Page 8 of Stolen Moments with a Bad Boy

I reached out and hugged her. “I’m so sorry you had to witness that, honey. No one deserves to be treated that way. Troy has never been any good, but I definitely underestimated Trix’s ho tendencies. I gotta tell my dad, Londen.”

She immediately broke our eye contact and looked at me. “No, you can’t, Erie. You promised,” she whined, wiping her hands on her apron.

“Well, do you have a better idea because us knowing and not telling him is just as bad as them fucking,” I yelled in a quiet tone.

Londen fumbled with her apron then looked at me.

“I’ll tell him, not you. I don’t want it to look like some tit for tat shit between you and Troy,” she firmly stated. The bell dinged, but we didn’t pay attention to it.

“Wouldn’t it look like that when you tell him? Jealous scorned lover is what my dad might think,” I commented.

“What who might think? What are you ladies gossiping about?”

Both of our heads whipped toward the deep voice that interrupted us. My dad was there in the flesh. His presence piqued my curiosity. When he flashed his award-winning smile, instantly, my curiosity had ended, and I bounced around the counter and jumped in my daddy’s arms. Yes, my daddy’s charm worked on me too. He picked me up in a tight embrace and placed me back on my feet.

“Hi, Daddy. To what do I owe the pleasure of this unexpected visit?” I quizzed excitedly.

I was most definitely a daddy’s girl. To my brother, I was a spoiled brat. That wasn’t the case. I worked my ass off to accomplish all my goals. Unlike him, my dad had to give him a nice cushy position in Lakes Holdings.

Troy Jr.’s funky little chief of field operations title really went to his head. That was why no one at the company liked his bitch ass. All he did was throw around his last name and treat people like shit. Later for that fool, though.

I focused on the handsome man in front of me and not that loser brother of mine. My father was in his early sixties, but he didn’t look a day over forty. He had a toffee-colored complexion that made his salt and pepper hair look more pronounced. Yet, in a weird way, it added to his youthful face.

My brother and I inherited our dad’s leafy, hazel-brown eyes and toffee complexion. For as long as I could remember, my dad always wore his hair in dread locs. Normally, they were always down or pulled to the back, but since Trix came into his life, she convinced him to cut them. I hated her more for that alone. Daddy was too good for a money hungry, bottom feeder like Trix, but she was who he wanted for now. His mid-top fade looked amazing on him, though.

Daddy stood at six feet, three inches with broad shoulders and a solid build. My dad wasn’t super muscular, but he was strong and solid as hell. In place of his tailored suits was a short sleeve Henley with oatmeal-colored linen pants. He paired his custom suede loafers with his fit for today. Daddy’s deep voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“I was in the neighborhood, taking care of some business, and I thought I’d drop by to see how you two ladies were,” Daddy admitted.

He looked over my head to Londen, and there was something else in that look. My dad was the kind of man that you never knew what he was thinking because he never wore his emotions. Furthermore, I was very curious to know what that look was about.

“That was nice of you. I’m good. I actually have a friend I’m supposed to be playing a game of chess with, but it won’t take long. I was going to send Londen home early, so how about you two get started beforehand, and I’ll join you guys in a minute.”

Londen was about to protest when my dad cut her off.

“Sure, Sweet Pea. We’ll be waiting over there,” he responded in a chipper tone. Daddy reached for Londen’s hand, and she shyly accepted his hand then walked away.

My dad had always treated women with the utmost respect, but the way he guided Londen to their seats was similar to the way a husband would guide his wife. I watched them for a few seconds longer, before I happily strolled over to Janeiro. He waited patiently for me at our chess table. I took my seat and batted my eyelashes at him. My chin rested on top of my closed hands.

“How are you today, Mr. Janeiro?” I queried with a smile.

He grinned broadly. “I’m well, Bella, but mister is too formal. We’re already acquainted. Janeiro would do just fine.”

I made the first move across the board, then I looked up at him. “Okay, I feel that. How was your trip? Where did you go, if you don’t mind me asking?”

Janeiro made his move across the board. “My trip was really nothing to call home about. I flew to Paris to pick up my shipment of fabrics. I met with the people I needed to see, then I jumped back on the plane the next day,” he replied plainly. He was so nonchalant.

“You went to Paris and picked up your shipment, yet you didn’t stay for any fun? You really are a loner, honey.”

Janeiro hunched his shoulders and made his move. I countered his move then grabbed his hand. He looked into my eyes. The intensity that beamed from his ocean-blue optics tried to relay an encrypted message I couldn’t decode. I hope it wasn’t because of what I said.

“Is everything okay, Janeiro? My intentions aren’t to offend you or bash you. I just wanted to help fill a void I know you have. When my grandmother died, that’s exactly how I felt, empty and very lonely. I don’t have any sisters. My only brother hates my guts.

“For years I tried winning his love and friendship, but every time I tried, he just dismissed me or treated me worse than before. After a while, I accepted the fact that things were never going to be that way for us. So, I know how it feels to be lonely.”

Janeiro snatched his hand from me. I was shocked at his reaction.

“You don’t know shit about being alone. There is no way possible that you can.”

---