As Narissa browsed casually through the clothes rack, she had the strangest feeling that she was being watched. "Narissa, is that you?" A voice asked from behind her.
"Malik!" She exclaimed in delight, throwing her arms around him.
"You look great girl. What have you been doing with yourself this past year?" he asked, eyeing her up and down.
"Oh a little of this and that." She answered coyly.
"Damn, you look good. I know I just said it, but you really do."
"Thanks. You don't look to bad yourself." She flirted lightly. The Narissa from a year ago didn't know the meaning of the word flirt. "What are you doing here Malik? This is a woman's clothing boutique." Narissa pointed out.
Malik grinned sheepishly. "I'm with my girlfriend. She's been dragging me to every store with a sale today."
"Where is she now." She asked noticing that he was alone.
"She's in the dressing room. She'll be a while but as I was waiting I thought I saw you so I came over to make sure. I'm glad I did."
"Well, I'm glad you did too. It's so nice seeing you again Malik. Are you still at the law firm?"
"Hell no! Shortly after you left I started looking for another job, because of that shit they pulled on you. My buddy got me a job at the accounting firm that he works at. This job is much better than my last. I told old man Turner to kiss my black ass."
Narissa laughed at the image that popped in her mind. "I would have loved to have seen that. So what else is going on? I seem to remember that you were almost finished with your Bachelor's degree."
"Yes, I finished and now I'm in grad school working on my MBA. The company I'm with is paying my tuition as an incentive for me to stay with them. I just might. They're a good company."
"Wow. That's a nice benefit."
"Yeah, it is. How about you? You never did contact me when you left so I assume things worked out for you. What are you doing with yourself now?"
"I work at an apartment complex for a property management company. I make sure the rent is paid. I make sure the repairs get done. I organize social functions. I get a huge discount on my apartment since I live in one of the apartments. I love it." She smiled proudly.
"That's awesome. I have to say it again girl, you look great, and it's not just your looks. I mean, there's something different about you. You seem more confident. It's really sexy." He looked at her in awe.
Narissa had changed. She was not the same girl she use to be. "A lot of things have happened Malik, but I think I've learned many life lessons." She said softly.
"Ahem!" Someone behind them tried to get their attention.
Malik looked guiltily at the girl who now stood behind him. "Narissa this is my girlfriend Tia. Tia, this is Narissa. Narissa and I use to work together."
Tia who could have passed for a young Janet Jackson eyed Narissa suspiciously before taking the hand that was offered. "Nice to meet you." She said. Narissa could tell that the girl obviously didn't mean it. Tia turned to her boyfriend. "Malik, let's go. There's nothing here that I want." She said petulantly.
"Okay. Let me say goodbye to Narissa first."
Tia huffed at Malik's response and then stormed off.
"I hope you're not in trouble with her." Narissa said.
"She's a bit of a brat at times, but once you get to know her she's really cool."
"Are you happy with her?"
"Yes, but I wish you would have kept in touch with me. Maybe we----"
"Don't say it Malik. Just be happy. It was good seeing you again." She said giving him another hug.
* * * * * * * * *
Narissa let herself into her apartment. Her apartment. Even after all this time, it was still good coming home to a place of her own. There were no jackass roommates, no crazy servants and no Jake. Her heart still twisted at the mere thought of him but the pain had lessened over time. She hadn't seen him in a year, but she did occasionally hear about him through her friend Tim.
She smiled briefly. Tim was such a sweetheart. It was Tim who had recommended the job she had to her. He was such a great friend. Narissa happened upon the calendar in the kitchen and gasped. It was a year to the day when she had last seen Jake. The memories came flooding back........
* * * * * * * * * * * *
"Angel, I've done you a disservice."
"What are you talking about?" Narissa's heart sped up. She knew whatever he was about to say, she wouldn't like.
"I'm letting you go." He said softly.
"No!" Her body went cold. How could he say such a thing? Just when she had decided that she could no longer fight what she felt for him.
"Yes." He said getting up and walking to the window. His back was turned to her.
"Why Jake? Did I do something to displease you?" She asked with tear filled eyes.
"No you haven't. I'm just letting you go plan and simple."
"If I haven't done anything wrong, why do you want me gone? I thought you....I thought you had feelings for me." She said barely above a whisper. She thought about all the things he had done to her, how he used her and was often borderline abusive and it made her sick but there was another side to him however. She would get a glimpse of Jake's softer side every so often. She felt that the softer Jake was the real Jake, not the monster that he often pretended to be.
The real Jake was the one who would gently stroke her hair until she fell asleep. The real Jake had a sense of humor that always had her in stitches. The real Jake was the one who would look at her in such a way to make her think that she was the most desirable woman alive. That was the side she had fell in love with.
Narissa got off the bed and went over to where he stood. "I don't want to go Jake. Please don't make me go." She hugged her body tightly against his back.
He stiffened and then shrugged her off. "I have to. I made a mistake."
"What mistake?"
"I thought you were what I wanted but I changed my mind."
Narissa moved to face him. There was such a cold distant look in his eyes. 'Why?" She asked again.
"You keep asking me why Narissa but I don't think you can handle the truth."
"Try me."
"I wanted to spare your feelings but I've grown tired of you. The thrill of the chase is gone. In the beginning it was amusing for me to take such an innocent, sweet young thing like you and turn her into a slut." Narissa gasped in shock at the cruel words, but Jake continued his dialogue. "Did you think a girl like you could hold me? You are just a little girl playing at adult games my dear, and frankly, you bore me."