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 five days and today is Thursday and it's Halloween! I can't believe Zane actually invited me to go trick or treating with him, Nia and her friends. I am sure it was Nia's idea, but either way I will take it. I went shopping for a cheap Halloween costume this weekend. It was hard to find a costume that wasn't too sexy. I want to give a good impression and set a good example for Nia. So I decided on a simple military costume and I am wearing flat combat boots with it. I have my hair slicked back into a high bun. I look at myself in the mirror and I smile a bit. I won't even lie I am a little nervous. Zane definitely makes me nervous. He's almost intimidating at times. He just has a serious demeanor all the time. Hopefully when he is around Nia and her friends, he will lighten up a bit. I put on a bit of makeup and then I head out. I left work early today just to meet Zane and Nia tonight. Once I pull up to the address Zane gave me, I park and then I get out of the car. It's a very nice apartment complex. I can tell Zane must do well for himself. I brought a few pieces of candy for each girl. I go inside and I take the elevator to Zane's floor. Once I am at his door, I take a deep breath before knocking. I hear Nia say "she's here" and I smile to myself. The door opens and I see Nia dressed in a kids cleopatra costume and Zane is dressed in a matching adult costume . He does have on a white beater. Oh my gosh their relationship is just everything.
"Yani you made it!," Nia said. Nia hugs my waist tight and I smile as I hug her back.
"Yes I made it. Nia you look beautiful. I love your costume," I complimented.
"Thank you! I like yours too. You always look pretty Yani," Nia said sweetly.
"Aww thank you sweetheart," I said. I lean down and I kiss her cheek and she giggles. I then look at Zane and I smile.
"Hi Zane," I said.
"Hi Yani. Come in," Zane said. I nod my head and I walk in and Nia closes the door behind me.
"Your costume is great," I said.
"Thanks....um come meet Nia's friends," Zane said. I nod my head and Zane leads me into the kitchen and I see and these two little girls . They're both so beautiful!
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They're both so beautiful!
"Yani these are my friends Whitney and Briana. Whitney and Briana this is Yani," Nia said proudly.
"Hi Whitney and Briana it's nice to meet you both," I said while smiling widely. They both smile and hug my waist. They're so sweet! I have a soft spot for children I can admit that.
"Ok ladies, you all ready to go?," Zane asked.
"Yay!!," the girls said while clapping.
"Oh I brought you all some candy to get you started," I said. I put a few pieces of candy in each of the girls' bags.
"Thank you!," the girls said in unison.
"You're welcome," I said. We leave Zane's apartment and he closes and locks the door behind us. Briana and Whitney hold my hand while Nia holds Zane's hand. We leave the apartment complex and start our rounds around the neighborhood. There are a lot of kids and families out tonight. We go to our first house and Nia rings the doorbell. The door opens and an elderly woman opens the door and smiles warmly.
"Trick or treat!," the girls said.
"Oh aren't you girls precious," the woman said. She places a handful of candy in each of the girl's bags.
"Thank you!," the girls said happily.
"You're more than welcome....what a beautiful family," the woman complimented.
"Oh ma'am we're not...," Zane is cut off.
"Thank you so much!," Nia said proudly. Zane looks at her in shock and she giggles and holds out her hand to him. He grabs it and we turn to go to the next house. Nia is a trip! That little girl is something else. I still want to know where her mother is. No way would I ever leave a beautiful little girl like Nia. We start our walk to the next house.
"Little girl what do you think you are doing?," I heard Zane whisper to Zane.
"I'm not doing anything," Nia said.
"You think you're slick? Huh?," Zane whispered.
"Daddy stop hiding. You like her so tell her." I smile to myself at the comment.
"I do not and we're not talking about this anymore," Zane said.
"Mmhmm we'll see," Nia said. Zane shakes his head as I laugh softly. Nia is trying to play matchmaker I see. Well I definitely wouldn't mind getting to know Zane a little bit better I know that much. He just needs to open up a bit though. I don't understand why he doesn't open up, but I want to learn why. I had a great time trick or treating with Nia and her friends though. They are all so adorable and sweet. I see why they are so close. By 7 p.m. we decide to head back to Zane's apartment. The girls sit down at the kitchen counter and go through and exchange their candy.
"Did you girls have fun?," I asked.
"Yes it was so great!," Nia said happily. Whitney and Briana nod their heads in agreement. I smile and then I look at Zane.
"Zane I had a really great time. It was fun," I said.
"Yeah it was," Zane said.
"I told you it would be fun daddy didn't I? Yani daddy was really nervous but I told him he would have fun with you," Nia said.
"Yani please excuse Nia. She thinks she's a matchmaker which she isn't," Zane said while narrowing his eyes at Nia.
"It's fine I really don't mind.....and if we're being honest, I was nervous too," I said. Zane just stares at me as I look at him.
"Uh....can I get you anything? Anything to drink?," Zane said.
"No I'm good thank you," I said. Zane nods his head and I walk over to the kitchen counter. Nia smiles at me and I smile back.
"I'm glad you're here Yani," Nia said.
"You're so sweet do you know that?," I said.
"Thank you...you are too. I really like you Yani," Nia said.
"I like you too Nia," I said.
"Do you like my daddy too?," Nia asked eagerly.
"Nia don't," Zane said sternly.
"I do Nia," I said while looking at Zane. Zane raises his eyebrows at me and I smile softly. He quickly looks away. I think it's so cute that he does that.
"I want you to come around more," Nia said.
"Well I would really like that sweetheart," I said. I kiss her cheek as she giggles softly. By 7:30 p.m. Briana and Whitney's parents pick them up and now it's just Nia, Zane and I.
"You should probably get to bed huh princess? You have school tomorrow," I said.
"Yes I should....daddy can Yani stay to read me a story? Pretty please with a cherry on top?," Nia asked.
"Ok Nia just one short story. I mean it," Zane said. Nia nods her head and grabs my hand and leads me to her bedroom. She goes into her bathroom as I sit on her bed. She comes back out a minute later dressed in a pajama set. She climbs into bed and I pull the covers over her. She grabs a book and hands it to me. I smile and I read her the quick story that only took 10 minutes to read.
"You sleep tight princess," I said.
"I will. Thank you for coming trick or treating today. It was fun," Nia said.
"Thanks for inviting me. I had a great time with you, your friends and your daddy."
"Daddy's weird huh?," Nia said while laughing a bit.
"What do you mean?"
"He just doesn't get close to anyone. I don't get it. Daddy really is a nice man I know it."
"I believe you Nia.....sometimes people just are afraid to get close to anyone because they think they will get hurt."
"Mmm maybe that's it. But you're so nice I don't think you would hurt daddy."
"No I wouldn't.....but if your daddy wants to, then he will come around." Nia smiles and nods her head and then she wraps her small arms around me and I hug her back. I kiss her cheek and then she asks me to wrap her hair and I do just that. She then lies down and closes her eyes. I leave her bedroom closing the door behind me and as soon as I turn around I bump right into Zane.
"Oh I'm so sorry Zane," I said.
"I'm sorry I surprised you," Zane said.
"It's ok.....well Nia is sleeping so I should probably head home."
"I'll walk you out." I nod my head and Zane leads me to the door. He opens it for me and I turn to face him.
"Thanks again for inviting me. It was a lot of fun.....I hope I can see you again," I said.
"Uh....yeah it was fun....but.....I don't know. I'm just not...," Zane said.
"You're not looking for a relationship is that it?," I said.
"Well....yeah I guess that's it."
"....Well I can understand that Zane. I'll back off if that's what you want that's not a problem. You have a good night," I said while forcing a smile. I turn to walk away, but I hear Zane sigh and he lightly grabs my wrist to stop me from walking. I look at him and he takes his hand away from my wrist.
"Listen.....I can't just stop seeing you. My little girl has really taking a liking to you and I just can't take that away from her....so....I'm willing to get to know you because I need to know who I am having around my daughter. Yani....I hope you don't think I'm rude I just....don't get close to people. I'm not used to it," Zane said while looking at me.
"....You don't have to be scared of me Zane," I said. He just stares at me as I stare at him. He looks down as he nods his head and then he looks back up at me.
"....I'll call you this weekend. Maybe all of us can get out and do something. I mean that's if you want to. I don't know what your work schedule or anything is like," Zane asked nervously.
"I'd love that. I'll be waiting for your call," I said. Zane nods his head and I move closer to him and I kiss his cheek.
"Good night," I said.
"Night," Zane said. I turn to leave with the biggest smile on my face. Now that Zane is giving me a chance, I just have to prove to him that I'm worth it.
