by Jacob Spears
Monica waited for a while after China left before turning to Smooth.
“What do you feel like eating?” she asked.
He shrugged his shoulders.
Monica got up and went into the kitchen to take out the ingredients to make lasagna. She knew there was no cheese, which is why she opted to make that dish.
“We need cheese,” she told Smooth, looking over the rim of the refrigerator door.
“So go get some,” he told her, not taking his eyes off the show.
“Come on, Smooth. If I got to cook, you can at least go get the cheese for me to cook with.”
“Cook something you got all the ingredients for. I really don’t feel like going anywhere.”
Monica lowered her head and then let out a silent curse. She’d been trying to get Smooth and China both out of the house at the same time for the past two weeks.
“I want lasagna, and if I can’t cook that, I’m not cooking anything,” Monica said, coming back into the living room.
“News flash, Monica, you don’t cook that good!” Smooth laughed.
“Whatever! I cook better than China,” she retorted.
“I agree. And you better be thankful for that; otherwise, you would have had to find yourself a new place.”
“I soon will anyway.”
“Don’t go getting all sensitive on me now, Mo. I already got to deal with China’s bipolar-ness. Not you, too.”
“My girl ain’t crazy. You are!”
“Me? How you figure that?”
“China would do anything for you. And you’re too blind to see that. None of this shit means anything to her if she can’t share it with you. Both of you muthafuckas are just too stubborn. Believe me, that girl is crazy about you.”
“I hear you,” was all Smooth said. But his mind was now stuck on China. They had always been behind each other and supporting each other. Smooth wanted things to go back to the way they once were with him and China; and if they couldn’t go back, then he figured it was time they went their separate ways.
“I think maybe you should take her out tonight and you two need to talk out your problems. It’s obvious you don’t want to leave her and she doesn’t want to leave you. If that wasn’t the case, one of you, or both of you would’ve already called it quits.”
Smooth knew that Monica was speaking the truth. He picked up his phone and made reservations at La Basque. It was China’s favorite spot on the beach.
“That wasn’t a bad idea, Mo Mo. I think I’ll go get that cheese for you.”
He picked up his keys and headed to the door.
China was about to insert her key into the keyhole when he opened the door.
“Hey, boo,” he said, leaning forward to kiss her.
“Where are you headed? I’d like to talk to you.”
“I’m about to grab some cheese from the store for Mo Mo. You want to come?”
“How long will you be?” China asked.
“Ten minutes or so.”
“I’ll wait until you get back.”
With that, Smooth left.
* * *
China locked her bedroom door before she went over to the closet.
Once inside with the light on, she stepped up on the ladder and pulled down several shoeboxes, allowing them to fall from her hands to the floor. She had scheduled an appointment to see Jefe and wanted to get the money ready for the trip.
After counting the money and putting it neatly in her tote bag, China put the boxes back up in their places.
“China,” she heard Smooth call her name, as he shook the knob on the door.
China opened the door, holding the tote bag in her opposite hand.
Smooth looked at the bag in her hand.
“I’m going to see Jefe tonight,” she explained.
“Tonight? You can’t! I made reservations for us at La Basque. After that I thought maybe we’d take a horse and carriage ride and then ...”
“You should’ve said something to me. I made plans to see Jefe, and you know how he is.”
She saw the disappointment in Smooth’s face as he fell onto the bed.
“What you want to talk to me about?” he asked.
“I just got back from seeing Mr. Jameson; and before I open this envelope, I want to give you one last chance to tell me yourself.”
China walked over to the nightstand and picked up the envelope.
“Tell you what?” Smooth asked.
“Is there something going on between you and Miranda?”
How could he have thought that China wouldn’t find out? Now here she was questioning him. He hesitated before answering.
“No, why would you think that?”
China saw the guilt in his eyes.
She reached into the drawer and pulled out the scissors that she always used to cut up the junk mail. Smooth prepared himself for the attack. Instead, China began cutting the envelope in her hand into small pieces.
“Why you doing that?”
“I don’t want to find out that you’re lying to me. You said there’s nothing going on, and I believe you. I’m going to take a shower,” she said, once the last piece of paper fell from her hand.
Smooth knew that was her way of inviting him to join her but he wasn’t sure at the moment. Instead, he pulled out his phone to cancel the reservations.
“I was thinking maybe we won’t have time for the things you had planned after dinner, but we could still have dinner at La Basque.”
He smiled and nodded his head.
“And maybe we could do something before dinner,” she looked at Smooth seductively.
He undressed and quickly got into the tub behind China. With the water cascading down their bodies, Smooth pulled China tightly to his body, allowing her to feel as he grew with desire for her inch by inch. Cupping her breasts and squeezing her nipples, Smooth lowered his head to place kisses on her neck. Because he was unable to see China’s face, he never saw the tears falling from her eyes. China cried because of how good it felt to be held by the only man she ever loved and she cried because she was exactly where she wanted to be. She reached behind her and found Smooth’s dick wedged between her ass cheeks, she leaned forward and slid it into the waiting hole. She placed her hands on the edge of the tub as Smooth held her by the waist and stroked her from behind. China turned her head to get a look at Smooth’s face. What she saw was pure bliss. She knew that Smooth loved her. She turned her head away, allowing the tears to fall freely once again. She wouldn’t allow anyone to take him away from her. He belonged to her.
Chapter 12
“Let’s go, China,” Smooth yelled from the living room.
“I’m going to kill you, boy. Stop rushing me. It takes time to look this good,” China said, before she spun around for Smooth to get a good look at her.
“You look beautiful, baby,” he said.
“You don’t look too bad yourself,” China reached forward to straighten Smooth’s bowtie just a bit.
“Come on, we’ll be late,” he warned.
China hugged Monica before they left.
Hand in hand, the two young lovers walked through the garage. Smooth opened China’s door for her and then placed the tote bag she would take to Jefe in the trunk, before getting behind the wheel.
Once on the road, China lowered the music so that her words would be clearly heard.
“Promise me that we’re going to enjoy this night, baby.”
Smooth’s smile was his only response.
“Promise me,” China said.
“I promise,” he laughed.
Twenty-five mutes after leaving their place, Smooth and China pulled up to La Basque.
The valet drive opened China’s door and then rushed over to Smooth to hand him his ticket.
Inside, the maître d escorted them to their table and placed their menus on the table.
“Your server will be with you shortly,” he announced, before departing.
“I love it here,�
�� China told Smooth.
“I know. That’s why we’re here.” He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.
Smooth’s words were simple but true. That’s why she loved him so much. He always gave her what she wanted.
The waiter went to their table, took their order, and then left them be.
“You love me, don’t you?”
“Of course I do,” he answered.
“Then tell me why you cheated on me?”
Smooth tried to pull his hand from China’s, but she held it tightly.
“I’m not going to make a scene unless you make me and I promise we’re going to walk out of here just as happy as we did when we walked in. But that’s only if you promise not to hurt me again.”
Smooth nodded.
“Why did you do it?” she asked again.
“I don’t know, baby. In my mind I thought you were going to leave me and it was over with between us.”
China nodded. She’d felt that way before also.
“Are you still messing with her?”
Smooth shook his head quickly.
“When was the last time you slept with her?”
Smooth thought for a moment and then answered, “It’s been a while.”
“So why were you at her place a few days ago?”
“She’s teaching me about real estate. I spend a few hours a week with her to learn what I can.”
“Not anymore,” China said.
Smooth nodded.
The server arrived with their meal. The couple ate in silence, occasionally glancing across the table at each other.
“Come on,” Smooth took China’s hand after it became obvious that she was finished with her meal. He guided her to the dance floor and pulled her into his arms.
She felt perfect in his embrace, resting her head on his shoulder.
“I love you, China.”
“I love you more, Smooth.”
* * *
Monica hung up the phone after talking to the dispatcher at the taxi company. The dispatcher told her that a car would be at the address in 15 minutes.
She packed her suitcases and dressed quickly. After getting dressed and placing her luggage near the door, Monica walked boldly down the hallway to the master bedroom and pushed open the door. She was on a mission. As she opened the closet door, Monica could feel her heartbeat in her ear. With sweaty palms, she stepped up on the ladder and retrieved the boxes of money. When she’d finally dumped the money out of the boxes, she opened one of China’s suitcases and neatly placed the stacks of money inside. She looked at her watch. The cab would be there in two minutes. She rushed out of the room not bothering to close the door.
On her way out, she patted Zorro’s head and then closed the door, locking it behind her. There was a small part of her that felt guilty about what she was doing, but that part was drowned out by the larger part that told her she’d finally be able to live the life she wanted. She made it to the front of the building just as the cab pulled up.
The driver got out to help her with the luggage.
“Where to?” he asked, looking in his rearview mirror at Monica.
“Ah, ah!” It dawned on her that she hadn’t planned on where to go once she got the money. “Coconut Grove,” she finally said.
Monica settled into her seat for the drive feeling a range of emotions. There was guilt. She felt terrible that she’d just stolen from her best friend. Her best friend and possibly only friend. She wanted to scream at the driver to turn around, but she didn’t. She promised herself she’d pay it back after she made a few good investments. Then there was the feeling of loss. She knew that because she’d taken the money, she’d given up on China. She began crying. Already she missed her. China was the only person who had her back for sure. She now also missed Smooth. They argued all the time, but she knew that he was a good dude. She promised to pay him back as well for the money he had given her.
“Where to?” the driver asked again, as he neared Coconut Grove city limits.
“Take me to Tatty’s,” she ordered.
Tatty’s was the only hotel that Monica had ever stayed in. Her first time at the hotel was with her then boyfriend Carlos.
It was her 16th birthday and Carlos had taken her there. They had planned it for months. Carlos cared a lot for her and wanted it to be special when she lost her virginity. She was prepared to go through with it, until she saw the size of Carlos’ penis. Monica stared at his large erection and slowly backed up, shaking her head as he approached her. She ran to the bathroom and locked herself in. No amount of coaxing on his part could get her out. Finally, he gave up and left. Monica came out of the bathroom expecting Carlos to enter the room at any given moment. After a few hours, it was clear he was gone for good. She called China and told her to pick her up as soon as she could. Roxy and China went up to the room to get her; but instead of leaving right away, they turned it into a girls’ night. Monica told them about what she called her “near-death experience” with Carlos, and they all laughed.
“What his number?” Roxy asked jokingly.
After sharing some of her own stories with China and Monica, Roxy rubbed her stomach. “Let’s go get something to eat.”
“Let’s just order room service,” Monica suggested.
They both gave Monica a look as to ask, “Who’s going to pay for it?”
“Carlos reserved the room on his dad’s credit card.”
They all laughed and then called room service.
She’d promised herself that she’d return to the hotel to enjoy it one day. It was a beautiful place. She looked around the lobby as she waited for the elevator. She smiled. That day had finally come.
* * *
“I enjoyed myself, baby. Thank you.”
Smooth looked over at China and admired her beauty. He imagined what she’d look like in 30 years. If she looked anything like her mother, he’d be pleased.
“You’re welcome,” he answered. “Sure you don’t want to come up for a few minutes?”
“I would, but we both know that your few minutes always turn into a few hours. As much as I’d like to, baby, I can’t. I got to get on the road.”
Smooth knew he’d be wasting his time trying to persuade her any further.
“Why don’t you come with me?” China asked.
Smooth thought for a moment before answering.
“I’ll make you a deal,” he finally answered.
China raised an eyebrow.
“I’ll go with you if you promise it’s your last trip.”
It was China’s time to be silent.
“It’s not like we need the money,” Smooth pushed.
“I can’t promise you that, baby. But I can promise you that I’m only doing it a few more times.”
A few more times could mean three or 350 in Smooth’s book. He raised the volume and they both fell silent.
China closed her eyes and allowed herself to think about what their lives would be like without the trips she took to visit Jefe.
She knew things would be better. She knew that’s when their problems had started. She thought back to when Smooth was selling small bags of weed. Everything was so much simpler. She finally understood the meaning of “more money, more problems.”
She loved Smooth enough to give up everything for him. She never wanted to be without him. Right then, China made a decision. If she ever felt that she was in jeopardy of losing Smooth, she’d give up the game right away.
Smooth pulled up to the front of the building and then put the car in park.
He reached over for China’s hand.
“You feeling, okay?” he asked.
She nodded her head.
“China ... I want to ...”
She placed a finger to his lips.
“I know, baby,” she said.
“No. Let me say what’s on my mind,” he said, as he moved her finger away.
“I don’t know a time since I met you that I didn’t love you. Ev
erything I’ve ever wanted came wrapped up in this beautiful gift, which is you. I hate myself for breaking our bond and betraying your trust in me. No amount of apologizing in the world could fix things, so I won’t waste much time with that. Instead, what I’m going to do is show you with my actions that I’m worthy of your love. I love you, China. And for the little that it’s worth, I’m truly sorry.”
Smooth wiped away the lone tear that fell down China’s cheek.
“Are you finished with her?”
“Yes, baby. I’m finished.”
China threw herself into Smooth’s arms. For a long moment, she and Smooth held each other’s embrace.
“I got to get on the road,” China said, extracting herself from his arms.
Again, he wiped China’s cheeks.
“Okay, I’m going to let you go. Call me if you need some company.”
“I will,” she promised.
Smooth opened the door and got out. China crossed over from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat.
“You got everything you need?” Smooth asked.
“Yes, baby. Now give me a kiss. I really need to get going.”
Smooth bent forward and placed a lingering kiss on China’s lips.
“Drive carefully and call me as soon as you get there.”
“I will. Now close the door so I can leave,” she laughed.
Smooth closed the door and watched as China drove off.
In the elevator, he decided to pay Miranda a final visit. What he had to say to her wasn’t something he thought should be said over the phone or via text message. Before going up to her place, Smooth called her to make sure it was okay.
After he spoke to her, he pressed the 24th floor. In the time they had spent together, Smooth had grown fond of Miranda. The sexual attraction was still there, but now he looked at her as a close friend and confidant. She had taken the time to show him things that no one else had, and she had also grown to care a great deal for him.
