Forever and a Day Page 7

  Her mom and her lived in Newark all of her life until she went off to college. She never would forget where she came from because that made her the woman she was today. She was so focused on getting out of Newark that she didn’t realize that she would miss it when she finally left.

  Just as Brielle was walking in the nail salon her cell phone began ringing and Kiyan’s picture popped up.

  “Hey Light Bright,” Brielle smiled.

  “You’re gonna stop calling my ass that,” Kiyan laughed.

  “Yeah right. I’m going to always call you that. If you were any lighter, you would be transparent.”

  Kiyan began laughing, Brielle was funny on the low and he loved that about her. The fact that their friendship was strong bought a smile to his face.

  “Yeah iight, but what are you doing tonight? Are you trying to go out?”

  “Aww that would be cool, but I have plans for the night.”

  “Oh iight, we’re still on for the game tomorrow night right?”

  “Yupp, I can’t wait. My Knicks are going to beat your Nets ass and you know it.”

  “Sayless. We’ll see tell your girls I said wassup when you get with them later.”

  “I’m actually not going out with the girls tonight,” Brielle said while picking out a new color nail polish.

  “Oh!”

  “I have a date with someone I met at the gym,” Brielle said realizing that this conversation was getting awkward.

  “Cool, have fun. Call me if you need or want me to handle ole boy,” Kiyan said.

  “Okay, talk to you later,” Brielle said hanging up the phone.

  To say that Kiyan felt some type of way was an understatement. He was straight confused as to why Brielle was going out on dates, but she wouldn’t even give him another chance. He decided that he had no right to feel some type of way because if she was willing to move on, then he was willing to let her go.

  ~~~~~

  Brielle was at home getting ready for her date. She was trying to decide if she would go causal or dressy causal. She decided to text Kris to ask him about where they would be going tonight.

  Me: Hey Kris. Just wondering where we would be going tonight.

  Kris: Hello Miss lady. I figured we could have dinner at Masina Trattoria.

  Me: Never been there. How is the dress code?

  Kris: No real dress code, maybe you could go casual. Whatever that means for you.

  Me: Okay, cool.

  Kris: Would you like to give me your address now? So I could pick you up?

  Me: No need. I’ll meet you at the restaurant. I’ll google the address.

  Kris: If that’s what you want to do, I won’t complain. Meet me there at 7?

  Me: 7 will be perfect. I’ll meet you there.

  After reading this text message, Brielle decided she would go simple and wear a pair of light blue jeans, a peach cami tank top, a brown knitted sweater, and her brown knee high boots. She decided to put a little make up on to enhance her face. She put on her clothes and began to comb out her hair. She looked at the clocked and noticed that it was 6:20. Since the restaurant was about 20 minutes away she decided if she left in 10 minutes she could make perfect time.

  ~~~~~

  By the time Brielle pulled up at the restaurant, she noticed that Kris was standing on the side next to valet parking. Brielle noticed that he didn’t know the definition of casual because he had on a navy blue suit with a white buttoned up shirt and a navy blue tie. Now she felt underdressed and she wanted to go home.

  “Hey you,” Kris offered a hug.

  “Hi Kris, Brielle hugged him and asked, how come you told me casual and you went dressy?”

  “I’m sorry for that, a meeting at work ran over and I came straight here from work.”

  “I feel underdressed.”

  “Don’t, I will take off the jacket and tie,” Kris offered.

  “Maybe that will work”

  Brielle and Kris went into the restaurant. Brielle was impressed. The restaurant was very nice for this not to be fancy. It had a shiny, black walls and a hell of a view. You had the option of going outside to dine, but being that it was unusually chilly for it to be an early October night, the waiter didn’t even give out that option.

  Brielle took her seat across from Kris. The two looked over their menus and soon after that conversation started.

  “So Kris, how old are you,” Brielle began.

  “I’m twenty-seven, and I won’t ask you how old you are because my mother told me that it’s rude and disrespectful for a man to ask a woman her age.”

  “Your mother raised you right. However, a woman can offer her age. I just turned twenty-five in August.”

  “Wow! You just had a birthday. What did you do for your birthday?”

  “Nothing spectacular. I don’t really go all out for my birthday. I went to a concert that my best friend’s boyfriend performed at, went out to dinner with a bunch of friends and that was about it.”

  “I wouldn’t say that’s nothing major, but it sounds like fun. So what do you love to do when you’re not working?”

  “Technically, I’m always working. But when I am not working, I love to watch movies, I read sometimes, and I love redecorating things.”

  “Sounds fun, what do you like to read and watch?”

  “I love to watch love movies that would make you cry. I love movies that will make you laugh and have a great meaning. I read romance and urban fiction books when I have time to sit down and read an actual book.”

  “How do you like being an image consultant? What do you actually do?”

  “I love being an image consultant. Although it’s hard work, it also is very fun and it allows me to try different things. I do all types of things as a consultant. We are paid to show people how to create an impression to their bosses, the media and a lot of other people. We recommend new styles whether that is clothing, hairstyles, and talents. We offer the kind of advice that can help people get more recognition for a job, help someone find business deals, find someone to love, or to just feel good about themselves. We basically advise individuals how to present a better image to make them feel better about themselves and to make other people feel better about the client,” Brielle explained.

  “That sounds wonderful. Now I understand why you say technically you’re always working. It must be really hard to keep up with new fashion trends.”

  “Not really, my best friend is deep in the fashion world. So if anything important happens, I usually am one of the first people to here about it.”

  “Looks like you really love what you do,” Kris said amazed.

  “I really do. It wasn’t what I set out to be when I was in college, but I’m glad this is the route I went.”

  “That’s great. I hate my job. I make great money, but I don’t like what I do.”

  “That’s sad. What did you want to do?”

  “I wanted to be a lawyer, however finances got to tight for me to go to graduate school and law school.”

  “Never thought to take out loans?”

  “I didn’t want to go the loan route. I hate knowing that I owe someone else money.”

  “So you let your pride get in the way of achieving your dreams?”

  “I wouldn’t put it that way. I just changed my dream along the way.”

  “Okay, change of subject.”

  “So, how come a pretty woman like yourself isn’t in a relationship?”

  “Circumstances. There are many reasons why I’m not in relationships. My whole 25 years of living I’ve only been in 2 long relationships. One ended on mutual turns, the other ended badly. I think I have a bad eye when it comes to choosing men.”

  “Well, I’m here to prove you wrong. I mean if you would give me the chance.”

  “I’m not willing to jump head first into a relationship, but I like your personality. So lets take this one day at a time.”

  “I can live with that. One date at a time.”

  B
rielle sat at the dinner table with Kris. He was a nice guy and she hadn’t met a guy who was so invested on getting to know the real Brielle. He paid her compliments every time he saw her. He made sure that he asked her questions about her life. He wanted to know how she felt and didn’t shut her down when she disagreed with him. She was interested in getting to know him. Tonight was their start of something new. She was willing to let him try to make her change her mind about relationships because at the end of the day, she had to be in the relationship with him. She wanted a forever. Her forever and a day.

  Chapter 14

  “I’m not getting over shit because at the end of the day you belong to me.”

  -Jaiden “Murder”

  This had been the longest two months ever. Brielle had a boyfriend, and according to Kiyan’s eyes their relationship was perfect and she was happy. They barely had their weekend outings. They still spoke everyday but whenever Kiyan tried to meet up with her, it seemed she already had plans with Kris.

  At this point, Kiyan was moving on with his life. He never had a problem getting women; the problem was finding the right one. He had spent over four months trying to make Brielle change her mind about him. But he vowed that he was done. He wasn’t the type to be a sucker over a girl who didn’t want him. That’s why he was doing what he was doing now.

  Kiyan was on his way out on his third date with Samara, a girl he met at the bank. Samara was a caramel complexion with a short black haircut mixed with a few red highlights. She was 5’5 and resembled a thick Meagan Good. At first sight she seemed like a good catch for Kiyan, but you never know these days. She graduated college and now she had a fulltime job as an office assistant.

  Kiyan wanted to take her to the same Hibachi restaurant that he took Brielle on their first date, but he didn’t want to be reminded of his fuck ups with Bri. So he decided that a simple date to Red Lobster would be better. He didn’t really know too much about Samara. So he thought Red Lobster would be a nice environment for them to get to know each other better.

  Samara and Kiyan had been in the car for the pass twenty minutes making small talk. When his phone started singing “Sure Thing by Miguel” “Even when the sky comes falling, even when the sun don't shine. I got faith in you and I, so put your pretty little hand in mine. Even when we're down to the wire baby, even when it's do or die. We can do it baby simple and plain, Cause this love is a sure thing.” Brielle’s picture popped up and Samara saw it as soon as it began ringing.

  “Excuse me while I take this,” Kiyan commented.

  “Sure, do your thing,” Samara said pulling out her phone, looking the other way.

  “Hello,” Kiyan said answering his phone with his Bluetooth.

  “What are you doing Light Bright?”

  “Driving to Red Lobster, why wassup?”

  “Nothing really, I just was bored and wanted to bother you.”

  “Oh really, well let me hit you back.”

  “Cool, have fun at Red Lobster!”

  “Iight cool, I’ll talk to you later,” Kiyan said hanging up.

  “Was that your girlfriend,” Samara asked.

  At this moment Kiyan couldn’t wait to see Cam and Zo. Those two put Sure Thing on his phone for Brielle’s ringtone when he lost a bet while they were at the studio. Now here he was in an awkward situation with Samara.

  “Nawh, that was Brielle. She’s one of my close friends.”

  “Oh really, does all of your close friends have ringtones like that?”

  “Nawh, I didn’t put that as her ringtone. One of my boys did it.”

  “So did you and Brielle date?”

  “We went out on a date once, nothing came out of it, but a friendship.”

  “Oh okay. So I have nothing to worry about?”

  “Nawh, you’re good.”

  “Cool because I think we could go really far if we try,” Samara smiled.

  “Let’s see how this goes,” Kiyan winked and gave Samara a smile. Maybe Samara would be what he needed the most.

  ~~~~~

  Brielle was sitting on the couch thinking how so much had changed over the past two months. She barely had time to keep up with her friends, she didn’t really see or speak to her mother, and she’s been miserable around Kris. All he did was aggravate her and act like he was better than everybody he came around. She remembered the day everyone went out to Dave and Busters, everyone was having fun and he sat talking and complaining to the manager at Dave and Busters about sanitary issues. He was just plain ole aggravating.

  Reminiscing on the couch made Brielle miss all of her friends even more. She called Kiyan but she figured he was busy because he only kept her on the phone for three minutes and said he had to call her back because he was on his way to Red Lobster. She decided that maybe a girl’s night in would do her some good. She grabbed her phone and group texted her best friends:

  Danni, Sha, Chloe, and Briya: Hey ladies! Got plans for tonight?

  Briya: I’m at the shop. Nothing planned for tonight. Keem is away for the weekend :[

  Chloe: I’m at the gym about to play ball. I miss y’all.

  Sha: I’m at the studio with the boys. Didn’t plan on staying all night.

  Danni: I’m home bullshitting around.

  Brielle: I was thinking. Girl’s night in. My house?

  Danni: Yay! I’m on my way.

  Sha: You don’t have to tell me twice.

  Chloe: I’ll be there after this game.

  Briya: We might as well make it a sleepover because I know I’m not going home :]

  Brielle: We can do that :]

  Danni: I’m packing my bag as we speak.

  Chloe: We can go shopping this weekend for Sha’s birthday dinner! I need something to wear.

  Briya: Well Bri you are stuck with me for the weekend.

  Brielle: Fine with me.

  Brielle was excited. She would finally be able to have some fun with her friends. Her aggravation period with Kris was put on pause because she wouldn’t have to be bothered with his boring dates this weekend. She was having a girl’s weekend, which means she would have no time to entertain Kris. She got up off the couch and turned on the CD player. Chrisette Michele’s lyrics blasted out of the speakers. Brielle sung the words and thought this was exactly how she felt. Here's the thing, I need you to stop treatin me as if I'm simple or naive. As if I don't know nothing bout the world. I understand you think you protecting me, but I could use a little room to breathe. And the respect you give a woman not a girl. Here's the thing, I appreciate all the love. The constant catering kisses and hugs. But lately I'm wondering what you do it for. If the reason you act all over sweet is cause you want to keep me on a leash. I have no choice but to show you the door. If you want to cradle me like a little girl and lock me down, I'm not your possession. I'm a full-grown woman I am not your porcelain doll.

  During her relationship with Jaiden she felt like he always wanted to parade her around his friends, but then when she showed that she was independent he would always make it seem like she was the one who needed him around. In the beginning of their relationship it barely showed but in the end, it was all you could see. Brielle was interrupted when her doorbell started to ring. She looked out the door and saw Jaiden at door.

  Jaiden was six feet, built, brown skin with hazel eyes. He kept a fresh cut and he body was covered in tattoos. He always reminded everyone he came in contact with of an older looking Bow Wow. He had on a blue pair of Levi jeans, a black V-neck shirt, a Blue and yellow Ralph Lauren polo hoodie. His ears were covered with black diamond earrings and his wrist had the black diamond bracelet that Brielle bought him as a birthday gift last year. As Brielle opened the door, he gave her a smile showing his sometime dimples that she once loved.

  “Wassup Ma, can I come in?” Murder asked.

  “Sure Jaiden,” Brielle said stepping to the side.

  “Jaiden why are you here?” Brielle questioned.

  “I came to talk. We’re still friends
right?”

  “I guess.”

  “So friends can talk, right?”

  “I guess, what are we talking about?”

  “Where did we go wrong?” Jaiden looked up at Brielle from the couch.

  “We didn’t go wrong Jaiden. You went wrong,” Brielle said as she sat next to him on the couch.

  “What do you mean? I didn’t do anything major to make you break up with me.”

  “Jaiden, you can’t be serious. You cheated on me. Lord knows how many times,” Brielle, stated the obvious.

  “Okay Bri. I fucked up, but I changed over these last couple months.”

  “That’s great that you changed. But you changing had nothing to do with me. I told you that if anything all we could be was friends. Nothing has changed since then,” Brielle said.

  “So you’re not going to give me another chance Bri? I’m openly admitting to you that I fucked up, all I’m asking is for is a start over.”

  “Look Jaiden, I already told you there would never be an us again. When you had me, you didn’t do anything but wonder off with other people and now that you lost me, you want to be all in my face. It’s not going to happen.”

  “Those other chicks didn’t mean shit to me. I been told you that. So why do you keep throwing that in my face. You know you’re the only woman I ever loved. I don’t get how you’re just gone throw what we have away like that.” Jaiden said trying to put the blame on Brielle.

  "You will not blame me for your fuck ups. I was the best girlfriend ever to you. I didn't stress you over little things. I told you from the jump that if you were going to be with me, then the hoes you use to entertain had to go. But that went in one ear and out the other! Us not being together is on you. You did it, now you have to live with it."

  “You know what ma, I’ll take that. Everything is my fault. I messed up and I’m owning up to it but as far as us being over, that will never be. Ain’t no way in hell another nigga gone get what belongs to me.”

  “Jaiden, you are talking crazy. I already moved on and I suggest you do the same,” Brielle said while standing up.