I'm sending a car to pick you up right now.
Tay rolled her eyes as she read the text message from Zeon. Her parents must have given him her number because she sure as hell didn't. It's been two days since she had bombs dropped on her and Tay has been avoiding everybody. She goes to work and comes home, as in Zeon's place, and straight to her room.
Tez has been trying to communicate with Tay and he can tell something is wrong, but Tayeisha can't bring herself to continuously deceive him. How is she going to tell him that she's engaged without mentioning this stupid deal.
It's around 8 pm so Tayeisha grabbed a light sweater to wear over her olive green dress.
Living with Zeon has personally been hell for Tay because she is being forced to. Tay feels more uncomfortable than anything and although Zeon is like a tall, sexy, chocolate bar, Tayeisha's anger pushes all that away.
•••
"Sorry I'm late, Atlanta traffic ain't a joke." Zeon said, approaching Tayeisha. He took his suit jacket off then took a seat in front of Tay.
Tay didn't say anything and just took a sip from her drink. She didn't feel like engaging in conversation with Zeon but she knew that she would be forced.
"Well I think that since we're getting married in 58 days and we've started living together, we should try to get to know each other better and understand what we both expect in a marriage." Zeon said, starting the conversation.
"I don't really feel like it." Tay scoffed, not paying attention.
"On that note I have no problem with starting. In our relationship and marriage, the number one thing that won't be negotiated is respect. I expect to receive the same respect that I give you. I'm not asking for your respect, I'm demanding it. I don't play with these little attitudes you've been throwing around. I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt but next time I will shut it down." Zeon said in a calm manner that scared the shit out of Tay but she wouldn't dare let him know that.
"Mhm." Tay hummed.
"Moving on, I also need communication. That's key to a successful relationship. I don't like lies and I don't like being lied to. I would rather you tell me something and I be mad for a few hours than I find out myself. Along with trust comes loyalty. I expect for you to be loyal to this relationship. None of that stepping out bullshit because I would hate to have to catch a few bodies cause my wife wants to fuck around." Zeon said.
"Same goes for you Zeon. You seem like the type to fuck any girl that's appealing to the eye." Tayeisha snapped.
"I won't lie, I've had my fare share of sexual partners but I was raised right. Once in a relationship, there is no other women that should be more important. I'm a rude ass nigga but I respect women." Zeon retorted. Tayeisha kept a straight face but on the inside her heart was fluttering.
Tay still is angry at the fact that she has to marry this man but there's something about a guy that's protective of his woman and possessive when it comes to her. Possessive as in he cares, not on a, Michael Ealy in The Perfect Guy, level.
"I obviously expect you to cook and clean but I'm not expecting to come home every night to a home cooked meal because you have a life to. I already know that you have a job and I like a girl with her own hustle so you're winning in that area. By all means, keep your job, but just know that all the finances in our soon to be family will be handled by me." Zeon continued.
He went on to say some other things before he finally finished. Tayeisha tried to take everything in but if she forgets something, to fucking bad.
"My turn I guess. Well, I'm not expecting much seeing as I've never had a relationship to go off of. I guess I'm on the same page with you when it comes to trust and shit. Honestly, if you're going to be my husband, I just want you to be reliable and to keep it 100% all the time." Tayeisha shrugged. She can't expect much from a man she barely even knows.
"Tell me about you though. I've been going off of pictures for the last year." Zeon said sounding genuinely interested. He wants to get to know his future wife as much as possible.
"Well I'm 21 years old. My full name is Tayeisha Monica Peterson. I just graduated from Georgia State University. I'm an only child unfortunately. I'm obsessed with fashion, especially shoes. My favorite color is nude. I'm a mix of Trinidadian and Nigerian. My mom is was born in Nigeria and then moved here when she was 6. My dad was born and raised in Trinidad then moved to New York when he was 12. He moved down to Georgia when he was 16." Tayeisha said, going over the basic about herself.
"It's nice that I know some things about you and I'm sure I'll learn more during these next 58 days."
"What about you? What must I know about you?" Tay asked.
"Well, my full name is Zeon Rafael Bello. My dad is Cuban and my mom is African American. I graduated from Syracuse University in New York and I majored in business. I'm an only child right now but my mom is pregnant. My favorite color is black. I love any food that's homemade. Finally, I think that our kids are going to be beautiful seeing as we are both good looking." Zeon said, smirking at the end.
"I know I'm good looking but you...at least you're educated right?" Tay joked. Zeon chuckled, stroking his beard.
"That was cute. I already know in fine, so my feelings aren't hurt." He shrugged. Zeon couldn't help but smirk at Tay. She honestly is a beauty and he can tell she has a genuine heart.
"This was nice though. I appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to actually get to know me." Tayeisha said.
"No problem at all. I mean, if I can't make time for my wife then who can I make time for?" Zeon chuckled.
"Yeah...it's unfortunate that we have to go straight into marriage. We just skipped over the whole dating part and proposal. I've always wanted a proposal and now that's just out the door." Tay mumbled the last part.
Zeon started to think if he actually wanted to propose to Tay even though it doesn't really matter. He has to give her an engagement ring anyways so he might just do it right.
"We'll make it through. Soon, it'll feel less weird. We both just need time." Zeon said. He pulled out his wallet and put the money in the book thing, paying for their food. "The driver will take you right back to the house." Zeon got up and put his suit jacket back on.
"Are you not coming?" Tay asked, grabbing her phone and bag.
"Yeah I'll meet you there. I just have to stop by my dads house and pick something up."
Zeon and Tay hugged before Tay walked off. She could feel Zeon looking at her walk away making her smile. She knows her body is all the way banging.
•••
Tay woke up the next morning and wasn't surprised to see Zeon's side of the bed empty. There was a sticky note and card by Tay's head that caught her attention.
Your mom should be coming soon. I got in contact with you little friend Brit so she should be joining you guys. Here's by card so you can go buy your wedding dress. Buy whatever makes you happy, don't even look at a price tag. ~ Zeon
Tayeisha smirked at his sweet note but then rolled her eyes at the fact that her mom is coming along. Tay definitely is holding a big grudge against her parents because they basically gave her away before she was even born. Like, what type of patents risks their child's happiness for business. She would never do such a thing to her kids. At least she know better.
Tay got up and went into the bathroom. She brushed her teeth and undressed. She turned on the shower and hopped in once it was hot enough. After 15 minutes, she got out the shower and wrapped her towel around herself.
Tayeisha walked out of the bathroom and into the room. Once she entered the closet and turned the light on, she let out a high pitched squeal.
"You bitch!" Tayeisha yelled as she looked at a laughing Brit.
"You're so damn funny girly. You have some explaining to do though." Brit folded her arms across her chest, waiting for Tayeisha to speak up.
"Oh yeah, surprise! I'm getting married." Tay said letting out a nervous chuckle.
"What the hell Tay! I'm suppose to be your bestfriend and you didn't even tell me you have a boyfriend! Is this his house? This shit looks like a hotel!" Brit freaked.
"He likes to keep things private and yes this is his house and it's not a hotel." I said.
"White House? Cause the way y'all got security out there checking me before I entered. Asking me for my identification and shit." She rolled her eyes.
Tay chuckled and walked further into the closet and looked for what she wanted to wear. Tay decided to wear a long black maxi dress with black sandals and she put her hair up into a messy bun.
"So at least he has money. Shit, the way this house it set up and his cars, he must shit bands of money." Brit joked. "Ooo, is this like an extension to the closet?" Brit asked, pointing to a glass door.
"Kind of. It's his shoe closet. Don't open the door cause he has cameras in there and he will know. He loves his shoes." Tay rolled her eyes.
Done getting dressed, Tayeisha grabbed her bag and walked out the closet with Brit following behind her. She turned off all the lights in the room and proceeded to go down stairs.
"Uhm, I thought we have to wait for your mom." Brit said when she saw Tay pick up her car keys.
"Well I'm already running late so she'll have to meet us there. Can't always wait for everybody."
Brit was highly confused about Tayeisha's actions. As far as she knows, Tay and her mom have a great relationship so it's hard to believe that Tay is acting the way she is.
•••
"That ones beautiful sweetie." Wanda said for the fifth time making Tay roll her eyes.
"I hate it. It's not my dream dress and I'm not settling for less since I'm only getting married once." Tay push emphasis on the once, referring to the contract.
"We do have another option and Mr. Bello said to us that if you look for over an hour and can't find your dress then we should just go with the next option." The bridal consultant spoke up.
"And what is that option?" Tayeisha asked. She was honestly just over dress shopping.
"He requested that we allow you to get your dream dress custom made." She said.
Tayeisha gasped and her eyes widened. That's gonna cost way more than any of these high end dresses. What does she look like wearing a dress that cost so much for only one night?
"That's crazy. I can't though, it's way to expensive." Tayeisha shook her head.
"He said anything you buy here today is on him and there is no such thing as a budget for his beautiful bride to be." The consultant said.
Tay stood there for a while contemplating on what she should do. If she doesn't get her dream dress, it would make this arranged marriage even more annoying and useless. If she does make her dress, it's gonna cost mad money and she hates spending money excessively. Tay sighed loudly.
"I guess we can do that." Tay shrugged.
"Aww this is so exciting!" Brit squealed.
Tay sat down with the designer after she changed out of the dress and put on her clothes. She started to describe her dream dress and she couldn't help but to get excited as she watched come to life in the sketch.
When they were almost done, Tay suddenly felt two hands land on her shoulders. She jumped slightly before turning around to see Zeon, looking dapper as always.
"Hey beautiful." He said then bent down and placed a soft kiss on Tayeisha's lips, taking her by surprise.
"Hello Wanda," he walked around and hand her a hug then kiss on the cheek. "And you must be the Brit that I talked to on the phone." Zeon said, taking a seat next to Tay, who was still shocked about the kiss.
"Yeah that's me. You must be the fiancé that I never heard about." Brit said.
"Sorry about that." Zeon chuckled.
"What are you doing here? You're not suppose to see how the dress is suppose to look." Tayeisha whined. She wants to at least try to be as traditional as possible in this mess.
"I'm here to pick you up and take you home." Zeon said.
"I was going to go out with Brit later. We been had plans." Tay said. Zeon sighed and sat back in his seat.
"Oh really, where y'all going?" Zeon asked.
"I don't know yet, maybe to dinner or something." Tay shrugged.
"Girl, don't be silly! Go home with your man and have fun!" Brit insisted. Tayeisha rolled eyes mentally and sighed.
"Oh, ok then." She mumbled. She stood up grabbing her bag. Zeon followed her actions and grabbed her hand.
"Thank you so much for making my dream dress." Tau thanked the designer.
"No problem. You two are a very beautiful couple." She complimented. Tayeisha chuckled and Zeon smirked.
"Bye Brit call me later." Tayeisha said then started to walk out with Zeon.
"Damn, so you really didn't say bye to your mother?" Zeon asked once they got into his car.
"She honestly wouldn't be there if you didn't invite her." Tayeisha mumbled.
"That's fucked up Tay. That's still your mom no matter what. You're always gonna need her." Zeon said, looking at Tay briefly through the corner of his eye.
"Whatever." Tayeisha mumbled.