Three
Aaliyah shook her head as she saw her name as a nationwide trending topic. No matter what social media pages she went to, it was all anyone talked about – Senator Ellison’s hot newblackgirlfriend.
She noticed the urban blogs made sure to mention her race. They spoke about the ubiquitous tattoo Ocean had and made the connection it was her. The brothas high-fived him while the sistas swooned.
The conservative blogs didn’t even bother mentioning her race. They did, however, made sure to mention she was a sleeved-up tattoo artist. In fact, that was the only thing they spoke of with the thinly-veiled racist insult – “He couldn’t find anyone better?”
Aaliyah knew the comments were referring to her appearance in every respect. Everyone expected Ocean to find someone like his mother – blonde, blue eyes, and most importantlywhite.A sleeved-up black tattoo artist with a penchant for Glenlivet was just not going to do.
Aaliyah’s social media following on Instagram jumped to a blistering high number and Aaliyah didn’t even want to read any of the comments. She thought about making her page private but it was no use. If they didn’t say something there, they would find her Facebook and her Yelp business page.
Fuck my life.
In clear HD form, Aaliyah looked at the picture of Ocean dipping her as he kissed her right outside of her tattoo studio. Anger burned within her once she realized Ocean had set the entire thing up.
Her first thought was some random paparazzo but Aaliyah knew that wasn’t true. No one cared about politicians that much to follow them going to a random place like a tattoo studio. The general public may have kept up with their policies and some bored ones may have commented on the type of tan suit one decided to wear. But no one cared that much.
Unless…said politician was an Ellison. Then everyone had time.
Aaliyah clicked on the photos and gasped at the images. If she wanted to be honest with herself, she was pissed Ocean took advantage of such an intimate moment between them. The photos, however, told a different story.
She smiled when she saw how passionate they both were, as if they never missed a step. She saw how Ocean looked at as if they were the only people on earth. She stared at the photo where he touched her cheek and promised he’d be on his best behavior. No one took photos of her and Ocean as they privately dined.
The photographer got a clear picture of her tattoo shop and her sleeve. Her face was hidden, but anyone who knew her would point her out as several already confirmed. More pictures of Aaliyah popped up on social media and she didn’t even want to look at the comments about her appearance. She loved the way she looked and the detractors would have to deal.
Ocean loved it, too.
Aaliyah rolled her eyes as she thought about her ex.
He was a true politician in every sense. He manipulated the situation to his liking, damn what she thought or felt. He embarrassed her on a nationwide level and she was left with a wet ass and an open mouth.
It made sense why Ocean was rather insistent Aaliyah call him that next morning. He wanted to see if she would completely end things after what he pulled. He was fully expecting her to tell him to fuck off and they were going to go on their merry ways.
Except she couldn’t. Not that easy. It would be a few days before the news would die down. She didn’t dare to make any comments about their relationship or lack thereof. In fact, she had to turn off her phone because the incessant ringing drove her nuts.
Aaliyah glanced down at her almost empty cup. It was time to switch to chamomile and calm her nerves. Once she made her cup of tea, she was going to completely cut ties with Ocean. He’d played her for the very last time.
~~~~~~
He wanted to call her to see if she was handling the press okay. Every time he picked up the phone, he decided against it. He told her to call him. She would have to be the one to break off everything. He passed the ball to her and it was now Aaliyah’s game.
Patience was never Ocean’s strong point.
As he read an eye rolling article about Aaliyah from that weasel network, Ocean impatiently tapped the desk inside the hotel suite. It was already ten a.m., and he still hadn’t heard from Aaliyah. There was a chance she was still asleep and he respected that. There was also a chance he was avoiding her and that was a bitter pill to swallow.
Aaliyah said she would’ve changed for him and did everything to be with him. Ocean didn’t want any of that, but if she was going to be with him, Aaliyah needed to be prepared for the scrutiny that came with being married to a member of a famous family.
He didn’t have the swag like his middle brother, Soul, or the suaveness of the youngest Ellison, Savior, but what Ocean did have was heart and he was more than willing to give Aaliyah the world if she let him.
First, she needed to rebuild her trust in him. Even Ocean could admit he had his work cut out for him.
When the phone finally did ring, Ocean almost fell back in his chair. He stared at the phone for a long moment and wrung his hands together. She was calling. He blew out a few small breaths and was prepared for Aaliyah to curse him out and end it. And then he’d launch a romantic attack so strong, Aaliyah would have no choice but to forgive him.
He was on his way to his Happily Ever After with Princess Tiana. He just had to be a bit more patient. “Ocean Ellison, speaking.”
“You’ve always done some pretty insanely stupid things in your life time, Ocean, but this one…this one…I have to say tops everything thus far. I just have to know what the hell were you thinking?”
Ocean’s heart dropped to the pit of his stomach as he listened to the other end of the conversation. “Good Morning, Father.”
