by Belleza
MILL
A few days later…
“I can’t believe I’m going to miss this.”
“Girl, you need to be worrying about yourself and that little baby. I will be just fine. How are you feeling?”
I held my phone up as I sat behind the wheel of my 2018 Lexus coupe I wasn’t quite comfortable driving even though it’s been a few months since I had it.
Asahd considered my old car a death trap and got rid of it with the help of my father. I swear he had it so easy now because if I was against him it was like I had two other people, my mother and father, on his side.
Right now, I was meeting with the photographer. He gave me a call back and told me I had to meet up with him about the pictures I wanted. Keira got discharged yesterday evening and I as bad as I wanted to go and spend time with them, I gave them their space to get situated at home. She’s been through a little battle with the birthing process, and I know she needed rest more than anything.
“Sore, but not as bad as I thought I would’ve been. They told me it was going to be hard to walk since I had a c-section. I feel normal.”
“Well, that’s good. Where’s the baby?”
Keira switched the camera view and focused on Zayne who was asleep with Zay’d bunched up on his chest. The sight was beautiful and frightening at the same time.
“Oh boy, you’re gonna have a spoiled baby on your hands,” I told her smiling from ear to ear when she put the camera back on her. Keira rolled her eyes smacking her lips.
“I told Zayne! Good thing he don’t gotta punch nobody clock. I swear to God he will be ripping and running with Zay’d’s behind strapped to his chest in a carrier.”
“Ehhh… I don’t think that’s how it’s going to work.”
“Tuh, watch this. I literally only have Zay’d to feed him. Zayne or Za’naa takes him and I pump on the breast he didn’t eat off of. I swear I barely touch my own son. I feel like a—”
“I don’t even want to hear what you gotta say,” I cut her off.
She giggled and adjusted herself on the bed. “So where are you meeting this dude? Does Asahd know him?”
“Um...he gave me this address, but the only thing I see is the Starbucks. Hold on.” I quickly exited out of the FaceTime call and checked my text messages glancing at the address in my phone and the door number that was posted on the building. “Yup, it’s an address to Starbucks.”
“Starbucks? Why the hell would y’all be meeting at a Starbucks?”
“If I knew, I would've told you. I’m already late so let me get going so I can see what this man is talking about.”
“Wait, it sounds creepy as shit. I think you need to let Asahd know where you at just in case he’s a creep.”
“Keira, you sound worrisome like him. Plus, we’re not even talking to each other right now.”
“Doesn’t mean you have a right to put you or this man in danger. You know Asahd got dropped on his head. He don’t think straight and ask questions after the person can’t even explain.”
She was right which had me rolling my eyes to the top of my head. “You know where I am and it’s a public place. I’ll be fine,” I tried to reassure her, but now my stomach was twisting in knots. “I’ll call you as soon as it’s over.”
“Bye bitch!” she rushed and said before I ended the call.
Sucking in a deep breath, I stepped out of my car and locked it behind before I went to go pay the meter. I then ambled over to the door of Starbucks and glanced around not really remembering the man's face. He had to have been looking for me as well because when our eyes met he waved me over and I approached him at the table.
“Wow, you’re stunning,” he praised me, and I returned a weak smile.
Stunning?
That was a reach. These days I felt fat and ugly opting for a bun and sweats when I left out of the house. Today wasn’t any different.
“Thanks,” I responded and took a seat at the table.
Newton was dressed to the nines, for it to be a weekend and he was in another tailored suit still smelling delicious. There was no way I could deny he was an eye catcher and the way he acted and dished out compliments, he was probably used to woman falling at his feet. Like I thought the first time I met him, he was ok to look at it, however that’s the furthest it went.
“You’re not used to hearing how beautiful you are?”
“Um… I wouldn’t use stunning for my appearance, but um why are we here again?” I asked rubbing my hand on my stomach. I wasn’t sure if it was the baby moving or nervous jitters.
Newton was gazing into my eyes as if he was staring into my soul. He definitely was full of himself. I was trying my hardest not to roll my eyes because he was staring all in my face.
“We’re here to discuss the pictures you would like for me to take.”
“Ok… discuss what.”
He chuckled and swiped his hand over his mouth before he lifted his latte to his lips. In my mind, I was guessing it was made with skim milk and sugar free flavoring, nice and soft for a pretty boy like him. The staring wasn’t sexy. It was actually annoying.
“I know this may seem weird to you, but I like to get to know my new clients. My pictures tend to come out better when there’s a greater connection.”
My eyes rolled in my head. “Is there any work I can see? What about the prices?”
“Sure.”
Newton finally broke his gaze and dug into the bag he bought with him and pulled out a portfolio. He slid it across the table to me, and I opened it up to view the portraits he took. I couldn’t deny the fact that they were really good. Some were taken indoors in a studio, and some were outdoors highlighting how beautiful our city can be.
“So…?”
“I like them a lot,” I answered looking back up at him. “So, do you have any appointments after this week? I actually find out what I’m having this week.”
“What kind of shoot is this for again?”
“My gender reveal photos. I would like for it to be a denim on denim theme with my Fiance?”
Newton’s face dropped, and he shot a blank stare my way. It was an awkward silence that was unsettling. Then imagine hearing the one voice I didn’t expect or want to hear break that.
“You good?”
I turned around and my heart sank when I saw Asahd standing behind me with his arms crossed over his chest.
Newton stood to his feet immediately and extended his hand. “I’m Newton, owner of—”
“NewVision Photography,” Ashad cut him off taking his eyes to look at his hand and then focused back to his face. Realizing that Asahd was not going to shake his hand, he cleared his throat again and sat back down in the seat. My eyes were bouncing all around the cafe wondering if anyone was just as uncomfortable as I was. He leaned over and placed a kiss on my cheek, and finally pulled a chair next to me. “A’ight, so he’s taking our pictures.”
“Um… yeah… that’s what we were just discussing.”
“Cool. So, when are you available?”
All the confidence Newton possessed was diminished. No eye contact. He kept clearing his throat and stammering on his words as he answered every question Asahd shot at him. I knew Asahd was being an asshole because some questions were unnecessary, so I was mentally preparing for him to start bitching at me.
In my mind, I couldn’t wait to curse Keira out because I knew she was the one that told him.
After making Newton feel like an asshole, he rushed out of Starbucks. I almost felt bad but found it hilarious because he transformed into a different person now that Asahd was here.
“So, this what I gotta do? I gotta stalk my pregnant wife?” he asked forcing my face his way and I arched my eyebrows from his question.
“You got your information from Keira.”
“You believe that? Why you just ain’t let me know where the fuck you were going? We both taking the pictures right or his light bright ass just taking pictures of you?”
“We are taking pictures.”
“I’m sure you ain’t give him that impression. He didn’t seem too happy about that. Matter fact why the fuck you playing with my freedom, Camille? If I wasn’t trying to change, I would’ve sprayed this entire place up.”
“Well… I didn’t think you cared about minor stuff like this. It’s just pictures.”
“Just pictures? I bitch about what you eat and where you want to get married, you don’t think I care about who’s taking our pictures? Especially if it’s a man that’s eye fucking you?”
I waved Asahd off. “It’s business.”
“Cool. He can take his business somewhere else.”
“Asahddddd!” I shot at him.
“Asahddddd!” he mimicked me in a screwed-up face which had me roll my eyes at him.
I stood to my feet and walked out of the Starbucks with him following right behind me. Taking my keys out of my bag, Asahd must’ve had the spare because he unlocked it and snatched my hand up escorting me to the passenger side.
“Don’t think we cool.”
“Shut up, before I make you cry again,” he said with a serious face and my eyebrows deepened.
After getting in, he closed the door behind me and rounded the car to the driver’s side and got in. Leaning over in the driver's seat he pulled the seat belt across me and buckled it.
“Safety first,” he told me with a smirk and started the car. As annoying as he was, one thing I couldn’t deny is that he truly cared for me even though him meaning well came out so wrong so often.
At first it was just a weird silence until he started talking.
“I wanted to apologize for the way I’ve been acting. I hate the fact that you think you can eat whatever you want, but I should’ve approached it differently.”
“Who gave you that plea? Johan? Zayne?” I questioned tilting my head to the side because I knew damn well words like that didn’t leave Asahd’s mouth. Things were always his way or no way, and there was no argument on whether he was right or wrong.
“Myself. I’m tired of you crying, and I don’t know about you, but I didn’t sign up to be living with a roommate. This should be a happy moment in our lives, Christmas is around the corner, you’ll be having my baby soon, I’m going to be your husband… we don’t need that negative energy in our.”
“You just need to meet your match. You can’t go around acting like you can beat everyone.”
Asahd laughed. “Actually, I can, but that’s off topic. Do you accept my apology?”
“I guess so. I’m sure you’ll be bitching soon, but I can handle it for now,” I told him shooting him a narrowed look.
“Cool. Now make that the last time you go running to have a brunch date with a nigga.”
“A date?”
“Yeah it’s a date. He ain’t have to bring you to no fancy ass coffee place to discuss pictures. Home boy suspect as fuck. I would assume he was gay, but the way he was staring at you has me thinking otherwise.”
“Are you jealous?” I cooed, and his face balled up more before he shrugged his shoulders.
“I’m protective over what’s mine and you,” he said pointing to me. “Belong to me.”
“Jealousy.”
“Call it what you want. You think it’s a joke now until he’s another body added to the missing person’s list.”
“Oh my God, Asahd. I’m joking!” I said leaning over and kissed his cheek, so he could lighten up. He turned his head towards me and we shared a kiss and my insides lit up like the fourth of July sky. It’s been long overdue and as much as he irritates me, I wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world.
“I’m serious, the nigga ain’t taking no pictures. Find someone else, or I will.”
“Yes sir,” I saluted him sitting back in my chair. Like I said, everything had to go his way, and I didn’t have it in me to go against him. It would take a lot off my shoulders.
ASAHD
“Stop it!
“That thing getting fat.”
Camille stopped shifting through the rack of clothes to look over her shoulder at me as if squinting her big ass eyes was going to intimidate me.
I reached out and smacked her ass again in the grey sweats she had on, and all she did was shake her head.
As much as I called her fat ass, she was still slim. The plus side was that she was getting thick along with the growth of her stomach. The only thing on my mind was getting her home to get some pussy and lay up. I had a quick thought to take her in the bathroom in this store she had us in, but that was the old me with bitches that were only worth getting bent over and sent their way. This girl was going to be my wife and was carrying my child. I had nothing but respect for her, however, the throbbing hardness that had me frequently adjusting myself had me thinking we can cross that line of bathroom.
“It’s all these people in here. They don’t want to see you feeling me up.”
“They need to mind their damn business. Fuck they looking at me touching my girl for?” I spat, and she rolled her round eyes at me and I delivered a stiff slap to her ass.
What I really wanted to do was spend time with Camille and make the day strictly about her. My schedule was tight as fuck now because product was moving quick as shit. I wasn’t complaining because it was bringing in more money, however, I never wanted to allow business to deter me from my woman or Ubuntu uh family. If I had to spend time with fat girl cheese burger to make sure she wasn’t stuffing her face with snacks, I would give her all the time in the world. I really wanted her and my unborn to be as healthy as possible. Uh
I drove up City ave to Lord and Taylor and she wound up in the kid section picking out clothes for the baby when we weren’t even sure what we were having.
Camille was simple and didn’t care about how much money I had for spoiling her. She purchased more things for me and the kids rather than herself. That was something about her I loved the most, that she was true to herself and loved me for me. I was confident if I was broke or as corny as her old niggas, she would still be head over heels for me.
“How you know it’s a boy?” I questioned her when I saw her pull the Polo onesie from the rack.
“It’s for Zay’d.”
“That little boy don’t need any clothes,” I argued knowing my nephew had a walk in closet full of clothes.
“The babies can never have too many clothes. Plus, this will be a Christmas gift.”
“Listen, I love Zay’d, and our child, the one we don’t even know is a boy or a girl, but they have a room full of stuff,” I added. “But we’re here for you Mill. If you don’t want to get somethings for yourself we can cut this shopping trip short, pay for the shit and go eat.”
Camille rolled her eyes and continued to shift through the clothes before she picked up a few more items and tossed them inside of the basket displaying her attitude. I snatched the shopping bag from her hand and we finally went up to the upper level where the woman’s section was.
It was amusing how hilarious it was to see Camille flipping the tags of everything that caught her eye. Not once did she give a sign she was pleased with the prices. I silently watched her checkout the items that caught her eye, look at the tag and then walk away. I was right behind her putting them in shopping bag along with the clothes for the kids.
One thing she finally picked up was a coat.
“It’s getting colder and I need a backup coat when this needs to get dry cleaned,” she explained after looking at the price tag.
“I still don’t understand why you do that to yourself. You can have whatever you want. We’re not living on a need to have basis.”
“I don’t want to waste money. If I don’t need it, I won’t buy it.”
“Waste money? I make it while I sleep.”
“I would sure like to get up and make my own,” she shot back twisting her neck which was nothing but a trap to start an argument.”
“You work my nerves on a daily. Consider this your pay, smart ass,”
I spat back.
Camille wanted to go back and work in the Philadelphia School District so bad, but I wasn’t having that shit. She passed out and was rushed to the hospital already. I’d be damned to let that happen again. I was all for a woman wanting to be independent and make their own money, but risking her health and my baby’s health wasn’t an option. She’ll have to go find a fucking hobby.
Camille did a few more minutes of looking and walking away while I took whatever it was she was looking at. When finally made it to the counter I had two shopping totes full of clothes and the items she picked out was the damn coat and another pair of Uggs I was positive she didn’t need, but the shit was in there.
“What the?” Camille frowned her face up at me when she saw me place the shopping bags upon the counter. The cashier who was eyeing me from across the store shifted her gaze between the both of us wondering if she should start the process of checking us out.
“Who told you to get all of this?” she questioned me.
“You wanted it so I’ma get it,” I responded enclosing her from behind and kissing her cheek. She was still giving me the side eye, and I buried my face in the crook of her neck.
“Am I ringing this up?” the cashier asked.
“No,” Camille replied but I told her ‘yes’ and she started scanning each item and bagging them.
“You do the absolute most,” Camille sighed trying to hide her crooked smile.
“That’s why you love me.”
“Oh! Do I?”
That had me lift my head with my lip curled up. “Make me act up in here.”
Camille giggled and puckered her lips for a kiss, and I leaned further down to bite them instead. She jerked her head back in the nick of time because I really was going to bite her ass
We were fucking around with each at the register, before I realized the cashier was done and trying to get our attention.
“ That’ll be $1,849.99”
Camille was really trying me reaching for her bag, I smacked her hand away and slid my bank card in that I had only because my brothers preached how important it was for me to have a paper trail for my money. It was one thing to make it, but the government wanted to figure out where my bread was coming from when they were the ones that made this shit easy as a fuck to get into the county in the first place. Money tracking was simply to make sure they got their piece of the pie.
