Questions & Answers II

"Ty, why does he stay in this big ass house alone?"

"He doesn't, you're here and I'm here."

The maid answered as Nicki sat in the kitchen eating her home cooked breakfast. Her and Ty had become close over the two weeks, Safaree had been gone. Ty even accompanied her on her trip to Philly. She had a show there for fifteen Guys, who were celebrating a win. She looked up when Ty began talking again in his flat voice as if he was remembering an event and telling it to her right out of the scene.

"He hasn't and isn't always cold."

"Could of fooled me.."

"He obviously is, I look at how he is with you... His sister was you at one point until she died."

"Huh?"

"A dancer. She danced. Until one day... She was found in her boyfriend's trunk."

"Is that why he didn't want to do business with... Me?"

"That and he really wasn't looking for an investment. There's so much you don't know about him."

"Can you tell me? He obviously isn't going to tell me."

"Secrets are how this should remain."

"Why? Why is he so secretive?"

"The same reason you are." He stated matter-of-factly. He grabbed her plate that had a small amount of waffle and eggs on it, but she had swallowed the turkey bacon whole. She sat back in her chair and sighed looking over at him. He was right, she was just as secretive as him. She still had her money in the suitcases underneath the bed and didn't allow any of maids to clean her room, she did it herself. 

"Back to your question, There's a story behind this home. One, I believe he should tell you."

"Was it for his ex fiancé?"

She questioned watching him closely, but he shook his head. He chuckled even. He turned to face her as he placed the dried dish back in it's place. He walked over to her and sat next to her. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently before sighing. He didn't understand why she wanted to know so much about him that she could easily find out just by exploring the house, but he wouldn't tell her that and get themselves in trouble.

"She lives in the home he bought her, this isn't it."

"He still loves her?"

"That I couldn't tell you."

He stated getting up. She frowned wanting to know everything that Safaree wouldn't tell her. She didn't even really understand his family business and why he was a lawyer instead of taking what was rightfully his. She stood up and grabbed her keys off the table and headed for the door. She was going to get answers, some way and some how. The sun was on full blast as she stepped outside before realizing she didn't have her car anymore. She groaned and mumbled to herself. Why had she not gotten another car? She turned and jumped as Ty stood in the door way with a smirk on his small slim face. He moved to the side then headed towards the garage.

"Can't go anywhere without a ride. Did you open the envelope?"

"No, I don't want..."

"Open it."

He stated looking at her blankly. She grabbed it out of her pocket and slowly opened the seal not to mess it up. She opened it to three cards. She looked up then back down, then up again confused. Ty took the card from her and pulled out the first card, that had her name on it. It was a bank card, how did he get all of her info to open an account in her name? He pulled out another one, which was the gate key, but it had a gold strip across the back which gave her access to all the rooms in the house. She beamed as Ty handed her the key and the bank card. He lastly, pulled out another card and this time pulled her behind him to the safe box near the garage. He put the key in and the safe opened to six pairs of car keys. He pulled out the one with the note and handed it to her before discreetly putting the last key into his pocket. He shut the door back and watched as her eyes roamed over the note.

"I know you miss you Pink Car, but I got you something better... Go to the garage and check it out."

She read out loud before grabbing the knob and pulling the door open. In the garage next to his Black BMW, Red Drop Top and Red Benz sat a Pink Infiniti G35 and a Pink Infiniti G37. She squealed and ran up to the cars and touched them both. The pink on these cars were much more beautiful than the pink that was on her old car. She grabbed the door of the G37 and got in. She touched the black on black interior and beamed even more. She pulled out her phone and dialed him.

"Hello, Safaree Samuels speaking..."

"Samuels? I like it.. I'm guessing that's your real name?"

She quizzed. He excused himself from the meeting before speaking to her.

"Yes, but what do you want?"

"Thank you... For the cars."

"You're welcome, but I'm in a meeting."

"You shouldn't put business before family and friends.. What if..."

She looked at the phone that was now hung up. She felt a wave of sadness come over her. What if he was doing this for his family just like her? Maybe that's why he never brought them around. She shook it off and hit the button for the garage to go up then sped down the driveway and out of the gate.

Nicki was seated across from Nan, who had her arms across her chest. Nicki was more blunt with Nan when it came to him and Nan was even more blunt when she turned her down. Nan wasn't stupid and she knew her boundaries when it came to his private life, if he wanted you there.. You'd be there. Nicki obviously wasn't mature enough to be there and Nan could tell that she wasn't her true self because she could see the fire growing it her, the true Onika. Nan would wait on it just like Safaree was.

"Why not, Nan? How am I suppose to keep living like this?"

"Don't... Be as blunt with him as you are being with me." She shrugged staring across the table. "If you thought about it, you're closer to him than you think."

"I'm really.... Not."

"You live  in his house, he gave you keys, he bought you cars, he let you meet me and he even told you a little about himself... You're closer than you think."

"Nan, that's not enough.."

"Is it because you love him? Or is it because he isn't like Webb, an open book of lies?"

She questioned looking over Nicki. Nicki sat back in the chair and thought about it. She didn't know why she was exactly, so worried about him, but she knew she didn't love him. He had done nothing for her that was love. It felt like she was nothing but business. He had even denied their friendship after he said they were. He could be a liar just like Webb, they are best friends.

"Nan.. I don't love Safaree... He's just intriguing but difficult. How do I be around a man, who treats me like a deal and not a person? Say.. He's being nice to me..."

"Love comes in all strengths. Love doesn't have to be an intimate thing, it could be casual and friendly... Do you know that?"

She asked peering over the rim of her glasses at her. She knew Safaree and it was love that guided him to do everything that he was doing. It wasn't a deep love, it was friendly as if he finally had someone to take care of and mold. He wanted nothing more than to help her, help herself without sex being involved and Nicki couldn't see that. Friendship to Nicki turned quickly into a love affair because she was searching for love through intimate affairs. Nicki shook her head, ignorantly. She didn't know and she wouldn't liewing so.

"Don't be blind all your life to love... The simplest things can be love and the coldest people can love the hardest."

"Nan, I just have one question that I need an answer to." She quietly asked not looking up at her. Nan grabbed her face and made her look up at her.

"Ask me and I'll be totally honest."

"Does he not love his family or do they not love him?"

"Blood is thicker than water.... But water is 75% of the body and 50% of blood."

"Huh?"

"People can always come between you and your family, not just people, but things... He doesn't not love them and they don't not love him, but people have different outlooks in life. Do you understand?"

"Kind of..."

"Simply like this, Death put a wedge between them. He buried his head in school and taking over the family business that was left in his name, but his mother wanted to sell it and he wouldn't. Now, they don't talk, but he still keeps in touch with his sisters and neices."

"OH, what about his dead sister?"

"His half-sister? He barely knew her, but she died around the same time as their father."

She spoke. She sensed that she had already been told that bit of info, so there was no use in hiding the detail. She kissed Nicki's cheeks then left out the room. Nicki needed time and she could tell by the look on her face. Nan made her way to the back of the store and called Safaree. She had to let him know about this and to talk him into doing something about it.

Nicki was surprised to see him on the porch when she got there. He was in his shorts with no shirt on. He walked down the stairs in his house shoes and over to her car. His chest was nice and she couldn't help, but stare as she stepped out. He chuckled at her obvious stare then made his chest bounce causing her to look up at him then she too laughed.

"I hear you been asking about my past.."

He stated not beating around the bush. Ty came out and got into the car and parked it in the garage. She looked away from the serious look on his face. He sat on the porch and stared at her as she just stood there. The silence was comfortable as they both sat in their thoughts until he began speaking again.

"I'll answer you, if you answer me."

"Deal." She stated excitedly as she sat next to him.

"What do you want to know?"

"What's your real name?"

"Safaree Lloyd Samuels, yours?"

"Onika Tanya Maraj. I like your name.. It's different."

"Yours is beautiful..."

"Do you think I'm beautiful?" She asked bluntly looking over at him.

"Yeah, you remind me of my sisters... Sometimes."

"Why don't you have pictures of them in your home?"

"This isn't where I want to stay and build a home, a family. Why did you move in with Webb?"

"I loved him, I still do... I miss him." She stated quietly. "What happen, with your ex-fiancé?"

"I told you.."

"You told me the summary of it." He sighed then looked at her. 

"She cheated on me as soon as she got in college. She told me, but it still hurt... She continued to do so until I came to visit her and shit hit the fan.. I caught her in bed with another guy. She begged me to come back, but I couldn't look at her without wanting to hurt something. After months of begging, she finally gave up, I got the deed to the house and told her, she can do whatever with it and that's that."

"Do you still love her?"

"I have love for her.. But hoes can't be loved." He stated staring out at the setting sun. "You going back to Webb?"

"I think about it... I get lonely at night and ache for him, but I know..."

"He's moved on."

"I know."

"Then why still want him?"

"He's the only thing I know right now. I'm not a popcorn ho... I've only been with three guys in my twenty years of living."

"I'm twenty-two."

"Really? I thought you were like twenty five."

"I just turned twenty-two last week."

"What?"

"July 4th."

"Wow? And you weren't going to say anything..."

"My birthday isn't important anymore... I have everything I want.."

"You don't want a wife & kids?"

"Some day, what about you?"

"Yeah, I want to give my husband life."

"Why do you want to know me? My personal life?"

"I admire you. Your strength, I've never had a guy friend, so strong and level headed. You're different.. Do you really love me?"

She asked lowly, but he had heard her. He could tell that she had been wanting to ask him, but she didn't know how. He thought this way was cute. It showed her boldness, but yet her soft side. He looked over at her as he thought about it and how to be careful with her feelings. He didn't want to lead her on and he didn't want to lie to her.

"I do, but merely as my friend. I never lied to Nan about you being my friend. It's only been two months since your move in, but you've brung out a side in me that I thought was dead.. I'm comfortable with you around. You make coming here, to this empty house... Worth it."

"Nan told me that you loved me, I thought she was lying. Secret?"

"Shoot."

"I love you too. You make me feel safe even when you're down the hall. Just to know you love me, for me and there's no sex involved... Makes me like you even more. Friends?"

"Friends."

He smiled and embraced her as she held out her arms. He swooped her up and they walked through the house and into the living room where above the fireplace was a picture of him and his family and on the mantle were pictures of her dancing and at the spa and other places. She smiled and squeezed tightly around his neck. They both sat on the sofa and talked. They talked about everything and anything that came to mind. It was as if they were learning each other again.