“Oh?” I asked. There was a long pause once again. Sebastian kept glowering at Azmir. It was almost as if he was asking with his eyes, What are you doing with my girl? Are you a threat that I should be concerned about?
I broke the silence abruptly with, “Paul, it was a pleasure!” and offered my hand. He reciprocated with a few kind words. Then I turned to Azmir and said, “Mr. Jacobs, it was great chatting with you. I hope you enjoy yourself at Junie’s soirée,” I teased, subtly letting him know that I didn’t forget his exchange with ole’ girl earlier.
He smiled and replied, “Oh, there was a misunderstanding. I actually have an acquisition meeting this evening…prime property. Can’t sit or sleep on a diamond deal.”
I didn’t get what he meant but was happy to run circles around Sebastian’s head by our coded exchange. With that, we walked off.
While waiting on the car to pull up Sebastian heckled, “You know, if you wanted an aspiring rapper, I could’ve dropped you off in Compton.”
No, this asshole didn’t try to insult me! The funny thing about it was when I thought about who Azmir was professionally, Sebastian actually embarrassed himself. He knew Azmir was a businessman. Paul told him so and Azmir mentioned an acquisition meeting. He was trying to get underneath my skin by belittling me—again!
“I really don’t have time for this shit again. Just take me home, Sebastian,” I said pointedly.
“Again? What do you mean “again”?
“What I mean is I’m sick of your clown ass trying to make me feel like the poor, urban, ghetto girl. That shit is getting a little tired, Sebastian. If I’m so beneath your Oreo ass, why the hell do you keep in touch?” I hissed.
“Do you want me to get lost? Fine, Rayna! I’ll get lost just as soon as you repay me! You think you can have a check on my desk by the end of the week?” he taunted.
The car had just pulled up and as I went to the passenger door I said, “Oh, I will pay you back real soon and with interest…before I catch a goddamn case!” Before the valet kid could get to my side of the car I’d already gotten in and slammed the door shut.
I was hot and embarrassed. Never in life did I expect to have anyone speak that way to me or treat me so low. I couldn’t wait to get back to Michelle’s and then home. There was silence during the ride back. All I could think about was how I was going to get ten thousand dollars back to him. I couldn’t take out a loan because my credit was tied up with the new house. Even if I knew someone with that kind of bank, I wouldn’t dare take another personal loan to pay him back. That’s what got me into this predicament.
Minutes away from Michelle’s, Sebastian broke the silence by saying, “Listen, Rayna. You don’t have to worry about me bothering you anymore. I know that you will not be finished with your payments anytime soon but outside of that we shouldn’t see each other.” There was silence. I hope he didn’t expect the courtesy of a response because he damn sure wasn’t getting one. He continued, “By the way, I think we should start a monthly payment plan to ensure my refund. How does a thousand sound for the next ten months?”
He knew I couldn’t afford that! He was being an ass.
“Sebastian, I actually had in mind a schedule that would be more expeditious. Let me work on the numbers and get back to you with my decision in a day or so.” With that, I exited the car with an ounce of dignity intact.
I knew I had no means of paying him back. He waited a few seconds as if he was debating on what to say to “fix” the mess he had made. I maintained my speed to Michelle’s door as if my life depended on it.