Rise Above {Gabrielle Union X Idris Elba}

Chapter Ten

Gabrielle
After a long day of work, Idris comes over my house to chill and massage my feet. We're in the family room, chilling on the couch and watching chick flicks of little meaning. He's acting really weird. Like he's holding back on something.

"What's wrong Idris?" I ask while popping kettle corn into my mouth.

He sighs and looks at me,"How would you feel if I asked Mara out?"

I raise an eyebrow. Mara and Id? I chuckle.

"I guess Mara is your type. Go for it,"

He stops massaging my feet and gives me a confused look.

"What do you mean "my type"? What's my type?"

I sit up and cross my legs. I've been exercising so it's easier to do these simple things.

"Nice girl coming from a rich family. College education and  intelligent. So kind that she's easily hurt. Pretty and perky. A little preppy. Loves shopping at-"

He puts his hands up,"Okay, I get it."

I roll my eyes,"Did I hurt your feelings?"

"I just asked if you'd mind if I asked your friend out on a date and you threw this made up shxt in my face,"

Wow. But who asked?

"If I can recall, you asked me to describe "your type". What do I have to lie for? You can date her! I don't care." I exclaim in annoyance.

"Thank you," he says while laying back.

It's silent as we watch the movie for a couple minutes. What the heck does he see in her? Wait, she's practically perfect.

"What do you see in her?" I ask him.

We both know this movie is so cliche and whack.

"Well, it's only a date, Gab." He says.

Obviously he's hiding something.

"Okay, and? You see something that interests you. What is it?"

He shrugs,"I don't know. She's pretty. I want to get to know her some more."

"Don't tell me you're gonna try to get in her pants," I say seriously,"You know how I feel about that."

I've told Idris time and time again to stop playing with girls like that.

"I'm not! I know how close you are to her."

We stare at each other, clearly annoyed with the other. I'm not all that close with Mara.

"Okay, Idris." I say finishing the topic.

Arguments between Idris and I are ugly. We start cussing and yelling at each other like an old married couple.

"So can I have her number?" He asks quietly.

I suck my teeth and pop a kettle corn into my mouth again.

"Wait, playa. You can get it yourself,"

He pretends to throw a tantrum and throws himself on me. If he thinks I'm gonna give her number away, he must be nuts.

"Why are you so mean?" He asks talking with his mouth on my stomach.

Aria comes running into the family room. I push Idris off of me and sit up alert. It's way past her bedtime.

"Why are you awake, ladybug?" Idris asks as he takes Aria into his arms.

"I had a bad dream," she says while sniffling.

"About what?" I ask while smoothing her braids.

"A monster tried to get me and mommy," she whimpers.

Idris picks her up and cuddles her into his arms.

"It was all in your head, baby. You and your mom are safe," he tells her.

I watch him calm Aria down until she finally falls asleep again. Seeing them together reminds me of what could've been if Aria had a father in her life. Too bad Donavan died before he could really be in her life. He passed away when she was two.

"Do you think Aria needs a daddy in her life?" I ask Idris as I stare at my baby's serene face.

I remember the day she was born. She was so tiny that I thought I'd break her. Donavan was so proud and even more protective of the both of us. Everyone on the block knew that I was Donavan's woman and not to mess with me or his baby girl.

Surprisingly, he wanted to get married but I didn't.

"Just marry me and I'll give you the world," he told me.

"I already have the world," or so I thought.

Donavan gave me literally anything I asked for and spoiled the crap out of baby Aria.

"I think you're doing alright. There's a lot of single mothers out there doing well..." He replies while looking at me.

He takes my hand and gives me a soft smile. Idris is really a great guy. My best friend. He's- but I don't know.

"I'm getting tired of the single life, Id. I need to get back out there,"

"You should. You deserve it, sweetheart,"

I lean my head on his shoulder and sigh. He smells so good.  Omg. Dating should be fun. Where do I start?

"I love you, Idris," I say.

"I love you too... You want me to stay over?"

I nod my head,"Yeah,"