CHAPTER
ONE
Era
June 2021
I saton the floor of my hotel room with my back against the door. My soon-to-be husband, Syris, sat on the carpeted floor in the hallway. We conversed through the door like excited teenagers because tomorrow was the big day.
We were getting married after two years of dating. My parents didn’t agree because I was twenty-six and he was forty, and we hadn’t been dating that long, but we were in love. I felt it in my soul that he was the only man for me.
He catered to me not only sexually, but mentally and emotionally. When it was that time of the month, he was there. If I had a regular cold, Syris was there. Picnics, movie dates, outdoor events, staycations, and vacations—he planned them all.
Syris was an alpha male through and through. He controlled everything but in a good way. It didn't bother me because he was older and knew how to navigate life better than I did.
So, following his lead was best for now. Syris and I met the first year of me pursuing my master’s degree. He was the music professor at my university, and we met by accident.
I honestly thought music was listed on my schedule, but due to a food stain on my schedule, I’d missed the first day of my art pottery class because I attended his class. We’d been joined at the hip since that day. Syris was the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on. I sat in class that day and looked on in fervor as his muscles in his toned and tattooed forearms flexed from the trumpet he played as he performed a demonstration of the instrument.
His locs were piled at the top of his head, as his white no-collar shirt with long sleeves were rolled and stopped at his elbows. Slim, olive-green pants covered his toned thighs while his shirt hung loosely. Syris’s skin was the color of deep roasted coffee beans. Did I say skin?
I meant to saycoatingbecause it was a great offense to reduce a complexion so radiant, to just skin. His coating was majestic and so were his crisp, white teeth. Syris’s teeth and smile were his statement pieces, so he never needed to wear jewelry if he didn’t want to. My baby was a bona fide heartthrob, and I had the luxury of being the woman he chose to carry his last name.
“Butterfly, did you fall asleep on me, baby?”
I smiled to myself as Syris’s deep voice filled my ears and pulled me away from my thoughts of him. The deep bass in his voice always carried a tune straight to my clit, and she undoubtedly throbbed on command, for him to release her hot lava every time.
“Yes, my love, I'm here.”
“Good. Are you sure you want to go through with tomorrow? I’ve always told you that marriage is a very big commitment. It’s a lifetime commitment. Are you really ready to spend the restof your life with me through sickness and health, rich or poorer, and through all the expected and unexpected storms?”
I grinned while he spoke because he had no idea how every part of me wanted him and him only. “Syris, I want you, baby, in this lifetime and the next. You got me entirely, my love.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear. Sleep tight, Butterfly, and I’ll meet you at the altar in the morning.”
I listened as he stood, and I followed suit. “Goodnight, my love.”
Syris gazed deeply into my eyes as the pastor recited his sermon. Our hands were embraced, and I couldn’t help the huge grin on my face. Soon, I was about to be voyaged into a new life.
As excited as I was, I was still very much nervous as well. I had no idea what being a wife was or how to even manage a household. Pottery was my life.
I enjoyed molding as many objects as I could. My love for pottery and I were one, that’s why I was so glad when Syris said I didn’t have to give up my schooling or pottery once we were married. Syris squeezed my hand slightly, and I focused and paid attention while he delivered his vows. We smiled together once he finished, then I quoted my vows.
The love that swirled around Syris’s chocolate brown eyes signaled that he had found his reason to love again. His thumbs caressed over the topside of my hands as our eye contact never strayed. This man was my soulmate; my reason to love and enjoy life with him and him only.
Once my vows were completed, the pastor announced us officially as Mr. and Mrs. Hopes, then Syris could kiss me. Applause and well wishes erupted as Syris pulled me tightly intohis arms and kissed me passionately. He took my breath away, and my veil fell off from that kiss. When we stood fully, he kissed both of my hands.
“I’m going to make you so happy, Butterfly. Trust me.”
“I have no doubts at all, baby,” I answered with a smile.
Syris smirked at me before he grabbed me around my waist and together, we walked down the three steps of the altar. As we descended the aisle with everyone cheering for us, there was one guest’s face, who was covered with complete angst. She was a middle-aged woman with a beautiful milk chocolate complexion and a penchant for designer everything.
From the expensive, elegant black jumpsuit she wore, to the exquisite jewelry that covered her lean neck, wrists, and fingers displayed she had great taste. Her long black hair was in loose curls as it draped past her shoulders. She herself was exquisite, but already, I could sense she despised me. We stared at each other as she slowly rose, and we walked closer to her. She clapped like it pained her incredibly, while I followed her new line of sight.
A scowl covered Syris’s face as an unknown angry message was passed between their connection. What the hell was that about? Did they know each other? Syris looked down at me, and his face relaxed before he flashed me a small smile.
I returned the gesture, but I know it didn’t reach my eyes. Whoever this mysterious woman was, she was not happy with our union at all. I matched her stare down because I wasn’t in the business of letting anyone punk me. I may not have been Laila Ali, but I could definitely hold my own.
