Life After Heart Break

The Hunt

"Damn, I just heard about your family, Dawg. Some of the homies were talking about how someone ambushed your parents, killing your Moms and Pops. How are you doing? Are we going to ride or naw?" John asked as he walked into my brother's apartment. At the time, we were all staying there, but I had made some movements where I could get somewhere of my own. That's where I met her. A sexy little piece of dark chocolate that I had to make mine. I was tired of whoring around, and if I was the next to become Don, I had to make some big steps.

"It wasn't even like that, s**t, John. You know how my parents were, and you witnessed it a few times. I don't even want to talk about the mess. It hurts like hell to know my Moms left this earth like that and here we are trying to plan a funeral for them... for his sorry ass. I swore I'll never be like him."

"Yeah, I said the same thing about myself and my Pops. He used to beat the s**t out of my Mom until the day I shot his ass. It's the reason why I say I will never settle down. I don't want to risk it. Hell, I take care of my baby girl, and she knows Daddy loves her, but I could never. I mean, never tie the knot."

I heard him, but I was the opposite. I couldn't continue to w***e around, cause it made me like my father, but John was full of s**t. He knew he loved my cousin. However, it wasn’t my business how they handle their relationship. I on the other hand wanted to settle down and have someone love me as much as I loved them. I've been waiting for that sign, and I received it yesterday when I was out looking for a house. I was expecting Jennifer; instead, she sent the woman who I wanted to become my Little Shorty, but I couldn’t lie I wanted to f**k her right there. Yet, I needed to get to know her first which was why I didn't have time to talk. I had to get to the real estate office to see her before Jen sent her out for the day.

"Yo John I’ll holler at you later about this. I have something I need to do… I’ll catch up with you later." I quickly said as my brother, with his smart-ass mouth, said something about me going to get some p***y. He was partially right, but I was going to try to secure a wife, something I wasn't telling any of them about until I was sure she was mine. Anyhow, I quickly ran to my car and made my way to the real estate office, where I was met by Becca.

"Good morning, Mr. Martin. You’re here early. You actually beat Jennifer in, but she'll be in shortly."

"And what about Ms. Roberts? Will she be in at the same time as Jen?"

"No, she had a house showing this morning at eight. Jennifer was impressed with the work she did yesterday and wanted her to meet with a picky client to see if she could sell him a house... I could tell you when she's going on her lunch break and where." I laughed. There was no way I was about to let her in on what I was trying to do. I didn't trust the b***h or her family, and she knew it. The only reason I played nice with the w***e was because of Jennifer. She and I were friends, but not on a s****l level.

Jennifer was beautiful, that much was true, but she wasn’t my type. I’ve never been drawn to women who were too thin, and my taste has always leaned toward Black women anyway. Jennifer was a lesbian, though you wouldn’t know it just by looking at her; she was as in love with women as I was.

"Sevyn, why are you in my office before me this morning?"

"I came to pay for the house I bought, and I want to close on it as soon as possible." I smiled as I watched her kiss Becca before waving me back to her office. Yes, Becca was her wife, and like me, she was from a mafia family. One we didn't get along with; I tolerated her and her sisters but despised her brothers and father. Still, she was loyal to them, which was why I wouldn't let her in my business.

"You and I both know you’re not in my office this damn early to pay for a house, and no. I won't help you hit and quit my new, soon-to-be partner. The woman can sell a house with her eyes closed, and she has proven to be a tough cookie. Truly, I thought she would fail after I set her up to sell to her ex and his new fiancée."

"That was cold and why do you always assume the worst of me, Jen? I'm getting older and about to become the next Don..."

"Yeah, I saw, and I'm sorry about your parents, but Becca's family didn't have anything to do with that. You know that, right?" I hummed and looked over my shoulder to make sure she wasn't standing there listening. I wasn't about to say anything that she could take back to her family, and I wasn't about to tell Jennifer the truth either.

"It is what it is, and I know her family had nothing to do with it. They were out of town, but someone’s to blame, and they will pay. As for Asia, I would like to get to know her." Jennifer sat there, glaring at me with an arched brow, as I slid over two checks: one written to her company and the other addressed to Asia as a bonus.

"You see a sexy piece of ass, and the great and mighty Sevyn Martin wants a slice of it. I don't know Asia well yet, but I do know she went through a messy divorce. She was one of the best real estate agents before her husband talked her into becoming a housewife, then left her for some Vietnamese chick. It was f****d up if you ask me and he took her kids. Sevyn, the woman doesn't need someone playing with her heart. You, my dear friend, are a w***e, and we both know you're not looking to settle down."

"People change, Jen..."

"Yeah, but not overnight, Sev." She was right, but it didn't mean that I wasn't trying. I wanted to get to know Asia, and she wasn't about to stop me. Jennifer knew this as well as I did, which was why she told me her entire schedule for the day. I smiled, kissing her cheek as I left to meet up with Asia at her next house showing.

"The thing I love about this place is the backyard, it's perfect for children, it also sits on 1.5 acres of land if you're an animal lover like myself. Horses are my favorite... I'm sorry, could you excuse me for a sec? Please feel free to look around and call me if you have any questions," she said as we made eye contact. I smiled as she frowned, walking over to me. Maybe it wasn't ideal for me to show up at her job, but I wanted her to know she was mine.

"What are you doing here? I sold you a house yesterday... Wait a minute, how did you know I'll be here? Jennifer told you. I don't need this right now and whatever you are trying to do, Mr. Martin..."

"Sevyn..."

"Sevyn… Mr. Martin, whatever you want me to call you, but I sold you a house, and that's all we have in common. I'm not the woman you may think I am, and I'm not on the market." I knew she wasn't because she belonged to me. She didn't know it yet, but she would soon. This was just the beginning of me letting her know.

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After a long day of showing homes, I was back at the office for paperwork when Jennifer walked in and set a check made out to me on my desk. None of my homes had closed, but here she was handing me a check with Sevyn's name and the amount on it. Who gave a ten-thousand-dollar bonus? He did, which meant he was trying to prove something. He wasn't the first man to have money to throw around, and he wouldn't be the last. Money didn't move me after losing everything. The only thing that did was my children and finding a way to get back into their lives.

"Did you send him to one of my open houses?"

"No, but I did give him your schedule because he's a persistent asshole. When he wants something, he won't stop until he gets it. You know how some men are. I would say that he's not a good person, but I'd be lying. Sevyn is a good guy, but he can be a jackass. He's also a w***e, but he’s saying he’s changing his life. I don't know what he wants with you, but you should get use to the never-ending gifts and pop-ups until he gets what he wants."

That was nice to know, but I wasn't looking for a man. After the way Hendrix had done me, I didn't think I could stand being in a relationship. I was still hurting, and I felt unpretty at the moment. Personally, I didn't see what the hell he saw in me, but it was a little nice to know that someone thought I was beautiful, than like the trash I felt I was. I didn't want to talk about it, and Jennifer sensed it as she told me to be sure to lock up and that she would see me Thursday morning, since the office was closed on Wednesdays and Fridays. It gave me time to look for another place to stay and to get my hair and nails done. I planned to do all three the next day.

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The next morning, I found myself in the nearest beauty salon getting a sew-in with a front lace closure. I needed something that would last until next week and that I could manage myself. Seeing this on me made me start feeling a little more like myself, but it was after I got my nails done that I felt complete. Most misunderstood the need, but I had to have my nails done to function. They were a part of me, and they had to look good. Now I was out looking for a new apartment that didn't have a no-pets policy since it seemed like I was stuck if Bandit, the story behind him was too long to talk about, and I had Princess, who seemed to get along.

The sad thing was, I had been to over six of the apartment buildings on the list I had, and all of them claimed to have a no-pet policy. I was at the last place on my list, and I almost didn't walk in, but something told me this was the place for us. The decor inside was beautiful, and as soon as I walked in, I saw a woman about to walk out with her Yorkie.

"May I help you, Miss?"

"Yes, I'm here for the open apartment." I smiled when she smiled back. Without a word, she headed to the office and returned with an application. I didn’t even have to ask about pets—it was right there at the top of the page, which made me smile even more as I filled out the paper, after we left to view the apartment.

"This is one of our apartments that overlooks the lake, and you can see the city lights at night. I'm telling you it's a romantic view to see. If you ask me, all the apartments on the side have the best view unless you're looking for a penthouse. We have an open one that's a little pricey, but the privacy is worth it. Come, let me show you."