The Essence Of Love

Olivia Pope

"Well of course I've talked to him he's my husband. Why are you in Buckhead? I guess you expected me walk home in my five inch So Kate's?" She fusses, her strong, Nigerian accent coming through.

"I'm so sorry mommy. I honestly forgot. There was a lot going on today. But wait who told you to wear stiletto Louboutin's on an airplane anyways?" I joke.

"Don't change the subject daughter."

"Oh so I'm daughter now? That's cold mommy." I roll my eyes.

"You betrayed me." She says dramatically.

" Oh my Queen ,you're so dramatic." I glance at the time. 2:22 A.M. I contemplated on bringing up my father's situation over the phone, but my head is killing me , and my mind is fried.

"You ready gorgeous?" Rico's sexy voice startles me , as he comes  out of the bathroom shirtless. My eyes dart from his six pack up the intricate tattoo spread over his toned chest and then down to the imprint in his boxers. Helloooo there.

"Wow , your shirtless". I say aloud , trying to get my dirty thoughts together.

"Yea in my house." He mutters.

"Eww, attitude,  check it." I scrunch my face up.

"You ready?" He ignores me.

"Sanuuuu?" Mommy  snaps in Housa, her Nigerian language. I forgot she was even on the phone, just like that.

"Sorry mommy, I'm on the way home k?"I say.

"Come up and brush my hair when you get here please?" She asks.

"Yes ma'am, love you." I coo.

"Ina Sonki." she replies.

"I'm sorry for freaking out on you Rico I--"

"It's cool. I have anxiety so I know how you feel. I'm just tryna be here for you. You came into my life for a reason. Shit I know that sounds lame as fuck , but I can't explain it ." He says walking over to me. I run my hand through my messy waves nervously.

"Oh gosh my hair is sooooo messy." I change the subject. I really didn't know what to say to that. He narrows those gorgeous eyes and sucks his teeth.

"Don't do that."

"Dooooo?" I inquire.

"That changing the subject shit. If you don't wanna talk about something then just say that. Be blunt with me. I'll always be real with you. Let me know what's in that lil peanut head." He coaxes.

"OK , well everything!  My stupid father is a despicable liar and cheater ,with horrible taste in side bitches, and my soon to be but not anymore boyfriend ,fucks teenage boys for fun and spreads STDS. It's just too much at once, this is not my life!  I don't do drama! I'm doing what I should , so that I can be a very successful black woman , so this shit doesn't make sense to me , and I'm tired as fuck!" I blurt.

He stares at me intently before speaking. "You gon' be aight." He says as he rubs my back.

"That was such an inspirational pep talk. Don't quit your day job." I mumble, rolling my eyes.

"Aight keep rollin' em ma. You don't always need somebody to talk back after you vent. Shit, I'd rather have someone who knows how to shut the fuck up sometime and just listen".

"Right , so are you gonna open up and tell me why your so interested in me?" I ask as I follow him back downstairs to the garage.

"We on you right now. I ain't tryna hurt you nor do I have any ill intentions, if that's what you tryna get at."  He opens the passenger door and I slide in. After he gets in he adjusts the heat for our seats and backs out of the long driveway.

"I know, but I'm saying, like why me?"I ask.

" You are altogether beautiful my darling, there is no flaw in you." He quotes.

"That sounds familiar." I ponder.

"Its biblical baby." He boasts.

"Look at you ,so your a man who knows God? That's good." I say as we hit the interstate.

"I'm working on it ma. He has quite a ways to go with me though." He smirks.

"Shiiiit, same here!" I laugh.

We pull into my driveway about 45 minutes later and I didn't want to get out. We had begun opening up to each other and I was in the middle of my story about how I met the girls.

"Well, time for you to get some rest, I know you need it." He starts.

"Yea, definitely." I grab my wristlet and zip up the grey ,leathered , MCM jacket he gave me from the backseat, since I forgot mine in Skye's car.

"I'll call you when I get home aight?"

"Ok, thank you." I reply.

He winks as I close the car door and walk to the porch fumbling for my keys. I look back and he's still in the driveway. I finally find them and give him a wave and he backs out. I unlock the door and walk inside door and I instantly felt a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Anybody home?" I yell out, but hear nothing.

I walk into our kitchen and mama's mauve colored Givency wallet and car keys are here on the island so I know she's home. I slowly started up the stairs and noticed red spots on the carpet.

"Mommy?" I call out getting scared, knowing good and well I should be going the opposite direction. I pull my switchblade out of my wristlet while eyeing more random drops of red on the carpet. Essence you can do this. Someone could be hurt. What if it's mama, but what if it's Michael Myers? So many thoughts run through my head. I reach my parents' bedroom door and put my ear to it. I only hear the sound of Olivia Pope's voice coming from the TV.

I begin to knock on the door as it opens at the same time. I jump and possibly pee on myself as we both scream , and I instinctively drive the blade forward.