When Love Calls (Chapter Two)

CARBON’S ITALIAN RISTORANTE
Manhattan, New York

“Man, let me get a coke.”
“Sure thing.”

The bartender turned around and filled a glass with ice.

Marcus looked around the ristorante.

Zaniyah looked around the ristorante. Her eyes locked with Marcus’ eyes.

Marcus smiled.

“Here you go man.”

Marcus turned around. He lifted the glass of soda from off the polished surface of the bar-top.

The bartender followed the direction of Marcus’ interest.

“Man, that piece of ass may cost your pockets, of even your life. Take my words of advice. Stay away from Miss Ice Queen.”
“I have no attention of warming that up at night.”

But damn it may be nice trying to thaw it out every now and then he thought.

Marcus placed his half-empty glass down on the bar-top. He lifted his hat and placed it back on top of his head. He strolled to the door, opened it, and walked out.

“Damn man, you out here doing a rain dance or what.”
“It’s been coming down for some time now.”

The downpour obscured the approaching vehicles.

Marcus lifted an umbrella from out the umbrella holder, slid it open, and walked out to a patron’s vehicle.

Zaniyah’s Blackberry vibrated. She lifted her purse from off her lap, opened it, and took out her Blackberry. She slid it open and looked down at the number. She placed it up to her ear.

SAND POINT
Long Island, New York

“Hello father.”
“Good evening dear. Where are you?”
“I’m out with a couple of friends in Manhattan.”
“And you did not think to advise me of your wandering.”
“Father, I’m out with several friends. I’m all right.”
“I advised you dear, you may be the safest person, however.”
“I know father. You have enemies who would hurt you by using your daughter. Father, I’m twenty-two, and I’ve heard that for years now. Now enjoy your evening, and quit worrying.”
“I will send Domenico to escort you home.”

Zaniyah looked around the partial filled restaurant. She looked down at her watch.

“Father trust me. I am fine. I am on my way home in the next hour.”
“If you are not home in an hour. I will send out Tango and Domenico to come and check on you.”
“Yes sir. I love you.”
“I love you, and enjoy your evening.”

Zaniyah’s father hung up his end of the conversation. She slid her Blackberry close and dropped it back inside her purse. She closed her purse and returned it to her lap.

Rosalina looked over at Zaniyah.

“Dear daddy, again.”
“Yes, I wish he would let me grow up and make my own decisions.”
“I’m surprise he let you move out that guarded fortress he had you locked in for twenty-one years.”
“Girl, it was like pulling teeth, to get his permission, my grandfather’s permission, and then I had to get my nana’s approval. I wish my mother was still alive. We used to talk about everything.”
“I know you do, I’m sorry.” Rosalina looked at Martina. “But you have us for any feminine related issues you ever need to discuss.”
“Thelma and Louise, how nice,” Zaniyah stated sarcastically.

Rosalina and Martina lifted their wine glass.

“To Thelma, Louise…and.”
“The lonely one,” Zaniyah inserted.
“And the lonely one.”

All three women click their glass with one another, and then took a sip of their wine.

ONE HOUR LATER

Marcus pushed his locker door close and walked over to the mounted wall mirror. He straightened his tie and buttoned up the two buttons to his double-breasted suit jacket. He walked from out the back of the employee lounge.

The cleaning crew was placing the chairs on the table.

The silence of the ristorante was welcoming.

“Thanks Marcus for stepping in on such short notice.”

Marcus turned around.

“I thought after my father sold you this establishment it would be the end of me stepping up to the plate.”
“I know, however, as your Godfather, I really needed the help tonight.”

Marcus looked around the ristorante.

“Man, keep that relation shit on the down low.”
“No worries. Oh, and in the future do not upset any of my female patrons.”

Mr. Ramo palmed his cheeks down.

“Are you speaking in reference to little Miss Spoiled Rich Girl.”
 “The one and same. I’m surprised she didn’t call enforcement on you.”
“Not to worry, if she did, I have my own.”
“Indeed we do, now get out of here. I’m sure, I’ve kept you from that date far too long.”

Marcus looked down at his Omega watch.

“You have. I’m out, and in the future, if you ever need a valet, hire one.”

Marcus walked out the ristorante.

“Shit.”

It was raining more than the last time he stepped out. He heard a car engine revving.

Marcus looked both ways. He cranked his neck. He saw Zaniyah behind her steering wheel. He lifted an umbrella from out the umbrella holder and slid it open. He turned and walked the opposite way. He heard the sound of an engine revving and then suddenly dying. He stopped in his tracks.

“Don’t do it.” Marcus palmed his cheeks down and thought to himself. “Fuck it.”

Marcus continued to walk toward the employee parking-lot.

Zaniyah lifted the hatch lock to pop the hood to her vehicle. She opened the door and got out her car; she pushed the door close and walked to the front of her vehicle. She lifted the hood and placed the thin wire holder to contain visibility under the hood.

The rain coming down in droves assaulted the top of her head. Her clothing felt like stiff paste to her skin. She looked over the car mechanics. She walked back to the driver side. She opened the door, reached inside, and lifted her purse from off the passenger seat.

Zaniyah straightened her posture. She opened her purse, and took out her Blackberry. Her Blackberry fumbled in her slippery grasp before falling; landing in a puddle of accumulated rain water. She bent over to retrieve it. She shook the murky water from off the base, and then wiped the screen and keys on her dress. She pressed in the contact number to the Automotive Club and placed her cell phone up to her ear. She heard nothing but silence.

A vehicle road past her.

The rotation of the tires produced a cascading surge of water over her.

“Shit.”

Zaniyah dropped her Blackberry back inside her purse, closed it, and angrily tossed her purse back inside her vehicle. She looked both ways. She slicked her hand back through her wet hair. Her bones were starting to chill. She looked back at the ristorante. She slammed the door close and took a step forward.

The front lights of the ristorante went out.

“Nice.”

Zaniyah took a deep breath and walked back to the front end of her vehicle.

Marcus parked his Land Rover behind Zaniyah’s vehicle. He turned off the engine, unsnapped his seatbelt, and then opened the door. He got out and pushed the door close. He looked down a pair of wet toned legs as he approached her presence.

“It looks like you could use some help.”

Zaniyah lifted her head from inspecting her vehicle.

“I’m all right. I’m waiting for Triple A to come and assist me.”

Marcus looked down at his watch.

“I do not think it’s wise to be caught stranded in this neighborhood this time of night, especially for a beautiful woman.”

Zaniyah slicked her wet stands off her face with the back of her hand.

“Don’t worry, it doesn’t lessen your beauty in the least.”

Zaniyah smiled behind the compliment.

“Now, would you like me to take a look under you?”
“I beg your pardon.”
“Your hood.”

Zaniyah looked up and down the deserted street.

“If you really don’t mind.”

Marcus walked back to his vehicle. He opened the door, leaned over the driver seat, and pulled down his glove compartment door. He fished inside for a flash light and pushed the door close. He reached down and lifted an umbrella from off the passenger floor mat. He stepped back and pushed his door close.
Marcus joined Zaniyah at the front of her car. He slid the umbrella open.

“Here you are pretty lady.”

Zaniyah accepted the offering.

“Thank you.”
“Anytime.”

Zaniyah held the umbrella over her head. She scooted closer to Marcus, as he maneuvered the flashlight over the machinery of her vehicle.

Wow he smells good she thought. She scooted closer.

Marcus thoroughly inspected Zaniyah’s vehicle. He assessed her fluid levels. He returned to his vehicle, and then pulled it alongside of hers. He removed his jumper cables and hooked the cables to his vehicle and then hers.

“Turn your car on.”

After fruitless attempts. Zaniyah’s car reused to abide.

Marcus removed his jumper cables from out his vehicle and then hers. He walked over to the driver side window of Zaniyah’s vehicle.

“I think you need to get this beauty towed.”
“I…my phone...it’s not in working order for me to contact anyone.”

Boy she was beautiful he wanted to shout out.

“How about you come home with me, I get out these wet clothes, and I call my towing company to get your vehicle towed. I will then take you home.”

Zaniyah bit down on her bottom lip.

“I really do not want to leave my vehicle here unattended.”
“I have a reliable towing company.”
“I know but.”
 “Would you like to use my cell phone to call someone to come and pick you up?”

And hear her father’s voice roaring in her ear about how irresponsible she is, and then give her the repeated speech about how he regrets giving in to her independence, no thanks she thought.

“I will accept your offer to go home with you. I could call the towing company once I get there, and then you could take me home.”
“Sounds like a plan.”

Zaniyah grabbed her purse from off the passenger seat and opened the door; she got out her car and pushed the door close. She checked all the door locks. Zaniyah joined Marcus at his vehicle.

Marcus assisted Zaniyah up inside his Land Rover. He pushed the door close and walked around to the driver side. He opened the door, settled his presence behind the steering wheel, and then pulled the door close.

Marcus pulled his seatbelt strap over his shoulder and snapped it. He plugged the key inside the ignition and turned it. He immediately turned the heat on and then maneuvered his vehicle away from the curb.


Copyright©SKC-2019