Chapter 15

Julia

Whoever came up with the idea to put cheese on fries was a genius. I continued to stuff my face as Emmie and Kylashay gush over some duke from a new series they started watching.

We met her the day I was conducting the interview for Mrs. C. She applied for the cashier position, and during the interview, she told me that she needed the job to buy her grandmother's medication. Not only did the three of us share mommy issues, but we also got along and had a lot in common.

She was twenty-two and fit for the position she applied for, but when Rome told me about my new job, I decided to train her to become a receptionist since the pay was better. Even though she was working alongside Emmie in the grocery store, as soon as the hotel was complete and everything was ready, Kylashay would have a job there.

"You need to start watching television, Julie," she said while brushing her straight black hair behind her ear.

I wasn't that fortunate. The only movies I watched were the horror movies on my laptop. I did not grow up watching television because Gina always watched R-rated movies with her friends. When I moved out two years ago, I didn't bother purchasing one. It would just be more bills for me, so the only technology I stuck with was my phone and laptop, which I left at the witch's dungeon.

"Maybe we can have a movie night, and we will help you catch up on it," Emmie suggested.

"That sounds good," I told them excitedly. "We can stay at Rome's; when I was cleaning, I saw he had a theater, and by the looks of it, he doesn't use it."

The truth was I never had a movie night with anyone before. I often wondered what they were like. I didn't have many friends growing up either. The only one I had was Xavier. I was always a loner who just went to school and to work.

Emmie frowned. "Are you sure that's a good idea? He is not the nicest person."

Kylashay waved a fry around. "That sounds like a good idea. Jordan can stay with Grandma for me. I've always wanted to know what the inside of a billionaire's house looks like."

She popped the fry in her mouth, and I smiled at her eagerness. Jordan was her boyfriend, and from the way she spoke about him, he seemed like a nice person. He was even working two jobs to help Ky pay the bills, but now that she had a job, she wanted him to quit the one that paid less, so he could have more rest and time for her.

"Then it's settled. No need to worry, Em. As long as we stay out of his way, then everything will be fine."

Rome:

Removing the towel from my body, I started to get dressed in a white T-shirt and black cargo pants. It was good to finally be back. New York wasn't for me; I preferred a more peaceful and calmer place like Livingston.

I checked my watch to see that it was now 6:32 PM. I got here around two, and Julia wasn't here. I would not mind having her cook something for me now, even though she had called me multiple times during my stay in Manhattan, and each time, I ignored her. I wondered how she even got my number in the first place. It must have been Josh or Jimmy since the three of them seem to be good friends now.

Deciding to order pizza and catch up on 911, I descended the stairs, only for a sweet aroma to catch my attention. As I walked towards the kitchen, I heard the sound of something boiling, along with Julia's horrible singing.

She was busy stirring something in a pot and singing a song about deserving so much more. I didn't want to startle her while she was using the stove, but I wasn't sure what to say to her.

"You're giving me a headache with that singing of yours."

Julia turned around with a grin on her face. "You're back."

"As you can see," I said, walking farther into the kitchen and taking a seat on one of the barstools.

She frowned, something she didn't do regularly. "Can't say I missed your mean, moody ass."

I raised a brow at her. "Can't say I missed your cheery ass either."

I watched as her lips formed a smile. She turned around and turned the stove off before coming to sit across from me. She rested her elbows on the counter and placed her face in her palms like a child, her bright hazel eyes watching me.

Chestnut curls fell in her face from her high ponytail, and the black T-shirt she wore was too big, so it hung off her left shoulder. I got angry from thinking about what someone as innocent-looking as her must have endured because of the woman who gave birth to her.

"Tell me, how was New York? Did you bring me any souvenirs?"

It was now 8:18 PM. Julia and I were watching a horror movie of her choice in the living room. I sat on the couch while she was practically curled up like a fetus on the one-seat sofa. At first, I was hesitant to watch it with her because I didn't want her to get scared and take up my personal space, but instead, she was cursing out the characters and saying how stupid they were.

Just when the couple on the screen started making out unaware that the killer was close by, the doorbell went off.

"Are you expecting anyone?" I asked her.

She shook her head no with her eyes practically glued to the screen. Josh was out of town. Besides, he had his own key, so I wondered who it was.

"Do you want me to get it?" she asked as I read the text on my phone. It was from one of the night guards informing me of who my visitor was.

It was no wonder she made it this far.

"No," I told her.

Pulling the front door open, I stood aside for Kelly to enter.

"What are you doing here?" I asked while watching her stroll in. She was wearing a skintight light pink dress and white heels. Her hair was straight and rested below her shoulders.

"I had such a good night the last time, so I decided that I want tonight to be as good as that night was," she said, placing her long slim arms around my neck the moment I closed the door.

She closed the distance between us and pecked my lips.

"That was just a one-night fling. I'm not interested in doing anything with you again," I told her while trying to get her arms off me, but she clasped onto me like a damn crab.

"But didn't you like being inside of me?" she whispered against my lips.

"Rome are you—oh," I heard Julia say. She was standing at the entrance looking at us. "I'll just go."

"No." I didn't want her to leave me here with this woman.

Kelly let go of me and turned around to look at Julia. "Who are you?"

Instead of answering, Julia looked at me.

"Stay," I mouthed to her.

She looked back at Kelly and folded her arms. "I believe I'm the one who should be asking that question."

"Kelly Monet. I'm sure you are familiar with the name."

Julia frowned, then shook her head no. "Never heard of it before."

Kelly looked at me. She was furious. "Rome, who is this little girl?"

"His new flame," Julia said, surprising us both.

I smirked. Kelly seemed lost for words as she looked at Julia, who was smiling sweetly at her.

"Oh, please. A man like Rome Livingston wouldn't be interested in someone like you." Kelly walked closer to her and tugged on Julia's oversized T-shirt. "Look at this. You look like something that should go out with the trash, and that hair—"

I wasn't going to stand here and allow her to disrespect her like that. Walking over to Julia, I threw an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer to me.

"That's enough. Get out of my house!"

"What?" she asked while glaring at Julia.

"You heard me, Kelly. Don't make me call security."

"Fine, have fun with your boring bitch!"

As soon as the door closed, I looked down at Julia, who was focused on the closed door.

"Julia," I said, turning her to face me. "None of what she said was true, okay?"

"It's fine. I've been called worse," she said with a small smile. "Goodnight, Rome."

I watched as she left. She said it was fine, yet her eyes told me a different story. I should have known better than to get her involved.