Black Jewel. Bella Dama

again?” asked Lola.

      “Yeah, I’m meeting up with him at his house for date night,” said Crystale. “But . . .”

      “But what?” asked Lola worried she did something to mess things up.

      “But I ran outta his house this morning after the third time without really saying anything to him,” said Crystale.

      “Damn, girl! Three times?” exclaimed Blair. “That shit must have been REALLY good!”

      “Why?” asked Lola.

      Crystale was scared of what Wyatt thought about her after having sex on the first night. She didn’t want him thinking she did that often. And she was scared ‘cause she liked him. She liked the way he complimented her and made her feel like his woman all night. He would constantly ask if she was okay or needed anything. And his sex game was off the Richter scale. So, it was the first time in a long time she was excited about someone, even though they both had a situation.

       Chapter 10

       Date Night

      It was 7:00 p.m. and Lola was on her way to get Mauricio. She was really anxious to see him. She called him while driving to his place.

      “Hey, Baby,” she said in a sweet tone.

      “Hey, Baby Girl. Where are you?”

      “I’m around the corner. I should be there in like five minutes.”

      “Ok. I’ll be downstairs. Just pull into the valet.”

      “Ok. See you in a minute.”

      “Aight.”

      Mauricio saw his truck pull up and went outside. When she came from around the back of the truck, they both looked star struck. They each were dressed from head to toe.

      Lola wore a red Elie Saab dress. The strapless, embroidered lace bodice had crystal beading that gathered at the waist. The ruffled skirt had a sweep train with a thigh high split on the side. It hugged her body so perfectly. She wore open toe Christian Louboutin heels and a small, matching clutch. She dressed it up with a three-strand diamond necklace, three diamond bracelets and diamond droplet earrings. Her hair was in a loose updo with some curls down in the front and back.

      Mauricio wore Giorgio Armani from top to bottom. He wore a black suit with a white shirt and red tie and handkerchief. A sleek, black belt and black shoes completed his ensemble. He accessorized with a platinum Cartier watch with a diamond encrusted face, a platinum diamond bracelet and 3-carat diamond studs in each ear. His hair was freshly taped with every strand in place.

      “Baby . . . Wow!!” said Mauricio extending his hand to her.

      “Wow yourself! You look amazing,” she said returning the compliment, walking up to him.

      He twirled her around to see all of the dress. He stood there mesmerized by her beauty.

      “Mr. Hernandez?” interrupted a valet attendant.

      “Oh yes . . . Sorry,” said Mauricio escorting Lola to the car.

      There was an attendant standing on each side of his Bentley with the doors opened waiting to help them in.

      “Thank you,” they each said after their doors were closed. Then, Mauricio tipped them before leaving.

      Mauricio had no clue where he was going. He was just driving. But the restaurant wasn’t far from his place, according to Lola. It was on A1A in the Aventura/Sunny Isles area.

      He pulled into a driveway surrounded by trees. Then, drove around this large water fountain with fluorescent colored lighting and stopped in front of the restaurant’s valet station. An attendant opened Lola’s door while another ran to Mauricio’s side. He tipped them as they headed inside.

      The outside of the restaurant was a two-story building with Spanish styled architecture, sconces, small gated balconies, tall bay windows, curved archways and a neon sign with the restaurant’s name shining brightly.

      Inside was bigger than it looked. This upscale establishment had an open layout with high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, columns and Spanish accents all throughout. There was a huge walled waterfall behind the bar as the main focal point of the room. The textured gold paneling on the walls had lighting underneath to create a romantic ambience. The seating area had high back, Italian leather booths, marble tables and contemporary and modular furniture in sunken areas. And the uniformed staff wore red and black.

      “Hi Lola. How are you?” asked the hostess as they walked in.

      “I’m good. Thank you,” said Lola.

      “Your area is ready. Please follow me.”

      The hostess led them to an elevator.

      “You must come here a lot,” murmured Mauricio in Lola’s ear.

      “I do,” she said smiling.

      When the elevator doors opened, there was a giant, plushed out room with 8’ tall Bamboo silk trees, red sheer panels on the ceiling and walls, squared crystal chandeliers and an amazing view of the bay with twinkling city lights and candles lit everywhere. The dim lighting made it look more warm and romantic. And the large, Italian leather U-shaped booth with white marble tables faced the windows that overlooked the moonlit water.

      “This is really nice,” said Mauricio.

      “I’m glad you like it.”

      They were smooching away when the others came in.

      “Hey, Hey, Hey . . . Save it for later,” said Blair interrupting their session.

      Everyone came in and greeted one another other. And everyone looked fabulous.

      Blair and Ivan wore matching suits. They wore white Michael Kors double breasted suits with pink shirts and white bow ties. Crystale wore a Dior aqua, chiffon, floor length dress with a halter top and low back. And Wyatt came dressed in a black Salvatore Ferragamo suit with a white shirt and black tie with aqua in it.

      The photographer asked everyone to stand together for pictures. He captured lots of photos, including group, couples and by gender.

      Lola invited everyone to sit down. The waitress came around to take drink orders while glasses of Dom P. were being served. And several waiters came out carrying trays of different hors d’oeuvres and appetizers, like shrimp cerviche cocktail, sweet potato ravioli with lemon sage butter, crab cake bites with roasted pepper-chives ailoi, blue cheese stuffed mushroom caps and Shanghai Spring rolls with sweet chili sauce. The table was filled in a matter of minutes.

      As they sat around eating and drinking, Lola, Blair and Crystale explained date night in detail.

      It started about four years ago. Originally, it started as a way for them to get together and catch up since they all had busy schedules. Also, it was the fastest and easiest way for each of them to meet who the others were dating and get their approval. Then dressing up and getting glamorized was incorporated when their love for fashion grew. It gave them a reason to get all dolled up. It became a rule when one of Lola’s dates came dressed way too casual. Like jeans and t-shirt casual. And lastly, it was a way to enjoy great food and drinks. But they changed the formal dinner to appetizers just to keep it simple. They preferred a variety of tastes and textures to the pallet. Besides, they realized that eating a heavy dinner and then trying to have sex afterwards wasn’t cute.

      Then, everyone told their stories.

      Lola, Blair and Crystale went to high school together. Since the ninth grade, they’ve been inseparable. They even got their first tattoos and belly piercings together.

      Blair and Crystale went to the University of Miami straight out of high school. Crystale studied Medicine and Blair studied Design and Advertising. Blair went back to school and got his Master’s Degree in Marketing.

      Although Lola became a flight attendant, she