Chapter 17
Juniper Weaver
Faheem’s Birthday Dinner
Faheem wanted a stupid bitch, but that was never gonna be me.
I didn’t care that I loved him, or that he claimed he loved me back and all that other sweet shit he said.
The bomb dick he gave me all night last night did nothing to deter me.
Because as soon as the sun came up, he went running to Mixie.
He was okay with them putting on like they were this amazing power couple.
I started to report her birthday post to Faheem.
The pictures she posted had to be new because there was a big ass hickey on Faheem’s neck that I put there the night before.
Mixie wrote the usual long post about how amazing and wonderful he was, and she would have had me convinced if I didn’t spend the majority of the night with Faheem.
What really got to me was seeing the nigga telling Mixie he loved and appreciated her in the fucking comments.
I was far from a hater and had no problems giving props when they were due, but what the fuck was there to appreciate her for when I had been doing every fucking thing for him?
? Half the time, Mixie was never fucking home, but if they wanted to be delusional for the world, that was fine by me.
I would let them, but I wasn’t about to join in on the shit with them.
Nope, but I would make sure Juniper Weaver made her mark in their lives.
Faheem wanted me to come to this tacky ass dinner, then I would.
I had on a sparkling, form fitting, emerald green ball gown that was a mock neck, my left shoulder and arm fully exposed while my right arm was covered in a long sleeve, a cut out on my right side, then a front slit that started at the top of my thigh.
Silver was the accent color of my six-inch peep toe heels and all my accessories.
Curling my hair and doing a light beat on my face had me looking like a million dollars.
Even better, the brand new black on black Ranger Rover I was pulling up to the restaurant in, had a bitch feeling like a million bucks.
What really took the cake was Dolo, in a simple black suit and tie with green accents, golds in his mouth, fresh fade, fresh line up, and warm vanilla skin glowing.
We looked good as fuck together, and I couldn’t wait to see everyone’s face when we walked in together.
I wasn’t messy, though I did give him a heads up.
Dolo kind of knew about my situation with Faheem.
He knew we were in a complicated situation.
When I explained I didn’t want to go to the dinner but I had to—little white lie—Dolo was all for accompanying me.
I did tell him Faheem might be a little hostile, but since his girlfriend was there, things shouldn’t be too bad.
He said no man pumped fear in his heart.
Now that we were sitting in front of the restaurant waiting on the valet parking, I was second guessing myself.
It seemed like a great idea when it was in my head, but now so much was going through with it.
Faheem had already showed his ass when it came to me talking to other niggas.
I was half way scared to see how he would react to seeing me with another nigga.
“You ready, beautiful?” Dolo’s voice snapped me from my thoughts. He was holding my door open, and the valet was sitting in the driver seat.
Taking a deep breath, I put on a brave face smiling to hide my fear. “I am,” I said, placing my hand in his waiting hand, allowing him to help me out of his car.
“You look good as fuck,” Dolo commented as we walked through the entrance of Bella's Place.
Mixie did have good taste by booking his birthday dinner here.
A reservation at Bella’s, you’d easily have to book it at least three months in advance, and as much as the food cost, you’d easily spend seven or eight hundred on dinner.
Needless to say, I never thought about eating here.
It was way outta my budget. However, Dolo didn’t blink when I said the dinner was here. He simply said he had us.
From what I knew, Dolo was far from broke.
The couple dates we went on he paid for everything.
He was the type to not look at the price tags.
He owned a private security firm, and I guess it was paying off.
I loved that he came from humble beginnings and stayed humbled.
Dolo didn’t let his money change him. He was down to earth and understood the struggle.
The only thing I didn’t care for was he had to travel a lot.
Although his traveling made it easier for me to maneuver in our situation, I didn’t see myself settling down with someone who was gone more than they were home.
We made it to the host stand and I went to speak to the hostess. “We’re here fo-” I said, only to be interrupted by Frankee.
“Juniper.” She waved me over, meeting me halfway, pulling me into a hug. “Okay, boo, I see you come in here looking like a meal,” she complimented, me the once over.
“As you do too,” I said. Of course, Frankee looked flawless in her white velvet, sleeve corset ballgown. “Frankee, this is Dolo. Dolo, this is my friend, Frankee,” I said, stepping to the side introducing them.
The grin on Frankee’s face let me know I did the right thing.
“Hey, handsome,” Frankee said, shaking his hand.
“My girl knows how to make a grand damn entrance. I’m so happy I decided to wait to leave.
‘Cause this shit was so boring. Mixie got us eating grass and oil. Talking about we got a few more hours for the main courses to be done. I had to sneak out here just to get a drink.” Frankee frowned, holding up her cocktail.
“My mama and daddy just left. They went to get something to eat ‘cause the stuff Mixie got out ain’t right. Be happy you came late. Thank God I didn’t leave.
” Frankee looked over her shoulder winking at me then she led us into the party room.
Entering the party room as expected, the decorations were mix-matched, I did not understand how nobody addressed the fact that Mixie couldn’t decorate for shit.
This bitch had green table cloths with gold embroidery on it, gold center pieces with cut out pictures of her and Faheem on each table.
But then had the nerve to have blue and orange balloons and banners.
It looked like we were at two different parties at once.
At least there was a good turnout of people; it had to be close to sixty people here if not more.
The room was full. Grabbing Dolo’s hand, we headed towards the bar that was in the corner.
Frankee had wandered off mingling with some of the guests.
I looked at Dolo and laughed once we saw there were only four things you could order from the bar. Two wines, one liquor, and one beer. I had no idea what that was about, but I guess I was finna be sober.
“There y’all go.” Frankee reappeared with a sneaky grin on her face. “Let me take you to the gift table.” I looked down at the big black gift bag I was holding that was filled with my presents for Faheem. I shouldn’t have given his ass anything but a middle finger and my ass to kiss.
Sitting my gift on the table, I looked around getting a clear view of where Faheem and Mixie were supposed to be seated.
She had throne-like chairs seated on a raised platform in the back of the party room.
I could see Mixie, of course she never failed to look a mess.
The white dress she was wearing was actually cute if it was your wedding day.
On top of her wearing a tiara with a veil attached to it.
I don’t know if she wanted people to believe they were getting married, but if she was happy…
I was honestly more concerned with the empty seat next to Mixie.
If Faheem wasn’t there, it meant he was walking around this room, and that made me nervous.
My palms were sweaty, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I needed a second and a drink maybe.
“Uh-uh, Frankee, where is the bathroom?” I anxiously asked.
“Right down that hallway. We have a private restroom area,” Frankee said, pointing across the room.
“Can you keep Dolo company, and I’ll be right back,” I hurriedly said, making my way through the sea of people.
Getting in the empty hallway, I followed it until I made it to the bathrooms that were adjacent to each other.
Before I could get inside of the female bathroom, the men's bathroom door swung open, and out came Faheem, wearing an all white suit that had to be tailor made with how well it fit him. I couldn’t tell if he was shining because of all the jewelry he wore or if it was the whiteness of his clothes.
Cockily, he smirked at me, licking his lips with his eyes low.
I backed up, when he reached out to pull me into him.
Hitting the wall, I looked up at Faheem who was looking at me curiously.
“Happy birthday.” I nervously smiled. “I-I-I, uh, got you a gift. I sat it on the gift table,” I babbled on, trying to calm my nerves.
“Thanks.” He dryly chuckled, running his tongue over his lips. “What you on?” he asked as he ran his hands over his chin hairs. I could feel his eyes as he read over me.
“Nothing. I’m fine.” I tried to play off my nervousness, but I couldn’t.
Faheem had that kind of effect on me. More so because I knew he knew I was lying.
He knew me inside and out. There wasn’t anything I could get past him.
I loved that, and at same time, I hated it.
Everybody wanted a nigga that could read them until it came to a situation like this.
“Why you change yo mind?” His eyes were directly on me, but I avoided eye contact. I’d end up telling on myself.
“What kind of side-chick would I be if I didn’t show up to support my man with my sister wife?” I sarcastically answered him, briefly holding eye contact with him before breaking it.