Chapter 1: It's Not About Me Anymore
1265 Words
“Good evening, miss. How may I help you this evening?” The young woman greeted me when I came into the large building that I’d been sitting outside of for the last few hours.
This place was like a hotel. There is a concierge, and the lobby was top-tier fancy. Once, I probably would have been able to afford something like this. Not anymore.
As I faced the young woman standing at the front desk, I knew that they probably had information on everyone who lived there. They are, no doubt, careful about who comes in and out of here. I can’t lie about who I am here to see because something tells me that she will know.
“I…I know that this isn’t-”
“Wait, don’t I know you?” the woman suddenly asked me.
“Unfortunately, not,” I replied as Jasmine began to stir in my arms.
“Aww, what an adorable little girl! Beautiful!”
“Thank you so much!” I said with a smile. “I’m sorry, but I need to change her, and I’ve been walking. This is the closest place that I could get to. I don’t want to get anyone into trouble or anything, but-”
“Oh nonsense!” she smiled. “We have a bathroom around the corner to the back. You can change her in there.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
“We women must stick together.” she smiled.
I didn't waste time heading off in that direction. Ideally, the elevator would be nearby, but the emergency stairwell would have to do. Before anyone caught me, I crept through the door and made my way up the twenty floors it takes to get to the top.
When I finally realized before I walked through the door that I had no clue which apartment was his. How foolish of me. I pushed through the heavy steel-plated door, and shouldn’t be shocked to see that there is only one apartment door.
I took anxious steps to the door and when I finally arrived, I was almost completely frozen with fear. I already knew that this would not go ideally, but I couldn't help but think of the worst-case scenario.
Still, I knocked.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
I didn’t intend for that to be so loud. I think my anxiety coupled with fear-fueled adrenaline gave me the added strength.
“Go away!” His voice is loud and carries a subtle accent. Irish? Maybe?
Didn’t matter. What did matter was how intimidating that voice was. He was obviously not in the mood for anything, let alone finding out that he was a father.
Maybe I should….leave. The thought ran through my mind.
No, no, I have to do this. I have to. Again, I knock, admittedly more nervous than before.
Silence followed and, suddenly, “Please!” I blurt out desperately.
I heard footsteps coming toward the door. Then they stop. He must be looking through the peephole. “I’m not taking any questions! Go away!”
“Please! I…I’m sorry to bother you, but I really need to speak with you!”
“All reporters think that what they want to talk about is important. Unfortunately, for you, I do not share your views on the matter.”
“I'm not a reporter! I just...I'm just someone who needs help! And at this point I think you’re the only one who can-”
“You are boring me right now. Do you realize how many times I’ve heard that? What? You want a picture?”
“No, no, it’s nothing like that! I just… Please, I really need to speak with you. I don’t want to take up too much of your time! Please! You have to…” I should think before I speak. “I mean…you don’t have to-you don’t…owe me anything. I…shouldn’t even be….” My voice trailed off. It was settling in how unbelievable this was. Still, I couldn't just walk away. It was not about me anymore.
He groaned. “I…am not doing this tonight,” he breathed through the other side of the door. “I have no time for this bloody foolishness.”
I heard his steps recede. “I-wait! I’m not a reporter! I swear! I don’t-” I was going to say that I didn’t want anything from him. That was clearly a lie, however. “Please, just give me a moment of your time. All I need is a moment. Please”
Silence ensued once more. I looked down at the door frame and saw a slight shadow. What was he doing? Watching me? Could he see Jasmine?
Probably not. I had her bundled up pretty tight tonight. With fall here, and winter right around the corner, it was very windy outside.
Jasmine began to stir, “Shh, shh, it’s okay.” I heard his steps receding once more, he was walking away. “Please wait! Please!” I turned to Jasmine who was getting restless. “It’s okay, baby. Everything will be okay. I promise. Whether daddy helps us or not, everything will be okay.”
Moments later, chains begin to rattle and locks began to clear. Then the door was suddenly yanked open and a pair of bewildered blue eyes were suddenly staring down at me. Eyes belonging to the handsomest man that I had ever seen.
*****Jaafar*****
I was sure that my mind was playing tricks on me when I heard that whining sound outside my door. Then she surprises me further.
Daddy? What the bloody hell is she on about?!
When I aggressively swung that front door open, the nervous woman stumbled back with the baby in her arms and immediately, I almost stepped forward to steady her. It wasn’t about me anymore or even her anymore. Didn’t mean that I was not angry and bewildered by this inane accusation.
The young woman standing there was visibly tired, and her whiskey-brown eyes were fraught with exhaustion and nerves.
“What did you say?” I looked down at the bundle in her arm.
She seemed hesitant to answer.
“Speak!”
“I’m sorry, I” She paused. I imagine, to get her nerves about her to repeat the nonsense that had earlier been announced. “I…you don’t know me, and I…I don’t know you, but-”
“Glad you can clarify. Now try something that I don’t already bloody well know.”
She stood there anxiously shifting on her feet. “I need your help! And I know I have no right to ask for that, but…”
“You think this is some charity?”
“No, no! It’s…no, it’s nothing like that!” She exclaimed.
“Then you’d better be explaining really quickly what it is like! Who are you?!”
I usually don’t speak to women like this. In fact, I’ve always been known as a gentleman. But tonight...tonight-or any night lately-wasn't a good night for me. And while I would probably regret my tone later, I refused to stand down right now However.
“M-My name is Journee Woods, and I’ve come here…hoping that you’ll give me just a minute of your time.”
“I’ve given you far more than that. I’m afraid my patience is all out.” I started to shut the door.
“Then maybe you’ll spare a little more for your daughter!” she blasted before the door closed on her face.
I stood there, so…shocked by what she said. I was rendered speechless.
Daughter?!
- Writer
