Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Chap. 21: Ollie, Ollie Oxen Free [Part 2/2]

Hiya guyz! ^_^ Since this is part dos, it picks up exactly where part one left off. Sorry4thewait & S/O 2 all of you for being the bestest audience ever! Plz excuse all mistakes & errors! Love you, muuuaah!!

Chapter: 21 [2/2]

"Ain't this bout a bitch." Nicki mumbled to herself. "Every fuckin time... every time..." She said, tossing her hands up in defeat. Nicki angrily walked to the bathroom to hang up Drake's towel while he was on his way to the front door.

"Who is it?!" He asked, approaching the door, but getting no answer. He looked through the peep hole, but saw no one. Drake opened the door and stepped out, looking both ways, but seeing nothing. He looked over the banister and saw a man heading down the steps and out of the building. He shrugged and turned to head back inside. On the door was a yellow notice. He pulled the paper off and read it carefully. "Shit…" Drake huffed, closing the door behind him.

"So who's the asshole?" Nicki asked, walking toward him.

"Nobody now." He held up the notice.

"What's that?" She asked, taking it out of his hand.

"A rain check. Verizon jus stopped by and we missed them. Somebody has to reschedule."

Nicki sucked her teeth. "Damn it. I really wanted to get this out of the way today."

"Maybe if you weren't so busy tryna get me into your pants, you'd be getting cable right now."

Nicki rolled her eyes. "Whatever." She stuck the paper to the front of Drake's shirt and headed back to her room. He shook his head with a half smile and peeled it off. He then walked into the kitchen and posted it on the fridge.

"Aubreeeey!"

He heard Nicki lazily calling him. Drake walked out of the kitchen, locked the front door and went to her room to see what she wanted.

"Yes, baby?"

Nicki was sprawled out on her bed, flat on her stomach. She rolled onto her back when Drake walked in. "Aubrey? I'm bored."

"Bored? Why?" He walked over and sat on the bed next to her.

"Cuz... besides you, there's nothing to do. And since you won't play with me, I'm bored."

Drake chuckled to himself. "Well Nicki, besides me, what is it that you wanna do?"

"Go out. I jus wanna go out. I haven't worked in God knows how many days and it's really killing me. It's so unlike me to jus sit around. I need something to do, Aubrey. Take me somewhere. Anywhere. Jus get me out of this apartment."

Drake silently sat there for a moment, staring down at her. "Put your shoes on."

"Where we goin?"

"Jus put ya shoes on." He stood up. "You'll see when we get there."

"Wait, I needa change my clothes."

"No you don't, you look amazing jus the way you are. Where are your sandals?"

"Look under the bed." Nicki stood up and helped him look.

"Here's one." Drake said, handing it to her. "And here's the other." He stood up, handing her the other sandal. "Where are your car keys?"

"To what?"

"The Bentley."

"Look on the kitchen counter. They should be there." She said, sliding on her shoes. Nicki grabbed her purse and followed Drake into the kitchen. "Are you making me drive to?"

"Nope. I'm driving. Your car." He unlocked the front door and pulled it open. "Come on." He held the door open for Nicki to walk out.

"Still not gonna tell me where we're goin?"

"Nope." Drake locked the door and headed down the flight of stairs with Nicki not far behind him.

"Oh crap. Aubrey wait." She pulled her cellphone out of her purse, stopping in her tracks.

"What'd you forget?" He stopped too.

"I gotta tell Faree we won't be here when he shows up. Hold on." She put the phone to her ear, listening to it ring. "Hel- hello? Yea Faree?… Yea, Drake and I are going out for a couple hours so we won't be here when you get here. We locked up so use your key to get in………… yea, between one and one thirty………… mhmm………… Oh! Verizon came, but we missed them so could you reschedule? yea?………… uh huh………… okay, bye." Nicki hung up her phone and put it back in her purse.

"You ready?" Drake asked.

"Yup!"

Drake and Nicki both headed down all the flights of steps and out toward the parking garage. He unlocked the doors to the car and helped her in the passenger seat first. Drake then got in on the drivers side and started the engine. He pulled out of the garage, taking a left onto the main road. About thirty minutes later, they pulled up to The Grove. Drake parked the Bentley and helped Nicki out of the car.

"We're here." Drake linked his fingers with hers and they both headed into the shopping resort.

"Drake? There're lots of people here." Nicki said, observing their surroundings.

"Sure are… no paparazzi though so let's shop while we can." Drake slid on his sunglasses and continued to walk hand in hand with Nic. She too slid hers on as if they'd help keep the couple incognito.

When Drake spotted his desired store, he held the door open for Nicki to walk in first. Surprisingly, there weren't many people inside.

"Hi, welcome to Michael Kors. My name is Joseph and I'll be your helping hand today." The man smiled. "What can I do for you?"

"Oh, thanks Joseph, but we're jus browsing." Drake replied.

"Well okay, I'll be behind the counter if you need anything." Joseph clasped his hands together and smiled. He then went back behind the cash register and pulled out a Versace catalogue.

"Okay Nic, do ya thing."

Nicki looked back at him with the brightest smile on her face. "Seriously???"

"Yup. Go crazy, get any and everything you want."

Nicki squealed and threw her arms around his neck."Awww, thank you baby. You're the best!" She stood on her tiptoes and pecked him on the lips.

"Mmmmm." Hummed Joseph, looking on from behind his catalogue. "You go Ms. Nicki!" He snapped his fingers and flipped the page.

Drake and Nicki both turned their heads to face him. "You know who I am?"

"Of course I do honey. Your tattoo gave it away."

Nicki looked down at her arm. "Oh, haha, yeeaa, that thing." She took her arms from around Drake's neck.

"Now don't freak, this is LA, I see celebrities all day. I'm not the spazzing type, but I must say I love your work. Superbass is my shit." He went on to hum a few bars. "Oh, and I know you're Drake." He pointed. "Can't miss those ears anywhere. No offence sweetie." Joseph turned another page. "It's none of my business, buuut are you guys like dating?" He stared at them both.

Drake looked at Nicki and she looked at him. After a few seconds of silence, Drake spoke up. "I don't mean to be rude, but you're right, it's none of your business." Drake shrugged and motioned for Nic to walk forward.

Once they got to the women's department, Nicki spoke up. "That was close."

"Yea, it was."

"So what, is that the motto when we're out in public now?" She mocked him. "I'ont mean to be rude, but it's none of your business."

Drake chuckled. "Either that or the classic, "we're jus friends"."

"I like the classic one." Nicki said, looking through a clothing rack full of shirts."I mean, we wouldn't be lying necessarily cuz we are friends. Jus listen to the words: girlFRIEND, boyFRIEND. It's still true." She held a shirt up to her chest. "You like this one?"

"No, but I don't hafta wear it."

Nicki rolled her eyes and hung it back up. She searched the rack for the same style shirt, but different color.

"Oh, and you're right about the girlfriend boyfriend thing. But I think it's best if we don't tell people anything. They don't hafta know. It's none of their business."

"Say what? Oh no, not Aubrey!" She gasped sarcastically. "Not Mr. ProclaimHisLoveForMeToTheUniverse! This can't be!"

"Ha. Ha. I'm serious though Nic. The world may know I love you, yes. But they don't need to know I have you. I'm honest about a lot of shit, but there are somethings I like to keep secret."

"Well I respect your decision Aubrey, but think about it. Saying, "it's none of your business" gives the media a reason to think otherwise. Telling them we're jus friends gets them nowhere. People say they're jus friends all the time."

"Ok, I see your point. If it makes you feel any better, we'll tell'm we're jus friends."

"It's not that it makes me feel better, it jus makes more sense." Nicki held up another shirt. "You like this?"

"I do actually. You should try it on."

"I will, jus lemme get a few more things first."

After about an hour or so, Nicki had Drake carrying five dresses, three shirts, four pairs of shoes and two bathing suits. All of which she had yet to try on. The two were on there way to look at jewelry.

"Nicki wait." She turned around. "I really think you should try this stuff on. Like now."

"You sure do whine a lot Aubrey."

"I'm not whining, I'm suggesting. I mean, I am the one carryin all this shit."

"Fine." She sighed. "Did you see the dressing rooms?"

"Yea, back that way."

When they got to the fitting rooms, Nicki helped Drake hang up her clothes on the hooks. He placed her shoe boxes on the bench and stepped out. Nicki gave him a mini fashion show with each outfit she tried on. After all was done, she ended up keeping only three of the five dresses, one out of the three shirts, two pairs of shoes, and only one bathing suit. Drake went to go pay for everything while Nicki checked out the jewelry. He asked Joseph to keep the bags behind the counter until they were ready to leave. Drake then walked to meet Nicki, who was trying on a pair of silver earrings.

"Those look beautiful on you." He leaned on the glass counter next to her as she looked into a small mirror.

"Thanks." She smiled at him.

Drake smiled back and then looked down into the glass casing he was leaning on top of. He saw a few watches that caught his eye. Nicki glanced over at him admiring the fine pieces of jewelry. She took the earrings off and tried on another pair.

"Excuse me?" She asked the elderly man behind the counter.

"Yes ma'am?"

"I want both of these pair of earrings." She took off the second pair and placed them in his hand.

"Okay. One moment."

The man put them in two separate boxes and then into a small bag. Drake handed the man his credit card and he swiped it. "Here you go." The gentleman gave Drake back his card. "Anything else?" The man asked. Drake looked at Nicki.

"Uhh, well I was looking at those rings and bracelets and stuff over there." She pointed.

The man guided them around to the other side of the glass casing. Nicki picked two necklaces and three bracelets. She then looked over the rings.

"Hey Drake?" She placed a silver ring on her ring finger. "You think this goes with that dress I picked out?"

"Uhh, yea. I think so." He picked up another ring with gemstones encrusted along the top. "But I think this one goes better." He reached for her other hand and slid the ring on her finger.

"Hm. I like it." Nicki held her hand out and wiggled her fingers.

"It's not too tight is it?" Drake asked.

"Nope."

"Ok, so you're like a size eight. Cool."

Drake pulled his credit card back out and handed it to the man. Nicki got four rings total. When they finished with the jewelry department, it was time to head out. Nicki told Drake she had to relieve herself so she'd meet him at the front desk. When he walked out of sight, Nicki walked around the glass casing again.

"Excuse me? Sir?" She called.

The man showed himself. "Yes?"

"Hi, I didn't get your name."

"Jefferson."

"Cute name Jefferson." She smiled. "Uh, a friend and I were over here not long ago and if you noticed, he was looking at a few watches. Can you show me the collection?"

"Certainly." He grinned with a nod of the head. Jefferson then pointed out the newest pieces they had just gotten in stock. Nicki saw Drake eying a gold, diamond-encrusted watch so she asked to see that one. She then picked out a white one with the same style.

"I'll take these two, Jefferson." Nicki searched her purse for her wallet. When she found it, she took out her credit card and paid for the watches. "Oh! And I'll take one of those MK wallets too. The black one."

Jefferson dropped the wallet in the bag and charged her card again. "He's a lucky man." He winked, handing Nicki the bag and her credit card. 

"We're jus friends." Nicki put the bag in her purse and zipped it up.

"Sure." The old man pulled out his handkerchief from the front of his vest and removed his spectacle. He cleaned it while Nicki quickly walked away. She passed the men's department, spotting a display of Fall sweaters. It was still Summer, but it was also August, autumn was just around the corner. Nicki walked over to the displays and picked out two sweaters she thought were really cute. She knew there was no way she could hide them from Drake, but she was okay with that. Nicki walked to the front desk, placing the sweaters on the counter. Drake looked up from his phone.

"What's that?" He asked.

"Sweaters for you." She smiled and pulled out her credit card, handing it to Joseph.

"Me?" He smiled.

"Yup. I think you'd look real nice in these."

"Oh, well thank you."

"You're welcome."

Joseph bagged the sweaters and handed them to Nicki along with her receipt and credit card. He then reached under the counter and gave Drake the bags he'd asked him to hold.

"Come back soon!" Joseph waved after them.

"Where do you wanna go now?" Drake asked as they walked to the car.

"Oh, no Aubrey. I'm fine. Really, thank you so much, baby. This was really sweet of you."

"Nic? Come on bae, don't turn me away now. We jus got started. I wanna take you somewhere else."

"But Drake, I—"

"Nope, no buts. It's only like 2 o'clock. We got time to kill til later."

"Later?"

"Yup. It's a surprise so I can't tell you."

Nicki smiled, showing her dimples. "Well, I can't wait til later then."

The two reached the car and put all the bags in the trunk.

"Hey, since you insist on being my sugar daddy today, think we could hit up Victoria's Secret? We passed one on the way out."

"No problem." Drake shut the trunk and the two made their way to VS.

Nicki headed over to the bra's first, Drake following behind. He watched as she picked over many different colors and styles. He grew bored spectating so he helped her.

"You like this one?" Drake held up a shiny pink one.

Nicki looked over at him. "Oh, that's cute. What size is it? It has to be a—"

"32D. Yea, I know." He smirked.

Nicki smiled and took the bra from him. "Thank you, sir."

They picked out a few more bra's and headed over to the panty table. Drake was very helpful in that area. He picked out more thongs than anything. Whenever Nic reached for boy shorts, he'd shake his head in disproval and hold up a pair of thongs. She shooed him away a few times, but he just laughed it off and held his ground.

"Hey Nic, what about these?" Drake held up a leopard printed pair of thongs.

"Those are nice, but look at these." She held up a lime green pair of boy shorts.

Drake frowned. "Ew, those are ugly." He took them from her and gave her the leopard thongs.

Nicki giggled. "Aubrey would you stop that. I'm not getting these."

"But they'd look so good on you."

"No. Hand me the other ones back." She held out her hand.

"No. I don't think I will."

"Drake?"

"Nicki?"

"Ugh! Fine." She rolled her eyes. "I'll get the cyat damn thongs. Are you happy?"

"Not yet. I still hafta see you in them first." Drake winked at her and made his way to check out.

Nicki met him there with a few shirts in hand. "Here ya go." She handed him everything and he sat them on the counter.

An old lady with thick lenses by the name of Margaret worked the register. She was slow moving, but very sweet and polite. "Would this be all?" She asked them.

"Yes ma'am." Drake answered. He held out his credit card for her to take, but she was still ringing up the items so he just waited.

"You know, our lotions are buy one get one 50% off. You might wanna check those out."

"No thank you. I'm fine." Nicki smiled.

"Well okay, if you change your mind, the sale lasts til Sunday."

"Thank you ma'am. I'll remember that." Nicki watched her ring up the bra's one at a time. After ten minutes, the woman finished. Nicki took all the bags and waited for Drake to get the receipt.

"Bye Margaret, thank you." Nicki said as they left.

"Is that it?" Drake asked as they walked to the car.

"Yea, I'm done. I'm all shopped out."

"Alright then. Home it is." 

They put the bags in the trunk then got into the car.

"Thank you Aubrey. I really mean it." Nicki leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "I had so much fun with you today."

He smiled. "Glad you did." He removed his sunglasses. "But you say that like the day's over. We ain't done yet." Drake strapped on his seat belt and pulled off.

They arrived at Nicki's apartment around 4:30. Drake parked her Bentley in the garage and they both caught the elevator up. When they reached her floor, all shopping bags in hand, they heard loud cheering coming from her apartment. They both looked at each other and quickened their paces. Nicki opened the door to find Safaree and the Vaks in her living room. All her furniture had been delivered and put in place. Drake shut the door behind her and followed her into the living room.

"Ayo?! Did you see that shit?! Shorty straight juked her ass!" Yelled an overly excited Vincent.

"Hey guys. What's this?" Nicki asked, looking at them all stare at her television.

Safaree looked at Nicki first. "Oh, hey Nic. Ain't think you'd be back so soon. What's in the bag?" SB sat the bowl of popcorn he'd been eating from down on the coffee table.

"Jus stuff. I see the cable's hooked up." Nicki looked at the tv for awhile trying to figure out what it was the guys were watching. She saw scantily clad women running back and forth on a muddy football field. "The hell is this Safaree?"

"Uhhh, football?"

"Lingerie football." Drake added with a smile.

Nicki looked back at him with a squint. "You watch this Aubrey?"

All heads turned in his direction. Rex muted the television.

"Uhh, well… I mean… I've seen a few episodes maybe." He shrugged.

"Riiight." Nicki slowly nodded her head. "I'll be in my room."

Nicki walked off leaving him standing there. He sat the bags down and went to greet SB and the Vaks.

"We sure do see you often, man." Vincent said. "Sup wit dat? You and Nic—"

"WE'RE JUST FRIENDS!!!" Nicki yelled from her bedroom.

"Friends, huh?" Chris John asked.

"Is it… beneficial?" Rex asked.

Nicki marched out of her room before Drake had time to think of a reply. "Get out." She pointed them to the door. "Y'all so damn nosey." She took the popcorn from SB. "And take Faree with you. Please."

"Aye?! What I do?"

"Faree? It's been fun. You've did everything I asked and now your job's done. I thank you, honestly, but you gotta go."

"Oh, I see how it is Nic." SB said.

"Yea, it's lovely. Thank you for everything." She said, escorting them all to the front door. "Drive safely." She smiled and shut the door, locking it. Nicki walked over to the couch and sat on Drake's lap. "Now that we're alone, what should we do?" She asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Relax. I know you're tired."

"Only a liddle." She yawned.

"You don't wanna take a nap?"

"No. Stop tryna put me to sleep Aubrey. I'm fine."

He chuckled. "Well then jus sit here and watch tv wit me. We don't hafta leave again til seven."

"Where we goin?"

"A place."

Nicki smirked. "What kinda place?"

"A nice place. You'll love it."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Mkay. Well until we get to this nice place, come help me with these bags." Nicki stood, pulling Drake up with her. They each took a few bags and headed to her bedroom. They placed everything on her bed and began to sort through them. Nicki took up the Victoria's Secret bag and went to her laundry room to wash her new panties and bra's. When she walked back into her room, Drake was just hanging up her last piece of clothing. He took all the empty bags and disposed of them in the kitchen. He then met Nicki back in her room. She was looking through her closet.

"Hey Drake?"

"Wussup?" He asked, walking over to her.

"You should really tell me where we're going later so I know what to wear."

"No. I'd rather not." Drake looked through her closet and picked out one of her new dresses. "Wear this one." He took it off the rack and handed it to her.

"Ok, well what about my—"

"Shoes?" Drake looked between the two boxes of shoes he'd just bought her. He opened one and held the shoe up to the dress. "Wear these."

"Alright. I'll get dressed in another hour or so."

Drake looked at his cellphone. "It's almost 5 o'clock. You take like two hours to get ready. You might wanna start now."

"Yea, you're right. Lemme go freshen up." Nicki closed her closet doors and headed to the bathroom. Drake looked through his duffel bag and pulled out a folded pair of black slacks, a blazer and a button up. While Nicki showered, he steamed his clothes to rid them of wrinkles. He then put the steamer away and laid his clothes on Nic's bed. She came out about an hour later wrapped in her towel.

"You done with the bathroom?" Drake asked, polishing his shoes.

"Mhm. You can use it if you need to."

"Ard, jus lemme finish shinin these real quick."

Nicki went to fetch her bra's and panties from the laundry room. When she reached her bed, she tossed everything on it. She had about twenty pairs of thongs and ten bra's. She picked out a matching turquoise blue set to wear and put all the others in her nightstand. Nicki then threw her towel on the bed and stepped into her underwear. Drake had just finished polishing his last shoe. He stood up and sat it on the floor next to the other. He then glanced back at Nicki as he made his way to the bathroom.

"Your ass looks really good in those."

Nicki blushed, pulling her bra straps over her shoulders. "Thanks." She giggled.

Drake smiled and shut the bathroom door. When he completed his shower, Nicki was fully clothed. She had on her shoes and her dress. She'd put on her accessories after she did her hair, which she wasn't quite sure what to do with. Nicki walked into the bathroom while Drake dressed in her room. She stared in the mirror trying to figure out what to do with her hair. About fifteen minutes passed and she'd gotten nowhere. She tried curling it, but didn't like the way it turned out. She didn't wanna wear it as an updo and a wrap was out of the question. Drake had just put his shoes on when he went to go check on her.

"How's it goin?" He asked, fixing his collar in the mirror.

"Horrible. I don't wanna make us late, but I can't figure out what to do with my hair."

Drake looked at her in the mirror for a moment before speaking. "Braid it."

"What? Uh uhh. I am not braiding my hair."

"I don't mean like cornrows, Nic. Here..." Drake pulled her hair back behind her shoulders and told her to face him. She turned around and he plaited her hair over her left shoulder. "Look." He turned her back toward the mirror and waited for her reaction.

Nicki's smile grew wide. "Oh my God! Aubrey?? Baby??? I like it!! How come I couldn't come up with this?"

"Cuz you were over thinking it." He smiled and kissed her on the cheek. "Lemme know when you're ready to go." Drake said, leaving the bathroom.

Nicki grabbed her mascara and glitter eyeliner from behind the mirror. She lined her eyes and darkened her lashes. She then put them back and went to get her accessories. She chose the black, crystal studs to wear, the pave ring Drake liked and the pave, snake bracelet to match. Nicki then put on her lip gloss and exited the bathroom, turning off the light.

"I'm ready babe!" She grabbed her Blackberry and clutch from off the bed and went to meet Drake in the living room.

"Look at you." He grinned as she passed by him. He turned off the tv and stood up. "You're gorgeous." He said, licking his lips.

Nicki blushed again. "Haha, thank you, baby. Let's go before we're late."

Drake picked the keys to her Bentley up from the coffee table. He lead Nicki to the front door and turned off all the lights. The couple then headed down to the car garage. When they got to the car, Drake carefully helped her into her seat and shut the car door. He got in on his side and cranked up the Bentley.  About a half-hour later, they both arrived at a restaurant. Drake parked the car directly across the street in the only available parking space.

"We're here." He cut the engine.

Nicki leaned forward and looked out of his window. In bright letters on the front of a building lived the name, Katsuya. "Awww, Drake? This is really, really sweet of you. You are such a gentleman." Nicki smiled and pecked him on the lips.

"I try." He grinned and stepped out of the car. He then helped Nicki out and locked the doors. She linked arms with him as they crossed the street. Once they got inside, they were immediately seated in an area blocked off with velvet rope. The restaurant was half packed, but Drake reserved a special area for just them. A waiter greeted them with menus and complimentary glasses of water. He then hurried off back to the kitchen.

"Wow, that was fast." Nic said, removing her black straw from the plastic packaging. She stirred her iced water with it before taking a sip.

"I know. Haha, he seemed kind of jittery. Hopefully he comes back." Drake added, looking over his shoulder toward the kitchen.

"Mhm. Quiet too." Nicki opened her menu and took her time reading over every dish. Drake did the same. "You see anything you want?" Nicki asked.

"I was looking at that seared tuna, but I don't know. These portions are kinda small."

"Haha, it is LA babe."

"True." Drake turned the menu over to look at their beverages. He didn't see any wines that he wanted.

"You ok?" Nicki asked, looking at him over her menu.

"Yea, but I don't see my wine. Kinda strange… You find what you wanted?"

"Sort of. I think I'll get the sashimi. Then maybe we can head over to the sushi bar." Nicki closed her menu.

"Fair enough. I guess we jus wait for someone to walk past now."

As soon as Drake uttered those words, the chef came out to greet them. He bowed, acknowledging their presence and introduced himself. Beside him stood a waiter with a silver tray. "Welcome to Katsuya. I will be your chef tonight. Please, address me as Jon." The little Asian man smiled and snapped his fingers. The waiter removed the lid from the tray. "First dish is on the house. We are highly honored to have you two here. If you need anything, please, don't be afraid to ask." Jon pulled out a silver bell. "Just ring this and BOOM!" Nicki jumped. "You have a waiter." He smiled and placed the platter before Drake and Nicki.

"Thank you, sir." Drake said.

"Jon. Call me Jon." He smiled. "May I get you two anything else?"

"Yes please. Do you have any pinot grigio?" Nicki asked.

"Oohh, the lady drinks, eh?"

Nicki smiled. "No, it's for him." She nodded towards Drake. "It doesn't seem to be on the menu."

"Oh, yes. We don't serve that here anymore. But for you, we'll get it special." Jon snapped his fingers signaling the water to step forward. "Go out and find this gentleman here the finest bottle of pinot. Make it fast."

"Oh, no. That's unnecessary. I'll jus pick something else."

"No! You want pinot, you get pinot." Jon snapped his fingers again. The waiter sped back to the kitchen. "Now, what are we having for the main course?"

"I'll have the Sashimi plate." Nicki said.

"And I'll take the Uechi's seared tuna."

"Okaaay. And what would the lady like to drink? Mascato? Pinot? What?"

"Oh no, water's fine."

"Whaaat? No wine? Everything tastes better with wine my dear."

Drake laughed at the animated chef, making Nicki giggle.

"No really, thank you Jon, but I'm fine."

"I see that, but what about your drink?"

Nicki laughed harder. "Oh my God!"

"Oohh, I kidd, I kidd." Jon smiled. "You have a very lovely lady." He told Drake.

"Haha, thanks, but we're jus friends." He smiled.

"Friends?? In a place like this?? Mhmm. Well… friends, let me go prepare your food. You won't be disappointed." Jon bowed to them once more and made his way back to the kitchen.

"What was that?" Drake asked, laughing.

"Haha, I don't know, but he's so cute. And funny." Nicki picked up her fork and took a small piece of meat off the tray to taste. "Hm, this is good."

"Lemme taste it."

Nicki picked up another piece with her fork and fed it to him. "How is it?"

"Hmm, not bad, not bad at all." Drake picked up his fork and ate a few more pieces.

Jon came back twenty-five minutes later with both their meals.

"Sashimi for the fine lady." He sat the plate in front of Nicki. "And seared tuna for the pinot man." He smiled and sat Drake's plate in front of him. Jon then placed a wine glass on the table and a bottle of pinot grigio. "Anything else?"

"No, that's all. Thank you Jon." Nicki said.

The chef bowed with a smile and then made his exit to the kitchen.

Nicki and Drake then began to eat. She saw that he had more on his plate than she did. "Aubrey?"

"Yea?"

"Can I taste that?" She pointed to his tuna with her fork.

"Sure." Drake cut her a piece and fed it to her. "You like it?"

"I can't tell."

Drake cut her a bigger piece. "Here..."

Nicki accepted it and chewed away. "Mmm, thas good tuna. You should like, give me half."

"Haha, I don't think so. You have ya own plate."

Nicki looked down at her dish. "Yea, but I like what you have better."

"I like what I have too." He took another bite of his food.

"Sharing is caring, Aubrey." Nicki batted her eyelashes.

"Fine. Jus one piece." Drake gave her one whole piece of tuna.

"Thank you."

After they ate their meal, they found a spot at the sushi bar. They were surrounded by uptight old men in suits and their spouses. They watched another chef prepare fresh sushi before them. Whenever he did a slick move with a knife, he was awarded with a sophisticated round of applause. When he finished, the chef placed his creations in front of Nicki with a smile and nod of the head.

"Thank you." She smiled back.

The chef went on to prepare more sushi. Nicki pulled the three small plates in front of her and Drake. She picked up a California roll and held it in front of him.

"Open."

Drake opened his mouth and bit down on the sushi as Nicki inserted it between his lips.

"How does it taste?" She asked.

Drake frowned his face up, slowly continuing to chew. He swallowed and shook his head. "That is the nastiest thing I've ever tasted."

"What?" Nicki's jaw dropped. "This is the best one."

"It's nasty."

"You have no taste." Nicki ate the other half as Drake sat there sipping on a glass of water to wash the sushi down.

After Nicki finished eating, it was time to leave. Drake paid the bill and thanked Jon, the chef. He let Drake keep the bottle of pinot which made him very happy. The couple then headed out of Katsuya and to the car. They got back to Nicki's apartment around 10:30. While inside, Drake placed the wine bottle in the fridge and walked with Nic back to her room. She stood in front of her full body mirror looking herself over. Drake came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Did you have a good time tonight?" He asked.

"I had an amazing time, Aubrey. This whole day was perfect. Dinner was great. I couldn't think of a better way to end our night."

"Who says our night has to end?"

"Huh?"

"Stay right here, I'll be back."

Drake went into the bathroom and shut the door. Nicki heard water running and saw him come back out, closing the door behind him. He took off his blazer and laid it across the bed. Nicki watched him as he rolled his sleeves up past his elbows and unbuttoned two of the top buttons on his shirt.

"What are you doin?" She asked.

"You'll see in a minute." Drake jogged into the kitchen. He came back with a big, red lighter and headed into the bathroom.

Nicki looked on trying to piece the puzzle together. She heard the water stop and saw Drake emerge from the bathroom. He put the lighter back in the kitchen and came back to the bedroom.

"So… are you gonna tell me what that's all about?" She asked.

Drake walked over to her, resuming his previous position. "I don't have to." He whispered in her ear. He then kissed her on the neck as he reached for the zipper on the back of her dress. Drake unzipped it then delicately ran his hands up her smooth back. Once he reached her shoulders, he removed the garment as she watched him in the mirror. The dress fell to the floor, exposing Nicki in her turquoise blue bra and thong set. She bit her lip as he ran his hands down her waist and over her thighs. Drake stooped low to remove her dress from around her ankles, Nicki held onto him as he helped her step out of her attire. He then unzipped her shoes and removed them one at a time. Standing back up, Drake took Nicki's plait into his hands. He began to unbraid it as she continued watching his every move in the mirror. Drake's hands slowly traveled up Nicki's back as he gently kissed her neck. Feeling his warm, soft hands on her back, she closed her eyes and began to fantasize where she wanted to feel them next. Drake slipped his fingers under the hooks of her bra and undid them. He then slid her straps down her arms, watching her in the mirror as her bra fell to the floor. Drake moved his hands to her waist and let them wander down. He ran his thumbs over the dimples in her lower back as his hands continued their journey. When he reached the top of her thongs, he slid his thumbs in the sides and edged them off her hips. Nicki opened her eyes when his lips left her neck. She watched him slide her thongs down her legs. Holding onto his back, Nicki slightly lifted both her feet, one at a time, as he removed her panties from around her ankles.

"Hold on to my neck and close your eyes." Drake uttered, before standing back up. Nicki did what he ordered as he reached one arm behind her back and the other behind her knees. He lifted her from the carpeted floor and carried her toward the bathroom. Opening the door, an airy aroma graced their noses.

"It smells really good in here." Nicki said.

A smile spread across Drake's face. "Wanna guess what it is?"

"Candles?"

"What kind?"

Nicki inhaled a deep breath. "Is it… peaches?"

"Peaches and…?"

"Cream?"

"Yup."

Nicki giggled. "I like it… can I open my eyes now?"

"In a sec."

Drake had decorated the bathroom with peaches and cream scented candles. They were the only things illuminating the space. He had run a bubble bath for her to relax in with slow jams playing low in the background. When they got to the tub, he carefully began to lower her into it. She tensed up when she felt his grip loosening.

"Relax… I gotchu baby." He cooed in his soothing baritone. "Open your eyes."

Nicki looked around the bathroom after Drake sat her in the bathtub. She softly gasped as she noticed all the bubbles and candles. "You did this all for me?" She looked up at him.

"All for you." He knelt down beside the tub and dipped his hand in the water, swirling it about. "Is the water ok?"

"It's perfect." She smiled. "Thank you. Thank you so much baby. For everything. This whole entire day has jus been amazing. I can't say that enough and I can't thank you enough. Jus… thank you."

"You're welcome, but you don't hafta thank me. I don't mind doin stuff like this for you. I enjoy it as much as you do. Consider it my duty. It's only fair that I treat you right, right?"

Nicki blushed. "You're right. I love you, baby." She leaned on the edge of the tub and reached her wet hands out to hold his face. She planted a kiss on his lips, holding it for a few seconds before pulling away and repeating the same action. They kissed like this for only a short while before Nicki introduced her tongue. Drake imitated her gesture then sucked on her bottom lip. She did the same to him. After a good minute or so, Drake pulled away.

"I'll be back. Forget somethin."

"Ok." Nicki nodded as she watched him stand and make his exit. She laid back and played with the bubbles while she awaited his return. Beyoncé's "1+1" began to echo in the background. Nicki picked up on the tune and began to sing a long.

"…when my daaays look low, puull me in close and don't let me goooo… make love to meee… so when the world's at waaar, let our looove heal us all…"

Drake came back with a plate in hand. He stopped at the bathroom door mid-stride as he heard her singing. She hadn't noticed him. Drake leaned against the door frame and listened.

"…help me let down my guaaard, make love to me… meee, meee, meee, meeee, ohhh ohh, make love to me, meee, meee, meeee, meeee……"

"Bravo…"

Nicki quickly sat up and looked back at him walking toward her. "Oh, God…… you heard that?"

"Haha, yea. Don't be ashamed. Your voice is beautiful."

"You're such a spy." She giggled. "What's that?" She asked, referring to the plate in his hand.

"Oh, it's for you." He sat down beside the tub.

Nicki looked onto the plate with bright eyes. "Awww, you brought me peaches." She smiled. The sliced fruit circled the plate in a decorative design. In the middle of it all rested a small, glass bowl filled with cream.

"That I did."

Nicki went to reach for one, but he held the plate away from her.

"Heeey?"

"This isn't self-serve. I get to feed you."

"Oh?"

"Mmhm." Drake took up a peach slice and dipped it in the cream. He held it out for her to bite. Nicki leaned forward and accepted his offering. Juice flowed down her chin as she slowly bit into it, her lips covered in cream. She pulled away, chewing first then licking her lips.

"You like?" He asked.

"Yea…"

Drake smiled and continued to feed her peaches. When he finished, he rinsed the suds off of her, drained the water and blew out all the candles. He wrapped her in her pink towel and carried her to the bed. Drake then dried her off and went to hang up her towel. He came back with a variety of different lotions.

"Which one?" He asked, holding them out for her to see.

"The vanilla one."

Drake tossed it on the bed and went to put the others away. When he came back, he picked up the bottle and squeezed some into his palm. He rubbed his hands together and told Nicki to hold out her arm. She did this and he went to work. He started at the top, working his way down. Nicki sat back on her hands as he started on her thighs.

"Hey Aubrey?"

"Yea babe?"

"Do you still hafta leave tonight?"

Drake slowed down and looked up at her, then over at the clock. "Yea…" He sighed. "2 o'clock."

Nicki looked down and started to giggle.

"What's funny?" He asked, lotioning her foot.

"No, haha, sorry, that jus tickles." She admitted, pulling her foot away.

"Oh." He half smiled, moving to her other leg.

Nicki pressed her lips together as an unnamed silence filled the room. "So… when are you coming back?"

"In a week… maybe… they're talkin about adding more dates to the show…… turn over."

Nicki did so, sitting up on her elbows. "More dates?"

"Yea."

"Well, how many more? Like a few days?" She asked, knowing it'd be more, but hoping it wasn't.

"More like weeks." He replied, lotioning her bottom.

Nicki groaned and collapsed on the bed. "I hate this life…"

"You don't mean that." Drake began massaging lotion onto her back.

"Yes I do. I can never have you all to myself. There's always something in the way. Always some dumb obstacle. Don't get me wrong, I love what we do, but like……" She sighed. "I don't know…" Nicki grabbed a pillow and cuddled up with it.

"It's okay Nic. Jus take your time."

"No. I don't wanna talk about this anymore." She buried her face in the pillow.

"Don't cry." He told her, massaging her shoulders.

"I'm not crying, Aubrey. I'm jus…… relaxing…… You're hands are quite soothing." She yawned, turning her head to the side.

Drake smiled and continued to massage her back. "Don't fall asleep on me, Nic."

"K…"

"I'm serious."

"Mhm…"

Not even ten minutes passed before Nicki drifted to sleep.

"Nic?" Drake called, but of course, he received no answer. "Niiickiii??" She was fast asleep. Drake shook his head and put the lotion away. He came back and looked through her nightstand to find something to put on her bottom. He knew how uncomfortable it was for her to sleep pantyless. Drake smiled to himself when he found what he was searching for. He pulled out a pair of leopard print thongs and shut the drawer. He approached a sleeping Nicki and carefully slipped them on her. Drake pulled the covers back, causing her to stir a little, but not wake. He tucked her in with a kiss on her cheek and turned out all the lights. It was nearing 11:50 so he decided to pack his duffel. When all was done, he sat in the living room watching television with his bag until it was time for him to depart.

When Nicki awakened, she felt for Drake on the right side of her bed, only to receive a handful of emptiness. She sat up, a bit dazed, and took a few seconds to make out her surroundings. She threw the covers back, noticing the leopard print thongs she had on. She smiled to herself and shook her head. "He would…" Nicki turned the lamp on with a yawn. She slipped her feet into her fuzzy pink house shoes and walked over to her closet to find a tee shirt to put on. After she did that, she walked back to her bed to get her phone. Nicki noticed Drake's blazer was no longer on her bed. She looked at the clock. It read 1:08am. She checked the bathroom for Drake, but he wasn't there. Nicki then checked the living room, no Drake. The television was off and his duffel bag gone. Nicki anxiously bit her lip. "He wouldn't leave without saying goodbye." She said aloud to calm herself. Nicki called him, but immediately got his voicemail. She checked the kitchen, but he wasn't there either. Nicki sat at the kitchen table, trying to figure out why he left without telling her goodbye. She cradled her Blackberry in her hands, waiting for the answer to hit her. She played their day back over and over again in her head. Had she said or did something wrong? Nicki couldn't figure out. She frowned and got up from the table after at least ten minutes. She looked in the fridge for something to drink. Nicki noticed Drake's bottle of Pinot Grigio still in the refrigerator. She thought that was odd for him to leave his wine. But then she remembered there was no way TSA would let him fly with that. She shook it off and grabbed a bottle of water. Nicki closed the fridge with a sigh. She heard something creaking, almost like hinges. She checked the fridge, but it was shut tight. She cautiously looked around the kitchen. Nicki heard the noise again and quickly turned her attention toward the door to her roof. She saw that it was slightly ajar so she crept over and slowly opened it. Nicki looked up the staircase and noticed the door at the top was also cracked open. She grabbed her phone off of the kitchen table and ascended the steps with caution. When she reached the top, she peeped out of the door. Nicki saw a figure leaning over the railing with a wine glass in hand.

"Aubrey?" She called, stepping onto the roof.

The figure looked back, standing straight up. "Hey, you're up."

Nicki smiled, quickening her pace as she walked toward him. "I was looking for you." She wrapped her arms around his neck as they embraced. They kissed on the lips and Nicki spoke up again. "You had me worried. I thought you left and without telling me bye."

"I'd never leave without saying goodbye to you, Nic. Never leave without saying I love you. You know that." He took a sip of his wine.

"I know, but still…" She said, single-handedly buttoning a button on his shirt. "When I couldn't find you I jus got kinda nervous I guess…… why are you all the way up here?" She asked, resting her head on his chest.

"Observing. This city is beautiful at night. All the lights… it's jus nice to look at. Somewhat reminds me of how it feels lookin out over Toronto." He took another sip.

"You miss it, huh?"

"I do."

"But?"

"Ha, I do, but it's not like I'm homesick."

"I guess not. Seeing as how you're going back tonight."

"No… I'm not."

Nicki lifted her head up off of his chest and looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"I'm not going. I don't feel right leaving you here alone. It's jus… something's tellin me I shouldn't go."

"What?"

"I don't know Nic. I jus have this feeling and I can't shake it. All I know is I need to be here with you right now."

"You're kinda scaring me, Aubrey."

"Sorry, I really don't mean to." He finished off his wine and wrapped his arms around her. "Come on, let's getchu inside, it's gettin cold up here."

I hope you liked this. As you can see, mi title is irrelevant, lol. I changed mi mind with this chapter sooooooooooooooooooo many times that the title means nothing now. But oh well… Um, I don't wanna overload with pics, so I'm only posting where Dricki went for dinner, what they wore & ate. PLEASE COMMENT!!!!! Thank you! :p

Extended Ending:

"Hey, babe?" Nicki called. "Can you come here please?"

Drake walked out of the bathroom wearing his boxer briefs. He saw Nicki on the bed laying on her stomach with her feet in the air. She rose to her knees the closer he got.

"What's that?" He asked, referring to a black bag she held in her hand.

Nicki smiled. "It's for you. I got it earlier when we were at Michael Kors." She held the bag out to him, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Open it."

Drake squinted at her while taking the bag. "Michael Kors? But I thought we were only shopping for you?" He sat down on the edge of the bed.

Nicki crawled over to him. "Well… we were, but after I got you those sweaters, I figured I'd buy you something extra. I think you'll like them."

"Them?" He asked, reaching into the bag.

"Haha, yes them."

Drake pulled out a rectangular box and looked at Nicki with a half smile. Once he opened the lid, his eyes stretched wide. "Yoooooooo!!!" He looked at Nicki with a huge grin then back at the box.

"Do you like it?"

"Do I like it!?" He asked. "Baby, I love it. Thank you so much." He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Wow…" He looked back at the watch. "I'm gonna wear this with everything, you know that right?" He looked at her.

"Haha, but babe. You didn't open the other box yet."

Drake pulled out the other box and opened it. He smiled. "You know just what I like, Nic."

"Of course I do." She kissed him on the cheek.

"I love you."

"I love you too." She giggled.

"You know what this means now, right?" He asked, placing his gifts back in the bag.

"No…… what?"

Drake smiled, placing the bag on the nightstand and crawling toward Nicki. "It means…" He began.

Nicki started crawling backwards, toward the headboard, with a smile on her face. "What?"

"It means that I really, really, really hafta thank you…" Drake licked his lips.

"And how are you gonna do that?" Nicki bit her lip watching him get closer to her.

Drake grabbed her thighs, spreading them as he pulled her body beneath him. "Like this…" He leaned down and began kissing her neck.

"Hahaha… I like that…"

Drake slowed down his kisses.

"Nooo, keep goin…"

He smiled and kissed his way up to her ear. He nibbled her lobe for a sec then whispered, "Thank you." Drake then rolled over onto his back.

"Wait…" Nicki rolled onto her side and looked at him. "That's it?"

"Yes. That's it… thank you."

"Are you serious???" Nicki slapped his chest.

"Ow!" Drake started to laugh.

"You are such a tease." Nicki huffed then turned her back to him. "Goodnight."

Done. ^_^











Monday, December 26, 2011

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR @ NAME!

@ names! @ names! @ naaaames!!! Hey guys, this is basically just a checkup. I need to kno who's still reading this. I'm creating a list of your @ names so I kno who to inform abt new posts via Twitter. Even if I kno you read this, I STILL need you to leave your @ name. This includes the ppl who never comment as well (btw, plz start commenting, lol). Mkay, that's it. New chapter in the works! ;)

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Chap. 21: Ollie, Ollie Oxen Free [Part 1/2]

Miss me? :D Lol, I finally gots the goods so all y'all can stop buggin! As you can see, this chapter is 2 parts so I apologize if this 1st part is too short. I'll jus make up for that in the next post. I love you guyz, don't forget that. Read on!

Chapter 21:

Drake delicately stroked Nicki's hair as she slept. He watched her toss and turn through half the night, trying to find a comfortable spot in her new bed. Nicki threw the comforter off a few times only to cover back up with them later. She finally found the perfect position to sleep in; snuggled under Drake. Her head under his chin, her breath on his chest as he held her close. The three weeks of them being apart did something to him inside. Drake never realized how much he truly did love her until they had to spend time away from one another. He hated being without her. He missed her laugh, the conversations they'd have and her overall presence. Nicki brightened up his day, whether she knew it or not. Drake wondered why he ever doubted her. How could he be so afraid to love her? How could he be so afraid to trust her? What did he have to lose? Drake knew Nicki would never do anything to harm him. She loved him and he knew that. He could feel that. Every time they kissed, every time she hugged him. There was always passion in everything she did for him. Drake no longer understood why he held back anything from her. If Nicki was willing to give him everything after all she'd been through, why couldn't he do the same? He knew it was a challenge for her to open up to him. Especially about Jarvis and what he did. Drake felt bad that he wasn't there to protect her. He knew if he were there, Nicki would've been perfectly fine. He also knew that they could only move forward. Drake decided at that very moment, there was no need for him to bottle up how he felt. There was no need for him not to trust Nicki. No need for him to be afraid to love her like he knew he could. If she could do it, then so could he. He listened to the sweet and soft snores emanating from Nicki while she slept. They innocently lulled him to sleep as he lie there, curled up with his one and only. Drake knew that's where he belonged, with her at all times. But because of the lives they both lived and careers they both lead, he understood that would be difficult to do. However, that never stopped him from wanting to be by her side. It was now 8am and Nic was still journeying through dream land. Drake considerately eased himself out of bed, careful not to wake her, and made his way to the bathroom to relieve himself. He washed his face and hands, brushed his teeth, then headed into the kitchen in only his white Calvin Klein briefs and Hanes ankle socks. Drake decided to make them a simple breakfast: pancakes, eggs, and bacon. He knew Nicki would be up as soon as the smell of food hit the air. Drake had set their plates out on the counter since the kitchen table and chairs were still absent. He hoped they'd be delivered before he left so Nicki wouldn't have to move anything by herself. About thirty minutes later, Drake was almost finished with cooking. All he had to do was scramble the eggs and wait for the bacon to get done in the oven. As he moved the spatula about in the skillet, he felt small arms wrap around his waist from behind.

"Morning babe." Nicki spoke, squeezing him into a tight hug with her head resting on his bare back.

Drake smiled. "Good morning to you to beautiful. How'd you sleep?"

"I slept fine." She kissed his back. "I'm happy you were there with me." She kissed him again, in a different spot this time. "I love it when you stroke my hair Aubrey," Another kiss. "...and when you hold me..." Then another kiss. "...I feel so safe and comfortable in those sexy ass arms of yours..." Nicki continued to place kisses on his back. Drake shut his eyes, enjoying the moment, as she kissed him up to the nape of his neck. Nicki ran her hands all over him. "I missed you Aubrey." She allowed her right hand to wander around the front of his body and down to his briefs. Nicki slowly started slipping her fingers inside the waistband.

Drake opened his eyes and caught her wrist before she went any further. "Whoa there.... Haha, I see somebody's hungry."

Nicki pulled her hands back and casually folded her arms.

"Good thing too cuz I'm makin breakfast." He said, not turning around to look at her.

Nicki scratched her head. "Okaaay.... so um, what are you cooking?" She peeped around his body to have a look.

Drake turned the oven and stove top off. "I made us some eggs, pancakes and bacon." He pulled on an oven mit and reached into the oven to take out the bacon. Drake placed the pan on top of one of the eyes and took the mit back off. "You woke up just in time. Everything's all done now." Nicki watched him as he put the food on their plates.

"Can you get the glasses please?" He asked, looking back at her. Drake turned back to their plates then quickly did a double take. "Uuh.... Nicki? Where are your clothes?" He asked as a smile started to creep across his face.

Nicki smiled back. "What? You can't expect me to be fully clothed all the time Aubrey." She had on a bubble-gum pink, lace g-string that had hot pink ribbons which tied into bows on the sides. "I mean, if you can jus walk around in your underwear then why can't I?"

Drake stuttered, struggling to find the words to answer her question as he looked at her. "Uuh... y-you um... Well uuh... y-you you... you have um..." He raised his hands in front of his chest and carved out air boobies. "You have breasts."

"Hahaha, okaaay???" She laughed. "Thanks for noticing. But that's not a good enough reason."

"Yes. It is. Those things are very, very distracting." He said eyeing her breasts. "So fuckin distracting..." Drake caught himself staring. He shook his head to snap out of his trance before he started drooling. "You uuh.... you should really put those away." He turned back to their plates.

"And if I don't? What are you gonna do?" She asked innocently as if she had no clue. But Nicki knew exactly what she wanted him to say. She bit her bottom lip and placed her hands on her hips waiting for him to respond.

Drake cleared his throat. He began to pick up on her hints so he played along. "Nothing. I'm not gonna do anything at all."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Positive."

"Oh I dunno Aubrey, what was all that shit you said to me over the phone the other day then? Was it jus... talk?" She asked seductively, articulating the k.

Drake cockily looked back at her. "It worked didn't it?" He smiled and opened a few drawers looking for forks.

"So you don't wanna play with them?" Nicki walked over to him and stood by his side, facing him. She licked her lips and gently traced the owl tattoo on the back of his shoulder with her fingernail. "Come on Drizzy... you know you miss them..." She softly pressed her boobz up against his arm.

Drake turned to her and gripped her waist. Nicki gasped as he quickly lifted her up onto the counter with no problem. He moved his hands to her thighs and subconsciously began to rub them. "What I wanna do, is eat..."

"Yea?" Nicki breathed, spreading her legs a little.

Drake looked down for a split second then back up. "...the food I cooked." He removed his hands from her thighs and motioned to pick up his fork.

"Well... can I have a kiss first? On the lips? I didn't get my good morning kiss."

Drake smirked and sat his fork in his plate. "Fair enough, but just a kiss."

Nicki nodded and he reached his hand up to hold her chin; his thumb under her bottom lip. Drake pulled her face to his as they both closed their eyes. He met her lips with a gentle peck. Nicki immediately wrapped her legs around his waist and brought him closer. At the same time, she grabbed both his hands and quickly raced them to her breasts.

Drake yanked away, forcing her to hold onto the counter's edge so she wouldn't fall. "Damn Nicki, I jus said a kiss."

"Damn it Drake! Jus have sex with me. It's been three weeks baby. I'm practically throwing myself at you. Look at me. I NEED the dick. And I don't even have any clothes on. I'm basically giving you a head start. Come on daddy." She begged.

"But I don't wanna have sex with you."

Nicki furrowed her brow. "B- but why???"

Drake sighed. "Because.... I... I feel like thas all we do. Don't you ever get bored?"

"Hell no nigga! Why would ask me that? Do I bore you? Are you... are you calling me boring Aubrey?"

"NO! Nooo." He shook his head. "No baby, you are not the least bit boring." He stepped over to her and held her by the waist, looking into her eyes. "It's jus... it seems like we sort of have this routine goin on."

She placed her arms around his neck as he stood in between her legs, her hand holding onto her wrist. "What do you mean, baby?"

"It's like this: I leave, come back, we fuck."

"And the problem iiiiisss???"

"Well, I jus automatically feel like you expect me to have sex with you every time we like... reunite or somethin'. Now tell me I'm lyin."

Nicki's eyes rolled around in her head as she processed what he said. She started to smile a little, trying to pull it back.

"Am I right?"

She hid her face in her shoulder with a whimper. "Yes..." she mumbled.

"What was that? I- I can't hear you. I'm sorry, my hearing's off." He pretended.

Nicki lifted her head up. "I said yes... you're right. I do kind of expect it." She admitted. "But I don't see a problem with that." She quickly defended.

"There is really no problem. It's jus become routine now. I always thought sex was supposed to be spontaneous and fun."

"It's not fun?" She squinted.

"No, it's fun." He smiled with a chuckle and nod of the head. "Jus not as spontaneous as I think it should be. I mean, if you always know when you're gonna get some, that kinda takes away from the experience. You tell me, where is the spontaneity in that? If you always know?" Drake raised an eyebrow.

Nicki scrunched up her face. "I guess there is none, huh?"

Drake shook his head, pressing his lips together.

"Well then.... now that we cleared that up, where does it leave us? You can drop the drawers now or later."

"You weren't listening to a word I said..."

"Oh no babe, I heard you, I was listening, but that doesn't mean I'm gonna stop wanting you. If you'd like, I could pretend as if I have no clue what we're about to do."

"No Nicki."

"Yes Aubrey. How bout I go to my room, right? Pretend I'm sleeping and you just sneak in like some bandit. Crawl over top of me and "wake me up" with your kisses? We could easily act like we don't know each other. I could scream for my husband, awl'lat. It could work babe."

"Hahahaha! Nicki nooo." He shook his head. "You're missing the point. All you just said could really work if you were actually sleeping and you actually had no idea I'd be meeting you in your bedroom. You still know that I'm coming though so—"

"Pauz."

"Yea pauz, but you still know though so you still expect it and that doesn't make anything spontaneous. Look, I know you want me baby, but I wanna do somethin different."

"So no sex right now?"

"No sex. Not right now."

"Ok, so when you say no sex, where do you draw the line exactly? Like, what is sex to you?"

"We," He pointed between them. "won't be gettin down."

"Hold on, does this include no oral? Like, how does that work with you?"

Drake laughed. "Nicki, don't worry about it. You'll be fine. It's not like I'm cutting you off completely. You jus won't know when we're gonna do it. Expect thee unexpected."

"Ok, but you definitely got me next time, right?"

"Whenever that is. And nothing's definite cuz I'm breakin the cycle today so you'll never know when next time will be. Could be in the next five minutes, after I finish this sentence or even three seconds after you're telling me goodbye tonight." He shrugged. "You'll never know."

"Ugh, you would wait til my ass is all wet and horny to pull some shit like this." She rolled her eyes and removed her arms from around Drake's neck.

He let her go and backed away to look at her. "Haha, didn't mean to bae. Now can we eat?"
He took a slice of bacon off his plate. "Oh, and can you please go put some clothes on?"

"Fine. Be that way."

He went to bite the bacon, but Nicki snatched it and hopped off the counter.

"If I can't have my meat, then neither can you." She bit into the slice of bacon and walked off. Drake snuck a peek at her derriere. Nicki could feel him staring so she stopped and turned her head. "If you're not gonna hit it, keep your eyes to yourself." She covered her cheeks with the backs of her hands and continued walking to her room.
"Nicki, come back!" Drake playfully yelled when she was out of sight.

"NO!" She yelled back.

He laughed to himself and got their glasses. "I like it when you tell me no!"

"Drake stop! You're being a tease!!" She whined from the other room.

He chuckled to himself and went over to the fridge to get the orange juice. Nicki came back wearing a long tee shirt. She side eyed Drake with a slightly pouty lip as he closed the fridge. He smiled and walked over to the counter to pour their juice.

Nicki walked over to him. "Where's my plate?"

Drake slid it over to her and passed her her cup of OJ. He saw her lip still poked out. "Cheer up Nic, it's not that bad. Need a hug?"

"I'm advising you not to touch me right now because I will seriously pounce on you." She stated. Nicki picked up her plate and cup, then headed into the living room. She sat on the floor near the window with her plate in front of her. Her legs were folded criss cross, applesauce. Nicki said her grace and began to eat. Drake walked in moments later with his food. He sat directly across from her with his back up against the wall. He stretched his legs out and crossed them over one another while sitting his plate in his lap.

"Couldn't wait for me, huh?" He smiled.

Nicki looked up from her plate with a half smile and cheek full of pancake. Drake blessed his food and began to eat. He glanced over at Nic as she swirled her eggs in syrup. He never noticed she did that with her eggs before. Nicki brought the fork up to her mouth, but stopped, holding it over her plate.

"Why do you always do that?" She asked, looking at Drake.

"Do what?"

"Watch me eat."

He smiled, shaking his head. "I don't really know." He shrugged. "It's jus something I do. Not on purpose... jus habit I guess. Does it bother you?" He took a bite of pancake off his fork.

"A liddle..." Nicki smiled at her next thought. "Makes me feel like I hafta perform for you or something." She giggled and continued eating.

"Haha, sorry. I'll try to stop, but I can't promise you. It's not everyday I get to lay eyes on a goddess."

"You're so corny."

"But that's why you love me."

"Haha, if you say so." She smiled.

Drake smiled back and continued to eat. When they finished, he took their plates into the kitchen and began placing them in the dishwasher. Nicki joined him a few seconds later with their glasses. She placed his on the counter and drank from hers while watching him load the washer.

"Enjoying the view?" He asked, still bent over.

Nicki smirked. "No..." She lied.

Drake stood up and closed the door to the dishwasher. He turned around and walked over to Nic, who was leaning against the counter. "Lies..." He smiled, getting in her face. Nicki straightened up without breaking eye contact. Drake licked his lips causing Nicki to look at them. She then looked back up into his eyes, biting the edge of her bottom lip. Drake closed his eyes and began puckering his lips while leaning in. Nicki saw this and did the same. He reached behind her as their lips got closer. Drake grabbed his glass of orange juice off the counter and sipped it over her shoulder. Nicki opened her eyes when she didn't feel his lips on hers. Her jaw dropped and she scoffed in disbelief. Drake put his glass back down and began to laugh. Nicki didn't find it funny.

"Fuck this shit..." She pushed him away and walked out of the kitchen, leaving Drake laughing to himself. Nicki clearly didn't appreciate how he faked her out like that.

"Nicki wait, where you goin baby?" He giggled, following her out of the kitchen. Nicki didn't answer, nor did she turn around. She continued walking to her room.

"Nicki? Come on baby, what? You ignorin me now?"

Nicki went in her room and shut the door behind her. Drake jogged over to it and knocked.

"Onika? Can I come in?" He listened to the sound of her opening and closing dresser drawers. "Baby?" He knocked again, but got no answer. Drake decided to walk in anyway. He opened the door and heard her searching through clothes hanging in her walk-in closet. Drake went over to it and peeped in. Nicki looked at him in disgust. She rolled her eyes and began walking toward him holding a graphic tee and low cut denim shorts in her hand.

"Move." She said, pushing past him.
Drake watched her as she laid the garments out on her bed. She stood there, hand on hip, deciding if that's what she'd wear. He closed the two mirrored doors to the closet and walked over, standing behind her.

"What's wrong?"

Nicki huffed and snatched up her clothes. She grabbed her underclothes and headed to the bathroom, which she could also access from her room, not just the hallway. Drake looked on as Nicki slammed the door. He heard the shower turn on so he quietly sat on her bed, waiting for her to come out. Twenty minutes passed as he lie back on the mattress. He closed his eyes and put his hands behind his head, just waiting. He heard the shower turn off about ten minutes later. Nicki dried off, lotioned up, and got dressed in the bathroom. Drake heard a door open so he looked over, but it was shut. He knew Nicki went out of the other door facing the hallway. He sighed and exited her room, leaving her bedroom door open. Drake found her comfortably curled up on the couch so he went over to her.

"You mad at me?" He asked, crawling up to her on the sofa.

Nicki simply turned on her back to look up at him while her head rested on the arm of the couch. A smile began to creep across her face as he stared down at her. She tried to pull back, but she couldn't. "No..." she admitted, trying not to giggle.

Drake smiled. "So what's with the attitude?"

Nicki shrugged. "I don't know." She looked away from him.

"Nah... don't gimme dat. Tell me. What's up?"

Nicki sighed and looked him in the eyes. "It's jus.... you say you wanna be more spontaneous right?"

"Yea?"

"Well..... it's kinda makin me a bit upset cuz.... I want you now and you're holding off on me."

"You are so spoiled."

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are. You can't always get ya way Nic. Look at it this way, it's more about me surprising you than bein spontaneous. I jus wanna surprise you, that's all." He tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "And if it means keepin my dick in my pants a little longer, then that's the way it'll be. So can I do that for you? Jus... let me surprise you baby." 

Nicki sighed. "Why do you always make me feel like the bad guy?"

"I'm not."

"Yes huh..... and you know I can't say no to you."

"So it's a yes?"

"Haha, you know it is." She smiled.

"Thank you baby." Drake leaned down and pecked her on the lips. "I'm about to go take a shower. You can join me if you like." He smiled and stood up off the sofa.

Nicki giggled. "Haha, stop it Aubrey."
"Haha, suit yaself." With that, he disappeared around the corner. Nicki heard the shower running minutes later. As she lie there on the couch, she decided to call IKEA and find out when they'd be delivering the rest of her furniture. The movers would be there around one or one thirty. Nic then dialed up Safaree to ask him when the cable company was scheduled to arrive. He told her between ten and two. Nicki looked at the time on her phone and it was already ten o'clock. She told SB to come over a little before one o'clock so he could help move stuff. When she had everything in place, Nicki called Martin to make sure there were no surprise photo shoots or interviews. Her schedule was all clear for the day which made her extremely happy because she'd get to spend the whole day with her boo. Just thinking about it brought a smile to her face. Nicki hung up the phone, leaving it on the couch, and walked back to her bedroom. Drake was just putting his shirt on when she walked in.

"Aww man!" She playfully snapped her fingers. "I missed the show!"

Drake chuckled as he grabbed his towel off the bed. "Damn. Sounds like a personal problem, huh?"

Nicki sucked her teeth. "Don't get smart wit me Aubrey."

Drake walked over to her, his chest touching hers as he looked down at her. "I'm not gettin smart. I am smart. Intelligent in fact."

"Oh? So you on ya cocky shit, huh?"

"Hell yea. You awlready."

"Hahahaha!! Drake stop! Please don't try that accent with me."

"What accent, son? This is how I tawk B."

"Drake? No! Please!" Nicki burst into laughter. "Jus stop babe, stick to Toronto lingo, kay?"

"Hahaha, fine baby. Anything for you." He kissed her forehead then turned around. Nicki bit her bottom lip and grabbed his ass.

"Ayyyee!!" He jumped, smacking her hand away while turning back to face her. "Haha, cut that out. The game's ova Nic, Gatorade, wet towel." Drake immediately took the ends of his drying off towel and twirled it in his hands. He then whipped it towards Nic so quickly she couldn't do anything to stop it from hitting her thighs.

"Ow! Drake stop!" She laughed. He did it again with a smile on his face. "I said stop! That shit stings!" She held her hands out to block, but continued to laugh so he did it a third time. "Hahaha, ouch! Draaake???" She whined.

"That doesn't hurt."

"The hell if it don't!"

"I ain't even hit you that hard though."

"Tell that to my thighs. Look what you did." They both looked down at her legs as she rubbed her fingers over her skin. Her thighs were turning red.
Drake slung his towel over his shoulder. "Damn, sorry bae. Lemme kiss it to make it better." He got down on his knees and pulled her close, his hands on her ass.

"Ooo... sss..." She hissed as he kissed her thighs. "I think you hit my clit to..." Nicki unbuttoned her shorts and slowly began to unzip them.

"I did?" He asked, knowing he didn't.

"Yea.... it hurts." She lied, pulling her shorts down with her thongs.

Drake pulled back, watching her get them off, her bottoms falling to her ankles. Before she could step out of them, he grabbed her butt again, pulling her forward. Nicki placed her hands on his shoulders, taking his towel in her hands. She wrapped the ends around her fists and pulled him in with it around his neck. "Tell me you're sorry." She seductively whispered, looking down at him kissing up her thigh.

"I'm sorry..." As he approached her clit, he heard a knock at the front door. He stopped and looked up at Nicki.

"Why'd you stop baby?" She moaned.

"You don't hear that?"

"Hear wha—" She was cut off by another knock. "Are you fucking serious???"

"Should I go get it?"

"Fuck no. Whoever it is can wait."

Drake went back to work. He started kissing her thighs, as before, to set the mood right again. Nicki was beyond wet with a throbbing clit begging to be taken care of. As if it were possible, the knocking at the door became more rapid and louder the closer Drake got to her pleasure spot. It started to bother him. Nicki was trying to block it out, but it was as much of an annoyance to her as it was to him.

"I can't..." Drake admitted, shaking his head. He pulled Nicki's denim shorts up and stood to his feet.

"Baby, nooo!! They'll go away, pleeeaase??"

"I doubt it." He huffed, buttoning and zipping her shorts. He then kissed her on the cheek. "Nice try though, Nic. You almost had me to." He walked out of the room leaving Nicki standing there with folded arms.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Chap. 20: Recovery

Hey guyz!!! Dn't wanna say 2 much here. Huge S/O 2 @TeamMinajPeru!!!! She helped a whoooooooooolllllllleeeee LOT!!!!! Lol, when I had questions she had answers ^_^ Thank you Temp!! And S/O 2 @MissMinaj341!!!! She helped me get thru writers block earlier!! I thank u all for reading!!! So happy I made it to chapter 20!! Major milestone!! Love you all, plz enjoy...

Chapter: 20

Nicki snuck up behind him at the dining room table where he sat. He was eating a plate of barbeque chicken wings. She placed her hands over his eyes with a smile on her face.

"Guess who..." She whispered in his ear.

"Mmm, let me see..... you sound like somebody I love.... smell good like her too...... your hands are soft jus like hers....... who could you be?"

Nicki kissed him on the cheek. "You gotta guess baby..."

"I don't know.... maybe you could help me out?"

"No. I'll pass."

"Haha, ard Onika. You can stop now. Lemme see you."

Nicki giggled and removed her hands. "How'd you guess?"

He turned his head to face her. "Cuz you play too much."

Nicki leaned in and began kissing him on the lips; tongue and all.

"Damn girl, you musta missed me today, huh?"

"Haha, maybe." She walked around the oval, maple dining room table.

"Mhm... so why you late? I thought I told you to be here before 5 o' clock? What time is it?"

Nicki looked at the watch on her wrist. "It's only 5:12 babe. I had to get the second bus. The first was too crowded." Nic hung her jacket over the back of one of the chairs and pulled it out to sit. She took her book bag off her shoulder and let it drop to the floor. The dining room was poorly lit with only two of the four upturned mini wall lamps working.

"You coulda squeezed ya skinny ass on. I gave you a certain time to be here and you show up late." He wiped his hands with a napkin and put both elbows on the table, folding his hands and glaring at her.

"Chill out Jarvis, damn. You act like you my father or some shit. I might as well move back in wit my family for awl'lat. Rehearsals jus ran a liddle late, thas it. So chill the fuck out."

"You and I both know you ain't goin no damn where. And you betta watch ya mouth how the fuck you talkin tuh me." He stood up. "I'ma go take my shower, wash my plate. It's more dishes in'na sink. Me and da boys leff it for you. Have fun." Jarvis started walking towards the narrow staircase.

Nicki looked at him like he just lost his mind. "Um, hold the fuck up, you will watch how you tawk to me. I'm not livin here to be ya fuckin maid. Wash ya own got damn dishes."

"Don't back talk me Onika." He said calmly while walking up the steps.

"You know what... I've had it with you Jarvis." She stood up. "You always think you runnin shit. I might only be seventeen, but you don't control me. I try so fuckin hard not tuh pop off on ya ass, but half the time you deserve it. No more holdin back. No more "good girlfriend." That role ain't me. I refuse to put up witchu and ya bullshit." Nicki grabbed her coat off the back of the chair. "I'll be back later. I need some air. And you bet not touch none of my shit. Or I will have Jelani come down here and handle ya ass."

Jarvis turned around, making his way back down the steps. "Fuck Jelani. I'll beat both y'all asses. You betta do what I told you 'fore I whip ya ass right now. Get in'ere and clean my kitchen."

"Excuse me?! I ain't cleanin shit! And you wouldn't dare touch me! I guarantee you that! You ain't that stupid!" Nicki pushed her chair in and put her jacket back on.

"Where the fuck you think you goin?"

"None of ya fuckin business!"

"Watch ya mouth." Jarvis walked over to her.

"You will stop tellin me what to do! I'm not ya child. You twenty-four, go make some of ya own!" Nicki walked towards the front door. Jarvis grabbed her by the arm and pulled her back in front of him. "Oh, so you touchin me now?! Get the fuck off!" Nicki jerked her arm away. He grabbed it again.

"Getcho ass in there and clean my kitchen. I am not one to raise my voice. I should only hafta tell you what to do once and I expect to get it done. Now after you finish with that, I want you to meet me upstairs... and lose the clothes."

"Fuck you think you are tawkin tuh me like dat?! And you expect me tuh give you some?! Fuck outta here wit dat shit B! Fuck you and them got damn dishes!!" She pulled away. Jarvis raised his hand to her for the first time and smacked her.

Nicki held her cheek in shock. "Aah!" She hissed. "What the fuck, Jarvis???" She cried in disbelief.

"Don't ever talk to me like that again. Now go in there. And do. What I told you. To do." He pointed his finger in her face.

Nicki couldn't believe he had just hit her. She looked him in the eyes, but all she saw was emptiness. His eyes were cold and unforgiving. "Why..." She squeaked. Nicki jogged to the front door and Jarvis watched her go, he knew she had to come back; she left her book bag. Nicki ran down his front steps and walked across the street to the bus stop with tears in her eyes. She sat down on the cold bench, shivering and wondering why the man she loved would ever raise his hand to hurt her. Nicki held her face in her hands. Minutes later, she heard a voice calling. It sounded far away.

"Onika?"

Nicki listened for it again.

"Onika?"

She started to feel warm all over. She blinked her eyes a few times and saw a blurred face staring down at her.

"Onika? Wake up please."

She felt a hand on her head as a thumb rubbed across her forehead.
"Come on Nika, get up."

Nicki rubbed her eyes and sat up on her elbows. She looked around and noticed she was lying on a railed bed in a white room. She heard faint beeping and saw an IV in her forearm. Safaree stood by her side.

"Hey? You back?" He pushed down the railing and sat down next to her, waiting for her to respond.

"Where are the kids?"

"With V."

"Oh... am I.... am I ok?"

"Yea. You blacked out, but you're safe now. You're in the hospital. Megan called after she... after she found you."

Nicki reached up to feel her neck. She had a few welts and scratches on her from clawing at Jarvis's hand.

"He.... choked me Faree...." Nicki began to tear up.

Safaree saw this and pulled her close. "Come here." He held her, letting her cry into his chest as he rubbed her back.

After Jarvis left, Megan had came back downstairs. She saw Nicki lying still on the floor so she rushed over. She didn't see her chest rising and falling, Nic had stopped breathing. Megan tried to wake her up, but Nic was out. She searched Nic's pockets for her blackberry and called her uncle. Megan told him what she saw and he told SB. The guys cut their trip short and immediately drove back to LA. Safaree had told her to call 911 so she did. When the paramedics arrived, they transported Nicki to the nearest hospital. The cops showed up ten minutes after they left and asked the children what happened. Tyrone couldn't tell them much because all he saw was a man trying to force himself inside the house. Dee Dee was crying too hard for them to make out her side of the story. The police took the children down to the precinct for further questioning. Vincent went with them, he'd take them home from there.

*knock knock knock*

The room door squeaked open. "Can I come in?" A little old white lady wearing thick, round lenses with short and curled brunette hair asked, peeping in the room. She wore turquoise scrubs with a white lab coat over top. In her hand was a pen and clipboard. Safaree looked to his left at the opening door.

"Come in."

Nicki lifted her head up off of SB's chest. His white tee was stained with her tears. The woman walked over to them, and extended her hand with a smile.

"Good Morning sir. I'm Dr. Descartes. I'm the head physician on this floor. I oversee all incoming patients. And I'm pleased to say that Ms. Maraj has no serious injuries so she'll be able to leave in no time."

It was now 3:32am. When Nicki arrived to the hospital it was going on 9pm. Safaree didn't get there til 12am. By that time Nic was already in a room to herself. She wasn't breathing on her own so a respirator supplied her oxygen for her. It wasn't until later that night, around 2am, that Nic was able to breathe without it. Safaree filled out all the necessary paperwork for her and waited for her to wake up. She'd been gone for at least six hours when he decided to wake her up on his own.

"Thank you doc."

"Just doing my job." She smiled. "I'll be back with your release papers miss. Won't take me long so you'll be out of here in a jiff. I just need to remove your IV."

Nic looked down at it and held her arm out. The doctor carefully removed it and desposed of it properly. "Alright, be right back." She smiled then turned to leave, closing the door behind her. Nicki looked at Safaree and folded her arms into her chest.

"I don't wanna go home Faree, he knows where I live."

"Nic, you'll be fine. I promise. The cops are out there lookin for'm right now."

"But he said he'd be back. And how do you know there gonna find him?"

Safaree didn't say anything. He was lost for words, unsure of the system himself.

"Exactly... you don't know if they will. I can't go back to that house. Not by myself."

"Look.... maybe we could get the cops to watch the house? Will that make you feel safe?"

"No Safaree. I don't need to feel like a prisoner in my own home." Nicki started tearing up again. "Will you stay with me?"

"I mean... if that helps? I guess I could."

"Thank you." Nicki hugged him around the neck.

"You're welcome." They pulled away.

"Where's my phone?" She sniffled.

"Oh yea." Safaree pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Drake called you."

Nicki looked from her phone to him. "Did you answer?"

"Nah, he called way before I got here. You should call'm back. Let'm know what's up."

"No, no, no no no." Nicki shook her head. "I... I can't do that Safaree. I won't.... I can't.... No."

"What?" SB screwed his face up. "You hafta tell'm Nic. What's he gonna think when he sees you?" Nicki had a big scratch on her cheek and a mildly swollen top lip from when the door hit her in the face. The bridge of her nose was slightly bruised, turning a dark, purple color. Safaree didn't ask her how the scars got there although he wanted to know. "How's he gonna feel when he finds out you kept this from him?"

"Safaree please don't make me do this right now." Nicki handed him back her phone and laid back down with her back facing him.

"Don't shut him out Onika. I think he should know."

"But Safaree.... I.... I....." She tried not to cry. "I can't...... what's he gonna think of me? I let..... I let another man touch me."

"What?" This was news to Safaree. He hadn't gotten the complete story. As far as he knew, Jarvis barged in and choked her. That alone pissed him off when he found out. He'd calmed down since then, but now with new details surfacing, Safaree started to heat up again.

"What'chu mean he touched you?"

"I don't wanna talk about it Faree... there's no need to. This is all my fault anyway. I shouldn't've answered the door. I shoulda never volunteered to babysit. I jus fuck up everything."

"Stop it Onika. None of this is your fault. I don't want you blamin yaself for shit. That nigga had no right to put his hands on you. No right. No matter what you did, his crazy ass woulda found a way in."

"I know you're tryna help, but you're wrong Safaree. It is all my fault."

"Stop sayin that."

Just then, Dr. Descartes walked back in with Nic's release papers.
"Ok, whose signing?"

"I got it." Safaree took the clipboard.

"You can just sign down there by that X Mr. Maraj."

Safaree looked at her sideways. "No. It's Samuels. Mr. Samuels."

"Oh!" She giggled. "I'm sorry sir. I just assumed—"

"You good." He handed her back the clipboard.

"You're free to go. You can just leave the hospital gown on the bed, one of the nurses will get it." Descartes smiled and left the room.

"Where are my clothes?" Nicki sat up wiping her face.

Safaree got up and went across the room. Her clothes were in a purple transparent bag. He got it and handed it to her.

"You need my help or anything?"

"Please?"

Nicki turned her back to him. SB untied the three knots vertically aligned down her back.

"You good?"

"Yea. Thank you Faree."

"No problem. I'll jus be outside the door."

Nicki nodded her head and he stepped out. She stood up and took off the gown. She folded it and laid it on the bed. Nicki put her clothes back on from the previous day. She noticed a couple drops of dried blood on the front of her shirt. She took it off and turned it inside out to make it less noticeable, but you could still see it. Nicki unfolded the hospital gown and put it back on to cover it up. She noticed she didn't have any shoes, not even her slippers. Her feet were snuggled in grey hospital socks. Nicki walked to the door and opened it. She didn't see SB. She searched for him with her eyes. Nicki saw him getting off the elevator with a pair of Nike's. He jogged over to her out of breath.

"Where did you go?"

"I forgot I left these in the car." He held up her shoes. "I went and picked'm up from ya house earlier when I noticed you didn't have anything on ya feet."

"Oh..." She took them. "Thanks. And tell me before you leave next time, ok?"

"Yea, sorry."

Nicki put her shoes on and closed the door behind her. The floor they were on was completely quiet and still. All they heard were moniters going and all kinds of beeping. The only lights on were mounted over the door frames of all the patients' rooms. The nurses station was dark and vacant. There was only one nurse pushing a food cart. No one else. Nic and SB walked to the elevator and rode it down. Safaree drove them to her house and parked his car in her driveway. He unbuckled his seat belt and went to exit. Nicki sat there staring at the front of her house.

"You comin?"

"My bedroom light's on...." She answered, never taking her eyes off of her home.

Safaree looked at the house then back at Nicki.

"I know Nic. I turned it on when I got ya sneakers."

Nicki looked at him then unbuckled her seat belt.

"Where was he when you got here?"

"Gone. You're fine Onika, come on." Safaree got out and walked over to her side of the car. He helped her out then they went inside. Safaree turned on the alarm system and walked Nic up to her room, she insisted he do that. Nicki took the gown off and SB saw the blood on her shirt. He had the urge to ask her about it, but he didn't want to upset her or himself so he let it go for the moment.

"I'm goin to go take a shower."

"Ard. I'ma go 'head back downstairs. I'm gettin kinda tired."

"You goin to bed already?"

"It's 5am Nic. I think I need to." He half smiled. "I'll be on the couch."

"Oh. Ok.... your phone's on right?"

"Yes. It is. Now go shower, you're safe."

Nicki sighed and turned her head away from him. Safaree looked at her once more before he shut the door. He walked downstairs and into the living room, kicking his shoes off near the sofa. He plopped down onto it and lie back, placing a couch pillow over his face. Safaree heard the shower running then his cell phone started to blast My Watch. He took it out of his baggy, jean pocket and answered.

"Yea Nic?"

"Um, no? This is Vincent nigga."

SB looked at the caller ID on his iPhone. "Oh, my bad son. What's good?"

"Me and the kids jus gettin to the house. How is she?"

"Not good B." He removed the pillow from his face. "That muhfucka messed her up pretty bad. Got her all paranoid and shit. I swear to you, and I don't swear, but I'ma beat the shit outta dat nigga if I see'm again. His ass is so dead."

"Damn. Jus know I gotcha back. Not that you need me, I've seen what'chu can do. He use'ta be real cool... now nigga wanna be all psycho and shit."

"I'ont know 'bout all dat. I ain't never liked his crazy ass. Like, what kinda man are you to put ya hands on a woman?"

"A fuckin punk. Ain't no need for none of dat bullshit. They needa hurry up and find his ass. Send'm right back to Rikers. Let him know what it feels like to get beat on."

"They ain't got'm yet?!" Safaree sat up.

"Naw. Not yet. They don't have everything they need."

"Fuck you mean???"

"They still need Nika's side of the story."

"They won't get it."

"Huh?"

"She ain't talkin. She hasn't even told me anything so I doubt she open up to dem donut eatin ass pigs."

"I think she will. Specially if it's to help find him. It may calm her nerves to get it all out. She don't needa bottle dat shit up. Ain't healthy."

"I know what'chu mean man."

"Yea... well I was jus callin to check on her. I'm about to lay down."

"Ard B." Safaree yawned.

"Don'tchu go to sleep nigga. Listen out for the door. The cops should be there soon."

"Fuck outta here. Them dumbasses shoulda came up the hospital to ask all dem damn questions. I'm tired so I'm takin my ass to sleep. They prolly won't be here til later anyway."

"Whatever man. Keep her safe."

"I got it. BC-1 out."

Safaree hung up the phone and laid back down, putting the pillow back over his face and his phone in one of his size fourteens.

Nicki stepped out of the shower. She wrapped herself in her bath towel and walked over to the mirror. She took her hand and wiped until she could see herself clearly. Nicki stood there examining her face. She lifted her hand to feel the top of her upper lip. The swelling minimized, but only a little. She turned her head to see the mark Jarvis's ring left on her cheek. It was a little above her left dimple and about the size of a pinky finger. Nicki closed her eyes and turned away from the mirror biting her lip. She went into her room and dried off, lotioned up, then found something to put on. Nicki walked out of her room with her blackberry in her hand. She wore a big tee shirt and a pair of ankle socks. Her hair was plaited into two big braids; one resting on the tops of each shoulder. She went downstairs and walked over to the couch. Leaning over the back of it, Nicki removed the pillow from SB's face.

"Are you sleeping Faree?"

His eyes were closed. Nicki plucked his nose and he frowned while fanning her hand away. Safaree turned toward the coffee table. Nicki sighed and threw the pillow back down on him. She went in the kitchen and brewed her a cup of Chamomile tea. Nicki sat at her kitchen table playing with the tea bag. She held her head up with her fist as her elbow rested on the table. Lifting the bag in and out of the tea, Nic noticed her phone lighting up. Drake's name blinked across the screen. Nicki hesitated to answer it. Would he ask why she didn't pick up when he called earlier? Would he ask how the rest of her day went? Would Drake hear the secret in her voice and ask what's wrong? Nicki didn't bother finding out. She silenced her phone and turned it over. She placed the wet tea bag in the saucer and began sipping. Nic knew he'd call again. Would she answer it then? Would she tell him about Jarvis? Nicki pushed all these thoughts to the back of her mind. She didn't want to think about them. She sat the mug down and stirred in another teaspoon of sugar. Nicki watched as the tea whirlpooled inside her pink and black Diva mug. She listened as her spoon tinkered against the sides. While the liquid stirred, so did her mind.

*knock knock knock*

Nicki stood there with her arms folded into her chest, trying to stay warm. She was waiting for the door to open and when it did, it immediately closed again. Nicki rolled her eyes and knocked once more. This time someone different answered.

"Hey... sorry about that. I guess Safaree's still mad at you... why you here this late?" Vincent looked at his watch. It was 7pm and dark out.

"V... I... I need somewhere to stay tonight..."

"What???"

Nicki looked up at him. Her eyes were begging him to let her stay. "Vincent please? Jus tonight? You know Lauren's still out of town and Candi's not answering her phone. I have no other options and I'm not goin back home, I can't."

"You and Jarvis have another argument?" He asked like he knew she'd say yes.

Nicki pressed her lips together and squeezed her eyes shut. Tears were forming and she didn't want Vincent to see. She sniffled and a weep escaped her lips.

"Sorry.... I ain't mean t—"

"He hit me...."

Vincent screwed his face up. "He what?!"

Nicki quickly covered her face. Vincent snatched her hands down. "What did you jus say Onika?!"

"Jarvis... he hit me. We were arguing and he told me to clean the kitchen I told'm no I cursed him out and he smacked me across the face!" Nicki's words were running together. It all came out fast in one breath as she cried.

"Hell no." Vincent shook his head with flared nostrils. He put his arm around Nic's shoulder and pulled her into the house. "Sit on the couch, I'll be back...."

Nicki looked at him as he ascended the staircase on her left. "Where are you going??"

Vincent quickly came back downstairs with his Timbalands on. "He live near Brooklyn right?" He asked, putting on his lengthy black tee.

"Don't do anything Vince!!! Please?!?! I don't want him to know I told you!!"

"Fuck you mean?! He hit you Onika! I'm not lettin'at shit go!"

"But you have to!! I... I still love'm. I jus... he jus gets me so mad sometimes. It's normal, couples argue... I don't want you to hurt him. Please, don't go over there Vincent."

"What??????" He squinted at her in disbelief, craning his neck forward to make sure he heard her correctly.

"It only happened once. I don't think he'll do it again... I prolly jus made him angry. I should've kept my mouth shut. It's my fault ok?"

"No." Vincent shook his head while putting his coat on. "It's not your fault. That nigga needa learn to keep his hands to himself."

"Don't go!!" She cried.

Vincent saw the plea in her eyes. He huffed and ran his hand over his face. "Can I jus go talk to'm?"

"No."

Vincent gave in. "Fine Onika. I won't go. But if I see his ass on the street, I'ma start some shit jus so I can beat his ass."

"Vince?!"

"I won't hurt'm too bad." He took off his coat and threw it on the couch. "Wait til I tell S." He started walking toward his basement door.

"NO! You can't!! I don't give a damn how mad you are, you will NOT tell Faree!!"

"Yea ard..." He pulled the door open.

Nicki's eyes grew big. Safaree was standing there zipping up his coat. He had a scowl on his face and he looked beyond heated. He pulled on his navy blue skully and gloves.

"Let's go...." SB brushed passed Nicki causing her to step back a little. He didn't look at her, not once. Vincent focused on Nicki then Safaree. He shut his basement door and ran over to get his coat.

Nicki slowly turned around facing the front door. "Faree.... please, you don't—"

"LET'S GO VINCENT!" Safaree opened the door and stepped out onto the porch.

"I'm comin nigga! Damn." He made his way to the door then looked back at Nicki. "Lock the door." He stepped out.

Nicki walked over to the entrance. She watched the two walk down Vincent's driveway.

"Brooklyn right?"

Vincent nodded his head....

Nicki watched as her tea swirled about in her cup. She went to taste it, but it was cold. She sat the teaspoon on the saucer and stood up with her cup. Walking over to the microwave, Nicki's phone received a text message. She placed the beverage in the mic, turning it on, and went to check the blackberry.

[Hey babe, ur prolly still sleep so jus call me bak when u wake up. I have good news :) Love you] 

Nicki just stared at the screen. To reply or not to reply? That's the question. Her answer? Nicki sighed and placed the phone back on the table. The microwave dinged so she went to go get her tea. Sitting down at the table, Nicki waited for it to cool off. When it did, she sipped slowly. She sat in the kitchen for a good three hours, sipping and reheating and daydreaming. Nicki picked up her phone and discovered yet another missed call from Drake. She got up to put her empty mug in the sink and heard footsteps heading toward the kitchen. Nicki looked back and saw a sleepy SB with his phone in hand. He was rubbing his eyes and yawning. He walked over to Nic and stood beside her.

"So you gon tell me why you not answerin ya phone?"

Nicki looked away from him and began to run dish water. "I can't talk to him right now Safaree..."

"Why? He's worried about you. He called me askin if anything was up cuz you haven't been answerin his calls. He thought he might'a made you mad or sum'n. I told'm you'd call back."

Nicki turned the water off. "Why would you do that Safaree?! Thas NOT ya place! Jus please stay the hell outta my business! If I wanted your help I would've asked for it!"

"You can't keep avoidin him Onika! He hasn't done shit to you! You will call him back! You can't jus repress this shit. I know it hurts, but you will not bottle it up. It's not good to jus keep everything inside. I don't care if you don't wanna tell me all that happened, I know enough to understand how you're feelin. But you hafta tell somebody and that somebody is Drake. He's ya boyfriend. He deserves to know. And if you don't let it out, it's jus gonna eat at'chu. So tell'm, don't jus leave him out in the dark like you did me..."

Nicki teared up. "I can't Faree... it's too much. It's so embarrassing... how could I let that happen to me? I'm strong right? How could he jus overpower me so easily? I fought back with all I had and he jus.... he jus grabbed me up... It was so easy for him to do.... It was like nothing I was doing to stop him worked..... I felt so weak Safaree....."

Nicki put her hands up to her face and cried. SB wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. He rubbed her back allowing her to shed her tears.

"I tried so hard to get him off me and I'm the one who ended up with the scars. It's not fair.... he slapped me like it was nothin. Like I didn't even matter. Like I wasn't a woman." She cried.

Safaree listened intently. He didn't know he hit her. SB squeezed his arms tighter around Nicki. "I'm sorry that happened Nic."

"He fuckin violated me Faree! He... he.... he put.... he put his hand up my shirt and he jus.... oh God..." Nicki was still crying. Safaree felt her wrap her arms around him, her face still pressed to his chest. "He acted like I was still his.... do you know how scary that is??? What if he comes back? What'll happen then? He knows I live here now. I can't stay... I need to leave Safaree."

"They'll get'm soon Nicki. But where are you gonna go?"

She looked up at him with puffy eyes. "You keep sayin that, but you don't know. And I'm goin to my apartment downtown... I'm not stayin here."

Nicki let him go causing him to do the same. She started to walk away, but SB grabbed her by the wrist. "But you barely have any furniture there. There's like one couch and a tv. I'm not lettin you live like that."

Nicki looked at her wrist and effortlessly pulled away. "I'll get more stuff... I have no choice." She shrugged and walked upstairs to her room to pack some clothes. Safaree had forgotten to tell her she couldn't leave yet because the police were on their way to get her side of the story, three hours late, but still on their way. He ran up after her and saw her folding clothes into a suitcase. She glanced at him and continued what she was doing.

"What?"

"You can't go yet."

"And why not?" Nicki stopped and looked at him, holding onto the top of her suitcase.

"Because the p—" SB was cut off by a knock at the door.

Nicki's eyes widened. "That's him Safaree..." Her heart started to race as her stomach twisted in knots.

"No it's not, I bet it's the cops. Thas what I was tryna tell you." Safaree turned to leave her room.

Nicki dropped the lid of her suitcase and went after him. "NO! Don't open the door! Please Safaree, please don't open the door! Please?!!" She grabbed his arm, pulling him away from the staircase.

"I know you're still on edge, but I'm here. If it's him, don't expect him to make it out of this house alive. If it's not, it's the cops." He started toward the staircase again.

"NO! Faree stop it!! I'm begging you!! Please don't answer that door!!" Nicki had the saddest look in her eyes.

Safaree saw them pleading with him, but he ignored them. He removed himself from the tight grip Nicki had around his arm and headed downstairs.

"No... please..." She tried once more to get him to stop. He kept going. "Why are you doing this to me Faree?" She whined.

When he reached the very bottom, he heard them knock again, harder this time. Nicki was at the top of the staircase freaking out. Safaree went to the door.

"Who is it?"

"Uuh, we're looking to speak with a miss Onika Maraj? I'm Officer Talley. I'm with my partner Officer... Officer Joe."

SB yelled up to Nicki, "See Nic? It's jus the cops! Come downstairs please!" He opened the door and standing before him were two men. One a little taller than himself and the other small, but taller than Nicki. Safaree let them in.

"Good morning officers. Y'all can have a seat in the living room, she'll be down in a minute." Safaree shut the door back and locked it. He turned the alarm system back on and went upstairs to get Nicki.

"Come on. They waitin for you." SB held out his hand. She took it and he began leading her down the steps.

"Faree wait. I need to put some pants on." Nicki let his hand go and he watched her run back up the steps to her room. She came back to him wearing a long pair of loose fitting pajama pants. She took his hand again and they made their way to the living room. The tall officer, Talley, was sitting down on the couch. The smaller one, Officer Joe, was standing in front of the television. They looked Nic's way when she and SB made their entrance. Officer Talley stood up with his hand out, he removed his hat.

"Morning ma'am. I'm Officer Talley."

Nicki shook his hand. "Hi officer." She glanced over at the frail rookie. He walked over to her with a smile. He seemed really nervous and just plain awkward. "H-hi ma'am. I'm Officer Joe." He held out his hand and Nicki shook it, trying to return the smile as genuinely as possible. She was nervous as well.

"Nice to meet you..." Nicki looked over her shoulder at Safaree who was standing behind her. "Now what?" She whispered. He motioned her to have a seat.

"I'll be in the kitchen if you need me." He turned to go, but Nicki quickly grabbed his fingers.

"No, stay with me." She turned her head around and pulled him over to the lazy boy with her. She sat down and he sat on the arm of the recliner. The two policemen sat across from them on the ivory colored sofa. Talley pulled folded documents out of his pocket. He signaled Joe to hand him a pen. The rookie did so.

"So tell me... what happened?"

"Where should I start?"

"Well first off, how do you know the suspect? Was he a stranger? Old enemy?"

Nicki looked down at her hands balled up in her lap. "He's an ex...."

"How long ago was this?" Talley scribbled something on one of the papers and slid them over to Officer Joe.

"About... nine years? I met'm when I was seventeen."

"How old was he?"

"Twenty-four..... I know there's a lot wrong with that, but.... I was young. I thought I was in love. Age didn't matter at the time."

"Oh, I see.... so you know this guy really well?"

"Unfortunately I do."

Officer Joe was writing down everything. Nicki looked over at him then back to Officer Talley.

"Okay. I think we have enough background info on this guy. So tell me what happened last night."

Nicki explained everything to them in detail. Tears were far from invisible. They streamed down her face, but that's all. She wasn't hysterical. She wasn't sobbing. Her tears were just there. Safaree sat by her trying to stay calm. He was really pissed. When the cops finished, they let Nicki know they'd do all they could to catch him. They promised they'd work faster after finding out he was a New York native. They were afraid he'd flee back home, but they didn't tell Nicki that. She felt a little relieved, but only a little. Nicki still wanted to stay at her apartment in downtown LA. She went to her room after the officers left and continued packing. She cleared out her bathroom's linen closet and mirror. Nicki changed her shirt into something smaller that hugged her torso, she kept on the loose pj pants. Safaree helped her load everything into her Bentley. They went back inside and emptied the fridge and cabinets. SB loaded the food into his car, he'd follow behind her car as they drove.

When they reached the apartment, the two brought everything in and began putting the food away.

"Can you put this up there for me Faree? I can't reach it." She asked, standing on her tippy toes trying to put her cereal on top of the fridge. Safaree stopped sweeping the floor and helped her. He ended up putting all four boxes on top of the fridge. Nicki put the rest of the food away while Safaree cleaned around her. When she finished, Nicki started to hang up her clothes in her bedroom closet. She then went to go clean the bathroom while Safaree rewashed the few dishes she packed. When he finished, he cleaned the windows then she vacuumed the floors. After the apartment was spotless, the both plopped on the only piece of furniture there... the couch.

"Safaree?" She yawned. "I need to go to IKEA. This apartment is bare."

"You really do..."

"You have your laptop right?"

"Yea. It's in the car."

"You should go get it. I'll shop online. I'm too tired to go anywhere." Nicki yawned again.

"A'ight. I'll be back."

"Thank you Faree. Lock the door on ya way out."

"I'm only goin to the car."

"Lock it Safaree."

He stepped out. Nicki heard the key twisting. She got up to go see if it was locked and it was. She laid back down on the couch, on her tummy, and turned on the tv. All she got was static as she flipped through the channels.

"Shit..... I need cable...." She turned the television off and sat the remote on the carpeted floor. Nicki closed her eyes and made herself comfortable. She was about to fall asleep when her phone rang. Nicki groaned and went to go get it out of the kitchen. Safaree came back in with his MacBook. He sat on the couch and turned it on. Nicki picked her phone up off the counter and looked at the name. Her throat tightened. Safaree went in the kitchen to let her know the internet was up. He saw her staring at her phone.

"Answer it."

Nicki looked back at him.

"You gotta do it sometime. I'll leave if that helps you?"

The phone went silent. "It stopped ringing..."

"No." Safaree sat the laptop on the counter and walked over to her. He took the phone and dialed Drake's number.

"NO!" Nicki snatched it back, hanging it up. "You can't force me to tell him. I'll.... I'll call when I'm ready."

"No you won't. You jus puttin it off."

Nicki knew he was right. She didn't want to call Drake back anytime soon. But she knew she had too. Nicki was beginning to understand it was unfair to keep this from him. She looked at Safaree with a sigh. Nicki held up her blackberry and hesitantly dialed Drake's number. She held the phone up to her ear as she bit her lip. She was extremely nervous.

"I'll be in the living room." Safaree grabbed his MacBook. Nicki nodded her head and he stepped out. The phone rang for what seemed like hours, but it was only a few seconds. The anticipation of hearing his voice in her ear made her heart beat speed up. She could feel the vessel thudding through her body.

"Hello?"

Nicki took a deep breath. "H-hey Drake.... It's..... it's me....."

"I know..... did I do something wrong? You haven't been returning my calls...... I uuh.... I tex'd you earlier. You prolly didn't get it though."

"No... I got it.... and you did nothing wrong."

"Oh. Well what's up? You don't sound like you. Are you upset?"

Nicki breathed out slowly. "No baby..." She started to tear up. "I jus.... I jus.... I need to see you please. I can't tell you over the phone."

"Onika? Baby, are you crying? Talk to me."

"Aubrey?" She wheezed and the tears poured down her face. "I have to see you. I don't want you to find out this way. I'm sorry I didn't pick up earlier. I... I wasn't trying to avoid you, I really wasn't."

"Don't apologize to me for not pickin up. It's okay, really. And I'm on my way. At LAX now. That's why I called. I wanted you to know I had two days off. That's my good news. I should be there in thirty minutes. Calm down baby."

"You're.... you're here?"

"Left around midnight. I wanted to surprise you."

"Aubrey? Please know that I love you.... I.... I always will. I'm at my apartment downtown. I'll tell you why when you get here."

"I love you too baby. I don't know why you're so upset, but please try to calm down? I don't like it when my baby cries and I'm not there to comfort her. Ill be there as soon as I can. Jus tex me directions. I'll hurry."

"Ok. Drive safe Drake."

"Ard love, see you in a bit. Love you."

"Love you too."

Nicki hung up and wiped her tears. She texted him directions and sat her phone one the counter, leaving the kitchen and walking into the living room with SB.

"How'd it go?" He asked looking up from his laptop.

"He's on his way."

"So you told'm?"

Nicki looked down then back up avoiding eye contact. Safaree knew what that meant. He disappointedly looked away from her, back down at his mac, and cleared his throat. 

"Don't do that Safaree. I'm gonna tell'm when he gets here. I told'm so..."

Safaree looked back up. "I'm glad you did. Maybe now you can breathe a little easier. I'ont like to see you all upset like this Nika. You know that."

"Yea.... I know...." Nicki walked over to the couch. "Scoot over."

SB did so. Nicki put her feet up on the sofa and looked over at his laptop. "What's that?"

"IKEA." He turned the computer out so she could see.

"Oh yea... did you see anything I might like?"

"Not yet." SB scrolled down the page.

"Wait, what about that one?" Nicki was pointing to a jet black, king bed. The headboard was made of bars and it sat up high, about a foot or two off the floor. Nicki would have to jump just to crawl into it. It was draped with a purple bed set and had black matching dressers and nightstands. Nicki would choose  another color for the bed set though. Maybe a magenta or rose. At the foot of the bed was the footboard. It was made of bars as well and was much shorter than the headboard, but rose a slight five inches above the mattress. Nicki wanted that bed. She placed her order for it then searched for sheets, drapes, and a comforter to go with. She decided on magenta. When she had her bedroom together, Nicki searched for living room furniture. The couch she had already was a gift from a company other than IKEA. It was leather and black. Nicki just needed two more that resembled it. A medium sized one and one for a single person to sit. After she found them, Nicki shopped for a kitchen table and chairs. She ordered those then looked for magenta drapes and curtains, a modern glass coffee table and a few paintings and nic-nacs for decoration. Nicki then searched for a bathroom set, black and magenta were her colors of choice. SB called them lame, but she thought they were simply sophisticated. Nicki had everything shipped express so they'd arrive fast. Her bedroom furniture were the only items ready so she'd get them the same day. Everything else would be arriving the next day. When she finished her online shopping, Safaree closed his MacBook and turned on the tv. He looked at Nicki when all he got was static. She shrugged and he turned it off, opening his computer again. SB ordered Verizon FiOS for her and even searched for a flatscreen, desktop. He picked out the desk it'd sit on and the swivel chair to go with it. When all was done, Safaree decided to go up on the rooftop, the door to that was in the kitchen. There was a pool up there and what looked like a wet bar. It was empty, but he'd soon fix that. SB went to the edge of the roof and looked out over LA. It was now 11am and the city was just waking up. He could feel the 87° sun beaming down on him so he went back inside to the cool AC before he melted to death. Nicki was standing near one of the windows in the living room with her arms folded. She was watching all the citizens scramble about. They looked really small all the way up from the penthouse.

"You good Nic?"

Safaree asked walking toward her. She looked back and nodded her head. Nicki laid her hand upon the clear glass and stared down at the lives happening beneath her. A smile began to form on her face.

"You know Faree," She spoke without looking at him. "I don't know, but I feel safer here.... Like no one can get me." She glanced over to the right where he was now standing, looking at LA with her. She then looked back out of the window. "It's like I'm all the way up here... in the clouds.... and nobody has a clue where to find me. It's so peaceful... so calming...."

Safaree was in the moment with her. "Ha, I guess you right. It does feel different bein up here." He looked over at her and saw the smile on her face. "You see a lot of beautiful things." He smiled to himself and looked back out of the window. "I'll be back ok? I feel like drivin... you'll be good by yaself right?"

"Yea.... I will."

"Okay."

Nicki stood there with both hands resting on the glass. SB grabbed his keys and walked to the door.

"Lock it Safaree." She said without looking.

"Got it. See you later Nic."

"Alright."

With that, he left. A few seconds later, Nicki heard the key twisting in the lock. She looked over at her couch and noticed he left his laptop. She went to go get it to hand it to him. Nicki heard the door open and began walking toward it.

"I figured you'd be ba—"

Nicki gasped and her eyes grew wide when she saw who was at the the door. She dropped the MacBook on the floor.

"Baby?!" She ran over to him and threw her arms around his neck, not giving him the opportunity to shut the door yet. Drake hugged her tight, slightly lifting her off the floor. Nicki wrapped her legs around his waist until he let go.

"Oh my God I missed you so much." Nicki grabbed his face and pulled him in for a kiss. She pecked his lips multiple times with tiny French kisses. When Drake was able to breathe, he smiled and shut the door.

"I missed you too baby."

"How'd you get a key?"

"Safaree. I caught'm just as he was about to leave." Drake's smile faded when he saw Nicki's scars.

"What happened to ya face?" He asked with furrowed brows.

Nicki reached up to touch her cheek. "Oh...."

Drake examined her and noticed the welts and scratches on her neck followed by the bruise on her nose. "Onika? What the hell happened???"

"That's what I need to tell you...." She pressed her lips together and took his hand. Nicki led him into the living room and they both sat on the couch.

"What's up baby?" Drake asked, scooting closer to her. Nicki sighed and tried to get her words in order. While she did that, he lifted his hand and placed it under her chin, raising it up. His eyes wandered from welt to welt; scratch to scratch. Drake softly ran his fingers over her wounds. "Who did this to you?" He looked up at her, tears were pooling in her eyes.

"Drake..... a few hours after I got off the phone with you yesterday.... I got a knock at the door...."

Drake took his fingers away from her neck. Nicki lowered her chin and a few tears fell. He grabbed both of her hands in his and listened.

"I went to answer it....... I should've asked who it was before I opened it.... but I didn't......" Nicki sniffled and looked down at the backs of her hands, which Drake was caressing with his thumbs. He never took his eyes off of her.

"Who was it?"

"My ex..... Jarvis..... I never told you about him because it hurt too much.... I didn't wanna relive all the pain he caused me....." Nicki took a deep breath. "He use'ta hit me....."

Drake's eyes widened. He couldn't fathom any man laying his hands on a woman. And on Nicki? No, he didn't want to believe it. He looked for comforting words to say, but nothing came to mind.

"He was so controlling..... he never wanted me to hang out with my friends...... I was seventeen at the time..... he always shouted orders at me and expected me to get them done like I was his kid......"

"How old was he?"

"Twenty-four..... I loved him though..... that's why I didn't leave...... he gave me a place to stay...... food to eat...... he made sure I had everything I needed....... but that's still no excuse..... I shouldn't have let'm put his hands on me..... I was so stupid......"

"Nicki? I'm.... I'm sorry baby. I'm sorry you had to go through that. It pisses me off to know anything like that ever happened to you. And you were young and naive, not stupid."

"It's fine Aubrey... really. I'm past that chapter in my life.... I was until he showed up at my house... everything came back to me all at once..... I tried closing the door, but he barged in..... the door hit me in the face...... that's how I got this...." Nicki touched the bridge of her nose. "My nose started bleeding...... I ran for the steps trying to get away from him, but he snatched me by my hair....." Nicki sniffled and touched one of her plaits. "I screamed telling him to get off, but he wouldn't...... he wiped the blood from my nose with his shirt...... I asked'm how he found me and he told me...... I scratched him and he slapped me........ that's how I got this......" Nicki touched the scar on her face. "I fell and when I got back up I swung at him a few times with an umbrella...... he broke it then tackled me into the wall...... it hurt so bad Aubrey...... his shoulder felt like it'd go right through me....... I hit'm in the back to get'm off, but then he grabbed me by the neck......" Nicki touched her neck. "I tried hard to peel his hand off........ I even tried to pull my body away, but he had me....... pinned to the wall......... his grip got tighter and I could barely breath.......... he....... he..... he started kissing me on my cheek and I pulled away as best I could....... I didn't want him anywhere near me........"

Drake had the meanest look on his face. His adrenaline pumped through his veins and he was ready to whoop ass. He had heard enough to want to murder this dude three times over. But there was more, Nicki spoke up again.

"He put his hand up my shirt...... and he...... he..... he fondled me....." Nicki broke down. She covered her face and started sobbing. "I'm sorry Aubrey! Oh my God, I'm sorry! I tried to stop him, I did!"

Drake pulled her into his chest. "It's not your fault Onika. Stop apologizin for somethin you didn't do. You didn't ask for this."

"But it is my fault! I tried to stop'm! I wanted to, but I couldn't and I really wanted to! I tried so haaard!!! I failed Aubrey!"

"Nicki stop! I'm not gonna listen to blame yourself okay?!" He held her out in front of him. "You didn't ask for any of this shit!! You hear me?! It happened to you! Not the other way around! You're not at fault here baby. Please stop blaming yourself." He hugged her again and she continued to cry into his chest.

"Did you at least call the police?"

Nicki lifted up and started wiping her face. "Megan did. One of the kids I was babysitting.... He choked me out and she found me. I remember waking up in the hospital..... after that I went home. The cops came to talk to me about the situation and when they left, me and Faree came here. I couldn't stay there because...... because I didn't feel safe...... and Jarvis said he'd be back so I had to leave....."

"I'm not gonna let him run you out of your own house."

"What's done is done. And besides, I feel better here.... much better here.... I'm safe here Aubrey."

Drake looked at her as she wiped her face. "I can't argue wit that.... I jus want you to be ok Onika. As long as you're safe and well, I can be too." He hugged her. "Don't worry babe, I'm sure the cops will get'm."

"I hope so."

They held each other for a minutes in silence until Drake pulled away. He looked at her face again. "Come on." He took her by the hand and found his way to the bathroom. "Where are your washcloths?" Nicki pointed to the linen closet behind him. He opened it and took one out. Nicki stood beside him as he wet it in the sink. She watched trying to figure out what he was doing and why. Drake wrung out the cloth and spread it out over his palm.

"What are you doing?"

"Close your eyes."

Nicki did. Drake began to wipe her face for her. He cleared away any remnants of tears and carefully brushed over her scars. "You have cocoa butter right?"

"I should." Nicki checked behind the mirror and searched for it. When she found it, she handed it to him. Drake pulled the top off of the stick of Palmer's and rolled it up like chapstick. He rubbed a little off the top and gently massaged it onto Nicki's cheek. She winced from the pressure causing him to lighten up. He then tended to the scratches on her neck and the bruise on her nose.

"I'll do this for you every four hours or so. I heard you're s'posed to use it three to four times a day for bruises and stuff." Drake closed the cap and put the cocoa butter back behind the mirror.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Nicki took his hand and showed him around her empty apartment. She let him know about all the furniture she bought and where it would go. Nic then led him to the roof and showed him Los Angeles through her eyes. They spent a large amount of time up there sightseeing. Drake got too hot so they went back inside. He playfully collapsed on the couch, taking up the whole thing. Nicki walked over and patted his leg so he'd move over. He looked at her and spread out more.

"So you're not gonna share with me?"

"Nah."

"Fine..." Nicki sat on the floor next to him and the couch. She was facing the tv when she felt something move over her head. Drake's legs were now at her sides.

"Umm......?" Nicki tilted her head back and looked up at him. "What are you about to do?"

Drake's face hovered over hers and he kissed her upside down. "Nothing." He lifted up and began to unplait her hair.

Nicki sat there in silence as he ran his fingers through her hair. Her butt started to hurt so he asked if she wanted to sit on the couch. She got up and laid down on her stomach, resting her head in his lap. Drake could tell she was about to fall asleep so he stroked her hair until she did.

When Nicki woke up four hours later, she was on the couch alone. She smelled something cooking in the kitchen so she got up to go check it out. Drake was standing at the stove talking to SB, who was putting stuff in the fridge. They looked her way when she walked in.

"Hey sleepy head." Drake smiled, putting the lid on the pot of chicken and shrimp alfredo. He turned off the oven and took the garlic bread sticks out of the warmer.

"Hey baby. You made dinner?"

"Yup." He took off the oven mits and sat them on the counter.

Nicki smiled and looked over at SB. "Hey Faree. When did you get back?"

"Wuddup Nic. I got here like an hour ago. I'm not stayin long. Considerin I helped ya boyfrien out, I'ma grab a plate before I leave." He closed the fridge and Drake side eyed him.

"If you call burning a pot of water helping, then sure, you helped."

"Aye man, I forgot I was s'posed to be boiling water. Common mistake for a coon to make."

Nicki laughed at them. "You guys are a trip. Thank you both."

"No problem Nic." Safaree said while making his plate to go. He wrapped it up and grabbed his A&W Rootbeer off the counter. "I'm out."

"Bye Faree. Thank you for everything."

"You're welcome."

He closed and locked the door behind him. Nicki turned to Drake. "Did he really burn water?"

"Yea," Drake chuckled. "He was tryna get his laptop to turn on. I ain't tell'm you was the one who dropped it."

"Oh. Right...... well where were you Mr.Chef?"

"In your room."

"Why?"

"Go see."

Nicki suspiciously turned around and hurried to her bedroom. Her face lit up when she saw what was in it. Her bed was put together and made up. The drapes were up and the dressers and nightstands were where she told him she wanted them. Nicki ran back into the kitchen.

"I LOVE YOU! Oh my God thank you so much Aubrey!" She hugged him tight.

"You're welcome baby. IKEA delivered it while you were asleep. I thought them bein here would wake you, but you were knocked out."

"Have I ever told you I love you?"

"Yes."

"Well I love you."

Drake smiled. "Come on silly, let's eat before this food gets cold."

Nicki let him go and he made their plates. They went into the living room and sat on the couch. Drake turned on the television. Static was the only thing on. He turned it back off. "You uuh, call the cable people yet?"

"Faree did it. They'll be here tomorrow."

"Alright."

The two said grace and ate their dinner. When they finished, Drake washed the dishes. Nicki put the food away and they both headed into her brand new bedroom.

I apologize if Drake's responses seemed robotic or just plain predictable. I've never experienced situations like this personally so idk how that conversation should've went. PLEASE COMMENT BARBZ & BOYZ!! LOVE YOU LOTS!!! MUUUUAAAHHH!!!! ★ Oh! Thnx for last chapters comments, most I've ever gotten ^_^ Tank u!