I Know You Can't Speak

Part 16: Lawrence's Love

Lawrence remained by my side from that day moving forward. For the remainder of my stay in the hospital, he visited and brought me flowers everyday. When I got released, I moved in with Deja and Deja was against him visiting me at her home.

"Fuck no. I don't care how nice he's been. We don't know him like that. He's not about to be coming up in my house, around my kid and be another lunatic like Vince" she stated. She had become super over protective of me and I couldn't blame her. I was over protective of my damn self. So I stayed to myself. Lawrence would call me everyday to check on me and we would talk. He would try to see me but I always obliged. He didn't care though. He was persistent. More so wanting to be my friend. He would always tell me "we have to build a friendship first. I want to respect your space" he told me one day as we talked on the phone. "I respect you a lot Jas and I know what you've been through. Just let me be here for you. I would never put you through any of that shit." Even though we had built a close friendship and I wanted to believe him but, it all just sounded too good to be true.

"If he like you that much, make him prove it to you. Actions speak louder than words." Deja told me so I took her advice. Before I knew it, months had flown by. Lawrence took me on a dates, he brought me flowers everyday, he always sent me random texts to let me know how beautiful he thought I was. He paid attention to everything I talked about and brought me everything I mentioned that I wanted. He never pressured me and never once did sex come across any of our conversations. I was honestly impressed but none the less, I was still scared. My brother and Vince had made it so hard for me to trust men but I knew that in order to move forward in my life, I had to let go of everything in my past.

"Girl look at how he's treating you, you better give him a chance. Good guys like him don't come around too often!" Aiyana said to me one day as I sat on her couch. Aside from Deja, Aiyana had became my Bestfriend. She had been there for me since I had met her at my job and once she found out what I was going through, she had been there for me every step of the way.

"I know A, I'm just scared" I admitted. Because truth is, I was. I liked Lawrence a whole lot and I wanted to let him in but all types of what if thoughts ran through my mind. What if he hurt me? What if he abused me? The list went on as I began to zone out.

"I would be too, but sometimes you just have to take that leap of faith" she suggested. "It's been what? Almost a year? He's literally given you the same amount of energy since he's first saw you. If that ain't speaking volumes then I don't know what will" she told me as she shrugged her shoulders.

"You're right girlfriend" I told her as I decided right then and there that I would be giving him a chance. Just as I was about to text him, he texted me.

"I have dinner plans for us, be ready at 8" the text read. I showed Aiyana.

"Ouuuu seee! Go get ya man girlllll!" She told me as I excitedly hurried home to get ready.

At 8 on the dot he texted me that he was outside & a smile spread over my face as I made my way to the car. When I got in the car, his Versace light blue cologne oozed out and crept up the dress I had on, making my insides tingle.

"Hey gorgeous" he said as he kissed me on the cheek when I stepped in the car. I blushed as he drove us to a place I was unfamiliar with.

"Where are we?" I asked as he opened my car door and grabbed my hand. He didn't say a word as he led me into the building. He led me to a room where the floor was covered in roses and candles. Soft music covered the basis of the room in a low tone & there was a candle lit table in the middle of the floor that had been set for two with my favorite meal; Steak, broccoli and mashed potatoes. There was also wine that sat chilled in the middle of the table with two wine glasses beside it. There was a chef standing by the table as well that greeted me as I walked closer, my face filled with amazement.

"Welcome Ms. Brown" the chef said. I was completely speechless.

"Wow all this for me?" I said as I turned to Lawrence teary eyed. I had never had someone go to the length to surprise me, let alone do anything close to what Lawrence had done.

"You and only you" Lawrence told me as he kissed my hand and led me to the table. He pulled my chair out and once I was in it, he pushed me in gently before walking to his chair.  The chef picked up the bottle of moscato that sat on the table and poured it into both our glasses.

"Enjoy" he said as he walked out of the room.

"Wow Lawrence. Thank you" I said still blushing.

"No need to thank me that's what I'm here for " he told me. We began to eat dinner, talk and enjoy each other's company.

"Lawrence it's been almost a year and you've been so persistent. Like you haven't given up yet. Why is that?" I asked as I sipped on my wine.

"Because, I liked you since I first laid eyes on you. I see something special in you. I see beauty in every insecurity that you may have. I know what your past consisted of and I want to make sure you know that there are actually good men out here that will treat you like you're supposed to." He said as he reassuringly looked into my eyes. My heart and mind began to play tug of war as one told me to go for it and the other pulled me back saying no don't do it.

"I don't want to pressure you. I just want you to feel the love that I know you deserve" he told me as he kissed my hand from across the table.

"I don't feel pressured Lawrence. I was actually going to tell you that I'm ready to stop letting my past get in the way of what we could be. I'm ready for you to love me" I said as he smiled, came around the table to kiss me and it was the most passionate kiss I had ever felt. I knew right then and there that Lawrence's Love had won me over.