The Real Deal (2)

Nicki sat in one of the bathroom stalls crying her eyes out. She tried to be strong all day but for him to come here and make it seem like he didn’t do anything wrong just made it feel like he was laughing at her, mocking her even. “What the hell she thought was gon happen? It’s women out there that look 5 times better than her. She just needs to be happy he remembers her name.” Nicki held in her sobs as she heard girls walk into the bathroom

“That was kind of messed up though,” Another girl said.

“Please.” She said as if it was the stupidest thought she’d ever heard. “All guys cheat.” She continued “I might just try my hand at getting Drake.” She laughed. Nicki had enough. She unlocked the stall door, pushing it open. Glaring at the guilty bitch, who looked at Nicki like she’d seen a ghost.

“If you EVER in your pathetic little life,” Nicki grabbed the girl by her shirt pushing her up against the sink. “touch Drake or go near him, I will beat your ass like my name’s Michael. Try me if you want you two dollar hoe.” She pushed the girl so her head hit the mirror causing her to whimper. Her sorry friend did nothing as Nicki walked out of the bathroom. Now she was angry and vulnerable all at the same time. She quickly went to her locker, grabbed her bag and hurried out of school before Drake or her friends could find her.

“Onika what are you doing home!?” Carol asked as Nicki walked through the door. Nicki didn’t  answer she just ran up the stairs into her room, falling onto her bed. She never wanted to show her face at school, she felt everyone was laughing at her. How naive could she be? To think Drake would be the same person that she met when she was 9 was stupid on her part. Nicki’s door creaked open, she knew it was her mother. She just laid there until she felt her mother’s hand on her back rubbing in circles. “Whatever’s going on Nicki, you can’t run from it baby.” Carol said. Nicki flipped over so that she could look at her mother.

“He cheated on me Ma.” She sobbed wiping at her eyes. Carol’s heart broke right then and there, she knew how much Nicki adored Aubrey.

“Aww, Baby, it’s going to be ok?” Nicki rolled her eyes flipping back over. That’s all anybody ever says...’it’s going to be ok’ how do they know? “If he can’t see how special you are he doesn’t deserve you Nika. You deserve someone that’s going to treat you like the Princess you are. How about we pig out together?” Carol asked, she needed an excuse to eat Robert’s ice cream anyway.

“I just want to be alone. If Nelly, Amb, or Laur come by tell them I’m sleep please?” Nicki asked. Carol sighed, she knew this would take a lot more than just food.

“Ok baby. Feel better.” She kissed Nicki’s hair and left out of the room. Eventually Nicki had cried herself to sleep.

Waking up later in the night, she looked at the clock that read 11:15 pm. She needed a hot shower to ease her mind. She rose out of bed, grabbing a tank top and boy shorts and went into her bathroom cutting on her iHome playing the most depressing song she could find, Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My heart” and hoped in the shower.

“Thanks Man.” Drake dapped up Jelani as they approached Nicki’s door. Jelani had helped to sneak Drake upstairs and was committed to being the lookout.

“That’s my little sis, fix it or I’ll beat ya ass.” He said it with a chuckle but the both of them knew he was serious. Jelani went on into his room and Drake into Nicki’s. He sighed when he heard Toni Braxton’s voice and the shower running. He wasn’t even sure what he had done wrong. Was missing the 12:00 call that serious to Nicki? He sat on her bed where Nicki had previously been.  He looked at the time on his phone, he had to be back and prepared to board his plane in 2 hours but he wasn’t leaving until he made things right with Nicki.

Nicki is and will always be his best friend and the only girl he could picture himself having kids with and being married to in the future. He hadn’t seen her in months and when he finally gets the chance to come to New York, she acts like she doesn’t want to see him. Soon Drake heard the shower cut off. After about 3 minutes Nicki opened the door and jumped when she saw Drake. “Please leave.” She told him clad in her lace boy shorts and white tank top.

“Nic--”

“Just leave Drake.” Nicki put emphasis on his name. He was always Aubrey to her, and that’s the way he liked it. Drake stood up and moved forward to Nicki but she moved back.

“Ok. I’m sorry about your birthday. I was on stage and by the time I got off it was too late so I figured I’d surprise you at--”

“Don’t play stupid with me!!” She pointed her finger in his face as he furrowed his brows.

“Excuse me?” He questioned. Nicki let out a humorless chuckle as she went around him and sat on her bed. Drake sat beside her making her scoot over.

“You got all those little bitches in school laughing at me, saying ‘I told you so’ I’m a fucking joke in school Aubrey.” Nicki looked away from him trying not to show how vulnerable she was.

“What happened?” Drake asked. Nicki rolled her eyes, partially aggravated and the other part wanting to do nothing more than to cry on her boyfriend’s shoulder. Nicki sat silently letting tears fall down her face. “I’m lost. Help me out.” Drake said softly, placing his hand on Nicki’s thigh. She didn’t move it, just looked at it.

“Am I not pretty enough? Am I- Am I not good enough?” She hiccuped as she finally looked into his eyes. “Why are you stringing me along if you don’t want me Aubrey?” Her voice was at a whisper now. This is not how she planned this conversation to go, she was supposed to yell and tell him she hated him and to stay out of her life, but now she’s crying.

“Huh? Nic, where is this coming from? All because I didn’t call you? I told you-”

“No! No, it’s not about the phone call Aubrey. It’s about the nameless big booty bitch you had in your face.” Her emotions were all over the place. She folded her arms tightly across her chest, looking at Drake through her squinted lids.

“Who?” Drake asked exasperated. He was getting nowhere with this conversation. Nicki just keeps talking in circles. “When?”

“Whenever you were at the club and -”

“Oh.” Drake says as he’s just remembered. Nicki shoves his shoulder as he lets out a chuckle.

“Am I laughing?” She points a finger at her mouth.

“No, but I am.” He laughs some more, making Nicki stand up. Nothing about this was funny to her. She doesn’t know why the hell it’s funny to Drake and why he thinks it’s okay to prance around with some big booty modeling chick. “Baby, calm down.” He grabs one of her hands and forces her to him. Now she’s standing in between his leg and his hands are at either sides of her waist.  “She was nobody.”

“Nobody like who?”

“Nobody like a fan who wanted a picture.” He knew exactly what she was talking about because he’d remember that girl who was persistent about getting her way into VIP to chill with them. After she made such a scene with the security he thought for her troubles the least he could do was take a couple pictures and sign a T-shirt before she was escorted out.

“Tell me anything.” Nicki rolled her eyes. Drake pulled her down onto his lap.

“How about I tell you the truth. She was thirsty for a picture so I gave it to her.” His eyes screamed that he was telling the truth, but Nicki wasn’t letting him off the hook that easily.

“Well then why haven’t I heard from you in 2 weeks Drake?”

“Keep on with this Drake shit.” He warned. “I told you, I was busy. I had photoshoots, appearances, interviews and a shit load of other things to do. I’ve been missin you like crazy.” He could see her walls breaking down. “I’m just getting out there Nic, so things are going to be a bit hectic, but I promise from now on I’ll make time for my ONLY girl.” She hated the fact that she was giving in. “I just have to know that I’ve always got you and that you’re going to be here holdin me down.”

“You know I am Aubrey.” She sighed and placed her forehead on his.

“You can’t get mad at every blog you see, half of the shit is a lie. Come to me first before you take the word of somebody else. Understand that I love you and only you. Promise?”

“But-”

“Promise?” Drake cut her off.

“Ok.” She gave in. “You have to promise to check in with me at least 3 times week. I would like more but at least give me that.”

“I can do that.” The two smiled. “Matter of fact, I could fly you out to LA with me?” Drake asked hopeful of a yes response.

“I can fly my own self out.”

“I know you can Nic, but I’ve told you time and time again, I don’t mind spoiling you.” Nicki was adamant about Drake not spending all his money on her and buying her expensive gifts. It wasn’t apart of their early relationship and she didn’t want it to start being apart of their relationship now. But this time it wasn’t even about that.

“No sir. My parents brought me a ticket to come see you.” She kissed his lips. “They knew how much I really (peck) really (peck) missed you.”

“You know, me being in your room at 11, probably would ruin it.” Drake said as Nicki pushed him back on the bed, and fixed herself on his lap so she was straddling him.

“But it’s my birthday and all I want is you.” She tugged on his bottom lip with her teeth as her hand ran up his shirt. Drake moved his hands from her hips to his jacket pocket pulling out the familiar blue box.

“Happy birthday.” Nicki sat up straight and took the box out of his hand. Now she’d have another necklace to go with the one Lani brought her.

“Thank you.” She leaned back and placed the box on her nightstand.

“So you’re not going to open it?”

“Later.” She answered, throwing her T-shirt over her head. Drake just might have to miss that flight. As long as he was in a good place with Nicki, everything would be good. He just knew she was going to flip when she opened the box and not find a necklace in it. He was hoping to see her face, but this may be something better.


What should I add to next? Hmm...

Unthinkable

“Baby, what are you doing?” Nicki turned around from the window, her camera tight in her hand. “No, no. Not tonight Tanya. The camera stays here.” Elijah told her fixing his tie. Nicki sighed and placed her camera into it’s case and sitting it on the dresser. She smoothed her dress down with her hands, she didn’t particularly like it but Elijah did. “Wear those heels you wore for the board meeting last year.” He instructed, shrugging on his suit jacket.

“Only if you promise to rub my feet tonight, those things hurt Elijah.” Nicki said, despite her words she moved to the closet to get the stilettos.

“I don’t need this tonight babe. I’m already stressed enough, I just need you to be on your a-game and maybe you can help me.” Elijah was trying to get a new investor in his advertising company, this person was supposedly one of the top investors in the tri-state area and this would mean big business for Elijah and his company. After a few minutes, Nicki emerged from the closet in the heels. She walked over to Elijah and fixed his tie for him.

“It’ll work out baby, don’t worry.” She patted his chest when she was done, then grabbed her clutch off the bed.

“I hope you’re right.” He told her taking her hand and leading her out of their home. Nicki felt a tinge in her heart when she left behind her camera, she took it everywhere just incase she saw something that she got inspired by. Though she doubted this meeting would bring anything interesting, they were always filled with the same, stuffy, old people who loved to brag about their accomplishments and look down on everyone else. Usually all she had to do in these little meeting things was put on a smile and keep up her posture. She was just the pretty thing to look at.

“I hope so too.” Nicki said under her breath. Whenever something didn’t go Elijah’s way he would gain a temper, one that he would take out on Nicki.

- - - -

Walking into Tao, Elijah’s hand swallowing Nicki’s tiny one as he told the host his name. She hurriedly gathered two menus. “Follow me sir, the rest of your party has arrived already.” She told them. Elijah tugged Nicki to the side of him and placed his arm around her waist securely as both a warning and a sign of possession. When they first started dating, Nicki thought his possessive ways were cute but now she found them quite annoying.

“If I get this, there’s a bracelet in it for you.” Elijah mumbled in her ear. Nicki placed a fake smile on her face, one she would have to use anyway.

“Here you are sir.” The host said, gesturing to the table. Nicki’s eyes doubled in size at the young guy sitting at the table, he was too far into the conversation with the woman on the side of him. She was beautiful, but looked a too old to be his girlfriend but then again, Elijah did have 6 years over Nicki. She took in his casual attire, a black polo shirt and a pair of dark jeans. She had to refrain from licking her lips at his arms that looked like whenever he wasn’t busy looking good enough to eat he was lifting weights. It was a breath of fresh air from all the suits that Nicki was used to seeing. Elijah cleared his throat making his presence known. The young man and the older woman stood up.

“I’m Elijah Prescott.” Elijah held out his hand.

“Aubrey Graham, this is my beautiful mother Sandi Graham. I hope you don’t mind her joining in on this meeting.” A feeling of relief came over Nicki for some odd reason and she prayed her face didn’t lead onto it. He looked down at his mother and she smiled up at him. Nicki had already fallen in love with their relationship. Unlike Elijah’s mother who acted as if she was the Queen of England. That’s another story.

“No. That won’t be a problem at all.” Elijah said already pulling out his chair. Sandi and Aubrey both shared a confused glance.

“If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your name?” Aubrey asked Nicki, their eyes locking. Nicki’s heartbeat accelerated , what the hell was her name? She was tempted to say ‘Anything you want it to be’ or ‘Mrs. Graham’ but that would’ve been highly inappropriate.

“Oni-”

“Oh this is my wife Tanya.” Elijah answered, glaring at Nicki for her slip-up. He’s always told her that her middle name Tanya sounded better than Onika. She resented that, she loved her name.

“O...kay. Well, shall we get started?” Aubrey asked and then pulled out Sandi’s seat so that she could sit down. Elijah and Nicki both pulled out their own seat and sat just as Aubrey did.

“Hello, I’m Anya and I’ll be your waitress for the day. Can I start you off with drinks?” The young woman clicked her pen. Nicki looked over down at the menu and she wished she could have a Sprite, she yearned for it. Like always, she closed her menu and slid it to the edge of the table.

“We’re ready to order.” Elijah said. “I’ll take the black pepper sizzled filet mignon with udon noodles and a sweet tea and she’ll have a tao temple salad and water with lemon.” He concluded closing his menu. Sandi and Aubrey’s eyes both shot to Nicki who held her fake smile on her face the entire time, hoping they didn’t hear her stomach growling. After Aubrey and Sandi ordered, they started to talk business and Nicki just sipped from her water.

“So what do you think Tanya?” Sandi interjected, bringing Nicki into the conversation. Nicki was taken aback, this had never happened before. It wasn’t like she wasn’t capable of handling herself but when Elijah reached under the table and squeezed her thigh she knew she wasn’t allowed to talk.
“My wife isn’t a part of this ma’am.” Elijah answered.

“I’d like to hear what she has to say.” Aubrey said looking at Nicki. When his tongue glided over his pink lips Nicki was ready to jump him, but instead she crossed her legs.

“Well, “ She gulped when Elijah pinched her leg. “I think Elijah has worked pretty hard to solidify the company's status and had achieved a great deal of success. I’m sure with you will be very pleased investing into a business that already has a huge amount of success because there’s a greater chance that things will work out for the better.” She let out a sigh of relief as Elijah released her skin from between his fingers.

“Well. I have to go to the ladies room, Tanya, join me?” Sandi asked suddenly, rising from the table. Nicki looked over at Elijah and he nodded at her. So she got up from her seat and followed Sandi into the bathroom. Sandi stopped at the sinks and began fixing her hair and Nicki stood against the counter. “Those shoes are very...high. Your feet not hurting sweetheart?” Sandi asked concerned, she could see the pain all over Nicki’s face.

“No. I’m fine.” Nicki lied looking down at her feet.

“You can be honest with me hun. Don’t worry I won’t tell your husband.” Sandi said with a hint of amusement in her voice. “How long have you and Elijah been married?”

“2 years. We were dating for 3.”

“Mmm, Newlyweds. Still trying to figure this thing out.” Sandi looked at Nicki’s reflection from the mirror. “You’re a very beautiful girl.”

“Thank you.”

“Smart too. Elijah should be happy.”

“He is.”

“Are you?” Nicki was silent, she didn’t know how to respond. “Well let’s get back before Aubrey sends out a search party.” The two laughed at this and walked out of the bathroom only to be stopped by Aubrey himself. “How rude, Aubrey. Left that man at that table by himself.” Sandi teased, she already knew Aubrey didn’t care for him.

“He’ll be fine. Hey ma, can I talk to Oni-tanya for a minute.” The two of them chuckled at the slip up they had both caught earlier. “If that’s ok with you.” He glanced at Nicki who bit her bottom lip.

“Sure.” She answered, right now she didn’t care what the repercussions would be when she got home tonight, or even in the car. Sandi left the two in the hallway as she went back to the table with Elijah.

“So what’s your real name?” Aubrey leaned against the wall, one hand in his pocket. Nicki leaned on the wall opposite of him so they were facing each other.

“Tan-”

“Don’t give me that shit.” Nicki was taken aback by his new found husky voice, quite sexy. “C’mon, what’s your birth name.” He pushed himself off the wall and came closer to her. She tried to back up but the huge wall prevented that from happening.

“O-Onika... Nicki.”

“Everyone calls me Drake.” His sweet breath only inches away from her mouth, she wanted nothing more than to capture the essence of this moment on camera. “So Nicki, I’m going to be straight with you cause I done had enough of your ‘man’,” He spoke in a sarcastic tone. “I’m about ready to go, but I thought I should let you know I’m investing and it doesn't have shit to do with what he was talking about but everything to do with you.”

“What? That’s great but you shouldn’t invest because of me, do it cause you have a legit reason or you believe in the company.” Drake chuckled a bit and then moved so that his body was pressed against Nicki’s. He could feel her heartbeat jumping. He grabbed her hands and pinned them above her head against the wall. Nicki’s breath got caught in her throat and it felt like her heart had dropped to her panties because she felt the pulse there.

“I want you Onika.” His voice low and filled with lust. “Let me make this clear, I don’t share what’s mine and from now on that’s what I consider you. Understood?” When she didn’t answer Drake pushed his hips harder against her making her release a moan. “Understood?”

“Mmm, yeah.” She answered lowly. Drake moved his lips to her neck, he flicked her tongue against her skin making her whole body shudder, she hadn’t felt this feeling in months and she was getting it from a guy she hadn’t known but for two hours, but she felt a connection to him. His lips sucked in her skin then nibbled on the sensitive area. “Dr- Drake.” She tried to pull her wrist from his hold but couldn’t.

“Yeah?” He kissed up from her neck, then along her jawline, leaving each spot tingling. “Talk to me baby.”

“Somebody could see us.” Drake lifted his head and their eyes met. Her eyes were screaming out ‘Save me’ and he felt the urgency to let her know he heard her loud and clear. His placed his lips on top of hers. Nicki closed her eyes, opening her mouth , allowing his warm tongue to explore her mouth. He pulled away slowly and placed his forehead on hers.

“The shit that I could do to you.” He bit his lip making Nicki blush. “Come on, let’s get back to the table.” What the hell did she just get herself into?

- - - - -

Getting settled into the car, Nicki clicked her seatbelt on and waited for Elijah to finish saying his goodbyes and thank yous. She caught Drake’s eye, staring at her, she looked down at her lap, trying to hide the huge smile on her face. First task when she got home, change panties. When Elijah got into the car, he was all smiles. Nicki looked down at a text that she just received.

Bye beautiful

She looked up from her phone and out of her window at Drake who winked in her direction. He had gotten her number from Sandi. Sandi pretended that she was interested in going on a lunch date with Nicki soon so that she could ask for her number and then gave it to Drake obviously. “Who’s that?” Elijah asked. Nicki’s head snapped to Elijah as he pulled off from the restaurant.

“My mom.” Nicki answered, making Elijah roll his eyes. They didn’t have the best relationship.

Drake, don’t think that I just go around kissing people or anything, cause I don’t.

Nicki felt the need to let him know, she may have come off easy and that’s the last thing she was. Elijah’s the only man she’s been with her whole 22 years of living.

You think I do? There’s something about you.

Nicki smiled at this. “I’m glad he decided to invest even though you almost fucked it up Tanya.” Nicki’s cocked her head to the side at Elijah’s statement. If it wasn’t for her he’d be ass out right now. She just shook her head.

“Sorry.” She answered.

“Don’t let it happen again. And why didn’t you come back when the woman came back?” He asked, already having forgotten Sandi’s name. Nicki sighed.

“I was using the bathroom, she finished before me.” They stopped at a red light and Elijah turned in his seat to face her.

“Using the bathroom? You were gone entirely too long.” He accused her of lying, even though she was she felt offended. “Don’t do it tonight Onika. I’m in a going mood and you know what that means.” He placed his hand on her thigh and then sped off when the light turned green. Nicki was no way interested in Elijah sexually at the moment. He hadn’t been satisfying for a while now and it would be rude to have sex with him while wishing it was Drake the whole time.

Wish it were you instead of him :/

She surprised herself by her forwardness but it was true.

It’ll be me soon enough

Hope so

“Would you stop texting!? Damn.” Elijah was getting agitated. Here he is, just got maybe the biggest investor of his career and all Nicki could do was text on the phone, to her mother nonetheless, who didn’t like him. He always felt like they were talking about him.

“Fine.” Nicki answered, She discreetly checked her phone as another text came through.

See you at your house on Thursday

She had forgotten. Elijah had insisted that he host a dinner at their house so Drake could meet some of his colleagues. How was she going to do this? It was exciting but wrong all at the same time, nit to mention dangerous.