Finding Love At Life's Crossroads: An Interracial Novel

by Skylar Ward

  “The last one wasn’t a bad idea. If those guys weren’t cons, it could have worked.”

  “It took my team all of ten minutes to figure out they were cons,” Ace retorted. “Something you could have easily done with a simple internet search.”

  Leyland stood and ambled over to the door. “Tell your team to put a rush on it, I don’t want to lose out on this opportunity. I have a gut feeling this is my time to finally carve out my niche.” He scowled. “Don’t think it is easy for me, asking you for handouts?”

  Ace pressed two fingers into his temple. “In that case, no one wants this venture to be more of a success than me.”

  As soon as Leyland left, Ace reached for his iPhone.

  Ace: Hi Haley, I’ll b in MA this W/E. See u on Sunday.

  <>

  Lexington Avenue, New York City

  Efia let out a loud sigh when she saw the time on her computer. She had been sitting, uninterrupted for the past three hours working on the employee’s work schedule and preparing a “To Do List,” for the night manager. One final thing to do, and I need to get it over with, she reminded herself and proceeded to open her email.

  To: Viktor Nilsson@thebiltbury.com

  From: Efia Kwateng@thebiltbury.com

  Subject: Maternity leave

  Dear Viktor,

  I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that I am expecting my first child in December. I plan to return to work after the customary maternity leave. In the interim, I will be happy to train Rosa or Marcellin to take over my duties while I am gone.

  Thanks,

  Efia

  <>

  Efia’s desk phone rang. She logged out of the computer with one hand and picked up the phone with the other.

  “Efia Kwateng.” Efia listened and nodded. “I will be right up, Madison.”

  Once on the main floor of the hotel, Efia noticed a young couple, sitting in the waiting area with their luggage. To Efia, they didn’t appear to be a day over nineteen years old.

  While another Front Desk clerk checked in an arriving guest, Efia took Madison aside. “What’s going on?”

  “Apparently, his parents suspended his credit card. The room is paid in full, but we can’t bill for the incidentals.”

  “How much are we talking about?” Efia asked.

  “Over five hundred dollars. They had room service, enjoyed the minibar, movies, etcetera …”

  “Have you seen Viktor?” Efia asked as Madison’s voice trailed off.

  “Are you kidding me? Today is Friday, Viktor is long gone.” She made double quotation mark signs with her fingers. “He is at his business meeting with the Russian bombshell who works across the street.”

  Efia mentally filed the tidbit of gossip away. She had already noticed that Viktor often assigned more of his responsibilities to her on Fridays.

  “Get me a printout of the bill,” Efia said.

  Madison, the doppelganger of Venessa Williams, stepped behind the Welcome Desk, tapped a few keys on her keyboard, and handed Efia two pages.

  Efia glanced at the names on the invoice. “Thank you. Give me a minute to speak with Pete and Mary-Beth.”

  “Sure,” Madison said. “They are the ones sitting in the waiting area.”

  When Efia approached the young couple, their stressful demeanor was not lost on her. She extended her hand. “Hi, I am Efia Kwateng, the assistant manager here at The Biltbury.”

  “Hi, I am Pete Sandford.” The blond hair and green eyes guy, clasped Efia’s hand in a firm handshake as he towered over her. “This is Mary-Beth Callaway.”

  Efia released Pete’s hand and shook Mary-Beth’s hand. “Why don’t you come with me.”

  Pete and Mary-Beth rolled their suitcases behind them as they followed Efia past the Welcome Desk, and around a corner into a private office.

  “Have a seat,” Efia said, pointing to the two available chairs.

  Even though this was Efia’s first opportunity at problem-solving since starting the job, she was far from being nervous. Sitting down, she hoped to put the young couple at ease. “Why don’t you tell me what happened?” she said.

  “My parents gave me this five-day getaway to New York City,” Pete smiled. “It’s a reward for single-handedly taking my team to the finals.”

  Mary-Beth rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t care about your quarterback prowess, Pete. She only cares about how the bill is paid.”

  “Yeah, right,” Pete said. “Like I said before, my parents gave me this getaway as a gift. When they found out Mary-Beth was with me, they cut me off.”

  “His parents hate me,” Mary-Beth said, combing her fingers through her shoulder-length, blue hair. “They thought he was here with Savannah Bogart.”

  “I see,” Efia said, placing the invoice on the desk. “How do you plan to pay this bill?”

  Pete cleared his throat. “I explained to the woman at the desk that since we are leaving two days earlier than originally planned, she can use the money from the room toward our bill.”

  “Unfortunately, that is not how it works,” Efia said.

  “Why not?” Pete asked. “You have the room back.”

  “Did you read our Refund Policy when you made your reservation?”

  “Who has time for that?” Pete replied.

  Efia thought about the many times she hadn’t read the fine print before signing a contract, but this was not about her, so she brought her focus back to the young couple. “Okay, this is what I will do,” she said. “You can complete your planned trip, and I will comp your current bill and your food for the next two days.”

  Mary-Beth jumped up and hugged Efia, catching her by surprise. “Thank you, Thank you!”

  “You will do that for us?” Pete asked.

  “Yes,” Efia said. “There is only one caveat.”

  “Anything,” Pete said, sounding relieved.

  “No alcoholic beverages,” Efia said.

  “Deal,” Pete said. “Man, today is our lucky day, thank you, Miss ... What was your name again?

  “Efia Kwateng.”

  “Thank you, Ms. Kwateng. Thank you very much.”

  “You are welcome,” Efia said, picking up the phone on the desk. “Madison, Mr. Sandford and Ms. Callaway will complete their stay with us.”

  Efia listened, nodding occasionally. “Yes, I will sign off on that. Please have a bellhop take their luggage back to their room. Thank you, Madison.”

  “We can carry our own luggage,” Pete said.

  Efia raised her finger. “Just a sec,” She pressed a few numbers on the phone. “Hi, housekeeping, this is Efia Kwateng. I need the contents of the mini-bar removed from room 507.”

  Someone knocked on the door.

  “Come in.”

  A bellhop entered. Efia stood. “Do you have enough cash to get back home?”

  “Yes,” Pete said, reaching for Mary-Beth’s hand. “We have that covered.”

  Efia picked up the invoice from the desk. “Good.” She extended her hand to Pete. “Welcome to The Biltbury. I hope you enjoy the balance of your stay.”

  Mary-Beth giggled. “Thank you for everything, Ms. Kwateng.”

  Pete’s lip trembled slightly, and he quickly turned away.

  Chapter 28

  The Ritz-Carlton

  Drenched in sweat, Ace Davenport, dropped to the mattress in the luxury suite, taking Haley Hollingsworth with him.

  “You have more stamina than a thoroughbred,” Haley panted. “I’ll need two days just to recover.”

  Smiling, Ace placed his hand at Haley’s back. He rolled to his side and disconnected their bodies. He threw his legs over the mattress, settling for a seated position.

  “Do you want to order room service, or do you want to go out?” he asked.

  Haley reached over, caressing Ace’s thigh. “Since you are leaving tomorrow, we should stay in. I don’t want to share you with your business associates who we are certain to run into.”

  Ace covere
d her hand with his own, squeezing it. A few minutes later, he placed Haley’s hand on the mattress. Holding in place the latex covering his shaft, he headed for the bathroom.

  Haley blew him a kiss. “I am so excited having you all to myself.”

  Ace stopped in the bathroom’s doorway. He watched Haley’s sprawled, naked body. “Are you changing the rules on me already?”

  “Darling,” Haley cooed. “It’s only a night.”

  “Don’t lose sight of that,” Ace said, disappearing into the spa-like, ensuite bathroom. A few minutes later, he emerged with a towel around his waist and a bathrobe in his hand. He approached the bed and gave Haley the hotel’s white terry robe.

  “Someone has been desperately trying to reach you, darling.”

  Ace reached for his phone and scrolled through the missed texts. “Why don’t you take your shower. I have to make a phone call.”

  Haley entered the walk-in closet, emerging with a toiletry bag and a skimpy black nightwear. Ace smiled as she strutted across the room. When she disappeared into the bathroom, he turned his attention back to the text messages. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he made a phone call.

  “Come on, Dad, answer the phone.”

  “Hi, Dad,” Ace said when Steven finally answered.

  “I received a text from an associate in Vegas. Leyland has gotten himself arrested.”

  Ace listened and nodded before replying, “Allegedly, Leyland and his female companion trashed a hotel room. The charges can go away, but it will cost us.” Ace glanced at the closed bathroom door. “I will text you the contact information. You have to handle this because I am tied up until tomorrow.”

  <>

  Bronx, New York

  Efia grumbled the entire walk up the stairs to her parent’s fourth-floor apartment. Incensed that her mother had demanded she come over, and on a Sunday, no less, which happened to be the only day she was off for the week. Having to be at work first thing in the morning, Efia couldn’t imagine what could be so important.

  Efia entered the apartment.

  “Surprise!”

  “Mercy!” Efia shouted, stumbling back through the door.

  “Help her,” Rosina screeched.

  Efia steadied herself. “I am all right, Mom.”

  “I got her,” Ashley said, reaching Efia’s side.

  “What are you doing here?” Efia asked.

  “I have a few days off,” Ashley said. “I came in on Friday.

  “And you didn’t come home to your own apartment?”

  “I was busy helping a friend.”

  Efia squinted. “What friend?”

  Ashley grabbed Efia’s hand. “Come inside.”

  “Is Dad in, Mom?”

  “No,” Rosina said. “He is off from work tomorrow, so I don’t expect him until late tonight.”

  “Dad should be careful walking in from the bus stop late at night,” Efia said.

  “His friend, Kwame Mahama, bought a new car,” Rosina said. “He brings him home from the social club.”

  “Thank God,” Efia said.

  “Close your eyes,” Ashley said to Efia.

  “Why?” Efia asked.

  “Go on, my child.” Rosina smiled. “Close your eyes.”

  Ashley held Efia’s hand. “We have two surprises for you.”

  Efia closed her eyes. “Don’t let me bump into anything.”

  After guiding Efia into the living room, Ashley said, “And for surprise number one, you can open your eyes.”

  “Samuel Njoku!” Efia ran toward Sam.

  Samuel lifted Efia off the ground. “It has been too long since I last saw you.”

  “Only a year, Sam.”

  Sam put Efia down. “It’s a year, too, long.”

  “How are your law studies coming along?” How is Harvard? How are your parents?” Efia asked.

  “Let me take these questions one at a time,” Sam replied.

  Rosina chuckled. “He is already answering you like a lawyer.”

  “My law studies are hectic, Harvard is exciting, and my parents are well.”

  Efia patted Sam’s hand. “What brought you here?”

  “Your mother told me you were back in town. And my cousin Peter’s housewarming is next weekend. I wanted to invite you.”

  “That is lovely,” Rosina said. “He works in real estate, right?”

  “Yes,” Sam replied.

  “Shortly, we will be ready to buy something,” Rosina said. “You must give us Peter’s phone number.”

  “I’ll be happy to,” Sam replied. “Peter will take good care of you.”

  “Where is Peter’s house?” Efia asked.

  “It is in Harlem. “It’s a beautiful brownstone. I can’t wait to show it to you.”

  Efia wished her situation was different. She would have loved to visit the brownstone, but doing so would embarrass her father since the Njoku’s friendship with her parents pre-dated both her and Sam’s birth.

  “I can’t make it, Sam,” she said. “Tell Peter I am proud of him and say hello to your parents for me.” Efia tapped Ashley’s arm. “Where is the next surprise?”

  “Oh, yes,” Ashley said. “Close your eyes.”

  “Do we have to repeat this?”

  “Do you want the surprise or not?”

  Efia closed her eyes and allowed Ashley, Rosina, and Sam to lead her from the room.

  A minute later, Ashley said, “Open!”

  Efia opened her eyes. “Oh, no! How? When?”

  Rosina hugged Efia close to her bosom. “I have been planning it for a few weeks. Sam and Ashley helped me to put the finishing touches together. Also, I hired one of the local guys in the neighborhood to help us out.”

  Stepping back, Efia tottered further into her childhood bedroom, stunned at the transformation. She extended her arms. “What can I say? Thank you, doesn’t seem like enough. This room is spectacular.”

  The makeover was fit for a TV show. Gone were the bright pink walls, replaced with a soft gray hue, white ceilings, trims, and doors. The floors no longer appeared old and scuffed. They now spoke sophistication, thanks to sanding and a dark stain. A couple of neutral throw rugs added warmth.

  When Efia glimpsed the new fan hanging from the ceiling, she smiled. Mom thought of everything! “This will come in handy in the summer months.”

  Efia swung her attention to the spot where the old oak dresser had previously stayed. In its place stood sleek floating shelves, an attached-to-the-wall desk, table lamp, and chair. She sat on the bed. She had never imagined a full-size bed in the space. She ran her hand across the colorful African print fabric headboard. The gold, brown, and green combination were the perfect pop of color for the space.

  “Did you make this, Mom?”

  “I did,” Rosina said. “Do you like it?”

  Efia slid from the bed and hugged her mother. She took another peek at the space, soaking all of it in.

  “Come see your new closet,” Ashley said, throwing open the closet door.

  Efia peeped over Ashley’s shoulder. “OH, MY GOD.” Efia clasped her hands together. “There is a ton of space, and shelves, too. I can store all my makeup and hair products for my YouTube tutorials. This is incredible.” Efia faced the trio in the room “I can’t thank you enough.”

  Sam came up beside Efia and held her hand. He kissed her cheek. “You deserve it.”

  “Did you notice there is room for the bassinet?” Rosina said. “The baby can sleep comfortably in here with you.”

  “What baby?” Sam asked.

  Ashley plopped down on the bed, eyeballing Efia.

  Rosina grasped Ashley’s hand. “Come, let us go. Give Efia and Sam a chance to talk in peace.”

  Efia pulled her hand away from Sam. “My baby.”

  “No one said you were married.”

  Tired of that very statement, Efia rolled her eyes. “You don’t have to be married to have a baby, Sam.”

  “And why not?” Sam said. “Your
parents were married and so were mine.”

  Chastised by her parents—yes, acceptable. Scolded by Sam—hell no!

  “Look, I am pregnant, there will be no marriage. It was a one-time thing with the father. Now, I intend to raise my child by myself. Is there anything else you would like to know?” Efia asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.

  “Marry me,” Sam said. “I will be the baby’s father.”

  “What?”

  “Marry me.”

  Efia wandered around the room, running her hand along some of the new items. “I can’t marry you, Sam. You are your parents’ pride and joy, they would disown you.”

  “I will tell them it is my baby.”

  Efia’s hand paused on the metal base of the reading desk lamp. “My child might not resemble any of us.”

  Sam sat on the edge of the bed. “What are you saying, Efia?”

  “My baby’s father is white, Sam.”

  Sam considered Efia for what seemed like ages. Finally, he moved closer to her. “You slept with a stranger?”

  Efia stiffened. “Yes, I did, Sam. And you know why?” Without waiting for his reply, Efia continued. “Because I wanted to.”

  “You have changed,” Sam whispered. “What a pity!”

  “Haven’t we all?” Efia asked.

  “Not like this.”

  “I refuse to allow you to shame me, Sam.” Efia touched her stomach. “My baby was made with love. The father might not care about me right now, but I can guarantee you, his feelings were strong then.”

  “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to demean you. This will take some getting used to. I always imagined we would be husband and wife, and your child would be mine.”

  Efia studied Sam. At five feet ten, with a similar hue as hers, he was a handsome man. On paper he was the perfect match, having been raised in a similar household. And more importantly, he was a decent man. Efia wished her heart could have taken the plunge for Sam the way it did for Ace Davenport. The heart wants what the heart wants. Efia shook her head, shutting down her thoughts.

  “You are a loyal friend, Sam,” she said. “You will meet a wonderful, Ghanaian woman that pleases your parents.”

  “I meet women all the time,” Sam said. “I was waiting for you.”

  Feeling empowered, Efia said, “I am not available, Sam. I won’t be dating anyone for a long time. I refuse to bring another man into my child’s life. I won’t let anyone disparage or mistreat my child.”