The Good Wife's Blood Oath

Chapter 2. The New Beginning

I never envisioned my life to be this way but look how everything turned out. I’m in my early thirties, well-established, widowed, and a single mother of an intelligent, beautiful, talented five-year-old future multimillionaire boss. No, money isn’t everything, but it definitely holds power; especially when you’re coming from walking on project floors to walking on marble and Thermo-Tile in a 5,500 square foot home. My children’s death and Hassan’s disappearance really transformed my life. It’s like I see everything in a whole new light. A lot of people say that I am different; they say that I’ve changed. They even look at me differently and that could be because my style of clothing has switched and so has my attitude. I declared Hassan to be dead six months after his disappearance and shortly after he disappeared, I became the Dahlia that I am today. I’m just not the same woman that I was five years ago, and I can admit that. My mind has simply been on another path; my journey has guided me into a different direction and right now, the only thing I want is for Sence and me to remain happy and for our future to stay on the top. I am now the sole-owner and CEO of Lyrics Lounge and Nubis Entertainment. Lyrics Lounge has a new location in Clayton County; Jonesboro to be exact, and Nubis Entertainment is located directly next door to my lounge. Lyrics Lounge is located on the second floor of my two-story building and on the first floor is our restaurant, X-Bistro, and directly next door to Nubis Entertainment is my office where I provide my healing and coaching services. As you can see, I’m not the only thing that changed over the years. Business is banking, and that bank is allowing us to live even larger than before.
Three years ago, I was so caught up in my own affairs that I never truly cared about who Kenya’s man was. To my surprise, I found out that her knight in shining armor was my good friend, Tahir. That shows how much of a friend I was back then. Thank goodness times has changed and I’ve redirected my loyalty to the people who are actually loyal to me.

“Hey, Kenya. I told you I have to get this work completed,” I said to Kenya through the intercom.
“I know. I apologize, Dahl. You have a call on line 2 and they insisted that it’s an emergency. Do you want me to take a message?” she replied.
“An emergency? Is it a man or woman?”
“It is a woman and she said that it is urgent.”
“Send the call through,” I replied.
“Xssential Healing and Coaching by Dahlia, how can I help you?” I answered to hear a brief moment of silence.
“Hello? Xssential Healing and Coaching by Dahlia, how can I help you?” I repeated.
“Hey, gorgeous. Lunch at 2 at X-Bistro?” the titillating deep voice on the other end was my new beau, Araali, but I call him Ra. He always has something superb up his sleeve and he’s full of surprises. Tahir introduced me to Ra six or seven months before my children died in the car bombing. We initially started off as business partners but as time passed by our business partnership blossomed into something much deeper.
“2 o’clock sounds good to me,” I said in a voice softened with affection.
“Excellent. I’ll see you then,” he responded and then we hung up. Something about that man fills my body with power and light. Somethings really are good enough to be true.
“Kenya,” I called for my girl through the intercom.
“Yes, Dahl,” she answered with a smile.
“You knew that was Ra, didn’t you?” I smiled looking at a framed picture of Araali and me on my desk.
“Umm…sorta, kinda,” she giggled. “Shoud I reschedule your clients for the remainder of the day? You have two more before 4,” she resumed.
“Yes, please do reschedule them and close up at exactly 4 and no later,” I answered.
“Okay, cool. Are we still reopening at 8 for our Sensual Yoga classes or are you canceling tonight’s classes?” she asked with uncertainty.
“Girl, of course, we are still on tonight,” I happily replied. “I need to indulge in some meditation and get my stretch on. You know I gotta keep it right for the God,” I smiled.
“You are too much. I’ll see you when you step out,” she laughed and then commenced to calling the remaining clients of the day.

My normal business hours are 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday and I hold one Sensual Yoga Class a week all with Kenya’s help. I was able to raise her pay since more money is coming in from different directions. I also employed Tahir as head-of-security at Lyrics Lounge and he also works next door at Nubis Entertainment as security throughout the week since the lounge is only open Friday through Sunday and by booking. Keeping the money circulating in the community and within the family is what I do best and as-long-as I have Ra at myside the empire is going to stay on the rise.
Speaking of Araali, he has been such an amazing confidant, mentor, lover, and father figure to Essence throughout the past couple of years. These have been some trying years and he has been the rock and strength that we need. What more could a woman ask for? He is Atlanta’s most sought for man – the God is sexy, and I love the fact that so many women want what I have. Ra is a well-respected businessman here in the A and he is no one to be messed with either. He owns several luxury dealerships across Atlanta, a car detailing spa, and he also owns a portion of X-Bistro. Besides his good looks and knowledge in business and the streets, he holds the key to my heart.
“Alright, Kenya, I’ll see you in a little later at tonight’s class,” I smiled, heading towards the door.
“Fasho, Dahl,” she smiled back redirecting her attention back to her phone. “Oh, wait! You don’t want to forget this,” she exclaimed racing to meet me outside the front door passing me my manila envelope.
“I don’t know what I would do without you, sis,” I said softly as I hugged her. “You are truly an amazing woman,” I smiled.
“You know that I got your back like a chiroprac,” she giggled and went back into the building. I swear, there is nothing greater than having a dependable person in your circle.

** Please press star, comment, and share if you like what you've read so far. I will share chapters 1 through 3 and all Chapter titles of this novella over the next few days. If you love what you're reading you can pick it up on Amazon and Google Play Books in mid-late August! Don't forget to pick up the revised version of part one "The Good Wife" on Amazon. This story will be a film in Spring 2018.**