Page 23 of One Lonely Night In Dubai
“Well?”
“Oh, you got me fucked up! You asked me out ’cause you thought I was desperate! Nigga, please! I don’t need you or any other nigga doing me any favors!” The entire time I was speaking, he was looking around anxiously and trying to shush me like I gave a damn about drawing attention.
Now it was my turn to call for the waitress, but she was already heading our way with the food. She smiled as she reached us and started setting our plates down. “Can I get a to-go box, please?” My tone had her faltering as she looked between the two of us before rushing away with a nod.
The fact that my food looked and smelled so fucking good, and I would probably have to reheat it had me even more pissed off than I already was. The waitress came back quickly and handed me the styrofoam tray and the check with a sympathetic look. Andrew tried pleading his case as I transferred my food, but I didn’t have any words for his ass. “I hope you know I’m not paying for that if you leave!” He threatened like that was really going to stop me from leaving his goofy ass right there.
“Good thing I got a job, so I can pay for my own food, goofy ass nigga!” I flipped him off and carried my tray over to the register, fuming. I quickly paid for my food and left a generous tip for the waitress. Still talking shit under my breath about wasting an outfit, makeup, and gas, I made my way out to my car, searching my purse for my keys.
“What did I tell you, sweetheart?”
The jolt of fear that shot through me from hearing that nigga’s voice in the dark was enough to make me almost drop my damn food. I clutched my chest as my eyes landed on Valentino casually leaned up against my car like he was just out enjoying the nighttime air and not being menacing at all. Even the amusement on his face seemed normal, but that didn’t stop mefrom being terrified. I stumbled back a couple of steps and tried to fix my lips to speak.
“Wh-whaat, are you doing here?” I finally squeaked, failing miserably at sounding normal.
“I’m waiting on you.” Shrugging, he motioned toward the tray in my hands. “I take it you enjoyed your food.”
“I-uh.” I opened and closed my mouth, praying that at that very moment, Andrew wouldn’t bring his stupid ass outside.
“Was the company just as good?” He wanted to know, sending a chill down my spine as he pushed himself away from my car when I didn’t answer him right away. “Come here.” My feet were sliding across the parking lot, even though I was filled with terror, and his crazy ass simply nodded, encouraging me forward.
Once I was within arm’s reach, he gently gripped my elbow and took the keys and my food from my hands. Hitting the locks, he held the door open for me as if this was the ending of our date and not him hijacking it instead, but I was too stunned to do anything but allow him to. He waited until I was safely behind the wheel to hand my things over, and I couldn’t do anything but hold them as he crouched in the doorway.
“Essence! I know this fat bitch didn’t really leave!”
I swear the devil must’ve been busy because he chose that moment to send Andrew’s ass around the corner. It wouldn’t have been so obvious if he wasn’t screaming my fucking name. Valentino’s face instantly got tight, but he didn’t turn around to see who it was. I guess he didn’t need to because he let out a whistle, then two niggas appeared out of nowhere and started beating Andrew’s ass. My mouth fell open as I watched them fuck him up.
“Go home. I’m gon’ follow you.” Valentino was still completely unbothered, and I didn’t know if I should’ve been scared or turned on.
“If you knew I was going out, why didn’t you?” My voice trailed off, but he knew exactly what I was about to say, and his forehead bunched like it was obvious.
“I wanted you to finish eating first,” he said, pecking my lips before backing up just enough to close the door.
I couldn’t even pull off right away because I was too busy watching him swagger across the lot. It took a second, but I finally pushed the start button and sped past the scene, still unsure of how I felt, but I knew Valentino was actually crazier than I thought.
CHAPTER 13
VALENTINO
Whooping dude’s ass was barely as satisfying as it should’ve been, and I was more worried about getting to Essence. I may have been nice about this shit, but I’d already told her assnotto fuck with other niggas. She was out here taking my pussy on dates like shit was sweet with me or like she thought I was a joke. She was hardheaded as fuck, and even though it was probably because of me not being around, I’d told her to keep other niggas out her face. I’d been busy running between the casino and the other businesses and following up on any blank ass lead that Tray gave me, so I hadn’t been able to be around as much as I should’ve. That was about to change, though. If she wanted a nigga to take her to eat or shopping or whatever, it would be me doing it.
“Ayite, that’s enough! Take his ass to his car,” I told Will and Ace.
They were the two niggas I was paying to keep an eye on her. When they told me she was with some buff ass dude at a Mexican spot, I came right the fuck over. At first, I was going to go in and snatch her up, but I saw that she hadn’t even gotten to her foodyet, so I waited to give her a chance to eat. I wasn’t expecting his goofy ass to be in there insulting her, though. I really wanted to split his fucking tongue for the shit he’d said, but with how shaky Essence was when she left, I knew I needed to go over there.
“This nigga ain’t got no keys on him, boss,” Will informed me, and my nose turned up.
Essence was so thirsty to go out that she was giving niggas who didn’t even have a car her time!
“Fuck it. Drop his ass in the alley and get back to Essence’s crib,” I told them, crossing the street to my Maybach.
I left them to handle him while I headed to my shorty and got there in record time. Her car was already parked haphazardly in the driveway, so I parked on the street and swaggered to her door.
It took a few minutes, but she finally opened it and looked like she’d seen a ghost when she saw me. “Valentino, I?” She started but clamped her mouth shut when I stepped in her face.
“What did I tell you, Essence? Didn’t I say to keep niggas out your face?” I closed the door behind me as I advanced on her swiftly, and she stumbled backward.
“You did, but you also been MIA and haven’t even called! You can’t make demands and not think that I’d have some of my own!” She fumed, looking at me like I was crazy.
