Saturday morning at Miss Gloria's Beauty Bar was *prime* gossip hour. The dryers hummed, the smell of fresh relaxer filled the air, and the latest drama was hotter than the Marcel irons heating in the back.
Keisha walked in like a woman who had *won*. Gold bangles jingling, hair laid in soft curls, smile too calm for someone whose name had been in the group chat all week.
Miss Gloria raised an eyebrow. "Mmm, look at you. What you been up to, Queen Petty?"
The whole shop went quiet. Even the woman getting her edges pressed leaned sideways to listen.
Keisha slid into the chair, crossing her legs. "Oh, nothing much. Just returning borrowed energy."
Miss Gloria's hands paused mid-section. "Returning borrowed *what*?"
Keisha smirked. "Let's just say… somebody tried to take what was mine years ago. I let her have it. This week, I took something she thought she'd keep forever."
---
Client Under Dryer: "Ohhh, that's what this is about! That party last week!"
Another Stylist: "Girl, she left with *Marcus*, right?"Keisha (pretending to be modest): "I mean… we danced a little. Talked a little. Left together. You know… *mutual interests*."
The shop erupted. Laughter. Gasps. "Chile!"s bouncing off the mirrors.
---
Miss Gloria shook her head, grinning despite herself. "You know, baby, crowns get stolen all the time. But a queen?"
She tied Keisha's cape tight.
"A queen can always get another crown… and another man too."
---
Later That Night - Keisha's Condo
Her phone buzzed. Marcus.
Marcus: "Hope I didn't cause too much trouble the other night."
Keisha: "Oh, you caused exactly the right amount."
Marcus: "Good. Because I'm not done yet."
Keisha set her phone down, smile creeping across her face.
This wasn't just revenge anymore.
This was the start of something… "juicier".