A year later...
I checked the time on my wristwatch. It's ten am. I still have 30 minutes before my appointment, so I put on my black leather biker jacket and my dark glasses. Then, I sauntered down the road, dodging some rustling men and women at that busy morning.
My phone rang.
I impulsively removed my phone away from my ear upon listening to a yelling voice.
"Where the hell are you?" Helena shouted.
"On my way."
"Faster. I don't have the time in the world!"
"Yes, your majesty!" I said sarcastically.
She cursed, "Bullshit!"
"Relax~ I'll be there in five minutes," I replied, ending the call.
I entered an African restaurant--- Black Panther. From the staff uniforms to the furniture and dishes, the motif was all about the blockbuster movie, futuristic yet traditional.
"Damn right, Africa! Impress us more!" was my initial thought. It's packed with patrons from different ethnicity. So, refreshing to see people of different races gathered in one small place.
I looked and found Helena happily chatting with a male customer. I tilted my head at the sight. I exhaled harshly.
"Did you ask me to come here to show your happy chat?" I joked. I raised my brows at the man who looked at me flirtatiously.
Helena stood up and kissed me on my cheek. Then, she introduced the man, "Brad, this is Moore, one of my friends here in NY."
I shook his hands, feeling his tight grip. With my glasses on, he wasn't able to see my narrowed eyes. I pulled my hand which he hesitantly let go.
"Nice meeting you, Moore!" I said in a dismissive tone. He seemed to understand what I meant as he nodded and said goodbye to Helena. I nearly punched his face when he gave Helena a quick kiss on her lips. I held my breath, controlling my urge to crush his mouth.
Moore had been long gone, but I was still in shock. Helena looked at me, hiding her playful smile.
"How are you?" she asked in a jovial tone.
I smirked. "Very happy! As you can see," I said sardonically. She pouted.
"Seriously... how's life going?" she asked, changing her casual tone to a bit formal one.
I exhaled harshly before saying, "I am trying to get back at my feet. Thanks for asking." I grabbed the glass and poured some water. "What's the buzz? I am sure, you haven't traveled halfway around the globe just to check on my condition."
She sipped from her cocktail then looked at me with a straight face, "Do I have to have a reason to see you? Can't I just see you because I simply like it?"
I chuckled. Clearly, she was kidding. But, somewhere in my heart, I hoped that it was true. I bit my lower lip in suppressed excitement.
"Enough, Helena. Anyway, do you wanna join me later? I'm gonna meet a friend," I asked to divert my nervousness.
She simply nodded. So, after eating, we strolled in the park in front of the restaurant and went to an accoustic bar where we would be meeting my friend in an hour or so.
"What can I get you?" the waitress asked as we sat down at our table near the window.
"Just a couple of beers for now!" I answered.
"So, who is this friend of yours? I thought you only have Adams and the McKnights!" Helena asked when the waitress left.
"They're my brothers, not my friends!" I replied. She bursted out laughing.
"Oh yeah! Can't agree more! So... if not them, who? I don't know anyone who's close to you aside from your brothers," she said.
"Well, she's the McKnights' cousin's friend. I met her once when I first came here for a business meeting."
"Hmmm... she?"
"Yeah... she."
"Uhm... is she--- pretty?"
"Well, see for it yourself."
Helena wasn't so happy with my answers, and was about to say something, but to her disappointment, the waitress came with their beers.
"Yo~ Brad! How's it going?"
We both turned to see one gorgeous lady. She was smiling brightly, showing her perfect white teeth, that Amanda just stared at her without saying a word. I stood up and gave her a peck on her cheeks.
"Have a sit!" I said while she glanced at Helena, drinking quietly in a corner.
"Seems like you already have a company," she commented.
"Well... she is my friend, Ella." I replied. "Ella, this is Cara, the McKnights' cousin's friend," I introduced. With the nature of her job, she used Ella as her other name. They shook hands.
"How have you been, Brad?" Cara asked in a sweet voice, which sounded a little too much. I caught Helena rolling her eyes. I looked down to hide my smile.
"Life's been good."
"That's good to hear. I still can't forget the time spent in my pad," she said, obviously flirting with me.
Helena deliberately coughed in front of her. Then, immediately said sorry.
"Ewww!" Cara overreactingly said. Helena smirked. I was amused by her subtle display of displeasure.
"Anyway, why didn't you contact me sooner? You've been here for half a year already," she said.
I turned to Helena, who looked away. I was pretty sure that she's feeling out of place. And she hated it.
"Ah... "
"He was with me..." Helena replied, flashing her sweet smile. Something that I like about her.
"Really?" she said, raising her brow. But, Helena seemed to enjoy Cara's reaction. Then, Cara looked around and said, "Uhm... do you wanna go to a club?"
"Well... is it okay with you?" I asked Helena. She hesitantly agreed. After drinking and eating our dinner, we went to a club.
The club was packed with people of different ages--- men and women grooving with the techno music played by a handsome DJ while the room was lit with neon lights.
"Oh c'mon... let's dance!" Cara screamed against the loud music.
Helena immediately put on her bullcap to hide her face. Then, Cara pulled me to the dance floor. I turned to Helena, who nodded before going at the bar and ordered her shot of whiskey. She drank quietly as Cara and me danced.
Then, I felt Cara's butt grinding on my crotch which I won't deny had turned me on. We danced more... more like we flirted more. My hands all over her body and she liked it, pressing her body to mine. We kissed and touched and danced, drowning in carnal deaire. I was so turned on that I nearly forgot Helena.
I looked around, but she wasn't their anymore. Guilt overpowered my urges, so I went out to search for Helena.
"Babe, she's grown up. You're not her baby sitter!" Cara said in a sultry voice.
"I have to go," I replied before leaving her. I saw her sulking then turned her attention to another guy. I shook my head.