ALL TO MYSELF.

XXXVI - Liyah (cont'd)

"I'm sorry, Liyah. I wanted it to work out this time so bad," Tiff hugged me as I was packing.

"Five months, Tiffany. We were supposed to get married in five fucking months," I cried against her shoulder.

"I know, mama," she replied softly, rubbing my back. "Let's just finish getting some things together so you can get some space for a few days, okay?"

I wiped my face before continuing to pack, throwing random clothes in my suitcase before zipping it as I heard the front door slam downstairs.

"I'll be in the car," Tiff whispered as she walked out, running into Pluto in the hallway before he could get to me. "Just let her go in peace. When she's ready to talk to you, she will."

She turned away from him and continued down the hall. He walked into the bedroom, seeing me with my suitcase before he stopped moving.

"Where you going, baby?"

"That's no longer your concern."

"Can we talk when you get back?"

"I'm not coming back."

"Liyah, let me expl-"

"I don't care, Pluto," I interrupted. "It's the same story every time and I'm tired of hearing it. I no longer have it in me to fight with you and I can't live the rest of my life with a man I don't trust. You're free."

I grabbed my suitcase and began making my way downstairs, leaving the key to the house and G Wagon on the coffee table in the living room before closing the door behind me. Pat put my suitcase in the trunk of my BMW as I took one last look at the house, too hurt to even produce tears anymore.

"You can stay with us as long as you need to," Tiff said softly, hugging me.

"Thank you but no. I just need to be alone for a few days. I'll call you."

I hugged Pat before we all got into our separate vehicles, going our separate ways. I drove to the St. Regis downtown, praying they had rooms available. I grabbed my suitcase out of the trunk and rolled it to the front door, making my way inside to the lobby.

"Please tell me you have rooms available," I said to the clerk.

"Actually we do," she smiled. "I'll just need your driver's license and a credit card to reserve it for you."

I fumbled around in my purse for my wallet, getting frustrated at the thought that I could've left it at the house.

"Liyah?"

I looked up to see Drake walking towards me.

"Hey, it's not a good time. I'm sorry."

"Nah, I got you. I'm about to head back out. Just take my room for the night."

"I'm fine, really. You don't have to do that."

"Don't pay for a room when mine is going to waste. You good," he reassured me, grabbing my suitcase.

I smiled awkwardly at the clerk before following him to the elevator then down the hall to his suite. He opened the door, letting me go in first before taking my bag into the room. I sat on the couch, waiting for him to come out as I eyed a chilled bottle of champagne on the table. He walked out and caught me looking at it.

"Help yourself," he smiled warmly.

"I can't, thank you though."

"It's already paid for," he laughed, leaning against the door frame. "Do you resist every time someone tries to be nice to you?"

"No I literally can't. I don't like loud noises. It scares me."

He walked over to grab the bottle, unwrapping the cork before pausing.

"Cover your ears."

I looked away, placing my hands over my ears as I heard a soft pop on the other side of the room. He poured me a glass and set it on the table.

"You're not having one?" I asked taking a sip, taken aback by how strong the first sip was.

"Nah, not really in the mood for it."

"Not very champagnepapi of you," I laughed, laughing harder when I saw his expression change.

"You got jokes," he laughed, pouring himself a glass and returning to lean against the door frame.

"You can sit down. I only bite on Fridays."

"Today is Friday," he said raising his eyebrow.

"1:17," I said, looking at my watch before snapping. "Just missed it."

He laughed, walking over to the couch and sitting not too close but not that far as I finished my first glass, reaching for the bottle to pour another.

"You're in a good mood to say you just broke off an engagement," he said, leaning back and sipping from his glass.

I placed my foot underneath me as I made myself more comfortable, placing my arm on the back of the couch and leaning my head against my hand.

"I should've never said yes," I admitted softly, my true feelings coming out as the alcohol set in. "I got wrapped up in the moment one too many times."

"He loves you, y'know?" he asked, his Toronto accent coming out. "I've never seen him consult with someone else before going out, especially not a woman."

"Didn't mean anything. He still found a way to fuck everything up."

I finished my second glass, reaching to pour another before refilling his glass as well. I sat Indian style facing him before he continued speaking.

"For the record, I wasn't covering for him. I genuinely didn't know he was still there."

"Even if you were, it wouldn't change anything," I shrugged sipping from my glass, feeling the full effects of the champagne.

For the first time, I just sat and admired how handsome he was. He was much taller than I expected, still towering over me in height. Being in the same room as my longest celebrity crush seemed so surreal.

"That sucks man. On the bright side, you're a beautiful woman. You won't be single long."

"You know, you're very charming."

"I've been told," he smiled, taking another sip.

"That's not a compliment."

"How is being charming not a compliment?"

"Ted Bundy was charming."

"Hold on," he laughed uncomfortably. "I'm not into none of the shit he was into."

"That's not what I'm saying," I chuckled softly. "You have a dangerous way with words. A slick mouth if you will."

"There's power in the tongue," he responded, making me choke on my drink.

"Shit," he panicked, setting his glass on the table and getting closer to me to lift my arms above my head so I could breathe. "You okay?"

I stared at him up close, still trying to believe it was actually him sitting in front of me. He brought my arms back down, maintaining eye contact with me as I felt a moment building between us. As if on cue we leaned towards each other, placing a kiss on each other's lips.

"I'm sorry," he apologized, pulling away before it got deeper.

"Don't be. I've wanted to do that for 10 years."

I grabbed the side of his face, pulling him back towards me to finish what we started. I leaned forward, coming out of my cross legged position, pressing my chest to his as we continued kissing. He wrapped his arms around me, rubbing my back and occasionally squeezing my ass. It had been a little over a month since the last time I had sex and this kiss was not helping whatsoever. I slowly ended the kiss, rising off of the couch and walking towards the bedroom of the suite, removing my shirt with my back turned to him. I peeped over my shoulder, seeing him still laying in the same spot watching me.

"Are you coming or what?"