NEVER LET A MAN RUN GAME
ALM No.76, May 2025
SHORT STORIES


Thick, grey smoke filled the sandy brown rooftop of the 1988 Chevy Corvette parked in Downtown New York, as Jane sat in disbelief that the game she created was ran on her. Jane fell for the game, a game that only she mastered and have men fall for. All of the men that Jane have strung along, no matter if it was planning dates to the most elegant 5-star restaurants, traveling to lavish getaways on the weekends or even endless trips to Bottega Veneta, or Chanel, Jane ran game to get it all.
Jane never turned down an opportunity to get close to men so she could get even closer to what was in their wallets. Jane sold dreams. She sold fantasies to men who would fall for the fantasy. She sold them to men who smelt like success. Jane didn’t waste any time telling a man no. Jane would crush any hope of a chance that a guy could pull. Even if he could maintain the lifestyle she could afford. Her lustful & witty charm could point out if that was the man for the moment she focused on the opportunity. Jane didn’t pursue anything less than what she could have.
Jane observed what it was like to witness less than from a man. Her mother allowed her firsthand to witness the abuse. It didn’t matter if it was physical, emotional, or mental she saw it all. Jane did not end up like her mother because Jane fought for what her mother couldn’t her independence and her confidence. Jane decided that she deserved the finer things in life and she learned with men she could get it. Jane studied men. Men that she dated, men that she was getting to know, Jane studied them all. She studied what could tick a man off, she learned what could have a man over the hill she knew it all.
Jane couldn’t fall for a guy because no one could ever strip her independence away it was all a part of her game. Jane was a regular at the Starbucks on 109th & 5th. Sipping her Grande Oleato Caffe’ Latte, Ruby Woo evenly smeared onto her plump smooth lips, while wearing the latest Summer’s collection from Vera Wang. A tall, blue eyed 6’0ft man approached her table, lightly tapping to gain Jane’s attention. Jane’s charcoal eyes connected with the guy who approached her.
“Hi. I could not help but to notice the latest Vera Summer collection wrapped around your beautiful skin,” Said the guy as he strokes her arm softly.
Jane couldn’t help but to be surprised.
“A man recognizing the latest collection of Vera Wang, impossible!” Vera said in her head.
Jane observed as she continued to sip her coffee unbothered on the outside but she craved more of this guy on the inside.
“My deepest apologies,” The guy said. “My name is John, John Petteway.”
John was sleek, dressed in the latest Ermenegildo Zegna suit with a black trench coat to match. The smell of Eros Versace men swift passed underneath Jane’s nose, reminding her of the other men she knew. Something about John was different but she couldn’t resist. John was smooth with his words, paying attention to detail something that Jane had never experienced before.
“Did you want to go another round?” John asked.
“Yes,” Jane said.
Laying there wrapped in grey silk sheets in disbelief, Jane had broken the code to her own game. Rule number one “Never let a man run game.”