Page 69 of When Love Takes Over
Her eyes darted around the room as she avoided my eyes.
“Malyah, look at me, baby. Look in my eyes because they don’t lie.” I waited for her to do as I asked. “From the moment we met, I was drawn to you. Even with what you were goingthrough, your light remained bright. I’ll do whatever I can to make sure you continue to shine.”
She smiled.
“You’ve already done so much. I paid off all my debt today, and for the first time in my adult life, I don’t feel like I’m carrying the weight of the world on my shoulders. This is a new beginning for me, and it’s all because of you.”
“Your life has been hard for a long time, and I’m glad I could help. It’s a blessing that your journey hasn’t hardened you. A weaker person would’ve given up.”
She looked down at her hands again as she spoke.
“It’s hard being strong all the time, but I don’t know another way to be. I hear women on TV talking about their soft girl era, and I can’t relate, but I imagine how I feel right now is close.”
“C’mere.”
“Kenzo—”
“I said, c’mere.”
She stood and came over to the other side of the table. I took her hand and gently pulled her onto my lap.
“I don’t know how long you’ll let this last, but as long as you’re with me, you can live in your soft girl era.”
“Oh, really?”
“Hell yeah. You don’t have to wait until school starts to quit your job. Do it now and enjoy a few months of carefree living until the fall. You deserve it.”
“I wouldn’t say I’ve done anything to deserve five months off, but it’s funny you say that.”
“Why?”
“Gramps wants me to quit and spend my days working with him until school starts. He wants to teach me everything he knows before he goes on to be with the Lord. Those were his words, not mine.”
“Oh, I’m sure that’s exactly what he said. He’s always talking about dying, but I suppose that comes with age. Is that what he was talking about when he told you to think about what he said?”
She nodded. “I’m not sure I want to do that, though. I don’t want your parents to think I’m?—”
“First of all, you’re my wife. I have enough money to take care of you. Secondly, you now have enough money to take care of yourself, and lastly, stop worrying about what my parents think.”
“I’ve had a job since I was fourteen. I can’t imagine not working.”
“As I told you, Gramps has been waiting his whole life to take someone under his wing. What you learn from him will be invaluable, and by the time you start school, you’ll be able to teach the classes.”
“I don’t know about that, but I believe I’ll be prepared.”
“You should give it some serious thought,” I told her.
“Who would replace me as the head cook?”
I shrugged. “That’s not for you to worry about.”
“Can you promote Anika?”
“Does she have experience?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. If you decide to take my grandfather up on his offer, I’ll promote Anika.”
