Side Chick Turned Wife: A Hood Romance (7 page)

Danessa

“Alright, here we go.” I said as I did a little twirl before my mirror.

I didn’t want to dress up too much so I just threw on a black maxi skirt and a black dressy-top thing. I left my hair down and naturally curly and I put on basic eyeliner, mascara, and a deep crimson lip stain. I didn’t want this nigga expectin’ too much so I decided not to get too dolled up and that I would just wear somethin’ normal yet nice enough to go to an upscale restaurant. I hope this nigga is somewhat attractive so I can get through the night lookin’ at somethin’ decent and not some ugly ass nigga who might be smart and has money. Nah, you gotta have all three if you want me to sit with you for a dinner date.

Knock, Knock.

The sound of this nigga knocking on my door scared the shit out of me. I wasn’t used to people knockin’ on my door; granted they either had a key to my place like Mel did or it was Tyrek or some coworkers just honkin’ they horns to let me know it was time to get the fuck out of my house. I just bent over and grabbed my heels and slipped them on as I went to grab my black clutch and house keys. I threw my phone and keys into the clutch and opened up the door to see this nigga standin’ before me. He was attractive. He was about 5’9” with a smooth peanut butter complexion, a well trimmed body, and a killer smile. His hair was nicely faded and it was evident that he was a mixed breed because it was so nice and curly. Aight, I was diggin it already.

“Hello, beautiful.” He said as he gave me that academy award winning-smile and held out his hand.

“Why hello there, Travis.” I said, smiling back at him as I took his hand and he led me to his Jaguar XF.

I got into his car and we were mostly silent the way to the restaurant, exchanging only a few words before we got there. He pulled into the lot of a really expensive steakhouse and had someone valet park his car. We walked to our table and sat across one another, smilin’ like fools. Don’t get me wrong, he is incredibly attractive and I’m about to soon find out if he is a great guy, but he is lacking that bad boy, thug vibe that my soul so deeply craves. Then again, I have to give him the benefit of the doubt because he is a friend of Mel and Mel is a businesswoman. That means that I shouldn’t have expected to be sittin’ across from a thug-like nigga like Tyrek, because Mel dislikes niggas like Tyrek, and she works with rich and successful men.

“So, tell me a little about yourself,” I said before he could even ask me that same question.

“Well, I’m Travis, and I am the CEO of a major electrical company based in this very town. Uh, I like to go for long walks in random locations, and I want to travel the world with a woman who has the same ambitions and goals as me. I don’t ask for much, I just want a woman who is going to love and care for me as I am and not because of my success and money. I like to go to social outings and I like to make connections with others, it's good for my persona and it is good for my business. I own multiple condos and I enjoy golfing or playing a good game of football with some friends and family. Enough  about me though, go ahead and tell me a little bit about yourself.”

How the hell was I supposed to compare to that? I already knew this wasn’t goin’ to work in the long run because although I am smart and shit, this nigga was next level. Not that I couldn’t handle his success, it was just that I wasn’t really attracted to that. Ugh.

“Well, uh. I’m Danessa and I work with Mel. We founded her hair salon together and that’s where I currently work. I don’t have an impressive resume like you, but I would love to travel the world some day. I am lookin’ to take it slow and not rush into anything too fast. The whole future thing is great and all, but I want to make sure the person I marry is my best friend. Oh, and I like going to social events as well.”

I kind of chuckled to myself when I said I liked social events too. Little did he know that I was referring to going to clubs and big ass parties, not real social events and meetings and shit. But I mean, we did have that social thing goin’ for the both of us.

After talkin’ a little more, our food came. I was so glad for that because for one, I was hungry and two, I needed a distraction from this nigga. I ordered a steak salad and he got himself some filet mignon. We both ate pretty quietly and he tried to slip in some small talk, but I just wasn’t feelin’ it. I toughed it out though and did my best to make the night last long and make it enjoyable for the both of us.

It was time for us to head on home and man was I happy about that. We left the restaurant and got into his car. Again, we were silent on the way to the house, but the restaurant wasn’t too far from my place so we weren’t in misery for too long. I got out of the car and he walked me to the door. I opened up my arms, hugged him, and thanked him for the lovely night before I let myself inside of my house. I was so happy that was over. Although I know this nigga would have taken good care of me, and I had a feel that he was a really cool guy, I couldn’t bring myself to like the guy.

I stripped off my dress and threw on a baggy shirt before I went to grab my phone out of my clutch. I unlocked the screen to see twenty text messages from Mel. I chuckled at the sight of them, seeing that she was tryna bother me and ask me how the date was goin’ as it was in progress. I rolled my eyes and laughed out loud as I dialed her number.

“Sooooooooo? Is he great or is he great?”

“Oh, Mel. He was great but not great for me. He talked a lot about himself and I feel like his success is too much for me, girl. If you can find a lesser successful man who can meet me eye to eye on life, then we would be great.”

I heard Mel let out a sigh of defeat and disappointment before she spoke.

“But don’t you want a really successful man who is goin’ to give you the world? That is exactly what Travis is all about.”

I honestly wanted to blurt out, “I don’t want that! I want a nigga like Tyrek, or Tyrek himself!” But I knew better than to do that.

“Yeah, I feel you, but he just isn’t the one, okay? I think he got the vibe that we ain’t gone be anythin’ more than just this date. I may have made the night awkward enough for this to end here.”

“Aight then, looks like we have some work to do in order to find you the right one, right?”

“Yeah…”

Danessa

It was my next day off and I found myself spending it in my bed, yet again. I was all snuggled up under the covers, just thinking about nothin’ really. I wasn’t depressed or anythin’, I was just tired and it felt really good to lay there. While I was there, I thought about what I wanted to do with the rest of the day. I really had nothin planned so there were so many options. I could go out and go shoppin’ or somethin’ or I could run some household chores. None of that sounded appealing though. Oh! I could go out and buy myself some nice bottles of wine or some liquor. Yeah, that sounded ideal, I just might do that.

Buzzz, Buzz… Buzzz, Buzzzz.

I looked all confused, wonderin’ who the fuck was callin’ me right now. I knew it wasn’t Mel’s crazy ass, she was out runnin’ shit for the shop and well, there really wasn’t anyone else who would call me unless it was that nigga from the other night.

“Uh, hello?”

“Hey Mami.”

My eyebrow raised as the voice sounded extremely familiar. I looked at my phone and saw that it was Tyrek. It would have helped if I would have just looked at the caller ID before I answered. I instantly sprang up from where I was lying and I sat up, clenching the phone close to my face.

“Hey, uh. I know I ain’t seen you in some time, but uh, you wanna kick it or somethin’?”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll meet you at your place?”

“You know it.”

Click.

Ugh. I pursed my lips and rolled my eyes. What have I done? I should have said no ‘cause this nigga was out here requesting I come see him at his own time, not at my convenience. I guess I just really want us to somehow work out. What if I didn’t give up on him? Hm, let’s go ahead and try this shit out and see what this nigga really wants.

I rolled out of bed and threw on some leggings, a white t-shirt, converse, and a jean jacket. My hair still looked good from the night before so I just spritzed some water into it and applied some product so it stayed nice. I did basic makeup with just eyeliner and mascara, no lipstick this time.

I grabbed my keys and headed to my car to get to Tyrek’s place. I cranked the ignition and pulled out of the driveway to head down to his house. This drive wasn’t too bad, but his place was a little distance away from mine so I blasted some Rihanna and cruised down the road. My mind was racing and wanderin’, wantin’ to know what this nigga wanted. It had been quite some time since I had seen him last so I didn’t know if he just wanted me to come over for sex or to go to a party or whatever. Is it sad that even if he called me over for sex, I would be totally cool with it? I just really miss his touch and his company. Shit, I need to be stronger than this and I really need to figure out what the fuck it is that I want from him.

I made it over to his house and pulled into the driveway. I hopped out of the car and made my way inside. I looked around and didn’t see him. I lurked a little more and saw that he was in the kitchen blendin’ up somethin’.

“Hey, Tyrek.”

He stopped what he was doin’ for a moment to look over and acknowledge me. He then continued to mix some liquid before he turned off the blender and poured the mixture evenly into two cups. He walked over to me with these glasses in his hand and gave me one of them. Without sayin’ a word, he took a sip from the glass and led me outside to his patio where we sat at his table. It was a gorgeous day outside, the perfect setting to be outside and look over at the people walking along the beach.

“It’s good to see you. How you been, girl?”

I smiled as I sipped more of this margarita-type drink. It was really strong but I wasn’t complainin’; it was really good.

“I’ve been aight, just busy with helpin’ at the salon and shit. What about you?”

“Same here, hella busy as fuck workin’ with my boss and shit too.”

We both sat there quietly as we drank more of the drink. I so badly wanted to jump his bones and fuck the shit out of him, but I knew better than to do that so I kept still in my seat. His cologne was waftin’ in my direction as the wind blew. It was such a tease; the smell was so seductive and it didn’t help that he was literally right next to me. I just wanted to caress his legs and initiate shit, but no. Not going to do it.

“Yo, Danessa. Can I ask you a question, like for real?”

I looked over at him and made eye contact with him as I nodded my head. I turned away from him and stared off into the distance as I waited for him to tell me what he wanted to ask.

“Have you ever considered marrying someone? Like, what is your take on marriage?”

“Well, marriage is cool and all, but I ain’t lookin’ for that right now. I feel like that should happen when it’s right? When you found your best friend and you found someone who you know you wanna spend forever with. It shouldn’t be something forced at all, it should come naturally. Why?”

I looked up at him and raised an eyebrow. I was never expecting him to ask me that type of question and I wondered why this nigga was even talkin’ about this type of shit.

“It’s nothin, mami. I just wondered what your thoughts were on that type of shit ‘cause it has been brought up to me by my niggas. They out here cuffin’ women and I stay out here with my main chick but I ain’t wanna cuff her or anythin’. I just wanna stay on my grind and do me, you feel?”

I wasn’t too sure how to feel about what he just said ‘cause if he ain’t
cuffin’ her or anythin’
, does that mean there isn’t a chance that he will cuff me? I know that is thinkin’ too far ahead ‘cause I’m just the bitch on the side, but he ain’t ever had a conversation like this with me before. I mean we talked before, but lately it had just been us goin’ out and shit, nothing serious like this though. I looked over at him and tilted my head.

“Oh, so you wanna cuff but not right now?”

He looked at me and smiled before lookin’ away.

“Yeah, I mean maybe in time. I just don’t wanna be forced into that shit. I just wanna live my life and get some shit done.”

I shrugged my shoulders and refused to let myself think more about it. That was hard, though, because I so badly wanted to know more. Like was he gone cuff her in time? Was she the one naggin’ him about gettin' married and it’s startin’ to scare off the nigga? Is there a chance that he may cuff me or is this nigga just thinkin’ out loud? I wish I knew, but I wasn’t gonna ask him what he meant and I wasn’t gonna pry anymore. That was up to him to deal with and figure out and I was just someone on the side who he was venting to. I had to always remember my place.

We finished up our drinks and just sat there in our own thoughts. I was pretty tipsy by the end of this cup of whatever and all I wanted to do was sit there and think. I’d normally be hella horny and I’d want to put my hands all over Tyrek, but meh, I just wasn’t feelin’ it. I looked over at him and saw that he was in the same state that I was, just dazed and shit. He wasn’t making any moves towards me so it looked like the liquor didn’t hit him in that way either. This was the first time in awhile that we ain’t initiated sex with one another and I kind of liked that. We just sat there and thought about shit without sayin’ anything. I placed my hand on the table and leaned back in my chair, crossing my left leg over my right as I continued to stare out over the patio. I didn’t put my hand on the table for him to grab my hand and hold it, but he did. I looked over at him and smiled. He didn’t make any eye contact with me at all, he just squeezed my hand and kept looking forward. I was far too tipsy to get in my car and drive home, so I just decided I would stay there for a while and enjoy this little moment that we were havin’. I didn’t know how long this was going to last, but I wanted to take in every moment of it while I could. I wish I could read minds though. I wondered what this nigga was thinkin’ with all this.