by Niyah Moore
She was silent for a long moment before she replied, “You’re right. I’m sorry. Congratulations, Luxury.”
“Thank you. Now, pack your bags and get to Vegas, so we can celebrate. Check your email. I booked everyone on the same flight, first class.”
“Okay.”
I planned to have everyone, including Desire’s brother and mama, come to Vegas to celebrate with us. As much as Desire had said she didn’t get along with her mother, I wanted to surprise her. I made some calls to set up the suite for a celebration.
Once Desire finally woke up around two o’clock, I went to the side of the bed and said, “Good afternoon, Mrs. Monnahan.”
“Good afternoon, Mr. Monnahan. I still can’t believe we got married this morning.”
“Believe it, baby. You weren’t dreaming. After we eat a little somethin’, I want you to get dressed, because I have something special planned. It’s a surprise.” I planted a kiss on her lips.
“Okay. You want to order room service?”
“Yeah, that works.”
We had a relaxed lunch, we showered, and then we headed out to go shopping for what we would wear for my surprise. We even did a little gambling and drinking for a few hours. When we got back to the suite, I looked at my watch and saw that it was close to seven o’clock. Everyone should be arriving soon.
“Get changed into your new dress and get dolled up for me,” I said.
“I wish I knew what you had up your sleeve, but I’ll do what you say. I can’t wait to see this surprise.”
“You’ll love it.”
While she got ready in the bathroom, I put on my new black jeans, black button-up, watch, and chain. I texted Egypt, and she let me know they would be pulling up to the hotel soon.
I walked into the bathroom, where Desire was putting on her makeup. “You look beautiful, wifey.”
“Thank you, hubby.”
I put my hand on her stomach. “I could put a couple babies in you. Give you a mini me and a mini you. What you think?”
“One day . . . Don’t distract me.” She messed with her eyebrows with some powder and a brush. “Okay, I’m done. How I look?”
“You look beautiful, as always.” I licked my lips, pulling her to me. “Man, you got me ready to say, ‘Fuck this dinner,’ so I can get back up in them panties.”
She laughed. “You nasty.”
I palmed her juicy ass and squeezed hard.
“Stop, or else we ain’t gonna make it for your surprise,” she said.
“Nah, we got to. I got something fly in the works.”
“You always got something fly in the works.”
“You’re one hundred percent mine now, baby, and you got to realize that this is what I do.” I checked my phone and saw that Egypt had texted that they were waiting for me to let them into the suite.
“I’ll be right back,” I said.
“’Kay.”
I walked out of the bathroom and to the front door. When I opened the door, I put my finger up to my lips to let everyone know to keep it down, because I didn’t want to ruin the surprise.
“Go chill in the dining area, and I’ll bring her out.”
Mama hugged me, and I kissed her on the forehead. My brothers gave me a hug as they walked in. I shook Javier’s hand, as this was my first time meeting him.
“Mom couldn’t make it,” he whispered.
“Oh, man. A’ight. How is she?”
“She’s good, but you know she doesn’t get along with Desirae, right?”
I nodded. “Yeah. I was just hoping, you know.”
He patted me on the back. “I know. It’s better this way.”
Nia, Egypt, and Lala walked in after Javier, and I hugged them all.
“Keep y’all voices down. I’ll go get her,” I whispered.
I walked back into the master bathroom. “You ready?” I asked her.
“After I slip into this dress. Give me five more minutes.”
I walked out of the bathroom to give her time to finish getting ready. Just when I was going to check on her again, because she had already taken longer than five minutes, she came out of the bathroom. I paused. She was flawless, and her skin was glowing. Her inner beauty lit her eyes and softened her features. When she smiled, I couldn’t help but smile. When I was with her, I always felt like a king.
“I’m ready,” she said.
“You look so good, baby. I swear, I’m lucky as shit.”
“Thank ya, boo. I’m pretty lucky too.”
I took her hand in mine and led her to the dining area. She heard the voices before she saw everyone, and she frowned.
“Who is . . . ?”
“Hey!” Frill said. “The married couple.”
My mom, Lavish, Frill, Egypt, Nia, Lala, and Javier were gathered around the table, with glasses of champagne in their hands.
Desire put her hand over her heart. She started crying as soon as she saw her brother. He came over and put his arms around her.
“Don’t mess up your makeup,” he said. “Congrats, Mrs. Monnahan.”
“Thank you.” She laughed through her tears.
“This is so nice, Poo,” Mama said as I hugged her again.
“Mama, this is Desirae, but everyone calls her Desire.”
Desire extended her hand, but my mom pulled her in for a hug. “I give hugs, sweetie. Welcome to the family. You’re so beautiful. Luxury didn’t tell me you were so gorgeous. Look at you.”
“Thank you. It’s so nice to meet you. You’re beautiful yourself.”
“Thank you.” My mama blushed as she grinned. I could tell she liked Desire.
While my mama and Desire got acquainted, Frill approached me. “Damn, bruh,” he said, looking around. “This suite is huge as hell. King shit right here, boy. You weren’t lying when you said you got the biggest suite they had.”
“You know I had to do it.”
Lavish pulled me to the side. “So, you went and married her, huh? You feel that guilty about the baby?”
“Nah, dumbass. I love her. Period.”
Frill patted me on the back. “We know you love her. That rock on her finger is serious. Congrats, bruh.”
Lavish nodded. “I dig it. Married is a good look for you. Mo’ hoes for me.”
I laughed and shook my head. “You can have them hoes. I’m officially off the fucking market.”
Lavish said, “I’m proud of you. Big bro is all grown up. One day I want to be just like you.”
Egypt handed me and Desire a glass of champagne. “I’d like to make a toast to the most adorable couple I know. It’s a pleasure to work as Desire’s assistant, and I know the love you two have will supersede all things. Congrats to the bride and groom.”
I looked at Egypt, surprised that she would make a nice toast, knowing she had doubts. I nodded my head at her, and she smiled at me. Behind her eyes were tears, but she wiped them away quickly.
“To the bride and groom,” everyone said, lifting their glasses.
“Dinner will be served in a bit,” I said. “Everyone can sit at the table.”
I sat at the head of the table, and Desire sat on the right side of me.
“So, what’s next for you two?” Mama asked. “Do I get to meet my grandson, li’l Tyriq, next?”
I tried not to get irritated that she had brought this up at this moment. “Yes, ma’am. You’ll meet him soon. We’ll talk about that later.”
Desire seemed unbothered as she took a sip of her champagne, but I knew her well. The mention of my son was a sore spot.
“Desire,” Mama said, “where’s your mother? I thought I was going to meet her tonight.”
Desire gazed at me with a confused look on her face. “I didn’t know she was supposed to be here. I actually didn’t know any of you were coming.”
“I wanted to surprise her. Her mother didn’t feel too good, so she couldn’t make it,” I lied.
Javier nodded his head, as if that were the truth.
&nb
sp; “Can I speak to you for a second, Luxury?” Desire said, getting up from the table.
“Yeah.” I got up from the table and followed her into the living-room area of the suite.
“Why didn’t you tell me you invited my mom?” she asked.
“Because I wanted to surprise you.”
“I already told you that I don’t get along with her. She hates me. That bullshit about her being sick is just . . . She can’t stand to see me happy. If she had come, she would’ve been so fuckin’ disrespectful. You know, she couldn’t even look me in the eye at my papi’s funeral. She acted like I wasn’t even there.” She started to cry.
I pulled her to me. I didn’t like seeing her hurt and feeling bad. “Baby, come on . . . Let’s just forget about her. I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how fucked up things were between you. Let’s just celebrate our moment.”
She nodded and wiped her eyes.
“I can’t keep watching my woman cry like this. This shit is fuckin’ breaking my heart.”
She nodded again and dried her tears. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I apologize for trying to repair your broken relationship. I was out of line. Forgive me.”
“I forgive you.”
After she fixed her makeup, we went back to the dinner table and enjoyed the meal. Everybody was laughing and talking. At the end of the meal, Lavish, Frill, and I stepped out on the patio to smoke a blunt.
“You said Desire got a few shows overseas?” Lavish asked.
“Yeah,” I answered.
“You going with her?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know yet.”
“What you think she gonna say when she finds out you don’t fly over water?” Lavish chuckled.
I shrugged again. I hadn’t thought about it. I hadn’t conquered my fear of flying over water, and I didn’t plan on confronting it anytime soon. I just knew that Desire going overseas to promote her new album was the perfect opportunity for her.
“She’ll be fine without me,” I answered. “It’s only a few weeks. I gotta let her do her thing without suffocating her, you know? We both gotta accept that this is part of the business.”
“True, but she’ll be so far away, bruh,” Frill said. “Y’all just got married. You think you want to be away from her that long?”
Lavish nodded, as if echoing Frill’s words.
I brushed them off. “Y’all overthinking it. She’ll be fine.”
“We ain’t worried about her. We worried about you. You were tripping when she was gone that night when her dad died. How you think you gone handle not seeing her for days on end?” Lavish commented.
Frill passed me the blunt, and I took a few pulls. They were seriously thinking too hard about this. We were going to be fine.
“I got this,” I assured them.
22
DESIRE
Overseas Life
I was officially Mrs. Monnahan, and it was all over the news and tabloids, the blogs and social media. That story overshadowed Luxury’s paternity test news. Egypt had said she’d leaked the marriage to the press for that reason. Our wedding also boosted the hell out of my album sales. I was already certified platinum. Everything was happening so fast, and Luxury didn’t want me to slow down, not even for a minute. The person I used to be no longer existed, because I had no control over anything I did. Everything had to be approved by Luxury. What I wore, what I drank, what I ate, and what I said in public all had to approved by my husband.
I rehearsed my ass off for these shows I had to do in Paris, Barcelona, and a few spots in the United Kingdom. Days and nights felt like they were mixed together. I couldn’t tell you what the date was without looking at my calendar. After a couple of weeks of constant practice, we got ready to go to Paris. That was when Luxury hit me with the news that he wouldn’t be at my first show. He said he had some executive business to take care of.
The label was blowing up now that he had two platinum-selling acts. The Monnahan Boyz had almost finished their second major album, and I was catapulted to the top of the charts with every single I dropped. I should’ve been happy about it, but I was still grieving my father’s death. I missed him so much.
My first flight overseas was cool. There was hardly any turbulence, and I felt like a boss in first class. Egypt and I laughed and got to know one another along the way. I killed my first sold-out show in Paris. I felt on top of the world. I just wished Luxury was with me.
After the show, I retreated to my hotel room, and Egypt brought me a pint of praline ice cream because I was craving something sweet and creamy.
“Oh my God. You’re a lifesaver,” I said as I took the pint. Somehow ice cream made me feel a little bit better about missing my dad.
“I got your back, girl,” she said.
Egypt could never be Mina, but it felt good to have a friend who was a girl again.
Before leaving my suite, she said, “Hit me up if you need anything else.”
“Okay. I will.”
As soon as I had the top of the ice cream container off and I had dug into it, my phone rang. It was Luxury on FaceTime. I answered and put the spoon in my mouth, then sucked it clean, feeling excited to see my husband’s face, “Hey, baby.”
“Don’t be sucking that spoon like that,” he teased.
“You jealous?”
“Nah, ’cause you suck my dick way better. I miss them pretty-ass lips, though. What you doing, Mrs. Monnahan?”
“Missing you. Missing my dad, but, anyway, E just brought me some ice cream. I’m chilling now. What you doing?”
“Just got home. I took the baby to see Mom today.”
“Oh. How’d that go?” I felt my heart drop. I still wasn’t used to him having a baby. It was like my heart wouldn’t let me.
“Good. He’s lookin’ so much like me, it’s ridiculous. Anyway, I’m sure E spoke with you about the itinerary for your shows.”
I nodded. “Yeah, she did. Everything is happening so fast that I hardly have time to myself. When are you coming? I feel like I’m gonna die without you.”
“I’ll be there soon. I miss you.”
“I miss you so much.”
“I heard you killed your first show.” He paused and looked away from the camera when someone said something to him in his background. He looked back at me. “I gotta go to this studio session with my brothers right now, but I’ll hit you up before I go to bed. I know with the time-zone difference, you’ll be asleep.”
Feeling a little disappointed because he had to go, I said, “I might be awake, so hit me.”
“Gimme a kiss.”
I kissed the phone, and he did the same.
“I love you,” I said, fighting back my tears.
“I love you, and don’t you forget it,” he replied and ended the FaceTime.
Tears running down my cheeks, I sighed and took a huge spoonful of ice cream. I wiped my tears, put the top back on the ice cream container, and put it in the small freezer by the minibar. I needed a drink or a shot of something. I took the cap off the bottle of Patrón on top of the minibar and swallowed a big gulp, spilling some on my chest. I wiped it off. I wished I could go back to the carefree days when Mina and I were dancing and enjoying our lives. God, I missed her too.
I picked up my phone and decided to go live on my Facebook. I looked at myself to make sure my hair and face looked cool before I sat on the bed. I hit the GO LIVE button and spoke into the camera.
“Hey, everybody. It’s ya girl Desire. As you can see, I am almost ready for bed. I just got done performing in Paris. This city is seriously so beautiful. I can see the fuckin’ Eiffel Tower from my window. The show was amazing. Bananas. What’s going on with y’all?” I looked at the screen and saw people saying hello. Somebody asked me where Luxury was.
“Luxury is back home, working on some things with the Monnahan Boyz. He’ll be here soon. Can’t wait to see my babe. Anyway, I just wanted to hop on here real quick to say hey and to thank y’all f
or rocking with me. I fuckin’ love y’all. Real shit. I am so tired, y’all, but the fans, y’all make everything worth it. I’m just chilling in my room, sipping some Patrón.”
A phone call was coming through, so I wrapped up my live video.
“A’ight. I’m about to go to bed. Callin’ it a night. Bye.”
I pressed END, looked down at my phone, and saw that Nasim was the caller. I hadn’t heard from him since the night before I got married. I hadn’t texted him, and he hadn’t bothered me at all. But right now I really could use someone to talk to, I decided.
“Hey, you. How are you?” I said when I answered. I didn’t mean to say it sexy like that. It just slipped out.
“I’m good. You?”
“Good. You just interrupted my live video.”
“Oh shit. My fault. I’ll call you back,” he said.
“Nah, I ended it. What you doing?”
“I just saw your show tonight. Dope as fuck.”
“What? Are you serious? You’re here in Paris?”
“Yeah, I’m in Paris. I wanted to catch a show, and you were sold out in all the US cities, so I was like, ‘Fuck it. I’ll go to Paris.’”
“That’s what’s up. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Where you staying? We should catch up.”
“We should. I’m at a Novotel Hotel right now. The Paris Centre one,” he said.
“I have no clue where that is, but I’ll figure it out. Is it cool to come your way? I’m bored as hell.”
“That’s cool with me. Let’s have some drinks. You hungry?”
“Not really, but drinks sound cool. We should probably stay in your suite. I wouldn’t want anyone taking pictures. You know how that is. I wouldn’t want Luxury to assume the worst.”
“I understand. I’m on the fifth floor. I’ll text the room number. See you in a bit.”
I ended the call and sent Egypt a text informing her that I would be out sightseeing. She texted back for me to be careful. She was going to get some sleep because she was exhausted. I took a couple more gulps of tequila and got dressed. I called an Uber, grabbed my bottle of Patrón and my purse, and headed down to the lobby. I brought my bodyguard, Meek, with me for protection, in case someone recognized me.