Chapter 9 #2
He proceeded to grab two wash rags from the drawer above it and continued to pull me with him. Once we were under the shower heads, I was handed one of the washcloths. No words were exchanged as we took our time washing off last nights events.
Arion reminded me a lot of my father. Could talk shit with the best of them but only when necessary.
I could tell the most talking he did was going back and forth with me.
The sternness of his words when he got serious to the cold glares, my observation wasn’t off in the slightest. I guess that was why I felt so comfortable with him.
Scoffing, I remembered that the annulment was solely my personal wanting and not the family’s. If they had it their way, Arion would’ve been going to the courts for one reason. A freakin’ name change.
“How do you know my cousin? Bentley never mentioned you,” I said starting conversation.
“He ain’t supposed to. He know the rules,” he replied.
“What rules? Am I missing something?”
“A lot. Wash, Clover.”
So much for asking to know something. He gave me absolutely nothing when I did so. I rolled my eyes as I began to wash my ass. I was being abducted for the day, and he wasn’t making it easy to dip off. In a way, I was curious to see how my couple hunnid million dollars was being shitted on.
By the time we were done, the clock on the wall read 9:03 am.
This was torture being up so early. Arion stepped out the shower first circling a towel around his waist then gestured for me to lift my arms so he could circle one around my body as well.
It amazed me how one could be so gentle and stern at the same time.
He was doing everything a man was supposed to.
“I need something to wear Arion. I’m not wearing what I wore last night.”
“I ain’t expect you to. I asked Dukes to bring something with her. It should be on the ottoman in the room,” he said walking over to the sink.
Nodding, I followed behind him wanting to wash my face and brush my teeth.
He placed a new toothbrush on the counter along with a clean wash rag.
I was picking up how much he cared about his hygiene quickly.
After we spent the next ten minutes in silence, we were finally able to depart.
He left me to get dressed in his closet while I did so in the bedroom.
Spotting the Chanel bags on the ottoman, I strolled over with a slight smirk. A man that knew how to treat a woman. I ain’t have to teach a dog new tricks and I was more than happy ‘bout that.
“Yeah nigga, nothing but expensive shit touch this body,” I said aloud feeling myself.
Moments later I was dressed in a vintage Chanel two piece with a clutch and boots to match that reminded me of Deon from Clueless.
If his mama really picked this shit out, she had taste.
I was gon’ have to thank her personally for dolling a bitch up like this.
Grabbing the hair brush off his nightstand, I tended to my wig.
“You got hair under there?”
“Nigga what?” His question threw me off guard. The shit was rude as fuck.
He chuckled before repeating himself. “I asked if you had hair under that thick ass cap you got on.”
I wanted to be upset but it was low key funny as hell.
Ain’t nobody ever asked me that before or called my wig a thick ass cap.
I muffled the laugh that tried to escape and responded with, “Ain’t been bald since I came out my mama pussy.
Are those extensions or you take after yo’ mammy? ” I threw back.
Nodding, he said, “I’m gon’ let you have that. Just making sure I wasn’t married to Jada Pinkett. Rock that shit if you is, just drop my name before doing so,” he jested.
“Something is seriously wrong with you. That was mean as fuck to say, Arion. Damn you need to learn how to speak to people.”
“Aye, cut all that shit out. You ‘bout to turn this into something else, and it ain’t that serious. You ready to eat?” he asked changing the subject at hand.
“Sure, Arion. The sooner I eat, the sooner I can get the hell away from you. Let’s go,” I said grabbing my shit and heading for the door.
I chose not to acknowledge his attire for the day.
He was in a fitted navy-blue suit that showed off his tall muscular frame, his hair was braided back into two side cornrows, and his cologne smelled like the money you clearly didn’t see but knew was there.
He looked damned good this morning. I couldn’t take that away from him.
Before I could get to the door, I was stopped by him wrapping his arm around my waist. It was unexpected but welcomed.
Bending down slightly, his lips touched the side of my face as he softly said, “You couldn’t get more beautiful, Mrs. Greek.
Good morning.” A gentle kiss on the cheek followed directly after.
“Good morning,” I replied feeling seen.
He intertwined our hands and escorted me downstairs. Whatever was being cooked had the house lit. Breakfast smelled damned good, but it also didn’t smell traditional. I was curious to see what was on the menu.
Walking into the kitchen, my eyes fell on a small Asian woman that looked like she didn’t belong here at all.
She was the cutest little thing. She looked up from the island and smiled at us.
For some reason, I didn’t feel uncomfortable or nervous to meet her.
I was genuinely over the introductions and ready to go home so I could decompress.
“Baby boy, is this her? She’s beautiful,” she complimented me.
“Yes ma’am. Dukes, Clover. Clover, Dukes.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you, and for the record, my name is Mercedees, not Clover. Your sons don’t seem to understand that,” I said, extending my hand in her direction.
She rejected my handshake by waving me off and widening her arms for a hug. I looked over to Arion and he gave me small nod encouraging me to engage. Honoring her request, I almost broke my back bending down to her level. It ain’t make no sense how tiny she was.
“They don’t understand a lot of things which makes them just like their father.
Greek still has a hard time doing so with me.
Well, I guess I can stop worrying if you’re a troll or not.
We would’ve loved you regardless, but it would’ve taken time.
You know what I mean?” I burst out laughing at the fact that she had presumed that I had a face only a mother could love.
Arion cuffed my hand and guided me deeper into the kitchen. We stopped at the island she was placing platters on. Like I figured, nothing about this breakfast was American. Observant as he was, he noticed me scanning the food.
“I’m Black & Vietnamese. Food wise, I prefer my Asian side more.
It’s healthier and it allows my mother to stay rooted.
This is Bánh Bao and X?i, which ain’t nothing but steamed pork buns and sticky rice with beans.
These are egg rolls, literally. And then this is Bun Ho Hue, which is rice noodles, slabs of beef, and lemongrass.
If you eat Pho, you’ll fuck with this,” he explained making sure I understood what each dish was before trying it.
“So, what should I start with?” I asked picking up the set of chopsticks that lay on the napkin in front of me.
“Shit, whatever looks appeasing,” he commented shrugging his shoulders before doing the same.
I waited until he dug into the bowl of noodles before following his lead. I was new to this and didn’t want to insult his culture even though I didn’t give a damn about it at the moment. The more I cooperated the faster I was left alone to think and get a piece of mind.
“Mercedees, right?” Linh questioned.
“Clover, Ma. It’s easier to remember,” he corrected her.
“Yes, or Cedees is fine. I answer to both.”
“Good to know. He’s stubborn so good luck with getting him to acknowledge you by anything other than what he’s labeled you. I was curious to know what your family’s reaction was to being married to my son. He’s a handful so I wanted to make sure he was accepted,” she chimed.
Dripping my head with a slight smirk, I ate another moment of embarrassment. This marriage was going to humble me every time.
“All my family knows is that I had a blast in Vegas and married a stranger. They know nothing of Arion, and to be quite frank, neither do I,” I admitted.
“That’s perfectly fine. I guess that’s something we have in common.
I didn’t know Greek all that well before I went and told him about my family struggles.
Next thing I know, I’m wearing his name and ring.
We grew with each other and learned how to love without taking losses.
Arion, Aurora, and Ashaun were the result of that. I hope you and my son can do the same.”
“She wants an annulment,” Arion blurted out.
“A what? Why? Did Arion do something to make you go that route?” she inquired with worried eyes.
Lady, you can’t be serious right now.
It took everything in me not to twist my face up at her response.
Me and her son were strangers! I didn’t understand why she kept bypassing that.
We enjoyed Vegas to the T and did something neither one of us wanted in the long run.
This marriage held no weight in my eyes because he didn’t. That wasn’t going to change.
“He’s done nothing but be a gentleman actually, but that’s not the point Ms. Linh. We—"
Cutting me smooth off, she threw out a suggestion before, “Call me Ma or Mama Linh, it’s your choice,” she said while carrying a smile.
I threw one on as well whether it was fake or not to match her energy.
“We are in a generation where things like this ain’t normal.
You stayed with yo’ husband because you wanted to.
It’s my choice not to do anything with this man and that includes staying married to him.
I’m a successful businesswoman with a one-track mindset.
Sorry if that’s upsetting to hear, but I’m not changing. Excuse me,” I said standing my ground.