Page 60 of A Don & His Doll

Sienna laughed again, already knowing where this was going. "Nope. Not a dime."

"Oh, you wastin' time then," Monroe told her. "Ain't no damn way a nigga could waste time on anything that ain't bringin' me no bread."

"You still the same, I see," Sienna said.

"Hell yea. Especially in that regard." Sienna shook her head.

"You got plans for Monae today?" He inquired, standing up and stretching his hands over his head.

"Nope. We chillin'."

"Good deal. Ask her if she tryna beat in Uno today," Monroe said, knowing his challenge would be met with another one.

"Hold on," Sienna said, still holding the phone in her hand. She got up and walked across the hall to Monae’s room.

"Good morning, Muffin," Sienna greeted, leaning down to kiss Monae’s forehead. "Get up. Someone wants to talk to you."

Monae groaned dramatically. "Who's calling me this early?" she complained, pulling the pillow over her head.

Sienna laughed.

"Girl, you're a mess. It's your dad." Sienna told her.

"For real?" Monae asked, uncovering her head. She was half sleep, but woke slam up because her father had called her.

"Hello," Monae said with an infectious smile after excitedly snatching the phone.

"What's good, beautiful?" Monroe replied, unable to help the smirk that crept on his face.

"Nothing much, just waking up," Monae answered, tucking her feet under her thighs.

"You tryna come spend some time wit' me today?" Monroe asked, hoping she'd agree.

"Yes! What time can I come?" Monae asked.

Her answer came so fast Monroe laughed again.

"You can come whenever. Just don’t pull up thinkin’ I’ma take it easy on you ‘cause you my daughter,” Monroe said playfully. “Yeen gettin’ no mercy, babygirl. Come wit’cho A-game." Monroe told his daughter.

Monae gasped dramatically. "Yeah okay, you talkin’ big talk this morning, huh?" Monae shot back.

“I can back it up,” Monroe told her, walking towards the closet.

"That’s why I'ma win every game we play. Watch," Monae said, getting up and walking to her closet.

“Bet,” Monroe said, then cracked up laughing. He was glad to know Monae had a competitive spirit just like him. "Bet. I'ma see you when you get here."

Monroe had prepared for Monae since they concluded their phone call a few hours prior. He'd called his personal house cleaner to straighten up his home while he got dressed, and handled some business over the phone. There was always some work to be done, the streets never stopped calling, and there was always money to be made, but Monroe knew how to press mute. Some things in life were more important, and he'd always prided himself on being able to keep his priorities straight. Everything didn’t deserve his attention, and he damn sure wasn’t making every issue his priority. He'd spent most of his life chasing money, protecting the family empire, and making sure everybody connected to him ate. However, today he wasn't just trying to make a memory with his daughter, he was curating a new normal.

Monroe had dressed casually, wearing brown designer sweats, a cream t-shirt, and the gold Cartier resting on his wrist completed the look. He kept a fresh ceasar cut, his waves deep enough to make a person sea sick. He was effortlessly fine, and that would forever be his strong suit. He stood in the mirror brushing his hair, and rapping along with Lil’ Wayne's Mr. Carter until the sound of the doorbell echoed through his home. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, already knowing Monae was standing on the other side. Monroe made his way downstairs with that same effortless swagger he'd carried his entire life. When he opened the door, the sight of his twin standing before him made his heart smile.

"There she go!" Monroe greeted, stepping back, so Monae and Sienna could enter. Monae laughed, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Monae smiled so big, her admiration evident on her face as she embraced Monroe. "Hey, Dad."

Monroe hugged her back, holding on a second longer than he normally would've. He still wasn't used to moments like this. There'd been plenty of people excited to see Monroe Black over the years, but this felt different. He looked over Monae's shoulder at Sienna.

"What's happenin'?" He casually greeted her, making her feel welcomed in his home at the same time.