“Good evening,” he greeted smoothly, while another attendant approached carrying silver trays filled with champagne flutes.
Nazuri looked at me immediately. “Bitch, they got drive-through liquor?” she whispered so that only I could hear her.
I chuckled a bit as the attendant handed each of us a glass through the window, while the guard checked my name against a list on a tablet.
“Miss Brooks,” he said with a slight nod. “You’re expected. Enjoy your evening.”
The gates opened slowly, and I began driving down the long driveway as I curved through perfectly landscaped grounds that looked like something out a luxury magazine. Massive trees wrapped in warm white lights lined both sides, while fountains sprayed water high into the air from marble centerpieces surrounded by flowers blooming in every direction. The deeper we drove onto the property, the more unbelievable it got. Perfectly trimmed hedges shaped with precision into swans lined stone walkways winding through giant gardens. It was beautiful.
When the house finally came fully into view, my breath caught instantly. The mansion stretched wide across the property in creamy white stone with towering windows glowing warm against the sunlight, while black accents framed everything beautifully. Rolls Royces, Bentleys, and black SUVs with tinted windows filled the circular driveway. I could hear the music playing in the backyard, and I knew when I heard the saxophone that it was live.
A valet walked up to my car, and I opened my door to get out, while another attendant walked over to us, letting us know that he would show us inside. We walked up the large stone stairway into massive glass double doors. The second we stepped inside, the cool air wrapped around me, carrying the scent of fresh flowers, expensive candles, and designer cologne. Massive crystal chandeliers hung from high ceilings, and marble flooring stretched through the entrance. There was a giant staircase that curved through the center of the foyer that looked like something out of a movie. There was expensive artwork that hung from the cream-colored walls with small gold lights hanging above each one.
“This shit is beautiful, and we haven’t even walked into the house yet,” Nazuri admired.
Just then, I saw Crue and Kadeem walking toward us. Crue was dressed in a white linen two-piece. A gold Cuban link hung from his neck, while a Rolex adorned his wrist. His locs were freshly twisted and honey blonde at the tips once again, and he smelled amazing like always. Kadeem was in the same linen two-piece; however, his was olive green. His hair was lined perfectly with waves as deep as the ocean. He also wore a Cuban link chain and a Rolex. They both looked fine as hell, and I smiled as they approached.
“Damn, them niggas look good. And they both you, huh?” Nazuri whispered to me.
“All mine,” I replied as I walked toward them.
Kadeem reached for me first, pulling me in and hugging me before kissing me softly. Then, Crue was next. They both told me how beautiful I looked before speaking to Nazuri. Somehow, the moment they hugged me, all my nervousness went out the window.
“This house is beautiful,” I spoke as I looked around the room.
“You wanna see the rest?” Crue asked, taking my hand into his.
He led me toward the staircase with Kadeem and Nazuri following close behind. The staircase curved upward dramatically beneath a massive chandelier made entirely of crystal drops that shimmered every time the light hit them. The second floor hallway stretched long beneath soft lighting and dark hardwood floors polished to shine. Massive artwork lined the walls, along with a huge mirror trimmed in gold. We walked into bedroom after bedroom, a total of seven, and they were all empty until we got to the master bedroom. There was light gray walls and beautiful cream furniture with giant mirrors anda huge balcony that overlooked the garden. The bathroom was complete with a huge tub and separate walk-in shower with a sitting area.
The rest of the house was also beautifully decorated. There was a huge kitchen, two living rooms, a formal dining room, family room, library, and an indoor pool. There were also six full bathrooms, along with two powder rooms.
“The party is in the backyard,” Crue spoke as he led us outside.
The yard was breathtakingly decorated in a blush pink and gold dream. Warm lights wrapped around every tree branch, glowing softly, and I knew it would be even more beautiful once the sun set. Giant floral arrangements with roses, peonies, orchids, and hydrangeas filled the entire yard in different shades of blush and cream. A massive white tent stretched across part of the lawn, draped with flowing sheer fabric that moved gently in the breeze. Every table had tall gold centerpieces overflowing with pink flowers and floating candles, while blush silk runners flowed across crisp white linens.
Servers dressed in black moved elegantly through the crowd, carrying trays of champagne, cocktails, and tiny appetizers that looked too pretty to eat. Soft jazz played live near the far side of the yard where a small band performed beneath hanging lights that reflected beautifully against the lake sitting behind the estate. Everything felt so magical. Guests mingled throughout the backyard, dressed in luxury and diamonds, while soft laughter carried through the warm air.
“Come here, I want you to meet my mother,” Crue suggested, taking my hand and leading me toward a beautiful woman in a light pink dress. She was a dark-skinned woman, a few inches shorter than me, with a short blonde pixie cut. She was standing in a circle, talking to a few other women, but stopped and smiled when we approached.
“Is this the beautiful Saniyah that we’ve been hearing so much about?”
I looked up at Crue, surprised that he’d already told his mother about me.
“Yes, Ma, this is her. Saniyah, this is my mother, Cynthia St. James.”
“Happy birthday. It’s so nice to meet you.”
I reached out my hand to shake hers, but she hugged me instead. Just then, a young man walked up, and I couldn’t believe how much he looked like Crue. Crue introduced him to me as his brother, Dez, and Dez seemed to know all about me as well. I introduced them both to Nazuri just as another couple walked up, a tall, well-built man with salt and pepper hair with a short light skinned woman with huge hips. I knew the man was older just from his hair, but the woman looked to be the same age as me.
“Saniyah, these are my parents, Kenya and Deandre Price.”
“This is your mother? She looks like she could be your sister. I swear good Black don’t crack.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Saniyah. It’s not every day that you meet your son’s girlfriend and his best friend’s girlfriend all in one person,” Mrs. Price spoke.
I wasn’t sure how to take that statement, but when she laughed and hugged me, I let out a breath that I hadn’t even realized I was holding.
“Girl, if you think your situation is something, you should ask my husband how we met.” She laughed.
