Like A Tattoo (Sample) E-Book

Akilah Saunders

• Herausgeber: BookRix
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

Athena is a small city stylist who has recently opened her very own chic boutique, Rella's Closet. She hasn't been the luckiest in love and has yet to learn that her worth isn't determined by the success of her love life. She needs to slow down in love while turning up her passion for fashion. 

The outspoken, ghetto-fabulous, Zendaya is unsure of her place in this world. Love and happiness are a fantasy a lifetime away, which she doesn't have the desire to sit around waiting for. Her baby girl, Icis, and best friend Athena, give her the focus she needs to move past the pain of her childhood while holding her head high in hope of a pleasant future. She's always been a good loyal friend to Athena, but what happens when a secret threatens to destroy their bond?

Andre is a perfect gentleman who has been silently in love with Athena since high school, but just hasn't found the right opportunity to win over her heart. Lorenzo is an Alpha male who goes after what he wants and right now Athena is his target.

Can Zendaya's and Athena's friendship overcome a major hurdle? Will Andre win over Athena before Lorenzo's quiet storm sneaks in to steal her heart? And who will have a dramatic revelation? Everyone has choices to make. Athena, Zendaya, Andre, and Lorenzo are all faced with the challenge of not letting their insecurities determine their futures. Life is an experience that we carry with us everywhere, always...Like a tattoo.

(FULL E-BOOK AND PAPERBACK AVAILABLE ON AMAZON)

Leseprobe

Akilah Saunders

Like A Tattoo (Sample)

BookRix GmbH & Co. KG81371 Munich

Prologue

Athena rushes. She can't believe she let the time sneak up on her like this. For a minute she even considers canceling, but she knows that Lorenzo isn't the type to let her get away so easily. So she scratches that idea, before it has time to slow her down. She has grown used to backing out of things, and even more so enjoying her own company. But the time feels right. It's time to move on, to let go and let God; just after she finds her shoes. She hurries from her bedroom into the bathroom. Nope they aren't there, but her gold hoop earrings are. As she puts them on, a slight pain makes her wonder how long it's been since she's worn any. Apparently she had started to let herself go. But who doesn't from time to time, especially after such devastation?  No time to focus on the negative when being positive. Shoes, right, that's what she's looking for. She finds them in the kitchen and heads back to her bedroom. Just then the doorbell rings. Could he be here already? She peeks through the blinds to see Zendaya and her daughter Icis. 

"Girl open up, it's raining out here!" 

Good she could use some girl talk right now to calm her nerves. She hasn't been out on a date in 2 years. Taking off her jacket, plopping on the couch, Zendaya notices Athena's dressy attire. 

 "And just where are you going looking like a bag of money?"

Athena responds from the bedroom, "Well, if you called before you just popped up over here," she pauses sticking her head out to flash her bright smile; a smile so captivating, so alluring, so genuine.  A smile as warm as the glistening sun on a 78 degree spring afternoon, as you relax on your patio with the absolutely most amazing beach view. The type of paradise that you never want to let go. Magic. Yeah, she had a way about her that only a fool could resist. 

She walks out into the living room grabbing Icis planting her signature "Aunty Ena" kisses all over her face. Putting her back down, she continues, "then, you would know, that Lorenzo and I are finally hooking up." 

Zendaya smiles from ear to ear, "It's about damn time. I hope you been keeping it tight, so he can stick around and give Icis some cousins to play with, because I have watched enough Sesame Street and played enough pretend play for a lifetime!" They laugh as Zendaya follows Athena back into the bedroom, with Icis stumbling close behind. 

"Well you look nice and smell good." 

"I feel good too. I'm glad I listened to you." She walks closer to Zendaya handing her a vintage pearl and lace necklace, passed down to her from her recently deceased grandmother.

"Can you put this on me please and zip me up?" 

Zendaya stares in the mirror at Athena as she assists. She loves Athena like a sister, and although she is happy for her stepping back into the dating scene, it's bittersweet. She'll do whatever she can to prevent another man from hurting Athena again.

"I'm glad to finally get to meet this mystery man. You've been so private and shit." 

Athena, smiling gently, turns her head slightly to the left as Zendaya zips her dress. "I know you're worried, but I have a good feeling about this." 

The bell rings startling them both. Zendaya goes to answer it as Athena grabs her jacket and umbrella from the closet. When Zendaya opens the door, Lorenzo is facing away talking on his phone. She frowns calling him rude in her mind.

She yells with a dramatic flair catching his attention, "Athena your date is here!" 

Just as Zendaya turns back to face Lorenzo and he hangs up his phone turning around, Athena makes it to the door. Everyone’s eyes meet. Awkwardly Athena forces a quick introduction, "Zendaya, Lorenzo. Lorenzo, Zendaya." They say hello as Athena slips out the door, grabbing Lorenzo's reaching hand. 

"Lock up please when you leave. Thanks! I'll call you later." 

Shutting the door, peering through the window, Zendaya watches them pull off in his black 2014 Infiniti Q60. She mumbles to herself, "Imagine that." 

Chapter 1 : Athena

(2 Years Earlier)

The day has finally arrived. I’m going to become Mrs. Christion Jones.  It feels unreal as we run around getting ready for the wedding.  Anxiety pours through my veins as I try to shake all worrisome thoughts from my mind.  After all, Christion is my first and the love of my life.  I’m completely devoted to him.  But how do I know that he’s “the one”?  Am I settling?  Of course not.  He’s extremely handsome standing at 6’1 with an athletic build, shiny white teeth, gorgeous brown eyes, smooth bronzed skin, a good education, steady job, great relationship with his parents, and definitely puts it down in the bedroom.  What more could a woman want?  Inhaling, I close my eyes, savoring this moment.  The moment before my life changes forever.  Forever?  It sounds like such a long time.  Permanent.  No coming back from. I open my eyes.  “Okay, I’m ready.”

            The pianist plays Alicia Key’s song ‘Butterflyz’ as butterflies are released at our outdoor wedding.  Tara, a family friend, sings as the wedding party leads me down the aisle to my patiently waiting groom.  It’s breathtaking.  Like a scene taken right out of a movie.  I’ve always dreamed of having a beach wedding and today that dream was coming true. The majestic ocean is phenomenal against the crimson sunset. The music fades out as I make it to the beautifully decorated Bamboo arch.  Before anyone has the chance to be seated comfortably, Christion shakes his head.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do this.”