50 Shades of Drake 1 and 2

Chapter Seventy-Four

    Destiny still didn't know her way around Toronto. Finding the salon she'd Googled, even with the navigation system that the Range Rover was equipped with, proved to be quite a feat in and of itself. She found the salon eventually. She'd called in prior to leaving the condo to make sure there was availability. The receptionist advised spots were available. Once Destiny entered the establishment, however, it was packed. Women were seated in a lounge area waiting their turn.

    She signed in at the front desk and went to sit with the other ladies who were waiting to get their hair washed and/or styled. While waiting, she returned text messages from Carlos, Jasmine, and Candace, and sent a message to her mother to check in. When communicating with her friends and family, she felt like she was leading a double-life. To them, she was a sweet, naive girl who still believed in Disney movie fairytale magic. But meanwhile, she was living with a man who, just yesterday, cuffed her to some torture-device looking contraption. Even worse, she'd liked it. She couldn't help feeling dirty when she spoke to her parents, especially. Just knowing some of the things she'd done and some of the things that had been done to her, made her feel slightly uneasy when talking to them.

    As always, Carlos wanted to know the deets. How was Toronto? How was Aubrey? Had she started work yet? Had she allowed Aubrey to work on her yet? Was she a certified sex slave? She hedged the questions, which resulted in Carlos ringing her phone. She sighed and stood up to find a spot where she could talk without bothering the other women in the lounge area. She walked towards the front door and brought the phone up to her ear. "Now isn't a good time, Carlos."

    "I'm sure it's not," he retorted.

    She rolled her eyes but had to admit that she'd missed the sound of his voice. "I can't talk about anything relating to Aubrey."

    "I just need a yes or a no," Carlos told her. "I just need to know if there has been any progress with the whole...contractual arrangement thing."

    "I can't tell you that," she said.

    He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "Just nod for yes or shake your head for no."

    "What good is that going to do you?" she hissed at him.

    "I'll be able to tell the difference through the phone," he insisted.

    "I'm hanging up right now, Carlos. You're talking nonsense."

    "Can you at least tell me if you're happy?" he asked quickly, before she had the chance to hang up.

    She glanced towards the receptionist. The short, black woman seated at the desk was staring back at her, shamelessly eavesdropping on the conversation. She turned her back to the receptionist and faced the entrance door. Then she hesitated, pondering Carlos's question. Was she happy? She was well-taken care of. In the company of a man she loved. He loved her too, whether or not he was willing to admit that to himself. She'd even get to meet his family that coming weekend. She bit her lip.

    "Hello? Earth to Destiny."

    "I was thinking," she said defensively.

    "You had to think about whether or not you're happy?" Carlos asked her, his voice laced with concern.

    She sighed. "I'm happy," she responded.

    "You sounded ecstatic just then," he muttered sarcastically.

    "Things aren't perfect, but then again what relationship is?" she questioned, asking the question to herself as much as to him.

    "Relationship?" he asked, perking up immediately. "So it is a relationship."