Page 32 of Certified Pressure 2
Trill-Land, Jungle Estate
F or the past week me and Kashmere had been coolin’, just seein’ what shit feel like without all the sex involved.
And honestly, it surprised me how easy it was to be around her when the only thing between us was time and conversation.
She was still wild and loud like she always been, but I started catchin’ lil’ things about her I ain’t paid attention to before—the way she laughed when she wasn’t tryna be sexy, the way she got excited over dumb shit on TV, the way she showed loyalty without even thinkin’ twice.
We had been gettin’ along, playin’ board games, watchin’ movies, smokin’, gettin’ to know each other better and it had me lookin’ at her different, like maybe she had more layers than I gave her credit for.
She had been on some grown woman shit lately too.
Cookin’ me breakfast in the mornings, bringin’ me plates for dinner without me askin’, keepin’ my space straight how she knew I liked it.
One day she whipped up shrimp and grits so good I had to call Renza just to brag, and another mornin’ she slid me a plate of French toast, eggs, and bacon with fresh fruit like she was tryna show me she could hang with the chefs I keep on payroll.
It wasn’t just the food though. She’d be sittin’ at the table with me talkin’ about all the shit she wanted to do like clothin’ line ideas, goin’ back to school for business, openin’ a lounge and how she didn’t just wanna be a pretty face standin’ next to a man.
She had visions, and she talked about ‘em with that fire in her voice like she really believed she could pull it off if she just get the chance. I liked that. I liked seein’ that hunger in her, ‘cause it reminded me of myself.
Like I said, shit felt different, ‘cause for once I wasn’t just lookin’ at Kashmere like she was some wild chick I smashed a few times. I was startin’ to see a woman who might actually know how to pour into me too.
Today was the day that I was ‘bout to meet her people and I could already tell from the way she had been pacin’ back and forth in my livin’ room that this shit was gonna be somethin’.
She had on this lil’ silk two-piece that clung to her ass like it was scared to let go.
Her hair was laid, makeup flawless, and she kept glancin’ at herself in the mirror by the bar like she ain’t already know she looked good.
I was leaned back on the couch rollin’ me a blunt, watchin’ her stress, and thinkin’ about how wild it is that a woman this fine could still be nervous about impressing anybody.
“Babe, you think my mama gon’ like me in this?” she asked, turnin’ around so I could get the full view.
I blew smoke out slow and smirked. “I don’t give a fuck what she like. I like it, and that’s what matter.”
She sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes, but I could see her fightin’ a smile. “Pressure, I’m serious. She got a way of makin’ me feel like I’m never doing enough. She always comparing me to other people and always got some slick shit to say. My daddy cool, but my mama… whew.”
I reached out and pulled her between my legs, holdin’ her by the waist while I looked up at her.
“Listen, you a grown ass woman. You under my roof. Ain’t shit your mama or daddy can tell me about you that I don’t already know.
They gon’ respect it or they gon’ keep it movin’.
Simple as that. I just wanna meet ‘em and see what the hell I’m workin’ with. ”
She nodded but I could see the worry all over her face. “You don’t understand, Pressure. She’ll say some wild shit right in front of you and not even blink. That’s just how she is.”
I grinned, kissed her stomach through the silk. “Don’t worry ‘bout me. Worry about keepin’ that attitude in check when she get to pokin’ at you.”
She laughed then, hit me in the chest, and sat down next to me. We chilled together, the vibe calm for a second, until my phone buzzed and the driver texted me that they was five minutes out. Kashmere damn near jumped up again, fixin’ her hair in the mirror like she wasn’t just sittin’ pretty.
When they finally pulled up, I walked with her to the front. The driver stepped out first, openin’ the back door, and that’s when I seen exactly where Kashmere got it from.
Her mama, Silky Charm, slid out the car like she was on some runway shit.
She had on this champagne-colored dress that hugged her curves just right, big curls flowin’ down her back, lips glossy, skin smooth like she was dipped in butter.
I ain’t gon’ lie… her mama was fine, like the type of fine that make you double back and remind yourself that’s somebody mama.
She carried herself like she knew she was the baddest woman in any room she stepped in, and the way she smiled at me when her eyes locked on mine, I could already tell she was one of them women who flirt with their aura without even tryin’.
Right behind her came Sterling Charm. He was tall, dark-skinned like me, salt-and-pepper beard trimmed perfect and his suit pressed like he was headed to a boardroom.
He had presence, and I could tell he was the kind of man you dap up and automatically respect ‘cause you could feel he handled his business. Kashmere ran to him first, damn near jumpin’ in his arms like she was still ten years old.
He laughed, picked her up, hugged her tight, and kissed her forehead.
It was clear she was daddy’s girl all the way.
“Mama,” she said softer, huggin’ Silky next. And even though Silky gave her that tight embrace, there was somethin’ in her eyes that felt like she was judgin’ her daughter even while lovin’ her.
I stepped forward and shook Sterling’s hand. “What’s up, OG, welcome to the Jungle. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
He smiled and handed me a box. “Brought you a lil’ somethin’.”
I opened it up and damn near grinned ear to ear. Cohiba Behike cigars, the rare ones from Havana, the kind you can’t just grab at no corner store. That was a gift you give a man you respect, and I ain’t even expect that.
“Woah, this a blessin’,” I said, pullin’ him in for a hug. “Good lookin’ out. You came through, for real.”
Already, I knew me and her daddy was gon’ get along well.
We all went inside, laughin’ and choppin’ it up.
Lunch was already set up in the dinin’ room.
I had the chef lay out a spread—lobster tails, lamb chops, jerk chicken, rice, plantains, everything seasoned right with bottles of wine and champagne on ice.
Kashmere sat next to me, her parents across, and I kicked it off by askin’ how they liked Trill-Land so far.
Sterling said, “We ain’t get to see much yet. The driver took us to the hotel after our flight. We dropped our bags off, then headed straight here. But I plan on stepping out tomorrow, maybe do a little shopping, see what the city talking about.”
Silky smoothed her hand down her dress, crossing her legs slow like she knew eyes was on her.
“Mm-hmm, I’d like that too. I’ve always heard about Trill-Land, the culture, the food, the fashion.
Everything looks so beautiful here, almost like another world.
I can see why people are drawn to it.” She smiled at me then, her glossy lips curving just right.
“And you’ve built such a stunning home. Very impressive. ”
I nodded. “Appreciate it. I put a lot into this place.”
She tilted her head, her eyes still on me. “Yes, I can tell. A man like you clearly knows what he wants and how to get it. Which makes me wonder…” She paused just enough to sip her wine, then set the glass back down gently. “What exactly does a man like you want with my daughter?”
The whole table got quiet. Kashmere’s face dropped, and I could feel her stiffen beside me. I just leaned back, wiped my mouth with the napkin, and stared at her mama.
“What you mean by that?” I asked, calm but sharp.
Silky tilted her head. “Everyone knows you’re the son of Abeni and Kojo Mensah. You’re basically a prince. You’re powerful. You could have any woman in this world. Why Kashmere?”
I could feel Kashmere shrinkin’ beside me, embarrassed, but I wasn’t about to let her sit in that alone.
I smirked, looked right back at her mama, and said, “Why not Kashmere? She loyal. She funny. She don’t sugarcoat nothin’ and I know if it came down to it, she gon’ ride for me.
That’s more than most people out here can say.
I don’t need no perfect woman. I need one that’s gon’ keep it real with me, no matter what. That’s Kashmere.”
I glanced at Kashmere then, winked at her, and she smiled a lil’ through the tension.
Sterling cleared his throat. “Forgive my wife. She’s just bold. Always been that way.”
I laughed. “Ain’t no thing. I’m bold too.”
Lunch kept on but Silky didn’t let up. She asked if I’d ever been married, I said no. She asked what kind of woman I was lookin’ for, and I just shrugged. “The kind that can handle me,” I told her.
That ain’t stop her though. She kept pokin’, talkin’ about “What qualities matter most to you? What role do you expect your wife to play?” She was smilin’ but it was that kind of smile that felt like she was pullin’ Kashmere apart piece by piece right in front of me.
Kashmere finally snapped. “Mama, chill. You askin’ him too much.”
Silky leaned back and gaslit the hell out of her own daughter. “I’m only asking questions because I care. I want to make sure you can fill those shoes, baby. Don’t be so sensitive.”
Kashmere’s face burned, and I knew it took everything in her not to blow up. But then she looked her mama dead in the eye and said, “Do you ever ask the women Daddy creep with these types of questions? You ever ask them if they can fill your shoes?”
The whole table went still. Sterling froze mid-bite, Silky’s smile vanished, and Kashmere just stared at them both like she was tired of playin’ nice.
Sterling finally spoke, his voice stern. “Enough. That’s enough.”