Chapter 17 #2
“Then you have to trust that they would never put you in a situation where something like that will happen.”
“You know what? You’re absolutely correct. I didn’t even think about it like that.”
We got into my car, and I put the address of the party into my GPS.
About twenty minutes later, we had arrived in Grosse Pointe, and it was much different from the city.
Luxury shops lined the streets, and the neighborhoods were full of huge homes with manicured lawns.
Nazuri looked out the window in awe at damn near every house we passed.
“Damn, these houses are beautiful,” Nazuri admired. “Whose house are we going to again?”
“It’s Crue’s mother’s house.”
“Damn, she livin’ good.”
The GPS announced that we had arrived, and both our mouths dropped.
This wasn’t a house that we were looking up at; this was an estate.
A massive black iron gate stretched across the entire front entrance, elegant gold detailing twisting through the metalwork, while tall stone pillars stood on both sides with lantern lights glowing softly at the top.
Beyond the gates sat a driveway so long I couldn’t see the house from where we sat.
“Bitch,” Nazuri whispered.
I just nodded my head because I knew we were both thinking the same thing. A security guard dressed in an all-black suit stepped out from a small gatehouse the second my car rolled forward.
“Good evening,” he greeted smoothly, while another attendant approached carrying silver trays filled with champagne flutes.
Nazuri looked at me immediately. “Bitch, they got drive-through liquor?” she whispered so that only I could hear her.
I chuckled a bit as the attendant handed each of us a glass through the window, while the guard checked my name against a list on a tablet.
“Miss Brooks,” he said with a slight nod. “You’re expected. Enjoy your evening.”
The gates opened slowly, and I began driving down the long driveway as I curved through perfectly landscaped grounds that looked like something out a luxury magazine.
Massive trees wrapped in warm white lights lined both sides, while fountains sprayed water high into the air from marble centerpieces surrounded by flowers blooming in every direction.
The deeper we drove onto the property, the more unbelievable it got.
Perfectly trimmed hedges shaped with precision into swans lined stone walkways winding through giant gardens. It was beautiful.
When the house finally came fully into view, my breath caught instantly.
The mansion stretched wide across the property in creamy white stone with towering windows glowing warm against the sunlight, while black accents framed everything beautifully.
Rolls Royces, Bentleys, and black SUVs with tinted windows filled the circular driveway.
I could hear the music playing in the backyard, and I knew when I heard the saxophone that it was live.
A valet walked up to my car, and I opened my door to get out, while another attendant walked over to us, letting us know that he would show us inside.
We walked up the large stone stairway into massive glass double doors.
The second we stepped inside, the cool air wrapped around me, carrying the scent of fresh flowers, expensive candles, and designer cologne.
Massive crystal chandeliers hung from high ceilings, and marble flooring stretched through the entrance.
There was a giant staircase that curved through the center of the foyer that looked like something out of a movie.
There was expensive artwork that hung from the cream-colored walls with small gold lights hanging above each one.
“This shit is beautiful, and we haven’t even walked into the house yet,” Nazuri admired.
Just then, I saw Crue and Kadeem walking toward us.
Crue was dressed in a white linen two-piece.
A gold Cuban link hung from his neck, while a Rolex adorned his wrist. His locs were freshly twisted and honey blonde at the tips once again, and he smelled amazing like always.
Kadeem was in the same linen two-piece; however, his was olive green.
His hair was lined perfectly with waves as deep as the ocean.
He also wore a Cuban link chain and a Rolex.
They both looked fine as hell, and I smiled as they approached.
“Damn, them niggas look good. And they both you, huh?” Nazuri whispered to me.
“All mine,” I replied as I walked toward them.
Kadeem reached for me first, pulling me in and hugging me before kissing me softly. Then, Crue was next. They both told me how beautiful I looked before speaking to Nazuri. Somehow, the moment they hugged me, all my nervousness went out the window.
“This house is beautiful,” I spoke as I looked around the room.
“You wanna see the rest?” Crue asked, taking my hand into his.
He led me toward the staircase with Kadeem and Nazuri following close behind.
The staircase curved upward dramatically beneath a massive chandelier made entirely of crystal drops that shimmered every time the light hit them.
The second floor hallway stretched long beneath soft lighting and dark hardwood floors polished to shine.
Massive artwork lined the walls, along with a huge mirror trimmed in gold.
We walked into bedroom after bedroom, a total of seven, and they were all empty until we got to the master bedroom.
There was light gray walls and beautiful cream furniture with giant mirrors and a huge balcony that overlooked the garden.
The bathroom was complete with a huge tub and separate walk-in shower with a sitting area.
The rest of the house was also beautifully decorated. There was a huge kitchen, two living rooms, a formal dining room, family room, library, and an indoor pool. There were also six full bathrooms, along with two powder rooms.
“The party is in the backyard,” Crue spoke as he led us outside.
The yard was breathtakingly decorated in a blush pink and gold dream.
Warm lights wrapped around every tree branch, glowing softly, and I knew it would be even more beautiful once the sun set.
Giant floral arrangements with roses, peonies, orchids, and hydrangeas filled the entire yard in different shades of blush and cream.
A massive white tent stretched across part of the lawn, draped with flowing sheer fabric that moved gently in the breeze.
Every table had tall gold centerpieces overflowing with pink flowers and floating candles, while blush silk runners flowed across crisp white linens.
Servers dressed in black moved elegantly through the crowd, carrying trays of champagne, cocktails, and tiny appetizers that looked too pretty to eat.
Soft jazz played live near the far side of the yard where a small band performed beneath hanging lights that reflected beautifully against the lake sitting behind the estate.
Everything felt so magical. Guests mingled throughout the backyard, dressed in luxury and diamonds, while soft laughter carried through the warm air.
“Come here, I want you to meet my mother,” Crue suggested, taking my hand and leading me toward a beautiful woman in a light pink dress.
She was a dark-skinned woman, a few inches shorter than me, with a short blonde pixie cut.
She was standing in a circle, talking to a few other women, but stopped and smiled when we approached.
“Is this the beautiful Saniyah that we’ve been hearing so much about?”
I looked up at Crue, surprised that he’d already told his mother about me.
“Yes, Ma, this is her. Saniyah, this is my mother, Cynthia St. James.”
“Happy birthday. It’s so nice to meet you.”
I reached out my hand to shake hers, but she hugged me instead.
Just then, a young man walked up, and I couldn’t believe how much he looked like Crue.
Crue introduced him to me as his brother, Dez, and Dez seemed to know all about me as well.
I introduced them both to Nazuri just as another couple walked up, a tall, well-built man with salt and pepper hair with a short light skinned woman with huge hips.
I knew the man was older just from his hair, but the woman looked to be the same age as me.
“Saniyah, these are my parents, Kenya and Deandre Price.”
“This is your mother? She looks like she could be your sister. I swear good Black don’t crack.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Saniyah. It’s not every day that you meet your son’s girlfriend and his best friend’s girlfriend all in one person,” Mrs. Price spoke.
I wasn’t sure how to take that statement, but when she laughed and hugged me, I let out a breath that I hadn’t even realized I was holding.
“Girl, if you think your situation is something, you should ask my husband how we met.” She laughed.
We spoke for a few more moments, and the energy was nothing like I expected it to be.
My grandmother would have been all up in our business, asking questions she knew she didn’t want the answers to.
However, Crue and Kadeem’s parents seemed to be accepting upfront.
It was like they saw their sons were happy, and that was all they cared about.
A server walked over with a tray full of champagne, and we all took a flute.
We sipped and talked until dinner was served.
After we ate, Cynthia opened her gifts, and once she was done, Crue and Kadeem let me know that they had a surprise for me.
I looked around for Nazuri, wanting to make sure she would be good while I stepped away for a moment.
However, when I looked and saw she was talking to Crue’s brother, Dez, I knew she was good.
I followed them into the sliding glass door and to the living room that sat in the back of the house.
I took my seat, and they each sat down on opposite sides of me.
“So, what’s so important that y’all had to pull me away from the party?”
“What do you think about the house?” Crue asked, looking into my eyes.
“The house? Oh, this is beautiful. I love it. And the party is beautiful as well. Whoever decorated did a wonderful job.”
“Thank you. And I’m glad you like the house because it’s yours.”
My eyes grew wide as I looked at Crue, trying to make sure that I’d heard him right. “What do you mean?” I asked.
“He means this is your home now. We bought it for you. Well, for us to all live in together,” Kadeem informed.
I placed my hand over my mouth in clear shock, tears running down my face. I didn’t know what to say as I looked between them. Nobody had ever done anything like this for me in my entire life.
“Our home?” was the only thing I managed to speak as I continued to look between the two of them.
“Yes, if you want it to be,” Crue spoke.
There was nothing I wanted more in life than to be with the two of them in the same home, this home, this beautiful, massive home. I hugged and kissed them both as I cried the happiest tears I had ever cried.