10. Gabe
Gabe
I got up early the next morning so that I could fix breakfast for my wife.
I usually did stuff like this when I was home and had time.
Hopefully, she would remember and appreciate the gesture.
I already handled my hygiene and dressed in a pair of joggers and a t-shirt.
I was a street nigga to my core, and this was my go to attire, especially in the house.
I decided to make my baby a big breakfast, so I made cheese grits, salmon patties, waffles, eggs, and bacon.
I had her favorite fruit, which was pineapple cut up and drizzled them with honey just like she liked them.
While I was taking the bacon out of the oven, I heard Chiara walk into the kitchen.
She looked just as beautiful as the first day I laid my eyes on her.
Her face was free of makeup outside of the lashes that she went and got done.
Her eyebrows were prefect thanks to micro-blading.
She had her locs pulled up into a bun showcasing her round face.
She had on one of those sets that she ordered from SHEIN that I hated her to wear because I know if I loved how the shit looked on her; I knew other niggas did, too.
“Good morning,” she spoke in a soft voice, breaking me from my lustful stare.
“Good morning, Snook.” I cleared my throat along with my head. “I made some of your favorites for breakfast, so I hope you’re hungry.”
“You cooked all of this?” she asked.
“I did. I’m no Anthem, but I can do a little something,” I smirked.
“Who’s Anthem?” she asked.
“The owner of Nuni’s and a crazy ass nigga.” I kept the story light because I didn’t want her to remember that nigga before she remembered me.
“Come on. Let’s get you fed.” I extended my hand for hers and led her to the kitchen table where I sat her plates in front of her.
I know she probably thought I was crazy because I had two plates and a bowl sitting in front of her.
I didn’t expect her to eat it all, but I wanted her to have a variety of the things I knew she loved.
“All of this looks and smells so good.” She smiled. I noticed her smile faded when she looked at the pineapples. She picked up one and just stared at it.
“Look familiar?” I asked.
“It does. This is my favorite comfort snack,” she mentioned. I nodded at her revelation, and we commenced to eat our breakfast in silence.
“Do you have to work today?” she asked.
“Nah. I’ll be home with you for a while. I do have some things to do today, but I want you to come with me.”
“I’d like that,” she simpered.
“I’m gon’ need you to change before we go, though.”
“Why?” she frowned slightly, looking down at herself. “Is there something wrong with what I have on?”
“Not necessarily. I love how that shit looks on you and I know other niggas would, too. I don’t want your first memory of me, be of me beating a nigga’s ass for looking too fuckin’ long or at all.” I saw her eyes widen before I saw the lust flash through them. She always loved my aggressive side.
“Territorial much?” she smirked.
“Very much so, and I’m not ashamed one bit.” I made sure to look her dead in the eyes when I said that so she could connect with the way I was feeling.
We finished our breakfast and, after cleaning the kitchen together, we went upstairs to freshen up and get ready. I had to go by the office for a quick second, but I was solely hers after that.
An hour later, we were dressed, and I escorted her outside and into the truck.
“Did they say anything about my car after the accident?” she asked.
“Yeah. It was…totaled. I’m just waiting on clearance from the insurance company, and we can go get you another one.” I didn’t want to tell her that someone got her out of the car right before it burst into flames. There wasn’t anything I could do to salvage it, even if I wanted to.
“Oh,” she said solemnly.
“Don’t worry about that, Snook. When you’re ready to go out, you can use this truck and I’ll drive the pickup if we don’t find you the car that you want.” I gripped her thigh, and she blushed at the gesture.
“Thank you, Gabe.”
“Stop thanking me, Snook. It’s my job to make sure that you’re always straight.”
We continued our ride to my first destination, which was my trucking company. I had to go over some last-minute files and emails before I took my leave. When we pulled up to the building, I saw Chiara’s eyes widen in amazement.
“You own this place?” she asked.
“Yeah. Me and my brother do. It may not be much to some people, but this is our baby. Come on, let me show you around.” I got out of the driver’s side and ambled around until I reached the passenger side to help Chiara out.
I admired her attire as I helped her down.
She changed out of the spandex outfit and into a pair of fitted ripped jeans that exposed both of her knees.
She paired it with a cream and tan V-neck sweater and brown ankle boots.
She caught me staring, and I didn’t even shy away.
I wanted my wife to know just how much I desired her.
With my hand on the small of her back, I led her to the back where the offices were located. Once we reached mine, I opened the door and let her enter before me.
“You can have a seat on the love seat until I’m done. It won’t take me but a few minutes,” I informed.
I watched her as she roamed around my office, taking everything in.
I allowed her since I had more pictures of us in here.
I saw her stop in front of the picture of us at the annual Black Entrepreneurs banquet earlier this year.
My baby was drop dead gorgeous in the chocolate brown gown that accentuated her brown skin perfectly.
She was standing in front of me, but instead of looking into the camera, my focus was on her and how beautiful she was.
“Every picture of us, you look at me with so much admiration and passion,” she spoke as she turned around. “Like you’re doing now.”
“That’s because that’s all I see when I look at you,” I revealed.
Before she could respond, someone knocked on the door.
“Yeah?” I called out, still standing behind my wife. The door opened and my brother walked in.
“What y’all doing in here?” he asked, approaching us. Chiara separated from me, and I watched as she went to sit down on the loveseat as I went behind the desk and Gary to the seat in front of my desk.
“I came to make sure everything was straight before I took off. You got all the routes covered and shit?” I questioned.
“Yeah, man. I told you I had it. Everything is going to be good while you’re out. Go get sis out of here,” he insisted.
Hesitantly, I glanced over at Chiara. I know me working all the time was one of our issues. Well, the main one. So by Gary insinuating that I worked a lot could have triggered the wrong memory.
“I’ll be gone in a minute. I’m taking Chiara around before stopping over at Ma and Pops.”
“Aight. I’ll let you do that. Hit me up later on.” He got up and gave me a dap before heading toward Chiara.
“Aight, sis. I’ll see you later. Take care.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek before slipping back out of the door.
“If you have work to do, I don’t mind waiting,” she said once Gary was gone.
“Nah. You don’t have to wait. I’m not even going to be here long. Once I send this response, we can leave.” I was baffled at how understanding she could be now but not even a week ago she was giving me hell about working.
Deciding not to dwell on the past, I quickly finished up my work, and we were headed back out the door. I stopped by my brother’s office before I left, and now Chiara and I were on our way to the mall.
When I pulled up to the mall, her neck immediately snapped in my direction.
“We’re going shopping?” she asked.
“Yep. I want to spend the day doing what my baby loves best, and that’s shopping and eating.
” We shared a laugh. “Plus, we need to get you a new phone.” After giving her the rundown of our day, I helped her out of the truck and held her hand as we strolled inside of the mall.
It was still early, so it wasn’t as packed as it would be later.
We walked into the mall hand in hand while she dictated which direction we would go in.
Our first stop was Bath & Body Works. I knew she would stop in here for these damn candles.
The sale sign on the outside wasn’t any help either.
I stood back and watched her go to different tables and smell different candles before she put them in her basket.
The way she was piling them up, I knew she would be needing a new one soon.
Taking the initiative, I went up to the hostess and asked for another cart.
When I walked up to Chiara, she smiled as I swapped baskets with her.
We stayed in there about twenty more minutes before she was ready to check out.
I paid for the candles and carried the bags out of the store with her small hand encased inside of my free one.
“Where to next?” I asked.