Bad Apple - the Baddest Chick(59)

Supreme looked at her and asked, “Where you been at?”

“Out.”

“What you got for me then?”

“What?” Apple responded, confused.

“I heard you was out today trying to collect. So where it at?”

“I didn’t collect shit today, Supreme, and right now, I’m not in the mood for your shit.”

Supreme glanced at Guy Tony and then glared back at Apple with a look that let her know he didn’t like her response. His hulking figure moved closer to her. “Bitch, who the f-uck you talking to like that?”

“Supreme, just step the f-uck off! Fo’ real!”

Apple wasn’t in the mood for his nonsense and had enough to deal with. She spun on her heels with an attitude and was about to go back into the bedroom, but Supreme grabbed her from behind with brute force and tossed her into the couch like he was a tornado.

“You dumb bitch, watch your f*ckin’ mouth wit’ me!” he yelled. “Remember who the f-uck you talking to! You work for me! I f*ckin’ made you! You f*ckin’ understand me? Everything you got is ’cause of me.”

Apple lifted herself off the couch, but Supreme knocked her back down with a quick backhand slap. Then he snatched the towel from around her, leaving her stark naked in front of company.

Guy Tony didn’t turn his head. Instead, he stared at Apple’s lovely figure.

Apple clutched the side of her face and wiped the little blood from her mouth. She flaunted a defiant stare and mockingly replied, “Yeah, that’s the f*ckin’ Supreme I know. I guess the honeymoon is over now. Huh, baby?”

“Apple, don’t f*ckin’ test me. I’ll f-uck ya whole world up!”

Apple didn’t know where his sudden rage came from, but she knew for sure that Supreme had to die, either by her hands or someone else’s. He had gotten away with too much, and he needed to expire promptly.

Supreme stood over Apple with the towel gripped tightly in his hand. His eyes were cold and his demeanor so chilling toward her, one more wrong word and she wouldn’t leave the house alive. “Get dressed,” he told her. “We goin’ out.”

Apple didn’t say another word. She slowly picked herself up off the couch, with every inch of her petite, curvy body exposed to Guy Tony, and slowly made her way into the bedroom, knowing Guy Tony’s eyes were glued to her backside.

*****

That same evening, the trio walked into a chic soul food eatery on the West Side of town. Supreme had gotten word through the streets that the business was failing, and the owner, Bobby, was reluctantly ready to take a buyout from a few willing investors. Supreme knew that Bobby had put his heart and soul into the business for eight years, but he was hit hard during the recession, and business was never the same. The neighborhood’s soul food restaurants had long been losing business as a result of changing tastes, intensifying health concerns, and rising costs, and with the current economic downturn, many Harlem businesses were declaring bankruptcy.

It was the opportunity Supreme had been waiting for. He wanted to offer the owner his proposal when the business was at its worst, make Bobby believe that a loan from him could boost things up to where they used to be. Then when he was locked in, he would go in for the “juice” system, and Bobby wouldn’t see it coming.

Apple sat down with Supreme and Guy Tony at the eatery, where everything from Southern-style biscuits and smoked pork chops to homegrown collard greens were served the way mama made it. Supreme admired the place with its Southern feel and the black baby grand piano situated in the back for the nights when the band entertained the customers with jazz and blues. Supreme wanted in.

The trio ordered their meals, and when they were halfway through eating, Supreme asked the waitress for Bobby by name. She nodded and walked off.

Apple remained quiet and barely touched her catfish and beans.

A moment later, Bobby came walking out of the kitchen following behind the waitress. The two men instantly recognized each other, and Supreme stood to greet the owner.

“Supreme, it’s been a long time,” Bobby said with a halfhearted smile.

“I know. Too long, my friend.”

“And what brings you to my place?”

“How’s business?”

Bobby looked at Supreme with cautious eyes. “It can always be better.”

“I know. But is there someplace private where we can talk?”

“In my office.”

“Then you lead the way.” Supreme gestured with his hand.

Bobby looked reluctant at first, but he knew Supreme didn’t take no for an answer. The two men disappeared into a back room, leaving Apple seated with Guy Tony.

When Supreme was gone, Apple looked at Guy Tony and asked, “So did you enjoy the show earlier?”

“What you mean?”

“You like what you saw?” Apple asked, referring to when Supreme stripped her of the towel and left her naked.

Guy Tony just smiled bashfully and took a sip of his drink.

“I know you did. You can never keep your eyes off me. Why’s that, Guy? Huh? You wanna f-uck me?”

“You’re Supreme’s lady, and he’s like a father to me.”

“And? He don’t own me.”

“I see different.”

“You do, huh? And what you see different?” Apple asked with a smile.