Chapter 18
Kateri
“Both of you look very nice.” My mom stood at the door staring at me and Sariah.
She had on a black fitted dresses that showed her round belly and wore a sweater over it with some heels, she planned on switching into slippers later.
Her hair was up in a bun and since she didn’t plan on going in the first place, she wore barely any makeup but her nails and feet were done just in case.
I had on a black Anna Lace Midi dress from Fashion Nova that was on sale for twenty dollars, with a pair of high heel sandals from Aldo that had a strap around the ankle.
My hair was in a long ponytail and I made sure my makeup, nails and feet were done to perfection.
I wanted to make Cairo lust after me if that were even possible with his mean self.
Tonight was Cairo’s mother’s party and the attire was casual but we made sure to wear something a little nicer; well I did.
He told me to make Sariah go even though her and Raul weren’t speaking.
When I mentioned what the chick said at my job, he told me to mind my business.
That’s exactly what I did and focused on what I’d do if we had sex tonight and would I be able to please a man that arrogant and ignorant.
“Thanks Ma. I’ll be home afterwards.” I said but secretly hoped not to be.
“That nigga sent a limo for you.” Mike barged in my room smoking. My mom smacked him on the back of his head and told him to put the blunt out. He pretended to as she walked out and stood by the window to finish smoking.
“Give me some.” I snatched it out his hand and took a few pulls. My nerves were all over the place and as bad as I wanted to go, a small piece of me said to stay home.
“Damn girl. You’re gonna be high before you get there.” He snatched it back.
“Let’s go. I’m hungry and I’m sure we won’t be able to eat right away.” Sariah complained stepping out the room.
“You look nice Sis but let me tell you a few things about Cairo.” He blew the smoke out my window.
“I’m sure I already know but I’ll listen.” I put the diamond earrings I got from CVS on with the matching necklace. Who knew they had some nice shit in there.
“One… he’s very dangerous.” I gave him the duh look because who wouldn’t know that.
“Two… he got mad bitches on the side and some may be there.” I didn’t even think about that.
“Third… don’t run your mouth or get smart in front of his family. He’ll take that as disrespect and from what I hear, Cairo will take your life on the spot and won’t care who’s around.” Would he really kill me in public?
“And lastly… I was telling my boy about Cairo sniffing around you and he told me some crazy shit.” He stood there smoking and shaking his head. Tapping my foot waiting for him to spill it, I had to yell for him to say it.
“Cairo had a fiancé a few years ago right. He had her come to the church along with all her family, exposed her for something she did and killed all of them right there.” I gasped because there was a rumor going around about some man killing his fiancé and anyone she knew.
There’s no way that was Cairo and he got away with it.
“All I’m saying is if you and him get together, don’t do anything wrong or he’ll kill you.” He had me scared to go now.
“Oh, that reminds me. Who’s on your life insurance just in case he did; me or mommy?” Sucking my teeth, I stormed out the room and almost fell.
“Sariah went to the limo to see if there was food or snacks inside.” My mom said, waving me off while she watched Wheel of Fortune. I usually sit at home and guess the puzzles with her but not tonight.
Walking slowly down the stairwell, my heart was beating fast because this was the night me and Cairo would be around one another on a serious level.
I wonder if he knew how to make love to a woman or does he go down on them.
What if he only wanted me to give him head or wanted a threesome which would never happen?
I was so engrossed in my own thoughts; I had no idea the driver was standing outside the limo with the door open.
He had a smile on his face and honestly, he was quite handsome for his age.
I should get his number for my mother but if he works for Cairo, he most likely can’t go anywhere besides with him.
“Bitchhhhhhh, this is niceeeeee right.” Sariah yelled, stuffing a chocolate covered strawberry in her mouth.
“Are you drinking?” I pointed to the glass in her hand.
“Girl bye. This is sprite and I’m mad because who drinks that with chocolate covered strawberries? It’s supposed to go with champagne.” The partition went down and the driver turned around.
“Miss Coleman, Mr. Romano asked that you don’t eat the strawberries.” Sariah stopped chewing fast.
“Why not? What’s wrong with them?” He laughed.
“Nothing. He didn’t want Miss Coleman to have strawberry seeds in between her teeth when they spoke.” I busted out laughing as Sariah threw the strawberry back in the bucket. She grabbed her phone and flipped the camera to see if she had any seeds in her teeth.
“Thank you, Mr.…” I waited for him to give his name.
“You’re welcome and I’ll give you my name when Mr. Romano makes a decision if he’ll be with you or not. That way you won’t feel comfortable speaking to me in public and get offended when I don’t respond.” Now it was Sariah’s turn to laugh.
“I respect it.” The partition went up; music came on and off we went.
“Girl, that nigga said we are on a need to know name basis. Meaning you don’t need to know him unless necessary.” The way Sariah started cackling pissed me off because it wasn’t that funny. Picking up my phone, I opened the message that just appeared and smirked.
Sexy ass Cairo - You better not walk in here looking crazy. I’ll make them turn you around and send you home.
Me - I guess you’ll have to find out when I get there. And what happens if you don’t look sexy?
Sexy ass Cairo - That won’t ever happen because I wake up sexy. I laughed hard as hell and put my phone away. I wasn’t about to go back and forth with him.
Putting my phone and clutch on the seat, I scooted closer to the window and stared at the full moon. It was beautiful and so were all of the city lights off the highway. The further we drove, the more scenery we past and I must say it was even more beautiful looking with the moon shining bright.
“What if that bitch there? Do you think Raul will act funny?” Turning my head in Sariah’s direction, I could tell how nervous she was.
“I’m telling you, that chick was trying to make you mad. I seriously doubt Cairo would’ve had me bring you knowing Raul invited someone else. Then again…” I cut myself off.
“Exactly. Maybe I should stay in the limo.” I had to look at her.
“And do what? Talk to the driver because we both know he’s not saying anything unless the guys tell him to.” We both looked in the driver’s seat and started laughing.
“Yea, I guess you’re right.” I shook my head.
“I know and we both know your ass hungry as hell and I’m not bringing no plates of food out.
” Sariah had reason to be worried about going in especially since her and Raul haven’t spoken since he left her house.
However, I stand by my statement about that chick not being there.
Cairo may not care about Sariah but she is pregnant and by the way the family acted toward Cairo with me almost drowning, I’m sure they’ll dig in Raul’s ass too.
“Oh shit. We here.” Sariah said, pointing to some building all the way in the back. The driver had to go around two different entrances before stopping in front of one.
“Bitch, I’m glad we dressed up because look at them. Damn, even that man’s hat look expensive.” I spoke in a hushed tone so the driver didn’t hear. He had the partition up but you never know.
“Great! We about to be the poor ones dressed in Fashion Nova clothes while they’re dripped in Versace and Gucci.
” One chick stepped out the door wearing all black with a huge Gucci belt and the shoes had a G on them as well.
She started walking toward the limo we sat in.
The driver got out to meet her at the door.
“Is that them?” We could hear her outside the limo.
“Who is that?” Sariah asked me as if I would know. I knew none of these people. The door opened and the look on the woman’s face confused both of us. It wasn’t happy or mad and more of hurry up and get out.
“Hi, I’m Jackie Romano.” She was leaned down looking inside.
“Wow? Raul didn’t tell us that you were about to pop.” That was very rude of her. I had to pinch Sariah on the arm and tell her not to respond. Once she stepped out, the driver reached for my hand and the smirk on the chick’s face had me wondering what smart thing she had to say about me.
“Cairo is going to kill someone tonight over you.” She snapped a photo of me.
“Yes indeed.” The driver responded which shocked me.
“Why didn’t I get that response?” Sariah sassed with her hand on her hip.
“Girl, who’s gonna want a pregnant woman? And besides, Raul already told the men you were off limits.” She responded with her head in the phone.
“Why would he do that?” I know Sariah wanted to say he didn’t even want her there but I stopped her.
“Oh, you think men don’t find pregnant women attractive. They’re disgusting and will try anything. Let’s go.” She turned around and I had to feel my own ass because hers was big and it looked natural. She put mine to shame and I was intimidated for sure.
“Have fun ladies.” The driver tipped his hat and got in the limo.
As we followed the chick, I had to admire the decor going into the building. There were flowers everywhere, balloon arches, water fountains, and a lot of rich people shit. Louis Vuitton gifts bags with gold envelopes sticking out were on a table with small blue Tiffany’s boxes in front of each one.
Walking into the ballroom the colors were black and gold. There were gold plates and silverware and the buffet table had gold chafing racks. The waiters walking around with appetizers and drinks wore black and gold uniforms to match the theme.
The gold flower centerpieces were beautiful and so was the tall golden angel sculpture that had chocolate coming out the mouth. There were so many other things that I couldn’t even explain what they were. I’ve never seen anything like it and started taking pictures to show my mom.
“Miss Coleman, your table is over here.” A waiter said.
“How do you know my name?” I asked, walking behind him with Sariah next to me.
“Miss Jackie pointed you out. Here you go.” He pulled the chair out for me and then Sariah. Glancing at the table, I didn’t want to touch a thing. What if I broke something or knocked a glass over?
For the next hour, me and Sariah sat at the table alone. We noticed no other names were here and had no problem sitting alone especially since we didn’t know anyone. Sariah literally ate off of every sample the waitresses brought around.
“Who are those people?” I pointed to some men walk in along with older women. We still hadn’t seen Raul or Cairo and every seat was just about taken except the ones in the front which were probably for family.
“Ok everyone. Stand up and let’s sing Happy Birthday to Mrs. Romano.” Just as he said it, the Stevie Wonder version of the song came on and everyone started to sing. I vaguely remembered his mom but I can honestly say she was a beautiful woman and Cairo’s father was just as handsome.
“Damn are all the men in the family gorgeous?” Sariah asked what I was thinking. Everyone who walked in with his mom all wore the same type of clothing.
“I don’t know but where’s Cairo. I’m surprised he didn’t come in.” Searching with my eyes around the room, he was nowhere in sight.
“That’s because he just walked in and every chick who’s probably not related have goofy eyes for him.” She pointed and I swear my breath was taken away. Cairo was beyond sexy and dressed in all black with the gold mixed in made him even sexier.
“Ain’t no way in hell he’s gonna take me home with all those bitches stalking him.” I gulped down the cranberry and vodka drink and slammed down the glass.
“Let me find out you’re jealous.” My face was tight seeing all those women in his.
“Whatever.” I waved her off and told my mom to save room for me on the couch. We always stayed in there on the weekend.
“I think he noticed you.” Sariah was smirking as I looked up. When me and Cairo’s eyes met, he mouthed the words, Come here. I damn near fell out the chair to get over there.