Chapter 16
Fifteen minutes had passed, and I could hear Patrick’s loud voice heading my way.
I had rehearsed over one hundred times what I planned to say to Patrick.
He had disrespected me for the last time, and I was no longer taking it.
As soon as he opened the door, I stood to my feet.
He looked around to make sure no one was in the room before shutting the door.
“Amina, what you did back there was unprofessional. You keep trying to prove that you’re a better nurse than I am, but if that were the case, you would be in my position. Please?—”
I held my hand up, stopping him from saying what it was he had to say.
“First of all, with all due respect, I am a better nurse than you. A position doesn’t mean shit.
Everybody in this facility knows you received the position because of who you are, not what you can offer.
I’ve been nothing but respectful and considerate of how trashy a person you are since you got in this position.
Do you think people like working under you? Fuck no!”
Patrick’s eyes ballooned, but I wasn’t finished.
“I’ve done nothing but turn the other cheek and continue to be walked over by you, but that ends today, right now.
” I snatched my badge off. “Your patient was throwing up, and I stopped by to help them because you probably weren’t doing anything but swiping on your funky-ass dating apps.
Your patient needed assistance, so I assisted.
Your problem is that, deep down, you know.
.. Matter of fact, it’s not deep down. You know that I’m the shit.
I run circles around all these nurses on this unit.
They know it, and you do too. If I weren’t here, this shit would crumble. But guess what? It’s about to.”
“Amina...”
His tone was different, softer, but I didn’t care. The disrespect had overflowed, and I was done with it.
“Have a good evening, Patrick.”
I grabbed my items and walked out of the room.
Everyone stared at me as I walked out with my head held high.
Never in a million years did I think I would stand up for myself the way that I did.
However, for the first time, I used my voice and said what I had to say.
I could hear Patrick calling my name, but I didn’t look back.
Once I reached my car, I let out the scream I had been holding.
I did a little dance in my seat and patted myself on my back.
I was beyond proud of myself. My adrenaline pumped, and I felt I could conquer the world.
I pulled out my phone and sent Jabari a text.
Me:
Hey, handsome, can you be over at my place tonight at 7?
Jabari:
For sure, I planned on it. JaBria is with my mama tonight. She called asking to spend time with her, so I’m all yours .
I smiled. It made my plans even better.
Me:
Even better, see you later, boo.
I closed out the text thread and tossed my phone onto the passenger seat before speeding home to get ready for tonight. I felt invincible, and nothing was getting in the way of that.
After speeding home and completing all the maintenance I needed to do, along with taking a much-needed nap, I was ready for my night with Jabari.
I had changed into a flowy white two-piece suit.
The skirt had a high split, exposing my thighs.
The top was cropped, exposing half of my belly.
The gold chunky platform heels gave me a height boost, and I added soft makeup and big gold accessories to complete the look. I felt good, and now, I looked good.
The doorbell rang, and I checked the clock.
It was 6:55 p.m. I smiled at Jabari’s ability to be on time.
As I made my way to the door, I walked with a bit more confidence in my step.
I opened the door and drooled at his handsomeness.
He was wearing a black-collared shirt and black pants, paired with a diamond watch and a diamond chain that featured a J pendant. Jabari’s familiar scent filled my nose.
“Damn, baby. You look... Wow!”
“Thank you.” I smiled from ear to ear. “You look handsome as always. Come inside.” I stepped to the side to allow him in.
Jabari slowly walked inside, but not once did he take his eyes off me. He pecked my lips once he got all the way in.
“Where are we going tonight?”
“It’s a surprise. Why?”
“Can we raincheck?”
My smile dropped. “I’m sorry? Something happened?”
“Nah, it’s not that. It’s just that I don’t think I’ll be able to control myself in public with you looking like this.”
“Boy!” I playfully slapped his chest. “You had me nervous.”
“My bad, you just look amazing.” Jabari kissed me again. This time, he inserted his tongue and kissed me with so much passion.
I could tell things were about to get carried away, so I had to find the strength to back away from him.
“Listen, we’re going to be late for our reservation. Let’s go.”
Jabari huffed. “Okay, but I swear when I get back here, I’m ripping that off you.”
“That’s the plan.”
I grabbed his hand, and we headed out the door for a night that I knew neither of us would ever forget.
Thirty minutes later, we arrived at the location for our date.
I had reserved the last cabana at this new up-and-coming restaurant.
It was perfect for private, intimate dates.
The cabana was closed off, and others around could not see or hear each other’s conversation.
There was a sectional sofa and a table in the middle.
Everything was either nude or brown. A few candles were in the middle, adding light to the night sky.
Soft music could be heard coming from speakers surrounding the cabanas.
Jabari helped me sit on the sofa, and he sat close beside me.
“This is nice. I’ve heard a lot about this spot, but you know I try to avoid the competition, so I don’t get in my head about my shit.”
“I get that, but let’s look at tonight as a night of us forgetting about work and all that drama that comes with it.”
Jabari looked at me strangely and prepared to speak, but our server approached the area.
“Hi, welcome to Spice. What can I get started for y’all?”
“Can I order a bottle of champagne for now?” I asked.
“Sure. I’ll bring two glasses.” She walked away, leaving Jabari and me alone.
I could feel Jabari staring at the side of my face. I turned to face him and smiled.
“What?”
“Champagne? What are we celebrating?”
I took a deep breath. I had told no one that I had quit my job today. Jabari would be the first to know. I wasn’t sure how he would react, but I had to tell someone, and he felt like the best person to share the news with. I smiled and reached for his hand.
“I did something so thrilling today. I um... I quit today.”
His eyebrow raised. “Quit? Quit what?”
“My job. I could no longer take being talked down to when I did everything in my power to keep that unit up and running. I wasn’t appreciated, and I’m no longer staying in situations that don’t serve me. I’m learning my worth, and if whatever it is does not see my worth, I’m leaving it behind me.”
Jabari remained quiet, just staring at me.
“What?”
“Wow, that’s... amazing. I’m glad that you’re learning your worth. That’s brave of you. I’m happy for you.”
“Really?”
Jabari nodded with a smile. “Yeah. I’m kind of sad that my mama is losing one of her best nurses, but as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.” He leaned over and kissed my lips. “Good job being a motherfucking badass, Amina.”
The server returned with the champagne. She popped the cork and filled the glasses.
“I’ll give you guys some time before I come back to see if you want to order food.”
We both thanked her as she walked away. Jabari reached for the glasses and passed me mine.
“Let’s toast. To you seeing what it is that everybody else sees in you.
You’re kicking ass, baby, and the shit is sexy as fuck,” he complimented.
“And to us meeting each other. I know my mama has been bugging the shit out of both of us, but I’m thankful she did.
I’ve been enjoying you in many ways. Thank you for calling me, even though you made me wait on pins and needles. ”
I giggled.
“I’m glad I got my hands on you, and I don’t plan to let you go.”
A wave of courage rushed through my bloodstream, and the words spewed out of my mouth like vomit. “Then let’s make it official.”
“Official?”
“I want to make it official. If someone calls and asks what I’m doing, I want to be able to say I’m with my man, my boyfriend.”
Jabari looked down at the ground and rubbed his finger along his glass. My heart raced, and my adrenaline was pumping. Seconds passed before he looked up at me with a smile on his face.
“Damn, Amina, you need to give me some of that confidence you got. I’ve been wanting to ask you that shit for a long time now. Hell yeah, I’ll be your man. Shit, I’ll be whatever it is you want me to be if it involves me being with you.”
I smiled from ear to ear. “I love that.”
I held my glass in the air, and he did the same. We clinked glasses and shared a deep, passionate kiss. Jabari pulled me closer, kissed my neck, and softly rubbed my ass.
“Amina, I’m telling you, it’s that Cancer spell.”
He pulled me onto his lap and moved his hand up my leg. He didn’t stop until he reached my folds.
“Jabari, what are you doing? What if the server comes back?”
He shrugged. He rubbed his fingers along the thin lace panties I wore. I laid my head on his shoulder as his movements intensified.
“Jabari...” I moaned.
“Let me hear that shit,” he grunted.
The friction between his fingers and the lace was sending me into overdrive. I’d never experienced a sensation like this.
“Is everything still going good over here?”
The server had returned, and my body froze, but Jabari didn’t stop rubbing against my clit. I kept my head on his shoulder, embarrassed to look up, but also because I was about to cum.
“Oh, yeah. Everything is good. Matter of fact, we’re going to head on out. Something came up,” he stated, putting emphasis on the word came.
Jabari pressed harder and continued rubbing. I felt my body becoming weak, and I knew if this girl did not walk away soon, she was going to be turning red from what was about to leave my mouth.
“Alrighty. I’ll be back.”
As soon as I heard her footsteps walking away, I moaned so loudly that I was sure she still heard me. My panties were ruined, yet I was ready for more. My chest rose and fell as I looked at Jabari, who had a silly smirk on his face.
“You’re so bad.”
“Yep, your man is so bad.”
I smiled so hard and kissed his lips. “My man, my man.”
“Damn, that shit sounds so good.”