Chapter 4 Sadia
Same Day, Early Evening . . .
I pace around my living room, which is no bigger than a shoebox but also my solace.
My mind spins as Chance’s words and offer play on repeat.
I have had a crush on Chance since the second time he walked into the coffee shop, but I never saw us having any personal encounters.
Not only did Chance offer to settle my school balance, but he also wants me to go away with him.
I’ve been home for a few hours, and the ache in my feet and lines in my carpet remind me how long I have been circling this perimeter.
Chance’s offers aren’t something I’ve ever had to contemplate or consider. They also have me in a state of confusion as I attempt to decipher his motives. Who in their right mind asks a random woman to go away with them?
“Better yet, who offers to pay off someone’s debt?” I ask aloud as my mind continues to reel.
The offers aren’t tied to any sexual favors, but for some reason, I still feel a little dirty. It’s like I’ll be selling a piece of myself if I allow Chance to get involved with my personal affairs. Do I really want to cross this line with a stranger I only know by first name?
If you don’t take the money from him, what are you going to do? You’ve worked too hard not to receive the reward.
The words that echo in my mind cause my eyes to mist seconds before tears slip from the corners and down my face.
My chest tightens as an ache radiates across the surface.
But my feet continue to move as I bite my inner cheek to contain the sob that bubbles within my diaphragm.
The loud ring from my phone halts my steps, and I turn to where it sits on my table.
It’s the call I need to take, but it makes my nerves take flight.
I walk over and pick up the phone before I connect the call so it doesn’t roll over to my voicemail.
“He-hello.” My voice is shaky, and my heart rate increases.
“Alright, I’m home and settled. Tell me what you couldn’t earlier,” Alicia says.
A breath of relief slips from my lips when I hear her voice because it’s not who I thought the caller would be.
Alicia was on her break when I returned to the parking lot with Chance hot on my heels.
I simply mouthed that I wasn’t feeling well and to call me later.
Chance caught me at a vulnerable moment after I let D’Essence know I was sick and needed to go home early again.
While I’m grateful for an understanding boss, I can’t keep missing hours of work, especially when it’s how I earn a living at this time.
But my mind has been so consumed by my dilemma that it’s been the only thing I’ve been able to think about.
“So, you might have gotten your wish,” I say before I regurgitate my conversation with Chance and me, word for word.
“Ooh. That’s uh, hm. I think I’m at a loss for words, girl,” Alicia says once I finish with my spiel.
“You? I’ve been walking a hole in my carpet because my thoughts are scattered as heck. I don’t know what I should do. But I have to figure it out and soon because he’s going to be calling soon.”
“Wait. Wait. Hold up. You didn’t mention that you gave him your number.” The high-pitched tone of Alicia’s voice causes a slight smirk to form as I take a seat on my couch.
“I practically shouted my number at that man just so I could get away from him. His offer and then request for a favor knocked the wind out of me. I had to get away from him, and he wasn’t ready for that to happen.
So, I told him to call me later, and we could discuss it in greater detail.
But the truth is, I just needed a minute to stop breathing in his panty-melting cologne and powerful magnetism.
” I shake my head as my eyes stare blankly at the dark TV in front of me.
Laughter sounds through the receiver, and all I can do is join in because this situation is wild. If someone had told me that my crush had the potential to become my fake man, I would have laughed in their face.
“Man, this might not be on your bingo card, but I think you should go for it. If I were a gambling woman, I would bet that the odds are in your favor, girl.”
“Or this is my dad’s karma for playing in love’s face,” I counter.
“Tuh. You’re the one who believes love won’t find you because of your dad’s inability to commit to anyone. His issues aren’t yours though.”
I sigh heavily because I often feel like Dad somehow rubbed off on me, which is why I haven’t thought much about dating anyone. It’s been easy to forget about men and dating when my father, who’s my first love, hasn’t given me many examples.
“I just feel like I might bite off more than I can chew. This is crazy. Who propositions a woman that doesn’t involve sex?”
“A man that you’ve been crushing in silence over. Have you considered that maybe this isn’t karma or a result of your dad’s foolishness? Better yet, take a leap into the unknown and see where it takes you.”
As if my mind isn’t already on a roller coaster, Alicia’s words spike my blood pressure just as my other line beeps. I pull the phone away from my ear, and my heart rate elevates when I see the unknown number flashing on my screen.
“I-I think he’s calling.” My eyes stretch, and I rub circles on my chest to try and slow the sudden pounding.
“Good. Let me know how it goes.” Alicia disconnects the call, and it continues to ring.
Oh God! Oh God!
With shaky hands, I swipe the button to answer the call, but my words get stuck to the roof of my mouth.
“Hello.”
Mm, mm, mm, my God!
The thick, heavy baritone voice echoes through the receiver, and my hormones stand at attention as my legs squeeze together without permission from me.
“Sadia? From the slow breaths, I know you’re there.” The light tone from Chance indicates his humor, which forces me to finally speak.
“I’m here. Good-uh, good evening, Chance.”
“I’ve given you a few hours, not because it’s what I wanted. But I know it’s what you needed, Sadia.” The way my name rolls off his tongue causes warmth to surge through my body like glaze on a hot donut.
I smile and twirl my hair with my right hand before I lean back against the couch. I’m no more ready for this conversation than I was hours ago. But time has run out, so it’s now or never.
“I did,” I whisper.
“Let’s discuss everything and lay our cards on the table. Then you can make a decision that hopefully is in my favor.”
“That’s fine, but I can’t help but feel like I’ll be using you.
I mean, you’re offering to pay my student balance, and all I have to do is go on a trip with you.
It sounds like it’s something you already have in motion, which means you’ll have to put out more money.
The whole thing feels lopsided and unfair to you.
” My words rush out as my mind spins with various scenarios and the financial impact on Chance.
“There’s one thing I need for you to understand about me before we go any further. I don’t do anything that I don’t want to do. You could never use me, especially when I offered. As far as the trip, think of it as a pre-graduation present.”
I bite my lip as I contemplate whether or not I should accept or decline Chance’s generous offer. All he’s asking of me is that I pretend to be his woman. How bad could that really be?
“If I say yes, what happens next?”
“First, I take care of your school balance. Then, you and I go on our first date. We need to establish some comfort level with each other to pull this off in front of my friends. My only rule is that we treat the date like it’s real.
For all intents and purposes, we’re just two people exploring each other without barriers. ”
My heart races, and my stomach churns because it’s been a long time since I have been on a date.
I’m not sure I know what it fully entails or if I’m ready.
The idea of it being with Chance also excites me in a way that scares me.
The idea of spending time with Chance in an intimate setting fills me with jitters and merriment.
“Do you really think this is going to be easy? You’re speaking as if none of it bothers or worries you. What makes you so confident, and why me?”
“It is easy. Besides, why not you? You’re a beautiful woman, and I would be a fool to miss an opportunity to get to know you. I know you can make a great Frappuccino, but I’m intrigued to learn more about the woman with the power to render me helpless.”
“Okay.” The word falls from my mouth without further rebuttal due to the sincerity and intrigue that develops after Chance’s words penetrate my brain.
“Aw, shit! Jackpot! Give it up for the newest bombshell beauty of Chance Mitchell, . . . Sadia unknown last name,” Chance says, and giggles tumble out of my mouth from the humor and lightheartedness within his words.
“Sadia Richardson, at your service, Mr. Mitchell,” I tease once my laughter slows.
“Aw, you better quit playing, woman. I won’t be letting you ruin my virtue and shit. Maybe I need to rethink this arrangement.”
I laugh again at the offensive tone of Chance’s words that don’t sound like an objection to the possibility he insinuates.
“Stop playing, Chance.”
“It got you to bless my ears with the sound of your laughter, so a win is a win.”
“Touché. So, tell me more about this trip and the first date.”
I cross my legs before I place the call on speaker and set the phone down beside me. My previous anxiety is gone, and thanks to Chance’s antics, I’m comfortable enough to continue this conversation.
“This year we’re going to a resort in Florida.
We decided on something that sits on the beach and should provide the romantic mixed with party vibes we enjoy.
The problem is that my friends are almost ready to blackball my single ass, so I’m desperate.
I live for our trips, but I’m the only one without a companion, which is a condition for attending.
My back is against the wall, so I need you, Sadia, and honestly, more than you need me. ”
Something about hearing Chance say he needs me warms my heart and removes any lingering hesitation.
I don’t think anyone has said those words to me before, and somehow, they thrill me.
It feels like an honor and a privilege to be in this position.
While most might think my degree is the prize, I think it’ll be the moment I get to walk arm in arm with Chance.
That thought causes a cheek-splitting smile as that exact vision surfaces.
Even if for a short time, I’m going to find out what it’s like to be someone’s woman.
That’s a flex I can fully subscribe to, and maybe, just maybe, it won’t feel fake along the way.
The truth is, I like Chance, and even though I’m hesitant to embark on something fake with him, I’m also ready to do a few cartwheels at the knowledge of the opportunity to spend time in his presence.
Before now, we’ve only been two ships passing in the morning.
But now, our mutual dilemmas give us a chance to blend our worlds.
Merriment and fear war within me, but neither will make me back out of this arrangement.