20
BENTLEY
Weeks had passed since I left small ass Sage Springs, and my woman. The only thing that was on my mind was the fact that she accepted me without realizing it. Everything I told her was the truth. What I wanted in a woman, Heidi could provide. She was the only one I saw myself with. I liked how she was a woman and mother. Why the hell would I pass up on that?
“Knock, knock.” Mula’s voice pulled me out the clouds. Turning around to face her, she smiled and asked, “You had a meeting with Phoenix today? Why you ain’t tell me?”
“It was last minute. He here?” I inquired.
Nodding, she replied with, “Yeah, downstairs. He wasn’t on the books, so I didn’t let him up. I’ll go get him. Y’all care for anything to drink?”
“Nah, we good. We’ll sip on that D’ussé over there. ’Preciate you LaLa.”
“No problem.” With that, she sauntered out the door.
Standing, I walked over to the mini bar in the corner and proceeded to fix me and him a drink. It was mid-day, and this building was gon’ be jammed pack in a matter of hours. Club Sin had enough hype behind it to where the folk came out and supported damn near every day of the week.
Flushing money through the club, the hospital, malls, and anything else you could think of, I had more than enough income to do whatever the hell I wanted when I wanted. Moving Qwan’s event from his previous location to Sin wasn’t for him, but Heidi. I needed baby to feel safe at all times and what better way to keep her comfortable than in one of my establishments. I was already invited to his lil’ shindig, but it felt good coming from Heidi as her plus one.
Our routine hadn’t stopped over the past few weeks either. That fine ass woman was on my line every night not missing a beat. She was nervous as hell at dinner, and probably thought I was moving too fast. However, I slowed down my initial plans just so she could gain comfortability and control of her emotions. I wanted her to always feel like this was an option even though it never really was.
Just as I took a seat on the sofa, Qwan entered my office. I was back on my feet greeting the homie. He’d performed at Sin plenty of times, so he knew the layout and how we moved. His name rang bells in Florida for years but now the rest of the world was learning what we already knew. I was proud of him.
Dapping up, he greeted me with, “What it do brudda?”
“Shit, you know I’m coolin’. How you feeling?” I asked stretching his drink out in his direction.
He took it and threw that hoe back without hesitation. He copped a seat across from me wearing a goofy ass smile. He was happier than I expected.
“I been on cloud nine all day. You think she gon’ say yes? I need her to say yes bro. She the one. I can’t let nothing ‘bout her go,” he claimed.
Shaking my head, I sipped on my drink. I knew what he meant all too well. Heidi caused that same effect on me. She was gon’ be Mrs. Atkins and she had a few more months to get on board before I took matters into my own hands.
“I feel it. Does she know what’s the real deal with this fake ass album release party?” I questioned.
“Nah, I been fooling her and everybody around her, even Heidi don’t know what’s going on. If I would’ve told her, she would’ve told Niyani fa sho. This proposal is news for everybody except you. She been rocking with me, showing support, and keeping a nigga head on straight. This ring ain’t meant for nobody but her,’ he expressed.
Offering a small clap, I congratulated him on becoming a man. He knew who he wanted to share that lifestyle with, and he was going after her. That shit hit different when the woman you chose wasn’t a bird or money hungry hoe. Genuine love and support was hard to come by. He found his. I was happy for him.
“I commend you for doing what it takes to keep that intact. Finding the needle out a hoestack took skill, and I’d be damned if you ain’t find it. You gon’ thrive in yo’ career as long as you keep God first, yo’ wife second, and everything else after. You got what it takes to go all the way. Don’t drop the ball,” I replied.
“I’m smarter than that. I can leave the ring here. She nosy as fuck, I’m clumsy as hell, and I ain’t trying to lose it.”
“Yeah, go put it in my desk drawer. You got special guests and shit coming through tonight? If so, you need to stop and handle all that with Mula. She gon’ need a head count and all that. Go see her and get right,” I ordered.
“Fa sho. ’Preciate it brudda. You got something sliding through?” he asked sporting a smirk.
“Why you all in my business? Find you something safe to do lil’ nigga,” I answered.
“Keep it a buck. You dating now?”
“Dating is for lil’ ass boys. My woman and yours are best friends. How the hell you ain’t know that?” I threw back. Heidi and Niyani talked all the time. It was something I learned over time, but I noted how she felt ‘bout shawty.
He tilted his head wearing a confused expression. This wasn’t nothing new. I was truly confused on how he ain’t know that shit. “Say swear.”
“Nigga what?” I laughed. “Ni, as Heidi calls her, calls my woman every night on that iPad and they just cackle all night until you get home from the studio. I know their whole routine nigga. Man can them girls’ gossip,” I said shaking my head.
“Damn, brudda-brudda fa real, ain’t it. How the hell ain’t I know that fa real? Niyani ain’t said a word. That’s crazy.”
