The Game of Love

1

Jade's fingers wrapped around the lighter, setting light to her candle as the aroma of eucalyptus and sage filled her bedroom. Turning on the radio station to 96.7, she walked into the shower.

Under the shower of water her eyes closed as her fingers raked through her short curls that barely touched her shoulders. Her walnut skin enjoying the feel of the warm water against it as the sound waves from the radio bounced off the walls of the room.

Stepping out of the shower, Jade slipped into her white robe, retrieving her cup of tea, she placed the mug to her lips.

"Good morning good morning Trinidad and Tobago."

The radio announcer said.

"How y'all doing this morning? I know it's Monday but we've got to get that bread so wake up wake up. If yuh know your friend still sleeping, call them and tell them to wake up, it's Monday morning."

A smile graced Jade's lips as she shook her head, her dark brown orbs scanning her closet of outfits.

Which look would she go for today? The woman questioned as she chose her black high waisted trousers with her mint green body suit and a black jacket to match, paired with black closed toe heels.

"We're heating things up this morning with a comment we saw on one of our Facebook posts. The young lady whose name we will not call said, women have higher standards than men, men will chase anything."

The liquid slipped from Jade's lips as she snickered, biting her lower lip to contain her laugh.

"To the men and women who are listening, we want you to call in and let us know if you agree or disagree with this statement and why."

Jade looked at her reflection in the glass mirror, the curling rod passing through her black tresses leaving waves behind. Her fingers combed through the loose curls before she applied light makeup and gave herself a one over in her full length mirror.

She was ready to conquer the day.

Turning off the radio, she grabbed her car keys and exited through her front door, the sun shining down on her. As much as Mondays weren't her favorite days, Jade couldn't sink into the urge to slip back into bed. Although her bed did seem like the best place to be at 6a.m., she would still fight it.

The wind caressed her scalp as her white Kia Rio breezed through the vacant roads, the key to avoiding Monday morning traffic was always to leave home an hour earlier. Mondays and traffic did not settle right with Jade's spirit, there was no way she could deal with the both things at once.

Pulling into the driveway, her eyes scanned the nude emboldened letters that read Kiel's in front of the little cafe. Kiel's had been her life long dream, an affordable cafe that catered not only to your sweet tooth but your desire for an affordable meal. The cream and black interior surrounded by a glass exterior brightened the cafe and made it aesthetically.

Jade wasn't one to toot her own horn but as a successful business owner for the past four years, her dishes were one that drew the crowd. The smell of freshly brewed coffee, a pastry to go or a breakfast meal of choice. Kiel's was a break away from reality, a moment to be still and bask in the moment, if only for just 5 minutes.

Jade's hands pushed against the glass door, the chime of the bell alerting her staff of her arrival. Throwing the white apron over her body, she pushed through the black door into the kitchen to find Luis and Rachel already preparing this morning's breakfast spread.

"Remind me that I owe you both a raise."

She scanned the kitchen, looking for any task to make herself useful as she thought of plating the condiments.