Chapter 9 #3
“Oh, wow! Now I’m really looking at you sideways, bro. You really kidnapped a girl with a neurological condition?”
“It ain’t like I’m preying on the weak. I found out when it flared up in the middle of the shit. Hell, what was I supposed to do? Just let her go?!”
“Uh… yeah . You could’ve.”
“Nah. That was too risky, especially with her vocabulary. The girl be cursing and everything.”
Dessign smirked.
“Besides, I didn’t know much about the condition before then, but since she’s been at the house, I’ve been researching. I’m trying to understand her better.”
Dessign studied me for a moment, with a hint of skepticism in her expression.
“Why does this sound like more than you just trying to protect yourself?”
I didn’t answer right away.
“I might have to marry her,” I revealed.
Dessign whipped her head so fast, I damn near heard the crack . “Say what now?”
“Not just for me,” I added, leaning back on the couch. “For her protection, too. Like I told Chi, her, and now you—she can’t testify against me if she’s my wife. It’s clean… tight.”
“I understand that part, but Imanio, you’re talking about marrying a girl you kidnapped …
after three days? Not even a full three days, bro.
That’s not even a full business week! Not to mention, she’s someone you know very little about, I’m assuming.
Besides her having Tourette, have you done any other health screens on her?
STDs? Therapy logs? Hell, a criminal record? ”
I lifted a brow.
“In no way, shape, or form am I speaking ill on the girl or people with that condition,” Dessign continued, raising her hands like she had to cover her own ass.
“You know I’m the last person to talk about anybody in any condition.
I’m just saying, you may be taking in someone who comes with more problems than you can handle. Are you ready for that?”
Her words were a bit harsh but not untrue.
I stared at the floor, quiet for a second too long.
Was I really ready for that?
Ready to deal with the tics, the panic attacks that came out of nowhere, her outbursts that weren’t attitude, but fear disguised in loud syllables and twitching muscles?
Ready to watch her flinch at sudden movements or cry over things I couldn’t see?
Ready to share space with someone who didn’t trust me…
and probably never would? Not only that, but the attention. The headlines. The damn blogs.
Somehow, despite all that, I still wanted her there. Not out of guilt. Not out of obligation. But because I saw her—even in her most unstable moments—and something in me still softened. And that’s what scared me the most.
“Imanio, you marrying a girl with Tourette’s will be one for the books. Someone of your image? Oh, the headlines will eat that up!” Dessign kept going bringing me out of my thoughts.
I shrugged. “I’ve been in worse headlines. Then again, maybe this one will be the worst.”
“Right. And what about Mama?”
“What about her?” I frowned, unbothered.
“I’m saying, have you thought about what she’s going to think about all of this?”
“You sounding like Chi right now. But I’ma tell you like I told his ass—I don’t give a damn . This is my life. My decision. Not hers.”
Dessign tilted her head with a knowing sigh.
“Imanio, I know you don’t care. Hell, the shit she says to me goes through one ear and out the other like it’s on rollerblades.
But you know how she felt about me accepting Chi’s proposal.
She’s still trying to convince me to rethink my decision.
Talkin’ ’bout, ‘I had a dream and it rained.’ Like, what does that even mean? ”
I chuckled low under my breath.
“I’m just saying, I don’t want any extra drama to come because of this. You know how petty mama can be… at least I do.”
Dessign rolled her eyes, probably thinking about all the shit mama did to try and separate her and Chi.
“I’ll protect her.” That time, the words didn’t come out rushed or unsure. They landed steady—because I meant every single one. “But to answer your question about the health screen, I haven’t, but I will.”
Dessign was quiet for a long time, then rolled back a few inches and crossed her arms.
“Well, whatever you decide to do in life, you know you always have my vote. But does this girl even know marriage is on the table?”
“She knows; I gave her a day to think about it.”
“A day? 24 hours? Really, Imanio?”
“What? You think I should change it to 48 hours?”
Dessign shook her head. “Typical you. But what if she says no? Because that’s surely not enough time for a girl to think about if she wants to accept her kidnapper’s marriage proposal.”
“If she says no, then I’ll just have to figure something else out. But I’m not hurting her.”
Dessign looked at me like she was trying to read through every line on my face.
“Is she pretty?”
I looked at her sideways. “What’s that got to do with anything?”
“It has everything to do with this situation. You ain't about to sit on my couch and pretend you accidentally grew feelings for your three-day hostage. What in the hood, billionaire romance plot is this?!”
“Man, gone.” I brushed off. “But she was once a model, so I’ll let you figure that out.”
“A model? Like famous?! And FYI, bro, some of these models be busted! These agencies don’t really care for looks anymore. Most just be like, ‘Can you breathe and walk in a straight line? Hired.’ But who is she?”
“Does Naji Ali ring a bell?”
Dessign’s mouth dropped, and I thought she almost stood.
“Na-Naji Ali?!”
“Yeah.”
“No, you didn’t just say Naji Ali like it’s a regular-ass name!
Oh, my God! You kidnapped my idol! No! You kidnapped Vogue royalty !
Bro, you’re going to jail in five fashion capitals!
But wait—Tourette! That makes sense! The walk!
The time she yelled ‘salami nipples’ on live TV—I remember thinking, she’s iconic and unpredictable!
I hated how they did her! I was livid. She was the it girl before they canceled her!
Imanio, do you know how good she would look in my clothes?
! You just out here kidnapping inspiration like it’s a damn talent scout operation!
Bro, you gotta unhand her and return her gently like a museum vase! ”
I chuckled.
“I can’t… not just yet.”
“Well, forgot all that stuff I said about you doing a background check on her mental! You have my blessing to marry her! Now I don’t know if she has friends or not but just let her know that I will be the matron of honor.”
“Sis, the matron of honor is usually one who is already married, and you won’t be by the time we do… if we do.”
“Okay, rude—but fine. Then I’ll be a bridesmaid.
But not just any bridesmaid—I’m leading the damn line, Imanio!
You hear me? I’m gonna come in first and turn heads!
I need to call Ciara to do my hair! I need to book my lash tech!
I gotta find the right color—maybe blush or champagne—but I need one that brings out my melanin and also says, ‘Yes, I’m important, but not competing with the bride. ’”
“Dess… Chill. This ain’t that. If we get married there will be no invites . ”
Dessign looked like I just told her we weren’t biologically related and I’d been adopted in a gas station swap.
“Wh-What?” she croaked, blinking slowly. “So I’m not invited to the wedding? ’Cause that’s what it sounded like you said.”
“That’s exactly what I said.”
“Oh, but Chi gets to come?! You’re really choosing him over me? Someone who would show up to the wedding in?—”
“Chi? I never said Chi was coming anywhere. I’d invite a raccoon before I invite him. Hell, if I was getting married for real , I’d have to pray real hard before even considering putting his name on the guest list.”
“Not too much on my man. I’ma tell him that too! But why can’t I come?” she pouted, her bottom lip sticking out like a toddler who got their juice cup taken.
“Dess, no one’s coming. It’s just gonna be me, her, and the officiant.”
I purposely left out the part about needing two witnesses—again, if she said yes. But I knew for damn sure it wouldn’t be my sister or Chi. Having either of them there would’ve made the whole thing feel too real.
And this wasn’t that.
“Wait. You— you mean to tell me… you’re marrying the one and only Naji Ali , and y’all not gon’ have one person , there to witness the magic? No flowers? No music? No dramatic entrance where I burst through the door and wheel down the aisle to Cater 2 U ? No reception with a crab leg bar?”
“No.”
“Ugh! Why so secretive?! Are you getting married or doing a drug deal?!”
“Because, for one, it’s not a real wedding, Dess. Remember? Second, Naji gets overwhelmed around new faces; too many people around might make her start ticcing.”
“She’s gonna tic anyway just off the strength of marrying you !” she mumbled. “But I get it… somewhat. ” Dessign squinted at me suspiciously. “Can I just meet her before the wedding?”
“No,” I stated firmly.
“Why notttttttt?!”
“Because I don’t need you sitting her down with a glass of wine and a slideshow presentation titled ‘The Real Man You’re Marrying’ and end up scaring the girl off.”
She gasped dramatically. “I would never … I’d wait until after y’all are married to go down memory lane with her. Although she saw the ‘real’ you when you killed whomever.”
“Dess, the answer is no. It’s settled.”
Dessign folded her arms and leaned back like she was in a telenovela.
“Fine!” she huffed. “Since I’m not invited to your wedding, you are officially uninvited to mine!”
I chuckled. “You don’t even believe that.”
Dessign pressed her palm to her forehead like she was about to faint.
“Oh, this some bullshit! I’m calling Chi! I need emotional support! This might be the worst news I’ve gotten all year!”
I laughed. “You so damn dramatic.”
“And you’re selfish! ” she yelled after me. “You better at least send me a picture!”