Melanie's POV

"Hey Ms. Thang," Mona said giving me a hug.

"Hello to you Gorgeous," I replied. Mona was wearing a chambray one shoulder dress, designer heels and accessories, along with a matching Hermès birken. Her hair was curled all over hanging down her shoulders and her flawless makeup looked to be professionally done. Her wedding ring was the size of a boulder and probably the GNP for a small country. She was a lot older than me, but she looked as young as a twenty something.

The waiter came over and took our drink order. She ordered a cocktail while I ordered a sparkling water.

"I remember when I breastfed my children. Ian wouldn't let me drink anything with bubbles, including sodas. Girl I was craving one so bad one day, that after he left for work, I ordered a pizza and a two liter. Finished it off, cut the plastic bottle up in tiny pieces and put them in a diaper. Can I tell you that was the best Dr. Pepper ever?" We both laughed.

"Marc isn't that bad."

"Good. I was ready to string Ian up by his toes."

"I'm glad you didn't."

"Our guys love hard and sometimes it can be a little overwhelming. They mean well so you have to pick and choose your battles."

"You're right about that."

The waiter took our order and we chitchatted about our lives and children. She spoke about Corbin her eldest starting at Harrington Shipping as an intern and Giselle as she was about to graduate from MIT in architectural design and her youngest Stephen was a sophomore at Penn State. Looking at Mona you would have never thought she had kids that old.

"Sounds like everything is going good."

"Could be better if Corbin could stop being a male hoe, I swear he thinks he is suppose to scratch every itch."

"I'm glad I have a girl. I will make sure when she gets older Corbin is at least a thousand miles away."

"I told Ian that boy needs a good ass whipping. He thinks he's Michael Ealy except with gray eyes."

"He can't be that bad Mona, can he?"

"We had a company luncheon a few days ago. Everything was peachy, good ambiance, great food, we had rented out the Pioneer Club so you know it was classy. I went to the storeroom looking for the manager when I hear some noise coming from a closet. I'm thinking someone needed help as I heard, "help me," so I opened the door. Girl I thought I was going to have a heart attack. He had some hostess bent over a chair spread eagle literally pounding into her like a jackhammer." She shook her head.

"Oh my gawd."

"She screamed that out too."

"What did you do?"

"I told him to get his trifling ass from out the damn broom closet. Yes I became one of those embarrassing ghetto black mamas. I talked about his behind. That girl jumped up so fast, and got tangled in his coat he had on the floor but quickly recovered. She put her clothes on and hightailed it out of there."

"What happened with Corbin?"

"I gave him a piece of my mind. Told him that he was going to catch something and never get rid of it. Then I told Ian where he took him to the side and had one of his chats."

"What did he tell him?"

"Same ole same ole. Be careful, use protection, don't get caught especially by your mother, not to do trashy, you have too much to lose, and keep it in your pants. And he probably said something about she was cute, but check your hormones and remember to keep it classy."

I was trying not to laugh.

"See men with boy children are so different. If that was Giselle he would have literally killed the guy for touching his little girl. The boy would be handless, feetless and his current anatomical gender removed."

I couldn't hold in my laugh as she laughed too, taking a sip of her cocktail.

"Although he is interning at Harrington Shipping he is also volunteering at the community center. He is cleaning the building, learning how to repair things, and doing paperwork. He is even coaching a basketball team. I'm hoping he will get an appreciation of giving back."

"Wow."

"It's only for the summer until he starts law school."

"He's smart, he will be fine."

"Just keep him in your prayers chica."

The waiter came out with dessert.

"So since you are all clear, you should go meet Marc. A few spontaneous eruptions could do you good."

"You sound like Fran."

"That's a smart woman."

"I can wait, it maybe hard, but I have to learn to have better patiences."

"How long has it been?"

"Months."

"Girl, you're a good one. It's no way, I could go that long even at my age."

"You're not old."

"Damn right. You have to keep the romance alive. Exercising, drinking plenty of water and watching what you eat has been a lifesaver. When asked how old I am, I tell them twenty one and some change."

"That's what I'm talking about."

"Go be with your man. I hear these negotiations may go astray."

"There is FaceTime."

"FaceTime doesn't give you the desired results especially after a drought."

"Well it will have to do for the time being."

"Girl let me school you. You need to get on a jet, have Reba arrange transportation to the hotel and have the concierge have a key ready at the front desk. Order a tray of delicious fruit, chocolates or whatever he likes just in case you two get a little wild and can't leave the suite. Take a nice hot bubble bath, turn some music on, dress in a very naughty nightie, high heels looking sexy and very desirable. Have the front desk text you when he arrives and when he comes in let him look but don't let him touch. Walk around bending over giving him different views. Undress him, have a nice hot shower waiting on him and just cater to his needs."

"You sound like you have done this plenty of times."

"Cad is the pro. She has two traveling husbands and best believe she knows how to work it. She will travel between two continents to get her groove on and still remains beautiful as ever. If she flew commercial they would have ended her frequent flyer miles program a long time ago." We both laughed.

"Girl is freaky. I mean she's in the Dommi, Vlad and Nico column. Ian and I are bad, but Cad and Dommi got us beat. You need ideas, they are the go to peeps."

"Where is Cad?"

"In LA with Evan. Their oldest daughter Kara is moving out her apartment and moving to New York for the summer. She's modeling full time and will be Dommi's lead model for her summer line."

"I heard."

"Cadence said the whole family is just going to stay there for the summer. They made some renovations to their Hampton house. So we should be getting an invitation for the Fourth of July."

"Sounds like fun."

"You could be having so much more fun within the next twelve hours." She cleared her throat.

"What?"

"So if I offered my plane would you go and meet Marc?"

"I couldn't do that."

"Why not?"

"I have a baby at home and a business to run."

"It's only for a few days Mel."

"I don't like to leave MJ."

"She will be fine. Marc's mother is there, you have a maid so I don't see a problem."

"She's too little."

"Believe me, she won't know you're missing for a few days. Actually now is the time to do it because when she gets older, and the tantrums start then it will be too late."

"I would have to go home and pack and I freaking hate packing." She laughed.

"Girl please. You don't need a bag. All you do is call the hotel and they can arrange anything you need. Our guys don't stay in Holiday Inns or Comfort Inns, they stay in luxurious penthouse suites because they are use to getting catered service. They are in a whole another class, the millionaire/billionaire clubs. Even their top employees stay in high end hotels."

"So you're saying, jump on a plane now and head out?"

She rolled her eyes. "I have so much to teach you dear. Yes. Matter of fact have your assistant or Reba make the calls. Reba would have his itinerary. Mel weren't you his assistant? Come on girlfriend."

"I know. I've never been the wild one."

"Then it's time to loosen up. Let Goddess Beauté Noire come out and play." I chuckled.

"So you're offering your jet?"

"Actually it's gassed up and ready to go. I'm staying the week to make sure Corbin settles in. He's moving into his own place downtown. Ian is headed back from Chicago so I have no need for it right now."

"Wow, okay then I guess I will be on my way."

"That's it suga, strut your stuff." I paid the check and headed to the airport.

On my way I called AnnaMarie and she agreed to take care of MJ. Good thing I had pumped last night and this morning and she was taking to formula as well. My next call was to Reba where she said everything would be taken care of. As I arrived to the airport, I parked and was escorted through the gate. The Dassault Falcon 7X jet was opened and waiting. The pilot Winston greeted me as he helped me up the stairs.

"Mrs. Hernandez, this is Kimberly your flight attendant. If you need anything let her know."

The tall light-skinned woman smiled at me and held out her hand. I shook it and she bowed her head. She was wearing a black pantsuit with Harrington Shipping in script on the right and her name on the left. A purple scarf was tied around her neck, her hair was in a perfect bun and black high heel shoes completed the outfit.

"Mrs. Harrington has plenty of sparkling water available and if you would like something to eat we have salad, steak, lamb chops or several different vegetable choices. Also we have alcohol, several dessert options and access to wi-fi. If you need anything you can press this button here. Estimated time of arrival seven hours. We will land at the Moscow airport and a car will be waiting for you."

"Thank you." She nodded and headed to the back. I put my seatbelt on and before we got in the air good I had fallen asleep.

Eight hours later...

I was headed to the Ritz Carlton on Tverskaya Street. The afternoon sun was shining brightly in the sky. It was eleven am here and people were walking and riding bicycles all around me. We finally made it to the hotel. It was adjacent to Red Square and the Kremlin. The doorman opened my door and welcomed me where he escorted me through the huge lobby. I showed her my driver's license and the clerk smiled.

"Hello Mrs. Hernandez, we have been expecting you. I'm Natalya." The tall blonde was nice with her Russian accent.

"Your husband just left. He made a reservation around eight pm in the O2 Lounge which is located on the roof-top."

"Will you let me know when he arrives?"

"Of course."

"Your assistant has made arrangements. We have you with a spa appointment in about a hour, after, we have a lunch being prepared and then there will be a representative from Alexander Terekhov's fashion house bringing in a few options for your stay along with intimate items you may need."

"Thank you."

"No problem."

I was taken up to my suite and was literally knocked off my feet. Dang you should have seen this room, it was like living in a three thousand square foot home. With a kitchen and dining room, even a piano in the library, this was definitely home away from home.

"I'm Sergeenko your personal concierge." The tall black haired man was all legs wearing a black suit with lapels holding out his hand. I shook it and noticed his white gloves were perfectly unblemished and his shoes were spotless and shiny.

"Hello."

"There are several bags in the closet for you to approve. If anything else is needed, please let me know. I will wait out here to take you to your spa appointment."

I nodded and walked in the bedroom. The sybaritic grandness of this place was definitely beyond my imagination. The king-size bed with luxurious golds and beiges created the perfect ambiance for a good nights sleep or the backdrop for other devious and hedonistic pleasures of the night. Sure enough there were four large shopping bags with intimates, personal hygiene and accessories. Hanging up in the closet, Marc had four suits lined up side by side along with his starched white shirts. His shoes were impeccably polished and his suitcase was placed on top of the closet. I ran my fingers across each one and walked out.

"Looks like I'm taken care of."

"If you would like to shop Tverskaya Street, it offers all the designers that you have in America. It's nicknamed Rodeo Drive."

"Oh?"

"Yes you are in the heart of it."

"Well it's been a while since I've shopped. Definitely on the list after the spa."

"Very well, are you ready?"

"Yes."

Two hours later it was nap time. Olga's miracle hands had my body loose, my mind clear and sleepy. I guess since having MJ my sleep had been on backorder and this was the first time I was able to relax without having to sacrifice my own sanity. The phone rang and I couldn't help but smile when I heard the ringtone of Barry White's, Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe. I quickly answered.

"Hello?"

"Did I wake you?"

"Oh no I'm up."

"I know it's late there but I didn't want the day to go by without me telling you goodnight, sweet dreams and I love you."

"You so sweet." My finger started twirling my hair like a schoolgirl crush.

"Kiss MJ for me."

"I will. Oh what time are you headed back to your hotel?"

"Around eight why?"

"Just asking. I thought maybe we could have phone sex." I covered my laugh. He cleared his throat.

"How about I call you at seven am your time and it will be bedtime for me?" he asked whispering in the phone.

"Sounds like a plan. Why are you whispering?"

"I stepped away from negotiations for a moment because I missed you."

I chuckled. "Good luck on your deal."

"Thank you."

"I can't wait to hear your voice telling me what you would do if you were laying next to me tonight." He cleared his throat again.

"I better go like now before this goes any farther," he said with a strain in his voice. We both said our goodbyes and I jumped up looking at the time. I quickly showered and got dressed where Sergeenko escorted me to the shops down the street.

I had a few stares. Russia only had about fifty thousand African-Americans. I kept my sunshades on trying not to elude unpleasantries. Prada, Gucci, Chanel, Dior, Cartier were all front and centered to name a few. It's amazing a black card will open up doors that you could only imagine. I was treated like a BAPS. Mona was right, married to Marc definitely had its advantages. After making my rounds, I was scared to see my totals but everything would be delivered as promised.

As I made it back to the hotel, lunch was ready and waiting. A delicious looking crispy chicken and strawberry salad with vinaigrette along with a hearty bowl of borscht was set up on the dining room table. As soon as I finished, the beauty regimen team came in full combat gear. I had racks of designer fashions with accessories being delivered, along with hair and makeup artists ready to get to work. After picking out a few outfits for the upcoming days, I was ready to get my night started.

8:00 pm

My phone binged. It was the front desk letting me know Marc had arrived. I was excited and nervous at the same time. I had eaten a small meal earlier so I wasn't really that hungry. The roses were delivered so I had deflowered them starting at the door all the way to the bedroom. I had Sergeenko have the chef create a little fruit tray with marshmallows, melted chocolate, whip cream and a couple of bottles of champagne.

I had chosen a black corset with matching thongs. My hair was perfectly curled in loose bouncy ringlets and minimal makeup. My Christie Lou's with the ankle straps and fishnets completed the assemble. I got out his robe, had his items ready in the bathroom and made sure the lights were dimmed. I plugged in my phone and soft Kenny G played in the background. A few minutes later my phone dinged. The text was from the front desk letting me know that he was on his way up. It was time to get ready and take my place.

Marc's POV

"Mr. Hernandez?" I turned around to see the front desk clerk calling me over.

"Yes?"

"A large package was delivered earlier so I hope you don't mind that I had Sergeenko bring it up to your suite."

"Do you know who sent it?"

Natalya typed something in the computer and said, "Harrington Shipping."

"Okay."

She smiled and I walked away. Getting in the elevator I received a text. Looking down at it, Vladimir wanted to meet me tomorrow since he was going to be in town visiting his cousin. I replied letting him know to call me in the morning where we could arrange a time and place to meet. The doors of the elevator opened leading me to my suite. I swiped my card and that's when I heard music playing. Looking down at the floor, rosebuds led a path all the way to the bedroom. I followed the path and there it was, my special delivery.