Page 35 of A Don & His Doll

Two days had passed since Promise had last seen Monroe, and while she understood the life he lived demanded his attention, she still missed her man like crazy. They exchanged a few brief texts, but it was nothing like Monroe's presence in her space. Promise had become accustomed to sleeping tangled in him, hearing his voice throughout her day, and feeling his hands on her body just because he needed contact with her, so the sudden distance felt loud.

It was one of those days where all she wanted to do was come home, drink wine, soak in the tub, then get some much-needed dick. Life had been moving fast since relocating to New York, but she loved it there. Loved being closer to her man.

Reaching forward, Promise unstopped the jacuzzi before blowing out the candles she’d lit around the tub one by one to help her relax. The scent of vanilla and amber still clung to the air as she stepped out, wrapped a towel around herself, and made her way out of the ensuite. Her skin glistened beneath the soft lighting of the bedroom while she moisturized herself slowly, then sprayed Baccarat Rouge 540 all over her body. She’d picked out a silk short set to wear, but opted out when her eyes fell on Monroe’s t-shirt that was folded on the chair beside her dresser. Even when he wasn’t physically there, traces of him still found ways to comfort her.

Chris Brown’s newest album flowed softly through the speakers as Promise climbed onto her bed and reached for the journal resting on her nightstand. Writing had always centered her. It was one of the few places where she could be completely honest without interruption. But before she could get more than a few words down, her phone rang, interrupting the vibe. An infectious smile touched her lips when she saw her mother’s face flashing across her phone screen.

"Hey, my queen," Promise answered, with a joy that traveled through the line and warmed her mother's heart.

"Hey, love bug. I've been missing you girl," her mom replied warmly. "I see you up there living the life you were born to live, huh?" Her mom said, referencing more than the material things Promise had.

"Absolutely. I know you and daddy wouldn't have it any other way," Promise replied, scooting back further, propping her feet beneath her.

"So how's Monroe doing, and how you like your new job up there?" Her mom inquired.

"He's doing good, and the job isn't bad at all. My program filled up in no time, so I have my work cut out for me," Promise answered, then yawned in her mother's ear.

"Well, that’s a blessing,” her mother said, laughing softly. “I'm not going to hold you long. I really just wanted to hear your voice, and make sure you good out there. I saw that live the other night on TikTok. You and Monroe were the center of attention."

Promise shook her head and laughed. "Mama, now you know Monroe and I be in our own world. People just happen to love watching us. Our focus is always each other," she explained.

"Oh, you ain't gotta tell me. I know love when I see it. That type of love can build you up and make you feel like you're floating on top of the world, but that same love can bring you to your knees," Her mom schooled. "Just make sure you love yourself more. If you do that... no matter what, you'll always be alright."

"I hear you, mama. Thank you for loving me, and always taking time to pour into me. I appreciate you more than you'll ever know," Promise told her mother honestly. "You ain't never gotta thank me for doing what I'm supposed to do. You gone always be my baby. I don't care how old you get."

The sound of the elevator opening downstairs alerted Promise of Monroe's entry. She smiled, silently thanking God that her man was finally home.

"Hey, ma. Can I call you back? Monroe just got here, and I wanna give him a little attention. I haven't seen him in a few days."

"Ok, Missy," her mother used her nickname. "Call me later. I love you."

"I love you too, Ma," Promise said, concluding the call and sitting her phone back on the nightstand.

Promise melted at the sight of Monroe entering her room, but the moment their eyes locked she noticed something was off. She didn't know what it was yet, but peeped a sadness in his soul that she'd never seen in him before. His presence had always been commanding, but it had never been heavy. Both of these things mixed had Promise ready to pour into him. Ready to nurture him. She sprung to her feet, walked into his space, and wrapped her arms around him. She needed to hear his heartbeat, and wanted him to feel hers. It was one of those things that had always calmed them both.

They were a safe place for each other in that way, so vulnerability wasn't uncomfortable in their relationship. Monroe embraced Promise like a drowning man reaching for air. Everything about Promise felt right with his soul, but after his discovery of Sienna being alive had shifted his entire world. Everything that was certain wasn't any longer, and unanswered questions had kept him sleep-deprived since he saw Sienna’s face. He'd gone over everything that had happened in his mind more times than he could count. Nothing was making any sense. He'd come to Promise's house because when he was with her, she always had been a reflection of truth. A true reflection of peace, and the normalcy he desperately needed.

Promise leaned her head back, peering into his eyes. "What's wrong, baby?" She asked softly, needing to know so she could try to fix whatever it was.

Instead of answering her question, Monroe pressed his lips to hers softly, then deepened the kiss, but this time it was with intense hunger. Not because he wanted sex, but it was because he wanted to escape. Wanted some relief. He didn't want to talk. He wanted to feel. Needed to feel something other than the war raging inside his head.

Reluctantly, Promise pulled back, suppressing her need to give in to Monroe. Something in her spirit refused to ignore what she felt. She needed to know what was weighing heavy on his heart, and she wasn't willing to brush over it with sex.

"Come talk to me," Promise said, gently tugging at his hand as she attempted to lead him to her bed.

Monroe’s jaw flexed slightly. "Let me shower first. I'll be back," he said lowly, then disappeared into the ensuite, pissed because all he wanted to do was kneel in some good pussy.

As much as Promise wanted to join Monroe in the shower, she didn’t because whatever was happening inside of her man wasn’t light. It was deeper than stress. Deeper than exhaustion. It was the subtle changes in his energy and demeanor that had alarmed her. Monroe always smirked when he saw her, he always looked at her like coming home to her was the best part of his day. When Promise’s eyes locked with his, they were distant, but what really made her heart lurch in her chest was the way he’d held her. Monroe had never held onto her like she was the only thing keeping him together before. She couldn’t become one with him after feeling and seeing all of that, and the fact that he wanted to was a red flag for her.

It took Monroe about thirty minutes to take care of his business in the shower, and when he returned, he looked more drained than refreshed.

“Monroe, I need you to talk to me,” Promise pressed, the psychologist in her fully awake. “Please don’t tell me everything is alright because I can feel the shift in your mood and mannerisms.”

Monroe chuckled lowly. “This what’chu on now?” Monroe quizzed. “You tryna assess a nigga like I’m one of them inmates you deal wit’ at work?” he shook his head. “Nigga just came here to lay next to you, but you wanna ask all these questions.” Monroe knew his defensiveness was uncalled for, but there was no way in hell he could tell Promise about Sienna. A volcano that had already erupted into their happiness without her knowing, and questioned if their relationship could handle it.

Promise was appalled at his response to her trying to be there for him. “Nigga what?” Promise snapped before she could stop herself. “Please tell me you ain’t bring yo’ ass over here with all this toxic energy,” Promise said, reaching over to turn the music down a little because for the first time, Monroe had her fucked up.

“Mannn, I’ma go’head and go. I got a lot of shit goin’ on right now. Nigga ain’t got time for this shit,” Monroe said, walking over to the drawer he’d claimed after having Promises place set up for her.