Truly Madly Deeply

by Knox, Sara S.

  “Why are you crying? I thought this was what you want.” He said to Daesha.

  “A part of me was hoping that you’d see my face and come to the realization that things aren’t really over for me. I wish nothing but the best for you and your newfound family . It has sunk into my head that you are truly married. She has given you a daughter. She gave you the things we only talked about. At least you can say that I gave you a rare gift which was my virginity. I don’t want to feel as though I am living on regrets and mistakes so I have to leave tonight on the first flight back to Miami. This is torture. Once I am gone we can both go on with our lives.”

  “Don’t leave like this.” Tahj stated softly.

  “I am tired of the drama. I have to go.” She pulled out of his grasp. “I will always love you, Tahj.” She said without waiting for a response as she ran over to her mother and Aahsod.

  Amaia gasped when she saw her daughter’s dishevel look and bruises. “Take me home, please.” Daesha stated through tears. They nodded and excused themselves to escort Daesha out of the church to their vehicle.

  They were unable to convince Daesha to stay the remainder of the summer. Her mother cried as she helped her pack for her flight. Once they were at the airport, Daesha spoke.

  “Mom, I know you and Aahsod have always felt that love conquers all when it is truly, madly, and deeply. Just realize that it doesn’t happen for everyone. I am glad that it did happen for the two of you. I realize now that Tahj and I just were not destined to love one another. I want to move forward with my life. I finally see how much Aahsod loves you. So, Aahsod, I truly hope that someday I can find someone like you. My roommate from college has her own apartment now and offered me to a chance to stay with her over the summer if needed. I have decided to take her up on that offer so that I can spend time with her. It will keep my mind off of this drama. I don’t know when I will get over this enough to visit home again. Just please understand what I am going through and respect my decision.”

  “I do respect your decision but it will be hard not seeing you as much.”

  “We will talk as much as possible on the phone.”

  They called for her flight. She hugged them and departed with tears towards her flight.

  Aahsod held Amaia as she cried for her daughter. “I just wanted her to find love and be happy.”

  “I know Amaia and I feel the same way.”

  “It made my heart swell to hear my daughter say that she hopes to find Someone Like You.” Amaia stated at they stayed until her plane departed before they departed from the wondering when they would see Daesha again.

  If you enjoyed Truly, Madly, Deeply, don’t miss the continuing saga from Sara S. Knox’s highly anticipated upcoming novel. Turn the page for an excerpt from Someone Like You. Enjoy!!

  Someone Like YouThis is the sequel to Truly, Madly, Deeply. Tahj Jalil Santiago Patel who looks like Shahid Kapoor is a 6’ 2” Indian American/Caucasian/Hispanic with a slim sinewy build. He is a criminal lawyer. Daesha Mahree Collins who looks like Leila Arcieri is a 5’ 6” African American/Caucasian. After Tahj broke her heart five years ago by marrying another woman and having a child with her, Daesha finally decided to get on with her life with another man. She is a psychologist at a marriage counseling clinic in Miami, FL. She is engaged to the owner of the clinic, Dr. Devontae Keith Williamson who looks Bert Belasco from Let’s Stay Together. She makes a long overdue visit home with her new fiancé and second best friend Emon Reeves that looks like Jennifer Williams from the Basketball Wives. She was sure she was completely over Tahj until a brief visit home leads to one night of unbridled passion, deception, and an uncertain fathered pregnancy. Although she is feeling regret and guilt about that night, she still marries Devontae without telling him. When Devontae finds out the truth, will their marriage survive? If the child is not his, will be man enough to raise the child as his own? Is Daesha destined to love someone like Devontae or Tahj? Will she finally be able to say to Aahsod I finally found someone like you?

  Chapter 1The sun was beaming brightly on twenty four year old Daesha and Sierra as they ate their lunch outside of the open café. Daesha was excited about Devontae proposing a week ago during a romantic dinner. Sierra was admiring the ring that had come from Tiffany & Co. Devontae had graced Daesha’s left ring finger with a three stone prong style 5.8 carat princess cut diamonds with the middle diamond weighing the 5 carats. Sierra had to give him his props because she knew her diamonds and that ring was in the price range of 53,000 to 65,000 dollars.

  “It has been two years so how is the sex?” Sierra asked in a low voice with a bright smile.

  Daesha nearly choked on the chicken she had just placed in her mouth from her salad. “You are impossible with your one track mind.”

  “Aww boo you know me. Just answer the damn question.” Sierra was still smiling as she sat back in her chair.

  “I can’t answer your question because we haven’t had sex.” Daesha responded.

  “You’re kidding right?” Sierra asked with seriousness this time.

  “No and stop making it seem wrong.”

  “I can’t because it is wrong boo. How in the hell are you going to marry this dude without seeing what he is working with?”

  “Mind your business, Sierra.” Daesha stated firmly.

  “No, I won’t mind my business. You and I go way back. I can’t believe you aren’t curious.”

  Daesha sighed before responding. “I never said I wasn’t curious but I am not about to sleep with him just because he proposed. I want things between us to be special. How do I know that he won’t call off the engagement after I sleep with him? I want to be surer that I was with Tahj five years ago.”

  “Daesha, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stir up past emotions for you.”

  “It’s okay Sierra. I just want to be more careful this time before I give a sample of my goodies.” Daesha responded with a smile.

  Sierra perked up and smile before responding. “Okay, alright, I get where you are coming from. You are making me reminisce back to Ciara’s song Goodies.” Sierra stated with a laugh. The two of them begin to sing the chorus: “I bet you want the goodies. Bet you thought about it. Got you all hot and bothered. Mad cause I talk around it. Looking for the goodies. Keep on looking cause they stay in the jar. Oh-oh-Oh-oh-Oh-oh!” At the end they were both laughing. Suddenly Daesha’s cell phone starts ringing playing the theme music from Basketball Wives. Sierra immediately knew it was Emon Reeves who resembled Jennifer Williams. She hated that Daesha referred to as her second best friend. Daesha answered with a smile.

  “Hi Emon. What’s up?”

  “Just checking to see if you are going to eat with me or her tonight?”

  Daesha sighed. She didn’t understand why Emon and Sierra couldn’t get along. “I would rather eat with both of you tonight before all of us get on a flight tomorrow to see my family.”

  Sierra sucked her teeth as if disgusted that Daesha would even suggest such a thing out loud. Apparently Emon must have done the same thing because Daesha sighed before responding. “I will eat with Sierra tonight. I will see you when I get back to the apartment before getting ready.” She stated before hanging up. She immediately looked at Sierra.

  “It would be nice if just once the two of you could be friendly with one another for my sake.”

  “I can’t help it if old girl rubs me the wrong way. Something is just not right about her. I can’t even believe you didn’t heed my warning about moving in with her. That chic has snake written all over her.”

  “You are so suspicious of everyone.”

  “Yeah because of the slutty groupies that throw themselves at Roman. I am not crazy Daesha, just cautious. You have truly got to stop being so freaking trusting.”

  “I love you like a sister but please have some faith in my judgment.”

  “Okay, okay, it is what it is. Do your thing boo and I will see you later tonight.” She stood up and placed her Louis Vuitton Evasion
sunglasses on her face. She leaned over and kissed Daesha on the cheek. “Love you, trick, see you later.”

  “See you later, hooker.” Daesha responded with a smile.

  The next day, Daesha Collins stood in front of the mirror to judge the beautician’s handy work. Her usually brown, wavy waist length hair with blonde highlights was now brown all over and grazing her unblemished peachy cream shoulder blades in spiral curls. The shorter is was the curlier it became. After admiring her slim yet fit 5’ 6” physique, she winked at herself in the mirror and had to admit that Devontae was right about her looking like Leila Arcieri from Daddy Daycare. She turned away from the mirror and reached for her navy blue form fitting sundress before heading for the bathroom. After taking her shower and getting dressed, she headed downstairs to the kitchen. When she arrived, her roommate, Emon Reeves, was eating a bowl of fresh fruit.

  Emon Reagan Reeves was a twenty seven-year-old African American woman who was 5’10’’ with creamy unblemished chocolate mocha colored skin. She had long jet-black hair that was flat iron straight to her shoulder blades with a Chinese bang making her resemble Jennifer Williams. Daesha met her the first day she started working at the clinic as a counselor because Emon was Devontae’s administrative assistant. Emon had informed her that she was looking for a roommate. Daesha was skeptical at first but as she got to know Emon, she decided to move in. They had been rooming together for two years.

  “Daesha, I still can’t believe you cut your hair.”

  “I’m twenty four. I felt it was time for a change.”

  “Did you call your mother last night?”

  “Yes, I told her that I was bringing two friends home for the weekend.”

  “How’d she react?”

  “She wanted to know who the friends were. I told her that it would be my fiancé, Devontae Williamson and my second best friend, Emon Reeves.”

  “I hate it when you call me that. You see more of me than you do Sierra Booth.”

  “I realize that but I have known her way longer than you.”

  “Anyways what I’m asking is how she reacted about Devontae?”

  Daesha poured a glass of juice before answering.

  “She was upset because she didn’t get to meet Devontae before we got engaged. I explained to her that we would be engaged for quite sometime. I pointed out that there isn’t any reason to hurry into a marriage.”

  “When is Devontae getting here?”

  “He should be getting here soon. Our plane leaves in two hours.” Daesha stated looking at her watch as she departed from the kitchen to go into the living room with Emon following her.

  “Are you going to be able to handle seeing Tahj after all these years?”

  “It’s been five years. I think I can handle it with you and Devontae there.”

  “What about his wife and daughter?”

  “Why are you bringing this up?” Daesha asked with a sigh.

  “Because you wouldn’t talk about it last night, Daesha. You need to talk about it before Devontae gets here.”

  The doorbell chimed before Daesha could reply. Thinking it was Devontae; she opened the door to a smiling Sierra. They both squealed with delight which made Emon roll her eyes.

  “I didn’t think I would get to see you before I left.” Daesha stated.

  “You know I couldn’t let you leave without giving you a hug.” Sierra stated entering the house and closing the door. She removed her eight hundred dollar designer shades as she looked at Emon.

  “Emon.” She stated without a smile.

  “Sierra.” Emon replied in the same tone.

  Sierra rolled her eyes before turning back to Daesha. “When you arrive in San Diego please give Amaia and Aahsod a hug for me. I really miss them. My mom said for you to at least call and say hello.”

  “I promise.” Daesha replied with a bright smile.

  “Uggh, I can’t stand the honey dripping in this room. I’ll be upstairs getting the remainder of my luggage.”

  “No one cares, boo.” Sierra stated as she threw her flat ironed long straight ponytail over her shoulder.

  Emon just sucked her teeth and headed upstairs. Daesha looked at Sierra with an arched eyebrow and folded arms when she turned back to face her.

  “What?” Sierra tried to act innocent.

  “What is it with you and Emon?”

  “Game recognizes game. I was out there before I got serious with Roman. You better watch her around Devontae. That chick is up to no good.”

  Daesha waved her off. “I’m not worried about her because if he wanted her he could have had her a long time ago. She was working for him for years before he met me.”

  “Girl please, he probably has already hit that and just doesn’t want it anymore.”

  Daesha shook her head. “Sierra, you really need to get a grip girl. Everyone is not dishonest.”

  “Didn’t that situation with Tahj five years ago open your eyes?”

  “I have grown since then and I am on a new lease with life. I trust Devontae.”

  “Okay but remember I am here is the shit ever hits the fan.”

  “Thanks, I think.” Daesha stated hugging her before opening the door. When the door was completely open they both saw a smiling Devontae.

  Devontae was a thirty three year old African American male. He was 5’11’’ and very fair skinned with a thick muscular frame and black short curly hair. His face was always cleanly shaved. He looked like Bert Belasco from Let’s Stay Together. He was dressed in a black double breasted suit; white shirt, black and white striped tie, and black Italian loafers. He had immaculate taste. Sierra smiled at him.

  “Well hello and goodbye, handsome. You take care of my girl, Daesha.” She said hugging him before leaving. She got into her Bentley and departed with a wave.

  “Am I late?” he asked kissing her softly on the mouth.

  “No, you’re on time as always. Come on in. The cab driver shouldn’t mind waiting momentarily while Emon and I collect our bags.”

  In California, Aahsod and Amaia were busy with their five-year-old twins. She was combing Aahleigha’s hair while he dressed Rahshod. As soon as they were finished, they allowed their son and daughter to go downstairs to play. Sixteen year old Aahmod was staying at Aahsod’s sister’s house for the weekend.

  “Do you know anything about Daesha’s fiancé?” Aahsod asked.

  “Nothing more than what I told you about him being a psychiatrist, her boss, and the owner of the Counseling Center. I wish she hadn’t decided to live in Miami after she graduated from college.”

  “We both know why she did that.” Aahsod stated.

  “Because she couldn’t live in the same state as Tahj at the time. Well, she’s going to have to face him, Ambi, and Neela today.”

  “Did you call your mother to let her know Daesha was coming home?”

  “Yes, she wants to see her before she leaves.”

  The chiming of the doorbell cut into the conversation.

  “That’s probably Tahj and his family now.”

  When they arrived downstairs, the housekeeper, Camille, had already shown Cayle, Raechel and their five year old grandson, Mio, in. Tahj and his family were just coming in.

  Everyone said their helloes and sat down. Five year old, Neela went off with Mio to play with Aahleigha and Rahshod in the playroom.

  “How long before Daesha gets here?” Tahj asked as they sat down.

  “It shouldn’t be too much longer,” Amaia said.

  “It’s been too long as it is,” Tahj said with a sigh.

  Aahsod and Amaia looked at Ambi who was looking at her perfectly red manicured nails as if she had not even heard Tahj’s statement. The scene before them was very confusing.

  “How’s college going for Acacia?” Amaia asked Cayle to start up a conversation.

  “This is her last quarter. She’ll graduate in August and start teaching in September,” Cayle said.

  “Yes, and Esteban has been enjoying w
orking at the hospital with me as a Radiological Technician,” Raechel said.

  “I’m looking forward to seeing my niece. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her.” Cayle stated.

  The doorbell chimed making Tahj standup immediately. Aahsod stood up and touched his son on the arm.

  “Remember, she isn’t alone. Please don’t embarrass her or your wife. ”He whispered to his son.

  “I won’t.”

  Aahsod went to the door with Amaia as she opened it.

  “Hi, mom and Aahsod.” She hugged both of them lovingly.

  “Come on in and introduce your friends,” Amaia said stepping back so they could enter.

  Daesha entered and her eyes locked with Tahj’s. It was brief because she immediately noticed his wife, Ambi.

  Daesha finally found her voice. “Everyone, I’d like for you to meet my second best friend and roommate, Emon Reeves and my fiancé, Devontae Williamson.” Daesha smiled as she reached out for his hand. Devontae went to her side smiling and held her hand.

  “Devontae and Emon this is my mother, Amaia Patel. My stepfather, Aahsod Patel. My Uncle Cayle and Aunt Raechel Jennings. My step-brother Tahj Patel and his wife, Ambi. I also have a five-year-old twin brother and sister. Their names are Rahshod and Aahleigha Patel. Another stepbrother by the name of Aahmod Patel. A cousin by the name of Mio Jennings. And my step-niece is Neela Patel.”

  One by one, everyone said their helloes. During dinner, Daesha would notice Tahj staring at her. The looks he was giving her were very sexual. She could see the raw hunger for her in his eyes. The look unnerved her. She decided to excuse herself from the table.

  “Excuse me while I go freshen up.” She didn’t wait for a reply as she hurried from the dining room.

  She was upstairs in the bathroom when she heard a knock on the door.

  “Are you all right, Daesha?” Tahj asked