How do I get myself into these things I thought to myself. Here I was on a plane with a man I knew was less than trustworthy. Alone and vulnerable without so much as a phone to call for backup. I knew better, yet I had done it again. Nervously I fidgeted in my in my seat not saying a word. Blaze was going to be worried sick. I let out a frustrated sigh as I watched Radolfo Escobar deeply involved in a conversation on his cell phone. He paused and gave me a questioning glance.
"We are going to be landing in a few. Hang in there, love," he assured me.
I managed to give a weak smile as I stared out the window. An hour later we were in a chauffeured SUV. Escobar peered over his Gucci sunglasses at me.
"This is going to be a very long trip if you plan to give me the silent treatment the whole time," he laughed.
"Well look who got off their phone long enough to remember I was here,"I teased.
"Sorry, business had me distracted. But you have my full attention now," Escobar told me as he ran his hand down my thigh.
"So where are we headed," I asked looking through the window at the scenery?
"Shopping."
"Great, I need to get a charger for my phone."
"We'll get to that, but right now we need to get you some clothes," he explained.
"If we are making a trip to the mall anyway, what's the harm if we stop to get..."
"Mall," Escobar laughed. "No one said anything about a mall. We are going shopping."
The driver parked in front of an upscale boutique that made Neiman Marcus look like Walmart. After being buzzed into the posh space, we were greeted by a small delicate woman who was fashionably dressed.
"You must be Mr. Escobar and this is you companion Blanca," she confirmed. "I have a rack and a fitting room waiting for you. Please follow me."
As soon as we entered the spacious fitting room, Escobar walked over to the rack to survey the clothing. He selected several bikinis eyed me and then handed them to the woman helping us. I watched him whisper something to her and she quickly left the room. Escobar parked himself in a chair and waited. The saleswoman returned with several one piece swimsuits and displayed them for Escobar. He gave a quiet nod and then looked at me.
"Why don't you try on a few things. Just to make sure they got your size right. Then we can be on our way," he explained.
I selected a few items from the rack and tried them on. Once he was sure they fit, Escobar looked at me then the rack. He handed the sales woman a credit card.
"Nice job, wrap all of these to go."
"Everything," she said not bothering to hide the shock in her voice?
"Is that going to be a problem for you," Escobar asked?
"No, sir. We can have those ready for you right away."
I watched as our bags were carefully loaded in the vehicle. "Don't you think that is little excessive? I am only going to be here for a week."
"It's going to be a long week with plenty things going on, he smirked."
"So can we get my charger now?"
"Not yet, I have to check in. Then we do that. "
The driver turned into a winding driveway that led to a sprawling estate on beach front property.
"This place is amazing! How many bedrooms does it have?"
"Twenty -five, I'm told and there all huge."
Escobar sent a text message as we walked up the driveway. Before we reached the door, a large man in his fifties was waiting.
"Radolfo, We have been waiting for you, man. Took you long enough to playa."
The two men shook hands and finished with a manly half-hug.
"Sorry about that Dre. I heard you were short on entertainment. I had to make a stop and pick up Blanca," Escobar explained.
"Well, that was a trip well made. So nice to meet you, pretty lady," Dre told me as he wrapped an arm around my waist. "You see this? It's a Super Bowl ring. Now, a lot of these guys are running around bragging about their stats. But I'm the only one up in here who got a ring. "
"For now old timer, for now ,"a handsome tall muscular young man chimed in.
"Watch it, kid ," Andrea replied.
"No, old school. You watch it, cause I'm going break your records and get me a few rings,"The young man boasted.
I could not help but laugh at the friendly banter between the men.
"I love a woman with a sense of humor," the younger man said with a wink.
"Mind your manners boy. Blanca here was talking to me first," Dre said possessively as he pulled me closer.
"Blanca huh," The young man said playfully with an another wink, "I'm Keyon, last year's Heisman winner, and first round draft pick. I got me some impressive stats. If you want to hear about them I 'll be waiting out by the pool."
"See what I mean. Stats, but no ring. I taught that boy everything he knows," Dre bragged.
"Sweetheart, don't stand too close to my uncle. You'll end up smelling like Icey hot and washed up athletes," Keyon laughed."See you later uncle, I 'll be waiting by the pool for you Blanca."
"So where do I find my room,Dre," Escobar asked?
"West wing of the house, up the stairs. You are at the end of the hallway. We made new sleeping arrangements to make room for Blanca. Don't worry, you still have the master suite.," Dre explained
"Much appreciated, man".
Escobar wrapped his arm around mine and laced our fingers together as he took my hand.
"You have been here like five minutes and already there are two generations of men fighting over you. Stick close to me until you get to meet and great some more people up in here. "
I trailed behind Radolfo up the spiral staircase and watched as he sent another text message. When we got to the top of the staircase a door popped open. In the door frame appeared a woman in her early thirty's. She was a couple of inches taller than me and more than 25 pounds heavier. Her wavy black wavy hair cascaded down her back. Every inch of her curvy frame was perfect, not an inch of cellulite or a roll of fat to be found.
"Blanca this is Lyric. She is going to be your roommate. Lyric knows her way around," Escobar informed me.
A feminine arm came from behind and wrapped its self around Escobar's shoulder and chest, The young woman rested her stunning face on his other shoulder.
"Rad, what took you so long," she pouted.
"I had to get Blanca."
"Soooooo, your Blanca," she said in an annoyed tone through narrowed eyes.
I stood there, mesmerized by her beauty. I had seen photos of this woman before, but none of them captured how pretty she was.
"You are the reason for all the roommate shuffling," the young woman accused.
"What, don't you wanna share the suite with me? I'm sure just about any other girl would love to trade with you," Escobar smirked.
"Not complaining, just an observation. Lots of accommodations for a new girl. You're pretty high maintenance aren't you ,Blanca," she quipped.
"Tabby!" His voice a low controlled rumble.
"What, I was just saying," she shrieked.
"Don't you need to go check on that baby at home," Escobar said?
"I already did. The kid is fine."
"When?"
"Yesterday."
"What do mean yesterday? Go call and check on that baby!"
"Baby, you have a baby. How sweet," I said.
"Like that's any of your business," Tabby snapped!
"Don't worry about her. Tabby does not like to share. She is used to being the only woman to get my undivided attention," Escobar explained. "Get changed. Go with the striped swimsuit. Remember you haves someone waiting poolside for you," Radolfo told me before leaving the room.
"Wow, that's a lot of stuff. Don't let Tabby find out or the way she just treated you will seem nice," Lyric warned when my bags were delivered. Her voice had a thin Arabic accent.
"What's her story? Are she and Radolfo a couple," I asked?
"Only in her head. Yeah, she stays at his place and helps him run things. But she is not his girl. Tabby has been with Rad since she was bearly 18. She is his number one and he puts her in charge when he is not around. But she is not his girl. He doesn't want her like that. Just because a man will take you to bed does not mean he will take you home to mama."
I put on the striped one piece swimsuit with the halter neckline and low cut back. Then I headed down to the pool. Keyon was slouched in a deck chair waiting for me.
"What took you so long sexy?" His eyes slowly scanned my body. "Man, I was hoping to see a little more skin," Keyon cooed.
"Don't worry, you will tonight," Radolfo said over his aviator sunglass. "She will be dancing so make sure you tip well." Escobar was showing off his well lean chiseled physique and washboard abbs by wearing nothing but a pair of board shorts.
From looking around the grounds you would think we were at a frat party. I saw girls in the pool in tiny bikinis. They were on men's shoulder trying to not one another into the water. Over on the lawn, there were other women pretending to play volleyball while men drooled. Then there was the game of beer pong going on.
"Nice suit grandma," Tabby hissed as she strolled over.
"Shouldn't she be mingling getting to know the guys instead just standing here," she complained?
"How is the baby?" I asked.
Tabby looked at me and gave a sappy smile that did not reach her eyes. "The baby is great. You are so sweet to ask," she said while she gave me a week hug. Then Tabby accidentally shoved me into the pool. I went down hard hitting my elbow on the imported Italian tile. Blood appeared in the water along with a long gash in my arm. Keyon swooped down and yanked me out of the pool by my waist.
"You alright Blanca ?"
Radolfo had Tabby by her arm. He was wearing a fierce expression and whispering something in her ear. I could see tears in her eyes as she glared at me.
"That looks pretty bad. I think it is going to need stitches," Keyon told me.
He took his phone from his pocket and sent a text message. A few minutes later his cell phone pinged.
" I just contacted one of the team doctors. He is going to do me a favor and come check you out."
"Thanks, I hate hospitals," I sighed.
Radolfo sat down next me and examined the wound. "This is not good. I 'll get changed so..."
"No need man, I got it covered. Team doctor is on his way now to take care of her," Keyon informed him.
"Thanks," Radolfo said flatly. "But you did not have to. I take care of my girls."
Tabby was still standing there glaring at me." Dont' you have anything better to do why don't you network or something," Escobar hissed.
"I said I was sorry," she cried and she stormed away!
An hour later my arm was being sutured. Three hours after that, I was dancing at an upscale strip private strip club the men had rented out for the week. It was late at night by the time we got back to the house and I was starving. Surprisingly only about half the girls returned to the house. I walked into the kitchen in search of something to eat. The refrigerator was full of ingredients but no ready-made food.
"The chef leaves at 5:00 P.M. one of the women told me."
"You hungry,"I asked her?
"Starving," she replied.
I scanned the contents of the refrigerator and gathered the ingredients I needed to make a quick jambalaya. As I chopped my vegetables and sauteed the bacon and shrimp, more people gathered in the kitchen to watch. By the time I was finished cooking most of the woman and about 8 of the ballers were sitting in the kitchen.
"Wow, good thing I made a big pot," I laughed.
One by one everybody helped themselves to a bowl. They all relaxed and ate quietly. I began to get nervous.
"No one is saying anything. What's wrong," I asked?
"Nothing baby, we are eating. This is good. Girl you cook," one of the ballers called out!
"Thanks," I blushed.
Tabby stormed into the kitchen "What is everyone still doing up," she scolded?
"Having a midnight snack. Blanca here can throw down in the kitchen!"
I dished out a small serving for Tabby then handed it to her. "I think me and you just got off on the wrong foot. I would like it if we could be friends," I said.
Tabby took the bowl and eyed me suspiciously.
"Leaving a baby at home has to be pretty stressful for you, huh," I offered.
Tabby nodded as she finished her serving and then held out her bowl for more. "You have no idea how stressful the little brat is period. All she has done is cry for the last 9 months," Tabby complained. She finished up her seconds and then stood glaring at all of the women. "I better see you all in the gym tomorrow," she threatened!
The next couple of days in Hawaii flew by. It seemed like the men were getting more and more aggressive and testosterone filled. I noticed men staring at me, then go talk to Tabby. Tabby would send them to Radolfo. Some were extremely persistent and I had no idea what they were talking about. It had been almost three days and I still did not have a charger for my phone. I needed to check in with Blaze.
It was just before noon when Lyric came back to the house. Over the past two days, she had not slept in the room.
"Hey stranger, where have you been," I teased,
"Networking," she said with a smirk.
"Hey, you wouldn't happen to have an iPhone charger," I asked?
"No sorry, I have an android."
"I have to talk to Escobar. He told me he was going to get me a charger days ago."
"He is in his room right now. Go ask him," she told me.
"The door to Radolfo's room was open. "Hey, I was wondering when you were going to get me a charger so I could call my job."
He opened the bedside drawer and took out a brand new charge. "Here you go."
"How long have you had this,"I asked suspiciously?
He gave me a mischievous smile and wave me on.
As soon as I got back to the room, I plugged in the charger and called Blaze. His phone seemed to ring forever. When he finally answered, Blazed sounded out of breath.
"Are you alright," Blaze exhaled?
" I'm fine. So sorry I could not call you sooner but ..."
"Never mind that. I just need to know you are safe," he told me.
"I'm fine."
"Steph, are you still there," Blaze asked me?
"Yeah. You are mad huh," I whispered?
"No, I'm not mad at you. I'm just glad you are alright. "
"You are going to be mad at me and you are going to yell," I told Blaze.
"I won't yell. Just tell me where you are so I can send ..."
"Escobar flew me to Hawaii," I Interpreted.
"You are WHERE? WHY IN THE, HOW DID YOU ... ARE YOU CRAZY," Blaze yelled?
"You said you weren't going to yell," I pouted.
"I know, I'm not yelling. Can you explain why you are in Hawaii with him," Blaze said calmly?
"Pro Bowl."
Escobar walked into the room and looked at me. "Hey make it quick, alright," he warned.
"Blaze, I have to go. I'll call you back."
Later that afternoon I heard fighting. Slowly I walked over to the suite Radolfo and Tabby were sharing. I could hear the two screaming at each other through the door.
"I said no Tabby! Blanca does not network" Escobar yelled!
"What, is she too good? He is offering a lot of money," Tabby screamed!
"I'm done talking about this. You should have told that man what you already know that answer would be."
"What's so special about her? You screwing her," Tabby demanded?
Radolfo laughed, but never answered the question.
"This how much he offered. So if you want to turn down all that money, then you go tell the man," Tabby huffed.
The room got quiet. A few minutes later Tabby stormed out. She looked at me and smirked.
I quickly hurried to my room to get changed. A few minutes later someone was knocking to tell me that I was needed downstairs.
Keyon and Escobar were sitting together. Both men stared at me when I entered the room.
"Sit down Blanca," Escobar to me. "Look, Keyon here wants to spend some more time with you."
"All you had to was ask," I flirted.
"Glad you feel that way. Because you are going be my woman while you are here."
My head started to spin as I tried to make sense of what they were both saying.
" Who said I wanted to be your woman ,Keyon! What does that even mean?"