“Lamb chops with spinach will be fine.”
She nodded and started to depart but Aahsod called her name to detain her.
“Yes?”
“I don’t usually interfere but I truly think that you and Tahj need to clear the air so that the two of you can act more civilized around one another.”
“Dad, I don’t think that is a good idea.”
“No, I think your father is right.” Daesha stated.
Aahsod excused himself and went to tell Amaia his choice for dinner himself. Once the door was closed, Daesha looked at Tahj.
Tahj spoke first. “I really regret not telling you about Ambi when I met you as well as when I found out I was a father. I was never unfaithful. If you add up Neela’s age, you will see that she was conceived before you and I met. I think it is only fair that you know that I have decided to continue in this marriage for the sake of my daughter, Neela. I want her to have more of a chance with her parents than my mother gave me. I want you to eventually be happy and go on with your life. At some point I truly hope that you and I can be friends.”
“I finally realized that you hadn’t cheated. will admit that I am having a hard time coming to grips with you being married and having a daughter. It is truly killing me. I have decided that you have a right to want the best for your daughter considering what you went through with your own mother. I just truly wish that you had found a way to talk to me before. I really do not need you to give me an explanation at this point. It has happened and nothing that you could possibly say could make things any different. I want you to be happy. I want happiness for myself. That’s why I have decided not to come home for a while after I go back to school. I have decided to live in Miami after I graduate.”
“Daesha that’s not fair to those that love you.”
“I love myself more. I have decided to think about me from now on. I truly have a right to be happy. I won’t be happy if I don’t try to make a clean break from this situation. I would have to look at you with your family every day. That would make it harder for me to go on with my life. I don’t need to make any mistakes with other men because of my anger with you. It hurt me to the core when you said those things about me when I was with Rahjah.”
“I was speaking out of anger.”
“I know but it made me think about my actions. Two wrongs do not make things right. I know I would never be happy with Rahjah but he can be a great friend.”
“You just don’t know about him.”
“That’s not fair to say. I thought I knew you also. Everyone has a side to them that others eventually see. I see now that some people experience love that lasts but there is us that love hurts instead. I want us to remain amicable while I am here. I want to get to know your wife and daughter before I leave. I wish you all the happiness you deserve.” She leaned up and gave him a soft kiss on the mouth. She meant to pull away but as soon as he deepened the kiss she moaned. Tahj pulled her close and buried his hands in her hair. He kissed her hard and passionate because he wanted to savor what he knew would be the last time he tasted her.
Amaia and Aahsod were headed towards the home office.
“I do not think it was wise to leave the two of them alone.” Amaia stated.
“What more can the two of them do other than kiss? Let them have their final moment if that happens. Daesha has decided to live in Miami when she returns. They need to get it out of their system.”
“Remember you said it.” Amaia knocked on the door before entering to be on the safe side. She opened the door to find them in an embrace.
“Break it up you two.”
“We were just saying good bye. Daesha told me about her decision to live in Miami.”
“We are going to miss her.” Amaia stated pulling her daughter close.
“Mom, we will still talk on the phone.”
“We will see.”
“Tahj, are you staying for dinner?” Amaia inquired.
“No, I better head home with Neela.”
“When you get home, tell Ambi she needs to be at my office first thing in the morning to sign the contracts.”
“I will. Have a nice evening.” Tahj smiled at all of them as he departed from the office to collect his daughter.
Chapter 26Ambi and Rahjah had just finished making love and she was trying to rush him out of the house before Tahj returned.
“You do realize that you called me right back. Why don’t you admit that you want to be with me?”
“Rahjah just go. My parents are going to come for dinner and I need to freshen up before Tahj gets back with Neela.”
“I am going but do realize that you are hooked.” He stated as she pushed him out of the door without responding.
When Tahj was finally gone, Amaia went upstairs to talk with her daughter.
“Daesha, do you really think that you are doing the right thing?”
“Mom, I can’t watch the three of them together. I need a clean break. I need to be able to find someone else and attempt to go on with my life. I still love this man and it is not fair to live here and torture myself watching them be a family.”
“Do you really think they are going to happy?”
“It doesn’t matter, Mom. Tahj married her no matter what the reason was. He is trying to be honorable and I have to respect that but I don’t have to watch it.”
“Well if you change your mind at any time please let me know.”
“You can visit me as often as you like.”
“Between work and the twins you know it will not be easy.”
“We will work something out.”
Amaia hugged her daughter again. “Let’s go downstairs and eat the delicious meal that Camille has prepared.”
Daesha nodded and smiled softly as she followed her mother.
When Tahj arrived home, he noticed an unfamiliar vehicle out front. He wondered who the Porsche belonged to then he remembered the statement he made to Ambi earlier. When he entered the house, he was greeted by his wife.
“Hi, hand me the baby so I can feed her. I hope you haven’t eaten. My family is coming to have dinner with us.”
“Ambi, I am not in the mood for your family.” He stated handing Neela to her.
“Well, get in the mood. I have a right to invite my family over.”
“Your family lives in Miami. When was the invite?”
“They called from the airport and I suggested they stay here with us.”
“Without discussing it with me?”
“You have decided a lot of things that did not include me. Go take a shower and get ready.”
“I see you got the Porsche.”
“Well you told me to call my parents and I did. You know dad has connections and he had it delivered.”
“I am sure Judge Dalal was ecstatic to get you that SUV.”
“Daddy always aims to please his little girl.”
Tahj just sighed and went upstairs. As he was getting in the shower, he knew that Ambi had prearranged this little dinner and decided to tell him at the last minute to prevent him from saying no. He pushed all negative thoughts from his head and decided to could play her little game. After he had finished dressing, he headed downstairs. Her entire family was in the living room admiring Neela. He had not seen Judge Sejay Dalal since he had married them at their home in Miami. His wife Arion was looking exquisite as usual. Ambi’s brother Tandu had his wife Deva and children with him. The warm greeting he was getting had to mean that Ambi had not told them the true details behind their marriage. He shook Judge Dalal hand when he approached him.
“Nice home your step-mother owns.” Judge Dalal stated.
“Yes it is. I am glad all of you could join us for dinner.”
“We were happy when Ambi said you had insisted on a visit from all of us.” Arion stated.
“I thought it would be nice for her family to see how much love is in our home.”
Ambi had to do a double take when he made the statement. She did not
know what Tahj was up to but she would have to watch him. This visit did not unnerve him the way she thought it would. She was hoping to push his buttons to the point that when she told her dad about the reason behind their marriage he would see the other side of Tahj. She wanted Tahj to be nervous of her father’s potential anger.
“She even told us how you wanted to use your trust fund to buy her the Porsche but she said she wanted the two of you to get on your feet better and asked us to buy it. I hope that doesn’t bother you.” Judge Dalal said.
“How could I be mad when she is being so considerate?”
Ambi was the one to get nervous now. She thought Tahj would cause a big scene in front of her father and it would help her get a quick divorce. She had misjudged Tahj. She knew she would have to come up with another strategy since she had been unfaithful. The dinner went smoothly and uneventful. Ambi had had the meal catered with Italian food. Tahj had doted over her all evening and she was getting sick of it. She had put Neela down for the night when it was time for her family to leave. They had made reservation at a hotel so that she and Tahj could have some privacy. Once they were gone and the door was closed she turned to look in Tahj’s angry eyes.
“You have started a strategic war in this marriage that you will not win. You know that I don’t like to play games.” Tahj stated.
“So you are the only one that can be deceitful?”
“I married you with honor. I loved you but was not in love with you. I did what I thought was right for my daughter. Like or not you are stuck with me.”
“You can divorce me.”
“I don’t think so. Both of us are going to remain in this marriage for the sake of our daughter.”
“You could be with Daesha.”
Tahj grabbed her upper arm tightly. “Do not and I mean do not mention her name again. It is over for Daesha and I and I won’t have you trying to play games with her either.”
“Let go of me. You want a war then you have one. I won’t be a docile little meek woman. I have a voice that will be heard.” She snatched out of his grasp.
“Your family isn’t the only one with power. Don’t push me Ambi. The two of us have changed more than we realized. You were great to have as sex partner to relieve stress but that was before I knew what true love was.”
“I can make your life hell.”
“But you won’t if you want to keep your job at Karmikell’s. Before I forget, my dad said you are supposed to meet with him first thing in the morning to sign the contracts.”
Anger flashed in Ambi’s eyes and she stormed off upstairs. She was upstairs brushing her hair when the telephone rang. Caller id showed that it was Aahsod, she picked up at the same time as Tahj. When she heard him say hello first, she remained silent on the line.
“Hi, dad what’s wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong son. I just received a call from E.J. Karmikell. The company is holding a cocktail party Saturday at his parent’s home to introduce Ambi as the new model. I was hoping that you would let her know. It will be at eight o’clock that evening. Tell her to invite her family if possible.”
“They just happen to be in town this week.”
“Good. I am inviting our family and Amaia’s family as well.”
“Thanks Dad, I will let Ambi know.”
“Take care, son.”
“You too, dad.”
Ambi waited until both parties had hung up before she hung up her extension. She acted surprised when Tahj gave her the news. She informed him that she would call her family tomorrow.
“Listen, Ambi. I have thought about things and I really want to give the marriage the opportunity that it deserves. We need to be amicable for the sake of our daughter. I want things to be better between us.”
“So do I. “
Tahj pulled her into and embraced and they kissed one another softly before getting into bed.
Chapter 27Saturday came quickly; the cocktail party was going full blast. Everybody was enjoying themselves. Sitara Balin was having a conversation with E.J. Karmikell.
“Sitara, you are a very beautiful and intelligent woman. You remind me of the Bollywood actress, Sheetal Sheth. I would love for you to go sailing with me on my dad’s yacht tomorrow.”
“E.J. we just met and you actually think I trust being alone with you on a yacht? And by the way, you remind me of Jussie Smollett and your sister Persefani reminds me of Jurnee Smollett.”
“We hear that all the time. How about we invite another couple?”
“How about my cousin Tahj and his wife, my brother Rahjah and new cousin-in-law Daesha?”
“Two couples? Do I frighten you that much?” He asked caressing her light copper cheek. The sexy smile he gave her lit up his butter crème face.
“I just want to be comfortable.”
“Invite them and I will give directions before the evening is up.”
She smiled and sipped at her Cristal champagne. E.J.’s sister, Persefani Karmikell and her latest beau Laertes Scott who resembled Chris Hemsworth approached them and he introduced them to Sitara.
“Isn’t Laertes from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet?” Sitara inquired.
“Yes, my mother was very fond of Shakespeare. I have a brother named William Hamlet and a sister named Ophelia Elizabeth.”
“Interesting. What is your middle name?”
“Polonius. Now let’s please change the subject.” He stated with a laugh.
“I hope my brother is being a gentleman.” Persefani stated to Sitara with a laugh to change the subject.
“Very. He even invited me and a few family members to go sailing tomorrow.”
“Sorry big brother, Laertes and I have already cleared the taking of the yacht with dad.”
Laertes pulled her close to him in an embrace. “My love, I am sure we could share the yacht tomorrow.”
She put her hands in his thick blond hair and looked deep into his baby blue eyes. “You are right. We can share. It will be fun to have some company.” She stated kissing him softly.
E.J. cleared his throat to remind them of their presence. “Sitara still has to ask her family.”
“I will go ask them now. Will you join me, E.J.?”
“I’d be delighted.”
Rahjah was in deep conversation with Daesha when his sister approached them.
“Rahjah, how would you and Daesha like to join me, E.J., his sister and her beau on their father’s yacht tomorrow?”
“Sitara, I don’t know.” Daesha stated.
“Come on Daesha it will be fun. You need as much fun as you can get before you go back to Miami.” Rahjah stated.
“You’re right. I will go.”
“Great! Now I just have to ask Tahj and Ambi.”
“You are going to ask them too?” Daesha inquired.
“Yes, is that a problem?”
Rahjah was giving her a look that said get a grip. “No, it isn’t a problem.” Daesha responded.
“Good, I will give you directions later.” Sitara stated walking off with E.J. towards Tahj and Ambi.
“You have got to stop looking as though you are pining for that fool.” Rahjah stated to Daesha.
“I’m trying.”
“Well, try harder. Do not allow him or his wife to make you feel less of a woman. You have plenty to offer a man. You just have to look within yourself and allow that to flow. You need to be letting Tahj see what he allowed to get away. Have some fun on that yacht tomorrow.”
“I won’t get into another little tryst with you.”
“I don’t want you to. I respect you. I just want you to be happy. I am having a little secret lover arrangement with someone else any way or should I call it a tryst like you?”
“Who is she?”
“I don’t kiss and tell.”
“Be good to her.”
“Oh, I am very good to her.”
“You have a one track mind.” She laughed shaking her head.
Ambi was reluctant about going
on the yacht when she heard Rahjah was going to be there but she made it seem like she did not know what she would do with Neela. Tahj quickly told her he would get Camille to keep her. She agreed with a forced smile and prayed Rahjah would behave. She looked in his directions and he was giving her a sly look and her pulse quickened. Tahj thought she looked ill.
“Ambi, are you okay?”
“I think it is the Cristal. I better not have anymore.” She stated handing him her glass.
“Maybe we should call it a night.”
“That sounds fine with me.”
Tahj got directions from E.J. and departed with his wife. The cocktail party was soon over and everybody was saying goodnight.
Chapter 28The next morning when Tahj and Ambi arrived on the yacht, they saw Daesha scantily clad in a red bikini top with low riding boot shorts bottom and resting beside Rahjah on a lounge chair. Tahj could not help staring at her body. Ambi nudged him and he cleared his throat.
“He noticed.” Rahjah whispered in her ear and she gave him a soft smile. She flipped over to give full frontal viewing of her body. Rahjah continued to stare as well angering Ambi. He just looked at her with another one of his sly smiles. Ambi decided it was time for her to change into her swimsuit to give Daesha some competition.
“Where can I change?” she asked.
“Cabin 3.” Persefani replied.
When she returned the swimsuit was more revealing than the one at the pool party. It was white with almost square patches covering the nipples of her breasts. Off the top and sides of the patches was a string that tied around the neck and back then another string X down her abdomen connecting with the bottom tiny and very low string bikini thong bottom. Everyone was wondering how the bathing suit was staying on especially Tahj. He whispered angrily in her ear.
“What the hell has gotten into you?”
“Hopefully, you later. Now smile and do not embarrass me.” She stated with a forced smile.
Sitara was modestly dressed in a turquoise low rise bikini. She nudged E.J. for staring at Ambi. Persefani had to do the same thing with Laertes even though she was modestly dressed in a sexy zebra print bikini top that featured a flat lace trim to draw attention to her best features and the curve hugging zebra print hot pant with flat lace trim. Both men cleared their throats. Persefani spoke first.
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