Seven Days: A young black woman makes a deal with a mob boss. (21 page)

"It's not much, but I like it," she quietly admitted.
"Could I have a glass of water?" Nic asked. Suddenly his mouth was dry at the thought of what he was about to do.
After Nic drained the glass he walked over to the sofa and sat down. It wasn't really a comfortable couch, but what the hell. He wiped his hand down his face and sat staring at the blank TV. He turned to Victoria and watched her as she sat down on the opposite end of the couch. 
"I...," Nic started, then stopped. He reached into the inside pocket of his coat, pulled out a book and handed it to Victoria.
Victoria looked down at the book. '100 Greatest Love Poems of All Time', her book that she couldn't find after her heart had been smashed into a million pieces by him.
"Sorry I kept your book. I read through it and I hope you don't mind, but I added another poem at the end," Nic said.
Victoria slowly flipped through the book until she reached the last page. Scribbled in black ink were several words written in what she could only assume was Italian.
"What does it say?" Victoria whispered, mesmerized by the Italian cursive strewn beautifully across the crisp white pages.
Nic silently exhaled and took the book. "It says: In the eyes of my lady I see a light full of spirits of love, which bears to the heart a sweetness never known, so joyous life awakens there."
He glanced at Victoria. Her head was down and her eyes were closed. He continued, "Something happens to me when I am in her presence, I cannot describe it to the intellect; it seems to me that from her lips there issues forth a lady so beautiful, the memory cannot hold her, because at once another is born of her, of unknown beauty, from whom it seems a star arises and says, 'Your salvation is come forth'."
Nic looked at her again. Her long charcoal eyelashes lay gently down on her face. Her cute, tiny round nose and full lips caught his attention. He placed the book down on the floor and recited the rest by memory, for it was one of his favorite poems. And now he could truly understand what the author meant. 
"There where this beautiful lady comes forth, a voice is heard preceding her, and it seems, moved by her humility it sings her name so sweetly, that if I try to describe it, I feel how her worth makes me tremble; and in my soul sighs bestir themselves which say, 'Behold, if you gaze upon this one, you will see her virtue ascended into heaven'."
He saw a tear spill from underneath her eyelids and she quickly wiped it away. Nic wanted so badly to kiss the trail where the tear had made a wet track down her cheek, but he didn't make a move. He wasn't sure if that would upset her because he couldn't tell what she was thinking. He was normally very good at reading people. It came in handy in his line of work, but he couldn't read Victoria. 
Neither one said a word for a few moments. 
Finally Victoria spoke. "Nic, I—I just feel like so much was done and said, that it may never be right, you know." She wiped at her face again and then stood up from the couch and walked down the hall.
Nic stood and walked behind her. No way in hell he was going to give up that easy. No way. He followed her into her bedroom. He quickly glanced around at her lavender walls and simple decorations. He noticed a small makeshift bed in the corner. Nothing more than a box spring and two mattresses low to the ground. He felt a small pierce to his heart that she was living like this because of him. If he had just kept his fucking mouth shut, she would have still been nestled safely in his condo, instead of scraping pennies together to keep this tiny, old apartment.
Nic focused back on Victoria. She was standing in the middle of the teeny space, with her arms wrapped around her upper body as if she were supporting herself. "I'm sorry Victoria. I'm ashamed of my past behavior and I hope that you won't hold that against me for long."
Victoria shook her head. "Nic, I--I don't know how I feel about any of this. So much has happened and..."
"I know," Nic quietly said.
Victoria didn't know what to do. She hadn't really prepared herself to see Nic ever again, and especially not tonight—this morning, or whatever time it was. She had been taken completely off guard. He hadn't tried to contact her after their reunion in his limo, so she figured he was through with her. And as much as it had hurt, she placed Nic at the back of her thoughts and concentrated on getting an apartment and saving a little bit of money. But now that she had the apartment, late at night when everything was quiet, she would think about him. Dream about him. In her dream he wasn't a cold mobster. He was a husband, a businessman with legal practices and even a father in some of her dreams. She knew they all were a long shot, but when no one else was around, she felt it was okay for her to think about those things. Even if they would never come true.
But here he was and it was confusing the hell out of her. But he had said he loved her. Was that enough to wipe away everything?
"Nic, you hurt me so bad. I'm still so hurt and mad at you," Victoria admitted, praying her voice wasn't cracking.
"What can I do to make you forgive me?" Nic said, taking a step toward her.
"Let me slap the shit out of you," Victoria spat, and was immediately taken back by her statement. "I mean--"
"Go ahead," Nic said.
Victoria looked up at him. "What?" she asked, incredulously.
"Hit me, if it will make you feel better," Nic whispered, approaching her more closely. He reached out for her and immediately her tears began to fall from her eyes. She tried to push him away but he held on to her tightly. 
"Don't, Nic," Victoria said, trying to control her frantic breathing.

Nic started to lean down to kiss her, but her hand suddenly connected with the side of his face with a loud crack. He stopped, but didn't flinch from her. She slapped him again and then a third time until she wrapped her arms tightly against his torso and collapsed into sobs. Nic could hear her mumbling something through her cries, but he couldn't understand it. He just wanted to hold her. He pushed her towards the small bed and gently laid her down. "I love you," he whispered, albeit his cheek was throbbing. But that pain in no way compared to the wounded look in her eyes. "I--love--you," Nic whispered as he kissed her forehead, nose and then her lips.
"Don't h-hurt me a-again," Victoria stuttered through hiccups, as she ran her hands through his soft black hair.
"I won't," he promised, as he slowly pulled off her tiny black shorts and soft light pink panties. He stared into her face as he slowly traveled down to a particular place between her legs. He could hear her sniffling as he slowly licked and kissed her clit. She immediately began to moan and twist underneath his assault, but he held her legs firmly with his arms. He had caused her enough pain, now he just wanted her to feel pleasure. To be happy. 
He swiveled his tongue up and down and in and out of her sweet love nest. "Nic...oh," he heard her whisper, as her legs began to tremble and breathing became erratic. She started coming and twisting in the sheets as he continued to enjoy her. 
When she was done trembling, Nic released her legs and removed his coat and shirt. He slowly unfastened his belt as he watched her wipe the remainder of her tears from her eyes. Her face was soft and void of any makeup and her nose had a slight red tint to it. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and in that moment she took his breath away. He pushed down his pants and boxers as he moved between her legs. He leaned down and kissed her as he entered her. They both moaned simultaneously at the familiar reunion of their bodies.
Nic rolled them over so that Victoria was on top, straddling him. She stared down at him as she slowly rocked her hips back and forth, riding his dick. Her eyes were still glassy, but she began picking up the pace, as she discarded her flimsy shirt. She braced her hands against his chest and closed her eyes and started breathing heavily. Nic knew she was close to coming. He wanted her to. Tonight was about her.
"Ooh, shit...shit," Victoria moaned. He felt so damn good inside her pussy. She had missed this. This intense feeling. She knew what she wanted and how she wanted it. "Pull my hair," she whispered to him.
Nic raised up and gripped a fist full of her curls and yanked them down. She shrieked from the pain as another tear slid from the corner of her eye and into her hair. When the pain in her scalp finally subsided, she looked at him and shivered. Her lower body was still working miracles, squeezing his shaft, as her hips quickly rotated over his. Her eyes looked unsure, as if she wanted to ask him something, but she wasn't sure how. But then she gathered the courage.
"Um, Nic...can you--" she started to say, but Nic knew exactly what she wanted. Before she could finish her sentence, he wrapped his hand around her throat. Her eyes immediately widened but then slowly closed as she moaned again and picked up the pace, almost bouncing her entire body up and down on him. He squeezed tighter and she started to shake. She reached up to pinch her nipples right before she violently came. Her body continued to shudder while on top of him, but then she went limp in his arms and he pushed her back onto the bed and settled on top of her.
Nic watched as she slowly opened her eyes and smiled up at him. But just as soon as the smile came, it faded and she closed her eyes again. A second later, he heard a small snore. Nic kissed her lips one more time and gently rolled off of her. 
The bed was definitely too small for the both of them, but he turned his body sideways and gazed at her face. He hadn't even come yet, but he wasn't pissed, much to his surprise. Normally, with other women, he would have just pounded the shit out of them until he could get his release, but tonight really was about her. In that moment, she was all that mattered. And if things went according to plan, oh, he'd have plenty more chances to come inside her gorgeous body. At least he hoped she wouldn't change her mind about giving him a second chance. He stared at her as long as he could before his eyelids became heavy and he drifted off to sleep in an uncomfortable, yet peaceful position.
The next morning, Victoria awoke to the sound of her shower squeaking. She rolled over in the tiny bed and realized that Nic obviously wasn't there. She stared up at her ceiling. 'Did I do the right thing,' she thought as she heard him walking back towards her room. She guessed that was the good thing about her apartment. If someone tried to break in, she'd hear them easily. From the squeaky doors to the creaking floors, you couldn't hide that you were walking around.
He made his way back into the room with his dress pants on, and his clean white shirt unbuttoned showing off his tight abs and natural tan. His hair was still wet, as he pushed it back with his fingers.
"Um, you don't have any hot water," he said, raising an eyebrow.
Victoria groaned and looked at her alarm clock on the floor. "Oh, I'm sorry. Around this time of day we never have hot water. I have to take a shower either really early in the morning or midday while everyone is at work. Any other time there is never hot water. Sorry, I should have warned you."
"No problem. Besides, you were sleeping so soundly, that I didn't want to wake you up. BUT, now that you are up, let's get some breakfast," Nic said, walking over to her and sitting on the bed. He leaned down and kissed her, letting the little droplets of water from his hair fall onto her skin.
"Ug, you're getting me wet," Victoria laughed, pushing Nic away.
"Hmm, that's not the first time you've said that for me," Nic joked, and then dodged her playful punch. But just as soon as the spirited banter had started, it stopped. He noticed her face change and she looked sad.
"Nic, what are we doing? You're married," Victoria sighed.
Nic slowly ran his finger over her flat stomach. "Not for long. My divorce will be finalized very soon."
"What?" Victoria whispered. She hadn't expected to hear that. Was he really serious about all of this? About her?
"I want to do this the right way with you, Victoria," Nic said, staring down into her eyes. She smiled up at him and pulled him down on top of her.
Victoria glanced around the fancy café where they were having breakfast. She thought cafés were tiny little places where you could just get a sandwich. Not some place that has table cloths and wine glasses. She looked over at Nic. He was staring down at the menu. God, this man looked so damn fine. He refused to wear his dirty suit from last night, so they had to stop at a Men's store so he could get a change of clothes. Victoria asked if she could pick out his outfit. At first he had refused, but enough pouting and she won out. She was so used to seeing him in suits that she decided to get him something a little more dressed down. She chose a nice lightweight gray T-shirt with cool designs on it, and dark blue jeans and a belt. She let him pick out a pair of shoes and he also purchased a pair of sunglasses that she swore had a price tag of one-hundred and fifteen dollars. One-hundred and fifteen dollars for sunglasses?! 
But now they sat in this nice café waiting for their server to arrive. She observed Nic's facial features. His parents must have been pretty damn good looking, because they had one hell of a fine son. His face was perfectly symmetrical. He was tall and his body was ridiculously proportionate and fit. He glanced up at her while she was in the middle of her observations.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
Victoria shook her head and glanced down at the menu.
Maybe nothing was wrong for her, but Nic definitely wanted to get something off his chest. After the waiter came and he gave them their order, he asked, "So, where do we go from here?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, we're a couple now, correct?"
Victoria nodded. Nic narrowed his eyes at her. "You know, that's the second head gesture you've given me."
Victoria rolled her eyes and smiled. "Yes, that's correct."
"Thank you. So, now that we are a couple, are you going to move in with me?" Nic asked. She immediately looked down, and Nic knew his answer right then. He took a sip of wine and glanced around the café.
"Nic, I—I don't know. I just feel that this is all still so sudden. This is the first time I've been on my own two feet, and I like it. I know it's not as luxurious as living with you, but it's the first thing I can somewhat call my own. Do you know what I mean?" Victoria asked, staring up at him for his approval.
"Yes, I do. I don't like it, but I understand it," Nic answered, ending the conversation about her apartment.
After breakfast, the two talked as they walked downtown. They came across a furniture shop and Nic pulled Victoria inside. She was afraid to touch anything, for fear she'd break something that was more expensive than what she made in a year.
Nic pulled her towards the back where the beds were on display.
"Pick one," he whispered to her, and then squeezed her ass.
"Nic, no! I know mine's not much, but it's fine," Victoria said. She could see the hard line of his jaw set and he quickly exhaled.
"Victoria, I know you realize I have a lot of money. But this isn't about that. If you won't move in with me, then at least let me keep my sanity by at least allowing me to buy you a better bed."
Victoria still wasn't used to this concept of money being spent on her. She knew she should try to be appreciative for the opportunity, but it still felt wrong to her. Her father hardly ever spent a dime on her, and perhaps that's what was holding her back. But, from the look on Nic's face, she wasn't going to argue back. "Alright, alright Nic," Victoria said, finally giving in, letting out a loud exaggerated sigh. He smiled down at her as she stood on her toes and kissed him. Maybe this relationship could really work.
Over the next few days, Nic and Victoria fell into somewhat of a normal routine that normal couples did. But his purchases didn't stop at the bed. He insisted on buying her a car. She didn't want something too flashy and pricey, so she settled on a regular two door, black Jetta. Of course it was the latest model, but she figured she could handle that. And not having to ride public transportation anymore wasn't something she'd miss. 
Nic was also adamant about her having a cell phone. She had never really wanted one, because she felt they were a hassle and an unnecessary bill, but Nic got her one anyway. She asked to pay for the bill, but he just looked at her like she was crazy. But thinking about bills, she thought about her parents and their bills. She tried to not let it bother her, but it did. She wondered if Mr. Parker had finally kicked them out or if Nic's visit months ago had scared him into giving her folks a little extra time on paying the rent each month.
And spending so much time at Nic's, she was bound to run into Antonio again. Their reunion had been a bit awkward at first. She had promised to meet Nic at his place. He wasn't there yet, but would be arriving at any moment. Eddie had let her in. He smiled at her but still barely said two words. She was walking upstairs to wait in Nic's office when she almost ran into Antonio. For a second, she didn't recognize him. He had gotten a haircut, removed his earrings and was dressed in a nice suit. His face registered pure shock--a look she had seen before, and it almost caused her to smile. But their last encounter was something Victoria still couldn't shake. Even though she knew most of it was Nic's doing.
"Hey Vicky—Victoria. How are you?" Antonio said.
"I'm good. How are you?"
"Eh, I'm hanging in there," he said with a small smile. After that, they weren't sure what to say. He looked to the left and she glanced to the right. He finally turned back to speak again.
"You look really nice. Beautiful. I mean, you always did, but just wanted to tell you again."
"Thank you. You look nice too."
"Thanks. Hey, Vicky, I—hell. I want to say--,"
"No, it's fine. You don't have to say anything."
"I want to though. I—every time I put on this suit I think about what I sacrificed to do it. And I'm not proud of myself," he said, brushing a hand through his hair. "And I just want to say I'm sorry for everything."
Victoria sighed. She was still hurt, but people do desperate things for those they love. She knew that ALL too well. "I know you did it for your mother, and for that, I can't fault you. And I accept your apology." Then he flashed her that smile that she remembered.
"Really?" he asked, grinning from ear to ear. "I at least thought I was going to have to eat more shit than that."
Victoria laughed. "Well, I guess you caught me on a good day, Antonio." He reached out and hugged her, then immediately let go and looked around.
"Shit, I forgot he's on his way here. Um, don't tell him I just did that," Antonio said, looking down the steps toward the door.
Victoria placed her finger to her lips. "Our little secret."
She walked into Nic's office and sat down on the couch. Even his office couch was ten times softer than her lumpy couch at her apartment. But she refused to say a word about it, or else that would be the next large item delivered to her apartment. Of course, her roommate would love it, but Victoria didn't want to get Nic started. He already was pressuring her to let him pay the rent. But she needed to keep some freedom, although she appreciated the thought.
She walked over to his bookcase and scanned the titles. Some were business books, some philosophy, but most of them were for architecture and building design. What? She pulled one of the architecture books from the shelf and plopped it down on his large desk. Victoria flipped through a few of the pages. Most of it was technical stuff that she didn't understand, but she smiled at the many notes Nic or someone had made on the pages. And since he had left a poem for her in the back of her book, she wanted to write one for him, in the back of his.