Shitty, shit, shit!Kadeem quietly gauges my reaction.“Kadeem,” I begin, not wanting to hurt him, but panicky all the same, “Could we just - pretend you didn’t give me this?” It comes out in the vein of an anxious Western villain. Walk away slowly, and no one gets hurt.“Suit yourself.” He goes back to working on his computer. “But you might like what you see in there,” he adds.I run my fingers over the soft, velvety surface of the box. My voice comes out high-pitched as I try to change the subject. “Are you getting nervous about your surgery?”“No.”“Really?”“It doesn’t ruffle my feathers,” Kadeem mumbles, half-distracted. He pauses. “Erbao’s surgery on the other hand…”My stomach knots at the thought of it. “Me too. But for both of you.”“It’ll all be worth it,” he says, looking up to smile.Seeing Erbao healthy will be worth it. Thank the Goddess Kadeem was a match for his kidney transplant.“Something did ruffle your feathers once,” I say, “Maybe something medical.”“Impossible
ArdalThis is my last chance.I never thought I would think those words when it came to Kadeem and me, but one way or another this is where we’ve found ourselves. My childhood friend, my lover, my husband, my mate.Tonight is my last chance to win him back - even if losing him was never my fault.Kadeem is lying in bed when I walk out of the bathroom, wearing the lacy lingerie that I picked out for tonight. There’s a gleam in his eyes as he stares at me, though he’s also skeptical. Only, his lust wins over as he sees my breasts nearly spilling out of my bra.I go to him, wasting no time as I move to straddle his lap. Kadeem lets out a huff as I settle.“Adral…” he begins, his large palms sliding up the sides of my thighs. I nearly shudder at his touch over my skin - I’ve come to know those hands so well.I first experienced their touch when we were ten and Kadeem held my hand for the first time. And over the years, his fingers and palms began to explore other parts of me until he memo
ArdalKadeem clips out the words, instantly stabbing me right in the heart. I feel my chest rise and fall as I study his face, as I stare at the man who was once my everything.Where is that man now? The one who would hold me when I cried and tell me over and over that he loved me? Or the one who laid in the field with me when we were twelve and told me it would always be me and him?He’s nowhere to be found now. Every hint of him has disappeared and now…now this man might as well be a stranger to me.But he doesn’t care. He may never care again.“GET OUT!” Kadeem yells that time, practically shaking the house with his roar.Part of me wants to cower away, but I keep my feet planted, my hands balling into fists as I hear a quiet sound beside me. It’s Susan - she’s secretly snickering at me again. Anger boils through me, causing me to turn to face her. She’s won - she knows she’s won. Just as she planned, she’s officially taking everything from me again.It’s enough for me to lift my
Ardal“Nothing,” Mateo replies, shaking his head.“Liar,” I grit out. “You were taking photos of me.”Mateo gives me a sheepish smile, knowing he’s caught. “I just wanted a little souvenir to remember you by.”His tone becomes smooth then, sultry. And I watch as his eyes flicker from my face, dropping down to my tight body and taking in every inch. Finally, his gaze returns to mine, but focuses specifically on my lips.Holy Goddess. Does he really think I’m going to kiss him!?Mateo answers my question by quickly licking his own lips, as if he’s prepping. I try not to shudder with disgust.“And maybe,” he continues, his tone still sweet. “I wanted to send them to a friend. But I figured he should see how beautiful you are.”What a creep!I shake my head at him, knowing I don’t have time for this as I hear my babies starting to get louder at their seats.“Give me your phone,” I say, holding out a hand.“But I -““Give me your phone,” I repeat, firmer that time. That time, Mateo listen
KadeemIt was like looking in a mirror.The child before Kadeem looked exactly like him, like a miniature version. Not only because he had the same dark hair and green gaze, but the shape of his nose and eyes were almost a spitting image. Surprising Kadeem was no easy task, but he was left completely in shock as the child blinked back at him, his wide eyes adorable as he studied Kadeem towering over him.How could the boy look this much like him? Who was he?Trying for words, Kadeem’s lips began to move as if he planned to speak. However, he hardly uttered a single sound before there was a desperate voice calling off in the distance - one he recognized.“Kadeem! Help me!”Mateo - his childhood friend who he’d come to pick up. And from what Kadeem could tell, the man was in trouble.He knew he needed to go run and see what happened, but he was hesitant to move as he remembered the boy in front of him. Swiftly, he turned back, ready to address him that time. Only, as he looked forward a
ArdalAs I walk through the doors of GAINZ, every pair of male eyes turn toward me. I feel their burn against my skin, but keep my chin high and head clear as I move through the fitness center.It’s my first day of work and I want to be as professional as possible. I won’t let a little attention shake me - doing my best at my job is what matters.As I continue to walk, I take in my room around me, noticing how much nicer it is than the last gym I worked in. GAINZ has top of the line equipment and is clean top to bottom.However, as my eyes continue to scan the space, they eventually catch on a familiar face - one that makes my stomach nearly drop.Standing off to the side…is Susan. I hadn’t expected to see her here, which only causes my dread to grow. Only, the sensation gets worse as I notice her outfit. She’s wearing the same jacket as the other staff member’s wear - indicating that she also works here.I kick myself as I realize it, wishing I would have looked up the GAINZ staff te
ArdalThis is ridiculous. I can’t believe that Susan is really trying to test my identity by having me flash some little prize. However, I know she’s just trying to trip me up, figuring that I’m incapable of producing the medal.But this isn’t the worst stunt Susan has ever pulled. I know she’s capable of so much worse, which causes me to sigh.“So if I can prove that I’m Chelsea by showing the medal…then you’ll apologize?” I ask, scowling at Susan.She’s offering another game. However, I won’t let her get the best of me. Susan won’t bully me again - she already did that enough six years ago.I promised myself that if she tried again that I would stand my ground, retaliate as needed. I won’t be the woman who stands by and watches bad things happen to her anymore. I have a voice and I plan to use it.And that’s exactly what I plan to do now. However, it’s not Susan who answers my question.“If you don’t show us the medal then you’re not going to like the punishment,” Kadeem states firm
ArdalI know it was too good to be true that I could convince Kadeem of Susan’s lies. As I said, he’s still completely lovesick, and he only proved my point as he effortlessly picks her up.“I’m taking her to the hospital,” Kadeem announces harshly as he carries her away. All I can do is shake my head as I watch him go.Pathetic.“Sorry about Kadeem,” a voice says from my side, causing me to turn. I only want to sigh as I see it’s Mateo - I’d nearly forgotten that he was here.“I know his behavior was ungentlemanly. But I promise - he’s a very nice boss,” Mateo tells me.I doubt that, I think.“So you’re Chelsea Quinn,” Mateo continues, flashing a smile. “No wonder you didn’t want to tell me your name before. Probably didn’t want to attract attention.”“Sure,” I tell him flatly. That’s definitely not the reason, but I’ll let him believe whatever he wants.“Your work is very impressive,” he replies. “Would you mind if we swap business cards? Just in case I need some training?”As much