We pull up to Jude's home. It's much grander than Phyllis'. She still has a way to go to be in his league. This is what I say to myself to make me feel better. Jude escorts me to his living room. It looks so elegant I gotta ask, "Did you design your home yourself?"In his own head, he squints, asking, "What? Please have a seat."I sit, and he continues, "I know Micah and Marisol gave you an earful. May I ask what they told you?""They didn't tell me anything. But I need Marisol. She has a cure for this bite you gave me."Carefully watching him, I softly continue, "It's infected." Dazed, he answers, "They told you it was a bite?""They told me nothing. Why don't you tell me what it is?""It's a hickey gone wrong. I was sucking, then I got carried away and bit you.""It's been four months. Why won't it heal if it's just a bite?""Let me see it."He walks over and starts peeling my gauze back. My eyes are glued to him. Once it's bare, he gives his lips a sensual lick and then looks away
Jude never returned, so I left with Phyllis and Lana. We have a girls' day at the spa, eat at a five-star restaurant, then relax on the beach. Phyllis has to update her syllabus, so she allows Lana and me to use her Porche. Lana wants to grab souvenirs from the shopping area. I say, "Fine. I need to do some shopping myself. Say we meet back up in 30 minutes."Side-eyeing me, Lana asks, "What are you up to, Ajay?""Nothing! I'm just ready to relax. We leave tomorrow, so I'm not trying to be out shopping for hours."Still suspicious, she grunts, "Mhmm." Once Lana looks away, I sneak out of the shop and drive toward Jude's home. Before I exited the parking lot, I saw him with Andrew. Trying to watch and park, I leave the car parked crooked at the end of the lot. They enter Dean's gas station and then exit from the back. Peeking from the side of the gas station, I watch until they get on the peer. Both are staring down like they're searching the water. Andrew calls out, "Jude! Look!"J
Phyllis tells me no before I ask for anything. I sigh, "Things are so out of control. Are you going to turn on me too?""Where are you, Jude?""At my lakehouse."It'll be night soon. Unwilling to hurt Phyllis, I chain myself in the bunker and then call her again, saying, "Never mind, do me a really big favor. Please take Ajay and Lana to the villa.""I'm done with your little whore. They both were very disrespectful. At least Deena knows her place.""This is not the time, Phyllis.""Upset over your call, Ajay ran off, and Lana followed. I have no idea where they are anyway.""Just go home then.""What?""I have to go find them. Bye!"I power off my phone. The sunsets, and my mind returns to Dean's boat. I know he's drifting towards Florida instead of the Bahamas. Before I confront him, I hear a thump underneath us. "What's that?" I ask."What's what?"Immediately, I head towards the bottom deck, and the door opens. It's Micah. "Micah, why are you here?""To save you and Ajay. Why wo
Joined at the hip, Lana and I stumble over each other, trying to run. Breathless, I stop whispering, "We're safer if we just run. We're going to be okay."Sobbing, Lana nods. I take off, leaving Lana in the dust. I have to keep stopping to drag her along. I see a dilapidated building and tell her, "We're close!" Finally, we are out of the woods, but now we're on an open road. Though nostalgic and fun in the daytime, this little desolate city looks eerie and terrifying at night. We hear another gut-wrenching howl, and I think of Jude, then look up at the moon. There's an unflattering crescent moon glowing tonight. If myths about monsters are true, it can't be a werewolf. A sigh of relief releases from me, and I smile at Lana, saying, "It's just a wolf or huge dog. We're ignorant of this island life. We'll be okay."Chest raised, Lana exhales and nods. Catching our breath, we start walking. Suddenly, we hear a growl in front of us. Quaking with fear, Lana squeezes my arm and points
Once dressed, I exited the bathroom to find Lana sitting on the bed. With a panoramic scan of me from head to toe, she says, "You look nice. Have you gotten some enhancements? Maybe a small BBL?""What? You know me better than that.""You're getting thick, girl. These island feasts are sticking in all the right places."Discreet, I examine myself in the wall mirror, and my thighs and calves are bigger and more defined. "Hmm." I grunt, then say, "Maybe you're right."Glancing at her watch, Lana asks, "Why are you looking for him, sweetie? He's not worth all of this."Head hanging, I say, "I know, but I need answers for myself. Okay, he's a cheating, low-life dog, but somehow he hooked me. Too, I need his pathetic family to know I didn't run with my tail between my legs this time. They may be afraid of some old witch, but she's a nobody to be."Lana replies, "I feel ya, but then what? Trust me, I get it. You saw me be a fool for Marcus, but was it worth it? Did I accomplish anything bes
Today is graduation. All my sorors attend. Even Aaron and Tyler attend. Both have apologized a million times, and Aaron's still working overtime to get me back, but I'm different. We're friends, I guess, but we'll never be a couple again. Professor Benoit transferred to another university. I'm sure she ran back to Knight's Island for Jude. When I first learned she was no longer here, it bothered me, but now I'm okay. Just as Lana said, he's not worth me.Aaron rented a Rolls Royce for me and my sorors to ride to the stadium. My soror Bethany says, "You are a fool to reject Aaron. Hey, I'm going to keep it real. If he ever approaches me, I'm dating him. Will that be okay?"Lana interjects, "Absolutely not! If you want your ass kicked, then by all means date him. If not, respect the sisterhood." We all laugh. After graduation, my boss, Mrs. Kent, greets me, "Congratulations, Ajay. I'm so proud of you. I'll see you in two weeks at 9 a.m. sharp.""Thanks, Mrs. Kent. I'll be there."I'm
Giving her signature grin, Marisol says, "Hey Ajay.""Hi. What are you doing way in Michigan?""I brought Zelma back to school. I needed a vacation, so I tagged along with her.""Hmm. Well, how'd you get at my fitness gym?""Crazy part is, Zelma and I have been working out here all week. We usually come in the evening. She has class today, but I saw you as I was leaving this morning." "Some coincidence.""I'd say." She laughs. Now staring at one another in awkward silence, she adds, "I'm sorry about my behavior at home. Micah and Jude were at odds, and the entire family was divided. Now that things are back to normal, I'm back to myself.""Why are they feuding?""They're fine now. I spoke in past tense.""Well, why were they feuding?"Shrugged, she answers, "Only they know.""Take care, Marisol."She follows me, saying, "Hey, I'm trying to make up. You're like family now. May we please start over?"Before I answer, Ken interrupts. "Baby, are you ready?"Wide-eyed, Marisol stares hi
"He asked if I'm coming to the wedding." Zelma's words keep replaying in my head. After she said that, I kindly said, "Oh, okay. Well, I have to get to work. See you around." Is Jude marrying Deena? I'm so upset that I'm trembling. Once I'm settled at work, I call Lana. Lana asks, "How do you know it's Jude?" "I just know." "Well, why do we care? Ken's amazing. Please, let's move forward. Ken's a good man." "You're right. Let me focus. Love you." "Love you more." We got off the phone, and I called Marisol. She answers, "Hey, Ajay. This is a nice surprise." "Can you meet me after work?" "What time? I'm flying home tonight." "For the wedding?" I ask. Hesitant, she asks, "Who told you about the wedding?" "Can we meet?" "Sure." I tell Ken I need to run to the bank during lunch. He leaves with another coworker, and I head to her hotel. Marisol opened the door, and all I saw were teeth. Of course, she's at one of the best hotels in town. After I'm seated, she says, "We should'