Bad Apple - the Baddest Chick(6)

“How’s ya moms doin’? She good, right?” Supreme asked, his tone dirty.

“She fine.” Apple tried to be short.

Supreme nodded with a smile, his eyes dancing all over Apple’s petite, curvy figure. He had a craving for young girls like Apple. She was the one he desired the most, but she always kept her distance from him. In her eyes, Supreme was nothing but a goofball.

Guy Tony, Supreme’s young worker and underling, stood silently next to his boss. He looked at Apple with a deadpan stare, the .45 peeking from underneath his shirt. He was nineteen with a secret crush on Apple. She knew Guy Tony by his government name, Anthony. They went to grade school together and used to be cool until high school, when he started running with Supreme. It was at that time he turned into “Guy Gooney.” He had gotten sucked into the loan-sharking business with Supreme, and the two remained close ever since.

Apple noticed the nervous, young stranger by the door. She wanted to mind her business. She didn’t care for any of the men or their shady business tactics. However, she did notice the large roll of twenties and fifties that Supreme had clutched in his hand. It sparked a gleam in her eyes.

“You need somethin’, Apple?” Supreme asked.

“I just need to pass,” she said.

“You sure that’s all you need?” Supreme had a hint of persuasion in his voice as he counted his large knot.

“Yeah, now move,” she spat.

Supreme smiled. He was six-one with a broad build to him. He sported little jewelry and a denim jacket with a switchblade in the pocket, which he was known to use on deadbeats, sticking his victims in the hands, eye, knee, or wherever he was able to cause agonizing pain, as a warning for them to pay up soon.

Slowly, Supreme stepped out of Apple’s way with an unruly smile. He couldn’t keep his eyes off her body. “If you need somethin’, Apple, you can always come to me.”

“Whatever,” Apple said before exiting the building.

As she walked out into the street, the only thing on her mind was Supreme’s bankroll. She figured he had to have about five grand in his pockets, and she knew she could do wonders with that money. First, she would get herself the bomb outfit for Summer Jam, and second, she would leave the projects for something better. But those were only dreams. Supreme was a snake—a first-class jerk. Still, he had money, which was something she truly needed.

Apple took a seat on top of the bench, took a few pulls from her cigarette, and thought about doing the unthinkable. That bankroll in Supreme’s hand had excited her. In Apple’s mind, it was easy money. Summer Jam was next week, and she needed an outfit, her hair done, money for transportation, and maybe a little extra something for food and activities with her girls.

“Just this one time, you gotta look right for Cross,” she convinced herself.

She took a few more pulls from her cigarette, sighed heavily, jumped from off the bench, and hurried back to see Supreme. After walking into the lobby, she noticed the stranger had left, but Supreme and Guy Tony had lingered around, talking.

Supreme immediately saw Apple re-enter the building. He turned with a smile. “You came back for somethin’?” he asked with a smirk.

Apple looked up at him, wondering if she was doing the right thing by asking him for a loan. “Can we talk?” she asked.

Supreme looked at the young beauty for a moment. Then he exhaled the smoke from the Black & Mild he puffed on and gestured for Apple to follow him into the stairwell for privacy. “Give me a minute, Guy,” he said.

Guy Tony nodded.

As Apple followed behind him, Supreme asked, “What you need?”

“I need a favor.”

“How much?” Supreme asked, already knowing she wanted money. It was always about money with him. Supreme towered over Apple’s five-three frame and waited for her to answer.

“Two hundred,” Apple replied, afraid that if she asked for more he would shut her down.

“Two hundred, huh?”

“I’ll pay you back,” she told him.

“I know you will. It ain’t a choice. But you know I’m about my business, Apple. I take it seriously. I’m nothin’ to play with in these streets.”

“I know.”

“What you need this paper for anyway?”

“I’d rather not say.”

Supreme chuckled and licked his lips. He was known to have females f-uck or suck him repeatedly to free themselves from their debts. He had the same plan for Apple. If she couldn’t pay him back, he would have her sleep off her debt.

“You know what? Since I like you, I’ma hook you up.” Supreme reached into his pocket, peeled off five crisp C-notes, and passed them to Apple. “Take five hundred and have yourself a good time.”

“But I only need two,” Apple contested meekly.

“I know you’re good for it. I’ll get my money back one way or another, Apple. You remember that. I don’t like to be f*cked wit’,” Supreme stated in a cold tone.

Apple wasn’t intimidated by his subtle threats, though. For some inexplicable reason she felt that the most he would do to her is try to bark on her in front of her peoples, which she could handle. She had been around men scarier than him, and she knew how to handle herself. She thought Supreme was a clown-ass dude, and in her mind he was a dumb ass for loaning her the money knowing she didn’t work.