Part 59

Part 59

"Thank you for your kind words but I'm ready to call it a night." I said as I touched Elijah's arm and walked away.

"I'll call you as soon as I get home. I hope you answer." Elijah yelled out right when I turned the corner.

Out of sight but I sure wasn't out of hearing range when I broke down. My body suddenly got limp and I hit the floor, screaming, and crying; cursing everyone from my past. I didn't have the strength to do this in private, it hit me as fast and hard as King’s words. I didn't know Elijah and King knew that, he wanted to make sure I saw for myself that no one would want me, with the attempt to diminish my self confidence. I felt arms around me, trying to lift me up, the first thing that came to mind was to fight King off; because I was sure Elijah already left. With my eyes filled with tears, damn near blinded, I started swinging; yelling at King, letting him know how much I hated him. The arms were holding me tight,  saying something but I couldnt make it out or the voice. Not too long after I blacked out.

I woke up in my hotel bed, fully dressed except my shoes and shawl. I was afraid to look around and come face to face with King. I laid there in silence, praying I was alone but I wasn't.

"Good morning Ms. Aaliyah."

I turned to see Elijah sitting in a chair he pulled up next to the bed. Speechless, I just laid there looking at him.

Finally mustering up the words, "Good morning Mr. Elijah."

I went to sit up so I could talk to him but he told me to lay back and relax.

"I hope you don't mind that I stayed, I was worried about you."

"I appreciate that, thank you but I'm fine."

"Passing out isn't signs of being fine."

"When I'm stressed as I was last night, that's happens. It's something new stemming  from my past live events. I want to explain a few things to you but please don't cut me off as you conveniently do. Everything that King said was.."

Elijah cuts me off, "I'm sorry but if that's not his name, please don't refer to him as a king any longer."

"Agreed! Everything that Leo said is correct. I've been out through some unscrupulous things and most ended in the last year and some change. I never allowed any of it to change my outlook on life. Well, until late night."

"Are you clean? Meaning no drugs and no STDs that medication can't cure?"

"I'm fine, I never did drugs willingly, and I'm STD free."

"So what's the problem?"

"How can I be loved truly by anyone with all of these baggage?"

"Easy, let me show you. We can be friends and see what happens. I didn't know your past when I decided to chase, beg, and grovel. I only saw a beautiful black woman with a smile that any man in his right mind would cherish. I want to be that man, if given the chance to be. No answer is needed, we have a lot to learn about one another, but for now I need to get home to get some rest. By the way, you're gorgeous when you're sleeping as well." Elijah bends over and kisses me on my forehead.

I grabbed his arm and asked if he was willing to stay with me, he could sleep here, and I promised not to bother him. He looked at me with a smile, took off his shoes, and climbed in bed. I asked his permission to lay my head on his chest, he pulled me closer, wrapped his arm around me tightly,

"You never have to ask me to treat you like a Queen."

"Leo called me that."

"He didn't have the right to call you a Queen, but I do. Calling you a Queen is one thing, treating you like a Queen is another. You're dealing with a man, and us men do man things." Kissing me on the forehead again, we drifted off into a deep gratifying sleep.