Chapter 1

Belinda...

New York was always the first city that came to mind when asked where I wanted to live. I've always been amazed by how city life can be in New York. This is my third year since I've moved here. Yap, still I have it in heart. I fell in love with a city that one day would be my home. Three years down the line and I love it more than any other cities in USA. Born and raised in LA, and yet I had no such love like which I had for this particular city.

It's where all my hopes and dreams have come true. Even though it's not all of them. I still had so much to see and hoped the city could provide more too. In terms of sou mate, I already had one. He's super loving and caring. This one man I fell in love at first sight. He helped me from a guy who almost tried to take advantage of me one fateful night three years ago.

Kinda lame but that's how we fell in love. At first it was like I was the one who ended up confusing care for love but in the end he still fell for me. So we decided to give it a go and see if it would work.

" Bell, quit spacing out, or we are gonna loose. Focus lil missy. " Sam hit me slightly on my arm trying to get me back from the land I had been engulfed in.

"Sorry." I mumbled a quick apology before getting my attention back in the game as I rearranged my cards.

I aced in playing poker. Over the months I've been pretty unbeatable. Can't deny the fact that the man am in a relationship with is a beast in poker. It's just naturally that I follow in his foot steps. I'd simply say I had good luck that the universe usually provide but this was a different case, I was always good with numbers and calculations thus it made it easier for me to have higher chances of success.

" Your cards." I heard the dealer's voice announce.

Later it was my turn to lay down my cards on the table.

"What!" one of the guys eyed my cards in utter disbelief. His eyes almost pocking out of its sockets. "How does she keeps winning every game?" he spoke loud enough to burst my ears drums and his voice had a hint of annoyance in it.

It was a clean swift of win. A royal flush it was. Sam screamed in excitement upon seeing my cards.  The dealer closed the game with us being the winner as he slid over to our side the pile of dough. The rest of the players quitted after being broke.

"I can't believe this, am mad doomed." the same guy from earlier spoke scratching behind his neck taking a step closer to us.

"Relax man, it's just a game. Next time better luck." I pointed out while we stashed our money in a black bag that Sam had previously prepared. Knowing how I ace in poker, she always is prepared for lots of cash.

"You bitch." he cursed.

"Chill out man. Who are you calling a bitch?"I got annoyed.

" Let's get out of here before he causes any trouble. " Sam suggested and I agreed.

" Who? Me. Cause trouble. You little bitch how dare you... "He dragged.

" You better keep your mouth shut if you can't win it fair and square. "I warned cutting him mid way.

" Damn you." he cursed again.

" What was that again? I didn't quite hear you. Speak up like a man if you are so bold. " I raised my voice at the end.

" Fuck" He was about to throw a slap to my direction when a hand stopped him mid way.

" Dare and I promise, you will definitely go home short of an arm. "he warned.

" Douglas. "I called.

" Nah baby girl. You know I don't like it when when you call me that. "he complained.

" What are you doing here? "I whispered asked.

" Missed me. "

" You wish. " I rolled my eyes.

" One sec. " he turned back to the guy who tried to hit me. " You are one bold bastard to even have the guts to raise your filthy hand on my woman. "he stated letting go of his arm.

" She's your woman..?Am so sorry.. I didn't mean to." he pleaded.

" Get out of here before I change my mind about letting your arm rest on your shoulder. " Douglas warned.

Job well done. The guy disappeared without a second thought. That was super cool at the moment coming from him. But I still hate the fact that he always let it get the best of him.

" Any wins today?" he asked while coming back to me as he stretched his arms to my ass past my waist.

" Yeah, a lot infact. "I bragged clipping my arms over his shoulders behind his neck.

There he was doing that thingy where he pulls me closer to him in order for me to feel how hard he was. His eyes on mine then a second later they shifted to my lips. I could see how he was lusting over them. Slowly he closed the space between us as he took me by my lips taking it slow and passionate. I could taste the mint stench of cigar on him yet I didn't mind at all. I have dated this guy for the past three years. Some things, I have come to live with. Furthermore, I warned him about it but he always turn a deaf ear about smoking.

"Get a room you guys." Sam teased while walking away with the bag on her shoulder.

"You are gonna let her leave carrying that like that."

"Let her be."

"Meet me at my place tomorrow night." He whispered to me.

"Okay." I mimicked him.

One last peck and soon Sam and I, we were heading out the back door to where she had parked our car. Time for a girls night since we had won a large sum of dough.

"You two never ceaze to amaze me. Bel, it has been three fucking years and still that kind of affection you two emit, it's still fucking fresh." she spoke her mind out loud as we entered the car.

"That's why I insist on you, Samantha Russell, to find your self a man." I bit my words knowing clear she has never settled down or better have such thoughts.

It has been all drama for her to the extent of a soap opera concerning relationships. One moment she is in a super serious relationship the next she ain't in one. She's looking for the best but yet one way or another she always ends up with either total assholes or idiots.

"Relax, Belinda, amma find my self a man. Sooner or later. You'll see" she assured me. Yah wishful thinking. Good luck to her. Judging by how quick she falls in love and out of love I doubt she will find him sooner. Later am sure of that but sooner, naah.

Well that's that. She drove us back to my apartment where we had settled in destroying my apartment with our little bitchy party which by the way she invited several dudes even though I didn't like the thought of it. I knew I'd get drunk and do silly stuffs.

" Enjoy the night missy, me am going to enjoy myself by making out with any guy that says am pretty." she was dead serious.

"Sam don't trash my sheets." I warned seriously.

"Don't worry I'll buy you new ones. We have the money. Right?" she shouted back heading down the hallway to the direction of the bedroom with a tall masculine guy.

That I knew I needed new bed, new sheets and new mattress. The party went well since we all enjoyed the night. The fact was I didn't know a single soul here that's what made it super fun. It was all drink and enjoy music. By the way, Sam had bought everyone for the party. Anyways who doesn't like free food and alcohol on top.

The night was still young when we decided to end the party. Most guys were already drunk and I didn't want any of them sleeping over. It was barely midnight but we had to. Tomorrow was a busy day too. I needed to go to work and Sam needed to finish up some of her jewelry deliveries.

"You phycho." I spoke upon seeing her in one of my pj's.

"What, can't I have a peace of mind in my own home?" she asked shamefully without a hint of shame in her voice.

"Darling, it's my apartment, basically it's my home." I stated.

"We are best friends for crying out loud. Your apartment is mine too. Live with that."

"Better replace my beddings tomorrow or else I'll kill you." I threatened.

"Fine lil missy." she hissed getting under covers.

We settled in for the night in the sitting area cause I wasn't going to sleep on those dirty sheets left by Sam. The small bed we had made for ourselves wasn't comfortable but it will do.

" So when is Harvey going to propose?" Sam asked yawning.

"I have no idea." I paused. "Anyways we are not in a any rush. We still have a lot to ourselves." I stated.

"Excuses lil missy." She spoke. "Am pretty sure he is taking his time forever. Are you sure he wants to take the next step with this your relationship? I mean not to jinx it but it has been three years, Bell."

She was right, it has been three years now. No engagement. No marriage. No kids. Just us two fooling around as if the world revolves around us. Sometimes I wonder if he still wants to be with me but yet he has never given me any doubts to believe he doesn't.

" Maybe it's high time you talk to him about it. "she suggested.

" I don't know maybe he'll get in his moods again. Remember the last time I asked and he ended up travelling for a month to hide from me. "

" Yeah, that was very cowardly of him. "

We both laughed at the thought. Even though he is a grown man sometimes he ends up doing somethings that will make me term him as a kid.

" Better make sure he still wants to be with you for the rest of his life. I don't want you crying over it when he ruins the three years you build together."

"Sam, cut me some slack."

"I just want to be sure. Plus am pretty sure your family is hot head on you about marriage stuffs. You will be turning Twenty two in four months time. Right?"

"Yeah." I agreed.

"Start planning your future now. Time to take over the family business and stop fooling around with poker game." she advised.

"Look whose talking." I paused sitting up eyeing her. "You enjoy the money."

"Yah I do but..." " Your future is important too."

" Fine. I'll think about it. "

Samantha Russell was the first person I knew when I relocated here. We met at a night club one Saturday evening. We both spoke about our shitty lives that we mourned together drunk. Till then we have been best of mates. Saving each other from ones misery.

With that we both said our good night's as we retired for the night.

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