Klutch
I pulled up to the two-story, five-bedroom, three-bathroom house that I purchased for my auntie.
It was the first thing I did after signing with my record label.
To some, it might have seemed impulsive, but to me, it was long overdue.
My auntie worked tirelessly, often at multiple jobs, to provide for Chastity and me while we were growing up.
That’s why I felt it was only right to repay her for every sacrifice she made.
For as long as I breathe, she’ll never have to worry about anything again.
She stood at the trunk of her all-black Bentley Bentayga, grabbing her bags of groceries. I parked in the driveway behind her. Pressing the push-start button and opening the car door caused the car to shut off. I made my way over to help her with the bags.
“Look who finally decided to stop by,” she said once I reached her.
I wrapped my arm around her neck and placed a kiss on her temple. “Don’t be like that. You know I be busy.”
I grabbed the rest of the bags out of the truck before closing it and followed her to the house.
“Yeah, with all those different ho’s you like running around with.” We went into the kitchen and set the groceries on the countertop. “So, which one of them got you canceling on Sunday dinner, tonight?”
“Why do they have to be all that?”
She looked at me with an eyebrow raised and her head slightly tilted.
I chuckled.
“Stop trying to beat around the bush. And answer the question… who is she?”
“Aubrey,” I answered.
The room went quiet when she stopped going through the bags to study my face. I guess to see if I was being serious or not. My auntie was no stranger to the way I treated women.
“What’s your intentions? Is she just another woman on your long list of sexual partners? Or are you looking for something deeper?” She wasted no time running off her questions.
“I want to try something serious, but I don’t know if she’s ready. The niggas in her past broke her heart, and now she got her guard up.”
Her eyebrow hitched up. “Are you going to be any different?”
“Of course. Why would you ask that?”
“Devonte, you’ve never been in a relationship.
You’re used to doing whatever with whoever and not having to answer anybody about it.
Do you really believe that you are ready to change that?
Are you ready to pick her and only her because that’s what women crave?
For a man to come and declare that we’re the only one meant for him.
Aubrey’s heart is already bruised and battered.
If you’re not going to heal it, then leave her alone. ”
I ain’t never been surer about anything in my life before. Aubrey was the first woman who made me want to tighten up and move differently. Not ‘cause she asked me to, but ‘cause she deserved it. I wanted to give her the real me. No half-stepping.
“I’m not a perfect man and never have I ever tried to fake it. But for her, I’ll try every single day. Picking her a million times over and over again.”
“Alright,” she smiled. “It’s about time you’ve decided to settle down. Now you can give me some grandbabies.”
“I don’t know about all that.”
I chilled with her for a couple of hours before heading home to prepare for my date with Aubrey.
LATER THAT NIGHT
I knocked on the door… then stepped back, flowers in hand, waiting for her to answer. After a few seconds, she pulled the door open, instantly taking my breath away. She looked every bit of amazing.
The striking red halter dress she wore seemed tailored just for her, effortlessly embracing her curves.
The delicate string tied behind her neck, while the deep V-neck with a gentle drape revealed her bare chest. Slits along the sides extended past her waist, adding a hint of allure.
Completing her look, she wore a pair of red strapped heels that caught the eye.
Licking my lips, I said, “You look beautiful, love.”
“Thank you,” she replied, accepting the roses I handed her. She inhaled their fragrance, her smile widening. “And you didn’t have to get me these.”
“I know, but I wanted to.”
For a brief moment, time seemed to pause as we gazed intensely into each other’s eyes, our orbs locking in a silent exchange.
She cleared her throat gently, breaking the moment. “I’ll be right back,” she said with a tentative smile.
Aubrey stepped back into the house, her heels clicking softly on the hardwood floor. She quickly returned, not with the roses but clutching a sleek silver purse with a subtle shimmer that caught the light.
I took a step back to give Aubrey space while she locked up her apartment.
Once the door was secured. I reached out and gently took her hand, feeling the warmth and slight tremble of anticipation as we descended the stairs together.
I helped her settle into the passenger seat of my Ferrari, closing the door once she was comfortable.
Walking around the front, I climbed into the driver’s seat.
My phone connected to the car radio when I turned the engine on.
“Help Me” by Real Boston Richey started blasting.
She reached over, turning up the radio volume, and began singing the lyrics word for word while staring at her phone camera. I shifted my gaze from the road briefly to glance in her direction. Aubrey must have sensed my eyes on her because, mid-recording, she diverted her attention to look at me.
“W-what?” she giggled nervously, ending the video with a quick swipe.
“I already told you that you be having a nigga mesmerized.”
My eyes returned to the road as I slowed at a red traffic light.
She waved me off, “Tell me anything.”
“Naw, that’s real shit. You’re the sexiest woman alive. What did Rod Wave say? And if they sold your picture in the mall. I would buy ‘em all, put ‘em on my wall.”
Aubrey’s cheeks flustered with a bright rose tint. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
∞∞∞
It took thirty minutes to arrive downtown at our destination.
Aubrey’s eyes burned through my skin as I pulled into the parking lot of Lava.
I pretended as if I didn’t feel her gaze.
Lava was an upscale rooftop restaurant. It was well-constructed and mesmerizing to the eye.
Chastity told me that it’s been a dream of Aubrey’s to come here.
However the wait list was out of this world, and it was expensive beyond her means.
Luckily, I got some connections that were able to help me rent out the rooftop deck for the night.
My hand rested on the small of her back as we entered the restaurant.
I gave the lady at the hostess desk my name.
Using the walker-talkie she held a mini exchange with the person on the other end before directing us to the elevator.
We rode the elevator to the rooftop area.
There wasn’t anybody out here, which is the way I wanted.
I rented out the space for the evening so we wouldn’t have to worry about fans or the media.
“Mr. Klutch?” the young lady at the desk asked with a warm smile as we stepped off the elevator.
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“Great,” she said cheerfully. “Nice to meet you. I’m Emily, and I’ll be taking care of you all this evening. Follow me, please.”
Leading us over to one of the cabanas where a bottle of champagne rested in a bucket of ice, accompanied by two elegant flutes, a candle flickered softly in the center of the table casting a warm glow.
“This place is gorgeous.” Aubrey muttered, taking in the atmosphere.
The rooftop area gave more of a romantic scene.
Low-dimming lights hanging above. Cabanas that were supported by sturdy wooden posts and draped with flowing white sheer curtains that hang loosely, offering a sense of privacy while still revealing glimpses of the bustling city.
Inside, a comfortable sectional sofa was adorned with an assortment of plush pillows in soft, inviting fabrics.
Centrally placed was a low, sleek marble table, on which a delicate arrangement of candles emitted a warm, romantic glow.
Sweet melodies of R&B music played softly in the background.
“You can scan the QR code to access the menu. I’ll give you a moment to decide on what you want.”
She walked away, leaving us to go over the menu in private.
“You really pulling out all the stops tonight,” she said.
“I told you that I wouldn’t half step.”
The smile on her face grew wider as she scanned the code to pull up the menu, the soft glow of her phone lit up her face features.
I followed suit, glancing at the menu, even though I intended to let her decide for me. A few minutes later, Emily returned to take our order.
“Are you guys ready?” she asked. Aubrey and I nodded in unison. “Great, what can I get for you?” she prompted, her pen poised in her hand.
Leaning back in my chair, I nodded toward Aubrey. “She’s ordering for us,” I explained.
Aubrey raised an eyebrow, eyeing me with a hint of surprise. “You sure about that?”
I chuckled and nodded. “Absolutely. I trust your taste.”
She smiled and said, “We’ll have your finest red wine, please. For starters, baked oysters. For the main course, lamb chops with ratatouille, lobster tails, roasted asparagus, and mashed potatoes.”
“What’s up?” I asked her, noticing the curiosity in her eyes.
“You just keep surprising me.”
“Ain’t that a good thing?” I probed, leaning in slightly.
“Yeah, and no,” she admitted with a shrug. “Right now, you give me everything I ever dreamed, setting the bar at an all-time high. But what happens when you can no longer measure up?”
“I ain’t never been a half stepper about nothing. I’m standing ten toes down about everything I rap.”
“You’re saying that now,” she replied, crossing her arms.
I understood her doubts, but I wanted her to look beyond them.
I’d never been in a monogamous relationship before, yet I was willing to try for her.
Aubrey had an intoxicating aura around her that drew me in completely.
It was so easy to fall for her. I knew I wouldn’t be perfect, but I’d strive to be the man she deserved. The one who makes her happy and whole.
Turning her head to face me, so she could see the sincerity in a nigga eyes.
“Love, that shit goes for now and later. I don’t know who the fuck you think I am, but this not that. My word is my bond.”