Love Don't Cost A Thing | [Dricki]

high hopes.

Drake whistled the hook to Jay Z's "Big Pimpin" as he waited for one of the Maraj's to answer the door. He had been standing at their doorstep for a good 5 minutes with the pool cleaning equipment in tow, and to say he was impatient was an understatement.

The double doors finally swung open as Drake turned around on the balls of his Jordan's.

"Oh, Aubrey! I didn't know you were coming, I should've called you. Nicki's having a party and it should be starting within the next 20 minutes."

Drake cringed at the thought of his entire grade in the Maraj's humongous backyard, but he wouldn't pass up the opportunity to get some extra cash in his pocket.

"That's okay Mrs. Maraj, they won't be in my way." Ashanti smiled up at the generous young boy and moved aside to welcome him into her Calabasas mansion.

"You're such a sweetheart, Aubrey. I really do appreciate your services. These lazy kids of mine can't even take the trash out, let alone clean a pool." Ashanti chuckled to herself as she made her way down the elongated hallway, making a quick left into the massive kitchen as Aubrey lagged behind her with his pool skimmer.

He was the neighborhood pool boy, a job his father immediately made him get after he told his family that he wanted to pursue rap. A booming chuckle and a slap on the back later, he was calling the number on the pool boy ad.

His beige cheeks turned a bright pink as he adjusted the bucket hat on top of his head, Ashanti was always like a second mother to him.

"Nah, thank you Mrs. Maraj. Without this job I don't think I'd be able to put anything towards my mom's medical bills." Drake scratched the back of his neck as Ashanti shot him a look of sympathy.

Aubrey continued his small talk with Jada for a bit until he excused himself and slipped out the kitchen door that led to the backyard. He puffed out a breathe of air as he exited the sun–porch and walked down the stoned pathway, finally hearing her contagious giggle fill his ears as he rounded the corner.

And there she was, the Trinidadian goddess herself sat at the edge of the wide pool dipping her white polished toes in and out of the crystal blue water while chatting away on her iPhone.

Her hair was a sleek shade of ebony, flowing in curly waves down her back to adorn her glowing butterscotch-like skin. Almond shaped eyes, framed by long lashes, were a bright whisky brown and seemed to lighten the world. Not to mention she was also blessed with a pointed nose and full lips.

Goddamn, she's fine as hell. Aubrey thought as he unintentionally licked his lips. His eyes then wandered down to her body, tempting him even more.

"I mean he's cute, but not cute enough for me to give him s–"

Onika heard Drake's awkward cough before she could finish her sentence, causing her to squint her eyes at him when she looked up.

"Cassie, girl. Imma have to call you back. Mhm. Yeah bye."

Aubrey dropped his equipment except for the pool net and stood at the opposite end away from her, slowly wadding it through the water and collecting some of the grass that had been cut hours ago. He wanted to avoid her at all costs. Or at least try to.