Sincere Deception Read online

  “What’s going on?” I asked, concerned.

  “Ava, before I tell you this… please find some place to sit down.”

  “Sit down? Autumn, what the hell is going on?”

  With a tone in her voice that sent chills down my spine, she said, “There has been an accident. Avelyn and Alicia were involved in a car accident. I need you and the family to leave the park and head to the hospital immediately.”

  Without further delay, I sped to the exit of the park, hopped inside my car, and rushed toward the highway. I didn’t even give the rest of the group an indication as to what was going on. While in my car, I tried to contact Eugene, but there was still no answer. I knew that something was terribly wrong, and the more I attempted to wrap my brain around the possibilities of circumstances, the harder I had to fight back my urge to cry. Roughly fifteen minutes later, I pulled in front of the hospital. I didn’t even turn the car off or remove the keys from the ignition. I simply hopped out and ran to the emergency entrance. Right away, I spotted Autumn and Summer.

  “Are Avelyn and Mamma okay?” I asked, my voice quivering.

  Barely even able to look at me, Autumn said, “They’re not. They were involved in a head-on collision on Bryant Street—”

  Before she could even finish her sentence, I proceeded to the nurses’ station and requested to see my family. I then rushed to room 205. As soon as I walked inside the room, I saw my aunt Beverly—Mamma’s oldest sister. She was sitting in a chair weeping her eyes out as she held my mother’s hand. Mamma wasn’t conscious. There were breathing tubes down her throat, and IV’s inside her arms.

  Aunt Beverly looked at me with puffy eyes and a nose full of snot. “Your mother’s in a coma. Her doctor doesn’t expect her to wake up. We’ll have to pull the plug.”

  “OK,” I replied, dry. “Where’s Avelyn?”

  “She died at the scene.”

  My heart was in my stomach. My fingers started to shake and my vision started to blur. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was my father.

  “Where the hell are you, Ava?!”

  Speaking in a weak tone, I said, “I’m at the hospital.”

  “OK, I’m on my way.” He hung up the phone and hurried there. When he came in the room ten minutes later, he stood in front of me and planted a long kiss upon my forehead. He then closed his eyes and sighed. “Ava, I am so sorry—”

  Before he could complete his statement, I turned and sped out of the door. I rushed straight pass my sisters, my brother, and the rest of the family, and headed to my car. As soon as I reached my home and parked, I snatched my phone out of my purse and dialed Eugene. Still, the calls were going directly to voicemail. I had no idea where the hell he was, and his unexpected absence was really beginning to worry me. I snatched the keys out of the starter, grabbed my purse, and hopped out of the vehicle. When I opened the door to my apartment, I dialed his number again, and as I proceeded towards the couch to give my aching feet a rest, I heard the sound of his ringtone coming from my bedroom. Puzzled and out of breath, I removed myself away from the couch and tiptoed to my bedroom. I hung up the phone, then placed my head softly against the closed door. Once I was able to clearly detect what was immorally happening within the four walls of my room, I opened the door.

  I could not believe my damn eyes. Just as I assumed things could not get worse, they did. I stood there in silence as I watched my man bang his bitch from the back. She moaned pleasurably as she gripped the sheets. He sweated endlessly as he savored her flesh. They were so caught up in the act, they didn’t even notice my presence. A few seconds later, I strolled further into the room, cleared my scratchy throat, and sighed. They then both turned to look at me.

  Speaking calm and dull, I said, “This birthday of mine has been interesting. First, I find out about the death of my mother and sister. Now, here you are fucking some bitch in my bed. I hope she was worth it, Eugene.” I cleared my throat again and shook my head shamefully. “I want you, and this chick to get the fuck outta my bed. After you nasty fucks get outta my bed, Eugene, I want you to get all ya shit and get the fuck outta my house.”

  Still posed in the same stupid ass doggy-styled-position, he and his bitch just stared at me dumbfounded. Finally, about 30 seconds later, Eugene removed his naked, sweaty body away from the bed, awkwardly snatched his pants from the floor, and slid them on. He then handed the chick her slutty dress. After she put it on, she grabbed her purse, strolled pass me with her head held down, and quietly walked out of the door.

  I had never felt so betrayed and livid in my life. I wanted to kill him. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I wanted to burn my own fucking building down and blaze everyone inside it. But all I had the energy to do was stand there and gaze with a wounded expression.

  Gradually, he walked towards me and attempted to reach for a hug. The nerve, I thought to myself. I pushed him away. He tried to reach for me again, so I gathered some saliva and spit it in his face. I slapped him, and then ordered him to exit my home. That is exactly what he did. Without even attempting to plead his case or grab any of his belongings, he stormed out of the house and slammed the door behind him. Right after that, I began pacing back and forth from the kitchen, to the living room with both my hands placed firmly against the side of my face. I was nearly pulling my damn hair out. My heart was beating out of my chest, my hands were shaking dramatically, and my tears started to hit the carpet like waterfalls.

  “Ava… are you okay? Did you hear what I said?”

  “Yes, I heard you,” I said, snapping out of deep thought. “It’s just that I-I don’t like speaking about the death of Avelyn and my mother. I mean, still to this day I just can’t believe they’re gone.”

  “I can only imagine how you feel. Like I said… if I could take back my actions from that day, I would. But I can’t. I know that. I’m just glad you’re allowing me to apologize to you face-to-face.”

  For several seconds, we sat there soundlessly gazing into one another’s eyes. Suddenly, the waiter arrived with our sizzling hot meals. She placed my meal in front of me, and then handed Eugene his. We didn’t waste any time digging in. After taking approximately five mouthfuls of food and two guzzles of water, Eugene said… “I’ve missed you, Ava. I know I did you wrong many times, but honestly, I wish I could get just one more chance with you.”

  Nearly choking, I took a gulp of my drink and swallowed as fast as I could. I did not know how to respond. I didn’t know whether to appear happy and eager, or disappointed and resistant. Eventually, I placed my drink back on the table and took a deep sigh. I attempted to speak, but nothing would come out of my mouth.

  “I can sense that I’ve caused you to feel a bit uncomfortable. I apologize,” he stated.

  Still unsure of what to say, I grabbed my drink again and gulped until there was nothing left. After finishing off the drink, I cut a thick piece of steak, added some A1 sauce, and threw it inside my mouth. As I chewed slowly, I thought about what I was going to say next. As much as I wanted to let him know how pleased I was to hear his apology and accept him back into my life, I simply did not trust him. I did not trust him, nor his motives. Not only that, but I also knew that my family would kick his ass if they saw him. There was no way in hell my relationship with Eugene was going to get anywhere as long as Avery and Autumn were in the picture.

  Eugene laughed aloud. So loud that people from several tables down started to stare at us. “You clearly do not want to have this conversation. You then sat here and stuffed everything you could inside your mouth to avoid having to reply to me.” He giggled again, and then waved his hand into the air. “You don’t have to respond if you don’t want to. That’s not going to stop me from telling you how I feel, though. I hope that’s not a problem.”

  I chuckled lightly as I took down the rest of my food. “No, it’s not a problem. Not at all. Say what you gotta say, and if I come up with a logical way to respond, I will.”

  We continued to eat until there was nothing l
eft. Conversations became slim to none also, so we decided to leave. After dinner, we headed to the movie theater on Main St. to see Piranha—a movie I had been dying to see. We ordered two large Pepsi sodas, and large sized popcorn—extra butter. We had a great time, and to be honest, I didn’t want the night to end. Spending time with my ex reminded me of all the reasons I fell so hard for him in the first place. I missed those things, and more than anything, I missed him.

  By the time we arrived back to my apartment complex, it was nearly 1:00 in the morning.

  “I had a wonderful time with you tonight, Ava,” he told me.

  Grinning, I replied, “I had a wonderful time with you also, Eugene.”

  “So when can I see you again?”

  “I don’t think that will be possible. I had a great time, but I think we should just keep things how they’ve been—no contact.”

  Nodding as he spoke, he said, “OK. OK, cool. I’ll respect that. He unfastened his seat belt, and then placed his car in park. He got out of the car, strolled over to my side, and opened the door. I grabbed my purse, placed it on my shoulder, and we both headed towards the apartment.

  “Thanks for the dinner and movie,” I said as I slid my key inside the knob. As I proceeded into the door, he grabbed my face and planted a soft kiss upon my lips. I was in complete shock. I had no idea what to do or say next, so stupidly, I just stood there with my mouth hung open. Finally, I shoved him with force. “What makes you think I want to kiss you? You are not my man and you have no right to do that! Leave! Leave now!” I proceeded to walk up the stairs and refused to look back. By the time I got to the second floor, I heard the downstairs door close. Not long after, I walked inside my apartment, turned on the hallway light, and placed my coat and purse inside the closet. I walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and took a large swig of water. After putting the drink back, I exhaled deeply as I stood there in deep thought. I could not believe that Eugene actually kissed me, and not only that, I could not comprehend why a part of me enjoyed it. Now I could not get him out of my head. All I really wanted to do was call his ass up and tell him to turn that car around and give me what I needed—him.

  I decided that the only way to calm my nerves would be to take a hot bubble bath, and as I walked towards the bathroom, I heard a knock on the door. Confused as to who would be visiting at such a time, I walked to the door and peeked through the peephole. It was Eugene. I sighed deeply, and then unlocked the entrance. Before I could even do or say anything, he gripped my face with both his hands and kissed me.

  CHAPTER 4

  INEVITABLE PASSION

  Such a passionate, daring, sexy approach, I could not deny his affection, and before I knew it, I was sitting on the kitchen counter with my legs wrapped around his neck. I was so hot, my thighs were shaking, and as he consistently twirled his tongue around my essence, I lost all control. About two minutes later, he came up for air, caressed my lips, picked me up, and transported me into the bedroom. Inside the dark room, we continued to kiss, massage, and undress one another. Once completely naked, he glided himself on top of me, looked fiercely into my eyes, and slid himself inside my juices. I moaned gently as I closed my eyes and bit my bottom lip. Sweat started to leak from every inch of our bodies, and the atmosphere was so hot, I could barely breathe. The harder he stroked, the weaker I became. My knees were trembling and my heart was thrashing.

  An intense session of rekindling lasted for about ten minutes before we both reached our peak. We were drenched in sweat and out of breath. I was so pleased and overwhelmed with the outcome of our love making that I actually laid in the same spot for nearly five minutes after it was over. Finally, I decided to get my nude ass up and snatch something cold to drink out of the fridge to quench my thirst. After standing in the kitchen drinking a bottle of water, I grabbed a bottle for Eugene and returned to the room. He however, had already made his way to the bathroom engaged in a hot shower. I chose to join him. I stepped inside the glistening drizzle, turned myself toward him, and kissed him passionately. Gripping my ass and stroking my breast with his tongue, we managed to make love again. After doing so, we washed one another, and then returned to the bedroom.

  I decided to light a few candles and put on something sexy to top off the rest of our early morning. Eugene wrapped himself inside a bath towel, and then we lied inside each other’s arms as we enjoyed an album of sweet slow jams.

  Gazing deep into my brown eyes, he said, “I cannot even begin to explain to you how wonderful it feels to be here next to you.”

  “I feel the same way. I can’t believe it either. Everything about this moment has made me speechless.” I smiled shyly as I returned a gaze. “I am so glad you turned that car back around.” We both chuckled.

  “I never left your house, my darling. I simply turned my car off and returned inside the building.”

  With a surprised expression, I asked, “Well if that’s all you did, why did it take you so long to knock on my door?”

  “Well, in all honesty, I stood in front of your door trying to decide if I should make such a risky move.” He laughed lightly. “Truthfully, I thought you were going to reject me. Either that, or knock me the hell out!”

  I laughed aloud. “If you thought I would reject you, or knock you out, what made you courageous enough to make your move?”

  He shrugged his shoulders before responding. “I just knew I had to take a chance. I knew that I would never get to sleep until I held you in my arms.”

  This man was really making me want to take him back—exclusively. Just looking into his eyes was enough to make me want to keep him near. Not to mention the scent of his aroma, the smoothness of his mocha skin, and the warmth of his voice. I was losing all control while curled up inside his muscular arms. While listening to Faith Evans, Soon As I get Home, we looked sincerely into each other’s eyes, which followed by a gentle kiss.

  “I love you,” he managed to announce during our moment of graze.

  Shocked, I just stared at him and smiled for a few seconds. Then I said, “I love you too.”

  I felt my heart skip a few beats. But there was still something deep inside that made me hesitate towards showing my true affection. Although madly in love with this man, the last thing I wanted to do was put my heart on the line only to have him crush it again. Was he really worth a second chance, or should I just cut my losses? Did he really change? I thought. I mean, what if he did change, but my fear of being hurt again caused me to lose the perfect opportunity to make things right? I was conflicted, confused, and pissed that my heart was running out of rational reasons to deny him. Logic flew out of the window as I allowed myself to melt inside his charm.

  With a serious look in his eyes, he expressed to me once more of how sorry he was for hurting me in the past. He then grabbed my hand and kissed the back of it softly. “I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I promise… I will never deceive you again. I love you… always have, always will.”

  As difficult as it was, I knew that I had to believe him, because if not, I would only sabotage the future of our relationship with such constant suspicions of distrust.

  “I can’t say that it’s easy to forget what happened, but I can certainly say that I am willing to forgive you in order to recover this relationship. I love you, and to be honest, I never really got over you or what we had.”

  “I never got over you, either. No woman has ever been able to do for me what you have done for me. No woman that I’ve tried to replace you with could compare to you. Not only that, but after hearing about the death of your sister and mother, I felt horrible.”

  “Well, again… thank you for apologizing. It has been difficult tryna live without my loved ones, but I know they’re looking down on me. I know they’re in a better place resting peacefully.” I let out a sigh of relief, and then reached in to place a kiss upon his cheek.

  Smiling, he licked his lips in a seductive way. I nearly soaked my panties. He propped his arm arou
nd my shoulder and scooted himself closer beside me. He then placed his hand against my chin and directed my head toward him. “One of these days I am going to make you my wife. I am going to marry you, girl.”

  Flattered, I nodded my head in agreement and blushed endlessly.

  As I sat in class the following afternoon, I still could not get the thought of Eugene out of my head. There I was staring at my instructor as she flapped her mouth about last week’s assignment, but still, my brain could not comprehend a thing she said. My mind was fully occupied. As I recalled my man sliding his fingers up and down my inner thigh, I closed my eyes and bit my bottom lip. My heart began to pound all over again. Before I could completely visualize him licking every inch of my frame, I opened my eyes and was startled by my friend’s sudden presence.

  “What the hell are you thinkin’ about?” Kelis questioned, wearing a grin on her face.

  “No-nothing,” I stuttered as I sat up to fix my slouched posture. “I’m not thinking about anything.”

  She waved her hand in the air, pulled out a chair, and sat in it. “Whatever girl. You’re lying your ass off right now. I know you were thinking about something.”

  Lying again, I chuckled nervously. “I wasn’t thinking about anything.”

  Giving me a blank stare, she waved her hand in the air once more. As a result, I chuckled again. I knew Kelis was not gonna back away from the subject, and just as I was about to speak, my teacher dismissed class. We grabbed our things and headed for the exit. As we walked to the school parking lot, I took a deep sigh and directed my attention towards her.

  “I know you told me to never speak to this man again… but I have to tell you something,” I said, and then paused. “I saw Eugene last night.”