Pride and Consequence

by Altonya Washington

  “So where did he take her?”

  Tree sighed. “I’m not sure. I told Zakira to have Malik call me when they got…wherever.”

  “Is there something wrong?” Eddie asked, catching on to the sour tone in his words.

  “Nothing” was the short reply.

  Eddie frowned slightly and pressed the receiver closer to her ear. “Listen, I know we don’t know each other, but I can tell something’s wrong.”

  Again, Tree laughed. “Are you psychic?”

  Eddie smiled. “No, I’m not psychic, but I am a psychologist.”

  “Well, there you go, then,” he said, his words tinged with laughter.

  Eddie pulled off her glasses and sat up. “All right, then. Since you think I’m such a psychic, I’ll tell you that it sounds like you’re not happy about Malik taking Zakira away for the weekend. Am I right?”

  Tree was silent for a moment. “Zakira thinks Malik’s taking her away for romance but there’s a lot more to it.”

  “Sounds ominous,” Eddie slowly replied, a frown coming to her face.

  “It is, Eddie,” Tree confirmed. “Malik was diagnosed with cancer. I think he’s gonna tell Zakira while they’re away.”

  Eddie’s grip tightened around the receiver and she sat perfectly still for a moment. “Malik…” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

  Hearing the shock and despair in Edwina’s voice, Tree regretted his decision to say anything.

  “Edwina? Eddie?”

  Softly, she cleared her throat. “Yeah?” she replied, trying to sound normal.

  Tree wanted to kick himself for upsetting her. “Honey, I’m so sorry.”

  Eddie sniffled. “That’s all right, Tree. I’m glad you told me. I don’t need to fall apart in front of Z when I see her.”

  Tree smiled, impressed by her attempt to be strong. “I’ll let you go, all right?”

  “Mmm-hmm…thanks for calling,” she said, staring at the receiver for a moment before hanging up.

  “No…” Tree groaned, when he heard the phone’s low, yet annoying ring. Massaging the tight muscles in his neck, he headed back toward his desk.

  “Trekel Grisani.”

  “Hey, man, it’s me.”

  “What’s up?” Tree asked, sitting on the edge of his desk.

  “Have you had a chance to get started on the arrangements we talked about?” Malik asked.

  Tree rolled his eyes and sighed heavily. “Mal, why don’t you give up on this? Man—”

  “Tree—”

  “All right, all right,” Tree said, raising his hand in defeat. “Yeah, I’ve gotten started on everything you asked for.”

  “Thank you. Look, I know you don’t agree.”

  “I care about what this is going to do to Zakira. Have you told her yet?”

  Malik was quiet for a long time. “I told her.”

  “How is she?”

  “How do you think?”

  “What’d you tell her?”

  Malik knew what his friend was asking. “I only told her about the cancer. Right now, that’s all I want her to know.”

  Tree ran his hand across his dark, wavy hair and frowned. “Mal, I hope you know what you’re doing.”

  “I do. Thanks, kid.”

  The connection broke and Tree shook his head. He could see this whole thing turning into an ugly mess that Malik would regret having started. Still, he knew his friend was scared and he wasn’t about to shut him out now.

  Setting the receiver back to its cradle, Tree’s thoughts turned to Eddie. He couldn’t see her face when he told her the news. But her voice painted enough of a picture. She sounded as though the wind had been knocked out of her, and he hated having upset her that way.

  After shutting off the desk lamp, he stood and headed to his office door. He strolled down the hallway toward his apartment, but stopped just short of the door and leaned against the wall.

  Maybe I should apologize to her in person, he thought. Of course, he knew that really wasn’t necessary. Though Eddie was upset, he could tell she was glad he had told her. In truth, he really just wanted to see her again. Hearing her low, breathless voice on the phone had only whetted his appetite to have her in his sights.

  Pushing himself away from the wall, Tree continued his trek toward his apartment. A grin touched his wide mouth as he considered asking Edwina out.

  Zakira stirred the rich, sour cream sauce into her hash browns before lifting a forkful to her mouth. Her large brown gaze rose to sneak a glance at her husband, before snapping back to the table.

  She was still in shock over the news he had dropped the night before. Now, however, she was on a mission to save her husband’s life.

  “So have you and Doctor McNeil talked about treatment?” she asked, watching Malik refill his juice glass.

  “What?” he replied absently.

  Zakira’s hand covered his over the glass. “Have you and Doctor McNeil talked about how you can fight this?”

  Malik sighed heavily, before raising his gray stare to her face. “No.”

  A furrow formed between Zakira’s delicate brows. “Well, are you going to?” she asked, watching as Malik shrugged. She leaned back in the cushioned arm chair. “Malik, what the hell is wrong with you?”

  A sinister expression clouded his face. “You know what’s wrong with me.” He sarcastically replied, pushing the long dreads out of his face.

  “Why won’t you talk about this?”

  “Zakira—”

  “I mean, I’ve heard that a positive outlook has—”

  “Will you stop it!” Malik roared, throwing the beaded juice glass into the fireplace.

  Zakira quieted, watching him rise from the table and almost knock his chair to the floor in the process.

  “I’m not about to let this change my lifestyle!” he told her, his features taking on a menacing appearance.

  “Baby, I just don’t want you to give up,” Zakira quietly told him. “Malik?”

  He rubbed his hand across his wide chest as though he were in pain. She toyed with one of the tendrils that had fallen from her high pin-curled ponytail. “Malik, do you remember me telling you that I was out of here if you weren’t straight with me?”

  Knowing his wife was dead serious, he crossed his arms over his chest and looked directly at her. “I’ll be leaving in a few months.”

  “Where—where are you going? Why?”

  Malik rushed to Zakira and knelt beside her chair. Gathering her hands in his, he pressed soft kisses to the tops of her fingers. “It’s a private cancer treatment center.”

  Zakira began to calm down somewhat. “A treatment center? So you do want to fight this?”

  Malik couldn’t look at her. “I’ll do what I have to.”

  Zakira blinked her tear-filled eyes and took a deep breath. “So when do we leave?”

  Malik’s head snapped up. “What?”

  Zakira shook her head. “When are we leaving for the center? I know you have a million things to take care of with the restaurant and all—”

  “Zaki…” Malik sighed.

  “What? Do you want me to help you tie up things?”

  “I don’t need you to do anything, all right?” he said, standing.

  Zakira let out a breath. “Listen, I know I can be stubborn about going into the restaurant, but I really don’t mind—”

  “Zaki, please! Do you have to go on and on about this?” It killed him being unable to tell her the whole truth and he couldn’t stand seeing the confusion in her eyes. He grabbed his jacket from the sofa and stormed out of the room.

  “Shanice, I need to see about rescheduling two appointments. I forgot about that meeting next week.”

  When her secretary didn’t answer, Edwina lifted her hazel stare from the folder she was studying. “Are you okay?” she asked, watching the young woman over the tops of her gold-rimmed, cat’s-eye glasses.

  Shanice gave Eddie a helpless smile and averted her brown gaze to the co
rner of the room.

  Edwina pressed her full lips together in hopes of concealing a surprised gasp. She couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed him as soon as she stepped out of her office. Trekel Grisani in her small reception area easily could have been compared to a bull in a china shop. Still, he carried his size with the utmost confidence and moved with the grace of a cat.

  Shanice looked back at Edwina. “I was just about to call you,” she whispered.

  Eddie was speechless as she watched Tree approach her. Lord, he was even more gorgeous than the first time she’d seen him.

  Tree stopped right before her and pushed one hand into the deep pocket of his black ankle-length leather trench. “I hope this isn’t a bad time?”

  Edwina tilted her head back in order to look directly into his deep onyx eyes. “No, no it’s not a bad time at all,” she said, managing a cool tone. She didn’t want to appear too flustered in front of Shanice.

  Tree stepped closer and took Eddie’s wrist in a light hold. “Can I talk to you for a little while?”

  With Tree’s large hand holding her wrist and his cologne teasing her senses, Eddie feared she would swoon. Taking a very deep breath, she nodded. “My office is this way,” she said, gesturing toward the corridor behind her. “Shanice, hold my calls,” she instructed, without glancing in her assistant’s direction.

  Tree pulled the coat from his huge frame as he followed Eddie down the hall. His dark gaze turned seductive as it raked her slender form encased in the stylish sky-blue dress. It was made of a clinging cottony material that hugged every curve and only reached mid-thigh.

  Tree expelled a deep breath, his eyes narrowing. He shook his head at the wicked thoughts running through his mind. Eddie opened her office door and waited for him to precede her. Instead, he laid his hand at the small of her back and urged her forward. Eddie stopped in the middle of the room and turned, waiting for him to close the door.

  “Has something else happened to Malik?” she immediately asked, wringing her hands.

  A small smile crossed his mouth as he set the coat he carried on the sofa. “Nothing more has happened,” he assured, watching her relax. “I did want to apologize, though.”

  Eddie frowned. “Apologize?”

  Tree nodded, undoing the buttons on his stylish maroon jacket as he walked closer. “I didn’t mean to upset you when I called. I’m sorry.”

  Eddie could feel her mouth fall open, and it took a moment for her to regain her composure. “I, uh, thank you.”

  The sound of Tree’s chuckling filled the air. “Don’t sound so surprised.”

  “It’s hard not to be,” Eddie sighed.

  One of Tree’s wide shoulders lifted as he shrugged. “I don’t know why.”

  Eddie’s look of surprise, became suspicious. “Are you serious?”

  “I mean what I say, Edwina,” he assured her.

  Edwina studied the tall, handsome giant for a long moment. “I’m sorry, Tree. You just seem to be a very busy man. Wouldn’t it have been easier to call or, I don’t know, e-mail me?” she nervously inquired.

  Now, Tree appeared surprised. “Eddie, what type of men have you been around?”

  “None who would come all the way across town to apologize because they think they’ve upset me.”

  “Well, that’s how I am.”

  Eddie looked away. Taking a deep breath, she massaged the muscles of her neck and closed her eyes. If Tree wasn’t out of her life soon, it would be impossible for her to resist him.

  Tree’s gaze became more intense as he noticed the uneasy expression on Edwina’s face. He knew he had shocked her and that she was attracted to him. Now that he’d talked to her again, he couldn’t help himself. Edwina Harris was lovely and exquisite, and he wanted her.

  Meanwhile, Eddie tried to dismiss the electricity in the room but couldn’t. Clasping her hands tightly, she gave Tree a dazzling, albeit shaking, smile. “Listen, I’m sorry if I offended you. I really appreciate the apology, even if it was unexpected. So, um, thank you for coming by and—”

  “Have dinner with me tonight.”

  “What?”

  Tree’s long strides brought him closer to Eddie, and soon he was standing right before her. “Have dinner with me,” he softly repeated.

  Eddie tried to drown out the deafening tone of her heartbeat in her ears as she spoke. “Tree, I—I can’t have dinner with you.”

  “Why?”

  “I just can’t.”

  “Do you have a patient?”

  “Uh, well, no.”

  Tree’s dark stare narrowed as he studied her. “What is it, Eddie?”

  Edwina leaned against her desk and fiddled with the chain around her neck. “I get done here very late and I just don’t think—”

  “I’ll pick you up whenever you’re ready.”

  “Tree, this may not be a good idea,” she warned, smoothing her hands across her arms.

  He braced his hands on either side of Edwina against the desk. “Well, we’ll never know if you keep turning me down.”

  Eddie tried to look everywhere but at the gorgeous face inches away from her. It was no use; her almond-shaped hazel stare finally snapped to his face.

  “I may look ferocious, but I promise you’ll be safe with me.”

  Unable to control herself, Eddie laughed.

  Tree’s eyes followed her every move. “Does this mean you’ll go?”

  Eddie nodded slowly. “I’ll go.”

  “I’ll pick you up at seven,” he told her, striding across the room to grab his coat.

  “I could meet you.”

  “Forget it,” he threw over his shoulder before the door closed behind him.

  Zakira had been going crazy in the suite since the argument with Malik. She snatched her coat from the rack and ventured out for a walk around the lovely grounds.

  During the night, a heavier snow had fallen. The already beautiful landscape now appeared like something on a Christmas greeting card. Unfortunately, the enchanting atmosphere had no effect on Zakira’s mood. The weight of all her worries finally caving in on her spirit, she dropped to the snow-covered ground and began to cry.

  When Malik finally returned to the room and discovered Zakira wasn’t there, he searched the inn from one end to the other. Something told him to search the grounds and when he found her crying in the snow, his heart ached.

  Unable to just stand there, he went over and knelt beside her. Pulling her small form into his arms, he rocked her slowly.

  Zakira jerked when she felt the strong hands touching her. When she saw Malik, she dried her tears quickly and tried to put on a brave face. “Malik, why are you doing this?”

  “Doing what?” Malik calmly replied, still rocking her back and forth.

  Zakira pulled away. “You’re cutting me out. I don’t understand why you’re being this way,” she cried.

  Malik couldn’t look at Zakira. He knew that one glance into her soulful wide, brown eyes would be his undoing. “You know, maybe you should start coming to the restaurant with me,” he suggested to change the subject.

  Zakira shook her head. “Malik…”

  A playful grin brightened Malik’s fiercely handsome dark face. “You know how much they love you there. Plus, you need to start becoming more involved with the place.”

  A guarded look rose in Zakira’s eyes and she stood. “This isn’t something I want to talk about right now,” she said before walking away.

  Uttering a low sound of aggravation, Malik went after her. Zakira’s steps were somewhat slowed by the deep snow, and he caught her easily, then whirled her around to face him. Zakira slammed against his chest, and they both fell to the ground.

  After a few moments of being covered in the powdery snow, they began to laugh. Zakira gathered a handful of the icy creation and smashed it into Malik’s hair. Her victory was short-lived when he turned the tables and flipped her onto her back. The glint in his exquisite gaze turned serious as he stared into her eyes.


  “I love you, girl,” he whispered.

  “I love you, too, so much,” Zakira breathlessly replied, her eyes shining with tears.

  Malik lowered his head to kiss her. Their lips were less than an inch apart when they heard their names. Looking up, they noticed a short man and woman approaching them across the snowy yard.

  “All right, all right, break it up!” Cecil and Melinda Furches playfully called.

  Malik stood and pulled Zakira up, as well. Smiles brightened their faces when they recognized the Furches.

  “Long time no see, man!” Malik said with a laugh, walking forward to shake hands with Cecil.

  “Damn, I know.” Cecil agreed.

  “Zakira, how are you, girl?” Melinda Furches asked as she and Zakira held hands and kissed each other’s cheek.

  “I’m fine, but you look great. What are you doing?” Zakira marveled.

  Melinda shrugged and smiled up at the sky. “Who knows? Chicago must agree with me.”

  Zakira laughed. “It must.”

  Melinda put her arm around Zakira’s shoulders and whispered, “I think the colder the weather is, the better Cec and me get along.”

  “Oooo, girl, you’re still crazy.” Zakira gave Melinda a wicked look as they headed over to the men.

  The Furches were a welcome sight and gave the Badus a chance to forget their problems. The four had a wonderful time catching up and reminiscing. Finally, they decided to enjoy lunch together.

  The cozy atmosphere of the inn’s dining room resembled that of a log cabin. The polished wood furniture, thick quilts covering the walls, plush carpeting and the delicious aromas in the air all created a relaxing environment. The area was spacious enough to give patrons a warm, intimate feeling, even when the place was filled to capacity.

  The Badus and the Furches enjoyed coffee and hot cocoa before their lunch arrived. The mood was as cheerful as the conversation. Zakira, however, noticed Malik press a finger to his temple several times. She tried ignoring it, but couldn’t.

  “So, Malik, is your restaurant still goin’ strong?” Cecil was asking.

  Malik nodded and took a sip of his cocoa. “Better than ever,” he finally said.