“The sweetest voice escaped the most sexy lips…”
Royal
Chapter 1
Royal
“Alright we’re going to hang the Mickalene Thomas painting over the sofa in the waiting area. The colors really stand out against the brick accent wall.” Royal spent her morning decorating the home office of Adina Powell, a high powered realty executive in Westfield, Nebraska. Though its a small town, the area has boomed lately with the quick construction of homes thanks to Adina Powell. In fact, this small town may be the only town in America that has local spots where black people can convene in entertainment of all types.
The instructions provided to Royal were to keep a neutral space. Ms. Powell apparently was not the gaudy or overly flamboyant type. With the money she was making with all the new homeowners, why not splurge a little. However, Royal felt the ambience that was requested was quite underwhelming and, honestly, appeared a little too masculine. She decided on her own volition to use the Portrait of Mnonja to add feminine flare and color, but maintain the balance of the overall welcoming ambience.
While the assistants packed up, Royal spotted someone entering the premises. “Hey, you can’t come in here. The office is closed until Monday.” A sly smile played across this person’s lips. “Umm, excuse me sir? Ma’am? I don’t know but you can’t come in here. Please come back Monday.”
“Well considering I own this place, I figured I would check on how the decorations were coming.” The sweetest voice escaped the most sexy lips.
Ma’am.
She is ma’am.
Ma’am is Adina Powell.
“I’m Adina Powell, owner of Powell Realty Ltd, but you can call me Dina.” She extended a hand and I took it, unable to take my eyes off that sly smile she displayed at my ignorance.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Royal Sevallah. Enyo Royal Sevallah,” I corrected, “but everyone calls me Royal.” Adina, Dina, held my hand longer than necessary, smiling sexily as she looked me up and down. I had always appreciated a sexy woman but, until now, none had moved me sexually. Not since she who shall not be named.
What’s the word? Androgynous. Dina was fine, male or female. Taking this chance to get a closer look, I noticed small, but perky breasts underneath the tight black tank. Her abs rippled against the fabric letting me know that she visited the gym at least three times a week. Her hair was short, cropped, with waves of perfection. And her smile, her smile made me tingle in places that haven’t tingled in a long time.
“So, you’re gonna stand there awkwardly or are you gonna let my hand go, Ms. Royal.” she said playfully.
“Of course. I mean, sure, nice to meet you.” What the hell was wrong with me.
“You said that already. It’s okay, I tend to make most women nervous. It’s a compliment.” she laughed.
“Right.” I said slowly, rolling my eyes. “Well, I’m all done here. I hope you like the painting. I like to purchase African American paintings and use them as complimentary decorative items in black owned businesses. Though the owners may not ask for it, most people truly don’t know where to find good African American art. This way, it starts a conversation or at least challenges a customer intellectually while they wait for their services.” I beamed. African American and African history was deeply rooted in my soul. Any chance to spread our beauty outside of the chains white America wants to keep us in is a win for me.
“I like it, actually. The woman in the portrait is almost as beautiful and powerful looking as you.” Dina smiled.
Is she flirting? Maybe she just gives compliments. Is she gay? I can’t assume that based on her outer appearance, I mean, we all thought MC Lyte was a lesbian but then she just showed up with a husband. You never truly know.
“Thank you. I do have to get going. It was nice meeting you, Ms. Powell. You have all of my information should you need any adjustments or additional work.”
“It was nice meeting you too Ms. Enyo Royal Sevallah. I hope to see you soon.” She smiled that devilish smile again. The only people who call me by my first name are my parents and siblings but, for some reason, it sounded different, sexy, now that Dina uttered them from her lips.
“Soon.” I whispered.
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“Bitch! Fiiiiiiiiiine.” I exclaimed to my best friend, Layla. Layla knew all of my secrets, my joys, pains, sorrows, you name it. So, naturally, I went to her about Dina.
“Girl, calm down. You act like you haven’t had pussy before. And, speaking of, I thought you swore off women after Tessa?” Leave it to a best friend to never forget your transgressions. Tessa, she who shall not be named, was the first woman I’d ever been with. Everything was cool until we went from exclusively having sex to a full blown relationship. All of a sudden, everything about her annoyed me. She required way too much of my attention and I couldn’t do it anymore. I don’t like to mention her because it was my first relationship and I wanted a redo, to wipe it from my memory as if she never existed. We didn’t even last a month so it shouldn’t count, right?
“Tessa who?” We both laughed. “Damn, Lay, why you always bringing up old shit. Besides, it’s been, what, 4 years. Aren’t you always telling me to move on? This is me, and my vagina, moving on.” I giggled. I don’t know what it was but Dina had me in here spilling my guts like a school girl and it felt good.
“Alright, fine. I’ll indulge. But, you seriously didn’t know what she looked like? Someone in her position of power I would think you’d see her face on billboards or something.”
“No I didn’t know. I Googled her and only her company logo came up. Maybe people would be threatened by a lesbian of her economic stature.” I shrugged. “And she’s black. All hell would break loose.”
“Bitch, this is Westfield, who gon’ say something?” Layla laughed hard at her own joke. Westfield did have an unusually high population of the LGBT community, and black at that. It is rare to find this many queer blacks in one location.
“Yeah, but she works in white people’s Westfield, trying to expand her company outside of this little town, you know, making white people moves. She needs to be protected at all costs. Plus, with the world of judgment we live in today, it’s a dream to have that much anonymity. I’m sure her life is much simpler.” I sat and talked more Dina with Layla while browsing through the latest catalogs for a client. The job is in one month and she wants an entire mansion decorated in three weeks. 8-bedrooms, 4-bathrooms, a home theater, bowling alley, and guest house. “And, of course, my boss won’t authorize more than 3 assistants so I have to pretend I’m Jesus and create time where there is none.” I complained.
“Royal, it’s time to think about starting your own business. Even at 25, you have a crazy artistic vision that comes to life in every home you design. You can do this. You can set the amount of work you take on, hire as many workers as you want, that way none of you are overtaxed and exhausted from people abusing your time and efforts.” Layla was always on me about my own business. I, however, don’t even want to be responsible for myself sometimes, let alone other people.
“I’ll put more thought into it but you know how I am.”
“I know. Lazy as fuck.” laughed Layla as I threw a pillow upside her head. “Hey, I’m just saying.”
Royal’s cell phone rang.
“Who is calling this late on a Thursday?” Layla asked. “My hoes, bitch.” I laughed as I answered the unregistered number.
“Hello?” And then I heard her. She didn’t have to announce herself because I knew Dina was on the other line.
“I’m sorry to bother you at this hour, is this a bad time?” she asked.
“If you were sorry, you wouldn’t have called in the first place.” I quipped.
“Touche. I was calling to see if you wanted to have lunch on Saturday.” I paused for an unacceptable amount of time. “Hello? You still there?”
“Yes, I’m here. I’m, uh, just checking my calendar. I’m wondering, though, why didn’t you ask me earlier? It’s almost midnight.” I countered.
“Honestly, I didn’t know if you were straight or not. I couldn’t tell but I figured I’d take a chance.” I admired her honesty. I mean, I did assume she was a man until she opened her mouth so I can’t blame her.
“Cool. Saturday is fine. Just text me the time and where.”
“But you didn’t tell me if you’re straight or not.” she said playfully.
“If you’re around long enough I guess you’ll find out.”
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Saturday could not come fast enough. After creating a plan with the assistants at Economic Home Design for the mansion mission all day and night Friday, Royal was exhausted. Lying in bed, she rolled over to check the time.
11:54am.
“Ugh!” she exclaimed. Royal was experiencing second thoughts about her lunch date with Dina. Dating was always fun in theory until action was applied. It was filled with small talk, getting to know each other’s favorite colors, and other things no one really cared about. Royal’s attention span was practically non-existent which is why her relationships never lasted long.
“Guess I’ll shower.”
Royal sang her heart out to Syd’s “Drown In It” when her phone rang, cutting the music off. “Dina. Of course she would call during this song.” Royal ignored the call and finished her shower concert.
Teyana Taylor’s “Just Different” blasted through her phone as she applied her makeup. Not wanting to appear too thirsty, but look presentable as well, Royal followed a Jackie Aina makeup tutorial to the T, finishing off with Fenty Beauty’s body lava for a soft, but noticeable, glow.
“That should do it.” With one final once over, Royal left her house to meet Dina.
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