From Ratchet to Riches 2 Read online

“Now like I said, if you weren’t so fucking secretive…. If you weren’t a fucking liar, and if you weren’t fucking our mother’s man, a lot of shit would be different.”

  Mecca’s words felt like daggers hitting her heart. Dani felt warm tears sliding down her cheeks. This was the most hurt she ever felt in her life, and it was coming from the one person she loved the most. Unsure of how to respond or react to the pain, Danielle did the only thing she thought was fair. She had to make sure Mecca felt the same hurt. She needed her to feel that same exact sharp pain, so she shot her. She shot her big sister in the stomach and watched as the life left her body without one single ounce of remorse.

  1

  Danielle woke up the next morning in a cold sweat. The last thing she remembered was standing over Mecca’s dead body in a dark alley. Slowly sitting up, she looked around the dimly lit room and let out a sigh of relief. She was inside Kay’s parents’ guest room alone, and everything looked to be normal when she felt something vibrate under her ass. Slightly startled, mostly from the nightmare she had just had, Dani lifted her butt in the air and grabbed her cell phone. Unlocking the phone with her thumb, she noticed a missed call from Pip. Pressing the screen to return her call, Danielle listened as the phone rang in her ear.

  “You’ll rest when you dead Young Bull, get up!”

  The sound of Pip’s loud voice actually did crank Danielle up a few notches. For it to only be nine in the morning, she had the energy like it was happy hour. Using her fingers to turn the volume down on the side, Danielle waited to hear what Pip had to say next.

  “We got business to take care of. I’ll meet you at the store in an hour.”

  And just like that, Pip was off the phone and Danielle was stuck confused, trying to figure out which parts of yesterday happened and which parts didn’t.

  “You want grits or oatmeal?”

  A paranoid and startled Danielle jumped at the sound of Mecca’s voice.

  “Girl, what’s wrong with you?” She asked from the doorway with a box of Quaker Oaks in her hand.

  “Nun…. I’m tripping.” Dani lied, sliding her cell phone under the covers.

  “Whatever but which one you want?” Mecca asked, getting back on task.

  “I’m….I’m not hungry.” She stuttered, still trying to recall the events from the day before.

  “Aight!” Mecca replied with shrugged shoulders as she began to close the door but Danielle called out to her.

  “Whatever happened with the lady we were supposed to meet yesterday for Yana?” Danielle hesitantly asked.

  Dani watched as Mecca’s body language changed. She wasn’t sure if talking about Yana made her uncomfortable or if she had just stuck her foot in her mouth.

  “Ms. Peaches called me after we left and said the lady cancelled. My phone died when I was out, but I told Darrius to tell you when you showed up. BUT, I’m guessing you ain’t show up.” Mecca replied with a raised eyebrow.

  “I—I--- did pop up late but Kay told me you ain’t show up either.” Dani explained, trying to redirect the heat.

  “I didn’t get a chance to tell her. She wasn’t home when I told Darrius, but yo ass lucky the lady cancelled.” Mecca threatened.

  “When I came in the house, you were already knocked out, so I let you sleep.” She further explained.

  It was all starting to make sense. After Danielle talked to Kay, Dani came in the house and went to sleep, hence the bad dream she had just woken up from.

  “But where were you anyway?” Mecca questioned, placing her hand on her hip.

  “Stephany’s aunt got me a little receptionist job at her company.” Danielle blurted out.

  “Say word?” Mecca replied, eyeing Danielle as if she knew she was lying.

  “Yup. She said she needed some help until the original receptionist come off maternity leave.” Dani added in.

  “Why she ain’t have Stephany do it?” Mecca quizzed.

  “You know she work at Foot Locker already and with school starting back, she not gon’ be able to do both. Stephany know my situation, so she put me on.” Danielle explained.

  “What’s the name of the company?”

  “Pip’s House Interior Design Collection.”

  “Where it’s at?”

  “Downtown.”

  Every time Mecca shot a question at Danielle, she spit an answer back. When Mecca stopped being nosey and finally left the room, Dani flopped back on the bed and sighed. She didn’t know how much longer she could keep up with the lies and the shit had just started.

  Untitled

  Pulling into Pip’s House was beginning to feel like déjà vu since this was the third day in a row Danielle had been there. The more and more Pip talked during those trips, the more and more Danielle took notes. She was no fool; she knew she could learn a lot from a woman like her and that’s what she planned on doing.

  “You got yo piece?” Pip walked along side of Dani and asked as they approached the huge front porch.

  “Always.” Dani replied, looking ahead as the sun damn near burned her forehead.

  Knowing Pip was pleased by her answer, the two of them proceed ahead until they reached the guards, who held the door open for them.

  “Stay right here. Let me call the girls.”

  Danielle stood in the living room, looking around amazed. She had only seen houses like this one in the movies or in the rap videos. The décor was set up perfectly; it looked as if no one ever stepped foot in there.

  “What the fuck she doing here?” Dani heard a voice say from behind her back.

  Immediately recognizing the voice, Danielle turned around with a smile on her face as she came face to face with Brandy.

  “Brandy, now is not the time. Trust me.” Pip said through clenched teeth as eight women, all different colors and shapes, walked towards them.

  Danielle laughed to herself as she remembered watching old episodes of “The Flavor of Love.” She felt like she was Flava Flav and they were all coming to get their chains, the way they crowded around her.

  “Good afternoon ladies.” Pip said aloud, checking the time on her Rolex to make sure she was precise.

  Everyone greeted in unison in their own way before she continued.

  “I wanna introduce y’all to Dani. Dani is a good friend of mine…”

  The loud ghetto sound of Brandy smacking her lips caused Pip to pause. Danielle watched as Pip shot Brandy a dirty look before continuing.

  “I’m bringing her in to make sure that everything is straight. The same respect that y’all give me, I expect the same for her.”

  Pip paused again, but this time it was as if she was waiting for someone to object, but the room remained quiet.

  “I know breakfast is ready, so I’ll let y’all go eat. We will talk in further detail later.” Pip said, dismissing the girls, leaving just Dani and Brandy.

  The three of them watched all eight girls disappear into the kitchen before anyone spoke.

  “Brandy, I want you to show her the ropes. Anything she need, make sure she gets it.”

  “So basically, you want me to train her to do my job?” Brandy asked, eyeing Dani out the corner of her eye.

  “Yeah basically, the same way someone trained you.” Pip replied, pulling her phone out of her bag.

  From the look on Brandy’s face, she hated the idea of even having to hold a conversation with Dani, let alone train her. Danielle didn’t know why Brandy disliked her so much when she wasn’t thinking about the bitch. Yeah, the energy was bad amongst them when they first met, but she didn’t consider what they had as beef.

  “Look, I gotta take this call. Brandy, show Dani the kitchen. Danielle go sit with the girls and get a feel for them. I’ll be in there.” Pip said before walking off down the long hallway.

  Without any warning or heads up, Brandy was gone too, heading in the opposite direction of Pip towards the kitchen. Danielle took off too, walking quick enough to catch up to Brandy before she completely disappeared. W
hen she entered the kitchen, it was like being in a sorority house. The girls all talked and laughed as they made their plates. They all even sat together at one long table bench and ate.

  “I know you hungry, better make yo plate.” Brandy brushed passed Dani and said, almost causing her to lose her balance.

  Danielle felt her blood beginning to boil. It was one thing not to like her, but she had Dani fucked up if she thought she was going to bully her. Just as Danielle began to walk over to Brandy, who was at the stove, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

  “That bitch aint worth it. Here,” a light skinned girl said to Dani once she turned around.

  “Here!” she repeated, shoving a plate full of different fruits at her.

  Danielle looked down at the plate and then back at the girl before slowing taking the food out of her hands.

  “I’m Troy, it’s a seat next to me. Come on.”

  Dani shot Brandy one last look before grabbing a seat on the bench next to the other girls. A few of them gave a warm smile while a few other mean-mugged her. Unphased by either greeting, Danielle picked up the silver fork and grabbed a mango.

  “I know you not one of us, but I know how it feels to be the new girl.” Troy leaned over and said to Dani.

  “Not one of us?” Dani repeated, hoping she elaborated more.

  “Yeah, I know you not ramping up. You not a hoe…”

  “Wait, I ain’t never called nobody a hoe.” Dani said, stopping her before she said too much.

  “I mean, it is what it is, but like I said, I know how it feels.”

  Danielle sat around picking at the fruit on her plate while the other woman socialized. She caught a few stares, but no one said anything. Although it felt awkward and out of place, she didn’t show it on her face.

  “Aight ladies, I’m back, how is breakfast?” Pip entered the eating area and asked.

  A few girls shook their heads up and down while others expressed their gratitude verbally. Dani and Pip locked eyes from across the room while Pip poured herself a cup of orange juice.

  “Let’s head out.”

  Dani looked up at Pip, who was now standing behind her with her hand on her shoulder. Slowly standing to her feet, Dani grabbed her plate and put it in the trash before leaving out with Pip. The two of them headed back out in the August heat to her car, where they got in, and left the estate.

  “So Dani, you thought about what I said?” Pip turned down the music and asked Dani out of the blue.

  “Thought about what?” she turned to her with a confused look on her face.

  “About staying in the house with the girls.” She confirmed, but Dani hadn’t given it any thought.

  “That’ll be nice, but I can’t leave my sisters. They need me.” Dani truthfully explained, turning back around, looking out the window.

  No other words were exchanged between the two as they cruised the streets of Chicago. Danielle wondered where they were headed but didn’t have to wonder long because Pip confirmed her suspicions.

  “I’ll be back, let me run in here real quick.” Pip said, pulling into the empty parking lot of a strip club.

  Nodding her head up and down in agreement, Dani buried her face into her phone while she waited for Pip to return. After scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, and being nosey on Snapchat, Danielle looked up just in time to see Pip heading her way with a smile on her face.

  “You good?” she quizzed as soon as she entered the car.

  “Never been better.” Dani smirked, causing Pip to giggle.

  “Oh, I doubt that.” Pip replied, winking her eye just as Danielle’s phone chimed.

  Looking down at the device in hand, Dani noticed on her lock screen that she had a notification from her bank. After logging in with her credentials, Dani damn near fainted from the sight before her. There had been a deposit made in the amount of five-thousand dollars.

  “From the look on yo face, I guess it did just get better.” Pip turned to Dani and said before focusing back on the road.

  Unable to talk, Danielle had never seen that much money in her life. To be honest, she’s never had more than fifty-dollars before and she only got that much for a birthday gift one year from Madea.

  “Thanks Pip, but I ain’t even did shit.” Danielle finally opened her mouth and replied.

  “Don’t worry. The game is just now starting.” Pip looked over at Danielle and smirked before turning the music up and dropping the top on her Benz.

  2

  Mecca stepped out the shower and wrapped the beige towel around her body as she scanned the bathroom for her clothes.

  “Fuck!” She cursed to herself, remembering that she must have left them on Kay’s bed. Mecca thought about hollering out to Kayla so she could bring her belongings but quickly remembered everyone was out. Today was Kay’s maternal grandmother’s birthday, and they were out having lunch with their family. With Danielle being gone also, she was in the house by herself. Speaking of Danielle, Mecca made a mental note to have a conversation with her sister the next time they were alone. Dani was always on the go lately, especially since she started working at the interior design place. With school starting in a week and this being Dani’s senior year, Mecca needed to make sure they were on the same page.

  Picking her dirty clothes off the wet floor, Mecca secured the towel around her tighter before opening the bathroom door. With her feet still wet, Mecca tip-toed to Kay’s room, trying her hardest not to fall when she heard a door close. Freezing in her tracks in the middle of the hallway, Mecca waited to make sure she wasn’t going crazy before proceeding. When she didn’t hear any more noise, she crept down to Kay’s room when she heard a door close again; this time, Darrius appeared from his room.

  “I thought everybody was gone. My bad.” Mecca apologized, pulling the towel higher over her breasts.

  “Nah it’s cool. I’m headed out now.” Kay’s brother Darrius replied, walking towards Mecca.

  Mecca noticed Darrius’ eyes scanning her body, which made her feel uncomfortable. There was never any type of sexual attraction amongst the two, which is why Mecca was confused. Not waiting around for him to leave first, Mecca entered Kay’s room and closed the door behind her. Grabbing a panty and bra set out of the bag she was living out of, Mecca tossed the towel she was wearing on the bed and grabbed the bottle of lotion. Taking a seat on the bed, she squeezed some lotion in her hand before applying it to her face.

  Mecca’s eyes were closed as she massaged every bit of lotion into her dry skin. She was almost done when she heard the door open and close. Popping her eyes open, she spotted Darrius coming towards her with a deranged look in his eyes.

  “WHAT THE FUCK YOU WANT DARRIUS? GET OUT!” Mecca screamed as he climbed on top of her, using his weight to push her back on the bed.

  “GET THE FUCK OFF OF ME!!” She screamed, now punching Darrius in the chest but it was no use.

  Darrius overpowered Mecca, pinning her down with one hand as he fondled her naked body with the free hand. Mecca couldn’t believe what was happening. Her best friend’s brother was trying to rape her.

  “STOP MOVING BEFORE I KNOCK YOU OUT!” Darrius barked, staring into Mecca’s eyes as tears began to escape.

  There was no way in the world Mecca was going to allow Darrius to rape her and take her virginity. All she thought about was Danielle and the things she went through with Dame. The only way Darrius was going to get some pussy from her was if she was dead.

  Realizing she may not be able to overpower him, Mecca knew she could definitely out smart him; she just needed to figure out how. Darrius struggled trying to get his pants down due to Mecca fighting him off. Noticing he was becoming frustrated, Mecca raised her knee, kneeing him as hard as she could in his dick and balls. Darrius yelled out at the top of his lungs, releasing his grip on Mecca as he tried to sooth the pain. Mecca used that opportunity to add insult to injury by kicking the shit out of Darrius. Mecca used all her force and kicked him in the chest, sending him fly
ing across the room, slamming into Kay’s dresser. Jumping to her feet, she snatched the towel off the bed and ran out the door before colliding with someone.

  “Mecca! What’s going on? What’s wrong? Why you naked?”

  Kay shot out question after question with a puzzled look on her face. The loud sound of something falling caused the both of them to turn around.

  “What’s that? Who in there?” Kay asked again, this time easing her way towards her bedroom.

  Mecca wanted so badly to just tell Kay what was going on but she was still in shock herself.

  “Darrius…. Wait…..What the fuck going on here?” Kay said, looking back and forth between a semi-naked Mecca and a knotted-up Darrius.

  “Yo brother just tried to rape me.” Mecca finally spoke up and confessed.

  “WHAT?” Kay yelled out so loud, it was surprising the neighbors didn’t hear her.

  “I was getting out the shower and…”

  “Yo that bitch lying.” Darrius blurted out, staring at Mecca like he wanted to kill her.

  “What the fuck I gotta lie for? Go look in yo room. Yo TV on the floor cuz I had to push the nigga off of me.” Mecca replied, staring at Darrius with those same deadly eyes.

  For the first time, Kay stood there quiet with not one question escaping her mouth.

  “Just look in yo fuckn room.” Mecca yelled, grabbing Kay by the arm, pulling her into the bedroom.

  Again, Kay stood there quiet, examining the damages they had caused.

  “I think you need to get yo shit and leave Mecca.” Kay turned to her and said with tears in her eyes.

  “Wait. What? Come again?”