Distinguished as the heart and soul of the hotel, the 6,000-square-foot Celestial Ballroom embodies the class and cinematic romance of the iconic
hotel.
Devyn laughed a little as her thumb wiped over his lips again trying to get the color off. She’d started it as soon as her aunt closed the door on
them, basically attacking him in the hallway forcing the two of them to stumble their way to the elevator, what with their faces all pressed
together. Maybe it was the way he looked in that suit, maybe it was because she hadn’t gotten any in about a month, but she never wanted to stop
tasting him. She wanted nothing more than to have Koi undress her and give her the business in the back of the town car they were taking to this
gala...But then she thought about the gala, which in turn made her think about his mother, which in turn had her keeping her hands and his in
check. She’d spent most of the ride over pausing their little make out session to tell him not to touch her hair or ask him to ease up on her neck
so he didn’t leave a mark. It wasn’t how she wanted it but it was how it had to be. The only time she and Fumie had been in a room together, was
when she was being accused of slutting it up for her husband. She would prefer that she appear nothing but innocent when she met her this time. She
wanted this to go well.
And it was already off to a great start. Despite Koi’s assurance that this night would be the most boring of her life, that sure as hell wasn’t
true for their ride over. He may not have been able to touch much, but he made the most of what he had, which was how he ended up with the lipstick
she was wearing all over his mouth. They’d gotten a tap on the privacy window letting them know they were ten minutes away from The Astor and Dev
figured she’d need at least that long to get herself back together...and to get Koi cleaned up. “We probably should have saved this for after,”
she said as she wiped the last of her lipstick off of his face.
She pulled away from him, drawing into her own space for the first time since getting in the car. Rubbing her fingers together, Dev reached into her
clutch, pulling out a compact and attempting to fix the smears on her own lips. They probably wouldn’t be perfect, but she would settle for
passable.
I'm taking my time.
I'm doing it right.
Self-Love. Self-Care. Selfish.
Izzit cominoff? Koi's words were jumbled as Devyn's brow furrowed, her concentration less on his words and more on her effort to get the red
lipstick that had graced her lips when they'd started the night off of his. Her thumb rubbed across his lips, a soft laugh escaping her as she wiped.
He smiled at the sound of her laugh, his hand resting on her thigh where the split in her dress revealed it. Koi liked seeing Devyn like this. Happy,
carefree...post-full on, backseat make out session. They'd got it in back there like they hadn't seen each other in weeks. No...it felt longer, which
was kind of true. They'd never seen each other the way they were that night. Classy. Refined. And kind of...fucking grown. Koi couldn't ignore the
feeling that swelled in his chest as he walked her to their chauffeured ride to the Astor and the driver opening the door for them could barely keep
his mouth from hanging open...all because of Devyn. All because of the girl Koi was with. She was bad like that though. And for that reason, and a
couple of other ones, Koi couldn't keep his hands off of her. It'd started at the elevator, her body pressing against his as soon, her tongue nearly
down his throat as her aunt closed the door to their apartment and it hadn't stopped until the driver signaled their arrival to their destination with
three, quick taps on the privacy screen.
Biting his lip, he chuckled at her words, his eyes still burning holes into instead of truly hearing what she was saying. They probably should have
saved what they'd done in the car for afterward? Nah, it'd been perfect...even if he couldn't really get his hands on her the way he'd wanted to.
Every time he touched her hair or smudged her make up, she'd pull away, some unnecessary warning whispered in his ear before it started all over
again. Man, fuck her makeup. He'd buy her some more. And fuck that dress too... Shit, that night he would've spent anything on her...anything to take
what they'd started to the next level. Shit, his dick was talking that night. It was partially her fault though, that dress doing exactly what it was
probably meant to do...drive him fucking up a wall. It'd been far too long for the both of them for her hair to even be a concern.
"Come here..." He muttered to her as she cleaned the last smudges of her lipstick off of his face, her body moving to the place where she should've
been sitting the entire ride. She smirked as she pulled out her compact and started fixing her makeup. What the hell was the big deal about her make
up? She looked perfect. And the truth was she was never this anal about how she looked. Devyn just kind of did what she did. That shit just came
naturally for his babe. That night, though? She couldn't stay out of her mirrors.
"You look fine..." Koi said, his hand leaving his lap...moving over the center seat and touching her thigh with his finger tips. "...get out that
mirror and come back over here." His hand grasped her thigh as he pulled gently, hoping that she'd forget the handheld mirror in her hand.
Dev playfully cut her eyes at him as he called her back to him. No. They didn’t have time to start up again, they had basically arrived and in mere
minutes she’d be face to face with his mother. There could be no evidence of the things that had gone down in this car. She was going to be on her
best behavior tonight and Fumie was going to think she was a completely different girl than the one she’d met in the kitchen on Valentine’s Day.
She had impressions to make and she was not about to let Koi’s perfect ass lips talk her into fucking it up.
“Babe, no, we’re here. We don’t have time,” she was talking and primping at the same time, rolling her lips together to make sure the color
was even on them. Like she said, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to she just couldn’t. She had to look...Koi kind of finished her thought,
telling her she looked fine as his fingers tickled the skin of her thigh. He wanted her to come back to him, his tickle turning into a gentle pull.
He was cute when he was all needy. She snapped the compact closed, placing it back into her clutch, before turning to him. She moved her hand to rest
on his, turning it over so that she could hold it.
“I’m nervous, kid...-,” she paused, not sure if what she was going to say would make things more awkward than necessary. She wouldn’t be able
to explain it to him because she could barely explain it to herself. She wanted Fumie to like her. She needed it. She didn’t think it would make any
difference in her relationship with Koi, but she wanted his mother’s approval...
“I want her to like me, babe.”
I'm taking my time.
I'm doing it right.
Self-Love. Self-Care. Selfish.
They didn't have time? Really!? That was news to Koi. Because given their history, five minutes was time enough for a whole hell of a lot of shit. All
he needed was a minute and thirty and...the hell did she mean they didn't have time? He tried not to look as pressed as he felt as he watched
her reapply her lipstick and fluff her hair, ignoring the plead in his eyes for a "continue now" on everything that SHE'D started in the backseat of
the car. He wasn't calling her a "tease" but... Closing her make up case, she tucked it back into her purse and looked up at him, moving his hand from
her thigh and placing it back on his own. He sighed softly as he sat back into his seat and turned his head to stare out of his side window, the
constant rejection that he was getting from her that night turning from "cute" to "annoying". What was her deal? Not that he needed to be all up on
her...okay, lie. He did need to be all up on her. He'd needed to be all up on her from the second he'd seen the cut of her gown. But she wasn't having
it that night, which he had to say was damn out of character for her. Though...he knew one thing that could've had her resisting him the way she
was...
She couldn't still be upset about the last time they were together, right? He wouldn't have blamed her if she was because he'd taken so much from her
that night, no wonder she didn't want to...fuck, but she did want to be touched. The way that she'd nearly attacked him in the elevator was
proof of that. So, what was going on? Devyn answered his question before he had to ask, her hand turning his over and her fingers falling in between
his own. He found her eyes again as she spoke. She was nervous.
"But Dev...why?" Nerves? For what? Being in a room with a couple...okay, a lot of famous people got a bit nerve wrecking but it was nothing to be
nervous about. Most of them wouldn't even be paying attention to Devyn and Koi. They'd be too busy talking about whatever it was that people talked
about at these events. Most times, Koi just tuned it all out. There was nothing to worry about. She'd be there with him. And Eri would even be there
so that had to be a plus for her too. It would be fine. She'd be the hottest female in the room and she'd have the time of her life with the best
bestie anyone could ever have.
I want her to like me, babe. And there it was. The real reason behind Devyn's nerves. His mother. She was still crazy nervous about
everything that had gone down the first time they met. Correct reaction as Devyn was nearly naked in his mother's kitchen and his mother though she
was his father's mistress. People couldn't make up that kind of drama. With an all knowing smile, Koi brought their clasped hands to his lips, kissing
the skin on her hand. It was the only thing he could think to do to calm her.
"Look..." Scooting closer to her, he looked her in her face, his hand going to her chin to make her look him directly in the eyes. "...trust me when I
say it's gonna be alright. She's gonna love you. Okay?"
No! They didn’t have time. In a few minutes she would have to have at least a half a conversation with his mother and she would have liked to do so
without having a huge hickey on her neck. She just wanted everything to be perfect. She wanted this gala thing to go over smoother than Pharrell’s
skin and if that meant she’d have to keep her hands to herself she was willing to do that. Koi on the other hand wasn’t at all happy about the
idea. She watched him pout after taking his hand off her thigh and she sighed a little. She wasn’t trying to upset him! She just knew this was the
right thing for right now. She wanted to tell him not to be like that, but she knew that would only start an argument they also didn’t have time
for...What they did have time for was the truth. She was nervous.
Koi looked at her curiously, as if she’d said what she had in a foreign language. She really had to explain? Here they were, on something that felt
and looked curiously like a date. Throw in that she would have to see his parents, the father she’d accidently flirted with once and the mother who
later accused her of sleeping with him, and the fact that she was about to be in a room with a bunch of people she was sure she’d only ever see on
TV and she didn’t know how it wasn’t obvious why she might be a little nervous...Of course she wouldn’t lay all of that on him so she went with
the most important. His mom...He smiled at her and it was contagious, her mouth pulling at the corners as he brought her hand to his lips.
Look...She was. She was looking and all she saw was him. Him telling her things were going to be fine. Him assuring her that his mom was
going to love her. Okay? She didn’t say anything, responding by leaning into him, her lips meeting his again, make-up be damned.
“You’re really sexy when you’re being all reassuring.” She was speaking between kisses. Maybe she was wrong, a few more minutes of
this wouldn’t kill her...
I'm taking my time.
I'm doing it right.
Self-Love. Self-Care. Selfish.
If that red carpet deal out front of the hotel hadn't made Zori feel like he was completely out of place, then what was INSIDE of the hotel
successfully finished the job. There had been cameras...everywhere, the flash of the lights and shouting photogs making him a bit uneasy as he
couldn't help but wonder who they thought they were photographing. But he paused for a moment on that carpet like a good gala partygoer and even
cracked a bit of a smile, which when he thought about it, probably looked more like a grimace. He didn't stay there long, the "center of attention"
never being something that he hoped to be. He liked to keep a low profile and contrary to popular belief, getting your picture taken by over twenty
cameras didn't really help achieve that desire. So he made his exit, bee lining for the entrance of the hotel...and soon figuring out that there would
be no relief from the cameras that night as there were lights flashing in the lobby as well. It seemed as if the entire hotel was shut down for this
one event and he couldn't help but be surprised at just how big an impact Fumie's foundation was making. Well, Fumie and Shemar as the
operation of Kidd's Kids was shared by both Fumie and her husband.
Husband. Zori still couldn't get over that. How he'd flirted. How he'd completely missed the wedding ring that she wore religiously and how
he made himself look stupid every time she came in, his eyes doing a little bit more than just looking at her when she'd just come in to the gym to
discuss business or present him with official forms. He was damn pitiful. And so where his jokes and the effort he made to start conversation with
her...just to avoid the awkward aftermath of asking out his married business partner. Even though it'd been weeks ago, the feeling still lingered in
his chest when he saw her. The discomfort of trying to make like things didn't go beyond an acquaintanceship...which they really hadn't! But...they'd
sort of had. The harmless flirting. Him asking her to accompany him to the gala when all along, she'd already planned to come with her HUSBAND. It was
uncomfortable. But he knew it was only because he was STILL allowing himself to feel that way. Even though it was an honest mistake...and even though
he knew where Fumie belonged now, he still couldn't stop the tight squeeze in his ribs whenever she was near.
Standing in the photog-less ballroom, he held a glass of champagne that was definitely more for looks than it was for drinking. Although he'd never
been much for blending in, the only thing he wanted to do that night was...just that, actually. Blend. Stay out of the line of sight. Pretend that he
was as at home and comfortable as the people that mingled around him. Their suits looking a little bit more...normal on them while he, on the other
hand, hadn't worn a suit in years. And it probably showed, his broad shoulders shrugging in the suit coat that the tailor had adjust a bit too snugly across his broad
shoulders. This was a world that he didn't exist in, that he didn't think he'd ever truly exist in, really. Glitz and glamour. Money and prestige.
That didn't bother him much as the privileged life was something he didn't think he'd ever know or understand. He was there for one reason. Supporting
the foundation he'd devoted his gym, his time and his effort into. And...supporting Fumie at the same time.
"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."
Fumie had to give her event planner credit, this was the smoothest this gala had ever run. When she’d arrived there had been nothing for her to help
with, nothing for her to add, nothing for her to...do, really, at all. Press was under control, all four bars were fully stocked, and everything was
exactly on schedule...except for her son who was almost twenty minutes late. Fumie smiled to herself, thinking of who was making him late. His
girlfriend. The adorable, albeit fast, little girl she’d made such a horrible first impression on just weeks ago. She was going to
make that up to him tonight. She would be nothing but nice to Devyn tonight and it would be genuine. She was sure there was no way the girl that had
won her son’s heart could be anything but loveable. Because Koi didn’t love easy...and Fumie knew why.
Fumie laughed along with the group, a few pro-ballers that Shemar knew and their wives. Jackie Christie’s lewd ass had just finished telling a story
that Fumie was sure she wouldn’t have found entertaining, even if her attention hadn’t been elsewhere. She had been basically attached to Shemar
since she got here, the two of them playing the perfect couple for the cameras and the gala-goers, but she had been waiting for another man since
she’d arrived. Zori. Part of her was worried he wouldn’t show. She could see how uneasy he was about the whole thing every time she brought it up
and she wouldn’t have faulted him for not showing. Things were still a bit awkward between the two of them since he’d asked her to attend this
with him...Maybe because everyday since, she had wished she could...but, no. She was stuck here. Entertaining people she didn’t really care for, all
for the sake of her organization.
Her eyes roamed the room, looking for him again, stopping briefly at her family’s table where she could see Eri’s face glued to her phone,
probably caught in a game of Candy Crush. She could escape and spend a little time with her baby. She was an odd little cookie, wise far beyond her
years, but that didn’t mean Fumie loved her any less. And she was guaranteed to be better company than what she was keeping now. Besides, being so
close to Shemar for so long was starting to make her ill...He was here! Fumie’s thoughts stalled as a smile came to her face, her eyes finally
catching Zori standing awkwardly near one of the bars. She stood, simultaneously explaining to the table that she’d spotted one of her summer
partners and saying she’d be right back. She was lying of course, but she kissed Shemar for good measure, and left before anyone could say much
else.
She pulled at the front of her dress, fidgeting with her hair a bit to ensure she looked...why was she doing this to herself? It didn’t matter how she looked because she
couldn’t have him...but she at least wanted to keep up with him, as Zori was an effortless kind of fine in his suit. She smiled as she approached
him from behind, her hand resting gently on her shoulder before she spoke.
“Zori, honey, hi! I’m so glad you could make it.”
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Swirling the glass of champagne that he held on to like a security blanket, Zori people watched, which was nearly overwhelming in itself. Now, he was
kind of wishing that he'd used the extra ticket he'd gotten from Fumie and invited Emma, his assistant manager. Knowing her, she probably would've
probably lost it at the red carpet, scurrying back into the car as fast as her legs would carry her. When it came down to it, Zori was just missing
company that lived a life that resembled his. Everyone in that ballroom wore clothing that Zori wouldn't have been able to afford on his BEST day at
the gym. Their hairstyles cost more than his suit had. And he was pretty sure that nothing about the night seemed out of the ordinary for them...not
when it came down to what THEY were use to. But everything was for him. Totally extraordinary and definitely out of his league...and it got
him thinking why he'd even agreed to come in the first place as the woman who invited him was out of his league too. He could've said it was the gym
all day. And in some small part, it actually was about the gym. He loved helping out the community and keeping kids active and inspired. That was his
life's work now. But ...back in the damn recesses of his mind, there was something else. There was another reason. An untouchable reason. A reason
that was very out of his fucking league.
Sourly, he scoffed, the champagne glass going to a passing server's tray as he had no intention of drinking as celibacy wasn't the only thing he'd
been working on for four years. Sobriety, celibacy...and staying the hell away from drama. At least he was managing to do two out of three. Because
showing up at the gala, looking for Fumie the way he was wasn't avoiding. It was walking RIGHT into conflict. And where was she while he was so busy
looking for her? Probably with her husband, smiling...having conversation with their mutual friends. With her son. Being a mother and a wife...and the
driving force behind this organization. And more importantly? Not looking for him. What was he thinking? His hand found his pocket as he
thought about the best way to take his exit, although he was positive no one would come looking for him as...
Zori, honey...
Feeling a hand on his shoulder, Zori turned around and there she was. The very person that he'd decided on "flight" when it came to catching sight of
her that evening. And he probably should've when he had the chance because nothing could've prepared him for seeing her...in that dress. Zori never
prided himself on being a man of his words...and he sure couldn't now as she'd rendered him speechless. As a motherfucker. He swallowed hard, trying
to keep his eyes from wandering down to the deep plunge in her dress and the high pitch of her split. Some women...should really come with a warning.
Fumie was one.
"Fumie...hey." He choked out, leaning in before he fully thought his actions out, his hand wrapping around her waist in a side hug that was probably
more inappropriate than Zori had originally assumed. Pulling out of it as soon as he realized this fact, he stepped back from her, finally allowing
his eyes to take in her dress...as innocently as he could.
"Thanks for inviting me. You...look wonderful." He smirked as his words sort of...ran together.
"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."
Her smile grew as she watched his genuine reaction to her dress. It may have only lasted a few seconds, but it was obvious that she’d chosen wisely.
His mouth fell open and his eyes widened before he resisted the urge to fully take her in. She loved it. It was the reaction she used to get from
Shemar. Before he started screwing a million whores, he’d loved her no matter what she was wearing. These days she was lucky if he told her
she wasn’t a complete disappointment before they went out. Like tonight, she’d spent hours putting herself and his kids together for this event.
No, no one but her really wanted to be here, but the kids at least pretended for her sake...Shemar on the other hand had been in a foul mood
since morning and all he’d had to say about her attire for tonight was that she looked ‘Like Shemar Kidd’s wife...for once...’.
Wasn’t he a charmer...
But none of that mattered now. Now, she stood in front of Zori who was trying his hardest not to appreciate her effort, but making it obvious that he
had to try. He choked out a short greeting before his hand met her waist in a hug. Fumie felt herself kind of melt into him, her hand resting on his
toned stomach for just a few seconds before he pulled away from her, even taking a step back. Aw. She wasn’t done...She probably should have been a
little more careful, what with Shemar just on the other side of the room, but she wanted him. There was something about Zori in a suit, his
dreads tied back putting that perfect bone structure on display, how fucking delicious he smelled...mmm...God, she hadn’t had good sex in a
while...
Her thoughts were interrupted as he spoke again, a thank you and a compliment leaving him. “Well, thanks,” she paused, biting her lip a little to
try to keep that damn smile from spreading. “You look really good yourself, Zori...” Without thinking about it, Fumie let her eyes give him a once
over that they probably shouldn’t have. Fuck. Just a few minutes with the man and already she was making things awkward. Gently shaking her head
clear, she straightened up. “You, uh...you liking it okay so far?”
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Liking it? He was damn near loving it. Especially how her loosely curled hair draped over one shoulder, exposing more of her bronzed skin than, Zori
was positive, was acceptable. She stood out in a room full of things that glittered and shined and it surprised Zori that he hadn't noticed her
sooner. Not the way she looked tonight...wait. She was talking about the gala, wasn't she? Yeah, Zori needed to get his head together and
remember how MARRIED she was? That was his starting place. Yeah, of course she was married. Because no woman that glowed like this on a night when
everything in the room was gleaming stayed single for long. And it was Zori's job to get that shit through his head and keep his eyes above the
neck.
"It's...a lot." He smiled, probably letting Fumie know just how many galas he'd been to in his lifetime. "One" was the answer. And he was at it right
now. There'd been a moment when he'd lived something close the "high life". "Fight Nights" at casinos with names that his nineteen year old self
hadn't even known how to pronounce. And the after parties afterwards? If he hadn't been a bouncer in the French Quarter, he wouldn't have known
half of what to expect. But even then, he never felt like he belonged there. It was always a bit overpowering to him. The condo with more
space than he needed? The life with barely a care in the world? He was bred for hustle. Nothing soft and plush would do.
"But all the same...I'm glad you invited me." Truth. He was. It was a once in a lifetime chance to get to breath the same air as some of the greats he
saw walking around the place. And it was nice. It was nice to know that she had thought enough to give him a ticket to the event. He couldn't really
contribute like most of the big pockets in that room were that night. To do HALF of what they were doing, he would've had to sell the gym, his damn
car, his house...shit, even his dog. He knew that he did what he did for Kidd's Kids the best way he knew how. Opening his gym for the programs they
offered. Using his time to give lessons and hold classes for underprivileged kids. And none of that was NEARLY as sacrificial as the checks that he
knew people were writing that night. But...he'd said yes to see people's hearts...and, against his better judgement, he thought the REAL reason. The
truth. He'd said yes for her.
"And I'm glad she invited you too!" A voice behind Zori drew his attention from Fumie's smile. He turned around and his mouth nearly dropped open
again. Shemar Kidd.
"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."
Oh my God, it's Shemar Kidd... A smirk met his lips as he watched two of the finest examples of the word "temptation" walk by his table, his
name a whisper on their lips as they caught sight of him. He nodded to the one in the red dress that was a bit too short for the occasion, but
definitely acceptable for the afterparty he had planned at the Rex after THIS scripted shit. If she was smart, she knew what that nod meant. Not
now. Later... Later. He hated the sound of that word as the only thing getting in his way of getting up from that table and following her was the
anchor sitting to his right. He sighed as another joke passed right over his head and on into the land of "Shemar don't give a fuck". Women ran their
mouths entirely too much at these things and it irritated him that he had to be witness to it. But he had to be "good" for the night, right? Stick
close to Fumie. Play the role of the happy husband to his doting wifey. Give a thankful, gracious speech as the "face" of the foundation at the end of
the night. He couldn't wait for the end. So he could go back to the Shemar that everyone knew and stop playing this ignorant game of "the lies aren't
true". Because they were. Every one of them.
Excuse me for a second... Fumie's voice rattled him from his thoughts...and the memories of the low hemlines that he'd memorized for later.
The fuck was she going? Leaving him at the table with these chatty bitches? Nope. Not acceptable. He didn't care what business she had to adhere to!
As she left her seat, his eyes followed her, watching her adjust her hair as she walked. He had to hand it to her. She looked the part tonight. Not
even with the stylist that he'd gotten for her could fix her some days. She just looked...old and damn tired. Bags under her eyes. Crows feet and
shit. Hell, if he was denying time and gravity, she could too. The only thing that stylist did was give good head. So...he guess he kind of hired her
for something, huh. But tonight? Fumie was playing the role. She'd gotten some spanx or SOME shit and that dress was fitting quite nicely. Hmmm...if
she was on her best behavior, maybe he'd have a little pity on her. Give her some of the daddy dick he broke off on occasion.
Hold up... The fuck was this? Shemar's eyes narrowed as Fumie walked up to some big, burly ass mother fucker who he'd never seen a day in his
life...which wasn't hard as he didn't have much to do with that foundation in the first place. But he'd DEFINITELY never heard of THIS summer
partner...well, or any summer partner...THAT shit wasn't the point! The point was that Fumie just casually trotted up to...and hugged some
nigga who he'd never even been properly introduced to! Oh...okay. Well, he could fix that shit.
Without far to walk, Shemar left the table, no excuses as he saw the confusion on faces that he was supposed to be in the middle of conversation with.
They didn't see him as he walked over, his stride not slowing until he rolled up behind the dude. He was kinda...short. And the suit he was wearing?
JC Penny had a sale, huh? The fuck was this goofy ass motherfucker? Shemar didn't hesitate to break conversation, his first words making his wife jump
as she turned at the same time as this cat that STILL didn't have a name. No introductions?
"Sup man? Saw you over here chatting with the wifey so I thought I'd introduce myself. Shemar Kidd. Retired legend. Nice to meet you."
It’s...a lot. Yeah, she could see that she guessed. She did events like this so often that most of them kind of blended together in her
mind, but her galas...her Superbowl for Kidd’s Kids? This was a night she didn’t pull any punches on and she spared no expense. It was a
night for pretense and even though any part of it that involved her family was a well scripted lie, she put her whole heart into this one night and
“a lot” was...an understatement really. He was trying to be nice, and she smiled at the sentiment. It wasn’t really his thing, but he wouldn’t
say so...it was a refreshing change from her normal life...No, she was not going to think of her husband while enjoy her short reprieve with Zori. He
was a gentleman and he deserved her undivided attention. Attention she was trying ever so hard to give despite thinking of how many ways he might
otherwise occupy her time and attention.
All of those thoughts came to a screeching, violent car wreck of a halt when a voice that was neither hers nor Zori’s broke the air in their space.
Shemar. Ugh! Where the fuck did he even come from?! She sighed silently as Shemar came to a full stop next to her, the word ‘wifey’
falling from his lips as if he used it regularly. Shemar Kidd. Retired Legend. God, she married the most pretentious ass! She probably should
have known things would be like this. From the moment she met Shemar, he’d loved himself; thought himself God’s gift to man (and woman) kind
alike. It figured things would only get worse as time went on...if she hadn’t have been so fucking stupid and blinded by something he made her think
was love, she could have seen the signs and saved herself. She didn’t. So they were here. Fuck.
She tried to keep from rolling her eyes, opting for the fake smile she had become a pro at, as Shemar’s arm wrapped around her waist, more to mark
his territory than because he really wanted to be near her. Fumie was sure he’d chosen a few for his own private after party already. Wasn’t the
shit he was doing now cramping his style or some shit? Couldn’t he do everyone a favor and piss off?!
Instead of asking a question she knew would get her a punishment she had no desire to endure, she provided an introduction, “Shemar, this is Zori
Blount. He owns KnuckleUp, one of the gyms we’re partnering with this summer for the kids to learn Mixed Martial Arts.” He didn’t know what the
fuck she was talking about. He never knew what the fuck she was talking about when it came to Kidd’s Kids because he didn’t fucking care. Fumie
fell silent, she would allow the men to talk and interject when needed. She was sure this would either be a short exchange, or a lengthy one that she
would have to control Shemar in...Exactly how much had he seen between she and Zori? Her greeting? Their hug?
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Shemar Kidd. Growing up, Zori hadn't too much followed his career. He'd always been a football man himself. But he remembered Shemar's story.
Poor, but extremely talented kid from Detroit. First round draft pick by the Pistons STRAIGHT out of high school. Even though Zori had never gotten
the chance to see him play, his Momma never hesitating to remind him that she "didn't have no money to buy tickets to see men run up and down a
basketball court, he knew Shemar was talented. No doubt. And standing in front of him definitely had Zori a little starstruck he had to admit. It
wasn't every day that you were less than a foot away from an NBA great. And it probably wasn't every day that you asked his wife to HIS foundation
gala. Damn, Zori really needed to let that go. It was an honest mistake. He'd been caught up in a conversation with an intelligent, driven woman
and...he just sort of...got lost in it. He needed to stop trying to blame himself for something that obviously hadn't happened. Nothing
happened. So, why did he feel so guilty every time Fumie was around? If he was a gambling man, which he had been in the past, he would've blamed
it on the thoughts that he'd had about her in that dress. Thoughts that would require extra chanting to get his mind right for meditation that
night.
Shemar smiled as he fully approached them, standing beside Fumie. He smiled the type of smile a man gives another man when he's trying to figure him
out. Understandable, especially with Zori talking to his wife. His beautiful, driven wife. Yeah, Zori understood. Fumie was a treasure. He could tell
the first day he'd met her. She was the type of woman a man aspires to end up with. A backbone. He knew it in how she conducted the meeting with him
at his gym. She took the role she played in her man's life seriously and men prayed for wives like that. At that thought, Zori tried to keep his eyes
unreadable, holding out his hand to shake Shemar's as they greeted each other, Shemar introducing himself.
Retired legend... Oh? Zori's eyebrows rose at the words, his face quickly going unreadable again as he clasped Shemar's hand, his handshake a
little...too firm for Zori's liking. And the reason wasn't hard to figure out as Shemar drew back, his hand wrapping around Fumie's waist. Staking
claim. He didn't have to, though. Zori knew his place.
"Pleasure's all mine. It's truly an honor." Always the gentleman. Zori fell back into his own space as Fumie introduced him. He could've exhaled in
relief as he watched Shemar's face, his expression unchanged. That meant that Zori hadn't come up in uncomfortable conversation or in other words,
"Fumie telling her husband about the partner that missed the big ass rock on her ring finger and asked her for a date." And unless Shemar was a good
actor, which Zori had his doubts about, he had no idea who Zori was.
"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."
Shemar needed to go! Why the hell was he even over here with her? The press hadn’t been let in yet and she was sure he didn’t care what anyone in
attendance tonight thought of him confirming a few rumors, so why was he with her? Why hadn’t he picked out a pair of legs or a nice set of fake
tits to cozy up to and promise a night in paradise? In just this one action, she was fucking done with him. Honestly, for the night. For the first
time in FOURTEEN YEARS, Fumie was on the verge of releasing Shemar from his metaphorical prison and telling him to skip his fucking
disingenuous ass speech and just disappear...She allowed her wheels to turn, thinking up an excuse for her to give the public that might explain the
absence of the face of this organization. It was something she could do, but she probably shouldn’t.
She had already made him suspicious, she was sure, otherwise why would he be over here? Sending him away would only make things worse and she didn’t
want him to show his ass in front of Zori, and probably more importantly, at this gala. So she sighed and kept herself quiet after her short
introduction of Zori. She would let the two of them talk, so Shemar could see for himself that nothing was going on and he could dismiss himself back
to some unnamed whore he would entertain for the night. She watched as the two of them shook hands and Zori gave a very gracious hello, Fumie’s
genuine smile returning to her lips, despite her husband’s closeness. Was it an honor to meet him? Maybe. Getting to know him would change one’s
opinion on that though.
Fumie tried her hardest not to scoff and was proud of herself for succeeding. She really wished Zori had known flattery would only make Shemar worse.
That his already big ass head would only grow with the news of what it honor it was to meet him. It was funny how having a little talent and being
well known made a meeting that otherwise would have been a curse, a blessing. There was nothing honorable in meeting Shemar. It was a happenstance
that Fumie often found herself wishing she’d never had to go through. She opened her mouth to make a “joke”, that was more serious than she
would have liked to let n, but she never even got the chance, her husband speaking before she got the chance.
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
The pleasure was certainly all his as Shemar didn't know WHO the hell "his" was...even AFTER the introduction. The hell did Fumie find this
big ass muscle without a neck from? On second thought, Shemar didn't care. The only thing he remotely cared about was why his wife went through a ten
second "tit and hair check" before she rolled up on this oversized nigga. And she thought that a greeting with a hug at their "family bonding" event
was appropriate. Not that he had worries about Fumie. Not at all. Shemar didn't regret much, but there were things he didn't like about his past, most
of them involving "marrying" and "Fumie". But if there was one thing that he'd done right, it was knocking up the right one. Fumie was devoted. He
didn't have to worry about her doing the stupid revenge shit that other basketball wives got caught up in, spreading what was rightfully his around to
other men. She knew what she had. And she didn't want to fuck that up. He had a smart woman. Damn, he was low key proud of that shit! Crow's feet
wrinkles or not, in some ways...Fumie was still that down ass bitch. And no dread wearing, beef necked motherfucker was going to change that. Still,
it wasn't a bad idea to let them know.
"Wait." Shemar said, feigning deep thought and interrupting what would have been Fumie's next words. Did she have to interject? Didn't she see men
talking?
"KnuckeUp? Oh yeah! That uh...that little ass gym near Trader Joe's, right? That's you? Small fucking world." Shemar took a second to grab a champagne
off of a passing tray, taking a sip as he smiled in Zori's face. What? The shit was little...one of those "mom and pop" type operations that should've
thanked the Lord every time it could pay its light bill. Fumie had partnered with that hustle ass operation? The fuck was she doing with his money? LA
Fitness was in the next city and she was partnering with THIS DUDE? His wife...and her goddamn charity cases.
"I gotta be honest though..." He took another sip between words, lowering his glass as he stroked his goatee with his free hand. "...I'm genuinely
surprised you lasted this long, man." Narrowing his eyes, he looked into Zori's face, waiting for a change...any change to let him know he was
pressing this fuck.
"No offense. Just...going up against larger, more successful operations in the area HAVE to have to be a big drain on what you're bringing in. You
know...cash? You makin' them bill payments?" Shemar chuckled at his own joke before taking another swig, emptying his glass.
Wait. Ugh. Here they fucking went. Again, Fumie found herself asking what the hell Shemar was even doing over here. She didn’t know what he
wanted to say, but since it didn’t start with him making an excuse to exit, she was sure she wouldn’t like it. And there really wasn’t shit she
could do about it now but beg him not to do this. They’d been married for seventeen years and despite hating one another now, they’d established a
bond that enabled them to read one another pretty well. She obviously couldn’t speak out of turn and ask him to fuck off, for various reasons, so
she looked up at him, her smile never faltering as her finger traced a very subtle “no” over his shirt. From the outside looking in, she knew it
looked like a playful little love stroke between a husband and his wife. She’d perfected it that way. But Shemar knew what the fuck it meant. He
knew what she was asking.
But he didn’t give a fuck. He kept talking anyway, insulting the “little ass gym” that Zori owned. Her mouth fell open and she could feel it,
but she could do nothing to stop it. She started to say his name, pull him in, but again he spoke over her; he was going to be honest. FUCKING
ASSHOLE! Here Zori was, at a charity event as a donor being made to feel as though he was the cause. He wasn’t. Shemar had no right! He had
no fucking right to say any of this! He didn’t know shit about this man and here he was insulting his livelihood and trying to make an ass
of him. He wasn’t though. The only person that looked petty and foolish here was Shemar...and by extension Fumie...All this over a fucking
two-second hug?
She pulled away from him, her eyes narrowing at him for the first time that night as she finally looked away from him. The fucking sight of him made
her sick. Her expression went apologetic as she looked to Zori who remained unreadable. She cleared her throat before speaking, Shemar wasn’t
stopping her this time, he was fucking done talking.
“Zori, honey, why don’t you get a drink and have a seat. We should be starting any minute,” she didn’t wait for a reply from him as her face
went angry again, turning her back to him and looking at her husband in the eye. “You and I will talk. Right now.” Still she didn’t
wait for a response, taking his hand and leading him away from where Zori was standing. They covered a short distance to the kitchen. She could hear
Shemar chuckling behind her. He thought this shit was funny. He thought she was fucking hilarious? Not for fucking long.
“ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!” She was screaming at him. All movement in the kitchen stopped and Fumie felt herself and her husband
become the spectacle she’d spent the night trying to avoid. Luckily, Ruka was there to say what Fumie hadn’t before she’d exploded. They
need the room. With four simple words, the staff quickly exited. Fumie was probably throwing things off schedule, but she could only handle one
thing at a time. Right now, it was her brash dick of a husband. Taking a deep breath, she tried to regain a little of her composure, gather what
little control she had left...She tried again.
“What the hell was that Tyrell?”
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
If this was some kind of pissing match, Zori wasn't up for it. It'd started with Shemar's arrival and that too tight handshake. He knew it as soon as
Fumie's husband tried to squeeze the feeling out of his fingers. He'd seen the hug. Shemar had seen it and he probably read into it more than
he should've...which is exactly what Zori would've done if Fumie was his wife. Hell, if she was his anything. He didn't blame Shemar for the
ridiculous display of affections and he didn't blame Fumie for returning them, her fingers playing at the front of her shirt as she watched him speak.
He was hers and she was his. There were years between the two of them and only months between he and Fumie. He understood Shemar's anger and Zori knew
now...he would never overstep his boundaries with Fumie again. Straight professional, here on out. No touching. No extra conversations.
Just...respect. No matter how much, even in his time of running from women, he craved someone like her. Devoted. Beautiful beyond reason. Maybe one
day, when it was Zori's time, he'd find a woman like her and wife her. And he'd finally know the reason behind Shemar's actions, first hand.
Zori couldn't help but look away from the affectionate display, his eyes going to, but not exactly seeing the tables full of people surrounding them.
He could still hear Shemar talking as he recognized the name of Zori's gym. Well. That was pretty unexpected. Not like the island of KR was massively
huge, but it was big enough for his business to go completely undiscovered. It was a surprise to know that Shemar Kidd knew it outside of his
foundation's affiliation with it. That was saying pretty good things, Zori guessed although, he'd never been the one to care about notoriety. His name
never needed flashing lights. A short nod was enough of an acknowledgement when Shemar asked about the location and...uh. Little ass gym?
Zori's remained stoic, his eyes going back to Shemar's face, watching the smug smile form on the man's lips. His brain tossed Shemar's sentence around
as best as it could, picking out the ways that he could've meant what he said. And all of them...were coming out negative. There was no
"cleaning up" of words. He didn't make mistakes when he'd made his comments. Shemar had meant what he said. In more words than he'd truly needed to
say, he'd told Zori that his gym was a dime and penny operation and that he was surprised that it was still open. Zori understood. He understood that
Shemar was mad. He could tell that. The shots at Zori's business, the tightened handshake, the greeting. He was fine with just backing off and
pretending that they hadn't met the way they had. But talking about his business? What did this motherfucker think he was accomplishing? Zori already
knew he was out of his league. He didn't need this pompous jack ass to let him know. And he didn't need him trying his life because he was PRESSED
about some silly ass hug that...
Peace, Zori. He felt it. The welling up of fury in his chest. That deep thud of his heart, speeding up and rushing blood. His nostrils were
starting to flare. He...needed to stay calm. Because none of what Shemar was saying was enough to make him lose it. If he'd thought back in his past,
he'd lost it to worse. These were words. Just insults. They didn't matter and Shemar didn't matter. He wasn't going to catch Zori up in his anger.
Fumie's anger, on the other hand, was unavoidable, her smile, apologetic as she told Zori to take his seat and pulled Shemar off towards the kitchen.
"The greatest wisdom is seeing through appearances."
What!? Shit yeah he was laughing! Because all of this, the ENTIRE situation was hilarious! Fumie had gotten "huggy" with some bulldozer looking
motherfucker in the middle of an event that was supposed to be "Kidd family friendly" and she honestly thought that Shemar wasn't going to
make a scene? Right. More than eighteen years together and the wifey STILL didn't know her hubby. Who the fuck did she think she was anyway? Because
if they were bringing DATES, she sure as hell should've let him know! Was that what was going on now? Fumie was telling him how the show ran? That's
what it sounded like, as she hissed at him how they WOULD talk...and that they WOULD be doing it right now. Looked like the gala and all of the
preparation getting to that point had gone to her head. Because at no point in time was it ever okay to tell Shemar Kidd what he was gone'
do. He did the fuck what he wanted to and she did what the fuck he LET her do. Like this gala. Like their continued sham of a marriage. Like how
he was LETTING her drag him through past a small group of curious eyes, a low chuckle pouring from his amused mouth.
As they crossed the threshold of the kitchen, Fumie's raised voice barely avoided the attention of the gala guests as the doors swung shut. Oh, but
she did get the FULL and undivided attention of the kitchen staff, their movements freezing as her voice echoed in the open space. Ruka, Fumie's event
coordinator (and the sexiest piece of Asian ass he'd seen in awhile) set into action, quickly ushering them out the back into the employee halls that
ran out of sight and out of mind of the hotel patrons. Shemar was almost a little sad about it though. He loved an audience...
What the hell was that Tyrell? His middle name? Wow. He hadn't been called by his middle name in a while! That was supposed to be the sign
that his wife meant "business", but he wasn't shaken. He smirked at her anger, trying not to laugh in her face so he could spare her fake pride. That
was how you treated amnesia patients right? Take it slow and be patient with them until they remembered their GOT damn selves. Because that had to be
what was happening right now. Fumie had forgotten who the fuck she was. She wasn't some entrepreneur. She didn't OWN SHIT. HIS money was making the
night happen. HIS FAME brought the donations through the door and made it possible for her to charge a damn arm and a leg for this shitty ass food.
AND HIS RESPECT was what was missing from her mouth. All because one night of the year, he let her THINK that she ran something. She didn't run SHIT.
And she was bidding her time before he reminded her of that fact.
"Hey, I was having a conversation..." He answered calmly, leaning against one of the counters after checking it for food residue. He didn't want to
get SHIT on his tuxedo. "Your ass ended it. That didn't have shit to do with me..." With a shrug, he stared his wife in her furious face. She really
needed to be concerned about what all this anger was doing to her already present frown lines.
GOTDAMMIT! Shemar caused her nothing, but stress. What was the point of his little display out there? Was he trying to completely humiliate her on one
of the most important nights of her year? Of course he was. It was Shemar Kidd’s mission in life to ensure that she remained miserable at all
times...and she kept letting him win. She stayed with him and everyday allowed him to make her feel like shit on the bottom of his shoe. Tonight was
usually the night that she and his kids got a break. It was a time when he toned it down and played the role of a loving husband and father for just a
few short hours. For a few hours, once a year, Shemar was tolerable! He’d promised that to her! Not in so many words, but he was a creature of
habit, why was he changing things after 14 years of playing this part?! Zori, obviously.
This whole blow up was about him feeling threatened about her simply having a conversation with another man. Granted, during said conversation Fumie
had been thinking of the positions they might try when he got her into bed, but it was fantasy! She’d learned that she wasn’t like her husband.
That she had a conscious and cared for people far too much to use them the way he did. As bad as she wanted to sleep with Zori, it was impossible. It
wouldn’t be fair to him because she would probably never get away from Shemar...He spoke, breaking her thoughts and answering her question with a
response that lacked any kind of an explanation. UGH!
“Why are you like this? Why are you always fucking like this?!” How was it that the mother of his children could be so visibly upset in front of
him, his actions being the reason, and he didn’t give two shits?! She had the urge to smack that smug ass ridiculous ass smirk off of his face, but
she held back. She was tired of holding back when it came to Shemar! She was tired of his shit. She was tired of him. Period. “I’m so fucking
tired of your shit Shemar...” She was overstepping. She could feel it as all the words she had never gotten to say welled up in her chest and she
tried. She tried to hold them back like she always did, but tonight she just couldn’t. It was all fucking coming out and there was nothing he or she
would be able to say about it until it was over.
“You’re just the biggest fucking hypocrite and I can’t fucking stand it! You go out, you fuck around and you come home and expect me to be there
fucking waiting for you with a cigar and a fucking glass of scotch like a good little Stepford Wife; like some fucking prop in the Shemar Kidd show.
It doesn’t work like that, honey. I have needs too and you fucking know that-,” she stepped closer to him, her face coming inches from his as she
made her point for the situation at hand. “Which is why when you see me just talking to any other man, you get worried. You think maybe
he’s taking care of what you’re not...Is that why you’re so angry Shemar? Hm? You think maybe I found someone else to take care of my
needs, baby?”
She was taunting him. Teasing. But nothing about it was playful and she was sure his response wouldn’t be either.
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Why are you like this? Ahh, cry him a fucking river. Nobody asked the damn sky why it was blue. And you didn't catch people lowering their
fucking lips to the ground to ask the grass why it was green! It was what it was and that was the end of it! Shemar Kidd was the same. There wasn't
any reason behind who he was. He was him. He liked what he liked and he did what he did. And that was why Fumie's line of questioning was ignorant.
Shemar had never been one to think of Fumie as "ignorant". Old? Maybe. Uptight, unfun bitch that was only the shadow of the sex tigress that she use
to be? Definitely. But he never thought of her as one to ask ridiculous, stupid questions. She'd always been the one to do as she was told. She didn't
talk back...and if she did? She knew the price. She was the good wifey. The one that men wished they had. Lately, though? All that shit was
backtracking. Maybe because she was getting old and going through the damn "change of life" or some shit. Shemar didn't know! All he knew is that she
wasn't nearly the woman she had been. The arguing and fighting was getting damn ridiculous. He got it now. He understood why his boys were trading out
their older models for the new ones. THIS SHIT right here. Old dogs didn't learn new tricks. They rolled in the fucking mud when you told them not to
and barked their fucking asses off when you told them to "hush". The only answer for THAT problem was a new puppy because for old bitches like Fumie?
Words became less effective and it was usually time to pull out the real shit. Like muzzles and choke chains...and if anyone knew Shemar,
they'd already know. He didn't like to dirty up his bitch.
Ignoring Fumie's question, Shemar's smirk turned into an entertained smile. She was really pissed, huh! It was kind of...funny. Funny to watch and
funny to listen to as she used the word "fucking" a LOT when she was this kind of mad. He just didn't get it! Why was she so damn heated? Yeah, he'd
been on his best behavior in past years, at least keeping the shit that he DID do underwraps. Like fucking that waitress in the Deuce Lounge when
they'd held the annual gala in the casino. Maybe that year shouldn't have been Asian themed... OR the time when the Rex had hosted the foundation's
gala and silent auction? Those two groupies...men's restroom...center stall. He'd used one girl's thong on the other one as a gag. Damn. That night
still got him hard. That wasn't the point! The point was that he had to admit, he'd gotten a bit loud. Broke "fake family night" rules and such. What
the fuck did she expect?! It was simple. Possession. She was his. His bank, that house, those fine ass kids (although one was a juvenile delinquent
and the other one was...Rain Man?), and this foundation? He let her be apart of. What the hell more could she want? Some big ass ape in a Men's
Warehouse suit?
"A hypocrite? Oh...I am?" He asked, his response completely passive as he sighed, watching her rant on. How was he a hypocrite? Because he knew a
woman's place? What the fuck did she want? To play the games he played? Come on...he was a man. And real men did real things, like wander. But that
didn't mean that he didn't know where his home was. He knew. She and kids. That was his home...his legacy. After all of the bullshit was done and
over...when he finally settled down, they'd be there. But her? Doing the same thing? Well, that made her something totally different. A whore. Dirty.
Ran through. Everyone's property. And...Shemar didn't do...public property.
He chuckled again as she spout off to him the things he did like he didn't already know, telling him that he was hypocritical for all of it and that
he shouldn't expect her to play the "good wife" role anymore. Oh? Really now? What should he have expected? A slut fucking another man in his bed? His
kids not cared for? His foundation unkempt? His legacy defiled? Naw, that's not what he married her for. That's not what she agreed to, whether she
said it or not, the many times that she took him back after he'd been out doing what he did. She knew what she was signing up for when he told her he
was going to do him...and yet, she still took him. She stayed. If she wasn't going to do that now, if she'd lost sight of what she agreed to, what
good was she? His smile grew as she moved closer to him, looking him in his eyes...talking dangerously.
"Your needs?" Shemar questioned, his voice barely above a whisper. His fingers moved to her hair, stroking her curls before his hand grabbed her head,
pulling her close to him roughly as he spoke. "Now...when have I ever cared about what you need?"
"You think...that when I'm fucking you...that I'm even remotely worried about what you need? No, it's about what I need." The hand that held
her head, moved to the back of her neck as he held her...his other hand sliding down to where the split in her dress gave way to the skin of her
thigh. He let his hand fall beneath the split, pushing between here thighs...grabbing what he owned.
"Fuck what you need...I take what I want. Point blank." His hand left her inner thigh and quickly moved to her face, his thumb softly caressing her
cheek.
"But if you want angry...I can give you angry...baby..."
This was her fault. Not just the situation she was dealing with now, but her whole life with Shemar. She’d given him the best years of her life and
it was a choice she’d made of her own volition. She could have left. After kissing that white bitch on national television on his son’s 10th
birthday, she did leave. She’d taken her kids and gotten the fuck away from a man that obviously and unapologetically didn’t care for his family.
Back then though, Shemar had a little shame. He’d begged her for her forgiveness, pleaded with her for her to come home. Shemar spent weeks
convincing her that he was trying to be better for her, for their children, for their marriage. And he was really fucking good at it because she went
back to him. A decision she regretted every time she found herself in one of these situations, embarrassed by his brashness or home alone on a holiday
or special occasion that was supposed to be about the two of them...Yeah, she had blame in this upside down marriage that the two of them shared, but
she wouldn’t claim all of it. Both of them had promised for better or worse and all that other shit when they took vows at that expensive
ass wedding. She just never figured his death would be how she wanted their marriage to end.
A hypocrite? Did he not know what it meant? He was a hypocrite, a walking and, literally, “fucking” contradiction. He went around fucking
bitches that would never be half the woman she was and acted an ass when he even thought she might be having a little fun with a man that
would prove twice the man he was...in every sense. He was a jealous, deceitful, arrogant bastard that didn’t give a shit about anyone but himself.
And he proved it day after day by neglecting the kids that had long since given up on him loving them and the wife that held the false hope he would
turn back into the man she married. But the more of these fights they had, the longer her rants went on, the more they became necessary, the more she
was beginning to realize the Shemar Kidd that she married was a thing of the past. And he was still changing, especially as she challenged him,
stepping dangerously close to the lie she was meant to toe but never cross.
Her breathing caught as his fingers came to play in her hair. She knew what was coming and gave a short gasp when it finally did his hand taking a
fistful of her hair and yanking her closer to him. Her eyes narrowed and she listened to him tell her exactly how little he cared about “her
needs”. It wasn’t about her. It was all. about. HIM. Something she’d realized years ago. And like a four year old that wasn’t getting his way,
he was throwing yet another temper tantrum, his hands roaming her body before one came to rest at the back of her neck and the other where her thighs
met. She stayed quiet, letting him have his moment and hoping it’d be over sooner rather than later. She hoped he knew though that this didn’t
mean shit. The treat of his violence tonight didn’t shake her like it usually did. She was too tired to spend any of her energy holding back her
feelings.
It was her turn to smile, a short chuckle leaving her lips before she spoke, “Sweetheart, you’re making my point for me. Maybe I should talk a
little slower. I found someone else to worry about my needs. Maybe it’s the man you were just so rude to. Maybe it’s a man you’ve never
even seen...maybe it’s both. But know that just because you won’t properly fuck me, doesn’t mean I haven’t found someone who does. I
learned to do my dirt from the best, Shemar.” She was lying. She wished what she’d just told him was a reality. She wished there was someone
else...and not just for sex. She wished she had someone to talk to about shit that didn’t involve the other women he was sleeping with. She wished
she had someone that took her out every once in awhile, just because. She wished she had someone that cared about her kids beyond what they could do
for him...She didn’t have any of that...But she was more than willing to pretend she did if it meant making him reevaluate his fucking choices.
“Maybe I don’t need you anymore...”
I was a heavy heart to carry but, he never let me down.
When he held me in his arms my feet never touched the ground.
Fuck her point. There was a disconnect in conversation as she just. Wasn't. Getting it! Shemar didn't care. He didn't care if he was proving
some moot point that she was trying to make about him and his behavior because WHEN had anything she'd ever had to say MATTERED? Her pleasure? Her
happiness? None of it mattered! This little act was getting old. This "I am woman, hear me roar" was tired and it made his head fucking hurt. THIS was
why, when they fucked, he did it from the back now. She wasn't "wifey" anymore. It was THAT MOUTH. Talkin' about her needs. WHO gave a flying fuck
what she needed when all that mattered was Shemar's needs? He needed the wife back that shut the fuck and realized that when it came to them, he ran
shit. He needed their life back when she'd just shut the fuck up and take what he gave her. He NEEDED for her to stop talking out of her damn vagina
and drop this feminist bullshit.
"Are you still on this 'your needs' bullshit?" He talked over her silly ass rant about some other man fucking her or...whatever. Right. If she was
fucking someone else then he was the goddamn Pope because nobody believed that. She stayed too DAMN TENSE to be getting that back broke out by anybody
BUT him. And besides, her pussy still curved to his dick. He'd believe it when everything about her didn't play on REPEAT during sex. And he wasn't
properly fucking HER? Priorities...
"DIRT? My dirt? See, baby, that's you problem. All you see is the 'dirt'. Not the shit I DO FOR YOU. But how could you? Selfish...ass." He hissed, his
face pulling away from its closeness to hers. She just didn't get it. Nothing that he was doing was at fault. He was doing what he was programmed to
do, what he was supposed to do. He went out, he had his fun, he didn't bring his shit back to the house when she or the kids were there. He never,
with exception of that night, embarrassed her in public and he kept her. SHE NEVER WANTED FOR ANYTHING! And all she could tell him was that he was a
dirty motherfucker and that he wasn't pleasing her?! She didn't even HEAR herself! Ungrateful ass bitch. She didn't know how good she HAD it. Yeah,
there were other women. Yeah, he fucked them from time to time. BUT HE CAME HOME TO HER. And the kids. He knew where his home was! But was she
thankful?! Fuck no. She wanted to bitch and moan about her NEEDS. If it wasn't cheaper to just fucking KEEP HER...
Or the fuck was it? Maybe I don't need you anymore... What did she just say? Without another word, Shemar drew back, the palm of his hand
connecting with the side of her face. The sound of his slap bounced off the walls of the kitchen and the force of it unbalanced her, his eyes
following her to the floor. He squeezed his hands at his sides, his nostrils flared as he tried to keep from hitting her again. He couldn't...not now.
Not when she had to parade herself in front of the hundreds of sponsors to their foundation. Not when she had to sell a lie.
"You will always need me. Always." Crouching down to where she sat on the floor, his mouth close to her ear, he smirked. "Or maybe if you
need reminding, I can just take Koi and Eri out of that prissy as fuck private school. I'm sure Koi would do MUCH better in the military...right? Or I
can just take Kidd's Kids away from you. And then we can really see...just how much you don't need me."
Drawing back, he stood to his feet a dry chuckle leaving his lips as he adjusted his suit coat, took the handkerchief from his pocket and threw it
down to her.
There were too many moving pieces in this event for the delay Ruka had just allowed in the kitchen. She knew though that Shemar Kidd would be trouble.
As always, Ruka had done her homework and she was well aware of how much of an act this night was on the part of the host. Fumie and Shemar had been
married for almost twenty years and he’d been a pain in the ass for more than half of them. On this night especially, which was why she’d taken
the necessary extra precautions. All the bartenders were male, the Kidd table was situated in a nice cluster of guests over the age of 35, mostly
married, and none of the female staff that she could effect could even remotely be mistaken for Asian. Yes, she knew his taste and yes, she
knew that that covering most of her bases wouldn’t guarantee her a drama free night, but she’d tried. Apparently therre were still ways for him to
piss off his wife. She felt kind of bad for Fumie when she thought about it...So she usually didn’t, focusing instead on keeping the press out until
the time came for them to enter the ballroom and making sure this gala didn’t fall off schedule due to marital spats.
Ruka sighed a little, crossing the ballroom toward the stage to ensure the problems they’d been having with A/V were indeed solved. She was sure
they were as she’d calmly explained to the repair technician her expectations when she returned in twenty minutes. Sure, it had only been
10 but, most everything else was taken care of...of course this moment of peace would probably pass once Amiri arrived. Ugh. He’d been more of a
pain than usual lately. She didn’t know what his issue was but he’d been throwing subtle tantrums from almost a month now and it was getting
really old really fast. Finding out he was a donor for tonight only added to the long list of “moving pieces” she didn’t want to deal with. Not
that Amiri would cause a scene, but she really had no patience for attitude tonight.
And as if on cue, Ruka caught sight of an impeccably tailored suit that could only be worn so well by one man. Lovely. Changing directions, she
approached him, knowing how he loved for his presence to be immediately acknowledged. “Amiri. Good to see you as always.” She did not offer a hug,
nor her hand because as of late Amiri accepted neither. He was being a child about something and if it continued tonight, she was going to find out
what.
And they shall know I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance on them.
The same unamused stare Amiri normally wore during these kinds of events was securely etched into his solemn features. Although tonight, the mask was
not merely a defiant, seemingly unentertained mask. It was truth. Through and through. He was sulking...and he'd been sulking for the past few weeks.
Since he had seen Evita... He just could not get her out of his head...not that that had just begun to be an issue as she and the events that
led to her departure from his life would pop up at the most inconvenient of times. But now, she was not just there...in his mind...unceasingly. She
was here. In Kapuhai Reef. And no amount of diversions would remove her now. Not the pressures of work. Not his family. And not the ever available
harem of lovely escorts that filled the remainder of his time. Nothing stopped her from being there. She was not as easy to rid himself of. She was
not only in his thoughts now. She was there...in flesh. A fiercer reminder of the things that he had failed and seemingly left behind. Or more
accurately, things he had failed and had left HIM behind.
And not only was Evita's appearance unsettling, it brought back the worst in him. Not that Amiri ever believed the worst had completely departed, but
he had forgotten the boy he was until he looked the thing the boy loved in the face. His mood, to put it nicely, was surly at best. The new assistant
that Nema had hired for him had been fired...twice in that very week alone. Madgeline's incessant complaining was like a yelping dog, constantly
wanting and grasping and...ugh. And he could only thank Allah for Rhomie's absence. Her jet setting on the company's dollar being the least of his
concerns. And then...there was Ruka. The thought of her subconsciously resulted in a subtle lip curl. He felt it there and knew exactly why it was
there. Memories. Of course, they were in another day...and another time. And Amiri had long ago made peace with the past animosity between
the two, blaming youth, equal passion and ambition. But it was resurfacing now with Evita's arrival, which was not a surprise...
...as Ruka had been the end of it all.
And by "it all", Amiri meant everything. Every moment of happiness. Every kiss. Every touch. Every thought of their future together. Ruka had ended
it. And there was no way that he could look her in the face now...and not feel the same angst he had felt the very night it had all fallen down. Now
that he knew that there was no way...to ever get it back. Evita had moved on. Her life full. Her family, beautiful. She had a beautiful boy child now.
The sparkle in her eye. The love in her heart. Everything that Amiri had been...
Amiri.... The sound of his name was no surprise to him as he had waited in the very spot, which happened to be the open area near the table
he had been assigned to. In plain view. Waiting for her...the one person who he came to torture with the sulking he had made habitual in the past
weeks. Ruka. It was true, he was looking for the very person who made Evita a passing rendezvous instead of his life. Maybe the saying was
true. Misery enjoyed company. Or maybe, as his weeks since spotting his ex-love had been horrible, he just wanted share the wealth.
"Hello Ruka." He spoke between his teeth, rubbing the front of his suit coat smooth. "The pleasure is most definitely all yours." A soft sneer played on his lips as he turned to her, eyeing her boredly before he
turned away.
"So...this is the gala that everyone was SO excited about?" His face fell as he looked around, silently telling of his displeasure.
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero needs his theme music...
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