Star-crossed - Episode 13

 

Raymond:

"Need help with that?"
"Megan!"I startle to a halt halfway out the door at the sudden appearance of Megan in front of my door.
"Let me." She says when I don't say anything more and takes my good hand in hers. My eyes fly up to her face which is concentrated on her task of putting my watch on for me.
"There." She finally lets go of my hand I try not to think too much about how the pad of her thumb tickle the inside of my wrist as she lifts her face up to face me. I plaster a polite smile on my face.
"Thanks Megan . This cast makes it so difficult to do some basic things for myself. I certainly can't wait to be rid of it." I chuck my hand into my pocket as I give her my attention.
"You better not take it off before your arm feels better. Can't have you getting hurt again." She chastises quite seriously.
"Yes, nurse." I tease and I get a giggle out of her.
"You can call me whatever you want, Ray." I watch her long lashes flutter as she speaks and when she brings her hand to touch my arm lightly, it hits me that she's trying to flirt with me. I quickly take myself back to avoid story that touches

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/star-crossed

. I can't get caught in anything with Megan or any other woman right now. Not when things are going so well with Comfort. Speaking of, I shouldn't keep Comfort waiting for the first date I have planned for us today. I turn from Megan for a moment and pull my door close then start walking towards the sitting room.
"So, what are you doing here anyways, Megan?" I ask as she falls into step beside me.
"Breanna asked me over."
"She did, didn't she?" I ask with a shake of my head. That sneaky little one.
"Well...." Megan draws just as we enter the living room and Breanna intercepts us.
"There you are. I've been looking for you all over the house. Now I know where you disappeared to huh?" Breanna winks at me as she comes to Megan's side and take her arm in hers. When did they become such buddies? None of my business anyways. 
"Okay, ladies. I have to go now. Take c..."
"What?! I thought you'll be staying home today seeing as you're still hurt. Plus we have a visitor." Breanna interrupts me and I pin her with an annoyed look. I know too well what's she trying to do. I'll have to talk with her about this when I get back. I don't need my little sister meddling in my life.
"I'll just be in your way. And I already have an appointment to keep. I'm sure Breanna will keep you entertained." I turn to smile apologetically at Megan.
"Oh, I was thinking Breanna and I will just go shopping. Why don't I drop you off with my car? I'll just get my car keys." Megan starts to walk away but I catch her hand to stop her.
"Don't worry. I already got a ride. Stanley should be waiting for me outside anyways." I tell her and don't wait for a reply before I start hurrying out.
"Raymond!" I hear Breanna yell after me.
"You girls have fun!" i throw behind my shoulders before hurrying out the door. Stanley meets me just as I make it to the gate.
"Left your visitor?" He grins at me and I shake my head at him.
"Not you too."
"Well you can't ignore the fact that she suits you more than the one you're running all over this village for." He points out with a shrug. I eye the nigga up and down before settling a glare at him.
"You know I'm right, man. Though I must say, Comfort is perfect for the vacation fling you need right now. No string attached. Slam, bam and retreat. I might just take a turn at her when you leave and..."
"Shut your f*cking mouth!" I slam both my hands against his chest, not wanting to hear the rest of that statement. Pain shoots up my hurt arm and I grit my teeth.
"what?!"
"Don't you dare say such nonsense about her or I'll punch your teeth in." I grind out with my index pointing in his face.
"Whatever, man. Get out of my face." He slaps my finger from his face and pushes past me. I have to control the anger boiling inside me as my finger coils into fists.
"you're driving yourself!" Stanley yells to me like I haven't figured that out yet.
"Asswipe." I mutter under my breath as the moron slams the gate noisily behind him.
"Now, I'm going to be late." I look down at my watch and groan.

****

Comfort:

"Where are we going? Should you even be out of the house yet?" This isn't the first time since we boarded a taxi that I've asked him this same question.
"You'll see when we get there. It's a surprise. I feel it's something we have to do first." His hand brush the hair at my nape softly as he speaks but he doesn't look me in the face. He's been kind of off since he met with me at Joyce's workplace.
"Are you okay, Raymond?"
"huh?" He looks at me distracted with raised brows.
"Come on, don't give me that face. You don't seem alright. And don't try to play this down. I know what I'm talking about here."
"I'm fine babes. Just have a few things on my mind." He takes my hand and brushes his lips across my knuckles. Cue the butterflies. The usual warm feeling this man knows how to ignite in my belly as I look down at our entwined hands. The car swerves into a bushy path on the road and I'm reminded of the fact that we're currently in the backseat of a taxi. My eyes covertly look forward to catch the older man driving the taxi watching Raymond and I through the rearview mirror and I blush beet red.
"Want to talk about what is on your mind?" I quickly try to retract my hand awkwardly but Raymond holds on tighter.
"Don't do that. Your hand is warm. We're almost there anyways." My eyes stray out the open window at this and our current location clicks. I've been here with Raymond before. Infact it was the same day I knew this man would either make or break me.
"Raymond..."
"Shhhh. Let's get off here." Raymond shushes me. He taps the taxi driver's shoulder and the car slows to a stop.
"What are we doing here?"
"Come on, let me help you out." Raymond gets out of the taxi and holds the door for me.
"Come on." He puts his good hand out while holding the door open with his shoulder. I gape at him but take his offered hand.
"Can you wait out here for us? We'll be back in minutes. Here's some money for your troubles. We'll need to go some place else and I'll pay you more if you can wait." Raymond lets go of my hand to pull some cash from his pocket and hands it to the driver. The man's face stretches in a huge smile at the money. He obviously wouldn't make that much money in a day without this gig.
"I'll wait sir. Take all the time you need. I no even get anywhere else to be lai lai." The man grins with obvious glee and I chuckle lightly at how unaffected Raymond is to the whole situation. He doesn't seem to know how much he's made this man's day.
"Okay. Lets go babe." Raymond's hand resumes position around my hand as he leads me away.
"Thank you, Sir." I call out to the taxi driver as we walk on and he waves at me.
"You totally made that man happy." I tel Raymond as we walk.
"I did?"
"Of course, you did."
"I just paid him for his services." he shrugs as he pulls the small gate in front of us open for me. I cross the gate and turn to face him.
"You and I know that much money is more than what the usual taxi fare should be. It makes me happy that you'll do something like that for that old man." I tell him sincerely.
"Really? I should go and give him more then.

Read " Mirage " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. Anything to make you happy." He grins and nudges my chin playfully. I slap his hand off with a grin.
"You must have a lot of experience with women. Always saying sweet things." I mutter and he chuckles. He doesn't deny it though and I roll my eyes at him.
"I'm just saying how I feel." He takes my hand again and leads me on. Turning around, I'm reminded of where we are and my smile slips off my face. I look up at Raymond but his face is focused on finding the spot we were the last time we were here. My legs take me there without thought and the bouquet of white roses lying there has my eyes filling. Raymond stoops in front of mother's grave and brushes a few dried up leaves off it before looking up to me.
"I thought I'll seek your mother's permission to date you."
"Raymond." I sob as I drop to the ground beside him and pull his bigger body into my embrace, careful not to hurt his injured arm. His hand comes around me in a beat. I don't even know why I'm crying but this man just knows how to push my buttons. I can't believe how sweet he is on me.