Construction ( Book 12 ), page 10
"So, what brings you to Chicago?" He asked sitting on the corner of his desk
"My boss is opening another veterinarian clinic here in Chicago. I told him that I knew the best person to build the building, he gave me this portfolio of some of the samples that he'd love for the building to look like. The inside and out are in the folder. I was hoping that you could take a look at everything?"
He smiled opening the folder, "Fancy. Yeah, we can do this. What's the timeframe?"
"3 months?"
He nodded, "I'll set up a meeting tomorrow to go over the details. I'll have a price on Monday"
"Thank you, Z'Shawn"
"How long are you here for?"
"Just until Monday, then I'm going back"
He stood up looking at me, "I hope I get at least one dinner with you before you go"
I smiled, "Alfredos?"
He chuckled, "Just like old times"
Chapter 27 | New Memories
Z'Shawn ( POV )
Her beautiful smile brought back many memories. Her soft-spoken words, bright personality, and those big brown eyes made the past disappear.
It's been two years since I saw her. To hear she's doing much better makes me feel worthy.
"What's new for you?" She asked
"New buildings and homes, besides that, nothing much"
"No special lady?" She smirked holding a bag of popcorn
I chuckled, "There is, when the time is right we'll be together"
She smiled, "Sounds exciting, what's she like? If you don't mind"
"She's beautiful. Beautiful smile, bright teeth, two small moles above her right eye. She's been through a lot, but she's overcome so much. She makes me happy, but we live in different places. She loves animals, and once told me she wanted a chow chow"
Allyanna chuckled, "Awe, how cute. How does she feel about you?"
We stopped in the middle of Chi-Park looking at each other. "Not sure"
She stood on her tippy toes placing a warm kiss on my cheek, "She thanks you for helping her out of a tough situation. She thinks you're charming, handsome, and fun to be around. Sometimes she wishes she would've met you years ago. She oftentimes wishes at night you were there to hold her"
"Is that right?"
"Yeah" she smiled biting her bottom lip
"Mmm, tell me a secret"
Her eyes blushed, "She always wanted to kiss you"
Her warm face placed inside of my cold hands sent electricity through my body. Our eyes connected, our lips in sync. The sweetest treasure I've ever felt permanently whipped me. "I got my wish" she mumbled
"Z'Shawn! Hey"
That voice! I snapped out of my fairytale looking at a woman I wish I never met.
"Hi, I've been calling you. Have you gotten my email?" Lia asked
Allyanna linked our hands together as she cuddled my left arm. "Ho-who is this?" Lia asked
"Hi. I'm Allyanna" she weaved
"You are?"
"His girlfriend"
What?
"Oh... you've moved on already?"
Already? It's been 4 years, plus some.
Lia stared at Allyanna with envy. She had it, she cheated on it. You can't be mad now.
"It was nice meeting you. Z'Shawn and I have to finish our walk before dinner" she weaved pulling me away
"An ex?" She asked
"My ex-wife"
She looked at me shockingly, "Wife? Wow. I would have never thought you were once married. I guess it didn't go well since you two are no longer together. She made it seem as though you guys just got a divorce, how long has it been?"
"A little over 4 years. There was some infidelity on her part, a lot of naivete on mine. I thought we were in it for the long run, I was wrong. I wanted a construction company and at the time I was working for a company Downtown. I always enjoyed building things, when I was younger I said I would have my own construction company but she didn't believe in my dreams. She wanted more money and at the time I wasn't making much at all but I still managed to buy our house and keep food on the table. She wasn't thankful"
"I'm sorry, Z'Shawn. That's unfortunate. She wasn't the one if she didn't support your dreams. Sometimes it takes longer to accomplish our goals, but we can't give up"
"Thank you, sweetheart"
Allyanna ( POV )
The feelings came back, in fact, they never left. I always had feelings for him but considering those current circumstances I couldn't do anything about it.
Z'Shawn held my hand as we walked up the staircase towards the rooftop. I'll never forget the first time he brought me here, I was so afraid that Rafael would find out and he'd hurt me. But he reassured me that everything was going to be okay, I know deep down he blames himself for what happened to me but it's not his fault.
Flashback:
Z'Shawn kissed my temple as we stood by the edge watching the sunset.
"It's nice to get away" I mumbled
"Allyanna, is there something you want to tell me?"
"You were right. My sister lied. She kept that secret from me, I know that our family was once powerful but I didn't know it was so deep into the African Mafia. I feel betrayed because we promised to never keep secrets once our parents died. I don't look at her the same way and I don't think I ever will"
He hugged me from behind and for the first time in my life I felt loved.
"Sweetheart, family is very important. Sometimes we argue, we disagree. Sometimes we don't talk for a couple of days. But it's important to always understand that family is everything. I understand not all families have that bond, they can't agree to disagree and still have family dinner on Sunday. I think that you and your sister should talk about it"
I rubbed my hands over his taking in his words. "Thanks"
End of Flashback
"Miss, would you like to try our Teriyaki steak?" Chef Rio asked from behind the counter
"Yes, thank you"
The tender steak melted against my tongue, the sweet flavor of Teriyaki savored my taste buds.
"Yumm, I'll take one" I smiled
"Of course" he smiled proudly
Z'Shawn wrapped his arms around my body as we looked up at the stars.
"That one looks like a heart" he pointed
"Wow, it does. Look at that one, a large ice cream cone" I chuckled
"Good eye"
"Z'Shawn, I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done. I hope that even when I go back we still keep in contact"
He kissed the back of my head, "I'm never letting you go"
"I hope not"
Chapter 28 | A Brother's Love
David ( POV )
I know that my brother is happy since he's paid his last alimony check. But I know for the last several years he's been trying to sabotage everything that she does. I'd be hurt too, the woman that you were married to didn't support your dreams. But I think it's time for me to talk with him.
"Hey, you have a minute?" I asked
"Sure, what's up?"
I sat at his desk looking for the right words, "Allyanna is back, there's no need to still hinder pain. Forget about her, move on and enjoy the happiness that you deserve"
"What are you talking about?"
"Z'Shawn, don't play. You know exactly what I'm talking about, you've been messing with that woman ever since you filed for divorce. I know that it hurts you because it would hurt anybody. You walk in on your wife with another man? I'm surprised you didn't kill both of them, but I guess you're not Dominick. I just want you to look at what's in front of you, forget about her"
He stared at me without blinking, weird!
"Lia can do whatever she wants. I have not tried to do anything to her, I know you believe that but I haven't. She does whatever it is that she does in her life, I have nothing to do with that"
I hate when he does this. Pretend he doesn't even know what the hell you're talking about.
"Z'Shawn, it's not worth it. Don't mess up a good thing because you're still holding anger and pain from your last relationship. Do you think that I don't know? You have prevented that woman from doing a lot in her life, just let it go"
"Whatever you say, anyway I have work"
"Alright, well you might think I'm just that annoying brother who messes up all the time. But I'm giving you some advice when you have something good don't let it slip away because of the past. The past has happened and there's nothing you can do about it, all you can do is move on and try and be a better version of yourself. I know that you love her, be everything that she deserves because you and I both know that she's everything that you deserve"
"Thanks"
Ugh, alright then.
_______
I entered the kitchen inhaling my mother's baked chicken.
"How did it go? Any job yet?" My mother asked me
"No, I doubt he'll give me one at this point. I think he has a lot of other things going on in his life right now that require more of his attention. He's pretty much put me on the back burner, I understand that I burned a lot of bridges that he built for me years ago. I just wish he would have given me another chance, but I have another job lined up downtown at another Construction Company"
"Oh, honey. I'm sorry, your brother is dealing with some personal things. But I knew he would give you a job, it's been 2 years now. I don't blame you for moving on, I support your decision. If you want to work for another company that does the same thing then you should go for it. If your brother doesn't like it then he should have hired you"
"Thanks, Mom. Um, is he still in contact with Lia?"
My mom looked confused, "I'm not sure, why?"
"Because of the way he's behaving. A few years ago I found out that he was trying to sabotage her and the man that she cheated on him with. The guy wasn't able to get promoted at his Law Firm downtown, she wasn't able to find a good job. He's been taking his anger out on them, I told him today that he should move on from that but he didn't like it"
"This is the first I'm hearing about this. I didn't know that he was behaving in such a way, I told him a long time ago to let that go because karma will do its Justice. We've all made mistakes, we've all made choices, and sometimes those choices have hurt other people. We're all going to pay for things that we've done, that's how life works. What you give, you also will receive. I hope that he can let it go, I heard that Allyanna was here and they spent some time together. She's a really sweet girl, I'd love to see him happy but there's no way he's going to truly be happy if he still holds onto pain from his last relationship"
"I agree. I guess we'll have to hope for the best"
"Looks like it"
Chapter 29 | Sweet Feelings
Allyanna ( POV )
I walked into my office at the clinic after surgery and saw a beautiful bouquet of red roses sitting on my desk.
Doctor of the year... love you, baby. See you soon.
My heart instantly stopped. Did he just say I love you? That's the first time I've ever heard him say that, I didn't know we were on that level of relationship. I always enjoy his flowers and love letters, they're always sentimental and very simple.
"Mom?" I looked up surprised to see my mom
"Allyanna, I wanted to come by and say hi. I was in the neighborhood getting some Orchards for the table in the kitchen. I saw your car parked outside in the staff parking lot, I thought I should come in and say hi"
"Awe, thanks, Mom. What kind did you get? I'm actually about to leave, would you like to get dinner?"
She smiled, "I'd love that. I got purple, I always loved those in Thailand"
I held onto my flowers and grabbed my purse walking out of the building with my mom. She didn't say anything but she kept looking at the flowers, we've talked a little bit about men and I have told her about Z'Shawn. She doesn't want to be too involved in my business but I wish that she was obsessed. I guess you either got those parents that want to know every little detail, they're extremely excessive. Or you get the parents who give you too much freedom and then you feel as if they don't care. Sometimes you can't win.
"Did you drive here?" I asked curiously
"No, I took the train. I love it, it's peaceful"
"Be careful, mom. It might be peaceful but the train is dangerous, a lot of weirdos take the train and they're predators. Just be careful and make sure you keep your mace and the stun gun that I got you"
"Of course, honey"
I put the flowers in the backseat before getting inside my car. I just bought a brand new SUV, I'm in love with it. I'm just waiting for GMC to make a convertible and I'm getting one.
"So, umm. Who are the flowers from? Someone special?" She smirked
"Z'Shawn, after surgery I walked into my office and saw a beautiful bouquet of red roses. He sent me a note attached that said that he loves me and he'll see me soon"
"Wow. That's a big deal, those words mean a lot. Oftentimes people use them just because, but they hold so much meaning. Do you love him?"
"I think I do, I mean I love being around him. I don't want to just start saying I love you when I don't truly feel that right now. I feel like later on, I will but there are so many things that I feel right now that I can't talk to him about"
She nodded, "I understand that. Don't rush it, it'll happen when it's meant to"
"Thanks, Mom"
________
After dinner, my mom and I decided to get some ice cream and that's when we ran into Ace. It started to get a little late and she decided that it was time for her to go home. I didn't want her to take the train but she insisted. Sometimes I just want to take care of her but she won't let me.
"Did you and your mom have a good dinner?" Ace asked
"Yeah, we did. We talked about everything under the sun. She tried to bring up my sister but I shut that down immediately because I don't want to talk about her"
"How long has it been?"
"Shit, I forget. Almost 3 years? I feel betrayed by her, I know that she was trying to protect me as she claims but she could have at least informed me on family situations. A lot of that shit put me in danger, I didn't know how much danger I was in until I found out about that"
"Damn, I'm sorry, Anna. Well, I don't blame you, hell I don't even have any family besides you. I left home at a very early age, I didn't even finish high school until much later. If it wasn't for you I probably wouldn't even have pursued college and got a job. It's just hard dealing with family that don't act like family. It's crazy that right now you either have a family that's not present, or you don't have any family at all"
He's right, not many people have a family but the ones that do, don't seem to have a good relationship with him.
