𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑋𝑜𝑛𝑒

𝑋𝐼𝑉

"Come on, I wanna show you something," Janet said, gracefully getting off me and making her way out of the room. I followed her, curiosity bubbling inside me. We passed through an archway that led to a glass door, which opened up to her balcony.

As I stepped outside, I was greeted by a stunning view with the backyard below us. The patio opened up to a pool surrounded by sleek, rocky marble pavement, lush greenery, and vibrant flowers. It was an oasis of tranquility, and I couldn't help but be in awe.

"Wow," I breathed, taking in the scenery. The weather was perfect, a little on the warmer side, but the sun felt delightful against my skin.

"I go to the beach whenever I'm stressed or depressed," Janet said, walking beside me as I leaned over the modern glass railing. "But when I can't go to the beach, I come here, although my favorite spot to relieve some tension is the beach. The beach is so soothing during the hardest parts of my life. That's where I go, no matter where I am in this world."

I felt a deeper connection to her in that moment, standing together in this beautiful setting. "Do you swim when you go to the beach?" I asked, genuinely curious.

She looked down at the ground below us and laughed lightly. "No, not at all."

"Why not?" I asked, laughing along with her.

She turned her gaze toward me, her breathtaking smile lighting up her face. "You know black girls don't get their hair wet. Or you don't know about that?" she teased.

"Actually, I do because I'm black myself," I replied, feeling a swell of pride.

Her eyes widened in surprise, amusement dancing across her features as she looked me up and down. "Are you mixed?"

"Yeah," I confirmed.

"Who's black, your mom or dad?" she asked, her interest piqued.

"My dad," I said, leaning against the railing beside her.

She nodded, her expression thoughtful. She squinted against the sun's harsh glare, and I couldn't help but admire how effortlessly beautiful she looked, even in the bright light.

"I would've never guessed. I guess that explains your last name," Janet said.

"Why, because my name isn't Lopez or Gonzalez?" I teased.

"You said it," she laughed, her warm voice filling the air between us.

I waited for her laughter to fade, her smile lingering as she gazed out at the view. There was a quiet comfort between us, but I couldn't hold back the question any longer.

"Why me?" I asked softly.

She turned her gaze to me, her eyes serious but gentle. "I told you before what you mean to me. There's a handful of people I can truly trust, and I believe you're one of them. So far, you haven't given me a reason not to trust you. Trust is very important to me."

"Why? Has someone broken your trust?" I asked, peeling back the layers of her carefully guarded heart.

"Yeah, multiple people." She sighed, her gaze dropping to the ground. "I have to question people's intentions when I meet them. I have to ask myself, 'What's their ulterior motive?'"

I nodded, understanding her guarded nature. "Can I ask you how long you and Rene have been separated?"

She sighed again, this time with more weight. "It happened recently, but we've been unhappy for a while now." She glanced at me, her expression pained. "Our separation was mutual, but I can't trust him anymore. Especially after recent events... he's just showing me his true colors. Mariah, I hope your intentions are as good as you say they are."