That confused the fuck out of me.“Um…well look, do what y’all need to do to keep her alive, but I can’t come up there.”
I hung up and took a minute to get myself in check. I was irritated, and the moment Drek sensed that, she was gon’ ask a million questions. Leaving Gabriae in the hospital alone might’ve sounded heartless, but I’d rather be that than without Drek ever again. Snatching up my iPad, I dropped my phone in my pocket and headed inside where Drek was letting the team I’d hired inside the crib.
“You okay?” she asked as I attempted to walk by her and go upstairs.
Turning to face her with a slight smile, I nodded once. “Knowing that I’m gon’ have you by my side tonight has me feeling more than okay, Angel. I feel fuckin’ invincible,” I pecked her lips. “’Cause there ain’t shit I can’t do when you’re in my corner.”
She started smiling so hard her eyes almost disappeared.
“There’s the smile I love to see,” I tapped underneath her chin. “Therealsmile. Go get dolled up, baby. Ima see you in a minute.”
“Okay.”
“Aye,” I called out after she started walking away.
Her head turned over her shoulder as she stopped mid-stride. “Yes?”
“I love you until forever stops.”
I made that shit up when we were in high school. It was my way of letting her know that my love for her would never end because forever never stopped and neither did my need for her. Back then, when we used to say it, it was just some cute shit but somewhere between now and then, it had become a promise. A promise that I’d broken one too many times. Cheating on Drek told her I didn’t need her and that wasn’t true at all. I needed her like a baby needed its mother. I just did fucked up shit sometimes, but I intended to keep the promise this time.
Before I could make it up the stairs, the doorbell went off, and I knew it was my barber and stylist. Doubling back, I let them in, and then we headed up to my suite so I could get ready for the night.
Chapter Eight
Drek
“Drek! Drek! Over here!”
“Look this way!”
“Xyleek!”
The number of cameras flashing in my face and voices I heard calling my name was honestly insane. I’d done appearances with Xy before but never anything to this extent. I knew tonight was extra special for him, and I was more than happy to be on his arm for his big night. A black man being the headliner for such an exclusive and elite event was unheard of. He was the first to do it, and for that, I was extremely proud of him.
For fifteen minutes straight, we walked the white carpet and took photos. I couldn’t deny how good he looked in his black-on-black Tom Ford suit with his diamonds glistening under all the flashes from the cameras. Xy’s hand never left the small of my back, and that made me feel more secure than his security that was trailing us.
“You okay, Angel?” he whispered in my ear as we posed like a loving couple for the last few photos.
I nodded, staring up at him. “I’m okay.”
“You eating these pictures up, bae,” he cuffed my ass unapologetically with a smirk. “I can’t wait to leave here with you.”
Giggling, I pecked his lips. “I bet your lil’ freaky ass can’t. Stop showing off for these cameras.”
“I’m showingyouoff.”
Biting into my bottom lip, I smiled and shook my head at him. After he did a quick interview with one of the blog sites, we stepped inside of the ballroom, and I was in complete awe. It was so pretty, and I could smell the wealth in the room. From the white silk table covers to the expensive chandeliers that hung around the room to the crystal centerpieces to all of the attendees. Every single thing in that room said,I’m rich and I know it, and Xy made sure that I blended in.
The stacked diamond bracelets I wore were probably worth close to half a million dollars. Pair that with the necklace and earrings I wore, and I’m sure I was wearing a million dollars in jewelry. All compliments of Xy, and I wasn’t mad about it.
Xy had to have stopped and spoken to every person in the room and understandably so. The night might’ve been for charity but really it was for him, his accomplishment, and whatever behind the scenes deal that needed to be made between the elite and wealthy. I wasn’t stupid, so after the first time we came to this gala, I asked Xy why the damn jewels were being bid on for so much money. That’s when he told me it was so dirty money could be cleaned. The higher the bid, the cleaner the money was, the secret motto of the gala, so I minded my tax bracket.
After grabbing a flute of champagne, I continued to accompany Xy as he held conversations. I wanted to sit my ass down, but I knew he needed me near him, so I played my part. Smiling and making small talk with muthafuckas who would probably clutch their purses a little tighter if they saw me comingon a regular day. It honestly amazed me how well Xy worked the room and how much people seemed to bend to him. Even the people who I knew Xy didn’t care for and vice versa, they couldn’t deny his star power, and it was raining heavily in that room.
Finally, we were able to take a seat at the table with the board members of the Gem Trade Association who coordinated The Diamond Gala every year. They were a bunch of older white men with even older money and wives. I didn’t relate to any of them, but for Xy, I got on my Angela Bassett shit and faked the funk.
“Thank you all for being here,” the host got up on stage, gaining everyone’s attention and making the chatter from the party die down. “It is an honor to welcome you all to the tenth annual Diamond Gala where tonight’s sponsor is the one and only Xyleek Chambers of The Diamond Chambers,” he gestured towards our table and the room erupted in applause and cheers.
