( BOOK COMPLETED )
Two years on, Maya St. Thomas and Ebén Cástro were living the love of their loves. Their wedding fast approaching and a bundle of baby joy on the way.
But, Reuben Smalls has come to foil this happy occasion. He's come for someth...
THE BRASS PLATED RIMS OF Ebén's Tesla Model X slowly wheeled to a stop; tires made from synthetic rubber reacted against the cobbled courtyard as it made a thrumming sound. Home finally —Ebén sighed to himself, glad to see the back of the day.
He had indolently parked his 21-plated chrome black Tesla at a slant, not bothering to adjust his skewed front two wheels. His eyes then glanced at the deluge of luxury cars that formed part of his personal collection. They included two Range Rover Evoques, a matte-black Porsche Cayenne, a space-grey Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet, a knockout blue-toned Audi Q3 and a Black Badge Rolls Royce.
Each car mustered personal meanings to the athlete; and not because he was a flashy car fiend. He had grown up with next to nothing — and the realisation of his dreams meant he now had the capacity to live beyond the financial means he was used to.
It was also evidence that hard work does pay off; knowing that he nor his legacy would ever have to want for anything again. They were set for life. This journey had also taught Ebén the art of sacrifice — he had abjectly watched his mother's dream of sobriety die with her as she chose to let her unabated demon take her life, instead of choosing to live.
And he had begrudged his father; who managed to get himself stuck in the revolving door of incarceration and was never the parent Ebén needed him to be. His childhood — or the lack thereof — whilst traumatic, taught Ebén that the hardest lessons birth the most beautiful stories.
Ebén then planted the back of his head on the hood of the front car seat that had leathered red stitching humming quietly to himself; relieved that the day hadn't ended the same way it had started.
"That drive was SO motherfuckin' long," Maya gently yelled in a tired stretch, taking no ounce of responsibility for the stop and start drive back. The impromptu stop and starts were for the two to finish exactly what they started, as Maya swallowed Ebén's arousal on a full stomach in the back seat.
Foreplay had dishevelled the appearance of the daddy-to-be as he unbuckled his seatbelt, bursting for a piss, "Bonita... you made it longer."
His body leapt towards the centre back seat, to grab her belongings that he had haggardly stuffed there as she leapt on him voraciously, like the jaguar she was.
"You weren't complaining before," That much was true; Ebén enjoyed the fact that she was so willing to service him. His jaw ticked — not with anger, but with a flush of red that this woman was making him soft.
And a simp.
She, too, unbuckled her seatbelt, readjusting the rise in her sundress brought on by sitting in the same spot for too long. Her hands stretched to his chin; skimming his stubble and looking directly at the utopian-brown orbs of the love of her life with awe.
He reciprocated that same, intense glare towards her; mentally making note of the fact that he still had enough in the tank to go again. But, there was a likelihood that if they resumed their shenanigans, they'd never make it inside.
"I mean, you did offer... who am I to reject such an advance? I'm just a horny, horny man."
"I didn't think you would," Maya announced her words boldly, knowing the strength of her pull was ultimately too hard for him to resist.
He craved her lips to kiss but knew her body would be too spent if he caved into the pressure.
The slow hand roams of her nimble fingers impelled Ebén to case her eyes with fondness, he wasn't alone in feeling those things that he felt about her. She loved him, abundantly more, and trusted him like she had never trusted anyone before. There were days that it scared her, especially when she had been pricked with the thorn of betrayal before. But, Ebén had been incredibly patient, waiting until she was ready to love him without restraint.
That day had come — and she hadn't looked back.
Only forward.
"I can't believe we're pregnant."
She dropped her caress, "We are, are you scared?"
"Nah, we'll be fine," said Ebén, the inside of his palm now grazing her slight bump. Maya didn't share in Ebén's calmness, her lips jerked into a confused grimace, feeling like Ebén was underestimating how much their lives were about to change.
The tone that emanated from his husk baritone sounded unconvinced. She was scared — absolutely terrified too, and couldn't understand why Ebén didn't feel the same way she did. Unbeknownst to her, he was masking his fear underneath his infamous bravado; knowing that now he had to be strong for the both of them. But Ebén knew that strength wasn't in pretence; but in acknowledging the parts where he fell short.
"Actually, I'm scared. Like, really really scared." He rephrased, remeeting her hazel green glare that had been struck with a mutual feeling of relief.
"So am I, Eb." She grappled his face to hers, her lips crashing on his top lip. She didn't immediately dive into an ardent kiss, their foreheads leaning against the other as they shared scuppered breaths. He felt hers and his own weight on his shoulders; his responsibility now so evident. "I... just feel — like?"
"Baby, you feel like what?" The notch in Maya's tone was now more sombre, willing to understand.
"I want to do this right. I've lived in a broken home where there's so much bitterness and resentment. Promise me we'll never be like that?"
"Don't worry, Eb. We won't ever,"
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THE PHONE CONTACT of Hugo Mills, Ebén's PA, drew the lovebirds out of their bubble. They had been camped out in Ebén's Tesla for hours just talking and relishing the time with one another, and now the outside world was calling — commanding the athlete to answer.
Maya caught his forearm as his thumb floating towards the green button, "Do you have to?"
"It's about the new hire,"
"But, do you have to?" Ebén was now putty in Maya's hand as her beady, hazel green eyes were working to keep her claw on Ebén. Somehow, out of nowhere, Ebén was struck with strength to keep Maya at bay and pressed the green, phone button.
"Hi Hugo."
"Afternoon, Mr. Cástro," Hugo's well travelled drawl lightly blared out of the sound panels. "Glad I have now been able to reach you. I have the first interviewee by the name of Mr. Alexei Kodatsky who has expressed a keen interest in the vacancy. I have screened his resume just as you requested; and if I may say, I believe him to be a viable candidate."
"Ok, ok. That's great. Thanks, Hugo. Set up it for 4pm this afternoon in my lounge. Please get the house staff to tidy it up a bit, left it in a bit of a mess this morning. Apologies. We should be home in a couple of minutes. Just in the middle of somethin,"
"Certainly, sir. See you soon."
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I *might* re-edit the chapter cus I feel something is missing ( I'm not sure what it is right now ) but I'm going to leave it up for you guys to enjoy.
Something to note — I might be quite slow with my chapters as I've started a new job and my hours are very... crazy right now.
