Only You

Chapter Two

Michael
I let out a heavy sigh as I kick off my shoes and walk into the foyer of my home. After a long day at the office, all I want is a long hot shower and my bed. It's 11pm, and the house is quiet except for the faint sound of the TV in the living room.

I'm Michael Ealy. A 34 year old successful lawyer, and a single father to a 4 year old girl, Imani. My wife passed away 2 years ago in a car crash. It's been harder trying to raise a child without her. Everyday is a fight.

My mom is telling me to get a live-in nanny, but I can't just hire anyone. I've looked and everyone is either inexperienced or not available.

I walk into the living room to find the babysitter, Jenny, asleep on the couch with the TV on The Jamie Foxx Show. I tap her shoulder to wake her up. She jumps awake and apologizes for falling asleep.

"Sorry, Mr.Ealy. I lost track of time." She explains nervously avoiding my glare.

"Whatever. Just go." I tell her annoyed.

She gets up and grabs her bag. Before she leaves, she says,

"Imani went to sleep in your room again. She was good today."

I sigh and say,"Thank you."

I lock the door behind I make my way up the steps and down the hallway to my bedroom. The lights are turned off but I see Imani's tiny form under the blanket. Ever since her mother died, Imani has been sleeping in my bed.

She looks exactly like her mother, but she took my blue-gray eyes. I kiss her forehead, and head to the bathroom. I've been in this damn suit all day. I walk into my large bathroom and turn on the all-around shower before hopping in and letting the hot water do its thing.

I get out after five minutes, dry, and throw on my pajamas. As I brush my teeth, my late wife pops into my mind. I stare at myself in the mirror and imagine her here with me. Eboni was her name. We always brushed our teeth together before we hit the sack.

I shake my head to take her out of my head and walk into the bedroom. Since I'm one of the best lawyers in Georgia, my load is big. I have cases being thrown at me like crazy so I barely get to relax.

I get into bed with my little princess and turn off the lights. I close my eyes to sleep, but Imani wakes me up.

"Daddy?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you sweeping?" She asks.

"Mmhm. What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Okay. Go to sleep." I say.

She crawls over to me and cuddles her small body next to mine. I pull her close before falling asleep.
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Fallon
The radio plays in the background as Donnell and I eat in silence during breakfast in the dining room. At 29, my life isn't how I thought it would be. It sucks. After he finishes, Donnell lets out a large belch and gets up.

His towering height makes me nervous. I keep my head down and focus on my plate, but I know he's staring at me. My fingers begin to tremble a bit. Donnell has no chill. He would cuss me out in front of the chef and maid.

"I'm going to the gym and practice." He says.

"Okay. See you later." I say with my head in my plate.

He walks away and slams the front door once he leaves. I jump at the noise and sigh in relief. I didn't notice I was holding my breath. I immediately leave the table for Maria, the maid, to clean up.

I'm sure to check the driveway to make sure he really left. Coast is clear. I quickly go to the closet and pull out the pre-packed small suitcase. I go to the safe and take $1000. Donnell never let me get a job or have money. Everything I wanted or needed, I had to ask him like I'm a child.

This bedroom has so many bad memories of beatings, crying myself to sleep, and even a couple miscarriages. My cell rings. Donnell. Damn! I quickly pick up and say hello.

"I forgot my mouth guard. Bring it out to me." He says.

"Okay."

I run to the bathroom to grab one of his mouth guards before running down the stairs. He pulls into the driveway in his black Range Rover. I quickly walk over to his car, and he rolls down the mirror. I hand him the case with his mouth guard and he takes it.

He opens it to make sure it's the right one. He nods his head in approval.

"Give me a kiss." He demands.

I reluctantly move in and allow him to kiss my lips. It's not the same. It never will be again. I pull away and he puts the window up. I watch as he drives away before turning and running back inside the house.

I grab the suitcase and the money before sneaking out of the house. My heart is beating out of my chest the whole time. I'm sure to make sure the the maid and chef don't see me. I catch the taxi from a place around the corner to make sure I'm not seen by my nosy neighbors.