Chapter 18 #5
“But she’s already somebody else’s. She’s married.”
I waved him off, taking a sip of my Cognac.
“A minor problem in a temporary situation.”
“Pfft… do you really believe Johnni is going to leave her husband? They might be open… Well, shit, closed now, but let’s be fucking serious.
You said she’s been with him all her life.
Those types of people have fun and play around when they can, but they never leave, Tunk.
Don’t get caught up falling for a woman whose comfortable lifestyle will have you behind bars, buried six feet under, or worse, stuck in a triangle of playing with your feelings. ”
I listened, really trying to see Johnni in the light Lando was painting her, but it was hard.
I shook my head.
He pulled out his phone, typing until he presented a picture of Quincey and Johnni together, all smiles. They actually looked happy.
“What the fuck that mean?”
“This is an image of a happily married couple who likes to spice things up in their marriage by opening the door sometimes.”
“Pictures say a thousand ass words, and trust, none of theirs says happy or in love. I can’t say too much other than they ain’t the typical couple.
You don’t see what I see when I’m around them.
He’s not a good man to her nor for her. This nigga treats her like a possession or property.
She jokes that she’s a trophy but that’s exactly what he uses her as.
A shiny award to show off to his dog ass friends to help him look better,” I said, finishing the last of my drink to wipe the nasty taste from my mouth that talking about his bitch ass left behind.
He huffed, locking his phone.
“Fool, all that shit could be an act on her part. She knows you’re watching. C’mon, Tunk, you’re trained to see through bullshit. You letting pussy cloud your mind right now when it comes to this situation.”
“Naw, it ain’t on her, it’s him. I’m telling you, that muthafucka ain’t it. These conversations happen when she’s not around.”
He blew out a breath.
“I don’t know, man.”
“Can you just support me? Damn, I need my brother.”
“I’ma rock with you no matter what, you know that.
But this? C’mon nigga. I’m a married man who can’t afford to side with you having an affair with a married woman.
So if Liv ever asks, I told yo' ass hell the fuck no. But as your brother, if you’re for real about taking her, you gotta step up your game by showing her that your grass got flowers and shit in your yard. ”
I laughed. “Fool, I do got flowers and shit. But trust, I’ve gotten creative. We’ve been at this for a long time.”
“Well shit, I guess, professional side nigga,” Lando said, causing me to burst into laughter while I snatched the bottle from him.
A couple days later, I planned another date for us to spend time together outside of the house. I was parked outside early, calling her phone.
“Good morning, baby, come outside. We got plans.”
“Courtland, I have prac—
“Nope, not today. It’s just me and you. We need a day before this pageant next week and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Two minutes later, she came bouncing out of the house in a yellow dress, giving me golden sunflower views as the sun hit her skin, glistening.
“Good morning, Queen Lou.” I grabbed her hand, leading her to the back seat when she shook her head. I smirked as I cleared my throat, opening the front door.
“Good morning, Chief. Are you going to tell me where we’re going today?”
“Nope. All you need to know is that you’re mine all day, so turn off your phone,” I said as I helped her into the truck before making my way to the driver’s side. I got in to her turning it off then putting it in the glove box.
It didn’t take us long to reach our first destination.
I parked in the back alley off the street so we could take the back entrance to Ace of Diamonds.
The idea came to me when I remembered Oakley told me her brother Asa moved by appointment only for private showings.
So I wasted no time booking the slot for us.
“A jewelry store is our date? I like diamonds just as much as any girl, but Courtland, I don’t want them.” The fact that Lourdè sounded disappointed had me snickering as I ignored her, getting out of the car so I could get her out.
“I have one minor request today, baby. I want you to move as if you’re planning our wedding, from the rings to the cake, the venue, and whatever else it takes to make your day special.
Because, baby, I promise on our love that once this shit is settled, I’ma see that you have everything you dreamed of at our wedding. ”
She blushed.
“Always and forever type of shit, huh?”
“Always and forever, Queen Lou.”
“Okay, Chief, I can do that.” I smiled then kissed her before helping her out.
I placed my hand on the small of her back while I guided her to the door. Once inside, I interlocked our fingers, just before hitting the buzzer to the back door that I was instructed to press upon arrival, waiting to hear the click that granted us access to the other side.
“Good morning and welcome to Ace of Diamonds. Courtland, I presume?”
“Yes, thank you for taking the time this morning. This is Lou.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Lou. You two can come back to this room. I understand you want to pick out some things.”
“Yes.” He escorted us to a room with a glass table, two chairs in the front and one in the back. I noticed the bottle of champagne I’d requested too.
“I went ahead and picked a couple of trays to get us started. If any of these aren’t your desired cut, please just let me know and I’ll swap them out.” He now presented a few trays full of diamond engagement rings.
Johnni pulled in a low breath as she turned to face me.
“I can pick any of them?” I smirked because two seconds ago she was talking about how she didn’t want diamonds.
“Yes. And if you don’t like any in the shop, Asa said we can design one to your liking too.” I looked at him to back me up.
“Oh, yes. That’s an option too. I will say, my designs are one of a kind, handmade. I craft them myself right here in this very shop.” We must've looked at a million rings before she finally said something.
“This is the one, Chief. It’s perfect.” She pointed and I picked it up, then reached for her left hand that bore a ring in the way. I quickly slid it off. No, I wasn’t the man who’d put it there, but I damn sure was the one taking it the fuck off.
“Okay, I’m ready,” she breathed out excitedly.
I kissed her hand as I immediately dropped from my chair to one knee.
“I know we got time before we can officially make this real, but Johnni Lourdè, I know you’re my ending and beginning, baby.
My tomorrows only matter because I get another day to love you.
And I pray that our love never sees an end where we aren’t together.
What I’m trying to say is that I want you…
us, forever, Lou. Will you marry me?” She gasped, using her free hand to grab her chest as a set of tears formed.
“Yes. I’ll marry you. I love you, Chief.” The words left her mouth and me feeling it all. I slid the ring on her finger just as she attacked me with a kiss that sealed her as my wife at that moment. I didn’t give a fuck what nobody said. Johnni Lourdè was a Floyd always and forever.