Chapter Twenty-Eight
MONIQUE
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It was time for a spa day!
Although she was ready to have fun with her girls, she was kind of worried about Orazio. Should she call him and check on him? Would that make her appear clingy? She was too damn grown to be clingy!
But she really wanted to hear his voice, even if it was just for a few seconds. Monique checked her phone again to make sure she hadn’t missed a call from him. She hadn’t. Sighing, she shoved her phone into her purse.
He must be busy, and she didn’t want to be a distraction. She knew Orazio’s job involved more than just office work. She knew he was involved in things that tiptoed over the line of legality. She’d chosen not to ask questions.
He would confide in her when he was ready. She wouldn’t pressure him to tell her things, no matter how much she wanted to. She just hoped he came home safely. That was her main concern.
“I’m ready to have my body rubbed,” Toya said, stretching as she exited her suite with Meka following behind her. “I thought you stepped out to call Orazio?” Toya asked.
“I decided not to,” Monique told her. “I don’t want to seem clingy. He hasn’t even been gone three hours yet.”
“Yeah, that is a bit clingy,” Toya confirmed. “Now that we’re all ready for the spa, you’ll be too busy to think about him. Come on. Let’s go.”
Toya ushered Meka and Monique to the elevator and then toward the Cattaneo Spa. Monique checked her phone one more time, then told herself she wouldn’t check again. Today, she was going to relax and enjoy herself.
And that wasn’t hard to do because the casino’s spa was everything one could dream of and more. The moment Monique and her friends stepped inside, they were enveloped by the scent of lavender, which seemed to float through the air like a gentle caress. Soft, soothing music played in the background, creating an atmosphere of complete serenity.
She’d needed to come to a place like this after her divorce. It would’ve beat laying in her bed crying as if she’d actually lost something worth saving... which she hadn’t.
“Wow, this place is incredible,” Toya breathed. “They must’ve renovated since they first opened. It wasn’t like this when I took a peek inside last year, or was it the year before that? I can’t remember.”
Marble columns rose towards the high ceiling, their polished surfaces reflecting the warm glow of small crystal chandeliers. Monique had not expected this room to look like this. The room screamed money.
Knowing this belonged to Orazio made her feel a little... inadequate. Staring around her, she could see what he brought to the table. What did she bring? Ugh . She needed to stop thinking like that. Their relationship wasn’t centered around material things.
“It’s beautiful,” Monique whispered.
Meka nodded in agreement, her gaze lingering on the plush lounge chairs that lined the walls. “I can’t wait to relax and unwind. Thanks for bringing us here, Monique. And thank Orazio for me, too.”
“You’re welcome, and I’ll definitely tell him you said thanks,” Monique told Meka, feeling a flutter of pride. It seemed Orazio had won her friends over. All it had taken was a black card.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to unwind than spending some quality time with my girls,” Toya added. “I needed this.”
As they made their way further into the spa, Monique couldn’t help but notice how her friends’ eyes lit up with excitement. It had been far too long since they’d had an opportunity like this – a chance to escape the everyday grind and indulge in a little pampering.
It was so easy to forget to take care of yourself these days. In Monique’s case, she’d gone years without proper self-care. She’d poured her all into a bottomless pit of a husband and hadn’t realized she’d been running on fumes, depleted, until he left her. Never again. It was her new goal in life to be happy, healthy, and as stress-free as possible.
“Let’s start with a massage,” Toya suggested. “I’ve heard the therapists here have magic hands. Oh, and then let’s get mani and pedis.”
“Sounds heavenly,” Meka agreed, her smile brightening even further.
“How about getting our vag’s bedazzled?” Toya asked. “It’ll make our kitties pretty.”
“Sounds like it hurts and causes UTIs,” Meka mused while reading the brochure.
“I’ll pass,” Monique told Toya. Her vag was pretty enough as it was. At least, Orazio had called it pretty.
“You two are boring. I think I want to get my vag steamed.”
Monique and Meka tried not to laugh. That was impossible. They had to let it out. They ceased laughing when one of the spa assistants approached them. The massage therapist had already received a call from Orazio saying they would be coming.
They had the spa all to themselves. The three friends got ready for their treatment. With white towels that had the gold Cattaneo emblem on them wrapped around them, they lay on the massage tables and let the massage therapists do their thing.
Closing her eyes, Monique enjoyed the soft music as her therapist rubbed her worries away. She probably would’ve drifted off to sleep if Toya hadn’t spoken up, interrupting her peaceful haze.
“Speaking of Orazio...” Toya started.
“No one was speaking at all,” Monique pointed out.
“Like I was saying, speaking of Orazio, what’s he like behind closed doors? You know, in the bedroom? Does he have a big cock? Thick tongue? Dish!”
Monique’s cheeks heated at the sudden question. She hesitated for a moment, feeling a protective instinct toward her relationship with Orazio.
“I’m not discussing that,” she finally replied.
Toya glanced at Monique’s blushing face and burst into laughter. “Girl, you’re too old to be feeling shy,” she teased, playfully pushing Monique’s arm.
“Leave her alone, Toya,” Meka defended Monique, grinning as she glanced from Monique to Toya. “If she doesn’t want to share the details, she doesn’t have to.”
Monique took a deep breath, grateful for Meka’s support. Yes, her man had a big cock, and his tongue could bring water to the Sahara. But no one else needed to know that.
“You be quiet, Meka,” Toya hissed. “I’ll start on you in a sec. Come on, Monique!” Toya teased, her voice lighthearted. “We’re all friends here. Give us some details.”
“Sorry, Toya,” Monique said, shaking her head. “Some things are better kept private.”
“Fine, fine. Keep your big dick stories to yourself. The next time I ride a big dick, I’m not telling either of you heffas.”
“Yes, you will,” Meka told her. “You’ll probably call us while you’re riding it to tell us about it.”
Monique burst out laughing because that was something Toya had done before.
Toya nodded. “You’re probably right. Unless my mouth is full, then I’ll wait until I’m done sucking it and then call.”
Monique and Meka burst out laughing. Even the massage therapists giggled, reminding them that they were not alone.
Toya turned her attention to Meka, mischief in her eyes. “Alright then, Miss Meka. What about you? Have you slept with Cas yet? Is he big? How’s that tongue?”
Meka rolled her eyes. “That’s none of your business, Toya.”
“Ooh, touchy,” Toya teased, arching an eyebrow. “I guess we’re all keeping secrets today.”
“Maybe we should just focus on relaxing,” Monique suggested, stealing a glance at Meka. She could sense her friend’s discomfort and didn’t want to push her. Something was going on between Meka and Cas. Her friend would dish when she was ready.
“Alright, alright,” Toya replied. “But you two must have so much to write in those self-growth journals we started, don’t you think?”
Meka’s eyes widened. “I forgot about that journal you bought us.”
“You haven’t been writing in it?” Toya asked.
“I started, then I forgot about it.” Meka sighed. “I’ll have to start back journaling.”
“I forgot about it also,” Monique admitted. “But, I honestly didn’t have anything good to write in it until now.”
“Y’all better write in those journals,” Toya demanded. “It’s not just for the good in our lives. It’s for everything. At the end of the year, we’ll all look back and see how far we’ve come. Or see where we need to improve. I’m a big believer in journaling. It relaxes me.”
Monique’s thoughts drifted to the neglected journal tucked away at home. She hadn’t written anything in it for weeks. So far, it was filled with sad poems. Oh, and some dark poems about murdering her ex. Nothing positive.
But now, with Orazio in her life, she could finally fill its pages with positive experiences. Instead of drawing sad faces, she could start drawing little hearts on the corners of her pages. A small smile tugged at her lips.
Orazio was chasing away all the dark shadows in her life. It wasn’t just him who was doing that. It was her friends too. She should’ve been writing about them in her journal. Without them pushing her to get out of bed and live again, she’d still be tucked beneath her thick covers, wallowing in self-pity.
And instead of being sad about being divorced and writing sad poems, she should’ve been writing poems about finally being free of a burden. Monique held in her sigh. She’d had plenty to be thankful for. She just hadn’t allowed herself to see the rainbow peeking through the storm clouds.
It was time to fill her journal with all the positives in her life, so when she looked back on these days, she’d see that it wasn’t only sadness she’d felt. There had also been plenty of happy moments.
The trio continued to indulge in their luxurious spa experience, filling the air with laughter and friendly banter. Even the massage therapists were having a good time chiming in and laughing at the crazy stuff Toya said.
Monique felt her muscles unwind beneath the skilled hands of her masseuse, the rich scent of lavender and soothing music helping to chase away any lingering anxieties about Orazio’s safety.
As she lay there, wrapped in warm towels, she couldn’t help but feel grateful for his generosity. It had been far too long since she and her friends had enjoyed something like this together.
“Seriously, though,” Toya murmured from the massage table beside her. “Wasn’t Orazio just the sweetest for setting all this up?”
“Such a gentleman,” Meka added before popping a strawberry into her mouth.
“Mhmmm...” Monique hummed. “Hours ago, you two were ready to shoot him and tear this casino up. Or did you forget?”
“Stop bringing up the past,” Toya told her. “He’s a good guy. And not because he’s indulging us, but because I saw the way he looks at you. Girl, that man is in love.”
So am I. A smile spread across Monique’s face as she continued enjoying her massage. A massage wasn’t the only thing on their agenda. They also got their toes and nails done. Once spa time was over, they stopped by the casino’s small boutique and purchased some cute outfits because they still had things to do outside the casino.
After getting dolled up, they left the casino and headed to the garage, where Orazio’s sleek black car awaited them. Monique slid into the driver’s seat, feeling a surge of excitement at being behind the wheel of Orazio’s car.
She thought about the pink scarf incident. Monique licked her lips and gripped the wheel tighter. Damn, she couldn’t wait until he came home. Arguing pulled her attention back to her friends, and she found them arguing over who would get the front seat. Before she could say anything, Toya hip-bumped Meka away and jumped into the car, forcing Meka into the back.
“You’re so childish,” Meka complained as she buckled her seat belt.
“Don’t be mad,” Toya told her. “All those hips still can’t defeat mine.”
“Where to first?” Monique asked, chuckling. “Lunch? Well, pre-dinner, considering the time?”
“Definitely,” Toya agreed. “I’m starving.”
Monique nodded and started the car. Meka chose the restaurant, one she’d wanted to visit for a while. The food was delish. And though Monique wanted to order drinks like Toya and Meka did, she had to decline. She was the designated driver, after all. That didn’t stop Toya from ordering her something.
“Come on, Monique,” Toya urged when Monique hesitated. “Orazio wanted us to have fun, remember?”
“One drink,” Meka encouraged. “It’s pretty and tastes like candy. Plus, it has a low alcohol content. You’ll be fine.”
“Alright,” Monique relented, accepting the drink and taking a sip of the pink liquid.
It tasted like bubble gum. Yum! The three friends laughed and chatted over a light meal, sharing stories about their past escapades and teasing one another. This was what Trevor hadn’t wanted her to have.
He’d complained whenever her friends invited her out for brunch or a movie, claiming unmarried friends were a bad influence on married women. He’d even gotten her mom and dad to call and lecture her on hanging with Meka and Toya.
Monique sighed, unable to believe she’d really allowed them to dictate her life like that. What the hell had been wrong with her? Why the hell had she tried so hard to be the perfect daughter, the perfect wife, to such imperfect people?
Her phone rang, pulling her away from those negative thoughts. She sat her drink down with a clink and searched her purse for her phone.
“Don’t rush,” Toya told her. “Orazio knows how to call back.”
Monique laughed. She found her phone and answered it quickly. “Hello.”
A sigh drifted across the line. “I miss you all-fucking-ready,” Orazio’s deep voice washed over her.
“I miss you too,” she said, rising to her feet.
“Look at this chick,” Toya teased. “Gone outside and talk nasty to your boo.”
Monique stuck her tongue out at Toya before heading toward the exit.
“Are you having fun?” Orazio asked.
“I am. I promise we haven’t spent too much.”
“Don’t look at the price tags. Enjoy your day, love.”
“I will. How’s... work?”
“Quiet, for now. I’m getting ready to visit a client and take him to a meeting.”
“Do you know when you’ll be done?” she asked.
“I don’t. But as soon as I’m done, I’ll call you again. Are you in the casino?”
“No. We went out for lunch. Well, it’s past lunchtime. So, pre-dinner.”
“Did you take a guard?”
“No. We weren’t about to bother your guards.”
“Where are you? I can send someone...”
“Orazio, don’t worry. We’re going right back to the casino after we leave here.”
“I’m not worried. I just want someone I trust with you when I’m not with you. The world is a dangerous place. People are crazy.”
“I know. I watch the news. We’re heading back after we finish eating.”
“Drive safely.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t scratch your car.”
“Fuck that car. Cars can be replaced. You can’t.”
If she didn’t stop smiling, her jaws would start hurting. “I’ll talk to you later. Be safe.”
“I will, love. Bye.”
“Bye.” Ending the call, Monique headed back into the restaurant, where she resumed sipping her beverage and eating her grilled chicken salad.
“That was good.” Meka dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “I may have to get the rest of this to go.”
“Me too. But I like that they give large portions.” Toya stared down at her unfinished plate.
“Let’s ask for to-go boxes,” Meka suggested.
It didn’t take long for them to pack their food and pay for the meal.
“Where to now?” Meka questioned as they strode to the car. “How about a movie?”
“I promised Orazio we’d go back to the casino.”
“Boooo!” Toya jeered. “Let’s ride along the strip or go to the beach.”
“Or, we can go back to the casino and gamble,” Monique recommended.
“Boring,” Toya declared.
“Raz is a worrier,” Monique told her friends. “He thinks we’ll be safer in the casino. I want to humor him for now.”
“That’s actually kind of sweet,” Toya told her. “But next time, let your man know I stay strapped. So, I’ve got this.”
“I wanted to watch a movie,” Meka complained.
“The casino has a theater room they usually rent out to private groups,” Toya informed them. “That irritating ass guard, Leo, was telling me about it this morning. Maybe we can watch a movie at the casino. We can ask the guards to set it up for us. For Monique, I’m sure Orazio won’t mind.”
“Sounds good to me,” Monique agreed. “I just need to stop by my house for something.”
“What for?” Meka asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Ah,” Monique replied with a sly smile. “That’s a secret.”
“Ooh, mysterious. It’s probably a sex toy,” Toya teased, grinning playfully.
In the car, Toya found a radio station they all agreed on. They sang to the pop song as they journeyed to Monique’s place. Monique pulled up into her driveway.
“You ladies want to come in?” she offered, but Meka and Toya shook their heads.
“We’ll stay here,” Meka declared, turning up the volume on the radio as her favorite song started to play.
“Alright then.” Monique exited the vehicle, excited to retrieve her self-growth journal.
It had been a while since she’d written in it, and she couldn’t wait to document how much better she was doing now. Plus, there were some things she’d written in it that she’d completely forgotten about.
Some fantasies that she’d never lived out because her ex hadn’t been capable of giving her what she needed. She wanted to show them to Orazio. Together, they could bring those fantasies to life.
She hurried into her home, the familiar scent of vanilla greeting her thanks to her Glade plug-in. She grinned as she thought about what she would write and how her life had changed since meeting Orazio.
The last time she was here, she’d felt nervous about going out. She’d considered staying in and retreating into herself, which was her coping mechanism. Since then, she’d changed so much.
She was starting to feel alive again, happy again. As she opened the drawer where she kept her journal, a sudden noise from the living room jolted her out of her thoughts.
“Damn, they’re impatient. I haven’t even been in here that long,” she muttered to herself, assuming her friends had followed her inside to rush her out. Monique walked back into the living room, still clutching her journal. “What, you guys needed to use the bathroom or something?”
But when she turned the corner, the laughter died in her throat as she saw an intruder standing in her home. Fear squeezed her heart, and her breath caught as she stared at the stranger. The man, clad in all black, turned to face her. A smirk streaked across his face. No, this wasn’t a stranger.
Monique knew this man well.