Charmed By A Steel City Hustler
Chapter 13 — Happy Wife, Happy Life

Lola:

I laid across my bed watching Thor: Ragnarok on Netflix. I barely watched fantasy movies. The escape into the cosmos was needed right now. My life was in a bad place, and I had yet to figure a way out of it. Bash was being a grade A jackass to me, and Lois had lost her damn mind.

Lois did agree to look at my hubby's finances but was very hesitant. I heard the alarm chirp and looked to the surveillance camera up above my dresser. Bash had come home for the first time in days. I guess his talk with Donnie went well. That was not going to be enough for me though. He needed to show me that we were going to make it. Otherwise, I was making moves to secure my own damn future without him.

The bedroom door opened, and he walked in soaked through to his boxers. The rainstorm outside was so relaxing that I forgot it was coming down. His dick print looked appetizing, but I stifled my libido. I missed my husband dearly physically and emotionally. He needed to be taught a lesson.

Bash could not treat me like this and then fuck our problems away. I am aware that there is something deeply broken between us. Two years ago, I would have just tried to appease his animal nature, but no more. I loved bash and did want this to work out. Whoring myself in the bedroom would not make him open up to me or come home every night.

"What's up baby how are you doing this evening?"

I didn't even respond to him. I didn't want to come off as childish, petty, or any other names he would call me. Bash chuckled at my silence and continued to remove the wet clothing from his godly body. I tightened my already crossed legs. Continued to look up at the screen and steal glances at him.

Bash grabbed his towel and headed for our bathroom. He knew exactly what the fuck he was doing by getting naked in front of me. Soon as the door shut I hopped up and went downstairs. The temptation to join him in a shower was strong. I needed to be far away as possible. I went into the refrigerator and got some fruit with a glass of cold water. I was not going to bow down to him so easily.

I stayed downstairs for fifteen minutes to ensure he would be out of the shower and in bed. Bash often passed out after a long days' work. I heard Kevin Gates from upstairs, so that meant he was either working on the computer or picking out clothes for tomorrow.

I decided to open a cookbook and look over a few recipes. I had been experimenting in the kitchen on my own with little success. My skills were slow but coming along. I could not compete with Lois just yet. I could at least do the bare minimum to keep a man who is not super picky.

The music cut off, and I took a deep breath walking up the stairs. I gave myself a strong pep talk and entered the room to a huge surprise. Bash had rose petals all over the bed and candles lit along the wall arch. My mouth fell open in awe at the look of everything.

There was a basket on the dresser filled with all my favorite perfumes and body lotions. He was going to have to do better than this. Where the hell did all this stuff come from? He walked into the room with nothing but the clothes on his back. I walked over to the bed and saw two plane tickets to Paris.

"AAAHH!"

I squealed out with glee. Paris was on my bucket list. I had always wanted to visit there after seeing it in so many movies. Bash had taken me to The Dominic Republic and Jamaica before, but never across seas. I jumped up and down in place thanking my husband.

I looked around the room, and he wasn't there. I walked over to the bathroom door and pushed it open. Bash was sitting on the bench puffing on a blunt. The smoke hit me, and it was that fire shit he kept stashed away. "Baby you are the best-ever. Paris aah!"

I wanted to jump in his lap and kiss him, but I was still upset with him. This trip would mean everything if he and I were on better terms. I looked at the tickets again and spotted the date. Three days from now we would be in the air. I looked over at him suspiciously, and he ashed the blunt and sat up. Bash never held his tongue or beat around the bush. He rubbed his hands together and looked up into my eyes. There was something different there that I could not pinpoint.

"Lola, we need to step away from our comfort zone. I been thinking a lot lately and I am not happy. This marriage shit is not what I thought it would be. My momma didn't raise no quitter. I want to try and fix what's broken between us prior to seeking alternative solutions."

My happy spirit was slowly fading with Bash's speech. The smile on my face had dropped to a worry line. He continued to speak to me.

"Don't give me that look. I hate that worried face it makes me feel like shit. I am being honest with you. I apologize for being an absentee husband lately. You need to own up to your shit as well. You are not the same woman I married. I miss that Lola and want her back or a better version of that woman."

Bash stood up and turned to the sink to wash his face and brush his teeth. I was still standing there looking like a lost cause. I thought for sure he was going to beg my forgiveness then eat my soul out. He flipped the script and put me on the spot.

Bash was not big on emotional scenes, but damn I did nothing wrong. The trip was a peace offering because that was his usual routine, but there was more. He spoke to me on a level that was uncharted territory for us. Which makes me think he is hiding something else from me.

"Baby come on let's get in the bed. This day has been long and grueling. We can watch that fantasy shit you like so much together."

Bash stated standing in my face. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't even realize he was that close. He cut the light switch off and led me to our bed pulling the covers back. The rose petals were a waste if we were not going to fuck.

We got comfortable with my head on his chest.

I flipped through the movies and decided to test how much he really wanted to make up. Bingo this movie trilogy Bash hated and could never watch. "Lord of the Rings! Ayo Lo-naw you got it. Let's dive into this shit full force. These folks got killing in it so I'm gravy."

"We shall see Mr. Malcom," I said while pressing play. Bash kissed my forehead and reached for the pre-rolled blunt on the nightstand. I can't remember the last time we spent a night in bed together that didn't involve sex or sleep. Yes, our marriage did need a face lift and fast. He better had fixed his attitude as well and come the fuck home regularly.

The Next Day I had finished my resume and portfolio to be submitted to a few hair salons around the city. Last night Bash and I watched the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. We ate in bed laughed argued and got blunted. It felt like those early days when we first started dating and sexing each other. Bash was genuinely happy and that made me happy.

I had to do better to get the best version of my man. I did want to own my salon, but I had not a business muscle in my body. Lois would be a great help since she had that shit down to a science. I wanted Bash to be proud of me for my own efforts. So, going to work in a shop for a few months, and learn the ropes and refresh myself was the best course of action.

"Yo Lola I'm out. Did you need me to pick up anything?"

See he was changing already. Bash never offered to run errands for me in recent months. I shook my head as he kissed my cheek and left out the back door. The cheek kissing was irritating. I wanted that savage thug biting my lower lip and sucking my tongue out affection.

I guess we were on baby steps. He saw the portfolio and resume, so he knew what I was up to. Bash did not comment on it, and that hurt my feelings just a tad bit. I picked up my phone to dial Lois and see how she was doing. The ringer almost hit voicemail before she picked up.

"Good morning sis. How are you feeling today?" I said with an extra perk in my voice.

"I am living so guess that is cool. You seem happier, what's got into you?"

I was so happy that she asked the question. I was bursting at the seams to yell out about my upcoming trip.

"Bash and I are going to Paris in a few days. Aaahh! He came home last night for the first time in weeks. I thought it was going to be an argument or silent treatment. Not even close, Lo. He outdid himself this time, baby sister." "Ok, none of what you said is telling me why you are so happy."

"Don't interrupt, Lois. That is so rude." I said back because her statement was stale and borderline hating.

"He greeted me then took a shower. I left the room to keep from dropping to my knees and sucking that big monster between his legs. Lo he looked so damn good drenched from the rain and dick print on display. I came back into the room and bam! Rose petals and the tickets on our bed along with a bunch of other gifts. Sis, he is not leaving me after all. Babe wants to work on our marriage and make it last."

There was dead silence on the other end. I said hello to make sure that we were not disconnected.

"Yes, I'm still here just returning a few emails to associates. I am going back to work today and trying to get a head start. Yeah, that is great about your trip. Must be nice to have a husband that gives a damn. Make sure you do your part in fixing things as well. Oh, shit I got a call waiting. Text me later maybe we can do lunch."

I looked at my phone in disbelief at the one-sided conversation that just took place. Lois rushed me off the phone and was throwing shots at me. I didn't expect her to jump up and down like I did but damn some support. I guess her going back into the main house with Adonis did not go over too well.

Not my problem that Bash is more attentive than that stick in the mud. I shook away the call and went back to my happy place. I grabbed my keys and wallet to head out and shop until I dropped. I needed all new everything for Paris.