Broken Promises and Silent Hearts

4

"Jaquan get down", he was standing in the table laughing with Juan.

"No", he shouted.

"Jaquan Woods get down now", she slowly got down.

"What I tell you about climbing huh don't go back up there do you understand me".

"Yes", he ran away crying Juan looked at me.

"Don't give me that look mister you were up there to go up there again and see", he walked away crying too all the do is climb and break things from time to time.

"Jaquan and Juan come here", they slowly walked in with their heads down.

"Go and stand in hall naughty corner", they did what I said continue to finished some work.

"Mommy I'm sorry Jaquan said hugging me I smile.

"I'm sorry too mommy you love me", Jain asked thru were so sweet.

"It's fine baby mommy love you too how about we go out to the dinner get you some strawberry ice".

"I've mommy let's go", Jaquan rushed out, Juan shouted for him to wait for him taking up my car keys I headed upstairs for some cash looking  for the twins I heard them calling me downstairs boy the they loved there ice cream.

"I'm coming", I smiled as they but on there crocs left and right  I fixed their shoes going out.

"Hey Shar you looking good this evening", Travis said he was my neighbor he's been hitting on me since I move here.

"I'm good Travis and you", I buckled up the twins getting in he leaned down to my level.

"I'm good seeing that sexy body of yours when you going to let me tap that", I smiled at him showing him my dimples.

"How about never now move before I run you over".

"Mommy I want I've cream". He moved laughing.

"See you around beautiful", I rolled my eyes driving to the dinner not far from home.

"Okay where here", I unbuckled them going inside taking my seat.

"Hi cutie pie how are my two favorite boys", they smiled rushing to go hug her

"Grandma", she kissed all over their faces causing them to laughed I smiled.

"Shar how are you darling I haven't seen you around here in a while", she took a seat beside me.

"Work's been keeping me busy. How have you been?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation light.

"I'm good, my child. I'm happy to see you both." Her warmth radiated as she spoke, making it hard to ignore how much I liked her.

"What are you kiddies having?" she asked, turning to the twins.

"Ice cream... strawberry ice cream!" they beamed, their speech impressively clear for three-year-olds. They were adapting well to their new surroundings.

"I'll have a cheesy burger with some fries and some lemonade," I added, trying to focus on the food rather than my thoughts of Shar.

"Coming right up," she said with a smile before walking away.

"Mommy, can I have ice cream, please?" Juan pouted, and I couldn't help but laugh. He was too cute, and soon both twins were giggling, their joy infectious.

"Oh my God, Shar, is that you?" I looked up to see Moya. She hugged me tightly, and I caught Crown smirking at me, licking his lips.

"Hey, Moya. It's funny seeing you here," I said, feeling a little flustered.

"Yes, it's good to see you! I didn't even see you at graduation or the last week of school," she replied, her eyes sparkling.

"Here's your ice cream—one for you and one for you—and your cheesy burger with fries and cool lemonade," she announced, returning with our order.

"Thanks, Shar," I said, my heart racing. Each moment with her deepened my crush, even as I reminded myself that I was still investigating her. The tension between my feelings and my duty hung in the air, but for now, I was just grateful to share this moment with her.

"Twill you two be joining".

"No", I quickly said before they could answer  giving the twins their spoons.

"Thank you".

"You're welcome".

"So you remember Crown right", she stand beside him holding his hands intertwining them.

"Yeah it was good seeing you both", couldn't she take a hint.

"Come on Moya she's having family time it was good seeing you Shar", he winked at me I rolled my eyes biting into my burger.

"Here take my number so we could catch up", she handed me her phone I put the burger down drinking some of my lemonade.

"That's fine Moya go on about your day", her smile fell it didn't really matter to me Crown pulled her away the last thing I wanted was her in my business.  We continue to eat and talk to each other.

"Jaquan here wipe your mouth", I hand him and Juan a wipes Juan looked at Jaquan and they both started laughing with each other I wonder what they were laughing about.

"Mommy we ready to go home come let me help you", Juan got out of his seat taking up the car keys while Jaquan took up my phone holding my hands as we walked out.

                                🌹🌹🌹🌹

"Mommy I like this one", I turned around to the voice I heard it was one of Shar son looking at a shoes.

"Mommy come look", he walked away bring her to the shoes I looked at them they seemed happy.

"Can you help me", her other son pointed to his shoes I tied his shoes lace Shar walked up towards us.

"Oh you again", she held his hand.

"Thank you", he smiled at me.

"No problem........ why you say it like that".

"Babe where are you", Moya said holding my hand I removed my hand from her.

"Shar it's you".

"Hmmm, yeah, Moya, if you'll excuse me, twins, let's go pay for our stuff." Moya started to say something, but I turned my attention back to Shar.

"Shar, let me apologize for the other day. Can I take you to dinner?" I tried to sound casual, but my heart raced.

She laughed lightly, but it didn't feel warm. "It's fine, Crown. You're back to your girlfriend, right?"

"She's not my girlfriend," I insisted, hoping to make my feelings clear. I could see Shar shake her head, a mix of amusement and frustration in her eyes.

"No, Crown, I'm good on dinner. Bye. I wish not to see you again." With that, she paid for her items and turned to leave.

I watched her go, a mix of determination and frustration swirling within me. Shar was tough to deal with, but I wasn't ready to give up. If I wanted to earn her trust, I knew I had to be persistent, show her I was genuine, and prove I could be someone she could rely on.

As she walked away, I resolved to find a way back into her life—not just for my investigation, but because I wanted her to see the real me. I needed to show her that I wasn't just some guy from her past; I could be an ally, a friend, maybe even more. Each step she took away from me fueled my resolve to bridge the gap between us, no matter how challenging it might be.