Only You

Chapter Thirteen

Fallon
I toss in turn in my bed that night in restlessness. Michael knows that I have an abusive past, but he doesn't know the rest. I'm pissed off at the kiss. It should've never happened. I touch my lips then shake my head.

"What if- nah." I think to myself.

It's 3am and I can't sleep.

Michael
It's 3am and I can't sleep. Crap! Even though I'm not working tomorrow, I can't stay in this house with Fallon. Not after that stupid kiss. I sit up in my bed and turn on the lamp.

I lean my head against the headboard and think of my late wife, Eboni. She would've helped me get back to sleep in no time. It's sad that I live all this luxury and I don't really have anyone to share it with. Yeah, I have my daughter, but still.

I met Eboni when I was fresh out of law school and worked as an amateur lawyer at the law firm I work at now. She was a secretary. We automatically clicked and we went from there. She was the soft spoken girl, and I was full of passion. We got married after a year of dating and then Imani came a year after.

We were pretty happy and content as I began getting promotions and bigger cases. Before I knew it, my office was in the top floor and I was making 600K a year. The day that Eboni passed away was just like any day. I went to work early in the morning before she awoke. She went to her job after dropping Imani off at the babysitter. I picked Imani up after getting off of work at five from the babysitter and went home.

Eboni wasn't home yet so I presumed that she stopped by the store. It was a rainy and stormy night so I decided to grab a blanket and chill in the couch to wait for my wife. The minutes turned to hours. I blew up Eboni's phone and she never picked up. I began to panic. Eboni always called back. Always.

It was 10pm when I finally got a phone call from the police.

"Is this Michael Ealy?" A tired man asked.

"Yes. It is." I asked holding my breath.

He sighs heavily.

"This is about your wife, Eboni."

"Please tell me she's okay." I beg.

He pauses then says,"I'm sorry Mr. Ealy, but she died two hours ago."

I can't remember anything after that because I blacked out. Thankfully, my maid, Maria was still there to help me. I didn't speak for two weeks after that. I couldn't forgive myself. I know now it isn't my fault, but I was truly depressed for months. I drove myself deeper into work to forget, but I ended getting colder.

I spent less time with my daughter because she reminded me of Eboni. Tears fall down my cheeks but I wipe them away. Eboni will always be my first love and wife, but I've moved on.

There's a knock at my door.

"Who is it?" I ask.

"Fallon." She says.

I quickly  grab a book and open it on my lap.

"Come in."

The door opens and Fallon walks in with her hair in two braids and cute pajamas on. The only light illuminating is the lamp. Her skin is glowing anyway.

"Can't sleep?" I ask noticing her tired eyes.

She nods sadly.

"Up reading?" She asks noticing my open book.

"Yeah. Just a little research." I lie

I scoot and pat my bed.

"Come sit." I bade.

She walks awkwardly to me and sits on the edge of the bed. Fallon scratches her head and breathes out.

"I feel like I should tell you the rest of my story before we go any further with this whole nanny thing.." She says while staring at the wall.

"Okay."

She folds her hands and begins with, "There's a lot of things that I need to clear up..."

I focus my eyes on her face and keep my ears open. I can't believe she's opening up to me.

Fallon
"So you lied." Michael states once I finished.

That's really all he can say?

"I had to. It was the only way for me to be safe."

"So you really don't have any experience. You dropped out of college and did nothing." He states.

"You have to understand the kind of person my husband is. He's controlling and manipulative."

He sighs and puts his arms around me.

"I'm sorry." He says,"I'm sorry that you had to go through that, but know that you're safe now".

I nod and relax a little.

"I don't know about safe... Almost all of America loves Donnell. They don't know the real him."

"But you do, and you can expose him."

"No!" I say a bit louder.,"No, I can't. He'd kill me."

"I wouldn't allow him to raise a finger on you." He says fiercely.

I turn around and look him in his eyes to check for sincerity. It's written all in there.

"Do you trust me?" He asks quietly.

"What?" I ask.

"Do you trust me, Fallon?"

"Yes, I guess I do." I reply.

He takes away his arms from around my waist and lifts the comforter.

"Sleep here. I won't touch you." He promises.

I nod my head and crawl under the warmth of the covers.

"You know," he says as he fixes himself on the opposite side of the bed,"I wasn't really reading when you came. I couldn't sleep either."

I chuckle and roll my eyes.

"I figured. The book was upside-down."

He laughs and turns off the lamp.

"Good night, Fallon."

"Good night, Michael."

I lie awake for a couple minutes with my eyes wide awake as I think about what just happened between us. Soon, I hear Michael's soft snores, and before I know it, I'm out too.