Chapter 10 #2
He chuckled and slid back down into the bed, pulling me closer, kissing the back of my shoulder.
“Goodnight, beautiful.”
“She is a doll baby, Diamond.” Wanda, my boss said as she gazed at my niece who was sleeping peacefully in her stroller.
Everyone in the center had been coming to my room, or the newborn room, to see her since we arrived earlier that morning.
My babies were confused thinking I’d had a baby of my own while I was out for the week, but I explained she was my niece.
That, of course, brought on so many other questions because they were all inquisitive, so I made up some answers that were good enough to satisfy them for the time being.
“Thank you,” I smiled taking a peek at her.
“I know you’re aiming for my spot, but in the meantime, if you want to go down to the newborn room, you can.”
“No,” I shook my head. “Harmony assured me she’d make sure she was good. Besides, I can’t imagine leaving my little ones earlier than I have to.”
“Right,” she laughed. “They’d lose it without Ms. D. Last week proved that to us.”
I joined her in laughter. My babies wasted no time letting me know that I better not ever go on vacation again because they don’t like Ms. Yandy, the teacher that covered my class while I was out. Yandy was a sweetheart, and a great teacher though. My students were just super spoiled.
Wanda left me to finish cleaning my room and prepping for the next day before I headed out for the night. When I was walking through the lobby, Debbie, the front desk receptionist, stopped me.
“Oh, Diamond, this came about an hour ago. I didn’t have time to bring it down because it was right when dismissal started.”
It was a massive arrangement of roses as well as a smaller one and two shopping bags.
“Do you need me to help bring it out for you?” she asked and nodded toward the baby’s stroller.
“Please.” I smiled.
I led the way out of the building, using my key fob to unlock the doors. She put the delivery on the front seat while I got Keona buckled in the back. I made sure she was comfortable before I closed her in. I thanked Debbie for the help before I got in and left.
On the way home, I stopped and got something to eat.
It had been a long day at work, so I knew that I wasn’t going to be doing any cooking when I got home.
When we made it, Keona was still sleeping so I took that time to eat my food while it was still hot, then I bathed us both before we posted up in the living room.
She was settled in her little swing, so I started to go through the things that I’d received today.
I went for the card in the flowers first and saw that they were from Makhai.
I didn’t want to waste my time wondering how he knew where I worked.
It was pointless. He’d managed to get my address and phone number.
I was sure the man knew my social, bank account information, and more. He was clearly resourceful.
Know your pretty ass trying hard as fuck not to smile right now. Wanted to make your day a lil’ brighter so hopefully this did it. Hope you fuck with the gifts because this what I want to see you in when I come take you out next weekend.
-Big Loc
I was without a doubt trying not to smile, but it was so impossible when it came to Makhai. Especially with the card I plucked from the small arrangement of flowers too.
Couldn’t give ya aunt flowers and not get you some too. All pretty girls deserve pretty things, and you’re the prettiest I’ve seen. Don’t tell ya aunt I said that; I don’t want her to back out of our date.
-Uncle Loc
I laughed and wiped some of the tears that had slipped from my eyes.
It was already sweet enough that he’d gotten me flowers and gifts, but he’d gotten my niece some as well.
He didn’t have to include her, but he did, and that said more than enough about him, if I wasn’t going on a date with him before, I definitely was now.
“Aw, he got you some flowers too, Ke,” I cooed to my niece. “Aren’t they so pretty?”
I smiled and showed her the flowers as if she knew what they were before I put the two cards on the table then moved on to the shopping bags.
The first one had a black Lux Fluid Couture Corset Gown by Brunello Cucinelli and black Louboutin ankle strap stiletto sandals.
They were beautiful. I got up to carefully lay the dress across my couch then moved on to the second bag.
There was handbag by Louboutin and two small boxes that I knew were jewelry.
I opened them and found a beautiful diamond necklace, bracelet, and earrings. I couldn’t stop smiling. I wondered if he went and got all of these things himself or had someone else shop for him. My phone was on the back of the chair, so I grabbed it and called him.
“Been waiting on yo’ ass to call,” he said right away. He didn’t even let the phone ring good. “You got ya shit?”
“I did.” I grinned although he couldn’t see me. “Thank you for getting Keona flowers.”
“You ain’t gotta thank me for that. I can’t do for you and not her. Y’all a package, right?”
I blushed and answered, “We are.”
“Aight then. What about the other shit?”
“It’s all so beautiful, but Makhai, you didn’t have to spend this kind of money on me.”
“So what? I was supposed to go buy you some cheap shit and show up in a thousand-dollar pair of draws?”
“No,” I giggled. “I’m not saying that.”
“Then what you saying, baby?”
“Nothing. Thank you.”
“Lead with that shit next time,” he said with a chuckle. “You can fit everything?”
“I haven’t tried any of it on yet, but it looked about right. I’m actually impressed. I didn’t know you spent money like this on women.”
“That’s because I don’t. I spent money like that on you, and I’ll blow a bag on my mama. These other hoes get fucked and sent the fuck on.”
“That is so horrible for real, and it says a lot about the women you’ve dealt with.” I laughed then asked, “who’d you send to get all of this?”
“You think I can’t shop for you myself?”
“I didn’t say that. I just assumed you had a woman pick this stuff up because of what you got and how you accessorized everything.”
“I don’t appreciate you acting like I ain’t got no fuckin’ fashion sense.”
“Oh my God, I did not say that.” I shook my head while smiling like some high school girl interacting with her crush. “I just assumed you might have had some help.”
“My sisters ordered everything, but I was the one that okayed it all.”
“I knew you had help.” I giggled. “I’ll have to be sure to thank them if I ever meet them.”
“You gon’ meet them fa show,” he replied. “I just need to get to know you first before I introduce you to them.”
“You have brothers too?”
“Of course. Two.”
“Oh, your mom was busy. It’s just me and my sister.”
“Shit, I wish my mama gave me a biological sibling.” He laughed lowly. “She wasn’t going for it after she had me. Claimed I was ten kids in one.”
“Oh, so these sisters could potentially be women you’ve slept with or might in the future?”
I didn’t play that fake sister or best friend shit. I wasn’t insecure by a long shot, but I wasn’t going to let anyone play in my face either. Every friend I had growing up turned out to like me, and I knew things like that didn’t change as adults.
“Hell naw. Safari and Kinnidi are married to my closest homeboys. I’d never do no foul ass shit like that.”
“Oh, sorry. I just know how that friend thing is.”
“I got two friends. The niggas you saw me with at Kiss. Won’t catch me saying I fuck with nobody else if it ain’t them or P’s two brothers.”
“Noted.”
“Yeah, but I’m sending you some bread so you can do the hair, nails, waxes and all the shit women have to do to get ready for date night.”
“A wax?” I repeated.
“Yeah, I ain’t eating no hairy pussy. I need that shit nice and smooth.”
“Nigga, please.” I cackled. “I am not letting you eat my pussy.”
“Just in case.” I knew his fine ass was smirking. I wished that I had FaceTimed him so I could see it.
I chuckled. “Anyways, fool, I just wanted to call and thank you. I’m not going to hold you up.”
“Aight, baby. I’ll fuck with you later. And throw up the Ls for me to Baby Lord. Tell her Uncle Loc will see her and take her out soon. I just need to get auntie squared away first.”
“I don’t know what Ls are or what they represent, so I will not be doing that. She is wide awake and listening to you though.” I smiled at my niece who was very alert and observant at the moment.
“Good, I’ll just show her how to throw that shit up when I see her again.”
“You will not corrupt her. She is a sweet girl,” I grinned.
“Yeah, she is, but I gotta teach her how to be real.”
“Let’s focus on building our friendship, sir, since you’re forcing it on me and all.”
He smacked his teeth. “Lord, you been smiling the whole time we been on the phone. You know you wouldn’t want to be talking to no fucking body else. Cut the cap.”
He had it spot on. I had indeed been smiling the entire duration of the call, but he’d made it impossible not to. He was so ridiculous, hood and brazen, but he was also very sweet, charming, and irresistible.
Still, I said, “You wish, Makhai.”
“Naw, I know that shit,” he chuckled. “I gotta get back to this song I was recording though. I’ll hit you later to see if you’re still up.”
“I am sure I won’t be, so don’t wake me or Keona up, Makhai.”
“We’ll see. Later, baby.”
He disconnected the call after that, not giving me a chance to reply. I just laughed to myself and took a picture of everything he’d gotten me as well as me and Keona’s flowers to send to Kabria, and like I knew she would, she called to get all of the details.