Transcendence

7: Decisions

She zipped up the back of her dress. Hair on sleek down her back. She had gotten a fresh pedicure and manicure earlier that day and trimmed everything that needed trimmin. She slid into her black red bottoms and checked herself at the mirror. She was smooth as Godiva Chocolate and hoped by the end of the night just as addicting. She licked her teeth, making sure no lipstick was there and grabbed her clutch. Pulling out her phone, she read the text message. I'll be there in ten. By the time he sent it he should have been here by now. She grabbed her keys and slid the most important thing on. Her ring. Smiling, she opened the door and find him standing against his car. At the sight of her, his mouth dropped open.

"W-wow." He stuttered. She locked the door to her house and walked up to him.

"Wow yourself." He eyed her from head to toe.

"Rae you look-"

"I know. Just open the door." She cut him off, pursing her lips. Tonight, she was not playing any games. She had agreed to let Kwasame take her on a date, the first one in weeks. She was still angry at him and decided that instead of acting like a teenager mad at her boyfriend, she would handle it like a grown woman. He rushed to it and she slid inside. He closed the door and soon joined her.

"Sweetheart, there's a lot I have to say."

"It can wait till we get to the restaurant." He clamped his mouth shut and the drive was silent. All the while, she found herself tracing the heart shape of the diamonds in her ring. When they got there, he opened the door.

"After you little lady." She let him help her out of the car and waited until he returned to her side. He took her hand and together they walked into the restaurant. Once seated, he took a deep breath.

"You look so beautiful tonight." She reached for her glass and took a sip of water.

"You don't look bad yourself." He swallowed. She could have smiled. The poor man was sweating bullets. Good.

"Rae..."

"Kwasa..."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I shouldn't have invaded your space. Especially while you were sleeping." She took a long drink before gently placing her glass back on the cloth. His expression suddenly changed once he caught a glimpse of the very object he thought he had gotten rid of on her finger.

"You're... still wearing it." She cleared her throat.

"Yes. I am. After I fished it out of the trash." His throat tightened.

"Why Rae?"

"It's not your place to decide for me what I wear and why." He remained quiet. At his silence, she continued.

"You made that choice for me Kwasame. I don't like that. You're not my damn father. I can understand you having a problem with it. But to give me no warning or say and decide for yourself to take something that means a lot to me off of my body... like I'm not even human... that shit has pissed me all the way off." He bit the inside of his cheek.

"Why does it mean so much to you if you've let him go? How can you expect to be in a relationship with anyone still holding on to him?" She lifted her eyebrows.

"It should be and is my choice. That's not what you're understanding."

"I hear you little lady. But you're not hearing me."

"Oh?" He leaned forward on the table.

"I am not going to compete for your heart. I love you Rae. I've been with you for two years now and I hope many more. If you can't love me with your whole heart then I cannot be with you." She swallowed.