The Art of Love

Chapter 19: Discombobulated

Zahir sat in his den just staring at the tv. Nothing was on but he couldn't draw his attention away from it.

Once he got wind of everything that was going on with Rayne, he knew that he couldn't stay away from her any longer.

He was tired of the back and forth shit. Tired of things being dragged out and complicated. It was clear to him that shit wasn't making any sense to him at all.

At the end of the day, he wanted her in his life. He wanted that life back that they once had when they were younger.

Picking up his phone, he scrolled through his contacts until he saw her name. He was hesitant at first but decided to call.

"Yes?" She answered on the third ring.

"Can we talk?"

"About what?"

"Everything. I just need to get this shit off my chest."

"Are you serious?" She asked before sighing.

"Have your shit ready, I'm on my way."

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Rayne looked at the bag she had packed. She didn't understand why she packed a bag but felt like it was necessary.

It was shocking to her that Zahir was calling her, wanting to talk. Ever sine that day she left, they haven't spoke two words to eachother.

In a way, she felt like her brother had something to do with this. Why else would he want to speak to her?

Grabbing the bag off the bed, she walked out of her room only to bump into Stanley.

"Sorry! I didn't see you Stanley."

"You almost knocked me off my damn feet." He said before laughing.

"I came to tell you that Mr... I mean Zahir is outside waiting for you. Judging by your bag, you wont be back tonight."

Shaking her head, she adjusted the strap on her shoulder. "Nope. I'll be back tomorrow, maybe."

Nodding his head, he smiled at her.

"It's probably not my place but figure out what you want when it comes to your peace. I don't like to see you upset."

"Believe me, I'm trying to. Thanks, you should take the night off." She said before hugging him and making her way downstairs.

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Emotions were high. All over the place. The amount of time it took for them to get to this place was honestly crazy.

"I like to be straightforward. I like things to be talked about and moved on from. You are who I want. I'm choosing you. Wanting to be committed to you."

"I just don't want to go through all the bullshit again. It's tiring and draining. I'm over it honestly. I love you and for some reason i don't know why. It's like it comes second nature to me." Rayne said before stretching.

Everything was laid out on the table. All the issues, the trauma. Zahir was tired of the back and forth in his head and he had came to the conclusion of what he really wanted.

He wanted Raye. He wanted to protect and shield her from all the harm that could come her way. He wanted to be that man that she could always depend on.

"I love you too Ray, i really do. I tried to erase you from my mind but you can see how that worked."

"I owe you an apology."

"For what?" He was confused.

"For believing someone else over your word. I should've just asked you."

"Yeah, that shit was weird to me. I wouldn't play like that. So if i did know that i had a kid on the way, i would have told you. That's my word."

She nodded her head. "So do you forgive me? Are we moving past it?"

Zahir did have to realize that she was once in a position where her worth meant nothing to the man that she was once with. That she was meant to question everything a nigga said to her. Second guess herself. He didn't want that for her though.

"Yes. I just want you to know that you can always ask me anything. Don't ever second guess the way i feel about you."

Smiling at his words, she pulled him into a well needed hug. She missed his smell, the way he embraced her. His strong grip.

"I love you girl."

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Rayne and Zahir were currently lying in his bed watching a movie. She had let him know about her run in with Ralph and the plan that he and her ex-husband's mistress had in place.

Unbeknownst to her, he already knew. He sided with Rah on the situation an wanted that nigga dead and gone. He thought it was crazy that not only did the mistress find and approach her, that the best friend did too.

If they could find her, what makes her think that he couldn't find her as well? Especially because he knew where she was from.

How did she find her and how long was she watching her to wait and approach her?

It was made clear that he was a threat and  it was best for him not to come try to find her. There was only one outcome to that and it was death. That Zahir knew for sure.

He knew that Rayne would remain untouched and live the rest of her life without fear.

As soon as they took care of the problem, nothing else would matter.