Breaking All The Rules

Chapter 2

I walked back to our table. I could tell my family were talking amongst themselves trying to put together what had just happened. I sat down I wasn't ready for the questions that await me, but my family weren't the type of people to drop things and keep it moving they were going to want to know more about my relationship with Jerome. I sighed let the questions begin I said. My oldest brother said what the hell is going on with you and Jerome Johnson? I sighed heavy again and prepared myself to answer the question that I knew was going through everyone's mind. As he said I met him the other day when I was taking care of his father. He'd made a few advances and I admit that I did flirt back. He gave me his number before leaving, but I have a rule that I don't date my patients or their families so I didn't call him. My brother screamed are you crazy that's Jerome Johnson star quarterback he's not a regular Joe Smoe off of the street. You don't pass up on the opportunity to date a man like that. I could tell my family agreed. I'll think about it I said trying to get them to drop the conversation and move on. My sister Carmen interjected you are going to think what the hell is wrong with you? Mama what's wrong with your child? They all started talking at one time. Daddy yelled everyone that's enough she said she'd think about it. She is an adult who can make her own decision now move on. I was thankful for my dad he was always taking up for me. I was such a daddy's girl. The conversation carried on in another direction but I could tell my siblings still wanted to talk about Jerome. At the end of dinner we presented daddy with his gift. We presented him with a card and inside of the card was two tickets for the cruise and a few hundreds so that they could enjoy themselves. My dad was so shocked. His eyes filled with tears. My mom smiled. It was the first time they'd been on a vacation since having kids. It was long overdue. You deserve it daddy we said. He was so happy. It was just what I needed to make my night complete. On the ride home thoughts of Jerome races through my mind. He was so charming and beautiful. Growing up I had always dreamed of being with a charismatic man like him. I hadn't loved anyone since Ryan. He was my high school sweetheart we had been together for 7 years. Ryan was the guy that I thought that I could see myself spending the rest of my life with. He smart, funny, charming, but he hadn't experienced life yet. I try not to hate people but there were feelings of anger when it came to Ryan. He'd broken up with me to experience life as he called and told me if were meant to be we'd find our way back to one another. I was so devastated. Ryan was my first, he was my best friend, he was my everything. I didn't see his longing for more when we were together. Our break up was a total shock to me and it took me a long time to put the pieces of my life back together. I vowed to myself that I wouldn't allow myself to be dependent on a man for my happiness. I would concentrate on my career and put it first. A man could leave but a career was permanent. My career wouldn't disappoint me like a man. I shock him from my mind. Love was a concept I'd struggled with since then. I longed for love and companionship, but I wasn't sure that it'd ever find me and I sure wasn't going out looking for it. Love and I had made an agreement you leave me alone and I'll do the same. Jerome's energy was different though. He had the means and ability to be a jerk yet he wasn't. He could be arrogant or conceited yet he wasn't. I found him refreshing. I couldn't bring myself to call him so I sent him a text. Hi Jerome it's Alyssa thanks for shaking up my night I said sarcastically. He sent back a 😊 emoji. Seriously I thought. I made it home and poured myself a drink wishing to fall asleep and escape my thoughts. The next morning my sister came over. She had a snarky smirk on her face as I opened the door. Good morning Carmen don't start I said as I greeted her. I'm just saying Alyssa a rich sexy man wants to take you out and you say no what's going on? Carmen knew of my struggles since Ryan. At some point you have to let what happened with Ryan go. You deserve happiness. You deserve love she said. As much as I didn't want to admit she was right. If I held on to the hurt that I held onto after my breakup I'd never be able to find love. Although I was guarded I did want a husband, children, the family that all little girls dreamed of. You're right Cece I said. I'll let him take me out. She jumped up and down shirking with excitement. Later that day I gathered enough nerve to call. I felt butterflies in my stomach like a school girl with a crush. He picked up the phone I could hearing him beaming through the other line. Well well well if it isn't Ms. Alyssa he said. I conceded victory. Yes it's me. I'm calling to take you up on your offer. He seemed surprised. Well I must say I thought I'd have to stalk you but I'll take it. We both laughed. We made plans for later that evening. I called Carmen and asked her to help me get ready for our date. She was excited. She brought over a few options. My sister was quite stylish and sexy. She dressed me in a black laced tight fitting dress with some red pumps. She straightened my curly afro and dolled my face up and decked my lips with a dark red lipstick. She accessorized me with gold bracelets and earrings. I felt beautiful and empowered. I was the prize tonight. My sister did her thing. Jerome sent a Lincoln town car over to pick me up. The driver greeted me with a bouquet of roses. He opened the door for me and let me in. It was a surreal feeling I felt important. The driver pulled up to Sizzlers which was one of the most upscale restaurants in the city. The driver opened the door and let me out of the car. I was greeted by a worker who escorted me to a private section of the restaurant. The room was lightly dimmed with rose pedals covering the floor. The room was all white. The piano lightly played in the background. I was seated at a table for two. I wondered where my date was. I must admit this was quite the first impression. Moments later Jerome came up from behind me and kissed me on the cheek. Greetings Ms. Alyssa thank you for joining me. I smiled. He sat at the seat across from me. We spent hours talking and laughing getting to know each other. He was a college educated guy who desired a wife and kids but just hadn't found the right one. He'd experienced the fast life and was ready to settle down. He was surprisingly honest and refreshing. I could see myself spending more time with him. We both didn't want the night to end. After the restaurant we took a walk around the park. The starlight smiled down on us. This took me back to the days of Ryan and I. We spent hours talking and laughing. I didn't want the night to end. I need more of him. The town car pulled up to take me back home. It was the best date I'd been on. I could see myself falling for him. Goodnight Ms. Alyssa thank you for the opportunity to show you a wonderful evening. I really enjoyed myself. I smiled from ear to ear. Thank you Jerome. I enjoyed the night as well. I kissed him on the cheek. I longed to experience his soft lips once more but I couldn't let myself get sucked in too soon. We parted ways it was a night I would remember forever. I felt like a school girl excited after her first kiss. I went to bed smiling that night thoughts of Alyssa and Jerome and our lives together infiltrated my dreams.