Mines Forever: A Vallea Mafia Romance Story

4

A part of me wanted you to never see the darkness that plagues the essence of my soul. I wanted you to see the part of me I keep hidden away..but I realize I could never be that type of man who freely could show my weaknesses to others. No matter how many times I wanted to tell and show you the truth, a part of me didn't think you would truly be comfortable seeing the side of me even my enemies dreaded seeing.

"Verena, Verena, Verena". I gasp and open my eyes as I look up to see my best friend, Zolani, staring down at me with concern as she touches my forehead checking my temperature. "I'm sorry I didn't realize I fell asleep". I place my hand against my chest, feeling my heartbeat that is beating at a normal pace. That dream felt too damn real. "You had me worried. I had been calling your name for the past five minutes. You didn't make a move.". Zolani takes out her stethoscope that is around her neck and proceeds to listen to my heartbeat. "I promise I'm fine Zo. I just fell asleep". Zolani ignores me while she proceeds to check my blood pressure as well. Zolani is a pediatrician just like me and works with me in my clinic here at Fountain View Children's Hospital. After moving here to Fountain View, it did not take me long to find a job position opening at the hospital.

Zolani was the first person I met during my job interview at Fountain View Children's Hospital and ever since then we have been stuck like glue."I've noticed you've been working yourself a little hard lately. Mind wanting to tell me what's going on". She places the medical equipment back on the shelf near my desk while she takes a seat in front of my desk in one of the light pink loveseat. "I've been having dreams about Eryx again", I reveal, placing my hand across my head. Zolani doesn't say a word as she stares at me for a moment. "Are you going to say something", her silence is causing me to worry that maybe she will say something off the wall like she normally does. "I've been telling you for the longest you are still in love with that man".

She then rolls her eyes, "But hey what do I know. I've been practically single for most of my adult life so maybe I look at relationships a lot differently than you do". I take hold of Zolani's hands. "Don't do that Zo. I keep telling you to go out on dates. It's plenty of men who have shown interest in you". Zo just smirks before letting out a snort. "All be damn if I go out with any of these damn homewreckers. You keep forgetting I know everybody in town". I begin laughing as Zo has a bewildered look on her face, which always causes me to laugh at her antics.

"Speaking of men, are you really thinking about going as Kieran's date for the masquerade ball on Friday". Kieran Alvarado was a hot wet dream, and he had been trying to get me in his bed since I moved here to Fountain View. I'm not sure what made him so persistent in pursuing me, but I was adamant about giving my heart to another man. Something about Kieran gave me chills and not in a good way. It was something about him that caused me to take an absolute pause. Do not get me wrong, he was gorgeous. He was the epitome of wealth and made sure to flaunt it any chance he got by arriving in town with a new car every month, to wearing tailored suits that were imported from an Asian designer overseas, as well as being on investors' board for Fountain View Children's Hospital. I am not too sure how he came into money, but rumors have circulated around town that Kieran and his family were drug traffickers. Being that my estranged husband, had a similar background, I stirred away from Kieran, but somehow over the years he it pushed him to pursue me, which involved asking for my phone number or offering to take me out on dates, which always would decline stating I was too busy with work, but one day it caught me off guard and somehow I ended accepted his offer, which I am later regretting.

"Make sure to call me if you have any questions or concerns about the medications I prescribed for Payton", I just finished up seeing my last patient of the day and was discussing the medications Payton, a five year old little brown skin girl, who made a habit of running into my arms and embracing every time she came to see me for her doctor visits. I cherished the moments I would spend with my patients. I loved interacting with children. It was the reason that influenced me to become a pediatrician. As well as I wanted to set an example for young, black people within my community that we needed more healthcare professionals who looked like us in the medical field. I had spent the entire day seeing patient after patient as I was running on fumes being that I woke up that particular morning at 4am. I was in need of sleep and my bed was calling my name. Just as I am clocking out for the day and saying my goodbyes to many of the doctors and nurses on staff, I see Kieran standing in the lobby with a bouquet of red roses in his hands. I cringed inwardly as I walked towards Kieran. "Hey Kieran, what are you doing here", I ask, keeping a neutral expression as I stare back at him, a smile plastered on his face. "I brought you these", he then motions towards the flowers and places them in my hands. I forcefully plaster a smile on my face. "Thanks", not even interested in smelling like I usually do being that I make a habit of going to a local floral shop every week to get new flowers to place in various areas of my home.