Chapter Seventeen #2
Claus adjusted his tie and exhaled at the thought of another heavy investment. Still, for his wife, he’d spend whatever it took to see her smile.
“I’m listening,” he said. “Based on what you know so far, what do you have in mind?”
Crown unclasped his briefcase and spread several preliminary sketches across the table.
“These concepts are based on our initial conversation and the photos you sent me. For her boutique, we’re not just building a storefront, we’re building presence.
Floor-to-ceiling glass framed in custom metal, imported stone, bespoke millwork, sculptural lighting that shifts from day to night.
The entrance will feel exclusive before they ever step inside.
Modern. Elevated. Timeless. It won’t compete with what’s around it, it will redefine the standard.
Now that I’ve walked the site, I’ll refine a few things, but this is the overall vision. ”
Claus leaned forward, eyes carefully scanning the plans.
“I like this. And I trust your judgment. But how do you plan to manage this remotely? This is my wife’s first expansion out of state.
I need it to be seamless. She’s stepping into something bigger.
I don’t need unnecessary stress added to that. ”
Crown didn’t hesitate.
“We’ll run this the same way we handled your last project.
Nothing changes. My assistant, Shanise, will handle scheduling and immediate questions.
Lisa, our project manager, will be your primary on-site contact.
Jamal, our senior architect who specializes in large-scale developments, will oversee this build directly.
I’ll coordinate daily with the team through our systems and fly out for major milestones and inspections. This isn’t my first rodeo.”
Claus nodded, satisfied. “Sounds like you’ve got it covered. What’s next?”
“We finalize the timeline and execute the contract.”
Claus gestured for his assistant, who approached with a tablet. After reviewing the contract Crown had emailed earlier, Claus signed with a digital pen. Crown followed, discussing the timeline.
“I hear you relocated your office back home.” Claus made small talk as he poured them a drink.
“Yeah. The firm’s been growing steadily. It was time to expand.” The lie slid off Crown’s tongue effortlessly; he could sit with the best of them.
“I hear that. Congratulations to both of us, then, ey?” Claus said with a grin, raising his glass.
Crown lifted his, and they clinked.
Moments after leaving the building, his phone buzzed with a notification…an incoming deposit so large it made him smirk.
Just more bread to spoil Nivéa with.
∞∞∞
“What’s your biggest fear, baby?” Nivéa asked as they sat across from each other at a candlelit table.
Crown had pulled up to the resort after his meeting, and just like he said he would, he’d woken her ass up and told her to get dressed so they could go. Nivéa didn’t need to be told twice. In twenty minutes, she was ready to ride out with him.
Now, she sat tucked in the back of an upscale Italian restaurant, her hair swept into an elegant updo.
The strapless black dress clung to her curves perfectly, Red Bottom heels elongating her legs beneath the table.
Her makeup was flawless, lashes full and soft, her skin glowing under the ambient light. Crown couldn’t keep his eyes off her.
The atmosphere was intimate, low music humming in the background, candlelight flickering against crystal glasses and dancing across her pretty face. Crown had paid the owner well for the privacy, ensuring they were secluded from the main dining room.
“Losing you,” he replied, his eyes locked on hers. “Did that shit once and I ain’t tryna do it again.”
Nivéa's lips twisted into a smile, thinking that was so cute. “What about before I came into your life?” she pressed, curious.
Crown shrugged, sipping his drink. “Getting caught up and losing everything I’ve built with my firm.”
“So, I replaced that fear?”
“Hell yeah. I love you both, but as long as I got you, I’m good. I’ll figure out whatever else.”
Her smile stretched, her heart racing with anticipation, waiting for him to ask her so she could share her thoughts. But when he finally spoke, it wasn’t what she expected.
“Why you think I was tryna get you out here, ma?” Crown leaned forward, gently thumbing her dimple.
Nivéa blinked, looking around the elegant setting, puzzled. “Uh, hmm… Maybe because I’m your woman? You didn’t want to travel alone. You were closing a deal and wanted to celebrate. I don’t know, what kinda question is that?”
Crown chuckled, then turned serious as he abruptly stood from his seat and got down on one knee in front of her. “It’s ‘cause I’m tryna make you my wife. I wanna marry you out here.”
Nivéa froze, but her mind spun, trying to gauge his seriousness as she stared him in the eyes. But then she thought about it. They were in Vegas, after all. Before she could respond, Crown pulled a ring box from his pocket, holding it up between them.
Stunned, Nivéa gasped, her eyes welling with tears. It was happening. Sure, it was something they’d talked about, something he’d hinted at quite a few times. But she never expected it to be now.
Smoothly, Crown popped open the high-gloss lacquered ebony box, and the diamonds caught the chandelier light, dancing amongst the deep burgundy velvet interior.
“The moment you walked into my life, I claimed you as my wife and I told you how I felt. The time is here.” he said, eyes steady on hers.
“You my peace. My everything. Our vibe and chemistry so dope, baby. I can’t see myself with no one else.
My mama loves you. I love the fuck out of you.
I want you and Ny in my life forever. Will you please marry me? ”
Tears flowed as Nivéa slowly looked over the ring. It was perfect. With her heart full, she nodded and whispered ‘yes’, and Crown slipped the ring onto her finger.
“Jesus. It’s beautiful, baby.” She told him, looking down at the ring before taking him into her arms.
He nodded, whispering in her ear. “I been thinking about how I would ask you all week. I could’ve waited for some big occasion, everybody around.
But you said you ain’t want a big wedding.
So, I figured…we get married here after I propose.
Then we have a reception back home to celebrate with our people. What you think?”
“I think that’s perfect.” She pressed her forehead to his. “I wanna marry you out here.”
“Aight then. It’s settled. The resort has a nice chapel. I already scheduled the ceremony. Intimate vibe. Just me and you like you wanted.”
Nivéa wiped at her cheeks, her laughter trembling between disbelief and joy. The way this man moved blew her mind every day.
“This is crazy.”
“I warned you plenty of times. You thought I was bullshittin’.”
She stared at him for a while as he held her by the waist.
“What? Talk to me.” Crown said, trying to read her expression. “You don’t really like the ring or somethin’? I can have you another one made."
“I love my ring.” Nivéa made clear, gazing down to admire it once more.
The 6.2-carat emerald-cut diamond sat in a platinum setting, its long, glass-like facets flashing beautifully. Hell yeah, she loved her ring. His personal jeweler had understood the assignment.
“Then what? You changed your mind. You want a big wedding?”
“No, it’s just…you didn’t ask me, baby.”
“Ask you what?” His brows furrowed in confusion.
“My biggest fear. You didn’t ask me.”
Crown looked at her, narrowing his gaze, trying to figure out why the fuck that was so important during a time like this. In his mind, she didn’t need to fear shit. She had him. He handled whatever needed handling.
Still, he went along.
“What’s your biggest fear, ma?”
“Losing you to the streets and raising two kids on my own.”
His brows furrowed in confusion. “What you mean two kids?”
She snickered at the puzzled look on his face. “I’m pregnant,”
“Word?” His eyes dropped to her stomach as if he could already see what was still too early to show.
“Yeah, baby. Plan B didn’t work.”
“Fuck,” He pulled her into his arms, hugging her so tight that she could barely breathe. She literally felt the excitement oozing from him. “This shit just made me so fuckin’ happy. Real talk.”
She broke into soft laughter as he kissed all over her face, damn near knocking her out the chair. “I’m glad you happy.” She told him.
He pulled back, looking her in the eyes. “You not? I know this ain’t what we planned but—”
“I am. But I’m a little scared, too.”
Crown took her hand and guided her to stand between his knees as he sat back in his chair. He locked in on the changes as she stood in front of him. The fullness that settled into her hips and ass, and the new thickness in her thighs. Now it all made sense to him.
“Why you scared?” He leaned forward and kissed along her stomach.
When his mouth brushed her cesarean scar, her insecurities slipped out, tightening her chest. She couldn’t believe she had put herself in this position again.
“I’m only twenty-five. Two kids, two different fathers. Nyla is still so young. Granted, I should’ve thought about all of that before we made the decision to stop using condoms. But—”
“Shh,” Crown pulled her down on his lap, pressing his finger to her lips.
“Don’t be scared. I’mma do whatever I gotta do to make it back home to y’all.
You won’t be raising my kids alone. I get your fears, but what I told you?
I got y’all. Calm that shit down, baby. This ain’t that.
I’m ‘bout to marry you. Congratulations to us.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Nivéa took a slow breath, then smiled. “You’re right. Congratulations to us.” She repeated.
Crown spoke low against her ear. “A man’s greatest investment is the woman he chooses to spend the rest of his life with. I choose you. You glued to me. We stuck. I’d die for you. Kill ‘bout you. Protect you wit’ my muthafuckin’ life.”