Searching for Mr. Right

Chapter 1

Elementary School

Elijah Bradshaw swallowed the huge gulp in his throat. His third-grade classmates teased him relentlessly about his clothes and shoes. He developed a huge headache from hearing the taunts and rants from the group of eight-year-olds. He was a bit scrawny, clumsy, and felt awkward among his peers. Suddenly, an angel appeared to save the day and changed his life forever.

Trinity Evans watched from a distance the bullying before her eyes. She was disgusted that the boys targeted Elijah who seemed so innocent and defenseless. He was new to her class and was very intelligent. She thought they were secretly jealous of his intelligence and proper clothes. She hated that the boys targeted him and could not stand it anymore. She walked over to put a stop to their harassment.

"Leave him alone," she boldly approached the group of boys who looked stunned that a girl was challenging them. Elijah was surprised to see Trinity come to his rescue. She usually was alone or with a few friends from time to time. He wanted to talk to her but did not get the opportunity. She seemed very nice. Trinity stood in front of him boldly and stared at the boys angrily. "Why?" one of the boys jeered at her. "Is he your boyfriend?" another boy echoed and laughed.

Elijah's face turned bright red with embarrassment. "What are you going to do about it?" another boy stated. Trinity did not think that far ahead but she wanted the bullying to stop permanently.

"I will report it to the teacher and principal," she said. The boys laughed again while another mocked, "I am shaking in my booths." "Back off and leave him alone," Trinity asserted. One of the boys walked closer to Trinity to pull her hair and said, "Snitches get Ditches."

Elijah was not having this. He courageously took the boys hands and shoved it away. "Don't you dare," he warned the boy. "Look who found his voice," one boy laughed. "And who is going to stop us?" the boy said.

Surprisingly, the other children from the playground gathered around Trinity and Elijah. They were all tired of the four boys bullying them for a long time. "We are," the other children stated as a unified body.

The four boys could not believe that they were outnumbered. "Chickens" one said as they walked away to stroke their bruised egos. Trinity turned towards Elijah and smiled. His heart melted and he knew an angel entered his life. "Are you okay?" she asked. "I'm good," he said. He admired her features. Trinity was a beautiful girl with braided hair and warm smile.

Trinity smiled again and invited him to have lunch with her. Elijah knew Trinity Eans would always be important in his life.

Present Day

Trinity lazily rolled out of bed for work. It was a Monday morning and she knew she was needed at the office. Trinity was a journalist at a local newspaper. She cherished and enjoyed her career. Her column on Life Living centered on unsung heroes, events and situations that made a difference in the lives of others. Trinity turned on her coffee maker and started her morning workout routine. Next, she got dress for work. Trinity wore a lovely sky-blue suit with heels, stunning accessories with her cheery blossom lipstick. Trinity looked breathtaking.

She checked her messages after she pulled up at work. Firstly, her mother invited her to a prayer breakfast. Next, her best friend Elijah asked about her schedule for the day. Trinity smiled appreciating the devotion he had towards her. They met in elementary school and remain inseparable since then. Trinity tried on numerous occasions to set up her best friend. Sometimes she was puzzled and wondered why he never settled down. Elijah was attractive, muscular, tall and breathtaking. All her friends would inquire about him and Trinity would tease him about his various love interest. His hazel eyes and smooth brown skin rolled into one made him a handsome black man.

Trinity remembered three years ago he casually asked her about dating him. Of course, she thought he was joking. She had no intentions of messing up their solid friendship for a relationship. After that day they never discussed it again.

She sighed as she applied her make-up and text Elijah back. "We can grab lunch at the spot," she typed. They both loved eating at a local restaurant that made the best sandwiches. Trinity felt her mouth watered at the thought of sweet potato fries and a juicy veggie burger with the works. She put on her shades and headed to the office. Trinity anticipated an exciting day at "The Sun."

Elijah met up with his client to review the documents at his office. He was one of the lead accountants at a top firm for several years. Lately, he reminisced a lot about the future. Elijah wanted more than anything wanted a family and to move towards private work and consultancy where he would not be so busy. He remained deep in his thoughts when he received the text message from Trinity. He smiled immediately at her response knowing she was craving sweet potato fries and a veggie burger. Trinity Evans had stolen his heart a long time ago. However, she kept him in the friend zone but he yearned for much more. Over the years he had settled for friendship to have her in his life. He wanted good things for her even it was not with him. Elijah knew he could not turn off his feelings or what was in his heart. However, he also realized he could not wait for Trinity forever to feel something for him other than friendship.

Isaiah Thompson knocked on Elijah's door seeing the intense look on his friend's face. Isaiah grinned and folded his arms. He said, "Let me guess? Trinity is on your mind." Isaiah knew that Elijah was in love with Trinity. Isaiah wished Trinity could see it. Elijah played it off with a grin and said, "What's up?" Isaiah came in the office and sat briefly on the chair. "You tell me," Isaiah stated. "There is nothing to tell you," he said. "Well, who is Trinity dating?" Isaiah asked. Elijah looked up annoyed with his friend. "None of your business," he warned. "How do you do it? You support your best friend but hold back on telling her your true feelings towards her. Trinity leans on your shoulder and tells you about her heartbreaks and love for other guys. You are strong. I could never do it," Isaiah continued.

Elijah looked at his friend's analysis of the situation. "Thank you, Sherlock but don't you have work to do?" he said. Isaiah laughed knowing he was pushing his friend buttons. "I am dating Hope Turner and not reminiscing over Trinity," Elijah admitted. "And how is that going?" Isaiah asked. Isaiah knew that Elijah and Hope had little chemistry. He had met Hope and thought she was really nice. However, she was not well matched for Elijah in his opinion. Isaiah felt as if Elijah was confused about his loyalty to Hope, feeling obligated to pursue something with her and not dealing with his real feelings.

"Don't you have anything better to do than analyze my love life? Take your own advice and work out things with Miriam," Elijah announced. "Touchy, I am so sorry I am hitting at the truth," Isaiah said getting up. "For what it is worth, I am rooting for you and Trinity. You had that torch burning far too long," Isaiah teased and walked out. Elijah was annoyed with his friend. However, deep down inside he knew that Isaiah was closer to the truth.