Chapter 16
ESSENCE
Ifound out real quick that Vega was actually just as crazy as I thought he was.
After that last argument, I just knew he was going to go on about his business, but nope.
He came over the next day like I hadn’t just told his ass to leave me alone, and what was even crazier was that I let him.
My little speech about him spending time with me had him at my house every other day, taking me out or to his damn house.
I wasn’t complaining because I was enjoying the time with him.
“Why do both y’all hoes look soooo… glowy?” Micah asked after we’d been sitting at the table after ordering.
We hadn’t hung out for a minute, so we were having dinner at Soul Vibez and having girl talk, but her question had me and Bliss sharing a look. Bliss was definitely looking especially glowy, and I knew it didn’t have anything to do with her highlighter.
“Well, I’ve been getting some bomb ass, consistent dick, so it could be that.” She shrugged, sending us all squealing loudly and gaining a disapproving look from the table of church ladies beside us.
“Since when?” I asked because she hadn’t told me shit about a new man being around, but while I was looking confused, Micah looked knowing.
“From Sooooossssaaa?” she dragged, making Bliss blush as she took a sip of her drink.
“Hold up. Who is Sosa?” I frowned, eyes bouncing between the two of them.
“Just her new little boo!” Micah gushed, reaching across the table.
Bliss swatted her hands away.
My eyebrows shot up as I waited for my sister to give me some more details with her secretive ass.
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop herself from smiling.
“I met him at Micah’s job. He was there picking up his cousin, and we’ve been talking for a few weeks.
He’s really sweet, though. You’d like him. ”
“Well, if he’s got you cheesing like that, then I know I will. I wish y’all heffas would stop keeping me out of the group chat. I get enough of that from my other friends,” I said, giving them both the side eye, and Micah sucked her teeth.
“I been told you them bougie bitches were going to act funny after they got married, but don’t front like the reason you been out of pocket ain’t because of Valentino. Your ass got Stockholm syndrome, and you’re trying to blame us.”
Bliss’s eyes widened. “Oh, so you changed your mind?” she wanted to know, and I quickly shook my head.
“Sort of, every time I went on a date, his ass was popping up like he has somebody watching me. Last time, he beat the nigga up and met me back at my house like that shit is normal,” I told them, taking a sip of my drink.
I’d stopped trying to go on dates since Valentino was actually making an effort, but if he started slacking again, I had no problem opening my little black book again.
“Damn, y’all having all the fun,” Micah grumbled. “All Travis ass has been doing is chasing behind Jordan and his other friends. They got a little bit of money, so now he’s always in the streets.”
“Ugh, I hate that for you, friend. I can’t say that Quick will be good to you like Sosa is, but it doesn’t hurt to open your options and try it,” Bliss said, and my forehead bunched.
I thought the name Sosa sounded familiar, but her coupling it with Quick’s name had my interest piqued.
It couldn’t have been a coincidence that Valentino’s brother and cousin were named that as well.
Despite how big Chicago was, I knew it couldn’t have been that many niggas walking around with that variation of names.
“Wait, your nigga’s name is Sosa, and he’s got a cousin named Quick?” I asked, interrupting whatever else Bliss was about to say, and her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Yeeeeah?”
“That’s Valentino’s brother and cousin’s names,” I insisted, and they both looked at me like I was crazy, so I pulled out my phone.
I still hadn’t delved too deep into Valentino’s family since it was already like pulling teeth to get him to open up about himself.
If his brother was involved with my sister, though, it only seemed more like fate than he’d said with his crazy ass.
“Does Sosa have social media because Valentino doesn’t, so I can’t check there.
” I rolled my eyes at him being so secretive.
“Yeah, hold on.” Bliss was already pulling up his page and scrolling until she finally came up on a picture with three men standing together. I immediately recognized Valentino and his brother but didn’t know the other guy and just assumed it was their cousin based on how young he looked.
“That’s definitely Valentino and the brother I met at the casino,” I said, pursing my lips. I think I was just too stunned to have a real reaction just yet, but Bliss was giddy as hell.
“Awww! We should do a double date or something. Well, a triple date with Micah and Quick, too.” She bounced in her seat excitedly, clapping her hands together. “I can’t believe we’ve been seeing brothers and didn’t know.”
“Yeah, that is crazy as hell, and didn’t you meet Valentino when you were out in Dubai?” Micah asked, and I nodded. “Yeah, that’s some straight up rom com shit. I’m gon’ let y’all have that, though. Travis will fuck around and kill me if I try to cheat on his dog ass.”
“So, why don’t you just leave him? You don’t gotta be with nobody else to realize that you deserve better. Plus, you’re the bread winner. You don’t need his ass.” Bliss scoffed, looking mad as hell.
I had to admit, I was too when it came to Micah’s relationship with Travis. He was a bum in my eyes, and I couldn’t wait ’til the day she left his ass alone.
“You definitely don’t need his little broke ass. I can’t wait until somebody beat his ass. I just hope I’m there to see it,” I said, making them crack up laughing, even though I was serious. Hell, since Valentino loved going around and beating people up, I could probably get him to do it.
“You just turned into a little thug messing around with Valentino, huh?” Micah teased and nudged me. “You out here wanting niggas to get fucked up, and you wanna watch it happen?”
“Shut up!” I rolled my eyes just as the waitress returned with our food, and I instantly perked up.
The fried chicken, mac and cheese, greens and yams looked and smelled so good as she placed them in front of me, I almost started drooling. I was already digging in before she even had the chance to set Bliss and Micah’s plates down. “Mmm! This is so good!”
“Girl, you okay over there?” Bliss eyed me with a funny look.
Nodding because my mouth was full, I swallowed and answered. “I’m fine. It’s just really good, but I also haven’t eaten since this morning.”
“I mean, yeah, but babe, you don’t even like yams,” she pointed out, and my chewing slowed to a stop.
Looking down at the plate, I was confused as hell to seeing that I’d actually finished the entire helping they’d given me.
“People’s palates change.” I shrugged and moved on to the other things on my plate while the two shared a look.
“Oooookaay.”
“Sure, girl.”
They spoke at the same time, and I ignored them, getting back to my food.
We spent the next hour or so there, chatting and eating before I made another order to eat later.
When I finally got home, I wasn’t surprised to see Valentino waiting outside his car, but once I parked, he came over and opened the door for me.
Surprisingly, it was one of the rare times I saw him without a suit, even though he looked just as good.
The Balenciaga t-shirt matched well with his dark jeans and Jordans.
He even smelled amazing, like something fresh and woodsy with gourmand.
“What took you so long, sweetheart? I been waiting here for almost an hour.” His hands were already wrapped around my body as he pressed me against the car, lips barely touching mine.
“I told you I was meeting the girls for dinner. If you called like a normal person, then you would’ve known that.” I simpered, already anticipating him kissing me.
“My bad. Come inside so I can eat your pussy.” He grunted, finally pressing his lips to mine, and my knees got weak. He’d been keeping me drained since his ass came back, but I wasn’t mad at him because I was enjoying seeing him so often.
I turned to lean in and grab my food, and Valentino palmed my ass discreetly.
When I stepped back out, he took the Styrofoam tray from me and followed me up to the apartment door.
While I locked up, he went to put my food away, but before he could return, my stomach turned violently.
I instantly felt myself about to vomit and ran straight for my bedroom so I wouldn’t make a mess.
I barely made it over the toilet before everything I’d eaten at the restaurant came shooting out.
Tears came from my eyes as I gagged even after there was nothing left.
I laid my head on my arm and clutched my stomach.
“Come here, sweetheart.” I didn’t realize Valentino was there, and I weakly tried to shoo him away.
“Ugh, don’t come in here!” My words fell on deaf ears as he stepped inside and lifted me bridal style. Carrying me over to the shower, he set the water then helped me out of my clothes.
“Get in, baby. I’ll go make you some tea or something,” he ordered, walking off before I could speak, and I did what he’d told me.