“Yesss, oh my God, yes”, I moaned.
“Damn”, Free yanked himself out and glazed my ass with his warm seed. When he was finally empty a satisfied smile crept across his dark brown face but for me reality and regret instantly started to set in. I moved away from him and started to clean myself up. He was staring at me in the mirror while he did the same but I avoided he eyes this time.
“You still don’t have shit to say?” He asked.
“I don’t know what to say”.
“That’s nothing new. Just because the pussy still good don’t mean all is forgiven”.
“Excuse me, is someone in there? Why is this bathroom locked?” A woman pounded on the oak wood door.
“I can’t even fucking think right now. I’m here for my engagement dinner and I just…you know what I can’t do this”, I threw my soiled underwear into the garbage and headed for the door.
“Wait a damn minute”, he grabbed my arm and drew me back into him.
“Excuse me, this is management. We can hear you in there talking, please open the door”. With no other option, Free let me go, went to go unlock the door and held it opened for me. I quickly walked past him, the irritated woman and the fed-up manager.
On my way back upstairs I took a small bottle of Bacarat out my purse and generously spritz the perfume on my body, hoping to mask the scent of orgasmic sex. My watch told me almost 20 minutes had passed and I planned to tell Fatima I would be leaving from having one too many drinks, there was no way I could sit in her face after what just happened.
“I’m not feeling well, I’m super nauseous. I must have had—"
“Too many dirty martini’s? You definitely embarrassed yourself drinking like a two for one night walker and no doubt embarrassed me. Honestly Nia, I don’t know what project you were raised in but at least try to behave with some decency in public”. Her brown eyes casted down on me with the usual judgment.
“I get that planning as big of a wedding as yours is a worrisome process but the next time you decide to work through your personal issues on my time in front of my friends, I’ll inform Monti on what type of woman he’s really marrying. Look at you, you could barely stand straight and your dress is ruined”. I looked down at my dress and noticed a white stain near the bottom hem, right by my thigh. “You don’t know how to protect yourself?”
A real wave of nausea came over me, there was no way she knew...
“Say it with me, dinner napkin. How do you expect to wear fine couture on your wedding day if you can’t manage Forever 21?”
I exhaled. “This is Balmain. Monti bought it for me”.
“And look at how little you care about it. If you’re going to be a part of my family, I won’t tolerate these ghetto antics. Go home Nia and get it together. Act like you’re going to be the wife of a business tycoon, at least pretend to be worthy of the title”. She turned and sashayed away. I wanted to take off my Givenchy heel and hurl it into the back of her head instead I hurried out the restaurant and into the cool September night, Omar was already out front. I did need to get my shit together though, what I just did was fucked up beyond belief and I still couldn’t process it.
Once I hopped in the backseat, I got a text from a number I didn’t recognize.
I’m going out of town for a few weeks. I want to see you when I get back.
No, make that your last time seeing me. Move on.
We have way too much unfinished business for that.
I blocked the number and deleted the conversation. A part of me was angry about what just happened. Free had broken my heart and left me to put the pieces together myself and without so much as an apology he decided to fuck me in a public restroom and demand an emotional response and I let him. I was even angrier at myself for being so weak and betraying my fiancé who had given me everything I could ask for and more. There was no way Monti could ever find out about my infidelity but I was afraid the guilt would eat me alive. Even still, a small part of me relished in the way may my body still reacted so strongly to my ex, as much as I loved Monti, not even he had that much control over me. After two years and all the chaos he brought to my life only one thing could explain why, I was still in love with Free.
The drive to me and Monti’s downtown condo from the restaurant was short. I was almost in a trance as I made my way through the lobby and pressed P in the mirrored elevator. I just know I’m going to have a hangover in the morning, I was searching my purse at least five minutes for my keys.
“Hey beautiful”. Monti stood behind the kitchen island pouring a drink. “My bad, I meant to let you know I was coming home today I just got caught up with a few things from work. Damn baby, you’re shaking, I scared you that bad? You good?”
“Yeah, baby… you…I just um, I wasn’t expecting you until Sunday”. My heart was beating so fast my ears ringed.
“I was able to get my assistant to cover the rest of my weekend meetings so I could make it to Hassan’s grand opening night. I thought you would be out late with my mother but since you’re here that’s even better. I want you to come with me”.
“Tonight? I can’t. You know I have a fitting tomorrow with Moncler and I need to be well rested. My spot isn’t exactly secure with them for Fashion Week”.
“Yes, it is. I wish they would play with you. We have them under contract for their new London headquarters”, Monti dismissed my excuse and sipped his cognac.
“Well, I’m tired. You know your mom had me working the room and I’m over being social for today. I really just want to call it a night”.
“Nia, I haven’t seen you all week and you’re leaving Monday for another week. You know how important this night is for me and my brother, I want to share it with you. Let’s just make an appearance, give our support and be out. I’ll take you to the fitting myself”. Monti walked over to me and placed a warm kiss on my cheek. I looked down, not able to meet his intense dark eyes. Guilt didn’t allow me to say no.
“Fine. Let me go change”.
“Okay. Don’t take too long” Monti said. I rushed to the bathroom and turned the shower temperature to hell. My skin stinged under the hot water as I tried to scrub the feeling and scent of Free off me but in my distorted mind, the shit just wouldn’t go away.
Chapter 2
Me and Monti pulled up to Hassan’s around 10:30 that night and walked hand in hand through the restaurants doors while photographers snapped pictures of us. Monti had a more than modest level of fame, he had graced the covers of Black Enterprise and Business Week and appeared several times in Forbes and Essence just to mention a few. He was only 33 years old and already surpassing his older counterparts in the architect industry and tonight, ironically enough, he was revealing his first restaurant business venture. He and his younger brother had been working together for over a year to bring their vision to life and it was hard not to be impressed at the final result. The dining area was two stories high with a chrome staircase wrapping around on both sides of the main floor. Crystal chandeliers, enormous exotic flower arrangements and other beautiful greenery flung from the ceiling, making me feel like I was in a luxurious jungle. The air smelled amazing.
“Wow. It’s exquisite”, I said, smiling at Monti. I was so proud of my man; his business ventures and maturity had come a ways since I met him a year ago. In our short time I watched him navigate through stressful and dark moments where he doubted his ability to live up to expectations, mainly from his family. His mother constantly made Monti prove himself and hardly acknowledge his accomplishments. He carried a lot on his back and when he told me I help level off some of that weight, I knew I wanted to keep being there for him, right by his side to help him in every way he needed me to. He smiled back and leaned in to kiss me, “Thank you baby”. Hassan walked over to us.
“Brother, tout amour. Look at our creation!” He said, dapping up and hugging Monti.
“My boy. I told you it would be the shit, didn’t I? This is only the beginning; in another five
years your name will be a staple in every metropolitan city in America”. While Monti help design, construct and invested into the restaurant as a joint partner this was really Hassan’s breakout moment and his first steps towards helping to build his family’s legacy. Monti was just as proud for his baby brother and more than happy to take him under his wing.
“Look at my sister in-law, you make my brother look better than he really is”, Hassan joked. I shook my head and gave him a hug. “Stop it. Congratulations brother in-law, I’m proud of you”.
“Thank you. Mon, I knew you would be showing up late so I had the chef make one of everything, its packaged in the back but before you get your grub on, I gots’ to show you what I’ve done with the lower level. You left me completely in charge of that remember?”
“And hopefully I won’t live to regret it. Let’s go. Come on baby”, Monti grabbed my hand and we followed Hassan through the large dining area and through a door that was being watched by security. Another grand set of chrome stairs led towards darkness.
“What is this?” I asked.
“This is where fantasy becomes reality and the reason why Hassan’s will be the prototype from here on out”. We continue to follow him down into the darkness and after the third step the stairwell walls slowly started to glow, allowing me to see where we were being lead. At the bottom of the staircase was a metal door and my vision zoomed in as Hassan pressed 369 on the keypad. The door slowly popped open and machine fog further prolonged my ability to see what really was going the fuck on. We walked in and the first thing I registered was that this area was soundproof, Tank’s When We blasted through speakers and not even a peep of that could be heard right outside the metal door. The same crystals and greenery hung from the ceiling down here as well but instead of dining tables and chairs there were booths and bars. Stages with stripper poles were placed all over and a variety of naked girls were swinging from them. The space was already preoccupied with a handful of men, some enjoying the stage performances and some getting private entertainment in the booths.
“A strip club, really?” I rolled my eyes at Monti.
“It’s not a strip club, not everyone can just walk in and experience this and not every girl gets to grace the stage. It’s a very select few”. Hassan said.
“What’s the criteria?” I asked, still not impressed.
“Don’t worry about all that right now. You two go have a few drinks and stick around, I’ll be right back”, he dapped Monti and walked off.
“A strip club?” I asked again. Monti grabbed my hand and led me toward a booth. “It was his idea, when’s the last time you saw me at one? It’s the frat brother in him, he couldn’t just keep it 100% classy, you know ‘San. Besides, it’s a cash cow. Restaurants are slow to bring in money at first no matter whose name is on the building, this side move helps guarantee a return on my investment”.
“Mr. Asante, it’s my pleasure to serve you, would you like your favorite, Black Pearl Louis in a lemon rimmed glass served warm?” a gorgeous woman that looked Latina approached our booth in lingerie with an iPad in hand.
“Mr. Asante, what, am I invisible? And your favorite? So, you been here before?” I blurted out before Monti could respond.
“Bring the bottle, thank you”, he told the server. That was a $50,000 bottle, the most expensive Remy Martin ever made, the only way they would even carry that here would be because it was specifically requested.
“Nia, I’ve never been here before, my brother must have informed all his staff about my preferences. Stop tripping”. He was right, I was on edge so I sat back and let it go.
“So how was the engagement dinner?”
“Boring, you know your mom put it together more for her, not me”, I avoided looking at him even though he was looking at me. The server brought the bottle and two lemon rimmed glasses that were warmed. Monti started to pour me some.
“I’m good baby, I already had one too many gin martini’s tonight”.
“At the dinner party? I thought you said it was boring”.
“It was, that’s why I was drinking. And your auntie was there, you know how she can be”, I was still avoiding his eyes which never stopped looking at me. Damn, was his stare always this intense?
“Just have a drink with your man, okay? Loosen up” he said, pouring me a half glass. I took a sip to shut him up.
Moments later a pretty, black woman came over to us and asked if we wanted a dance.
“Are you okay with this?”, Monti asked me. “Yeah, its fine”, I said. The girl was short and thick with chocolate brown skin and an ass so big her g-sting was probably lost forever. She made it clap for him, whining her hips in a way only an island girl could. I watch my fiancé eyes get low from the brown liquor also dancing in his glass and he comfortably admired her anatomy right next to me with no shame. This wasn’t the first time I allowed other women to have access to Monti, when our relationship was brand new, we engaged in a threesome with a model friend of mine. Like a lot of models in the industry I dabbled in cocaine, not anymore but at the time I was still dealing with the pain of losing Free and was coping in all the wrong ways. That night was buck wild, me and my friend were high as a kite and we fucked and sucked on Monti for hours but not before he made her sign an NDA and take a rapid HIV test. I found out that was his standard procedure when we had another threesome for his birthday months later. I hadn’t told him yet that I didn’t want other women in our bed once we got married, I wasn’t sure that was fair since I was the one who introduced a third party in the first place and especially since today’s indiscretion with my ex. The sips of Louie were once again stirring mixed emotions of guilt and desire. I watched as the dancer’s round titties jumped up and down as she rode Monti’s lap, his hand gripping her waist. Unexpectant flashbacks started to shoot into my mind, I could see the reflection of Free, his hand around my mouth and our bodies going to war with each other. Shifting in my seat, I tried to shake the thought but when I looked back over at the dancer and Monti suddenly her face was mine and Monti wasn’t in the chair anymore, it was Free. I’m going insane. At that very moment I swore I felt and heard Free’s voice breathing in my ear, just like earlier. Yeah, this still my... That’s why when the dancer suddenly reached for me, I almost threw the bitch on the floor.
“What the fuck!” she said. Monti rushed to break her fall then turned to me. “What the fuck?” he also wanted to know.
“I’m sorry, I have to go”, I grabbed my purse and power walked to the metal door. “Nia!” I heard Monti calling after me but I continued to race up the dark stairway and through the restaurant’s, he was hot on my heels. Once outside and the fresh air hit my face, I almost choked trying to hold back the burning sensation of tears that badly wanted to break through. “Nia, Nia! What are you doing, what’s wrong? I thought you said you were cool with the dance”, Monti stepped in front of me, looking at me like I was crazy. I didn’t have a problem with the lap dance, I wasn’t an insecure woman about mines but in the moment, I couldn’t think of another lie to explain my outburst.
“Well, I’m not, okay! I’m six months away from being your wife, your wife Monti! You can’t just have other women rubbing their community coochie all over you”. He rubbed his head in confusion. “But I thought…you know what, never mind. If it makes you uncomfortable, I see no better reason than to stop. You do know that I never touch other women without your permission, right?”
“I know this”.
“Okay so chill out, you doing a lot right now”.
“I’m sorry”.
“It’s cool but damn, did you have to toss the girl through the air like that?” he smiled at me and I laughed.
“My bad, leave a big tip for her because she didn’t deserve that. I guess with New York Fashion week right around the corner, your mom up my ass about the wedding, the wedding in general, I’ve been a little stressed”. Monti pulled me in his arms.
“My bad babe. We should have just stayed in and
watch movies or something, we both are always on the go I never even asked how you been feeling lately. Let me make that up to you”, he kissed on my lips until I opened them for his warm tongue to enter. Right there on the street we passionately made out and for a second, I got lost in our moment, allowing my body to release some of the tension the day had brought.
“When we get home, I’m going to massage your body from head to toe and then kiss it from head to toe and then I’m going to suck on your pussy until you fall asleep. I should be paying more attention to you and I’m starting tonight”. Monti stared down at me and I could see the seriousness in his eyes. It had been two weeks since we made time for any type of intimacy so I knew there was no way I could tell him no without him getting suspicious.
“Sir, your car”, the valet waited by the curb as Monti’s midnight blue Lamborghini pulled up.
Shit, shit! I can’t have sex with him.
He grabbed my hand and led me to the car. When he let it go to walk to the driver’s side, for a split second I contemplated running into traffic.
“Monti! Yo, Mon!” Hassan’s voice sliced through the air. “What?”
“I’m glad I caught you, let me holla at you”. Monti walked over and I watched the animated discussion between them. Whatever he was being told, it didn’t seem like good news. Making his way back to me, Monti’s face was tense. “I’m so sorry baby, I have to handle this situation right quick but it shouldn’t take long. Here take the Lamb”, he handed me the key. “I’ll be home in a few hours so don’t scream like earlier if you wake up with my head in between your thighs”, he licked his lips and smiled at me, I forced one back. “I love you”, I said. “I love you too”. We kissed and then I hopped in and peeled off, thanking my lucky stars.
When I woke up the next morning Monti’s side of the bed was empty. After my fitting he sent a text saying he would be home for dinner but I ended up eating alone, again. Sunday night, I flew out to New York on his private jet with only a call from him apologizing for his absence. Honestly, I wasn’t tripping. Him being busy meant we couldn’t get busy, I hated feeling like I didn’t want to make love to my fiancé but for obvious reasons, I needed more time. Once the jet took off, I left all my worries right where they were, it was time to refocus my energy back on my career. This wouldn’t be my first time walking in NYFW but it would be my first time walking in all major shows and this could be the turning point I needed if I proved myself.
Threefold: Part 1 Page 2