Chapter 13
Thirteen
The bright morning sun assaulted my skin and eyes, waking me before my time. I wanted nothing more than to sleep in all morning following the blissful night I’d had with the… Rubbing my hand across the empty space next to me cluttered my thoughts. Lifting in a panic, the sheets fell from my chest and crumbled at my waist.
“Bello,” I called out, only to receive silence as the response.
I rushed from the bed, wrapping the sheets around my body as I covered the entire loft while dragging the white flat sheet along with me for the journey. Unfortunately, my knight in shining gold teeth was nowhere to be found. He’d left me, but traces of his existence still remained. The note on the back of the door was proof.
I snatched it down immediately, eager to read its contents. The handwriting was appreciated. It’s elegance and poise. I’d only seen the worst of writing from men, so to find that Bello was the exception was pleasurable.
Brisk,
I’m missing you more than you know and I haven’t left the house, yet. Though I’d rather be beside you, I’ve sensed your hesitation and will only confess my desires to have you in my life with the people I love when you’re ready. Melonie is on the way over. I’ve given her enough for you both to buy anything you could possibly want. See you tonight at 8. Wear what’s in bag #18.
Bello
Ding. Dong.
The sound of the electronic bell disturbed any ounce of peace the note had given me. My hands flew to my chest and the cover hit the floor. I struggled to bend and pick them up out of sheer nervousness. Though the note expressed Melonie’s presence, I wasn’t prepared for it. Neither was I prepared to spend the day with her after spending the night with her uncle’s head between my legs.
I felt like the worst friend in the world while Melonie was the best thing that had ever happened to me. Nevertheless, I pulled the door open and found her behind it, a smile beaming as she rushed past me and into the loft. She smelled divine.
“Good morning, Melonie.”
“Good morning. Sleep truly does the body good, huh? You’re looking better than ever right now. I’m sensing a glow.”
“You’re just dramatic, babe.”
“What’s that?” She motioned toward the note in my hand.
“Uh… Nothing, girl. You’re already dressed and I’m still wrapped in the sheets, babe.”
I crumbled the note and placed my hand behind my back, nervously chuckling to lighten up a bit. I was awful at secrecy when it came to Melonie, but the slightest urge to confess that I wanted her uncle in every way possible didn’t arise. Oh God , I chewed a layer of skin from my right jaw.
“It’s fine. I expected it,” she fanned, headed for the fridge, “Dress comfortably. My uncle is sponsoring this trip and he plays no games when it comes to me and my shopping. He gave me enough to make up for the year he’s been away. He didn’t short-change you either. We’re both in good hands, honey!”
“Thank God for rich uncles, huh?” I sighed, sarcastically.
“Speaking of which… that’s who’s loft you’re in babe. I know my parents told you it was a rental, but that was only so you didn’t back out of the plans. They’re aware of how much you hate being an inconvenience, although you’re not.”
“Makes sense,” I nodded, “I should get dressed. I need a shower, first.”
“Alright. I’ll be out on the balcony.”
Soundlessly, I headed to the bedroom, rushing to the side table to grab my cell. The last thing I wanted was Bello calling and Melonie seeing his number pop up on the screen. I unlocked it and quickly decided to save his contact. Lo is what I went with before realizing it wasn’t safe enough.
With his name being Bello, I felt as if it was too obvious. Finally settling on a simple black heart, I held the phone to my chest and allowed the disappointment of his disappearance to subside. It was the only way to start my day on a good note because money for shopping wasn’t enough. I wanted him, plain and simple.
Feeling a bit better after reading his note again, I started the shower. The stickiness between my legs had dried and was now a thin white crust. I thought of how it had gotten there with a shake of the head. Twenty. It had taken me to the age of twenty to feel an ounce of intimacy with a guy. The thought blew my mind, but I didn’t regret any of it.
A beacon for discernment, my spirit had spoken and Bello deserved that first kiss and that first lick. With time, he’d receive the first stroke, too. It wasn’t that I’d saved my virginity all this time for some grand moment. I was simply waiting for the right time and a worthy moment. There seemed to be no better time than the present. Being deflowered by the man of my dreams would be an honor.
Bzzzzz.
The vibration of my phone startled me from my trance. The imaginary hearts around my head popped at once. I pulled the device from the counter and observed the screen. My heart danced in my chest as the corners of my lips nearly met my ears. Without hesitation, I answered his call.
“Hi,” he broke the silence.
“Hi,” I returned in a light whisper, afraid that I’d be too loud if I didn’t.
There was a brief silence before I added, “You left me.”
“But, not for long. Are you just waking? Has Melonie come?”
“Yes and yes.”
“Did you get my note?”
“I got it. Nice penmanship.”
“I wrote it over three times,” he chuckled.
“Figures,” I returned. “I feel like I miss you, again.”
“Then, come to the door,” he rushed out, “Because I missed you, too.”
“I don’t have on clothes.”
“Throw on a robe and come here.”
“Ok,” I replied, tossing the robe over my shoulders and ending the call.
On the way to the common area, I thought of a good enough excuse as to why I was leaving out in a robe to give Melonie. The closer I got, the more my anxiety revealed itself. By the time I made it past the common area and toward the balcony, I noticed she was leaning over the rail enthralled in the phone conversation she was having. Thankful, I continued toward the door, opening it gently so that Melonie wouldn’t be aware of my departure.
Fuzziness covered my skin as the premature hairs stood tall at the sight of the dark, handsome man before me that looked like he bathed in shea butter. His closeness was heartening. Before I was able to secure the door behind me, I felt his lips on mine - pulling me in his direction.
“Come ‘er,” he sounded like a lost puppy as he begged.
“What are you doing back, Bello?” I whispered.
“I forgot to give you this last night,” he shrugged, stepping back and eyeing me from my head to my toe, “You’re even better fresh out of bed.”
“Bello, please,” I hushed him, “What did you forget to give me?”
He pulled a gold diamond rope from the pocket of his black denim and dangled it in the air. My eyes adjusted to the beautiful piece of jewelry, admiring it from a distance. It was dainty and simple, just as I preferred it, but there was no doubt in my mind that he’d spent more than necessary on it.
“I love it,” I disclosed, hand on my chest as I marveled at his thoughtfulness.
“I figured you would. It felt so… you .” Bello shrugged. “Give me your wrist. Let me put it on you.”
“Bello, Melonie is going to wonder where I got such an expensive piece of jewelry. I don’t think it’s such a good idea.”
“Maybe if you told her now then it wouldn’t be so hard to later,” he tossed in, but I wasn’t hearing it.
“I’m not ready. I feel like I’ll disappoint her. Melonie is the best part of my world, Bello. I don’t think you understand.”
“And, I don’t think you know Melonie well enough, because she will understand, baby. You can’t decide for her. By leaving her out of the loop, that’s exactly what you’re doing.”
“I’m just not ready,” I reaffirmed.
“It’s your world, love. But, the minute she’s out of sight, I want to see this on you.”
“I promise you will.”
“Good. I’ve got business to handle while you’re out. Spare no expense. I’ll see you tonight at eight.”
With a final peck on the lips, he was gone and I was sad again. I returned to the bathroom undetected. Melonie was too enthralled with whoever she was on the phone with.
“You’re such a pooper. It’s your birthday weekend and there are so many parties going on in the city. Why do you want to be cooped up in the house?” Melonie fussed, as she always did.
She loved nothing more than having a good time, but it hardly included me. I simply didn’t have the ends that she did to enjoy each and every weekend. She knew my situation and always offered to pay, but I refused. There would come a time that I would be able to afford the fun my best friend wanted to have, but it hadn’t come yet. With my social anxiety, I wasn’t in a hurry, either.
“Rest, Melonie. I told you that. Tomorrow, I got back to work, so I’m just trying to enjoy this time off. Reality is going to set in really soon, babe.”
It was only five, and I was beyond exhausted. Before my date with Bello tonight, I wanted to get at least an hour and a half of sleep. Though I wasn’t one-hundred percent truthful with Melonie, I did want to get back to the loft to get some rest. I was still tired.
“I’m sorry, B. I guess I just feel like, besides this shopping trip and your stay at the loft, you’re not really celebrating you and I don’t like it.”
“I know, babe, but this is my way of celebrating myself. By resting. I’ve been on the go since the day she kicked me out. Nonstop. This weekend is what I need to get right mentally, physically, and emotionally.”
“I understand. I’m just making sure you know how special you are and how special this day is,” Melonie turned and reminded me.
“I know, Melonie. This has honestly been the best birthday I’ve ever had. Without you in my life, this wouldn’t have even been possible. So, trust me. You’ve shown me, with your presence, how special I am. As well as this day. I have no doubts about it anymore. I get it, now,” I chuckled to lighten the mood.
“Good. Now, do you need help getting upstairs because I made a dick appointment the minute you said you wanted to be back by five.”
“No. The guy at the front desk told me to let him know when I make it back. He’s going to send a cart and a bellman.”
I searched inside the new hobo bucket bag that I’d gotten while shopping earlier. The minute I was in the car after purchasing it, I switched it with my old, raggedy one. I found the sticky note with the number written on it that belonged to the front desk and sent a quick text.
“I was going to wait to give this to you, but I don’t see the point,” Melonie told me, handing me an envelope at the same time.
I accepted it, curious of its contents as I did so. “What’s this?”
“Everything we didn’t spend, today. I wasn’t honest with the amount of money my uncle had given us each. There are five thousand dollars left and I saved it just for you. I want you to get out of the van, babe. It’s time for you to get your own place. This will take care of the first four months, at least, along with a few pieces of furniture.
“I’ve been searching and I found a few studio apartments under a thousand dollars a month. Maybe we can go look at a few this week? With the first few months covered, that gives you time to rest before finding a better job.”
“Melonie,” I gnawed at the inside of my jaw, trying to find the words to thank her.
“Don’t mention it, babe. You deserve more and I know the material things don’t mean shit to you. That guilty look on your face every time we made it to the counter was humbling, even for me. So, I made sure to set something aside for you so that no matter, you’d be okay and that guilt wouldn’t eat you alive while you laid awake at night.”
“Thank you so much, Mel!” Emotionally mounted, I unbuckled my seatbelt and all but jumped into the passenger seat to hug her. She was everything to me and I wanted her to know that I deeply appreciated it.
“That’s what friends are for, Brisk. Now, go get some rest,” She suggested, “That man is looking rather creepy waiting for you to get out.”
“I love you, friend.”
“I love you back, babe,” Melonie finalized as I got out of her car, blowing a kiss in the process.