Chapter 15
“Plus sized African American beauty Shelby Fraser-Cox, wife of the billionaire department store mogul, Gray Cox has certainly made her mark in the design world! As a wedding gift from her husband, she was given the entire top floor of the superstore to display her designs and it was certainly a well-placed gift. The minute you step into the huge space which is aptly called: ‘Black Heritage’ – you get a sense that you have been transported to a land where black people are lauded. The music – mostly ‘Bob Marley’ by the way with a few other reggae artistes thrown in the mix – greets you at the door and you are met by beautiful black girls dressed in different kinds of Africa prints. And you cannot help but buy something. Whether it is a piece of art, depicting a man – black of course sitting with his Congo drum or several of them laid back on straw hammocks with the evidence of cannabis protruding from their lips and a bottle of rum at their feet or for the ladies: myriads of colorful African wear in different styles as well as sandals for the feet and assortment of jewelries. Take your pick! The space has seen so many famous faces. Shelby Cox has now become one of the ‘wives’ and the rest of the wives of the member of the swanky and well-known Elite Club has flown from all over the world to be in support of their ‘sister’. Locally, the business is booming as well and the superstore, dreamed up and restored by department store tycoon, Gray Cox is doing so well that it is no secret that the profit is pouring in! The couple has been married for three months and their adorable twins are now five months old. They are at the store several times of the week with their nannies, no doubt to celebrate their mother’s victory! Well done Shelby Cox – we salute you!”
“You are officially a success,” Gray murmured as he put the paper away and looked at his wife.
“Thanks to you.” She patted her Anthony’s lip gently with his bib before taking it off. It was Sunday morning and they had both decided that they would stay at home for the day. The past three months of their marriage had been so hectic that they had hardly been able to spend quality time as a family.
“I almost did not allow you to have the space.” He pointed out, leaning forward to wipe Josh’s mouth. They had grown so much over the past three months and had started crawling already.
“But you did because you love me and did not want to see me mad.” Shelby planted a kiss on her son’s forehead and got to her feet. She had given the household staff the day off and was determined to be a wife and mother for the day and take care of her men. She came around to his side of the table and sat next to him. “I have been crazy busy over the past three months at the store, but I want to slow things down a bit. I want us to do things together. Go to dinner, the theatre and things like that. I must apologize for not being here. We are newlyweds and I have been so caught up with the running of my store that I have been neglecting you and the boys.”
“I have been busy too,” he told her.
“And that is not good, Gray.” She put her hands on his thighs. “I don’t want to lose sight of what is important. You and me, the boys.” She smiled as Josh started gurgling, stuffing his chubby fingers inside his mouth. “I had to stop breastfeeding a month ago and I hate that.”
“You are running a business, don’t apologize for that.”
“I am not. It’s just that I feel guilty that I leave so early in the mornings and come home late.” She murmured, watching as he got to his feet and went to pour some coffee. “But I have the entire day planned out for us.”
“Is that so?”
She nodded. “After breakfast, we give them a bath, take a bath ourselves and then head on out to the park. It is still warm, and it is a beautiful day. Ben said he will join us there to help with the boys. Then he is going to keep them so that we could go to dinner. I made reservations at Luca’s for eight.”
“You did all this without consulting me?” he asked, lifting his brows.
“You said you did not have anything planned- I am sorry. Do you have to be somewhere?”
“That’s not the point, Shelby. I understand that you have now become this busy entrepreneur and that the store means a lot to you. I have a business to run as well.” He put the cup away and bit off a sigh as he looked at his sons. He did not want to believe that he was resentful of her success and the time she spent at the store. Or how well she was doing. He did not want to believe that he was that type of man but each time she came home late, he felt upset. Even though they had staff to do everything in the house, he found himself wishing that she would take the weekends and prepare him a meal.
“I am sorry.” She left her seat and went over to him. “I have not been here.” She put her hands on his chest.
“We have not had sex in a month.” He told her with a grim smile.
“That’s not true.”
“Really?” his eyebrows lifted. “When was the last time we made love? I have been traveling the past three weekends and I have begged you to come with me, to get away for a few weekends so that we could be with each other and you said no. You came home every night late and barely have time to go into the nursery to see the boys and then you stumble into bed.”
“That’s why I made plans for today.” She said faintly.
“To hand me a piece. After dinner – what’s next? Sex?”
“Gray- “
He moved away. “The day is far gone. Let us go get them ready and get out of here.” He went to get Josh and unhooked him from his highchair, lifting him above his head and tickling his tummy, causing the baby to squeal in laughter. She watched them leave the room before getting Anthony. “It’s okay sweetie. Daddy is a little mad at Mommy now, but it will pass.” She nuzzled her son’s cheek and closed her eyes at the familiar baby scent that she had missed so much because she had to go out to work. She took him upstairs with her and saw when Gray came from the bathroom with a wet wriggling Josh.
“I will give Anthony a bath and bring him in.” she told her husband.
Gray nodded.
She hesitated at the doorway and watched as her husband wiped the water off his son’s wriggling body. “I love you. Gray.”
He turned to look at her. “I know.”
“It would be nice to hear you say it too.”
“You know that I love you Shelby. Go get him his bath.”
*****
She wore one of her newest designs – a red and gold romper with puffed sleeves and flared slightly at the legs. She was letting her hair grow and now the thick black natural curls framed her face in a charming way. Dangling gold hoops were at her lobes and gold bangles almost came to her elbows. She walked beside Benjamin as her husband pushed the twin’s in their carriage.
“He is mad at me.” Shelby murmured as she waved at some women who had just jogged past them. She had become known for her designs and especially being married to Gray as well as the various times she had been on charity events with the other wives had made her even more visible. “Any pointers to make him not mad?”
“Sex.” Benjamin told her with a grin. “We will forgive anything if we are given sex and lots of it.”
“You have a very one-track mind.” Shelby said dryly as she put her hand through his arm. He was like the dad she never had as well as a very good friend who spent most of his time at their place so that he could be with the twins.