Wicked Love (D'Angelo Russell)

1

Ariel 💕

I stood at the front desk of my job talking to Jenna. I was waiting to receive further information from my boss about who my next client would be. So I just waited at the front for him.

Working in real estate was a pain in the ass at times. Upon seeing him walk my way, I straightened my posture.

"The Moore family. They're looking to buy an apartment in Queens. There are a few places that literally just emptied. I was wondering if you could tour the family around a few of those places." My boss, Christian, states.

"No problem at all." I say.

"Great. We'll have you meet with them tomorrow." He said.

I nod. He then walks away, leaving me to continue my talk with Jenna, the girl who works at the front desk of our company.

A couple minutes into our conversation, I feel a pair of strong arms wrap around me. I tense up at first, but relax when I feel kisses on my cheek. I smile, knowing exactly who it was.

I turn to face my boyfriend D'Angelo, DLo for short.

"Babe! What are you doing here?!" I say, wrapping my arms around his neck.

He laughed, kissing my neck.

"I wanted to surprise my princess at work. Possibly take you to lunch, if you're up for it." He said.

"Of course I am. I have to check with Christian first." I say.

He nods. He looks down then holds his hands out to me. I look down to see a bouquet of turquoise roses in his hand.

"Oh my god, are these for me?" I ask, smiling widely.

"Always for you princess." He said.

"Oh my god. Thank you so much baby." I say, wrapping an arm around his neck and kissing his soft plush lips.

We smiled against each other's lips, then pulled away.

"I love you." I say.

"I love you more princess." He said.

I smile up at him.

He means the world to me, and more.

*****

"So, what's in store for you Riri?" DLo asked.

"Christian has me working with another client. I think this one will be easier though." I say.

He nods.

"What about you and recovery? I see you're any and everywhere with the team. What you guys been up to?" I say.

He smiled.

"We've mostly been up to team bonding. The more we travel together, the closer we get. I feel like this is the best team I've ever played for. Just a bunch of cool guys overall." He explained.

"I am so glad to hear that babe." I say.

"Thank you princess." He said.

I smile. We wait on our food to arrive. Before it did, I checked my notifications. I had a missed FaceTime call from Ariana; my twin sister living in Los Angeles. Her boyfriend is Kyle Kuzma, from the Lakers.

"What's up?" DLo asked.

"Just a missed FaceTime call from Ari." I say, shrugging.

"Oh. How is she by the way?" He asked.

"Good, I hope. We're supposed to go see our parents in Atlanta for Christmas." I explain.

He nods.

"You don't look so excited about the news." I say.

He shakes his head.

"No, I'm fine." He said.

I wanted to further question it, but I decided against it.

It's best if I say nothing.

*****

I sat beside DLo on the couch, watching him play around with Molly and Max, the dogs. I smile because he genuinely loves his dogs. With everything in him.

After a couple minutes, he sat back comfortably.

"You really love them don't you?" I say.

"Yeah, I do." He said, looking from me to the dogs.

I smile.

"Which leaves me to wonder why we haven't thought of having more kids yet." He said.

I shake my head.

"Why not?" He asked.

"I'm busy with work, you're busy with basketball. How are we supposed to do this?" I say.

"The same way we were planning to do it before we lost the first baby." He said.

My stomach churns as my face slightly drains color. I'll get into that story a little later.

"I don't know DLo. Having kids was never at the top of my list." I exclaim.

"Is it because you're scared of losing another child?" He asked.

I nod, feeling the guilt gnaw at me.

"Can we at least try again? I know it's hard for us, but twice is a charm." He said.

I sigh.

"DLo, we can't." I say.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"I'm just too busy." I say, standing up from the couch.

"So you're too busy for me, is what you're saying." He said.

"We're not doing this." I say.

"Ariel." He said.

"D'Angelo." I say.

Molly caught up with me.

"Can you at least just think about it?" He said.

"I did. And my answer is still no." I say.

I listen to him growl. I shrug, walking into our shared bedroom.

He thinks I'm gonna just up and get pregnant at the snap of a finger. It's a process. One I'm not ready to go through.

*****

I waited for a minute or two before Ariana picked up FaceTime. When she did, she looked half asleep.

"Hey Riri."
"Hey Ari."
"What's up?"
"DLo."
"Girl me too. Kyle is a mess."
"Tell me about it."
"I don't understand how this is even our life now. Did you expect this to happen to us?"
"Not at all Ari."
"You go first."
"Okay. So you know the situation with the 'miscarriage' right? Well, DLo wants to try for another but I'm blowing him off. One because we're both very busy and two because the guilt is eating me alive."
"You didn't tell him yet?"
"No. I'm scared."
"Oh Riri. We'll discuss it more when we get to Atlanta."
"Okay. What about you and Kyle?"
"I'm considering a split."
"Really? Why?"
"He shows no affection what so ever. Doesn't say I love you, doesn't kiss me on my lips, and sex is definitely out of the question. Even when we hug, it doesn't feel real. I think we're losing our spark."
"No you're not. You guys just have to discuss what it is that makes him behave this way."
"I'll try. But he's very quiet at times. I doubt he's gonna say much."
"Just try. Work on it. You guys are the cutest."
"I don't know Ri."
"Don't overthink it. Just talk to him. I'm sure there's a reason. Don't give up on him."
"Okay. I'll talk to you later though."
"Okay bye. I love you."
"I love you more."

We hung up FaceTime and I turned my phone off. I place my phone on the dresser and get comfortable under the covers. DLo went out with a few of his teammates, so that just left me and the dogs to chill.

Molly curled up by my feet and Max curled up on the ground by my side.

Maybe I will reconsider the thought of having kids. But I have to clear something off my conscious first.