by A'zayler
“What’s good, Cal?”
“Ain’t shit, headed to work. You good?”
“Yeah, heading to a little fashion show.”
“Nigga, all you do is work.”
Marcellus chuckled. “Look who’s talking.”
“You ain’t lying, but I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you ain’t running around here trying to pull none of that fairytale shit your brother is on.”
Marcellus really laughed then. Calvary was so foolish. “Hell nah. You know Jerrico can have all of that shit.”
“Weddings and baby showers and shit. He getting on my damn nerves with all that,” the annoyance in Calvary’s voice made Marcellus laugh again.
One would have thought it was him who getting married and having a baby. “You ain’t happy for him?”
“Kinda. I don’t know, hell. I guess I am. I just know Mama is about to apply that pressure to us now.”
Marcellus looked himself over in the mirror. “You a grown man, Cal. Mama can’t make you do nothing you don’t want to do.”
“I know. I just don’t feel like hearing that shit she finna’ be talking.”
“Tell her that and get it over with before she goes too far.” Marcellus snapped his watch on. “I can tell you right now, she ain’t about to make me do shit I don’t want to do. I’ll set her ass straight.”
“Man, please. You know how your mama is.”
They continued their conversation until Marcellus pulled into an empty parking space at the fashion show.
“Aye, kid, I got to go. I’m here.”
“Aight. Peace. Let me know when you touch back down.”
“I will. Love you.”
“Bet. Love you too.”
Marcellus stuck his phone in his pocket and got out of his car. The navy-blue suit had been tailored just for that event, and like many of his other clothes, it looked expensive. Marcellus was a fan of pricey clothing, and being the successful man that he was, he could afford it.
On his way into the building, he stopped to take pictures with a few of the people he knew from work before going in. He looked around, searching for his seat when he felt someone grab his arm. He looked down to find a smiling Bridges.
“I’ve been looking for you.”
“I said I’d be here.”
“I know, but I didn’t think you were coming for real.” She smiled again and tooted her lips up.
Marcellus didn’t want to kiss her and give anybody watching the inkling that they were together, but he’d hate to embarrass her even more, so he obliged.
“You look nice.” He looked her over in the all black lingerie with the clear heels and big pink wings on her back. “You’re no angel, though.”
Bridges blushed and playfully hit his chest. “Leave me alone. It’s the theme.”
“I’m kidding. You’re beautiful. Now, get to where you’re supposed to be.”
Bridges kissed him again before switching away. In a room filled with people, she was comfortable in nothing but her underclothes. Marcellus had never understood that, but he assumed it just went with her profession. Being a model required an excessive amount of self-confidence anyway, so her having as much as she did shouldn’t have been a surprise to him.
When he could no longer see her, Marcellus walked around until he found a seat in the front. It wasn’t long before the lights dimmed in the house, and the stage lights glowed on. The runway was lined with some of the brightest bulbs he’d ever seen, and they illuminated the entire stage and rows near it.
Women and men of all colors and creeds walked up and down the runway modeling some of the most exclusive pieces for the next couple of hours. By the middle of the show, Marcellus had grown anxious and was ready to go. He had plans that he couldn’t wait to act one. The number one plan being Forever. Oddly enough, he missed her. They hadn’t even been off the phone for long, but he was ready to see her again. To ease his growing ache, he pulled his phone out and texted her.
Marcellus: You know I miss you, right?
Forever: Missing you too. Can’t wait to see your face
Marcellus: Soon, beautiful. You waiting up for me?
Forever: Yep. I came out with a few friends to keep me awake.
Marcellus: Guy friends or lady friends?
Forever: Jealous?
Marcellus: No, protective. Answer Me
Forever: Girls from my study group
Marcellus: Good. Have fun. I’ll call you when I leave here
Forever: Don’t take too long. TTYL!
Marcellus stuck his phone back into his pocket and impatiently sat through the rest of the show. When it was finally over, he almost ran out of there but already knew he would have to hear Bridges’ mouth if he did that, so he waited.
Being taller than a lot of the attendees, he was able to spot her as soon as she exited the back of the stage. He waved his arm casually until she spotted him. She practically ran into his arms once she was close enough. Marcellus laughed at her excitement while hugging her back. Bridges was such a character—the fun part of her was anyway.
If she could be that way all the time, they might have worked better than they did on most days, but they didn’t, and he was done trying to force it. If she hadn’t meant so much to him at once, he wouldn’t even do the little bit that he did do. Sad as it was, their time was coming to an abrupt end. Forever was making sure of that and didn’t even know it.
“Marcellus?” someone called his name from behind him.
Marcellus turned around with Bridges still in his arms. As soon as he spotted Forever, his grasp on Bridges loosened.
“I thought that was you.” Forever looked between him and Bridges with a confused expression.
Her face was frowned, but not in anger. Just slightly to display her bewilderment. She was with a tall, white girl who looked like she should have been on the runway next to Bridges. She had a nice body and a pretty face. Nothing on his Forever, but she could hang.
“Forever,” he said lowly.
“What are you doing here?” Forever looked around the room, but he was sure she meant in California.
How could he explain to her that he’d flown out to support Bridges and surprise her too? He couldn’t. That wasn’t going to go over well with either of the women.
“I told you I had a show tonight.”
The look she gave him confirmed his earlier thoughts of him being in California without her knowledge.
“Hello, I’m Bridges.” Bridges stuck her hand out for Forever to shake.
Marcellus wished as hard as he could for the floor to crack open and swallow him whole. He needed it bad right then. He could already feel Bridges ready to fuck some shit up for him. She was good at that. With Forever being as assertive as she was, she wasn’t about to miss a single detail of the situation unfolding before them.
“Forever.” She shook Bridges’ hand with a polite smile.
“You a friend of Marcellus’?”
“I am actually. You?”
Please. Please. Please. Marcellus pleaded in his head.
“That’s good! He never lets me meet any of his friends.” Bridges nudged a rigid Marcellus with her shoulder before smiling widely at Forever. “I guess you could say I’m a friend too. I’m his wife.”
Forever’s eyes cut to him. Marcellus closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. He wanted to die.
Part 3, is on the way…
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About the Author
Dynamic writer, Patrice A’zayler, is the inscriptive, unprecedented, connoisseur of urban romance. A powerhouse for God, and a lover of all things beautiful, she’s intricately evoked the feelings of an array of readers across the globe. Master storyteller and award-winning author for Rand
om House Publishing, Patrice A’zayler has been featured in the Essence Festival as well as Sheen and Sophisticates Black Hair Magazine.
From her pen, drips unforgettable content that allows women the aperture to awaken their deepest and most mystique desires. A free-spirited romantic who has deemed her heart wild and hopeless, A’zayler releases sentiments of herself in each mind-altering publication. With a love for her culture that surpasses anything that could be considered ordinary, A’zayler uses her platform to depict the power derived from kings and queens of the African American lineage.
Her stories are the perfect exemplification of what black love should look and feel like. With a passion for uplifting and inspiring her audience, she professionally intertwines relatable scenarios with optimistic yet celestial accounts of fantasy. Patrice A’zayler’s overall dynamic is powered by her heart and the unadulterated love that flows from it.
Infatuated with the evolution of happiness, Patrice A’zayler allows her entire identity to be edified by her creativity and vision for limitless empowerment. Each of her novels are not only penned with the intent to render expectancy into the spirits of all believers but to personally connect with each and every soul that encounters her work. Five years and thirty plus books later, Patrice A’zayler is an overflowing visionary with high hopes for the future.
If you’d like to feel my love, visit any of your local book stores, nearest Walmart, or continue browsing Amazon
Contents
1. I had to make you mine
2. Wrong is Right
3. You Can’t Control Me
4. It Never Fades Away
5. Someone Real
6. The Mystery Man
7. There’s more to me
8. Crown Me the Queen of Your Heart
9. Me and My Bad Decisions
10. You’re So Good to Me
11. I’m Looking For a Lady
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Jordyn and Vadah are tired of dealing with broken hearts.
Heartache from childhood, heartache from love. To them, the pain runs all the same.
Jordyn is in Detroit modeling and attending school. She’s traveling through life trying to figure it out until she meets Zion. He is the forbidden fruit for Jordyn, yet she can’t seem to get him out of her mind. Jordyn temporarily forgets the pain lingering in her heart when Zion comes into her life. Together they travel the world and become obsessed with each other. The bubble they’re in soon bursts, and it’s then that the fairytale they are in comes to an end. Jordyn is once again left hurt by a man, but Zion isn’t willing to let her completely go. He does come back, and when he does, he finds that the Jordyn he fell for is a new woman. Zion must show Jordyn that he is a man she can depend on before he loses her to the last person he ever thought she would be with.
Vadah has been dealing with pain from her father leaving the family for so long that she’s numb to it. Between school and modeling, her schedule is full. Vadah parties hard and shops so much that she found herself in an immense amount of debt. When her video girl job becomes too stressful, Vadah is sent to work for NBA player SaQuan as his kids’ babysitter. Vadah was clueless as to who she would be working for and was even more shocked to learn his baby mother was sick. What starts out as Vadah watching SaQuan’s kids becomes so much more. Lines blur, and soon, Vadah finds herself feeling things for SaQuan that she feels she shouldn’t. After one steamy night, Vadah ends up on the receiving end of a fight. She abruptly leaves her job, SaQuan, and his kids that she’s grown to love. Vadah gets her life together, and once she’s back stable, fate pushes SaQuan back into her life. He discovers she’s been hiding things, and it’s his turn to decide if he wants to stay or walk away.
This is a standalone novel.
Ka’ron Kam Henderson is a 21-year-old in love with Shai Brown. He ran into her when she had nothing and was at her lowest. Ka’ron and his family believed in her and gave her a second chance at life. She went from homeless to having a home with loving people. That wasn’t enough for Shai. She found herself time after time hurting Ka’ron. She had no remorse for the things she put him through, but like the forgiving person Ka’ron, is he kept reminding himself of the good that he saw in her. He didn’t know that searching for the good would bring nothing but the bad.
