Things werenât going quite as he planned. She should have been his by now, but she was more skittish than he originally anticipated. Not to mention, she was beginning to spend an awful lot of time with some punk, which was really beginning to piss him off. After his months of finding out everything about her, having her comings and goings watched, he felt an intense anger that she would dare spend time with another man. âSheâs mine!â He said to himself fiercely.
The thought of his ebony beauty (as he liked to think of her), spending time with another man filled him with such a jealous rage that he felt murderous. He now understood how Othello could wrap his fingers around his beloved Desdemonaâs throat in the popular Shakespeare tragedy. The thought of her even looking at another man without his permission was driving him insane.
His original plan had been to handle her with kid gloves, but now he realized that he would have to change things up a bit. No other man or woman for that matter would ever claim her as long as SHE drew breath.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Narissa enjoyed the time she spent with Jake. He would pick her up after class, and then he would take her out to eat, always to the best restaurants. After each meal he would drop her off and kiss her gently on the lips, but never like that first kiss. Being as inexperienced as she was, she wanted more but couldnât verbalize her desires, and it was frustrating. She wished that she wasnât so timid around Jake.
Things became more tense with Jake the more time they spent together. Narissa had the uncomfortable feeling that Jake was hiding something from her. Whenever she would ask him a question, he would either ignore it or ask her a question in turn. She had a sinking feeling that he was toying with her, and she hoped to God she was wrong. Perhaps he thought she was easy when she let him kiss her the way he had. The only other time she had let a boy kiss her, Narissaâs grandmother had caught them and called Narissa a stupid hussy. Her grandmother had said that men didnât respect women who gave in so easily. Despite her misgivings, she still really liked him, so Narissa kept quiet.
Nearly two weeks after Jake started picking her up from school, a new guy started in the mailroom at Narissaâs job. Malik was a part time college student. Everyone in the mailroom, Narissa included, immediately liked him. Malik was a bit of a comedian, and one couldnât help but laugh at his off beat humor. It became obvious after a while that Malik was interested in Narissa as more than a colleague. Malik was a good-looking guy and he knew it. He was tall and lean with light brown skin, a pencil thin mustache over full sensual lips, and a pair of intelligent sherry brown eyes. His eyes were not as intense or startling as Jakesâ but they were nice.
Malik liked Narissa because she was cute and sweet. She seemed so genuine. It was refreshing to meet a girl who didnât seem interested in playing games. He wished they didnât work together because nothing complicated things more than an office romance. He toyed with the idea of asking her out anyway but decided against it. He would just bide his time. They wouldnât always be co-workers.
They did however, become fast friends. There were no other black people in the mailroom, so they gravitated towards each other. They often joked together and sometimes went to lunch. Narissa really liked Malik but only as a friend. Maybe if Jake wasnât in the picture, she could easily fall for Malik. It was good to have another male friend besides Jake, although she didnât know if Jake was just her friend or something more. The whole situation was confusing.
Things soon fell into a pattern. She would have lunch with Malik nearly everyday. After work was school and after school she saw Jake. She couldnât remember a time when she had been so content in her life. Everything seemed to be going well, when one day those things began to crumble around her.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It started out as a normal day. Malik had decided that they should go to lunch at their favorite Mexican restaurant, the Wicked Burrito. Their love for Mexican food was something Narissa and Malik found in common. The restaurant was a little run down but the food was terrific. As Narissa was taking another bite into her greasy burrito, she wondered what Jake would make of a place like this. He only ever took her to really nice restaurants. Narissa sometime felt that Jake was spoiling her. She would have been quite happy if he ever took her to Wendyâs of McDonalds, but Jake would tell her that she deserved better. Frankly she didnât care where they went as long as he was with her.
It was as if she conjured him up in her mind, because there he was entering the restaurant with a gorgeous blonde. Narissaâs heart plummeted to her feet. She now had the answer to her question. He was just a friend. âYouâre not eating. Is something wrong?â Malik asked noting that Narissa had lost interest in her food.
âNothing. I guess I just lost my appetite.â She said pushing her half-eaten burrito away from her. What was Jake doing here? This was not his type of establishment.
âDo you mind if I finish that?â Malik looked at her food longingly. For such a thin guy, he sure could eat.
âSure.â She said unable to tear her eyes away from Jake and the blonde who seemed to cling to him like a cheap suit. At that very moment, Jake looked up, and his eyes met hers. He smiled briefly at her and then turned back to his companion. Tears pricked the back of her eyes.
Malik finally noticed her distress. âAre you okay Rissa?â He put his hand over hers calling her by the nickname he had affectionately given her.
âI-I just need come air. Iâm suddenly not feeling well.â She stammered.
âOkay, come on.â He said taking her in his arms and giving her a brief hug before leading her outside. âNow tell me whatâs wrong.â
âI guess what I had didnât agree with me.â She answered evasively.
âYouâre an awful liar honey. Now tell me the real reason youâre upset.â
âThe guy that walked in the Wicked Burrito, is someone I know. He and I have been seeing each other.â
âThat white guy? Really? He seemed to be a bit out of place in a restaurant like this, which is the only reason I noticed him in the first place. Youâre dating that guy?â He asked incredulously.
âWhy is that so hard to believe?â She nearly shouted. She was annoyed that he would like so little of her.
âDonât get your panties in a bunch sweetheart. You just donât seem like the type to get involved with someone like that.â
âLike what?â She asked cautiously.
âCanât really say, but Iâve seen that guy somewhere. I canât think where though. He seems kind of dangerous.â
âDangerous? Heâs nice to me. Dangerous is such a strong word.â
âMaybe so, but my gut doesnât lie. Anyway, you never mentioned that you were seeing anyone before.â He said sulkily.
Narissa looked at her feet. âI didnât mention it because I didnât know exactly where I stood with him. Now I know.â She said quietly. The last thing she wanted to do was cry in front of Malik, but to her chagrin she burst into tears.
âOh honey, it will be okay.â He hugged her firmly to him. As much as he liked her, now wasnât he time to make his move. She needed a friend right now and he would be that friend.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The day only seemed to get worse as Narissa was distressed for the rest of the day making several mistakes, causing a reprimand from her supervisor. Her thoughts were on Jake and the mystery blonde. Her evening turned into a nightmare when she was asked by her instructor to stay behind when class was let out. Tonight had been a big test and he probably wanted to say something to her about it.
âMiss Lewis. It has come to my attention, that you have been cheating on your tests.â Mr. Ashby began without preamble.
Narissaâs mouth dropped. âHow have you come by this information. I am not a cheater.â She defended herself.
âI have my sources, and I have proof. In light of this information, I canât in good faith pass you for this course so I will ask you to do the right thing and not come back.â He said not quite making eye contact with her.
âWhat proof do you have? I paid money for this course just like everyone else.â Her face was on fire with embarrassment. This little man could not be serious. She had never cheated in her life. She was not a cheater!
âAs far as money goes, you will need to take it up with the finance office. As for the proof, I donât have to disclose it.â
âWhy canât you disclose it? I didnât cheat. This is illegal. You canât do this!â She insisted vehemently.
âI was hoping you wouldnât make a scene. Youâll get a formal letter in the mail. Now if you donât vacate the premises I will have to call the authorities.â
âBut you canât do this!â Narissa cried. This was the second time today that she was reduced to tears.
Mr. Ashby had the good grace to look slightly embarrassed but turned his back on the crying female. Numbly, Narissa left the building. Jake didnât come pick her up even after waiting an hour. Now her nightmare was complete, or so she thought. The worst was still yet to come.
She caught the bus home that night. When she stepped in the door, Taj and Tamara were sitting on the couch. Taj looked a little uncomfortable. Tamara was smirking. âCan we talk to you for a moment.?â Tamara asked in a falsely sweet voice. Narissa immediately knew something was up. What was it now?
That night, Narissa laid in bed, literally sick to her stomach with worry. She was beyond tears. Talk about being kicked when youâre down. Tamara had nastily informed her that she and her Taj would no longer need a roommate and Narissa had to be out by the end of the week, which was two days from now. Could things possible get worse? She had nowhere to go. Brianna would probably let her stay for a little while after a little gloating, but Narissa didnât want to crawl back to her sister.
She had to formulate a plan. She could maybe move into a cheap hotel temporarily until she could find something else. Sheâd straighten things out at school. She was not a cheater. She would go to the head of the school with a complaint and everything would be okay. She worked too damn hard to let things stand as they were. The living situation and school, seemed solvable, but what was she going to do about Jake?
Her heart felt as if it were breaking into a million pieces. He was probably doing things to that life sized Barbie that she could only dream about. He was probably touching her in the places where Narissa wanted to be touched, and kissing herâŠ. It hurt too much to even think about it. She had begun to think that he had feelings for her, but apparently, he didnât.
* * * * * * * * * * * *