“Damn,” I said, lookin’ between the two of them. “Y’all really showin’ out tonight.”
They smiled, both of them standin’ as I walked over. I handed Zaniyah a bouquet of white roses, leanin’ in to kiss her cheek. “For you.” Then I turned to Toni, passin’ her a bouquet of red roses and givin’ her the same kiss. “For you too.”
They both looked down at the flowers, then back up at me, grinnin’ like they couldn’t hide it.
“Y’all look good as fuck,” I told them, and I meant it. “Let’s go turn some heads.”
We headed toward the door, the sound of our steps echoin’ in the foyer. The driver was already outside waitin’ with the car doors open. As we stepped out, I could feel eyes on us from the staff, and from whoever might’ve been passing by. Tonight was about me and my women, and I was gon’ make sure they felt every bit of the attention they deserved.
I slid into the backseat with them, the flowers restin’ on their laps, and we pulled off into the night.
Velour Heights
When we pulled up to the restaurant, I stepped out first then led Zaniyah and Toni out the backseat. Velour Heights was lit up in gold tonight, the streets lookin’ like money with every car that rolled past. We were hittin’Maison Azure, one of the flyest spots on this side of town. It was the place where the plates came out lookin’ like art, the chefs’ names carried weight, and the bill could make a grown man question his life choices if he wasn’t in the right tax bracket. They specialized in high-end fusion—fresh seafood flown in from across the globe, prime cuts aged to perfection, and little touches of island flavor that made the whole menu feel personal to Trill-Land.
The valet greeted me like he’d been waitin’ all night just for my arrival. I had my hand restin’ on Zaniyah’s lower back, guidin’ her inside while Toni walked on my other side, her heels clickin’ against the polished stone steps. The doors opened, and the warm light from inside wrapped around us. You could smell truffle butter and fresh herbs the second we stepped in. Thehostess recognized me quick, gave a polite smile, and led us to our table in the back where the privacy was just right.
Once we sat down, I couldn’t lie—the vibe was already good. I couldn’t stop staring at Zaniyah ‘cause she was glowin’ in this silky deep blue dress, her curls fallin’ just right down her back. I also couldn’t keep my eyes off Toni and that body-huggin’ black dress that shimmered every time she moved. It was paired with diamond hoops that caught the light whenever she laughed.
We talked about music, crazy family stories, old jobs, and the dumb shit people do when they get too much to drink. They ain’t say one word about the mansion, the women, or any of the drama that had been goin’ on, and I liked that. It felt like I could breathe without bein’ reminded of all the shit I had to deal with back at the estate.
Zaniyah had this calm energy to her that could make a man want to come home at the end of the day and just be still for a minute. Toni, on the other hand, had that fire. She talked with her hands, her voice animated, and she had me grinnin’ because I never knew what wild shit she was ‘bout to say next. They balanced each other without even tryin’, and while sittin’ here, I could see why they made it this far.
The server came by, and we ordered like we wasn’t worried ‘bout the prices. Zaniyah got the lobster tail with saffron risotto, Toni went for the bone-in ribeye with roasted vegetables, and I had the blackened snapper with a side of garlic mashed potatoes. We shared plates, tried each other’s food, and sipped on wine that cost more than some people’s rent.
But even while I was enjoyin’ myself, my mind drifted. I kept wonderin’ what this table would feel like if Pluto and Kashmere was the ones sittin’ across from me instead. I pictured Pluto in somethin’ soft, maybe smilin’ that little half-smile she does when she’s tryin’ not to give too much away. Then I thoughtabout Kashmere, loud enough to have the whole section lookin’ our way, but doin’ it in a way that made you want to keep lookin’.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be here with Zaniyah and Toni, ‘cause I did. But the truth was, the closer we got to the end, the more I felt the weight of what was comin’. I had to send two women home soon, and no matter how many times I told myself I could handle it, I knew it wasn’t gon’ be as easy as I made it look.
Zaniyah laughed at some shit I said and touched my hand, and for a second, I pulled myself back into the moment. She deserved that much. Same with Toni, who kept tossin’ me these quick glances between bites, like she was readin’ me without even tryin’.
We finished eatin’, but stayed at the table, sippin’ drinks and talkin’ until the glasses was empty. I was leanin’ back in my chair, lookin’ at them both, thinkin’ about how each of them could really hold that “Mrs. Mensah” title if I wanted them to. Neither one of them was here by accident. Neither one was lackin’ anything that made me second-guess them. And that made shit even harder, ‘cause I knew no matter who I picked, I was gon’ lose somethin’ valuable when this was all over.
The server dropped the check, and I didn’t even bother lookin’ at it before slidin’ my card over. Money wasn’t the problem. The problem was knowin’ that while I could buy any woman at this table the world, I couldn’t buy myself out of the decision that was waitin’ for me.
When we walked back out to the car, the night air was cooler. I held the door open for Zaniyah and Toni, watchin’ them climb into the backseat, both of ‘em smilin’ and in high spirits. I smiled too, but inside, I knew I wasn’t as ready for the next cut as I’d been actin’.
Trill-Land, Jungle Estate
When we made it back to the crib, I ain’t waste no time callin’ Renza, Kay’Lo, and Blaqson, tellin’ them to meet me in the game room. I told Renza to bring a bottle, Kay’Lo to bring some good weed, and Blaqson to grab some money so we could gamble. If I was gon’ sit up and think about the shit I had on my plate, I was at least gon’ do it with my niggas, a drink in my hand, and some money on the table.
By the time I walked in, the spades table was already set up. Renza had a bottle of D’USSÉ open and was pourin’ heavy like he was tryna get us drunk quick. Kay’Lo was breakin’ down a fat-ass nug on the tray, and Blaqson had a stack of bills on the side of the table like he was darin’ somebody to take it.
We settled in, cards shufflin’, drinks gettin’ passed and smoke startin’ to fill the room. I took a slow pull from my glass and leaned back in my chair. “Man, I ain’t gon’ hold y’all… this shit gettin’ harder,” I said, lookin’ at each of them with a nervous expression. “I went to dinner with Zaniyah and Toni tonight, and it was solid. I really enjoyed it. But I still don’t know who the fuck I’m gon’ choose.”
Renza smirked and shook his head. “That’s ‘cause Kashmere got you by the nuts.”
Blaqson laughed, shakin’ his head. “Hell nah, it ain’t Kashmere. It’s Pluto. Shorty got his mind gone.”
Kay’Lo leaned back with his blunt in his hand, grinnin’ like he knew he was about to start some shit. “It’s both of ‘em. You in a chokehold on both ends, my boy.”
I stared at the cards in my hand and couldn’t even argue with that. “Man… I took Pluto’s virginity last night.”
The table got quiet for a second, and they all gave me the same look—that mix between shock and “you a wild nigga.”
“Damn,” Renza said first, leanin’ forward. “You done fucked up with that one. You know what that mean.”
“She said she didn’t care,” I told him. “Said she just wanted my dick. That’s it.”
