About two months later…

Keyshia

“Who is that?” I whispered to myself as I looked through the glass of my office window. One of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever seen strutted up to the receptionist’s desk with a beautiful pair of black suede Louboutins on. My jaw almost dropped by how gorgeous she was with her long raven black hair.

Just about every man that worked on my floor basically flew out of their offices in order to greet her. Who the hell is this chick? And what is she doing here?

Right as I was lifting myself out of my chair to see what was going on, Jason walked out of his office and made his way towards her. With a bright smile on his face, he straightened out his burgundy tie and brought her tiny body into a tight hug. My heart started to beat extra fast. I had to sit back down in order to catch my breath.

I took a sip of water to cool myself down, but spit it out as soon I captured the image of his lips pressed against hers. I hadn’t even noticed that the water from the water bottle was gushing out from the pressure of me squeezing it so hard.

WHAT.THE. FUCK?

Jason

After giving Alyssa Cambridge a quick kiss on the lips, I grabbed her small hand and guided her into my office. Before the door even had a chance to shut all the way, she pounced on me like a tiger on its prey. I grabbed ahold of my desk, attempting to keep myself from falling backwards.

“I’m so happy to see you. It’s been a week…with all the traveling, I can’t see you like I want to” Alyssa whispered through a load of consecutive kisses on my face.

“Yeah, you didn’t tell me you were coming.”

“Well it’s a surprise! I have today off and I was hoping we could do something together.”

I looked over her shoulder, trying to avoid contact with her greyish blue eyes. “I’m really busy today, perhaps we can do this another day?”

“Are you really saying this? How many times are you going to blow me off?” she asked, with a sign of frustration in her eyes.

“I’m not blowing you off, I just-“

“Yes you are!” she yelled, backing away from me. “You never make enough time for me. Shit, I have a busy schedule too, but I always come to see you whenever I’m free. I’ve been with you for two months and we haven’t even had sex yet!”

I sighed and squeezed my eyes together. A headache was soon to come. “So you have a problem with that now?”

“Of course I do! Especially with you being my ‘boyfriend’. Women come up to you everyday wanting you to fuck them. Men come up to me everyday hoping to get lucky…and neither one of us are getting laid. Seriously, there’s something wrong with that picture.”

“Did you come here to argue? Because you can save that shit for another day. I told you I’m busy and my plans are not going to change because you want them to.”

“You’re being an asshole, Jason, and I don’t appreciate it. All I want is answers. I know you had a girlfriend before me…and I can tell that you’re still in love with her, but please…please give me a chance. Clearly, I can’t compete with her, but-“

I gulped and immediately thought of Keyshia. Since the family gathering took place, we went back to the stage of barely speaking to each other. When I got back to my condo after landing at the airport that day, I called Alyssa up and planned a date with her. Soon after, the media caught on to our relationship and boom we’re an “official” couple.

It surprised me to know that Keyshia didn’t realize that I was in a relationship. If she did, she did a hell of a job covering it up…and if she didn’t, I plan on telling her eventually. I should have told her as soon as this whole thing started, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

“Jason…helloooo? Did you hear any word that I just said?”

“What? No…sorry. I sort of zoned for a second. Go ahead.”

She smirked and shook her head. “Jason, if you don’t want to be with me, just let me know. I really like you and I think you’re an amazing person, but I think you picked the wrong time to be in a relationship.”

“No…babe, look.” I grabbed her and brought her closer to me. “I apologize...okay? Sometimes I can be a real douchebag. Days like this to be more exact.”

Alyssa looked at me with a cocked up right brow. “Uh, yeah” I continued. “So anyways, I finally hired a publicist and she just called to let me know that we need to be seen out together more often. After I finish this paperwork up, I’ll take you out for a nice candlelit dinner.”

She stared at me for a few seconds, contemplating my offer. “Fine. I want to go to Masa.” Of course she’d choose the most expensive restaurant in New York City.

“I’ll take you wherever you want to go…oh and by the way, you look so fucking sexy in those jeans.” Hell, she looked sexy in everything she wore, except for a bare face. Seeing Alyssa without makeup made me feel like I was looking at a totally different person. Let’s just say that she didn’t look like a twenty-six year old woman.

“I know” she boasted, with a sly smile on her face. “I wore them just for you…and guess what?”

“Hm?”

“I’m going commando” she whispered with a lick to the side of my neck and placing a soft kiss on it. My cock immediately stood at attention, therefore making it extremely hard for me to resist throwing her up against the desk and fucking the living shit out of her. Alyssa smiled at the effect she had on me. “Ah, that’s what I like to see. Save it for tonight.” She leaned forward and placed her lips on top of mines. “I want you to fuck me good.”

“We’ll see” I simply replied with beads of sweat forming on my forehead.

She took a step away from me and started to walk towards the door. “I expect to be picked up in a limo at around eight. Don’t be late. I’m sure it won’t be difficult for you to make reservations. You are Jason Jameson after all.”

“I’ll see you later Alyssa.”

She winked at me, opened the door, and walked out. I didn’t even bother to walk her to the elevator. Not too long after she left, there was a soft knock on the door.

“Come in” I called out, walking back to my desk while adjusting my pants to a more comfortable fit.

I had to do a quick double take as Keyshia hesitantly stepped inside my office. She closed the door behind her and stayed put in the same spot. The way she looked in that fitted navy blue pencil dress made my dick jump up once again. Little buddy couldn’t get a break, could he?

“What’s up?” I asked, a little concerned and hoping that I wouldn’t have to leave my desk.

“When were you going to tell me?”

“I’m sorry, what?”

Keyshia breathed out a deep sigh and shook her head. I could tell she having some sort of internal conflict. “No…um, it’s none of my business. Never mind.”

“Are you talking about Alyssa and I?”

“Jason-“

“Is that what you’re talking about?” I pressed on.

“Yeah, it’s weird that I didn’t know. You know, you’d think I’d know…being your assistant and all.”

“I was going to tell you.”

“When?” she quickly asked. “Were you scared or something?”

“Scared?” I scoffed. “Hardly.”

“Well what was it then? It couldn’t be that you forgot to bring it up because I know everything that goes on in your life. Every. Single. Thing. Which means you were meaning to hide this whole thing from me, weren’t you?”

“I couldn’t bring myself to do it, okay?” I said, adding volume to my voice.

“It’s okay.” Keyshia paused and started to finger the pearls wrapped around her neck. “She’s perfect…and it must be nice knowing that you don’t have to hide your girlfriend from everyone.”

“Keyshia…”

“How long have you guys been together?”

“For about two months.”

She smiled a beautiful smile and brushed her wavy hair behind her right ear. “I should pay more attention to TV, huh?”

“Come here” I whispered. Keyshia slowly walked closer to my desk and sat down in one of the chairs situated in front of it. “Look, I miss talking to you. You’re shying away from me like you did before and I don’t like it. What’s going on?”

“I have my reasons.”

“Which are?”

“We never talked about it.”

I gave her a confused look and sat back in the leather chair. “About what?”

“About our relationship. We just broke up and left it at that. I thought we had a plan Jason.”

“You can’t completely hold me accountable for that. I wasn’t the one who wanted to break up…and if we’re being fair here, I gave you an ample amount of time to come to your senses.”

Shit, I didn’t mean for it to come out like that.

“Come to my senses?” she asked with a frown and furrowed eyebrows.

“You know what I mean.”

“No. I’m gonna need for you to elaborate on that. It kind of sounded like I was inevitably supposed to come to you.”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

“Whatever Jason” Keyshia said, lifting herself out of the chair. “Is there anything else you need for me to do? I’m about to leave for lunch.”

“Let me join you. I need to take a break as well. And we can finish up this conversation.”

“I don’t want to finish it up. It’s over. You’re dating someone now…and I’m-well…I’m doing the same.”

“You’re dating someone?” I asked, feeling immediately jealous of whoever it was that got to see the intimate side of her.

“Sort of. But it’s none of your business, right?”

“You’re right. It’s none of my business.”

“K. Cool…so there’s nothing you need for me to do?”

“Nope.”

“Are you sure? I don’t need to make dinner reservations or call your driver? Nothing like that?” she questioned, sarcastically.

“I can do that for myself. Just because you found out about Alyssa does not necessarily mean I’ll have you doing shit for her.”

“Right…”

Before I could say another word to her, she walked out of my office with a semi-slam to the door.

Keyshia

I needed to get out of that hotel as soon as possible. I suddenly felt suffocated and unable to breathe. Tears were welling up in my eyes and begging to be free. All I could think about was how wrong I was for feeling this way. Seeing him with that goddess of a woman made me physically ill.

But shit, it’s my entire fault. I had my chance with him and I blew it. What was I thinking? I put me and Jason in my own little world, forcing myself to believe that it was just the two of us. Now that I’m stuck in reality, I’ve noticed that my competition is hundreds of thousands of women. If Jason were a player, I’d be the last person on his waiting list.

I wiped the stray tears away from my face as soon as I was hit with the hot humid heat of New York City. It’s the middle of July and outside feels like death. Having to deal with the heat and what just happened wasn’t the way I wanted to spend the rest of my afternoon.

My stomach wasn’t really yearning for hunger, but I felt the need to feed it anyway. I hadn’t eaten the whole day.

Right as I opened the door to the nearest Starbucks, I slammed into a hard chest that almost sent me flying back.

“Keyshia?”

I took a step back to see if I could recognize the familiar voice that said my name. It was exactly who I thought it was, Alicia’s brother, Eric. And damn it if he didn’t look fine as hell. He actually looked better than when we used to date. With his beautiful caramel colored skin, six foot stature, and perfectly sculpted facial features, I started to wonder why the hell I broke up with him in the first place.

“Eric? Hey! What are you doing in Manhattan? I thought you lived in the Bronx?”

“I can ask the same for you” he said with a laugh, moving out of the way for an older lady to get past him.

“Oh. No I work here on East 57th Street.”

“Really? Making good money I see.”

“Ha, something like that. You work here as well...or?”

“Yeah, I just got a job working for a marketing firm. Nothing special, but I plan on working my way up. Hey, I see you’re just coming in. Why don’t you let me buy you coffee or something?”

I took a second to think about his offer. It was always good talking to Eric and catching up. Unlike his sister, he was a kind, selfless person.

“Uh, yeah sure. That sounds nice. But I’d like anything but coffee. It’s hot as hell outside.”

He let out a soft chuckle and guided me over to a free table. Right as we sat down, he looked at me and smiled.

“What?” I asked, hoping there wasn’t something on my face.

“You look absolutely beautiful, Keyshia. It’s really nice seeing you after all of this time. I’ve been asking Alicia about you but she never says anything.”

“Thanks…but you have my number, you should have just called me up. It’s always nice catching up with and talking to you.”

“Yeah. I apologize for being so distant. Remember when Alicia tried her hardest to get us together?”

“Mhm. She succeeded, didn’t she?” I said, smiling at him.

“Sort of. What happened with us? I feel like we ended without any real explanation.”

“You were graduating high school and going to college while I was going to the tenth grade. There’s no way that would have worked.”

“I’m not going to college anymore Keyshia. We’re adults now…and to be honest, I’ve missed you so much.”

“What is that supposed to mean, Eric? You don’t speak to me for about two years and now you’re saying you want to get back together? I don’t think so.”

“You have a boyfriend or something?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“I didn’t say it was.” He sighed as if he were getting frustrated with me. “Let me take you out to dinner tonight; if you’re not busy. I’m not saying it’s a date. It doesn’t have to be. Just old friends catching up.”

“And that’s it?”

“Yes. So what do you say?”

“Do I still get a free pass for this lemonade I’m about to order?”

Eric laughed in relief as he nodded his head. “Yeah, as long as that’s a yes to what I asked you.”

“Hm…” I rubbed my chin and acted as if I were pondering on something serious. “Sure.”

“Cool.” After he said that, he got up and stood in the long line. I sat back in my chair and smiled internally. I’m surprised he remembered exactly what I used to order from Starbucks.

Maybe this “date” will get my mind off of Jason and I’ll have a chance at having a real relationship.

Jason

Approximately four hours after that conversation with  Keyshia, I headed straight home in order to prepare myself for this dreaded date. Taking Alyssa out always ended with a migraine headache. But I needed to tolerate her this one night so that I could get a good fuck in. The last woman I had sex with was Keyshia and in five months, that would make a year without it. What she said today validated our “relationship”. We’re probably never going to get back together, and although I’m not completely okay with that decision, I would have to move on.

Alyssa would just have to do. My dad approves of her and so does the rest of the world. Only after the two months of us dating, various people have been pestering me about proposing to her. Not gonna happen. She’s not a bad person-she’s actually pretty adorable-but not my type. I can’t see myself spending the rest of my life with her. Why spend the rest of your life with someone you don’t exactly click with?

 On the way over to her condo, right outside of Central Park, I called up Chef Masa himself to let him know that I was on my way. I have no problem with spending over two thousand bucks on food when he’s the chef. The food is most likely the best food I’ve ever had the experience of tasting.

Right when I stepped foot out of the black town car, I was bombarded with paparazzi. Now how in the hell did they know I was coming to her place?

“Jason, are you two going on a date tonight?” “You two are so perfect together?” “What happened to the black woman?” “Is she pregnant?” “I heard you’re proposing!” “Are you in love?”

I tried to smile as I walked closer to the entrance of the complex. It wasn’t the first time I’ve heard those questions, and as long as I’m dating Alyssa Cambridge, it damn sure won’t be the last.

When I reached the door to her apartment, she opened it without me having to knock. “You’re right on time!” she beamed. I drank in the stunning sight of her. The tight hot pink dress that hugged her taut, toned body already had me wanting to rip it off of her. Alyssa’s luscious lips were covered with the matching colored lipstick. Her tall heels made her only a few inches shorter than me, since she was already 5’10 without them. “Do you like what you see?”

“Yeah, you look gorgeous.”

“Thank you. So do you. Did you call to let them know that we’re coming?”

“Yep. Uh, did you know that there’s a shitload of paparazzi hanging outside of your building?” I motioned towards the direction of outside.

“Mhm” she responded by closing her front door and walking past me towards the elevator. “I called them.”

“Why?!” I followed her and placed my hands into my pockets.

“Because people need to know that we’re happy. What better way to show them to invite paparazzi over and give them a show?” she said, pressing the down button.

“So now we’re acting?”

“You don’t look happy with me any other time…unless you’re forced, so what’s the difference?”

“Alyssa, sweetheart, I am happy with you” I strained out.

“Show it then.” And that was all she said until we arrived at the bottom floor, through the lobby, and outside into the pool of vultures.

I placed her hand in mines and led her into the growing crowd. Right as we got into a good position, where every single one of them could get a good quality shot, I bent down and started out with a peck on the lips. Alyssa got into it and wrapped her long arms around my neck, turning it into a full on makeout session. I tried to pull away, but she drew me in closer and stuck her tongue inside of my mouth.

“Sometimes you need a push” Alyssa smiled through the kiss. “They love it.”

I groaned and slightly pushed her away from me. “Let’s go. I don’t want to be late.”

Keyshia

Eric picked me up from my apartment and we drove back into Manhattan to try out this Shake Shack place he’s been raving about. We grabbed ourselves a burger and a shake and enjoyed the sight of Madison Square Park.

“I don’t see how you can eat all of this junk food without gaining a single pound” Eric joked, breaking the silence.

“It’s a skill” I joked back. I flashed a flirtatious smile and dug into my burger.

“Sure it is…” He bumped me and continued to slurp on his chocolate milkshake. “Keyshia, how have you been? Have you been speaking to your family?”

That question caught me completely off guard. Even though I think about them everyday, no one has asked me about them (except Jason that one time). “I’ve been doing good. And you know they don’t want to talk to me. If I were to die, they wouldn’t even know.”

“Don’t say that. I’m sure they’re worried about you but too proud to say anything. You should check up on them.”

“I don’t want to talk about that Eric. Please.”

“Ah, okay. I apologize.”

“Don’t be nosy like your sister. You know how she can get.”

He smirked and shook his head. “Yeah. Annoying.”

“When was the last time you spoke to her? I haven’t seen her in weeks.”

“Yesterday actually. She’s doing well.”

“That’s great. Ever since I told her about this job I got, she stopped speaking to me.”

“You’re working with Jason Jameson, right?”

“Yep.”

“I don’t know what her problem is. Let’s get off of the subject of her though.”

“And talk about what?”

“Us.”

“Eric…”

“What?”

“I thought this wasn’t a date.”

“It’s not like I said that just to get you to go out with me. Of course not” he replied in a humorous tone.

“…you think you’re slick, huh?”

“Oh come on Keyshia. You’re the first girl I dated when I came to New York. You were the first girl I fell in love with. Did you expect me to not want you?”

“You were in love with me?”

“Hell yeah. Who wouldn’t fall in love with you?”

Jason Jameson.

“I don’t think I’m ready for a relationship.”

“We can take it slow. We don’t have to rush into things.”

“…okay. I’d like that.”

“Really?”

“Yes Eric.”

I felt like I was agreeing to something I had no choice but to agree on. Truthfully, I was not ready to be in a relationship unless it was with Jason. I didn’t want anyone else but him. Why not try this thing out with Eric though? He’s a nice guy and I would eventually regret not getting to know him better. I had no chance with Jason especially if he was with Little Miss Perfect.

Alyssa Cambridge

eric