Chapter 21: Journey to the Life of a Vellington – Part 1
"…ho… holy fuck…" DéMarckus gasped as Zack Flowers didn't waste a moment working on reviving Lucky Chloe from her temporary coma. After learning of how his parents met and changed the course of Sacramento University's take on interracial couples, DéMarckus was given three generous gifts from his deceased Mother. The first one was her own high school class ring. The second: 5,000 dollars in cash. The third that he was looking at now that made Chloe faint just seconds after opening it: "…a car key?"
"Yep!" Zack replied as he never lost his focus on fanning Chloe to bring her back to life. "From what I've been told, your parents had allowed you to earn enough of your own money for the SUV you've got now, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well, that car key… goes to your Mom's car."
"But… her car… I thought…"
"You thought it was the one that was in the crash?" DéMarckus nodded. "No, not this one. This one stayed at your house's garage, where it was safe. That was your Father's vehicle that was involved."
"…damn. Where is it?"
"Heh, heh-at the garage!"
"…" No more words were spoken from the Vellington as he was too speechless about that whole ordeal. Seconds after he closed the box and tucked it away in the opposite inside pocket of his jumpsuit, Lucky Chloe slowly opened her aqua blue eyes and shook the shock out of her before DéMarckus grabbed her by a hand and they both made a break for Xavier's car. By the time they were gone, Zack casually stood up and dusted himself off before he finished off by saying:
"Take care of yourself, DéMarckus. It was an honor to meet you."
A hasty fifteen minute drive later…
"DéMarckus, slow down, baby!" Lucky Chloe exclaimed as they just pulled up next to the Vellington Mansion, which was a three-story Cape Cod that was colored in ivory white with sky blue shutters and matching front double doors. "Sheesh! I haven't seen you this excited since my Lucky Chloe Special back on our second date. Nya!"
"My bad, Chloe-baby." DéMarckus replied casually as he took his time placing Xavier SUV in park. "I just… neva thought dat I would have ta get back at my old house AND pick up my Mama's car along da way."
"This is your house?" Chloe stepped out of the car to take a closer look at the beautiful home. "It's pretty. Nya!" DéMarckus got out next after turning off the SUV and tears started building up inside of eyes, which was unbeknownst to the otaku for a moment. "Did you live here all your life since you were born?"
"…yeah, baby. I haven't been here since my graduation day. I'm-a need ta look around here a lil' bit befo' we get da car." At that last word was when Chloe finally turned towards him and saw that he was crying again. This made her smile as she took off her bolero jacket and tossed it to her silently sobbing Vellington lover, who caught it professionally, before she approached him and volunteered to wipe away his tears. "(sniff, sniff)…I'm sorry, baby girl. I'm just…"
"Shhhhh! It's okay. Seeing you cry this much in your home state is what I expected, but not this much. That, to me, show me that you really do have a heart that's fragile, but hard to break. Nya! And besides… it's good to see you cry. Personally, a real man isn't a real man if he doesn't cry at least once in his life… not counting your childhood, of course." DéMarckus managed to smile at that small speech, but his tears increased and he was tuning up like a hungry baby. Chloe still kept her grin in check as she gave him an embrace, allowing him to cry at the very top of his lungs within her bare shoulder. "Awww! He's so cute when he cries like this. His parents' spirits will never leave us. I know it. Nya!" After that last meowing sound-off, the two remained in that embrace for the next three minutes.
Moments after, the two finally walked inside the house and DéMarckus was dried up of his tears as he had full focus of his old house. Everything was exactly as it was left before his graduation. He knows it's been only two years since their death, but it felt like more than that to him. Lucky Chloe took a curious look around as well by the time they reached the living room and the first thing she had to ask him:
"Is this a 90 inch TV?"
"Heh, heh… yeah. Dat caught yo' attention." DéMarckus replied as he stopped beside her on her left and looked at the pitch black screen. "Ya said my family was rich and dis TV is just da tip of dat iceberg, baby. Playing video games on here is a dream, yo."
"I can imagine. Nya! (Gasp!) Oh, cool!" Chloe happily ran over to her next curious venture. "I've always wanted to see a trophy cabinet! I could never get one of my own."
"You don't really need one. Yo' professional freestyle dancin' ass wins money, not trophies."
"Heh… yeah, I know." One award caught her attention as she was frantically looking into the locked glass doors, making DéMarckus smile with admiration. "Oooooh. You earned the title of Mr. California Sunshine? What exactly did you do to earn that?"
"I helped out a new motha tryin' ta get her new life straight wit her husband. She ain't know what ta buy fo' her new baby, so she called me out while I was shoppin' wit my Mama at da mall one day and asked me, not my Mama, ta help her out. Don't know why, but hey! It felt good helpin' out my fellow neighbors."
"Awww, that's nice. Now, you know what I wanna see next…" Lucky Chloe seductively made her way towards the first flight of stairs that led to the second floor of the house, but stopped at the very bottom to wait for her boyfriend, who shook his head with humor, immediately getting the jest of it all.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know what it is."
Several seconds later…
"My bedroom." DéMarckus finished as he and Chloe had just arrived to that said room. It looked like the typical bedroom fit for your average boy. It had a full sized bed with two nightstands, one on each side, a 30-inch TV of his own along with just one game console, a dresser across from the very foot of the bed, a bookshelf full of fictional novels and comic books, and it was all decorated in his favorite color scheme: Blue and purple. The only thing it didn't have: his own bathroom. Lucky Chloe was just fascinated by her own lover's room and, just like when she first moved into DéMarckus and Garrie's apartment, she casually walked around with her hands behind her back. DéMarckus saw this for about ten seconds before he went on with the tour. "It ain't got much compared ta my room back at da apartment, but it's enough for an only child."
"No kidding! Nya!" Chloe agreed as she sat down on the memory foam mattress while DéMarckus headed for his bookshelf with a surprised gleam in his hazel green eyes. She then watched him from that bed as she got totally comfortable by laying down on her stomach with her folded arms resting just inches away from the foot of the bed. "You parents spoiled ya, baby. I can tell."
"Heh, heh… yeah. Dey did." He kneeled down before his bookshelf and just took out a few books one at a time and grinned at each one. "I can't believe dese books are still here, tho'. Of course, my favorite ones were 'bout football, but I opened myself up ta mo' books." Then, he saw one unusual item hidden between two seemingly big books and grew puzzled. "Huh? What da hell is dis shit?"
"Uh, oh… what'cha find, DéMarckey-baby?" Lucky Chloe got up off the bed after she asked that question and kneeled down with him, ending on sitting on her knees in an adorable position, keeping her pawed hands to herself as usual. DéMarckus answered that question by pulling out the not-so-thin bright blue wrapped-up gift with a pure white ribbon tied around it. "Oh, wow! A present, maybe?"
"It might be. How come I ain't neva noticed dis befo' my graduation? Damn, I was in a hurry ta graduate! Ha, ha!"
"Yeah, probably. Who's it from?"
"Dat's what I'm tryin' ta find." He searched all around for some indication as to who it was from, but to no avail. "Shit! It doesn't say. It just has a note on it wit no name…" He paused as he read the note. "It says, 'Here's hoping you will be a better man more than ever before.' Hmm… sounds like it's from my Dad."
"I hope so! Go ahead and open it! Nya!" DéMarckus obeyed that command without any hesitation. After a full fifteen seconds, Lucky Chloe was wide eyed and speechless as she blushed the deepest shade of pink on her cheeks, feeling hot, bothered, and embarrassed all at the same time. "…no way…"
"Whhhhat-da…" It revealed to be a very rare issue of Freestyle Weekly, a magazine that was only exclusive to Japan, but somehow, there was an English copy of it and its content… "You did a fully nude magazine?"
"…" Chloe was truly speechless. She couldn't believe it. Of all people to have her very rare 10 issue magazine, she was just shocked to see that DéMarckus was one of the lucky few to get one.
"Chlo? Ya a'ight?" DéMarckus snapped his fingers twice to snap her out of it. Once she did, she carefully took the magazine and scanned through it frantically to make sure it was real. "Damn. I guess it is true, ain't it?"
"…it can't be! Wha… how… I don't… no…" She was at a loss for words for a moment as she continued to scan through. The Vellington turned around and remained on his knees as he was facing the panicked otaku with a handsome and regal million-dollar smile across his bearded face. "…this-isn't-real. How did your Dad get this?!"
"Dat's what I'm wonderin', but let's push dat aside real quick." DéMarckus gently pulled the now closed magazine away from her pawed hands and she was just staring at the soft blue carpet floor in total disbelief, still having her cheeks bright pink. "When did ya do dis?"
"Uh… when… when I was 18… like during that summer…"
"And was it yo' idea?"
"Not… entirely…"
"Girl, don't lie ta me. It has ta be. Yo' cute, horny ass is da only one dat could come up wit somethin' like dis."
"(sigh)…okay, so I was my idea. I was done with another freestyle competition and, when I went to visit a coffee shop to wind down, I saw a photographer that looked like he was down on his luck a little bit. So, I perked him up with the idea of him giving me a fully nude photoshoot in a limited number of issues of Freestyle Weekly. Turns out, that was the magazine he worked for and he didn't even hesitate to accept it. He did ask me why only 10 copies of it for the whole world…"
"And what did ya say?"
"…I said, 'Because the whole world doesn't need to see me naked. Just a lucky few of my fans. That's all.' He was speechless about it for just a few seconds, but then, we shook hands and it was a done deal. The photoshoot itself took pretty much all day the next day after."
"Niiiice." DéMarckus rolled up the magazine and tucked it away inside his jumpsuit, which surprised Chloe, but before she could verbally expressed that factor, her Vellington lover shushed him with a single finger. "I'm-a hold on ta dis until lata, make sho' Garrie and Xavier don't get dis in da meantime. Let's keep dis a secret between da two of us."
"Okay. Deal." The two started leaning in for a passionate kiss, but before their lips touched, one of the Vellington's hands touched the floor and he felt a small piece of paper upon his open palm. That made him freeze in his tracks and Chloe stopped with him peacefully before he picked up the paper. When he looked at it, he laughed.
"Ta, ha, ha, haaaa! Dere it is!" He paused as he turned the paper over to show his otaku princess. "…From Dad."
"Ha! 'There it is', alright! It must've fell out from the inside of the magazine as I was skimming through it."
"Ya tried, Dad. Ya tried. I don't wanna look in it yet." After that was said, the two finally stood up simultaneously. By the time they were both on their feet, DéMarckus pulled out the golden box with his beloved Mother's car key and held on to it tightly with both hands. "Fo' now, let's go on ahead and get dat car. Believe it or not, I kinda fo'got what kind of car it was. It's only been two years, but goddamn it. My memory can get fucked up like dat afta a horrible death towards my heart."
Two minutes later, at the garage entrance…
DéMarckus flipped the light switch and it revealed a nearly empty garage that was surprisingly clean. The only thing that caught both Chloe and her Vellington lover's attention was the covered vehicle in the middle of the room. With confidence smiles on their faces, they walked towards it together hand-in-hand and, by the time they approached within 10 seconds, Chloe volunteered to hold on to the box while DéMarckus used all of his strength to pull of the heavy car cover. By the time he was finished, he was overjoyed as he took a few steps back until he stopped at the otaku's right side.
"Dayum, Mama!" He whispered. "It's a cool blue 2017 Spark! She's got a taste in small cars, yo! I ain't even know dat."
"You've never been in this cute car before?" Lucky Chloe asked as she aimlessly handed him back the golden box with the car's key inside and he took it in the same manner.
"Naw, even as a kid. It was always in my Dad's SUV. I wonda why." DéMarckus opened the box once more, but took a closer look at the contents of it and found a small note folded up underneath the key. He pulled it out and handed it over to Chloe. She got the message immediately at that moment and volunteered to read it aloud while the Vellington did a visual inspection of the car.
"Listen to your Mother, DéMarckey! Ahem!
'Dear DéMarckus,
I feel terrible about not letting you into my personal car at all during your whole life. It's only because this car is very special to me. The car company that designed this car gave me early access to the latest model free of charge and I had to take as much care of it as possible. Seeing me drive it meant that your Father would try to drive it someday and, seeing how reckless he can get when it comes to driving sometimes, I just couldn't risk it. I still love him nonetheless. By the time I saw that you've grown into quite a huge man at 18, I covered it up. I know this car would be too small for you to drive, but who knows at this point? In the meantime, enjoy it, sweetheart. You deserve it… way more than your Dad's SUV and your own SUV.
Sincerely, your beloved Mother,
Stephanie Vellington'
Oh, wow! She had early access to this! And I thought I was the 'lucky' one. Nya!"
"Mm! Ya damn right 'bout dat, baby girl." DéMarckus had just finished inspecting the small crossover and it had a clean bill of health. "It's in perfect shape, despite sittin' here unda dat cova fo' two years. Da only thang left ta do now… is give it a test drive." At that last word, the Vellington ventured into the car's driver's seat and he felt tight by the time he closed the door. Lucky Chloe saw this and nearly giggled as she got up to that same door. "Shit! It is too small fo' yo' boy! Hm! Hol' up! Back up, baby. I'm comin' back out." The otaku did so and he stepped back out, rubbing his neck for relief along the way, leaving the door opened. "Damn. Mama gave me dis car, but I'm too big ta drive it." A lightbulb literally appeared above his head for two seconds as an idea came through to solve this small problem and he turned towards Chloe, holding up the key before her. "Can ya drive, baby?"
"Huh?" Lucky Chloe did a double-take on that question, making her Vellington boyfriend laugh.
"Heh, heh, heh-Can ya drive?"
"…uh… well…" She nervously scratched the back of her head as she continued. "…I've got a license, but… I've never actually gotten to drive again since then. I've always been riding in a limo, but I never drive."
"Well, dis yo' big chance, Chloe-baby. I'm giving my Mama's car to ya."
"Just like you gave me her class ring." She reluctantly took the key and took her sweet time getting in the driver's seat, feeling a little uncomfortable by the time she closed the door. DéMarckus opened the garage door before her, then got in the passenger seat, adjusting it so he could fit, something he couldn't do in the driver's seat. "Ohhhhh, shit… I don't know, DéMarckus. I'm a little nervous."
"Just relax, baby. You'll be fine." The man kept a smile on his face as he started up the car for her and she shivered even more. "Aww, don't be scared, Chloe. You… really haven't driven since you got your driver's license, huh? How old were ya?"
"16."
"GODDAMN! You haven't driven in three whole fuckin' years?!" Lucky Chloe shook her head as her response. "Whew! Man, dat's tough. But, it's a'ight. Professor Vellington's gonna re-teach ya da fundamentals of drivin'. Besides, ya still owe me a bike lesson."
"Aww, you remembered! That made me perk up with confidence a little bit. Nya!"
"Dere ya go. Now, since dis is automatic transmission, ya ain't got no stick shift ta worry 'bout." The lesson was officially underway at the start of that second statement from DéMarckus after he and Chloe buckled up. "See dis down here? Da lettas here should be straightforward. Ya rememba dat part, at least?"
"Yeah! The 'P' stands for 'Park', 'R' means 'Reverse', 'N' means 'Neutral', 'D' means 'Drive', but I kinda forgot what the 1 and 2 stand for."
"You ain't gotta worry 'bout dem. Just know Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive. Glad ya remembered dat. Now, where do yo hands go on da steerin' wheel?"
"10 and 2." She placed her pawed hands upon those positions, making DéMarckus lightly applaud.
"Very good! Ya gettin' it already! Now, what 'bout dis handle next ta da P-R-N-D-1-2 joint? What's dat do?"
"That's the brake. You pull it up to activate it and push it down to release it."
"Damn! Are you sho' you forgot how ta drive?"
"Tee-hee, yeah! I'm sure! I know the basics when it comes to what's inside, but I haven't actually driven. Nya!"
"Oh, a'ight! I see ya, baby. Okay, den. Let's officially get ya drivin'. Show me." The Vellington sat back in his seat and watched her carefully as she pushed down the brake handle first, then placed it in Drive before slightly stepping on the gas. As soon as the car moved, she had to quickly step down on the brake petal in reflexive response to her nervousness. "Whoa! Ya had it! What happened?!"
"I got nervous again. Feeling the car move in my hands felt brand new to me. I'm scared. Nya…"
"Awww, don't be scared. Like I said, ya got dis. I know ya don't wanna wreck my Mama's car on yo' first try, but you can do it witout crashin' or givin' it any scratches. I know ya can. I'm right next to ya, baby. You nail dis and I'm-a be sho' ta nail dat puh a lil' lata on."
"Me on top?" She turned towards him at that question and DéMarckus nodded twice. "YAY! Okay… calm down, Chloe. You are LUCKY Chloe for a reason, girl. You've got this. Just take your time. Take… your… time…" She kept repeating that mantra as she slowly stepped back down on the gas with no traffic in sight before her and she made a perfect left turn, using the signal and all! DéMarckus was impressed so far and he felt comfortable already. "…okay. Are we just going around the block and back to your house?"
"Yeah. Keep it simple. You doin' pretty good so far."
Five minutes into the smooth test drive later, they were both back at the house's garage and she pulled in perfectly… in reverse! DéMarckus couldn't believe that she re-taught herself how to drive just within a matter of minutes and he gave her his personal round of applause by the time she professionally placed the car in park and activated the brake. Hearing that applause made her blush.
"You go, girl!" DéMarckus cheered. "Ova here sayin', 'I haven't driven since I was 16.' Girl, you straight trippin'! You nailed it!" He unbuckled himself before he gave her a loving embrace that was warm physically and emotionally towards the otaku, who managed to return it, despite still being buckled up. "I'm so proud of yo' cute otaku ass!"
"Thank you so much, DéMarckey! Nya! That makes me feel so much better about driving on my own now." Lucky Chloe replied. "I'm really gonna take good care of this car for your Mom's sake."
"Thanks, baby. Now, turn da car off." She did so and stuffed the key in her 'secret pocket' before she unbuckled herself. "Now, it's yo' turn ta teach me how ta ride a bike. I actually got one, but I neva used it."
"Awesome! Let's get to it really quick before we head back to Xavier's."
Two more minutes went by before DéMarckus found his old, but hefty mountain bike with huge wheels for extra traction. It was in perfect shape, despite not being used for ten whole years. Before getting on, however, preparations had to be made.
"Looks like you got the full gear in here, too." Lucky Chloe started as she pulled out a matching green bicycle helmet with kneepads and elbow pads inside it. The otaku volunteered to get him all geared up for his very first bike lesson. By the time she was finished, she took a few steps back and admired how hilarious he was looking. "Ha! Even with all that muscle, you still looked vulnerable, but now, you kinda look silly. Nya!"
"You shouldn't be talkin', Miss Hot Pink Kneepads." DéMarckus spat back with humor.
"Hey! I need these to keep me safe from my freestyle dance moves! Anyway, let's take the bike out in front."
And so, the bike lesson begun on a shaky note. DéMarckus truly didn't have any clue how to ride a bike and proved it by a few falls off the vehicle. Lucky Chloe didn't stress out about it at all throughout the whole thing and she wasn't giving up until he finally got the balancing act under control. During that time and, unbeknownst to them both, many bystanders on the other side of the suburb streets watched this in awe, having some young children giggle every time the Vellington fell. One teenage Caucasian boy decided to record this moment on his cell phone until it was all over. As for the couple, a slow ten minutes went by when they went back to where they started at the front of the house and Lucky Chloe was started to break a sweat by the time DéMarckus got back on the bike once more after fifteen falls. He was sweating as well as felling a bit fatigued, but he didn't let that stop him.
"(Pant, pant)…damn it, DéMarckus." Lucky Chloe started as she wiped her forehead with her left arm. She had her bolero jacket off and resting on a rocking chair on the porch. "Ten minutes in… and you're really proving it to me here. You really don't know how to ride a bike! Sheesh! Kinda wished Garrie could've taught you sooner. I never thought it could be this difficult."
"But, ain't givin' up on me yet, baby." DéMarckus reassured as he was all set for another round. "Keep it up. I'm-a get it dis time."
"That's what you said for the last ten times! Here we go. Now, the key to this is you've gotta be able to balance both your body weight and the bike at the same time. Try to keep that in mind, okay?"
"Dat's what you said da last ten times!" He received a playful jab in the arm from the otaku as her response to that.
"Shut up, DéMarckus! Now, remember what I said and focus. Ready?" The Vellington got up straight on his bike with his otaku lover's help and she held on to him as he nodded twice. "Okay, go! I've got ya." She sure did as she never released her soft grip on his sides as he was pushing forward. After travelling two feet, she released him and miraculously… he kept going on his own at last and she ended up running after him with pride. "YES! DéMarckus! Keep pushing, baby! You've got it!-You've got it! Whoooooo, nyaaaaaa!"
"Holy shit! I… I finally did it. I'm supa late, but look at me, ya'll!" The Vellington gained the comfortable confidence to put the pedal to the metal and slightly rose off the seat as he peddled even faster than ever, making the crowd of neighbors on the other side cheer him on. Chloe had just noticed the crowd, but didn't slow down. After traveling a full mile, he turned back around down the street and caught up with Chloe, who was still on the sidewalk running alongside him. "Look at me, baby!"
"YOU DID IT, DÉMARCKEY! YOU DID IT! It took a while, but it was totally worth it!" The Vellington finally screeched to a complete stop with the proper brake and that's when he noticed the crowd of neighbors lightly applauding his performance. "Look at that crowd, too! I take that you know them all."
"Oh, fo' sho'!" DéMarckus replied proudly as he took of his bike helmet, got off the bike, and propped it up on its kickstand before just standing there taking it all in. "Ya'll ain't see me fall, did ya?"
"Waaaay too many times, Mr. Vellington." One sweet elderly Asian American woman replied. "But, it's good to see you back home regardless… and with Lucky Chloe no less!"
"Yeah! She's my girlfriend, ya'll!" That made all of the kids go insane, making Chloe blush with an appreciatively cute smile. "Whoa! Da kids love her, eh?"
"They're just as big of her fans as some adults here in this neighborhood." A Caucasian man in his forties replied. "And that includes me."
"Huh! I ain't have no idea. So… ya'll been knowin' Lucky Chlo since I was lil'?"
"Yes!" Everyone on the other side of the street replied simultaneously. The otaku's pink cheeks never ceased. They just got a much deeper pink. DéMarckus stepped back with humor, nearly knocking over his bike.
"…and ya'll ain't say nothin'!"
"We wanted you to be surprised." An adorable 9-year-old African American girl replied. "We all knew she would meet you one day, since I heard from my Mom and Dad that she donated to your family to help with your Mom's pet shop."
"Dang! Ya'll knew from the get-go. I sho' won't prepared ta meet her, but hey!" DéMarckus paused he turned towards Chloe, who still had her pink cheeks of embarrassment. "Dat's how life is, ain't it?"
"Yeah." Lucky Chloe replied. "Glad they paid attention to that donation. They… actually had high hopes for you to meet me eventually…"
"…but we ain't know he would fall in love with her, though!" A Caucasian teenage boy admitted in his two cents. DéMarckus' smile became one of honor and respect as he held both of her hands and Lucky Chloe saw that loving glow in his eyes.
"Uh, huh. I know dat's a fact." The Vellington started. "But, not too long ago, ya'll… I gave her my Mom's class ring, her car, and her favorite Tanzanite jeweled necklace. Now… I'm-a give her somethin' even betta…" At that last word, DéMarckus got down on one knee before the otaku and she gasped with utmost surprise, even with one of her slender hands still within two of his. This also made the crowd grow silent with shock, including the children. "Lucky Chloe, it's like I said back when we first met. You da light dat shined my dark future and made it turn out betta fo' both of us. You make me smile e'ry single day and dere ain't neva a bad day and neva a cold night when I'm around ya. As da last Vellington on Earth, it's truly an honor ta turn it inta two Vellingtons left on Earth. Also, yo' endless support fo' my deceased parents has been the biggest trigga of all, aside from da knife ya took ta da back fo' yo' boy and da way ya shot down one of our common enemy's adversaries. Overall, ya gettin' close ta bein' a Vellington. So, Lucky Chloe… from very bottom of my heart and from the deepest recesses of my soul…" He paused as he pulled out a small velvet red box and carefully opened it to reveal a priceless pure diamond ring that was fit for a queen. Seeing it made Chloe cry her happiest tears since she first became a viral sensation. "…will you marry me?"
To be continued…