“Larry, hi. How’s it going?”
“Good. You?”
Well! Well! Even if he didn’t mean it, he was trying to be civil. “Good. I’m not sure if the children called you, they got internships for the summer.” She rushed on breathlessly, “So they are both doing summer classes and then the internships after.” She paused to get his response.
“Yes. I spoke with them.”
“Oh, great. Wasn’t sure you did. So, how was your day?”
Larry forehead furrowed. He absolutely hated when she did that – pretended like they could have a regular conversation. “Good. It has been a long day. I’m going to call it quits. Have a good night.”
Rozene’s heart sank but she managed to maintain her cool. “Okay, great. Have a good night too. Bye.”
“K.”
Larry stared at his phone briefly before dropping it into his shirt pocket. He knew she wanted to talk longer but he was not accommodating her, and he was tired.
Shortly thereafter, he headed to the bathroom, grabbed a quick shower, and slipped between the sheets. He stretched himself fully, murmuring, “Yes. Yes. Just what the doctor ordered,” before he launched into prayer.
The prayer energized his mind, for now he was staring at the ceiling. Frustrated, he rolled on his side, and his eyes landed on the wall that had a huge photo of him and Rozene on their wedding day.
Happy day. His mouth twitched into a tight smile, before turning down. He was morphing into sadness when he reached across the nightstand and turned off the light. But he refused to cry. Why cry over someone who has already let you go?
Although, his mind resisted, his traitorous heart went back in time.
The first time he laid eyes on Rozene was in the high school’s cafeteria. One look at her and his life was changed forever. ‘Completely derailed,’ according to Benson, his cousin.
He was jesting with his crew at the lunch table, when her curly, light-brown hair came into his view. Unfamiliar desire stirred in his loins. He remained fixated … watching her, deep in discussion with her three friends, two tables behind his table.
She must have felt his eyes for she looked up. He was sure his eyes bulged, as he gazed into her stunning hazel-colored eyes. Their eyes held, and at that moment, he became perfectly still, his imagination roaming into forbidden territory. He was brought out of his stupor by the deafening silence from his buddies, who had begun to look for what he was staring at.
“You okay, man?” Benson asked. “You look like you’d seen a ghost.”
Laughter followed, and he shifted his gaze to Benson. “Yes. I’m looking at one.”
As soon as he could, he excused himself to walk to the buffet line. Of course, he deliberately took the path to pass by the table where the “gorgeous flower” was sitting.
A gorgeous flower. Yes, she is, he decided as he slowly walked by her table.
She glanced at him, and if she noticed his fixation, she didn’t respond to it.
He was trying to decide which drink to pick up, while strategizing how to meet the gorgeous flower, when a melodious voice said, “Hi there.”
He almost suffered a whiplash when his seventeen-year-old head whipped to his right where the voice originated. And there she was. Standing a few feet from him. Smiling and exposing her perfect white teeth.
Eyes glistening, he drank in the sight before him.
Soft, full lips
Perfectly positioned straight nose.
Beautiful oval-shaped face.
Tall and well-proportioned body.
Her caramel complexion was flawless, and he almost reached out a hand to pull on her long curly, light-brown hair.
Coming out of his stupor, his gaze slid back to her eyes, and he was certain his heart stopped for a few hot seconds, for he found himself with a death grip on the counter before him as electrical vibrations saturated his body.
She smiled boldly at him and he opened his mouth, but his voice refused to come forth. He gave her what should have been a charming smile, but instead the smile felt more like a grimace. He then tried to speak again, but his, “Hello there,” came out like a grunt instead. His heart flip-flopping, he nodded, and left in the opposite direction.
He had seen her a few times during that same fall semester but he was determined not to engage her in any conversation. He was still trying to let go of the embarrassing moment when they had first met. Nevertheless, she’d piqued his interest, so he’d investigated and found out that she was Rozene Bennady, a transfer student from another prominent high school. Thanks to Benson, he had also learned that she was one year younger and a year behind him in tenth grade. Since his high school supported not only brainy but rich students, Benson thought she ‘came from money’.
His next close up with Rozene was later that year at his parents’ Thanksgiving charity ball at home and their encounter was equally fascinating. She staged what they later dubbed, “The Slickest Escape.”
There he was, busy wearing an intelligent look as a senator engaged him in conversation in the grand ball room, when he saw her across the room wearing a knowing smile. Albeit, she was surrounded by fawning young men. He faded in and out of the conversation, wondering how to step away from the exuberant senator, and then, almost swallowed his tongue when he saw her making a beeline for him.
He watched her. Fixated, the same way he’d been the first time he’d seen her. She gracefully sashayed across the floor, her black evening gown hugging her delicious curves and accentuating her movement as it cascaded to the floor. She looked every bit part of this elegant affair. Their eyes connected and he could feel the adrenaline rush between them. She stopped in front of him, smiling.
Oh, man. He all but lost his cool as the faint scent of her perfume filled his nostrils. Stop the love struck behavior, he almost hollered at himself, before flashing her a toothy smile. She grinned right back at him before greeting the senator, “Good evening, Senator Cole. How are you?”
The senator gave her a welcoming smile. “I’m doing great, Miss Bennady. Wonderful to see you again.”
“You too, Senator Cole.” She glanced at Larry, then back to the senator. “I’m soooo sorry but I need to steal my friend away for a few minutes. Hope you don’t mind.”
Inwardly, Larry chuckled. She’s good.
Senator Cole smiled at her. “No. Not at all, Miss Bennady.” He turned and extended his hand to Larry. “We’ll pick up another time. You should think about getting into politics, young man.”
“Politics. No way, senator,” Larry responded shaking his hand. “But we’ll pick up.” He then offered his arm to the “gorgeous flower” and they escaped to the balcony on the west side of the grand ballroom. The laughter that started in their bellies quickly made way through their mouths, the minute the door closed behind them. They made their way to the edge of the balcony and held on to the railing, their shoulders shaking with laughter.
Rozene laughed so hard that the water running from her eyes ruined her barely-there makeup. Not that she needed makeup anyway.
And when he got his laughter under control, Larry told her in a dramatic voice, “Thanks for risking your life to rescue me.”
She mopped her eyes with tissue from her small purse. “No worries.” She grinned at him. “It’s not every day I get to be a knightress in shining armor.”
“Glad to be rescued by such a beautiful knightress. I’m Larry Kanate.”
“I know who you are,” she said, smiling, and extending her hand. “Nice to meet you. I am Rozene Bennady.”
He shook her hand, and held on to it. “The pleasure is all mine, Roz.”
“I bet it is,” she responded in a slightly sarcastic voice, slipping her hand away from his. She eyed him questioningly. “Only, I never figured you for a cheesy kind of guy.”
He gazed at the delicate crease of disappointment on her forehead, unable to understand their affinity for each other. “I don’t usually mince words,” he told her quietly. “The pleasure is all mine, Roz.�
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She smiled at him, and indicated her interest. “The pleasure is all mine, too.”
His pulse picked up speed as he returned her smile. He was glad for a female that could hold her own in his presence. “Would you like to sit with me for a while?”
“Sure.”
He offered his arm and she took it as they walked toward a large royal blue sofa.
“What do you do when you are not studying?” he asked when they were seated.
She was silent for a moment.
He watched her curiously. It was the first time he’d seen her at a loss for words. He leaned forward to peer at her. “Have I rendered you speechless? Already? I’m good.”
“Never.” She waved his comments away, grinning at him. “Don’t know if I should tell you.”
“Will I go to prison if I know? You know, I like you and all but that’s a bit much to ask on a first date.”
She chuckled. “So we’re on a date now?”
“The first of many I hope.”
“Well, ask me?”
Gosh, she’s bold. “Will you date me?”
“But I don’t know you. You could be a psychotic killer.”
“Listen to your heart.”
She laughed – the healthy yet girly kind of laughter, her eyes glistening with joy.
Oh, Man! I could listen to her laughter every day. “So?” he pressed her.
She smiled at him. “I’ll date you, Larry Kanate.”
He eyed her questioningly. “Did you do a research on me?”
“I didn’t really have to Larry. The Kanate goodwill is well-known in this city.”
He wondered if he was moving too fast with her. What if she was just after the family fortune? Not that he suspected she was. The air around her suggested that she ‘came from money’. Bennady? Bennady? Her last name sounded familiar though he didn’t know why. Then it dawned on him. She and her brother, Michel were heirs to the multi-billion dollar Bennady International Citrus Corporation.
“Yes. Bennady International,” she filled in. “It was nice meeting you. I’m going to head back inside.”
He held on to her arm to stop her, then snatched it back as she eyed him as if she pitied him. “No. I don’t want your money,” she told him, looking totally bored.
Heat rose from his neck to his scalp. “I’m-”
“What? Sorry? All the other girls who threw themselves at your feet want your family fortune. Well, I don’t want your money. Neither am I waiting for my parents’ money. God gave me a brain and I intend to use it. My family’s fortune is great, but I intend to build my own legacy as the Spirit of God leads me.”
Larry sat up on the chair. Stunned. Elated. He was feeling all kinds of emotions as he watched her speak. He really liked this girl.
“I’m sorry,” he told her sincerely. “That has been my experience and I’m a little tired of it. But I’m glad you intend to follow God’s blue print for your life. So do I.”
She gazed past him.
“Don’t you dare lock me out,” he told her.
She looked deeply in his eyes, and he could tell that she was wondering if her personality was too bold for him.
“I can handle bold,” he told her confidently. “Bold, brilliant, and beautiful.” He smiled at her. “Love a sister who speaks her mind.”
She was tickled. “Did you just come up with the three B words? Or, do you say them to all your little girlfriends?”
Gosh, she’s quick too, he concluded. No surprise there. No doubt in smart-talk training from birth. “Little girlfriends?” He lifted his eyes upwards, before meeting her gaze. “Ignoring that. But what I will say is that, those three words simply sprang from my heart. And I’m going out on a limb here - I dare say, those three words aptly describe you. I want to add a few more, but my heart says wait.”
Her eyes brightened. “Thank you.” Crossing her legs, she smiled gently at him. “To answer your question, I do charity events during my spare time. My favorite, I would have to say, would be the dance classes at the performing arts center that Mom and Dad established in my name. I have been teaching liturgical dance at the center on Saturdays since I was ten years old.” She uncrossed her legs and leaned towards him. “But what I really, really do in my spare time is write, and write, and write.”
The joy in her voice made his insides jolt. “That is a beautiful thing. ‘The idea is to write it so that people hear it and it slides through the brain and goes straight to the heart.’”
“Awww.” She smiled widely at him. “Somebody knows a quote from Maya Angelou. Do you write?”
“No. But I like to read, pretty much a little of everything. What do you write?”
She looked surprised at his confession. He surmised that she thought he only read business magazines. “I write fiction and non-fiction books.” Appearing a bit shy, her eyes begged him not to press her.
So he didn’t.
“I have not published anything yet,” she confessed. “Waiting on the Lord for the right timing.”
“And I’m sure He’ll let you know when to proceed. At least that has been my experience. There’s no time like the right time.”
She was silent for a moment, before gazing at him. “Thank you.”
“Your eyes are amazing. I feel like I’m drowning when I look at you.”
Her lips draped to one side. “Then I’ll always be your Knightress. My daring escape with you was my slickest to date. Feeling like superwoman right now. I might go ahead and put an “S” on my chest.”
Larry laughed out, covering her hand with his. “Please do it. This I’ve got to see.”
Silence fell over them and their eyes locked. They both became motionless, their emotional connection stretching to epic proportion, and instinctively they began to lean in.
“Roz,” he heard himself whisper her name, as fireworks went off in his body.
She blushed, and sat up, staring ahead of her.
Slowly, he backed away, trying to regain his composure. He wanted to kick himself for appearing overly eager.
“Yes,” she replied, still not looking in his direction.
He cocked a brow. Yes? Yes, what? He deliberated, watching her erect posture in anticipation.
“Yes, I will date you, exclusively,” she filled in.
His heart climbed into his throat, and the familiar rush of excitement hit him. He wanted to hold her and kiss her until she begged him to stop. He clutched her hands. “Thank you, Roz. I’m going to make it worth your while.”
“I’m going to make it worth your while, too.” She tilted her head, a soft smile playing on her lips, and he knew his life would never be the same.
He never got to kiss his “gorgeous flower” that night, nor did he try to take advantage of the hug she was willing to give. But that night made history in their lives. That night was the beginning of, “Team La’Roz,” as the students at their high school called them. Many other titles followed them - Most likely to succeed. Most likely to marry each other … early. Match made in heaven. Most multi-talented couple … and the list goes on.
They attended different colleges but they managed to maintain their relationship. After completing college, Larry worked for a year in the hotel industry, and they got married right after Rozene completed her first degree.
An unwanted slight smile tugged at Larry’s mouth. His marriage had been a beautiful part of his life. He’d been proud of many things on their wedding day, but three things in particular … well, truthfully, four things.
Firstly, he’d gazed at her during their lavish wedding ceremony and he knew he loved her … and that she loved him.
Secondly, she was his wife. His wife. His heart had skipped several beats that day at that thought. It felt great to finally be able to call her Mrs. Rozene Kanate.
And thirdly, he was grateful that she fitted comfortably into his high-profile life, having been well-groomed from birth.
A Christian? Yes.
Loved the Lo
rd? Yes.
In ministry for God? Yes.
Educated? Yes.
Charming and graceful? Yes.
Drop-dead gorgeous? Yes.
Diplomacy? Yes.
He was grateful too that she understood the protocols for their high-powered social engagements.
Check! Check! Check! He was a happy man.
And, the final reason for his happiness - they had waited to have sex and he couldn’t wait to make love with her from sunset to sunrise.
Back then, they were not devoted Christians, but even so, they wanted to honor the Lord in this regard. It was difficult, but they were happy they achieved their goal and it was worth the wait.
At sunrise, he’d stirred, feeling the awesome effects of their unbelievable night. He lifted his head slightly to gaze at her beautiful features, highlighted by the soft glow of the morning light, where she cuddled by his side on the bed.
“Babes. Babes,” he called out softly after a while, running his thumb gently over her lips which were swollen from their night of intense passion.
And when she did not budge, he kissed the tip of her nose, before scooping her up into his arms. “Roz,” he murmured her name while slowly stroking her body.
He groaned as her hand caressed his cheek before holding his face in both hands and kissing him deeply. “Thank you,” she said, when she had had enough.
He smiled down at her before shifting and pulling her onto his chest and wrapping his arms around her. They stayed like that for a little while before she lifted her face to his.
He claimed her mouth hungrily once again.
“You know we have each other for life,” she teased, when he’d released her lips.
“Don’t know about tomorrow, so I’m getting all of mine today.”
“I’m all for that.” She grinned at him, her senses on full alert, and he flashed her a suave dimpled smile, his eyes dancing with mischief.
“Husband, you can’t keep looking at me like that,” she pouted playfully.
“Like what?” he asked, threading his fingers through her hair. “Like you are the most exquisite woman I’ve ever met.” He caressed the small of her back and she relished the pleasure of being in his arms.
“Yes,” she murmured, her flesh tingling.
Mirrored Hearts: Sealed by Fire (Encounters of the Heart Book 2) Page 9
