"I want that Mariah."
I turned to look at him.
“What do you mean?”
"I want that with you," he said.
I moved closer to him.
"Is that right?" I asked.
He grabbed our suitcases off the carousel as we stepped out of the way of the people behind us.
"Yes that’s right. I want forever with you. I want to be the light in your dark moments."
The tears I was trying to stop from falling ran down my cheek. I knew at that moment I was undeniably in love with this man. His wiped my cheek. I stood on my tip toes and kissed him passionately.
"I want to be your light too Byron; now and forever."
He kissed me again.
"And you will be baby. It will be me and you against the world.”
4
God this man was fine. Not to mention brilliant. I loved to watch him give presentations. We had left the airport, dropped our stuff at the hotel and headed to our meeting. Now I was sitting here daydreaming. He spoke so well and would literally have people eating out of the palm of his hand.
Money.
Sex.
Intelligence.
Power.
He possessed them all. I was in awe of him every time we were together. I was excited our meeting was almost over. I was ready for our romantic weekend to begin. I knew he had a special evening planned, but I wasn't sure what he had up his sleeve. Either way I knew it would be memorable.
"Girl that man is so fine."
I was completely lost in my daydream I hadn't heard a word she said. I guess she realized it when she saw by the look on my face when she startled me by touching my arm.
"Mariah did you hear what I said?"
"No girl I was listening to the presentation as you should be,” I said while laughing at her. I was hardly listening to this presentation. She didn’t need to know that though. I was staring at the man I was in love with.
"Mmm hmmm. I'm sure you were. I was trying to, but I can’t focus with all that sexiness up there. Hell the other women in here are probably distracted too."
I chuckled and shook my head. I was flattered that other women found my man attractive. No need for me to be jealous, I did too.
"You so silly Rhonda."
"Girl, I'm just saying that's a lot of damn sexiness up there. I don't know how you keep your legs closed around him. If I didn’t have a man I would probably be all on his desk after hours."
I gave her a puzzling look. She had always been a little too blunt. I liked her honesty; it was just her timing that threw me off. We were cool, but not that damn cool. I could hear Byron concluding which meant our meeting was wrapping up. I figured I would converse with her just to see what was being said about him, me and our late work nights around the office.
"What do you mean? We do work together. You remember that part right?"
"Yeah I do. What exactly does that mean though? There are a couple of men at our company that are known ladies men and a couple of women who aided in their rep after hours.”
She was right. I had heard some of the office gossip. At least half of them were quite popular with the women. At least two of them were married so I didn't have a clue as to why they had reputations. It didn't matter though, it wasn’t my business and I was not dating them. I was dating Byron. He was nothing like them.
I just laughed at her. Rhonda always had the juice and would add some comedy on top of it.
"You right Rhonda. They are a hot mess at that job. Byron seems to be different though. He's cut from a different cloth."
She gave me a yeah right look. It made me a little uncomfortable. I wanted to ask her what she meant; though I wasn't sure I wanted to know. I was a firm believer in not asking a question you really didn't want an answer to.
"I didn't mean it like that Mariah. Byron seems to be different. Although, I had heard he was married at one point."
"Married?"
Now she was reaching. I was trying to keep my face from frowning up. Nobody we worked with knew about our relationship. We wanted to keep it private so there wouldn't be any work drama or gossip. I needed to remain calm so I could get the rest of the information. I had never heard any rumors about him being married, however that didn't mean there weren't any circulating.
"Yeah girl about four years ago I had heard he was married to some woman who was a personal stylist. Apparently she travels a lot and is never in town. I've never seen her and she's never come into the office, so I paid them no attention."
Rhonda was one of Byron's executive assistants. She had been working for him 6 1/2 years so she of all people would know everything that went on within the office. I figured she was right since I had been there for three and hadn't heard any myself. I was just about to milk her for more information when Byron walked up.
Damn!
"Rhonda, Mariah and I are going to stay behind to make sure the paperwork is signed. If you want to go ahead of us you can. I know you want to get home to your kids."
"Sure Mr. McDaniels. Did you want me to do anything else?"
"No I will have the paperwork sent to your room for you to take back to the office. What time does your flight leave?"
She looked at her watch.
"I believe 6 o'clock Mr. McDaniels."
"Ok I will have the paperwork messengered to you within the hour. See you Wednesday and enjoy your holiday."
"Same to you, boss. Mariah I will call you later so we can finish our convo."
I nodded and winked at her.
"Sure thing Rhonda."
She grabbed her computer case, coat, and purse and headed out the door.
As soon as I saw she was on the elevator, I turned to look at him. My face was somewhat distorted due to what Rhonda had just mentioned. He looked at me and gave me a questionable look. He was trying to figure out what was bothering me.
“Are you okay baby?”
I dropped my head a bit because I wasn’t sure. I was confused and unsure what to believe. He had never given me any reason to believe he was being deceitful. I knew didn’t want to get into this here. Not at our place of business.
“Byron, are you married?”
“Who told you that?”
“Rhonda and I were chatting after your presentation. She may have mentioned there were some rumors years ago about you being married. I just want to hear from you they are simply rumors.”
He stepped closer to me.
“So when did we start letting rumors come between us?”
“We haven’t so don’t take it out of context. I mean I was just asking.”
“I love you Mariah. You’re the only woman for me. I don’t care what those sill women say about me behind by back. I have never participated in office gossip and I don’t plan to. I keep my personal life separate from my professional to prevent situations like this.”
I looked at him and smiled.
“You’re right and I love you too Byron.”
He wanted to kiss me.
I wanted to kiss him.
I remembered we were still at work.
“I know baby. We’ve been going strong. Don’t let some silly office gossip come between us. Our relationship is our business, not everyone else’s. I don’t get involved in all of that because I have you.”
He was right.
It was silly office gossip and we were good. Our relationship was growing stronger every day. We had other things to focus on.
I smiled at him.
“You ready for this weekend?” he asked.
“Yes I am even though I have no clue as to what we’re doing.”
“No worries. I promise it will be unforgettable.
“Well then let’s go Mr. Unforgettable.”
We laughed, said our goodbyes and walked out.
Aryelle
1
I was mesmerized by him. He was a real man and not these little boys I had dated in high school or college. He made me see that they were just
wasting my time. He knew how to talk to me, treat me and definitely please me. He is such a skillful lover. I was so happy to lose my virginity to him. I didn't want to waste my time with somebody my age who probably couldn't find the hole and when he did couldn't do anything in it.
Two good strokes and he would be passed out. I on the other hand would be hurting and pissed off. I figured if I was going to be in as much pain as they said I was I'd rather it be with somebody experienced.
Bing.
My text alert went off again.
Laurence: I'm so glad you came with me. I miss you baby.
Me: I miss you too. Are we still meeting later on tonight?
Laurence: Yes.
Me: I can't wait to see you. It seems like forever since we've seen each other. I miss your touch Daddy. I realize no one can make me feel like you do.
Laurence: That's because I'm the only man who knows how. I told you there will never be another man who will know how to please you.
Me: I know baby. She's all yours now and forever.
Laurence: That's right. I bet not ever hear about you giving it to anybody else.
Me: You won't baby.
Laurence: Ok I'll see you later.
Me: Yes, later.
I pressed the end button and locked my phone.
"Aryelle! Aryelle! Girl I know you hear me calling you!"
"What Ambrosia!"
I loved my best friend, but she could work a damn nerve sometimes.
"Aryelle, I've been trying to get your attention for the last ten minutes. What are you doing?"
I looked at her with this really look. I know she could see me texting. Why she would ask me that is beyond me. I just shook my head and laughed. We were two peas in a pod and I wouldn't trade her for anything.
"I'm texting crazy," I replied.
"Dang who you texting'?"
"Why?"
"Umm maybe because you're not paying attention to anything I'm saying."
She was right. I wasn't listening and hadn't heard a word she said. I was lost in the sexting I was doing on my phone. I had a late night creep session later and I was not at any point focused on her and her craziness. We had been childhood friends and next to my family she was the only other person who knew me from the inside out. We shared each other's high and low moments. Whether it was her family drama, my family drama or guy issues, we had been here for each other. At 23 years old, we knew everything about each other.
Well, almost everything.
I had a huge secret that I was keeping from her. A secret I know if she found out, it would definitely be the end of our friendship. Not to mention, the destruction of both our families.
"Trick, you never did answer my question."
"It's a new guy I'm dating."
"That's it, a new guy? I mean I can't get any more information than that? We’re best friends and that’s not how we gossip, you already know it!"
I sighed.
If she only knew that was all the information I could give her. I wanted to tell her more, then again I couldn't. Not without revealing too much and tipping my hand. Even if I gave her some information, there was no right way to say, "I'm sleeping with your daddy and we're getting married as soon as he leaves your mother."
This was definitely not going to be a happily ever after ending. Well, at least not at first. Once everyone got passed the initial anger and saw how much we were in love they would be happy for us. I was meant to be someone great. I was meant to be someone who everyone looked at and wanted to be. I would be that person with him. My dad would be upset because they had a long history with him. He would eventually understand though.
You can’t fight true love.
You definitely couldn’t fight what God had already predestined.
2
I never understood why when you gave short answers people would keep asking you questions. I mean after the second or third short answer, a clue should be caught.
"Spill the beans Aryelle!"
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything hooker! We don't keep secrets so let's go. Start from the beginning."
I had to cut some corners with this story. I couldn't tell her this has been going on for two years or she would be pissed. I definitely couldn't tell her we had been having sex like crazy. Regardless of the imaginary story I was getting ready to tell her, it needed to be believable. She stood against the wall with her arms crossed and her hip poked out. She wasn't letting this go. I hated when she got like this. I chuckled.
"We met about three months ago. We were at a Starbucks and he walked up to me and asked me for my number. We went out once or twice and have been texting each other since then."
She looked at me like she was waiting for more. Nosey ass. This is what happens when you tell folks all your business. They always want to know all of it.
"Is that all?” she asked expecting so much more. I knew making the story boring would throw her off course.
"Yeah for now, it's only been three months."
"Well by the lost in space moment you just had, you could've fooled me."
I rolled my eyes and laughed at her.
“Whatever,” I said.
"Well are you at least coming to the bonfire tonight right?" she asked soundly so sad. I knew what she was up to and I wasn’t buying into it.
I hadn't planned on going at all. I had a nice, romantic evening planned. Hanging out with everyone around a fire was definitely not on my list of things to do. Under normal circumstances I would be all in, not tonight though. We only had one more evening at the retreat and we would all be going home. I wanted one evening with him before we had to go back to our lives and those involved in it.
"I don't know. I hadn't planned on it," I answered as I was looking for something to wear tonight.
She gave me this I know you're up to something look. I wasn't sure if she was just being nosey or if her radar had been switched on. I had to watch it when it came to that. Ambrosia could jump into detective mode real quick. Her analytical mind was constantly going 150 mph. One minute I would think she’s moved on to something else. The next thing I know I'm under interrogation and looking for a way out. Luckily, I know her well enough to unplug the question box before she got started.
"I saw information on this forest night tour the campground gives and thought I'd check it out tonight."
I hated lying to her. I couldn't tell her this secret. Not this time, not ever. I had tried to walk away plenty of times. She wouldn't believe that and I knew it. Who would? Curiosity was a drug and a skillful tongue was all it took to reach that high.
"Oh yeah I saw that too. You should've said something because I wanted to go to."
I figured she would which is why I didn't say anything. The tour was my cover story as to why I wasn't going to the bonfire tonight. Ambrosia coming along would have thrown a wrench in all my plans. I hope she didn't change her mind about going tonight. I had a solid alibi and I really did not want to think of a new one.
"My bag, maybe we can do something tomorrow?
"Okay cool. So you know Demarcus is going to be a little sad you're not there."
"I'm sure he will," I said rolling my eyes.
I could care less about him being sad. I gave him a chance and he dropped the ball. He was one of those two strokes and pass out people I was talking about. After I had lost my virginity to my true love, he had broken my heart by reconciling with his wife. To ease my pain I went out with a couple of guys with Demarcus being one of them for a couple of months. We had a little too much to drink one night and one thing led to another. Next thing I knew he was inside me, two pumps, I blinked and it was over.
"You can give him another chance. It was two years ago and I'm sure he's improved since then."
I laughed so hard and gave her a save the plea for Demarcus look because it's not happening again. I was only using him and unfortunately for him he didn't capitalize on it. I'm a firm believer in first impressions. G
ive it your all the first time. You never know if there will be another chance to prove yourself. My man knew this and that's why it belonged to him.
Bing.
I grabbed my phone to see who was texting me. I smiled. My man.
Sidechick Chronicles Page 4
