by Sherell Lynn
She started to walk toward her office.
“Ava,” She turned back around. “You look great today.” I had noticed when I came in her strawberry blond hair was down and had waves cascading from the top of her head to the very tips that ended down her back. Her makeup looked good too. She was definitely beat for the gods today.
Ava did a curtsy and smiled. “Why thank you, my dear!”
Usually she wore jeans, a T-shirt, bare minimal make-up and her hair would be up in a ponytail. Now it was my time to wonder. “So, what are you up to?”
“I thought you would never ask!” she exclaimed. “We have hot dates this evening right after work. There will be no time to get ready, hence the full face at ten a.m.” She pranced around for a full minute and then placed her hands on my desk.
“Who is this we? Are you talking about you and Luke?” I eyed her suspiciously. How was she expecting to keep that model look all day long while working in a hot kitchen?
“Well, the we, is you and me. And the dates are with Luke and your precious Adam.” Now, this is interesting. Fingering my hands through my hair, I blew out some frustration. I never really liked the guessing game and here I was playing it with Ava. At least she looked like she enjoyed it.
“Would you please tell me what’s going on?” I gave her my saddest puppy dog face in hopes that she would take pity on me and put me out of my misery. Ever since my sixteenth birthday, I hated surprises. It always ended up bad. My mom’s death that year was the first of many bad surprises.
Bringing me back from that gruesome day, Ava’s voice caught my attention, “Okay. Fine, I will tell you, but promise me you won’t say anything to Adam.”
“Adam? What does he have to do with this?”
“Well, he called me this morning. I don’t even think it was daylight outside. Nonetheless, he woke me up to fill me in on the surprise he has for you. After, lunch we are taking the day off to get pampered.”
That was just like Adam to take care of me and make sure I had a friend with me to make the day even more special. Something still didn’t seem right. “Ava, why are you looking like you’re about to strut down a runway if we are going to a spa?”
“Can’t a girl just get dolled up?” She had me there. Who was I to rain on her parade? The hours at work sped by. There was a lot for me to catch up on. Since I had left early to go to the doctor, the work had more than doubled. It didn’t help that both Ava and I were leaving for the spa at two. So, I was sure tomorrow’s work load would triple. There was no time to think about that though. We were now lounging in our evening wear that Adam had been so gracious to buy. Today had been wonderful. The spa was located in one of the nicest business areas in the city. I see why Ava had got herself so dolled up this morning. I wished someone had given me that same memo.
I had gone to work in dark denim jeans, a white tee, and a black blazer with black heels to match. It was cute, but not rich or classy looking. When we stepped inside the fancy spa in the city, we turned heads. I really wasn’t sure if it was because of my cheap business causal look, or the black girl in a ritzy white girl’s establishment. I tried not to curse Adam underneath my breath, he only wanted me to have a nice day at the spa. The receptionist was a total bitch 2.0, until I mentioned that my man, Adam De Luca had made reservations for two. Her frown turned upside down and from that point on I was treated like royalty. We had a detox mud bath, that they claimed got rid of all the bad toxins in the body. Afterwards, we were treated to an hour-long massage. Followed up by a mani and pedi. From the spa, we went to an upscale salon, where my hair was washed, and flat-ironed straight.
I walked out of the salon with a bomb ass shoulder length bob. Ava got the stylist to add some highlights to her long locks. And we both had a fresh face to complete our look. Throughout the day, I asked Ava over and over what was Adam’s plan. If she knew, she kept quiet. It wasn’t until we went back to my place, and two personal shoppers showed up with cocktail dresses, did I figure out this was more than a nice day out. Ava’s dress was a simple yet sexy little black dress. My dress is red with hints of gold encompassing the bodice. Checking myself out in the full-length mirror, one more time before we left, I had to say damn I look good! I had to enjoy these up and coming weeks because my shape would soon be changing.
Now we were sitting or I should say lounging at Touch. I loved this place. The eighties and nineties music was bumpin’ tonight. For it to be a weekday, the place was packed. I looked around for Adam, but he had yet to make an appearance. The few times I had tried to call him, his phone went straight to voicemail. This was the first day that we had gone all day without any talking or texting. We didn’t even have lunch together like we usually did during the week. I know it’s only been a few hours, but I miss him.
Looking over my shoulder, I see Mr. Garett and Ms. Brenda making their way in. It didn’t surprise me, Touch was for everybody, young and old alike. The music was the common factor for us all. The older crowd got to reminisce on their good times and the younger crowd got to enjoy music that was truly soul satisfying. Then there were the people like me that got to enjoy both experiences.
“Well, isn’t this a nice surprise.” Ms. Brenda said bending down planting a kiss on my cheek.
“Likewise,” I expressed back. They take a seat next to us on the leather couch. Soon after, Alex joins us. Hmm… everything seemed a little suspect to me now.
He took a seat across from us in one of the lounge chairs. His eyes landed on me. “Bella, you are a truly stunning woman.” He stood up and took my hand and placed a kiss on the back of it.
“Take your hand off my woman.” We both looked to where the voice was coming from. And there stood Adam and Luke. Adam looked furious.
Alex dropped my hand and went to his brother. “Relax, Adamo, I only gave her a greeting suitable for a lady.”
Adam gripped his brother’s arm. “I will relax, Alessandro, when you stop flirting with my woman.” Even though they were currently in a stare down, I loved the brotherly bond these two usually share with each other. These two are very close. They talked and worked together every day. Maybe that is part of the problem, I wondered.
I knew when they addressed each other by their birth names it was out of a warning that the other person was crossing the line. I’m pretty sure Alex only flirts with me to get a rise out of Adam. He was so protective of our relationship and me. It was something that Alex found amusing. I remember one time during a conversation with Alex, that he had told me I was the first woman his brother wanted a relationship with other than sex. That initially scared me. While I had only been with one other person, Adam had been with many different women. To put it frankly, he was a man-whore.
That was one of the reasons I was so against getting to know him. Thanks to his persistence, he won me over. More than just that, he showed me that he could commit. Women were always fawning over him. Hell, even now he and his brother were turning heads and making panties wet. However, this man was all mine. He didn’t even notice how many women flocked to him. What he did notice was my love and devotion I have for him. It mirrored back to me in his eyes. Adam and Alex finished there stare down and ended up embracing in a bro hug. See they do love each other. Adam came and pulled me in only a hug he could give me. His hands come around my backside and landed on my ass.
He squeezed my ass and whispered in my ear, “I can’t wait to get this ass out of this dress tonight.” I beam adoringly at his words of affection.
“You are so beautiful, my Bella. I love everything about you and I love how you look tonight.” He kissed my forehead and guided us towards the stage. “Come on everyone. I hear there is a special performance tonight.”
Everyone got up and followed his lead to the tables that had been reserved in front of the stage. All the tables were round and decorated in white and black cloth. Deep red roses stood at the center of each table. All of the tables had four black metal chairs circling around them. We had the two tables that
were placed front and center. It was obvious we had the best seats in the club, although I wasn’t for sure why.
“Babe, who is performing here tonight? I didn’t see anything on the billboard,” I said to Adam as we took our seats.
A look of amusement flashes crossed his face before he spoke. “It’s an act no one has ever seen or heard of. First time performance and all.”
“These are mighty fine seats you got, Adam.” Mr. Garett boasted. He and Ms. Brenda were sitting across from us, leaving Ava, Luke, and Alex at the other table.
“Thank you, I only want the best for Bella.” Adam gestured toward me. He stood, his blue eyes sliced into my dark browns leaving me breathless. He smiled knowing how much he could affect me with just one look. “I think I am going to go get us some refreshments before the show starts. Bella what would you like?” It wasn’t a hard question to answer. I had made a dedication to myself and the baby to drink more water, so it was an obvious choice.
After voicing my order to Adam, he along with the other guys in our group went to the bar to get our drinks. I pulled Ava down to whisper in her ear, “Why are our guys going to gather drinks when there are very capable waitress to do the job?”
Ava gave me a perplexed look. “I asked Luke that same question and he gave me nothing in return for a response.” She whispered back into my ear. Shrugging it off as nothing, we soon began to talk with Ms. Brenda about the shelter and the hopes of expanding the building once again to make more room. It hurt me to know that the shelter needed more room. That meant more women had found themselves in a position that, I, not too long ago was in. It also made me count my blessing. I now had the love of a good man.
A few minutes later, the guys returned with the drinks in their hands. Alex took a seat next to me and placed a water on the table in front of me. “Adam had to go to the bathroom. I decided to be his seat holder till he returns.” Bumping me with his shoulder he says, “We can’t have any other guys trying to slide in and try to get with you.”
I rolled my eyes at his suggestion. “No, we can’t have that.” I concurred.
A tall attractive black man took the stage. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special treat for you here at Touch. Now tonight is a first, so let’s not keep you in suspense any longer.” He waved his hands at the deejay signaling to start the music. “Put your hands together for Adam De Luca!”
The crowd went wild clapping and cheering while I was at a standstill. Everyone turned to me to see my stunned expression while I watched as Adam and the announcer shook hands. Then the announcer walked off the stage, leaving Adam there alone. The music died down as he took the mic. The sight of Adam on stage gave me butterflies. He was wearing his signature casual look, denim jeans, tee shirt, and a slim cut blazer. Even though I had just saw Adam this morning, it was like looking at him for the first time tonight.
“I love you, Bella.” He screamed in the microphone.
Then the beat of LL Cool J’s “I Need Love” comes on. And to my surprise, Adam started rapping. Now this wasn’t karaoke and LL Cool J’s voice wasn’t in the background. It’s all Adam and he was rapping these lyrics just for me.
30
Adam
Here I am on stage rapping for my girlfriend. I’m nearing the end of the song and I’m killing it. Rapping was a secret passion of mine that nobody knew about until now. I learned about R&B and Hip Hop from my friends back in the seventh grade. The music impacted my life in a positive way and I was a fan for life. From that point on, I listened to it every day. One day back when Bella and I had first started dating, I was coming home from her house listening to an old-school hip hop and R&B station, when I heard, “I Need Love” by LL Cool J. I downloaded the song and put it as my ringtone for Bella. It described me as a man looking for love. I found the love of my life in Bella. All the one-night stands and drive by’s never compared to her. From the time, I saw her, I knew she would be mine. I needed her more than oxygen.
Rapping here on stage, I saw her facial expression go from shocked to amazed. It was as if I could see the love travel from her teary eyes down to her salacious smile. I continued performing keeping my eyes on her. With every line, I dropped the crowd ate it up. Bella was rapping right along with me. I was sure she, along with our family and friends, were wondering why I had chosen to serenade my lady with a song about a single man looking for love. They would soon find out.
I neared the end of the song noticing how hype the crowd had become. All of the energy only pumped me up. It was time to change it up a bit, so my girl would understand the meaning of all of this.
♪♪♫♪ Bella, listen to me.
From the moment I first saw you, I knew I was in love.
You’re an angel sent from the heaven above.
I will always want and need you in my life.
Do me the honor and become my wife. ♪♪♫♪
I watched Bella, closely. She was singing along, until I got to the part, I said her name and changed the rhyme up. It took her only a few seconds to figure out what was going on. When she did, I jumped off the stage, got on one knee, and presented her with a ring.
She began to release the tears she was trying to hold back. “Oh my god, oh my god, Adam are you serious?” Did she really have to ask? I have never been as serious as I am right now.
“Bella, you have changed my life for the better. Say you will be my wife?”
Her eyes danced around the room before jumping in my arms. She said the one word I was waiting for.
“Yes!” She exclaimed as I slid the five-carat cushion cut, halo ring with smaller accent diamonds around the band on her tiny finger. Life was good. I had my future wife in my hands and our miracle baby growing inside of her beautiful body.
31
Ava
“Tonight was interesting, huh?” Luke asked me, putting his arm around my waist. We had just had sex and we were lying in my bed.
“Sweetheart, did you hear me?”
Of course, I’d heard him. I could feel his hot breath on my neck, he was so close, I don’t why he had any doubt.
“Yes, Luke I heard you.” I knew where he was going with this conversation. I didn’t want to talk about it in the car and I didn’t want to talk about it when we entered my home. I thought sex would keep his mind occupied. The last hour and a half I had let him fuck me until the point of exhaustion or so I thought, but he still wanted to talk.
“I knew something was up when Adam asked us to accompany him to the bar. Who gets their own drink when a waitress can? You know?”
I turned over to my side. Maybe if I pretended to be asleep he would shut up.
“Then just before he went to the bathroom him and Alex had some kind of secret conversation. That was a bad ass way to pop the question, right?” He laughed.
Ugh, he could be so annoying. Why was he asking me all these questions? He changed his position from his back to his side, spooning me.
“Damn, baby, did I put it down like that? I got you all spaced out.” He maneuvered and kissed down my neck with his lips. He needed to go and quickly.
“No, it’s not that, it’s been a long day. Do you think you could lock up on your way out?”
Without another word, he gets out of the bed. He retrieves his boxers, pants, and shirt.
“You know what, Ava? If you did not have such a fucked-up attitude, you might have been the one with the ring tonight.” He walked out the door and slammed it behind him. Hmm…was it something I said. Oh well, I had bigger and better things to worry about. His feelings are none of my concern. My best friend had just gotten engaged. Wow! If Adam would have let me in on this earlier…no no, I wouldn’t have let this happen, so it was a good thing he kept me in dark about his ludicrous plan. I shook my head. I had to make them see how wrong they were for each other.
32
Bella
Three weeks had passed by since Adam’s proposal. In those three weeks, a lot had changed. That night we went back to his pe
nthouse and I have been here ever since. I did have to hear about us cohabiting in sin from Mr. Garett a few times. But eventually, he dropped the issue. I mean I was twenty-nine and pregnant by my fiancé. So, it was a little late for the “talk.” I respected his relationship with Ms. Brenda. However, Adam and I were just doing things differently. Every day I learned something new living with Adam. Like how he woke up the sun to go work out. One morning I was awakened out of my sleep to the sound of old school hip-hop music and metal against metal. Alarmed I ran around to find the source of my abrupt wakeful state. The music got louder and I peeked into the room dedicated to Adam’s fitness.
There he was pounding it out on his weight bench. I tried I really did. I got anti-noise headphones. I shut the door when he turned up the beats coming from the speakers. I even tried to reset my schedule to match his. Overall, my efforts only lasted for a week, and then I cracked. I told him us living together wasn’t working out. He refused to hear me out. Instead, he bought himself some Bluetooth wireless headphones until he was able to reconstruct his gym to make it soundproof. Crisis averted. Then we dealt with other issues, like the toilet seat always being left up, my body products all over our bedroom, and my gone up in smoke kitchen antics. I am happy to report the toilet seat is down. And I now have a spot for all my products.
Ava had been giving me personal lessons in the kitchen. Mama De Luca also emailed me a few of Adam’s favorite Italian dishes. This all happened in the course of three weeks. It was now Sunday and I was in the kitchen cooking and waiting for my man to come home from work. He spent way too much time there if you asked me, but he had been trying to delegate more tasks to spend time with me. Adam coming into my life really had been a dream come true.