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“So why would you want somebody with issues around our baby?”
“Did we not agree that we don’t think she would hurt the baby? And I didn’t say let’s leave Louri alone with her for days. I just said we can let her meet Louri.”
“This ain’t about what she’d physically do. And Louri is a baby, so it’s not like she can corrupt her with negativity either. Rahesha needs to work on herself, and if we straddle the fence with her she won’t learn shit. She’ll think it’s all water under the bridge and go back to being herself. For the first time ever I’m making her uncomfortable and it’s long overdue. Her apologies and begging to see Louri ain’t moving me. If she gets off her ass and does something with her life then I’ll know she’s really changed.”
He was being harsh, but he was fed up and rightfully so. He’d given Rahesha multiple warnings before he threw in the towel. She’d literally forced his hand and I couldn’t even convince him to ease up on her. Armias wasn’t playing anymore.
“Who’s to say she’s not? She has to be getting money from somewhere.”
“Yea, her savings. I’ve given her money weekly for years. A long time ago I overheard her bragging to her friends about how she saves half and spends the rest. If that’s true then she’s good…and it’s gotta be because the lights and water are still on at the house. And the house is paid off, so there’s no mortgage.”
“Well…that’s smart, I guess. But her savings won’t last forever.”
“That’s her problem, so she better figure it out.”
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Armias
“Did you see all those stores we passed on the way here?!” Lourdes screamed over the music. It was our second night in Miami and it was her idea to go out to a club. I personally didn’t care for the club even when I was younger and wild. I preferred kick backs and chill shit with people I didn’t have to watch my back around, but it was Lourdes’ world and I was living in it. She was only 23 years old and the club was still appealing to her. It probably always would be because she liked to have fun. Trying to deter her from what she liked doing wasn’t a goal of mine because there was nothing wrong with turning up every now and then. Besides, I’d put this trip together at the last minute so she could reset and get back to feeling like herself. Her suggesting that we hit up a club was a good sign that it was working.
“Yea, we’re in the design district, doll baby,” I chuckled. Wynwood was one of my favorite areas in Miami because of the high end stores, restaurants, and the clubs weren’t over the top. You also saw nothing but black people partying over here, which made me feel more comfortable. We were currently at a club that was co-owned by one of my big homie’s from New Orleans, Johan Martelle. He’d lived in Miami for years, but he eventually moved back to New Orleans to settle down with his wife and kids. When I called him for the driver's info that I had lost, he asked me what the purpose of my trip was. After telling him, he was offering one of his yachts and a free section at his club. I accepted the four hour yacht ride but I told him I wasn’t sure about the club. He said he’d have his manager put my name on the list in case I changed my mind, and it was a good thing he had. I had my own money to get a section, but this spot was packed on a Wednesday night. Securing a table or section at the door wasn’t going to fly.
“I think I wanna go there. I’ve never been in a Louis Vuitton store before, so I just want to see. I’m not going to buy anything.”
“Nah, if we go then we’re buying shit. A lot of shit.”
“We don’t have to, though. I think we should be smarter with our money,” she slurred. She wasn’t completely fucked up, but those two Don Julio shots she threw back a few minutes ago were catching up with her ass.
“What you mean?”
“We can’t just keep blowing through money on material shit, ya’ know? The cost of living is already so high.”
“Who’s blowing through money on material shit? And what costs of living do you have, doll baby?”
“Oop, don’t do me like that.”
“I’m just saying,” I laughed. “You don’t have no fucking bills.”
“I’m used to having them, though,” she giggled.
“And you used to worrying about money, too, but it’s not necessary because you’re with me. Now you said you want to go shopping tomorrow?”
“No, I just said I wanted to see the Louis Vuitton store.”
“Alright, well I said we’re going shopping.”
“If you say so, daddy,” she clutched my jaw and pecked my lips, getting her pink lip gloss on them in the process. I was used to that shit at this point and I never complained anyway. “I need to add a new purse to Louri’s collection anyway.”
“You and this purse collection,” I chuckled. “She’s a month old, Lo.”
“And she’s a princess who’s going to have all the finer things in life.”
“I can’t argue with that, but it’s more to life than the finer things.”
“I agree, that’s why I’m always buying books for her library. My baby will be well rounded. Trust,” she nodded. Before I could respond, a popular Drake and Sexyy Red song came on, prompting her to jump up in excitement. I sat back and watched her rock her body to the beat while sipping on from her cup that was filled with Don Julio and Lemonade.
“Bend that ass over, let that coochie breathe! Shake that ass, bitch, hands on your knees! Hands on your knees, hands on your knees! Shake that ass for Drake, now, shake that ass for me.”
