Chapter 15 #2
After we did the spa, we went into town and checked out the small shops and attractions they had to offer.
It was filled with a lot of mom and pop stores and restaurants.
The museum of the area caught Yosiah’s eye and we ended up spending time there.
It wasn’t my cup of tea, but he seemed into it.
By the time we finished and got back to the resort, it was a little after six and we were both hungry.
Allowing him to have his pick, Yosiah decided on the hibachi and sushi restaurant.
It seemed to be the most popular of the three restaurants.
“So day one, birthday celebration…what did you think?” I questioned while we waited for the cook to come out to start our food.
Yosiah turned to stare at me, causing me to temporarily get lost in his light brown, hooded eyes. They were warm and shone with an emotion I’d never seen from him before. Heat prickled my skin and my stomach fluttered.
“I’m enjoying myself so far. This place is nice.”
My mouth tilted upwards. “Isn’t it? Perfect place to come with your partner.
” I batted my lashes. Part of me was nervous that Yosiah wouldn’t like this trip or would fight me.
Even if things had been running smoothly, a slight part of me was still on edge that things would fall apart.
He hadn’t mentioned the divorce lately, but that didn’t mean he still didn’t plan on it.
If I was going to make him fall for me, this trip was phase one.
His mouth ticked. Reaching his hand out, he pushed a couple pieces of hair that had fallen over my eyes out the way.
“I appreciate you doing this for me. Besides dinner with my parents, it’s been a long time since someone did something for my birthday.”
“Well birthdays are one of my favorite events! This year I wanted to do something different and that’d keep you on your toes.”
He chuckled lowly and stroked his goatee.
“Well, you succeeded so far. It’s barely been a day and I feel at ease.
It just makes me think maybe I need to take leisurely trips more frequently.
I don’t remember the last time I wasn’t on a plane for something that had to do with business.
These past five years have been all work for me. ”
“I couldn’t agree more! Being all work and no play all the time is no fun.” I tucked my bottom lip inside my mouth. “I’ve been thinking maybe we could go to Greece for a late anniversary celebration.”
The statement was bold, but because I was never one to hold back, I decided to check the temperature of our relationship as subtly as I could without ruining the mood.
Silently, his eyes bounced around my face.
I held my breath while my heart pounded behind my breasts.
I’d never felt unsettled or shaken by another person, especially a guy, but with Yosiah, I couldn’t help it.
In the beginning I used to joke about it being love at first sight, but now I was sure that was what it was.
My attraction to Yosiah had grown over the years, physically and now my heart and brain were catching up.
Since this is technically the first time I’d been in a serious relationship, I’d handled it like all of my previous ones.
Yosiah wasn’t against showing me I was going about everything wrong.
I wasn’t sure how, but I was determined to win his heart.
Losing was something I wasn’t familiar with.
“Greece, huh?” He stroked his goatee again. “I’ve never been there.”
“It’s beautiful in the summer. I can call my travel agent and get it booked when we get back home.”
His tongue swiped across his lips and he squeezed my thigh, sending bolts of electricity to my center. “Blue Shield’s expansion is launching soon, so I more than likely won’t be able to take a trip anytime soon.”
That put a slight damper on my mood. I tried not to show it, but I hoped he would agree. “But maybe something closer might work.”
The cloth that separated the room we were in from the rest of the restaurant opened and a man pushing a cart stepped inside, closing the cloth behind himself.
“Good evening!” He nodded at us and stopped in front of the grill. “My name is Hirue and I’ll be serving you.”
The conversation between us died and the sizzle from the grill getting started filled the silence.
Yosiah didn’t always show his emotions, but he seemed to be in good spirits tonight.
In the middle of Hirue spraying sake into my mouth, I started laughing, causing some to dribble down my chin. Yosiah chortled lowly and reached out, swiping the liquid with his finger. I inhaled sharply when he licked it off his finger.
“Some for the gentleman?” Hirue asked, scrambling the cooking veggies.
Yosiah shook his head. “Nah, I’m good.”
“Aw, come on, you have to try it.”
When he shook his head a second time, I pouted. “Then I guess I’ll have to help you taste it.” Lifting from my seat, I leaned over and pressed my lips against his, opening my mouth. I flicked his lips with my tongue, causing his mouth to open and him to wrap his lips around it.
A soft moan fell into his mouth and my eyes closed as I got lost in the kiss. Yosiah gripped the back of my neck, applying pressure and taking over the kiss. Yosiah was a great kisser and I mourned the wasted years I hadn’t gotten to experience it.
“Ah, to be young again.” Hirue’s words caused Yosiah to slowly look away, but he kept his eyes locked on me. “You two are a beautiful couple.”
“We are, aren’t we?” I said with a smile on my face.
“We get that a lot, huh?” Yosiah smirked.
It made me happy that he was starting to open up to me. The distance that used to be between us seemed to be growing smaller each day. I couldn’t wait for the day when he finally let his guard down with me and became more open with how he felt.
“Damn, that was good,” Yosiah commented, pushing his plate away.
“I don’t know how you were able to finish,” I mentioned, eyeing my half eaten plate then shifting my eyes to Yosiah. I didn’t expect the portions to be as big as they were but I wasn’t complaining.
“Do you want a box to take your food home?” I shook my head.
“I don’t do leftovers.” My face balled up, causing Yosiah to chuckle.
“We’re good. Thanks, man.”
Picking up my wine glass, I finished its sweet contents.
“Do we want dessert tonight?”
I shook my head. “I can’t eat another bite.” I rubbed my stomach.
“We’re good. Thanks.” Hirue nodded and went back to cleaning up.
I turned to Yosiah, wondering, “The night’s still young, what do you want to do?”
He licked his lips and pulled something out of his pocket. “Before we figure that out, I have something for you.” My brows furrowed when he held out a card.
“What’s this?” I pulled the card out of his hand. The metal felt slick and heavy between my fingers. My eyes bucked upon seeing my name written on it. “I’ve never gotten a gift during someone’s birthday celebration before.”
“I ordered this before you got the job with Simone. I added you to one of my accounts as a joint user.”
“Wait, seriously?” I thumbed the thin metal, unable to find the right words. “This was unexpected. It’s some charity thing, isn’t it? You’re pitying me.” My nose scrunched and my lips pushed out in a pout.
Chuckling, Yosiah shook his head. “At the end of the day, I take care of my people. As long as you still hold my last name and those papers aren’t signed, you’re my wife.
I’m responsible for you. It wouldn’t look right if I allowed you to walk around having financial difficulties knowing I have the means to fix it.
You didn’t ask to be put in the position you were in, and it’s fucked up that your dad put that kind of burden on you.
That card’s yours to use and don’t worry about a limit. ”
I fondled the card for a second while attempting to keep my emotions in line. No one had ever done something like this for me out of genuine concern. I was starting to see sides of Yosiah that I thought didn’t exist and I was loving it.
After leaving the restaurant we headed back to our room. I was in the middle of going through my nightly routine while online with my followers. I had given them a small tour of our room and now was doing a short Q & A while finishing my face routine.
“Y’all know my husband doesn’t like to be on camera like that. I don’t have to lie about anything.” I rolled my eyes and blotted my face with a towel.
Most of the time my chat was cool vibes, but every once in a while, haters popped in, throwing their stupid opinions around.
“The newest reel I posted has me doing my makeup from today, step by step, and the products are listed in the caption.”
I continued answering questions, ignoring the weird and negative ones. As I was about to wrap up, I got a text from an unsaved number. Biting the inside of my cheek, I pulled down the notification and scanned it.
Unknown
I’ve been more than patient with you, Xylina. Don’t forget I’m the reason you were able to marry your husband and have the life you have with him. You owe me.
I could hear the desperation through the text. I’d never seen my dad like this before. He was a man who took what he wanted and always stood strong. To see him lowering himself to begging was sad honestly.
The sound of my livestream caught my attention, reminding me I was still live.
“A’right guys I gotta go.” Ending it abruptly, I opened the text fully and scanned it a couple times. My heartrate picked up as I quickly replied to the message.
Me
I’m not giving you anything. Leave me alone.
I’d never defied my dad growing up. Truthfully, he intimidated me most of the time.
He hardly ever smiled and always spoke like he was annoyed with everything around him.
His eyes never held any affection and the only thing he ever showed any real attention to was business.
There were times I would cower when I spoke to him, feeling as if I were a bother, but I refused to do that anymore.