EMDS - #1 - A Congressman's Temptation (MxM)

c.13

  “ Okay. “ 

  “ Okay? “ Erica and I were both surprised. “ You’re not going to fight us on this one? “ 

  “ What good is that going to do? Your mother is right, you guys don’t listen. “ he sat down on the arm of the couch. “ Plus, I think you’re both doing something that will change the world. Who would I be to stand in the way of that? “ 

  “ How did Andrew take the news, ‘Lijah? “ my mother asked as she sipped on her coffee. 

  “ He’s okay. Not happy, but he’s just like dad; he knows he can’t stop me. “ both my mother and father nodded. 

  “ When are you leaving? “ 

  “ Friday. “ Erica hesitated a little. 

  “ Good. Now I have an excuse to throw a little party. “ my mother smiled as she retreated to the kitchen. 

  “ I’m proud of you two hard-headed brats. “ he stood up to give both of us a kiss on our foreheads before heading into the kitchen with my mother. Erica and I just looked at each other. 

  “ This is happening. “ 

  “ Yes, it is! “ 

  Before we all knew it, Friday was here. Everything was coming together as if God had already planned it. We had found a building in Paris along with some potential staff and clients. I found my dream home. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms. Large ceilings, chandeliers, a balcony overlooking the city. I was excited about that. 

  “ I can’t believe that ya’ll are about to leave me. “ Keenan whined as he plopped down on my bed. 

  “ You can always come to visit and you know that. “ I began buttoning up my shirt.  

  “ I know. “ he smiled. “ How did Andrew take it? “ 

  “ We broke up. “ I turned around to him. I could tell by the look on his face that he felt responsible. “ Don’t think this is your fault either. It was his crazy-ass ex-wife. We just grew apart, that’s all. “ 

  “ I’m sorry. “ 

  “ What did I just say? “ he looked up at me. “ It had nothing to do with you. “ 

  I sat down beside him on the bed as he began to fidget around with his fingers. I nudged him a bit and he laughed. 

  “ I’m super proud of you, Keenan. I just want you to know that. “ 

  “ I know. Thank you for not giving up on me. “ 

  “ I wouldn’t imagine it. “ we both smiled at each other. 

  “ Kids, get down here! The party is starting! “ my father yelled upstairs. Keenan stood up first and made his way to the door. He hovered for a second before speaking. 

  “ I love you, ‘Lijah. You are the love of my life. It hurts that we can’t be together because of the circumstances, but I completely understand. “ he then turned around to face me. “ Don’t change. “ 

  He opened the door and exited the room. I sighed deeply, mentally coaching myself before getting up and heading downstairs. I was surprised to see the many people I did. My mother said that she kept it simple and small, but this was the complete opposite. I walked into the kitchen as the caterer had her servers filling up the chrome serving trays. I smiled widely once she recognized me. 

  “ Would you look at my baby? “ Mrs. T wiped her hands on the white towel before pulling me into one of her famous warm hugs. 

  “ It’s been so long since I’ve seen you. Everything okay? “ 

  “ Now it is. Mrs. T was sick for a little minute, and I had to lay low. I’m back now, baby. “ she smiled. “ I want you to try something. I made it just for you. “ 

  I picked up the small delicacy and placed it into my mouth. I nodded as the food began to caress my pallet. 

  “ Uh-huh, I knew you would like it. “ she smiled. “ It’s all vegan. Sautéed mushroom and onions with potatoes, kale, and chickpeas for texture. “ 

  “ You know I love anything you cook, Mrs. T. “ I complimented her as she flipped her hair, causing me to laugh. 

  “ I heard you went and got yourself a white man. “ she returned to mincing onions before placing them into the small pan. I chuckled. 

  “ Andrew. “ 

  “ Ya’ll still going strong with these changes? “ she asked. 

  “ We decided to call it quits. “ 

  “ Good. “ she placed the mushrooms with the onions, tossing them in some seasoning. “ Let me tell you something, baby, change is inevitable, especially for those who have been chosen to do the Lord's work. You’re one of them. Everything that happens to you comes in seasons. Now that your harvest has been collected, it’s time for you to plant more seeds and level up. “ 

  All of her words were familiar to me. My mother had been preaching them to us since we were little kids, but now I fully understood them. The pain is a lesson. The tears are a lesson. Life has levels, and the more we submit to our purpose, the higher we will go. 

  “ Promise me this, little ‘Lijah: don’t you come back to this place. “ she cupped my chin gently with her hand. “ Don’t you ever come back. “ 

  I nodded. “ Yes ma’am. “ 

  That familiar sound of metal clanking against glass caught my attention. Mrs. T nodded before I joined the rest of the guests gathered at the front of the stairs where my mother and father stood. 

  “ I’ll try not to cry. “ my mother sniffled. “ Life ain’t easy being a Dexter. Not just because my husband is the Senator, but because of who God made us to be. We are nurturing, we are natural fighters, and we understand emotion far too well. But we wouldn’t change a thing. God gave Charlie and I the three biggest blessings that we could ask for our children. “ as the room filled up with applause, my attention went to the front door. It was Andrew. He shuffled inside, walking through the kitchen, and speaking to everyone before standing off in a corner as my mother continued her speech. “ I love them so much, and to see them conquering adulthood is so inspiring. They are the reason that Charlie and I stay so young. They bring fresh and new ideas to the table, and they challenge us. “ 

  “ Do they. “ my father added as we all laughed. 

  “ So as they all begin their new journeys, may you keep God in your hearts, family on your mind, and love and peace all around you. “ she raised her glass as everyone else followed suit. “ To Dexter's. “ 

  “ To the Dexter's. “ the crowd spoke in unison. 

  “ You still make my heart skip, kid. “ he whispered in my ear. I turned around to look up at him. That smile still warms my heart. 

  “ And I still fall for you every time I see you. “ he blushed. 

  “ Can we go somewhere and talk privately? “ 

  “ Sure. “ 

  I led the way to my father's study. He peeked around the door to make sure that no one followed us and closed it lightly. I sat on my father's desk as he slowly walked over to me. He handed me the bag that he was holding behind his back. 

  “ What’s this? “ I gently removed it from his hand. 

  “ Just open it. “ he rushed. I pushed the blue thin paper aside, revealing the black velvet box. I removed it from the bag, opening it as the LED lights illuminated the gold necklace. The Cuban loops led to a gold pendant that spelled his name in a script font. A tried to hide the tear that fell down my cheek. 

  “ You’re my first real love, kid. “ his voice broke. I looked into his now grey-tinted eyes. “ I’m really sorry that it came to this, you know? I saw us getting married, starting our own family, moving away so that it could just be me and you. No cameras and no reporters, just me and you. Wishful thinking, huh? “ he wiped the tears away from my face, placing his hands gently around my neck, rubbing his thumbs across my cheek. I held onto his strong hands as the tears began to fall. I didn’t know I was this hurt by this. “ I love you, no matter what happens, Elijah. You showed me something that, if I chose to go and find it again, I would have to spend my whole life searching for it. You made me feel like I was finally enough. Like I had something to live for. “ he lifted my head. “ Before I go, promise me that you won’t change. Promise me. “ 

  “ I promise. “ 

  He pulled me into his chest and held on to me for what seemed like hours, but it was just seconds. He inhaled deeply before gently letting me go and leaving the study. Shortly after, there were knocks on the door followed by it being pushed open. It was my mother. I quickly cleaned my face causing her to chuckle. 

  “ Ain’t nothing wrong with a broken heart, baby. “ she sat next to me on the wooden desk as I rested my head on her shoulder. “ I like seeing you vulnerable. It shows that you’re in touch with your emotion and not displaying that toxic masculinity. “ 

  I laughed. “ What do you know about that? “ 

  “ You know, ya’ll gonna’ stop treating me like I’m just old. “ 

  “ We love you. “ I smiled. “ I’m so glad we were able to come together as a family. I never imagined us being this close. “ 

  “ It feels good. “ she nodded. “ Now about that duffel bag full of money in your room? “ 

  We laughed before she leaned her head against mine as the room fell silent again. 

  “ It’s a new season for you, baby. Live it. Dream bigger. And I can’t wait to read about what happened in Vegas. “ 

  “ I don’t think you’re gonna’ be too happy. “ I chuckled, sliding off of the desk and walking towards the door. 

  “ Why not? “ 

  I gestured for her to come as we re-joined the party. The moments were bittersweet for me. I moved out of this home before, taking a trip to a foreign land, but that wasn’t quite like this. I’m older now. I’m wiser now. I’ve gained closure. I feel like a brand-new person, honestly. I feel powerful. A good powerful. I am about to make dreams come true, and that excites me beyond anything else. It excites me beyond my mother, Erica, and I waving the last person from the party. It excites me beyond packing my last piece of clothing. It excites me beyond turning in the keys to my apartment. It excites me beyond boarding the private jet to Paris. What kind of connections did my sister have? 

  “ I’m a little concerned, honestly. A private jet? “  

  “ For the last time, ‘Lijah, I’m not mafia, I’m not a Norco queen, I just work hard. “ she sassed before sipping on her glass of wine. 

  “ I’ll take your word for it. “ I relaxed into the leather seat. “ Why Paris? “ 

  “ Too late to be asking that, don’t you think? “ she smiled. 

  “ You know what I meant. “ 

  “ That’s where the market is, brother. People who live in places like Paris don’t go to the states to explore, it’s the opposite. Places like Paris are goals and dreams, and once they’re obtained, the opportunities are limitless. This is international! The big leagues. “ she explained. 

  “ I get it, I get it. “ I rolled my eyes as she chuckled. “ I’m excited for you, though. I’ve never seen you so consistent. “ 

  “ That’s because I have you by my side. “ she cooed. 

  “ Bullshit. “ we both laughed. “ I thank you for seeing something in me. “ 

  “ We all see something in you, ’Lijah. Something that can’t be denied, not even by you. Watch what I tell you, this city ain’t ready for you. They ain’t ready for us. “ 

  “ Those folks don’t know us, Erica, we’re foreign to them. “ 

  “ Exactly. You’re caught up in networking and connections, which are all taken care of. You have to make sure that they see you, okay? Anybody can hear you, but do they see your potential? Does your actions match or exceed your words? Make them feel your presence, ‘Lijah. Make them want more. “ 

  This was a side of Erica that was new to me, but I loved it. Her growth was clear. She is a woman who knows her worth, knows what she wants, and knows exactly how she’s going to get it. She wasn’t afraid of boundaries or rules, and she was in full control. 

  Once we landed in Paris, discomfort set it. I felt like a child who lost their parents. I felt small. It would be different if I had done some research for myself, but I fully trusted Erica and I knew that she wouldn’t lead me astray. The first thing we did was meet with the realtor to sign the papers for my home. Once that was done, Erica called a good friend of hers who came to look at the house and its potential. She was bursting with ideas and her excitement got the best of her. She wanted to get it done that day, and I wasn’t complaining at all. We then went to Erica’s place which wasn’t extravagant like mine, but it was still something. I admired the loft-style space and her simple but elegant setup. 

  “ The movers are taking care of everything for you, the only thing you’ll need to do is get packed away. “ she smiled, placing her bags down and falling on the soft couch. “ Feels good to be here. “ 

  I remained quiet. I was still taking everything in and I couldn’t believe how fast it was happening. I was literally in the city people dream of. I was about to make a difference while doing something I loved, and that shook me a bit. 

  “ What’s on your mind? “ 

  “ I don’t know, honestly. I’m excited, but I’m nervous. “ I told her. 

  “ No fear? “ 

  “ Definitely not that. There is pressure to be the best I can be, not just for myself, but for everyone else. That’s what I think is weighing on me. “ 

  “ Trust and believe me when I say that a month from now, you’re going to question why you even hesitated. I know that you’re going to work hard and have such an impact on this place. You are that voice, Elijah, people need you, whether they know it or not. Just like I said, make them feel you, just like back home. “ 

  Every word that she spoke stuck with me. I didn’t want to let her down. I didn’t want to let myself down. I was determined to give this everything I had, and I knew how to make it work. 

  I got up from the couch, walking over to hug her once again. “ Thank you. “ 

  “ You’re welcome, baby. “ she sung. “ And don’t be a stranger either, okay? I don’t know why you turned down staying here, at least until you got to know the place. “ 

  “ That’s why I did it. Not being under you will force me to explore. I’m a loner, but I have my limits. “ we both nodded agreeing. “ I got this. “ 

  “ Alright. “ she smiled. “ Now come on, there is this fine Italian restaurant I want to take you. You do understand that being a vegan isn’t going to work anymore, right? “ 

  “ Sadly. “ I pouted. 

  “ Good. Now put on something cute, the hotties are always out. “