Lessons In Love (Bantu Academy Series Book 1)

by D. Camille

  “A whip?” Leslie asked with interest.

  Kenya looked at Caelum. “Take her away, please.”

  “Come on goddess. We can talk about that later.” Caelum led Leslie away.

  “That girl is going to kill that man.” Kenya shook her head.

  Niyah laughed. “He’ll die happy because he worships the ground she walks on.”

  Kenya agreed. “They had the perfect, romantic love story.”

  “Ours was amazing, too,” Rashad said, pulling Niyah close.

  She smiled at him. “Come on, let’s go get set up in the lower grades, where we’re assigned.”

  Josiah watched Kenya look longingly, as she watched Niyah and Rashad take their children away. His attention then turned to the door as two men entered. The pair stopped first to chat with Leslie and Caelum, then joined Kenya and Josiah.

  “Malik and Tariq. Thank you both for coming,” Kenya told them.

  “The Bantu Academy became our home when we worked on the Black History Program.” Malik told her.

  “This place is ridiculous!” Tariq said, looking around. “This school goes all out.”

  “Thank you both for your help and volunteering.” Josiah told them, shaking each of their hands.

  Tariq grinned. “Well, I get to be in charge, and Malik’s goddess will be here, so it’s a win-win for both of us.”

  Malik looked at Tariq, then turned to Kenya. “Which area am I assigned to?”

  “The middle grades.” She answered. “Khai is also over there…”

  He nodded at her. “Good look. Thank you goddess.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  With one last look at Tariq, Malik walked away, hearing Tariq laugh.

  Turning back to the couple, Tariq asked, “Where am I?”

  “High-schoolers.” They said together.

  “Oh, y’all really want me to work tonight?” He asked.

  Kenya grinned. “You said you like to run things…so there you go.”

  “This is what kings do.”

  With that he was headed to his area, and Kenya turned to Josiah.

  “That was all interesting.”

  He watched her. “Yes, it was. I learned something.”

  “What?”

  Josiah shook his head. “Just a mental note.” He looked at his watch. “I need to go check on the food.”

  Kenya looked at him suspiciously. “Okay…”

  With that he was out the door, and Kenya wondered what he’d filed away as a mental note.

  ******

  Outside, Josiah saw the catering truck for Mr. Jays pull up, then went to assist Miss Ella and the workers.

  “Hello, baby…” Miss Ella hugged him.

  “Hello, Miss Ella.” Josiah said, kissing her cheek. “Thank you for getting this order together.

  “You know I’ll take care of you.”

  He smiled. “You always have.”

  “Where’s that pretty woman?”

  “She’s inside, taking care of other things.”

  The staff began unloading the trays, and Josiah showed them into the gym. Carrying a few trays, with Miss Ella by his side, they went to the food area and began setting up.

  “You still remember how to do this?”

  He grinned. “Yes ma’am. I haven’t forgotten. I used to work all your catering parties back in New Orleans. That’s what kept legitimate money in my pockets.”

  “You were one of my best.” She told him, placing items on the table.

  “Hey, can I help?” Kenya asked, and they both turned.

  Miss Ella held out her arms. “Well, hello, Josiah’s pretty woman.”

  Josiah smiled as the two women hugged.

  “Hello, Miss Ella. So nice to see you again.”

  “You too, baby.” She looked over Kenya. “Don’t you look just lovely.”

  “Yes, she does…” Josiah agreed, while still setting up the table.

  Kenya looked at them both. “Thank you very much.”

  “And this place…” Miss Ella said, looking around. “It’s so nice.”

  “The decorator did a great job.” Kenya said, also looking around again.

  She saw Kita on the other side of the space, then saw Tariq approaching her…

  “Good evening, beautiful black woman,”

  Kita turned to see the handsome man behind her, then looked around to see who he was talking to…

  “Are you talking to me?” she asked, pointing at herself.

  “You are a beautiful black woman.” He replied.

  “Uh…thank you…”

  He held out a hand. “I’m Tariq.”

  “Kita.” She said shaking it.

  “Are you a chaperone in this area tonight?” Tariq inquired.

  She smiled. “No, I’m the decorator.”

  He looked around the gym. “You did this?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I have my own company.”

  “A goddess that is beautiful, talented and driven?” He told her. “I have to be thankful to the Universe to be in your presence…”

  She looked around again. “Okay, is this like a prank or something?”

  Tariq frowned. “No, this is who I am…”

  Kita nodded. “Alright, then…what do you do Tariq?”

  “I’m a businessman.”

  She lifted a brow. “Legal or illegal?”

  “Come on goddess. Would you ask a non-black man that question, if he told you he was a businessman?” Tariq questioned.

  Kita thought about it. “Not so quickly, I’m sure…”

  “To ease your mind, I run businesses that operate under the laws of this land for the fact that I do not want to be a product of someone’s wealth through my incarceration.”

  She looked impressed. “You sound like an intellect.”

  “I am many things, but first and foremost…a black man.”

  Kita looked him over. “It’s been a pleasure chatting with you Tariq, but I need to make sure everything is ready for the students.”

  “I’m sure we could use some help over here in the high school section, so if you have the time, I hope you stick around tonight, so that we can converse some more.” Tariq offered.

  Kita looked into his face. “I will definitely think about it.”

  “Ase’.”

  “What does that mean?”

  He grinned. “So let it be done…”

  Back across the gym, Josiah was expertly setting up the serving table as Kenya watched.

  “How do you know how to do that, Josiah?” she asked him.

  Josiah and Miss Ella looked up.

  “I used to work catering for Miss Ella back in New Orleans, and here when the restaurant first opened.” He answered.

  “He was the best I had,” Miss Ella added. “And I always encouraged him to own his own restaurant…I knew Mr. Jay’s would be as success as soon as he told me about it.”

  Josiah froze as Kenya looked at him in confusion.

  “You own Mr. Jay’s?” she asked.

  He sat the items down in his hands and walked around the table, as Miss Ella watched.

  “So…uh…”

  Kenya frowned at him. “So…uh…Josiah?”

  “I don’t even consider myself the owner. Miss Ella does everything over there. I’m just a name on a paper.” He explained.

  “And you couldn’t tell me that?”

  “I really don’t tell anybody.”

  Kenya looked at him. “I’m anybody?”

  He stepped closer. “No, you know that.”

  “Whatever, Josiah…”

  Kenya turned and walked away, and Josiah rubbed his face.

  “Why didn’t you tell that woman?” Miss Ella asked behind him.

  “I don’t even know…”

  She put a hand on his back. “She’s upset. Do you care?”

  “Yes. I care very much.”

  “Then go get her. I’ve got this over here.”

  He looked down at her. “Thank
you, Miss Ella.”

  Josiah headed toward the door that Kenya had walked out of…

  “Ooops, looks like there’s trouble in paradise,” Chris commented to Ms. Adams, after they saw Kenya and Josiah talking, then her rushing out of the gym, and later him following.

  “I don’t know what those two have been up to,” Ms. Adams told him.

  He sighed. “I’ve watched these young people for a while. They start off in tranquil waters, then it gets choppy before they hit rocks,” Chris said, shaking his head. “But they always make it ashore in the end…”

  “I appreciate your analogy…”

  He smiled. “I appreciate your time this evening.”

  “I will have to start mingling with the chaperones and students soon, but I’ve enjoyed your time, Chris.”

  “Then maybe, we can have some more time, if that would work for you?”

  “I do think that I can make it work.”

  Chris looked into her face. “Well, I’m going to stick around this evening and guard this stage that’s on loan from the studio.” He paused. “Would you be open to a dance later?”

  “After all, it is the school dance, and I do want to set the example for my students, so I will take you up on that offer.” Ms. Adams smiled.

  “Thank you Ms. Adams.”

  “Thank you Chris…and it’s Nadine.”

  Out in the hall, Kenya walked quickly toward the door to get some air and to calm herself. When she stepped outside, she saw Dameon, Javon, and Ms. Wilkins arriving along with Asha and Khai.

  “Hi Ms. Barrett!” Dameon rushed to her with a smile.

  She composed herself. “Hi, Dameon. I’m so glad you could make it.”

  Ms. Wilkins held out a hand. “Ms. Barrett.”

  “Ms. Wilkins. How are you?” She asked, as the two shook hands.

  The woman smiled. “I’m doing better.” She looked back at Asha and Khai. “Thanks to you, and these ladies, right here.”

  “I’m so happy to hear that.” Kenya told her, then turned to the sisters. “And I’m so happy that you two are here. Thanks for volunteering.”

  Khai and Asha smiled. “We’re glad to be here to support the students and the parents,” Asha replied.

  “And Malik is here,” Khai said with a grin.

  “Yes, he is. He’s inside, waiting for you.” Kenya told her.

  The two sisters headed inside, and Ms. Wilkins looked at Kenya.

  “I know that we gave you and Mr. Webber a hard time, but I can’t thank you both enough for not giving up on us.” She looked at her boys. “I have both my sons, and our family is getting stronger.”

  “Mr. Webber, put a lot on the line,” Kenya said, looking at the family. “Because he knew you were worth it…”

  At that moment, Josiah stepped outside, and all the Wilkins smiled at him. Javon was the first to greet him.

  “Mr. Webber!”

  They fist bumped one another. “Javon, good to see you.”

  “You, too.”

  “How are things?” Josiah asked.

  Javon smiled. “Much better. I actually kinda like this school.”

  Josiah nodded. “I’m glad. There’s a party inside, so have a good time.”

  “Thanks,” Javon said, before Dameon came to fist bump Josiah.

  “How’s it going Dameon?”

  The boy looked up at him. “I’ve been doing what’s right, Mr. Webber.”

  “Okay, now. That’s what I want to hear.”

  Ms. Wilkins stepped in front of him. “I was just telling Ms. Barrett how thankful I am to both of you, for helping me…get the help I needed.”

  “You’re welcome. Ms. Barrett and we both wanted the best, for all of you.”

  She nodded, then took her boys inside, leaving Kenya and Josiah outside the building.

  “Kenya, I’m sorry…”

  Folding her arms, she stared at him.

  “And this is why I send men packing…” She said angrily. “I don’t have time for the bullshit!”

  Josiah moved closer. “I’m sorry…” he repeated.

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  “I honestly don’t know. Like I said, it’s just something that I don’t tell anybody…but, you know that you’re not anybody to me…and I should’ve told you at some point.” He admitted.

  “What else aren’t you telling me? Do you have a bunch of kids back in New Orleans?” she snapped.

  “Come on…”

  She frowned. “Come on, what?”

  “Of course, there are other things that I haven’t told you about me. Maybe some, that I may never share, because they’re things that I don’t want to remember, but there is nothing that is detrimental to our relationship.” Josiah told her.

  “You don’t think not telling me that you own a very successful restaurant is detrimental to our relationship?”

  ‘No. I don’t…because eventually I was going to tell you that I own half of the restaurant. I also own stocks, a rental property, and a timeshare…is any of this detrimental to what we have?” He questioned. “Does any of it make me a different man, from the one you know?”

  Kenya stared at him in silence.

  “I want you to have the best this world has to offer you, and I want to be with you every step of the way.” He repeated her words, then shook his head. “That’s love, right?”

  She watched him turn and walk back into the building.

  ******

  Josiah counseled himself as he walked back toward the gym.

  Yes, I could’ve told her, and I apologized…what more can I do? Stay calm and get through the evening. Do your job and take care of the students…then take care of Kenya.

  “Josiah!”

  He stopped, when he heard Kenya call his name. She had a way of saying it, that no other woman could. Slowly, he turned and saw her at the door. He waited quietly, while she walked up to him, then Kenya took his hand, and pulled him into an empty overflow room.

  Closing the door, she turned to look up at him. “You’re just going to let me go?”

  “No. Not at all.”

  “Then why’d you walk away?”

  “Because we have hundreds of students coming tonight, and I won’t let our personal issues affect our responsibilities.” He replied.

  “Josiah, it was just a surprise to me, because you’d never said anything…but it does make sense. I mean you don’t know all my finances, and you’ve never asked, like I’ve never asked you.” She moved closer to him. “To answer your question, it doesn’t change the man that I know, and to be honest, I shouldn’t have been surprised that you handle your money business.”

  “At least you know, I’m not trying to have you take care of me.” He said, wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her close.

  “I knew that already.”

  Josiah held her gaze. “Do you accept my apology?”

  “Yes, baby…I do.” Kenya reached up to touch his face.

  “Kenya, if there was anything in my life that would hurt you, I would’ve told you day one. I’m a very imperfect man, but one thing I’d never do, is bring any distress to my woman.” He told her.

  “You promised to seduce me…”

  “I’ve promised you even more than that.”

  She lowered his head to hers and the kiss brought them back together. Wrapped in Josiah’s arms, Kenya showed him that she didn’t want to lose him.

  The door opened and they both turned to see Mr. West.

  “Oh! Sorry!”

  “Did you need something?” Josiah asked, lifting a brow, and Kenya felt him tense.

  He shook his head. “No. I’m fine.”

  “You good?” Josiah asked pointedly.

  Mr. West nodded, then closed the door, and Josiah turned back to the woman in his arms.

  “Let’s get back to work.” He told her. “So I can get back to seducing you…

  Chapter 10

  Summer…

  Kenya looked out the w
indow, as Josiah drove to their destination.

  Turning to him, she grinned. “Isn’t it a perfect day for a wedding?”

  He glanced at her. “What makes it perfect?”

  “The sun is shining…”

  “Doesn’t the sun shine every day in LA?”

  She smirked at him. “Stop.”

  “I mean, it does.”

  “Fine, it’s just a beautiful day and black love is in the air. Leslie and Caelum’s day is going to be perfect.” She said turning back to the window.

  Josiah reached for her hand. “Every day with you is perfect.”

  Kenya turned back. “I feel the same way with you.”

  He smiled at her and continued driving. When they arrived, Josiah helped her out and they walked over to the mountaintop venue. Looking out over the landscape, Kenya sighed.

  “This is so beautiful,”

  “It is,” Josiah agreed.

  Kenya turned to him. “I can’t wait to see this wedding. It’s supposed have Khemetic beliefs interspersed.”

  “This should be interesting.” He agreed.

  Josiah led her to where the outdoor ceremony was set up, then gave a low whistle.

  “Somebody dropped some stacks on this.” He said surveying the elaborate decorations.

  “He’s a god and she’s a goddess.” Kenya told him. “I won’t be surprised to see some cosmic things going on.”

  They found some seats among the crowd, and Josiah put his arm around the back of her chair, before leaning closer.

  “You look so good.” Josiah whispered in her ear.

  Kenya smiled. “Thank you.”

  He nuzzled her neck. “You smell good, too.”

  She turned to him. “What’s up with you?”

  “I can’t compliment my woman?” he asked.

  “Thank you. You look and smell good, too.” Kenya said, looking into his face. “I like your beard trim and haircut.”

  “I clean up nice.”

  “You’ll do…” she teased.

  He laughed and sat back. “I had to make sure I was on point. Apparently, Caelum knows a lot of single dudes.”

  “What are you talking about?” Kenya asked with a frown. “I’m not interested in Caelum’s friends, or anybody else for that matter.”

  “I know how you like to send them packing. I’m surprised every day that I’m still on the team.” Josiah told her.

  “Keep talking like that you might be on the bench, for real.”

  He smiled. “I know how to put in the work, to get back in the game.”