Breaking All The Rules

Chapter 1

There I was standing in the mirror looking at the reflection of the broken woman that I'd become. My hair was scattered, mascara dripped down from my eyes like a leaky faucet. I was in a dark sunken place and I couldn't quite understand how I'd gotten there. Jerome was everything I'd always said a wanted in a man. He was sexy, successful, charming, business minded. He was the type of man that women would kill for. I think that's what I'd grown to hate most about him. No matter how many times he'd given me signs that I should leave I couldn't. It was like he had placed a magic spell on me. We met when I was working in the hospital as his father's nurse. His father had recently been diagnosed with renal failure. He was in the hospital awaiting a kidney transplant. In my experience people who were recently diagnosed spent years on the donor list awaiting a transplant and to see the amount of work they were doing for this particular patient to obtain a transplant was unheard of; this told me that he was prominent in the community and had a great deal of money. I'd come into my patient's room to check in on him. I found his son hovering over him nervously. Good evening I'm Alyssa I'll be the nurse for this evening. Our eyes met as he turned to greet me. He was dressed in dark brown turtle neck with light brown business pants. He had the most beautiful eyes I'd ever seen. They were gentle hazel eyes that complemented his chocolate complexion. Hello I'm Jerome nice to meet you. I agreed. "Hi Joe, how are you feeling tonight?" His father moaned in pain. I'm going to assume that's not so well. Jerome chuckled, I think you guessed correctly. Please don't take this as being forward , but you're definitely the most beautiful nurse I've ever met. I blushed. He was most certainly easy on the eye, but I'd never fallen prey to advances by my patients or their families. I'm not sure what was so different about him but I was willing to break my rule for him. Thank you I said as I tried to perform my assessment on his father. "Are you married?" I was shocked. It was such a bold question to ask someone two seconds after meeting. I answered. No i'm not but I don't think it's appropriate to discuss my marital status with my patient's family. He smirked. I apologize if I offended you but I'd really like the opportunity to take you out and get to know you a little better. His demeanor was confident. I could tell he wasn't used to being turned down. He had quite an ego on him though he wasn't conceited. I replied I generally don't date my patients or their families. He countered my statement I'm not like anyone else you've met. If you give me an opportunity I can show you why it's never worked with anyone else he said sure of himself. His confidence peaked my interest. I'd never met a man so sure of himself. I had to know more. I knew this type of man was used to having women at his disposal and I couldn't give in easily though the thought of being with a man raced through my mind. It had been 2 years since Ryan and I had broken up and 2 years too long since I'd experienced a man's touch , yet I didn't want to come off as easy. If I was going to fall prey to his charm I was going to put up a good fight so I sashayed out the room swinging my hips to draw his attention to my plum butt. He grinned I could tell that he was enticed and desired more. About an hour after our encounter I saw Jerome exiting his father's room for the night. I wasn't sure that I'd ever see him again, but it was such fun just flirting. It had been awhile since I'd entertained a man long enough to let me spark my interest. Jerome saw me in the hallway reading notes in my patient's chart before I went to pass meds. He came over to me and said goodnight Ms. Alyssa it was a pleasure meeting you as he grabbed my hand and kissed it. I hope this isn't the last time we see each other he said. Before I could get out a word he slipped a piece of paper over with his phone number on it. Don't be afraid to use this he said boldly as he as turned to walk away. I was left in awe. A fellow nurse caught a glimpse of the encounter and walked up to me. Did he just give you his number she asked? I was still stunned nothing of the sort had ever happened in my five years of nursing and for the first time in my life I was unsure of what to do. I was the girl that planned every move in my life and this was definitely not calculated. Do I just throw the number away and pretend it never happened? Should I break my own rules for the possible chance of finding love? So many thoughts raced through my mind. I stood frozen solid ; I couldn't respond to her question. What would people think of me if they thought I was engaging in sexual activity with my patients or their families. She was filled with excitement her facing beaming with joy. Alyssa, do you know who that is? I looked perplexed. I'd figured the family had some type of wealth but I didn't think anything of it. That's Jerome Johnson she said he plays quarterback for the New York Sharks. He's kind of a big deal. Ugh I'm so jealous she exclaimed. I was shocked. How could I not have realized that? His face is plastered everywhere. Why would a guy like that be interested in a girl like me? He could have women at his disposal, yet he was pursing a nurse from a local hospital. That didn't sit well with me. Are you going to call him? She asked. Ashley was the type of girl that was a hopeless romantic. She believed in love more than anyone I'd ever met. She longed to meet the one and have a family. I was the opposite. I wasn't necessarily looking for love I was focused on my career. I was building a savings to be able to go back to school so that I could become a nurse practitioner. I was focused on becoming the best I could be professionally. I wasn't opposed to love if it found me, but I most certainly wasn't out searching for it. I'm not going to call him I responded. She was puzzled. Why would you not call him? I sighed. Ashley believed in the fairytales and Prince Charming. She loved the thought of a woman being swept off of her feet. I'm just not I replied. I walked away from Ashley and avoided her for the rest of the night. I didn't want her trying to influence my decision and I didn't want anyone thinking I was fraternizing with my patient's. A few nights later was my dad's birthday. Mom and I had planned a surprise birthday dinner for him at his favorite restaurant. My sisters and brothers were flying in and were going to meet us there. I was so excited to them! It had been almost a year since the whole family had been together. Everyone was scattered throughout the country living their own lives doing their own thing. I was the only one who lived close by so I often spent time with my parents. My mom was meeting me at the restaurant at 7. I coordinated with my brothers and sisters to be at the restaurant at 6:30. We had all chipped on a gift that dad had always wanted. My dad was a very simple man who grew up in the south to a poor family. He and mom had 5 children. He worked at the factory his entire life and while we weren't poor growing up he'd never experienced all of the things I knew he'd desired. He and mom worked so hard to put all of us through college and never had a vacation so we thought it'd be nice to send them on a nice cruise to the Bahamas to say thank you and give them a new experience. At 7 sharp I could see my mom walking in with my blindfolded dad. My dad was perplexed. Shirley take this darn thing off of me he demanded. My dad was not one for surprises, but even knowing that seeing all of his family together would subside any anger he felt at that moment. My mom escorted him to the table and said ok Frank I'll remove your blindfold. As soon as mom took it off we all yelled surprise! Dad was shocked. It was just the very reaction we were all looking for. He was so happy he went around the table hugging us all. Love filled the room dad was very happy. We all sat down to start dinner we talked for what seemed like hours catching up with each other and sharing laughs. It was just what we all needed. About an hour after being in the restaurant I locked eyes with a familiar face. It was Jerome. I couldn't believe it. I hadn't seen him since that night at the hospital and I hadn't called him. Never in a million years did I expect to see him again so I could only imagine any encounter we had would be quite awkward. I quickly turned my head away locking eyes on my sister, Carmen. She was my best friend and the person I shared everything with. I hadn't told her about Jerome because I honestly didn't think that there was anything to tell. She looked at me confused what's going on she mouthed. I mouthed back nothing while shaking my head no at the same time. Just then a man walked up to our table. He caught the family off guard. Excuse me everyone I'm sorry to interrupt your dinner I just saw Alyssa and I had to come over and say hello. My name is Jerome. My family looked shocked. Hello Jerome. My family were very big football fans of course they were aware of who he was. My mom looked excited. How do you know our Alyssa? Mom questioned. Alyssa provides great care to my father the other night and she is a beautiful woman if you don't mind me saying. You don't forget a beautiful woman when you meet one. Mom gushed. I could see the idea marriage and grand babies running through her brain. Would you like to join us? Mom asked. No ma'am thank you for the offer I'm actually here on business but I wanted to come over and say hello. Alyssa don't forget he said. My family looked puzzled. I was so embarrassed yet excited inside. It was such a pleasure meeting you all he said as he walked away. My family all turned to look at me. I'll be right back I said. I rushed to the direction of the restroom. I was in over my head. In the hallway I could wax greeted by Jerome. Are you stalking me? I said playfully. In a very seducing tone he said let's just say I know what I want and it's you. But you know nothing about me I replied. That's why I'd like to take you out and get to know you better he rebuttaled. He walked up closer to be pinning me against the wall our bodies touching. He smelt so good like an expensive cologne perhaps a Georgio Armani. His eyes met mine and our souls connected. Alyssa please give me a chance. I felt things my body hadn't felt in awhile and I could feel myself falling weak to his advances. Ok I silently whispered. Just then he softly kissed my lips. His lips were soft and moist. I closed my eyes I could feel my body tingling wanting more. Call me he said as he walked. I stay in the hall standing against the wall confused and official intrigued. It was the first encounter and I wanted more.