There's Levels To My Thug (8 page)

    “What’s that ya cut Bro? Cause you know, I sell out stadiums.”

    Dragon burst out laughing.

    “You know it, sis. You just sold out Dragon & Savannah Mansion.”

    We set the plates while Dragon and his colleagues headed to the dining room table. Desiree ordered Tameka and me to go take our seats. Without thinking, I turned and snapped at her.

“I will not. Now Tameka can have a seat but it’s my job to help.”

    Desiree started to laugh.

“I know this but I am the Chef for the evening. So ladies, please go take your seats.”

    She said to me. Making me feel every bit of salt, I walked over to her kissing her on the cheek. Before Tameka and I exited out of the kitchen. Tameka laughed talking about some.

“Savannah I see she told that ass. I’m glad I’m not the only one keeping you in your place.”

    We joined the table when one of Dragon associates said.

    “Savannah, just wait until you see your gown, you’re going to stop the show.”

    “Yeah well I wish Mr. Dragon here would let me see the darn thing.”

    I said as I brushed my bottom to sit down. Dragon stood up, leaned in, and kissed me on my forehead.

    “In due time Babe in due time.”

    He said smiling.

    I knew it had to be something crazy for them to say it’s a show stopper. I couldn’t wait to see it. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one in the dark, Dragon also kept Desiree in the dark about her outfit. The only one who was given a chance to pick what she was wearing was Tameka. She told Dragon there was no way he was doing Fashion Week without her wearing one of his ensembles. Jealous as can be Desiree and I sucked our teeth as Tameka was bragging about her outfit. We had a great conversation along with an amazing meal made by our little sis, sipping on some Graham’s Vintage Port 1983. Dragon loved his red wines and kept them in stock in our Wine Cellar. I loved the little time we did get with each other.  With both his stores and my work schedule, we hardly see each other. Luckily for us, that would soon end somewhat once we move. Dragon will be finished school so that time the girls and I’ll get back.

    The next morning Dragon was already up and out for class before I got up for work. By the time, I was out the shower and ready for work Desiree already had the girls dressed for their day. She had them in the kitchen in their highchairs eating breakfast. I walked into the kitchen kissing my angels then I headed straight to the coffee maker to make my cup. That’s when Desiree blurted “good morning sis your cup is filled and ya lunch is in your bag next to your briefcase and ya car keys.” We both started to laugh as I grabbed my things heading straight for the door as I snuck another kiss from my babies. I hopped in my car dialing Dragon on his cell, doing our regular routine. His cell rang twice before he picked up.

    “Good morning Beautiful. I see you’re running crazy late. Oversleep did we?”

    Dragon said.

   I laughed answering him.

    “I do believe we had a house full last night. Not to mention our little night cap. So yes babe I’m running ten minutes behind schedule.”

    Dragon refused for me to take public transportation. One reason I definitely couldn’t wait to move to Philly. Being as my office isn’t too far from his store we figure we’d save even more money driving one car downtown every day. He talked to me all the way to the office until I sat behind my desk. I swear I love that man but he’s so damn overprotective. 

*Chapter Ten*

Dragon

(Fashion Week, a Death, and the Hamptons)

    Look at ya Boy here at Fashion week about to finish the week off. I mean I been a lot of places but I never saw myself here. My folks are here along with both my sister’s one of them about to kill it down the runway.  My daughters are in the audience about to see their parents do their thing. I’m more so proud of the fact my Princesses aren’t playing with me in some prison yard or boot camp somewhere out in east bubble fuck.

    It was time for me to let the world know who Dragon really was, an intelligent black man. Like my mama say prayer works and it did God blessed me with a beautiful Queen and two beautiful princesses. It was the time we conquer the world together as a unit. My girls will attend the best schools. Savannah will have whatever it is her heart desires. Naw I didn’t make it to the NBA or the NFL but a Nigga made it to New York fashion week. Talking with every blogger and magazine, even my lady got a couple interviews in about how the Drag-on clothing line was started.

   The final show was about to start Desiree and Savannah patiently waited for their gowns. I enjoyed watching them squirm while I got the other girls ready. It was time for me to get Desiree dressed.

    “Yo sis let’s go. I know how you say gold blends in with ya skin so here you go.”

    I said with my Kool aide smile on.

    “Get the fuck outta here. Are you fucking kidding me? I fucking love it!”Desiree said screaming.

    Sonya and Future came rushing in with the shoes I forgot at the store for Savannah, Tameka, and Desiree. Just as they walked in Tameka came right behind stripping out of her clothes. Savannah sat over in hair and make-up smirking because almost everyone was dressed but her. Once Tameka and Desiree were dressed, I walked over to Savannah with two garment bags.

    “My Queen you already know how I picture you. Now the world will see you for the Queen you really are.”I said as I kissed her.

    I took the first bag which held her gown and unzipped it. Before I knew it, Savannah fell back into her chair. Stunned by what she saw she was at a loss for words. Sonya ran over to assist Savannah getting into her gown. Savannah shook her head reaching her handout to me.

    “Babe, wow this is amazing. Is there anything you can’t do? I mean Damn Baby you out did ya self!” She said.

    Savannah gown was the deepest plum purple fabric I could find with some hints of gold tones and piping, she loved a deep open back with a somewhat dream catcher threading with a high collar with lots of a deep cleavage, it damn near looked painted on her body. She had a thing for them high collars so I figured it was fashion week why not go all out. My favorite part was her Jewelry.Watching my designs, my blood, sweat, tears and lost time with my girl’s walkout and down the runway brought tears to a Nigga’s eyes.

Within a week, I’ll be walking across the stage collecting my Bachelor in Fashion Design.  I knocked all my finals out only hitting a 3.75 GPA Savannah still hyped it all up making a Nigga feel real good.

    Rico had a house up in the Hamptons, so I figured I’d get the family and take them there before the graduation. I just needed Savannah to get on board with this little vacation. I hit Savannah up on her cell to see if we’re on the same page with this little vacation.

    “Yo Babe, listen can you put in a short notice at work, for a few days?”I said to Savannah.

   “Well, I do have some paid time off, that I need to use. Why what are you thinking?”She said.

    “I was thinking the Hamptons you know Rico has a spot up there. He and I were thinking we can take the family up there for a few days and relax before graduation.”I said.

    “That sounds fun babe. Let me move some things around. Once this report I’m working on is finished, I can just delegate these light reports.”Savannah said to me.

    “Oh yeah, babe no working while we’re on vacation. Imma hit Rico up and let him know it’s a go.”I said. I had to let it be known beforehand.

    We needed this, after all, that mayhem with New York Fashion week. I headed down Lenox Avenue to meet up with Future for a bit before I headed home. We planned on shooting over to Black Ink so I could get the girls added to the Tat I had started with Savannah name.  Future was planning on popping the question to Sonya and wanted pointers from ya Boy. I had about 3 ½ hours of free time before Savannah was due to be home.

Desiree texted me telling me she was on point with the family vacation. When I arrived home, everyone’s cars were parked in the driveway.  I walked through the front door bumping into the girls and Desiree bags by the front door. I heard crying coming from upstairs, so I proceeded upstairs to the master suite. Only to find Savannah sitting in the chair bald up in tears, I rushed straight over to my babe to find out what was wrong with her. I needed to know Who, What, When, Where, Why and how. I also needed to know why in the fuck she didn’t call me. After about ten minutes Savannah looked up at me squeezing the shit out of me.

    “Baby she’s gone!”Savannah said as she fell into my arms.

    “Who’s gone, Baby? What’s going on? Talk to me Savannah.”I asked very concernedly.

    “My mama babe, the neighbors heard some shouting and then gunshots. They contacted the police and they found her shot three times in the back and her chest.” Savannah looked up at me pausing.

    “Baby somebody broke into her house and killed her. They took my mama from me from our babies!”Savannah said as she started to scream out.

    I told Savannah to just give me a minute so I could go down stairs to check on the girls and Desiree. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, Desiree was sunk down in the Queen Ann Chair. I could tell she was feeling Savannah’s pain and she clearly needed a hug.

    “Dragon, man I’m really hurting for my friend and I’m hurting even more because I don’t know what to say to her. I mean thank God we haven’t had that experience.”Desiree said to me.

    “Look Desire
e
take a minute and get yourself together. A car is en route to the house to pick us up. What my babe needs right now is me, when that car arrives let the driver put all the bags in the car. You and the girls go up with Rico. Savannah and I will be there before Mother’s Day. Let me take care of My Lady and the arrangements for Ms. Stephanie.”I said to Desiree as I headed back up the steps to Savannah.

I could hear Savannah as I headed up the staircase. By the time I reached the bedroom, Savannah was in her bedroom in the corner bald up, crying rocking back and forth. All I wanted and all she needed, was for me to comfort her at that moment. I sat down on the floor beside her just holding her and rocking her. Desiree texted my phone, to let me know that she and the girls were in the car and on their way to meet up with Rico. Knowing that they were on their way to Rico, I could focus more on my baby.

    Savannah needed to go to the Hospital and claim her mother’s body. I know she’s going to drive herself all types of crazy while making all the arrangements. It’s my responsibility to be by her side to give her all the love & support she needs during this whole process. She knew her Mom had a sister name Anita, she believed to still be living down in Miami, Florida. She tried reaching out several times. I even had Rico even trying to find her ass.

Savannah was stressed at first but now she’s putting all her time into the funeral. I was proud of how my babe was handling everything. After having her mother’s body moved to the funeral home, she decided she could do most of the planning of the funeral while in The Hamptons. We took the next flight out the next morning while sitting in the airport Savannah started contacting friends and old co-workers of her mother’s to past time.

    When we arrived, Savannah and I couldn’t believe our eyes. I mean we’ve seen some beautiful cribs but this was something else. Between Rico and his wife and their four children, plus my Mom and Pop my sis Desiree and Savannah. Not to mention my sister Lordes and her Husband were also flying in tonight. Savannah needed nothing but love and support so between Rico and I we called in the big dogs. I thought it would be a little tight in the house. Rico owned a six bedroom five-bathroom home there. When he said to relax and boat rides and shit I thought it was a little joke at first. Rico showed us around his home and then to our quarters. Before leaving, he turned to Savannah and hugged her.

    “I’m so sorry for ya loss Savannah, I know firsthand what it feels like to lose a mom. Whatever it is you need, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m here if you need me.” Rico said to Savannah.

    “Thanks, Rico. I really appreciate it and thanks for inviting us to your beautiful home.”Savannah said to Rico.

    After getting settled in and changing out of our traveling clothes. Savannah and I joined everyone else outside. We set outside and watched the sunset while Rico’s chef prepared dinner. One day I wanted this for Savannah and me. Once sunset the chef starts to ring the dinner bell for us to come up to the tent. The chefs served us the salad first then they brought out some Balsamic-Glazed Salmon Fillets with fresh ginger and a rice pilaf. For dessert, we had lemon meringue pie with some homemade vanilla ice cream served with mint. Savannah made a joke saying she loved the five-star hospitality. Rico then told us that he would host our wedding there if we liked.

    He jokingly said.
“At No Cost to you!”

It was the day before Mother’s day, Rico and I sent all the women to the Spa. I gave us men time to talk business and to finish planning our Mother’s day shindig for our ladies and my Mom Rachal. Savannah had finished planning her mother’s Maria funeral giving her time to relax and clear her mind. Once the ladies left for the Spa Rico, I played with the kids until they were dog tired. After getting them all in bed for their nap, we sat out on his deck and lit up our cigars. We set back and talked about old times and where we were now. He praised and toasted to me on turning my life around and getting ready to walk down the aisle.