sixteen."

"Shid, nowadays sixteen year olds out here having sex and popin out babies like it aint nun."

"True but she dont need no damn babies. She aint capable of taking care of them and I aint got time to be having her blowing up my phone cause the babydaddy aint doing shit, her ma cant afford it, she broke and I'm the last resort."

"Damn Shay."

"I just dont need her to go that path honey. She need to keep her head in the books."Shay said before she picked up her purse. "Let me go handle this real quick." She finished before she walked off towards Tara who didnt even see her coming.

I watched from across the room as she told Tara it was time to go and she told the boy that Tara isnt dating. I could tell she was highly pissed because she walked swift as hell in front of Shay as they walked toward me.

"You ready P.?"

"Yeah. " I responded as we headed out the door and got into the car.

The whole ride back to my house was extremly quiet. I could see Tara in the rear view mirror staring out the window with an attitude.

We pulled up to my house a little while later.

"Thank you Shay, you just dont know how much I enjoyed this today."

"No problem P. I'll call you when I get home." She responded.

"Okay. Yall drive safe. See you later Tara."

"Bye Mrs. Paula." I heard Tara say before I closed the door.