Chapter 23

23

S iasia sat beside Qamar in the back of the SUV they were being driven in. For their first official date, Qamar pulled out all the stops. They had a private driver and even security with them. He was giving Siasia a taste of how her life would be from now on. It didn’t take eyes to see she was nervous. The way her leg shook, everyone in the car could feel it.

“Chill, mama.” Qamar gripped her exposed thigh that glistened under the passing streetlights. The sun had started to set beautifully, casting a warm, golden hue over the city, which meant the streetlights had come on to warn of the night.

The SUV glided smoothly through the streets, the cityscape transforming as twilight gave way to night. The hum of the engine and the soft murmur of the radio provided a steady backdrop. Siasia's heart raced, her mind swirling with thoughts of what lay ahead.

Qamar's touch was firm yet gentle, his thumb tracing soothing circles on her skin. His touch gave her a little reprieve from her nerves but not enough to fully make her heart stop beating rapidly.

The whole thing was new to her and frightening because there was a possibility that the news story broke on Ken Barbie’s account, which meant they were walking into the lion’s den. The thought alone made her blood boil. She wasn’t ashamed of her life. Siasia just didn’t think it was interesting enough to have strangers comment on it.

Outside, the city lights flickered to life, creating a mesmerizing dance of shadows and light on the car windows. The atmosphere inside the SUV was a mix of anticipation and excitement, the air thick with unspoken words. Siasia took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

Qamar felt it too. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to but know I ain’t hiding you from no body and I will take you out and trick on you like the proper nigga I am.”

A smile burst across her face. “You so damn poetic.”

“Nah, I’m in love. Love make me say shit I mean even of its all jumbled up or comes out a little corny.”

His proposition didn’t sound too bad, but Siasia knew she couldn’t hide forever. In just under five months, her heart knew Qamar was who she wanted to be with, even if it scared her shitless. The warmth of his words and the sincerity in his eyes made her feel like she could face anything, even the prying eyes of strangers.

“Fuck them,” she sassed.

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” He smiled. “Ain’t nothing nobody can say to me that’ll make me switch up on you, mama.”

Contentment filled her as they finally pulled up to Steak 530 . It had been ranked number one for steak houses in Lynn Beach which was saying a lot. The upscale eateries in Lynn Beach were all top tier and people came far and wide to indulge.

All the confidence she had seconds prior started to twiddle down when she noticed the sidewalk filled with people holding their phones out and camera light on. The quiet place of Qamar’s room didn’t seem so bad after all. She missed it and although she wanted to be wined and dined by him, if it came with all this every time, she would happily take a ran check.

“Don’t run, mama.”

“Huh?” Siasia licked her lips, her eyes empty since she was caught up in her own mind.

“I see you ready to leave me again. Not this time. I gave you an out, you didn’t take it. Let’s go.” Qamar cuffed his hand into hers.

It was now or never and based on the firm grip he had on her hand, Siasia knew it was now.

Qamar held Siasia's hand tightly as they stepped out of the back seat, the evening air cool and crisp. They were both dressed to impress with Qamar in a knit designer short-sleeved shirt, jeans that fit his thick and sculpted thighs to perfection, finishing it off with designer loafers and his jewelry. Siasia wore a shimmering silver dress that caught the light with every step, accentuating her juicy thighs with the split that seemed to outline her hourglass figure just right. Tonight was supposed to be special, a night where they could forget the chaos of the past and simply enjoy each other's company while making a statement of being together and not running from the tabloids. Two security guards hired by Luna flanked them, creating protection.

The flurry of camera flashes and shouted questions shattered all that. Paparazzi swarmed around them, their cameras clicking furiously. "Qamar, is it true you got expelled for fighting?" one shouted.

"Siasia, how do you respond to the rumors about you being a stripper?" another yelled.

Siasia's grip on Qamar's hand tightened, her heart pounding in her chest. “The fuck?” Her face twisted. She had never experienced anything like this before. The questions were relentless, and the flashing lights were blinding.

Qamar, her Superman, wrapped an arm around her shoulders and guided her through the throng as his jaw set in determination. “Aye, back the fuck up!” he spoke through gritted teeth. He wasn’t new to being bombarded by reporters but it had been a while since it happened. When he was younger, anytime he was with someone from his family, it happened. Especially with Luna. He life was such a mystery to people that they loved getting a tiny glimpse into it.

They finally made it to the door, pushing it open to get away from the yells.

Inside, the ambiance was serene, a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Siasia took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

Qamar looked at her with concern, his eyes softening. "You good, mama?” he asked gently.

Siasia nodded, though her voice wavered slightly. "I probably need to rethink my profession." She laughed. “Like damn, they acting like thirsty zombies.”

“That shit gets annoying.” Qamar sighed. “But tonight is about us, let me spoil you and love on you.”

“You such a damn lover boy, Qamar.” She blushed.

Her hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail that she did herself. With the hair away from her face, he saw her beauty more fluidly. Her makeup was lightly painted on her face only adding to the structure of her face—slanted eyes, upturned more with wispy lashes and her juicy lips glossed to perfection. Qamar would be in her skin if he could. To satisfy his hunger of her, he wrapped her in his arms, inhaling her clean scent.

“Welcome to Steak 530, Mr. Moony.” The hostess smiled as she walked up to the hostess stand. Grabbing the drink menu only, she ushered them to their table.

As Qamar and Siasia followed behind her, they were greeted by a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling, its crystal facets casting a warm and romantic glow across the room. The walls were adorned with tasteful artwork, each piece carefully selected to complement the luxurious decor.

The tables were draped in white linens, with flickering candlelight adding more romance to the atmosphere. Plush, high-backed chairs provided comfort and a sense of privacy, while the soft murmur of conversation and the gentle clinking of glassware created a soothing background ambiance. Siasia smiled at an older Black couple as they passed them.

In the center of the room, a grand piano played soft, melodic tunes, adding to the sophisticated vibe. The waitstaff moved gracefully between the tables, attending to each guest with care.

Siasia smirked at him when the hostess took them to the table next to the window. “You love a damn window.” She snickered.

“Hell yea.” He smiled, showing off his bottom grill. Qamar put that shit on everyday but he really took it up a notch for their date. He also spared no expense when it came to Siasia’s outfit as well. The only thing she did was her own hair and makeup which he offered to pay for that as well.

The restaurant's large windows offered a stunning view of the city’s skyline, the lights twinkling like stars in the distance. The entire setting exuded an air of exclusivity and refinement, making it the perfect backdrop for a special evening—their first official date.

The hostess placed their drink menus on the table before announcing, “Your waitress will be over shortly for your drink orders. The chef has already started preparing your meals for the night.”

“Oh, we don’t get to order here?” Siasia’s brows dipped.

The hostess laughed. “Girl, yes but your date here has ordered everything so you can taste it all.”

That filled Siasia with pride. The saying if he wanted to, he would played over in her head because she’d never had a man let alone one that wanted to . “You showing out, tonight.”

“Trying to tell you, I’m going to show out every night when it comes to you and my kids. That includes Noodle.”

She loved the way he always included her sister. That gesture alone was enough to steal her heart but Qamar never stopped at what seemed to be easy to him. He applied pressure, turning her into the rarest, most exquisite diamond known to man. That was how he made her feel. Worthy. Expensive. Black excellence.

Neither of them were twenty-one yet, with Qamar’s birthday coming around the corner but with money, no one really carded them. It was no different when the waitress came to take their drink order.

“You didn’t have to order all the damn lemon drops.” Siasia laughed, taking a sip form the strawberry lemon drop that seemed to be her favorite.

Qamar sipped his own brown liquor. “I told you I was going to take you one of the fancy restaurants and get you a cute, girly drink. I mean ain’t nothing wrong with drinking beer but my wife gotta have taste.”

“You just be talking… wife?” Her eyes gazed at him from over the rim of the fancy, thin glass.

“Name a time, I said some shit that I didn’t back up?” He waited a few seconds for her to name one. “Just like I thought, you can’t.”

“Oh, puh-lese,” she huffed.

The two of them fell into natural conversation. They were so into each other that the prior events and getting swarmed with intrusive questions no longer seemed relevant.

When the food came, she danced in her seat at how good it was. The tables was full, so they had to pull up another one to accommodate all the food and drinks. Qamar ordered everything from steak to lobsters and every fixing in between.

As they sat at the table with full bellies, Qamar, with a mischievous glint in his eye, pulled out his phone and scrolled through his playlist. He found the perfect song and hit play, not giving a damn about the patrons around them. He wanted to make every moment between them memorable and fun. They were young and although the restaurant was nice, he felt the date needed to be turned up a notch.

Siasia looked up, curious. "What you doing?” she asked with a nervous smile.

Qamar stood up and extended his hand to her. "Dance with me, mama," he whispered. His height and hood looks had all eyes on him. That and how fine he was.

Butta Love started to play and Siasia almost fell out form laughing. “What you know ‘bout this?” Tears misted her eyes, thinking about her mama and how she knew all the old stuff from Cynthia.

“You’re like my homie, my shorty, you’ve shown me so many things,” he crooned.

A few women in the restaurant started to hoot in a low tone when they realized he could really sing.

She hesitated for a moment, glancing around at the other diners, but his infectious grin melted her reservations. She took his hand and stood up, feeling a rush of excitement.

“Don’t make me beat all these old hoes up in here.”

“I’ll help you,” he declared, resting his hand on the small of her back.

“You better ‘cause a few of them look like they might know how to tussle.”

As they swayed to the music, Qamar pulled her close, his voice soft and warm as he sang the lyrics into her ear. “You got the love that I want. You got the love that I need.”

The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in their own little bubble—the universe he said he’d create for them.

"You always know how to make me feel special," Siasia murmured, her heart fluttering.

Qamar smiled, his eyes never leaving hers. "That's because you are special," he spoke sincerely. “You deserve to be happy. When people ask how you feel, I want the first answer to be happy.”

She wiped away at the tear, thinking about her mama and how she never got to know what true happiness felt like.

“She want you to be happy more than anyone on this earth or in the afterlife, mama. You made her happy. That was enough for her.” Qamar kept his tone low, making their moment even more private.

Her wet slanted eyes looked up into his. The answers were there but she just had to ask. “How you know?”

“She told me, mama. I talked to Cynthia a few times when you called yourself leaving me.”

Her sorrow turned into laughter. “I should’ve known by the way she was damn near rooting for you the last time we really talked. I miss her so much, Daddy.”

“I know but you gotta wake up every day, choosing to not let your grief overtake you. I felt that shit when my big brother was killed then again when Papa passed. That shit hurt like hell but we all kept living, making all their sacrifices not be in vain.” His thumb ran across her lips, wiping away a tear. “I got you but I can’t be your only source of happiness. You gotta find that shit inside of you. I’ll help you along the way but you gotta do the work too, mama. Anything you want to do, consider it done. If you want to go back to school, I got that shit too. Anything.”

Sniffling, Siasia nodded still looking in his brown eyes. “How you so perfect?”

“Shit, I ain’t. I’m a young nigga with two kids, two baby mamas, trying to wife up another girl. I’m far from perfect but you make me want to get as close to it as possible. When I’m with you, I be the closest to it ‘cause you perfect, mama.” Qamar didn’t want to hear anything from her so he snaked his tongue into her mouth, taking her breath way while feeding her his.

They continued to dance as more old school slow jams played from his phone.

A few other couples decided to join them, making the night even more special. Of course, some had to pull their phones out, which Siasia didn’t mind. In that moment, as they danced in the middle of the fancy restaurant, Siasia felt like the luckiest woman in the world. The way Qamar held her, the sound of his voice, and the warmth of his presence made her swoon, and she was exactly where she was meant to be.