The Essence Of Love

Whatta Man

5:55 pm

"How does it look?" Elle asks.

"I love it boo! Thank you!" I smile.

"Mmhmm, he's gonna love it!" Elle cheeses as she continues to fluff up my natural puff.

"Ok, I gotta hurry and get my shoes on, the driver just text me."

"Don't forget your Flowerbomb perfume."

"Oh yea, thanks." I say as I slide into the brand new YSL Opyum heels he got me.

"See you later, text me when you get there."

"Ok love you, bye." I say rushing out the door.

I make my way through the lobby and to the driver standing at the all black Cadillac Escalade at the street curb.

"Mrs. Wells?"

"Yes." I say as he opens my door. Rolling my eyes at that name.

"Thank you."

As we pull away, I look around ,taking in the colorful scenery around this amazing city. The beautiful massive buildings and skyscrapers, are just like in the movies, bright yellow cabs fly by and horns honk every second. There is every kind of store and restaurant you can think of.

The hustle and bustle of it all is so energizing. The tourists stop and point , people are yelling, laughing and playing musical instruments, while the aromas coming through the air vent are to die for. We whiz past all my favorite luxury stores, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes. And people from all all walks of life and cultures adorn the sidewalks.

A few minutes later we pull up to a beautiful French restaurant Per Se , right in the heart of Manhattan. The driver comes around to open my door and I see Titan walking towards us. I instantly get wet. Damn.

I swear it's like every time I see this man , he looks even more handsome than before. How is that possible?

He's wearing a perfectly tailored, tan Armani G-Line suit with a white dress shirt and a gold and black plaid tie, and his dreads are pulled back into a ponytail showing off that perfect bone structure. He gives me that sly ass smirk and flashes his perfectly straight pearly whites. No grill tonight.

"Sup lil baby? Thank you for coming to see a nigga."

"Hey." I say

"Damn, your hair, this dress, you look so damn beautiful." He leans down to kiss me.

"Thank you, you did so good with the dress and I love these heels."

"Told you , I know that body by heart baby, from your head to your toes."

I smile and he grabs my hand to lead me inside. We make our way to an elevator and step on as the doors chime and open.

"You should wear your real hair more often baby, it looks good."

"Thank you." I smile as the doors chime open again.

The restaurant is lavishly decorated, with bold red wallpaper, dazzling chandeliers and rows of tables with crisp white cloths. The view of the Manhattan skyline twinkling at night is captivating, and I realize he's rented it out for just us two. We get to our table and he pulls my chair out for me.

"So what made y'all come to New York?" He asks as he sits.

"I just had to get away and I've always wanted to come here."

"That's wassup." He nods, staring past me.

"So um—Are you ok?"

"I'll be straight baby, are you?" He looks me in the eye.

"Yea , same here." I say and he reaches across the table and gently grabs my hands.

"I'm always gonna love you Essence, no matter what you do, no matter where you go, no matter who we both end up with, I'm always gonna love yo sexy ass, you know that right baby?"

"I know." I whisper holding back tears.

"Don't cry, you ready for your surprise?"

"Yes!" I wipe a tear away.

"Too bad , we gon' eat first 'cause I'm hungry as fuck."

"Titan!" I laugh.

"Damn, I'm gon' miss you calling my name every two seconds." He says and I roll my eyes.

A tall chef rounds the corner in a bright all white uniform and chef hat , with two sizzling dishes that smell orgasmic.

"Le diner est servi!" He says as he sets them down and walks away.

"Merci." We reply in unison and laugh.

"I didn't know you knew French!" I exclaim and he winks.

"I had them make my favorite shit, duck breast with pistachio vinaigrette,Hinona Kabu turnips and scalloped potatoes, it's good as fuck."

"It looks and smells delicious!" I say as I dig in.

It's so heavenly and perfectly seasoned. I didn't realize how hungry I was too. I take a bite of the turnips and they are savory. I look up at Titan and he's just staring at me with that look in his eyes.

"I thought you were hungry?" I say.

"I am, I'm just watching you, I'm gonna miss looking at you." I shake my head and finish eating. He's not about to catch me slipping.

When we're done the chef comes to remove our plates and Titan places a small Jordan duffel bag on the table.

"Aight, so you ready for your surprise?" He asks and my eyes light up.

"Yesss, Titan what is this?"

"Since you didn't want to marry a nigga I decided to let you have this." He slides the bag over to me and I slowly unzip it.

"There better not be a body in here!"

"Really bae, I ain't sick like that." He laughs.

I slowly unzip it and multiple stacks of crisp new Benjamin's wrapped in $100,000 labels stare back at me.

"Titan! H—how much is this?"

"I don't know, how much was your promise ring again?" He asks slyly.

"A—a million?" I gasp.

"Hmm, and how much you think your actual wedding ring was?" He smirks as he leans back in his chair.

"Noooooo way, Titan I can't—you can't—what?" I stutter in disbelief.

"How much baby?"

"I can't!" I shake my head.

"Oh ok, so you gon turn down 3 mill just like that?"

"Three mill—, what the hell!"

"I got people who will help you invest it, you gon' be straight baby , don't be scared of wealth, you earned that shit."

"Wh—why?" I start to cry. I can't believe this man.

"Because I love you." He shrugs.

"Titan this is—"

"Take the money baby. You know us Adeyemi women never turn down money."

I almost choke as I quickly whirl around in my seat at the sounds of my mommy's beautiful voice. She comes sashaying around the corner and I cover my mouth in shock. I look at Titan and he just nods.