Chapter 20
Chapter 20
X avier and Nicole had a home in Richmond. She was a real estate mogul who handled high end real estate in New York. He was an award-winning architect with a specialty in building reasonably priced communities. Since this would impact her future as well as his, James decided to take ZsaZsa with him. There were a few things he needed to share with her.
The moment he closed the door behind her, James had to say a prayer for patience. He waved at Nailah and Sabra, ZsaZsa’s security team, as they got into the vehicle behind them.
Once he was in the driver’s seat, he glanced over at her and exhaled. “You are making it hard for me to keep my word to honor your request of no sex before marriage.”
“I do not wish to make things difficult,” ZsaZsa teased as she crossed her legs.
James chuckled. “We said no more dresses. You know how your legs drive me crazy.”
“We are going to visit your aunt Nikki. I want to always make a good impression when we are around your family.”
“Ha,” James chuckled. “You are teasing me,” he said as he started the vehicle and pulled off. “Keep it up and I’m going to forget my word and really give you a reason to scream my name.”
“James….James….James, make me scream…make me scream.” He fell out laughing at her.
“I did wear the dress to tease you.” ZsaZsa chuckled. “You know I love the way you make me scream. When are we going to have another session of your lessons?”
“Are you serious right now?” James huffed. “It took me damn near a week to work off the last lesson.”
“Did you have sex with another one of those women?”
He could see she really did not want to know, but they had made a deal. As long as he was using a professional, she understood his desire to satisfy his needs. But his needs were no longer being satisfied and as a result, he’d been celibate for over a year. Hence his current agitation seeing her in a dress. However, he did not want to share that with ZsaZsa. He did not want her to feel any pressure about them making love.
“I thought we agreed not to discuss that,” he said. “The last time you were a little upset about it.”
“I want to be the one to satisfy your needs. Why are you denying me that honor?”
“You know why. It was by your request that we took the no sex path. And now that I know it could lead to your death, I am determined not to put your life in danger.”
“That was before you began teaching your lessons.” She replied. “Now that I have experienced your touch, I want it more.”
“I do too, however, it will not be much longer,” James exhaled. “Once you go home and we have a chance to sit down with your parents to tell them our plans, it’s going to be on.”
“I do not wish to wait that long, James. I want to express my love for you like you express yours for me.” She stated then turned towards him. “I have completed research on fellatio, and I believe I could do that for you.”
“You did what?” James asked almost slamming on the brakes.
“Fellatio, the art of orally stimulating a man’s penis. I am surprised you have not heard of this?”
“I know what fellatio means.” He was shocked at her statement. “Why are you doing that?” He shook his head. “Where are you doing this research?”
“On the World Wide Web of course,” she looked at him confused. “Are you upset because of my desire to please you?”
“No…I’m not…” James hesitated attempting to get his thoughts under control. He stopped the vehicle in the curved parking area in front of Nikki’s house. He put the car in park then turned to her. “I am not upset with you at all. I am shocked that you would do such a thing on the internet.”
“Well, where else would one learn such things. You refuse to show me.” She shook her head at him. “I am not clear on your refusal to teach me certain things, but not others James.” She sighed as she opened the door to get out.
“Wait,” James hurried from behind the driver’s seat to open the door for her as he had always done. She slammed the door then began walking towards the house. James looked up to see Xavier standing in the doorway. He threw his hand in the air.
“Trouble in paradise?” Xavier asked.
“She’s upset because I will not have sex with her,” James declared.
“He is speaking a mistruth. I am upset because he will not allow me to pleasure him with fellatio.”
“Hello!” Xavier exclaimed as the two entered the house.
Nikki was walking from the back of the house as Xavier closed the door.
“Did I just hear you right?” Nikki asked ZsaZsa as she hugged her.
“You heard her right,” Xavier nodded.
“Forgive us,” James exclaimed as he hugged his aunt Nikki. “A conversation came up that was unexpected.” He exhaled. “I’m still a little stunned by it.”
“Why aren’t you having sex?” Xavier asked.
“Their business,” Nikki said as she guided them into the family room.
“This is a lovely home,” ZsaZsa stated as she looked around. “Thank you,” Nikki acknowledged. “Why don’t you come with me into the kitchen while I bring out some snacks.”
“I will be happy to join you,” ZsaZsa followed Nikki into the kitchen.
James sat in the family room with Xavier. “What the hell is happening?”
“It’s a long story,” James exhaled.
“If you need some advice, I’m here.” Xavier chuckled. James shook his head.
“I’m good, I promise you, I’m good.”
“Well, not all that good if you are turning down fellatio,” Xavier burst into laughter.
“This is not funny and not the place or time for this conversation, X-Man,” which was the name family and friends called Xavier.
The ladies returned as the men were laughing.
ZsaZsa set the tray of snacks on the table then leaned over and kissed James on the cheek. “My apology for blurting out my thoughts. Your aunt Nikki has explained it is a conversation that one should have in private.”
James kissed her back, then took her hand in his. “It’s all right. We were in the car when it began. I promise we will finish this discussion before I leave tonight.”
“Very well,” she smiled.
James exhaled then turned to the curious eyes of his aunt. “Where is Faith?”
“She is at Diamond and Zack’s house playing with her cousins.” Nikki replied. “I thought we needed to give you our undivided attention. Now, I see I was right.”
“We are not going to discuss my love life,” James stated.
“Or lack thereof,” Xavier teased.
“Stop it,” Nikki smacked her husband’s hand.
“We do not have sex at my request,” ZsaZsa explained. “However, now I wish to adjust that request.”
“And we will discuss that later,” James insisted. “It is more important that we use the time to talk with Xavier about my ideas.”
“Very well. I will reserve the right to speak on this matter at a later time.”
James exhaled then turned to Xavier. The look on his uncle’s face would have made him laugh if he did not think it would go into another round about sex. He cleared his throat but before he could speak Xavier broke out into laughter. Nikki wasn’t any better as she joined him.
“I’m just going to wait until you two get this all out of your system,” James sat back.
“I’m sorry man,” Xavier settled down.
“I honestly have never experienced an entrance in that manner.” Nikki expressed as she calmed down. “All right,” she cleared her throat. “You have some questions about real estate?”
“Yes,” James sat forward. “You know I have had access to my trust fund for a few years. It’s been sitting drawing interest and is now well over the original ten million.”
“You have ten million dollars?” ZsaZsa asked.
James nodded. “At the age of twenty-one, each child in the Brooks family gains access to a ten-million-dollar trust fund.”
“This is good to know,” ZsaZsa stated. “My dowry is quite significant as well. My parents will be pleased with this news.”
“Your dowry?” James asked. “You have a dowry?”
“I do,” ZsaZsa replied. “My dowry will go to my husband once we are married.”
“Really?” James asked somewhat surprised. “Why will it go to your husband?”
“Women in my country are considered property….”
“Therefore, you cannot own anything.” James completed. “Wow,” The statement also caught him by surprise. “If you do not mind telling me, what is your dowry?”
“Ninety billion francs plus land,” ZsaZsa replied.
James, Xavier and Nikki all stopped and stared at her. “Did you say ninety billion dollars?” Xavier asked.
“It is only one hundred fifty million in American dollars.” ZsaZsa shrugged as she ate a slice of apple. “Not very much at all.”
James stared at her for the longest time.
“Did I say something inappropriate again?” She asked.
“No,” James shook his head still astonished by the number. “No,” he cleared his throat then turned back to Xavier.
“Makes your number sound like a drop in the bucket, right.”
“It puts it in a different perspective for sure.” James nodded then continued. “I am considering investing a good portion of it into a row of homes in a decaying area of Baltimore. I have an area I am interested in developing and I wanted to get your advice on the prospect and thoughts on whether or not a community-like design can be developed?”
“What’s the zip code of the area?” Nikki asked as she pushed a button on the remote. The large monitor on the wall came on. She clicked another button and a computer screen appeared.
James gave her the information. She spoke it into the monitor and the entire area appeared on the screen.
“Wow, this area definitely needs some attention,” Xavier stated.
“What are you looking to do with it?” Nikki asked.
“My initial thought was to pay off the tax bills with the city then offer a low interest loan to the owners to renovate their property.”
“You are not going to make any money from that. Have you considered putting condos in the area.” She stood then walked over to the screen and pointed. “If you do, the top condos will have the view of the city and the river.”
“That is what is causing the urban blight that is happening there,” Xavier stated. “Look at this area here,” he walked over then pointed to the new condos that were two blocks away. “From what I am seeing, I think the plan would be to eventually eliminate this little strip mall to extend those new condos into this area.”
“That’s what I’m thinking,” James agreed. “What I would like to do is preserve the homes for the families that are still living there.”
Nikki smiled. “You are not investing to gain income; you are investing into the people.”
“That’s what I want to do,” James nodded.
“I like that,” Nikki smiled
“I do too,” Xavier nodded. “Here’s what I can envision. If you are able to purchase this entire block of homes, renovate them, then incorporate the area of the strip mall to include a community center, a grocery store, maybe even a movie theater, it will have a huge impact on the entire community. There will be some challenges, with the city as well as the residents, to stop the progression of the decay of that neighborhood, but it can certainly be done in a manner that will keep people in their homes and increase the home values to match those of the condos that are located there.”
“Do you think you could design a community and give me a set of plans that would be easy to explain to other possible investors?” James asked.
“Imagine this,” Xavier picked up a pen, then began drawing a design on his tablet that he always kept around. “This is the perimeter of the area you are considering. We could renovate these homes with one or maybe two car garages that are accessible from the back alley. That would eliminate on the street parking. Most of the row houses are three levels. We could provide the current owners with a view of the city and river.”
“That would be a nice selling point for new owners of the vacant homes,” Nikki added.
“Is it possible to place a learning center inside of one of the buildings?” ZsaZsa inquired.
“That’s a good idea,” James stated. “Some of these families may have school age children. They will need somewhere to go after school.”
“That could be another selling point,” Nikki added. “How did you come across this area?”
“Taylor’s cousins, on her mother’s side were living in this house.” James explained as he pointed to the screen. “We moved them to the house Uncle Vernon had bought for Connie’s mother when Taylor was born. Now this house is vacant as are six others.”
“Have you put in a bid for them?” Nikki asked.
“No, I wanted to talk with Xavier first.” James replied.
“What do you think babe?” Nikki glanced at her husband.
“It’s doable, in fact I would love the opportunity to design the area.” Xavier replied.
James smiled as he nodded. “I was hoping you would say that.”
ZsaZsa beamed. “Your idea is coming to fruition.”
“Yes, it is. Your vision is next,” he kissed her then pulled her close.