Chapter 12
ESSENCE
Just like I suspected, Valentino had pulled another disappearing act.
He’d made such a big fuss, just to not follow through on anything he’d said, so now I was going to follow through.
I already had another date lined up, and this time, I wasn’t going anywhere near one of his businesses.
My phone rang in the middle of me doing my makeup, and I glanced at it, expecting my date, Andrew, but when I saw Maxwell’s name, I rolled my eyes.
I’d been ignoring the fuck out of him just like he’d done me, but his ass wasn’t catching the hint.
Sucking my teeth, I swiped the screen and finished applying my mascara. “Why do you keep calling me? Can’t you tell when you’re being ignored?”
“Essence?” He said my name slowly, like he wasn’t sure it was me.
“What? Why are you ignoring me? I take you out, and the next thing I know, you’re gone, and I can’t get a hold of you.
If this is about the casino, we only went because it’s a cesspool of potential clients, but I can make it up to you!
” He rushed, getting louder the longer he talked.
Little did he know, the only thing on my mind about that night was what happened in Valentino’s office, and I was trying to forget that too.
“Actually, I’m good. You don’t have to make up anything, just stop calling me. I’m with Vega now,” I lied, throwing out his street name to add some proof to what I was saying.
“Vega?” He gasped like the name tasted bitter coming out, and I bit back a laugh.
“How did you―never mind. I guess I’ll see you around.
” He spoke dryly, hanging up and leaving me staring at the phone.
I really hadn’t expected him to be scared away so fast, but obviously, Vega was a lot more powerful than I’d thought.
If it wasn’t for the fact that I hadn’t heard from Valentino, the interaction would’ve had me a little nervous to still go on my date.
Obviously, that nigga wasn’t thinking about me, so I wasn’t going to be worried about him.
I’d only even agreed to go out after having a damn pregnancy scare.
My mama bringing up kids made me realize my period was late.
That shit had me terrified, especially because it couldn’t have been anybody’s but Valentino’s missing ass, and that would not have been good.
As soon as I left my parents’ house, I went and got a test and damn near cried when it came back negative.
The very last thing I needed was a baby by a nigga I didn’t know like that.
I still made an appointment with my doctor, just in case something with my birth control had my period acting up, but in the meantime, I accepted Andrew’s invitation as a way to celebrate.
He was someone I’d met while at the grocery store, and I immediately liked how buff he was, which he explained was a result of being a firefighter.
That made him even more attractive to me, knowing we had at least that much in common.
We’d only been messaging for a couple of days, but he didn’t waste any time trying to take me out, which was more than I could say about my―Valentino.
Finishing my makeup, I saw that I was running behind and rushed to grab my purse and keys.
I may have been excited to see how things went with Andrew, but I wasn’t a complete fool.
After being stuck without my car last time, I wasn’t going to risk that shit again.
If I didn’t like the way things were going, I’d be able to leave when I wanted.
Stopping, I checked myself out in the mirror and took a quick picture.
The Mexican restaurant he’d suggested wasn’t going to be super fancy, so I hadn’t put on anything fancy.
My white and black striped romper was wide legged and looked good with the black Adidas Mary Janes on my feet.
It was warm, so I’d put my hair up into a puffy ball on top of my head, and my silver jewelry matched my aesthetic.
I was hoping that if things went well, we could try a club or bar after because I was due for a drink, but if not, I had no problem calling my sister and Micah.
Lately, they’d been the only friends I had since all the married girlies hadn’t been reaching out.
I didn’t mind since I still had a crew, but it was still fucked up, and I made a mental note to let them know I wasn’t feeling the vibes.
Forty-five minutes later, I pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot and texted Andrew to let him know I made it.
I couldn’t stop myself from smiling when he insisted on coming over to get me, and a minute later, he was knocking at my window, looking even more handsome than I remembered.
Andrew was nineties fine if I’d ever seen it with rich, dark skin, strong features, and an amazing smile.
He was dressed in an Armani t-shirt and a pair of ripped Amiri jeans.
I hit the locks, and he pulled the door open for me, stepping back just enough for me to climb out.
“You look gorgeous,” he complimented, and I blushed.
“Awww, thank you. You look nice as well.” I let my eyes run across his muscular body with a shudder. God had definitely blessed him in the looks and body department.
He was checking me out, too, and licked his lips suggestively.
“I do what I can, but we definitely need to find a spot to do a night cap because I know this little meal won’t be long enough.
” He clearly didn’t have any shame, and that was fine with me because I loved a man who showered me with compliments.
“Let’s head inside. I already got us a table. ”
He wrapped his huge hand around mine, swallowing it up, and started toward the restaurant, making sure he walked on the outside like a real gentleman.
I could already smell whatever they were cooking before we made it to the door, and my mouth watered.
Even the music was spilling out onto the sidewalk as the door opened and closed with customers coming and going.
Andrew held the door open for me, and I ducked inside past a large group.
Guiding me to a corner booth, he sat on the opposite side as me and a waitress came over with some tortillas and salsa. While she was there, we placed our orders for drinks and the house special, which was steak tacos.
“Sooo, you said you’re a nurse, right?” he asked as I munched on the tortillas, immediately noting how good the salsa was. I covered my mouth as I swallowed with a nod.
“Yes, I work as a NICU travel nurse, but only in the area, so I can still see my family. We’re really close, and I don’t think I could go months without seeing them,” I admitted, and his eyebrows shot up.
“Ohh, so you only work with preemies?”
He was definitely asking the right questions because I loved talking about my work.
Smiling, I pushed the bowl away. “Yep, the first time I ever worked with them, I knew that was going to be my specialty. Bringing them back to health so they can go home is like giving someone a gift every day.” I was still smiling as I finished, but the look of disappointment on his face had it faltering a little.
“You don’t think you’ll ever want to give it up and be a stay-at-home wife, though? Have kids of your own?” he followed up, and my head tilted.
“What do you mean? Why would I need to give up nursing to get married and have kids?” Outside of my friends from school all getting married, I hadn’t given much thought about how I wanted things to go if or when I decided to do the same.
I was sure I wasn’t going to be leaving my career, though.
That was some shit that was non-negotiable.
Andrew let out an uncomfortable chuckle and held his hands up on top of the table. “I’m just saying, a real man wouldn’t want you having to work, and he definitely wouldn’t want his kids in daycare. I know I wouldn’t.” He laughed again, but I didn’t find shit funny about what he said.
In fact, I was slowly losing my appetite. In every conversation we’d had, Andrew hadn’t given me any signs that he was one of those niggas who called themselves Alpha males, but the more he talked, I knew that shit was coming.
“No, a real man would want me to do whatever I wanted, even if that means working and putting our children in daycare.”
“Ohhh, you’re a feminist?” he said it like a dirty word and leaned back in his seat.
I did the same, folding my arms over my chest. Before I could tear into him, though, the waitress returned with my margarita, and I wasted no time taking a long sip.
I was less than an hour in, and this shit was already proving to be a bust. I just hoped he didn’t say anything too crazy before I got to at least taste my tacos.
Andrew downed his double shot and immediately raised his hand to call the waitress back for another.
A silence fell over the table, and for a second, I thought maybe the drink had mellowed him out, but I was wrong as fuck.
“You know, I thought maybe because of your… size.” He frowned, using his hands to demonstrate my physique. “You’d be more―”
“What? Desperate?” I sat up angrily, trying to keep from throwing my margarita in his face.
“Well―”
“Oh, you got me fucked up! You asked me out ’cause you thought I was desperate! Nigga, please! I don’t need you or any other nigga doing me any favors!” The entire time I was speaking, he was looking around anxiously and trying to shush me like I gave a damn about drawing attention.
Now it was my turn to call for the waitress, but she was already heading our way with the food. She smiled as she reached us and started setting our plates down. “Can I get a to-go box, please?” My tone had her faltering as she looked between the two of us before rushing away with a nod.
The fact that my food looked and smelled so fucking good, and I would probably have to reheat it had me even more pissed off than I already was.
The waitress came back quickly and handed me the styrofoam tray and the check with a sympathetic look.
Andrew tried pleading his case as I transferred my food, but I didn’t have any words for his ass.
“I hope you know I’m not paying for that if you leave!
” He threatened like that was really going to stop me from leaving his goofy ass right there.
“Good thing I got a job, so I can pay for my own food, goofy ass nigga!” I flipped him off and carried my tray over to the register, fuming.
I quickly paid for my food and left a generous tip for the waitress.
Still talking shit under my breath about wasting an outfit, makeup, and gas, I made my way out to my car, searching my purse for my keys.
“What did I tell you, sweetheart?”
The jolt of fear that shot through me from hearing that nigga’s voice in the dark was enough to make me almost drop my damn food.
I clutched my chest as my eyes landed on Valentino casually leaned up against my car like he was just out enjoying the nighttime air and not being menacing at all.
Even the amusement on his face seemed normal, but that didn’t stop me from being terrified.
I stumbled back a couple of steps and tried to fix my lips to speak.
“Wh-whaat, are you doing here?” I finally squeaked, failing miserably at sounding normal.
“I’m waiting on you.” Shrugging, he motioned toward the tray in my hands. “I take it you enjoyed your food.”
“I-uh.” I opened and closed my mouth, praying that at that very moment, Andrew wouldn’t bring his stupid ass outside.
“Was the company just as good?” He wanted to know, sending a chill down my spine as he pushed himself away from my car when I didn’t answer him right away.
“Come here.” My feet were sliding across the parking lot, even though I was filled with terror, and his crazy ass simply nodded, encouraging me forward.
Once I was within arm’s reach, he gently gripped my elbow and took the keys and my food from my hands.
Hitting the locks, he held the door open for me as if this was the ending of our date and not him hijacking it instead, but I was too stunned to do anything but allow him to.
He waited until I was safely behind the wheel to hand my things over, and I couldn’t do anything but hold them as he crouched in the doorway.
“Essence! I know this fat bitch didn’t really leave!”
I swear the devil must’ve been busy because he chose that moment to send Andrew’s ass around the corner.
It wouldn’t have been so obvious if he wasn’t screaming my fucking name.
Valentino’s face instantly got tight, but he didn’t turn around to see who it was.
I guess he didn’t need to because he let out a whistle, then two niggas appeared out of nowhere and started beating Andrew’s ass.
My mouth fell open as I watched them fuck him up.
“Go home. I’m gon’ follow you.” Valentino was still completely unbothered, and I didn’t know if I should’ve been scared or turned on.
“If you knew I was going out, why didn’t you?” My voice trailed off, but he knew exactly what I was about to say, and his forehead bunched like it was obvious.
“I wanted you to finish eating first,” he said, pecking my lips before backing up just enough to close the door.
I couldn’t even pull off right away because I was too busy watching him swagger across the lot. It took a second, but I finally pushed the start button and sped past the scene, still unsure of how I felt, but I knew Valentino was actually crazier than I thought.