Zane had told himself for years not to get close to anyone, especially a woman, due to his choice of job. However, when he met Yani, he can't deny their connection, and will embark on a new journey with her, that neither of them expected.
It's been two weeks and one day and today is Saturday. Ever since that night with Zane, I haven't been able to stop thinking about him. I don't think he understands how he saved me. I could have ended up raped or killed by that man I met at the club that night. That thought scares me, but I am so thankful that Zane helped me. I still don't know how he knew or why he was watching, but I'm so grateful. I heard on the news that the guy was shot in the arm and numerous women have come forward to say that they think he put date rape drugs in their drinks and then took them home and sexually assaulted them. I was floored by the news. That could have been me. That makes me even more grateful to Zane. I just wish that he was bit more open with me. I mean I have made it known that I want to get to know him, but he ignores every sign. I am not sure why that is. Something inside of me tells me not to give up though. I don't want to give up either because I am clearly attracted to him. How could I not be? The man is fine as hell. He has a dope style and is great with his daughter. He seems like he would be a good catch to me. Anyway, I'm at the mall with Kiara. We are looking in Forever 21 right now.
"Going out tonight boo?," Kiara asked while looking through a rack of dresses.
"I don't think so. Last time I went out, I almost got taken advantage of," I said.
"I still can't believe that nigga tried to drug you. That's so messed up. But I'm glad Mr. Zane came to the rescue," Kiara said while smirking.
"Me too. Girl I really don't even want to think about what would happen if he wasn't there and saw what happened."
"I agree...heard from him lately?"
"Of course not. He really doesn't want to open up to me I can tell that already."
"Aww don't give up boo. I know you want to get to know him, and if it's meant to be. It will happen," Kiara said while smiling warmly.
"I know.....I wish he was persistent like Brandon's annoying ass though."
"That fool still calling you?"
"Yes! I have already changed my number three times and he always gets it. I don't know how, but he does. He is starting to become a problem. It seems like when I'm not at work, he always finds me. He almost always appears wherever I am. It's starting to scare me."
"You should consider a restraining order or something. I don't know why that nigga doesn't get the fact that you are over him."
"I don't either. And he has a baby on the way and he should be focused on that, not on me. I don't want him in my life anymore, but for some reason, he still wants me in his life and I just don't understand."
"Just do what you need to do to protect yourself. I don't want to have to hurt him, but I will." I laugh a bit as I nod my head. Kiara will surely do anything for me and that is why I love her. As we are looking through Forever 21, this man comes into the store and right behind Kiara.
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He wraps his arms around her and Kiara jumped and then turns her head and then she smiles.
"Hi baby," Kiara said sweetly.
"Hi beautiful," the man said. Kiara turns around in the man's arms and wraps her arms around his neck as he wraps his arms around her waist. They then start tonguing each other down. I roll my eyes playfully and I laugh to myself. They are very freaky together.
"Umm y'all are in public cut that out," I said while laughing. Kiara pulls away and pecks her man's lips two times and then looks at me.
"Our bad," Kiara said.
"Hi Yani," the man said while smiling.
"Hi Damian," I said. He walks over to me and hugs me tightly and then kisses my cheek and I kiss his.
"Baby what are you doing here?," Kiara asked.
"I just wanted to check on my baby that's all," Damian said. Kiara smiles and kisses Damian's lips. Damian then goes into his pocket and hands Kiara a credit card.
"Get something you like ok babe? Oh and stop by Victoria's Secret and get something for me," Damian said while winking.
"Thank you baby. I'll get something in your favorite color red," Kiara said nicely. She takes the card and then kisses Damian passionately. They are so in love. They have been together since high school. Soon as they got together, they have been inseparable. I can admit I do envy their relationship at times. They have been through it all together. When they got together, Kiara's parents weren't thrilled at all. Kiara comes from a middle class family and Damian didn't. Her parents wanted her to end up with some rich nigga, but she fell for Damian. Damian always treated her like a queen from the very beginning and that is why Kiara fell for him. She didn't want anybody but him and she didn't care what her parents said. So their relationship wasn't easy in the beginning without her parents blessing. But they made it through all of that and now they are extremely happy. Damian is a successful music producer and he does incredibly well for himself. Kiara works as a nurse and she is successful as well. They live in a beautiful house together and they're happy. Their relationship gives me hope that one day I will have a happy ending just like theirs.
"Alright I'll let you two ladies get back to shopping. Text me when you're ready baby," Damian said.
"Ok baby. I love you," Kiara said.
"I love you more," Damian said. They kiss again and then Damian hugs me tightly and then he leaves.
"Gosh I love that man," Kiara said dreamily.
"Y'all make me sick," I joked.
"Whatever you love us," Kiara teased. I laugh a bit and I shake my head. Once Kiara and I do a bit of shopping in Forever 21, we head to Victoria's Secret. Kiara goes right to the lingerie section and starts looking through thong sets.
"Girl you would look so hot in this. Maybe for Mr. Zane?," Kiara said while holding up a black thong set.
"Kiara oh my god stop. You're a fool I don't even know Zane well enough to think about sexual encounters with him," I said while laughing.
"I don't know why you're fronting. I can tell you want to drop your panties for him," Kiara said. I hit her arm playfully and she laughs. I guess I wouldn't have any reservations when it came to Zane, but that's another story for another day. Once Kiara picks out numerous sexy outfits for Damian and I pick out a few pairs of underwear and bras, we check out and then we leave. As we are walking, I notice a Halloween shop. Halloween is approaching in less than two weeks. It's fun to look at costumes.
"Let's look in here," I said. Kiara nods her head and we walk into the store. We look around and we head to the wigs section. Kiara's crazy self tries on this bright rainbow colored afro wig. I laugh at her silliness. I take her picture with her phone and she posts it on Instagram. We continue to look around until I hear a familiar little girl's voice. I look around and I see Nia and Zane looking at costumes. My god that man is fine!!!!
"I thought I heard a familiar voice," I said in their direction. They both look at me and Nia smiles, but Zane's face holds a serious look.
"Hi Yani," Nia said while looking up at me and smiling.
"Hi Nia. How are you gorgeous?," I said sweetly.
"I'm good how about you?," Nia said while giggling.
"I'm good thank you. Looking for a costume for Halloween?"
"Yes. I think I want to be a princess, but I'm not sure yet."
"Oh you already are a princess," I said while winking. Nia giggles; the girl is so damn adorable. I look at Zane as he stares at me. Nia nudges her daddy's leg and he looks down at her.
"It's rude to stare daddy. Say hi," Nia said. Zane looks at his daughter with a stern look and then looks at me.
"Hey Yani," Zane said.
"Hi Zane. How are you?," I asked.
"Fine and you?," Zane asked.
"I'm well thank you," I said while smiling.
"Yani where are you? Oh.....hi," Kiara said while walking up to me and waving at Zane and Nia.
"Hi....wow you're really pretty just like Yani. I'm Nia," Nia said sweetly.
"Oh my you're gorgeous and so sweet. I'm Kiara it's nice to meet you sweetheart," Kiara said nicely.
"Nice to meet you too! This is my daddy Zane," Nia said.
"Hi Zane nice to meet you. I've heard all about you," Kiara said while extending her hand to Zane. Zane looks at me as my cheeks burn in embarrassment.
"Nice meeting you Kiara," Zane said while shaking her hand firmly.
"Um.....I'm going to go back to the wigs. Nice meeting you both," Kiara said while waving. Nia waves and Zane gives a head nod. Kiara walks away and I look at Zane and he narrows his eyes at me. He looks so sexy when he does that.
"We just keep running into each other huh?," I said while trying to lighten the mood.
"...I guess so," Zane said nonchalantly while shrugging his shoulders.
"Yani, daddy and I are going to dinner after I find a costume. Do you want to come?," Nia asked. Zane looks at his daughter in shock and I smile a bit. She knows exactly what she is doing.
"Only if it's ok with your daddy," I said while looking at Zane.
"Daddy is it ok? Please?," Nia said while looking up at Zane and pouting. I am sure he can't resist that cute face.
"I'm sure Yani has other plans," Zane said while looking at me.
"Do you Yani?," Nia asked. I look at Zane and it's obvious he doesn't want me to join them.
"...It's ok Nia, it doesn't look like your daddy wants me to join you. It was nice seeing you though. Good luck finding a costume," I said. Nia frowns and looks down and I turn around to walk away. I hear Nia and Zane exchanging a few words and then I hear Zane sigh.
"Wait," Zane called out. I smile to myself but I quickly put on a serious face before turning around.
"Yeah?," I questioned.
"Well, Nia would like...," Zane is cut off by Nia hitting his leg. He looks at her and she gives him a stern look and he sighs and then looks at me.
"We would like for you to join us," Zane said.
"Are you sure?," I asked trying to hide my excitement.
"Yes I'm sure," Zane said.
"Great. I would love to join you both for dinner," I said while smiling.
"Yay!! We're going to go to the Cheesecake Factory is that ok?," Nia asked.
"Sounds great it's one of my favorites," I said.
"We can meet you there at 6 is that ok?," Zane asked.
"I can't wait. I'll see you both then," I said. Nia smiles and hugs me waist. I can't help but smile. She has to be the sweetest little girl. I rub her back gently and then she pulls away from me.
"See you later Zane," I said.
"Bye Yani," Zane said. I turn around and the biggest smile forms across my face. I can't believe it! I'm going to dinner with Zane and Nia. Wow. I'm so excited! I walk back to Kiara and she looks at me.
"So...what happened?," Kiara whispered.
"I'm going to dinner with them at 6," I whispered back. Her eyes widen in shock and then she hugs me tightly and I laugh as I hug her back.
"I knew he couldn't resist you for long," Kiara said. I laugh as I pull out of the embrace. I check my watch and the time is 4:55 p.m. Kiara and I do a bit more shopping until 6, which is when we walk to the Cheesecake Factory that is in the mall.
"Ok Yani good luck. Just be yourself ok? You're so beautiful inside and out and impossible not to like. Don't forget that," Kiara said.
"Thank you boo. Thanks for shopping with me today," I said.
"No problem boo. Call me later with all of the details." I nod my head and we hug and then Kiara leaves. I take a deep breath. I look down at my . I guess I'm dressed up enough. I walk in and I see Zane sitting down with Nia in his lap in the waiting area. I smile when I see them and Nia smiles and even Zane gives me a faint smile.
"You're here! Let's get a table," Nia said. She jumps down from Zane's lap and he stands up and holds her hand. We go to the hostess and she gets three menus and then we are escorted to a booth. Nia and Zane sit on one side and I sit on the other side. I set my purse down and I start to look through the menu.
"I'll take my share of the bill Zane," I said.
"....That's ok I got it," Zane said. I look up at him and I smile and he quickly looks down at his menu. Nia giggles and I look at her.
"What's so funny?," I asked.
"You make daddy nervous," Nia said.
"Little girl why are you telling my business?," Zane said playfully while looking at Nia.
"Because you're too shy to tell it," Nia said playfully. Zane sticks out his tongue at Nia and she does the same and then laughs.
"You're just so pretty Yani that daddy gets nervous when he sees you. I felt his hand get sweaty when he was talking to you," Nia said. I can't help but smile. I look at Zane and I can tell he is embarrassed.
"Anyway, Nia tell Yani what you are going to be for Halloween," Zane said.
"Oh yes! Yani I'm going to be a Cleopatra! I found a pretty headband and everything!," Nia said excitedly.
"Really? That sounds really nice Nia. Are you going to go trick or treating with your daddy?," I asked.
"Yes I am! And a few of my friends. Daddy is going to take us," Nia said.
"Sounds like you are going to have your hands full," I said to Zane.
"Yeah you're right. We'll have fun though. Isn't that right pretty girl?," Zane said.
"That's right daddy!," Nia said. Zane leans over and kisses Nia's cheek multiple times and Nia laughs and then pecks Zane's lips. Oh my gosh they are sooooo cute!! I just admire their relationship even though I just met them. Our female waitress comes and takes our drinks orders and we continue to look through our menus.
"Zane thanks again for inviting me to dinner with you and Nia. I really appreciate it," I said.
"You're welcome," Zane said.
"See daddy I told you this was a good idea," Nia said. Zane looks at Nia and she smiles at him. The waitress brings our drinks and then she takes out orders. Once she takes our menus, she leaves the table. I put my straw in my drink and I take a few sips. I enjoy a nice dinner with Nia and Zane. Zane and I actually did have a few conversations. I think that Nia brings out a different side of him that I would like to see more of. He is a lot more relaxed around her. Nia is just the sweetest little thing. She is also so smart and very articulate for her age. Zane has done a great job raising her. I wonder where her mother is? It's not my place to ask and if Zane wants to ever tell me about her then he will. Once we finish eating, Zane pays for all of us and we leave with our leftovers.
"Thanks for dinner Zane I had a really nice time," I said.
"Thank you for joining us," Zane said.
"Can we see you again Yani?," Nia asked.
"I would love to see you again Nia. You too Zane," I said while looking at Nia and then Zane. He looks at me and puts his head down and thinks for a minute before looking up at me.
"We'll see ok?," Zane said.
"That works for me. You two have a good night," I said.
"Bye Yani," Nia said. She hugs my waist again and I hug her back gently. I then look at Zane. I move closer to him and I lean in and I kiss his cheek. He looks at me in shock afterwards and I smile softly.
"Bye Zane," I said.
"Bye," Zane said nervously. I turn to walk away and a huge grin spreads across my face. I think I'm slowly but surely getting to Zane.
