Page 82 of Own It

“Now you tell me,” I spat playfully, rolling my eyes.

“Couldn’t reveal it until I knew what was up.” He referenced the few times he had to babysit me but wouldn’t talk at all, unlike Zaire.

The minimal memory I had of Zaire skated across my mind as Mylo helped me into the car, and some sadness washed over me. I couldn’t believe I was just talking to him, and now he was gone.

A few times since his death, I stirred and noticed Rakim seated on the edge of the bed soundlessly crying. His back was always to me, and he rarely made a sound, but the sniffles let me know what was going on. I’d always just go back to sleep, wanting him to have his time to process his emotions without someone watching. Sometimes we needed privacy to just sob.

I hated how much responsibility he felt for his brother’s death, though, and it made me dislike Nate Godfrey even more for making Rakim believe such a thing. At the end of the day, he was only their brother; Nate was their father, and if anyone was responsible for what happened to the boys, it was his ass since their mother was deceased.

I listened to music and sipped on the champagne that Mylo opened for me as I rode to the spa. Fresh fruit was also available, and the strawberries were so sweet, making me remember that I did actually like them. I hadn’t had any with this much flavor in years. Rich people had access to every damn thing.

“Aight. I will be right here when you’re done.” Mylo checked his watch as he helped me out of the car parked right in front of the luxury spa.

“Okay.” I bobbed my head. “Thank you.”

For the next four hours, I indulged in maximum comfort. The massage made me fall asleep, and I was honestly surprised that such a small woman had that much strength. When I woke up, I got my nails and feet done, then lastly, a facial. My jaw fell when they handed me a receipt and I saw the spa bill was two thousand dollars. No wonder Rakim sent me that damn text message.

Stepping out, Mylo was there like he’d promised and took me to South Coast Plaza where I was able to shop. I assumed I would’ve had an appointment at the stores, but then I recalled telling Rakim I preferred to do my own shopping. Knowing he remembered that made me fall for him that much more.

Me: What’s the budget? For real. Don’t say something like “there is no budget”

I shot him a text as I moseyed around Dior, seeing several things I wanted. I’d already spent a nice amount at Chanel, Loewe, and Louis Vuitton. I stopped at La Perla, too, but that was more for Rakim than me. I was tired of him seeing me in the shit he’d fetched me to wear while in captivity. I wanted him to enjoy something else.

Big Daddy: Aight . . . three million then.

Me: Rah.

Big Daddy: Baby.

I felt the tug on my lips as I fought a smile. I loved when he called me that, and it was almost like I could hear his deep voice as he said it.

“I’m almost done. I promise,” I told Mylo, who was standing outside the store, guarding it like he worked for Dior.

“You good.”

I picked out a few things at Dior, tried them on, paid, and then made one last stop at Nordstrom before we left, Mylo carrying all of my bags and shaking his head repeatedly at the fact that every finger of his had its own shopping bag.

“How long have you known Rakim?” I queried once Mylo and I were back in the truck.

“Long ass time. Even when he was a professional boxer.” He looked at me through the rearview. “He like yo’ ass a lot.”

“I know.” I winked, making Mylo snicker. “Why do you say that though?”

“For one, anyone else that he kidnapped, he would’ve murked ’em after he got what he wanted. Second, Rah ain’t no trick. He not a stingy nigga, so he’ll buy his woman something, but never on this scale.”

“Hmm.” I nodded, drinking some more of the champagne and sinking into the buttery leather of the truck.

We made it back to the ranch house about an hour later, and once Mylo put my bags up, I immediately started getting ready after noticing the time.

I cleaned up again after being out all day, re-brushed my teeth, and then did my makeup before deciding to wear the Alex Perry halter mini dress covered in sequins. I kept it simple but sexy with my shoes, choosing the Saint Laurent Daisy sandal. I ran some Camille Rose through my hair along with some water, and then spritzed on Miss Dior Blooming Bouquet after using the Fenty body lava in all the places the sun would naturally hit.

“Baby.” I heard Rakim’s voice as I stood before the big, horizontal mirror in the bathroom, checking myself out.

When I looked his way, he shook his head while drinking me in with so much veneration that I couldn’t help but to smile.

“You like what you see?” I teased with a smirk as he entered the vast bathroom. Only then did I realize he was holding two burgundy cases and then one long black one.

“Nah. I’m in awe of what I see.” He took my hand after setting the snap cases down to twirl me. “This what the fuck you be on when you free?”