It was massive, layered with levels stacked on top of each other, with glass wrapped around the sides and staff movin’ across it like it was a full operation. It didn’t look like somethin’ you just got on. It looked like somethin’ you lived in.
“Damn,” I mumbled under my breath, not even tryin’ to hide it.
The closer we got to the boat, the more people I started to recognize.
Renza stepped forward like he was already in his element, and I stayed right beside him.
“Wussup, Mama? he said.
The woman who turned toward us had a presence that hit before anything else did.
Her skin was deep and flawless with that rich dark skin complexion that looked soft and expensive at the same time, and it carried a glow. Her features were sharp in a way that stood out without her doin’ too much, from the way her eyes sat to the shape of her lips. Everything about her just looked put together.
Her hair fell down her back in thick, full waves, styled clean and laid like it was done with care, and every piece of jewelry on her looked like it was placed exactly where it needed to be. Diamonds sat around her neck and ears without lookin’ loud, but just enough to remind you who she was without her havin’ to say it.
And she was already holdin’ a glass of wine, standin’ there like she had nowhere to be but exactly where she was.
“Reni,” she said as soon as she saw me, her face breakin’ into a smile like she already knew me.
Before I could even say anything, she stepped forward and pulled me into a hug, one arm wrapping around me while she kept her wine glass lifted in the other like it wasn’t new to her.
“It’s so nice to finally meet you in person,” she said as she pulled back, her eyes moving over me in a way that felt more welcoming than judging. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I said, smiling back at her. “It’s really nice to meet you too.”
Renza’s dad stepped forward next, and I greeted him with the same respect, givin’ him a hug and speakin’ polite. He carried himself different, more reserved, but it still felt welcoming.
I moved through the rest of his family, greeting everybody with the same respect, takin’ my time.
I saw Pressure, standin’ off to the side with that same straightforward look on his face, and I gave him a hug when I reached him. “Hey,” I said.
He nodded at me like he always did. “Wus’ good?”
Kay’Lo was right there not too far from him with Toni close by his side, and I greeted both of them next. Toni smiled at me, warm and easy, and Kay’Lo gave me a quick hug before steppin’ back.
Then my eyes landed on Pluto. She stood there with her hand resting low on her stomach, and this time, it was more noticeable than before. Her belly had grown enough to see it clearly through what she had on.
I stepped up to her and wrapped my arms around her without hesitation, and she hugged me right back like it wasn’t no tension there at all.
“Hey,” I said low.
“Hey,” she replied, just as calm.
I pulled back and gave her a short smile, lettin’ the moment be what it was.
Renza looked out at the yacht and shook his head. “Y’all could’ve just took my boat.”
His dad smiled. “Your boat isn’t nearly as big as your mother’s.”
A couple of them laughed, and Renza just looked at it again like he couldn’t even argue with that.
We made our way on the yacht with our luggage, and the second I stepped on it, I realized I hadn’t seen nothin’ like this before. It wasn’t just big. It was detailed.
There were open deck areas with seating that looked like it belonged at a luxury resort. A pool was built into one side of the structure, surrounded by lounge chairs and shaded sections. The inside opened up into full living spaces with polished floors, soft lighting, and wide windows that showed nothing but water.
We walked through a hallway that stretched longer than I expected, with doors on both sides that led to rooms I couldn’t even count. Staff moved through the space quiet and efficient, setting things up, and making everything feel effortless.
There was a full dining area with a long table already set. A bar sat off to the side, wrapped in glass with bottles lined up. The lounge area had deep couches and low tables, set up for people to sit and stay for hours.
