Chapter 19: ...I think I found peace In the clouds!

Time flew....

  "Babe!!!! You suck! Like what the hell? He's madly in love with you bissh!" Ada sounded undeniably excited

  ".....oh c'mon! Its a girl magic..." I teased

  "Silly....I knew he was going to take a step further....He's been looking at you from a distance. Good thing your marriage collided...." Ada teased

  "...Addy, that's not funny!" I snapped frowning

  "...just kidding! It meant a lot to you, I know that! Come off it Danielle, you deserve better....chill out" 

  "I heard ya. I got to unpack as soon as possible, coz I got work tomorrow remember?" I concluded

  "A'ight! Call me tomorrow, after your.....date?" Ada insisted

  "Yes. I got you!" I hung up, not waiting a minute

I dropped my phone on the bed laying on my back, I lost track of everything immediately, my thoughts, emotions....everything seemed numb and just not enough. It suddenly dawned on me when Lola called from prison.

Firstly, I was skeptical and confused, why'd she need my help in the end of it, after spending several cold nights in jail.

Secondly, I reasoned, why'd i Want to see her? She did the unexplainable but I kinda pushed her down the stairs too yet it don't matter, I'm still on the fact that I was defending myself nothing else. I braced up to see pathetic Lola who needed my help all of a sudden.

I did my usual night routine sinking on my bed while Jamal's thought swept through my mind, I'm not going to lie I really cared about his whereabouts but it is what it is.

Silly Hunter buzzed my phone

  "Hey babe!" He sounded jovial as always

  "Yeah Hunter, what're you doing?"

  "Just not finding it easy.....missing someone terribly....its a lot to handle" he stopped

  "....you care about someone, don't you" I teased

I heard him chuckle

  "There she goes, Danni. Can you stop doing that, it makes me want you more...."

  "That's what I'm about....you got work right?" I asked throwing strawberries into my mouth

  "Yes babe.....I got a flight to catch up with in a months' time.." He added

My mind sank, It felt obnoxious

  "That's shit....you leaving again?"

  "I'm so sorry babe, its work I promise..."

  "....I'm not disputing that, man. It don't feel right, not at all. Hunter...." I flared

  "....babe...babe, could you hear me out first?....thank you! We got summit, its important I be there. I'm going to make it up to you. After this, its Vac for us I promise" he pleaded, trying to persuade

I sighed and continued

  "Honey it don't feel right I swear. I feel-el some type of way....its just not ok, Hunter...." I said defiantly

  "....I know. I'll come over so we talk?" He opted

  "Yes Hunter, get your ass over here" I commanded then hung up

  "God! What the hell!" I went over to the living waiting for his arrival

Twenty minutes later, my door bell rang, I knew it was Hunter

  "Can you start explaining?" I stood folding my arms, after I opened the door

  "Can I come in first, its freezing out here?" He politely asked with a slight grin on his face

 "Why not...." I walked to the couch, sinking on it in my robes

He followed from behind and sat taking off his jacket

We stared at each other for like 6 seconds then continued the main deal, discussing

  "Danielle, its work! I really dunno why you're worked up....you missed me that bad?" He teased with a serious look

  "To hell! (I yelled) you know, i wouldn't react if I felt good about it. You barely come around, we don't spend good time together..... I'm not trying to get silly but this one is really a NO for me. You won't understand, bro! My instincts...." I turned away

He rubbed his silky black hair backwards which was shiny even at dusk. He held my knuckles drawing close. He sighed heavily, then I placed my right index finger across his darkish red lips

  ".....I'm not trying to be like her, I'm not.....I'm not complaining coz I knew what I was getting into not for the culture but for feels, I don't know what it is--i feel insecure!" I said coldly

  "I really wish I could take you to the heavens, stand before God for a heart opening, for confirmations....." He began

Then I interrupted

  "....its no joke, c'mon Man!" I frowned

  "....to prove to you how insanely important this is at work!" He ended regardless

  "I guess there's nothing I can do to stop you, trust me I won't let it slip ok?" I smirked

  "Ok that's scary ma'am!" He teased

Hunter took things mostly unserious around me. Out there, his chocolate complexion would scare you, it carried this hard face all times.

  "Hunter?" I called innocently

  "...Babe! Its vacation unlimited for us, I got it all planned out, trust me! Is it ibiza, miami, paris.....name it....i got you! I'll be back in no time" he persuaded

  "For how long? Like how long?" I asked curiously

  "3 days! No more no less!" He snapped

  "Maybe, I can handle that. Just maybe!" I added

  "Give me that magic again?!" He smirked

I blushed then I wrapped my arms around him suddenly grabbing on my lips laying a very heated kiss, touching and smooching felt intensive.

Hunter passed the night at my house, trust me we didn't cross the thin line between 9.5 and 10. I jumped on my feet realizing I was about thirty minutes late to work. Hunter lied on his stomach comfortably looking sound even in the sleep.

I prepared some tea and toasted some bread coz that was the quickest thing I could fix and think of. I turned to serve on a tea cup then I found Hunter leaning against the wall crossing his legs folding his arms

  "Morning darling! Did you even sleep?" 

  "Why not! And I am forty minutes late, thanks to you" I continued serving the tea cups Carol got for me from India, its lovely.

He came from behind holding my waist then placing a divine kiss on my neck, side to side.

  "Breakfast first!" I shrugged

  "...I don't mind having you as breakfast, I don't feel like going to work today. I can just take a day off, you should too."  suggested

Yes, I didn't have much work today but I hated compromising work for nothing, since it was Hunter, I think I might just reconsider his request

  "I can't compromise work for no one...."

  "Ouch! That's rude but you should. C'mon Danni, you are boss!"  he reminded

Hl)m1qe was right, I did not have a deadline to catch up with either.

We headed to the counter to eat, when he got a call

  "Excuse babe!" He swiftly kissed my forehead then walked away

  "Alright" I said beneath my breath

Then I remembered some months earlier when Jamal answered that call that started our commotion. When it came to comparison, I wouldn't and could never compare these men coz they are special every which way. He came back hastily like he was chased from behind

  "Did you miss me!" He joked pouncing on this bread.

I only smiled and continued eating with my eyes fixed on his biceps and abs, they were incredibly worked out. 

  "I'd be out for some errands and shopping" he said concentrating on his food

  "Ok! But we agreed on being home althrough..." I pointed

  "It's actually a surprise for you" he snapped simply

  "Hmm! I love it already.....I'd be seeing Lola today, she called sometime ago" I blurted out

He raised his brows

  "Are you sure you don't want me close or something..." He looked pretty worried

  "I can handle it" I rubbed his meatloaf shaved beard

  "I knew you'd say that! Call me though. I'd drop you off then pick you up myself" He insisted

  "I'm-not-a baby!" I scoffed

  "You are, Danni. I take care of you as much as I can and I could do more...." He added

  "Yes...You win! Yay!" I teased

 As soon as Hunter dropped me off at the prison's gate I felt sore and worn. I felt like I was walking into a hall of pain and anguish.

I waited for Lola, fixing my eyes on the path way that led to the entrance where prisoners matched from.

Lola looked pathetic and not healthy, she was someone that took diets seriously unlike myself who appreciates junk foods. Her hair was wrapped in a ponytail and her face was covered in dark spots and burns.

  "Hi Danni!" She innocently called

My face hardened with a frown

  "....hit the point" I couldn't let her waste my time

  "I know exactly how you feel about this, the uproar......" She started explaining

  "Jeez, Why did you call me?" I asked firmly

  "Could you bail me out...it sounds unfortunate but you are the only family I could think of...." 

I slapped her not minding the security's opposition

  "I sure deserved it" she swallowed her tears

  "I'm not family." I warned

  "I understand! I'm really sorry for everything I did to you, for the pain, the separation between Jamal...." She pleaded

  "As for separation? It led me to the most incredible man i could ever ask for!" I smirked "the apologies? That's not enough, not even a life could pay for it" I added

  "Can I have this last chance to prove myself? I'd confess...." She requested

  ".....Lola? I'm not willing to negotiate, I'm gone past that now. Talk to your lawyer, I'd handle it, name the price" 

  "Thank you so much.....i promise..." She appreciated

  "....do not make promises you can't keep. I've heard it once and not ready to hear another..." I stood up walking out briskly in heels that actually got everyone looking and thinking.

I took a cab to the nearest grocery store and texted Hunter. We pulled over 

  "We're Here, ma'am!" 

The man around his forties blurted In a very sad tone.

 I stopped staring at him from behind wondering

  "..could you just bounce!" Now rudely he replied

  "No!" I simply said 

He looked surprised and continued

  "....I'm sorry" he turned to me finally "You mean?" He wondered

  "What's the problem? You could share...like anything could happen." I suggested with a slight smile

  "Uhm....urh....its just that I really need assistance with my children's tuition. I can't  stack enough, I really dunno what to do. I wish I could blow my brain up.....my wife is sick yet I can't afford hospital bills....really sorry feeding you with my issues. I just needed to say something like you demanded" he sighed

  "I like you. I like the fact you didn't press the pressure, you passed my test, man" 

He scoffed then continued

  "...what test? Is this a prank..." He started to flare up

  "Not at all. You see we don't always get what we want and about being suicidal is crazy, who'd see the kids through and your wife?" 

  "That's true!" He nodded in accordance

  "Exactly! Be thankful that you have a pretty  wife and adorable kids, people who still call you 'honey and daddy'. I got everything but I don't have a husband to call me 'honey nor kids to call me Mom', it's frustrating...." I explained

  "Thanks a lot ma'am, that was explicit And helpful" he appreciated with a smile

  "Its nothing! What exactly would you want for stability?" I asked again

  "Uhmmm, anything at all. A reputable job will do..." He simply said

  "You have to earn it. What was your major back then?"

  "I studied Land Survey...." He replied still wondering

  "That's what I need. Here's my card (I handed it over) I'd like you to honor it"

He was excited and overwhelmed

  "Ma'am I don't know how to thank you..."

  "You stand a Chance! How much do I owe you...." 

  "No, I can't accept no money from you. Not because of the card but your words were heavenly..."

  "Oh no, my bad. I don't accept freelances, let me pay it.....since you ain't telling me I'd just pay you anything, agreed?" I Asked

  "Agreed!" He smiled

  "Here!" I took a handful and handed it over

  "Ma'am!" He stood shocked

What I offered could settle an average rent or more, I left him overwhelmed and lost of words.

I sighted Hunter's car from a little distance, I forfeited the groceries not to keep him waiting, then I walked to him as he hopped down to meet me. We hugged

  "Hey Mr? Did I waste your time?"

  "I saw her from a distance, wondering what motivation she maybe rendering to someone?" He smiled as we walked into the store instead. We picked what we needed for dinner and the time being

  "Are things that difficult out there?"

  "You didn't know? More than you could imagine babe" he sighed

  "This man took my eyes, I couldn't walk out but stop to ask what the problem is...He's got a sick wife and unpaid tuition for his kids.." 

  "Really? Y'all had a time out. Is he ok?"

  "Of course, I guess! I had to help, man"

  "You always do that Danni, I'm proud of you!" Hunter said smiling at me like a child who won first place at school

We shopped then headed home, made lunch.

  "Tell me how it went with Lola?"

I knew he'd ask that

  "She's good. She apologized...." I said simply

  "Woah! That's the reason she called you over?"

  "Yeah! She was remorseful" I added

I felt talking about the bail was really not important

  "Did you forgive her?" He stopped eating

  "Uhm...." I stuttered to find words soothing

  "I think you should, it doesn't matter what she did, give her a chance to move freely...." He started

  "C'mon, she destroyed my marriage and made nothing...." I got pissed

Why was he suggesting I forgive her that easily

  "I know. That same marriage did you no good, Danielle. Admit it! You always...." He got pissed too suddenly

  "Are you trying to say you're better than Jamal?" I tried to figure out

  "There! Who said that? That's simply not what I meant" he defended

  "Of course you meant it Hunter, do not lie." I insisted

  "I don't know why you took this so personal, I only suggested you forgive her that's it! I can't force you, can I?" He added

  "Just like not being able to force you to stay back?" I stared up again

  "Really Danni? We talked about this, didn't we?" He reminded with a hard face this time

   "Why are you even fuming....." I asked him instead

  "Who's fuming? You are! I'm not fuming you are, obviously?" he almost yelled

  "You just did!" I walked to my room