His Choice, Her Decision

by Williams, D. C.

  “Nope, you can’t so stop stalling and start buying.”

  An hour later, Terrance is gone, thank God! He was really beginning to work my nerves. I know for a fact, he does like to be seen and if that was his goal coming in here, he succeeded. Several of the customers came up to him asking for autographs which turned what should have been a fifteen minute meeting into a one hour meeting.

  Walking back into my office, I lock the door and place my phone on do not disturb. Relaxing in my chair, I turn to face the field again. Closing my eyes, I think back to my parents, mainly my dad. He hasn’t said much to me since my visit home to announce my pregnancy. I should have followed Rhonda’s suggestion and called rather than visit. “Girl, daddy is not your man, call him so if he starts acting all crazy, which you know he will, you can hang up on his ass.” Rhonda has never allowed daddy to control her. I honestly never thought that I was allowing him to control me until my visit home and how he treated Aiden.

  “Here you walk in here with this poor excuse for a man, as an unmarried woman, to announce that you are having not one but two babies. Do you honestly think that he’s going to take care of his babies if he doesn’t even have the decency to marry you?”

  “Excuse me, Mr. Wen, but I love your daughter and I did ask her to marry me.”

  “So, what’s the problem?”

  Resting his elbows on his knees with his hands in his hair, “she said no.”

  “If you were a man, she would have said yes!”

  “Look Mr. Wen, I am a man.”

  “Ha! Ha! Ha! You are no man! You are a whore and for some reason, my daughter is bewitched by you.” Getting up from his chair, he looks to my mother, “we need to take her to church and have her delivered.”

  “Daddy, there is nothing wrong with me.” I say in a low voice. My dad has never talked to me like this. Sure, I’ve heard him talk to Ronnie, Rhonda and Sean like this before, but never me.

  “There’s nothing wrong with you? Oh dear, there is something definitely wrong, you are a twenty three year old woman in the prime of her life, about to have two babies who you have no clue how to take care of and you are still involved with a man who has slept with more women than I care to count while in a so called committed relationship with you. There is definitely something wrong with you!” Looking to my mother, “where did we go wrong?”

  Grabbing my hand and squeezing it, “Mr. Wen, we are going to raise our babies together. Yes, I’ve made some really stupid mistakes in the past but not everything you read in the tabloids is completely true.”

  “If she has refused to marry you then what do you plan to do, shack up together and degrade her even more?”

  “Mr. Wen, I don’t know why Sharon is refusing to marry me but we are not going to be shacking up as you put it. Sharon, is a grown woman, these babies were unexpected but not a mistake. Now, if you want to be mad, then that’s your prerogative but I will not continue to sit here and continue to let you beat her up because you don’t like the situation.”

  My dad is pissed but I know deep down that he’s hurt. “Look boy, you don’t come into my house and try to disrespect me. Sharon is our youngest. She is the only one of my children to learn to try to learn of her Asian culture. She is the only one who makes it a point to call and come to visit. So here you come in and not only take her virtue away, cheat on her and then to make matters worse, impregnate her and think that because you came here to break the news that all is well?” Getting up from his chair, he walks out of the room with my mother following.

  Just sitting, looking at his vacated chair, Aiden leans over, “baby, I’m so sorry. Do you think I should go after him and try to talk some more?” Shaking my head at him, I know that no matter what Aiden has to say, it won’t be good enough for my dad.

  “No, let’s just leave. I don’t want to stay here tonight.” Getting up from the sofa, “I’ll be back, I’m going to talk to my mom before we leave.”

  As I’m leaving the den, I want to go into the bathroom and ball. I can’t believe how my dad is behaving. I didn’t think he’d be jumping up and down like he did when Rhonda announced her pregnancies but I didn’t expect him to basically call me a dumb ass for getting pregnant. My mom is in the kitchen leaning against the counter with her head down. “Mom, are you okay?”

  Turning to face me, “the question is, are you okay?”

  “No. Are you mad at me too?”

  “Walking over to me and pulling me into her special hug, “no baby, I’m not mad at you. I’m proud of you for letting your decision be your own. Your daddy is just hurt. He’ll come around eventually. Meanwhile, you keep being you. You are a grown woman, Sharon. Maybe this isn’t the plan that we had for you but evidently, it’s God’s plan. Remember one thing, there’s no such thing as an illegitimate baby, only illegitimate situations.”

  “Mom, what about Aiden?”

  “What about him?”

  Starting to cry for the first time since being home, “I don’t know why I can’t marry him. He’s really been here for me lately but I don’t feel that getting married is the right thing to do.”

  “That’s a decision that only you can make concerning Aiden. But, I do need to ask you one question if it’s okay.”

  “Yes, what do you want to know?”

  “Were you and Aiden taking precautions to prevent this from happening?”

  Dropping my head, “I was on birth control. I had a sinus infection and was prescribed an antibiotic. I didn’t know that the antibiotic affected the effectiveness of my pills.”

  “I see. Have you talked to Rhonda about the babies?”

  Nodding my head at her, “yeah, I’ve told her already.”

  “I see.” I can tell she’s hurt that I didn’t talk to her first. “Sharon, I respect your dad and as always, I will never argue or disagree with him in front of you guys.” Taking a deep breath, “I’ll talk to him.”

  Hugging my mom, “thank you mom, I love you so much!”

  Cupping my face in her hands, “I want you to think about something for me, no man is perfect. No man, not even your daddy. Aiden loves you. I see it in his eyes. If he didn’t, you would be here by yourself and not with him sitting there taking all that verbal abuse from your dad. If it’s meant for Aiden to be your husband, you’ll know. Just make sure that you let your decision be your own and not influenced by anyone else, okay?”

  “Yes mama,” I say with some relief in my voice. “We’re not going to stay as planned so I guess I need to go and say goodbye to daddy.”

  “Don’t bother, I’ll let him know.”

  “Thank you, I love you so much.”

  Feeling movement in my stomach, I smile to myself while placing my hands on my stomach. Yeah I agree little ones, it’s been a crazy day, let’s go home. Turning away from the window, I reach for my purse and head out of my office.

  “Sharon,” glancing over my shoulder, I see Camille walking in my direction, “sorry about that idiot Erica, she’s our housekeeper’s niece.”

  When will she learn, “I figured, she had to be a friend of relative of someone you know.”

  “I already know what you’re going to say, I need to learn from the past,” laughing to herself, “yeah, that’s me, I’m a slow learner. By the way, where is Aiden taking you tonight?”

  “He mentioned dinner.”

  “You should go with Sebastian and I to check out this new club that’s having their grand opening in LA on tonight.”

  “Did you forget that I’m pregnant?” I ask, pointing at by belly.

  “How could I forget? You’re moody as hell. For once, I feel sorry for Aiden’s ass. Anyways, you can still camouflage your belly, it’s the booty that you might have a problem hiding.”

  “Shut up, my butt is not that big!”

  “Girl please, Aiden’s ass is like a puppy following behind that booty.”

  “Bye Camille. Oh, what’s the name of the club?”

  “Fifty Steps, I think. I’ll
call you and let you know for sure. Maybe we can ride together if you decide to go.”

  “Okay, bye.”

  Chapter Thirty Six

  I’m headed to pick Sharon up for dinner and then we’re going to LA to hang out at some club with Sebastian and Camille. I’m having a bad feeling about going to this club. If I say no, the first thing she’ll think is that I’m afraid I’ll run into someone whom I’ve had sex with and start calling me a man whore all over again. Sheesh, she can be so moody. This whole pregnancy thing is causing me to make major adjustments. The other night, she got all pissed because I slammed the bathroom door. “Do you have to slam doors? You always make so much noise when you’re here.” I find myself counting to three a lot to keep from telling her to shut the hell up.

  Going up to her door, I decide to ring the doorbell rather than use the key that she complains about me freely using. By the look on her face, I should have used the damn key.

  “Why are you ringing the doorbell when you have a key? Why do you have a key if you’re going to ring the doorbell! Ugh! Why do you do things so backwards? First, you badger me for a key and then you ring the doorbell.”

  SHUT THE HELL UP! I want to yell at her but instead, I follow my ritual, one, two and three. “Sorry babe, I wasn’t thinking.” Before she can say anything else, I grab her around the waist and take her mouth into a deep kiss.

  “It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize. Just let me grab my purse and I’ll be ready to go.”

  Watching her walk towards her bedroom, she’s wearing a pair of skinny leg jeans, this black draped club top that ties at the neck and black platform heels. She looks sexy as hell, too damn sexy to be going to a club at five months pregnant.

  “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  She’s so beautiful. I love it when she wears her hair parted in the middle and cascading down her gorgeous shoulders. Clearing my throat, “I don’t know how I feel about you wearing that outfit out to a club tonight. Don’t you think it’s a bit chilly out for that?” Here comes the attitude.

  “No, I don’t think it’s too chilly out and I’m wearing a jacket.”

  “Will the jacket cover your ass?”

  Rolling her eyes at me, “don’t start that shit! This will be the last time that I’ll be able to wear this outfit for a while and I’m not changing because you don’t want anyone looking at my ass!”

  Holding my hands up in defense, “look, just be quiet okay.” Rubbing my hands through my hair, “are you ready to leave, our reservation is for seven.”

  Grabbing her jacket, she storms past me and waits at the door for me to open it. God, I don’t want to argue with her tonight. “Sorry babe, you look great, I don’t want you to change.”

  Smiling at me, “yes you do but thank you anyways for trying.” Kissing me on the lips we walk out to the car hand in hand.

  Arriving to the restaurant, we pull up for valet parking. The valet opens the door to let Sharon out of the car and of course, the fucker’s eyes land right on her ass. Walking around to take the keys from me, I lean in as close as I can without being obvious, “if you eye fuck her like that again, I will kick your ass. Do you understand?” Nodding at me, “and you better not fuck with my car either.”

  Taking Sharon by the arm to lead her into the restaurant, “what did you say to that guy?”

  She doesn’t miss anything. “Nothing, I just told him to be careful with my car.”

  Smirking at me, “sure Aiden, sure that’s all you said to him.”

  Giving her my pouty look, “you don’t believe me?”

  Pulling my bottom lip between her fingers, “no I don’t but you’re so cute, I’ll let it go.”

  Before I can respond, the waitress comes to greet us and leads us to our table. Taking our drink orders, she exits the table. “So, aside from your crazy episode with the receptionist, how was the rest of your day?”

  “Ex receptionist, Camille fired her. Aside from that, it was okay. How was yours?”

  “Long. I couldn’t wait to see you.”

  Smiling at me, “oh, I almost forgot,” excitement in her voice, “I felt the babies move today.”

  “Really, was it movement or the flutter that Dr. Fura mentioned?”

  “Isn’t it the same thing?”

  “How would I know?”

  Leaning her head to the side, “exactly, why are you questioning me?”

  Rolling my eyes at her, “why do you have to get an attitude about everything?” Sighing out loud, “I just wish I would have been with you to share the experience.”

  “Camille said that I’m moody, do I really have a bad attitude?”

  Looking around because I don’t want to argue with her, “I wouldn’t say you have a bad attitude,” rubbing my hand down my face, “but you are moody.”

  “No wonder you’re always look so stressed when we’re together.”

  “I’m not stressed when we’re together, I just don’t want us to fight.” Dropping my head, “I’m trying really hard to make things work for us. You already know that I would like for us to get married before the babies are born so if I’m just… I don’t know. Let’s change the subject.”

  She doesn’t respond, but I know she’s thinking about what I’ve just said or couldn’t say, “I’ll try not to be so moody. It’s not fair to you or anybody else.” Grabbing my hand, “will you forgive me?”

  Bringing her hand to my lips, “I’ll always forgive you.” Taking my tongue, I part her fingers and mimic me eating her out.

  Smiling at me, “uh, you are such a freak!”

  Smirking at her as she’s trying to pull her hand away, “that’s what I’m going to do to you tonight when we get home.”

  The waitress has returned with our food and apparently she saw our exchange or maybe it’s the fact that Sharon is blushing so hard that’s giving us away because the poor lady is stuttering and shaking which only gives us more to laugh at. Dinner is going great!

  Leaving the restaurant, we are getting onto I-5 heading to Los Angeles to meet Sebastian and Camille. “Are you sure you want to go to this club?”

  “Yes, I want to go. Why are you asking?”

  “No reason, just thinking of this long drive ahead of us.” Moving into the fast lane, “maybe we should book a hotel room in Los Angeles tonight.”

  “You’re probably right.” Taking her phone out of her purse, “I could drive back home since I can’t drink anything alcoholic.”

  “Just book the hotel, it’s going to be late and I don’t want you to have to drive.”

  Raising her eyebrows, “you don’t want me to drive your car is what this is about.”

  She’s right about that. “It’s not that I don’t want you to drive, I just don’t think you can handle Mabel.” Mabel is a 2010 Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren. Mabel is black, sleek and beautiful – just like my woman.

  “Yeah right, I can handle Mabel.” She’s on the internet trying to find a hotel. Reaching into my wallet, I give her my credit card to book our room for the night.

  “When you have the babies, I’ll let you drive Mabel.”

  Pursing her lips at me, “I know you’re lying and I’m going to remind you of this very lie when the babies are born.” Concentrating on booking the room for us, she passes my credit card back to me.

  “Which hotel are we staying at tonight?”

  “Lowes, is that okay with you?”

  “That’s fine with me.”

  We are about ten minutes from the club and I’m still feeling a bit nervous. Why, I don’t know so I can only hope that there won’t be any drama tonight.

  Parking the car, I get out and make my way around to the passenger door to help Sharon. “Too bad you can’t drink tonight, huh.”

  “What? I can drink.”

  “No hell you can’t. What in the hell is wrong with you?”

  “Calm down, I was only joking.”

  Entwining our fingers together, “come on and walk in front of me.�
�� Looking at me out of the corner of her eye, “what, I don’t want anyone staring at what belongs to me.”

  “Aiden, I’m being serious right now, if you start tripping, I am going to ignore you and find a way home. I’ve already told you, the only thing that belongs to you, are the babies, not me.”

  Rolling my eyes at her, I’m not going to even waste my time responding. Paying to get into the club, we spot Sebastian and Camille immediately. The place is decorated with expensive art and plush leather booths that are aligning the walls with a round bar in the center serving as the core of the club. Like any other new club in LA, it is packed full of athletes, actors and anybody who’s anybody. Finding a corner booth with a table, Sharon and Camille leave for the ladies room.

  “Man, you let Sharon out of the house wearing those jeans in here? Your ass is asking for trouble.” Sebastian says as he’s leaning across the table.

  Giving him my look of agreement, “shit man, she won’t listen to me. I’m just trying to get along with her.”

  Shaking his head at me, “just protect what’s yours is my only advice.”

  “Yeah, we’ll see how that goes tonight.” Glancing over at all the commotion at the club entrance, we notice that Kevin and Josh are entering with Terrance Scott behind them. “Who invited his ass?”

  Sebastian raising his eye brow, “hell if I know, probably Kevin, I think they’re friends or some shit like that.” Looking around the club, “what’s taking Camille and Sharon so long to get back over here?” Looking out the corner of his eye, “did you see that short ass skirt Camille is wearing?”

  Laughing at his expression, “no man, I didn’t notice. I was too focused on those tight ass jeans Sharon’s pregnant ass is wearing.”

  “I swear, I think they do this shit on purpose.” Hearing raised voices, we both glance in the direction of the noise, “why in the hell did Kevin, and I know it was Kevin, bring that flashy ass fool, Terrance, here with them. He only wants to be seen.”

  “Who are you talking about?” Camille is asking Sebastian as they return to our booth.

  “Terrance Scott, he is always doing crap for publicity.”