23. Anastazia

OFF TO VEGAS…

“Remember, Mama, no sweets unless she eats her actual food because?—”

“I know, Stazi, damn. This is why we can’t wait until you leave,” my mother replied, giving Sophie a look, who only giggled as if she knew what was being said.

“That’s going to make me not go.” I cocked my head.

“Yeah right. You got that fine man standing outside the door waiting for you to head out of town. You’re going.” She scoffed.

“Okay, bye, baby.” I leaned over to kiss Sophie’s face. “Bye, Mama.” I pecked my mom’s cheek.

“Bye, baby. Have fun, and don’t think about us. I will only answer two calls a day, one in the morning and at night. None of that overbearing shit,” she told me as I opened the door, rolling my eyes.

As soon as I spotted Asif there, smiling and looking so handsome in his tracksuit, freshly twisted dreads hanging loosely, beard looking healthy and juicy while smelling all good, all my bad thoughts dissipated, even the ones that had been plaguing me since that ill-fated family dinner we attended.

“How you doing, Mrs. Chase?” Asif leaned over to kiss her face before taking my bags.

“Just fine. Remember what I said; don’t let her bug me,” she replied.

“I got you.” He winked, setting my bag down briefly to go in his pants. “If y’all need anything.” He handed her two thick half-folded stacks of money. “I know the princess loves brunch and shit.” He kissed Sophie, who squealed before hugging his neck for him to take her. He did so.

“Brunch?” she quizzed, making us all crack up.

“Nah, me and ya mama are leaving, but grandma can take you,” Asif responded.

“Yep, that’s where we’re headed now, baby, and to um, get some other things,” my mom said, and I knew other things were possibly shopping.

We said our goodbyes, and Asif carried my stuff to the car before opening the passenger side door for me. He helped my mom put Sophie into the car seat of her vehicle, then came to get in the driver’s side of his.

“You didn’t have to give them that money, baby,” I let him know.

“I kind of did. She watching the baby for us, and Sophie high-maintenance.” He pulled off as we snickered.

Watching the baby for us . I liked that.

“I don’t know where she got that shit from.”

“Her mama.”

“Not true!” I gasped.

“It is, but it’s cool. Daddy gon’ always take care of you.”

“You do.” I reached over to caress his healthy beard. I never knew the true meaning of living a soft life until I started up with Asif.

He did everything for me and all I did was make money, spend his, relax, get dicked down and cook for him which I loved to do. He built everything, carried everything, paid for everything, and just took care of everything. This whole relationship had been a new experience for me.

My life would be completely stress free if I weren’t on trial right now, because my man took good care of me.

“You be taking care of me too.” He rubbed my leg, brushing upward a little bit in reference to my privates.

I only giggled, shaking my head at him.

We drove for a little time, heading to the private airport since we were using his private jet.

“When you said that your mother pushed your father to cheat, do you believe that? In general, I mean, that women or whomever push a person to cheat?” I inquired. I was gonna just ignore it, but I kept thinking about his comment nonstop, so I had to bring it up.

“Nah, I don’t usually, but in their case, I kind of do. Just from shit I witnessed, seeing my father try, and she would either complain or just take and take without giving shit until she thought he was mad enough to leave her. Fucking her homegirl though, that’s some foul shit I ain’t know.” He huffed.

“Yeah.” I nodded, pondering. I didn’t think Prime would do something like that, so it shocked me too. I expected him to call her a liar, but when he confirmed through silence, I was floored.

“He was wrong for cheating, regardless, but what I meant was I could see why he did the shit. Why you ask me?” He glanced over at me as he drove.

“Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page, and you were the man I thought you were.” I half smiled. “I don’t think there is any reason to be unfaithful.”

“I agree.” He nodded. “Me and my pops are a lot alike except I have a shorter tolerance for bullshit. Told you I would’ve been left my mama,” he said as I chuckled, remembering and knowing he was serious. “I’ve never been in a real ass relationship, but I’ve always told myself if I feel like I gotta fuck another woman, it’s time to dip. I gotta move the fuck on. Can’t no woman tempt me more than the woman I’ve pledged my loyalty to, ’cause that mean she rare.” He leaned over to kiss me at the red light. “If shit ain’t right with her, you, I’m gon’ do everything I can to fix the shit. Dipping in something else is gon’ be the least of my fucking worries. I’d rather stay or be single than have to creep.”

“That’s good to hear. I like that you’d be willing to fix things if they hit a snag.”

“Long as she willing with me, unless I fucked shit up on my own, then yeah. Would never lose the woman I love over my pride or my fucking ego, and especially not over random pussy. Pussy is good, but the gratification is short lived in comparison to having that one.”

“If you’re trying to get me to fuck you on the plane, you’ve succeeded,” I partially joked but not really.

Asif laughed, cute ass, as we arrived at the private airport.

Someone greeted us as soon as we parked, taking our bags from the trunk while we walked across the landing area to get to the plane. We were greeted again by the pilot and stewardess, with champagne for me and a glass of Don for Asif.

The plane was beautiful, decked out to the max, making me take a video to send to my mother, because she’d drilled into my head that I had better show her.

“How much does it cost to own this?” I asked once seated next to him in the butter soft airplane seat.

“A lot,” he let me know, and I nodded, taking in some of the intricate details.

The plane ride was very short, under an hour, but long enough for me to give Asif a quick blowjob once the stewardess was up at the front. She, of course, figured out we were up to something because toward completion, Asif couldn’t be quiet. I loved it though.

We landed, and a car took us to the Ferrari hotel, where we were staying in the presidential suite equipped with two bathrooms, a kitchen, living room, three balconies overlooking the strip, fireplace, jacuzzi, twenty-four-hour butler service, and a luxurious master bedroom.

I freshened up, brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash but then had to just get in the shower because Asif couldn’t wait until we came back from shopping, bending me over the foot of the bed to fuck me. The man wouldn’t even let me take my panties off, simply yanking them to the side.

Once cleaned up fully, we shopped in a few of the stores located inside of the mall portion of this luxe ass hotel, where Asif basically bullied me into getting everything that I wanted. It was fun though, not just the shopping spree, but spending so much leisure time with my man. We’d come a day earlier than he was supposed to, just so he could have extra time for me out here.

It was his intentional actions that always got me. Asif was a busy man, but he made time for things he wanted to, making me realize these other niggas had no excuse. I knew he was right when he said if he ever had to leave this earth, no other man would be able to impress me after him. I believed it then, but I was truly witnessing it now.

After shopping, we got some margaritas from the margarita shop inside of the hotel and polished them off, before going back up to the suite to clean up and change into new clothes for dinner.

“This is the best steak I’ve ever had I think.” I nodded, chewing on the exceptional cut of wagyu.

“Shit is good. My pops probably make better ones though,” he replied, eyeing me. “You so beautiful, I ain’t wanna let you leave tonight.”

“I could tell. If I wasn’t so hungry I would’ve let you convince me.” I winked. “Can you take my picture, please?” I smiled.

“Aight, but don’t be complaining.” He took his phone out.

“I won’t.” I grinned. “No, in my phone, babe.”

“I want my own picture.” He took a few, subtly smirking at my poses.

“Let me see.” I reached my hand out, and he handed it over, eating a piece of his steak as I swiped through the photos.

Just as I was about to hand it back, a text message from Milan popped up, and I could see to the right of the notification a small photo of what looked like pregnancy tests.

“You don’t like ’em?” Asif asked, noticing I was frozen, even after the notification disappeared.

“They’re fine. Just send them to me when you check your messages.” I slid the phone back.

Asif took it, keeping his eyes on me after my strange statement as he moved around on his phone. I kept my focus on my plate, however, not knowing what to think about what I’d seen. Finally, his eyes landed on his phone screen, and as his irises moved back and forth, I knew he was reading her message.

“Anastazia—”

“I want a to-go box. I’m full.” I cut him off. I felt sick and upset and wasn’t trying to react here in public.

Not protesting, Asif got the waiter’s attention, asking him for the bill and to pack our food up. While we waited, I kept my eyes out of the window, not wanting to look at him because I knew I would react.

The waiter finally came back with the bill, and while Asif peeled off cash to pay for it, he boxed our food up for us.

“Give me ya fucking hand, love,” Asif stated sternly when I moved from his attempt to hold my hand. Intertwining our fingers, he tugged me closer and bent down to whisper, “I get you mad, but you not gon’ be walking off all far where I can’t fucking see you. Even when you mean as fuck, I still love you, and I’ll turn Vegas the fuck out if some shit happen to you.”

Like a pissed off child just reprimanded by their mother, I pouted as we walked together hand in hand to the elevator. Once inside and the doors were closed, I tried to remove my fingers, but he wouldn’t let me, not until we were inside the suite.

I walked to the large, comfy couch to remove these Tom Ford heels as Asif set the food down in the fridge before coming over to me.

“I don’t even know if I want an explanation,” I said as he sat on the coffee table to be right across from me yet close.

“So you’d rather us just not talk about the shit and go on like ain’t nothing happen? I’m cool with that too. Either way, this incident ends with us still being together, baby.”

“Oh, it does? You think I like you that much?” I laughed mirthlessly.

“Nah, I think you love me, and you love a nigga because you know I wouldn’t bullshit you, and I mean well.” He stared at me with his fine ass, and I just sucked my teeth. “Also, you smart enough and mature enough not to write me off over a fucking text message with no context.”

“Okay, so go.” I folded my arms, irritated every time I looked into his beautiful eyes. He was too handsome, and I loved him too much. His prevalent cologne was even doing something to me right now.

Chuckling at my anger, which only bothered me, he said, “Look at me.” When I did, he continued. “She came to me saying she was pregnant a little bit ago, and I ain’t say nothing because I don’t believe her. I didn’t believe her then, but especially not now when it took her fucking weeks to send a simple pregnancy test. I also ain’t say shit because I know Milan; she dramatic and embellishes on shit when she hurt. Not to mention, I have never once raw dogged that girl.”

I couldn’t help but to notice how calm he was in spite of the circumstances and even with me having an attitude. In fact, he was always like this with me, ready and willing to explain with a cool head. No matter how rude I was, Asif wouldn’t take the bait. I liked it.

I’d gotten so used to dealing with a man who yelled and flew off the handle constantly that I’d forgotten how real men reacted. I couldn’t pinpoint a time my father had ever raised his voice at my mother, even when she raised hers, and Cedric made me forget that, that was the type of man I wanted.

“Using a condom doesn’t mean it’s not yours,” I said, calming down some, especially with the time lapse between him asking for a test and her sending it. That was weird, but still didn’t mean it wasn’t his.

“Which is why I asked for a test that she’s just now sending.”

“So what now?”

“Now, I’m gon’ take her to one of my doctors so they can test her ass as well. If it comes out positive, I’m gon’ try to book a DNA test so I can know up front. I ain’t dealing with bullshit and shenanigans for nine months just to find out the little muthafucka ain’t mine.”

Glancing out the window into the dark city illuminated by lights, I asked, “When did you stop fucking her?”

“When you asked me to, baby. I would never fuck y’all both at the same time. I’m trying to build with you, baby, be yo’ nigga for life, and I can’t build shit on lies and distrust. I got trust issues myself, so I don’t ever wanna put the woman I love in a position to not take what I say as law.”

“Fuck.” I groaned, digging into my eyes with my palms in angst. “I hate that I believe everything you say,” I admitted, feeling myself tear up.

I felt weak, and I guess it was because this dynamic was new for me. I’d never been with a man who had me feeling like this for him. I was usually always the one with the upper hand emotionally, able to leave his ass at any minute and not feel a thing, but not with Asif. I felt like if we parted ways, I would be physically ill.

And I was having a hard time deciphering if I believed him because I trusted him or if I believed him because I wanted to. I didn’t like that he could tell me anything, and it would sound true.

“You gotta trust me, baby.” He came to sit next to me. “You smart, and not just with book shit, so if you believe a nigga, it’s because you know what I’m saying is real shit.”

Lifting my head from my hands, I turned to look at him, regarding the man beside me for a moment. Asif was so dangerous, and not just in the streets, but romantically. He was intelligent, mature, smooth, and could talk a damn fish into purchasing a bicycle.

“You swear it can’t be yours?” I asked.

“I swear. If it was, you’d leave?”

“Depends on when it was conceived. If it was before us like you claim, then no, but if during, then yes. I would have to, as badly as I wouldn’t want to. You wouldn’t be the man I believe you are if it happened during,” I replied truthfully, shedding the tough bitch exterior I so badly wanted to keep hiding behind.

Getting in my face, he whispered, “It’s nothing to fucking worry about.” He kissed me deeply and slowly, already sending goosebumps along my forearms. “She lying, and if by some strange happenstance she not, I swear to God I ain’t been with that woman since I been with you. A nigga haven’t thought about or even looked at another woman since you’ve given a nigga the privilege of you. And can’t nothing or no one make me look the other way.” He kissed me again, and this one soon turned into a passionate one that would lead elsewhere, but I wasn’t exactly in the mood.

Pressing a hand into his chest, I said, “I’m about to go shower.” I stood up promptly, moving around the coffee table.

“You don’t want no company?” he inquired dryly, so I knew he wasn’t exactly hopeful as I told him no. “I hate that you mad and looking that pretty.”

I smiled out of reflex at his comment but quickly wiped it off. I was pathetic.

I took my time showering, doing my whole routine as I gathered my thoughts. Once out, I covered myself in Jo Malone body butter, then slipped into my silk nightie that was too sexy for the mood I was in. I then brushed, flossed, and rinsed with my night mouthwash, before tying my curls up into a pineapple.

Getting into the bed, I slinked under the plush sheets as I listened to Asif taking his own shower and stuff in the other bathroom. It wasn’t long before he returned to the bedroom of the suite in boxers and nothing else, showing off his chiseled, towery, tattoo-covered frame with his locs tied back with a do-rag. His scent permeated the room as I watched him in the dark, shutting the blinds a bit and leaving only a slither open for the lights of Las Vegas to peer through.

He climbed into the bed, and I immediately hugged his neck while he wrapped his strong arms around my body, holding me tightly. I couldn’t help it and couldn’t hold back. It was hard to be mad with him, and I’d decided I could be weak right now when no one was watching but us.

“I love you,” I said softly, still in his strong, warm embrace.

“I love you too, baby. I ain’t never lied to you, and I wouldn’t start now.” Pulling back some to see my eyes, he said, “I apologize for not saying shit, but honestly, I ain’t see a point in mentioning some shit I didn’t even know was real. She ain’t even come with a positive test, just words.”

I nodded because I understood. It wasn’t an attempt to conceal, more so an attempt not to stir up something over nothing.

“I get it.”

“Long as I keep shit one hundred with you, love, I need you to always trust what I tell you.”

“I will.” I nodded. “Are you always calm in disagreements, or is that just for now?” I half joked with a slight smile.

“I guess I’ve just always been the type of nigga who was able to get his point across without yelling and shit. Besides, I don’t shout at women, especially not one I love.”

I stared up at his face, probably looking like a lovesick teenager because of how much I admired him.

“I like that,” I said, just before we started to kiss hungrily.

His big hand went under my nightie then down into my panties as he said, “You ain’t let me taste that pussy all day.”

I could do nothing but moan as he slowly stroked my clit before sucking on my neck, using his other arm to hold me closely to him.

“Sif.” I cooed as he moved my strap down with his teeth to expose my breasts, then took my nipple into his warm mouth.

Sucking it with pressure before biting it subtly, he continued stroking my clit.

“You know I need to taste it daily.” He put me onto my back, moving to my other nipple. “I wanna eat it ’til you shaking.” He shoved up my nightie and began kissing my stomach while removing my panties. “Eat it while you shaking until you doing the shit again.”

Spreading my legs, he ran his tongue along my opening, up to my clit, making me shiver and moan.

“Mm,” I moaned, feeling two of his fingers penetrate me as he started to suck on my clit, lapping at it every now and again while plunging inside of me.

He caressed my stomach with his free hand. I loved when he did that, while licking and fingering my pussy, curving his fingers in the perfect manner while he groaned in pleasure.

My eyes seemingly rolled into the back of my head as he sped up just a bit, making my legs tremble as I called out and came. Asif didn’t stop, slowly inserting another finger as he kept licking and sucking my clit with perfect pressure.

I reached down in an effort to guide his hand so it wouldn’t hurt, making him say, “I got you, baby. I know this pussy better than you do.”

He attacked my pussy with his mouth, making me cum so violently I drenched the spot under me as my body quaked. I was so sopping wet that he was able to get the other finger in, slow stroking me while licking me into a catatonic state damn near as my body spasmed.

He still didn’t stop, tearing my pussy up with his finger-mouth combo that had my legs going weak with shakes as I drenched the sheets and his mouth with orgasm number four.

Asif slurped it up, slowly removing his fingers while French kissing my lower lips.

Hovering over me to slide inside, he tongued me down nastily, my juices covering his full lips, before saying, “That pussy always sweet. Don’t ever let a day pass where I don’t get to taste that shit. You hear me?” He began working himself inside of me.

I couldn’t truly respond as he started back tonguing me down while pushing his long, girthy dick inside of me.

“Ahh,” I whimpered into his mouth.

“I love this pussy, baby. I’m the only one you get this wet for, huh?” He pumped into me, the sound of my wetness being the noisiest it had ever been.

“Yes,” I replied through snivels, telling the truth as I froze and trembled.

“Don’t ever let nobody come between this shit right here. You hear me?” He stroked me perfectly.

“Yes,” I moaned obediently.

“You feel good, love. Fuck.” He moaned before sucking my neck. “You gon’ cum for me again?” I didn’t reply as my frame shuddered underneath his. “I’ma make that pussy cum all night.” He sucked my ear before slowly pulling out of me and turning me onto my stomach.

I loved this position because I usually got the best orgasms this way, and seemingly, so did Asif. Keeping me flat to the bed, he lifted my hips a bit to slide inside of me from behind, gripping my hair in his hand to access my neck as I moaned.

“Baby,” I whimpered, feeling how deep he was going. “How do you make me cum this hard?” I questioned seriously, already feeling the sensation rise within my belly.

“It was made for me and only me,” his deep voice whispered, as he sped up a bit, pounding into me as I dampened everything in the surrounding area, especially him. “Have my baby,” he muttered before capturing my mouth with his, using my hair to steer my head back so he could get to it.

“Sif.” I sniveled at his statement and the way he was making me feel, causing me to grip the sheets and bite my lip before he sucked on it.

“You brought me baby girl; now I want you to have my son,” he continued, slowing up his motions and digging deeper inside of me. “Yes?”

“Yes,” I moaned to him and the upcoming explosion that wracked my body soon after.

Many men had asked, but I’d never agreed until now. Like I said, Asif was dangerous.

BACK IN LOS ANGELES…

A couple days after we returned from Las Vegas, my mother and I were notified that Cedric indeed wanted a paternity test. I happily agreed, even though I would prefer he thought she wasn’t his and leave me be, but I knew even if Cedric gave up, his family would not, so I obliged. We had enough court involvements as it was, so this was something I could make easier on everybody.

That was a few days ago, and now the email had come through. I wasn’t even going to read it because I knew the answer already. Unless I was like Mary in the Bible, the baby could only belong to one person, sadly.

“Let me read it then.” My mother reached for my phone, so I handed it over.

“I don’t know why, Ma. You know what it’s going to say,” I told her as she tapped and frantically began reading the screen before sucking her teeth. “You seriously thought she could be someone else’s?” I asked when I watched her lip curl in disappointment.

“Shit! I was hoping you pulled the wool over that nigga’s eyes and somehow got pregnant by another man under his nose,” she jested, making me laugh.

“No.” I smirked as she handed my phone back to me. “I wasn’t trying to have a child by him or anyone at the time, hence why he did things the way he did.”

“Well, I’m happy you didn’t let that shit keep you from conjuring up an escape plan.” She stood and pecked my forehead. “Plus, no matter what that thing says, Asif doesn’t play about Sophie. I mean, I knew he cared for her, but the day we went to see rock head in the hospital, it was different. It wasn’t like a boyfriend caring for his girlfriend’s child; it was like a father caring for his daughter.”

“I know.” I smiled, thinking of him, contemplating on removing my birth control as discussed. I wouldn’t dare mention his words to Analicia because it would only support her crazy Stazi Effect theory. “He says he was born to be a step daddy because of how his dad is.”

We chuckled in synchrony.

“I can see that because I’m telling you, what I witnessed was not a first-time father. Them St. Thomas’ men give real dads a run for their fucking money. That’s why they bow out eventually.” She giggled. “You sure Prime is an only child? You and Leeci could use a step daddy.”

We both fell out laughing before quieting down due to a napping Sophie.

“Ma, we are too old for that.”

“No you’re not. And if he’s as good as his brother and nephew, I’ll let him change y’all last names too.”

We cackled further as I shook my head at her. She was too in love with my father to do anything of the damn sort.

“You’re gonna change your daughter’s last name from her married name to your new man’s? That’s crazy work.” I snickered in reference to Analicia as my mother switched out exaggeratedly.

“Bashar will understand.” She waved me off, knowing that was a damn lie.

As she shut the door, I lay back, wishing I had gotten pregnant by someone else, since I had no choice in the matter. But like my father used to always tell us: Don’t let a horrible person make you a horrible person.