Page 14 of Endlessly Raphael
I roll my eyes. “Yes,” I lie, “I’ll make it.” One way or another.
“Good. That’s what baba would want. I’m rooting for you.”
“Thanks, Auntie. I gotta go.”
“Be safe.”
“I will.”
I end the call feeling even heavier than I did a few minutes ago. No time for that though. I’m on a mission. I shake off the black cloud and lift my chin with the confidence of a man who intends to get exactly what he wants.
My rideshare shows up and I slide onto the back seat. The man driving is probably about sixty, but at this point, if he were single, I’d marry him.
He confirms the address, and as he plugs it into his GPS, I see the gleaming gold band on his left ring finger. Married. Figures.
I sit back with thoughts of how my life ended up like this swirling in my head. Raised a spoiled rich kid, now living in tenements and desperate for marriage. I never thought I’d be close to begging someone to take me, but here we are.
I’ve always had pretty good luck with romance. Well, with sex. I’ve never really pursued romance. Like, why would I when the world has so many opportunities in it. Still, there was a part of me that wondered if I’d ever fall for someone.
Maybe I shouldn’t give up so quickly on Raphael. I glance out the window, watching the passing cars and buildings as we head out of my shitty neighborhood. Then someone catches my eye. I’ve only met him once, but I’d recognize that face anywhere.
“Stop the car, please.”
My driver pulls over, twisting to look at me. “Something wrong?”
“No. I saw a friend. I’m gonna get out here.”
“In this neighborhood?”
“Dude, did you see where I lived? I can handle it.”
I slip from the car, hurrying down the sidewalk in the direction I’m positive I saw Raphael and another man. My outfit definitely gets a few strange looks, but if living on my own has taught me anything, it’s that you should never show fear. Act like you own the place and people will steer clear. If that doesn’t work, I can always pull out my knife.
I turn a corner and spot them at the end of the alley. Between them on the ground is a black mass that looks a lot like a body. I freeze, squinting, but when I blink, the thing on the ground is gone and Raphael is turned in my direction.
“Haven?”
How did he… I step out from behind the dumpster. “Uh, yeah. Hi.”
“Hi. What are you doing here?”
“I was, um… meeting a friend.”
He saunters closer to me, a sexy smirk on his lips. “Is that so? Did you find them?”
“No.” I blow out a breath. “Okay, um, I was passing by and I thought I saw you.”
“You did.” His eyes roam from my face to my feet and back up again. “You are as beautiful as I remember.”
“Thanks.” I straighten my shoulders. “So I’m guessing the answer is no?”
“Why do you say that?”
“You didn’t call.”
Raphael steps closer, his hand landing softly on my cheek. “I had to work first. I planned to call tonight.”
“To let me down?”