“So, where are we going?”
Karina was the first to break the silence. I didn’t respond as I watched her walk over to me. She stood between my legs, and my hands instantly wrapped around her waist before dropping to her ass.
“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise now, would it?”
She bent down and pecked my lips. Of course, I deepened the kiss to make it more than it was. I would always do the most when it came to her.
“I guess that would kind of ruin things, wouldn’t it?”
She giggled with excitement. I was happy she was excited about hitting the city with me. Karina deserved a good time, and I planned to give it to her.
“Are you ready to go?” I stuck my hand out for Karina to grab, and she did so instinctively.
We exited the hotel hand in hand and got into the black truck that had been waiting to take us to our first destination for the night.
I had made us a reservation at Les Ombres, a restaurant where the Eiffel Tower would be lit up in our background. I also hired a photographer so Karina could have the Paris photo shoot she always wanted. I wish we had time to go to Versailles because visiting the palace was always at the top of her list, but since we didn’t, I planned to bring the palace to her.
I loved how easily Karina matched my fly. She was dressed in a white, strappy silk dress with heels, and I was wearing a black tux. The jacket had a white lapel, I paired it with a white shirt. We just complemented each other so easily.
Karina was born to be by my side, no matter where I was, whether in the United States or another country. She was the perfect complement to the type of man I wanted to be. I didn’t know how she would respond if I walked away from a billion-dollar deal, but seeing that she was on my level and respected my decision made me want her even more.
It was hard to find women these days who wouldn’t sacrifice their morals for a piece of change. I was happy to know Karina was still the girl I remembered. She never focused too much on all the things that money could buy, even when we were kids.
Neither one of us grew up with much. Where Karina was always appreciative of the shit she did get, I always knew I wanted more. I worked my ass off for it too. I was one of the few teenagers at our small school who clocked in after school insteadof hanging out. I got a job the day I turned sixteen and hadn’t been without one since.
Karina never complained about anything back then, and I was happy she was still carrying that same humility. The only difference now was that she would never have to complain or ask for anything ever again. Now that I was back in her life, I was going to make it my mission to anticipate her needs and give her that shit before she even realized she needed it.
“I know today was tough. Are you okay?” Karina grabbed my hand in hers and rubbed her thumb across the back of it.
I looked into her eyes and just stared for a moment. It had been a long time since someone stopped to ask me if I was okay. I hadn’t even asked myself that in a while.
“Yeah, I’m good, especially since you’re here.”
“Good, because you’re doing the right thing. That’s all that matters.”
Karina probably didn’t even realize it, but she had me completely. I would place the world at her feet with no regard for where everyone else would live. Knowing that I could walk away with my morals and integrity intact and that she would be okay with that made me feel better about the possibility of this deal not going through.
After this morning’s meeting, I had to face the fact that if I didn’t sign soon, we’d miss out on this deal. It was a deal I never even saw coming, so losing it wouldn’t affect me one way or another. I already had enough money to last a couple of lifetimes. I was in this for the greater good, and what they were asking me to approve was the opposite of that.
“Fa sho.”
Our ride to the restaurant was filled with small talk and Karina admiring the city. We weren’t staying far from the restaurant, so it didn’t take us long to arrive there. When we did,I got out of the car and walked to Karina’s side. Call me petty, but I didn’t need another nigga opening the door for what was mine.
We were eating at a rooftop spot. I cleared the whole restaurant just for the two of us. The entire rooftop had only one table in the middle decorated just for Karina. I remembered every conversation Karina and I ever had as kids, so planning our twenty-four hours here wasn’t too difficult.
Working at a magazine wasn’t the only thing on one of the many detailed lists she liked to create, and her Paris list had always been stacked. We only had twelve more hours left in the city, but I planned to check off everything on that list. Although the Eiffel Tower was the first thing to get its check, it was the easy part.
What Karina wanted to see more than the Eiffel Tower was the Gardens of Versailles. Since the palace was closed, I had to figure out a way to bring Versailles to my girl. I had them decorate the whole rooftop as if we were eating in the middle of a garden.
The garden wasn’t the only replica I had them recreate on the rooftop. I also had them bring in a copy of the Mona Lisa and set it not too far from our table so she could see it. I wanted her to have a clear view of it, but I didn’t want to see it myself. Truthfully, I thought it was ugly, but seeing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre was also at the top of Karina’s list.
We walked to the elevator and out onto the roof still holding hands. Once we stepped out onto the enclosed rooftop, Karina’s hand flew to her mouth. I could see the tears already building in her eyes before she could even say a word.
“Kareem, what is this?”
“I know we are not here for long, but I wanted you to know this trip is just as much about you as it is about my company. I pushed for you to come with me so I could prove myself worthy of another shot. I hope I’m doing that.”
“You’re making it really easy to say yes.”
