Mesmerized By A Street King- A Valentine's Day Novella

by Belleza

  “Sometimes I feel so bad for putting him through all that. It’s like things got better with me out of nowhere after he tried everything to make things better between us.”

  “Maybe there wasn’t anything for him to fix. We’re in charge of our own happiness. You probably forgave but didn’t forget, and it manifested into a ball of feelings. Then adding a new baby on top of that led your mind farther into this dark space. You were able to shake it, and that’s what matters.”

  “What if I go back? Sometimes I feel myself getting down, and I remind myself not to worry about that.” Moving my head from side to side, I smiled thinking about all the times I talked to myself to stay focused. “Does that make me crazy?”

  Shirley broke out in to a hearty laugh. “My momma always told me as long as I didn’t answer myself I was good. Now hurry and feed my baby so we can go back with the family.”

  She kissed me on my forehead and left out of the door shutting it behind her. I was going to do whatever it took to remain myself again.

  Camille

  “A diamond bracelet, an in-home spa day, and now chocolates with a cute little bear? Tell me what you’re doing to Johan so I can get these things from Asahd,” I asked Natavia taking a seat at her desk.

  “We have plenty of things to discuss besides the fact that Johan is being so extra,” she said smiling. “Why are you here and not at work?”

  “At this rate, Asahd isn’t going to get me shit. Last night when I got home, he wasn’t there. He claimed he stayed at Ern house with Asia,” I spewed.

  I was stressed the fuck out, and I wasn’t sure if I had the right to be upset because I had plenty days to lay up and love on my husband, but I chose to work instead. I couldn’t give 100% in the classroom, so I took another early day to get a second opinion on the situation.

  Natavia sat up in her seat. “What you mean claim? Asahd never did anything where you had to question what he was doing, right?”

  “Yes, but…” I sighed knowing I was going to sound stupid. “I told you things hadn’t been the same.”

  “And trust me, every day won’t be like the first-day y’all fell in love Mill. So much more been added to y’all plate. It doesn’t mean he loves you less or breaking his commitment.”

  I pouted. “I’m trying to tell myself this, but imagine how it feels to want to be with your man, but he ain’t even home and had no intentions on coming home.”

  “I’m not choosing sides or anything, but I believe Asahd been in your shoes on more than one occasion. He probably thought you were going to be tired or working on stuff for your class, so he was giving you space.”

  “That’s what he said.”

  “Exactly. So why are you tripping?”

  “I don’t know,” I whined. “Why can’t life be so much simple like yours? You and Johan got everything figured out.”

  She laughed shaking her head. “Johan and I are good but don’t compare y’all relationships to ours. We’re two old people. Ain’t nothing exciting going on over here.”

  “Yeah right!” I giggled.

  She blushed. “Ok. We’re a pretty dope couple, but it doesn’t mean you and Asahd can’t be.”

  “How do y’all do it? Together y’all have four kids meanwhile Asahd, and I are still trying to figure out how to be parents to a toddler, lovers and two people that are working.”

  “If we can do it, y’all can as well. It’s all about balance. Work should only be done at work.”

  “That’s impossible,” I replied with an eye roll. “I won’t ever leave that place if I don’t leave until everything is done.”

  Natavia pursed her lips in deep thought. “I feel you on that one. I can tell you are passionate about your job, but it’s draining you and have you going crazy. You gotta give yourself a cut off time. Tell yourself no, and put everything away and spend time with your family.”

  “You make it sound simple!” I replied shaking my head. “It will just leave me with more work that has to be done another day.”

  She held her hands up. “Then so be it. Work hard one day so you can relax the next if that’s what you chose to do. Just know your peace of mind is all that matters. I was like that at one point of opening up the catering company up all day and night running off a few hours of sleep. It was wearing me out. Johan sat me down and made me realize I needed to slow down.”

  “But this is you running your own business. I work in a school with a bunch of kids. I have deadlines and lesson plans.”

  “I get it, but there’s something you can change to make things easier for you. I won’t tell you to quit your job, but you have to get better with your schedule. Set some time to not only be with Asahd but for yourself. You won’t be happy if every single second revolves around work. It’s not fair to you or your family.

  I pursed my lips thinking about everything she told me. It all made sense. All this time I thought I was losing myself by becoming a wife and a mother, but I was really losing myself becoming a teacher. I loved teaching and working with children, but it went beyond teaching children in the classroom. More times than some days were spent disciplining student and calming down irate parents that didn’t understand there was more to being a parent than putting name brand sneakers on their children's feet.

  What parents failed to realize was that learning started at home. Kids were like sponges, so they picked up on the smallest things. I was dealing with children that were capable of thinking on their own, so they were at a point of no return. Most of them barely got paid any attention at home, so they acted out at school. It was hard to ignore disruptive behavior especially since it was a domino effect. If one start the rest will follow along where I almost got nothing done during the day.

  “Asahd isn’t cheating on you. I believe he knows better than that,” Natavia broke me out of my thoughts. “Go and enjoy the rest of your day off with your family. No phones, no laptops, no conversation about work.”

  I smiled standing to my feet. “You’re right. Maybe I should be the one getting him flowers.”

  “Maybe so,” she laughed shaking her head.

  I didn’t know what I would do without Natavia. Keira was always my go-to person, but she had enough going on herself, I’d feel like shit putting my weight on her. We texted briefly this morning and her and Zayne were on good terms. It was time for me to get my love life back on track.

  ***

  Taking the advice Natavia gave me, I made a few stops before going home and getting dressed before I took an Uber to Ern’s house to meet up with Asahd and Asia.

  Shirley decided to keep Asia for the week, but I figured there was no other way to enjoy a little time off than with my family.

  It was the day before Valentine’s Day, so Dave and Busters was pretty slow. It wasn’t the best place to take a soon to be two year old, but we made it work. Even though we lost most games because of Asia’s eagerness, it was still fun and refreshing to be with the ones I loved. After playing every game, we sat and ate dinner in the restaurant where Asahd and Asia ate themselves into a food coma.

  By the time we got home, it was late. The thought of being exhausted at work crossed my mind, but I pushed it to the back of my head thankful that on Thursday’s the students had a half day. I just had to get through a staff meeting that was nothing but a bunch of complaining and then I was free.

  While Asahd put Asia to bed, I was running back and forth in our bedroom setting everything up. This was such a last minute project, but I hoped Asahd loved it.

  Before coming home to get showered and dress I went and picked up a bottle of wine, chocolate covered strawberries, flowers and vanilla scented tea light candles. I plucked all the roses and scattered the petals through out the room before I placed the tea light candles in various places to add some light to our bedroom. I couldn’t wait to soak in our tub because the water was calling my name.

  I was sweating bullets hoping that I got everything done before he came to the bedroom. I was crossing my
fingers that Asia wasn’t going to find a million reasons to stay up tonight. She was pretty exhausted from Dave and Busters, but you never knew with her.

  When Asahd entered the bedroom he stopped in his tracks and scanned the room as his lips turned up into a smile.

  “I gotta be getting punked.” He walked further into the room and lifted the bed spread before he walked to closet opening it up. “Where are the cameras?”

  Making my way towards him I stood on my tip toes and met his lips with mine.

  “Or I can just slap you in your face so she you know it’s real.”

  Ashad smirked lifting my hands to his lips and kissing my palm. “Nah, I don’t need that. I need this,” he told me gripping my ass that was naked underneath the robe I had on. I shimmied out of his embrace.

  “After our bath.”

  “Oh hell nah. That’s soft as hell Mill.”

  I knew he was going to decline, so I put on my best sad expression. “Baby, please! Its romantic. You’re messing up everything I set up. Let me have this as my Valentine’s Day gift.”

  Running his hands down face he sighed heavily. “Well good. I don’t gotta waste my time getting a last minute gift.”

  I cut my eyes at him and he chuckled. “You said it,” he told me shrugging his shoulders.

  Following me into the bathroom, I pushed the handle down that stopped up the tub and began to run the water making it on the hotter side, so by time we got in it was nice and warm. I was in love with our bathroom. My favorite part of it was the whirlpool bathtub. After long days I soaked and relaxed my body and it was the relief I needed.

  Gawking at my husband as he took his clothes off, I realized this was one of the sweetest moments I didn’t really take advantage of. Admiring the man I fell in love with, I eyed his completely naked body from head to toe licking my lips when I got to his semi erect dick.

  “I thought you wanted to wait?” he asked snatching my gaze from his body with the sexiest smirk on his face. Asahd was cocky as shit and got a kick out of me turned on by just looking at him.

  “These are my plans, so I make the rules,” I stated standing to my feet, untying the robe and dropping it to my feet. One foot at a time, I stepped inside of the tub that was slowly filling with soapy water. As I sunk in the water, Asahd finally made his way over and got inside. I expected to hear him complain, but he didn’t say a word which was a good sign.

  “I thought you don’t like baths?” I questioned him with a raised eyebrow as I straddled his lap. I picked up a chocolate covered strawberry and held it too his lips. He took a bite and I finished it off placing the leafy party back on the plate.

  “I don’t. Don’t do this shit again and don’t go telling Natavia and Keira. I won’t hear the end of this shit from them, especially Zayne.”

  I burst out laughing because he was serious about not wanting no one to know when I was sure Johan and Zayne would’ve been in the tub with their wives as well.

  “Thank you though,” he said kissing my lips. “I really appreciate this.”

  Cupping the water in my hand, I poured it on his chest and ran my hands across them. “It's the least I can do. I haven’t been the most attentive wife and I’m sorry about that. Do you forgive me?”

  “Let me think about it.”

  “Asahd… stop!” I whined and he chortled bringing my face towards his, so he can kiss me. “Things started to feel so weird, for a second I thought you were cheating on me.”

  “What?!” he snapped.

  “I know. It sounds crazy, but I figured if Zayne and Keira could―”

  “My brother is a good man and Keira ya friend and all, but we ain’t them,” he cut me off mid sentence. “Don’t you ever compare us to anyone else or fuck ya mind up over someone else’s mistakes. I love you, Camille. I love you as so fucking much, there’s nothing on this earth that can make me forget the hardworking and underpaid wife I have.”

  Sucking my teeth, I reared my head back to glare at him. Asahd pulled me back towards him again this time kissing me passionately.

  “Do you know how much I love you?”

  I moved my head up and down relieved we can move forward from the rift we had. “I do,” I answered him.

  “Good now that we got this out the way I need you to remember you said you didn’t care about a Valentine’s Gift.”

  I shrugged one shoulder honestly not caring even though I brought it up earlier this week. “Who cares about a gift or a holiday when I have a husband to spend the rest of my life with?”

  There was nothing like having a man that was not only a good father but a great husband. People divorced, seperated and even cheated for the smallest issue. What we faced wasn’t gigantic, but it’s a enough to tear any couple apart. Quality time with the love of your life was greater than any gift in the world.

  Valentine’s Day

  Zayne

  I was the luckiest man in the world, and I was never going to allow no set back to take that fact away. I was up staring at my beautiful wife as she laid fast asleep tangled in our sheets.

  With my hectic days, I found peace at night when everything was quiet, and I was able to reflect on how I was able to lock down my soul mate even after my fuck up. Things weren’t back to the way they use to be but as the days went by I noticed the small changes in her that showed she was dealing with her emotions better.

  I wanted to make her the happiest woman in the world which was why I was eager to wake her up to give her her present.

  Leaning over, I swept her hair from her face and pressed my lips against hers.

  “Babe, get up,” I said pecking her lips until I saw she peeled open her eyes.

  Taking in a deep breath, she stretched. “What time is it, Zayne?”

  “Time for you to get the hell up. It’s Valentine’s Day.”

  Keira giggled. “The hell is that suppose to mean? You’re waking me up out my sleep for that?”

  “Of course, now get up so I can bring your gift in here.”

  I got up out of bed and went downstairs where I had to hide her luggage. I almost expected her to find it now that she was up and moving around the house often.

  When I came back upstairs she was wide awake sitting up in the bed. Her eyes went from me and then landed on the luggage I was pulling into the room with a bow wrapped around it.

  “Happy Valentine’s Day, baby.”

  I pulled the two rolling bags up to the bed and placed the KEEPALL 50 on her lap.

  “I love the gifts, but where the hell am I going with three kids? Can’t be Disney World because Zayla is too young for that.”

  “Open the bag,” I told her anxious to see the look on her face.

  Keira eyed me suspiciously as she untied the red bow on the bag and then unzipped it. She fished around in it and pulled out the matching cosmetic bag. After unzipping that as well, she pulled out the two tickets. Her eyes scanned them in her hand before the corner of her lips turned up.

  “Kauai, Hawaii?”

  After researching some islands to travel to, I couldn’t get over the beaches Hawaii had. Blue water, and a bright sun with some exotic food. I couldn’t wait to see my lady in a bikini. Even after having two kids back to back she was still shutting shit down.

  “Yes. I remember you saying that you never traveled outside of the state and we need time to ourselves, so why not start exploring?”

  I sat next to her on the bed, and she kissed me deeply showing how much she loved my present. It wasn’t nothing extravagant, but I knew it was needed. We’ve been dealing with a lot, and that was something a trip to reconnect could fix. Philly was currently cold as fuck, so I was eager to get some sun and well needed time alone with my wife.

  “How are we going to leave the kids? Isn’t that going to make us bad parents? Zayla is still so small.”

  Her bringing up the kids made me more confident that she was in a better space than she have been in months. This little vacation might be what we both needed so she
can be back to the old Keira again.

  “No taking time out for ourselves ain’t gonna make us bad parents,” I assured her taking the tickets from her hand and putting them back in the bag. “We both need the time alone. I just want you for a week to reset and remember why we both fell in love — no bad ass babies. No drama. No stress.”

  Keira grinned as she climbed on top of lap placing the bag next to us.

  “What about the kids?” she had the nerve to ask her again when I made it clear that they were straight.

  “They will be exactly where they need to be. My parents will love to keep them. My brothers will gladly take them as well. Stop bringing them up because I ain’t bring Zayla’s ass nowhere.”

  That made Keira giggle. “Only Zayla?”

  “Yes, that little girl is a mess,” I laughed kissing her soft lips. “I’m fucking around. This trip is for you and me. There’s no problem with resetting so we can come back refreshed to be the best we can be for our kids.”

  “I love you, baby. I’m so sorry for drifting away the way I did. It’s just that—”

  I cut her off with a deep kiss on her lips. “You don’t gotta explain. I get it. I understood it took time and you were only going to move out of that bad spot until you were ready. That shit is the past. Let’s just focus on what we have now. That’s the only way we will get better.”

  Keira tucked her bottom lip into her teeth giving me this lustful stare.

  “Well let me show you how much I love you…” she said moving her body down my legs and pulling the strings in my shorts. “And this.”

  All the blood in my body rushed to my dick feeling her warm, soft hands wrap around it. That was something I wasn’t going to stop her from doing.

  Camille

  My eyelids felt like they had cinder blocks tapped to them the way I struggled to stay awake. I knew I was going to pay big time for staying up with Asahd, but it was worth it. He was happy, and I was fucking sore. Standing up my legs were weak, and sitting was uncomfortable as hell from our late night activities. I should've been used to it by now, but I don’t think there was no getting used to something so long and thick no matter how many times we had sex.