by Jazmyne
Table of Contents
Title Page
Chapter 1
Aaliyah couldn’t believe she had gotten a flat tire; she hadn’t had her Benz for a month and was already having problems with it. Aaliyah sighed deeply as she reached into her purse for her cell phone. As she punched in the code a message flashed across the screen letting her know that her phone needed to be charged. “I just need to call for a tow truck.” She thought hoping the battery would at least last that long. As Aaliyah punched in the last number her phone powered down. “Fuck!” She called out banging her fist into the steering wheel. It was late at night and she was stuck on the side of the road alone. Was she scared? A little, because of her profession, over the years she had gained a lot of enemies.
Aaliyah was a criminal lawyer with everything to prove. Over the years she had gotten a lot of hardcore criminals off with a verdict of not guilty. Her money was long; thanks to the hard work she had put in day in and day out. Criminal law was ruled by nothing but men. Men who felt a woman had no place, giving her all the motivation she needed, Aaliyah had opened her own law firm over a year ago and business was booming. She had more cases than she could keep up with. She had quickly made a name for herself and was proud of her accomplishments. She was living proof that you could make it from nothing to something and selling dope wasn’t the only way out of the ghetto.
The loud music and bright headlights from the car pulling up behind her grabbed her attention. She hit the power locks on the car door and grabbed the pepper stray from her purse.
Aaliyah watched as the driver door opened and a cloud of smoke followed behind. She couldn’t see much because the lights were blinding her, but she could hear the footsteps quickly approaching the driver side of her car.
TAP! TAP! TAP!
“Can I help you?” The deep male voice said. Aaliyah watched as he put his hands against the window and looked inside, she was staring into the handsome face of a stranger. One she wasn’t sure of his motives. “Yo, you need help or what?” He asked while tapping on the window.
Aaliyah cracked her window, “I would like to use your phone to call a tow truck if you don’t mind,” she said.
“What happened?” He asked.
“I got a flat tire and my phone died leaving me stuck here hoping to be found before someone killed me,” Aaliyah joked.
“Give me a second,” he said walking back to his car. He returned moments later with his phone in his hands. “Here you go, ma,” he said trying to hand her the phone through the cracked window.
“Thanks,” Aaliyah replied as she rolled the window down.
“You don’t keep a spare in the back; I can change it for you. Save you a few dollars and a whole lot of time,” he said.
“No,” replied Aaliyah as she dialed triple A. Ace leaned on the hood of the car as he enjoyed the rest of his blunt and the cool night air. Aaliyah took this time to check him out and had to admit he was handsome with swag. “Excuse me but I didn’t get your name,” Aaliyah called out the window.
“Amir Johnson but you can call me Ace,” he replied tossing what was left of the blunt to the ground.
Ace was a handsome man standing at six feet two inches, with the smoothest chocolate skin anyone could have, a pair of piercing hazel brown eyes, full lips, and set of perfect white teeth. He sported a thinly trimmed go-tee, with a baby face. Along with a low cut fade with deep waves that he kept hidden under one of his many snapback fitted caps. His was dressed in True Religion from head to toe and his Calvin Klein cologne lingered around long after he was gone.
“Thug!” Aaliyah thought. She could smell one from a mile away. She talked to someone from triple A for about thirty minutes before they agreed to send someone out.
“What’s the word?” Ace said.
“Someone should be here in a little while, thanks,” she said handing him back his phone.
“No problem,” Ace said taking his phone and sliding it inside his pocket. He walked back to his car and hopped in. Aaliyah couldn’t see much because of the darkness. She thought he was going to pull off but he sat back and turned his music back on. Aaliyah smiled thinking what he was doing was cute. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had done anything nice for her and for some reason she was feeling like a total asshole.
She got out her car slowly walking to his car. She waited until he rolled his window down.
He whispered the words, “Hold on,” as he talked on his cell phone. “I’ll be there soon, I love you,” he said before disconnecting the call.
Aaliyah felt a little jealous and she didn’t know why. She barely knew this man but was finding herself extremely attracted to him.
“My fault, that was my daughter,” he said holding his phone up for her to see.
“You know you don’t have to sit here. You have done more than enough,” she told him.
“I can’t leave a pretty woman alone on the side of a dark highway,” Ace said. What kind of man would I be if I do that?” He asked.
“But you have to get home to your wife and kid. I’m sure I can manage,” Aaliyah smiled showing her deep dimple off.
“I don’t have a wife. It’s just my kids and I. I have two girls, twin girls at that,” he replied. “I lost my wife a long time ago,” he finished.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Aaliyah said unsure of what to say next.
“Hop in, you don’t have to stand out there talking to me,” he said tapping the passenger seat.
Aaliyah walked around the car and climbed in. As soon as she opened the door his cologne filled her nostrils. A smell she didn’t mind smelling at all. He wore the cologne well.
Ace was listening to nothing in this world by Keke Wyatt and Avant.
“Let me guess, you’re a drug dealer with a little heart?”
“Nope, and I see you’re already judging me and you know nothing about me,” Ace said.
“I’m not judging, I’m only asking questions.”
“No what you did was make a statement, a false one at that. Am I a drug dealer? No, have I sold drugs? Yes. That was a life time ago,” Ace replied.
“Let me guess you have changed?” Aaliyah asked.
“There you go again. No I haven’t changed I’m gonna always be who I am. Whether I’m selling dope or selling cars. I lost a lot while I was in the streets and I don’t plan on losing anymore. I have two daughters who depend on me and I can’t afford to disappoint them,” Ace let her know.
“I’m sorry if I offended you,” Aaliyah said feeling a little uncomfortable. She had made a fool of herself by judging a man who stopped to help her while she was stuck on the side of the road.
“There’s no need in being sorry. Next time just ask. I have nothing to hide. I have made plenty of mistakes and I have owned up to them all,” Ace said. Aaliyah smiled. “So what do you do for a living?” He asked.
“I’m a criminal lawyer at my own law firm,” Aaliyah proudly answered.
“Get the fuck outta here. I thought you were some drug dealer arm candy,” Ace said. Aaliyah frowned.
“And what is that supposed to mean?” She asked leaning against the door so that she could look him in his eyes. Ace laughed.
“See you didn’t just like how I assumed something that wasn’t true about you. You shouldn’t do it either,” he said. Aaliyah rolled her eyes while smiling.
“I already said I was sorry. What more do you want me to do?” Aaliyah asked. “Plus I have no room to judge anyone. I’ve done my share of dirt throughout my life.”
Before they could get deeper in their conversation the tow truck was pulling up behind, Ace’s car. “Finally,” Aaliyah
said as she opened the car door to get out.
“Amir, I wanna thank you. You didn’t have to pull over or let me use your phone, but you did. If there is anything I could ever help you with feel free to give me a call,” she said reaching back into his car to grab the pen and pad he had sitting on the floor. She scribbled down her office number along with her cell and home phone number. “I’m sure you will be able to reach me on one of those numbers,” she smiled as she closed the door behind her.
Ace sat in his car watching as her and the tow truck man went back and forth for a few minutes. He admired her beauty. Aaliyah was a beautiful woman standing at five feet five inches, shoulder length hair that she kept dyed honey blond, her honey colored bedroom eyes made her look even more exotic, along with her full lips. Her body was damn near made to perfection, thanks to her African American and French ethnic background. She had the measurements of 36-25-36. Niggas now days referred to that as being a “Bad Bitch”. Aaliyah had a glow to her that shined morning, noon, and night. It didn’t stop there; she had the illest catwalk with a mystery air about her. Most tried to figure it out, but would never be able too.
“Aaliyah be safe,” Ace called out after reading her name off the paper. He pulled off heading home to his twin girls.
*
To say that Aaliyah was tired would be an understatement. All she wanted to do was soak in a tub full of hot water and bubbles with a glass of wine to relax and unwind. She had a long day and knew her night would be even longer. She had a few cases to look over and sometimes those took all night. Aaliyah sat her things by the door and headed to the kitchen for a flute and a bottle of wine before heading to the master bathroom to run her a bubble bath.
The ringing of her home phone surprised her. There wasn’t too many who had it and being that it was after 12, Aaliyah wondered who it could be.
She rushed into her room to answer the phone. “Hello?”
“Aaliyah?” the male voice asked causing her to smile.
“Yes this is she,” she replied.
“This is Ace, I was just calling to make sure you made it in safely,” Ace said.
“Yes. I made it home safe, thanks for the call, it means a lot,” she smiled. “You know you didn’t have to make this phone call. I’m a big girl who can handle herself.”
“I don’t have to do a lot of things I do. But I’m a man and checking on you was the right thing to do,” Ace answered.
“I wish all men were as caring as you,” she said as she stripped out of her clothes. Ace chuckled.
“I think there are only a few men like me left in this world. It’s a shame but hey,” Ace said. “I’m going to let you go.”
“No wait! Do you have time to talk?” She questioned.
“That depends on what you wanna talk about,” Ace said.
Aaliyah didn’t know much about Ace other than him being a gentlemen and he use to sell dope. She felt a connection with him after only being in his presence for a short period of time. Aaliyah walked back into the bathroom with the phone glued to her ear. She turned the water off and slipped into the steaming hot water.
“We can talk about whatever you like,” she said as she sank deeper into the garden style tub.
“What made you decided to become a lawyer, a criminal lawyer at that?” Ace asked.
“I always saw myself as this powerful woman in the corporate world, ruled by men. I love making non-believes into believers,” answered Aaliyah.
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
“Nope, I am the only child. I lost my mother the day she gave birth to me. My father raised me up until the day he took his last breath years ago. So now it’s just me, myself, and I.” She said. “What about you? What kind of upbringing did you have?”
“My dad raised me and my brother. I really don’t know much about my mother because from what I understand she didn’t want anything to do with us. As soon as she gave birth, she signed her rights over and left,” Ace said.
“Damn, I’m sorry to hear that,” Aaliyah said.
“Shit, there’s nothing to be sorry for. She lost out on raising a man,” Ace said.
“Where’s your father now?”
“Dead. He lost his battle with cancer when my brother and I were fifteen.”
There was a moment of silence.
“You said you have twin daughters, what are their names?”
“Their names are Savanna and Serenity.” Aaliyah could hear the smile in his voice.
“They are the best things that has come into my life.” He said. “They are the reason I wake up every morning and hope for better days.”
“How did you lose your wife?” If you don’t mind me asking,” Aaliyah asked. There was a moment of silences again. Aaliyah could tell it was a touchy subject and was a little pissed with herself for bringing it up.
“She was murdered,” Ace finally answered. She could hear the hurt in his voice. “Enough about me and my life, what you wearing, baby girl?” He asked changing the subject. Aaliyah laughed, she was glad he had changed the subject.
“Well if you must know. I’m currently wearing nothing. I’m sitting in the tub enjoying a nice bubble bath and a glass of wine,” she answered.
“And I’m sure if I was there you’ll be enjoying me as well,” Ace flirted. Aaliyah bit into her bottom lip. She didn’t mind finding out how his lips felt and tasted.
“Are you sure about that? Or would it be the other way around? You’ll be enjoying me?” She asked giggling.
“I’m sure I’ll enjoy myself either way,” Ace said.
Ace and Aaliyah talked on the phone laughing and joking as if they had known each other for years. Aaliyah knew Ace had to be something serious because she couldn’t remember the last time a man grabbed her attention and held onto it. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the wine she had consumed or the good conversation they shared. Whatever it was she wanted to get to know him a little more.
Chapter 2
The sun shined right through the blinds straight into, Ace’s eyes. He opened his eyes and looked at the clock sitting on his nightstand. It read 9:33 am. Ace laid his head back down and closed his eyes. He had spent the majority of the night on the phone with, Aaliyah. The conversation flowed between the two and he loved the fact that she had a sense of humor that alone was a plus. Ace felt some type of way because he hadn’t felt this comfortable with any woman other than his wife. The same wife he had lost because of the bad choices he had mad. He had promised himself that he would never fall for another or get close to another female. Whatever time he had left on this earth he would spend it raising his daughters. Ace didn’t know if it was faith that had brought him and Aaliyah together or was it something he had stumbled upon by accident.
The fact that she was a career woman turned him on. Ace had a fear of loving again. Yes, he was out of the game and had been for quite a few years. He still found himself looking over his shoulders and waking up in cold sweats after having a dream about someone from his past running up on him and killing him while his baby girls watched.
“Daddy!” the tiny voices called out at the same time as they bust through his room door with a lot of energy. Ace smiled as his five year old girls jumped on his bed. He opened his eyes to find his girls coming his way at full speed. They both jumped on him while wrapping their tiny arms around his neck.
“I want pancakes,” Savanna said as she kissed her father on the cheek.
“I wanna go to the park,” Serenity said.
“You wanna go to the park this early?” Ace asked.
“Yes, please daddy?” She smiled.
“How could I deny them anything?” Ace thought to himself. “Pancakes and to the park it is,” Ace said as he grabbed both his daughters and hugged them tightly. They were growing right before his eyes. They were already five, and before he knew it
they would be in high school and dating. Something he didn’t think he would ever be ready for. He just hoped he lived long enough to see any of it.
Ace looked into the eyes of his daughters and broke down. They looked just like their mother. The only thing they had of his was his smooth dark skinned complexion and his hazel brown eyes, the rest of their beauty they got from their mother.
“Aww, daddy, please don’t cry,” Serenity said wiping his tears away. “We don’t have to go to the park if you don’t want too.” She said.
Ace sat up in bed with both his girls in his arms. “Baby girl we are going to the park.” He let her know. Sometimes he wished he could talk to his girls about their mother but he felt they were too young to understand.
“Savanna what kind of pancakes do you want today?” Ace asked as he put them down.
“Chocolate chip pancakes!” She yelled as she ran out the room. Ace smiled, those were the loves of his life. Every day he woke up hoping to do better just for them.
Ace got himself together before heading into the kitchen to cook his baby girls some pancakes. Ace was a man of many talents and cooking was one of them. While Ace cooked breakfast, his daughters sat in the living room watching their favorite cartoon.
“Daddy,” Savanna called out as she skipped into the kitchen. “Someone is on your phone,” she said holding his phone out for him. Ace took his phone and watched as Savanna skipped back into the living room with her sister.
“Talk to me,” Ace said putting the phone to his ear.
“I hope I didn’t wake you,” Aaliyah said.
“Nah not at all, my daughters have me up cooking pancakes,” Ace answered.
“You cook?” Aaliyah questioned. She was a little surprised. Now days men didn’t cook, they felt the kitchen was a woman’s place.
“You’ll be surprised, but I do a little of everything. I’m a father of two, some things I don’t have a choice in doing.”
“I was just calling to tell you I truly enjoyed our conversation last night.” Aaliyah said.
“I enjoyed it as well. Maybe we can finish it over lunch or dinner one day you aren’t so busy,” Ace threw out there.