Finding Love At Life's Crossroads: An Interracial Novel

by Skylar Ward

  “Are you Ms. Kwateng?” he asked.

  “That’s me,” Efia said.

  He extended his hand. “William Cobb.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mr. Cobb.”

  Cobb strolled ahead of Efia. “Let us get started, shall we?”

  They entered the lobby and boarded the elevator. In short order, the elevator opened into the apartment.

  “This is one of the finest apartments on Fifth Avenue. Why don’t we start in the gallery?”

  Efia followed Cobb into a large room. “Interesting,” she said, admiring the many paintings on the walls.

  “I am confident Mr. Davenport will hang some of Mrs. Davenport’s paintings in this room,” Cobb said. “It’s the perfect place to display his late, beloved wife’s work.”

  Efia smiled, refusing to dignify Cobb’s condescension with a comment.

  “Let us go through to the formal living space,” Cobb said.

  “Beautiful fireplace,” Efia said entering the room. Her gaze switched back-and-forth between the Corinthian columns archway, the fresco ceilings, the wooden floors, and the dark wood trims.

  As Cobb ushered Efia from room to room, she felt dizzy from the avalanche of textures. She couldn’t wait for the appointment to end. When they returned to the dining room, Cobb picked up his tablet, typing into it.

  “What do you think?” he asked without lifting his head.

  “Don’t get me wrong,” Efia said. “This place is beautiful, it’s just not my style.”

  “I see,” Cobb said with a slight smirk.

  Bastard! Efia took a deep breath. “I am interested in more comfort and less Museum.”

  “Care to elaborate?”

  Efia ran her hand over the fabric-covered wall. “My daughter would back her bike into this daily and ruin it. I need a child-friendly space.”

  Cobb faced Efia. “I have had the honor of working with Mr. Davenport and his late wife, Jodi. I can assure you, this is precisely Mr. Davenport’s style.”

  “It might be Mr. Davenport’s style, but as long as I am living in the unit, I will have a say, I can assure you,” Efia said. “And today, I am saying this is not the apartment for us.”

  “I will have a word with Mr. Davenport,” Cobb huffed.

  “You do that,” Efia retorted. In the meantime, I will find an agent who understands Mr. Davenport, and I are the clients, not Mr. Davenport and his late wife.”

  Cobb took a deep breath and loosened his tie.

  “It’s obvious you don’t have any suitable inventory,” Efia said. “I will see myself out.”

  Cobb moved next to Efia. “Ms. Kwateng?”

  Efia squinted at Cobb.

  “We need a reset, Ms. Kwateng.” Cobb extended his hand. “Accept my apologies, it’s been a rough morning.”

  Efia ignored Cobb’s hand, believing he would have been respectful had she been someone else.

  “Please, Ms. Kwateng.”

  Efia relented.

  “Why don’t we sit and have a chat?” Cobb said.

  “I have another appointment,” Efia said.

  “This won’t take long, Ms. Kwateng, I promise.”

  “Ten minutes,” Efia said.

  “Thank you,” Cobb said, with a sweep of his hand. “After you.”

  “Here you go,” Cobb said, drawing a chair for Efia.

  “Thank you,” Efia said through tight lips.

  “Why don’t you tell me your must-haves?”

  “For starters, this is not my preferred neighborhood. I want to be downtown, so stick to Tribeca.”

  Cobb made a few notes. “Got it.”

  “I would prefer new construction. I don’t have to be the first person to live there. I just don’t want to do any major renovations. Two bedrooms would be perfect for me.”

  Cobb’s eyebrows shot up.

  “I know Ace wants four or five with the same number of bathrooms,” Efia said.

  “Should I search for two bedrooms or more?”

  “Ace wins on that issue,” Efia replied.

  Cobb chuckled. “Mr. Davenport will be happy.”

  “And another thing,” Efia said. “I want an open floor plan with lots of natural light. A spacious kitchen with modern amenities, and some outdoor space.”

  Cobb scanned his notes. “I expect something to hit the market next week. The owner recently got a job transfer to Luxemburg, and would like to sell the place furnished.”

  “I am happy to view the unit; however, I prefer to decorate it myself. I don’t want to start life with other people’s crosses hanging over me.”

  “Crosses?”

  “People’s belongings absorb their negative energy, Mr. Cobb.”

  Cobb laughed. “Sage is my wife’s go-to treatment for negativity. If you like the place, I am sure the owner will be happy to deliver it vacant.”

  “I am off next Thursday.” Efia stood. “Email me the specs on the unit before then. I don’t want to waste your time or mine.”

  “Of course!” Cobb stood. “Let me escort you out.”

  “Shouldn’t you turn the lights off?”

  “I will,” Cobb said. “After I walk you out.”

  Money! Efia inwardly snickered as Cobb accompanied her through the marble lobby. It makes all the difference in the world.

  Out on the sidewalk, Cobb extended his hand. “Thank you for giving me a second chance, Ms. Kwateng. I will be in touch.”

  Efia’s hand disappeared in his. “I can’t wait to see the next apartment.”

  “And I can’t wait to show it to you,” Cobb said enthusiastically. “Enjoy the rest of your day, Ms. Kwateng.”

  Chapter 19

  “Are you stupid?” Ashley asked, sipping her Caramel Frappuccino blend. “With all that money in the bank, you can afford to shop. You need to live a little, Efia.”

  Thrilled to join Ashley who was on vacation, Efia smiled. She could always count on her friend for a straight answer.

  “I don’t know,” Efia said. “What if this is a test?”

  “A test? I wish someone would test me with all those zeroes and a condo on top of it.”

  “What if Ace tries to take Yasmine from me?” Efia whispered.

  “Why would he open a joint account with you?”

  “Probably to see if I am irresponsible with his money.”

  “You are overthinking this,” Ashley said.

  “Maybe you are right.”

  “Are you ready to shop?”

  “Yes,” Efia said, “but I am only spending my money. Now that Yasmine’s extracurricular activities are covered I can treat myself to a nice pair of shoes.”

  “You are a saint, Efia. If I had access to that kind of cash, I would have to hire a limo to carry all my Prada bags.”

  Efia drank the last of her coffee. “Come on, let us go and try on red bottom shoes.”

  “Now you are talking,” Ashley said. “And you have to buy a new dress, too.”

  “I bought one last month, remember?”

  Ashley made a face.

  “What’s that face for?” Efia asked, dumping her cup in the trash receptacle.

  “Don’t get me wrong. That dress is not bad, but it can’t stand next to any Christian Louboutin shoes.”

  “That dress costs one hundred and ten dollars on sale,” Efia said.

  “It’s still not an uptown dress, sweetie.”

  “Uptown, downtown, I don’t care,” Efia’s voice rose an octave. “I don’t have money to throw around on a ton of ridiculously priced clothing I don’t know when I will ever wear.”

  “You have to stop living in the past,” Ashley said. “You have a rich man now. You have to look like you belong when you stand next to him.”

  “Who said I will be standing next to him?”

  “Oh, I get it,” Ashley whispered. “You are only lying next to him.”

  “Oh, stop that, we love our daughter. The other stuff is just two people getting their jollies off.”

  Ashle
y snorted. “Did you just say jollies?”

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  “You know what? I miss the heck out of talking to you every day.” Ashley hugged Efia. “I can’t believe I am saying this, I miss all your funny, old lady sayings.”

  As they exited Starbucks, Efia’s phone rang. She glanced at the screen.“It’s Sam.”

  “Tell him, I said, hi.”

  “Hi, Sam. Yasmine is fine. I am off today. I am about to do some shopping with Ashley. She said, hi.” Efia made impatient hurry up movements with her hand. “You can drop by this evening. Okay, I will see you later. Bye.”

  “Sam is stopping by to see Yasmine.”

  “I am surprised you are allowing him to visit, considering there is no love lost between him and Davenport.”

  “Sam has been good to Yasmine. I know he won’t be able to drop in when we move, it’s the least I can do.”

  “It’s going to tear Sam apart when he doesn’t have access to you,” Ashley said.

  “He will miss me for a bit, but Sam will get on with his life.”

  “Remember your relationship with Ace is a priority, anything else is just white noise,” Ashley warned.

  “Except for being the mother of Ace’s heir, I don’t know what our relationship status is?”

  “Do you know how many women and men would kill for what you have?”

  “I suppose,” Efia said. “I have to admit, it’s nice having Ace around.”

  “Nice? If your glow is any indication, I would say it is freaking great.”

  “Keep your voice down,” Efia whispered. “People are staring at us.”

  “Who cares? Let them stare.”

  “Let us hurry before I change my mind,” Efia said. “I can see my dad pointing a disapproving finger at my expensive shoes.”

  “Speaking of dads, my dad met someone,” Ashley said.

  Efia stopped walking, a look of concern covering her face. “Where?”

  Ashley laughed, and they resume walking.

  “He met her at the church’s soup kitchen where he has been volunteering. She is a nice person, around my mom’s age.”

  “Sounds like you approve.”

  “I do,” Ashley said. “But I must tell you, there is something wrong when my dad is getting more than me. There should be a law preventing parents from scoring more than their adult kids.”

  “When are you going to start dating?” Efia asked.

  “When I find my prince charming.” Ashley hit Efia on the arm. “I keep looking Calico Cays Resort, hoping to find an Ace Davenport.”

  Chapter 20

  Liam, Ace's New York City driver, drove the town car up to the five-story brick building in the Norwood Section of the Bronx and parallel parked. Ace stepped from the vehicle, carrying a garment bag. Liam got out and removed a suitcase from the trunk. He followed Ace to the entrance. Ace pressed the doorbell.

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s Ace, Efia.”

  Silence.

  “Efia?”

  “Sorry about that. Come on up.”

  The door buzzed. Liam entered the building, taking the four flights of stairs where they found Efia in the open doorway. Efia moved, and Liam deposited Ace’s luggage in the apartment.

  He turned to Ace. “Will that be all, Mr. Davenport?”

  “Yes, Liam,” Ace said. “Thank you.”

  “I will see you tomorrow,” Liam said and left.

  Ace kissed Efia’s cheek. “Where is Yasmine?”

  “She is playing a game with Sam.”

  Ace drew back, scanning Efia’s cut-off shorts and a cropped blouse. “You have company, and this is the way you are dressed?”

  “What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed?”

  “I won, I won,” Yasmine’s voice filtered into the hallway, pulling Ace’s attention away from Efia.

  “No, you did not,” Samuel Njoku’s stern voice followed.

  Ace gripped Efia’s shoulders, moving her aside. He rushed through to the living room. “What’s going on in here?” he asked.

  “Daddy, I missed you,” Yasmine said, running toward Ace.

  “I missed you too, princess,” Ace said, lifting Yasmine. He sat on the couch, placing Yasmine on his knees.

  Efia entered the room. She glanced at Sam. “What happened?”

  “Yasmine’s piece was here,” Sam said, pointing to the board game. “Yasmine threw the dice and got a two. She was supposed to move two spots. She shifted four and declared herself the winner.”

  Efia crooked her index finger to Yasmine. “Come here!”

  Yasmine shook her head and burrowed into her father’s chest.

  “If you think I am afraid to discipline you because your dad is here, you are sadly mistaken. Yasmine Acelyn, don’t let me count to five and you are not standing in front of me.”

  “No,” Yasmine said.

  Ace’s face tightened. He cleared his throat. “Do you have to be so stern? She doesn’t want to play anymore.”

  “Then she should have said so, she didn’t have to cheat.”

  “Those are harsh words, don’t you think?” Ace squinted. “She is just a child.”

  “Yes, she is,” Efia replied, “but if you don’t bend the tree when they are small …”

  “Bend the tree?” Ace interrupted. “I hope you are not speaking of corporal punishment because if you are, I see a problem ahead of us.”

  “Don’t be foolish,” Efia snapped. “Do you think I would hit my daughter?”

  “Frankly, Efia, I don’t know what you would do. After all, you did keep her hidden for years, no?”

  Ace regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. The last thing he wanted to do was fight with Efia in the presence of Yasmine. He had been eager to spend time with both, but finding Sam in Efia’s home had angered him.

  “How many times are you going to keep throwing that in my face?”

  Ace remained silent.

  “Seems like you two have a lot to talk about,” Sam said. “I’ll see myself out.”

  “Wait a minute, Sam,” Efia said. “Yasmine, come here.”

  Yasmine remained seated.

  “One. Two. Three,” Efia began.

  Yasmine slowly pushed herself from her father’s knee and ran over to her mother.

  “Have you forgotten how to count, sweetie?”

  Yasmine shook her head.

  “Good,” Efia said. “Move the piece back to its rightful position.”

  “Okay,” Yasmine said.

  “Good girl.” Efia gave Yasmine a soft pat on her behind. “Off you go.”

  Yasmine ran over to the table, picked up the blue piece and placed it back to its rightful spot. “Mommy, I don’t want to play anymore. I want to sit with my daddy.”

  Ace grinned his approval to Yasmine’s decision.

  “Okay, apologize to Sam and thank him for playing with you.”

  Yasmine hugged Sam. “Sorry, Sam. Thank you.”

  Sam ruffled Yasmine’s pigtails. “It’s okay.”

  Ace stood. “Take Yasmine inside, Efia, I need a word with Sam.”

  Efia surveyed the two men.

  “This won’t take long, I promise.” Ace ran the back of his hand along Yasmine’s jawline. “Go with your mommy, princess.”

  Yasmine grasped Efia’s hand. “Come on, Mommy.”

  “Listen to your daughter,” Ace said.

  After Efia and Yasmine left the room, Ace extended his hand to Sam. “We got off to a rocky start. Why don’t we start from the beginning?”

  “Get to the point,” Sam said, ignoring Ace’s hand.

  “Very well,” Ace said. “As Yasmine’s father, I am asking you take a step back.”

  Sam raised his eyebrows.

  “I hope you understand my need to bond with my daughter—to build lasting memories.”

  “I have been here for Yasmine from her birth,” Sam said. “I am not stopping you from creating memories with your daughter.”
>
  “I know you were there,” Ace said. “I appreciate it, but there is no room in my little girl’s life for two dads. I intend to be one hundred percent involved in Yasmine’s life. Perhaps it is time for you to start your own family.”

  “You don’t know anything about me,” Sam said.

  “Au contraire, Mr. Njoku,” Ace said, “I have already figured you out.”

  “Men like you disgust me,” Sam said. “You think you can do whatever you want in life without any consequences. I am not naïve like Efia, I am an attorney. Don’t you dare threaten me!”

  “Did I threaten you, Mr. Njoku?” Ace folded his arms. “You seem rather defensive, I wonder why?”

  Sam hit his chest. “I am the person who taught Yasmine to ride a bike—me. Now you show up here and tell me to get lost. You must be tripping, guy. I am not going anyplace.”

  Ace stepped closer to Sam.

  “Hanging around my daughter, pretending to be her father is not going to get you Efia. Not only will you stay away from my daughter, but you will stay away from her mother.”

  “You piece of shit!” Sam stepped back and followed through with a right hook.

  Ace blocked his punch then elbowed Sam in the stomach. “Stop obsessing over my daughter and her mother, get your own damn family.”

  Sam bent over with his hands on his knees.

  Ace shoved past Sam.

  Sam grabbed Ace from the back, and they both fell to the floor with a loud thump. Ace elbowed Sam in the nose.

  Efia and Yasmine ran into the room.

  “Stop it, Ace, Sam is bleeding,” Efia screeched.

  “Mommy!” Yasmine bawled.

  Ace pushed Sam’s hands from around his waist and got to his feet. “Don’t cry, princess. Come to daddy.”

  Efia opened her arms, and Yasmine ran straight into them. Efia lifted Yasmine and patted her back. “Shush, it’s okay, sweetie, don’t cry.”

  Ace moved closer to Efia. “Don’t cry, Yasmine.”

  Efia backed away.

  Ace pointed his finger at Sam as he scrambled to his feet. “You need to go.”

  “No!” Efia said emphatically. “You both need to leave.”

  <>

  Two hours later, Efia flipped the switch, flooding the living room with light.

  “Shoot, you nearly scared me to death,” she said. “Didn’t I tell you to go?”