Merc (COMPLETED)

Page 4🔓

Neo🩷🌸

On the other side of town…

Like I always did, I had a low playlist going while I did my makeup live. For tonight, I chose to get ready on TikTok because they hardly ever hassled me about the music that played in the background. Music was such a huge part of my life that I almost always had it playing, and when it wasn’t playing, I was singing or humming a tune in my head and heart.

I didn’t really talk much while I was live, so I didn’t care to keep up with comments. If someone complimented me, I thanked them or offered names of products I was using for women who asked, but that was about it. I wasn’t an influencer or anything; I just liked sharing one of my favorite moments with the world.

The alarm announced the opening of the garage door, letting me know Steven was home. A smile instantly spread my lips. I had no idea what he had planned for us for this evening, but I was excited for it. Since he put together our plans for the evening, I’d hired a chauffeur. I didn’t subscribe to the notion that men didn’t deserve effort and romance, so even though he wanted to treat me tonight, I wanted to make the evening about him too. Before he entered our bedroom, I quickly stood and stuffed his gifts in the gift bag on the bench in front of the bed.

He was stepping inside as I made my way back to my vanity.

“Hey,” he spoke softly, walking over to me.

“Hey, honey. How was work?” Steven gave me a tender kiss, lowering his hand between my legs. Pushing him away gently with a giggle, I pointed to the phone. “I’m live, Steven.”

“Then get off.”

“I’m almost done,” I mumbled as he kissed my neck.

“Listen… we’re gonna have to reschedule our plans for the evening.”

My smile dropped, and I gently pushed him away from me.

“What do you mean?”

Steven squeezed the back of his neck as he sat on the bench in front of our bed.

“Asia wants to do something with China tonight, and you know I can’t say no to my baby girl.”

Sighing, I grabbed my phone to disconnect the live. I could tell this conversation was about to get a little heated, and I didn’t want hundreds of people that I didn’t even know, with a few of my friends and family members sprinkled in, knowing my business.

“You’re not saying no to your daughter; you’re saying no to her mother.”

“It’s the same thing.”

Chuckling, I shook my head as I set the phone on the vanity. “No, it’s not. I hate to sound crass, but Valentine’s Day is a day for lovers. I’m more than okay with you doing something with your daughter before we go out, but I’m not really comfortable with you not doing what you planned for us to spend time with them as a family.”