Loving Heart (The Broken Heart Series Book 3) (15 page)

“Good bye Jenesis. I’ll draw up the divorce papers tonight. You’ll have them in the morning. Is there anything else you want besides the apartment? I’ll leave everything to you and the baby.”

“Michael…”

“Don’t. It’s true what Nick said. You
do
love him. I’m not going to compete with another man.”

“Is that what you think this is all about?”

“You love him don’t you?”

“I don’t know, but that’s not the reason. You’re not listening!”

“I am listening. I hear you loud and clear. Well, here’s your opportunity to find out if you love him or not. Good bye.” He walked out of the apartment and never looked back.

                        Chapter 14     Michael

I kept my word and stood away from Jenesis. I knew Joe would protect her, but I stalked her like a Goddamn fool. Every night after work I passed by her apartment to see if the light was on. If it was, I would sit outside until the light went off. She went to bed early every night around nine. Then, I would drive to Harlem and open the door to the hear the echo of my own breathing. I was alone and it hurt so badly. I’d sit on the couch near the fireplace drinking vodka and orange juice and wondering what she looked like underneath her clothes now that her belly was growing. The thought of who’s baby she was caring was more hurtful than anything else. 

I spent most of my nights contemplating whether or not to wait for Nick to leave his job and put a bullet in his head. I didn’t know if he was seeing Jenesis, but I never saw him around her apartment or anywhere near her new job. I knew she worked with Dr. Kate. I followed her one morning when I was off. I thought she was going to see Nick but to my surprise she met up with Kate. Then, I followed her a couple of more times in the morning and she met up with Kate again. I knew for sure Nick was nowhere to be found. She wore a blue uniform, like a nurse’s assistant. Funny thing, she never went to school for that. Jenesis was so smart. She could be doing so much more. I didn’t want her to work. She was at risk being out in the open. Anything could’ve happened to her.
Anything.

I must’ve fallen asleep on the couch. I opened my eyes and and noticed the glass of vodka and orange juice lodged between my thighs. I had an appointment with Dr. Logan this morning. I’ve been seeing her for the last three months. I kept my promise to Jenesis that I would get help. I glanced over at my phone. No messages, from anyone. I’ve lived a lonely life these past couple of months, but maybe that’s what I needed to heal the wounds from my fucked up past. I jumped in the shower and let the water fall on my body. I thought how much I missed Jenesis and how I would do anything to have her in this shower right now, sliding my hands down the curves of her waist, feeling her breasts against my chest, and kissing her lips that only belonged to me. I turned the shower water to cold, to calm my aching groin, and then got out and got dressed. I put on my blue suit and tie, because after all, it was Monday.

I drove to Dr. Logan’s office and parked in the lot across the street. I walked towards the building as it started to drizzle. I walked a little faster looking down at the floor and when I looked up, I bumped into Dr. Logan.

“Michael, you shouldn’t be walking with your head down.” She giggled.

“Jesus, I’m sorry Annmarie.” I grabbed her by her arms. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Come on, let’s go upstairs.” She motioned with her hand for me to follow her.

“Good morning, Frank.” She waved at the doorman. He was an old man; I swear he was eighty years old.

“Dr. Logan, how’s the husband?” he shouted.

“He’s as happy as a chipmunk!” She yelled. “He’s deaf. Listen to his response.” She whispered in my ear.

“He’s running amuck!” Dr. Logan laughed and waved at Frank and he waved goodbye.

“Wow…poor guy. I think he should retire.” I shook my head.

“Maybe, but he’s lonely. His wife died three years ago. The love of his life.” She glanced up at me. “She hasn’t called for him yet, I guess.” We both stood silent in the elevator. I don’t know what crossed her mind, but Jenesis crossed mine.

“Here we are.” She unlocked the door and motioned for me to sit.

“Thanks.”

“Michael, I’m so proud of you. Talking about Dave has really opened you up. Are you ready to talk some more?” she sat with the clipboard in her hand and started to write some notes.

“Annmarie, I can’t thank you enough for helping me out.”

“Can I be honest with you?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“I gave Jenesis a private investigator to have you checked out.” She glanced away from me.

“Really? Why?”

“I…I thought with Dave being your father, you might have been hiding something from Jenesis.” She stopped writing. “I didn’t want you to hurt her…again.”

“I’ve already hurt her. How much more damage can I do?” I said as I leaned my elbows on my knees clenching my hands together.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to continue the sessions and have that on my conscience.” She seemed sincere. I can’t say that I wasn’t upset but, she became one of Jenesis’ closest friends, maybe the only friend she had besides Kate. I knew she cared for her, so I dismissed the accusation.

“It’s okay. I don’t blame you. I’ve told you everything I remember about my father as a child.”

“Yes…you did. Is there anything else you want to share?”

“I’d like to ask you why…he killed my mother and didn’t…kill me?” I gazed into her eyes and her stare went blank.

“Serial killers have a certain type. Your mother fit the description in his sick mind. He had no reason to kill you.”

“Why Jenesis?”

“She didn’t fit the description of the women he wanted to kill until she betrayed him with you. She became a whore the minute she slept with you…and in his mind…her betrayal was far worse than the rest because…he truly loved her.” She continued to write on her clip board and then changed the conversation.

“Michael, you haven’t seen Jenesis in months. What do you want to accomplish now that you’ve been seeing me? How does Jenesis fit into the equation?” She crossed her legs and leaned back on the leather chair.

“I want my family back. I want to not feel like this baby isn’t mine. I want to feel like I have control over my life again and give Jenesis and the baby everything they need.”

“How can you do that if you feel the baby might be your father’s?”

I glanced towards the floor a feeling of terror coursed through my body. I felt nauseous. Sick to my stomach.

“I’m not sure I can.” I shook my head. “May I have a glass of water?”

“Sure. Bottle okay?” She stood up and walked over to the little fridge she had in the corner of the room. She grabbed two bottles of water and handed one over to me.

“Here you go.” She whispered. She knew I was hurting.

“Let’s take it one step at a time.” She smiled.

“Have you heard from her?” I asked hoping she would give me some peace of mind.

“Doctor, patient confidentiality Michael. I can’t tell you that. But, I can tell you…She loves you.
Only you
.” She grabbed my hand and stood up. “Times up. I have another patient coming in a few minutes.” I stood up and walked towards the door.

“Thank you Annmarie. Can you do one thing for me?”

“Sure.” She shrugged her shoulders and nodded her head.

“Can you tell her that I love her?” The tears welled in my eyes.

“Of course. I will. I promise.” She waved goodbye and I turned around and closed the door behind me. I was determined to make this relationship work and I was even more determined to get Jenesis back in my life.

                              Chapter 15   Jenesis

Three months had passed and Michael did as he promised.  He drew up the divorce papers and sent them to me. I never knew how much that decision affected me until I started to watch my stomach grow from the pregnancy. At this point, the distance between us really did make my heart grow fonder. I think I loved him more now than I ever did before. I feel the strangest part of this all was that I didn’t hear from Nick. He found out I was divorcing Michael and decided to walk away. I guess it was the fight that turned him on so when there was no more fighting, he walked away from me;
or maybe Michael killed him after all
. It was for the best. I had a clear head. Besides, I wanted to work on my relationship with Kate and Joe. That was the new part of my life and it was positive and I was happy.

My relationship with Joe was flourishing and Kate had a change of heart. I needed my father in my life and Kate finally accepted that. She was more like a friend than anything else and when she hired me as her personal assistant at her office, it made our relationship even stronger.

“Good Morning, Joe.” I said as I met him and Kate at the diner.

“Jesus, Jenesis, you have such a tiny belly. I’m so jealous. I look like a thanksgiving day float!” she laughed and hugged me. She was right, she was huge for only going on her seventh month but, she looked beautiful.

“He’s healthy.” I said smiling.

“Well, we brought you here this Saturday morning because we knew how much you wanted to know the sex of your baby last week when I did the sonogram.” she smiled, holding in her giggles.

“Please don’t make me wait any longer.” I was anxious, the anticipation was killing.

“Okay, here.” she handed me a small white box with a yellow silk ribbon wrapped around it. It looked like a bakery box.

“Okay…something to eat I hope.” I opened the box and a small piece of cake with yellow frosting was wrapped nicely in wax paper.

“Now take your fork and taste a piece.” she said as her pearly whites were shining. She was more excited than I was.

“Hmmm…delicious!” The cake was moist and the yellow frosting was as sweet as candy.

“What color is the inside?” she smiled.

“Oh my God! Blue! It’s a boy!” I shouted. I was so relieved and excited at the same time. I always wanted my first child to be a boy. I never had a brother or sister but, I always wanted a brother and now that it’s a boy, it was my dream come true.

“Yes! Jenesis, a boy…a boy!” Joe hugged me tightly and Kate kissed my cheek.

“I knew it…I felt it.” I rubbed my belly gently as I smiled remembering the photo Michael showed me of his mother and him. She was beautiful and if this baby was his, he was sure to be beautiful…just like him. “Thanks you guys.” The tears surged in my eyes. I was so happy. I loved this baby more than anything in the world.

“We’re excited to be grandparents, well not really, I’m too young,” Kate laughed out loud, “and you should know…you’re going to have a sister, Jenesis. Joe’s face lit up. He kissed Kate on her forehead tenderly.

“What! Oh my God! That’s wonderful news, oh Kate! This is the happiest moment of my life! A new father, sister and a son, my own son! I can’t believe the good things that came out of this disaster I called my life.” My hands were trembling. I could barely hold the fork. “But not anymore. Thank you for making me your personal assistant, Kate. I really needed the money.”

“When is your divorce going through? And what do you mean you need the money, Michael deposits a big fat check every month for you in your account! You are definitely not on the poverty line!” she laughed then looked over to the side behind me. Her smile disappeared. She swallowed hard. “Oh…Jenesis.”

“What?”

“Don’t turn around.” She whispered.

“Why?” that’s exactly what I did.

“No…don’t…” I turned around to see Michael eating at the diner with a trampy bleached blonde. I almost threw up in my mouth. “He doesn’t know you’re here, come on, let’s go.” she whispered.

“No.” I said adamantly. I got up and walked over to Michael and his unexpected guest.

“Hello Michael.” I said softly. He looked up at me and glanced over at the
whore
.

“Jenesis, how are you?” his lips quivered. The
whore
grabbed his hand and
he
didn’t let go.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me?” I said haughtily, the ball in my throat choking me as I wanted to grab her by her hair and slam her face against the table.

“Um…no.” he shook his head confidently and looked away.

“I’ll introduce myself. I’m Candace. Candace Rodriguez. I work at Michael’s firm. We’ve been dating for about a week now. Nothing serious.” Then she turned to Michael. “Isn’t that right, Michael?” she said with a smirk on her face. Michael kept staring at me, then glanced down at my stomach.