50 Shades of Drake 1 and 2

Chapter Twenty-Three

    Aubrey used the provided cloth napkin to wipe his mouth. "Well, that was unexpected," he said. "Usually I get notice that I'm being presented with an award prior to the event." He slid his chair back and stood just as a spotlight was aimed at him. He bent at the waist and pressed a kiss to Destiny's forehead, then straightened his posture while smoothing down his dress shirt and suit jacket.

    She watched him as he moved towards the steps leading to the stage. She couldn't help but feel in awe of him. She forked a piece of eggplant into her mouth as she watched him. He turned his head and looked at her as he walked up the stairs. A flurry of butterflies fluttered their wings in her stomach.

    He gave the short emcee a warm embrace and accepted the glimmering award from her. The applause he received drowned out the sound of his voice when he tried speaking into the microphone. Smiling charmingly, he used his hands to gesture for the audience to quiet down. "Thank you for that. I wasn't expecting to receive an award tonight," he said. "My mouth was full of food when I walked up here - I had to chew it fast. So if any crazy pictures of me surface, that's why." He looked at the statue in his hands as he waited for the anticipated laughter to die down.

    Destiny lowered her fork. She knew what he was going to do. She remembered his words from earlier. "I have a few aces up my sleeve."

    "I can't begin to express just how much I appreciate this acknowledgement. I don't do this for any accolades. I don't do this for awards, or recognition. There are injustices that are eating away at our world, and I made a vow to myself years ago that I would do whatever I could to help." He looked out over the audience. "One cause that is near and dear to me is making sure we are keeping our arts and music programs in our schools."

    Destiny grinned and covered her mouth with her hands.

    "Lately, schools have treated these programs as if they are expendable. They'll do whatever they can to keep the football and the basketball programs funded, because those events bring in money. Music and art aren't being regarded as profitable to these institutions, and I have something to say about that." He lowered his eyes to the award in his hands. "Too often, we are putting value in things. Like, this award for an example. I appreciate it. I really do. But it's not a reason to carry on doing what I'm doing. Money and profit. Money is a thing. Once it's spent, it's gone. A music program not pulling in as much money as a football season isn't a reason for a music program to be pulled. The benefit of music isn't in money. It's in having an outlet for these youth to communicate their emotions through. It's in preventing gang violence, because instead of running around on these streets, their time is being spent learning how to play the piano, or writing music. Or drawing. Or whatever they set their little hearts on."

    Applause erupted in the room. Instead of quieting it right away, he basked in it. He lifted his eyes to the audience and made eye contact with several audience members.

    "I am spearheading a program that is intended to help save these programs," he announced.

    The applause increased in intensity.

    "I appreciate your support. I truly do. Several politicians are working with me on this program, and I can't wait to be able to tell you more about it. I've agreed to an interview with a Howard University journalist by the name of Destiny Richards. I'm sure you'll find the article enlightening." He held the award up in the air. "Thank you again for this, and thank you for continuing to support these very important causes." He stood back from the microphone as the applause reached deafening levels. He looked towards the event announcer, who ushered him off the stage.

    Destiny awaited his return, not caring that her food was growing cold. Several people at other tables stopped him to commend him on his speech and to offer their support. Destiny's eyes were lit up with excitement as he reclaimed his seat. "I can't believe you."

    He smiled, setting his award on top of the table.

    "When you said you had aces up your sleeve, I should have believed you," she said.

    "You've barely touched your food," he told her, gesturing towards her plate.

    "Who could eat while you gave that brilliant speech?" she asked, but picked up her fork and started moving her food around her plate.

    He laughed, watching her.

    "And you namedropped me. Why?"

    "I want to make sure they're keeping an eye on the Howard University paper," he responded. "There are journalists here, and they will trip over themselves to bring news back to their offices that out of all of the newspapers in D.C., I chose to interview with a college paper. It will drive them nuts. Get some tongues wagging."

    "You're good," she said before eating a few bites of her eggplant parmesan.

    He finished his meal and wiped his mouth with his napkin. The award ceremony wrapped up, and the other couples seated at their table launched a discussion about education.

    "I can understand why the education system in its current state is being criticized," a tall slender man with dark hair that looked suspiciously like a toupee, said after gulping down some of his champagne. "But these days kids have the internet. I don't even know if school is necessary. Kids these days have benefits we didn't when I was in school. If they want to learn something, all they have to do is Google the topic. Kids these days can't find the different continents on a globe and does the education system deserve some of that blame? Sure, but I also put some of that blame onto the kids and their parents."

    Destiny frowned and tilted her head to the side. "Respectfully, the education system was set up to educate our youth," she said, cutting into the conversation without asking. "People pay money, in taxes and in school fees, to make sure their children are getting the best that their school system has to offer. And the 'best' isn't getting their textbooks two months too late, cutting programs that are beneficial to the children, or slacking in the subjects that are being taught."

    The man looked bewildered while Aubrey tried his best to hide a smile.

    "And you dare to criticize parents who are working hard, often sacrificing time spent with their families, just to be able to save up to provide their children with a halfway decent college education. Meanwhile, the costs of college continue to increase, becoming more of a for profit establishment each year. Parents work hard to pay for education for their children. A child shouldn't have to sit for 6-8 hours in classes, and come home to parents teaching them the lessons that they should have been taught in school in the first place. That doesn't make any sense." Realizing that she was laying into a stranger who hadn't even formally invited her into his conversation, she stopped talking and lowered her gaze to her plate.

    The man's wife said, "I agree with you wholeheartedly, dear. I'm starting to think that the champagne is getting to Randy's head." The petite blonde woman arched a glance at her husband.

    Aubrey slid an arm across Destiny's shoulders and pulled her close to him.

    "I went a little overboard," she said sheepishly.

    He shook his head. "I enjoyed every second of that. And you hit the nail right on the head." He kissed her on the temple and smoothed her hair back. "The event is winding down, so we'll be leaving soon. Will you come back to my hotel room with me? There is something I'd like to discuss with you."

    Images flashed behind her eyes. The piano. Her hands mashing the ivory keys as he had his way with her from behind. The sound of moans and groans filled her head. Sensations, the feeling of his skin on her. The feeling of him inside of her. Her cheeks flushed deep red and she shifted in her seat, crossing her legs tightly together.

    A knowing look crept into his eyes and he dipped his head low so he could whisper in her ear, "Can I take that as a yes?"