Because He Loves Me

Vance In Town

Naveen sighed in relief as he finished painting the last of the wall in Eudora's livingroom. He was thankful that she had him do two walls at a time through the week. Now all he wanted to do was take a shower and relax with his wife before opening the restaurant. Too bad he had to go by Travis' for the card game after his shower.

In the kitchen, Eudora was speaking with Beatrice, who just moved into the neighborhood.

"Well I thank you kindly for the cup of sugar, Ms. Eudora." She smiled.

"You don't have to thank me for a cup of sugar.." Said Eudora. "You can come by anytime if you need anything."

The bumping in the livingroom caught Beatrice's attention and once she saw a shirtless Naveen her eyes widen. Seeing some sweat running down the prince's toned chest and abs as he picked up the paint bucket got her feeling extra heated for him. Eudora noticed the woman's gazes, knowing already what her intentions were.

"Mmm...he can paint my walls anyday." Beatrice couldn't keep her eyes off of him.

"That's my son-in-law." Eudora hinted to the woman.

Beatrice rolled her eyes thinking, 'Like that's gonna to stop me.'

Naveen walked into the kitchen not paying any attention to Beatrice. All he could think about was going home. "Everything is done, Eudora."

"Thank you, Naveen." Said the middle age woman. "Let me get you some ice cold water."

"No need to do that." He put his shirt on.

Beatrice licked her lips. "Hello, Naveen." She greeted him.

"How do you do?" He didn't bother looking her way as he walked over to his mother-in-law, and kissed her on the cheek before leaving. "Abinaza Eudora."

"Bye baby." Eudora said, leaving the door open.

Beatrice found this as her opportunity to catch up with the man. "I should be leaving, Ms. Eudora." She started out the door.

The middle age woman knew she read the young woman right. "You know what, Beatrice? Don't even bother asking me for anymore sugar. Because I'm not offering anymore." And closed the door.

Beatrice smirked as she was aware that she as no longer welcome at the house. "So much for having old lady friends."

()()()()

Tiana and Georgia were in the middle of folding clothes. They grew closer over the years and have been bridesmaids at each others weddings. Last year, Georgia gave birth to a daughter who Tiana was a godmother to.

"So you finally saw Charlotte Nielsen's baby girl?"

"Yep. She's so adorable."

"I've heard."

"Yes, and Charlotte called not too long before you came over and asked for me to be Annabella's godmother." Said Tiana.

"Oh so you're a godmother of two now." Georgia smiled when she picked up Naveen's slacks. "Your husband and his long legs. He's over six feet, right?"

"Six feet six." Tiana answered.

"Too much man for me." Said the woman. "What's it like having a man as big as Naveen? What are you? Five feet five inches?" She teased.

Tiana snatched the slacks away and began folding it herself. "Yes, and if you're trying to say something about our height differences-

"You know I'm only messin' with ya, girl! But you have to admit that he does tower over us!" Georgia said.

"Yes, and I enjoy every last inch of his bigness." Tiana said, making Georgia laugh.

"Naveen has done thangs to you girl! Hmm. Maybe I should've married me a prince from Maldonia" She said.

Tiana shook her head. "Well you would've been married to a nine and a half year old boy."

"I'll pass then." Georgia giggled as she picked up a baby shirt. She then raised an eyebrow. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

"What?" Tiana frowned as see noticed the little shirt. "Oh, my mama made that thing. I accidentally spilled some sauce on it and had to wash it." She took the shirt.

"The way you two are always at it I would think you'd be at baby number three. One for each year." Georgia teased.

Tiana rolled her eyes and lightly patted her friend's pregnant belly. "Not everyone is as fruitful as you, Georgia."

"Hello ladies." Naveen said, heading to the kitchen.

Tiana put the baby shirt in the basket before standing.

"Well Miss Tiana." Georgia slowly got up herself. "I should be going back home. The mister is expecting dinner and I know my mama is about tired of lil Rebecca."

"Alright girl. Thank you for helping me fold my laundry." Tiana and her friend hugged.

"Thank you for the red beans and rice." Thanked Georgia. "Just this morning Junius told me that he was in the mood for some gumbo later and you know that I ain't sweatin' myself in the kitchen."

"And yet you had me nearly killing myself to make you some red beans and rice." Tiana joked. "I'll see you later."

She walked her friend out before meeting her husband in the kitchen where she saw him just finish drinking a cup of water. "You hungry?"

"Yes, but I have to get ready for Travis' slumber card party." He joked as he gave his wife a kiss. "Time to shower." And headed up the stairs.

Tiana picked up the basket before starting up the stairs and to their bedroom. Seeing the baby shirt laying right on top of the folded laundry had her mind drifting back to holding Charlotte's newborn daughter. It made her realize how ready she was for a baby. But the question was Naveen ready? They never discussed on starting a family which made the whole situation more nerve racking.

15 minutes later...

"I needed that shower." Said Naveen, wrapped in a towel from the waist down.

She was so focused on what her discussion with Naveen would be about that she didn't even hear him come in.

He noticed his wife was in heavy thought and wondered what was on her mind. "Penny for your thoughts, mi benita?"

Tiana looked over at her husband with a questioning look. "How do you feel if I was pregnant?"

Naveen raised his eyebrows while slipping on his boxer. "I don't know. Surprised?"

"Surprised?" Tiana didn't like his answer.

"Thrilled?" He quickly changed his answer once he saw his wife's face.

"You don't seem like you're interested." She said, trying to reading him.

"I'm interested." He said as he slipped on his trousers. "But I believe that we need to focus on the restaurant right now." He buttoned up his shirt. "Charlotte's baby is very adorable but babies hold a lot of responsibility. Don't you think?"

Tiana sighed. "A simple 'I'm not ready' would've been good enough for me." She then left the room, feeling hurt in the process.

Naveen groaned as he realized that he gave his wife wrong answer. So he brought his shoes and socks down the stairs with him. "Tiana wait!" He caught up with her in the livingroom. "It's not that-

"I'm done with this discussion." Tiana cut him off. "I'm sure Travis is waiting for you."

He knew that she was upset by his answer. "I'm not leaving until I know that you're alright."

Tiana gave him a fake smile. "I'm fine."

He caressed her face. "You have a beautiful smile." And kissed her lips. "But I know that you're not fine. You seemed disappointed with my response."

"I am, but what else can I do? We're not on the same level with this so let's just drop it for now, okay?"

Naveen shook his head. "Tiana I would love to have a-

"I gotta get ready. I'm opening and closing tonight." Tiana said and gave him a kiss. "You try to have fun." She then ran back up the stairs to shower.

Naveen hated having to leave without compromising with his wife. He will definitely bring up the topic later on...

Once he made it to the estate, the butler escorted him to the patio where he saw three other men already at the table. Travis saw Naveen and waved him over. "Glad that you came."

"Wouldn't miss it." Said Naveen. This was the last place he wanted to be.

()()()()

"Thank you, Francine." Tiana said, wearing a much fitted ruby blue dress. The restaurant opened some hours ago and it was already packed. The music filled the entire buildings while stomachs were getting fuller and fuller. That was until Darnell approached her with raised eyebrows. "Tiana there is an upset customer who didn't like his dinner and even refused a refund."

Tiana shook her head. "I'll see what I can do." She headed down the stairs. "Show me the way."

Darnell followed and quickly walked her over to a man who was in shades but could clearly tell that he looked very angry just by his body language.

Once the man saw Tiana his expression quickly changed and a little smirk appeared on his lips.

"Good evening, sir. Is there a problem with your dinner?" She asked.

"So we meet again, beautiful." He said.

Tiana grew confused at the man. "I beg your pardon?"

"I know you from somewhere." Said the blonde man. "Have we met?"

"I'm sorry but I don't even I know you." Tiana studied the blonde man. "Now you said that you have a problem with your dinner?"

"You cooked it?" He asked.

"This dish, yes." She answered.

He looked her up and down through his shades. "I'm impressed."

Tiana figured that the man was full of it. "You had a complaint about your dinner. Now is there one or not?"

The man then stood up. "Everything was perfect." He pulled out two one hundred dollar bills from his pocket and placed them on the table. "You can have the rest, beautiful." And with that, he walked out of the dining area and building.

Tiana shook her head. "Something isn't right about that man. Why would he be wearing shades at night?"

Darnell picked up the two hundred dollars. "I have no idea but he sure is a good tipper."

()()()()

Naveen held his cards feeling bored out of his mind by Travis and his friends. He's won all the games and could tell that all the men including Travis were frustrated with him, but he could careless. All he wanted was to leave.

One of the men didn't appreciate losing all the games. "You gotta be cheating."

"No, but I'm pretty sure that you're losing because you can't play." Said Naveen.

The man frowned. "Hey-

"Naveen is a playing fair, Sam. He obviously knows something we don't." Travis stated to the man.

"Sorry I'm late fellas." Said the blonde man in shades.

Travis grinned at the man. "What took you so long to get here? You were suppose to be here hours ago."

"I was hungry?" He took a seat beside Naveen. Who thought his voice sounded familiar.

"For a woman or for food?" Asked Travis.

The man laughed. "Both and I was very fortunate to find a sweet looking dame in that restaurant I've been hearing about for some time."

"Tiana's Palace!" Said Travis, catching Naveen's attention. "It's the best in the south."

"So I've heard." Said the blonde man.

"Where are my manners?" Travis laughed. "This is my older brother, Vance."

"Only by four years!" His brother added.

All but Naveen greeted the man.

"That owner looked very delicious. Too bad she's coloured." Vance said.

"That delicious woman you're speaking of is my wife." Naveen said, now realizing who the man was. And he was ready to knock him out.

Vance looked at the prince's way and also recognized him. He decided to mess with him. "Well she was one hell of a woman. Especially in that dress. Hugging all the right places." He laughed. "The things I could do to that body."

Naveen rose from his seat, startling the man a little. "I'd appreciate it if you don't in any way or form speak about my wife."

Vance shrugged his shoulders, pretending he didn' t do anything wrong. "There's no need to get so touchy. I'm simply complimenting her, boy."

He knew the man was up to trouble. "I'm not your boy."

"Hey take it easy." Said Sam. "She's a cute coloured gal. You should keep her in the house before someone snatch her."

"I would also like to add that my hands were all over her waist earlier today." Said Vance.

Naveen held in his wanting to fight the men and decided that it was his time to go. "You know what Travis. I appreciate your invite but it's time that I head out." He got up to walk off the patio.

"But Naveen. I would actually like for you stay and play at least two more games?" Said Travis.

"It's best that I leave before I end up in jail." He said to Travis, but it was more of a warning to Vance. It took all of the prince to not go up to the man and knock him right off that patio, but he knew that it was best that he kept his cool. For Tiana and for himself.

()()()()