Finding Love At Life's Crossroads: An Interracial Novel

by Skylar Ward

“Daddy, Mommy is here.” She ran to Efia, hugging her around the hips.

  “What am I missing?” Efia asked.

  Ace closed the lid on his MacBook Pro, leaving it on the island. He swung his legs around facing Efia.

  “Our daughter wants to break in her Little Tikes Cook’ n Learn Smart Kitchen,” he said.

  “Are you tired of your new books already, sweetie?” Efia asked.

  “I want to cook with my daddy.”

  Efia strode over to the island and sat down. “Your Godmother Ashley and I will stay right here and watch you two.”

  “Come, Daddy!”

  “I am being summoned,” Ace said. “I hope you guys are hungry.”

  Yasmine removed stacks of toy food from her Smart Kitchen’s cabinet. “Here, Daddy.”

  Yasmine and Ace went about the task of pretending to make hamburgers for Efia and Ashley, inviting them to eat, and persuading them into helping with clean-up duties. When they finished, Ace hugged and kissed Yasmine.

  “Daddy, kiss Mommy, too.”

  “Can’t disappoint our kid,” Ace said, bringing Efia into a tight embrace. He touched his lips to hers. The kiss, gentle, but brief.

  Chapter 3

  Two nights after Yasmine’s pretend cookout, Efia entered Ace’s bedroom and paused. Ace looked up from the pages of the SUPER MOTORS magazine he had been reading.

  He eyed Efia as she closed the door. “Is Yasmine all right?”

  Efia nodded.

  Ace returned his attention to the magazine.

  Ignoring his tacit dismissal, Efia marched over to the bed and handed him a sheet of paper that had been folded over.

  “What is that?” Ace asked, eyeing the object.

  “The name of three grief therapists. I reached out to your mother, they were highly recommended.”

  Ace threw the magazine across the room and banged his fists into the mattress before rising.

  “Damn it, Efia, why do you keep, sticking your nose into an issue that has nothing to do with you?”

  “Because I love you,” Efia said, refusing to back down. “And since you are not prepared to fight for YOU, then I have to.”

  “Do you know what you are asking me to do?” Ace shouted.

  “Yes,” Efia replied, calmly. “I am asking you to seek …”

  “No!” Ace cut her off. “You are asking me to forget my wife and my child. To erase their memories. To act as though they never existed—that is what you are asking me to do.”

  Efia squared her shoulders, refusing to take his rebuke personally.

  “I know you don’t believe that. It is the guilt in you speaking. I will leave this here.” She placed the sheet of paper on the nightstand and faced Ace. “I am trying to be as patient as I can, but I won’t wait around forever.”

  As Efia turned to leave, Ace reached for her, claiming her mouth in a demanding kiss. Once he lifted his head, Efia moaned at the loss of contact. Ace covered her mouth capturing her sound. He slipped his tongue between her lips, prodding her tongue into a duel before sucking it forcefully.

  Ace released Efia, and she leaned her cheek on the broad expanse of his chest. As his nearness sparked her desire, Efia reached between their bodies and stroked his expanded shaft. Ace removed her hand, opting to shed their clothing instead.

  When they climbed into bed, Efia pushed Ace onto his back. He held his breath as she moved down his body. Kneeling, she grasped his rod and lowered her head.

  “Ouch! Ace hissed. He eased her head away from his body. “Not your teeth, sweetheart. You have to cover your teeth.”

  Efia sat back on her heels.

  Ace ran his hands along her thighs. “You don’t have to do this, Efia.”

  “I want to.” She licked her lips, seductively. “Teach me so I can give you the same pleasure you always give me.”

  Efia’s coquettish action seemed to have the desired effect she sought. Ace grasped her hand and guided it over his shaft. His hand stayed on hers, as he showed her how to grip the root of his engorged cock. Using his other hand, he guided her head down. He controlled her movements, encouraging her to start slow. Soon, he prompted her to increase the pace. Like an orchestra conductor, he set the rhythm, and she followed along.

  When Efia appeared to find her confidence, Ace’s hands fell to the bed, relinquishing control. Efia picked up the tempo, delivering a series of long licks from root to tip and short head-swirls.

  “Jesus!” Ace shouted. “Just like that, sweetheart. Just like that.”

  Efia reached low, cupping his jewels. She gave them a gentle tug as she simultaneously stabbed the tip of her tongue into the eye of his shaft.

  Ace’s body shook. He grabbed the sheets on either side of his body. “DAMN,” he shouted. “Watch out, sweetheart. Watch out, I am coming!”

  Oblivious to his warning, Efia held his cock, milking him of every drop of essence. Finally, she raised her head. Ace regarded her from beneath hooded eyes.

  Efia licked her lips. “How did I do?”

  Ace closed his eyes and reached for her, drawing her onto his chest. “I can barely move. You got an A+.”

  Efia kissed his lips tenderly before climbing from his body. She picked up her clothes.

  “Where are you going?” Ace whispered.

  “To my room.”

  At the door, Efia glanced over her shoulder. “Make that call, Ace.”

  Chapter 4

  Saturday morning as Ace sat at the kitchen island, watching Efia cook up a stack of waffles, he wished he could have turned the clock back. He would have taken Efia and Yasmine to one of his hotels instead of the mansion he had shared with Jodi. His secret would still be safe. Torn between his past and present, Ace studied Efia’s back as she moved about the kitchen.

  I should call the therapist, he thought. He shook his head, God forbid! Lying down on some shrink’s couch was not only distasteful but unimaginable to Ace. With Efia’s not so subtle threat still looming in his head, Ace knew something had to be done. He had to find an amicable solution because the thought of losing Efia—his rock, his love was unimaginable.

  “I will be back in a few hours,” he said. “I am meeting with Drew and the architect for the Newark project.”

  “Seems like the project is moving quickly,” Efia said, placing a stack of waffles next to the sausages already on Ace’s plate.

  Ace picked up the bottle of syrup from the island and squeezed a generous portion on top of the pile.

  “We still have some municipal hurdles to get through,” he said. “I don’t foresee any major headaches. Of course, as with any new project, something can always pop up.” He cut into the stack, placing it into his mouth. “This is good.”

  Yasmine climbed onto the stool next to her father. “I put the eggs in, Daddy, and help beat the mixture.”

  “And you did an excellent job, princess,” Ace said, kissing Yasmine’s forehead. “Soon, you will be making breakfast all by yourself.”

  “I am only four, Daddy, I think I will have to wait until I am as old as Mommy.”

  Efia rubbed Yasmine’s head. “One morning, I am pushing out your noggin, and the next morning you are prophesying. When did you become so wise?”

  Yasmine giggled and began to eat her breakfast while Efia sat on the other side of Ace.

  “Aren’t you eating?” Ace asked Efia.

  “I had cereal earlier,” Efia said. “I need to talk to you about Maria.”

  Ace stop cutting his waffles and turned sideways. “What about her?”

  “She is looking for something stateside to be closer to her kids.”

  “Why doesn't she speak to HR? Isn’t that their department?”

  “She has,” Efia said. “May I ask you a personal question?”

  “Ask away.”

  “Did your mother ever work?” Efia asked.

  “She was a librarian before she married my father.” Ace looked at Efia. “I know work is important to you, but your current work schedule is n
ot going to work in the long run. There are functions that I must attend, and I expect you to be there with me. You have a plethora of ideas which can be utilized in other areas of the company, plus it would free up your time.”

  “Oh?” Efia said.

  “The marketing techniques for some of our properties can be reimagined. That’s a job you can do. And don’t think it will be easy work, either, you would have to present a complete proposal.”

  “Where would I work?” Efia asked.

  “Our marketing team is in Massachusetts.” Ace stood. “You can always stay in one of our hotels there. Once you have a preliminary meeting with them, you can keep in contact by video conferencing. It’s all up to you.”

  “Is that considered a promotion?”

  “Yes,” Ace said.

  “An increase in pay, right?” Efia asked.

  “Efia, right now, you have access to more money than you can spend.”

  “I haven’t earned that,” Efia said.

  Ace looked at Yasmine and back at Efia. “Yes, you have, Efia. You have earned every penny.”

  Chapter 5

  As spring gave way to summer, the Biltbury Hotel became more animated as foreign jet-setters descended on the place. While working an overnight weekend shift, Efia received a call from Sam. Feeling guilty for neglecting their friendship, she invited him to stop by.

  “I guess, congratulations are in order,” Sam said entering Efia’s office. He gaped at her bare finger, and his eyes widen.

  Efia’s raised her eyebrows curiously.

  “Your mother told me,” Sam quickly added.

  “Thank you. Please have a seat.”

  “How is Yasmine?” Sam asked.

  “She is well thanks. She is spending a long weekend with her dad in Massachusetts. I’ll tell Yasmine that you ask for her.”

  Sam nodded.

  “I am sorry I haven’t been much of a friend,” Efia said. “Lately, my life has been like a merry-go-round. As soon as everything settles, I promise to do better.”

  “Hopefully, Davenport lets you,” Sam said sarcastically.

  “Ace doesn’t control my friendships.”

  “Good to know,” Sam said, removing his cell phone from his messenger bag.

  He tapped the phone.

  He gawked at Efia.

  Efia smiled sweetly. “What?”

  Sam shook his head. “You know, I always preferred it when you blew your hair straight. I am just noticing how much nicer your curls are.”

  Efia pushed a stray lock off her face.

  Sam stood. He placed his phone and bag on the chair. He moved closer to Efia, taking her hands. Pulling her from the chair, he pressed his lips to hers. Efia remained still, keeping her lips sealed. Sam stepped back. Efia snickered softly, her snickers turning into hearty laughter. Anger flashed across Sam’s face. He clenched his fists. Within seconds, Sam’s face softened.

  “Nothing?” he asked.

  Efia shook her head.

  “You have a funny laugh,” Sam said as though he was meeting Efia for the first time. “It’s nice. Where did your eyes go? I never noticed that before.”

  Efia stopped laughing.

  “Are you serious, you felt nothing when I kissed you?”

  “Dead serious,” Efia said.

  “I object,” Sam said. “You have to give me another chance.”

  “Knock yourself out,” Efia said, knowing the results would be the same.

  Sam inhaled before going in for the smooch. Seconds later, he stepped back. “Still nothing?”

  Efia patted his shoulder. “You are like a brother to me, Sam. I love you.”

  Sam dropped to the chair. “As a brother.”

  “Yes,” Efia said.

  Sam shook his head. “We could have had fun, if I hadn’t wasted so many years, trying to force you to love me as a wife.” Sam’s eyes grew sad, and he lowered his eyes. “I haven’t been a trustworthy friend to you, Efia.”

  “We can start over,” Efia said. “Once my life settles, I will let you know when Yasmine is visiting with my parents, you can see her then.”

  “I will like that,” Sam said, standing. He picked up his cell phone, dropping it into his bag. “I’d better go. I have to clean my computer’s hard drive, and I have some stuff to delete from my phone. Plus, I want to take a trip to Brooklyn to visit with my mother and brother.”

  “Say hello to Mrs. Njoku and Christopher for me,” Efia said. “His kids must be sprouting like weeds.”

  “I haven’t seen them in a while,” Sam said.

  Efia kissed Sam on the cheek, surprising him. “You can change your friends, Sam, but you can’t change your family. Don’t neglect them, your father would not be pleased.”

  “I know,” Sam said. “I went off the rails for a bit, but I intend to get my act together. My father raised me to be a better man than this.”

  “I will walk you out,” Efia said.

  Sam nodded, placing his messenger bag across his body. As they ascended the stairs, he turned to Efia. “Why are you still working these ungodly shifts? What the hell is wrong with Davenport?”

  “Not you too,” Efia replied. “Why does everyone want to change my job?”

  “You are marrying a rich dude, Efia, you have to start acting like it. It doesn’t take away from your humble beginnings. You can still carry those memories.” Sam pointed to Efia’s chest. “In there.”

  Chapter 6

  Yasmine’s cry echoed throughout the entire home, terrifying Ace, and dragging him from a business call. As he ran from his home office, his heart pounded in his chest. Quickening his pace, he hurried from the third floor.

  “What the hell happened to my daughter?” Ace yelled.

  It had only been thirty minutes since he had left Yasmine in the care of Maggie. He trusted Maggie. She had worked in his home for over seven years. She was well vetted to care for Emma Francis. In the second-floor corridor, Ace broke into a run before jumping down several steps to get to Yasmine on the first floor.

  “I didn’t mean to, it dropped,” Yasmine sobbed as Maggie tried to comfort her. “I want my mommy.”

  Ace lifted Yasmine, placing her head on his shoulder. He patted her back. “Hush, princess.” He swayed from side-to-side. He eyed Maggie. “What happened?”

  “Yasmine dropped a photo.”

  Ace hoisted Yasmine, removing one of her sneakers. “Did it fall on your toes?”

  Yasmine shook her head.

  “Don’t be upset, it’s only a picture, princess.”

  Yasmine hiccupped.

  “I will get her some water,” Maggie said.

  Ace followed Maggie into the kitchen, placing Yasmine in a chair. He put her sneaker on and took the glass from Maggie.

  “Here, princess,” he said. “Drink this. Drink it, slowly.”

  Yasmine drank some of the water and handed the glass back to her father. Ace took a paper towel from the table, dipping it into the water. He wiped Yasmine’s cheeks and tossed it into the trash.

  “Feel better, princess?”

  Yasmine nodded.

  Seconds later, Mrs. Edwards entered the kitchen, holding a picture against her bosom. She waved the photograph in the air.

  “This was Jodi’s favorite photograph,” she sniveled. “Now look at it, the glass tore right through Jodi’s face.”

  Ace and Maggie stared at Mrs. Edwards while Yasmine clutched her father’s arm and turned her head.

  Mrs. Edwards pointed to Yasmine. “She did this!”

  A perplexing frown cover Ace’s face. “Her name is Yasmine,” he said slowly. “And it was an accident.”

  “This photo will never be the same,” Mrs. Edwards said.

  Ace glanced at his watch. “Why don’t you meet me in my office in an hour, Mrs. Edwards. “We will talk then.”

  Mrs. Edwards nodded and shuffled off.

  When Mrs. Edwards disappeared, Yasmine, turned to Ace. “I want to go home Daddy, she is mean.”

/>   Ace swallowed hard, Cognizant that it was the first weekend he was solely responsible for his daughter’s well-being. Already he had failed the first test.

  Ace turned to Maggie. “I need to know what happened?”

  “Mrs. Edwards was overly harsh with Yasmine, sir. She screamed at her.” Maggie shook her head. “She nearly frightened the child to death.”

  Ace lifted Yasmine. “Do you want to watch TV in your daddy’s room, princess?”

  Yasmine rubbed her eyes and nodded.

  “She is sleepy,” Maggie said. “I can stay with her until she falls asleep.

  “That’s okay, Maggie,” Ace said. “I will stay with my daughter.”

  <>

  An hour later, Ace welcomed Mrs. Edwards into his office.

  “Have a seat,” he said, pointing to one of the chairs which bordered his desk.

  “Thank you, Mr. Davenport.”

  Ace leaned forward with his hands interlaced on the top of the desk. “For the life of me, I can’t understand why you would mistreat my daughter, Mrs. Edwards?”

  Mrs. Edwards opened her pocketbook and removed the torn photo, pushing it across the desk. “Look at the damage Yasmine did to Jodi’s face, Mr. Davenport?”

  Ace took the photo without looking at it. He opened the top drawer, placing it there. He closed the drawer, returning his attention to Mrs. Edwards.

  “Displaying a picture of Jodi will not make me love her more than I already do,” Ace said, “neither is the absence of her photo, going to make me love her any less.”

  Mrs. Edwards dabbed the corner of her right eye with a white handkerchief.” From the minute, they set foot into this house, there has been a cloud,” Mrs. Edwards sniffed. “Nothing is the same. This was Jodi’s beautiful home.”

  “This is my home,” Ace said, sternly. He swept his arms wide. “And it all goes to Yasmine.”

  Mrs. Edwards gasped. “I don’t know what Efia has done to you, but she couldn’t walk in Mrs. Davenport’s shoes if someone willed them to her.”

  Ace’s brows knitted, and his Adam's apple throbbed. He couldn’t remember ever being this angry. “I swear, if you were a man, I would ...”

  Ace let the words hang in the air as Mrs. Edwards sniveled and rubbed her eyes. Standing, he cut his eyes at the older lady. Ace moved over to the wall of windows, trying to control his urge to strike out. When he faced Mrs. Edwards, his eyes were hard and unyielding.