SECRETS OF A BILLIONAIRE'S HEART, page 15
“There goes my boy. Here, can you fasten my bracelet for me? Wait, what’s the matter with you, boy?”
“Mama, I have gotten myself in some trouble.”
“What kind of trouble? Step into my office and talk to me.”
“Well mama, you know Ari, right?”
“Yeah, what about her?”
“I kind of had an affair with her,” Tyrone quickly said while closing his eyes. He feared his mother would slap him.
“Now, why would you mess with the nanny? I thought you were smarter than this. Does Melody know about the affair?” Mrs. Smith asked.
“Yes, she knows, and that’s why she fired her.”
“How did she find out?” Mrs. Smith asked.
“Someone leaked some pictures of Ari and me to the media. Then, the pictures were aired on TMZ.”
“Lord, Jesus have mercy!” Mrs. Smith exclaimed.
“Now, I think Ari is going to try to ruin me even more by exposing more information about us.”
“You have a Delilah in your life. You need to pray without ceasing, baby. Everything will be all right. Now, let’s go to church and give God his time.”
30
As they entered the church, all eyes were on them. Women were whispering to each other as Tyrone was ushered to his seat with Melody. The usher seated them toward the front of the church.
“Church, we have special guests in the building. Sister Smith’s son, Senator candidate Tyrone Smith and his fiancée, Melody, the gospel artist. We welcome you today, and we hope you enjoy the service,” the Pastor spoke.
They all stood up and bowed their head in agreeance with the Pastor’s welcome. Yireh began to cry, and Melody had to rock her to sleep to calm her down. The choir began their selection, and Melody couldn’t help but to stand up and praise God. She gave Tyrone the baby so she could praise God without any restrictions. The congregation was singing and shouting, and the Holy Spirit was in the room.
“Now, it’s giving time. We’re asking that members all sew a seed of at least fifty dollars. If you would like to add a few zeros to your offering, give as your heart desires.” As the offering plate went around, everyone put their envelopes on the plate with their money.
“Dang, how much money did you give, babe?” Melody moved Tyrone’s hand to view the money he put into his envelope.
“I just gave five hundred dollars today. Is that okay with you?”
“Your offering is between you and God, babe. I need to go to the restroom before the sermon begins. I’ll be right back.” Melody put up her finger to allow the ushers to excuse her.
“Girl, did you see that cheating wannabe senator with Melody the gospel singer? I know she is so embarrassed to have him in church with her today.”
The two girls giggled and looked away as Melody walked into the bathroom. Melody wanted to say something so bad to the gossiping ladies. She ignored them because she had a name to protect. She refused to have her name in blogs because of a couple church house gossipers.
By the time Melody came out of the bathroom, the ladies were gone. As Melody thought about it, the ladies looked like some girls from her old neighborhood. Tyrone could have prosecuted one of their boyfriends in the past. While his peers were out making stupid mistakes in their twenties, Tyrone was doing what he loved, working as a lawyer at an early age. Many people disliked Tyrone because of cases he won on behalf of the state. Some people loved him for winning some of their cases. The community had a love-hate relationship with him. So, it was hard to tell if he had any chance of winning the election. Despite the confusion, Tyrone planned to continue pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a senator.
“What’s wrong with you?” Tyrone asked Melody as she sat down next to him with a mean mug on her face.
“Nothing, babe. I’m tired.” Tyrone knew when Melody wasn’t being truthful. She couldn’t look him in the eye when it was something on her mind.
“I love your music.” A young lady sitting behind Melody tapped her on the shoulder and said in admiration.
“Thank you.” Melody whispered back. Mrs. Smith shook her head then put her finger to her mouth.
“Shush.”
“Yes ma’am,” Melody whispered while giggling.
“Let the church say Amen. Get your Bibles out and turn to Judges 16. In the book of Judges, we are learning about the story of Samson and Deliah. It teaches us the importance of understanding who gives us strength and how pride can be our biggest downfall.” Tyrone leaned toward the preacher, more in interest, as the sermon continued.
Tears began to fall from Tyrone’s eyes. He quickly wiped his tears away to ensure no one saw him cry. Melody saw and understood his tears. Tyrone was feeling convicted in his spirit from the word of God. As much as Melody wanted to console him, she didn’t. She allowed Tyrone to feel God’s presence and let it out. Church was a hospital for those spiritually sick. It was time for Tyrone to heal and allow the Holy Spirit to heal.
As the preacher concluded his sermon, he gave his benediction.
“Is there anyone who wants to become saved and give their life to Christ? Won’t you come?”
The Pastor and the ushers held out their hands as an invitation to the congregation. After a few minutes of contemplating, Tyrone stood up. He walked out of the pews toward the altar. The usher assisted him in the front row seat. Melody and Mrs. Smith cried tears of joy.
“Son, why did you came down today?” the Pastor asked.
“I came down today because I want to ask God for forgiveness. I also want to ask my family and fiancée to please forgive me for my wrong. Then, I want to give my life back to Christ and receive a baptismal.”
“Amen!” The Pastor wrapped his arms around Tyrone and gave him a hug. As he hugged him, the entire congregation stood up and clapped their hands in praise. Melody and Mrs. Smith joined the Pastor in hugging Tyrone.
“We welcome you, son, and we will have baptismal next Sunday.”
Melody took the microphone and stood up to sing her new gospel song with the choir. Tyrone knew Melody’s song by heart and sang along with her word for word. He no longer had a heavy heart. His heart was full of joy, and he was happy as he sang with the choir.
∞∞∞
“I enjoyed church service today,” he spoke.
“Good, babe, and I’m so happy you gave your life back to Christ.” Moments later, Melody began to receive many text messages and social media notifications.
“What is going on now? My phone is going crazy.”
“Go ahead and check it, babe. I don’t mind.” Melody was astonished by the social media news.
“What’s wrong, babe? Talk to me,” Tyrone asked.
“Babe, you have gone viral on all social media platforms!”
“What have I gone viral about now?”
“Someone in the church recorded your apology you gave to me at the altar call.”
“I thought the church was a private place.”
“I know, but it’s not a bad thing actually.”
“How?”
“The comments are all positive, babe. Some people are saying we need an honest, God-fearing state senator like you. This may have helped your campaign, babe.”
“Although that wasn’t my intention, I hope it did help. I really want to help improve our state.”
“I know you do, Tyrone.”
Moments later, his phone rang.
“Hello, this is Tyrone Smith, Esquire.”
“I just wanted to call and congratulate you. The poll numbers have increased for your campaign. You are now in the number one spot. I don’t know what you’re doing, but keep up the excellent work!”
“Thanks, man.”
“Babe, who was that on the phone?” Melody asked.
“It was my campaign manager. He told me my numbers are up, and I’m now in the number one spot!” Tyrone said with excitement.
“I told you, babe. You did the right thing. I’m proud of you.”
Baby Yireh was in the back seat, cooing with excitement too.
“See, Yireh is excited too!”
“My two girls are my good luck charms.”
Tyrone could feel anxiousness rising in his body. It was election day. The day he’d been waiting for since high school. He had changed so many things to become a better man. He quit taking on any type of work for money. He worked with more integrity as a lawyer. If he knew he couldn’t win the case, he wouldn’t take it on. He vowed to not take a case that went against his morals. Although the change has decreased his bank account, it has increased his connections as a future senator. More people had vowed to vote for him, and even more people had donated to his campaign.
One of the changes he planned to make as a new senator was to create safe parks all over the state for the kids to play. The parks would come with swimming pools, basketball goals, volleyball nets, and security patrol to keep drug dealers away. Another reason he had more voters was his promise to allow legal marijuana businesses to use financial and banking institutions in Texas. His proposal was to end marijuana criminalization in Texas. His proposal was already ready to act. Although Tyrone didn’t smoke weed, he had a few friends he’d put away in jail for petty weed charges. He wanted to make things right again for them. He understood legalized marijuana was a big business in many states. His daughter was getting older, and he wanted things to change for her. He was also working on cooking up a son with his soon to be wife. Once they had their boy and girl, they planned to quit trying to have children. So, they could focus more on their careers.
“I have someone on the phone requesting to speak with you, Esquire.”
“Yes, transfer the call to me.”
“This is Tyrone Smith, Esquire. How may I help you?”
“Yea, man, do you remember me?” the caller asked.
“I’m sorry, I don’t recall. Humor me, sir.”
“This is your old partner, Phil Johnson. Back in the day, you prosecuted me on a weed charge.”
“Okay, how may I help you?”
“I heard you promising to legalize weed. Can you go ahead and set me free?”
“I’m sorry, it doesn’t work that quickly. The bill must pass first. It takes some time.”
“Listen man, either you get me out of jail, or I’ll have your pretty little fiancée and child tied up somewhere.”
“Listen, there’s no need to threaten my family. I’ll take care of you. Give me all your booking details, and I’ll have you released.”
“I need you to have me released today or else.”
“You have my word, Phil.”
Tyrone hung up the phone with a heavy sigh.
“My God, why do I have to continue to go through these tests and trials? Help me, Lord. I need your help, God.”
“Justine, please take this check to the county bonds clerk and bond this guy out of jail now,” he advised his secretary.
“Yes, sir,” she said while leaving the room swiftly.
∞∞∞
“What’s wrong, babe? Is everything okay?” Melody asked as she came into the room with Yireh in her arms.
“Honestly, no. It’s another problem from the past haunting me.”
“Did you handle it, babe?”
“I did.”.
“Let it go. You are not your past. We have an election to win. Let’s get ready.”
Tyrone was relieved that Melody didn’t want him to explain the situation. It made him realize she trusted him more. He didn’t want anyone to harm his fiancée and child. So, he just took care of the problem. Phil was always a problem in his life, which is why he separated himself from him. Tyrone could no longer be affiliated certain people with because he wasn’t willing to lose what he worked so hard to gain.
“Come on, babe, I have everything set up for tonight. We have party favors. Here, put your party hat on.” Melody insisted on putting it on for him. “See, don’t you look festive? Look at me. Smile for the picture.” Melody began taking pictures and selfies of them together. You look nice in that all black Gucci suit. You look like you’re prepared for business as a Texas senator,” she spoke with a smile.
“I’m more than prepared with you and God by my side.” Tyrone leaned in and gave Melody a kiss on the lips.
“Enough of that, Tyrone, we need to discuss business.” Tyrone’s campaign manager grabbed him to talk numbers. He was a profoundly serious guy that always stood on business.
After the affair, Melody made him fire all the women on his staff. So, he only worked with guys. He didn’t mind if it kept her happy.
“Wait, did you bond a guy name Phil Johnson out for a weed case today?” the campaign manager asked.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t let you know about it. I had to help an old friend out today. It won’t happen again. He’s been locked up, and I just didn’t want him in the situation any longer.”
“I get it, but we don’t need any negative attention this close to election.”
“Yes, sir. I got you.”
“In other news, the polls are still close. We will keep our fingers crossed.”
“I have my prayer warriors over there praying for me. We’ll keep praying.” Tyrone pointed to his mother and other church members that were gathered in a circle, praying to God. Tyrone poured him a big cup of orange juice and watched the news while the reporters gave insight on votes.
“Here baby, I fixed you a plate of some of your favorite finger foods. I have spinach dip, cauliflower wings, cucumber and tomato salad, and pasta,” Melody spoke.
“Yum, baby, this looks so good. Thank you. You did your thang on this food.”
“Yes, you know I have to keep my man healthy. We have a long life to look forward to as spouses soon.”
“I’m just looking forward to making my son with you soon. Hopefully, he’s cooking in your stomach now.”
“Boy, you’re so silly.
“Let me go check on everyone.” Tyrone did his rounds at the campaign party. Everyone was excited to take part in the process. He had many of his day ones in the building and many new business partners as well.
“Everyone, can you gather around the TV? They’re announcing the winner,” the campaign manager announced. Tyrone grabbed Melody’s hand and held her tightly close to him.
“Don’t worry, baby, you got this.” The news reporter began to announce the candidates.
“This has been an exciting campaign. It has been a close run. Unfortunately, there can only be one senator. Drum roll please.”
“The new state senator of Texas is Tyrone Smith, Esquire!” He won with 100,000 votes. The most votes in Texas history. Congratulations, Mr. Smith,” the news reporter shouted.
Tyrone stood in shock with tears falling from his eyes. Melody began to wipe his tears.
“Baby, you did it. I’m so proud of you!”
He took her in his arms with a loving embrace and a kiss. All his family joined in showing him love. He took baby Yireh in his arms, and all celebrated the win together. Yireh’s little greedy butt enjoyed cake and ice cream with her dad. Melody ate two bowls of cake and ice cream. Maybe she did have a baby son cooking in her stomach.
“I’m so excited. Now it’s time to prepare for the wedding,” Tyrone said. Everything had gotten better for Tyrone since he gave his life to Christ.
The End…
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ALISHA B, SECRETS OF A BILLIONAIRE'S HEART
