Royal Blue Lies Inside The Eyes of Heaven

This story is inspired by the song The Soul Controller by Ghostface Killah

Maurice Powers should have just said no when Isaac Aguilar asked him if he wanted to make some easy money.

That was the exact reason why he was saying silent prayers in Isaac’s passenger seat.

Isaac sped through the streets of Raleigh like he didn't have 2 ounces of weed in a back pack in the backseat.

“Maurice chill the fuck out, you are making me nervous.” Isaac says.

“Bruh, how the fuck you not going to tell me you had weed in the car before I got in this bitch?”

“Because I knew you wouldn't have come if I had told you.”

“My uncle got knocked for drugs, he never coming home you know this”

Isaac laughed.

“Yeah so did my tio but guess what we aint them. We the dynamic dou, how much shit have we talked our way out of?”

Maurice shook his head.

“Not much, it usually ends with me having to whoop somebodies ass”

“Exactly you the muscle homie, thats why i need you”

“So were we going he aint got muscle, and probably guns” Maurice said.

“If anything this is a show, we got to look the part. We gone be alright homie trust me”

With those words Maurice goes back to his silent prayers.

The building they pulled into Maurice didn't realize people lived there, he thought it was a skyscraper the HQ of some major corp.

The lobby smelled of red currant and was the shiniest marble Maurice had ever seen but what bothered him was the fact that a Mexican and a Black male in their early 20’s walking in didn't make the receptionist bat an eye she just directed them to the elevator.

As the elevator climbed in silence Maurice looked at his reflexion in the mirror, average height but was nearly 200 pounds of lean muscle due to his dad noticing him having a mean streak as a kid and being a big black kid with a mean streak in America usually didn't end well so his father trained him especially when he saw how much he like Rampage Jackson. It taught him confidence and patience but now he looked nervous. He didn't like that, so he immediately fixed his posture and demeanor. Isaac immediately noticed.

“That’s what I’m talking about, that's who I need Bad Ass Reese up in this bitch” Isaac says patting him hard on the chest “But I need you to look like Bad Ass Reese, not be Bad Ass Reese, we got this”

“We got what exactly Isaac? The fuck we around these rich people for?”

“It’s a small business deal at a penthouse party, hopefully this will open up new doors? You said it yourself how can you make it in Raleigh with out bubbling weight”

“Shit goes south, follow my lead.”

The doors opened

Money, Music, Lights

From the glass wrapped view of the Penthouse Raleigh glittered beneath them, his dad and uncles taught Maurice to love his hometown and the history of his people here but he had never seen it from this angle.

Eddy Ortegea, the archetype that Isaac wanted to become handsome, young and Mexican in an open-collar shirt motioned for them to come over to a sectional couch.

As they made their way there Maurice was stopped by two security guards one of them putting his hand on Maurice’s chest, Maurice looked at the hand then the man Eddy notices

“Everyone calm down, he’s with me” Isaac says

Eddy raised an eyebrow.

“The kid seems ready, Chungo you might want to listen.” Eddy says as the guards back down “But I’m a little insulted you thought you had to bring muscle.”

Isaac shrugged.

“I mean… I remember from school someone as big as you got connections so I’m just surprised you called me. Wanted to be safe that’s all”

Eddy laughed.

Then he looked Maurice over.

“You definitely look tough, how much is Isaac paying you for this?”

“Buck fifty”

Eddy snickers

“Honestly you should be insulted, give him a card. If you want to put that muscle to use, give me a call.”

One of the men hands Maurice a black card, no name just a number etched in silver

“My family dont fuck with weed, shit dont really make the type money for the trouble its worth so you basically the only plug I know and mi novia her plug just got popped.”

Isaac grinned.

“See? Told you.”

Maurice noticed how nobody not even the guards paid attention to him, he wasn't used to not standing out

The hand off was quick

Bag and money passed at the same time

Weed weighed money counted hands shook

That kind of disturbed Maurice more than gun play

Street danger announced itself.

Wealthy danger smiled.

“Enjoy yourselves, the bar is free.” Eddy says

“Exactly what are you celebrating?” Maurice asks

“The good life” Eddy says

They head to the bar, the hard part behind them Maurice actually finally loosens up.

“What can I get for you?” The bartender ask

Maurice with out hesitation

“Old Fashioned.” The first mixed drink he ever shared with his uncle

The bartender gave him a quick approving nod.

Maurice took a sip and the drink was amazing, the bourbon used probably cost what he spent on rent now he was really loose.

Maybe that was why rich people liked it.

Maybe they liked anything that burned prettier than struggle.

He took a few sips and he noticed people salsa dancing on the balcony so he headed there

Maurice stood off to the side vibing to the music taking sips of his drink admiring the gracefulness of the dancers.

Then somebody comes up and grips his shoulder

Maurice turned.

Rohan Thompson stood there huge smile on his face, locs tied back fresh line up, linen shirt half-open, smelling like cologne and smoking a blunt

“Wa gowan?” Rohan said, passing the blunt to Maurice.

“I’m good bredren, Isaac got me up here with these uppity ass people” He puffs and passes it back

Rohan laughed.

“De people here not uppity. De money come from dutty money. Savages, most of dem. Do messed-up tings to get rich. Don’t tink dem better than you.”

Maurice smirked.

“Wait Rohan, what are YOU doing here?”

“Ya no see me bredren, me not here.”

“Lighten up. Keep de ganja.”

Then he vanished back into the party like smoke itself.

Then the band changed songs.

The opening horns of Corazón de Acero rolled over the patio.

Maurice smiled instantly.

“I love this song!”

He finishes his drink and heads to the dance floor

His family loved music of all kinds, so learning to dance was a must in his family. He first heard Salsa while hanging with one of his uncles at his partner's house. He had to learn it. The craziest part is that he learned to salsa dance this song.

Maurice didn't hesitate once the rhythm hit

But of course he had to put a little soul into it.

Mid shine he looks up and sees one of the most beautiful Mexican girls he had ever seen Royal Blue Midi dress fitted like she was born in it.

The color caught light like water.

Her Raven colored hair over bare shoulders. Gold earrings with diamond stud. Skin shimmering under the glow of the rooftop. She moved through the crowd with natural grace, then stopped directly in front of him.

Her big brown eyes met his.

She was not shy about it, she was intrigued

Then two rhymes melted into one

Like they had done had been doing this together for years, their hands met, his other hand found her waist, it was unclear if he pulled her in or if stepped in on her own

The crowd noticed.

People drifted back.

Phones raised some people actually recording

The rich seemed to love a spectacle

She spun beneath his arm and came back into him smiling.

“Damn you can dance! I thought I was good,” she said.

“You are amazing but you seem surprised that I am.”

“You looked too serious.”

“I was until now.”

They moved like they were already lovers, speaking a language only they could understand

The song ended and she leaned in almost kissing him until actual applause broke out snapping her out of it, then a wave of embarrassment came over her as she bowed took his hand and pulled him into a quieter side of the patio

“I don't know if it's the dancing, the heat or you?” She says taking a drink and a napkin off a passing waiter's tray using the napkin to dab sweat. “I’m Marisol by the way.”

“Maurice. Nice to meet you.” He says following suit taking a beer off a passing tray

She smiled.

“Maurice and Marisol. I like it.”

She bit her lip

“Dominican?” she asks and states at the same time

“Dominican? What makes you ask that”

“You dance salsa like you grew up dancing it. And not to mention Dominicans love Yiyo Sarante. Especially that song.”

Maurice laughed.

“No. Me no Dominican Mami” he says drawing a laugh from her “My uncle’s partner was. You right though—he loves that song.”

“Your uncle is gay?”

“My uncle’s business partner.”

This time she laughed so hard she had to touch his arm.

“So I’m guessing you are here because of my brother” She says looking at his outfit “But you can fill out a t”

He glanced down at his jeans, Timbs, fitted tee but then circled around her looking at her figure in the dress.

“I can, I can but you wearing the hell out of that dress.”

Their eyes held longer than strangers should allow.

Then a voice broke the moment.

“You ready?”

Isaac.

Of course.

Marisol stepped back as someone called her name from inside.

She gave Maurice one last look before disappearing into the crowd.

And just like that, the night lost color.

The ride home was full of excitement at least for Isaac

He kept talking, about how fine the women were, how great of an impression they made, how they were in the big leagues now

Maurice only heard bits and pieces

He was studying the black card while one second his mind was on Royal Blue

The next was her hands in his, the warmth of her waist on his hand and finally the almost kiss

Then his daydream was broken by his next nightmare blue lights flashed behind them.

“Shit,” Maurice said. “I knew this would happen.”

“Chill the fuck out,” Isaac said. “We clean.”

“You legally sober enough to drive?”

“Fuck” Isaac

Minutes later Isaac and Maurice sat handcuffed on the ground outside the car watching the cops go through the car

One of the officers finds Maurice’s black card, he gets his partner’s attention and they look at them.

Everything changed.

“Yo, y’all know Eddy Ortega?” He says uncuffing them

Neither Maurice nor Isaac spoke.

He motions for one of them to take the card, Maurice those

“Flash this shit the minute you get pulled over next time.”

“Also neither one of you is sober enough to drive so you are either huffing it, Ubering but you aint driving tonight understand?’

Isaac grinned and slapped Maurice on the shoulder as the cops got in their car and drove away.

“A goddamn get out of jail free card.” He says.

Maurice sheepishly waves as the patrol car drives past them

The next morning Maurice stirs hung over groggy, for a few seconds he just stirred at the ceiling replaying the night in his head

He remembered the rooftop.

Corazon De Acero by Yiyo Sarante

The Raven haired latin goddess in the Royal Blue Dress

Then he snapped back to reality.

He grabbed his phone and opened the job app.

Nothing, but he wasn't shocked

Listing he’d already applied to, warehouse positions, delivery jobs all with application pending notifications

He closed it and checked his bank account, it had a decent sum, but it was finite.

A lump sum a gift left behind by his late uncle, enough to help, to breath but not to last forever.

A CashApp notification came across his screen and he scrolled down to open it.

Cash App: Isaac sent 250

Note: A bonus for making me look good.

Maurice chuckled and then went to messages.

Maurice: When is the next job?

Isaac: Today if you don't mind riding dirty.

Maurice: You know I do

Isaac: Well until you dont I dont have much for you my bad homie

Three dots appeared

Isaac: Homie I thought your uncle left you a few racks, you hurting for money?

Maurice: It’s not that I’m hurting, it's that the math ain't mathing, I’m good, shit great even but for how long?

Isaac: Shit sounds like one hell of a dilemma. See how much magic that black card has in it

Maurice and Eddy sat in a Dominican restaurant, surrounded by Eddy’s men. Maurice, completely unbothered, studied the menu.

“What’s good here? I’ve never had Dominican food,” Maurice asked.

“Wait—what? I thought you were Dominican,” Eddy said.

“No, I’m Black,” Maurice replied.

“They said you speak Spanish, can dance salsa, and everything.”

“Yeah, that don’t mean I’m Dominican.”

Eddy laughed and handed the menus to the waitress. “Tráenos dos platos de La Bandera.” Then he turned back to Maurice. “Now, down to business.”

“Look, I got three stipulations,” Maurice said.

“Oh, I gotta hear this,” Eddy said.

“No drugs. No guns. No girls.”

Eddy leaned back in his chair. “So what exactly do you want to do?”

“You said you needed muscle.”

“I said I could use your muscle. Big difference.”

“Maybe this was a mistake,” Maurice said, starting to get up.

Eddy glanced out the window. Across the street, at the playground, he watched a little boy standing in front of his younger sister, trying to protect her from some older kids.

“No. Sit down. Let’s eat. I think I got something for you.” He looked Maurice over. “You got a suit?”

“Yeah. Not like theirs,” Maurice said, nodding toward Eddy’s men.

Eddy smirked. “Eloy, after lunch take him to get a week’s worth of suits.”

That night, Maurice modeled his new suits in front of the mirror when his phone buzzed.

Unknown Number: Be out front at 7:30.

The next morning, Chungo stood outside Maurice’s building. A big black SUV was parked in front of a Royal Blue BMW 850i.

“Bro… this is my dream car,” Maurice said.

Chungo tossed him the key fob, then handed him a wad of cash.

“Then take care of it. This is a month up front. There’s an address programmed into the navigation system. Be there at 12:30, waiting.”

“Waiting on what?” Maurice asked.

“Not what—who. Miss Ortega. There’s a gas card in the glove box.” Chungo climbed into the passenger seat of the SUV.

“The fuck am I supposed to do till then, Chungo?” Maurice asked.

“You a grown-ass man. Figure it out.”

Maurice stood there for a second, admiring the car. Then he got in, connected his phone to Bluetooth, and turned on Corazón de Acero. Fitting, he thought.

An idea hit him.

Dream car… let’s go to my dream neighborhood.

He jumped on I-40 and headed north through Raleigh. Once again, he didn’t feel out of place, even though he thought he should. To kill the rest of the morning, he stopped for an early lunch.

At noon, he entered the programmed address into the navigation.

Meredith College.

He pulled up and waited. Soon, young women flooded out of the doors. Then he saw her.

Marisol.

She wore a royal blue T-shirt and bangles on both wrists.

“This complicates things,” Maurice muttered.

She opened the passenger door and slid into the seat.

“Thank God Eddy found a new driver. Chungo in that SUV was so intimidating,” she said, fastening her seatbelt without looking over.

Then she turned.

Her eyes widened.

“Maurice?”

“Marisol,” he replied.