I watched Princess Tiana's adventures unfold on the screen, munching on my cinnamon toast crunch. It had been two days since I last saw Anthony, and I relished the freedom of his absence. Being alone in this house had its perks; I could do whatever I wanted without his watchful eye hovering over me and yes I was watching Princess and the Frog. I was enjoying without Mr.Edwards, I swear he is so ugh.
I was still wearing his clothes, an uncomfortable reminder of his control. The wardrobe consisted mostly of comfortable, athlete outfits that I wouldn't typically choose for myself. They were too comfortable, no doubt, but they weren't me. I missed my own style, something more relaxed and comfortable. All this nigga does is wear Adidas unless he's going out somewhere he'll put that shit on but other than that he stays wearing Adidas.
Deep in thought, I nearly jumped out of my skin when the bedroom door opened. There he was, filling the doorway with his tall, dark presence. He wore a casual Adidas tracksuit and a black Atlanta Braves cap. Even though he got a lot of money he still acts like a hood nigga, he is sexy though. Annoyance warred with something else-a spark of attraction I tried to ignore-as I took in his appearance.
"You need clothes right?" He stated, his deep voice breaking the silence.
I stood up, putting down my now-empty bowl. "Yes, I do. My own clothes, to be exact."
His expression softened, just a touch, and he held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Ight, come on then. Let's go to the mall and get you whatever you need."
This time I didn't say anything slick.
A faint sense of trepidation fluttered in my chest as I followed him out of the room. Was this another game to him? Or had he truly listened to my request? Regardless, I wasn't about to pass up the opportunity to assert some independence and get out of this apartment.
We were at the Minneapolis mall and it was bustled with activity, a welcome change from the isolated luxury of Anthony's home. We drew more than a few curious glances as we walked through, no doubt a striking pair with our similar features and contrasting styles. I felt a small spark of something-satisfaction, perhaps?-as I caught a glimpse of envy on more than one woman's face.
Baby this ain't my nigga, you can have him.
I took my time, browsing through the stores and trying on various outfits. Anthony remained by my side, silent but attentive, his presence both comforting and constricting. Eventually, I emerged from a changing room, holding several hangers filled with my choices.
His eyebrows rose slightly as he took in my selections, a mix of trendy and comfortable pieces. "Ight I see you shawty." He commented, his tone approving.
I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment coming from you."
As we made our way to the checkout, my heart lightened. This felt almost like a normal shopping trip with any other guy, except for the persistent sense of being caged that I couldn't quite shake.
After purchasing my new wardrobe, we headed toward the exit. Anthony's phone buzzed, and he excused himself to take the call. I used the opportunity to browse a nearby ice cream stand, ordering a vanilla cone.
As I licked the melting treat, I glanced around casually and spotted Anthony deep in conversation with another man. Curiosity piqued, I wandered closer, my heart pounding as I recognized his cousin, someone I'd heard about but never met.
Their heads were bent together, and though I couldn't make out their words, their gazes kept flicking in my direction. As I stood there debating whether to reveal I'd overheard them, my cone started to drip. On impulse, I stuck out my tongue and licked the ice cream seductively, catching Anthony's eye.
"Stop that shit." He mouthed.
His expression darkened, and he shook his head slightly, a silent reprimand. I bit my lip to hide my smile, enjoying the small victory of getting under his skin. Determined to push him further, I pretended to shiver. "It's getting cold all of a sudden. I feel dirty."
I handed his cousin my ice cream cone.
"Naw cuh, she gone do it." He busted out laughing.
With that, I turned and walked away, heading straight for the fountain in the center of the mall. I could practically feel Anthony's eyes boring into my back. Without breaking stride, I hopped over the low fence and jumped into the waist-high water, fully clothed.
The cool liquid enveloped me, and I let out a delighted laugh, spinning around with my arms spread wide. Shoppers stopped to stare, some murmuring in surprise or amusement. I felt wild and free, like I'd shaken off the shackles of Anthony's control, if only for a moment.
Anthony was by my side in an instant, his strong hands grasping my elbow to help me out of the fountain. His eyes blazed with equal parts anger and concern as he took in my soaked figure.
I simply smirked at him, my heart racing from the thrill of my spontaneous act. Any consequences could wait; for now, I savored the feeling of reclaiming my power.
The ride home was tense and silent. I changed into dry clothes and flopped onto my bed, my mind whirring as I replayed the events of the day. A soft knock interrupted my thoughts, and Anthony entered with my iPhone and iPad, offering them with an expectant look.
"You said you'd give me my technology back," I prompted, sitting up and taking the devices from him.
"I did," He replied, his voice low. "And you been behaving good lately. Except for today."
I must be a child?
Those words hung between us, heavy with unspoken meanings. Had I really been behaving? Or had I simply grown more adept at navigating the intricate dance of our complicated relationship?
As Anthony turned to leave, I called out, "Wait."
He paused, his broad shoulders tensing beneath his damp shirt.
I swallowed, battling my stubborn pride. "Thank you. For today. And for these."
A flicker of something-relief, perhaps?-crossed his face before he schooled his features into his usual nonchalant mask. "You welcome."
When he was gone, I collapsed back onto the bed, my heart pounding. What was happening to me? Was I actually falling for this nigga? The thought both excited and terrified me.
I grasped my phone, suddenly eager for a distraction. As I scrolled through the familiar apps, a sense of normalcy began to settle over me. I texted a brief message to my best friend, filling her in on some of the less dramatic details of my situation. Her swift reply brought a small smile to my face.
I can't wait to tell her everything in person.
Tomorrow was another day. For now, I'd take things one step at a time, enjoying my small victories and the taste of freedom.
