Page 69 of Set me Free

Nasseem let out a low whistle, taking it all in. "This is crazy, bro. You sure we in the right spot?"

I smirked, shaking my head. "It’s not mine. It’s Serenity’s.”

My mama’s eyebrows shot up. "Serenity’s?"

"Yeah, her and Ari’s place. They let me and Brodie crash here ‘til we figure out what’s next."

"And how exactly does a college student afford something like this?" she asked, looking skeptical. I was not about to have this conversation right now.

"She just does," I muttered not wanting to get into it. Pops shot me a knowing look, but he didn’t press. But my mama? I could tell she wasn’t done.

“And where is this, Serenity?”

“She finishing up exams.” I replied. “She’s going to meet us at the restaurant later.”

“Until then, show ya old man the city huh?” Pops smiled patting me on the back.

“Of course, Pops.” I smiled. “Let me get my stuff and we can head out.”

For dinner,we went to one of those upscale steakhouses, the type with dim lighting, white tablecloths, and menu prices so damn high they ain’t even listed. It was Serenity’s idea and apparently her treat, something I was against but she said she wanted to especially since this weekend was about celebrating me.

The moment we stepped into the building, Serenity was standing up front waiting for us. She looked like she fit right in, looking effortlessly elegant in a sleek black dress, her hair, straightened out from its naturally curly state and cascadingover her shoulders. As soon as she was within my grasp, I pulled her close to me, hugging her and placing a simple kiss on her lips.

“You look good baby.” I whispered in her ear and she blushed as I pulled back from our embrace. She turned to my people smiling, I knew she was nervous; it’s all she had talked about for the past week. The last time she had come into contact with my mama, things were a little tense but this was the first time I would be introducing her as my girlfriend. “Ma, Pops, Nas this Serenity, Serenity this is my Pops Joseph, my mama Tasha and you know Nas already.”

“It’s good to meet you in person.” She told Nasseem. “All of you.” Serenity smiled, reaching her hand out to shake theirs.

"Nice to meet you too, baby," Pops said warmly shaking her hand. “You’re beautiful, I can see why my grandson is smitten.”

“Thank you.”

“Good to meet you in person Sis.” Nas gave her a quick hug and then we looked at my mama her eyes scanning Serenity carefully, like she was trying to figure her out in the first two minutes of knowing her.

“Nice to meet you.” She muttered blandly. I shook my head, knowing how this shit was about to go. I looked at Serenity who was still smiling, despite the tension. I squeezed her hand attempting to comfort her.

“Ms. Bradshaw, your table is ready. Right this way.” The hostess said and I was grateful for the interruption of the tense moment. We followed her to our table, close to the back, near a window.

It was quiet while we looked over the menu until;

“This stuff looks expensive Creed.” My mama remarked viewing the menu. “Really expensive.”

“This is my treat, so get whatever you want.” Serenity said and my mama glanced at her over her menu.

“How is it that a college student can afford to live in a penthouse apartment and pay these kinds of prices?”

“Ma, please.” I sighed.

“My family helps me quite a bit,” Serenity responded, picking up her glass of water and taking a sip of it.

For the rest of dinner, my mama kept her questions coming, trying to pry into Serenity’s life. "What do your parents do?"

I already knew where this was going. She was digging, looking for something to disapprove of.

“Oh, um, my dad is the CEO of my family’s company, and my mom is actually a singer and actress.”

“Really? Who is she, maybe I’ve heard of her.”

“Sienna Bradshaw, but her stage name is Sie B.”

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