by Miss Janelly
“I thought, you haven't touched her since me?” Jade asked, not making eye contact. She felt embarrassed and stupid. How could she had been so dumb to believe he would leave his wife? She really couldn't understand what was going on.
“Yeah, we made love as soon as he came back from his business trip. I guess you weren't that great in bed,” Megan said, laughing at Jade.
Jade rushed over to her and slapped her. She never felt more humiliated in her life. She came all the way to the UK and she was face to face with his wife. Why did he even let her in their hotel room. Maybe he still wanted his wife.
“Stop please...” Steven said, pulling Jade away from his wife. At that moment it seem like Steven was defending Megan and didn't understand why Jade did that.
“You're going to let her disrespect me, I never told you to come meet me. I want to keep things the way they were. I never intended to sleep with you.”
Things were getting out of hand because Jade wasn't a confrontational person. She really hated to argue with anyone.
“Jade, why don't you pack your bags now and go back to the states. Because Steven has to be here for his child that's on the way.”
Jade heard enough and went into the bedroom and slammed the door. She collapsed on the bed, crying. She felt like Steven didn't care about her.
Steven came into the room and said “Babe, I'm really sorry. I think my mate told her where I was. I didn't know she was coming, I would never put you in that situation.” He climbed on top of the bed and kissed her forehead.
She sobbed and said “What are you going to do?”
“I'm still going to be with you, but I'm still going to be there for my family. I will check on my divorce status. I'm really sorry about all of this sweetie. I really love you Jade, please just stick by me. Things seem to be spiraling out of control. My wife is pregnant, I really want to be there for her, because all of her pregnancies are hard,” he said, holding her hand.
“I just think that I should go back to the states, stay with your wife. I just don't want to be that girl. I don't want to be put to the side, and I know it sound selfish but its how it is.”
Jade knew that everything was falling apart. Sure Steven was a charming man but he had a lot of baggage. Now, his wife is pregnant and he has to be there for her. Jade knew that she would be put to the back burner because of the baby on the way. Megan, would probably win him over. Jade laid next to him without words to say.
“Steven, I love you so much. I can't believe I'm losing you again. This time it will be permanent. I'm going back to the states. I'm sorry but it would be best for everyone. I've enjoyed our time together, you saved me out of a tragic relationship. Thank you,” she said, kissing him.
“Don't leave, please don't do this to me again. I can't afford to lose you, I need you right now. Seriously, I need you to help me get through my divorce and I’m about to be a dad again. I'm scared Jade, for the first time I am.”
Jade stared into his gray eyes, which were filled with dis-pare. She couldn't leave him if she wanted to but at the same time she had to do what was best for her.
Chapter Twelve
Jade couldn't deny how much she loved Steven but this was entirely too much. She decided she want to see more of Manchester than her hotel. She quietly showered and prepared herself for her adventure. She didn't want to want Steven. Honestly she needed a break from him.
She caught a taxi to a local restaurant. When she walked in, she felt like everyone knew that she was Steven's mistress. The hostess directed her to her table. A man next to her table said “Excuse, me ma'am would you like to join me?” She stared at the stranger. He wasn't bad looking but she found it odd that he was friendly. Steven told her that many Brits weren't as friendly as Americans.
“I look like I'm not from here right?” Jade said.
“Yeah, quite the catch. American woman carry themselves completely different than woman from here. I've never dated an American woman. My mate keeps telling me about them.”
“Interesting, what's your name?”
“Andrew, and you?” he said, staring at her chest. Jade immediately noticed were his attention was. He blushed with he realized she was staring at him.
“Jade.”
“You wouldn't happen to know Steven Openshaw?” he said, already knowing the answer.
“Yeah, he's a friend of mine.”
“Friend.. or more than friend?” he smirked.
“Friend..why?”
Jade order her food.
“He's my best mate, and he's told me about you. I can see why he left his wife. You're are absolutely beautiful. Where is he?”
Jade was flattered by his comment and said “Asleep in the hotel. I want to see Manchester for myself.”
“I'm off today, I would be glad to show you around.”
Jade stared at him and weighed her options. What was he trying to find out about her. Would he tried to make a move on her to see what type of girl she is? She knew this guy had a motive behind his more than generous actions.
“Okay,” she said.
Andrew wasn't bad looking. She observed him while he ate. She noticed his teeth weren't as nice as Steven's teeth. Andrew did have a few things she did like. She couldn't help but notice his juicy bottom lip. She wished Steven's lips were full. The two left the restaurant and stopped dead in her tracks.
“What's wrong?” he said, looking at her.
“I forgot my phone, Steven is going to flip, Are you driving?”
“Don’t worry about it, you don’t need your phone. Steven will be okay.”
“Shut up,” she said, playful hitting him.
“Okay I guess I'll take you to Buckingham Palace. We'll have to catch the train though. It's a lot to do. I'm sure you'll love it.”
The two new acquittance strangers rode in silence. Jade wanted to pick his brain about Steven but she didn't want to make the whole day about him.
“So... you and Steven? A sure thing?” he said, switching radio stations.
“I guess it's just for fun.. I'm not sure. I'm just living in the moment,” she said, looking down at her hands. She couldn't believe how attractive Andrew was. She kept looking at him, but she turned her head every time he caught her.
“So you came all the way to the UK.. for something not serious?”
Jade didn't really want to be honest. She knew that she loved him but she started to feel that Steven didn't feel the same. She knew things were about to change dramatically. She still hadn't decided to stay after her altercation with Megan.
“Honestly, I think he still really loves his wife, and now she's having his fifth child. I just.. I don't know. I'm confused, I just don't think we have anything to make me stay here.”
“He's a good man, always there for his family. You should see the way his eyes light up when he sees his children. He really loves children. I think that’s the only reason he married her.”
Jade didn't really want to hear that. But it was the honest truth. She didn't know where she fits in his perfect world. She loved everything about him and she wanted a baby with him. Maybe that would make him want her more. She remembered the time he refused to have unprotected sex with her. She couldn't understand why he didn't want a baby with her.
“Yeah, I just don't think I fit in his perfect world.”
“Steven is very established man.. pushing forty. He's accomplished a lot and I’m sure he will retire in the next few years. I just don't think you should waste your time with him.”
Could he have been anymore blunt? Andrew seems to be loyal to his friend, but Jade knew he would make a move on her soon. She felt his stares on her body the whole time. She didn't want anything from him.
“Are you married?”
Andrew laughed and said “Divorced, one daughter she's twenty.”
“Wow, I bet we would have a lot in common,” Jade said, sarcastically.
“You're very interesting Jade I wish I could have met you first. I hope you de
cide to move here, even if you decide not to be him.”
“I knew you had motives, so you think I will sleep with you as well. What did Steven tell you?”
“It doesn't matter what he told me, just know that I know.”
“Can you take me back to the hotel...” Jade didn't want to spend another minute with him. She felt disrespected and didn't want to be with him anymore. Guys were all the same, and she knew he wanted something from her.
“Jade, I'm not going to touch my mate's lover. I'm not that type of guy. I just never met a girl like you that's all. Please don't take offense to what I say.”
Jade folded her arms and rolled her eyes. “How much longer til the train station.”
“We're here,” he smiled.
***
Jade really enjoyed sight seeing and taking lots of pictures of different places. She definitely enjoyed being in the UK. It felt good to be away from Steven but she did want to see him. She wanted him sexually really bad. She sat in the park with Drew and she crossed her legs.
“I really had a nice time with you today Jade,” he said, eating his ice cream.
“Likewise, surprisingly after those rude comments in the car.”
“Come on.. we haven't talked about Steven, since we've been here. Let's not start now. So if you move here, are you looking for a job?”
“Yes.... I have a B.A. In mass communications.”
“Well, I have a few connections if you want them.”
“If I don't find anything, I'll let you know.” Jade didn't want to feel like she owed him anything. Especially any sexual favors.
“Ready?”
“Yes,” she said, grabbing her purse. The car ride back to Manchester was long and Jade fell asleep. Returning back to the hotel, Andrew walked her back to her room.
“Thanks again for the adventure.”
“Anytime you need to get away, let me know,” he said, hugging her. Jade searched her bag for her key but couldn't find it. The door opened with a worried Steven.
“Where the hell have you been? It's midnight.. Andrew?,” he said, cutting his eyes at his mate.
“I ran into him at the restaurant and he agreed to show me around the UK. We went to London. I have so many pictures to show you,” she said, walking in.
“I'll see you guys later,” Andrew said.
“Eh.. no come in and have a drink. I want to talk to you.”
Andrew walked in behind Steven and sat down on the couch. Jade went into the back to change into her night clothes. She came back out in a short night gown.
Steven's eyes immediately shot to her exposed legs. She sat down next to Andrew.
“What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?” she asked, looking up with her brown puppy dog eyes.
“Are you fucking my mate?” he said, standing in front of him.
Jade looked at Andrew and laughed “No... I would never do that to you.”
“So... why do you think you can walk around our hotel room with that skimpy night gown on. We have company.”
“It's the only other clean night gown I have. I have to wash clothes. What are you insinuating?”
“Jade, I really hope you didn't mess with him.”
“Andrew.. please explain to him it's nothing like that.”
“Come on mate, it's not like that. I showed her around, nothing else,” Andrew said.
“Excuse us, for a minute,” Steven said, grabbing her hand, and taking her into the bathroom.
“Jade, I’m a very jealous man. Drew really has a thing for young black woman. So please tell me if he touched you or say anything out of the way. I can't share you with him. He asked for you before he even met you. I'm sure he complemented your beauty.”
“Yeah he said I was pretty, but he was a gentleman. He didn't touch me, he might have suggest that I leave you. But it was a joke.”
Steven's face immediately turned red and he stormed out of the bathroom.
“Steven no!!” Jade yelled behind him.
Steven pushed him down on the couch and said “Don't you ever in your life tell her she should leave me. I know you want her, I can tell by the way you kept looking at her.”
“She's beautiful, why wouldn't I look at her. You don't deserve her, you're married. You can't have them all Steven.”
Steven backed away from his mate and said “Leave.”
“You can't handle the truth, and you're trying live in a fantasy world. You know you lied to her about filing separation papers. Come off of this pedestal Steven, she's your fantasy but this is reality.”
Jade came out of the bathroom and stared at the two men. She had heard the entire conversation. She knew there were a lot of things she didn't know about Steven. She tried her best to maintain her composure.
“I guess, it is true. I'm your mistress. I have something I should tell you Steven.”
Steven looked confused and afraid of her next words. “What is it?”
“I think.. we should end our affair. I never intended to be your mistress. I guess karma came back on me huh? I don't think I should date a man who can't commit. You told me you were soul mates, but told Andrew something completely different right?”
Steven swallowed hard and said “Yeah.”
“Thanks again Andrew,” she said, hugging him and then disappearing into the room. She needed to let this love affair go.
She collapsed on the bed and just thought about everything. Sex with him, is definitely amazing but she couldn't continue this love affair.
Steven came into the room and said “Jade, if you want to leave that's fine. I wanted you to stay here and we could start our own family.”
Jade shook her head and said “Are you serious? I ask you to have sex with out a condom before all this stuff happened and you wouldn't.”
“If you want me to commit to you I can. You don't have to leave Jade. I just became jealous when you walked in with Drew. He's my best mate but sometimes he wants things that I have. Back at university he wanted this Asian girl I was having sex with. He had sex with her and they started dating.”
“What happened to her?”
“She's his ex-wife.”
“Wow..”
“See... I just don't want him to take you away from me.”
Jade tried to sympathize with him but she couldn't. She needed answers. She found Drew attractive but she didn't want to sleep with him.
“So... tell me what's going on with your legal separation?”
“I told my secretary to do it, I thought she did but I guess not. Tomorrow I’m going shopping for a condo if you care to join me,” he said, staring at her.
“I guess I could come.”
Jade felt like maybe this could work. But she had an idea to propose to him and she wasn't take no for an answer.
“Okay, how about this. We can live together once the divorce is finalized. I'll respect you needing time to spend with your children. We can make this work, if you still want to.”
Steven's eye light up. He smiled and kissed her deeply. “Jade, you are really a great woman. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Chapter Thirteen
After seeming like a lifetime of waiting the divorce was finally finalized . and Jade hadn't been this happy in a while. She loved her new life in Manchester. Steven's divorce was finalized and everything was going good. Andrew helped her find a job working for a television station. She had gotten used to Manchester and she really enjoyed everything. Especially living with Steven, things really seem to be going well between the two.
“Are you sure you want to be a mother?” Drew said, as he watched her clean up the condo. Drew spent a lot of time at Steven and Jade's condo. It seem like Drew and Jade were best friends.
“Drew, yes I really do. I know he doesn't want to get married again but I want to be a family. I think it could work.”
“You know Megan had the baby yesterday?”
“Yeah, I know. I'll just wait til he brings her home.”
>
“Are you jealous?” he asked, staring at her shapely legs.
“Drew, you have to stop looking at my body like that. I don't want him to get any ideas. But no I’m not jealous but I'm twenty-two now and I want a baby. Plus I think Steven and I would make pretty babies.”
“I'll give you a baby,” Drew said, laughing.
Jade laughed and said “Really? I'm okay. Any luck finding a girlfriend?”
“No, black woman wants me,” he said, pretending to look sad.
Jade knew if Steven found out he was here he would be upset. Anyone who were around the two knew that Drew had a crush on Jade. It bothered Steven more than anything.
“Why, do you want a black woman?”
“Great in bed,” he said, smiling at her.
Jade knew his game and she never paid him attention. She knew he was a good friend but he was a man too. Eventually he would try to make a move on her, but she just hope it didn't happen.
The door opened and Steven said “Jade, you should have been there, she's so pretty. We named her Mia Renee Openshaw.” He just noticed Andrew sitting on the couch.
“What are you doing here?” he asked Drew.
“Waiting for you, how's Megan?”
“Good, her family hates me though. Everyone said rude things. But I tuned everyone out except my new baby girl.”
Jade walked over to him and kissed him “Now, we can start practicing for our baby.”
“Baby, I need to talk to you about something in private. Drew I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Okay, bye Jade,” he said, leaving.
“Why is he always over here, especially when I'm not here. If I didn't know any better, I would think you two had something going on.”
“Eww, no but what you had to tell me.”
“I'm getting a vasectomy next week.”
Jade's heart could have jumped out of her chest. She wanted to have a baby with him.