Era locked out her last student then walked over to desk. She grabbed a pen and a sheet of paper and took a seat across from me at the table for two, right in front of her storefront window. “Okay, this here is a simple multiple choice form I would like for you to take home and fill out with your son, MJ. On the day of his first class, please bring it back, so I’ll have a better understanding of his condition.” She looked over the notepad and checked off a few things on her checklist when there was a knock on her door.
Both of us looked up to see a delivery man standing there holding up a brown paper bag. “Excuse me. I ordered food before you arrived.” Era stood and walked over to the door. Her and the delivery guy exchanged pleasantries, before she closed and locked the door back.
Era placed the bag onto the table and removed several white cartons filled with savory ass fragrant cuisine. “Have you eaten?” she inquired while placing the empty paper bag on the floor and taking her seat.
“No, I have not. Are you sharing with me, Mizz Lady?” I asked coyly.
She tried to fight the urge not to smile, but she couldn’t help it. Those deep dimples revealed the effect I had on her, and I loved to see it.
“Yes, I am.” She made both of us a plate of the Thai food she ordered. Afterwards we focused back on MJ. “So, will it be just you attending class with him, or will you and your wife take turns?” she questioned, then forked some of the sesame noodles into her mouth.
The moment her heart shaped lips serenaded her fork, my dick twitched as a reminder that he was present and down for whatever, but I warned him to chill, and I focused on Era. “Is that your subtle way of asking if I’m married?”
She blushed. “It is not. Part of his development is to teach others closely around him with the same methods he learns, when he’s not here.”
“Oh, that’s understandable but here I was thinking you were flirting with me, Era. But to answer your question, no I’m not married. I’m single and celibate, and MJ’s mom is out of the picture.”
“First off, you would know if I was flirting, which I’m not. I’m sorry that his mom isn’t there for him, but at least he has a caring father in his life.”
“Thank you, and he does. I would move earth for that boy because he didn’t ask to be here. No matter what position you’re in, you should still take responsibility for that child and do what you can to raise him or her to the best of your ability.”
Era stared at me long enough until I saw her honey brown eyes begin to pool with moisture. What was that about? Something was going on with her, and it was very much related to kids. “How's married life treating you?”
Era quickly wiped her eyes and chuckled lightly. “Married life has its ups and downs, but it’s going okay.”
“Only okay? You’ve been married for like four years now, right?”
Era’s eyes widened as she abruptly stood from her seat. “Shit! How could I be so forgetful!” she shrieked, then quickly knocked all the remnants of our dinner into the paper bag on the floor.
I was so confused about what the hell was going on at the moment. “What’s going on?” I queried, standing from my seat.
“Today is my fourth wedding anniversary, and I forgot to leave early. I gotta get out of here because I know Syris is furious,right now. You gotta go, please. I’ll see Thursday with MJ, but please leave,” she voiced frantically as she raced over to her desk and grabbed her crossbody bag and phone. Era hit the lights then pushed me out of her studio and locked up.
Once she was done, she jetted away from me. “Era, wait!” She didn’t stop or look back. She hopped into her luxury model Benz then sped away. I had no idea what her marriage was like, but if it had her this stressed, it wasn’t good.
CHAPTER
FIVE
Era
After I pickedup my cupcake order, I rushed to the compound. My heart raced with fear because I knew Syris was probably in Hulk smash mode. It didn’t matter who disappointed him, I just couldn’t. I hated how he had me on a pedestal but because I had submitted to him, I had no choice but to oblige him. As I pulled up to the compound, the gates were sliding open, and I zoomed up the driveway. I almost forgot to turn off the engine before I grabbed my box of cupcakes then hightailed it inside.
I wasn’t a moment too soon either because Syris was going the hell off in typical fashion. “Where the fuck is my Butterfly!” he roared loudly. “From now on, you two muthafuckas will wait for her while she teaches that damn pottery shit!”
Speeding through the foyer, I raced into his office, and everyone looked at me. My two guards, Tyson and Dane, stood in front of his desk while Temi massaged her temples in a stressed-out manner by the picture window in his office. Syris’s new whore laid across his desk in feline manner as she smirked at me while gliding her slender fingers over his toned forearm.
Her cocoa complexion was draped in a gold sheer lace gown as her twenty-four-inch weave draped over her lean shoulder elegantly. She had only been here two years and already, she’d adopted the idea that she was running shit. I rolled my eyes as Syris spoke because that bitch was going to learn real soon who was in charge.
“Where the fuck have you been?” Syris quizzed as he stood abruptly and stalked towards me.
Quickly, I sat the cupcakes and my crossbody bag onto a nearby table, and Syris stopped in front of me. “Pick me up.” He did as I instructed him, and my legs wrapped tightly around his waist. His strong arms clamped around my waist as my arms wrapped around his neck, and I hungrily kissed his lips.
My tongue invaded his warm mouth, and he relaxed in our embrace. I led our kiss as I controlled him. Temi was right those years ago. The control I had over him was unbelievable, but I would do anything to keep us from fighting. We hadn’t had a fight in years, and I wanted to keep it that way.
I broke our kiss then wiped away some of my gloss on his bottom lip and stared into his dark brown eyes. Syris’s fade was tapered and lined to perfection as sprinkles of salt mingled with his dark waves and full beard. He’d cut locs a while ago after I snatched a few out during one of our fights. The crow lines that took permanent residence in the corners of his eyes and mouth, took nothing away from his dark espresso beauty.
“Baby, I’m sorry that I worried you, but time slipped past because I was consulting with a parent about their child’s condition.”
