Déjà Vu by Suzetta Perkins Read Free Book Online Page A

Angelica said as she casually got up from her seat and stood in front of the window to peer out of it for the umpteenth time.
    “Well, I have an exciting project that I’m sure you’ll enjoy. The pay’s pretty good and, who knows, you may end up on the twenty-fifth like me.”
    “I’m intrigued.”
    “Have you eaten? If not, I know this great little jazz club in SoHo. We can have a bite to eat and talk about the project.”
    “Sounds great. I would like to know, Donna, why you called me. We haven’t spoken in a long time. Frankly, since Hamilton and I are no longer together, I thought I’d be the last person you’d call.”
    “My cousin, Hamilton. He’s probably getting what he deserves, sitting in that rotten prison. He’s my blood, but I’ve seen too many lives ruined at his hands.”
    “I wish someone would have told me before I married him.”
    “I understand he met you in a strip joint.”
    Ouch, that stung like a cattle rancher’s brand, Angelica thought. Where is this woman coming from?
    “Yes, Hamilton met me in a strip club. Haven’t you had some hard times? That’s why I was there.” Angelica moved away from the window and stood face to face with Donna.
    “Didn’t mean to offend you, Angelica. Just ironing out some facts. Let’s get started on the good foot. Give me some love.”
    Angelica didn’t feel like giving any love. She could feel her days being numbered at the penthouse, but she would go along with the program until something else came along. Right now, she was far away from Margo and Malik, and ready for a new adventure. She reached over and gave Donna a hug. “Thank you.”
    “As soon as I change, we’ll be on our way,” Donna said. “I think we’ll take the subway.”
    Angelica smiled. “Can’t wait.”

9
    T he doorman opened the door as Donna and Angelica approached. He gave Angelica another once-over as she glided past him in a flirtatious way, she turning slightly to see if he had noticed. Angelica still wore the outfit she had arrived in while Donna had slipped into a pair of tight-fitting jeans and a cream-colored satin blouse with a high collar and plunging neckline.
    “You trying to make a move on Ari?”
    “Of course not, Donna. I was being playful my first day in New York.”
    “Well, I hope so. Girl, there are bigger fish to fry, if you get my meaning. This town is full of those who have money and those who don’t, but money’s easy to get if you know the right person. And you will get to know the right person in this business.”
    “So, have you fried your fish?”
    Donna laughed. “You’re funny, Angelica.”
    “I wasn’t trying to be.”
    “Let’s say I wouldn’t be living in that fab Manhattan pad if I didn’t know the right people. My work speaks for itself, though. My degree and my training have not gone to waste. I know how to play the game because I’ve watched some of the masters at work, and if you want something bad enough, you do what you have to in order to get what you want.”
    “I may have lived in Fayetteville, North Carolina, but I know what I like.”
    “Let’s catch the subway. Sometimes I like to feel New York the way it touches everyday folk.”
    Angelica walked briskly, trying to keep in step with Donna. Donna was an intriguing person, and Angelica could not quite put a finger on her pulse. It would all unravel soon, and she hoped that in the days ahead she would be trading her small condo in Fayetteville for a high rise in Manhattan.
    They entered the station, walked down the stairs and purchased metro cards. Angelica wasn’t feeling the subway, but Donna seemed right at home.
    At Donna’s direction, they jumped on the train headed for SoHo. The train was crowded with business types headed to places unknown. The people seemed disinterested, deeply into themselves. There were no friendly hellos or the smiles that she was accustomed to in North Carolina.
    The train lurched and pulled into a station to let people on and