Chapter 41
Daniel
I hear the doorbell. Anu is kicking me. I know she doesn’t want to get up because she’s kicking me.
I untangle myself from her body, pulling my pants on and heading to the door, opening it without looking to see who it was.
Before me stands a twentyish white male in an outfit that looks like a uniform.
“Good morning, I’m Larry, here to install the Xbox,” he announces. At least he’s chirpy about his task.
I open the door wider and let him in and point to where the Xbox is set up. He goes right to the box.
“Do you want to transfer everything to this new one?”
“Yes.”
He nods with a smile and gets to work. I start the coffee machine and kettle.
I grab mugs, honey and lemon tea—Anu’s favorite, while I wait for the coffee to brew and water to boil.
I take my coffee first, taking a sip to wake me up.
I then make her tea and take it to her, setting the mug down next to her.
“Princess, you need to get up. There’s a guy installing the new Xbox in the living room, which means your ex will be here soon.”
“Considering how many times you rigged orgasms out of me, I thought you wanted to present a thoroughly fucked woman to Teni,” she groggily says, making me chuckle.
“The orgasms and thoroughness were all for my pleasure, princess, not him. But I do want you up and awake when he gets here. Drink your tea. I’m going to shower.”
She mumbles something.
I head towards the bathroom and turn to see her sitting up and sipping her tea. I smile and mentally give myself a fist bump. She does look thoroughly fucked. Her lungs probably hurt from all the screaming I made her do, but what good am I if I can’t satiate my woman?
I get in the shower and start to hum the song “I feel good”.
This is what happens when you date a woman that hums every morning, but I do feel good as I lather and rinse off.
Stepping into the bedroom, Anu isn’t there.
She must have gone to her room. One of the moments I’m reminded we are still a fucking agreement, and I need to fix this shit soon.
I get dressed and step into the living room. Larry's smile is wide, suggesting he either genuinely enjoyed his work or was perhaps overpaid by Patrick. Either way, I’m glad the old Xbox is pulled out and set aside with all the controllers.
“I’m almost done. I was told to bring extra controllers. Do you want the extras?”
“How many controllers were here before you came in?”
“Four total, but two were probably dead.”
“Then four controllers it is then, make sure they are all working.”
“Okay.”
He gets to work, testing everything. Anu comes out wearing leggings and t shirt, her braids loose, nods to the guy working, goes to the kitchen, then turns the kettle on.
“I’m done here,” Larry says. “I have a few items downloading. Once they are downloaded and all the controllers are connected, you can use either one to start the games. Do you guys want the box?” he asks.
“Put the old one in the box, along with all the old controllers.”
“The controllers won’t fit inside the box. I’ll just set them on top of the box.”
I nod in agreement. He packs up and then turns to Anu, who’s now sitting on the sofa with her tea. “Are you MAK or is it Ms K?” he asks.
“Yes,” she answers, and the guy is grinning like it’s fucking Christmas morning. He proffers his hand for a handshake. Anu takes his hand.
“A pleasure to meet you. My younger brother is in your music program and he’s very happy, which makes our mom happy. He talks a lot about you,” Larry rapidly says.
“Glad to hear that. What’s your brother’s name?” she responds with a smile.
“Jimmy. Can I say thank you so much for giving my brother a chance in the program? He’s always happy to say Ms K is a lefty like me and plays very well too.”
“You are welcome. The program is meant to help kids, and Jimmy is very good.”
“It’s really helping us, so thank you,” he says and pauses. “If I had known this installation was for you, I wouldn’t have charged so much,” he says, looking sad. As always, Patrick overpaid.
“Please, don’t be silly. It’s totally okay to overcharge my boyfriend for his petty behavior.” She gives me a nudge in the ribs.
I chuckle, knowing she’s trying to get a reaction from me.
“Actually, I wish you had charged more,” she says, smiling at him.
Larry looks confused.
“I was happy to pay your price, Larry. Paying your price to be this petty is fine with me. Thank you for coming.” I smile.
He sighs.
“Really nice to meet you, Ms K,” he says before leaving.
I go to lock the door behind him.
I return to sit next to her. My hand goes to her shoulder and pulls her closer to me. She doesn’t resist, which is good.
“You are still petty, though I’m sure Jacob will probably love having the newest Xbox,” she says, poking me.
“He can love it. In fact, I’ll have one installed for him in their unit, just to keep him from eating my food and threatening to marry my girl.”
She laughs.
“Good luck with that. His mom doesn’t want one in the unit because Jacob would be glued to it. By coming here, his time on the device is controlled,” she says, resting her head on my chest. Much as I won’t admit it, I like having Jacob around sometimes.
“How come he’s not in your music program?” I ask for the first time.
“Music isn’t for him; he likes to draw. You should ask him to show you his work.”
“Cool, maybe if I buy his drawings, he’ll stop eating my food.”
She laughs.
The buzzer rings and she sits up; we both know who it is.
I get up and press the button to open the ground floor door.
We both remain quiet, anticipating the person that has caused a silent riff between us.
This is one thing I’ve never done before, yet I can’t wait to let this guy know Anu Kuti is taken and he’s not allowed to call her again.
Our doorbell rings. I inhale my annoyance of him and exhale my calm and open the door. His bright smile is immediately zapped. First action achieved.
“Hi, is Anu home?”
“Yes, and you are?” I question with a skeptical look.
“Teni, she’s expecting me.” I notice confidence, and I chuckle inwardly.
“Yes, she mentioned you were coming to pick up your Xbox. I have it ready.” I open the door wider, and he steps inside, just as I announce, "Princess, your ex is here." Anu rises, and I pull her close in a possessive hold. I watch him assess us with a silent, calculating gaze.
“Hey, Anu,” he says to her.
“Hi, Teni, I have your Xbox. Daniel got me a new one.” I watch him quickly mask the disappointment that is immediate on his face. I kiss her lips. “I’ll be in the room,” I say and walk away. Knowing she and I are ‘WE’ and she’s over him. Soon as the door closes, I hear him.
“So, you are dating him?”
“Yes.”
“He called you princess. Does he know you really are daddy’s little princess, and no one is good enough for you?” I detect a loss in his voice.
“He calls me princess because he knows who I am, and he accepts all of me.” Her voice is stern.
“Does your dad know?”
“Yes, he knows.”
“Okay, I guess. I’ll just take the Xbox and leave.” I hear the rustling sound of packing up. One of the controllers drops. “Is it okay to call you and catch up when next I’m in town?”
“No, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I hear her firm tone. That’s my girl!
“Alright, I need to head out and… see you when I see you.”
I hear the door close and step back out to find Anu on the sofa.
“I know you heard us,” she succinctly states.
“I hope he understands not to call you again.”
“He won’t, unless there’s something to do with our families.”
I nod and take my seat next to her. When she cuddles next to me, I smile inwardly and wrap my arms around her. We sit for a moment before her stomach growls.
“I do need to feed you. Let’s go out,” I say.
“Can we order in? You might travel again in a few days. I prefer to stay in with you.”
“Okay, order in it is.” I kiss her forehead and pull up my phone. I prefer to stay indoors with her as well. “What do you have a taste for?”
“Surprise me.”
I smile, knowing, as always, I’m going to pick her favorite.