SideChicks by Valorie M Taylor

Being in Lore's employ had never been easy. And no one knew that better than MacBeth who bench pressed a solid 100lbs with ease. I gotta to be her chauffeur, she thought to herself, muscle, bodyguard, babysitter, confidant, sounding board, secret-keeper and occasional Chef 24-hours a day.

Listening to her Jay-Z playlist, she finished with her set, sprang up from the bench and looked at her masterfully chiseled body in the weight room mirror. Well, not quite a weight room as much as it was a converted space in Lore’s garage. No time for a gym membership, MacBeth had to make the best use of the midnight hour while the house and her boss slumbered. But MacBeth loved her life.

Growing up big-boned and clearly not the little cutie a boy would ask to the school dance, MacBeth was discovered by Lore back when she and Liset started Illustrious.com. She wiped her sweat with a towel and squirted Gatorade down her parched throat.

Lore gave me purpose, she remembered fondly and room to just be myself. No fitting into tight categories that served anyone else's agenda. Free to just be...yeah.

But free to just be, wondered MacBeth now that comes with some sacrifices.

Ironically all the things she refused to have like a date, a relationship, kids distanced themselves and her thoughts played louder than Jigga on the speaker. Like continuing to choose Lore spelled refusing to choose anything else.

Just then a scream peeled the air in half. MacBeth grabbed her 9 mm gun and busted out of the garage. In the house she made her way up the stairs with cat-like flexibility searching the dark for a fleeing perp. She ran directly in to Lore's posh bedroom suite to find her boss mid-mattress screaming and shaking. A quick scan of the room told her Lore was alone and that the threat was from within.

"MacBeth!" screamed a terrified Lore.

She put her gun on the table and climbed onto Lore's bed. "The dream again?"

Lore nodded her face twisted with anguish. "There were hands all over me. They held me down." She reached for her throat. “I couldn't breath. So many of them I could fight them off!"

"It's okay, Lore. You’re just stressed out. But you're okay now. You're just thinking about Liset. Probably super imposing what happened to her onto yourself."

Lore said nothing in return.

"You want something from the kitchen?"

"No!” Lore clutched MacBeth’s arm. “Don't leave me."

It was that look of shear terror on Lore’s face that told MacBeth this was nothing small. The fact that Lore’s nails dug into her arm was pretty telling, too.”

“I’m sorry,” she released MacBeth’s arm. “I know this sounds stupid but could you just stay Please, MacBeth. I just need to sleep. Just stay ‘til I fall asleep?”

“No worries. I’ll stay.”

“Hey, MacBeth,” said a groggy Farrah yawning into the morning and reaching into the frige for a juice.

“Morning,” she replied scooping a spoonful of cold cereal into her mouth.

Farrah rubbed her eyes. “What was that screaming all about last night?”

She shook her head slowly. “Nothing really. I think Lore saw a spider or somethin’”

“Oh.” She leaned against the counter. “Guess she’s really afraid of spiders, huh?”

“Yeah. What can you say?”

“I’ve been looking everywhere for Lore and I’ve called her a few times. Where is she?

“She’s, uh, out today.”

“Out? Did she forget I have my wine tasting lesson and my geography lesson today?”

“She didn’t forget,” said MacBeth tipping her coffee in her mouth. “I’ll make sure you get your lesson.”

“Hey no offense but I think I’d rather have Lore.”

She lowered her brows. “What difference does it make? You’re the one learning it.”

“Yeah but you were the one wanting to watch us get down that night.”

“Don’t be stupid, Farrah. You were the one who suggested it, remember? Not me. Truth is, you’re not that interesting.”

“You—“

“I wouldn’t finish that statement, if I were you. I’m your only link to Lore right now. What I say, she believes.”

Farrah stood still with her mouth hanging open.

“Now, go get ready. The sommelier will be here in 30 minutes.” MacBeth returned to her cereal.

“What’s a sommelier anyway?”

“A wine expert, duh. Hurry and get dressed. Lore will be calling to check on you soon.”

Farrah meandered around the kitchen just to get a rise out of MacBeth to no avail.

MacBeth looked at her wrist watch. “You’ve got 15 minutes to get ready. You wouldn’t want me to tell Lore you were late, would you?”

Probably cursing MacBeth under breath, Farrah stormed out of the kitchen and up stairs to get ready.

Flying high above the earth gave Lore a sense of true freedom.

Down there Liset was missing.

Down there in Los Angeles, the past crept along the earth’s surface and found her asleep in her dreams. She stunk of fear, of regret and was easy prey to the devil called worry.

But up above it all, with the hum of the engines under her, Lore could let her romantic intentions run wild and naked through her thoughts. Miles above the earth she could pre-welcome the sand between her toes and the kisses and caresses her body desired.

Lore's plane touched down in Brazil

And for the moment she was invisible to all her cares, all her worries and obligations.

Left in the hands of very capable MacBeth, she was certain Illustrious would be okay.

With her earbuds filling her ears with Carolyn Malachi's soothing lament Alright, her hips switched and swerved through the airport.

Just up ahead was a beautiful Brazilian man; tanned, bearded and well-built wearing a white button down shirt straining its buttons to contain his chest. The man seemed to be waiting for someone.

Lore lowered her sunglasses and was embarrassed to stare at him. But when his eyes caught hers she mouthed the question "waiting for someone?"

He lowered his dark sunglasses and flashed the whitest, most beautiful smile. "I was," he confirmed.

The man was all deliciously Latin.

The space, the people and time were rendered irrelevant as these two gods of passion drew closer and closer to one another. With heat and intention, their lips met. His arms circled her and she dangled from his neck like smooth onyx.

Even with people pointing and staring, they refused to come up for air.

"Well," he said laughing. "I guess someone's happy to see me.“

"Yes Paulo," answered Lore with eyes that promised something Rated R. "And I cannot wait to show you how much."

At his seaside home, Lore wiggled out of her white linen traveling dress. No panties. No bra to prohibit the moment.

Paulo didn't quite secure the door before his hunger for Lore hoisted her body against the wall. Her supple breasts were his appetizers; biting and sucking them only heightened her desire for him. "Ooo Paulo, please fuck Me," she cried. "I want you inside me."

Ignoring her, he bit her tummy and slid fingers into her butt. Everything he did felt amazing.

In the middle of her orgasm when he knew she'd be tightest, he shoved himself into her with reckless abandon.

"Oh, Oh, Oh," she cried not knowing if she was dying or truly living. All she knew was that she was paralyzed from absolute passion.

An hour or so later, Lore awoke in his bed of crisp white sheets with the Brazilian ocean just outside the window. His sheets smelled of his musk and she buried her face happily in his pillow.

She laid there for a long moment and the smell of delicious food wafted through the air. She sat up in the bed, stood and tied the sheet around her body. She followed the smell to the kitchen where a shirtless Paulo was preparing an intoxicating dish of fish and spices.

"I couldn't be more lucky," she said smiling at him.

He turned around. "Hey, that's my line."

To Lore Paulo was the sexiest and most intriguing among God's creatures. "What is that you're making.

"It's Moqueco de Camarao.

She tried to say like he did and just laughed instead. "What?“

"Moqueco de Camarao. Brazilian fish stew," he said with his beautiful accent. "It's a blend of spices, garlic, tomatoes and the freshest fish."

"It smells heavenly."

He picked up a glass of white wine from the counter and presented it to her. She sipped it.

He tugged at the sheet.

Ever so gently, she resisted. "Are you trying to kill me?"

He kissed her mouth. "Can you think of a better way to die?"

She cupped his face. "Those eyebrows. That smile. I lose myself with you, Paulo."

He rubbed her butt under the sheet. She could feel him growing against her.

She pulled away from him. "The food Paulo!"

"Oh right." He dashed to the stove top and rescued his creation, stirring and singing.

Lore lingered resting her head on the door frame and holding her wine. She loved Brazil; the quiet, the smell of the ocean so close, the colors.

Paulo's Angra de Reis villa on an emerald bay was modestly nestled among Brazil's rich and lavish dwellings. Cool, dark brown floors laid under a stark white pitched ceiling and between, tangerine and cream furnishings; modern, young, fresh. Silent ceiling fans kept the tropical sir circulating. And no room throughout his home was spared the mesmerizing view of the bay’s crystal blue waters and its criss-crossing traffic of lazy luxury yachts.

From steep mountain ridges, the wind blew freshly, fragrantly airing out Lore's mind like laundered white sheets hanging from a clothesline.

"Have I time for a tub?"

"Absolutely, Lore, he said dipping his finger in the sauce and tasting it. "This creation will wait for you."

Paulo's bathroom was a steamy delight of laelias. The yellow, orange and lavender star-shaped flowers floating in an already drawn bath made her smile. "Paulo," she said with a long sigh. Lore untied her sheet and slid her body under the water's surface.

After some time, Lore heard the door open behind her. From behind she felt Paulo's big hands rubbing her neck. He tilted her head back and kissed her mouth. He tasted of the wine she drank and soon his hand was between her legs under the water. The tub was so confining and she couldn't get her legs opened wide enough. But she gently pumped his fingers making small waves in the tub. He delighted her never removing his tongue from her mouth.

She came again this time releasing her moans into his mouth. Satisfied he satisfied her, Paulo gently lifted her head and slid himself into her mouth. He groaned like a bear.

She stood up from her tub with privileged droplets hugging her God-given curves and crevices. She sat him in a little woven chair shoving him and it snugly against the bedroom wall. Lore put those long Yoga legs to good use. She glided her hips up and down him slowly, methodically giving and getting pleasure with each stroke. He grabbed her ass and pumped her back.

"Aw yeah!" She cried. "That's it, Paulo! Deeper! Do it, baby!"

She bucked and rode Paulo until she emptied him.

He was out of breath and glistening with sweat when Lore finally opened her eyes. She kissed his panting mouth.

She tried to get up. He pulled her back. "Let me just stay inside, Lore."

She settled back on his lap and kissed him.

"You are my match, Lore. my equal. You know that? Huh?"

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yes," he said still out of breath. "That is why I asked you here. Will you marry me?"

Lore froze.

Paulo blinked his eyes lazily to see her stunned face. "What's wrong, Lore?"

"I just don't know what to say."

"Say, yes," he smiled.

She jumped up from his lap and closed herself in the bathroom.

Dinner that night was a romantically candle-lit dream. Paulo poured wine, fed Lore bites of deliciousness and told her funny stories of his poor upbringing.

She laughed, chewed slowly and felt wonderful.

"Lore, why have you never spoken of your childhood?" He asked.

She shrugged and was actually glad to be chewing food because it gave her time to think. She dabbed at her mouth with a napkin. She took a sip of wine. "I didn't have the best childhood."

"Mm-hm," he said sipping his wine.

She clasped her hands under her chin. "We were poor, too. Me and my sister raised by our Mom."

"Mm-hm."

"That's all, Paulo. I don't have the capacity you have to make a travesty funny."

"A little defensive tonight?"

"Lore, what's really wrong? You seemed to be enjoying yourself and since I asked you to marry me--"

"Yeah, I was a little thrown off by that."

"Why? We've been rendezvousing for three years now. Brazil, New York, your house. Why shouldn't we make it permanent?" He took her hand and kissed it. He opened his legs and patted his knee. "Come. Sit here with me."

Lore stood and sat her pretty bottom on his knee.

“I love you, Lore." He kissed her bare shoulders and rubbed her back. "Am I wrong to love you?"

"No, Paulo. You are not wrong."

"Good." He kissed her hand. " Do you love me?"

She didn't answer but instead kissed his mouth passionately.

Lore was so happy to be out and about with Paulo. Gliding around town with him while he checked on his planes and met with contractors released her not to worry. She enjoyed the view of Brazilin the morning behind her sunglasses and thought about absolutely nothing not even Illustrious.com.

He slid into his gold luxury BMW 880 and asked, "are you bored?"

"No not at all. It's nice seeing someone else doing all the work for a change."

He started the car. "Is every thing okay with your business. You haven't once mentioned Illustrious, your Associates or even MacBeth."

"It's Illustrious," she quipped and they shared a laugh.

He looked at her as the sun worshipped her beautiful brown skin and as the whipped her Afro around. "We really should partner, Lore."

She turned to him stunned. "Partner?"

"Yes, partner. I fly the rich at whim and you have Illustrious."

She didn't reciprocate his smile.

"I'm opening up international flights. Think of the connections and the money we could make if we married."

"But I don't need you like that."

"Huh? Lore, I'm not saying you wouldn't still be in control of--"

"So that's what this secret weekend is really about! You want to get your hands on my business!"

"Lore, you're over reacting."

"No. I'm not. This has been your plan all along."

"Plan?" Paulo stopped the car on the side of the road. "You've got this all wrong!"

"You're just like all the rest! You men, you take and take until there's nothing left!"

"You're being ridiculous! All I'm suggesting is we--"

"Take me to the airport, Paulo, I'm going home."

"Fine." He started the car. "I'll take you to get your things.” He raced through the streets honking his horn and shaking his fist at pedestrians who weren’t moving fast enough.

“Slow down, Paulo.”

“You’re imposible, Lore. Definitely impossible! I don't know what gets into you!”

“Where are you going?” She asked.

“I'll arrange for one of my pilots to--"

"No! To the airport. I'm going home now."

Paulo bit at his response but knew better to let his true sentiments escape his mouth. With an orchestra of car horns announcing his dangerous and high-speed u-turn, he pointed his car toward the airport to release his beautiful blackbird to the sky.

Just then, Lore’s phone beeped. She retrieved it from her purse and read Mr. Blackbone’s text:

Earphones. Watch. I’ll be in touch.

With her heart racing she stuffed her earphones in her ears and watched the video.

“There was an unusual robbery last night at the East L.A.’s City Cemetery,” said News6’s Anchor Mitchell Draper. “Our very own Paul Sherman has that story.”

“It was an unusual robbery, Mitchell,” explained the young and clean-cut African American man. “City grave diggers arrived this morning to find this.”

The camera panned over Paul’s shoulder and focused on a hastily dug hole in the ground “Potter’s Field officials said their surveillance cameras were disabled and only one grave was disturbed; Jane Doe 458. Officials are left wondering why.”

"Yeah, we sometimes get families claiming a loved one,” said Potter’s Field Supervisor of Operations Stephen Jones. “Sure there’s paperwork involved,” he snickered, “but we’ve never had this happen before.”

“Now police say this is a felony,” said Paul into the camera. “The City of East Los Angeles has set up a hotline. So anyone with information regarding this robbery should call 818- 226-9284. I’m Paul Sherman for News6. Back to you, Mitchell.”

Finally arriving at the Rio de Janeiro-Galeão International Airport, Lore opened the door without a word to Paulo.

"Lore! Lore!” He shouted to ears that couldn’t hear anything but her own thoughts.

Having been pre-welcomed to the chaotic hell she left behind, Lore moved zombie-like through the crowd and up to the ticket counter. "I need a first class ticket to Los Angeles."