by AnDerecco
I’m not.
DEMARCUS
So did the workout clear whatever that was on your mind?
AIDEN
It did.
DEMARCUS
Look after I workout I normally go by a salad bar. You care to join me?
AIDEN
Well I have to get home.
DEMARCUS
Your girlfriend or wife is waiting for you?
AIDEN
Do you see a ring?
DEMARCUS
Okay your girlfriend?
AIDEN
I don’t have one of those either.
DEMARCUS
Well what’s the rush to hurry back home when no one is waiting for you?
Aiden could not help but smile at Demarcus’s persistency.
AIDEN
Maybe next time.
DEMARCUS
Okay well since you won’t join me how about we exchange numbers. I would like to workout with you again.
AIDEN
Same here.
Aiden recited his number to Demarcus as he programmed it in his phone. Demarcus called Aiden’s phone so that he could do the same.
They walked out of the gym together and went their separate ways. Aiden looked at his watch and noticed that is was 11:45 P.M. He hopped in his car and sped towards his apartment.
When he tried to put the key into the door, the door opened from the inside and there Nathan stood. Aiden tried to walk into the apartment but Nathan blocked him.
NATHAN
Where have you been?
AIDEN
I went to the gym.
NATHAN
And you are just leaving the gym.
AIDEN
Yes. Now let me in my house.
NATHAN
This is my apartment. I pay the rent here.
AIDEN
No you don’t.
Nathan snatched Aiden by the collar and pulled him in. He sniffed around Aiden’s neck.
NATHAN
You just took a shower.
AIDEN
I was not going to leave the gym musty.
NATHAN
Who were you with?
AIDEN
No one. Now let go of my shirt.
Aiden slapped my hand from his shirt. I wanted to hit him but I knew that would not be a good idea.
NATHAN
I don’t like not knowing where you are. Plus you knew that I was coming by.
AIDEN
I told you that I get into my workout sometimes. Plus Demarcus helped….
NATHAN
Who is Demarcus?
Aiden realized that he had said too much. He knew that I had a bit of a jealous streak.
AIDEN
He is a professional trainer. He helped me tonight.
NATHAN
Are you fucking him?
Aiden looked at me with disgust.
AIDEN
No!
NATHAN (walking up to him and wrapping my arms around his waist)
Good because you know that you belong to me.
AIDEN
You don’t have to worry about me seeing anyone else.
Aiden pulled away from me and walked into the kitchen. He offered me something to drink but I knew that I had to head home. I refused the drink and explained to him that I had to go home and prepare for work. Aiden offered me to spend the night but that would not be a good idea.
I gave him and a kiss on the forehead and handed him a folded check. Aiden opened the check.
AIDEN
I can’t take this.
NATHAN
Yes you can. I want you to have it.
I wrote him a check for a thousand dollars. I knew that he made his own money but I wanted to make sure that he was comfortable.
Money
I landed in Charlotte, North Carolina for a conference. I knew that the next two days were going to be long. I had two presentations that I was booked to deliver and had to talk to a potential new client for my finance company.
As I was waiting on my driver to pick me up at the airport I decided to make a call. I searched through my contact list. When I found the name that I was looking for I made a call. I waited a few seconds during the ringing. Finally an answer.
NATHAN
I was wondering if you were going to answer the phone.
DANA
I was wondering if I should.
NATHAN
Why do you say that?
DANA
I haven’t heard from you in six months and all of a sudden you call.
NATHAN
I am in the city.
DANA
What the hell brings you to Charlotte?
NATHAN
I have a conference. I will be here for a few days and I wanted to see you.
DANA
Are you serious? Six months. Six months I don’t hear from you and now that you blow into the city I am suppose to drop everything and come running to you. I suggest that you lose my number.
NATHAN
Look, I am sorry. I apologize. I want to see you. Can we at least have dinner?
Dana was silent for a few minutes. I was hoping that she would agree.
NATHAN
Are you there? Let’s go to Bernardin’s. That’s where we had our first dinner. I had the grilled pepper crusted filet mignon topped with goat cheese, served with duck fat béarnaise, sautéed spinach and roasted garlic mashed potatoes. You had the…
DANA
I know… what I had. I will meet you there around eight o’clock.
NATHAN
Great. I look forward to seeing you. Just looking at your picture in my phone was not enough.
DANA
Bye Nathan.
Dana ended the call. I was thrilled that she agreed to see me. The first thing that I needed to do was get to my hotel and freshen up.
A black SUV pulled to the curb and the driver’s door open. A man dressed in a black suit flew around the front of the vehicle. He walked up to me and asked if I was Mr. Edwards. I responded by passing him my bags.
He opened my passenger door and placed my bags in the back. He quickly drove me to my hotel through the heavy traffic.
I checked into my hotel and as soon as I got to my room my cell phone rang.
NATHAN
Hello.
AIDEN
How are you sir?
NATHAN (flopping down on the couch in the living room of my suite)
I am good and how are you?
AIDEN
I am good. Look I was wondering if you wanted to go to dinner tonight.
NATHAN
I can’t. I am out of town.
AIDEN
Oh really. Normally when you go out of town you tell me.
NATHAN
I did tell you, remember?
AIDEN
No it wasn’t me. Maybe it was your side piece.
I hated when Aiden spoke this way.
NATHAN
I don’t have a side piece. You know that you are my only baby.
I had to make the conversation short because I needed to prepare to meet Dana for dinner. I didn’t want Aiden to think that I was rushing him so I talked for a few more minutes.
After ten minutes of conversing I told him that I was hungry and that I was about to step out and get something to eat.
AIDEN
So are you going to eat with anyone?
NATHAN
Just a friend girl that lives here.
AIDEN
Okay well have fun. I hope to see you as soon as you get back. I need to see you.
NATHAN
I need to see you too.
AIDEN
831.
NATHAN
831.
I took some slacks and a shirt out of my bag. I looked it over to see if it needed a quick ironing. Perfect. It didn’t. I looked in the mirror. Damn…I need to shave. I took my razor and lined myself up. I hopped into the steamy shower and lathered really good
. I wanted to make sure that I was ready for anything tonight.
I finished my shower and raced into the bedroom. I forgot to close my blinds and I noticed that some people were night walking outside of the suite. I could tell that they were trying to look in between the blinds, and walk away at the same time. I decided to put on a little show for the guest. I made sure that they got a full view of my manhood as I was putting on my underwear. I love to make sure that everyone has a great stay. I put on my t-shirt slowly. When I opened my eyes they were gone. I hope that they enjoyed what little show they got.
I looked at the clock and it flashed 7:28. I knew that I had to hurry, even though the restaurant was only ten minutes away. I didn’t want to make Dana anymore upset than she already was for me not calling in six months.
I stood from my table when I saw Dana walking over with the maitre d. I grabbed her by her hands and pull her into me to give a small kiss on the cheek. I helped her with her chair.
DANA
Have you ordered?
NATHAN
Just the salads and a glass of wine.
Dana looked stunning in her black sheath dress. It was fastened by a pewter back-zip that frock atop a goldenrod blouse, burgundy tights, and buckled black booties. I could not keep my eyes off of her. She knew that I was staring.
DANA
Why are you looking at me like that?
NATHAN
Because you are the most gorgeous woman that I seen in a long time. Those sexy lips, dream hazel green eyes. I have never seen anyone with eyes like yours.
I tried to break the hardness that she was giving off.
NATHAN
Wait…wait a minute. Are those contacts?
She began to smile and blush. That was the face that I wanted to see.
DANA
You know that I don’t wear contacts.
NATHAN
Can I have a kiss?
Dana leaned over the table and gave me a small kiss.
NATHAN
Those lips are what I have been missing.
DANA (laughing and smiling)
You know that you are full of it right?
NATHAN
I am full of you. Later on tonight I want to fill you up with something.
DANA
I need to tell you that I am engaged now.
NATHAN
When did this happen?
DANA
About a few weeks ago. I hadn’t heard from you so I had to move on with my life.
NATHAN
Why didn’t you call me?
DANA
I called you all the time. You never answered. I called your office. Your secretary said that you were out of the office or out of town or in meetings. So I figured that it was time to move on.
NATHAN
I never got a call from you or a message.
DANA
Bullshit. I know how you keep your phones on you and how you get your messages. But it’s all good.
As soon as Dana finished her statement my cell phone started to buzz. I looked at it to see who was calling. “Aiden” flashed on the screen. I declined the call.
DANA
You could have answered it.
NATHAN
I know that. I am devoting my time to you.
DANA
So now that you have started your on finance company how it is going?
NATHAN
It’s going well. That is one reason why I am here in Charlotte. I have a conference that I am presenting at and I am here to visit a potential client.
DANA
I read that your company has a net worth close to $23.2 million.
NATHAN
So you are keeping up with me now.
DANA
I love to read about a black man who’s started his own finance company and doing well. I guess I can order anything I want off of the menu.
NATHAN
You always could and you know that.
Again my phone started to buzz. Aiden’s name and picture flashed on the screen. He knew that I was out to dinner so I figured that this must be important.
NATHAN
Excuse me while I take this call.
I excused myself from the table and went into the restroom. I called Aiden back to see if everything was okay. He answered the phone after one ring. I could hear sirens blurring in the background.
NATHAN
Hello….hello.
AIDEN
Nathan…I lost everything.
NATHAN
I can barely hear you. You what?
AIDEN
I lost everything. My neighbor’s apartment caught fire and it spread to my apartment. I lost everything.
NATHAN
Oh wow. I am sorry to hear that. Where are you now?
AIDEN
Standing here looking at them trying to put the fire out.
NATHAN
Look…get you a hotel room. I will be home in two days.
AIDEN
I will.
NATHAN
You did have renter’s insurance correct?
AIDEN
Yes. I just called them and filed a claim.
NATHAN
Great. Great. You get you some rest and I will talk to you in the morning.
As I ended the call with Aiden I walked back to my table where Dana was waiting.
NATHAN
I apologize for that. That was a friend, his apartment just burned down.
DANA
I am sorry to hear that. Is he okay?
NATHAN
I believe so, just upset that he lost everything.
DANA
Speaking of losing everything…how is the wife?
Just Begun To Grow
With my help Aiden was able to purchase a country living spacious home sitting on two acres overlooking a beautiful pond full of fish. With four bedrooms, three and a half baths, a large living area that host a cozy fireplace, formal dining/office area just off the foyer, with a kitchen that has plenty of counter space and cabinets. I can see Aiden preparing meals for us after work and multiple Sunday dinners. It has a large fenced in back yard with a covered patio plus a three car garage.
I always wanted the best for Aiden. I would do anything in my powers to make that happen. His gated neighborhood is a fifteen minute drive to downtown.
It was much of an adjustment to move from a two bedroom apartment to this house.
I was helping Aiden move furniture and decorate his new house when I heard whimpering. I walked over to his and hugged him from behind.
NATHAN
What’s wrong baby?
AIDEN
I was just thinking that all of my pictures of my family were destroyed in that fire. I don’t have any memories of my parents and family.
NATHAN
You have memories baby. They are all in your mind.
AIDEN
I know that but I can’t see my parent anymore. I used to be able to open the albums and reminisce.
NATHAN
I hate that your parents died baby. You didn’t have anything stored on flash drives or anything?
AIDEN
Everything…and I mean everything burned in the fire.
I turned Aiden around and gave him the tightest hug that I could. I wanted him to know that I was there for him. Even though I could not replace his parents or the pictures I wanted him to know that I was there.
NATHAN (changing the subject trying to get his mind off things)
How about we order delivery?
AIDEN
Why can’t we just go out to eat? I don’t want my first meal in my house to be delivery.
NATHAN
Why don’t I go and buy some groceries and you cook our first meal in your new house?
Aiden’s face lit up. I knew how much he loved to cook. Before I could get another word out he was writing out a list.
Aiden passed the list to me and I glanced it over. I was willing to make him hap
py. Aiden was a special person - a beautiful person.
As I walked around the grocery store I noticed this attractive young man looking at me. He was dressed in black basketball shorts that he wore neatly under his ass cheeks. The body shirt that cupped his torso had a wet spot in the center of his back. I could feel my manhood rising in my sweats. I made it my business to walk over by the juice section to get his attention. I picked up a carton of orange juice.
NATHAN (speaking in general)
Every time I look around the price of juice is going up.
O’KEEFE
I know what you mean.
NATHAN
Do you drink a lot of juice?
O’KEEFE
I do a lot of juicing. I don’t normally buy juice from the store.
NATHAN
Oh. Maybe you can give me a few pointers. I am Nathan by the way.
O’KEEFE
O’Keefe.
NATHAN
O’Keefe…I like that. What do you do?
O’KEEFE
I am a model.
NATHAN
You have a nice body and a handsome face. I hope that I don’t offend you by saying that.
O’Keefe smiled and showed his perfect pearly white teeth. His smile was one that could illuminate a dark dense room.
O’KEEFE
No you are good. Tell me…what do you do?
NATHAN
I own my own finance company.
O’KEEFE
Really?! Maybe I can get a loan from you. I need to really get a financial backing for my portfolio. I want to be the next Tyson Beckford.
NATHAN
What are you about to do right now?
O’KEEFE
Nothing.
NATHAN
Why don’t you take my card and meet me at my office in about thirty minutes.
O’KEEFE
It will be six thirty. What time do you close?
NATHAN
Well we are closed now. I just want to get some personal information from you and then tomorrow morning when I get into my office I can pull your credit report and make a decision.
I passed O’Keefe my card. He studied it for a minute and then we parted ways. I got everything that Aiden had on his list. I loaded my car with the groceries and drove to his house.
Once there he met me outside to help me unload.
AIDEN
Why are you rushing?
NATHAN
I got a call from the bank. I need to go and check on some things. The alarm was going off and since I live the closest all the alarm calls are directed to me.
I was hoping that Aiden believed me and didn’t ask any more questions. I wanted to go and work on this new client.