Chapter 21
I looked at my watch when I heard Kenzo come in. It was after seven, a little later than he’d been coming home as of late. He approached the couch from behind and leaned over to kiss my cheek.
“Hey, baby. I’ll be back after I shower,” he said before going to the bedroom.
He was walking away before I could respond, and strangely enough, I thought I caught a whiff of an unfamiliar perfume. I watched him until he disappeared around the corner, waiting until I heard the shower to follow him.
I entered the bedroom, peeking in the bathroom to make sure he was in the shower before going to the walk-in closet. I went straight to the corner where the hamper was located and looked inside. The white shirt he wore today was on top, and I picked it up and held it to my nose.
After a deep inhale, I definitely smelled the scent of a perfume that didn’t belong to me. Hell, I only had one bottle, and I knew exactly what it smelled like. I held the shirt up to inspect it a little more, and lo and behold, there was lipstick on the collar.
“This nigga.”
I took a deep breath to calm myself as I returned the shirt to the hamper, but by the time he finished and joined me on the couch, I was fuming. He sat close to me, something he always did, but today, I didn’t want him near me.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“It was fine. You stayed a little longer at work today?”
“Nah. Ronin hit me up to meet him for a few drinks. My bad for not letting you know.”
“It’s fine. I’m going to bed.”
I stood aggressively, but before I could get away from him, he grabbed me and pulled me onto his lap.
“Hold on, baby. I said I was sorry for not mentioning it.”
“And I said it’s fine. Let me go.”
“Did my mother do or say something to piss you off?”
“No. I’m just tired, and I want to go to bed.”
I refused to look at him as I spoke, so he gently grabbed my chin between his thumb and index finger and turned my face toward his.
“Aye, don’t lie to me. I promise to always update you on my whereabouts from now on. I’ll share my location if you want.”
“Do what you want, Kenzo. I don’t feel good.”
“Your period back already?”
“Kenzo, please. I’m not in the mood to go back and forth about how I feel. Can you let me go lie down?”
He looked at me for a moment, and I knew he could see right through my lies. I didn’t know how this man knew me so well, because we’d barely known each other for two months.
“Okay. Do you need ibuprofen, tea, or a heating pad?”
“Nope. I’m fine. Good night.”
He didn’t release me, but when I tried to stand, he didn’t stop me. I went to our bedroom to get my bonnet and phone charger, then took my ass to the guest room. If I slept with him tonight, the urge to smother him with a pillow might take over, and I wasn’t a murderer.
I got comfortable in the room and bed that didn’t feel familiar. As expected, I couldn’t fall asleep. To start, we didn’t usually go to bed until ten o’clock or later, and it wasn’t even eight. I also couldn’t stop thinking about Kenzo’s betrayal.
He promised he wouldn’t make a fool of me, but I should’ve known better. A man like Kenzo had way too many options to settle for one woman. He talked a good game, said and did all the right things, sexed me so good it felt like we were making love, and made me feel like I was enough.
I was determined to keep my feelings out of this arrangement, but like the na?ve, gullible, inexperienced woman I was, I’d fallen for him. I hadn’t confessed my feelings to Kenzo, nor had I told Anika, who asked me if I was in love yet, every time we spoke.
About two weeks ago, Anika invited me on a brunch and shopping date. I honestly had never done either because I wasn’t lucky enough to ever have disposable income. When I shared my plans with Kenzo, he encouraged me to go and gave me his credit card, to which he’d already added my name.
I’d been gone for several hours and returned with more than a few shopping bags. Kenzo was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs when I entered the apartment, which I noticed was dark. He took my bags and put them in the corner, then put a blindfold over my eyes.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“You’ll see.”
Once the blindfold was secured, he slowly guided me through the house. Soft music played in the background, and the aroma of food made my mouth water.
“Did you cook?”
“You’ll see soon enough. Relax and go with the flow, baby.”
From that point on, I stopped asking questions. When we stopped moving, I anxiously waited for what was next. He began to undress me, and when I was naked except for the blindfold, we were on the move again, but we didn’t go very far.
He uncovered my eyes, and I gasped in awe. The Jacuzzi bathtub was filled with roses and bubbles and surrounded by candles. A glass of wine, fruit, crackers, and cubes of cheese were on a tray that hovered over the tub.
“Kenzo, what’s this for?”
“Do you know what today is?”
“Umm, Saturday?”
He chuckled. “Happy one-month anniversary, baby.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that was something we’d celebrate. I feel bad because I’ve been gone all day and—”
“Don’t be sorry. It was all a part of the plan. I asked Anika to spend the day with you so I could do something special for you.”
“Wow. I don’t know what to say. This is beautiful and so thoughtful.”
“Anything for you. Let me help you get in.”
He held my hand while I stepped into the tub. The water felt perfect as I eased down until my body was fully submerged.
“Oh my God. This feels so good. I need to take bubble baths more often.”
“Good. Do you want your Kindle so you can read while you soak?”
“I’d love that.”
He left for a few minutes and returned holding a Kindle Colorsoft, which was not mine.
“No fucking way. Did you buy me a new Kindle?”
“I did, and I tried to set it up for you, but I needed your passwords and whatnot. It’s fully charged, so here you go.”
“Oh my God, baby. I feel so bad because you did all of this, and I didn’t even remember today was our one-month anniversary.”
“It’s cool. No need to feel bad. I’ll give you some time to relax while I get everything else ready. There’s no rush, so take your time.”
He left me alone, and I enjoyed my time in the Jacuzzi. I ate the fruit, cheese, and crackers, sipped the wine, and set up my new Kindle. About an hour later, he returned to check on me. The water had begun to cool, so he helped me out and into the shower.
In the bedroom, on the bed, there was a brand-new fluffy robe and slippers. I dried off, and he rubbed me down with a new body butter. His hands didn’t leave any part of my body untouched, and I wanted to either fuck or go to sleep when he finished, but neither of those things happened.
I didn’t have time to be disappointed because after wrapping myself in my new robe and putting on my new slippers, he led me to the living room, where he had a picnic style candlelight dinner prepared.
“Kenzo, did you cook all this?”
“With Gramps guiding me every step of the way.”
I shook my head in disbelief.
“I don’t know what to say besides thank you. This is the most thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“You’re welcome. You ready to eat?”
“I’m starving.”
“Good. I made all the things I noticed you really enjoyed over the past month.”
On the menu were tomato and cucumber salad, steak, garlic mashed potatoes, honey-and-bacon-glazed roasted Brussels sprouts, and peach cobbler for dessert. I was in heaven and overwhelmed with gratitude. I’d never felt more special and seen in my life.
“Open this,” he said, giving me an envelope.
“Kenzo, I’m overwhelmed. I don’t know how many more surprises I can handle.”
“This is the last one.”
I opened the envelope, and inside was my passport, which I’d applied for a few days after we were married, and the full itinerary for a honeymoon in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
“Oh my God, Kenzo.”
I wrapped my arms around him so tight, he probably couldn’t breathe. My life had been a dream since I’d married him, and not even the awkward relationship I had with his mother could ruin it.
“Are you ready to get drunk on the beach for seven days?” he asked.
“I can’t wait. When are we going?”
“Right after my birthday celebration.”
I lifted my head from his chest and looked up at him.
“Thank you so much. I can’t believe that this is my life.”
I stood on my toes to kiss him.
“Believe it, baby. Let’s eat.”
That night, we made sweet, slow love until the sun came up, and after a few hours of sleep, we were at it again for several hours. It was then that I realized it was impossible not to fall in love with Kenzo, because I was already in love.
It was crazy how quickly things could change in just two short weeks. I was pissed because I let my guard down too soon, which gave him the opportunity to weasel his way into my heart, only to break it.
I believed his words and actions, but if he could be with another woman and come home as if nothing happened, then lie to my face about his whereabouts, I’d clearly been played for a fool.
I’d been in bed for over an hour and wasn’t any closer to falling asleep than I had been when my head hit the pillow.
The door to the bedroom opened, and I quickly closed my eyes.
I could sense Kenzo nearing the bed and felt his eyes on me.
I thought he would only stay for a few minutes, but it felt like hours had gone by with him staring.
Suddenly, the comforter was snatched away from my body. My eyes popped open as Kenzo scooped me into his arms, threw me over his shoulder, and headed for the door.
“What are you doing? Put me down?” I shouted as my fists hit his back.
He didn’t respond until we were in our bedroom, and he’d tossed me onto the bed. I sat up, moved to the edge of the bed, and stood chest to stomach with him.
“Why are you bothering me?” I shouted.
“Why were you in the guest room?”
“You owe me five hundred grand, and I want it in my account by noon tomorrow. I’ll be moving out as soon as I find a place.”
“Malyah, what the fuck are you talking about? You gotta give me something, baby, because I can’t read your mind.”
It was then that I saw the scratch on his neck, and if it were possible, steam would’ve come out of my ears. I’d never been angrier or more hurt in my life. The way I felt when I caught Cole with Janie didn’t hold a candle to how I felt right now.
“Why don’t you go be with whoever scratched your neck and leave me the fuck alone?”
His hand went to his neck, and the look of surprise on his face was one of a man who’d been caught. I pushed him away and managed to move away from the bed, but he caught me with his free hand.
“Malyah, wait. I can explain.”
“Fuck you and your explanation, Kenzo.”
“Please, baby. It’s not what you think.”
“If it’s not what I think, you would’ve said something before now.
I’m not stupid, Kenzo. You came home later than usual, smelling like another woman’s perfume, with lipstick on your collar and a scratch on your neck.
You promised not to have me out here looking stupid, and that’s exactly what you did.
You owe me money, and I want my shit tomorrow. Let me go!”
“I’m not letting you go until you hear me out.”
“I’ll scream.”
“These walls are soundproof. Nobody’s coming to save you.”
He still held my wrists and pulled me to the love seat on the other side of his room. I resisted, but he was too strong. When he damn near flung me on the couch, my ass had barely hit the cushion before I was on my feet and in his face.
“Watch how the fuck you handle me, nigga. I’m not—”
He grabbed my neck, cutting off my words. Although he didn’t have a tight grip, he let me know he meant business.
“Malyah, I want you to sit down and listen to what the fuck I have to say. Don’t say another word until I give you permission. Do you understand?”
My ornery ass refused to respond, and he tightened his grip before leaning down to kiss me. He stuck his tongue in my mouth, and although my brain wanted to bite it, my body wanted him to choke and kiss me harder. When he pulled away, I was out of breath.
“Do you understand me?”
I nodded.
“Use your words.”
“Yes.”
He released my neck, and I sat down. He sat next to me, barely leaving me any room to breathe.
“Ronin asked me to meet him for drinks at a place we frequent. I haven’t seen him since we got married, so I left work at about five to meet him. We had a few drinks, caught up, and left. When we got to the parking lot, Callie—”
“Are you fucking kidding me?”
“I’m not done, Malyah.”
“I don’t care. You think—”
His hand went back to my neck, and his lips found mine again. Another kiss that should’ve ended with me biting his tongue hard enough to draw blood, but my body betrayed me. He pulled away and warned me with his eyes.
Slowly, he released my neck and let his hand travel down my chest, stopping at my breasts. I tensed because he noticed my hardened nipples underneath the thin, cropped T-shirt I wore. He looked in my eyes and smirked as his thumb circled my nipple.
“You like it when I get rough with you, Lyah?”
I refused to let him know how turned on I was.
“You told me not to talk,” I said, pushing his hand away from me.
His smirk became more pronounced before he continued, but he kept his hands to himself . . . for now, anyway.
“When we got to the parking lot, Callie was leaning against my driver’s side door.
She talked a lot of shit and refused to move.
I won’t lie, I got a little more aggressive with her than I wanted, but it was the only way to let her know I wasn’t playing with her ass.
I grabbed her, and she jumped on me, trying to kiss me and shit.
I literally had to throw her ass to the ground.
Nothing else happened between us. I swear on my grandmother’s grave. ”
“If that’s what really happened, why didn’t you tell me right away?”
“I know my past with Callie makes you question if I’m done with her, and I didn’t want you to think more into it.”
“Why should I believe you?”
He moved to the floor and kneeled between my legs, taking my hands in his, and kissing the backs of each. My pussy had soaked through the panties I wore, and I didn’t doubt that he was inhaling my pheromones.
“You should believe me because I love you.”
I heard him, but it took a moment for me to digest those three very important words.
“You . . . you love me?”
“I do, baby. I started falling in love with you the first time I looked into your eyes. I didn’t know your name or your story, but something in your eyes spoke to my heart.
Seeing you smile, making you laugh, and lightening your load has given me so much joy, baby.
I’m sorry I didn’t tell you right away, but I promise I didn’t cheat on you.
I’ll give you the five hundred grand, but don’t leave me. ”