8. Khaleya
I moaned in delight as I stretched out across what had to be Egyptian cotton sheets. Not that I’d ever laid on any, but if I had, this must be what it felt like. I needed to be careful and not get used to this kind of luxury.
I peeled my eyes open, knowing it was probably five a.m. My body regularly woke me at this time every morning. I reached out and unplugged my phone from the charger to check it. That had also been part of the reason I woke up. The continuous buzzing against the nightstand couldn’t be ignored.
I swiped up, unlocking my phone, only to see my screen filled with notifications. I’d uploaded the video with Myheir last night and then locked my phone. I was exhausted and knew I would have to get up, so I didn’t pay it any attention.
Instagram was already up, so I began scrolling through the comments.
ladylove35: My girl knows how to pick them.
Badgirlmia: Y’all see the way he looking like she is all he wants to eat. I need that!
SassyWorld: Leya girl, give that man a chance!
Marcus39: Ole’ Boy off his shit. I was supposed to be in this video.
I rolled my eyes at the sight of Marcus’s comment. He wasn’t talking half of this shit in front of Myheir. I couldn’t stand a man who jumped bad behind a computer screen. He kept it nice and sweet in person.
Tired of looking through all the comments, I backed out and then went to my text threads. Da’ana messaged me, and my family’s text thread was going crazy as well. They must have messaged me last night, because I was the only early riser outside of my dad.
I clicked on Da’ana’s name, knowing she would be awake. The phone rang as I slid from the bed and went into the bathroom to pee. I placed my phone on the counter until her groggy voice came through.
“Now, Leya. What do you want this early? You must have woken up and saw all those damn comments.”
I chuckled while wiping myself.
“I thought you would be up. Normally, you are. And you would be correct—damn, I didn’t expect folks to latch onto that man this fast.”
“Well, by the way y’all was looking at each other, you’d believe anything y’all were selling. It looked hella real to me. Meli Mel called me, wondering what was going on.”
I pulled my panties up and stood from the toilet to wash my hands.
“I don’t know why. I told those folks I had a man. I guess they thought I was kidding.”
Da’ana laughed. “What did you expect them to think, Ms. Serial Dater? I wouldn’t have believed you either if you hadn’t told me what was really going on.”
I nodded as if she could see me. I felt her completely. But I still felt a way that people didn’t think I could do a relationship. I wasn’t in a relationship because I hadn’t found the right man to fit my lifestyle. Not because I didn’t want to be in one or that I couldn’t be in one.
“I hear you. Well, girl, I need to tell you about how that video came about.”
“You sure do, because some man in the comments is going off on y’all asses. What did Myheir do to this man? He doesn’t look like the type to bully nobody,” she responded.
I chuckled, thinking about the incident.
“Think again, that man is a trip.”
I went over what happened from start to finish, and Da’ana was practically in tears on the other line, as if my trials and tribulations were nothing but a joke. Once I was finished, I brushed my teeth while waiting for her laughter to subside.
“It’s not that damn funny, heffa,” I said, then spit out my toothpaste.
Da’ana cracked up more. “You’re so damn hardheaded. Why couldn’t you just be in that lobby waiting for that man?”
I rolled my eyes and dried my hands, then packed up my things in the bathroom to put in my duffle bag in the room.
“I haven’t signed a single thing for him to think he can just change my plans that I’ve already made. Not to mention, it’s clear he is used to getting his way. He might as well let go of that. I’m not going for it.”
Da’ana kissed her teeth. “Who are you trying to prove this independent-woman thing to? That man knows your financial situation, and that attitude too.”
“It’s not about proving anything. But he needs me just as much as I might need him. So he needs to act like it.”
I pulled my extra uniform from my bag and began getting dressed.
“Well, excuse me. I can’t knock you on that. I’m sure if he wasn’t for it, he would be running for the hills. But that contract is here for you to sign.”
I paused for a moment and glanced at the phone.
“When did it get there?” I asked.
“A few minutes ago. While I was practically in tears, someone showed up, and I signed for it. So he must still want to deal with your nonsense.”
I laughed. “Fake or not. Men love it over here.” Then I twerked a little with my tongue out, like she could see me.
“You get on my nerves so bad! But they do, friend. It’s hard being dope as fuck.”
“You ain’t never lied.”
We continued to talk while I packed up my things, then made my way down to the lobby. The moment I stepped outside, Dom was standing there just like Myheir said he would be. He met me halfway and took my bags as I slid into the backseat.
“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long out here. Myheir didn’t tell me what time you’d be here, only that you would be, whenever I was ready,” I said once he made it back into the car.
“It’s no problem, Ms. Mathers. I wasn’t out here too long. I had your flight schedule, so I kind of guessed when I needed to be here.”
I nodded and settled back into the seat. I’d almost forgotten that Da’ana was still on the phone until she spoke.
“Oh, that man got you a driver to take you to the airport. See, he’s an overachiever where fake boyfriends are concerned. Shit, better than some of the real ones. You know I’ve had a few of those.”
I laughed and shook my head.
“I can’t knock you when you’re right, friend. Well, girl, I’ll see you when I get back. You know, once I get on this plane, I need to slip back into work mode.”
“I do. I’m off today, so maybe we can do a girls’ day.”
“Oh, I would like that. Long as those parents of mine don’t request my presence. But you know you’re invited if they do,” I responded.
“If you thought I would miss it, you’re crazier than I thought.”
We burst into laughter, then ended the call. For the rest of the drive, I used that time to untwist my hair and fluff out my curls. Thirty minutes later, Dom pulled onto the strip. He helped with my bags and handed them to the staff, who I knew would put them on the plane.
“Thank you again, Dom. Don’t let that grumpy man give you too much of a hard time,” I told him before leaning in to give him a hug.
He smiled sheepishly down at me.
“You got it, Ms. Mathers. Have a safe flight.”
I smiled and turned to head for the plane. The pilots were already there, so I started preparing the cabin for takeoff. My phone buzzed as I pulled the requested meals from the fridge for this flight.
Mr. Big: Have a safe flight. I’ll let you know when I make it back.
I smiled and texted back.
Me: Thank you and good. Stay safe. My parents really want to meet you. So make it back safely.
The dots popped up, letting me know he was replying.
Mr. Big: Good, because after the call I got from my mom today, it looks like you’re going to be meeting the Blackwells faster than expected.
I sent a smiling emoji back and locked my phone. I needed to keep my mind clear, and thinking about meeting his parents or him meeting mine would not do that.
four hours later…
I’d removed my scarf and hat, but would soon be in the comfort of my home.
I was actually going to have a break from flights for a little while.
I’d taken time off so I could focus on my new launch for Stamped.
But tonight would be about nothing but watching movies with Da’ana, drinking wine, and getting rest.
I’d even muted my notifications on Instagram and TikTok to stop looking at everyone’s opinions about Myheir and me. I knew it would blow up, but I didn’t know it would be like this.
I made sure the drive back home was a silent one. I needed the peace. That was until my phone rang through the car’s speakers and Mr. Big popped up on my screen. I released a breath, then answered.
“Let me find out you miss me already.”
“You can say that, or you can say I have human decency. I wanted to make sure you made it back home safely.”
I smiled. Not many people outside of Da’ana or my family cared about my safety, so it was refreshing. Even if this wasn’t real, I planned to ignore that for the moment.
“If that’s what you need to tell yourself to sleep at night. I’m going with the first one.”
He chuckled. “You driving home now?” he asked.
I glanced at the screen with a lift of my brow. “Yes, Big Daddy, I am.”
“Keep it up, Doll.”
I didn’t need to push any further to know exactly what he meant by that.
“Don’t get your panties in a bunch, Sir. How is your day going? I know you had work to do for the rest of this week, right?”
“Khaleya.”
I couldn’t help it but laugh.
“Ugh, you have to laugh a little more. Life isn’t always so serious. Now, tell me about your day so far, and make it good.”
He cleared his throat like he was getting ready to give me a dissertation.
“It’s been cool, but busy. My bad if I’m replying weird and shit. I’ve never had anyone give a damn about how my day was going. How was the flight?”
I smiled and did a little dance in my seat. Then I stopped, catching myself. This shit isn’t real, and it was time I acted like it.
“Is this what fake dating looks like? Us checking in on each other and pretending to care how the other is doing?”
He chuckled.
“It’s common decency to care about how someone is doing. Not to mention, I care about how your day is going and how you feel. So, nah. I’m not pretending. If you didn’t want to know how my day was going, you didn’t have to ask, Doll.”
I rolled my eyes. I knew it would come back on me, since I was the one who started it. I bit my lower lip before finally releasing it.
“I’m not pretending. It felt natural, and I do care how your day is going.”